Best of Oaxaca
The best mole in Oaxaca
Start with Restaurante Catedral in Centro for mole negro or amarillo, Los Pacos in Centro for mole tasting of several varieties and La Casa de la Abuela in Centro for almendrado, coloradito, amarillo and negro moles. Here are all 5, with what to get at each.
- Restaurante CatedralCentro · Mole (negro, coloradito, amarillo)
Get: Mole negro or amarillo
Operating since 1976, a reliable institution for the classic moles.
- Los PacosCentro · Mole (negro, coloradito, amarillo)
Get: Mole tasting of several varieties
A mole specialist where you can compare many styles side by side.
- La Casa de la AbuelaCentro · Mole (negro, coloradito, amarillo)
Get: Almendrado, coloradito, amarillo and negro moles
Tortillas made on a clay comal and a plaza view make this a classic stop.
- La OllaCentro · Mole (negro, coloradito, amarillo)
Get: Moles after the squash blossom soup
Chef Pilar Cabrera's unpretentious Oaxacan home-style cooking.
- Comedor María TeresaCentro (Mercado 20 de Noviembre)
Get: Chicken with mole and rice
Good-value market counter with well-regarded mole.
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Ask Chef for morePlan my Oaxaca food tripThe best mole in Oaxaca: questions people ask
Where is the best mole in Oaxaca?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Restaurante Catedral (Centro), Los Pacos (Centro) and La Casa de la Abuela (Centro). All 5 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Restaurante Catedral, get mole negro or amarillo. At Los Pacos, get mole tasting of several varieties. At La Casa de la Abuela, get almendrado, coloradito, amarillo and negro moles. At La Olla, get moles after the squash blossom soup.
Which neighborhood is best for mole in Oaxaca?
Most of these are in Centro. 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
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.