Top Places to Eat in Merida

I think it's safe to say, I love food! In fact I'd venture to say that you love food as well. 

I knew I liked you. 

Wherever people go, whether it be downtown, to another state, or to another country, one topic of conversion is always, "What are we going to eat?". 

Being in a new country makes it a little harder to decide where you'll eat. If you aren't fluent in the language it may also be a little nerve-wracking to go in and order something. Then if you end up not liking the place, it's a big disappointment to everyone.

So, here are my top places you must try when, you either live or visit Merida!

1. Pola Gelato Shop- 

You might miss this unassuming shop walking around Centro, but look for the little square sign, "Pola". They have really great ice cream and gelato. They even have unique flavor combinations throughout the year. Imagine apple compote and blue cheese. Yep, I tried it. Our favorite thing to order here is the vanilla and coconut, and the strawberry with lemon. This is a cash only place, so have those pesos ready.

Pola

2. Chonita-

Keeping with the ice cream theme, I think this one is my absolute favorite. Located North near La Isla mall is a small food truck on the side of the road. Most of the time you will see a line of 4 or so cars ordering from this place. They'll let you try any flavor you'd like. They rotate a few flavors on their menu every so often but mostly have the same things. Beso de Cenicienta is hubby and I's favorite. It means "Cinderella's kiss" and is a combination of strawberry and cherries and other things I can't pinpoint. Just trust me though, it's divine. My son enjoys that one as well as cajita(caramel) and my daughter tends to get chocolate. We have tried pina colada, coco, and pistache, which are all really good as well. You can get it in a cone or a cup and even order a half pint to take home. This is also a cash only establishment.

Chonita

3. Changomango- 

This is a vegan restaurant and really good in my opinion. I ordered the burger with a mushroom base. It was a little messy but good! The fries it came with were seasoned nicely and the drinks were good. They have juices and smoothies and a blue lemonade which the kids enjoyed as well.

Their smoothie bowls were good too. The service is slow but the ambiance around you make it easy to be patient. It is outdoor seating so be sure and go when it isn't too hot. 

Changomango

4. Tabom- 

This is another place that's hard to spot. They have an extensive menu! Pages! Mostly everything we have tried there has been tasty. We always get a juice(Jugo Teresina) which is freshly made to order. My son likes the "ensalada de frutas tabom" which is a fruit and yogurt bowl. We recommend the quesadillas fit and the cacao smoothie bowl. They advertise themselves as a healthy food place so you leave here feeling full and in no way guilty.

5. Taco Arabe-

 If you go anywhere while visiting here, go to Taco Arabe! Just go. This place opens at 6pm and is open till 12:30am. It's always full but service is quick and it's so inexpensive. Our family of four gets food and drinks for around $15! This place has the best horchata and jamaica in the city, IMO, and the root beer is made in house. They have the absolute best tacos arabe. No other restaurant can touch their tacos arabe. We literally get the same things here every time. Tacos arabe con queso and my daughter likes the quesadillas. We eat about 2 or 3 each and their sauces they serve are so so good! I may have drooled a little just now. They have a white garlic sauce, a green, and a red salsa. We just put a little of everything on each taco. 

6. Mercado de Pan-

                                         

This is a small shop but they make amazing pastries and sweets! You can WhatsApp them an order about a day in advance for delivery or go in and get yourself some cinnamon rolls, almond filled croissants, breads, and many more items to fill your belly with.

Mercado de Pan

7. El Barrio-

This is another small restaurant off of Paseo. They are a great breakfast spot! They have the best chilaquiles and french toast that we have found, it's a must try! 

          

El Barrio

8. Sunny-

Another hole-in-the-wall place! I think these are the best kinds because they aren't huge or well known places but you are rewarded for finding them by enjoying really great food! I'd suggest coming here for brunch because the place can literally only hold maybe 12 people. There's one bigger table and two little ones. When we are trying a new place we always each try a different thing and then taste each one to know what's best. Every plate we ordered here was so so good! I don't think you can go wrong. I got a veggie bowl with eggs on top, kids got pancakes and french toast, and hubby got a traditional breakfast and it all was made so well! We are definitely going back!  

              

Sunny

9. Merci-

So far, the best burgers around! Merci has a couple of locations and is a great spot for any meal of the day. The burger and fries are my favorite and the Merci sandwich for breakfast is good too. You must also try their dessert called Banoffee. Tastes just like banana pudding. The kids really enjoyed the mac and cheese too. You can add chicken and bacon to it as well to make it a more 'rounded' meal.

Merci

10. Crabster-

If you are craving some seafood this place has great reviews and many of our friends have recommended it. I got the steak and cheese tacos(I know, not seafood) and they were yummy! Kiddos got fish sticks which tasted good too. We even went when they were having a promotion where when you ordered food it was all you can drink free beer! Gotta love that.

Crabster

I may have done the order of these restaurants a little backwards.. ice cream first.. breakfast, and then dinners.. haha, oh well!

I'll probably have to do a second "places to eat" post soon because we just keep discovering more and more places that we just love and there are a few popping in my head right now! Hopefully you enjoyed this post and if you live here or are just visiting you have some new places to try out!

~Bee