
Oliva Enoteca
Chic Italian eatery in Merida serving authentic, homemade pasta and classic dishes in a stylish, industrial-inspired setting.

Highlights
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Oliva Enoteca

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Chic Italian eatery in Merida serving authentic, homemade pasta and classic dishes in a stylish, industrial-inspired setting.
Reserve in Advance
Popularity means reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, to avoid long wait times.
Must-Try Appetizer
The burrata with tomato and balsamic is a stunningly delicious starter.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
$$$
Phone
+52 999 923 3081
Address
Calle 47 & Esquina con 54 S/N, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., Mexico
Website
olivamerida.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Italian Pasta
Experience homemade pasta dishes that rival those in Italy, with a focus on fresh ingredients and classic preparations.

Ossobuco Perfection
Indulge in the rich and flavorful ossobuco, a standout main course praised for its depth of taste and tender meat.

Chic Industrial Ambiance
Dine in a stylish space featuring checkered floors, a marble bar, and an open kitchen, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve in Advance
Popularity means reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, to avoid long wait times.
Must-Try Appetizer
The burrata with tomato and balsamic is a stunningly delicious starter.
Pacing of Service
Main courses may arrive quickly after starters; embrace the local dining pace.
Skip Certain Dishes
While most dishes are excellent, some diners suggest skipping the squid ink pasta.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve in Advance
Popularity means reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, to avoid long wait times.
Must-Try Appetizer
The burrata with tomato and balsamic is a stunningly delicious starter.
Pacing of Service
Main courses may arrive quickly after starters; embrace the local dining pace.
Skip Certain Dishes
While most dishes are excellent, some diners suggest skipping the squid ink pasta.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Oliva Enoteca is highly praised for its exceptional, authentic Italian cuisine, particularly its homemade pastas and flavorful main courses like the ossobuco. Diners also appreciate the chic ambiance and friendly service. However, some reviews mention slow service pacing and occasional inconsistency in portion sizes, with one reviewer experiencing illness after their meal.
"The pasta dishes were exceptional, and the starter was equally impressive. The staff provided friendly and welcoming service. The wine selection appeared well-curated, though we did not order any on this occasion. The downstairs dining area offers a cozier ambiance compared to the upstairs seating.
One area for improvement is the pacing of service—our main course arrived almost immediately after finishing the starter. However, this seems to be a common practice in Mexico, possibly differing from the more leisurely dining experiences we are accustomed to.
Overall, I highly recommend the pasta and would certainly return for another visit."
Alvaro Kleinveld
"Consider making a reservation if possible; otherwise, be prepared for a lengthy wait.
For appetizers, we chose olives and fried calamari. Although the olives weren't pitted, they were tasty. The batter on the fried calamari was light and airy.
The drinks were strong :)
For the main course, we ordered the seafood pasta and ossobuco. The ossobuco is a must—rich and flavorful. The squid ink pasta, however, was just alright and can be skipped.
For dessert, we had the tiramisu.
Overall, it was a good experience."
Nirupa P
"The food was amazing!! Great quality of the pastas and super friendly staff. Our only gripe was the staff passing through the glass door into the kitchen right behind our table. A must visit in Merida"
Ann U.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, as the restaurant can get very busy.
Diners rave about the homemade pasta, ossobuco, burrata appetizer, and tiramisu.
The menu includes several pasta dishes and salads that can be enjoyed by vegetarians.
While not strictly enforced, the chic ambiance suggests smart casual attire.
The restaurant has a chic, industrial vibe with an open kitchen and a lively bar area.
Some reviewers suggest skipping the squid ink pasta, as it was not a standout dish for them.
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At this eatery on Mérida's restaurant row, the salads, pizzas, and pasta dishes could hold their own against any served by establishments in Italy itself. The restaurant group also has other locations, including Oliva Patio and Olivia Pizzeria in the north of the city.
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If you did want some non-Mexican cuisine over the course of your stay, Oliva Enoteca over by the Parque de Santa Ana is gaining regulars for its homemade gnocchi, classic pasta dishes, and lemony seafood risotto with fresh octopus. (As Apoala did with Calle 60 before it, Oliva is heralding the transformation of Calle 47 as a new zone of interest in Mérida). Other notable spots include Salón Gallos for its wine bar, gallery, and cinema showing classic movies, while Pan & Køf.feé and smaller newcomer Soco come recommended for their freshly baked sourdough and pastries in the morning.
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Oliva Enoteca, with its dimly lit marble bar, has quickly become a Mérida classic, along with its sister restaurants (Oliva Kitchen and Oliva Patio). Italian visionary Stefano Marcelletti creates a new menu every three months featuring homemade pastas (with a Yucatecan touch). Start the night with fresh cheeses imported from Italy, then enjoy a plate of the freshest pasta in Mérida, finishing off with my favorite: olive oil cake.Monday - Saturday: 1am - 5pm, 7pm - 12amCalle 47 #466 x 54, Center, MéridaFB: Oliva EnotecaIG: @oliva_merida
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Round out your stay in Mérida with a night out at Oliva Enoteca, an Italian restaurant owned and operated by chef Stefano Marceletti. Centrally located in the historic district, this local favorite offers a full Italian menu, complete with all the hearty classics, as well as an extensive wine list covering most of Italy’s best known wine-making regions. Begin your meal with a cheese, seafood, or meat-based starter; the Bufala Caprese, Fritto Misto, and Provola all stand out for their creamy sauce, pesto, and aioli features.
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Bringing a taste of Italy to Mérida, Oliva Enoteca is known for its handmade pasta and authentic Italian flavors, this charming restaurant offers a cozy yet refined dining experience. The menu features classics like spaghetti alla carbonara and risotto but with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. One of the highlights is the house-made tagliatelle, served with a rich and savory ragu that rivals the best trattorias in Italy as well as the tried and tested ossobuco.
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Mingle with suavely dressed locals at refined Mediterranean hot spot Oliva Enoteca. The dining room employs semi-industrial bistro tropes like Edison bulbs, rope-light fixtures, and aluminum café chairs, but the menu is classic Italian, with pastas, sauces, and breads made from scratch daily in the showy open kitchen. Try hand-rolled gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce ($10) and the trio of bruschettas ($6) with refined toppings like burrata and wild mushrooms.
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Oliva Enoteca: Located in an old casona in the historic centre of Mérida, this Italian restaurant with an open kitchen offers a menu of high-end Italian cuisine in a chic, industrial setting. The menu includes time-tested favorites like caccio e pepe, carbonara, and lemon risotto with grilled shrimp and octopus, plus a catch of the day prepared with roast potatoes and picatta sauce, and a T-bone steak Fiorentina.
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The popular Italian restaurant on the future gastronomic corridor, Oliva Enoteca has an a la carte menu with roast turkey, rosemary mashed potatoes, prosciutto-wrapped green beans, gravy, cranberry sauce, and cornbread for 595 pesos. Sides are served family style, ranging from roasted butternut squash with butter sage for 220 to black truffle risotto for 490. Pecan pie or vanilla gelato for 190 pesos.
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Oliva Enoteca is a well-known Italian and international restaurant in Merida, Mexico. Located in the historic city center, this stylish eatery is housed in an old building, offering an industrial-chic ambiance that sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience. Focusing on high-quality Italian cuisine, you’ll find a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes to choose from.
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Se ubica en una antigua casa del Centro histórico de Mérida Yucatán. Cuneta con una lista extensa que supera las 200 etiquetas de vinos seleccionados especialmente por el chef, quien busca reinventarse de manera constante para ofrecer platillos de temporada y novedosos. El local ofrece un menú basado en la alta cocina italiana, dentro de un ambiente chic industrial.
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Oliva Enoteca is an authentic upscale Italian dining experience that boasts an award-winning wine list and some of the best dishes in town. This is a local expat favorite and because of it’s quality and customer base it has been able to survive this pandemic–thank goodness!. The ambiance is cool industrial chic and you can see the kitchen from the first floor.
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Oliva Enoteca es un restaurante italiano en Mérida que ofrece una variedad de platos deliciosos, con opciones para diferentes dietas especiales. Sus destacadas pastas y vinos reciben elogios constantes de los comensales. Los clientes aprecian el ambiente acogedor y limpio, así como el servicio excepcional proporcionado por el personal atento y amable.
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If you’re in the mood for something a bit more formal, Oliva serves up some pretty innovative Italian fare and pairs it with the best wines we’ve had in Mexico. Not everything we ate at Oliva’s blew us away. The fresh pasta was occasionally overcooked (I prefer al dente) and the pesto lacked the signature basil and Parmesan flavor I expect.
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We guess by now you must crave for something else than Tacos 😉 Well, let us save you: Mérida has developed an interesting up and coming restaurant scene!. Sara and Neil told us that there’s a growing community of expats, that open up restaurants – and Oliva is no exception. It could easily also be in New York or another huge city.
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Exquisitely modern and crowded, Oliva is my favorite place to eat the best Italian food in town and drink the best wine. They serve authentic classic Italian dishes, like the ones an Italian grand-mother would cook it. The Carbonara is one of my favorite dish, and they also serve delicious primi piatti, tasty salads and desserts.
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Meanwhile, if you are looking for something that you are familiar with, this Italian restaurant is a must-try. This restaurant lies in an old house right in the Historic Center of Merida in the Yucatan Peninsula. What I love about this restaurant is that it brings traditional Italian dishes to the table.
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When you’ve had your fill of Yucatecan cuisine, book a table at Oliva Enoteca for haute Italian fare set in a contemporary-yet-intimate setting. An extensive wine list of over 150+ bottles awaits, as do excellent craft cocktails from the talented bartenders. Don’t skimp on the decadent desserts.
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Monday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Tuesday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Wednesday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Thursday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Friday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Saturday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Sunday: Closed
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Stefano Marcelletti, chef and owner of Oliva says, “I cook because I love it. My two passions were being a chef or an architect. I did not study for any of them, but I am lucky to have Oliva to satisfy one passion and the restoration of Casa Lecanda that has satisfied the other.
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Oliva Enoteca offers a top level culinary experience that could be anywhere in the world, but we are lucky to have it right here in Mérida. The wine menu was carefully selected by the chef, providing you with the perfect pairing with each of the delicious recipes.
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Highlights include Oliva Enoteca, 130 Grados Steakhouse, Catrín, Micaela Mar & Leña and Sandunga Cocina Tradicional Oaxaqueña – plus cafes like Cafetería Impala, Baretto Espresso Bar, Marmalade 47 and Latte Quatro Sette and the cantina El Lucero del Alba.
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While Yucatan-inspired fare is delicious and plentiful in Merida, there are times when you crave something else, like Italian. If this sounds like you, add Oliva Enoteca to your vacation to-do list. This eatery serves more than spaghetti with meatballs!
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Hours: Daily, 1 PM – 11 PM (12 AM on Friday and Saturday)Price: $$$. If you need a taco break, Oliva Enoteca has you covered with a tight menu of upscale Italian. Think fresh pasta, well-balanced sauces, and a wine list that doesn’t mess around.
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We enjoyed dinner at Oliva, a New Italian eatery where we feasted to carpaccios, calamari, carbonara, burrata, fish…and several bottles of wine. Everything on this day took place within a 3-block radius as downtown Mérida is entirely walkable.
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As we chatted, he told me he did the interior for both Oliva Enoteca and Oliva Patio as well as Latte Quattro Sette, and I was an instant fan. I love the design of those gastronomic establishments and therefore began following Loria’s work.
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Every dish is fresh and handmade, combining traditional and new recipes with a curated selection of wine. With six different locations in Mérida, Oliva is a must visit. Address: Calle 47 & Esquina con 54 S/N Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc.
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There are many Italian places in centro and by far the best is Oliva Enoteca. Oliva Kitchen is less formal and just around the corner. Dadaumpa was good then bad and now I´ve no idea but once upon a time they had a great ragu.
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Si prefieres la cocina italiana, te recomiendo Oliva Enoteca. Este restaurante es conocido por sus pastas hechas a mano, sus deliciosos vinos y su excelente servicio.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit