This place is something very special. We spent a magical evening here under some light rain and had an amazing night. Anna (Ana?) was our server and took great care of us. We had a variety of dishes which were all great but the mole was the star of the show. Beautifully done. Bonus- there's a bookstore also ran by the owners of the restaurant above the main dining room. You can't miss this place on your next visit to Merida EDIT: We loved this place so much we decided to come back again on our last night. As before, the service was amazing and I was able to pick up some great art and architecture books as well. read more

I was there during my vacation in Merida. My wife is vegan and they gave her so many options for her to eat. They made food for her that wasn't even on menu. Everyone and everything at this place is great. We went to eat twice during our stay. Will go back. I would highly recommend to anyone. read more

Great, flavorful, made onsite delicacies : excellent mole, chips and guac to die for, and colorful, shaded outdoor dining. Will return read more

El Apapacho - Outdoor dining - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

I've been to Mexico many times over the years, and the shrimp mole here stands out as the best I've ever had,rich, balanced, and unforgettable. Everything is made in-house, all the way down to the salt rim on the mezcal margarita. If you're in Mérida, do yourself a favor and make this a must-stop. read more

El Apapacho - Camarones el mole de Oaxaca - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

The cutest restaurant in a bookstore. We were a party of 12 and had no problems getting seated. there was only one waitress and chef I believe so it did take some time to get our food but the vibes of the patio are so good, we did not mind! The food was also very worth the wait. Definitely located on a quieter street than the tourist filled center of Mérida but worth the walk. Great choice for vegan friends too!! read more

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Charming bookstore with an amazing restaurant. They even have mosquito spray, which you will absolutely need. The drinks and food are fabulous. You'll need some time as the menu is pretty big . The best soup I've ever had read more

El Apapacho - Mezcalita - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

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Cute place but the food was not good . I noticed after eating a lot of others ordered the shrimp mole and salads and things of that nature . My dish arrived cold and the meat was dry and the sauce was definitely out of a jar . Drinks were good . Waitress was kind she was one person servicing all patrons. read more

El Apapacho - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

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cozy vibes! a haven for hippies. i heard this place had good aguachiles, which i did not order regrettably. come here if you are vegan and vegetarian, or if you want many healthy options. came here on a Tuesday afternoon. you walk through a mini bookstore to the backyard where there's a cool seating area with vines hanging. got bit by mosquitoes. ordered hibiscus juice and a pineapple smoothie to start with. both were refreshing and not too sweet. also ordered the aztec soup (aka tortilla soup). the tomato broth had a nice smooth texture. not too overpowering flavor of tomato. i liked the bits of melted oaxacan cheese in the soup; the salt and pungent cheese cut through the mild tomato broth. the mezcal flan had a more cheesecake texture, one different than the custard flan texture that i'm used to in the States. different but delicious! there was a bit of funkiness to the flan probably from the mezcal. the caramel and walnuts topped on the flan muted the funkiness of the flan. the mini bookstore was cute. saw some philosophy books from mexican/latin american authors. most, if not all, books were in spanish. read more

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We ate here on our first evening in Mérida, flying in from Los Angeles via Mexico City. It was the one place I could find with multiple vegan options open late. The food and service were great, and the atmosphere outside was well appreciated. We didn't have any problems with mosquitos, but apparently there are times when they're a problem for which cans of repellent are available at the tables. There were a number of excellent options for a vegan to choose from. We were the last customers at closing but never felt rushed to leave. Prices were possibly touristy high, but not outrageous. read more

El Apapacho - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

Such a cute place. The owner and staff are gracious and patient. The service is excellent. I tried potato enchiladas, mole colorado. I didn't know what to expect because I've never had potato enchiladas before. As you can imagine, if you've never tried this dish, it's soft mashed potatoes, stuffed inside large corn tortillas. The mole is the real star of this dish. I could eat that mole on nearly everything. It was smooth, thick, not too sweet and there was just enough to complement the enchiladas. I couldn't get the flavor of the cheese but I did enjoy the recipe. My husband ordered the chicken mole. He cleaned his plate so I guess it was very good because he didn't offer me a bite. And he wasn't interested in mine. We ordered the guacamole and it was also good. A meal of guacamole and chips would not disappoint. My husband and guests imbibed. The report was favorable for the unique drink specialties. This is a really cool, hole in the wall type of place with a tiny library and fun art adorning the walls. I wish I had more time to hang out here. I will definitely return on my next trip to Merida and try many of the other items on the menu. read more

El Apapacho - A mural on the back patio. You have to go. - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

My second time here and it was still great. I over ordered. My eyes were bigger than my stomach. But yum! The lemonade electros with house made ginger beer is deliciousss read more

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Very unique menu. Ambiance was wonderful- full of art, poems, great lighting. Service was great. Huge drink menu. Very unique food menu. Offers vegan options, a lot of seafood and some chicken, possibly beef but I don't remember. Plating and presentation is beautiful. read more

El Apapacho - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

If you have a problem with salt, then in Mérida, you will need to let the server know at every restaurant because salt is used in abundance - no exceptions. Chicken Enchiladas enmoloda (Colorado) Fantistico! The service was very good, the margaritas are generous and so is the food. The ambiance is rustic and inviting. Take time to look at the murals. Peruse the bookshelves. I would make this a regular haunt if I lived here. Don't miss this little gem. read more

The service was amazing, and the food was great. They change their menu on the weekends. They seem to have a large variety and are very tasty. Their waters and juices are great. I highly recommend it. read more

Apapacho has the best picante mole ever! We came for dinner and ordered the lamb and rabbit. Both were delicious but the rabbit was especially tasty. Service was great and the garden area in the back is very cute. They add little touches which are unique that I haven't seen elsewhere. Everyone gets a rose for the table and the check comes in a tiny seashell! We came twice because we loved the rabbit so much. If we had come once it would be a 5, since we came twice it's a 4. The 2nd time we ordered rabbit and shrimp. The shrimp were not good. They weren't fresh and we had to send it back. It wasn't an issue at all and getting a new order of chicken mole was easy. I highly recommend the lamb and rabbit dishes. read more

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The shaded garden setting is perfect on a hot day in Merida. I had breakfast and arrived at 8:00 AM just as they opened. Not surprising, I was the first guest. My scrambled eggs were good and the service was good and friendly. read more

El Apapacho - Shaded garden - perfect for a hot day. - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

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Our favorite place! Our Airbnb was across the street from this restaurant and we went here almost everyday at least once while in town! The mole is great but my favorite things were the iced mochas, avocado toast, and the eggs with quemada salsa! Also, the electric lemonade is really refreshing and great! Definitely worth a visit and we'll be back next time we visit! read more

El Apapacho - Iced moka - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

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Excellent service by the staff and the establishment itself is cozy and welcoming. There is seating outside in the patio where you're given shade by the trees. The limonada was sour in the best way possible. I really enjoyed the enchiladas and the presentation of the dish is magnificent. I'd love to try another dish from the menu! read more

El Apapacho - Enchiladas rojas con pollo asado - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

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Delicious ceviche. They ask how spicy you want it. Good service! Behind the bookstore is a secret garden!

The door wasn't labelled with anything but stickers, but soooo worth going inside. Predominantly vegetarian & vegan, the one meat dish was a divine stuffed pepper (the house special!). Delicious food and refreshing drinks, with a shady garden with cool murals, good fans, and a feminist bookstore attached. read more

El Apapacho - Groovy murals in a shady, green courtyard. - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

El Apapacho is the place to go for some Mexican food, chill music, a nice garden and good drinks. The food is alright and will fill you up. The ambiance has a hip grunge feel with a playlist to match. The drinks are wide in range. They got a relatively cheap spritz and one of the best mezcal selections in the city. In fact they offer mezcal flights as well. Last, the service is pretty welcoming. The place gets crowded and closes relatively early for dinner. Try to get a seat in the garden by calling in advance or coming early. read more

The place has good decor but the food was very bad. We ordered guacamole, which was super bland. We had to ask for a hot sauce and salt to make it edible. Ceviche felt like it was not fresh, and all three entrees were bad. None of us finished our entrees, so it means we ordered 4 items on the menu that weren't meant for us or the restaurant needs to do something to fix it. Two stars for the service and decor. read more

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Holé Mole batman! Two of us got their Moladas with different mole sauces, both were *amazing*, and wonderfully different flavors. In addition the other two who joined us for lunch got other dishes that I sadly now forget, but they also loved them. We also shared a lemonade in the back garden as it was a beautiful, but very hot, day - it was really pleasant. Vibe and service were both excellent as well. One tip - in their outdoor garden they had mosquito spray on their tables. Use it, immediately, those of us who didn't gotten eaten until we did - it's there for a reason. Highly recommend! read more

Very awesome little and delicious restaurant in Merida, not far from paseo montejo. Place has a very artsy rustic original vibe to it. The food is delicious, this time i had guacamole pacifico which was basically an excellent guac with shrimp on the side, for main dish i had chicken enfrijolada which was also great. They had quite a few vegan options for my wife and she did enjoy her dishes. Every time we visit Merida we go there. Great food, great prices, great service and very cool vibe. read more

Don't mistake these 5 stars with your regular 5 stars. These are native southern Mexico 5 stars. Mole, enchiladas, calabacitas, everything is made as designed by decades and decades of food taste development by Mexican mothers and grandmas had worked on. Eat here, come prepared to taste true southern Mexico chow, uncompromising. read more

I was walking and noticed El Apapacho. It looked inviting and I was in the mood for a cold beverage and a snack. So glad I went in! The service was great. I ordered the Elena Garro mezcal drink. It was perfectly refreshing with great flavor. I had another one of their fresh juice drinks without alcohol and it was equally delicious. I ordered the mushrooms with potatoes for my snack. More food than I could eat. Tasted delicious. Given the great experience, I went back for a coffee another morning. I didn't have time to eat that time. I would definitely go back and definitely recommend. read more

El Apapacho - Elena Garro drink while sitting at a corner table - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

SUPER ADORABLE place and a must check-out when in Merida. They're located in a random area, and from the outside, you would've never guessed that there would be an adorable restaurant here! Upon entry, you will see a small hipster bookstore/coffeeshop. When you walk further, you'll find the seating area where you'll be seated. There is a lot of awesome artwork here and OFF! mosquito spray at every table to prevent you from getting bit! We ordered the queso fundido, some appetizers, and a nopal relleno. The queso fundido had mushrooms in it, which I also found to be the most amazing dish here! The nopal relleno was a little too adventurous for me, but I wanted to give it a try. If you don't like cactus, you're not gonna have a good time eating the nopal here. My fiancee got the mole, which was good, if you were a fan of mole. I'm not normally a fan of mole as well, so it was a little much for me. The drinks, appetizers, and ambience here are what's gonna keep me coming back next time. P.S. Don't come here if you're in a rush. The food takes a while, and they notate it everywhere on the menu as well! read more

Wow you have to try this place!! Everything was sooo delicious!! We all had different dishes ans tried them all. The only problem next time will be seciding which one to get! Coffee was good as well. read more

El Apapacho - Latte - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

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Food is amazing here and it's pretty cheap and generous portions compared to other restaurants. Must try!! I didn't see much Typical Yucatan food. I think it's more Oaxacan read more

El Apapacho - Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

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The place looks pretty unassuming from the street, but inside is a wonderful treat. They have a fabulous book selection (spanish only I believe), locally made soaps and small gifts to shop from, and of course, a marvelous restaurant with many vegan and vegetarian options, craft beers, and delicious juices. I highly recommend this place! The back patio is such a dreamy little hideaway. Everything here feels thoughtful. read more

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This place is so great! All the servers are so incredibly nice and the food is all wonderful. Super healthy vegetarian, vegan, and non vegetarian options. Huge portions for the price. They have typical vegan Yucatecan food which is great. There is also a little art gallery in the front of the restaurant and a nice cute outdoor sitting area. They have fresh juices as well. They have great blue hand made corn tortillas read more

El Apapacho - Mushroom mole - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

Yum! Note the menu photos on here are out of date as of 1/30/21 (but I forgot to take pics of the new one - sorry!) and most of these items are no longer available. However they still have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options in addition to the omnivore ones. The most options I've seen anywhere in Mexico that's not a dedicated vegetarian place. The restaurant is cute & fun. The service is slow, but worth it as the food was super delicious, and they were friendly. The portions are huge. Wish we were spending more time here and could go again! read more

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We came here for lunch for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. Nice casual, bohemian surroundings with very good food, The restaurant consists of a small dining area in the front and a lovely, art filled garden area in the back. The drink menu is very diverse and features fresh juices, smoothies, chai, tea and coffee drinks. The food menu also had something for everyone with vegetarian and meat based dishes. We started with some guacamole and then were brought chicken and beef quesadillas - everything was delicious! Service was friendly and attentive and prices were moderate. I feel that Apapacho may be one of the more underrated restaurants in Merida - definitely recommended! read more

We came here every day while in Merida. El Apapacho offers the perfect marriage of healthy, locally-sourced, and slow-cooked food. They hand craft each meal including their tortillas, salsas, and moles. They offer practically every item in the vegan and vegetarian version, as they do for the carnivore version. Cool and relaxed place to hang. Music is jazzy and ambiance is inclusive of all cultures and people. Tlacatecatl and Anna have a great thing going here. The name of their restaurant describes how pampered, comfortable, and nourished one feels dinning at their place. read more

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This place was so amazing. It's like a dream! When you enter, there is a radical bookstore and out in back there's a jungle garden patio. It feels timeless and magical like in a film. They serve delicious vegan food at a super reasonable price. The staff are all very friendly and, might I add, cool! We went here several times during our visit. read more

One of the best meals we had in Mérida. Great service, great vibe, great food. Love that they have so many vegan and vegetarian options. This was our final meal during our week stay in Mérida and it was the perfect send off. read more

Cute cafe with a patio in the back shaded by trees. Lots of great food options including two pages of vegan options on their menu. I got the mole with nopales and the sauce was amazing. It came with so much grilled nopales, it was super filling. My partner got the chicken mole and enjOyed his meal as well. read more

El Apapacho - Mole - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

The place is just great, I love the vibes you get as soon as you walk through it. I ordered green Chilaquiles with chicken and It comes in a big plate so I like how it's presented. The music is really good and the waiters are also nice and they have vegan food too, a friend of mine really apreciated that. read more

El Apapacho - Green Chilaquiles w chicken! It comes w beans, onion, avocado & a great slice of bread. - Mexican Near Me - Mérida, YUC

I am a local Meridian, yet I write this English because I want both tourists and locals to be aware of what has been happening socially in Merida in the past five years and how gentrification is taking a toll on the neighborhood lives of Mexicans in downtown. El apapacho food is great, it's a constant, dishes are super well prepared, really nice portions and authentic cuisine from Oaxaca. Yet, I went this weekend, I haven't been there for a while and I ordered the same thing I usually go for, it was all delicious, but I was surprised when the bill came up, because the menu prices have changed quite dramatically in the past months. I got an entry, a beer and a main dish, usually I used to pay for that the equivalent of 15 usd; that for Mexican minimum wage standards its not cheap, but it's ok, and the food is worth it if you doing so once or twice a month. This time I paid around 30 usd, almost double for the exact same things. A 160 pesos for Guacamole, and 270 pesos for 6 shrimps (or so) in aguachile it's insane, it's only prices for international tourists now. I think both Mexican locals and foreigners who come by need to be aware of that. This add insult to injury when part of the discourse in the restaurant, specially in the book selection of the library shop is based mainly on radical politics, feminism anti colonialism and anti imperialism. It feels like a joke now to be simply thinking business wise and pretty much milk Americans (who will still find this prices cheap) and make it now imposible for medium class and working class mexicans to enjoy. Take for example the delicious "Little India" restaurant" in Santa Lucia. The chef is Indian, and entree is 30 pesos, a main dish is a 140 pesos and a flan custard of ginger is 30 pesos, you get a phenomenal meal for 200 pesos (10 USD) a Guava flan custard at el apapacho is a 169 pesos, you make the math.... read more

Cool spot and awesome vibe. They seem to be the only place nearby that offers vegan options.