Oaxaca has recently been dubbed Mexico’s culinary capital, an eye-catching historic city boasting fancy Michelin restaurants, finger-licking-good indigenous street food and playful Mezcal bars.
If you’re planning a weekend getaway to Oaxaca there’s plenty to see and do when you’re not eating yourself silly.
Read our Oaxaca City travel guide and you’ll discover ancient cathedrals, bustling markets, inspiring art galleries, fascinating museums and one of Mexico’s most famous archaeological sites.
We spent 2 weeks eating and drinking our way through Oaxaca City so you’ll want to take notes on where to make reservations to ensure every meal you have here is a memorable one.
Book A Private Tour & Boutique Hotel In Oaxaca City
If it’s your first time visiting Oaxaca we suggest booking a private tour of the city on your arrival day to get the lay of the land.
It’s best to book a tour that is tailored to your interests. We recommend local operator Where Sidewalks End’s Oaxaca Local Experience. You’ll be paired up with a licensed English-speaking guide who shares similar interests and passions to your own.
If you’re looking to book a well-located luxury boutique hotel we recommend Macondo Arte Oaxaca. The jaw-dropping petite palace features a handful of chic suites, pretty backyard pool and scenic rooftop.
The hotel stands out for its friendly staff and great location near popular attractions in Centro. Rooms boast comfortable beds, modern decor, sweet smelling L’Occitane bath amenities, and kitchenettes with full-sized fridge, stove, Nespresso maker and air fryer.
The hotel is conveniently a key-free accommodation so guests can easily access the hotel and rooms via independent access codes.
Must-See Oaxaca City Attractions
Here is a list of our top Oaxaca City attractions that you can easily visit on your own:
- Oaxaca Artisan Market: This bustling market sells traditional handicrafts like embroidered blouses, carved animal sculptures and pottery.
- Mercado Benito Juárez: The city’s largest food market features a vibrant covered marketplace with vendors selling produce, meat, cheese, prepared foods, and mountains of crispy crickets.
- Zócalo de la Ciudad de Oaxaca: If you’re looking to people watch head to breezy Plaza de la Constitución to cool down in the shade of Oaxaca’s prettiest public square.
- Catedral Metropolitana de Oaxaca Nuestra Señora de la Asunción: Located perched over the Zocalo, this landmark cathedral started in 1535, was consecrated in 1733 and contains impressive baroque art.
- Museo Textil de Oaxaca: This petite museum with free admission features textiles of the region.
- Museo de Arte Prehispánico de México Rufino Tamayo: A charming and free museum with a broad collection of pre-Hispanic Mexican art broken down into rooms by their region of discovery.
- Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad: This 1690’s church, dedicated to the patron saint of Oaxaca, features ornate decor and impressive baroque pipe organ.
- Templo de Santo Domingo: Is the city’s most famous cathedral, featuring impressive New Spanish Baroque architecture. The square in front of the church is a popular area at night for locals to meet with friends and family.
- Mueso de las Culturas de Oaxaca: Located next door to the cathedral, this impressive archaeological museum is located in a former convent and offers views overlooking the city’s famous botanical gardens.
- Museo de la Filatelia de Oaxaca: Conveniently located across from the botanical gardens, this quirky museum features stamps, surrealist art, and a tranquil patio.
- Monte Alban Archaeological Site: A must-visit for history buffs, Monte Alban is an impressive archaeological site, founded in 500 BC featuring sky-high pyramids and museum collection.
Oaxaca City Restaurants & Bars
The city of Oaxaca is a food lovers dream, boasting an impressive number of Michelin restaurants, lauded World 50 Best Bar, and plenty of affordable authentic eateries that won’t break the bank.
- Selva Oaxaca Cocktail Bar: Ranked as the best bar in North America by World’s 50 Best. Selva is located on the 2nd floor of a historic building, featuring several intimate nooks and crannies to sip on craft cocktails. The interior design and overall vibe is perfect for a late night tipple.
- Labo Fermento: Combines local ingredients from Oaxaca with Asian fermentation techniques. Enjoy dumplings with black garlic, house made maiz miso soup, slippery noodle with vinegary kimchi and crispy katsu. The rooftop offers beautiful views of the cathedral.
- La Olla: Is an elegant restaurant featuring a white-washed dining room and al fresco bar perfect for a sunset sip. Highlights from the menu include Quesillo Taquitos, Mole Negro, and signature Skirt Steak served with cactus and refried beans.
- Zanduga: This Michelin-lauded restaurant features a cocktail bar and dining room set amongst impressive art. Order the Oaxaca sampler to enjoy a taste of the regions most popular dishes.
- Ancestral Cocina Tradicional: Another Michelin adored eatery, guests at Ancestral are greeted by a stack of tortillas hot off the griddle. A musician croons on a guitar in the al fresco dining room while romantic couples and families nosh on turkey with peanut mole and banana fritters filled with stringy cheese.
- Sur A Norte: If you’re looking for a rooftop bar that offers views of the cathedral Sur A Norte is a favourite serving up craft cocktails and mix of Mexican and American comfort foods like burgers, falafel, tacos and guac.
- La Popular: This affordable and friendly restaurant specializes in preparing local dishes from Oaxaca. Order the Tlayuda, a large, crunchy, street food consisting of a giant fried and toasted tortilla topped with refried beans, asiento (unrefined pork lard), and various topping like lettuce, avocado, grilled meat, and cheese.
- Punta Cabras: If you’re a beer lover hop up at the bar at Oaxaca’s most beloved craft brewery to sip a refreshing pint. We recommend paring a cerveza with shrimp tacos if you’re feeling peckish.
- Pig & Fish Food Truck: If you’re looking for a trendy and affordable taco experience this former food truck turned brick and mortar restaurant serves up excellent tacos paired with a parade of salsas like strawberry habanero and coconut pineapple.
- Taqueria con Champinones Chidos: If you’re looking to indulge in Mexico City street-style tacos this friendly al fresco taqueria run by a local family for over 30 years is the place to be. Must-try the extensive queso fundido menu prepared with local Oaxaca cheese.
- Boulenc: Oaxaca’s most famous cafe and bakery features an art-filled dining room and shop selling homemade preserves, wines and beautiful loaves of sourdough bread. The local owners studied baking in Europe so you can enjoy perfectly flaky croissants, sweet tarts and slices of cake. A great spot to sit in the sun and enjoy brunch with a frothy cappuccino.
- Las Barbacoas de México: This is the perfect place to enjoy your last meal in Oaxaca as it’s located right by the airport. This local meat-lovers haunt prepares perfectly grilled and roasted meats like barbecued goat and cochinita pibil.
