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Restaurants in Merida, Spain
Mérida’s cuisine tends to be hearty rather than sophisticated, with an emphasis on casseroles and roasts of traditionally bred meat. Look out for the designations of Retinto beef, Ibérico pork and IGP Cordero lamb on many a menu. The tourist restaurants that line Calle José Ramón Mélida are a tempting option if you’re visiting the historic ruins or the Museo Romano, but they are generally sullen and over-priced. You can do much better a short walk away. Prices, especially if you choose a daily menu (menú del dia), are remarkably low.
- Extremaduran
A de Arco
Located next to the Roman arch of Trajan, A de Arco is a modern-day forum. Late at night, groups of friends spill across its outdoor terrace, ordering tapas and drinks, testing the waitstaff’s powers of memory and arithmetic. Under these conditions, you might imagine the quality of…$$Around Town - Extremaduran
Catalina Plaza
Come for the close-up terrace views of the Templo de Diana, especially beautiful at night when its columns are illuminated. Stay for the tasty Extremaduran cooking and friendly service. Short set menus offer a selection of starters followed by a choice of entree and dessert, with…$$Around Town - Spanish/International
Las Siete Sillas
If you want do lunch or tapas without leaving the Roman ruins complex, this airy canteen and terrace close to the ticket office is a great choice, and you won’t be alone. At lunchtime family groups of Spanish visitors fill its long tables, ordering sharing plates an extensive list:…$Roman Ruins Complex - Market
Mercado Gastronómico San Albín
If you’re visiting the Roman ruins at Casa del Mitreo, it’s worth dropping in for a drink and tapas at this gastronomic market in the curved corridor of the red-painted bullring across the road. Grab a stool at a barrel-top table surrounded by fading bullfight memorabilia and choose…$Around Town - Extremaduran
Tabula Calda
Behind a yellow-painted exterior, Mérida's most characterful dining room features stone arches, half-tiled walls, and lots of museum-like touches. The cooking is traditional with an emphasis on local, sustainable ingredients. The basic tourist menu offers great value, but if you’ve…$Around Town



