Oaxaca is obviously very well known for its food, so trying as many places as possible was an important part of my time there. I had a lot of restaurants saved before I arrived and definitely did not make it to all of them, but these five stood out.
There is a mix of traditional Oaxacan food, casual meals, breakfast and, somewhat randomly, Korean BBQ. I know. Going to Oaxaca and having Korean food as one of my favourite meals sounds ridiculous, but I regret nothing.
These five Oaxaca restaurants stood out to me during my nine days in the city!
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1. Café Alex
Café Alex was fantastic breakfast spot while I was in Oaxaca. My FIRST meal in Oaxaca! It is not one of those trendy cafés where everything is designed for Instagram. It is just a simple, affordable place with a huge breakfast menu and good portions.
I ordered red chilaquiles, and guacamole. It was filling, reasonably priced and exactly what I needed before going out to explore. Probably some of the most unique and delicious guacamole I’ve ever had. It also came with a complimentary bread basket to start!
It also opens early, which is ideal if you have a tour planned or want to get moving before it gets too hot outside. If you want a yummy, straightforward local breakfast without spending a ridiculous amount of money, this is a good one.
2. Casa Hidalgo Restaurant
Casa Hidalgo was one of my slightly nicer meals in Oaxaca. It still serves Oaxacan flavours and local dishes, but everything feels a little more modern and polished.
I ordered prosciutto toast that came with sweet potato chips, and a fruit bowl. Both were delicious! I still think about that prosciutto toast… The menu had lots of options, so it would be a good place to try something local that you have not already ordered five times somewhere else.
It is located inside Casa Hidalgo Hotel Boutique in the historic centre, so it is easy to get to while you are already walking around the city. I would recommend it if you want a nice sit-down meal without going somewhere that feels overly formal. It was also beautifully decorated inside!
3. Telaseu Korean BBQ
Okay, listen. I know recommending Korean food in a post about Oaxaca restaurants seems a little questionable, but Telaseu was genuinely one of my favourite meals of the entire trip.
After eating local food for several days, I was ready for something completely different. Telaseu has Korean BBQ along with dishes like bibimbap, japchae and soft tofu stew. I ordered the Bulgogi beef bowl and it was absolutely incredible.
Sometimes your favourite meal in a city ends up being completely different from what you expected to be eating there. Telaseu was definitely that place for me. If you’re looking for Oaxaca restaurants that include more than just traditional food, Telaseu is worth adding to your list.
4. Cielo at Cielo Zapoteco Confort Suites
I stayed at Cielo Zapoteco Confort Suites for part of my time in Oaxaca, and Cielo was the restaurant attached to the hotel. Having somewhere good to eat without needing to leave the hotel was extremely convenient, especially after a long day of walking around.
I ordered pancakes with strawberries and bananas, and a latte. The restaurant was very cute and quiet, and I enjoyed sitting by the open window!
I probably would not normally expect a hotel restaurant to end up on my list of places to recommend, but this one did. It is also close to the historic centre, so you do not need to be staying at the hotel for it to be an easy option.
5. El Quinqué Restaurant
El Quinqué is a casual option and a good choice when you want something familiar and filling without turning dinner into a whole event. It is especially known for its burgers, but there are other options on the menu too.
I ordered a fish burrito, and it came with some fried potatoes and salad. The sauces that came with both of these were incredible. The atmosphere was relaxed, and it was an easy place to stop when I did not feel like overthinking what to eat. I loved that they gave you complimentary chips and salsa to start. They were so spicy (for me) but so delicious!
Final Thoughts
Five restaurants barely scratches the surface of the food in Oaxaca, but these were some of the places that stood out during my trip. I liked that they were all so different too. I had everything from an affordable local breakfast and modern Oaxacan food to Korean BBQ and a really good casual meal.
Definitely try as much local food as you can while you are in Oaxaca, but do not feel like every meal has to come from a giant must-eat list. Sometimes the best places are the ones you find because they are close by, you are hungry or you simply feel like eating something completely different. There are so many Oaxaca restaurants I didn’t get to try, but these five were some of my favourites.
If you are looking for things to do between meals, check out my post on five unique Oaxaca experiences you won’t want to miss.
