Email & ShareWhere is the Best Place for a Cup of Coffee?
- Café Genevieve (7%)
- Café Latte (5%)
- Café La Cabaña (9%)
- El Gran Café (7%)
- Flor de Santiago (13%)
- Italian Coffee Company (13%)
- Mercer Cigars (3%)
- Olive Café Stop (13%)
- Segafreddo (11%)
- Starbucks (19%)
Loading ...When we first moved to Merida, we moved from a country that was experiencing the height of Starbuck’s frenzy. There seemed to be a Starbucks on every corner, everyone had their favorite drink and everyone loved to go to Starbucks. In addition, we came from a cooler land, where a steaming hot cup of coffee in the morning was a wonderful thing.
When we got to Merida, we realized that this was one of life’s little comforts that we may have to leave behind. Not only was there no Starbucks for thousands of miles around us (think about that…), but we didn’t even really WANT that cup of coffee so much anymore. A hot, steaming cup of coffee isn’t quite the same on a hot, steaming morning in the tropics. And that was a good thing, because wherever we went, when we asked for coffee, they brought a spoon, a cup full of hot water and a jar of Nescafe to the table. Not exactly what we were used to!
Over the years, we have adapted more to our chosen home and once in awhile, we actually do still enjoy a hot cup of coffee. Well, let’s be honest… our preference is a hot, foamy capuccino (a habit we picked up in Italy on our ‘weddingmoon"). Or sometimes a mocha caliente (hot mocha) or a chai latte. What has also changed is that our choices about where to buy a cup of coffee (or a mocha or a latte, etc.) have expanded considerably.
And here finally is a place for our rant about capuccinos in the Yucatan. Somewhere along the line, someone got the idea that Americans (or all tourists, maybe) like their capuccinos served in a tall glass, with a lot of hot milk (and not much foam). Where we come from (and in the rest of the world, as far as we can tell), capuccinos are served en tasa (in a cup), thereby resulting in less milk (and more foam and more coffee). Even the best restaurants in Merida will serve a capuccino in a tall glass, sometimes even if you request otherwise (and you can be sure we have requested this on occasions too numerous to count). We continue our gallant quest to bring true capuccinos to Merida’s restaurants, and welcome any fellow luchadores por cambio who would like to join us. End of rant.
About ten months ago, we were alternately teased and applauded for printing the news that Starbucks had come to Merida and how happy we were about it. As 2008 draws to a close, we feel that there are so many choices about where to get a cup of coffee (and a capuccino), we’d better take a poll!
As usual with our Readers Choice Polls, here are our suggestions to start. If you have a suggestion that is not on the list, please send us a comment with your nomination. We will take new nominations up until the end of September, but voting will be open on this and all other polls until the end of 2008.
Thanks for participating…now read, and then vote!
Italian Coffee Company
Italian Coffee Company strikes us as the Mexican version of Starbucks. It is a nationwide franchise. It serves coffee and tea of various kinds, as well as paninis, croissant sandwiches and a variety of desserts and other beverages.
Address: c. 62 x 61 next to Teatro Merida, downtown. (There are others in the malls and around town)
Wireless internet: Yes
Hours: Sunday-Friday: 7:30 AM to 11 PM, Saturdays: 7:30 AM to 12 PM
American coffee: $17 pesos
Cappuchino: $27 pesos 
Café La Cabaña
This cute little hole-in-the-wall seems to get what we like about a place that serves coffee. They are open all the time (so you can just drop in when you feel like it). The few tables outside on the zocalo make for great people watching. And in addition to coffee drinks, they serve breakfast, paninis and croissants. Mostly, though, the coffee is good.
Location: Calle 61 x 62 in the across from the Plaza and almost next to the Governor’s Palace.
Wireless internet: Yes (free from the city)
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 7:30am- 11:30 PM approximately. They close when the last client leaves.
American coffee: $18 pesos
Cappuchino: $30 pesos
El Gran Café
Probably one of the first places we ate when we moved here (it was right down the street from our new home), El Gran Café reminds us vaguely of an old black-and-white film about traveling in Latin America. They have a lot of bags of coffee displayed on their shelves, and they are somehow affiliated with Cuba (the owner is Cuban perhaps?). El Gran Café serves a lot of food (international, Mexican and Yucatecan), and it 
definitely makes a strong cup of coffee, as well as other coffee drinks. Their various buffets are pretty good, and the big picture window looking out onto Paseo Montejo is another good people-watching spot.
Location: 47 con Remate de paseo de Montejo.
Wireless internet: Yes
Hours: 7 am to 2 am every day
American: $16 pesos
Capuccino: $23 pesos
They are also a restaurant serving a variety of international, national and local food.
Olive Café Stop
This is the New Kid on the Block. Olive Café Stop was started in 2008 by a woman, originally from Peru, who worked for many years for some of the best hotels on the Mayan Riviera. She brings a welcome cafe to an area on Paseo Montejo that needs that sort of thing (just north of Triunfo) and we’re hoping she is successful there. What would be more fun than to go shopping for mirror balls and oversized salad bowls, and then go have a latte with your fellow shopping buddies? The Olive Café Stop also sells baguettes, sandwiches and desserts. And they have a blog!
Location: Paseo de Montejo x 31 y 39
Wireless internet: Yes
Hours: Monday –Saturday, 8:30 am to 8 PM
American: $15 pesos
Capuccino: $22 pesos
Starbucks
What can we say really? Stepping into a Starbucks here made us wonder if the Star Trek teleporter had finally been invented. It’s like taking a mini-trip to the USA, without having to go through a metal detector. The smells, the colors, the ambiance, the comfy chairs, the magazines…. oh, okay. So the magazines are in Spanish. No LA Times or LA Weekly. A rude awakening from a coffee-scented daydream. Anyway, sometimes Starbucks is like a letter from an ex-lover… bittersweet.
For the records, as far as we know, there is a Starbucks at this location, at the Gran Plaza, and at the Alta Brisa Mall. They might be closing down Starbucks in the States, but they are expanding here!
Our favorite location: Circuito colonias in Colonia Mexico, between Nasstroms and Chapur (just east of the Burger King Circle)
Wireless internet: Yes
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7:00 AM to 11 PM, Friday: 7:00 AM to 12 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM to 12 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM to 11 PM
American: $18 pesos
Capuccino: $29 pesos
Segafreddo 
Segafreddo is so much more than a cup of coffee, we almost hesitated to include them. But then, they do make a great coffee and when you ask for a capuccino, you get it in a cup. That puts them on our white list! Of course, it’s trying to be Italian (it is also a chain), so it needs to know these things. Segafreddo also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our favorite is lunch, actually. Their croissant sandwiches are delicious and they also serve bagels! Segafreddo can also be found in the Gran Plaza, the Alta Brisa Plaza and probably a few other places.
Location: Prolongacion Montejo, inside Plaza Mayor, next to Checkers restaurant.
Wireless internet: Yes
Hours: 8:00 am to 2:00 AM every day
American: $21 pesos
Capuccino: $27 pesos
Reader’s Nominations:
Flor de Santiago
Possibly the oldest café in Merida. They serve coffee and meals, under lazily turning ceiling fans that just make you want to relax and enjoy.
Location: Calle 70 x 57 y 59, Santiago
Hours: 6:00 am to 1:00 am every day
Wireless Internet: Yes
American: $15 pesos
Capuccino: $24 pesos
Café Latte
Located north of downtown in the Itzimna neighborhood.
Location: C. 18 Av. Perez Ponce num. 96, Itzimna, near the corner with 21 and the church
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM to 3PM, Sunday closed
Wireless Internet: Yes
American: $8 pesos
Capuccino: $17 pesos
Cafe Genevieve
Named after the owner’s mother, this cozy coffee shop is located in the front room of a home. Light streams in the windows, couches, chairs & tables beckon, reading material is readily available and good conversation is too.
Location: C. 51 #493 between 56 and 58 (the yellow house)
Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Sunday closed
Wireless Internet:Not yet.
American: $15 pesos (includes refill)
French Drip: $25 pesos (includes refill)
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When I spent a month in Mérida in ’06, the most difficult adjustment wasn’t the heat; it was not being able to find a good cup of drip coffee (although I eventually developed an affinity for the instant stuff the family I was living with served). The last weekend I was there, I finally tried the coffee at La Cabaña and was thrilled to have finally found good coffee, albeit a bit late.
This summer, I was glad to see the offerings had expanded. The Starbucks on Circuito Colonias opened while I was there, and I found the staff to be extremely friendly and the A/C to be a welcome respite since I didn’t have an air-conditioned classroom to retreat to. The only downside was that they didn’t offer cold-pressed iced coffee (I had to settle for an Americano over ice.)
I can’t believe I just voted for Starbucks! It would be the last place I would go in the US, I moved from Seattle afterall, the coffee capital! But I must admit I like enjoying a soy milk latte and lemon cake with my laptop in air conditioning at Alta Brisa Mall. But a new favorite find is the cafe at Hotel Casa San Angel near the Gran Cafe where they sell great cookies and sweets made with real butter.
How could you leave off La Flor de Santiago? This oldest Cafe in the Yucatan has the best atmosphere and coffee (americano) and Espresso in all of Merida! They also have great food. Their Sunday Breakfast can’t be beat!
While visiting Merida last month, I stopped in at Olive’s Stop on Montejo…great coffee, and the owner Danitza is really great, with lots of tips about Merida Life.
I highly reccommend it!
We just arrived a month ago and we gave our first try to Italian coffee, We didnt like it, first of all they dont carry SOY MILK! so no soy chai lattes plus the blended drink I bought was SOOOOO sweet. too sweet.
So we opted for the business across the street, yes starbucks in Circuito, I’m sorry but I love soy milk with my coffee and its the closest coffee shop that offers that option. Maybe the other shops in Paseo de Montejo do too but right now i’m looking for what its closest to me.
I an a little suprised to see that Segafredo made the “short” list. I thought I was the only one who knew about this place. The place seemed to always be empty. I have only been to the one next to Checkers. There, you can always count on good service and good coffee. I recommend Sefafredo, especially if like your coffee a little “strong”.
I’m glad to see Olive Cafe Shop on the list. I had the opportunity to chat with the owner and, having had a small baking business that had to compete with the big guys, I understand how difficult it is to get going and succeed. Olive Shop should be one to succeed..it’s a great spot to people watch, be on your computer or chat with a friend. I’m one for supporting the little guy and will opt for Olive Shop any day over Starbucks. We need to support the little guy or gal so the Starbucks of the world don’t dominate the price of coffee. We’re in Boston where we saw Starbucks take over every coffee shop. That’s when we had our business and we sold to those coffee shops. Starbucks wouldn’t buy from us because we weren’t “big” enough. Good thing..if they did contract with a baking company they insisted on having the recipe. that’s what happened with a friend who sold them her scones. Three years later they took her recipe and hired someone to make it for them for less money and she lost the contract…and her recipes. Bad company..I do confess we buy their coffee but there are very few independents…Now I just don’t drink coffee!
During my two years in Merida I found the staff atLa Flor de Santiago to be pompous stiff and arroagant.
I went there off and on for almost two years and their service never improved and the coffee always tasted the same, bland bland bland.
I agree with landcrab. La Flor de Santiago is the best. Catherwoods is a close second.
I also like Café La Habana. They have locations in the centro as well as a nice one in Progreso where you can see the beach from your chair. And they just opened a new one in Montecristo too. They have a lot of coffee and food options on their menu, as well as drinks and other non-coffee options.
Having had coffee at about 75% of the places named let me add my two cents worth.
First of all, the coffee at the Gran Cafe always tastes stale. Second, the coffee at Cafe La Habana is consistently the best. Starbucks is overpriced for the value and The Italian Coffee Company is also high-end but a little better than Starbucks.
ricardo
I hesitate to reveal this, but Cafe Latte’s (near Itzmina) coffee is the BEST!!!
Do you know the address of Cafe Latte? ?
coffee!!!! I’m so addicted it’s not even funny!
In Italy no drinking of capuccino after 11am or the Italians will have a heart attack!LOL
Before you vote, please do the following: Go to the Starbucks pictured here and ask for cafe francesa de prensa (editors note: we think she means de la pressa… in other words, French Press). Tell them to use espresso roast beans…. Best cup of joe IMHO. They are so nice there and they truly enjoyed showing their coffee-making prowess. I walked out without paying after buying coffee for all mis amigos mexicanos y dos tazos de la ciudad. Total was about $550 pesos. They were astonished when we returned 8 hours later after we realized nobody paid. Good peeps up in there.
Hi! i think you are translating the word press literally when the actual word used is ‘prensa’ . http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prensa_francesa….i think Starbucksuses the phrase cafe de la prensa francesa….mmmmmm! so good!
Around 20 years ago when I was spending quite a bit of time in Merida, to get a coffee, I had to ask for cafe cubano, or cafe americano. ne placethat got it right back then was Cafe Pop. I understand that it is still in operation.
I’m sorry but in my opinion, you left off the best places in the city. Some of the places you name above serve some of the worst cups of coffee in Merida.
Though tiny, Café Latte, on Perez Ponce in Itzimna roasts their own coffee in back. Rosario May and co. have the best coffee in the city. Naturally, we buy from them and serve their fine espresso roast here at Mercer Lounge. We prepare our coffee with a vintage french press and we make some of the finest cappucinos in the city. And we’re open from 12- 12.
The best coffee I have had in Merida is at the new Cafe Genevieve. They are located on Calle 51, #493, between Calle 56 and 58 in Centro. They are open Mon-Sat from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. They also use a french press. Tel: 923-0336.
I love the coffee at Cafe Genevieve.. but mostly I like the bagles, lox, cream cheese, capers, onions.. and it’s right in Centro..
My favorite place is Cafe Genevieve. I enjoy the French Press coffee as well as the suroundings and people that I met there. They have great snacks as well.
I’m the co-owner of Cafe Genevieve and we very much appreciate people’s kind comments. However, I must alert you all to the Cafe Chocolate on 49×60 next to Los Aluxes. Unfortunately, they do not open until 5 p.m., but they make fabulous, smooth espresso drinks.
Caffe Latte is absolutely incredible and it smells so good when you walk in. It’s so good! But also, El Hoyo which is a little cafe on C. 62 y C. 59, has a great environment and a really cute little courtyard inside. Usually populated with young college students, it is sometimes a perfect lace to go and chill. One thing you need to be sure not to miss is their waffles! Yes they exist in Merida! And what’s more, you can special order waffles (2)–one topped with Nutella the other with Zarzamorra (raspberry/blackberry jam) and it comes with vanilla ice cream on top! I it absolutely incredible and very reasonably priced (although I’m not sure exactly how much it is). I’m telling you, this is the place to go for a cafe environment and some great waffles.
for me the best coffee in Merida has to be for sure Segafredo. I lived in Italy for 5 years and moved to Mexico with my wife (Italian). By the way, this doesnt make me bias about my choice hehe. I have visited all 5 of their outlets (Americas, Plaza Mayor, Altabrisa, Gran Plaza and the one where the skating rink is) and its by far the only place in town to have a reasonably good espresso or cappucino. I dont usually tend to like coffee chains, hence I dont like neither starbucks or italian coffee company, but segafredo makes for me a difference since it has a true italian flare. Also, their frapuccino is awesome. My son would stop talking to me if at least I dont take him once a week !!!
Olive’s Cafe is my 2nd home. I love walking in the shade and smelling the flowers on Paseo Montejo, then doing my internet work at Olive’s. I contrast this with noisy Cafe la Habana which shuts off wifi when they get busy.
Where is Mercer Lounge?
Hi Mike,
Mercer Lounge is behind Mercer Cigars. It’s on Prolongacion de Montejo, between Cielo (the nightclub) and La Parilla (the restaurant).
For more info, go here:
http://www.mercercigars.com/the-store-and-bar.html
Excellent site. Good work.
Thanks for the heads up. I spent years in the medical field and never drank coffee, when the environment ran on the stuff. I drank tea.
Then, while undergoing medical treatment which caused hives, really huge, all over the body hives, as in my lips swelled up and looked like Goldie Hawns in The First Wives Club movie, and had to take TWO DIFFERENT anti-histamines at a time, I discovered that coffee kept me somewhat alert and from drooling, more than tea.
In the ensuing months, I have grown really, really attached to coffee, black, and got away from Coke.
I am not addicted to coffee so perhaps I just don’t get it but it seems to me that avoiding Starbucks and choosing to support local business would be admirable.
In my opinion the best place for coffee is San Sebastian park early in the morning.
Cheers!
Coffee Reviews according to Mik
Segafreddo: superb coffee, weak service, cigarette smell. I like the mezzo mezzo as well and they have some good sandwiches.
Coffee and Bagels: across the street from Colegio Cumbres, not on Villas Haciendas, around the corner. GREAT coffee drinks and the bagels – try the Mex Bagel. Arrachera is not something that is normally well done in Yucatan.
Mi Viejo Molino: Have the americano de maquina. It is great. The baguettes make a nice breakfast to share unless you are really hungry.
Cafe Lucia: in the Liverpool Galerias Mall. The lechero is better than La Paroquia in Veracruz. Best donuts in town!
Starbucks: I think it is much better in Mérida than in the States. Have an americano expresso with an extra shot.
Cafe Lucia (62 y 55 downtown): Good coffee, great food.
Over-rated: Cafe La Habana and Italian Coffee Company
Thanks, Mik!
As an Italian who LOVES coffee and lives on it, I can tell Starbucks cappuccinos have just a pale resemblance with the real ones. They are too weak, have an inflated and not vaporized froth, and are damn hot! Cappuccino must be served hot but not piping hot.
I had a pretty good one at Ristorante Italiano next to the Peon Contreras Café, in the heart of the old town.
HEY. I love caffe latte and i really recomend it to all of you. actually, they toast coffee, and then sell to coffe shops (if im well imformed, they sell coffe to all the coffee shops in mérida, except starbucks, of course haha. in my opinion, caffe latte’s coffee is WAY better than starbucks’ coffe) hope you visit it sometime!
well, now that i read my comment again i have to correct it. haha obviously caffe latte doesnt sell coffe to coffe shops like cafe la habana, italian coffee & other bad coffee shops. you should go to caffe latte and try (besides coffe. haha) the sodas italianas, the capuccino, the frapuccino or the smoothies. they’re AWESOME! ill se you there (:
[...] Type: Coffee and sandwiches Neighborhood: Centro and Various locations Telephone: Address: Calle 62 between Calle 59 and 61 How to Get There from the Centro: Hard to miss. Next door to the Teatro Merida. Parking: No in Centro, Yes for other locations. In Centro, public parking lot right next door. AirConditioned: Yes Outdoors: No in Centro, Yes for other locations Drinks: Coffee Hours: Sunday-Friday: 7:30 AM to 11 PM, Saturdays: 7:30 AM to 12 PM Website: http://www.italiancoffee.com/ Facebook: Notes: Read about it here. [...]
[...] Type: Coffee and Yucatecan Neighborhood: Paseo de Montejo Telephone: 923 5356 Address: Remate de Paseo de Montejo x Calle 47 How to Get There from the Centro: Take Calle 60 north towards Santa Ana. Turn right at the park (Calle 47) and drive one block. Restaurant is in the little park called the Remate. Parking: Yes AirConditioned: Yes Outdoors: Yes Drinks: Coffee Hours: 7 am to 2 am, every day Website: Facebook: Notes: Read about it here. [...]
[...] Type: Coffee, etc. Neighborhood: Paseo de Montejo Telephone: 926-6039 Address: Paseo de Montejo #470 B x 37 y 39 How to Get There from the Centro: Take Calle 60 going north towards Santa Ana. Turn right at the park and drive to Paseo de Montejo. Continue north on Paseo Montejo. Olive Cafe Stop will be on your right, just after Triunfo. Parking: On the street AirConditioned: No Outdoors: Yes Drinks: Coffee Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 8 pm; Saturday: 8:30 am to 4 pm Website: http://olivecafestop.blogspot.com/ Facebook: Notes: Read about it here. [...]