My Sabor de Yucatán Passport Tour: 10 Stops, Countless Flavors, and a Whole Lot of Mezcal
- C. Monte Raynor
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
What’s good, Mexit Planners?
Mérida just wrapped up its very first Sabor de Yucatán food festival, and let me tell you—it was a full-on feast for the senses. I spent over four hours tasting my way through 10 different restaurants, mostly along the buzzing Gastronomic District on Calle 47, and ending near the Monumento a la Patria on Paseo Montejo.
From smoky tacos to raw octopus (yes, really), I sampled a little bit of everything—guided by the official festival passport, which offered curated drinks and bites at each participating spot. I even crowned a few winners by the end.
Let’s get into it. ✨
📍Stop #1: Micaela Mar y Leña
Dish: Anisado cocktail with mezcal
We kicked things off at Micaela, one of my longtime favorites. The staff served up a mezcal cocktail with citrus and herbal notes—think mezcal meets lemon margarita, but smoother. It was a refreshing way to start, and sitting out on the patio just as the evening buzz picked up felt like a vibe.
📍Stop #2: Ananá Kitchen & Listening Bar
Dish: Tetela with short rib + mezcal cocktail
This place was a highlight—house-smoked tortillas, vinyl-lined walls, and a shuffleboard table (which took me way back to my Atlanta days). The star of the night? A smoky, tender short rib taco that made me pause mid-bite. That’s how good it was.
The cocktail was strong—classic espadín mezcal, which isn’t my usual, but the orange slice helped smooth the edges.
I'm definitely coming back to check out their listening bar in the back.
📍Stop #3: El Cielo de Cortés
Dish: Sope de pork belly + mezcal
El Cielo brought the flavor. Their pork belly sope was incredibly rich and full of depth—crispy edges, soft center, topped with just the right amount of tang and spice. And the back bar area? Very cool—a projector and moody lighting made it feel like an underground speakeasy.
Pro tip: make a reservation if you want the full experience.
📍Stop #4: Yakuza Cocina Nikkei
Dish: Sashimi with octopus + sake shot
Now listen—I’m not a seafood guy. Raw fish? Not usually on my radar. But I pushed past my comfort zone and gave their seabass and octopus sashimi a try… and I was impressed. The textures were smooth, and the flavors didn’t overpower. Paired with a shot of sake, it went down surprisingly easy.
Still not turning full sushi lover, but I’d go back. That says a lot.
📍Stop #5: Lucero Cocina y Cantina
Dish: Traditional botanas (assorted Yucatecan snacks)
Lucero was more classic cantina than fine dining, and I mean that in the best way. Once you order a drink, the botanas start coming out: chips, dips, stews—it felt like grandma’s kitchen on a Sunday. This is one of those spots where you just pull up, order a beer, and let the food find you.
Live music was setting up when I arrived. Definitely a spot to come chill with friends.
📍Stop #6: Tierra de Luna
Dish: Mezcal cocktail + vibrant patio vibes
Right across from Lucero and tucked behind Antifaz Mezcal, Tierra de Luna was small but packed with energy. The live music, lush courtyard, and creative mezcal cocktails gave it a real festive feel. After a few stops in, the energy here hit just right.
📍Stop #7: Casa Chica
Dish: Mezcal cocktail
I was planning to stop at Carajillo, but the wait was long and folks were lined up with their passports in hand. So I dipped into Casa Chica, a familiar place I’d only been to once for breakfast.
The drink? Strong, citrusy, and honestly my sixth or seventh mezcal of the night. Let’s just say I was feeling very relaxed by this point.
📍Stop #8: Rosas & Xocolate
Dish: Chicharrón + classic cocktail
Rosas & Xocolate is a boutique hotel that holds a special place in my heart. My family and I used to eat breakfast here every weekend—they’ve got a bean dish with chicharrón (infrijoladas) that’s unmatched anywhere else in Mérida.
Their festival offering was simple, tasty, and comforting. Good to be back.
📍Stop #9: Bloom Café & Lounge
Dish: Mezcal cocktail with pineapple and maracuya
Bloom was the second-to-last stop, and while they weren’t serving food (seemed like they were about to close), they did offer a beautifully balanced cocktail with pineapple, passionfruit, and a hint of purple cabbage syrup. One of the best looking drinks of the night—and easily top 2 in flavor.
🎉 Final Thoughts & Monte’s Superlatives
I had over four hours of food, drinks, and great conversation on this tour—and I’m still buzzing (in the best way). This was Mérida’s first-ever Sabor de Yucatán Festival, and I truly hope it becomes an annual tradition. It was such a fun way to explore new spots, revisit some favorites, and experience just how diverse Mérida’s food scene really is.
Here’s how I’d rank the night:
🏆 Best Cocktail of the Night:
Molotto at Bloom Café Bright, citrusy, and beautifully layered.
🥈 Runner-Up Cocktail:
Maracuyá Mezcal at Bloom Yes, they get two mentions. It was that good.
🌮 Best Dish Overall:
Smoky Short Rib Taco at Ananá Unforgettable. I’d come back just for this.
🍴 Honorable Mention:
Sope de Pork Belly at El Cielo Rich, savory, and perfectly portioned.
🎶 Best Ambience:
Tierra de Luna Live music, mezcal in hand, warm night air—what more could you want?
🌾 Most Authentic Yucatecan Experience:
Lucero The botanas, the beer, the local crowd—it felt like a regular night in Mérida, and I loved that.
🥢 Most Unexpected Delight:
Sushi at Yakuza Coming from someone who avoids seafood, this was a surprise hit.
📌 Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely. And next time, I’m bringing friends. If this event rolls back around next year, I’ll be ready—passport in hand, appetite wide open.
Until next time—dream big, plan smart, and taste everything.
– Monte, I’m out.
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