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    El Merkadito

    3.8 (54 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood, Mexican
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    El Merkadito Photos

    EL MERKADITO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - El Merkadito

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    Octopus tacos, yellowtail sashimi tostada, fish tacos, shrimp cocktail.

    The food is simply delicious everything was super fresh but my group agreed that the octopus tacos took the cake. Very cute beach environment and great prices!

    Carolina S.

    Easily top 2 BEST Restaurants in Puerto Morelos! The food was fresh, flavorful, and delicious! We ordered Thai shrimp, seafood soup, octopus and several other dishes. Our server was attentive and super nice! You could see the fresh tortillas being made and the freshly caught fish being weighed. Highly recommend this place!

    Mark B.

    This is a lovely seaside restaurant for lunch. However we went for dinner and the view is great but would be better during daylight hours . The TarTar tuna was prepared excellently and looked like five star , but was a bit salty and the texture was mixed . It had some gristle . The accompanying sauce was very salty And the chips were SoSo . However the service was top notch.

    Jess R.

    Two words: fresh seafood! Had been following this gem prior to a trip to PM and glad we dined here because it was some of the best food during our trip. We started with the ceviche and margaritas. It was so much ceviche we could've honestly had it as a meal. I also recommend the fish tacos - super crispy, flaky and fresh. My only real complaint was I wish the margaritas were served in a different cup - the mug was super cold and way too big to drink out of without a straw. The service was a little slow but honestly it felt like that everywhere and everyone is making things work with the staff they do have. Towards the end of our dinner there was live music which was also pretty cool. Overall would recommend this cute little beachfront restaurant to any seafood lover!

    Cool picnic tables made from old boats.
    Miguel G.

    This is a nice beachside restaurant that has great service and excellent food. Solid choice along a strip that offers plenty of tourist traps. The seafood is fresh, the salsas are delicious, and the prices are relatively reasonable given the location and quality.

    Sea bass with risotto
    Jeff W.

    Great food great service. The staff is friendly and helpful with the menu. The seafood is excellent. They are right on the beach so the views are great if you can get a seat near the beach I had the sea bass with risotto which was cooked perfectly. My friend had the shrimp and thought they were very good.

    Salsas! Garlic or chipotle mayo and green habanero (ridiculously hot!) or red (not nearly as spicy). Delicioso
    Jeniffer D.

    Our family loved this lively little spot. Right on the beach with fresh seafood in the heart of Puerto Morelos; you can't go wrong eating here! I saw other reviews about the service but our servers were great. The first one didn't speak much English so she went and got another server that did, it was really thoughtful. Our family really enjoyed the listening to the mariachi band while we were waiting for our meal which added a special touch. The chips are served with 4 sauces: chipotle mayo, garlic mayo, green habanero (hot!), and a milder red salsa - all of them were good. Beware of the green habanero salsa, it's fiery hot, but still very tasty. The fresh guacamole was on point, be sure to try it out. We ordered the shrimp cocktail and the shrimp tempura tacos. Both were absolutely amazing. Add the chipotle mayo sauce to the shrimp tacos, you won't be sorry.

    Third time to Riviera Maya  & third time to El Merkadito Ceviche & Seafood Soup  Sooooo good  Welcome to Mexico
    Dave C.

    Amazing spot, open air beach side dining, local music in the sand on Saturday afternoon. Ceviche & Seafood soup to die for & catch of the day melts in your mouth, a couple of Mezcalaritas & We've stopped here every trip down the Riviera Mayan coast !!!

    Vibes
    Melissa P.

    We drove 40 minutes from Cancun to have dinner here and it was a refreshing break from the hotel zone. From start to finish we had an amazing dinner. the service, drinks, food, and atmosphere were all great! We loved the tamarind margarita (huge!), the scallop tostadas, the asia me ceviche, the octopus ceviche, and the shrimp in tamarind sauce. Would skip the Marlin tacos next time. The restaurant overlooks the water and has avery beach shack feel to it. The service was very friendly even if we were the last people there. At the end of the night they asked us if we wanted anything else because the kitchen was closing. We said no forgetting about dessert, and when we asked about dessert later they felt so bad they brought out a round of tequila shots! After that they put on salsa music (at my mom's request) so my mom could dance with the waiter and the chef, and then we all watched the Copa Final together. A truly unforgettable experience and probably the best meal of our trip! You shouldn't go to Cancun without stopping here!

    Almeja chocolata
    Angel P.

    This is by far the best seafood place in Puerto Morelos the service is amazing with reasonable prices

    Ray R.

    Don't go here for the service, go here for the incredible deck towards the sea and the carefree attitude. I can think of worse places to drink a beer, while looking at the turquoise waters of the caribbean. The marlin tacos, as another yelper mentioned, are incrdible. The food might take a while to come out, but you have the cool breeze to help you get into vacation mood. Time will seem to go slow as you stare at the palm trees on the breeze (get a table on the shade, or be sunburned by the time your entree comes out!) This spot seems known for tostadas, an open faced tortilla with some sort of protein, addons, and a dressing. Very good. Tried the tuna, everyone loved it.

    Guacamole

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    6 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Food was good. The drinks were weak. Service was great. We sat where we could see the beach, the breeze was refreshing

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    10 years ago

    The seabass and tuna tartare are out of this world. I would hesitate to come here again and again.

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    8 years ago

    Not sure what the hype is with this place. Food was average at best. Service was aloof and slow on a weekend when the place was dead.

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    El Merkadito Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - El Merkadito

    Highly recommend the Marlin Tacos, Sea Bass, Jack Daniels Salmon, and either of the fried shrimp plates.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Punta Corcho - Tuétanos con Camarones

    Punta Corcho

    4.5(170 reviews)
    0.0 km
    $$

    Hello, We hope you…read morewould consider giving us another opportunity to visit your restaurant and help make this experience right. We dined with you on May 9 under the name Fairchild. There were three of us, and we visited around 2:00 PM. Unfortunately, our experience was very disappointing. My seafood risotto appeared spoiled and had a hair in it. My husband's tacos made him feel ill after only one bite, and he had to leave for the restroom immediately. His drink was extremely sweet and seemed to contain little or no alcohol. My drink was incorrect, served only half full, and came without a straw or garnish. Service was also lacking. We had difficulty communicating because no one assisting us spoke English. We poured our own water throughout the meal and were never asked whether we wanted refills or additional drinks. To make matters worse, we were celebrating my daughter's birthday that day, and it was completely overlooked despite our mentioning it. We felt so sick and uncomfortable that we wanted to leave immediately. We attempted to communicate our concerns and explain that we were not feeling well, but we were unable to get assistance due to the language barrier. We will be returning to the area in December and hope you will be willing to make this right. We would appreciate hearing how you can address the issues we experienced and restore our confidence in your restaurant. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your response.

    I totally get why this place earned Michelin recognition in 2025. The softshell crab tacos were…read moreeasily the best I've ever had--perfectly crispy and packed with flavor. The salsas were incredible, the homemade bun was next-level, and that smoky cucumber drink was something special. Even the presentation was on point. Service here, and honestly all around this area, has been outstanding. Puerto Morelos is definitely a place I'd come back to.

    Photos
    Punta Corcho - Inside of restaurant

    Inside of restaurant

    Punta Corcho - Soft shell crab tacos

    Soft shell crab tacos

    Punta Corcho - Welcome

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    Welcome

    La Pepita - Ahi Tostada

    La Pepita

    4.3(45 reviews)
    0.3 km
    $

    La Pepita is one of the many seafood restaurants in Puerto Morelos which was highly suggested by…read moreour boat operator on our snorkeling trip. Great service and cool al fresco vibe, you start of with a big basket of tortilla chips and a variety of salsas. I started off with a Ahi Tostada and Wifey started with a seafood soup which were both tasty. We shared a fresh Catch local Hogfish and Grilled Octopus which were absolutely delicious! Four items, and two drinks with tip came out to a little over $50 usd. Definitely worth the visit!

    After doing the snorkeling tour at the pier in Puerto Moreles, we asked our guide for a…read morerecommendation and he recommended this locals joint. It did not disappoint! The vibe is super relaxed, with all seats in the sand. My kids enjoyed chasing the iguanas and sitting on the palm tree (which strangely grows parallel with the ground) while we waited for our food. We didn't see the option on the menu but our guide told us there is a big cooler and you can just pick out your fish to get it fried up fresh for you. Sure enough, there was a huge white cooler where we could sort through the fish options and pick one the right size for our family. It came with sides like beans, guac and tortillas, and all meals come with chips plus tomato and jalapeno salsas. We also ordered ceviche and the total price was less than $40 for a family of 4. More importantly, everything was super fresh and delicious! I wish I lived nearby so I could come back again - I would be a regular if I could!

    Photos
    La Pepita - Bohemia beer in a Chelsea glass which means juts salt and lemon. Delicious

    Bohemia beer in a Chelsea glass which means juts salt and lemon. Delicious

    La Pepita - Fresh Catch-Local Hogfish

    Fresh Catch-Local Hogfish

    La Pepita - Menu

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    Menu

    Lola y Moya - BLT sandwich

    Lola y Moya

    4.8(40 reviews)
    0.1 km

    ¡Lola y Moya en Puerto Morelos es una visita obligada! Su caldo de pollo es reconfortante, los…read morehuaraches rellenos de arrachera están perfectamente sazonados, y el pozole es delicioso. Todo está fresco y bien presentado. El servicio al cliente es excepcional, con un dueño amable y atento, y un personal amigable. ¡Altamente recomendado! **English:** Lola y Moya in Puerto Morelos is a must-visit! Their caldo de pollo is rich and comforting, the huaraches relleno de arrachera is perfectly seasoned, and the pozole is flavorful and satisfying. Everything is fresh and beautifully presented. The customer service is exceptional, with a kind and attentive owner and a friendly, dedicated staff. Highly recommended!

    We were not entirely impressed with this place BUT food tastes are completely subjective, and so so…read moremany other people love it, so please don't let my review deter you. It truly is like eating at grandma's house. The decor is vibrant, but the overall vibe is cozy. The service is great, though the seating area did get warm (and we were there in the morning). The food portions are plentiful, and the menu is huge. We just didn't find the food had much flavor to it (which, again, completely subjective). My partner had the chilaquiles (soggy style) which were drowned in a beautifully colored chocolate mole and topped with plenty of tender, shredded chicken. I had the breakfast bagel, which came with lettuce, tomato, and onion, as well as cheese, egg, and bacon (probably why I found the food to be less than seasoned - admittedly it's a simple dish). And, we shared an order or molletes naturales - beans and cheese on a bolillo. Overall the food was good, don't get me wrong, but perhaps due to the nature of the dishes there simply just wasn't enough room for more flavor. I'd return to try their other stuff, because the portions were big, the way the food was cooked was great, and the service was friendly. But in the end, we found it to be just good, nothing mind blowing. Your experience may vary!!!!

    Photos
    Lola y Moya - Chilequilles with mole sauce

    Chilequilles with mole sauce

    Lola y Moya - Chicken bagel sandwich

    Chicken bagel sandwich

    Lola y Moya

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    El Merkadito - seafood - Updated August 2026

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