The Oaxaca Foodie: Top 14 Best Restaurants in Oaxaca Mexico

Among Mexico’s many notable culinary destinations, the city of Oaxaca, with its population of over 300,000, stands out as a must-visit for visitors and Oaxaca foodie ex-pats alike.

The city is in the mountains of central southern Mexico and is part of the state of Oaxaca, which includes Puerto Escondido, an oasis for surfers and marine turtles. Oaxaca is a great vacation destination year-round since the weather is always pleasant because of the region’s favorable mountain setting.

If you want to give your taste buds a taste of heaven, you need to visit Oaxaca, where they prepare the greatest mole in the world. They make all the seven distinct types of mole, with flavors and textures ranging from apple butter-like, sweet, and spicy to spring meadow.

You might ask any Oaxaca foodie which is the best place to visit in Mexico? And the response will be Oaxaca, the city of rainbows.

Besides its delicious food and some of the best restaurants in Oaxaca, the city itself is well-known for its rich cultural history, distinctive handicrafts, and colorful festivals. Oaxacan cuisine has a rich and varied history, and its dishes are among the best in the world.

Its outstanding cuisine is why a culinary tour is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Oaxaca has a wide variety of dining options, from small, family-run restaurants to more upscale establishments. The following are the top 14 best restaurants in Oaxaca..

1. Restaurante Casa Oaxaca

Casa Oaxaca, a popular restaurant with a laid-back vibe, is housed in a colonial townhouse from the 18th century on the city’s main plaza. Many people in the Oaxaca City area believe this to be the greatest restaurant in the town.

Any Oaxacan foodie will tell you that this place is the best of the bunch. Alejandro Ruiz, the head chef, is known worldwide for spreading the good word about the flavors of Oaxaca. He aims to showcase the city’s many culinary traditions by using only locally grown and produced products in his recipes.

The restaurant’s organic garden supplies the bulk of the kitchen’s greens and sprouts. Many of the restaurant’s other ingredients come from nearby farms.

Casa Oaxaca is where you can find something for everyone, thanks to its blend of modernity and heritage. Salads, soups, vegetarian selections, beef, and seafood are all available from their extensive menu. Everything about this restaurant is carefully thought out and executed, from the courtyard where you wait for your table to be ready to the view from the rooftop terrace to the cuisine and beverages.

If Casa Oaxaca is at the top of your Oaxaca restaurant list, you should plan and make a reservation because of the restaurant’s stellar reputation. And when you do, get a reservation for the rooftop patio so you may enjoy your meal while gazing at the Santo Domingo Church and other landmarks in the city.

2. Best Restaurants in Oaxaca: Los Danzantes

Oaxaca City and the Coyoacan area of Mexico City are home to Los Danzantes. For those searching for a wonderful gourmet dining experience in Oaxaca, look no further than Los Danzantes Oaxaca.

The restaurant is housed in a former monastery, creating an atmosphere that is nothing short of heavenly. It may seem too formal for the casual atmosphere of Oaxaca City at first glance, but after you taste their food, you’ll understand why this is one of the best restaurants in Oaxaca and a top choice for a Oaxaca foodie.

Los Danzantes Oaxaca is a culinary adventure, blending modern and traditional Mexican ingredients into a symphony of flavor. The restaurant’s menu combines old and new with contemporary twists on classic cuisine. The restaurant boasts delicious cuisine and a special outside area, ideal for enjoying a meal under the stars.

It would help if you ate their world-famous Mole Poblano here since it is the best dish in Oaxaca. The wine selection of Los Danzantes is exclusively Mexican, and the restaurant is well-known for its premium, house-made mezcal.

3. Oaxaca Foodie choice: Criollo Oaxaca

Criollo Restaurant Oaxaca, run by Enrique Olvera of Pujol Mexico City and Luis Arellano, is known for its modern takes on traditional Oaxacan dishes. The menu varies daily, using only fresh, in-season, locally sourced foods.

Every day, the chefs prepare a new six-course tasting menu. However, a salad, main meal, dessert, and Mexican wine are always on the Criollo menu. While the daily six-course tasting menu may change, the restaurant’s dedication to authentic regional Mexican cuisine, particularly Oaxacan cuisine, stays constant. The menu is updated regularly to ensure that the highest quality ingredients are in use in each dish.

If you’re looking for something to go with your tamales, tostadas, mole, or stuffed chile, they have a wide variety of Mexican wines, mezcals, and craft beers. You should make a reservation in advance if you want to dine here.

As one of Oaxaca’s finest fine-dining establishments, it goes above and beyond restaurant decor and style norms. A vast colonial-style courtyard serves as the setting for this restaurant. To reach the patio dining area of this modern, bohemian historical residence, you must first pass through their amazing kitchen, where the magic happens.

4. Tierra Del Sol

Tierra Del Sol is the best place to learn about Mexican food and culture. Having a well-cooked omelet, tortilla, or laing is a delightful culinary experience.

You can also try some of Olga Cabrera’s Mixteca specialties at Tierra del Sol. Her restaurant, which features a rooftop patio, is located right next to Casa Oaxaca, another excellent dining option in Oaxaca.

Many kinds of the mole are on the menu at Tierra del Sol, making it one of the restaurant’s most recognizable features.

Tierra del Sol’s menu may not look appealing initially, but even dishes like roasted octopus in chicatana chili sauce can broaden your understanding of flavor and cuisine.

5. Ancestral Cocina Tradicional

Traditional Oaxacan food is what Ancestral Cocina Tradicional is all about, and it shows in their recipes. Chef Miguel Angel Mijangos Cruz creates dishes in a casual, rural setting that combine classic Oaxacan ingredients with contemporary cooking methods. Aguachile jerky, ceviche, and mole colorado are among the menu’s standouts.

Do you know about the Seven Moles of Oaxaca? At Ancestral Cocina Tradicional, they offer a “Mole and Mezcal Experience” where you may sample all seven moles. Xochimilco, the oldest and most historically significant district in Oaxaca City, is where you’ll find this restaurant.

Getting there from downtown Zocalo takes around 15 minutes on foot. Choose a table on the lovely terrace if the weather permits and enjoy the full Mexican experience.

6. La Biznaga

A favorite amongst the locals, La Biznaga, serves up an extensive menu del día in addition to a wide variety of delicious, traditional cuisine.

It’s in a tranquil area outside Centro’s main hubbub, and its a la carte menu offers a wide variety of vegetarian-friendly options. Compared to the more local and traditional restaurants in Oaxaca, where the menus tend to be simpler but no less tasty, La Biznaga is a welcome upgrade and is usually less busy.

At this restaurant, the emphasis is as much on the deliciousness of the food as on its attractive presentation. The classic meals here are delicious and come at a price that won’t break the bank. You should get a table in their backyard garden if the weather permits.

It’s like a tiny paradise hidden in the middle of the city, and the magic kicks in as the sun goes down and the string lights turn on.

7. La Popular

La Popular Oaxaca lives up to its name by being extremely well-liked. This eatery serves traditional Mexican cuisine and Oaxacan specialties, including antojitos (appetizers), tortas (sandwiches), and more hearty options.

There’s always a wait to get a table at La Popular, and the place is usually packed with locals eating at the restaurants and drinking mezcal and beer.

The restaurant is modest, but the doors open wide, creating the illusion of being in a courtyard even though you’re in the heart of Oaxaca’s busy downtown. If you can pull your attention away from the other diners and the bustle of the street outside, you may enjoy some time waiting for your dinner by perusing the artwork on the walls.

Taking advantage of their widespread renown, La Popular decorates its walls with works by a wide selection of local artists. If you’re looking for a place to eat that is not expensive yet serves you tasty food and warm hospitality, go no further than La Popular Cafe.

8. Restaurante Coronita

Restaurante Coronita, owned and operated by the Leon family, is a city landmark in Oaxaca. They have used the same “from comal to plate” technique for three generations. They take great delight in preserving the flavor of their heritage.

Everything from appetizers to desserts can be found on the restaurant’s extensive menu of more than 150 items. All recipes, including the one-of-a-kind tasting menu with all seven varieties of Oaxacan moles, is prepared from scratch using only the freshest, locally sourced, in-season ingredients. Guests have enjoyed the restaurant’s signature Coronita Antojitos dish for over 50 years.

They also provide a typical yet distinct Oaxacan breakfast, the greatest breakfast option in Oaxaca City. Why not try some of the excellent mezcal they serve with your dinner? All of their locally produced mezcal is of very superior quality.

9. Levadura de Olla

Levadura de Olla Restaurant, in the throbbing heart of Oaxaca City, is well-known for both its authentic Oaxacan cuisine and its innovative twists on old favorites. Thalia Barrios Garcia, the head chef, runs it and serves foods inspired by her upbringing.

She spent her childhood in the little town of San Mateo Yucutindoo in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, where she helped her grandmother cook.

The cuisines on the menu are traditional and original creations by Thalia, and they are all inspired by her background, family traditions, and special occasions.

It would help if you came here with a large party so that you may sample a wide variety of dishes. String lighting, wooden tables, and natural light enhance the inside courtyard setting.

Together with the lovely terracotta arches seen throughout the restaurant, it enhances the already exquisite tastes and aromas of the food.

10. Las Quince Letras

Las Quince Letras was established in 1992 by Celia Florián and Fidel Méndez. Since then, it has been a premier destination for traditional Oaxacan food. Celia Florian was highlighted in an episode of Netflix’s Street Food: Latin America.

Originally from Zimatlán de Álvarez, Oaxaca, Executive Chef Celia has loved cooking since she was a little girl. Her mother and grandmother sparked her interest in food. They educated her in the art of Oaxacan cuisine.

Her restaurant, Las Quince Letras, features dishes prepared using family recipes. Traditional delicacies throughout Oaxaca, including her famed mole negro, are available on the menu.

The Oaxaca Mexican restaurant Las Quince Letras is well-known for its delicious traditional cuisine, friendly service, and stylish interior. Get there for lunch and order off the menu del día if you want to dine like a true local.

11. Restaurante Alfonsina

Regarding Oaxaca City’s best-kept secrets, Alfonsina Restaurant is in a league of its own. There is no sign outside Alfonsina, no website, and no hostess to greet potential customers. Hidden from view, the restaurant’s success comes entirely via recommendations from friends, all thanks to the excellent food. Not only is the food amazing, but so are the decorations and service.

Located in the house of Chef Jorge León, Alfonsina Oaxaca serves traditional Mexican cuisine. Here in Calle de Garcia Vigil, it may be found in the low-key San Juan Bautista La Raya area on the outskirts of Oaxaca City.

Fine dining at Alfonsina Oaxaca is a blend of fancy dishes and homey flavors. Locals and visitors frequent this restaurant to sample the daily specials prepared by Jorge and his mother, Elvia.

12. Casa Taviche

Despite its unassuming exterior, Casa Taviche has one of Oaxaca’s finest menus, del día. A warm welcome awaits you inside, where soft music plays, and the walls and furniture are pastel colors. Once seated, you will see that the restaurant offers a wide selection of authentic Oaxacan cuisines at reasonable prices.

The restaurant’s daily specials ensure that each visit provides a unique dining experience, even if you stick to the standard menu.

13. Restaurante Catedral

Restaurante Catedral, open since 1977, serves various dishes from around the country and worldwide. This elegant restaurant is in a magnificent mansion reminiscent of Mexico’s Porfiriato period. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat a luxury lunch or dinner, you’ve found the right spot.

Traditional cuisine from Oaxaca and other Mexican favorites like mole negro and chili Relleno can be found on the large menu of Restaurante Catedral Oaxaca. If you’re a vegetarian, don’t worry; there’s always something on the menu for you.

It has a great reputation for its pleasant ambiance and friendly staff members ready to meet your culinary needs. You can reserve a table at one of the best restaurants in Oaxaca Mexico, and indulge in the region’s classical and innovative cuisines.

14. Expendio Tradición

Meaning “exporting tradition,” Expendio Tradición is where art, design, cuisine, and a wide variety of mezcals come together to create a unique and memorable experience. The elegant decor resembles a mezcalera from the 1930s, transporting you to another era. The Chagoya family is responsible for running this lovely bar and restaurant.

If you want to try some of the best mezcal in the world, you must pay a visit to Expendio Tradición Oaxaca, where the distilling process has been fine-tuned for more than a century. In addition to selling the family’s mezcals, the eatery also features creative takes on traditional Oaxacan dishes.

The restaurant is well-known not just for its innovative cuisine, but the service is outstanding, and there’s even live music to enjoy as you eat. It’s the finest place to sit back with mezcal and soak up the magical Mexican night.

To truly appreciate the rich history of the Oaxacan people, a trip to the city of Oaxaca should be at the top of your bucket list. The people of Oaxaca are extremely hospitable and make no bones about giving tourists a full dose of their amazing culture.

Visit some of the eateries mentioned above to savor the varied culinary talents of their chefs and create a gastronomic souvenir of your own.

Next: Mezcaleria Oaxaca: The Top 10 Best Places to Drink Oaxaca Mezcal