Mérida isn’t just tacos and cochinita pibil—this city is making serious waves in the world of fresh, high-quality seafood. Thanks to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and connections to the Pacific coast, you’ll find some of Mexico’s best marine flavors right here in the Yucatán capital.
But it’s not just about taste—it’s about fresh, never frozen ingredients, restaurants that buy directly from fishermen at fair prices, and a growing commitment to sustainable sourcing. These five restaurants offer standout seafood while supporting the communities that bring it to our plates.
Whether you’re craving oysters on the half shell, buttery grilled pulpo, Baja-style tacos, or a sophisticated Mediterranean seafood experience, these spots should be at the top of your list.
1. Kraken – Pulpo Lovers, This Is Your Spot
📍 Boulevard Plaza Caucel
🕐 Mon–Thurs 12–6 PM | Fri–Sun 12–7 PM
📲 @krakenmid
For nine years, this family-run restaurant from Campeche has brought fresh, sustainably sourced seafood to Mérida’s northside. Their best-selling Pulpo Kraken is made with Maya octopus, ultra-tender thanks to a special in-house technique. Most seafood here comes directly from Campeche’s fishermen, supporting fair trade and ocean-friendly practices. Only the lobster and tuna are sourced from the Pacific.
🎉 Birthday Promo: Celebrate your birthday month with a free main dish, drink, and dessert when dining with three friends who order mains.
🧡 What We Love: The octopus, the mission, and the fact that nothing is ever frozen—just honest, high-quality seafood straight from the source.
2. La Pigua – 23 Years of Flavor & Tradition
📍 Avenida Cupules x Calle 62, Centro
🕐 Sun–Tues 12–6 PM | Wed–Sat 12–9:30 PM
📲 @lapiguamerida
A Mérida institution, La Pigua has served up coastal favorites with consistency and flair for over two decades. Their seafood comes from Yucatán, Campeche, and Tabasco, including massive crawfish, grilled lobster, and seafood salads packed with octopus, shrimp, and conch.
The space is casual yet upscale, with a large dining area and even a kids’ play zone, making it a favorite for family outings and business lunches alike.
🧡 What We Love: That unforgettable butter-grilled crawfish and the crab legs that have A LOT of delicious meat, and the balance of warm hospitality and fine-dining flavor.
3. El Rincón del Pacífico – Baja-Style Street Food Meets Sinaloa Flair
📍 Colonia Maya, Mérida
🕐 Daily 12–7 PM
📲 @rincondelpacifico.mid
One of the freshest faces in Mérida’s seafood scene, this Pacific Coast-inspired spot serves Baja California and Sinaloa-style seafood in a casual, friendly setting. With seafood flown in straight from the Pacific and made-to-order dishes on homemade flour tortillas, this place hits every flavor note.
Highlights include shrimp wrapped in bacon, crab tostadas, and aguachile with avocado sauce, but the real draw is their creative, chef-driven approach to seafood.
🌟 MID City Insider Perk: Free cocktail or mocktail with your meal if you’re a member!
🍹Happy Hour all through June, Monday to Thursday from 2 to 5 PM — 2×1 on all beers and selected cocktails!
🧡 What We Love: The epic shrimp taco with cheese crust, and knowing we’re supporting a place that treats seafood with both creativity and respect.
4. Conchitas Oyster Bar – Tiny Place, Huge Flavor
📍 Calle 56 x 49, Centro
📲 @conchitasoysterbar
With just four tables, Conchitas is a micro oyster bar with massive culinary impact. It’s the kind of place you stumble upon and never forget. Their Pacific aguachile is bold, spicy, and layered with fresh scallops, crab, and shrimp—but don’t leave without trying the fresh oysters and the mussels with fries.
Pro tip: Use the sourdough bread they serve to soak up every last drop of that buttery, herby mussel sauce.
🧡 What We Love: Oysters this fresh in the middle of Mérida? Yes please. Plus, their creativity with seafood is next level—and the vibe is cozy, cool, and low-key.
5. La Sirena y El Pescador – Fire-Grilled Mediterranean Meets Mexican Soul
📍 Plaza City 32, Mérida
🕐 Daily 1:00 PM – 12:00 AM
📲 @lasirenayelpescador
For a more elevated experience, La Sirena y El Pescador brings the flavors of the Mediterranean seaside to Yucatán, blending wood-fired cooking techniques with Mexican and Yucatecan spice. Everything is grilled over open flames and paired with a coastal-only wine list—the only one of its kind in Mexico.
Created by Grupo La Comitiva, this restaurant champions both sustainability and elegance, with thoughtfully sourced ingredients and a culinary team that lets them shine.
🧡 What We Love: The grilled seafood, the smoky touches, and the focus on terroir-driven wines from seaside vineyards around the world.
🐠 Taste the Sea, Sustainably
Mérida’s seafood scene is more exciting than ever—and these five restaurants prove you can enjoy incredible flavor while supporting sustainability. By sourcing directly from fishermen, using fresh (never frozen) ingredients, and showcasing regional and global techniques, they’re helping redefine what seafood in Yucatán can be.
Want more delicious finds? Follow @midcitybeat for weekly foodie picks, insider perks, and the best of life in Yucatán.
