A family-run affair, outside of the city near the airport, with just a few tables in a home’s courtyard. Chef Jorge León, with a star-studded CV, helms dinner, while his mother cooks up delicious breakfasts and lunches. A meal here is as dreamy as it is delicious.

The name says it all. Here, tradition over everything else. Think deep, complex flavors, gorgeously designed artisanal everything, and tight service.

French café and bakery with some of the best coffee and pastries in Oaxaca.

Modern Oaxacan, organic ingredients, beautiful design, and prime location (inside an 18th-century edifice). Regularly hitting best restaurants lists in LatAm.

From celeb chefs Enrique Olvera and Luis Arellano comes this internationally renowned hotspot, serving up traditional Oaxacan dishes in tasting menu form in a sprawling house (that’s been named a heritage site in its own right).

Traditional plates served in a cute, no-frills patio area. If you’re completely new to Oaxacan flavors, this is a great place to start.