Best restaurants and bars in Oaxaca

The Mezcaloteca in Oaxaca aims to preserve one of Mexico's most famous distilled spirits, mezcal, highlighting its value as a tourist attraction. The mezcal masters provide tastings of this beverage along with explanations of the artisanal production processes for each type of mezcal.

This site has been offering experiences since 2010, with one of its objectives being to grow and expand the variety of flavors of this beverage that has provided a unique experience to many for over 500 years.

We recommend that you come and try the wide variety of mezcal prepared in an artisanal way and that you learn about the traditional and biocultural processes behind them.

Reforma 506, Ruta Independencia. Centro. Oaxaca. Mon-Sat 4pm-9pm.$125-$1785

A project that started in 2013 by Mexican youths with the intention of offering a humble and comfortable food with high quality ingredients. Freshly baked goods are offered all day long inside this boutique hotel in the city center. But their menu does not stop at bread, here you find a delicious coffee and breakfast. At night, it is the perfect spot to try a wood-fired pizza and a house cocktail while enjoying live jazz.

Porfirio Díaz 211, Centro.

To taste authentic Mexican cuisine, you must definitely eat at street stalls and on the sidewalk. "El Lechoncito de Oro" is one of the most emblematic stalls in downtown Oaxaca, a must-try if you're visiting. It serves tacos, tortas, or tostadas with pork and pork rinds, accompanied by a spectacularly flavored salsa. Plenty of food, very tasty, and at a very low price. What more could you want?

De Los Libres s/n, Centro. Mon-sat 8am-3pm. $70-$200.

More than just a restaurant, Alfonsina is a familiar project outside of Oaxaca City. Is homemade food with very selected products, taking in consideration the way they are cultivated. A space that worth the trip. 

Schedule your visit in their oficial sote, it is the only way that you are going to eat this spectacular food. 

138 García Vigil, San Juan Bautista La Raya. Wed-sun.

The next favorite spot for the ones seeking for great drinks and nice records. In addition to margaritas and sake slaps, at Misterio there are music exchange programs with open turntable sessions. Here, signature mixology and people dancing on the stage are the usual thing every weekend. To start getting into the mood, we suggest ordering the Tokio Iced Tea that shines for its touches of lime and Midori.

Tinoco y Palacios 514, Ruta Independencia. Oaxaca. Thu-sat 7pm-2am, sun 5pm-12am. $300-$400.

Traditional Oaxacan cuisine with wood-burning cookers and clay pots. Tortillas with blue dough are a must at the table.

This place is the gastronomic heritage of the family of chef Thalia Barrios, who is from San Mateo Yucutindoó in the southern highlands.

La Cocina de Humo offers gastronomic experiences starting at $1,215, cooking classes and a little shop with souvenirs made of clay from different communities.

González Ortega 514, Centro. Oaxaca. Mon-sat, 9am-7pm. $700.

Local ingredients and a bold Mexican spirit. Once again, the cultural heritage and use of local ingredients in the mixology is highlighted.

The intimate and cozy atmosphere of SELVA —one of the top 50 bars in North America— is conducive to conversation and opens the way to a long night of provocative cocktails.

While endemic is one of its strengths, the bar allows itself to innovate and offer an avant-garde menu.

Macedonio Alcalá 403, Ruta Independencia. Oaxaca. Sun-thu 5-11:30pm, fri-sat 5pm-12:30am. $400.

The flavors of the Southern Mountains are the main driving force of this restaurante. Thalía Barrios is the chef inspired by her childhood. The variety of moles couldn’t be missed in a place that wants to preserve traditional saucer. 

Do yourself a favor and check out the mezcal they have. Options include Tobalá, Pechuga and Papalometl.

304 De Manuel García Vigil, Centro. Tue-thu 1-9pm, fri and sat 1-10pm.

Ricardo Arellano is the responsible of the asiatic creations that come out of that kitchen. Give Japanese dishes a chance with a completely new experience. It is an omekase bar with Oaxacan flavors. Menu changes all the time, it depends on seasonal ingredients.

Book your place with time, because there are just 12 spaces for commensals. 

309 Benito Juárez, Centro. Private room: Tue-sun 3pm, 5pm, 7pm and 9pm. La Casa: Tue-sun 2pm, 4:30pm and 7pm.

Considered one of the best bars in North America and with a name inspired by the Mazatec medicine woman María Sabina, this eclectic space is a tribute in itself to the Mezcal tradition, thanks to its cocktails with native ingredients. If you think this is not enough, all the art work in the space is made by the illustrator and artist Alejandro Magallanes.

209 5 de Mayo, Centro. Mondat- Sunday 1pm-12:30am.