Variety of colors, smells and flavors, Yucatecan gastronomy is one of the most important legacies that the Mayan culture could offer us, along with the contribution of the Hispanic culture that brought with it products that were not typical of the region. With the help of knowledge, travel, experiences and the occasional experiment, many chefs have shared their gifts, with unique culinary innovations and fusions that would leave anyone in doubt, but with a spectacular result, combining them with a unique atmosphere in a space that in combination with their dishes, they create incredible atmospheres for those who can enjoy their work. With fresh and unique proposals, these are some of the restaurants that are unmissable when visiting Yucatán.
K’u’uk
Chef Pedro Evia is the creator of many great things, including K’u’uk. He says that “our menu is Mexico and its flavors, all prepared with Yucatecan hearts and souls, evoking memories, entertaining and feeding our souls. ¨
K’u’uk certainly offers an experience like no other. Its 12-course menu allows you to experience every detail, not only for the opportunity to taste 12 dishes, but also to enjoy flavors that transform Yucatecan gastronomy with its own style. Several times winner of awards such as the Food and Travel Award as the best restaurant in the interior of the republic, K’u’uk is located on one of the most emblematic avenues of the city of Mérida, Paseo de Montejo. Its atmosphere, gastronomy, location, and creativity make K’u’uk a unique and special place.
Merci
Regina Escalante, one of the 20 “Great Mexican Chefs” and with a culinary vision out of this world, decided to open the doors of Merci in 2014 at the age of 26, with the promise of offering fresh and local products made on the moment, combining two cultures that define her, the American, where she is her mother and the French, where she studied. Today Merci has 2 branches, one in Plaza San Angelo and the most recent one, at paseo 60.
Inspired by traditional recipes to make her own, Regina and her team are convinced of the potential of local gastronomy and their desire to share a good taste for food. Merci offers breakfast, brunch and lunch, and a different and unrepeatable daily specialty. Its bakery is exceptional, and its food is fresh and delicious.
Apoala
Apoala has a true passion for Mexican flavors. Thanks to the experience and creative style of Chef Sara María Arnaud Gómez and her vision with her brother Carlos Arnaud Gómez, Apoala offers a touch of Oaxaca in Yucatan. With a mix of Mexican, Oaxacan and Yucatecan recipes, and a wide range of cocktails, wines, craft beers and mezcal, Apoala is a must-see on your visit to Yucatan.
The shrimp ceviche, the barbecue tacos, its yellow flowers and the Oaxacan steak are just some of the delicacies that Apoala prepares for his clients, these accompanied by a house mezcal and, to top it off, one of their delicious desserts.
Apoala is the Portales de Santa Lucía in the center of the city of Mérida, undoubtedly a privileged location. A tip would be to reserve for Thursday night, and enjoy the Yucatecan serenades that are presented in the main painting of Santa Lucía, adorning the evening with music and typical dances of the state.
Picheta
Located in the heart of the city of Merida, when passing through a small door in the famous Picheta passage, there is a unique and cozy restaurant, which, without a doubt, has the best view of the city from its terrace / bar, just in front of the cathedral of San Idelfonso. Its signature cuisine is perfect, and together with its contemporary Yucatecan gastronomy they make an excellent dumbbell. In Picheta food with heart is offered; an experience of experiences: vibrant, passionate, warm, exciting, and deeply Yucatecan.
Among its authors, we can find the chefs David Cetina, Luis Barocio, Edwin Chulim, Geraldine Abraham, Chel Vidal, Roberto Solís, Alex Méndez and Maricela Chaia, who without a doubt can feel their creativity in each of their creations, contributing their unmatched touch to each dish.
Te extraño extraño
Here, things are done with love. Their contemporary cuisine proposal is in the hands of the chefs Joaquín Cardoso and Sofía Cortina, after completing their training in France and Barcelona respectively, they come to Yucatan to create a menu respecting traditional flavors and offering a fresh and natural gastronomic proposal. With his multicultural influence, chef Joaquín describes his how his menu is thought for different styles, different times, and different cravings.
Located on the ground floor of LaGalá, a gallery focused on art, gastronomy, and design, to provide a multicultural dialogue in the city, the perfect place for I miss you. Their dishes are delicious, always respecting responsible consumption, their dishes are presented to create unique emotions, sharing phrases from beautiful poems on each of their dishes.
Maya de Asia
The best of two worlds. Maya de Asia is a new culinary concept, the mixture of the emblematic and traditional Yucatecan food fused with the flavors of Eastern and Asian cultures. Their menu is proof that two cultures can go perfectly hand in hand. Maya de Asia opens its doors in December 2019, its owner, Carol Kolozs Fisher, believes faithfully in Yucatecan gastronomy and in how much it has to contribute, and a brilliant example of this collaboration is its Boutique Hotel, Rosas and Xocolate, it is one of the most visited in the state for its excellent service and delicious cuisine.
The menu includes dishes such as crispy pork with vegetables, Thai-style octopus greaves, charcoal cauliflower, house sausage and more than 50 dishes of the best of Mayan and Asian cuisine.
Micaela mar y leña
“When you eat a dish made with the heart, it not only fills the stomach, but also the soul.” Their passion is hospitality, and they faithfully believe that cooking for their loved ones is a language of love that is transmitted in food. Micaela opens its doors on 47th street at 52nd in the colonia centro in the city of Mérida.
Its food is a mixture of the sea with a touch of firewood, its flavors are Mexican and universal, and its history begins thanks to a letter lost in a family recipe book, which dates to 1897. On its menu we can find octopus grilled, grilled beef marrow, its variety of oysters and delicious desserts. The ideal place to feel proud of the Mexican culture and roots.
Porfirio’s
Passion, pride, and excellence. Porfirio’s is a restaurant that praises the best of Mexico, choosing the best of its gastronomy in its dishes to transform flavors, textures, and aromas into a unique experience. After a fusion of food from every corner of Mexico, its environment is adaptable for all kinds of meetings, whether executive or family, having a space for everyone.
Typical dishes such as quesadillas, tacos, tortas, tlacoyos and flutes are some of the options that are on their menu. Porfirio’s is located in Plaza Harbor, in the north of the city of Mérida.
