If you, like us, believe that, no matter the circumstances, there’s always room for dessert, you’ve come to the right place. We asked a few of our writers to tell us about their favorite traditional desserts (and where to get them) to bring you a tasting guide that will surely hit your sweet spot. Check them out if you haven’t, and let us know what you think.
Ice Cream, popsicles, and Bolis
El Colón
El Colón is one of those Yucatecan businesses that needs no introduction. Beloved by all, this ice cream parlor has been serving ice creams and desserts for over 100 years, and it’s an icon of southeastern México.
Here, you can treat yourself to a variety of traditional desserts, like Arrollados (pastries filled with custard) and meringues, for just $17 pesos each. But the real reason why locals and visitors flock to this beloved spot is for their scrumptious traditional ice creams, such as corn, mamey, Mantecado, and Crema Morisca, priced at $55 pesos. The crowd favorite at El Colón is the coconut flavor, which is slightly pricier at $60 pesos.
The most famous locations of El Colón are in Mérida’s Centro and on Paseo de Montejo. But here's a little insider tip: there are additional El Colón spots tucked away in other parts of the city. If you're looking to savor all that tradition in a quieter setting, head over to the El Colón locations in Gran Plaza or Xcumpich. —Carlos Argüelles
Av. 7 #329 x 24 y 28, Xcumpich, Mérida
Tel. 999 981 5771
www.elcolon.mx
FB: El Colón Dulces y Sorbetes Finos
Every day, 11 am - 8 pm
La Principal
Seventy years of tradition back the deliciousness of La Principal's ice creams. While they became known for their traditional flavors decades ago, today they also offer “special” flavors like cheesecake and Ferrero Rocher, blending past recipes with present tastes.
If you’re looking to beat the heat on an afternoon in Mérida, Marisela and Yesli, who work at the Centro location, recommend ordering classic cups with watermelon or sapote ice cream, which are sweet and extremely refreshing. This ice cream presentation costs $30 pesos.
If you’re not in the mood for ice cream, La Principal offers various frozen products like strawberries with cream for $50 pesos, ice pops for $25 pesos, and the famous Champolas for $50 pesos. —Carlos Argüelles
Calle 66 #533 x 64 y 66, Centro, Mérida
Tel. 999 108 4161
Mon. - Sat. 8:15 am - 9 pm
Sun. 10 am - 7 pm
Helados Polito
Helados Polito is a must-stop on your tour of Mérida's Magical Neighborhoods. With the sweltering heat of Yucatán, indulging in these ice creams with over 114 years of tradition is a must, conveniently located in the Santiago Market.
Founded by Don Leopoldo Mena (Don Polo) and his son Vicente Mena (Don Polito), Helados Polito offers its most famous flavors like coconut, mamey, or soursop. Depending on the season, you'll find a variety of seasonal delights alongside timeless classics like chocolate or rum with raisins.
Prices start at $40 pesos for a cone or wafer with one scoop of ice cream, $50 pesos for two scoops, or if you'd prefer to take some home, they offer half-liter containers for $70 pesos.
Additionally, you can enjoy other refreshing desserts like Champolas, milkshakes, frappes, and more. —Sharon Cetina
El Sufragio
Bolis and popsicles are a great option to cool off while strolling through Mérida's streets. For many Yucatecans, thinking of Bolis means thinking of Paletería El Sufragio, located at the corner of Calle 69 x 42 in downtown Mérida, which has been refreshing our days with its iconic square bolis for over 70 years.
Crafted from natural fruit and free from preservatives, these Bolis are irresistible at first glance, boasting vibrant colors as diverse as their range of flavors. Take your pick from water-based options like coconut, grape, lime, bubblegum, melon, mango, and tamarind with chili, nance, or soursop. Alternatively, indulge in milk-based flavors such as chocolate, Crema Morisca, vanilla, and more.
Prices for Bolis range from $6 pesos to $24 pesos, depending on their size. As for popsicles, they are available from $25 pesos to $30 pesos, depending on the flavor.
Drop by any day from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 6 pm, Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 3 pm. Feeling the heat? Inquire about their bulk discounts—they offer packages starting at 25 assorted mini bolis for just $100 pesos; they are so delicious and refreshing that they'll disappear from your freezer in no time. —Sharon Cetina
Centro y Díaz Ordaz
FB: Grupo El Sufragio
Traditional Sweets
Lonchería y Dulcería “La Juanita”
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A stroll through Mérida’s downtown area is a unique experience, made even sweeter with a touch of Yucatecan treats.
"La Juanita" is a traditional eatery and sweet shop located on Calle 58 in Mérida’s Centro. For over 80 years, it has been sweetening the days of many Yucatecos.
Here, you'll find traditional Yucatecan sweets like sweet potato and coconut pastries, and "Atropellado" (a combination of both). You'll also find potato donuts with cinnamon, cheese or pecan pies, and coconut cremitas. Other offerings include Pionono, Ladrillo, Niño Envuelto, meringues, Mazapanes, and various types of Palanquetas. —Goretty Ramos
Calle 58 #518 x 63 y 65, Centro
Mon. - Sat., 7 am - 6 pm.
Prices: From $11 to $30 pesos
Flanes and queso napolitano
Flans are a delicious treat known throughout México (and the world, in various forms), but in Yucatán, they are among the most traditional and widespread homemade desserts. You can easily find them in Yucatecan and Mexican restaurants, as well as in countless bakeries.
When you hear someone calling out, "Llegaron los flanes, llegaron los flanes," it's time to step out and find one of the friendly vendors pedaling their tricycles along the streets, offering this delightful dessert at pocket-friendly prices. Flans in Yucatán are a classic treat, cherished for their sweet taste and refreshing coolness when enjoyed chilled. Remember to bring along a plate or container when you meet your favorite flan vendor; these delectable treats are priced between $10 and $15 pesos each.
Flans should not be confused with “Queso Napolitano," which is similar but has a firmer consistency, as it incorporates some type of cheese in its preparation, as its name suggests. —Sharon Cetina
Torta de cielo
This delightful almond-based cake is soft and has a slightly dense texture since it doesn’t contain flour, resulting in a subtle rise. It's sprinkled with powdered sugar and is a beloved treat at social gatherings and religious festivities throughout our state.
If you're from Yucatán, chances are you've enjoyed a family recipe passed down from an aunt or grandmother. In my family, for instance, my mom makes a mouthwatering homemade torta de cielo, and she's generous with the amount of almonds she adds.
For newcomers wanting to try an authentic Torta de Cielo, I highly recommend the version from Doña Teté’s bakery, with locations in Buenavista and Montealbán. —Regina Zumárraga
Pastelería Doña Teté
Buenavista y Montealbán
Tel. 999 926 0909 y 999 406 1088
Yucatecan cakes
As you may know, cakes in Yucatán are unique compared to cakes from other regions. They feature a vanilla sponge cake (referred to as Pan Escotafí in Yucatán) soaked in milk or syrup (depending on the flavor and the baker), layered with a sweet filling, and fully coated in meringue, which substitutes the icing used in other types of cakes. While the classics include sweet potato and coconut cakes, we'll also explore some newer creations that have gained immense popularity.
Frozen Chocolate Cake
One of the most iconic flavors for us is the famous frozen chocolate cake. Despite its name suggesting a frozen dessert, it is actually a traditional cake with the elements mentioned earlier, incorporating layers of frosting made from butter, sugar, and chocolate.
Its name refers to the fact that it is served cold, making it a refreshing option for our hot climate. In my family, the most popular birthday cakes are from Pastelería Beatriz Casellas and Pastelería Doña Anita. —Regina Zumárraga
Pastelería Doña Anita
Sucursales en Col. México Oriente, Col. Maya, y Leandro Valle
IG: pasteleria_dona_anita
Pastel de Queso de Bola (Edam Cheese Cake)
The first time I tried this peculiar cake was at Delicias bakery, which had branches in various shopping malls in Mérida in the 2000s. However, I’ve been told it began in the home of Doña Olga Cervera in Itzimná years before.
Though in theory, this cake is similar to other Yucatecan cakes (made with Escotafí sponge cake, filling, and meringue), its creamy Edam cheese filling—a key ingredient in Yucatecan cuisine—creates a delightful blend of salty and sweet.
Today, countless bakeries offer it; for example, the previously mentioned Doña Teté and Doña Anita. Another delicious option is Doña Paty González's bakery in García Ginerés. —Regina Zumárraga
Pastelería Paty González
Calle 25 #202-A x 22 y 24, García Ginerés
Mon. - Sat. 9 am - 6 pm
Sun. 9 am - 1 pm
Tel. 999 925 1976 y 999 248 8802
Pastel de tres leches
You might be thinking that the tres leches cake isn’t Yucatecan, and you’d be right. However, we Yucatecos at Yucatán Today were taken aback to discover that the Tres Leches cake in other places isn’t quite like the one we know
The key is that for it to be a Yucatecan cake, as mentioned earlier, it must have filling and meringue. So, while in other regions the tres leches cake typically consists of a sponge cake soaked in syrup made from three kinds of milk and topped with whipped cream, here in Yucatán, we layer the cake with pastry cream and serve it with meringue.
It’s hard to find a Yucatecan bakery that doesn’t offer this cake made this way, but if you ask me, my favorite versions are from Doña Paty Martín and MD Sabor. —Alicia Navarrete
Written by Carlos Argüelles, Sharon Cetina, Goretty Ramos, Regina Zumárraga and Alicia Navarrete.
Photography by Goretty Ramos, Carlos Arguelles, Sharon Cetina y Yucatán Today for its use in Yucatán Today.
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