Things To Do
Street food
Oaxaca is the street food capital of Mexico! Tamales, Tacos, Memelas, Tlayudas, Tortas and more can be found on every corner and incredibly affordable. Here are some awesome places we love, but awesome examples exist all over town. Tortas la Hormiga (Mexican sandwiches) Tacos Comal Plaza del Carmen (Tacos with yellow mole chicken) Nieves La Oaxaquena (Ice cream) Lechoncito de Oro (Pork tacos) Chefinita (Pazole, tlyudas and tostadas) Memelas Dona Vale (Thick torillas with famous salsa, beans and eggs) Las Tlyudas de Mina y Bustamente (Gigantic crispy tortillas with with a variety toppings)
Sit Down Restaurants
Oaxaca has too many incredible restaurants to enjoy! Here are some places we loved and others that we are excited to try. Many take inspiration from traditional Oaxacan cuisine and others offer a local take on food from around the world. Origen Casa Oaxaca Levadura de Olla Restaurante Catedral Restaurante Alfonsina Tacos Sireno Terraza Istmo Boulenc (Bakery and restaurant with breakfast, pizza and sandwiches) Cafe Brujula at the Textile Museum (Coffee shop) Adama (Middle Eastern) Ramen-Ya Kintaro (Ramen) CRUDO (Sushi Omakase)
Bars and Mezcalerias
In Oaxaca Mezcal is king! The smokey agave spirit is made all over the Mexico but the best come from Oaxaca state. The city is full of great tasting rooms and bars where you can try the wide variety of styles from small producers all over the region or enjoy them in a tasty cocktail. Here are some of our favorites. Selva Mezcalogia Mezcalería In Situ Mezcaloteca Sabina Sabe La Mezcalerita El Cortijo
Markets
Mercado Benito Juárez- Just off the Zocalo, this food market has shops selling various Oaxacan staples from fresh produced, copious dried chiles, chocolate, and mole powders. Mercado 20 de Noviembre- This market has lots of food stalls selling baked goods and Oaxacan street food. Popular with tourists and locals, its a great place to taste some Tlayudas, Tamales, Moles. It also has one of the cities famous smoke alleys, where meat is grilled to order and served with fresh tortillas and salsas. Central de Abastos- Oaxaca's largest market is vast and jammed packed with everything the region has to offer. This market isn't geared towards tourists and can be difficult to navigate. That being said, for someone looking for a bit of adventure, this market offers a true look at Oaxacan daily life and houses some of the city's most famous street food vendors.
Museums
Museo Textile de Oaxaca- Textile museum showcasing traditional and contemporary weaving art of the Oaxaca region. Worth a stop by just to see the amazing courtyard and museum shop full of high quality pieces for sale. Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Oaxaca- Contemporary Art Museum featuring Mexican artists. Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca- The Museum features exhibits on and artifacts from the indigenous cultures that make the Oaxacan region. Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños- This museum hosts work from three of Oaxaca's most famous painters Rufino Tamayo, Rodolfo Morales and Francisco Toledo along with other less known contemporary Mexican painters.
Sites
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán- Historic Church and Convent completed in 1601. One of the cities most iconic building, it is the historic center of the cities religious life. Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca- Beautiful botanical gardens with local flora on the grounds of the Templo Santo Domingo. Zocalo- The Zocalo is the central square of the city, filled with shops, cafes, and street vendors.
Out of Town
We know some of you have decided to stay a bit longer and will have some time to explore places outside the city. Here are some recommended day trips and other adventures. Tours can be a great way to experience some of these places and Air BnB has a lot of well reviewed "Experiences", that offer an easy way to set up your trip with a vetted guide. Monte Alban Ruins- Pre-Columbian archeological site and museum. Teotitlan del Valle- Beautiful rural village about 20 mins outside the city Hierve el Agua- Natural rock formations and pools southeast of the city. Mezcal Tour- Some mezcal producers in the region are open to visitors! Day tours are available from Oaxaca with transportation and tastings included.