Mérida Now Has Michelin Stars: What the Guide Actually Gave
Yucatán entered the Michelin Guide for the first time this year. Two Mérida restaurants took stars, and three took something else entirely. The post Mérida Now Has Michelin Stars: What the Guide Actually Gave appeared first on The Rio Times .
In 2026, Yucatán became the first region in Mexico to receive Michelin Guide coverage, with three restaurants receiving stars. Mérida, Yucatán's capital city, saw two of its restaurants join the starred list: Huniik and La Barra de Huniik. This marks the city's first appearance in the guide's starred list. Yucatán as a whole now boasts three starred restaurants, with the third located in Chocholá, a city not specified in the available information.
The 2026 guide also included Jalisco and Puebla for the first time, with a total of 29 starred restaurants across Mexico, including two two-star restaurants and 27 one-star restaurants. A Michelin star signifies culinary excellence, while a Bib Gourmand honors outstanding quality-to-price ratio. Taquería Kisín in Mérida received a Bib Gourmand designation in the same selection, recognizing its exceptional value for money.
Established as a fast-growing destination for expats, Mérida's restaurant scene has expanded alongside its population. Famous Yucatecan dishes such as recado rojo, achiote-based spice paste, cochinita pibil, and sour orange-infused dishes reflect the region's distinct culinary identity. The inclusion of Yucatán in the Michelin Guide is partly due to the distinctiveness of its cuisine, which sets it apart from other Mexican regional foods.
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