All about Museo de la Gastronomía in Mérida (2025)

The first time I got invited to MUGY, I had no idea what to expect. A mix of museum and restaurant? Sounded kind of strange, and honestly, I was more focused on whether I’d actually get a decent meal.

Spoiler alert: I did. Turns out, the museum part is super subtle. If it weren’t in the name or you didn’t go looking for it, you’d barely even notice.

Museo de la Gastronomía Yucateca (Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy) – or simply MUGY for short – is both, a museum and a restaurant. It has an exhibition area and a collection of more than 3,000 pieces.

You will find cooking utensils, books about cooking and food production, recipes, photographs and more related to the history of Mexican cuisine.

But the first thing that stands out is the beautiful architecture. A circumferential veranda with the typical column arches encloses an inner courtyard with tall trees and - especially in the evening - very atmospheric lighting.

However, most visitors probably come for the food. The food is typically Yucatán (as the name suggests) and there is only Yucatan food to choose from. If you like it or would like to try it, you are in the right place in the heart of the historic city.

My Must-Try Recommendations

MUGY is known for serving some of the best traditional Yucatecan dishes.

Here are my must-try recommendations:

• Cochinita Pibil (slow-cooked pork marinated in achiote and orange juice).

• Lechón (roasted suckling pig with crispy skin, seasoned with regional spices).

• Sopa de Lima (flavorful lime-infused chicken soup with crispy tortilla strips).

• Poc Chuc (grilled, citrus-marinated pork, served with pickled onions).

• Papadzules (a Mayan dish of tortillas filled with boiled eggs).

Table Reservations & Opening Hours

Since the restaurant is often very busy, I recommend a table reservation. You can call or also book online through the website. The opening hours are quite different depending on the day.

As always, it is advisable to briefly check the current times directly on the restaurant's website (respectively in the social media channels accessible via it, as the website is otherwise only used for reservations).

Where to Sit at MUGY: Choose Smart

In MUGY are three seating areas: If the weather permits, it is most beautiful in the courtyard under the trees. This is followed by a place on the surrounding terrace, which has the advantage of being covered.

The interiors of the building, on the other hand, are somewhat less attractively designed.

Last time I was there, I scored a fantastic spot under a tree in the courtyard, perfect or so I thought. Then, out of nowhere, the rain started pouring.

The veranda was already packed with guests who had clearly read the weather better than I did, so we had no choice but to retreat inside. Lesson learned, always have a backup plan!