Micaela Mar y Leña

Micaela Mar y Leña is a seafood restaurant on Calle 47 in the Centro district of Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, close to the Paseo de Montejo area. It is listed in the Michelin Guide Mexico and is known for cooking over wood fire, which gives the menu a smoky character that sets it apart from the more traditional Yucatecan kitchens in the city. The cuisine is wood-fire seafood with Yucatecan flavours, using fish and shellfish from the Gulf of Mexico coast, a short distance north of Mérida. Dishes most associated with the restaurant include oysters, ceviche, grilled octopus and seafood risotto, and the grill is central to the identity of the menu. Visitors who prefer lighter dishes can build a meal around raw seafood and ceviche, while those wanting something heavier can order the grilled octopus or the risotto. The dining room has a relaxed and convivial feel, suited to groups and long lunches as much as to dinner; the noise level is moderate and picks up on weekend evenings. Dress is casual to smart-casual. Prices are mid-range for Mérida at approximately MXN 350 to 700 (USD 20 to 40) per person, which is good value for a Michelin-listed kitchen. Beverages include cocktails and wine to accompany seafood, and ordering a chilled white or a mezcal-based drink suits the heat of the Yucatán climate. Hours are Sunday to Wednesday from 13:00 to 22:30 and Thursday to Saturday from 13:00 to 23:30. Reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday dinner; visitors can speak to the host on arrival or arrange a table ahead of time. Booking a few days ahead is sensible in the November to April high season. Lunch is the calmer option and suits travellers combining a meal with a visit to the nearby mansions and museums of the centre. The restaurant is a strong choice for those who want to eat seafood in Mérida without leaving the central district.