MERIDA

History and creative food are aplenty in Yucatan capital BREAKFAST

By Kelly MacLeod

Located in the northwest corner of the Yucatan peninsula, Merida, also the capital of Yucatan, is a thriving gastronomical hotspot with a rich cultural history. It is surrounded by cenotes, natural sinkholes filled with clear groundwater, that keeps the landscape lush and green. There are also several ancient Mayan sites within a one- to two-hour drive, adding to the rich history and the endless things to see. For now, we are focused on the food.

Artistry abounds in Merida and food is no exception. I truly believe I had the best breakfast of my life at La Libertad in Merida. It is small so there can be a wait or make a reservation. There is a cute little shop to entertain yourself as you wait, and the restaurant has a delightful ambience.

You can feel healthy and start off with the Antioxidant smoothie, made with mango, coconut milk, cinnamon, curcumin, cardamon, ginger, nutmeg and agave syrup. The coffee bar has extensive options that do not disappoint.

I had the Poblano Omelette, which may sound simple, but the flavors were anything but simple. The poblano sauce was, well, there’s no other way to say it – TO DIE FOR!

Someone else in our party had the Cochinita Chilaquiles which were quite the treat – fried tortilla chips with salsa, juicy pork and habanero onions. Thankfully someone in the group always seems to splurge and order hot cakes that were sprinkled in powdered sugar and covered with bananas and strawberries. I am certain that it was the Poblano Omelette that won the day, though. Yay, me!

Lunch

Apoala is a delightful restaurant on Plaza Santa Lucia featuring Oaxacan cuisine. It is a great spot to grab lunch at one of the outdoor tables lining the square during a day of shopping and visiting the local shops. Evenings can be pretty busy but a good time since there are often dance events happening in the plaza. The service is great and the food is really flavorful. I don’t know what they do to the Ensalade Verde, but it hit me perfect for a midday meal. It was light yet the roasted vegetables, fava beans and avocado with a vinaigrette dressing made it quite filling and gave me fuel for the rest of the afternoon.

Dinner

Habibi is a Lebanese restaurant located in a newer City Center area of Merida. It’s fun to mix the old and the new in Merida, and to experience traditional local cuisines as well as different cuisines from all over the world that are appearing in the city. Habibi is one such place and is located in the main level of a tall, mirror-glassed building that is not your typical lobby. The food court of the building has tall, sprawling trees and is modeled after The Plaza hotel in New York. This is a definitely a fun place for sharing food and there are a lot of delicious hummus and kebob options to try. The grilled octopus was was excellent and trying man’oushe – Lebanese version of flat bread – was a treat. The dessert options are divine, your group should definitely splurge and order several to share!