Open 24 hours a day, the diner-style La Parroquia (Calle 55 between 10 and 12, tel. 981/816-2530, US$2.50–10) is always busy. You’ll find good Campechano dishes, a handful of traditional Mexican meals, and a T.V. tuned to soap operas or a soccer game. The daily special (US$4.75) includes a main dish, beans and rice, dessert, and a large drink.

For home cooking, cafeteria style, check out Chef Color (Calle 12 at Calle 55, tel. 981/811-4455, 12:30–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., US$2–3). A standard meal includes rice, beans, fried plantains, tortillas, and a choice of entrée. Good, cheap eats in the heart of town.

Takitos (Av Ruíz Cortines, tel. 044-981/126-1849, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Tues.–Thurs., until 4 p.m. Fri.–Sun., and 6 p.m.–2 a.m. daily except Mon., US$3–7) Yes, it’s a chain, but the laid-back setting and surprisingly tasty food make this a go-to pit-stop if you’re walking or biking along the malecón. Among the options here are motuleños for breakfast, ham baguette for lunch, and tacos of all sorts for dinner. The open-air dining area looks across the road to the Gulf, and service is friendly.

Garibaldi (Calle 8 at Calle 61, 11 a.m.–1 a.m. daily, US$4–10) has the mixed blessing of occupying the same space as the Miramar restaurant, a old-time Campeche institution that closed in 2006, once did. Tacos are the specialty here, including less-likely fillings like rib eye and cochinita pibil, accompanied by frequent beer and drink specials. The dining area is brighter and cleaner than the Miramar ever was, though it’s hard to eat here without a twinge of nostalgia.