Once in Oaxaca Discover the Must-Visit Gems of this Enchanting Destination

Here are our personal suggestions for dining, drinking, exploring, and learning in Oaxaca.

Oaxaca is a gastronomic haven with a vibrant cultural background. Discover our top picks for places to eat, drink, explore, and learn in this captivating location.

🌅 Breakfast

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at one of these top spots in Oaxaca.

Oa Café (@oacafestudio) — Cozy, modern and perfect for slow mornings.

Boulenc (@boulenc.oax) — The most famous bakery in Oaxaca; amazing bread, pastries & brunch vibes.

Tierra del Sol (@tierradelsolrestaurante) — Beautiful spot with an atolería and bakery by Chef Olga Cabrera.

Criollo (@criollo_oax) — Weekend brunch with elevated Oaxacan flavors.

Fonda La Florecita (Mercado La Merced) — Classic market breakfast.

Memelas Doña Vale(@donavalepacheco) (Central de Abastos) — Made famous by Netflix; iconic memelas.

Tacos de Guisado (El Carmen Alto) — Homemade-style stews in tacos, very local.

🌞 Lunch

Enjoy a delicious lunch at these recommended spots.

Seafood

La Cevichería (@lacevicheriaoax) — Known for its fresh ceviches and tostadas.

Humar (@humar.oax) — New-style seafood with Oaxacan flair.

Oaxacalifornia (@oaxacalifornia.oax)— Fusion Baja–Oaxaca seafood.

El Patrón — Consistently fresh and delicious.

Other Options

El Milenario(@restaurante.elmilenario)

(El Tule) — Great after visiting the famous tree.

El Tendajón (@eltendajon.oax) — Comfort food with local ingredients.

Levadura de Olla (@levaduradeolla) — One of the most celebrated Oaxacan kitchens.

La Olla (@laollaoax) — Traditional cuisine from Chef Pilar Cabrera

🌙 Dinner

Experience the best of Oaxacan cuisine at these dinner spots.

Origen(@origenoax) — Modern Oaxacan cuisine by Chef Rodolfo Castellanos.

Las Quince Letras (@lasquinceletrasoax)— Tradition meets elegance; a classic, runned by Chef Celia Florián.

Casa Oaxaca (@casaoaxacaelrestaurante)— Rooftop dining; very emblematic of the city and culinary icon Chef Alex Ruiz.

Pitiona (@pitionaoax) — Fine dining with a strong regional soul.

🌮 Taco Spots

Satisfy your taco cravings at these popular spots.

Tacomiendo — Casual, tasty, always reliable.

Tacos Sierra Hidalgo — Local favorite.

El Lechoncito de Oro — Crispy pork tacos.

Tacámbaro — Great for late-night cravings.

🥃 Bars & Mezcal

Discover the vibrant nightlife and mezcal culture in Oaxaca.

Sabina Sabe (@sabinasabeoaxaca)— Cocktails + mezcal in a lively atmosphere.

Selva (@selvaoaxaca) — Trendy, jungle-inspired bar with excellent mixology.

La Mezcaloteca (@mezcaloteca) — Educational mezcal tastings.

In Situ (@insitumezcaleria)— Deep mezcal knowledge; perfect for learning.

❄️ Refreshing Drinks

Cool down with these refreshing drinks.

Aguas Frescas Casilda (Benito Juarez Market) — Traditional, colorful flavors.

La Flor de Huayapam (Benito Juarez Market) — Famous for tejate and other ancestral drinks.

Nieves Chagüita (Benito Juarez Market) — Classic Oaxacan ice cream shop.

Nieves — Explanada de La Soledad — A must on hot days.

🌺 Isthmus Cuisine

Experience authentic Isthmus cuisine at these spots.

Garnachas La Güera — Authentic, homemade flavor.

Zandunga Sabor Istmeño (@zandungasabor)— Classic Isthmus dishes in the city center.

La Teca — Iconic and beloved for Tehuano cuisine.

👩‍🍳 Cooking Classes

Learn to cook traditional Oaxacan dishes with these classes

Alma de mi Tierra(@almademitierra) — Nora Valencia’s traditional cooking experiences.

Reyna Mendoza — Zapotec cuisine from Teotitlán del Valle.

Carina Santiago (@antiguacocinadehumo)— Zapotec cooking from Teotitlán del Valle.

Top Chef México Rodolfo Castellanos(@origenoax) — Modern Oaxacan Cuisine with Traditional Techniques

🍽️ Food Tours

Explore Oaxaca’s culinary scene with these food tours.

Oaxacking (@oaxacking) — Highly rated culinary tours.

Mario Come Oaxaca (@mario.come.oaxaca) — Market visits + cooking.

🏡 Lodging

Stay at these recommended accommodations.

Huayapam Yuu (@huayapam_yuu)— Peaceful, nature-oriented stay.

Oa Studio (@oacafestudio) — Stylish and minimal, perfect for design lovers.

🛒 Market Days

Visit these markets on their respective days.

Monday: Teotitlán del Valle, Miahuatlán and Ixtlán

Tuesday: Santa María Atzompa

Wednesday: Villa de Etla and Zimatlán

Thursday: Zaachila and Ejutla

Friday: Ocotlán, San Bartolo Coyotepec and Santo Tomás Jalieza

Saturday: Tlahuitoltepec and Mitla

Sunday: Tlacolula and San Antonino Castillo Velazco

More spots

Discover additional places to enjoy in Oaxaca.

Coffee & Breakfast

Café Brújula – Specialty coffee roastery with several locations in the historic center. Very active on Instagram and a favorite stop for coffee lovers and digital nomads.

Lunch & Dinner

Los Danzantes Oaxaca (@losdanzantes) – Contemporary Mexican restaurant in a beautiful open-air courtyard, now also recognized by the MICHELIN Guide. Frequently featured in travel articles and highly photographed on social media.

Expendio Tradición (@expendio_tradicion) – Restaurant–mezcalería with award-winning mixology and a strong mezcal culture concept. Very popular online for its cocktails and modern Oaxacan dishes.

La Cocina de Humo – A project focused on traditional wood-fire cooking and local ingredients, often highlighted in recent articles about Oaxaca’s most exciting restaurants.

Mezcal Bars & Nightlife

Mezcalogía – Intimate mezcal bar and cultural space known for guided tastings, live music and a very “Instagrammable” atmosphere. Frequently recommended in mezcal and bar guides.