The Mexican taco never discriminates, no one can resist a taco (or several tacos) and it is one of the most famous Mexican dishes recognized throughout the world. When it comes to tacos there are a variety of fillings or “guisos”, sizes and prices to choose from and we have come up with a list of some of our favorites.
In Yucatan the traditional taco culture where you see taco stands lining the streets such as in Mexico City or Oaxaca does not exist. Although in saying that, almost all dishes are made into tacos because tortillas accompany each meal here. And you will always get your taco or torta fix on a Sunday where in pretty much every neighborhood in Yucatan there is a vendor of cochinita or lechon.
Whether it’s “cochinita” a pork stew with achiote spices cooked in an underground oven; “lechon”, slowly-roasted suckling pig; egg with chaya; “queso relleno” a hard cheese stuffed with meat in a white sauce; or just anything on your plate food that can fit in a tortilla, there are many flavors to enjoy in different taco places around the city.
At MID CityBeat we love tacos, and here are some of our favorite spots to go:
El Negro
- 4.5 stars (350 reviews)
- Hours: 08:00 - 13:00 y 18:00 - 22:00
A whole in the wall traditional taco place with two small tables in the heart of Merida, Centro. Their specialty is the “asado”, and our favorite are the cod fish and chile relleno tacos. You can have fresh juices, tortas or tacos here and the service is super friendly and inviting. Good, rich in flavor and cheap. Will not disappoint.
Terraza Amarilla
- +529992005904
- 4.6 stars (966 reviews)
- Hours: 07:00 - 14:00
This is a classic right on Avenida Cupules across from the new convention center. Here you will find awesome tacos with cochinita, “relleno negro” (meat filled with egg in a black achiote sauce), “queso relleno”, panuchos, salbutes, and tacos among many delicacies with different sizes and presentations.
Delicious, good prices, and open air terrace, they also serve fresh juices.
TAQUERÍA LA LUPITA
- +529999246591
- 4.6 stars (1,723 reviews)
- Hours: 06:30 - 13:30
Here we recommend you to arrive early, being in a central and touristic place, it usually gets crowded really quick, but the wait is well worth it. They were also made famous because they appeared in The Taco Chronicles “Las Crónicas del Taco” in Netflix.
The menu has different traditional dishes, but their signiture tacos or tortas are lechon and cochinita. YUM! They are located in the Santiago Market.
Taqueria Yucatán
- +529999259493
- 4.5 stars (1,375 reviews)
- Hours: 08:00 - 12:00
At Taqueria Yucatan, their handmade tortillas give a special touch in each bite, they have a wide variety of options such as milanesa, trapo viejo, chile relleno, pork rinds and much more. We recommend the milanesa and egg with chaya, delicious!
Taquería Wayané
- +529999274160
- 4.6 stars (3,444 reviews)
- Hours: 07:00 - 14:30
One of the most popular in Mérida, they stand out for their friendly and efficient service and a real street food style vibe. They have a wide variety of guisos and a favorite is castacán which is pork rinds cooked in sauce, you can have it by itself or get it with cheese or egg, yum!!
Prices are affordable and portions are good.
For a slightly more roots-gourmet experience:
Pancho Maiz
- +529997503589
- Prices are between $50-$200 pesos depending on the dish you order.
- Hours: 09:00 - 16:00
At Pancho Maiz all the tacos and dishes are made with corn that is cultivated organically and traditionally. They grind the corn themselves and every ingredient is fresh farm to table. They have vegetarian and meat options and the tortillas are thick and made in house. It’s a great culinary experience. The service is great and super recommended!
Kool Kab
- +529993220454
- @kool.kaab)
- Hours: 08:00 - 16:00
Kool Kaab is the physical store front café of Traspatio Maya which started about 5 years ago and they work with the farmers who farm corn (6 different types, including purple corn!), as well as different vegetables and fruits endemic to Yucatán. At Kool Kaab the gourmet tacos are incredible and they have other corn products such as tamales and and sopes. They are in A/C which is nice too 🙂 They also serve fresh juices and even have an espresso bar.
It is time to decide which taqueria will be the first one to visit! Enjoy your tacos and let us know which one is your favorite. For more recommendations don’t forget to follow me on social media.
