Written by Stephanie Carmon
As a digital nomad, writer and local influencer of all things cool in Merida, I am always looking for a perfect spot to sit for hours, write, ponder life, and of course procrastinate a bit while sipping a nice coffee. Below I have created a list of some of my favorite coffee shops to spend a morning or afternoon while working or networking with friends. It is nice to see that my favorite coffee shops have survived the pandemic, with a lot of struggle and effort, but they did it.
Marago Coffee
Marago Coffee is located on Paseo de Montejo and is one of my hot spots for afternoon meetings, coffee and writing. I am actually sitting here now and writing this article. Marago has both outside and inside dining areas and has a cool coffee shop vibe. One of my must haves for any “working” coffee shop is comfortable seats and here you can find padded benches with pillows which works well if you need to sit for a few hours. It has become very popular over the last few years because of it’s ideal location and the food and coffee are excellent. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and have a wide drink menu including awesome smoothies, frappes, cold brews and specialty coffees. They also serve some very decadent cakes that are hard to resist.
Also soon to come they will be opening a large cafe on Calle 60 right across the way from Peon Contreras Theater. That is a perfect location as well so we will have two choices for good food or office space at Marago soon!
- Location: Paseo de Montejo x 41 y 39
- https://www.facebook.com/MaragoCoffee.mx
- Open Hours: Everyday from 8am to 9pm
Latte Quatro Sette
Latte Quattro Sette is a favorite of mine especially if I am craving illy coffee from Italy and to indulge in freshly baked bread and pastries. Latte Quattro Sette is part of the Oliva group restaurants, a locally owned Italian restaurant group that has five locations in town. It holds a reputation throughout the city as one of THE places to go for great Italian food and a nice evening out.
Latte Quattro Sette is located on what I call “Culinary Row” or Calle 47. Here you can find some of the best coffee in Merida. They also have teas and tisanas all from Mexican producers. It’s a great place to stop in for a panini on freshly baked bread coming direct every morning from the ovens of Oliva Enoteca, which is located across the street. I really enjoy the avocado toast, pastries and bringing my computer to work or to meet a friend for a chat. Latte has a beautiful and inviting design, comfortable chairs with pillows to lean up against and is a great place to take a pic! For you grammers out there. I was voted one of Merida’s top Instagrammable cafes in Vogue Mexico in 2017.
- Location: Calle 47 #475 x 56 y 54
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Latte-Quattro-Sette-105797209894622
- Open: Monday-Friday 8-3pm Saturday 8-1 pm
- Closed on Sundays
Estación 72
Estacion 72 is another favorite among Mexicans and foreigners alike. The original cafe is located on the corner of Calle Colon and Reforma and is right around the corner from where the Slow Food Market is located on Saturdays. This is a perfect cafe for the digital nomad. It has a large dining/work area and there is a small art and gift store in the same space making it a very pleasant ambiance. We go fairly often to have coffee or indulge in a crepe or montadito. It gets full at lunchtime and has a cool city cafe vibe. Some of my favorite dishes include the jamón serrano panini or the montaditos —3 squares of homemade bread with different toppings, my favorite has salmon, avocado and cream cheese.
They also just opened a beautiful cafe across from the cultural center for the fine arts: Palacio de la Musica. It is located on Calle 58 x 59 in Centro. So whether you are in Garcia Gineres or you want to venture into the heart of the city, you can find this ideal place to work, dine or meet-up with new friends.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Estacion72.MX
- 2 Locations:
- Corner of Colon & Reforma Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 8a,-9pm Sunday and Monday 8am-3pm
- Palacio de la Musica Calle 58 x 59 Centro Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 7pm Closed Sunday and Monday
Photos by Niwabi Studio
Justo Bread Studio
Justo is my relatively newest find and I am addicted to their sourdough conchas. Really, they are so freaking good that sometimes I wake up in the morning thinking about them. Plus I know that they come hot out of the oven at 8:30am… very tempting! Their pastries, sandwiches and coffee are just fantastic and they include vegan options including vegan bread. All the ingredients and products used in Justo–literally meaning just or fair– are produced locally because they believe in fair trade and supporting the local producers. Justo cafe is located just a ½ block from the Monumento a la Patria on Paseo de Montejo next to Matilda concept store. It is a small artisan bakery and coffee house and has quickly created a great reputation. I have become one of their many regulars.
Justo is in a great location and has tables outside as well as two tables inside where there is air conditioning and comfortable chairs to sit in. It’s small, but is a lovely spot to meet a friend or to sit in the fresh air under the shade of a tree and read or work online for a bit. I am so glad that Paseo de Montejo is starting to slowly but surely fill up with cafes, restaurants and stores of great quality and service and Justo Bread Studio is definitely a most welcome addition to the barrio.
- Location: Paseo de Montejo just ½ block from el Monumento a La Patria
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justobreadstudio
- Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:30am to 3:00pm
Kuun by Nespresso at Fiesta Americana
I have been going to Kuun for a couple of years now. It is a trendy posh cafe in the lobby of the Fiesta Americana, one of Merida’s upscale hotels. What I love about going to Kuun is that the ambiance is both elegant but inviting with some of the most comfy chairs and sofas to sit in in town. The coffee is top quality by Nespresso and the menu boasts french style breakfasts and lunches as well as fruit, desserts and many pastries that are made on site and are fresh and delicious.
It is always a fun place to people watch as you get lots of travellers on business in town to network and create connections. It kind of gives you the sense that you are travelling for business too, even though you might just be right down the street from your house. It is also quiet and there is usually plenty of room. It is a hidden treasure on Paseo de Montejo that not many locals take advantage of. The prices are very reasonable and the vibe is nice. I get a lot of work done there. It is also a great place just to go have a coffee or lunch with a friend.
It has outdoor and indoor seating and another perk is that if you are there in the morning you could always head across the hallway to the best breakfast buffet spread in Merida!
- Location: Lobby of Fiesta Americana on Paseo de Montejo x Avenida Colon
- Open hours: Monday to Saturday 8am to 9pm Closed on Sundays
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kuunbynespresso
