Yucatán Magazine’s 2021 Thanksgiving Dining Guide

Thanksgiving in the Yucatán 2021 Dining Guide

[Updated Nov. 14, and we’re almost sure this is our complete list.]

Here we are again with a list of turkey-and-trimmings options for anyone in Yucatan craving a taste of home on Thanksgiving Day.

In these times, we need comfort food more than ever. Here’s where to find some on Thursday, Nov. 25.

This eighth annual report, by the way, is a work in progress right up to the holiday. Do you run a restaurant? Let us know! There is no charge to be included in the Yucatán Magazine’s Thanksgiving 2021 Dining Guide. Of course, we love it when businesses advertise!

We are waiting for some updated prices, which tick up every year. Inflation is real. In 2014, the first year we compiled this list, the Hyatt — the most popular hotel buffet in town was a bargain at 250 pesos. The price has steadily increased, with the biggest leap being this year.

Think now about your options. Most restaurants require reservations and many run out of food or seats ahead of the date. None of these prices include alcohol unless indicated.

Hyatt Regency

The first place in Merida to get entirely booked up is the gigantic Peregrina Bistro off the lobby of the Hyatt Regency (map). It’s the traditional fare of roast turkey and stuffing, as well as its enormous buffet with salmon, chicken, and pork, a salad bar, bread bar, and cheese bar, plus, of course, the dessert bar. A children’s playroom is off to the side. At 550 pesos, a value (for hearty eaters) in our opinion, given the variety. Service hours are between 3 and 10 p.m.

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 $575 per person.

Paseo de Montejo and Avenida Colon, Hotel Zone, Mérida; 999-942-1111

Hennessy’s Irish Pub

Hennessy’s Irish Pub (map) never forgets the Thanksgiving holidays. As usual, it’s three courses and perhaps the city’s most economical and easy option: mushrooms soup, turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and pumpkin for 375 pesos. Or just the turkey plate for 245. Seatings will be continuous starting at 1 p.m. A great deal and sure to sell out quickly.

Paseo Montejo No. 486A x 41 y 43; 999-923-8993

Oliva Enoteca

The popular Italian restaurant, Oliva Enoteca, which set off a neighborhood restaurant boom, is taking reservations for an à la carte Thanksgiving menu. The main dish has roasted turkey with a choice of white, dark or mixed meat, rosemary mashed potatoes, prosciutto-wrapped green beans, cranberry sauce and cornbread for 495 pesos. Sides include roasted butternut squash with sage butter for 190 pesos and roasted asparagus with labneh and bagna cauda sauce for 220. Pecan pie and/or vanilla gelato for dessert at 180 pesos.

Calle 47, corner with 54, Centro; 999-923-3081 or info@olivamerida.com

BC66

BC66 Bistro Cultural (map) offers take-home stuffed turkey platters for 2,400 pesos. 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; 999-923-2013 or DM on Facebook

Lou’s Restaurant

Just what you’d expect at Lou’s, for 425 pesos the day’s special is a traditional turkey dinner with roast stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and a choice of pumpkin or apple pie. A very friendly place in the former Dadaumpa restaurant.

Calle 55 No. 522, Santa Lucia, Centro; 999-461-4654, or on Facebook

Hacienda Xcanatún

Thanksgiving is an assisted buffet this year at Casa de Piedra (Stone House) restaurant, in the restored powerhouse of the 18th-century Hacienda Xcanatún (map). For 945 pesos per person, starters include green bean, spinach or Waldorf salad, followed by creamed soups and stuffed turkey, fish or beef. Desserts include pumpkin meringue pie, peach crumble or pumpkin cake. A welcome drink is included.

Calle 20 S/N. Comisaría Xcanatún. Km. 12 Carretera Mérida-Progreso; 999-930-2140

Provecho 66

One seating at 3 p.m., the other at 6:30 for pumpkin carrot bisque, roast turkey, whipped potatoes, stuffing, green beans almondine, sweet potatoes in an orange shell, whole-cranberry sauce, and a choice of pumpkin or apple pie for dessert. 475 pesos per person.

Casona 66 Merida B&B, Calle 66 No. 494, 59 y 61 Centro; Reserve on their Facebook page.

Barbie Q (update: sold out)

Barbie Q, which delivers smoky ribs and chicken along with sides and banana bread, offers an entire 12-hour apple-brined smoked turkey with cheese peanut stuffing (a secret recipe), English rosemary and garlic roast potatoes, balsamic glazed shredded red cabbage, cranberry sauce and gravy delivered to your home for 3,200 pesos.

facebook.com/BarbieQSmoke / instagram.com/BbarbieQSmoke or gimmefood@barbieqsmoke.com

Restaurant David’s

Drinks at 5, featuring Conchita’s classic Margaritas, and a buffet dinner at 6. Turkey roasted in the wood oven with all the trimmings, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce. Choice of five salads and carrot cake for dessert. Tickets (390 pesos) sold from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Restaurant David’s, Calle 27 214, Ejidal Benito Juárez, Progreso; 969-934-0720 or restaurantedavids@gmail.com

Merci

The French-inspired modern restaurant Merci, in the north of the city and at Paseo 60, has Thanksgiving packages to eat in or go. The dine-in package is at 6:30 or 8:30 and costs 680 pesos per person. An 18-pound roast turkey with gravy is 2,750 pesos and sides such as green bean casserole and truffle mashed potatoes are 280 each. See their Facebook page.

Plaza San Angelo 999-941-6886 or Paseo 60 999-948-8251.

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