Mérida Restaurant Tips by Sandi-2004 Top 5 Page for this destination

PEREGRINA BISTRO: Great Seafood Buffet on Fridays

On Friday in Merida, our 2nd day in the city, we took the double-decker Turisbus city tour and got on and off at various places. In the afternoon we got off in the Hotel Zone and wandered into the Hyatt to take a look. We saw a very attractive bistro called Peregrina that had a seafood buffet with a long line of huge silver pots. We took a peek at some of the delicious foods inside & decided to stay. The food was fabulous and there was an abundant variety of choices. We felt as though maybe we shouldn't be eating in an American Hotel chain, but the chef at this restaurant definitely was an expert at Mexican cooking.

Address: Paseo de Montejo

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Hotel Zone

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Mexican

MAYALAND TERRACE DINING: MAYALAND, NEXT TO CHICHEN ITZA

Mayaland Resort offers beautiful outdoor and indoor dining rooms. There are four or five on the grounds. We had breakfast on the terrace before going into Chichen Itza and after touring the ruins, we came back to Mayaland's main dining room for lunch. The food is excellent.

These peahens walked leisurely around the deck to pick up the crumbs that diners dropped.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Other

ALBERTO'S CONTINENTAL: Lebanese Food in Merida

Merida has a mix of nationalities represented in its population, primarily from the days of trading sisal for ropes and nets. There are several Lebanese restaurants in the city. We had dinner one night at Alberto's. The restaurant's interior decor is fascinating and beautiful. The service was excellent and the food was fair. I would recommend taking a look inside this restaurant some evening if you are strolling around, but I wouldn't say that it is the best choice for flavorful recipes.

Comparison: about average

Directions: El Centro

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 2

Theme: Middle Eastern

ELADIO'S: In Progreso, On the Beach

Eladio's is in a perfect location on the beach near the malicon. It has plenty of floor-to- ceiling windows that slide open letting in the sea breeze. It's very easy to find, in fact, you can't miss it. The food is good, not great, but good. And when we were there on a Saturday afternoon, they had a live band. It was very enjoyable.

Favorite Dish: Many restaurant have delicious little round "homemade" warm chips for salsa dipping.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Town of Progreso on the Gulf Coast beach 30 minutes from Merida.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Mexican

LOS ALMENDROS: DELICIOUS YUCATECAN RECIPES

We had Yucatecan recipes for almost every lunch and dinner while on vacation. My favorite was "Queso Relleno," a mixture of ground pork, tomato, raisins and olives covered in warm, melted cheese and served with a thick white sauce. In English it is called "stuffed cheese." That's what I had at Los Almendros and it was delicious. Several days later I ordered it at another
restaurant, but it wasn't as good.

Los Almendros is in the Fiesta Americana Hotel &
the food is excellent.

Address: Paseo Montejo

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Hotel Zone

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Mexican