El Lagarto de Oro

4.8 ( 2707 reviews )
Checking... 12:00 PM - 1:00 AM See Hours
C. 50 x 55, Parque de la Mejorada, Centro, 97000 Merida, Yuc., Mexico

El Lagarto de Oro, located in the heart of Merida, is a delightful crocodile-themed cantina that combines vibrant decor with an unforgettable dining experience. Customers rave about the excellent service, particularly praising staff members like Mari and Angel, who contribute to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The food at El Lagarto de Oro is a celebration of local Yucatan flavors, with dishes that are both expertly seasoned and reasonably priced. Reviewers have highlighted the freshness and quality of the offerings, which make it an ideal spot for both a casual drink and a full meal. Guests have enjoyed the ice-cold beverages paired with complimentary snacks, enhancing the casual yet festive vibe.

With live music adding to the ambiance, this cantina promises a lively evening where you can immerse yourself in the local culture. Whether you're in for a quick drink or a hearty meal, El Lagarto de Oro is a must-visit destination that captures the essence of Merida’s culinary scene. Expect excellent service, a friendly atmosphere, and dishes that leave a lasting impression.

Amenities and More

  • Service options
    • Outdoor seating
    • Dine-in
    • Delivery
    • Takeaway
  • Highlights
    • Great beer selection
    • Great cocktails
    • Great dessert
    • Great wine list
    • Live music
    • Rooftop seating
  • Popular for
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Offerings
    • Alcohol
    • All you can eat
    • Beer
    • Cocktails
    • Coffee
    • Happy-hour drinks
    • Happy-hour food
    • Private dining room
    • Quick bite
    • Small plates
    • Spirits
    • Vegetarian options
    • Wine
  • Dining options
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Seating
  • Amenities
    • Bar on site
    • Gender-neutral toilets
    • Toilet
    • Wi-Fi
    • Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Quiet
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Groups
    • Tourists
    • University students
  • Planning
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Credit cards
    • Debit cards
    • NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
  • Parking
    • Free multi-storey car park
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • On-site parking
    • Parking
    • Valet parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed
    • Dogs allowed outside

Reviews For El Lagarto de Oro

Hein De Vries
Jun 17,2025
This crocodile-themed cantina had to do a lot of things wrong to get it so right. It's great fun. Once you are through the curtain, there is no turning back. Excellent service from Mari, ice-cold beer, tasty food at a good price.
Maciek Lyko
May 29,2025
A must-visit spot in Merida! El Lagarto de Oro has an unforgettable vibe — from the vibrant decor to the mouthwatering food and chilled drinks, everything here is top-notch. I had the pleasure of visiting with my friend Danielle while attending the Merida Massage Championship, and we were blown away by the warm hospitality and festive energy. The music, the ambiance, and the perfectly seasoned local dishes made it one of our favorite stops in the city. Highly recommended for anyone looking to experience authentic Yucatan flair in a fun and lively setting! Big thx to our waiter Angel!
Nirupa P
May 27,2025
We just popped into El Lagarto for a quick drink and ended up having such a good time! Our server Angel totally hooked us up with some killer drink recommendations - they were strong and super tasty! Loved the complementary snacks they brought out too - such a nice touch when you're just having drinks. Found out they have live music later at night, which sounds fun for next time. We're definitely coming back soon!
Brit H
May 18,2025
This place was such a vibe! Service was wonderful, very friendly. Both food and drinks were prompt and very good quality. We would recommend this to anyone in Merida!
Alexandra Day
Apr 30,2025
Eduardo and team were fantastic! Food and cocktails were delicious. Cool interior. Highly recommend going a little further out of town for better food and atmosphere. Thank you!
Teresa Foley
Apr 8,2025
Lovely vibe, delicious food & drinks, very knowledgeable & kind waitstaff (thanks Eduardo)! We enjoyed the mezcal-jamaica cocktail, the ribs pibil, platano & guac. Music was great also & super cool temperature for dining inside during the very warm weather season.
Jason Fair (Nomadic Nerd Project)
Apr 4,2025
This is the best cantina in town! The fun atmosphere makes for such an enjoyable time. The staff are all so great. Emmanuel provided great service. The food! Wow on all the food. The quality is top notch and they are elevating cusine. The platano with cilantro cream and longaniza was so unique and flavorful that it stands out as one of the best the top dishes we've had in the Yucatan. The kibi were excellent and drinks were perfect. We will be visiting often with such an extensive menu to try. This is a must visit hidden gem. We almost missed it.
marty roska
Mar 14,2025
Very tasty authentic Yucatan food and solid cocktails. I also enjoyed their own label oatmeal stout. Music is loud and rocking for an upbeat environment. They do draw a crowd that was mostly locals although they do have an English menu if requested. There is patio seating as well if you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere. Black bean dip, ranch dressing with breadsticks, and a good match with your cocktail, fried strips of tortillas that are very flavorful chili/lime flavored. We had poc chuc and aguachili and they were both very tasty! There is a covered parking lot as well.

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