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El Cardenal

3.8 (18 reviews)
InexpensiveBars, Mexican
Closed 1:00 pm - 10:00 PM

El Cardenal Bars Photos

EL CARDENAL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Live music
Outdoor seating
Good for dancing
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - El Cardenal

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Reviews With Photos

Tabla Yucateca
Sean C.

Great locals place with a chill vibe for drinks. Our water spoke decent English, was very friendly, and was quick with our drinks. There was live music inside but we decided to sit in the outdoor area. We were brought some free botanas and ordered a combo plate of Yucatan specialties which was more then enough for two people to share. Defiantly recommended if you are staying in the Santiago/San Sebastian area

The outside of the Cantina
Chelle E.

This place is just a few blocks off the tourist path and a world apart. A local hangout for food minded folks, you'll find affordable and delicious drinks and food here. A cantina that serves drinking snacks, the only danger is that you'll get full on less money than you expected. They serve local microbrews, cocktails, and plain cheap beer if you want it. Also, if you go there Tuesday through Sunday ask for Carlos (or as they call him here Pista - pronounced pea-stuh). The dude will hook you up and is one of the loveliest people I've met in Mexico. We've been here for weeks and hadn't found a spot we loved until we tried this place. Part hipster, part foodie, entirely Mexican. It's clean. It's cheap. It's delicious. It's local! Go and enjoy yourself while supporting a local family - because we sure did!

Wall art

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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8 years ago

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Photo of J H.
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4 years ago

Good food, great prices, live music--abs a real neighborhood pub. Love this place, especially the ojo rojo and the shrimp ceviche

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8 years ago

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11 years ago

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8 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

Friendly staff, great food, and fun ambiance! The live music was entertaining and our group enjoyed our time there

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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El Cardenal Reviews in Other Languages

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Pancho's

Pancho's

4.1(36 reviews)
0.7 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.

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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

El Cardenal - bars - Updated May 2026

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