Oaxaca is known as the culinary heart of Mexico, boasts a rich tapestry of flavors, aromas, and textures that tantalize the taste buds and captivate the senses. From savory moles to tangy tlayudas and fiery mezcal, the cuisine of Oaxaca reflects the region’s diverse cultural heritage and abundant natural resources. Oaxaca has so much good food that I have said that it is hard to find not great food because everything from the street food to the most nicest restaurants in town are amazing. If you’re a food lover planning a visit to this gastronomic paradise, here’s a taste of what awaits you and where I recommend you try.
Breakfast
Lunch
- Ooooa.studio- great spot for bites, drinks and lunch
- Cafe Taviche- good lunch and dinner spot
- Etnofood- light lunch spot offering food & drink classes
- Onnno Lonchería- great spot for lunch, coffee and baked goods
- El Tendajone- this small spot might surprise you with good and elevated the food can be, recommend for lunch & dinner
Dinner
Coffee
- Cafebre- coffee shop
- Once in Oaxaca- small cafe in the Jalalatco neighborhood which is known for it’s murals
- MUSE Cafe- beautiful spot for food, drinks and coffee. Just walking into it is nice
Drinks
Snack
- Mezcalite POP!- delicious popsicles plus other frozen treats to help beat the heat, they even have some made with mezcal!
- Street food like mango on a stick, elote or chips.
- Don’t forget to try the market for some finds as well!
*Bonus- if you wanted to learn how to cook an authentic Oaxacan meal, check out these two cooking classes.
Now if I had to list my must try food and drinks while in Oaxaca City, they would be the following:
- Breakfast at Boulenc or Sagrado Filemon
- Lunch at Los Danzantes
- Dinner at Casa Oaxaca
- Frozen treat at Mezcalite POP
- Mezcal flight tasting at Expendio Tradicion or Mezcalogia
I hope this helps on planning where you will eat and drink at in Oaxaca City but like I mentioned it’s really easy to find great food anywhere you go! We often find ourselves returning to a few spots when we go back but we mainly focus on finding new spots. We are finally going to be trying Criollo for the first time we are in town next and I am so excited for it.
Enjoy!
PS- here are some of my must haves when traveling
