We’ve been compiling a Thanksgiving Day dining guide for 10 years now. Restaurant choices have improved greatly since we began, and we’ve been working hard to keep up with the latest menus. So here’s where to find some turkey and trimmings on Thursday, Nov. 23. Send us a message if you want to add your restaurant to the list (free, with sponsorship opportunities). Reservations are required or strongly suggested no matter where you choose to go.
Hyatt Regency
Here’s the first place people usually still associate with Turkey Day. The Peregrina Bistro off the lobby of the Hyatt Regency offers a traditional fare of roast turkey and stuffing, as well as its enormous buffet. The price per person this year is MX$950 per person, including a welcome cocktail.
Calle 60 at Avenida Colón, Hotel Zone, Mérida; 999-942-1227
Fiesta Americana
Across the street from the Hyatt is a big rival, the lavish Fiesta Americana buffet at Café Montejo, off the lobby. From 7-11 p.m., turkey, prime rib, smoked salmon, and pork tenderloin, along with a multitude of side dishes and a dessert bar for MX$756 per person.
Paseo de Montejo and Avenida Colon, Hotel Zone, Mérida; 999-942-1111
Villa Mercedes
And now another contender in the hotel buffet fray, and they encourage families with kids. The Villa Mercedes Curio Collection by Hilton has a full buffet dinner from 7 pm. until 10:30 p.m., MX$690 for adults (including a glass of house wine) and MX$350 for children 5 to 11. Kids 4 and under eat free.
Avenida Colon No. 500 between Calle 60 and 62, Hotel Zone, Mérida, 999-315-7762
Holiday Inn
The hotel zone Holiday Inn has a traditional buffet, plus alternatives such as clam chowder, top sirloin, and New York cheesecake alongside pumpkin pie, for MX$850 for adults and MX$450 for children between 5 and 11. Live music. Reservations taken from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.
Avenida Colón and Paseo Montejo, Centro, Mérida; 999-942-8800
Hennessy’s Irish Pub
Hennessy’s Irish Pub never forgets the Thanksgiving holidays. A full three-course meal — cream of mushroom soup or Thai shrimp salad to start and pumpkin or apple pie with whipped cream for dessert — for MX$475.
Paseo de Montejo at 45, Mérida; 999-115-7036
Zinc Comfort Food
Every year, Zinc offers an alternative for people who don’t like turkey but still want to celebrate the season. Goat cheese salad, pumpkin soup and organic duck breast with orange gravy, followed by pecan pie, are on the menu for MX$850.
Paseo de Montejo between 43 and 45; 999-219-1247
Aperitivo
The restaurant at Casa T’ho welcomes you with a Spritz Rosé, and serves traditional turkey and gravy, green beans with toasted almonds and cambray rosemary potatoes, with apple pie for dessert, for MX$1,100.
Paseo Montejo No. 486A x 41 y 43; 999-923-8993
Oliva Enoteca
The popular Italian restaurant on the gastronomic corridor, Oliva Enoteca has an a la carte menu with roast turkey, rosemary mashed potatoes, prosciutto-wrapped green beans, gravy, cranberry sauce, and cornbread. More details to come.
Corner of Calle 47 and 54, Centro; 999-923-3081 or info@olivamerida.com
BC66
BC66 offers take-home stuffed turkey platters for MX$3,200. Order 10 days in advance and pay a 50% deposit. Includes sides such as baked potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, and elotes. Lunch in the dining room will also be served.
Calle 66 No. 377 x 43, Centro; WhatsApp 999-921-9756
Lou’s Restaurant
Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin or apple pie. You can even ask for seconds. Tables sold out in 2022, so they require payment in advance to hold a table (seating at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.). 599 pesos per person.
Calle 55 No. 522, Santa Lucia, Centro; 999-461-4654, or DM on Facebook
Hacienda Xcanatún
The Casa de Piedra (Stone House) restaurant, in the restored powerhouse of the 18th-century Hacienda Xcanatún, always has a refined Thanksgiving menu served at the table. This year, it’s from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for MX$849.
Calle 20 S/N. Comisaría Xcanatún. Km. 12 Carretera Mérida-Progreso; 999-930-2140
El Bull Pen
In Chelem, head to El Bull Pen for turkey dinner (or apple-bacon pork) with mashed potatoes and gravy, sage pork stuffing, almond green beans, cranberry sauce, roll, and pumpkin pie for MX$345.
Calle 19 at 128, Chelem; 999-257-6457
Faces
“Jim and Elke’s Place” serves turkey, ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetable casserole, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce and dessert for MX$500 per person starting at 6 p.m.
Calle 21, 66, between 48 and 50, Col. Ismael Garcia, Progreso; 999-191-9510
Restaurant David’s
In Progreso, enjoy a Margarita followed by a turkey roasted in a wood-fired oven, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and “lots of Conchita’s yummy mashed potatoes and gravy.” Drinks at 5, dinner at 6 to 7. Please reserve and pay ahead at the restaurant between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., MX$490 per person, service included.
Calle 27, 214, between 12 and 14, Carretera Progreso-Chicxulub, Progreso; 969-934-0720 or restaurantedavids@gmail.com
Viejo Bar
Stuffed turkey in cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy. Live music and folk dancing included, all for MX$250 per person.
Calle 17, between 20 and 22, Chicxulub; 999-134-8597
