Street Eats and Los Mercados:

El Mercado Lucas de Galvez

El Mercado Lucas de Galvez offers about anything you could need and at negotiable prices. Clothing and accessories can be found on the second floor while produce and food products are on the entry level. Habaneros, melons, mangoes, bananas, spices, tortillas, beef, pork, chicken, turkey and about anything else you could need to cook yourself a delicious meal are all inside this maze of stalls.

The main market days are Saturday and Sunday, and the earlier you get there the better. Seafood seems to be the first to go, so if you want your pick of the fresh fish, go early.

We were able to make a meal of fresh fish tacos with avocado, pico de gallo, sauteed vegetables, beans and tortillas to feed five people for just under $9usd total with nearly everything from the market. So if you are equipped with a kitchen and like to try your hand at cooking – el mercado Lucas de Galvez is a gold mine.

There is also a food court area with tortas and meals for sale — best advice for this is to go where you see the most locals, and look at the food before sitting down to order.

Location: The streets stop being so grid-like at the Market, which takes up a more than one block of the city. Calles 54 and 56, and 65 and 67, will all lead you there.

If you’re just out for a meal, try heading to the smaller Artisan Market, a block away from Lucas de Galves, on the corner of Calles 65 and 60. Here the small eateries are more inviting, and the market itself is generally less crowded and overwhelming.

 

Los Restaurantes:

There are plenty of places to eat in Merida, and around the Plaza Principal is a good place to start. You can find many restaurants with dishes starting at around $5 USD and up, and many “fast food” options with various options for tortas, quesadillas, or gorditas that cost P$30 or less ($2.30 USD). On Calle 63, near the intersection with 62 just as you leave the park, you’ll find a couple of these fast food options, and a Hotel/Restaurant/Bar where the food is good, and prices slightly lower than the options around the corner at the main Zocalo.

La Chaya Maya:

When a Restaurant has more than one location in town, you know it’s popular. This might be especially true when the locations are two blocks apart….

Chaya Maya brings in a mix of mostly tourists, but locals frequent the restaurant as well. With a great and varied menu that focuses on local cuisine (Comida Yucateca), including delicious drinks (and beers), and a well trained wait-staff, it’s obvious why Chaya Maya has done so well. Still, we can’t help but feel like we’re missing out on something when picante only comes by request… which has been the norm at restaurants that are tourist-tailored. While it’s a top option without over-the-top prices (main dishes start at P$5 USD), you’ll probably still find us at the smaller eateries in El Mercado…

Find them at two locations: Calle 62 #481 on the corner of Calle 57 and Calle 55 # 510 x 60 y 62

El Templo:

 

A top pick for lunch, El Templo is also an interstingly-themed (I’lll let the pictures speak for themselves) bar and restaurant, with a full-menu during evening hours. During the day, however, they have a daily-menu with three options for entrees, and three options for sides, that might be impossible to beat for the price. One entree, two sides: P$39. Two entrees, two sides: P$58. One entree is a great lunch, and with two, don’t be surprised if you have leftovers for dinner. On our visit the food options included chicken stuffed with cheese and spinach, some amazing kabobs, steamed vegetables, fried rice, and mashed potatoes. Find them on Calle 59, between 50 and 52. Lunch hours are 12pm-4pm.

 

 

Casa Savia Vegetariano:

 

Also offering a menu that changes daily, the daily deals range from P$45-P$65 ($3.50-$5 USD). Included are a drink, side salad, rice, and one of four vegan meal options (tacos, tamales, a lasagna, and soy dish were our options). For P$55 you can add soup, and for P$65 the entree of the day is included as well. Breakfast is served here also, though not dinner. Savia closes as 4:30pm.

 Find them on Calle 59, between 52 and 54.

 

 

 

Finally, for cheap eat options, Calle 64, between Calle 59 and 61 looked like a promising option, with several clean, inexpensive, plastic table eateries (usually a good indicator of tramper-friendly prices.)

Also, at the intersection of Calles 56 and 57, you’ll find burgers and loaded nachos (sharing recommended) at Yessys, or all the standard fare at the 24-hour Cafe La Habana, or grab a beer and enjoy the music coming out of Henequenes across the street.

 

GETTING // GOING          •         SLEEPING          •          EATING          •          DOING           •          MAP

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