20 of the Best Restaurants in Oaxaca: Where to Eat in Oaxaca City

Last updated on March 8, 2026

Wondering where to eat on your trip to Oaxaca, Mexico? Here are the 20 best restaurants in Oaxaca you shouldn’t miss, with tips for tipping, reservations, and what to eat.

There are numerous reasons to visit Oaxaca City, but food is at the top of the list. Oaxaca is a foodie mecca and widely considered the culinary heart of Mexico. It’s the home of mole negro, one of seven incredible moles from this region, along with quesillo, memelas, tlayudas, and countless other dishes.

As foodies, our biggest mission when visiting Oaxaca City was to eat all the food. And now, after spending more than two weeks in Oaxaca, we feel we’ve dined at most of the best restaurants in Oaxaca.

Of course, there are always new spots to discover and plenty of places for us to visit when we return, but here is a list of 20 of the best restaurants in Oaxaca City.

Dining tips for Oaxaca City

Not sure if you should bring lots of cash with you for dining in Oaxaca? Curious if it’s safe to eat street food in Oaxaca? Wondering how early you should make reservations? You’re not alone!

Below are some frequently asked questions about dining out in Oaxaca City, like paying with cash vs card, tipping, how much food in Oaxaca costs, and how to make reservations.

Making reservations for Oaxaca City’s best restaurants

You do not need a reservation for street food or more casual restaurants in Oaxaca. But you should make a reservation to dine at the more upscale or trendy Oaxaca City restaurants—especially Michelin star restaurants like Criollo, Lavedura de Olla, or Crudo.

Some of the best restaurants in Oaxaca offer online reservations, but many will take bookings on WhatsApp. WhatsApp is the primary app for communicating in Mexico. It’s free to download and will be useful on your trip.

Some of the best food we ate in Oaxaca was in our Oaxacan cooking class. We spent five hours in Chef Sonia’s backyard making over 8 different Oaxacan dishes. We participated in cooking and learned so much about the cuisine and culinary traditions. It was truly amazing and one of our most memorable (and delicious) experiences from our trip. Don’t miss this experience!

Tips for eating street food in Oaxaca

Street food is a huge part of Oaxacan cuisine. From market stalls to people selling from bikes or en la calle, you’ll see street vendors setting up temporary kitchens or selling items out of their bikes throughout the city.

Given its importance in their culture, affordability, abundance, and general deliciousness—it should be a part of your dining experience while visiting. So, here are some tips on how to find the best street food and avoid potential food poisoning.

Look for street vendors with a large line of locals and looks sanitary. Ideally, they’ll have a hand washing station, use gloves, or have hand sanitizer available. We didn’t get sick on either of our two trips to Oaxaca, but have had issues in other parts of Mexico.

It can happen, so have some tummy medicine on hand to help address any issues that may arise, or stop into a farmacia to get medicine in the city. We always have travel insurance as well, in case something serious happens or hospitalization is needed.

➡ Read Next: 27 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Mexico ⬅

Oaxaca City restaurants and food costs

One of the best things about eating in Oaxaca City is how economical it can be. If you’re on a budget, you can dine for around $15 USD a day, eating at markets or street stalls. On the other hand, you can dine at Michelin restaurants for around $50 – $100 USD per person, getting an incredibly high-quality meal for a fraction of the cost compared to more expensive countries.

Below are general prices you should expect to pay at some of the best restaurants in Oaxaca;

• a cocktail at a fancier bar $8-$12
• beer $1 – $2
• street tacos $1.00 – $2.00 per taco
• memela, tlayuda, quesadilla, or other street food $2.00 – $5.00 per item
• mid-range meal out $10 – $20 per person
• upscale meal $40+ per person

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Tipping and payment types

Tipping is customary in Oaxaca and is paid on top of the bill total. 10% is a standard tip, but you can leave 15% if you really enjoyed the service. Tipping is not customary with street vendors. If you really loved the meal, you can leave up to $1 – $5 pesos, but make sure your tip does not exceed the cost of the item.

Most Oaxaca City restaurants and cafes will accept debit or credit cards. However, if you plan to eat street food or at more casual mom and pop restaurants, have Mexican pesos with you. A few will be effectivo, or cash only. Just make sure you have a credit card that doesn’t charge international fees.

I’ll share pricing expectations for each Oaxaca restaurant with the following icons:
$ – Under $5 per item/plate
$$ – $5– $15 USD per person
$$$ – $20 – $45 USD per person
$$$$ – $50+ USD or pre-fixe menu

A * indicates local or organic products.

Looking for cool things to do in Oaxaca? Check out some of the top experiences and tours below.

Best breakfast restaurants in Oaxaca City

Breakfast is one of the best times to eat in Oaxaca! There are so many amazing bakeries, traditional Oaxacan spots, markets, and cafés to dine at. Below are a few of the best breakfast spots in Oaxaca.

Metate Cocina Tradicional

Google map location | Price $-$$

Metate Cocina Tradicional is a tiny restaurant just north of the historic center. It was around the block from our home stay, and was the first place we ate at on our recent trip. Their menu is small, with four offerings of memelas, quesadillas, tacos, or eggs all cooked on the comal.

You could choose from different fillings, such as cheese, beans, chicken tinga, mole amarillo, or squash blossoms. We got the memela and two quesadillas, all of which were outstanding. Highly recommend the mole amarillo and squash blossom quesadilla, accompanied by a limonada, freshly squeezed lime with seltzer water.

Yegolé Café

Google map location | Instagram (no website) | Price $$

Yegolé Café is a very popular breakfast and brunch spot in the Jalatlaco neighborhood. As a testament to its popularity, we arrived around 10 am on a weekday and had to wait around 15 minutes to get sat. Downstairs is individual seating while upstairs houses communal tables.

Their chilaquiles were outstanding, but next time I’d order the cazuela de casa, which is egg cooked in a salsa served in a hot cast iron skillet. Of course, order any and all of their pastries. If you prefer a savory lunch, you can opt for their sandwiches or salad bowls.

Marito&Moglie Café

Google map location | Instagram (No website) | Price $-$$

Marito&Moglie Café isn’t on a lot of lists of the best restaurants in Oaxaca. Located not far from Mercado de La Merced, a popular food market for traditional Oaxacan fare, it’s a bit out of the way from the tourist center. But those willing to walk the extra few blocks will be rewarded!

They have an impressive coffee lineup with non-caffeinated options like a beet limonada or Oaxacan hot chocolate. Their breakfast options, which lean more international than traditional Mexican, are fantastic. The shakshuka and Turkish eggs are the most popular items to order.

Bodæga*

Google map location | Instagram (no website) | Price $-$$

Just outside of the historic center is Bodæga, a Nordic-inspired Mexican bakery opened in 2023 by chef Rafael Villalobos, and without a doubt, one of the best restaurants in Oaxaca.

Their creative pastries pay homage to the land, made with only locally grown grains from Oaxaca’s Mixteca region. Their coffee selection rotates monthly, showcasing local Mexican producers with house-fermented sodas and incredible hot chocolate.

I love their mission toward sustainability and supporting local producers, and would eat here weekly if I lived nearby. Their cardamom roll with lime and local honey is not to be missed, as well as their maracuya, or passion fruit pastry, which is like a tropical explosion!

Salvaje Cuisine Lab

Google map location | Price $$

Salvaje Cuisine Lab is run by three young chefs passionate about cooking and experimenting. Their menu, which has Mexican staples like chilaquiles or tostada de aguacate, has a gastronomic spin. Using a salsa de chicharron instead of the more commonly found salsa verde, or adding tocino (bacon) to their ice cream, provides the perfect savory touch.

Don’t miss their horchata coffee, carajillo (espresso mixed with liquor 43), or poleo latte (a type of herb similar to mint).

Mercado Sánchez Pascuas

Google map location | Price $-$$ | Cash recommended

Markets are a fantastic place to grab breakfast or lunch in Oaxaca. And there are more than six major markets to visit throughout the city. One of my favorites for breakfast, though, is Mercado Sanchez Pascuas. It’s a small market north of the historic center with several vendors selling tamales, baked goods, and juices.

I recommend getting a pastry or tamal ($40 pesos or less per item) and a juice from Super Jugos and walking around the market to admire the flowers, vegetables, meats, nuts, and other goods for sale. Most vendors are cash only here, with the exception of Super Jugos, which accepts cards.

Memelas Doña Valle

Google map location | Price $-$$ | Cash only

One of the best restaurants in Oaxaca is Memelas Doña Valle. After being featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles and Somebody Feed Phil, it’s the spot to get memelas in Oaxaca. It’s located inside of the very large, hectic, and somewhat intimidating Mercado Abastos.

If you’ve never been to a market like this, it can be overwhelming. Be aware of your surroundings and vigilant against pickpocketing, which is not uncommon. Watch your belongings and keep your phone secured. We didn’t take our good vlogging camera and just used our phone based on several locals’ recommendations.

We waited around 20 minutes to get a seat and split a memela with her famous salsa morita. Personally, I’ve had better memelas (specifically the ones we made in this cooking class). But what made her memelas stand out was the salsa. I could drink the salsa, it was so good!

Best casual lunch or dinner restaurants in Oaxaca

La Cosecha Organic Market

Google map location | Price $-$$ | Cash recommended

Another great market to dine at for breakfast or lunch is La Cosecha Organic Market. As its name implies, this market features only organic produce and food vendors with an emphasis on vegetarian and vegan cuisine.

Most food grown in Oaxaca uses few pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Mexico has taken an aggressive stance, banning upwards of 200 pesticides to have more sustainable agriculture. However, these vendors are certified organic, giving visitors peace of mind in how it’s grown. You can also find handmade goods, textiles, and vegetables and fruits for sale.

Kayuu’k has fantastic tamales (try the chocolate one), and several places sell traditional drinks like tejate (fermented chocolate drink) or agua de tuna (cactus flower). I also recommend getting the pozole from El Sazon de Comal.

Mercado 20 de Noviembre (Pasillo de Humo)

Google map location | Price $-$$ | Cash only

Mercado 20 de Noviembre is the most well-known food market in Oaxaca. Located next to Benito de Juarez, it’s the perfect place to go for a casual breakfast or lunch. There are several food vendors with tables in a communal market area, but the most famous spot to eat here is Pasillo de Humo. Meaning the isle of smoke, this corridor is lined with various meat sellers grilling up delicious cuts of meat.

Once you get past the multiple vendors attempting to get you to order from them, walk up to the spot that looks best and order a package of meats. Most offer 1 pound of meats usually in a variety of three to four styles. We got chorizo, cecino, and tasajo, which were all excellent.

After paying, they give you a ticket, and you go to a small seating area at the back of the pasillo to order drinks and accoutrements like tortillas, limes, radish, salsa, grilled onions, or other items. You can only sit down if you order a drink, and all salsas, tortillas, and other items are cash only.

Once it’s ready, the chef will bring you a basket filled with your cooked meats to enjoy. Make sure you come in the main entrance from the street, not through the interior of the market. This way, you can see all the meats without being yelled at to sit down first.

Lechoncito de Oro

Google map location | Price $ | Cash only

Street tacos are an excellent option for dinner if you want something fast, affordable, and delicious. One spot we thoroughly enjoyed on our last trip was Lechoncito de Oro. Lechon is a baby suckling pig slowly roasted with unreal juiciness and flavor.

They have two types of tacos, lechon solo or lechon with chicharron, served with a very spicy salsa verde. We got both and loved the crunch the chicharron offered, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. The fatiness of the tacos and the acidity of the salsa blend together perfectly and are truly so satisfying.

Empanadas Del Carmen (Sunday)

Google map location | Price $ | Cash only

This unassuming street cart was featured on Netflix’s Street Food Latin America, helping it reserve a spot on the list of best restaurants in Oaxaca. Opening at 5:00 pm, this is one of the rare instances when you can find things like memelas and empanadas for dinner.

You can visit Empanadas del Carmen any day of the week except on Wednesday. But Sunday is when her best dishes are on offer. Every Sunday, she has two specialties: memelas con costilla (pork ribs) and empanadas de verde, a salsa made with hierba santa, causing a massive queue for these tasty treats. Just make sure you have cash on hand, as no cards are accepted!

Tlayudas El Negro

Google map location | Price $-$$

I’m not a huge tlayuda fan, but it is one of Oaxaca’s most famous dishes. You’ll see tlayuda restaurants on virtually every corner, with several stalls in the market and street also selling them in the evenings. However, one spot that several locals recommended to me was Tlayudas el Negro. It’s a chain, so there are several spots throughout the city you can visit.

The Top 3 hotels in Oaxaca WE RECOMMEND

• Viajero Hostel: Upscale hostel with rooftop bar + great communal space ⭐⭐⭐, 8.7 rating
• Luuna de Jade: Adults-only hotel in historic center ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.6 rating
• Hotel Azul de Oaxaca: Gorgeous, spacious rooms in a historic center ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 8.9 rating
  Explore all hotels >

Michelin Star restaurants in Oaxaca

Oaxaca has 23 restaurants recommended in the Michelin guide, two of which have received a Michelin star. While several of the restaurants on the Michelin list are on the more casual side, fine dining has become somewhat of a “to-do” here. Below are some of the best restaurants in Oaxaca in the Michelin guide, many of which are more upscale restaurants.

Los Danzantes*

Google map location | Website | Price $$$-$$$$ | Reservations Highly Encouraged

Los Danzantes is one of the oldest fine dining restaurants in Oaxaca and one of the two Michelin-starred restaurants in Oaxaca. After opening their doors in 2001, they paved the way for the culinary scene to take a more sophisticated and modern approach to traditional dishes.

Your dining experience is supposed to mimic a dance (la danza) through the flavors of Oaxacan cuisine and the warm, artfully designed space. Guests can order à la carte or select the tasting menu. We dined here in 2020 and thoroughly enjoyed our meal.

We especially loved that most of their ingredients come from their organic garden or from working with local purveyors. The Salsa borracha with pork ribs is a must-order dish!

Labo Fermento*

Google map location | Website | Price $$ | Reservations Encouraged

Labo Fermento is one of the more modern restaurants in Oaxaca, shying away from traditional dishes and getting more playful and international with its menu. In Labo Fermento’s case, their menu is anchored by asian flavors. They have an entire lab dedicated to their scientific process of fermenting, pickling, or caramelizing local ingredients.

They make everything from chili crunch, soy sauce, koji, fish sauce, dashi, mirin, shoyu, Garum, vinegars, mead, amaro, wines, and much more. Many of the dishes on the menu have been fermenting here for years before they touch your plate.

They’re well known for their dumplings, but for us, the star of the show was the pollo frito (fried chicken). Marinated in shoyu, garlic, and ginger with an umami-forward lemon aioli made from sardine stock. Offered in limited quantity and harvested the same day it’s served. It was truly outstanding!

Criollo*

Google map | Website | Price $$-$$$ | Reservations Highly Encouraged

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Criollo is the Michelin-recommended fine dining restaurant by Enrique Olvera, the two-star Michelin chef behind Pujol in Mexico City, who teamed up with Luis Arellano. The simple, but beautifully designed restaurant blends indoors and outdoors seamlessly, paying homage to the architecture and simple designs of Mexico.

Criollo is the name for a unique variety of avocado that looks purple and can be eaten whole. If you’re lucky enough, you can try this delicious varietal here, while chickens run around with a sea of trees overhead.

Order à la carte, getting dishes like sopes de costilla, mole negro short rib, or poblano tamal, but the chef’s tasting menu will give you the widest range of flavors. This is one of the only restaurants I haven’t personally dined at, but I have been to other restaurants from this chef, which were excellent.

Crudo*

Google map location | Website | Price $$$-$$$$ | Reservations Required

Asian cuisine is quite popular in Oaxaca. There are loads of sushi spots throughout the city, but one of the best Asian restaurants is Crudo. Chef Ricardo Arellano has created a unique omakase experience. Sushi may be the art, but Oaxacan ingredients are the medium.

After being featured on Somebody Feed Phil, it has become extremely popular. And given the small interior with just Omakase seating at the counter, reservations are required to actually dine here.

Levadura de Olla*

Google map location | Website | Price $$$-$$$$ | Reservations Highly Encouraged

Levadura is the other Michelin Star restaurant in Oaxaca, and of the two, my personal favorite. In fact, after dining here, this is among my favorite restaurants I’ve ever been to. Run by female chef Chef Thalía Barrios Garcia, her menu is a love letter to Oaxacan cuisine, largely inspired by the food she grew up eating and cooking with her family in San Mateo Yucutindoo.

The entire experience from start to finish was incredible and so varied. Her tomato dish, which includes upwards of ten varieties locally grown, is out of this world. I had no idea tomatoes could taste so unique! But I also loved the tamal de requeson with two moles.

If I could only recommend one fine dining restaurant to eat at in Oaxaca, it would be this!

Xaok*

Google map location | Website | Price $$-$$$ | Reservations Encouraged

Xaok is a Bib Gourmand restaurant revered for its contemporary Oaxacan menu inspired by international cuisines. Run by chef Uriel García, a local from Santa María Huatulco on Oaxaca’s coast, it’s a beautifully decorated space showcasing local ingredients.

Think soft shell crab tacos with quesillo and a bean paste with chapulines or grasshoppers. His coastal roots bring a heavy influence of seafood, making the ceviche and sashimi items not to be missed.

Casa Oaxaca*

Google map location | Website | Price $$$-$$$$ | Reservations Highly Encouraged

Casa Oaxaca is another institution for the fine-dining scene and is probably my second-favorite restaurant in this category. Their rooftop dining room offers visitors incredible views of the Cathedral and an ambiance that is hard to beat.

Their menu, which ranges from salsa tatemada made at the table-side, to a bug tostada, and various mole dishes are a playful and creative take on Oaxacan cuisine.

We ordered several starters, including the most well-balanced scallop ceviche in lime and coconut milk and the stuffed chile de agua in a maracuya (passion fruit) sauce. Everything was outstanding, including the dessert made from quesillo and a local melipona bee’s honey.

Don’t miss ordering some mezcal here. They have a fantastic selection and outstanding cocktails with mezcal as the star ingredient.

Las Quince Letras

Google map location | Website | Price $-$$ | Reservations Encouraged

Las Quince Letras has been serving mole in a welcoming space since 1992. Recognized as Bib Gourmand for its affordable cost but high quality meal, it’s an excellent spot to try a variety of traditional Oaxacan dishes. Their menu has popular fare like memelas, tetelas, and empanadas cooked on the comal, along with ten different mole dishes.

Hopefully, this post has helped you decide where to eat in Oaxaca City. Let me know if you have future recommendations for the best restaurants in Oaxaca for our next trip in the comments below.