OAXACA DE JUAREZ, Mexico
I’ve spent two delicious months getting to know the food, mezcal, and streets of Oaxaca city.
I often dream (salivate) about my next visit.
Eat:
Casa Oaxaca - This was my first experience with Oaxacan food and it was mind blowing. Best place to try bugs for the first time, but they have other options if you're not ready for that. Reserve.
Pitiona - My favorite place to eat and watch the sunset. Reserve and make sure you ask for a table on the highest terraza. Sometimes they offer a tasting menu, so give that a look.
Boulenc - Fantastic brunch spot, also good for working.
Mezzaluna - Decent Italian, I'd stick to the pizza. Terraza is nice for a spritz and a view.
Entre Sombras - About a 15 minute cab from the city center but so worth it. Amazing cuisine in an absolutely gorgeous and unique building.
Tierra Del Sol - Another beautiful terraza, another delicious Oaxacan meal. Try the moles.
Red Indian Chili - Indian in Oaxaca. A delightful surprise. I'm half Indian and this place was bomb. If you have the craving, go for it.
Tlayudas Doña Martha - Late night spot for Tlayudas, which is sort of a marriage between pizza and a quesadilla.
There's honestly so much good food in Oaxaca it's ridiculous. Unfortunately, there's also a decent amount of meh tourist food. So be picky, use google reviews, and ask people for recommendations.
Drink & Dance:
Sabina Sabe - Fantastic mezcal and craft cocktails. Cool little bar, I usually end up talking to my neighbors.
Mezcalogia - A lively place to sit and have some mezcal or cocktails. There's usually live music.
Txalaparta - This is like four bars and a rooftop bar all in one building. It's usually busy from 9pm - close. Go there if you want to dance, or just chill in one of the smaller bars. The bar to the right of the front door is where I usually hang out. The bearded bartender goes by Tony. He's a fun guy who does badass art and serves nice craft beers.
Selva - Must go. Still the best cocktail bar in the city last time I was there. Absolutely gorgeous. Reserve.
Archivo Maguey - A fantastic mezcaleria that also has live cumbia on the first floor. There’s also a more standard club on the second floor, I didn’t explore up there. Taste some mezcal and dance.
Zapotec - Moody place to go for a drink and see a live band. My friend Leon plays there a lot and his shows are beautiful.
Speaking of Leon, he's a local musician, give him a shout on IG @leonofficialoax if you want to see his shows. He plays most nights with a band. I strongly recommend seeing him at Zapotec. It's magical.
See:
Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca - Fantastic botanical garden. Tour is just the right length.
Central De Abastos - A buzzing, massive, insane mercado that's almost the size of downtown Oaxaca. You gotta go once. Ideally, go with a friend and dress humbly.
Mercados Benito Juarez & 20 de Noviembre - Also very cool mercados to get lost in. Smaller and more accessible than Abasto.
Mercado Hidalgo - One of the cleanest Mercados I've seen in Mexico. There's a sweet lady named Patty with a sandwich shop inside. She knows what she’s doing.
Go on a nighttime bike tour. There's a bunch. I went with the one that started at Mundo Cieba.
The daytime bike tour to the Arbol de Tulé is a great way to spend a morning. I booked through an Airbnb experience.
Casa Crespo - Oaxacan cooking class. Fun and delicious experience.
Barrios (neighborhoods) to explore on foot: Jalatlaco, Reforma, Xochimilco
Note:
You can walk all over Oaxaca Centro. Like anywhere, be careful, especially at night.
There's almost always a wedding or parade going through the main street in Centro. They usually walk from Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman, south to, Catedral Metropolitana de Oaxaca. If you hang out, someone might invite you in to dance and offer you a drink.
July is Guelaguetza. A huge cultural festival in Oaxaca. The festivities start and end int he surrounding months. It’s a great time to be there.