Valentine's Day is often a high-pressure date where every detail must be planned to perfection to avoid any surprises. This is likely why most restaurants in México prepare fixed-price "set menus," where the risks regarding the most important variables (menu, price, and availability) are minimized in advance. For a list of specific Valentine's Day options, you can check the social media channels of Yucatán Today; however, for relaxed outings—where the most important thing is simply sharing a pleasant moment and a good meal with your partner or a potential flame—here are five options that work perfectly any day of the year in Mérida.
El Hoyo Casa de Té: a bohemian spot in Centro
They say that if you’re looking for a restaurant that hits the "Three Bs" (bueno, bonito, y barato—good, cute, and cheap), you should look at where the college students eat. That is exactly the case with El Hoyo Casa de Té, a small and bohemian restaurant adored by Visual Arts students in the city of Mérida.
Don’t let its narrow façade fool you! El Hoyo is actually quite spacious, featuring a small art bazaar, an air-conditioned area, and a picturesque outdoor patio in the back. The place genuinely feels like a movie set, with nooks filled with antiques and eclectic decor. It is the ideal spot for quiet dates in Mérida’s Centro (in my experience, it rarely feels crowded!), long after-dinner conversations, or simply to pamper your partner after a long day apart.
While the site is famous for its coffees and tea services, to me, El Hoyo is the perfect spot for an Instagrammable, cozy, and intimate dinner. My favorite combo is the prosciutto panini for $170 pesos and a large (truly huge!) matcha coconut frappé for $115 pesos. However, if you are looking to impress that special someone, I highly recommend ordering the cheese fondue with bread, mushrooms, and potatoes for $155 pesos and, to set the mood, a couple of Aperol Spritzes at $120 pesos per glass.
Calle 62 #468 x 55 y 57, Centro, Mérida
FB: El Hoyo Casa de Té
IG: elhoyocasadete
Lun. - sáb. / Mon. - Sat. 3 pm - 10:30 pm
Proyecto Casa 459: history and cuisine in Santa Lucía
The concept of Proyecto Casa 459 was born the moment the new owners arrived at this old house in Santa Lucía. Upon entering, they found everyday objects belonging to the family that once lived there—items frozen in time, as if waiting for the original residents to come back and pick up where they left off.
Because of this, the adaptations made to the house to turn it into a restaurant were minimal, allowing visitors to dine in different rooms, many of which are still set up like a home. The idea of Proyecto Casa 459 is that as you walk in, you are transported back in time, imagining all the stories these walls have seen. Its quiet and warm atmosphere makes it, in my opinion, the perfect place for a couple’s night out.
The menu is quite varied in both offerings and price; there is something here for every taste and budget. You can enjoy appetizers like guacamole, hummus, or cauliflower rosettes for under $200 pesos each. You will also find burgers, pastas, and salads, as well as more eccentric creations like duck empanadas with pipián sauce for those who enjoy exploring new flavors.
For main courses, they offer a selection of meat-based dishes, from simple options like lemon chicken to select cuts like rib eye. To end the night, I invite you to try the flamed meringue dessert or the brownie with ice cream and marshmallows.
In the back of the restaurant, you’ll find Sala Sala, a relaxed speakeasy-style bar that maintains the aesthetic of the restaurant, with tables located inside the mansion’s old kitchen. Here, you can listen to vinyl records selected by a live DJ and enjoy original cocktails—perfect for continuing your night after dinner.
You can book a table in advance through Open Table, where you can find their menu and helpful reviews by other diners.
Calle 62 #459 x 53 y 55 Santa Lucía, Centro
Tel. 999 448 1890
IG: @proyectocasa459
Vana: Wines and greenery in La Mejorada
The dim lighting and soft music from live DJs at Vana—a cozy space facing Parque de La Mejorada—create the ideal environment for a pleasant evening for two. This traditional mansion maintains its charm with exposed masonry, period-appropriate decor, and abundant greenery in every corner.
The specialty here is wine, most of which can be ordered by the glass; I recommend doing this so you can try different recommendations. Similarly, they offer a wide variety of beers, spirits, and both classic and original cocktails. If you ask me, the mezcalita de jamaica and the Silver Black Margarita are worth a try.
As a vegetarian, I greatly appreciate that a large portion of the appetizer options at Vana are meat-free, such as the hummus, vegan dolmas, burrata, and mushroom toast. Main courses range from pastas and meat cuts to mushroom or jamaica al pastor tacos, keeping even vegans in mind. Prices for their dishes and pizzas are quite accessible, falling mostly between $200 and $400 pesos, with the exception of the cheese boards and a few specialty dishes like the Argentine vacío.
Personally, I usually order a cheese board or a pizza to share. My favorite so far is the Pesto and Tomato pizza with an Alfredo sauce base, mozzarella, and pecorino, but there are numerous creations that are equally unique and delicious, such as the Lomo and Ricotta or the Longaniza and Cilantro. They frequently host tastings, pairings, and wine workshops with renowned sommeliers—great options for a date that’s out of the ordinary. You can find the program by checking out their social media.
Calle 50-A #489 x 57 y 59 Parque de La Mejorada, Centro
Tel. 999 924 6872
IG: @vana.mejorada
Casa de Piedra: an Italian getaway in García Ginerés
If you, like me, dream of traveling—or returning—to Italy, this corner has the power to transport you without the need for suitcases or jet lag.
Casa de Piedra is one of those restaurants that earns a special place in the heart (and the palate) of whoever visits. It has been one of my favorites for a long time, not only for its delicious dishes but because it feels close, welcoming, and fairly priced. After a hiatus that many of us regretted, it recently reopened its doors, preserving the warmth that has always characterized it.
After moving to a new location (only a few blocks away), the menu also saw some changes: for now, they have set aside pastas to focus on their specialty, made-to-order pizzas. My all-time favorite is the Mediterránea (spinach, sun-dried tomato, goat cheese, black olives, peppers, onion, and mushrooms; $150 pesos for an individual size), which is generously sized and full of flavor. Every now and then, I also go for the Piamonte (Roquefort, Parmesan, Manchego, and mozzarella; $130 pesos for an individual size), ideal for those who love cheese and intense flavors. If you can’t decide on just one, the Cuatro Estaciones pizza ($300 pesos for a large) is perfect for trying a bit of everything.
To start, ordering an appetizer to share is almost mandatory. The bruschettas, with or without serrano ham, are a true delight and the perfect excuse to extend the conversation. To accompany your meal, nothing beats a glass or a pitcher of clericot, sangria, or tinto de verano.
The atmosphere is relaxed but doesn't lose that romantic and intimate touch. If you go on a Saturday, you can also enjoy live saxophone music, a detail that makes the night even more special.
Calle 17 #205 x 24 y 22, Col. García Ginerés
Wed. - Sun. 6 - 11 pm
Tel. 999 905 5878
Tel. 999 921 4547
FB: Casa de Piedra
Lagos Taverna Griega: Mediterranean flavor north of Mérida
If you and your partner have an adventurous palate, an option that never disappoints is Lagos Taverna Griega. Its Mediterranean spirit might evoke Italian concepts (in its pizzas) or Middle Eastern ones (in its hummus and baba ganoush), but with touches specifically unique to the cradle of Western civilization.
The specialty here is definitely the lamb: try it in their Moussaka (an iconic Greek dish with ragu prepared in a stone oven), their Pastitsio (similar to a lasagna), their slow-cooked Kléftiko, in a Gyro, grilled, in Souvlaki skewers, or even on one of the two pizzas where it is the main ingredient. But if lamb isn't your thing, don't worry—they also have plenty of seafood options (from their raw bar, in soups, or on pizzas), sustainably sourced fish, chicken, steaks, and salads.
With reasonable prices and portions that are easy to share, Lagos Taverna Griega is a fantastic place for a pressure-free outing. Its intimate atmosphere, original decor, and excellent service provide that extra touch that will make you feel like you’re on vacation, right in the comfort of The Harbor plaza.
The Harbor
Av. Prolongación Paseo de Montejo x Periférico, Mérida, Yucatán
Tel. 999 912 6049
999 504 2202Lun. - mié. 1 pm - 12 am
Jue. - sáb. 1 pm - 1 am
Dom. 1 pm - 10 pm
IG & FB: lagostavernagriega
Por Carlos Argüelles, Sharon Cetina, Alicia Navarrete y Regina Zumárraga
First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 458, in February 2026.
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