Anata Vin Bar: A New Level of Sophistication on Calle 47

A refined wine-focused concept has joined the Gastronomic Corridor’s bustling restaurant scene. Anata Vin Bar & Aperitivo has carved out space in the ultra-elegant Casa Lecanda boutique hotel, marking chef-owner Stefano Marcelletti’s latest venture in Mérida.

The concept centers on carefully curated wines by the glass that rotate every two weeks, complemented by signature cocktails and a chef-driven menu ranging from small plates to full dinners.

“The idea is that we have different wines from all over the world, but our main focus is on wines with purpose and sustainable wines,” Marcelletti says. The selection emphasizes imported bottles not readily available elsewhere in the city, with around 100 wines currently on the list.

Marcelletti, who was raised in Rome, previously transformed Mérida’s Italian dining scene with his Oliva restaurants. His first location was small, but it immediately burst at the seams with diners. Oliva Kitchen & Bar on Calle 56 and 49 — where Conchita’s oyster bar is now — opened more than a decade ago and brought authentic, fresh pasta preparation to the Centro. Stefano was in the open kitchen, sleeves rolled up, part of the crew rolling the pasta. Then came a big expansion. The success of much larger Oliva Enoteca on Calle 47 and 54 helped catalyze the development of what became known as the Gastronomic Corridor. It was voted Best Fine Dining establishment by Yucatán Magazine readers in 2024. Half a block away, Pizzeria Oliva won top marks in its category as well.

Anata Vin Bar goes beyond wine. The cocktail menu features creations by one of Mexico’s leading mixologists. Drinks range from 210 to 310 pesos ($11 to $16) and include options like Esmeralda Fresca with Pox Alma Huixteca, cucumber, mint and soda, and Palomita Ahumada with Mezcal Ojo de Tigre, grapefruit cordial and white vermouth.

The food menu features several categories, including shareable items and full meals. Snacks include sourdough bread with butter, marinated Greek olives, and oysters of the day served with mignonette. More substantial options range from burrata with asparagus and black truffle to pasta dishes such as mushroom ravioli with cognac cream sauce, and main courses including braised short rib and fish of the day.

The space features marble floors, high-end carpentry and sleek design, with all furniture and fixtures crafted locally in Yucatán. The architectural style aims to balance elegance with a relaxed atmosphere, allowing guests to enjoy conversation over wine or stay for a complete dining experience.

Casa Lecanda, which houses the wine bar, is a small luxury boutique hotel built in a restored late 19th-century home. The seven-room property, groundbreaking when it opened, sits in the heart of the historic center on what has become one of Mérida’s most restaurant-dense streets.

The establishment maintains a semi-formal dress code and requests that guests avoid sportswear, beachwear, shorts, sandals, or sleeveless shirts. Reservations are required and can be made through OpenTable or by contacting the restaurant directly.

For Marcelletti, Anata Vin Bar represents a shift from his Italian restaurant roots toward a more internationally focused concept centered on wine culture and aperitivo traditions. The emphasis on rotating wine selections aims to introduce Mérida diners to lesser-known labels and winemaking regions while maintaining accessibility through by-the-glass options.

The wine bar opened in early February between Calle 54 and 56, operating Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. onward.

The Rest of the Gastronomic Corridor

Anata Vin Bar joins an increasingly sophisticated dining landscape on Calle 47, which already includes high-end options for barbecue, seafood, sushi and regional Mexican cuisine. The Gastronomic Corridor project represented a municipal investment of nearly 70 million pesos (US$4 million) to transform five blocks into a premier dining destination.

The wine bar’s opening continues the corridor’s evolution, which municipal planners envisioned as a way to concentrate culinary talent and create a walkable restaurant district in the Centro. With around a dozen established restaurants already operating and several more in development, the street has become Mérida’s answer to urban restaurant rows found in major metropolitan areas.

If you go

• Location: Calle 47 between 54 and 56, inside Hotel Casa Lecanda
• Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 5 p.m. until close
• Reservations: Required, available at opentable.com.mx or by contacting the restaurant: +52 999-928-0113
• Dress code: No sportswear, beachwear, shorts, sandals, or sleeveless shirts
• Price range: Cocktails 210-310 pesos, snacks 75-390 pesos, pasta 330-590 pesos, entrees 320-1,390 pesos
• Payment: Credit cards accepted