All about Miyabi | El Árbol Restaurant in Mérida (2025)

First things first – I love sushi. And not just me, the whole family’s into it. But to be honest, the main reason I wanted to check out Miyabi | El Árbol was actually the “Àrbol” part – more on that in a second.

Miyabi | El Árbol is a sushi restaurant located in the small Árbol shopping center, a few kilometers north of the city center. This gives you convenient parking right in front of the restaurant. Right at the entrance, you will be greeted at the counter.

The restaurant itself is stunning with a beautifully designed interior that makes for a unique dining experience. Miyabi also has other locations in Mérida, including Miyabi Express at Plaza Cascadas and Miyabi Town Square at Town Square Mérida.

The name El Árbol means “The Tree”, and the building stays true to its name as it was built around a massive tree that grows straight through the roof.

The namesake tree is enormous with a trunk over a meter in diameter, rising through an opening on the second floor. Right next to it, a small waterfall and an aquarium with large fish add to the tranquil atmosphere.

The ventilation is also impressive with a massive floor fan more than a meter tall and wide keeping the space comfortable. I think I have never seen such a large fan up close before. You can see it in the next picture.

If you are curious about the name Miyabi, it refers to one of Japan’s oldest aesthetic ideals. In modern Japanese, the word translates to elegance.

Moreover, Miyabi is not just an aesthetic principle; it also reflects a philosophical outlook on life that encourages mindfulness and an appreciation for the ephemeral nature of existence. Alright, it is probably not that important, but now you know...

Sushi Selection and Prices

The menu offers a wide selection of sushi covering all the classics. You will find nigiri, sashimi, rolls, and tempura along with Japanese beers like Asahi and Sapporo.

Even special requests for customized sushi rolls were accommodated without hesitation. One downside is that the menu is entirely text-based as some pictures would make ordering a bit easier.

A sushi roll of eight pieces costs around 10 US dollars on average (as of 2025). If you order three rolls, two drinks, and a dessert, you will likely spend 40 to 50 US dollars per person. It is not exactly cheap, but for the quality, I would say it is fair.

Types of Sushi

Miyabi offers the typical selection of sushi varieties. If you're new to the world of sushi, here’s a quick rundown of the most common types:

• Maki: Sushi rolls wrapped in seaweed (nori) with rice and various fillings.

• Sashimi: Thinly sliced raw fish or seafood, served without rice.

• Nigiri: A small mound of sushi rice topped with a slice of fish or seafood.

• Temaki: Hand-rolled sushi shaped like a cone, filled with rice, fish, and vegetables.

• Uramaki: Inside-out rolls where the rice is on the outside (see below).

• Gunkan: Oval-shaped sushi wrapped in seaweed with a topping like fish roe.

Further Locations

Miyabi has a total of three locations in Mérida:

• Miyabi | El Árbol: Calle 13 x Prol. Paseo Montejo 82

• Miyabi | Express: Av. Andrés García Lavín x Calle 55, San Antonio Cucul

• Miyabi | Town Square: Privada 25 37, San Ramón Norte I

Miyabi Online

The website of Miyabi | El Arbol currently provides only the menu.

But there is also

• Miyabi on Facebook

• Miyabi on Instagram

The social media accounts of Miyabi provide more information beyond just the menu, unlike the website. Especially on Instagram, the pictures give you a quick first impression of the restaurant and its dishes.

More Places for Sushi Lovers

We're all sushi lovers. Miyabi is my favorite sushi restaurant, but I want to share two more places you should check out.

• Sushi Club Mérida  is located in Plaza Mangus, a shopping mall on the northern outskirts of Mérida. One of my favorite restaurants in Mérida, Cienfuegos, is in the same building.

• Tokio 07 Izakaya in northeast Mérida serves authentic Japanese food, including sushi, ramen, and creative dishes like a sushi burger. Prices are reasonable, parking is easy, and a Los Taquitos restaurant is next door for alternative options.