CARBONI MÉRIDA Ristorante — Restaurant in Mérida

My friend and I had passed by this place on Friday night, but since it was already closed, we decided to try again on Saturday. I don't like leaving bad reviews, especially because the owner seemed nice, but we truly regretted our decision and won't be back. The ambiance is nice here, but that's about it. Here are the facts from our visit.

THE FOOD: For the appetizer, we ordered the Verduras a la Romana (Italian pumpkin, eggplant, pepper, and red onion). All the vegetables were brown and limp with olive oil sprinkled on top. No nutritional value at all and no taste. We couldn’t tell them apart. For the main course, I ordered the fish of the day (pescado del dia). My friend ordered the shrimp pasta. The shrimp pasta was quite mediocre. My friend disliked it and ate it as quickly as he could. Thankfully, my fish wasn’t bad, but it was not at all as described on the menu. There were no cherry tomatoes and there were no “papas a la francesa” either. It was served on top of the same limp “vegetables” as what we’d gotten as the appetizer. Yuck 2x. I guess they thought I didn’t notice since I didn’t mention it. By that point, we just wanted to leave.

THE SERVICE: The maitre d’ is a quiet man, and I don’t judge him for that. However, when we requested more water (because the glasses are very small…and this is Mérida after all…), he argued with me and tried to resist bringing more water. I asked for a pitcher, and he said the pitcher was for everyone dining in the patio. I asked to purchase a regular agua natural, and he said they don’t sell it. So I simply asked for him to refill our glasses because I was thirsty. He finally came back 15 minutes later. The restaurant was not even half full when we were eating there. Also, when we decided on what to order, the owner was friendly but also very insistent that we not order the same thing, so that we got a better variety. I understand what she was trying to do, but ultimately, we regretted not ordering the same plate because the shrimp pasta was bad. She should be more respectful of clients’ tastes, and not just insist because it’s what she wants us to do.

THE VALUE: It’s not worth it. If you want to pay for ambiance, there are plenty of other pretty restaurants in Mérida to enjoy with food and service that’s not subpar. I left a tip out of courtesy, but not because...

If you're craving for an experience that's truly Italian and homely right at the heart of Mérida, look no further than CARBONI MÉRIDA. A culinary space bursting with genuine Italian recipes.

Their Fettuccine Carbonara is a masterpiece. A classic that simply can't go wrong. Another mouthwatering delight is their Gamberoni alla Publio.

You could also go for their four-cheese gnocchi... They are just yummy👌 These aren't just any gnocchi you find around the corner, their secret lies in being crafted from sweet potato and regular potato and they use locally sourced ingredients. So so good.

And if you're into desserts, you need to try the Cacao cake with chocolate ganache. 😍

But what really sets Carboni apart is the warm personal touch of their team.

They are incredibly friendly, making you feel at home from the moment you step in till the moment you depart.

So, if you find yourself in downtown Mérida desiring something beyond the traditional Yucatecan style, Carboni is your...

If you want hearty Italian food + warm atmosphere. Look no further. This place is one of our staples and favorites. We are regulars.

The warmth that Claudia, her husband, and staff have co-created is truly beautiful.

Husband is the wonderful main chef. Claudia is the warm and welcoming hostess. Alberto is a gracious, kind, and hospitable waiter as well. So is the rest of the staff. All great things to say.

Words cannot fully describe what we feel here. It’s something you gotta experience yourself. It’s home away from home.

Claudia feels like a cool aunt to me.

All food is handmade and ethically sourced food. Happy cow cheeses. Gluten free fettuccine option.

They speak Italian, Spanish, and English here.

Easygoing conversations, delicious and warm food, wonderful staff. What more can you ask for?

10/10 ; 5/5 highly recommend.

We love you, Claudia and Carboni family! Thank you for following your...