From Tlayudas to Moles, Oaxaca is a gastronomical journey! Oaxaca is the place where street food is meant to be explored. Oaxaca is known to be the birthplace of Mexican gastronomy and has that old-town charm that draws visitors from all over the world.

While I only spent two nights in Oaxaca City, I will be back after the pandemic to continue to explore this enchanting city. I had an incredible time exploring the vast richness of flavors, including trying some interesting insects that locals love (yeah, you read that right!) for the first time.

I wanted to share some of the gems of where to eat in Oaxaca series. Are you ready to drool?

Maguey & Maiz $$

Address: 5 de Mayo 412, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico

A newer restaurant in Oaxaca, Maguey y Maiz brings the flavors of Oaxacan cuisine with a contemporary twist. The service is great, and the food boasts a stunning presentation. They have a great inner courtyard, and a perfect restaurant for dinner with friends. I recommend trying their ceviche, which is juicy and full of flavor & their Enchiladas Rojas, which are seafood enchiladas made of shrimp and haiba. You cannot leave without trying their merengue dessert, light, beautiful, and exotic.

Mercado 20 de Noviembre $

20 de Noviembre 512, OAX_RE_BENITO JUAREZ, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico

The Mercado 20 de Noviembre is the quintessential place to try various street foods on a budget. when you walk in you will be welcomed by smoke and the smell of smoked meats and sausages. food vendors are literally calling out your name “Guerita, Guerito” a term of endearment for your business. There is no going wrong, from homemade grilled meats to tlayudas, a type of large quesadilla filled with meats, cheeses, beans and vegetables, I recommend to try various foods from the stalls.

You cannot leave Oaxaca without trying a Tejate, a cold chocolate drink with Atole ( corn masa) and Cacao. It looks interesting but it’s absolutely the most delicious drink I’ve ever had. It contains pieces of cacao, it is buttery as it melts in your mouth.

Mixtu @ Casa de Arte Hotel $$

This gem is found inside the trendy and cool art boutique hotel, Casa de Arte. I had the opportunity to try both their breakfast and dinners. Not only is the food impeccable but the dining experience is fantastic. I recommend the their toast benedicto, which are poached eggs with a bacon sauce, mushrooms and salad. Wash down with a fresh papaya juice.

For dinner, make it solo. Thankfully I had the entire restaurant to myself. I ordered a seasonal salad. the star of this show was misperos a very sweet seasonal fruit from the Oaxaca region topped with hibiscus dressing.

Second course, the house ceviche, with fresh fish and spicy red salsa.

Finally, a chocolate lingo with ice cream, topped with a honey and hibiscus syrup.

sabina sabe $

5 de Mayo 209 Centro Oaxaca 68000

Sabine Sabe is a speakeasy-style bar great for drinks with a chill vibe. They make killer Moscow Mules.

Hierba dulce $$

Oh my gosh, Mole heaven! Ya’ll this is a vegan paradise. I would recommend coming here for the mole sampler. They provide you with 8 small dishes (it’s filling trust me!) on traditional moles from Oaxaca. the reason I recommend trying the mole here is because they cook the mole with no oils or animal products, so you can really the flavor of all the ingredients. My favorite has to be the Mole Negro (black mole) & Mole Verde (Green mole). It is served with freshly made tortillas and a complimentary Mezcal (the smokey cousin of Tequila).

Note: I felt extremely safe during my stay in Oaxaca but in Mexico as a whole. Everywhere I went restaurants, and establishments were required to take your temperature, provide you hand sanitizer for your hands before entry or have water and soap stations, and required you to walk through sanitation mats before entry. However, take your own precautions, travel safe, and be mindful of others.