You don't have to spend a lot of pesos to eat well in Mérida. The city abounds with inexpensive restaurants and food stalls.
#1 on my list is Marlin Azul near the Zocalo is a great, inexpensive choice. As you would expect from a city located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, Mérida's restaurants serve excellent, fresh seafood.
El Trapiche ranks #2 because of its location less than one block from the Zocalo, its reasonably priced, always good Mexican/Yucatecan fare (and it serves pizza, too).
#3 is Café La Habana, the 24-hour restaurant that is a Mérida institution.
The Lucas de Galvez, Santa Ana, and Santiago public markets have dozens of little family-run restaurants that are open for breakfast and lunch. Pick one with lots of people and you can't go wrong.
A popular treat prepared at carts in the Zocalo is the marquesita, which can best be described as a crispy crepe or waffle - filled with Gouda cheese or Nutella.
Calle 59 no. 438
Between calles 50 and 52
Calle 45 no. 525-G
Between calles 64 and 66
Calle 123 no. 216
Between calles 46 and 46b, Colonia Serapio Rendón
Calle 64 no. 482
At Calle 57
Calle 58 no. 474
Between calles 55 and 57
Calle 62 No. 488, between Calles 57 and 59, Historic Center
Situated in Mexico's Yucatan state in downtown Merida, Marlin Azul is an inexpensive Mexican fish restaurant open for lunch that serves the curiously titled "Return to Life" seafood cocktail...
Calle 55 No. 496, between 58 and 60
On a typical day at Café Club, you might see some local businesspeople having a business meeting over coffee at the white tablecloth-covered wrought iron tables, workers from a local hotel on their lunch break...
Calle 59 No. 511 at Calle 62, Historic Center
24-hour restaurants are few and far between in Merida and fortunately Café La Habana is a good one, located in the Historic Center of the capital of Mexico's Yucatan state...
Calle 62 No. 491, between Calles 59 and 61
El Trapiche is a reasonably priced restaurant -- nothing fancy --- but it is open late and always crowded with locals, enjoying tacos, pizza, salads or omelettes...
Calle 62 No. 468, between 55 and 57
El Hoyo Café de Te attracts students and backpackers and presents simple, light fare to accompany tea and other beverages, which include coffee, frappes, malteds, and fresh squeezed juices...
Calle 70 no. 478, between 57 and 59
Between calles 57 and 59
At Flor de Santiago, try the Brazo de Reyna – the Queen's Arm – a corn tamal filled with toasted pumpkin seeds, hard-boiled egg, and chaya – Mayan spinach...
Paseo de Montejo at Calle 41
Hennessy's Irish Pub offers traditional Dublin pub atmosphere combined with fine dining in a renovated Mexican mansion on Merida's Paseo de Montejo, the beautiful avenue that leads from the Yucatan city's Historic Center to the Gulf of Mexico...
Calle 59 No. 490, at the corner of Calle 64
One of best Italian restaurants on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is Pane e Vino located in Merida's Historic Center between the Main Square and Santiago Park...
Calle 59 No. 509, between Calles 60 and 62, Historic Center
Pancho's Restaurant in Merida's downtown attracts tourists visiting Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula who enjoy ribs, steaks, and traditional Mexican food, served in the spacious dining room or terraced garden...
Km 12.5, Merida-Cancun Highway
Hacienda Teya is one of Yucatan's restored colonial plantations that now operates as a restaurant and event space, located near Merida in southeastern Mexico...
Calle 61 no. 526
At Calle 66
La Casa de Frida is a tony restaurant that showcases the culinary talents of Mexico City chef Gabriela Praget...