I cannot emphasize enough how unique and unforgettable the food is in Oaxaca. Whether you’re dining at a high end restaurant, frequenting a local establishment or trying something from one of the many street food vendors; you’re sure to be wowed by the many flavors and unique ingredients found in the food. In this Oaxaca City guide to the best eats, I breakdown a list of things that you absolutely must try in Oaxaca, as well as the best places to eat and drink while you’re there. If you’re also look for things to do while you’re there, you can check out my full Guide to Exploring Oaxaca City.
Foods & Drinks You Absolutely Must Try in Oaxaca:
There are a number of dishes and ingredients that are unique to Oaxaca so to help ensure that you don’t miss out on the essential Oaxacan delicacies, I’ve rounded up a list of the foods and drinks that you must try while you’re there.
Drinks to Try in Oaxaca City:
- Mezcal – I mean, of course this had to be first on the list. A staple of Mexican culture, Mezcal is a Mexican spirit made using any kind of agave plant. The production process for mezcal is unique given that it involves roasting the agave hearts in a pit, which can give it its smoky flavor, though we did find that the local mezcals didn’t taste as smoky as the more commercialized ones sold in the US.
Foods to Try in Oaxaca City:
- Tlayudas – This is a traditional Mexican street food originating in Oaxaca and is often compared to pizza.
- Moles – Mole is a traditional sauce used in Mexican dishes, and is something that Oaxaca is famous for. They can come in a variety of different flavors. Prior to trying mole in Oaxaca, I was not at all a fan, but I can assure you that the moles here are on another level.
- Memelas – Fried or toasted corn dough topped with fresh ingredients. You’ll find these all over Oaxaca being with a variety of different flavor combinations. They’re absolutely delicious!
- Tetelas – These are little pockets that look like a triangle of a quesadilla. They’re often stuffed with black beans and cheese, but you’ll also find them available in a number of different flavor combinations around the city.
- Huitlacoche – You’ll see this on a lot of the menus in Oaxaca. They’re a fungus or mushrooms that grows on corn cobs and is considered a delicacy in Mexico. You’ll often find them on top of memelas and tlayudas, or put inside tetelas. These are so much more flavorful than your typical mushroom.
- Tamales – A traditional Mexican dish made with a corn based dough mixture filled with any combination of meet, cheese or vegetable and often paired with a sauce. Tamales in Mexico are significantly better than anything that you find in the US so if you’re already familiar with them but have never tried them here, then I highly recommend trying these in Oaxaca.
- Epazote – This is something that you’ll see on a lot of menus in Oaxaca. It’s a green leafy herb that is used a lot in Central America. I often had it in tamales with cheese, which perfectly complemented its rich, earthy flavor.
The Best Restaurants in Oaxaca City:
Here’s my Oaxaca City Guide tot he best eats based on what we tried while we were there. Note that this list only scratches the surface; there are so many more local establishments to discover while you’re there!
Boulenc – You absolutely cannot miss a breakfast at Boulenc when visiting Oaxaca. The restaurant itself is such a beautiful space but what will really win you over is the food and the drinks. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for something sweet or savory; it’s all delicious!
If you’re not in the mood for a sit down meal you can visit their pastry shop next door which serves some of the most delicious pastries i’ve ever tasted. I highly recommend the almond croissant.
Levadura de Olla – An absolutely incredible restaurant serving traditional Oaxacan dishes, with an experimental flair. This was by far the best meal that we had during our time in Oaxaca. While you’re sure to be impressed by everything on the menu, our favorites were the Confit Pork Rib Mole, the Requeson Tamal and the Tomato dish.
La Popular – A casual local restaurant in the city center serving great tlayudas, tortas and quesadillas. It’s often crowded with locals and tourists alike so you may encounter a wait to get a table but I can assure you that it’s absolutely worth it.
La Cosecha – This outdoor organic market on the outskirts of Centro is the perfect spot for lunch. Here you’ll find a number of vendors, selling the most delicious local delicacies that Oaxaca has to offer. We happened to visit on Christmas Eve morning and spent hours sampling dishes from each of the stands and even indulging in some mezcal. It’s such a beautiful, relaxed space so I highly recommend visiting on a nice day and taking advantage of all of the delicious food at your fingertips.
Masea Trigo y Maíz – Focusing on corn, hence the name, Masea Trigo y Maiz is known best for their atole, a nutritious corn drink served in clay pots. But, they also offer a variety of baked goods, which we found to be delicious.
Onno Loncheria – If you’re looking for a delicious sandwich, Onno Loncheria in the Xochimilco neighborhood is just the spot. It’s a bit of a walk from centro, and they don’t have a noticeable sign out front so you may miss it if you’re not looking for it, but I promise you it is worth the trip. I’ve heard they also have a great breakfast so I’d recommend heading here sometime before 1pm, finding a spot on their patio and enjoying some really delicious food.
Once in Oaxaca – We stumbled into Once in Oaxaca while roaming the Xochimilco neighborhood and I’m so glad we did. Inside you’ll find a small cafe surrounded by artworks and local goods. Not only was the coffee delicious, but the cafe / store was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the neighborhood.
Rupestre Pan y Cafe – A small cafe in the Xochimilco neighborhood, we ventured in here one day searching for a casual afternoon beverage and ended up having some of the best hot chocolate that I’ve ever had. Now, Oaxaca is known for their chocolate, so I did have high hopes, but I could not have predicted the level of deliciousness that this had.
Cabuche – A small restaurant in centro, Cabuche offers a range of local dishes like homemade memelas and pozole, which is a Mexican traditional soup.
Panadería La Bamby – A local, serve yourself bakery filled with traditional Mexican pastries and breads.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre – A local market here in Oaxaca, this block long building houses an endless amount of food stalls. One of the most unique areas of the Mercado is what they refer to as ‘smoke alley’. There you’ll find vendors who let you choose from meats on display and have it grilled in front of you, creating a cloud of thick cloud of smoke in the hall.
The Best Bars in Oaxaca City:
When in Oaxaca, you must drink mezcal. I don’t make the rules on this, I just follow them. So, if you’re looking to indulge in the local delicacy, here are a few of the best places that we visited:
- Mezcalería In Situ – Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of centro, this is a rgeat place to go for a quiet and delicious mezcal.
- Cortijo La Mezcaleria – A great place to go for a traditional tasting.
- La Mezcalerita – Go here for the rooftop and the delicious mezcalitas!
- Tres Hermanas Bar and Smoke Shop – We loved the vibe here and the food looked delicious as well.
- Mezcalería Mono de Calenda – This is a small tasting room but it’s worth visiting to try their mezcal!
A few other places you should check out, that we unfortunately didn’t have a chance to try, include:
- Sabina Sabe
- Pollos Bar
- La Mezcaloteca
Looking to discover all that Oaxaca City has to offer? Check out my full Guide to Exploring Oaxaca City.
Leave a Reply