Coffee, Cold Brews & Surprises: My Café Crawl Through Centro Mérida
- C. Monte Raynor
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Hey Mexit Planners,
If you know anything about me, you know I love coffee. So when a new book landed on my doorstep (about—you guessed it—coffee), I figured it was the perfect excuse to head into Centro Mérida and explore a few coffee shops I hadn't visited in a while… and a couple that were totally new to me.
This wasn’t just a café hop—it turned into a full-on Centro adventure with buses, bookstores, burgers, and unexpected art galleries. Let’s dive in.
🚎 Getting There: Viva el Va y Ven
I started my morning catching the Va y Ven 903—a bus route that now takes you straight down Paseo de Montejo and into Centro. It used to detour through Itzimná, but the new route drops you right near Calle 58, which is perfect for coffee-hopping. I missed the first bus by a few minutes (it was running ahead of schedule), but caught the next one, which was cool and air-conditioned.
First stop: Calle 58 near Palacio de la Música, one of the most walkable and historic areas in the city.
☕ First Café: Taninos (Tanáak)
My first real café stop was Tanáak Café, and it set the bar high.
What I ordered:
Cold Brew Tonic – cold brew mixed with tonic water and garnished with a glazed orange slice.
Carrot Cake – because, like my wife says, sometimes dessert comes first.
The space is chill and remote-work friendly with plenty of power outlets, strong Wi-Fi, and even a garden out back (though it was a little too hot to sit outside). I’ve been here before for meetings, and it's a solid workspace. Bonus: they also sell the Coffee Passport, which gets you a free drink at participating cafés.
Verdict: Delicious, refreshing, and worth repeating.
🏛️ Strolling Through Centro
I walked through Santa Lucía Park, stopped to admire the newly renovated Plaza Grande, and peeked at the progress near Palacio de la Música. The construction is coming along, and the area feels much more pedestrian-friendly now. Still, locals are watching closely—Plaza Grande is a beloved space in Mérida, so the final result better live up to expectations.
☕ Second Café: Estación 56
Next stop: Estación 56, located in the Lagala building, right behind Santa Lucía.
I came here once before on a restaurant tour, and while the food and vibes were solid, this isn’t a remote-work type spot—not many power outlets inside. But the air-conditioned sala was a welcome relief from the heat, and the space is definitely photogenic.
What I ordered:
Burger on brioche with caramelized onions and gouda
Cold Brew with Agua Tónica
The burger was tasty, though the bun fell apart a bit. The fries were underwhelming (and messy—paprika everywhere), and the cold brew was just okay. Honestly, I would’ve preferred it with mineral water. No orange garnish, no sparkle.
Verdict: Great for lunch or brunch, not ideal for coffee purists or co-working.
🚻 Quick Tip: Bathroom Signs in Mexico
A little expat tip—M = Mujeres (women) and H = Hombres (men). Easy to mix up if you're rushing and assuming “M” stands for “men.” Ask me how I know…
☕ Third Café: Rituales de Café María Inés
Now this was a pleasant surprise.
Rituales Café, tucked into a quiet corner on Calle 60, has a calm vibe and some truly delicious cold brew options. Their Cold Brew Tonic had the best presentation—coffee floating over tonic with a dried orange slice on top.
They also had:
Coffee Passport sales
Local art gallery upstairs with prints, journals, and line art
Friendly staff and a welcoming space
Verdict: Tanaak still holds the flavor crown, but Rituales was close behind, and the art gallery added a special touch.
📚 Bonus Stop: DO2 Encuentros – Bookstore & Café in PASEO 60
Before I wrapped up, I remembered a recommendation from a friend and headed over to Paseo 60, just behind the Hyatt.
Tucked in the back of Casa Molina, I found DO2 Encuentros—a bookstore and café that totally blew me away. Think: Barnes & Noble vibes, but cooler, with comfy chairs, pastries, and a ton of Spanish-language books.
This isn’t really a co-working spot (not many outlets), but it’s perfect for:
Reading and relaxing
Slow brunches
Browsing artful journals and Mexican literature
There’s also a large outdoor seating area, and this is where I once attended a candlelight concert—another reason this location is so special.
🧭 Wrapping It Up
All in all, this coffee crawl was a reminder of just how much Centro has to offer. Even as someone who’s lived here for years, I’m still discovering hidden gems, new cafés, and beautiful spaces that make Mérida such a unique place to call home.
And as for cold brew and tonic—I think that might be my new go-to.
☕ Café Round-Up:
Café | Best For | Power/Work-Friendly | Cold Brew Rating |
Tanáak | Remote work, flavor, vibe | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Estación 56 | Brunch/lunch | ❌ Limited | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ |
Rituales | Coffee + Art | ✅ Some | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
DO2 Encuentros | Books, brunch, relaxing | ❌ Not ideal | Didn’t try |
Until next time—Dream. Plan. Live.
Monte
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