A great way to wrap up the day before the sun goes down is to grab a cocktail at one of the many terrazas (rooftops) in the city. We enjoyed Los Amantes and Pitonia. Looking for something indoors? Sabina Sabe and Selva are great cocktail bars and are even featured on the World's 50 Best list! Otherwise, the city has no shortage of bars and mezcalerias (they have other liquor to), walk any block and we promise you will find a new place to check out.
Oaxaca is known by many as the best cuisine in all of Mexico. Some of our stand-out dinner spots we enjoyed during our visit were: Casa Oaxaca, you will need a reservation but the many moles are worth the effort. We loved the Cauliflower Mole. Los Danzantes, another one where a reservation is necessary and you won't be sorry! Located in a beautiful garden, this restaurant highlights Mexican culture and local ingredients and every dish was exquisite. Zandunga, one of our favorite dinners included a delicious pollo black mole and the marinated pork ribs. Copal, a unique restaurant with a great bar. If you do go the chicken paired with their house jus is a must! La Popular, a much more casual dining spot but a very good one. Lavadura de Olla, we weren't able to get a reservation on our trip but it is high on our list! Criollo was another on our list that we didn’t have time to squeeze in during our visit, but is open for brunch and dinner.
You'll see carts all over the city selling elote, tacos, tortas, memelas, and more. We couldn't try them all but two of our favorites, and the favorites of most locals are Tacos del Carmen and Empanadas del Carmen. Located side by side on the same corner, these two are a must try. Tacos del Carmen is open during the day and though the menu is limited, they have some of the most delicious rolled tacos, you can't go wrong here. Empanadas del Carmen opens up in the later afternoon and for the evening and are not what you think they are. Think a light quesadilla stuffed with a flavorful sauce, a weird thought but so good! Both use the traditional cooking tool that Oaxacans use to cook tortillas, tlayudas, memelas, and to toast ingredients for mole, the Comal. This flat circular griddle, elevated over wood or charcoal, is so unique and we loved watching them cook.
You have to visit at least one mercado. These markets are essential to the culture of the city and are a social hub for locals. Packed with food vendors, artisan stalls and local grocers, these mercados are a fun way to spend the day and grab lunch. The main ones include: Mercado 20 de Noviembre: Famous for its larger food court. Check out the locally famous "Smokey Alley", a branch of the market with nothing but meat vendors, choose your meat and they'll grill it up for you on the spot! Central de Abastos: The largest mercado in Oaxaca, locals shop for everything here and there are some amazing food stalls. This one can be intimidating, we recommend the buddy system and taking a taxi to ensure you are dropped off at the entrance as it can be confusing. Mercado Benito Juárez: More of local market to purchase groceries, this one is great for mezcal, fruit, cheese, and snacks. Tlacolula Market: A historic Sunday market known for its atmosphere, this has practically everything.
Craving something a little different? We get it, believe it or not a popular cuisine in the area is Japanese! Though we didn't try any of these ourselves, we've heard good things: Crudo: Japanese Omakase Yukubar: Japanese Omakase Sanzin: Oaxacan/Asian Fusion Adama: Mediterranean Asador Bacanora: Technically still Oaxacan, but is closest to a steakhouse, and located in a really cool little neighborhood, Jalatlaco
Visit the Oaxaca Botanical Garden. Check out the art! You will find art all throughout the city, but you can also take a little longer stroll to neighborhoods such as Xochimilco and Jalatlaco, which are known for having some of the best street art in Oaxaca. You can even find places to paint your own "Alebrije" (spirit guide). Take a cooking class. Learn about Mezcal at a local shop in the city, you'll find one on practically every block! Drink Tejate "The Drink of the Gods" and try Oaxacan chocolate, including the local favorite drinking chocolate, served hot or cold. See a Lucha Libre match (Sundays at 6 PM). While this activity is more famous in Mexico City, lucha libre in Oaxaca is still popular and a little more intimate. The Zocalo and El Llano Park are great places to hang out in the evening and people watch. if you're there on Wednesday evening, check out Zocalo and watch couples dance to traditional Cuban music, maybe even join in!
Visit the Hierve el Agua. Perched at the top of a cliff in the mountains south of Oaxaca Centro is an infinity pool of natural spring water. Learn about Mezcal at an agave farm and distillery, come with us to visit a distillery (see "Schedule"), or if you won't make it into town by then, book your own tour! Visit artisan workshops outside the city. Oaxaca is a haven for art lovers. Many of the towns surrounding the city specialize in different art mediums, many of which can be visited during day trips from Oaxaca, from rug weaving to the beautiful pottery you'll see everywhere. Visit the Monte Alban Archeological Site, located just 25 minutes outside of the city.