When I started doing research for my trip to Merida, Mexico, I stumbled upon several delicious-sounding dessert spots to hit up. I decided it would be a good idea to try and find some of the best restaurants in Merida Mexico for dessert, but little did I know the undertaking that would be. It turns out Merida is a city filled with delicious food and even better desserts. In my short one week visit, it would have been impossible for me to have narrowed down all the best desserts in town- but that doesn’t mean I didn’t try!
Merida is an amazing place to go for food and sweets. There are delicious places to try on every street. Here are some of the best restaurants in Merida Mexico, with great desserts!
Dulceria y Sorbeteria Colon
This place will probably be one everyone’s “must do” list for Merida. Also known as “El Colon,” this place serves some of the best freshly made sorbet I have ever had. And there are so many flavors to choose from. You should definitely some of the more tropical flavors that you wouldn’t find in your ice cream shops at home. I tried their mango flavor and their mamey fruit flavor, and have craved the latter multiple times since being home!
There are two locations in the city. One is in the city center, just across the street from Plaza Grande. This location is small and often crowded with people. It also charges slightly more money for their sorbet. The other location is about a 15-20 minute walk north, off of Paseo de Montejo. This location is much bigger, with more tables and costs slightly less.
Cost: 40-45 Pesos for 1 dish of sorbet, depending on location
Pola Gelato Shop
I know gelato probably isn’t the first thing you think of when you hear “desserts in Mexico” but this place is something special. The small storefront is located just a few blocks north of Plaza Grande. Surprisingly, it’s most famous for its Pork and Beans flavor, which sells out quickly on Mondays (the only day they sell it.) If you’re not up for that kind of flavor adventure, don’t worry. They have lots of other great flavors and flavor combinations that are just as amazing. The flavors I tried were: Banana with Hibiscus Flower, Passionfruit, and Sour Orange with Cherry. I highly recommend them all.
Cost: 30 Pesos for one small scoop
Paleteria La Michoacana
Another sweet way to cool off in the Mexican heat is to try a paleta. These frozen fruit popsicles come in several different flavors and are a perfect treat for a hot afternoon. Paleteria La Michoacana is located less than one block south of Plaza Grande.
Cost: 15 pesos
Panaderia y Pasteleria La Vieja
If you’re looking to try some more traditional Mexican baked goods, look no further than Panaderia y Pasteleria La Vieja. Just a quick walk south from Plaza Grande, you can easily follow your nose to these sweet treats! This giant bakery is filled with rows and rows of different pastries and baked goods. Just grab a metal tray and some tongs from the front of the store and pick out what you’d like to try! Prices are not listed, so maybe don’t go too crazy.
Cost: Varies. I spent 18 Pesos on 3 pastries
Escargot French Bakery
It turns out you can find some pretty legit croissants in Merida! Escargot French Bakery has some other pastries, breads, and sweets for sale, but the croissants are definitely what you should get here. Get there early, and try the chocolate banana filled ones!
Cost: 40 Pesos for two croissants
Hotel Casa San Angel
Inside this gorgeous boutique hotel is one of the best restaurants in Merida Mexico, where you can get both food AND dessert! The restaurant is called Tala, and it is a very popular spot for breakfast or brunch. It’s also well known in the area for its bakery. Every day has a slightly different menu of freshly baked treats, so you just have to pop in and see what looks good!
Cost: Varies
Marquesita Stands
Marquesitas are a local street snack that originated in Merida. They are essentially a warm, crispy crepe with melty shredded cheese and your choice of topping inside. Popular toppings include jam, Nutella, and cajeta, which is like a caramel sauce. I know it sounds really strange to pair cheese with these sweet toppings, but the mixture of sweet and salt is actually a pretty tasty combo! You can find Marquesita stands in many of the parks in Merida, as well as during the Thursday evening Serenata and during Merida on Sunday in the Plaza Grande. Here are some other great street foods you can find in Merida!
Cost: Varies depending on the stand. I paid 30 Pesos for my marquesita, but the Mexican guy after me only got charged 25…
Ki Xocolatl
You can’t visit the land of the Mayans without getting some kind of delicious Mayan chocolate! There are lots of places you can get chocolate, but my research has determined that Ki Xocolatl has some of the most authentic and delicious chocolates in Merida. They have all kinds of chocolate products, from bars of the edible stuff, to soaps and lotions. They also have a small cafe in the back if you wish to have a coffee or a snack.
Cost: Varies, but be prepared to pay more for good chocolate
Looking for more in Merida?
Check out these 12 other fun and cheap things to do!
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40 Comments
Those Mexican pastries are delightful Brianna! We did a house sit in East Harlem a few times last year. I bought a few of those pastries at a local bodega. Sweet, light, cheap and hearty, one decent sized piece of bread with sugar does the trick LOL. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ryan
Great post!
ARE YOU IN MEXICO STILL? I’m on Cozumel but I’ll be heading to Merida in a couple of weeks!
Aww man! I was only in Mexico for a week, back in March! Have fun in Merida, though. Let me know if you have any questions!
Mexico is always a great idea! Like your photos.
I would totally travel there just for these desserts, you convinced me! Not sure I’d try the Pork and Beans gelato, sounds odd just to write it, but the Banana and Hibiscus Flower sounds like something I’d totally love!
Plus, as you said, the chocolate. What other place on earth if not the land of the Mayans? Haven’t been to Mexico but you gave me some more reasons to plan to go asap!!
Haha…yeaaaaaah to be honest, I didn’t even try the pork and beans, but I’ve heard it’s actually quite good.
Girl where was this last week when I was wandering around Merida disliking all the food?! lol! I did find the most delicious little desserts at El Retorno bakery though… $11mx for a mini double layered cookie/cake coated in chocolate cream and sprinkles… My fav in the whole city!
NOOO!! Dangit, I didn’t know about that one! Was it close to centro??
Merida looks awesome! My wife and I are looking for a place to go this late spring. I think this just got added to the list.
Merida looks so amazing! And, I love that this post is totally focused on dessert, my favorite! I love that Merida has so much gelato! yum!
There are lots of treats to keep you cool!
These all look so delicious!! I’ll take one of each, please haha. You can never go wrong with lots of sweet treats : )
Meaghan xx
I have not been to Mexico yet but the desserts, gelato and places you shared in this post is beckoning me to visit!
I’m planning to visit Mexico in this summer. I heard that Mexico have the best desserts. Thank you for your tips. I will for sure try Marquesita Stands
Oh my. My mouth is watering as I read this. I would love to try the cheesy crepe dessert; it sounds amazing. All of the desserts sound amazing actually…yum!
Dangerous if you’re on a diet hah! But who diets while travelling anyway! Will definitely check some of these out!
Yes, thank you! Travel is not the time to be dieting!!
Now i need a gelato or a croissant.. oh well may be a cookie! Great guide for desserts in mexico.
Nothin’ wrong with a good cookie! 😛
I couldn’t agree more. Mexico in general has amazing delicacies. So I’m not surprised about Merida. I am hoping to visit Merida next year – this food guide will definitely come in handy
Definitely! I’ve got more Merida posts coming too!
We have stopped a couple of times during cruises to Progresso, and driven through Merida, but never spent time in the city. Now that I am seeing all of these great desserts, I think it is time to spend a little time in Merida. I don’t know that I would like a pork and beans gelato, but I’d give it a try. It looks like there are plenty of worldwide options from paletas to gelatos to croissants. My mouth is watering for a trip to the Yucatan and to these dessert shops.
These pictures look amazing – definitely want to travel here next!
These look so awesome! My favorite thing to do lately is to explore dessert places where I am traveling, because different cultures and cities have different takes on dessert! I had Mayan chocolate while in the Mayan Riviera a few years ago, sooooo yummy!
Agreed! Desserts are the BEST way to see a city 😛
WOW! Treasure for someone with a sweet tooth. Mayan Chocolate seems a rarity. Even the flavor combinations are a treat – Banana with Hibiscus, Passionfruit with Cherry. Reminds me of different smoothie combinations in Kerala. Thanks for sharing
Mexican food is always my favorite but never tried Mexican desserts. The restaurants in Merida are having beautiful desserts with lovely flavors. I would love to taste authentic Meridian dessert Marquesita Stands which has salty and sugary flavor.
Ki Xocolatl and the paletas are the two things that I’m not going to miss if I get a chance to go to Merida. I just can’t say no to chocolate. I tried paleta for the first time in Bali last summer and it was really good. I wonder if it’s as good as the one in Merida.
Pork and bean flavor gelato sounds like an interesting combination. It must be good if it sells out right away. These are very nontraditional Mexican desserts, but it is great to see the diversity. It is also great that they are putting their twist on the flavors.
Omg… Mexican chocolate and tropical sorbet, yes please!! So many yummy options to check out when I come to Merida!
Eeeeeevery single one of these looks amazing. That gelato – and those cookies – ack, now I’m HUNGRY 🙂
Man that gelato looks like the perfect thing on a hot day, would definitely be my pick! What was your favourite?
I’ve thought about that mamey fruit one several times since I had it!
Oh man… that sorbet looks amazing! I’ve never heard of cajeta sauce, but I do love caramel so that would be something I’d have to try. : )
All of those look delicious! Especially those pastries and sorbet! We need to visit just for the dessert 🙂
Great post!
ARE YOU IN MEXICO STILL? I’m on Cozumel but I’ll be heading to Merida in a couple of weeks!
Thanks! I’m not in Mexico anymore, but super jealous that you are!! Enjoy Merida! 🙂
I love to eat foods in Mexico. The location is good, but the food is extraordinary in taste. Love to visit once again to Mexico dessert, especially for the mexican chocolate.
Don’t forget ‘Le Chujuk’! Fabulous cakes and the very best Mexican wedding cookies!!
Oh man! I guess I need to go back and try that one!