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LA CHAYA MAYA ATMOSPHERE
Recommended Reviews - La Chaya Maya
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Nice place with an old style feeling of nostalgia and originality in what it seems to be a former house turned into a restaurant. Service is great, our server was very helpful explaining our options being first time in Yucatan. Food was delicious and honestly very cheap!
Great spot for local, traditional food (Mayan and Mexican) Service was fantastic I ordered a sampler platter of different tacos each with a different protein and each prepared a different way. Everyone of them was delicious! Their plancha meals were beautifully presented and they were seasoned well. My girlfriend ordered the chicken one and it came on this big cast iron skillet and wooden platter with a bowl of sauce and an co container holding the tortillas. We would definitely eat here again.
This place was highly recommended on many blogs. They have all sorts of great foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I got the Agua de Chaya con Lima and it was soooo refreshing during this 95+ degree day. The meal was even better. I read about the traditional meal for mayan culture and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is beautiful and shaded outside with plenty of tables.
Great food and traditional yucateco food from the region. Started off with the Vaporcito (tamal wrapped in plantain leaf) the sopa limón was great and the empanadas de queso de bola was delicious. We ordered the tikinxic it's a grea fish plate with shrimp fish amd octopus.
Located in a beautiful old house, this is a good place to find cuisine of the region and to be in beautiful surroundings. There were two ladies making fresh tortillas the evening we were there. I was told that this is the newer of the two restaurants of the same name and same owner. The crowd appeared to be natives rather than tourists, which is a good sign.
Not worth the hype. We tried the four yucas and the only one worth eating was the cochinita pibil. All the dishes come out on a small plate which lies upon the larger dishes in the picture. There is exactly enough for two but it's not how much it looks like it would be in the pictures. The food came out lukewarm which was strange. It was already cooked ahead of time (arrived a few min after we ordered) so they could have warmed it up. We've been to Mexico a few times and the food is ALWAYS hot! Anyways, none of the dishes were amazing or flavorful and it was disappointing after seeing so many good reviews. Service was good and the outdoor seating is fun. Very touristy and we will not be returning.
We wanted to try another Yucateca food (aside from Mugy), so we went to La Chaya Maya. I would say the service was pretty good; it was as busy as Mugy, but I felt like the attention from the servers here was a bit more difficult. The ambiance here was also okay, maybe it was our table being at the corner, but did not feel particularly nice. Food however was delicious. I think more on a saltier side, but nonetheless good. I would recommend anyone interested in Yucateca food to visit both here and Mugy.
On our last night in merida we decided to try this place. Also very well recommended, a little bit on the pricier side than most places we tried with authentic yucateco food. It was delicious, they were busy that night so service was on the slower side but definitely worth it!
Oh wow. The food here is so flavorful and complex. As it was a pretty big restaurant in a popular tourist area we were worried that it may be a tourist trap but we saw many locals here and the grooms is the best we've had on this trip. Also great that they have taco choices where you can pick one at a time! Great to sample a variety.
We actually started out looking to have dinner at their other location. No particular reason, just the one was had passed walking down the street. We changed course as the Calle 62 location does not have outdoor seating. This location is just a few blocks away in the middle of the block in a colonial building with a huge courtyard. Keeping with the Merida standards during COVID-19, we stepped through sanitizing mats, had our temperature taken, and were given some hand sanitizer. We were taken to a freshly cleaned table at the edge of the courtyard with a QR code on it, taking us to their menu - which was also laminated into the table. Seated next to us, physically distant, was a woman making had made Corn Tortillas from a mound of masa. She had a comal next to her and was griddling them as servers came by for warm Tortillas. The courtyard was beautifully landscaped and decorated for Christmas. Customers and staff were diligent about wearing masks. We started with two Margaritas (51 pesos each). They were tasty and fairly strong but considerably smaller than most others we'd seen. They also brought us each a small bowl of Totopos (tortilla chips) alongside a dish with pureed black beans, pumpkin seed, and salsa. I started with the Sopa de Lima (71 pesos). It was a warm bowl filled with a light Turkey Broth, shredded Turkey, Lime, and a side of crispy Tortilla Strips. - it was really very well done, light, and packed with flavor. My husband had the Longaniza from Valladolid (171 pesos). They brought him a metal platter with a good portion of the slightly smokey Chorizo-type Sausage from the neighboring town of Valladolid. It had sliced Tomato, Avocado, and Beans with several ramakins- Pickled Red Onion, Chilomate, and Rice along with fresh Corn Tortillas. He loved the Longaniza and would absolutely order it again. I opted for the Flavors of Yucatan (146 pesos) - you choose four dishes for a list of about six or eight options. I had the Tacos de Relleno Negro -Turkey with Blackened Chilis and Spices, Tacos de Cochinita- with Yucatan classic Cochinita Pibil, a marinated Roast Pork with Bitter Orange, a Salbut - Corn Tortilla with Roasted Turkey with Achiote marinade, Red Onion, and Avocado, and a Panucho, a fried Tortilla filled with Black Beans. I opted for the Turkey version of this, similar to the Salbut. Everything was delicious and more food than I had anticipated. Overall, everything was very good, the service was good, and it was a good value for the amount and quality of the food. It is in the middle of the Centro tourist district, so it's slightly more expensive than eating in more 'local' type places or street food. And, it has a great colonial vibe. Here are the approximate prices for our dinner in U.S. dollars at the time of our review. Margaritas: $2.57 Sopa de Lima: $3.57 Longaniza Valladolid: $8.61 Flavors of Yucatan: $7.35
The food was cold when brought out. Would not recommend was very disappointed. The tortillas and veggies were very bland.
2 months ago
5 months ago
It's a well known place to eat. A lot of people come here. It gets pretty busy so come early as you can before rush hours read more
3 months ago
2 years ago
Nice place with an old style feeling of nostalgia and originality in what it seems to be a former house turned into a restaurant. Service is great, our server was very helpful explaining our options being first time in Yucatan. Food was delicious and honestly very cheap! read more
Great spot for local, traditional food (Mayan and Mexican) Service was fantastic I ordered a sampler platter of different tacos each with a different protein and each prepared a different way. Everyone of them was delicious! Their plancha meals were beautifully presented and they were seasoned well. My girlfriend ordered the chicken one and it came on this big cast iron skillet and wooden platter with a bowl of sauce and an co container holding the tortillas. We would definitely eat here again. read more
3 years ago
This place was highly recommended on many blogs. They have all sorts of great foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I got the Agua de Chaya con Lima and it was soooo refreshing during this 95+ degree day. The meal was even better. I read about the traditional meal for mayan culture and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is beautiful and shaded outside with plenty of tables. read more
Great food and traditional yucateco food from the region. Started off with the Vaporcito (tamal wrapped in plantain leaf) the sopa limón was great and the empanadas de queso de bola was delicious. We ordered the tikinxic it's a grea fish plate with shrimp fish amd octopus. read more
2 years ago
Located in a beautiful old house, this is a good place to find cuisine of the region and to be in beautiful surroundings. There were two ladies making fresh tortillas the evening we were there. I was told that this is the newer of the two restaurants of the same name and same owner. The crowd appeared to be natives rather than tourists, which is a good sign. read more
2 years ago
Not worth the hype. We tried the four yucas and the only one worth eating was the cochinita pibil. All the dishes come out on a small plate which lies upon the larger dishes in the picture. There is exactly enough for two but it's not how much it looks like it would be in the pictures. The food came out lukewarm which was strange. It was already cooked ahead of time (arrived a few min after we ordered) so they could have warmed it up. We've been to Mexico a few times and the food is ALWAYS hot! Anyways, none of the dishes were amazing or flavorful and it was disappointing after seeing so many good reviews. Service was good and the outdoor seating is fun. Very touristy and we will not be returning. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
We wanted to try another Yucateca food (aside from Mugy), so we went to La Chaya Maya. I would say the service was pretty good; it was as busy as Mugy, but I felt like the attention from the servers here was a bit more difficult. The ambiance here was also okay, maybe it was our table being at the corner, but did not feel particularly nice. Food however was delicious. I think more on a saltier side, but nonetheless good. I would recommend anyone interested in Yucateca food to visit both here and Mugy. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
On our last night in merida we decided to try this place. Also very well recommended, a little bit on the pricier side than most places we tried with authentic yucateco food. It was delicious, they were busy that night so service was on the slower side but definitely worth it! read more
4 years ago
Oh wow. The food here is so flavorful and complex. As it was a pretty big restaurant in a popular tourist area we were worried that it may be a tourist trap but we saw many locals here and the grooms is the best we've had on this trip. Also great that they have taco choices where you can pick one at a time! Great to sample a variety. read more
We actually started out looking to have dinner at their other location. No particular reason, just the one was had passed walking down the street. We changed course as the Calle 62 location does not have outdoor seating. This location is just a few blocks away in the middle of the block in a colonial building with a huge courtyard. Keeping with the Merida standards during COVID-19, we stepped through sanitizing mats, had our temperature taken, and were given some hand sanitizer. We were taken to a freshly cleaned table at the edge of the courtyard with a QR code on it, taking us to their menu - which was also laminated into the table. Seated next to us, physically distant, was a woman making had made Corn Tortillas from a mound of masa. She had a comal next to her and was griddling them as servers came by for warm Tortillas. The courtyard was beautifully landscaped and decorated for Christmas. Customers and staff were diligent about wearing masks. We started with two Margaritas (51 pesos each). They were tasty and fairly strong but considerably smaller than most others we'd seen. They also brought us each a small bowl of Totopos (tortilla chips) alongside a dish with pureed black beans, pumpkin seed, and salsa. I started with the Sopa de Lima (71 pesos). It was a warm bowl filled with a light Turkey Broth, shredded Turkey, Lime, and a side of crispy Tortilla Strips. - it was really very well done, light, and packed with flavor. My husband had the Longaniza from Valladolid (171 pesos). They brought him a metal platter with a good portion of the slightly smokey Chorizo-type Sausage from the neighboring town of Valladolid. It had sliced Tomato, Avocado, and Beans with several ramakins- Pickled Red Onion, Chilomate, and Rice along with fresh Corn Tortillas. He loved the Longaniza and would absolutely order it again. I opted for the Flavors of Yucatan (146 pesos) - you choose four dishes for a list of about six or eight options. I had the Tacos de Relleno Negro -Turkey with Blackened Chilis and Spices, Tacos de Cochinita- with Yucatan classic Cochinita Pibil, a marinated Roast Pork with Bitter Orange, a Salbut - Corn Tortilla with Roasted Turkey with Achiote marinade, Red Onion, and Avocado, and a Panucho, a fried Tortilla filled with Black Beans. I opted for the Turkey version of this, similar to the Salbut. Everything was delicious and more food than I had anticipated. Overall, everything was very good, the service was good, and it was a good value for the amount and quality of the food. It is in the middle of the Centro tourist district, so it's slightly more expensive than eating in more 'local' type places or street food. And, it has a great colonial vibe. Here are the approximate prices for our dinner in U.S. dollars at the time of our review. Margaritas: $2.57 Sopa de Lima: $3.57 Longaniza Valladolid: $8.61 Flavors of Yucatan: $7.35 read more
3 years ago
The food was cold when brought out. Would not recommend was very disappointed. The tortillas and veggies were very bland. read more
Really enjoyed having lunch here. We sat in the air conditioned dining area. Courtyard is really nice eating area but was craving the cool temp. Started the lunch with a local Yucatan lager craft beer. They bring you pumpkin seed and mashed black bean dip with chips. They also have good pico and a habanero salsa. I got the three tacos Pibil with marinated onions. My wife got the panuchos, two Pibil and one turkey. She thought the turkey was a little dry. We each brought home one taco and one panucho for a snack. Great price for the lunch of $22 USD that included three beers and a Coke Zero. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
8 years ago
Terrible huevos motuleños .. waitress just does not listen . i asked her 3 times to have my eggs real soft, tender and undercooked .. I said it in Spanish which I speak fluently . I also asked her for a Chaya green juice without ice .. and as always i was very kind and polite as I ordered my food . she got everything wrong. my motuleños came with hard overcooked eggs and my juice with plenty of ice .. btw the juice tasted like colored water with plain good old sugar.. as a habit that I stick to , i send nothing back to the kitchen in any restaurant anywhere in the world .. I just don't trust the kitchen staff as i don't like to take a chance with their reaction ... Terrible experience at Chaya Maya .. I couldn't squeeze a smile from the hostess AND both waiters .. WHAT is wrong with these people ?!!Terrible place .. will never go back read more
Food was tasty. Service was amazing. Food selection: excellent. The only reason I am not giving them a 5 star rating is because they don't seem to have vegan options. They gave me chips, ( handmade corn tortillas, fried that same day ..really makes a difference in the taste) these came with re fried black beans and a pumpkin seed deep ( very good ) topped with tomato sauce. The sopa de lima was very good. The best I have had in Merida so far. I also ordered two local artisan beers. The first one was " patito clara " light in color, good flavor. The second one was a "Ceiba dorada" another light beer with afresh crisp taste. Definitely going to their brewery ! If you like hot spicy sauces, They also have " house salsas " the habanero one is delicious! Definitely recommend buying these salsas as a souvenir to remember the tastes of Merida when you go back home. read more
5 years ago
I would come here time and time again for the panucho con pavo en relleno negro! $50MXN each. Top it off with the classic green habanero salsa and you have the perfect 5/5 dish! I had the panuchos at both locations (in the same day!) and they are both equally amazing! Other dishes - sopa de lima: solid rendition. Like a more acidic Mexican tortilla soup. Not my favorite dish in general but they did it well except that it was overly salty. Really appreciate that they keep the tortilla chips separate for you to add as you eat so it doesn't get soggy! - crema de Chaya: tasty! I would get this to share with 3-4 people as the soups are sizeable and this is very heavy/cream. - papadazules: this is the first time trying so maybe not to my taste, but I didn't like this at all. Basically just chopped up boiled eggs wrapped into an enchilada with a cream sauce. The tomato sauce and habanero salsa needs to be added in copious amounts to give this any flavor. At the other location, also had chilaquiles con pavo en relleno negro, and of course that relleno negro still spot on, but I definitely prefer the panucho form since the turkey is more moist as it's sitting in the sauce (as opposed to just tossed in the chilaquiles) and also I love the crisp of the panucho. Chilaquiles are more soggy since it's at the bottom of everything. The other location is more casual. Indoor only, cheaper drinks at $29MXN. This location has a nice outdoor area with good ambiance, pricier drinks at $49MXN but food is same price at both locations. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
5 years ago
This is the other Chaya Maya we love the food here just as much as the other but this has much better atmosphere! read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
7 years ago
Parrillada is huge it is supposed to feed 2 people only but we were 3 and didn't finished it one of the best parrilladas I've ever tried great flavor and great quality of meats. We also had cochinita pibil and it was amazing no fat in the meat and not greasy at all you have to try. Cochinita is the most famous plate of the region. I had Naranjada which is water and orange juice it was delicious I ended up asking for one more. Tortillas are hand made and we ate like 4 orders because we kept ordering more. Customer service is great they will make you feel like you are at home. The casona is a very old building from the times of the colony furniture Is also antique. You must visit Chaya Maya its flavors and building will amaze your experience. read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
Cute place to have breakfast at. Service is good. Food it's good. We had the panuchos, salbut, vaporcitos and eggs. read more
6 years ago
8 years ago
7 years ago
Amazing food , never dissapointed with this place , try the pollo pibil it is just perfect read more
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