Best of Oaxaca
Where locals eat in Oaxaca
Start with Criollo in Centro (Marquesado) for chilaquiles with tasajo, enmoladas, concha at brunch, Pasillo de Humo in Centro (Mercado 20 de Noviembre) for tasajo by the half-kilo, grilled to order and Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante in Centro for mole negro and caldo de grana. Here are all 8, with what to get at each.
- CriolloCentro (Marquesado) · Oaxacan
Get: Chilaquiles with tasajo, enmoladas, concha at brunch; dinner tasting menu
- Pasillo de HumoCentro (Mercado 20 de Noviembre) · Tasajo
Get: Tasajo by the half-kilo, grilled to order
The smoky grill aisle in the market.
- Memelas Doña ValeCentral de Abastos (Cosijoeza) · street food
Get: Memela with quesillo, tasajo or egg in chile morita sauce; chocolate de agua
- El Lechoncito de OroCentro (Ruta Independencia) · counter
Get: Suckling-pig torta with chicharrón added, green avocado salsa
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What are the local restaurants in Oaxaca?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Criollo (Centro (Marquesado)), Pasillo de Humo (Centro (Mercado 20 de Noviembre)) and Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante (Centro). All 8 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Criollo, get chilaquiles with tasajo, enmoladas, concha at brunch; dinner tasting menu. At Pasillo de Humo, get tasajo by the half-kilo, grilled to order. At Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante, get mole negro and caldo de grana. At Tacos del Carmen, get chorizo tacos, stuffed chile tacos, amarillo empanadas.
Which neighborhood is best for local restaurants in Oaxaca?
Most of these are in Centro and Reforma. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Oaxaca: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Oaxaca
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.