Guidebook for Oaxaca

Lisa
Guidebook for Oaxaca

Food Scene

Reserve a table on the terrace for a magical and romantic dinner. Casa Oaxaca is a foodie destination, ranked in the top 50 restaurants in Latin America, and #1 in all of Mexico in 2015.
149 locals recommend
Restaurante Casa Oaxaca
104-A C/ de la Constitución
149 locals recommend
Reserve a table on the terrace for a magical and romantic dinner. Casa Oaxaca is a foodie destination, ranked in the top 50 restaurants in Latin America, and #1 in all of Mexico in 2015.
For a little bit of hipster Brooklyn, right in Oaxaca. All breads and pastries baked on site, with vegetarian options, kombucha, and a variety of fermented foods to go. Dog friendly, I like to bring one of my rescue dogs with me for a coffee date.
132 locals recommend
Boulenc
207 C. Porfirio Díaz
132 locals recommend
For a little bit of hipster Brooklyn, right in Oaxaca. All breads and pastries baked on site, with vegetarian options, kombucha, and a variety of fermented foods to go. Dog friendly, I like to bring one of my rescue dogs with me for a coffee date.
Wonderful cafe with lots of vegetarian options, plus an independent book store and tiny organic and natural foods market for snacks to go: try the vegan cheeses and kombucha. Run by a cooperative of local women who are involved in social justice projects.
33 locals recommend
La Jícara Librespacio Cultural
1105 C. Porfirio Díaz
33 locals recommend
Wonderful cafe with lots of vegetarian options, plus an independent book store and tiny organic and natural foods market for snacks to go: try the vegan cheeses and kombucha. Run by a cooperative of local women who are involved in social justice projects.
Wonderful cocktails and small bites in a beautiful space with brick walls and good music playing. Tiny bar area if you just want to grab a drink and a bite, or if you are traveling solo and want to eat at the bar instead of at a table.
58 locals recommend
Sabina Sabe
209 5 de Mayo
58 locals recommend
Wonderful cocktails and small bites in a beautiful space with brick walls and good music playing. Tiny bar area if you just want to grab a drink and a bite, or if you are traveling solo and want to eat at the bar instead of at a table.
In this upstairs restaurant, you can enjoy the Zocalo scene from one of the balcony tables - without being harassed by the parade of street vendors below. Varied menu with something for everyone. Fantastic desserts!
Tr3s 3istro Restaurant & Oyster Bar
3 Portal Las Flores
In this upstairs restaurant, you can enjoy the Zocalo scene from one of the balcony tables - without being harassed by the parade of street vendors below. Varied menu with something for everyone. Fantastic desserts!
This indoor food market takes up a whole city block and is the place to go eat and shop with the locals. Look for the comedor "Sarita" with an orange awning: this is where you can find the BEST mole negro in Oaxaca. Also tamales, chile rellenos and traditional hot chocolate. Sarita is a multi-generation family run food stand, and my adopted grandmother in Oaxaca. :) Enjoy the home cooking! They have two stands in the market, so if the counter is full, have them point you to their space with the giant tile-covered table - this is where I always bring groups to eat in the market.
201 locals recommend
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
512 20 de Noviembre
201 locals recommend
This indoor food market takes up a whole city block and is the place to go eat and shop with the locals. Look for the comedor "Sarita" with an orange awning: this is where you can find the BEST mole negro in Oaxaca. Also tamales, chile rellenos and traditional hot chocolate. Sarita is a multi-generation family run food stand, and my adopted grandmother in Oaxaca. :) Enjoy the home cooking! They have two stands in the market, so if the counter is full, have them point you to their space with the giant tile-covered table - this is where I always bring groups to eat in the market.
Delicious Vegetarian Mole, salads, nice cocktails with fresh salsa made at your table.
28 locals recommend
Tierra del Sol Casa Restaurante
411 Reforma
28 locals recommend
Delicious Vegetarian Mole, salads, nice cocktails with fresh salsa made at your table.
Romantic courtyard setting for a wonderful lunch or dinner.
143 locals recommend
Los Danzantes
403 C. Macedonio Alcalá
143 locals recommend
Romantic courtyard setting for a wonderful lunch or dinner.
Get a table upstairs on the terrace. Wonderful selection of small plates to share and cocktails.
6 locals recommend
Mezquite
601-A C. de Manuel García Vigil
6 locals recommend
Get a table upstairs on the terrace. Wonderful selection of small plates to share and cocktails.
When you are tired of Mexican food... get authentic Italian food from this restaurant owned by a native of Florence, Italy. Wood-fired pizza and an amazing selection of wines - by the glass or bottle (to go!).
13 locals recommend
Vieja Lira Reforma
100 Calzada de la República
13 locals recommend
When you are tired of Mexican food... get authentic Italian food from this restaurant owned by a native of Florence, Italy. Wood-fired pizza and an amazing selection of wines - by the glass or bottle (to go!).
The name of this market is Mercado La Cosecha. Tucked away in an outdoor courtyard, this is an organic market with independently run food stalls: try the vegan ice cream made with coconut milk and turmeric! Open only Weds - Sunday, from morning until about 5 pm. Fresh veggie stalls, too.
26 locals recommend
Organic Harvest Market
806 C. Macedonio Alcalá
26 locals recommend
The name of this market is Mercado La Cosecha. Tucked away in an outdoor courtyard, this is an organic market with independently run food stalls: try the vegan ice cream made with coconut milk and turmeric! Open only Weds - Sunday, from morning until about 5 pm. Fresh veggie stalls, too.

Essentials

Our local market, where the locals shop instead of a regular grocery store. You can eat at a traditional food stall for breakfast and lunch, wonderful fresh juices available until about noon.
68 locals recommend
Mercado Sánchez Pascuas
719 Calle de Tinoco y Palacios
68 locals recommend
Our local market, where the locals shop instead of a regular grocery store. You can eat at a traditional food stall for breakfast and lunch, wonderful fresh juices available until about noon.
Centrally located laundry service - drop off your clothes and they will wash, dry, fold for you.
Lavandería García Vigil
Centrally located laundry service - drop off your clothes and they will wash, dry, fold for you.
Pharmacy with a medical doctor on staff - in case you need non-emergency medical attention or a prescription filled.
8 locals recommend
Farmacias del Ahorro
101 Mariano Matamoros
8 locals recommend
Pharmacy with a medical doctor on staff - in case you need non-emergency medical attention or a prescription filled.
Hospital with pharmacy and medical consults available in case of injury or illness.
Hospital Reforma
613 Reforma
Hospital with pharmacy and medical consults available in case of injury or illness.
Convenience store for groceries, ice, liquor, personal care supplies. Small deli, bakery, and some fresh produce, too.
Pitico Express Conzatti
703 Reforma
Convenience store for groceries, ice, liquor, personal care supplies. Small deli, bakery, and some fresh produce, too.
Small corner convenience store for snacks, beverages, ice, liquor, personal and home care supplies.
Pitico Express (Cerca de parque El Llano)
373 C. de Berriozábal
Small corner convenience store for snacks, beverages, ice, liquor, personal and home care supplies.
ATM attached to HSBC Bank across from El Llano park.
HSBC ATM
700 Calle de José María Pino Suárez
ATM attached to HSBC Bank across from El Llano park.

Parks & Nature

Beautiful park where the locals hang out. Great for a jogging around the perimeter, or a stroll. If you have little kids, there are electric car rentals, art classes and a big Sponge Bob slide on the weekends, plus a little train that wheels around the park. Wonderful photo opps of a truly local scene. Great street food made by Oaxaca's grandmothers: try an empanada, fresh juice, tamale. There are elote (corn) vendors, and ice cream, too.
101 locals recommend
El Llano
101 locals recommend
Beautiful park where the locals hang out. Great for a jogging around the perimeter, or a stroll. If you have little kids, there are electric car rentals, art classes and a big Sponge Bob slide on the weekends, plus a little train that wheels around the park. Wonderful photo opps of a truly local scene. Great street food made by Oaxaca's grandmothers: try an empanada, fresh juice, tamale. There are elote (corn) vendors, and ice cream, too.
Not really a "beach" per se, but a beautiful place in nature to go for a swim in natural mineral pools, with some hiking trails. There are some cabanas on site if you wish to stay overnight. All of the local tour companies in Oaxaca have day trips to Hierve el Agua. It's about an hour and a half drive outside of Oaxaca City.
195 locals recommend
Hierve el Agua
Hierve el Agua
195 locals recommend
Not really a "beach" per se, but a beautiful place in nature to go for a swim in natural mineral pools, with some hiking trails. There are some cabanas on site if you wish to stay overnight. All of the local tour companies in Oaxaca have day trips to Hierve el Agua. It's about an hour and a half drive outside of Oaxaca City.
Oaxaca City is surrounded by beautiful mountains and traditional villages off the beaten path. Get out and enjoy nature on foot or mountain bike with local guides.
Zapotrek
304 A C. Macedonio Alcalá
Oaxaca City is surrounded by beautiful mountains and traditional villages off the beaten path. Get out and enjoy nature on foot or mountain bike with local guides.
Oaxaca's botanical garden is available by tour only. At the entrance you'll find a listing of guided tours available in English, Spanish and other languages. Bring a bottle of water and wear a hat and/or sunscreen. The tour lasts a couple of hours and is one of the most highly rated activities in Oaxaca, if you are into learning about local flora and fauna.
162 locals recommend
Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca
Sur n Reforma
162 locals recommend
Oaxaca's botanical garden is available by tour only. At the entrance you'll find a listing of guided tours available in English, Spanish and other languages. Bring a bottle of water and wear a hat and/or sunscreen. The tour lasts a couple of hours and is one of the most highly rated activities in Oaxaca, if you are into learning about local flora and fauna.

Shopping

Oaxaca's big, traditional market takes up a full city block and is an assault for all of the senses. Shop with the locals for traditional crafts, spices, mole, flowers, and more...
101 locals recommend
Mercado Benito Juarez
S/N Las Casas
101 locals recommend
Oaxaca's big, traditional market takes up a full city block and is an assault for all of the senses. Shop with the locals for traditional crafts, spices, mole, flowers, and more...
Pedestrian-only walk that starts near the Zocalo at Calle Independencia and goes up to the Santo Domingo Church.
Alcala, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico
Pedestrian-only walk that starts near the Zocalo at Calle Independencia and goes up to the Santo Domingo Church.
Mercado de Artisanias. Artesan Market - the place to get textiles!
62 locals recommend
Mercado de Artesanias
General Ignacio Zaragoza
62 locals recommend
Mercado de Artisanias. Artesan Market - the place to get textiles!

Entertainment & Activities

Rent a bike and ride around town, or buy a beautiful restored vintage bike.
Bicibella Oaxaca
802 C. Macedonio Alcalá
Rent a bike and ride around town, or buy a beautiful restored vintage bike.

Sightseeing

If you like traditional bustling outdoor markets, visit Tlacalula on Sunday morning - where the weekly market happens. Don't miss the church (this is where the bathrooms are, too) or the covered market, where you can buy specialty breads and get your veggies or meat grilled for a picnic in front of the church with the locals.
72 locals recommend
Tlacolula de Matamoros
72 locals recommend
If you like traditional bustling outdoor markets, visit Tlacalula on Sunday morning - where the weekly market happens. Don't miss the church (this is where the bathrooms are, too) or the covered market, where you can buy specialty breads and get your veggies or meat grilled for a picnic in front of the church with the locals.
Magnificent cathedral with attached museum on ground of former monastery. Surrounding plazas have cultural events and live music. The botanical garden is behind the church.
313 locals recommend
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman
s/n C. Macedonio Alcalá
313 locals recommend
Magnificent cathedral with attached museum on ground of former monastery. Surrounding plazas have cultural events and live music. The botanical garden is behind the church.

Drinks & Nightlife

More of a pub than a bar, a family friendly place where you can hear live jazz most nights while sipping a cocktail or beer and having a burger. If you're vegetarian, order the guacamole and a baked potato. They also have a rooftop terrace.
28 locals recommend
Prague Coffee Bar
106 C. de Ignacio Allende
28 locals recommend
More of a pub than a bar, a family friendly place where you can hear live jazz most nights while sipping a cocktail or beer and having a burger. If you're vegetarian, order the guacamole and a baked potato. They also have a rooftop terrace.