5 MID City Must Try Foodie Spots in Centro Merida

Written by Stephanie Carmon

Matilda Salon Mexicano

Matilda Salon Mexicano is a Mexican food restaurant with amazing traditional dishes from all over Mexico. The dining room and facade are beautiful, it has a very urban feel in the heart of the Centro, just a block from the cathedral. It’s menu rocks incredible cuisine from around Mexico including tlacoyos, moles, pozoles, tongue, cheek and fantastic desserts.

The menu has seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes and a full mixology bar and we tried some excellent cocktails.

Off the menu some of our favorite dishes and drinks are:

a tequila cocktail made with pineapple, strawberry and a rosemary syrup
a mezcal cocktail with hibiscus tea, lime and smoked rosemary
Empanadas with puré of haba beans
Tlacoyo stuffed with cheese
Barbacoa of beef cheek & tongue

It’s a fun place in a very cool spot in the historic part of the city. For great Mexican food and a trendy environment, we very much recommended it!

It is open everyday from 1-10:30pm
Located: Calle 63 x 62 y 64
For more info call: 999 921 1452

Flamante Burgers

Flamante Burgers is a top spot for burgers in town and is a place you will see expat regulars on any day! They have developed a menu of awesome burgers, both high– grade meat and veggie, as well as salads, appetizers, desserts, specialty juices, coffee and awesome malted shakes! They make all their own sauces and ketchups (including a really good curry ketchup)!

The chefs are also constantly adding to the menu and have killer side dishes such as space balls (fried balls filled with Monterrey Jack, cheddar, jalapeño and bacon), and sweet potato or yuca fries.

When you go to Flamante you feel the good vibes of a local burger joint. It’s unique and a fun spot to dine with great artwork, murals and silent movies projected onto the wall. The music is alternative soft rock or beats.

**Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Location: Calle 64 y 47
Open Hours: 2pm-9pm everyday except Tuesdays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamanteburgers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/flamanteburgers/?hl=en

Ramiro Cocina Mexicana

One of our newest favorite spots, Ramiro Cocina is a great foodie find in the heart of Santa Ana. It’s a small place with a bar overlooking a lovely kitchen, so you can enjoy your meal and see all the behind the scene action. They have an outside patio area as well and it has a cozy, chill and urban vibe.

Ramiro, who the restaurant is named after, is 97 years old and his beloved dishes have been enjoyed by his family and friends for generations. Now, his grandson has decided to use his recipes and make them available to the public as well. Together with Chef Marcin, they have created a fantastic culinary experience where you will eat tacos, guisos, and specialty dishes with homemade torillas and killer cocktails. It’s a cool spot, definitely a place to put on the list for great spots to check out in Centro.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 12-6:30pm
Sunday 11-4pm
Closed Monday
Located right next to Cafe Creme Calle 41 x 58 y 60

Siqueff Restaurante

Siqueff celebrated their 64th anniversary in November and it is one of Yucatan’s most cherished restaurants. Famous for its Lebanese cuisine, it was founded by a pillar family in the Lebanese community. I have heard countless stories of how generations of Yucatecans remember running around Siqueff as children on a Sunday, and now they see their children and grandchildren doing the same thing!

Here you have some incredible breakfasts–one of our favorite dishes is the turkish eggs with lavin & manakish served with turkish coffee. They also have the best homemade fried chicken recipe in town! You can find both Yucatecan and Lebanese inspired dishes.

It’s a restaurant of tradition and really good food!

Location: Calle 60 x 35 y 37
Open hours: Everyday 8-6pm
To order to go: 999 925 5027

Pizza e Core

Hands down our absolute favorite for authentic Italian pizza, salads, vino and the occasional limoncello! We always enjoy an awesome meal at Pizza e Core, an Italian pizza place located on the corner of Calle 47 and 64. The ambiance always becomes festive when you happen to stop by while some from the Italian community are there. It’s fun to hear the boisterous Italian conversation and lots of hand gestures, laughing and wine.

Pizza e Core has a reputation of having the best authentic Italian pizza in town and I most definitely concur. Owner Valentino curates his kitchen with Italian products including high quality cheese that he orders from an Italian food importer in the Northern part of Mexico. He uses his family recipes and his own creations as well. They have a downstairs eating area street level as well as an air conditioned dining room on the second floor.

Open Hours: Monday to Saturday 6pm-10:30pm
To order to go: 999 643 3688
https://www.facebook.com/pizzaalpiattomerida