Are you the kind of diner who likes every outing to be a culinary adventure? Or are you the type of person who prefers not to take risks with a new dish that you might not enjoy? No matter which one you are, the truth is that now that Mérida’s culinary scene seems impossible to explore completely (and with so many places where the price does not always match the quality), there are some establishments that stand out for offering menus that are always fresh and dynamic: places where quality is guaranteed without having to order the same dishes forever.
Here are some of my personal favorites in the capital of Yucatán.
Merci: The “All-Day Brunch” Revolution in Mérida
The restaurant Merci, with locations in Paseo 60 and Plaza San Ángelo, did not invent the concept of brunch in Mérida, but there is no doubt that it truly revolutionized it when it opened its doors in 2014. From the beginning, Merci’s culinary proposal has been inspired by the origins of its founders: a Frenchman and a Mexican-American woman. Therefore, all dishes at Merci clearly reflect these three cultures, whether through their roots, techniques, or ingredients. There is no better example than their Pepita Croissant, now a Mérida classic that never goes unnoticed by anyone who tries it, whether for the first time or the thousandth.
Earning the trust of diners in Yucatán’s competitive market is not something that happens overnight, but quality speaks for itself. That is why chef Regina Escalante feels free to offer special menus (main course, bread, dessert, and jam) that change every month and sometimes even every two weeks. This is in addition to the restaurant’s regular menu, which, far from being static, is continuously updated: almost imperceptibly every month and more substantially every six months, ensuring a fresh offering that aligns with the season, diners’ cravings, and, of course, the Merci team’s inspiration.
Likewise, when you visit Merci, you will have the freedom and flexibility to eat whatever you want, whenever you want. If you want to start your day with their Boeuf Bourguignon (absolutely recommended, as far as I am concerned), no one will stop you. If instead you are craving a Croque Madame or any of their pancakes at 3 p.m., you do not even need to ask whether it is available: here, brunch is served all day.
If you want to go even further, Merci San Angelo welcomes you in the evenings with a menu featuring some lunchtime favorites as well as a selection of more innovative and upscale dishes, all with the quality guarantee you already know.
In July, visit either Merci location to try their Beef Wellington (filet wrapped in serrano ham, mushrooms, and house-made puff pastry), their Flatbread with potato, cheese, bacon, and egg, and for dessert, a cheesecake with seasonal fruit jam.
Paseo 60: Calle 60 x 35 #346 Centro, Mérida
Tue. – Sun. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Plaza San Angelo: Avenida 23 x 14 y 16 #201 Montes de Amé, Mérida
Tue. – Sun. 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
IG: mercimid
FB: Merci
Holoch: Mestizo Cuisine and Stories in Every Menu
Holoch is a restaurant filled with stories. Its very space is a journey through the life cycle of corn—its name, in fact, refers to the leaves that wrap around corn cobs, called joloch in Maya.
You might think we are talking about a Yucatecan restaurant, but at its core, Holoch is a mestizo kitchen. Its chef, Obed Reyes, is proudly Yucatecan, but he has great interest, curiosity, and above all openness to incorporating elements from other places.
One very unique aspect of Holoch is that every visit can be extremely different. Although part of the menu remains relatively constant (with sections such as Corn Snacks, Seafood, From the Griddle, or From the Oven), there is also a Chef’s Selection section. This changes according to the season; now that the Yucatán summer is in full swing, the menu offers dishes that refresh the palate, such as the Black Shrimp Aguachile with mango and jicama, or the Chicharra de Barbacha, a birria-style red barbecue cooked with an oriental tamarind ponzu sauce that combines sweetness with a touch of spice and is topped with castacán (Yucatecan-style pork belly).
These dishes (and four others) will be available throughout the summer, so do not wait too long to try them.
Now, if your adventurous spirit guides you through life, perhaps the best option is the Stories Menu. This experience consists of a menu ranging from six to twelve courses, during which the chef, working from Holoch’s smoke bar, prepares dishes created especially for the occasion while sharing stories and anecdotes that complement the food, creating a truly unique and unrepeatable evening. Holoch’s Stories Menu is available by reservation for groups of two or more people, starting at 1,650 pesos per person, including signature beverages.
Holoch
Calle 64 #472 x 55 y 57, Centro
IG: holoch.mx
FB: holoch
Mon. – Thu. 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Fri. & Sat. 2 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Izel: High-End Veracruz Cuisine and Ferments in Downtown Mérida
Izel is one of those gems hidden in downtown Mérida. Personally, I love it because, in addition to seeking (in its own words) to rediscover the territory of Veracruz, it offers truly unique dishes in a dining experience designed to surprise you.
Part of what makes Izel so special is its handling of ingredients. Since Veracruz is such a geographically diverse state, much of its culinary richness is not easy to reproduce in Yucatán’s extreme climate. As a result, chef Pablo Luque has become an expert in sustainable fermentation processes, allowing him to preserve ingredients longer, improve their nutritional value, and create unique flavor profiles that do not strictly depend on the season.
Izel’s menu is a reinterpretation of Veracruz’s culinary traditions. In this Gulf of Mexico state, it is traditional to have for breakfast what Mexicans call antojitos: picaditas, enmoladas, tortitas, and more. At Izel, these dishes are prepared with a distinct and special touch so that they are not heavy in fats but balanced with proteins, vegetables, and light sauces, while still honoring corn, which was the foundation of food and culture throughout much of Mesoamerica.
Their Recién Nacida, an adaptation of a famous dish from the Papaloapan River basin, is delicious: Chinameca meat (marinated in adobo) and fried plantain served on a tortilla covered with beans and a delicate red sauce. You could also choose their Enatada, Encacahuatada, or Enmolada to try some of Veracruz’s most traditional sauces. If you prefer bread over tortillas, you might enjoy their Oriental Brioche, filled with creamy scrambled eggs and bacon, with a spicy touch from their homemade sriracha sauce. What you definitely should not miss is the Plantain Torreja, a French toast topped with caramelized plantain and a citrus foam that is both refreshing and delicious.
To accompany your meal, in addition to American coffee, espresso, cappuccino, and latte, you can try one of their original cold beverages (such as Lavender Tonic, Orange Brew, or Horchata Brew), or better yet, one of their fermented drinks, including kombucha and tepache, along with other surprises worth discovering.
This menu is subject to small adaptations and modifications over the coming months and will be completely renewed again around December.
Izel
Calle 64 x 49 y 53, Centro, Mérida
IG: izel.rest
FB: Izel Restaurante
Daily, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
First published in the print and digital magazine Yucatán Today, issue no. 463, July 2026.
Source: yucatantoday
