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Mexico is a foodie destination because of its rich culinary heritage. One of the tastiest foodie cities in Mexico is Oaxaca. From the most delicious moles to grilled meats, discover the best restaurants in Oaxaca to satisfy your palate and budget.
Oaxaca is only a 45-minute flight from Mexico City. This quaint and historic city is easily accessible, giving you no excuse to skip this if you're on the hunt for the best culinary city Mexico has to offer.
If you’re thinking of things to do while you’re in Mexico, a trip to these restaurants in Oaxaca is a must! Get ready to treat your palate to the most delicious, backpacker-friendly foodie experience of your life.
Best Restaurants in Oaxaca
The list of the best restaurants in Oaxaca below breaks down some of the best places to find good food at reasonable prices. You can find street food stalls, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, bakeries, etc. It’s the perfect testament that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy quality Mexican food.
Cabuche
Kicking off the list of the best Oaxaca restaurants is Cabuche. The entrees at Cabuche can range from 100 to 130 Mexican Pesos ($5-$6.50) per serving, which is an absolute steal given the quality of the dishes. They serve traditional dishes like tacos and burritos, as well as Western favorites like pork ribs and fish fillet.
You can come here for lunch or dinner to sample their extensive menu. They also have a few vegetarian options.
Cabuche is located at Miguel Hidalgo 1017, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez in Oaxaca, Mexico.
It’s open from Mondays to Saturdays from 10 AM to 10 PM.
Tlayudas Libres
Tlayudas Libres is a well-known foodie destination in Oaxaca and it’s easy to see why. The delicious dishes that they offer in this restaurant are to die for! The tlayudas are perfectly grilled with a thin and crunchy exterior. Yum!
Aside from their excellent food options, they also have some of the best mezcals in Oaxaca. There’s outdoor seating available for a casual dining experience. And they’re open late so they are the perfect spot for tourists who want a good meal after a wild night out.
Tlayudas Libres is located at C. de Los Libres 212, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca.
The restaurant is open daily from 6 PM to 6 AM.
Cocina Isabel
For a budget-friendly lunch, Cocina Isabel is one of the best restaurants in Oaxaca. They offer various entrée and soup combinations with some costing only 45 Mexican Pesos (USD 2.2). Head over to Cocina Isabel if you’re into a traditional comida corrida and you’re on a tight budget.
If you’re feeling extra hungry, you can bulk out your meal with some tasty extras. There are beans and desserts that will make your mouth water and fill your belly!
Cocina Isabel is located at Cosijoeza 200, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca.
The restaurant is open from Mondays to Fridays from 7:45 AM to 5 PM.
Memelas San Agustin
Memelas San Agustin is a rather small and makeshift restaurant but it’s won the hearts of many in Oaxaca with its excellent food. It’s a beloved destination for its memelas, of course!
The restaurant offers street-side seats, which its patrons don’t mind because that’s how good the food is! For years now, Mamelas San Augustin has been a local favorite for breakfast and dinner. The place is always busy, which is always a good sign, right?
Memelas San Agustin is located at C. de Manuel Fernández Fiallo 309, Zona Feb 10 2015, Centro.
Mamelas is open Mondays to Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
Tacos del Carmen
like Memelas San Agustin, Tacos del Carmen is more of a street stand than a restaurant. This restaurant serves up tacos and memelas at affordable prices. They’re open early in the morning and in the afternoon. Perfect for a quick breakfast before you hit the road.Tacos del Carmen is known for the tastiest tacos in Oaxaca at its price point. They are also known for many famed Oaxacan dishes like their homemade stew.
Tacos del Carmen is located at Jesús Carranza 110, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, Oaxaca.
This little gem is open daily (except Sundays and Wednesdays) from 8 AM to 3:30 PM.
Tlayudas Las Animas
Tlayudas Las Animas is another local favorite that tourists must try. The tlayuda spot is only open 3 nights a week. So, it can get very busy when they’re open. Make sure to arrive early!
It’s a humble restaurant with a tlayuda grill and seats located in an open courtyard. Their tlayudas are perfectly grilled with the right amount of smokiness. They also pair their tlayudas with mole sauce, which is absolutely delicious on its own.
Tlayuda Las Animas is open late on weekends. If you’re in the mood for a late night snack then that’s a perfect reason to try their food. Don’t forget to order their mescal to go with your meal, too!
Tlayudas Las Animas is located at Mariano Matamoros 203, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, Oaxaca. This weekend joint is open from Thursdays to Saturdays from 6 PM to 11:30 PM.
Best Food Markets in Oaxaca
The food markets are one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for good Oaxacan food. The best part about these markets is that they offer authentic Oaxacan delicacies. And they’re really affordable.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Mercado 20 de Noviembre is one large complex consisting of several small restaurants. You can come here to taste a variety of Oaxacan dishes for affordable prices.
If you visit this market, don’t forget to check out Pasillo de Humo (hall of smoke). The area is lined with vendors that sell various types of meat on a grill. You can find a variety of meat like chili marinated pork and salt-cured beef.
The best part about Mercado 20 de Noviembre is that you can pick one item from each of the stalls. It’s truly a great food tour experience in Oaxaca!
Mercado Benito Juarez
Mercado Benito Juarez is one of the largest food markets in Oaxaca. Filled with fresh produce and stalls offering traditional Oaxacan delicacies, this sprawling market is the size of an entire city block. You’ll find plenty of shops that sell anything from meat and mescals to teas etc.
Some of the must-try dishes when you visit this market are the horchata con tuna, leche quemada con tuna, and the tejate.
This vibrant market is located right across Mercado 20 de Noviembre so make sure to check these two out.
Mercado Organico La Cosecha
Mercado Organic La Cosecha is a food park that’s an excellent foodie destination in Oaxaca. It’s home to some of the cheapest and best restaurants in Oaxaca, especially if you’re on the hunt for organic produce.
You can find traditional beverages like pozontle and maize criollo at this food park. There are also stalls that sell fresh organic juices.
The market has a laid-back atmosphere, which is great for tourists to soak up the experience. Mercado Organico La Cosecha is the perfect spot to meet with your travel buddies and indulge in great food.
Mercado de la Merced
No visit to Oaxaca would be complete without a visit to Mercado de la Merced. This is where you’ll find the best eateries in Oaxaca.
The market is a one-stop shop for all your Mexican favorites such as tamales, emmoladas, memelas, enchiladas, and empanadas.
Make sure you don’t miss these epic stalls:
- Fonda Rosita
- Lety’s Tamales
- La Guerita.
The best time to visit Mercad de la Merced is in the mornings for breakfast and on Sundays when there are even more stalls open that open up.
Here, you can also enjoy other must-try Oaxacan dishes like barbacoa, pulque, and tacos.
Discover Oaxaca with Pilot!
Be sure to sample some of these yummy restaurants if you visit Oaxaca this year so you can get a taste of what this city can offer! And if you’re looking for more destination ideas to add to your Mexican itinerary then check out these top cities in Mexico.
With all this info at your fingertips, planning a trip can sometimes become an overwhelming muddle of decisions and options that are hard to keep track of.