Photo via Google, El Gallito CantinaEl Gallito Cantina
- Hours
- Today: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
- Getting there
- In Centro, a short walk north of the main square
Why it’s in the log
El Gallito is a smaller, plainer cantina than Mérida's better-known bars — dim lighting, old tile, the kind of room that's clearly been serving the same block for a long time. It doesn't have La Negrita's history or reputation, but the atmosphere is arguably more local for it.
Like most Yucatecan cantinas it runs on the botana system — order a round of drinks and food starts arriving with it, more coming as you keep drinking. Regulars outnumber visitors most nights, and the pace is unhurried.
A good stop if you want the cantina experience without the wait or the crowd that a more famous name pulls in.
“Smaller and rougher around the edges than La Negrita, which is exactly why it feels like a real neighborhood spot.”
What people said recently
From Google reviews · see all 572 ↗
“Boring daytime bar. Cold beer. Botanas lacked flavor and visual appeal. The included snacks were the worst we’ve had in all of Merida.”
“Great cantina at a historic location, but updated, more modern atmosphere. Located a few blocks west of the Paseo Montejo area, so now more of a hangout for expats and occasional tourists like me rather than a working class kind of place.…”
“I've been coming here for years - El Gallito is a great, no nonsense, old-school cantina. Nothing fancy going on here - No disco music and no bullshit. This is a place where people come to drink. Service is good, botanas tasty, and…”
