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Apoala

4.5 (176 reviews)
PriceyMexican
Closed 2:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Apoala Photos

APOALA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Apoala

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Reviews With Photos

Ana Mara H.

and foremost, the service was amazing! Julio, our waiter, was excellent at recommending dishes. We kicked things off with mixology--ChicTana, a unique creation featuring an Oaxacan ant, and Mayahuel--both incredible drinks! When our dishes arrived, we were so hungry that we devoured them instantly. We had memelas de lechón, tacos de picaña, and octopus ceviche with scallops--the last one was absolutely outstanding!"

This was one of my favorite restaurants during my trip here. Cocktails were more balanced than a lot of other places I've been. Amazing ambiance. Came here and ordered three different entrees, all exceeded my expectations. Desert was delicious and not too sweet how I like. Plus amazing service.

Adela M.

We've gotten so many recommendations to come to this restaurant and so we were so excited to visit and it did not disappoint. The menu was limited compared to some of the other restaurants in the area but I appreciate not having so many options. The food and drinks were amazing and the service was on point. Our glasses were always filled and the staff was so attentive. It is a little bit more on the serious side, I wouldn't say it's not family friendly, but just more of an adult environment

Steak con mole
Benny H.

Easily one of the most beautiful restaurants in Mérida. People told me, whom had been to Mérida before, that i had to go the Apoala so it was definitely on my list! Buddy and I sat outside and I order a cocktail and the eh brought us out super bomb chips and two different kinds of salsa, the green one was better I think! I hadn't had a piece of meat all week so I went with the steak, it was really great. The black mole sauce on it made it for me but the meat was cooked absolutely perfect. If I was by myself or with a women I would've ordered more honestly, kindof wish I got to try more of the menu... but still had a wonderful experience. The staff was ofcourse super friendly!

Aguachile con Leche de Coco
Jorge T.

Este es el segundo review a Apoala que hago. Hoy no se que les dieron de comer a los chefs pero por favor siganlo haciendo... Tengo una cena mas tarde en otro restaurante y decidí ir a mi consentido Apoala a comer algo ligero, pedí una entrada, Ceviche de Pescado en Leche de coco, MA-RA-VI-LLA tiene chile habanero, me advirtieron que traia una rodaja, no la sentí, el pescado mas fresco que el Principe de Bel-Air tirandole a Sashimi Japones con un tipo "Leche de Tigre" como base con aceite supongo de Habanero, que joya culinaria, haganse una tostada (las dan de cortesia) solo con la salsita verde que les dan y ponganle chorritos de la leche de coco encima y la verdura del aguachile, el pepino y la jicama, OJO, no le pongan el pescado, a la tostada, el Aguachile se come solito solito y ya despues muerden su tostada preparada, majestuoso... No iba a pedir postre porque siempre se les termina la esponja de coco, esta vez la tenian... Un pan airoso super suavecito de coco con una base de salsa de Maracuya dulce, nada acida, granillo de menta, Frutos rojos y Uvas y no quiero faltarle el respeto a la chef pero el granulado ese de chocolate no lo necesita, exploren algo màs, me lo comi todo para acabar con eso pero la joya esta en mojar la esponja en la salsa con un pedacito del helado y un trocito de fruta y preparense para voltear los ojos en blanco. Hoy tuve multiples orgasmos en la boca, no se que estan haciendo pero continúen porfa. Aún sigo teniendo espasmos bucales. Gracias!

Stuffed squash blossoms
Linda S.

We had the best last night in Merida! I ate the most delicious vegetarian Mexican food- maybe ever? At Apoala! We started with stuffed squash blossoms, then a verde salad, and my entree was a quinoa, Amaranth and Pepitas stuffed tortillas with an inky black mole sauce, topped with radish and plantain chips. Holy smokes! It was so good!

Ensalada verde, with little avocado cups of vinaigrette
Brian C.

Very good service, creative food and drink, and an unbeatable location recommend this place at the very top of Merida's vast and varied food scene. From the cloud-like stuffed squash blossom appetizer, battered and fried so light and fluffy, served with an earthy and balanced mole, sautéed onion and potato; to the ensalada verde, served warm with broad beans, green beans, peas, sprouts, pumpkin seeds, squash and avocado in a tangy vinaigrette; to the filete de res con mole negro, with sweet potato mash, nuts and seeds, beet and onion and mild nopal (cactus), cooked perfectly with a deep, rich, roasty sauce; and the roast suckling pig with perfect cracklings, potato and cured onion and a rich black bean purée; bookended with an ephemeral coconut cake and mango ice cream dessert with mescal ice topping and a burnt sugar cookie crumb and mango purée...just...wow! The only detractors were a small bit of dry pork and some initially perfunctory service, quickly corrected. I can't give half-stars, and the food and drink were otherwise so exceptional the problems were all but forgotten by the time dessert hit the table; so be it. There is no, and I mean NO, reason to miss this if you have the luck in your stars to find yourself in this lovely restaurant, in the charming Parque de Santa Lucia, in the heart of the magical city of Merida. Fine dining for the adventurous! Meaning: yes, there are unusual ingredients in both the food and drink that may surprise you, but the rewards are well worth your suspension of prejudice. Highest recommendation!

The aguachile was delicious and the presentation was on point.
George P.

We would revisit the Apoala again. It's in a great location but we unfortunately made the choice to sit inside due to 96 degree temps. The interior is small and dark. Definitely recommend siting outside on the patio if weather permits. The food was good but not that memorable. The service was impeccable and it felt very high end.

Red Tart, light sweeten and made from almond flour.
TJ T.

Food was very good and worth every calorie of the mole smothered chicken ensaimadas. The red tart was equally delish. Add the ambiance and friendly staff, going solo is not an issue.

The decor
Toyin D.

Hands down the best dining experience I've had in Mexico! This place was recommended to us by one of the hotel owners in Merida. It was a short walk to the Parque Santa Lucia. We did not have reservations, and the seating outside was all occupied, so we were seated inside. The decor inside was to die for! The wall behind the bar was a-DOOR-ned with doors (get it?!), with deep green walls. The tables had lovely black-and-white Mosaic tiling. Now, enough about the decor, because that's not why we're here. We had flat crunchy tortillas offered to us with green sauce and roasted red pepper sauce. We loved it so much we got 3 refills. We were already blown away by the flavor that this had, that we were looking forward to the rest of the meal. As expected, the appetizer did not disappoint. We got raw kampachi, which is a mackerel sashimi in a savory-sweet sauce - simply phenomenal. For my entree, I got the tortellini with pork with green mole sauce. The mole sauce is made hot and poured in front of you. Every bite was DIVINE. We got 2 rounds of drinks. For my first drink, got the chikka (rum, mezcal, pineapple, cilantro, lime) which is a cool, refreshing drink with a nice smoky flavor. My friend and I got the Jamaica margarita as our second drink. To cap off this spectacular meal, we got the warm chocolate cake with guava cream and ice cream and pecan. Every bite was like walking on a cloud. The textures and flavors came together really nicely. Now, here's the kicker. For 4 drinks, 2 entrees, 1 appetizer, and 1 dessert, it came out to roughly $40 USD per person. For the quality, service and ambience that we experienced, this was a bargain and absolutely worth it. Apoala is a must for your next Merida trip.

Local lager that was very good
Tim P.

Restaurant in Parque de Santa Lucia square. There are about five restaurants in the square in a really nice outdoor environment. The night we were there the temperature was very pleasant. My wife and I both started with a gin and tonic. It was a rather large drink, especially for $6 USD. The waiter brought us some fried blue tortillas with two salsas. Based on comments we ordered the Flores en Amarillo. It was delicious with a nice spicy sauce. For dinner I ordered the sea bass with a green tomato sauce and my wife got the short rib appetizer. Both were excellent. I finished the meal with a cold local craft beer called Lager Yucateca. Great dining atmosphere in the square. Hope to make it back.

Tacos de picaña

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12 years ago

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7 years ago

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11 years ago

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

An outstanding Mexican fusion kitchen. Creative combinations of ingredients make this place a don't miss during your time in Merida

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7 years ago

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10 years ago

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9 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

Delicious food, friendly staff and a beautiful out door setting on the Parque de Santa Lucia. A must dine for any one visiting Merida.

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10 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

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8 years ago

Was terrific. Had a lovely lunch. Killer tequilas and a beautiful salad. Staff was great.

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

Everything here was out of this world. Waitstaff was very friendly and attentive but not overbearing.

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8 years ago

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8 years ago

Great spot for lunch or dinner! Loved the Tuna Tartar and great service. Lots of good wine options.

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9 years ago

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10 years ago

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7 years ago

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11 years ago

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7 years ago

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Apoala Reviews in Other Languages

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Pancho's

Pancho's

4.1(36 reviews)
0.3 km
$$$

I like to come here and sit at the bar and enjoy their 20 peso drinks and snacks. The mini torta…read morepibil and panuchos are some of my favorites. I've never had a sit down meal here but the the main dining area is very nice and there is another section that is open to the sky. Customers are a combination of locals and visitors. Bathrooms are clean and service is good.

The secret upstairs bar under the open skies makes this restaurant extra special. Its a platform…read morepatio built into shade trees with a thatched roof. It's enchanting at night watching the lighted towers of the old cathedral standing watch over the Merida night sky...sitting at a candle lit table with cool Yucatan breezes blowing. It's a far remove from the hustle and bustle of the narrow, crowded downtown streets and the lively plaza. I ordered a pumpkin seed-based salsa which was prepared table side in a stone vessel. My friend ordered the grilled fish with rice, pickled carrots, onions and sauces. Both were delicious. We also had nice drinks, red wine sangria, and beer. What was perhaps the best feature of the place is the excellent waitstaff who are bilingual, who are helpful with making you feel comfortable, who provide charming conversation and tips, and who are generally well trained in hospitality. Such a far cry from the dour and arrogant wait staff typically found in Washington DC restaurants. This is a good place for a quiet escape from the plaza crowd.

Photos
Pancho's
Pancho's - Área de bar

Área de bar

Pancho's - La entrada del Pancho's

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La entrada del Pancho's

Apoala - mexican - Updated May 2026

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