A Guidebook for Oaxaca
Food scene
El Destilado
409 5 de MayoLocated in a beautifully restored building, this is a welcome addition to Jalatlaco. A leisurely 10 minute stroll from Casa en Libres.
Asador Bacanora Oaxaca
614 5 de MayoLocated in a beautifully restored building, this is a welcome addition to Jalatlaco. A leisurely 10 minute stroll from Casa en Libres.
El Olivo Gastrobar
207 C/ de la ConstituciónGreat fresh food here, salads, wood oven pizzas, specialty drinks. Give yourself time as there is usually a wait for tables.
132 locals recommend
Boulenc
207 C. Porfirio DíazGreat fresh food here, salads, wood oven pizzas, specialty drinks. Give yourself time as there is usually a wait for tables.
Itanoni, tortilleria y antojeria
513 Av Belisario DomínguezA rather unique experience to learn about Atole. They offer eight varieties of atole, a pre-Hispanic nutritious corn drink made with tortilla, amaranth, wheat, sesame, or chocolate that comes served in clay pots.
La Atolería
A rather unique experience to learn about Atole. They offer eight varieties of atole, a pre-Hispanic nutritious corn drink made with tortilla, amaranth, wheat, sesame, or chocolate that comes served in clay pots.
Whether it’s a casual meal, a leisurely morning cup of coffee, or an evening out with friends, Casa Del Elfo is a go-to destination for locals and expats alike. Located on the ground floor of the Casa de Barro shopping centre.
Casa Del Elfo
Whether it’s a casual meal, a leisurely morning cup of coffee, or an evening out with friends, Casa Del Elfo is a go-to destination for locals and expats alike. Located on the ground floor of the Casa de Barro shopping centre.
Great neighborhood Argentinian cafe specializing in Pizza and Empanadas. Only one block from Casa Libres.
No Llores Por Mi
Great neighborhood Argentinian cafe specializing in Pizza and Empanadas. Only one block from Casa Libres.
Special occasion dining.
Wonderful food, be sure to reserve a table on the roof terrace at sunset!
Restaurante Casa Oaxaca
104-A C/ de la ConstituciónEnrique Olvera of Pujol in Mexico City is the guiding hand at Criollo. Chef Luis Arellano is the spirit of this kitchen, his most influential role may be as its ambassador. He has spent time creating strong and supportive links with with the small farmers in the Oaxaca state. It is from these small farms that the best heirloom corn, herbs and other produce are sourced.
Enjoy the dinner tasting menu for a special occasion or try the weekend brunch in the garden.
50 locals recommend
Criollo
129 Francisco I. MaderoEnrique Olvera of Pujol in Mexico City is the guiding hand at Criollo. Chef Luis Arellano is the spirit of this kitchen, his most influential role may be as its ambassador. He has spent time creating strong and supportive links with with the small farmers in the Oaxaca state. It is from these small farms that the best heirloom corn, herbs and other produce are sourced.
Enjoy the dinner tasting menu for a special occasion or try the weekend brunch in the garden.
Teocintle
12 Primera Priv. de, IndependenciaDining out of town
Enjoy a great meal while exploring the surrounding towns.
Located in Teotitlan del Valle, Tlamanalli is renowned in the food world for the traditional Zapotec cooking of Chef Abigail Mendoza and her sisters.
Tlamanalli
Located in Teotitlan del Valle, Tlamanalli is renowned in the food world for the traditional Zapotec cooking of Chef Abigail Mendoza and her sisters.
Almu is a fascinating Restaurant and garden located in San Martin Tilcajete, a 35 minute drive outside of town. Great food all cooked in the traditional way over open fires.
Almú
Almu is a fascinating Restaurant and garden located in San Martin Tilcajete, a 35 minute drive outside of town. Great food all cooked in the traditional way over open fires.
Neighborhoods
One of the oldest barrios in Oaxaca, very bohemian vibe with the best wall art in the city.
157 locals recommend
Barrio de Jalatlaco
One of the oldest barrios in Oaxaca, very bohemian vibe with the best wall art in the city.
Xochimilco is one of the most traditional neighborhoods of Oaxaca City. This "barrio colonial" is located in the north part of the city, great for walking, art galleries, cafes. Generally a quieter part of Oaxaca.
65 locals recommend
Barrio de Xochimilco
Xochimilco is one of the most traditional neighborhoods of Oaxaca City. This "barrio colonial" is located in the north part of the city, great for walking, art galleries, cafes. Generally a quieter part of Oaxaca.
Centro is the heart of the action in Oaxaca! Great dining, most of the Museums and Galleries, shopping and people watching. The very heart of Centro are the Zocalo and the Cathedral. Grab a sidewalk cafe table and see what's happening.
28 locals recommend
Centro
Centro is the heart of the action in Oaxaca! Great dining, most of the Museums and Galleries, shopping and people watching. The very heart of Centro are the Zocalo and the Cathedral. Grab a sidewalk cafe table and see what's happening.
Bakery
Boulenc has become a Oaxaca institution, everyone goes there. Originally a bakery it has expanded over the years to include the original bakery, a great, casual restaurant, a boutique food store (Suculenta) and most recently a small hotel (Bed and Bread).
132 locals recommend
Boulenc
207 C. Porfirio DíazBoulenc has become a Oaxaca institution, everyone goes there. Originally a bakery it has expanded over the years to include the original bakery, a great, casual restaurant, a boutique food store (Suculenta) and most recently a small hotel (Bed and Bread).
A hip bakery located near the Sanchez Pasqua market. Oaxacans are divided, fans of Boulenc Bakery and fans of Pan con Madre. we go to both!
12 locals recommend
Pan con Madre
Calle de QuetzalcóatlA hip bakery located near the Sanchez Pasqua market. Oaxacans are divided, fans of Boulenc Bakery and fans of Pan con Madre. we go to both!
Masea, part bakery and part tortilla and atole shop, is all about corn and the ingredients of small Oaxacan producers. The bakery has gluten-free options like a corn pudding filled with guava jam, corn tortillas, and sourdough bread, as well as the excellent donattela, a tetela-shaped doughnut.
Masea Trigo y Maíz
Masea, part bakery and part tortilla and atole shop, is all about corn and the ingredients of small Oaxacan producers. The bakery has gluten-free options like a corn pudding filled with guava jam, corn tortillas, and sourdough bread, as well as the excellent donattela, a tetela-shaped doughnut.
City/town information
For centuries, the streets of Teotitlán del Valle have been filled with families practicing the local craft–weaving Zapotec rugs with foot looms, turning the wool endless shades of gold, red, and green with pecans, alfalfa, and the powder of tiny cochineal bugs.
Luckily for travelers in Oaxaca, a visit to Teotitlán is as easy as an afternoon trip. As the historical center of this art form, it is certainly the place to go to learn more about Zapotec textiles.
101 locals recommend
Teotitlan Del Valle
Km 2 De JuárezFor centuries, the streets of Teotitlán del Valle have been filled with families practicing the local craft–weaving Zapotec rugs with foot looms, turning the wool endless shades of gold, red, and green with pecans, alfalfa, and the powder of tiny cochineal bugs.
Luckily for travelers in Oaxaca, a visit to Teotitlán is as easy as an afternoon trip. As the historical center of this art form, it is certainly the place to go to learn more about Zapotec textiles.
Ocotlán de Morelos is a town about 35 km south of the center of the city of Oaxaca along Highway 175. The area was a significant population center at the time of the Spanish Conquest, and for that reason an important Dominican monastery was established here in the 16th century.[3] The complex still exists, with the church still being used for worship and the cloister area used as a museum. The city is known for its Friday market, worth a trip. Aso artist Rodolfo Morales, who painted aspects of his hometown in his works and sponsored projects to save and restore historic monuments here. For generations the municipality has been known for its crafts, with the ceramics making Aguilar family producing some of the best-known craftsmen.
18 locals recommend
Ocotlán de Morelos
Ocotlán de Morelos is a town about 35 km south of the center of the city of Oaxaca along Highway 175. The area was a significant population center at the time of the Spanish Conquest, and for that reason an important Dominican monastery was established here in the 16th century.[3] The complex still exists, with the church still being used for worship and the cloister area used as a museum. The city is known for its Friday market, worth a trip. Aso artist Rodolfo Morales, who painted aspects of his hometown in his works and sponsored projects to save and restore historic monuments here. For generations the municipality has been known for its crafts, with the ceramics making Aguilar family producing some of the best-known craftsmen.
The town of El Tule is a must when visiting Oaxaca, to see the Really Big Tree.
El Árbol del Tule (Spanish for The Tree of Tule) is a tree located in the church grounds in the town center of Santa María del Tule, approximately 9 km east of the city of Oaxaca on the road to Mitla. It is a Montezuma cypress (Taxodium mucronatum), or ahuehuete (meaning "old man of the water" in Nahuatl). It has the stoutest tree trunk in the world. In 2001, it was placed on a UNESCO tentative list of World Heritage Sites but was removed from the list in 2013.
El Tule
The town of El Tule is a must when visiting Oaxaca, to see the Really Big Tree.
El Árbol del Tule (Spanish for The Tree of Tule) is a tree located in the church grounds in the town center of Santa María del Tule, approximately 9 km east of the city of Oaxaca on the road to Mitla. It is a Montezuma cypress (Taxodium mucronatum), or ahuehuete (meaning "old man of the water" in Nahuatl). It has the stoutest tree trunk in the world. In 2001, it was placed on a UNESCO tentative list of World Heritage Sites but was removed from the list in 2013.
Coyotepec is the home of the famous Oaxacan black pottery. For hundreds of years pottery has been made here with a gray matte finish, but the most important innovation was a polishing method devised by ceramic artist and potter Doña Rosa in the 1950s. Doña Rosa discovered that by polishing the nearly dry clay before firing, the gray color turned to a shiny black.
59 locals recommend
San Bartolo Coyotepec
Coyotepec is the home of the famous Oaxacan black pottery. For hundreds of years pottery has been made here with a gray matte finish, but the most important innovation was a polishing method devised by ceramic artist and potter Doña Rosa in the 1950s. Doña Rosa discovered that by polishing the nearly dry clay before firing, the gray color turned to a shiny black.
San Agustín Etla is a lovely small town and municipality in the Etla District in the Valles Centrales region.
San Agustín Etla is the home of the Centro de las Artes San Agustín Etla, also known as CaSa. A beautiful museum complex located in a former textile factory, CaSa is known for art exhibits as well as dance and musical performances The town hosts a lively Day of the Dead celebration each year on November 1.
20 locals recommend
San Agustín Etla
San Agustín Etla is a lovely small town and municipality in the Etla District in the Valles Centrales region.
San Agustín Etla is the home of the Centro de las Artes San Agustín Etla, also known as CaSa. A beautiful museum complex located in a former textile factory, CaSa is known for art exhibits as well as dance and musical performances The town hosts a lively Day of the Dead celebration each year on November 1.
Tlacolula de Matamoros is about 30 km from the center of the city of Oaxaca on Federal Highway 190, which leads east to Mitla and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec
The city is the main commercial center for the Tlacolula Valley area, and best known for its weekly open-air market held on Sundays. This market is one of the oldest, largest and busiest in Oaxaca, mostly selling food and other necessities for the many rural people which come into town on this day to shop. The city is also home to a 16th-century Dominican church, whose chapel, the Capilla del Señor de Tlacolula, is known for its ornate Baroque decoration and a crucifix to which have been ascribed many miracles.
72 locals recommend
Tlacolula de Matamoros
Tlacolula de Matamoros is about 30 km from the center of the city of Oaxaca on Federal Highway 190, which leads east to Mitla and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec
The city is the main commercial center for the Tlacolula Valley area, and best known for its weekly open-air market held on Sundays. This market is one of the oldest, largest and busiest in Oaxaca, mostly selling food and other necessities for the many rural people which come into town on this day to shop. The city is also home to a 16th-century Dominican church, whose chapel, the Capilla del Señor de Tlacolula, is known for its ornate Baroque decoration and a crucifix to which have been ascribed many miracles.
Markets
Most neighborhoods in Oaxaca have their own Municipal Market. Mercado de la Merced is the market for Casa en Libres. This is the traditional style market with lots of vendor stalls selling almost anything you might need, i.e. food, flowers, household supplies, etc. Sunday is the big day here with the market spilling out into the streets.
79 locals recommend
Mercado de la Merced
1522A Avenida José María MorelosMost neighborhoods in Oaxaca have their own Municipal Market. Mercado de la Merced is the market for Casa en Libres. This is the traditional style market with lots of vendor stalls selling almost anything you might need, i.e. food, flowers, household supplies, etc. Sunday is the big day here with the market spilling out into the streets.
The Mercado Sánchez Pascuas in Oaxaca, Mexico, is a delightful spot for food enthusiasts. Here’s what you need to know about it:
Location: Calle Porfirio Diaz 719, Oaxaca 68040, Mexico.
Highlights:
Traditional Cuisine: You’ll find stalls offering authentic Oaxacan dishes like empanadas de flor de calabaza (pumpkin flower turnovers) and tamales (wrapped in banana leaves) with flavors like chepil or mole, often accompanied by atole blanco (a warm corn-based drink).
Fresh Produce: The market boasts a vibrant selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Crafts and More: Beyond food, you’ll discover local cheeses, crafts, and other goods.
68 locals recommend
Sanchez Pascuas Market
719 Calle de Tinoco y PalaciosThe Mercado Sánchez Pascuas in Oaxaca, Mexico, is a delightful spot for food enthusiasts. Here’s what you need to know about it:
Location: Calle Porfirio Diaz 719, Oaxaca 68040, Mexico.
Highlights:
Traditional Cuisine: You’ll find stalls offering authentic Oaxacan dishes like empanadas de flor de calabaza (pumpkin flower turnovers) and tamales (wrapped in banana leaves) with flavors like chepil or mole, often accompanied by atole blanco (a warm corn-based drink).
Fresh Produce: The market boasts a vibrant selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Crafts and More: Beyond food, you’ll discover local cheeses, crafts, and other goods.
20 de Noviembre Market
512 20 de NoviembreThis is the largest Mercado in town by far, also with the best prices. They have EVERYTHING - fruit, meat, flowers, clothing, electronics, household goods, etc. Worth a visit even if you don't need anything.
You should avoid the afternoon heat by going early in the day. The Abastos Market is huge, crowded, and noisy and many people have a better experience going with a local guide!
Central de Abastos Oaxaca
s/n Juárez MazaThis is the largest Mercado in town by far, also with the best prices. They have EVERYTHING - fruit, meat, flowers, clothing, electronics, household goods, etc. Worth a visit even if you don't need anything.
You should avoid the afternoon heat by going early in the day. The Abastos Market is huge, crowded, and noisy and many people have a better experience going with a local guide!
An organic mercado that feels miles away from everything once you enter and you arrive to a lovely courtyard with perhaps a dozen vendors with their own stalls and a handful of picnic style benches and seats to enjoy your food and drink. You can enjoy a lovely lunch or shop for organic produce for home.
25 locals recommend
Organic Harvest Market
806 C. Macedonio AlcaláAn organic mercado that feels miles away from everything once you enter and you arrive to a lovely courtyard with perhaps a dozen vendors with their own stalls and a handful of picnic style benches and seats to enjoy your food and drink. You can enjoy a lovely lunch or shop for organic produce for home.