Must-see restaurants in Oaxaca

  • Almoraduz

    Puerto Escondido

    Almoraduz' husband-and-wife culinary alliance creates memorable flavor combinations in one of the Oaxaca's coast's few true gourmet restaurants. It's not…

  • La Providencia

    Zipolite

    Zipolite’s outstanding dining option, on a road behind the beach's western end, combines exquisite flavors, artful presentation and relaxed ambience. You…

  • Boulenc Pan Artesano

    Oaxaca City

    Oaxaca’s best bakery comes with a trendy cafe next door where the most popular dish is – guess what? – avocado toast. Guys with beards or girls in Doc…

  • Los Danzantes

    Oaxaca City

    Excellent Mexican fusion food in a spectacular architect-designed patio makes Los Danzantes one of Oaxaca’s special dining spots. The hierba santa …

  • Casa Oaxaca

    Oaxaca City

    It’s not easy living up to the mantle of Oaxaca's best restaurant, but this place consistently achieves. A glamorous rooftop terrace, theatrical tableside…

  • Alessandro

    Mazunte

    On Oaxaca’s coast you’re never far from an expat Italian chef who’s generously imported his/her culinary know-how and opened a restaurant. Few are as good…

  • Restaurante La Mora

    San Agustinillo

    Tucked onto a sheltered slice of beach, there's something of the old posada about La Mora. You can park yourself in the tavern-like interior or feel the…

  • Zapoteca Cocina del Istmo

    Bahías de Huatulco

    If you can't make it out to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, don't miss this intimate restaurant for some outstanding regional cuisine. You might start with…

  • Finca de Vaqueros

    Oaxaca Coast

    This ranch-style restaurant with long tables in a large, open-sided barn is worth an expedition from anywhere on the coast for its superb grilled meats…

  • Tobaziche

    Oaxaca City

    Named after a type of indigenous agave plant, the new and unashamedly hip Tobaziche slams down complimentary mezcals on selective nights and trumpets some…

  • La Olla

    Oaxaca City

    La Olla (the cooking pot) is very much its own invention. It’s not a trying-too-hard bohemian cafe, or a fancy fusion restaurant or a purveyor of nouveau…

  • Restaurante Catedral

    Oaxaca City

    Perhaps Oaxaca’s most refined and romantic eating choice, with sharp but nonshowy service on a patio or in a variety of interior rooms. The specialty is…

  • Pitiona

    Oaxaca City

    Food as art. Oaxacan chef José Manuel Baños, who has worked at the renowned El Bulli in Spain, takes the ingredients and flavors of his homeland to new…

  • Terra-Cotta

    Bahías de Huatulco

    One of Crucecita's classiest restaurants is affiliated with the equally classy Misión de los Arcos and inhabits a refined air-conditioned dining room and…

  • La Popular

    Oaxaca City

    Cheap, quick, boisterous and – as the name implies – popular, this little corner restaurant with a sideline as an art gallery does a variety of…

  • Cenaduría Tlayudas Libres

    Oaxaca City

    It might smell more like a blacksmith’s forge than a restaurant, but don’t be put off. A dip inside the charcoal-y interior of this city institution is…

  • El Destilado

    Oaxaca City

    Belly up to the bar here and order a Mexican corn whisky, a small-batch mezcal or one of the innovative cocktails. Or simply go for a local craft beer,…

  • Pascale

    Puerto Escondido

    An unlikely factory of gourmet food amid the grubbier fishing shacks of Playa Principal, Pascale prepares original and creative seafood, meat, homemade…

  • Lychee

    Puerto Escondido

    La Punta resembles in some ways a sybaritic Thai beach and Lychee doesn't have to try hard to meld in with superb Thai dishes – green curries, chicken…

  • Giordanas

    Bahías de Huatulco

    The talented Italian chef here makes almost everything herself, including the pasta. Options include ravioli with a choice of five fillings and nine…

  • Orale! Cafe

    Zipolite

    This shady tropical-garden cafe feels like a rough clearing in the jungle and its food tastes pretty good too, especially if you order their branded…

  • Dan's Café Deluxe

    Puerto Escondido

    Dan was one of the founders of local legend El Cafecito and this spot next to his eponymous hotel is great for hearty, surfer-pleasing breakfasts, juices…

  • Zandunga

    Oaxaca City

    The Isthmus of Tehuantepec has its own take on Oaxacan cuisine based on ingredients like tropical fruits and seafood, with many dishes cooked in banana…

  • La Tosta

    Bahías de Huatulco

    Artfully prepared tostadas come piled high with fresh tuna, octopus, shrimp and ceviche at this local fave. The seared tuna tostada (not on the menu) is a…

  • El Alquimista

    Zipolite

    The Alchemist is delightfully sited alfresco in a quiet sandy cove, and atmospherically lit by oil lamps and candles at night, conjuring up an…

  • La Ola

    San Agustinillo

    A slightly more refined palapa than is standard in these parts, La Ola (the wave) is right on the beach and delivers fine fish concoctions to its wooden…

  • Maralto

    Mazunte

    Under-the-radar Maralto makes its own marmalades, freshly baked bread and pastries, bagels, pizzas, sandwiches and more. The Reuben, a corned-beef…

  • Sal y Pimienta

    Zipolite

    So close to the ocean you barely need to get off your surfboard, the ‘Salt & Pepper’ serves unsophisticated but delicious comida from plastic tables set…

  • El Grillo Marinero

    Bahías de Huatulco

    Huge portions of fish (try the mahi-mahi if it’s available) served in a no-nonsense family-run restaurant that has most locals sighing with affection…

  • El Nene

    Puerto Escondido

    El Nene serves enormous tacos and Mexican- and international-style fish, shrimp and chicken mains. Fish of the day prepared Cajun-style is a good choice,…

  • El Navegante

    San Agustinillo

    A Catalan chef whips up innovative fish and seafood dishes at this intimate sand-floor restaurant perched above the main strip. Mains include lobster in…

  • Piedra de Fuego

    Zipolite

    If you came to Zipolite to eat Mexican rather than Italian food, this is your bag with generous servings of fresh fish fillet or shrimp, accompanied by…

  • Virginia's Supercafe

    Puerto Escondido

    Hidden away off a quiet stairway, Virginia's cafe is pretty super, particularly if you're judging it by its coffee (among the best in the city and roasted…

  • La Biznaga

    Oaxaca City

    Locals and visitors alike jam the large colonial courtyard for well-rendered nouveau-Oaxacan fusion dishes. The choices are chalked on blackboards: you…

  • El Típico

    Oaxaca City

    This bright lunch spot serves up hearty helpings of home-style Oaxacan favourites to an appreciative, mostly local clientele. Daily specials usually…

  • Antojitos Los Gallos

    Bahías de Huatulco

    The beauty of Crucecita is that is looks, feels and is Mexican despite its actual youth. Indeed, if you grab a cafeteria-style table in this very simple…

  • Los Pacos

    Oaxaca City

    Moles are the prize here and, to make things easier, a tasting menu allows you to sample all seven of the revered sauces along with tortillas for dipping…

  • Mercado 20 de Noviembre

    Oaxaca City

    Looking for cheap street food? Look no further. Dozens of good, clean comedores (food stalls) fill this large market where wait staff will thrust menus to…

  • Gourmand

    Oaxaca City

    Like a cross between a deli and a tapas bar, Gourmand does baguettes and deli sandwiches with roast beef, hummus or turkey breast, tablas (boards) of cold…

  • Casa Crespo

    Oaxaca City

    Casa Crespo offers up dishes from Oaxaca state’s seven regions made with market-fresh ingredients and served on a dramatic roof terrace with views of the…