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…
Must-see restaurants in Oaxaca
Zipolite
Zipolite’s outstanding dining option, on a road behind the beach's western end, combines exquisite flavors, artful presentation and relaxed ambience. You…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Puerto Escondido
An unlikely factory of gourmet food amid the grubbier fishing shacks of Playa Principal, Pascale prepares original and creative seafood, meat, homemade…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Mazunte
Under-the-radar Maralto makes its own marmalades, freshly baked bread and pastries, bagels, pizzas, sandwiches and more. The Reuben, a corned-beef…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Oaxaca City
This bright lunch spot serves up hearty helpings of home-style Oaxacan favourites to an appreciative, mostly local clientele. Daily specials usually…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Valles Centrales
A new parador turistico favored by passing tour groups, the Embajador is also a distillery making its own mezcal. Order lunch and you’ll usually get a…
