Casa Oaxaca el Restaurante on Postcard

"In the shadow of the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Chef Alejandro Ruiz’s two-story restaurant buzzes with all the energy of a new opening. And yet, the stoves have been firing for more than two decades and have drawn attention from all corners of the world. Stylishly dressed, guests opt for the spacious rooftop patio where attentive servers are quick to make salsa tableside. The menu spins local ingredients and Oaxacan flavors with international touches, and nothing comes out of the kitchen looking anything less than beautiful. Desserts, like the platano Colorado with banana cream and mezcal caramel, show delicious refinement. All the while, as the sun sets and the church bell rings, the party goes on to the sound of cocktail shakers." - Michelin Inspector

Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante

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@travelleisure

"Early on our second morning, we set off to the Mercado Central de Abastos with chef Alejandro Ruiz, whose Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante is credited with introducing the region’s food to the world." - Travel + Leisure Editors

I Celebrated Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico, Here's How I Planned My Once-in-a-lifetime Trip

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@cntraveler

"Secure a table at Alejandro Ruíz’s Casa Oaxaca for dishes like stuffed chile de agua and heirloom turkey with mole negro."

Where to Drink, Stay, and Play in Oaxaca

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@eater

"This place is a Oaxaca classic. Fresh salsa mixed tableside and warm Mexican hospitality are the trademarks of this critically acclaimed restaurant from chef Alejandro Ruiz, who celebrates the traditional flavors, recipes, and heritage of his home state with a menu that soars from start to finish. Find mole negro, coloradito, and manchamanteles (three of Oaxaca’s most iconic dishes) cooked from scratch with ingredients sourced from eight of Oaxaca’s own distinct culinary regions. Make sure you try their mezcal cocktails, also known as Mezcalinis. [$$$$]" - Omar Alonso

The 32 Best Restaurants in Oaxaca, Mexico - Eater

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@gourmandj

Favorite Oaxaca Restaurants

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Kyra Williams

Google

Brunch at Casa Oaxaca was a lovely experience, though the service was a bit slow and could have been more attentive. The food, however, was delicious. We especially enjoyed the table-side fresh salsa, which added a fun, interactive touch to the meal. My salad was incredibly fresh and delightful, and I was grateful they were able to accommodate my request for some plain turkey breast on the side. While the service could have been quicker, Casa Oaxaca remains a must-visit spot when in Oaxaca. The food and atmosphere make it a staple for anyone looking to experience the local flavors.

Benjamin Jacob

Google

This will be one of my most, if not most, memorable meals. Fantastic food, served by friendly and knowledgeable staff, in a beautiful location. The food is akin to what I would expect in a top restaurant anywhere in the world, and the portions are generous. They put the uniquely Mexican flavours and ingredients front and centre, and combine this with the best culinary techniques and plating from around the world. The Mezcal cocktails were great, and reasonably priced. I would have preferred slightly less sweet but I’m sure you can request that. The staff were attentive without being overbearing. They spoke perfect English and were knowledgeable about the food. There were some table-side surprises which added fun to the meal. Finally, the setting was serene with clever architectural elements. Would recommend either the courtyard or the roof terrace. While the meal is on the pricier end for Mexico, it’s worth every $.

harlie smith

Google

Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante was an unforgettable dining experience! The table-side salsa was a highlight—fresh, flavorful, and fun to watch. The mole was absolutely delicious, rich, and perfectly balanced. Every dish was beautifully presented and full of authentic Oaxacan flavors. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Oaxaca City!

aL dA

Google

I had no reservation and accepted as a walk in. I chose this restaurant for the mole, the waiter suggested turkey mole. The turkey was so soft and taste so good, the mole sauce for me is too strong so I asked for a pepper or a chili sauce to counteract the strong flavor but the waiter said they don’t a have so he gave me another bowl of salsa. The waiter is not so friendly but because there’s only 2 waiters for 10 tables. There is free WiFi. If you want the rooftop area, I think you need to reserve. The appetizer is good, squash and plantain, I recommend it.

Alex

Google

A beautiful rooftop restaurant at the back of the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, one of the most important churches in Oaxaca. I had mistakenly made a reservation in another restaurant of the same name, but I was glad they had a table available (despite being Saturday night). There was a band playing songs on the ground floor patio, providing the perfect soundtrack to our dinner. I had turkey with mole negro and plantain puree, a mezcal-based cocktail (delicia de tamarindo) and a mamey-based dessert (sinfonia de mamey). My friend had the octopus, which was delicious. We didn’t have any starters, as the food portions were very generous. That said, at the beginning of the meal, they brought us a complimentary tortilla and a sauce which they prepared right in front of us. A delightful dining experience, overall, highly recommended.

Phillip Medalla

Google

Go to this place when you are in Oaxaca. They make the best Mexican food with traditional flavors on contemporary presentation. Personal recommendation is the short rib and pulpo a la talla. They also make a good fresh salsa. Nice rooftop view! Service could have been better though. The lady especially was’t that accommodating. The rest was good!

Tim Auch (TimA)

Google

Flavorful and unique dishes. From rabbit to catch of the day. We sat in the bar area and experienced great live music. Make reservations EARLY to get a seat on the rooftop terrace. Stunning views.

Francisco Montejano

Google

My friends and I had an unforgettable dining experience at Casa Oaxaca Restaurant! From the moment we arrived, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with a beautiful blend of traditional and modern Oaxacan touches. Siting at the outdoor terrace we enjoyed the romantic view of an old church and the music from a local artist playing on the street. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the mole—the pavo con mole negro and mole mancha manteles with short rib were both exceptional. Each bite was rich, complex, and perfectly balanced, showcasing the depth of flavor Oaxaca is famous for. The service was impeccable, with the staff going above and beyond to explain the dishes and ensure we had a wonderful experience. We also appreciated their recommendations, which made our meal even more special. And the final touch was the small slice of cake they gave my wife to celebrate her birthday along with Las Mañanitas song. If you’re looking to explore the true flavors of Oaxaca in an elegant yet welcoming setting, Casa Oaxaca is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be coming back for more of their amazing mole!

Kyra Williams

Google

Brunch at Casa Oaxaca was a lovely experience, though the service was a bit slow and could have been more attentive. The food, however, was delicious. We especially enjoyed the table-side fresh salsa, which added a fun, interactive touch to the meal. My salad was incredibly fresh and delightful, and I was grateful they were able to accommodate my request for some plain turkey breast on the side. While the service could have been quicker, Casa Oaxaca remains a must-visit spot when in Oaxaca. The food and atmosphere make it a staple for anyone looking to experience the local flavors.

Benjamin Jacob

Google

This will be one of my most, if not most, memorable meals. Fantastic food, served by friendly and knowledgeable staff, in a beautiful location. The food is akin to what I would expect in a top restaurant anywhere in the world, and the portions are generous. They put the uniquely Mexican flavours and ingredients front and centre, and combine this with the best culinary techniques and plating from around the world. The Mezcal cocktails were great, and reasonably priced. I would have preferred slightly less sweet but I’m sure you can request that. The staff were attentive without being overbearing. They spoke perfect English and were knowledgeable about the food. There were some table-side surprises which added fun to the meal. Finally, the setting was serene with clever architectural elements. Would recommend either the courtyard or the roof terrace. While the meal is on the pricier end for Mexico, it’s worth every $.

harlie smith

Google

Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante was an unforgettable dining experience! The table-side salsa was a highlight—fresh, flavorful, and fun to watch. The mole was absolutely delicious, rich, and perfectly balanced. Every dish was beautifully presented and full of authentic Oaxacan flavors. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Oaxaca City!

aL dA

Google

I had no reservation and accepted as a walk in. I chose this restaurant for the mole, the waiter suggested turkey mole. The turkey was so soft and taste so good, the mole sauce for me is too strong so I asked for a pepper or a chili sauce to counteract the strong flavor but the waiter said they don’t a have so he gave me another bowl of salsa. The waiter is not so friendly but because there’s only 2 waiters for 10 tables. There is free WiFi. If you want the rooftop area, I think you need to reserve. The appetizer is good, squash and plantain, I recommend it.

Alex

Google

A beautiful rooftop restaurant at the back of the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, one of the most important churches in Oaxaca. I had mistakenly made a reservation in another restaurant of the same name, but I was glad they had a table available (despite being Saturday night). There was a band playing songs on the ground floor patio, providing the perfect soundtrack to our dinner. I had turkey with mole negro and plantain puree, a mezcal-based cocktail (delicia de tamarindo) and a mamey-based dessert (sinfonia de mamey). My friend had the octopus, which was delicious. We didn’t have any starters, as the food portions were very generous. That said, at the beginning of the meal, they brought us a complimentary tortilla and a sauce which they prepared right in front of us. A delightful dining experience, overall, highly recommended.

Phillip Medalla

Google

Go to this place when you are in Oaxaca. They make the best Mexican food with traditional flavors on contemporary presentation. Personal recommendation is the short rib and pulpo a la talla. They also make a good fresh salsa. Nice rooftop view! Service could have been better though. The lady especially was’t that accommodating. The rest was good!

Tim Auch (TimA)

Google

Flavorful and unique dishes. From rabbit to catch of the day. We sat in the bar area and experienced great live music. Make reservations EARLY to get a seat on the rooftop terrace. Stunning views.

Francisco Montejano

Google

My friends and I had an unforgettable dining experience at Casa Oaxaca Restaurant! From the moment we arrived, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with a beautiful blend of traditional and modern Oaxacan touches. Siting at the outdoor terrace we enjoyed the romantic view of an old church and the music from a local artist playing on the street. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the mole—the pavo con mole negro and mole mancha manteles with short rib were both exceptional. Each bite was rich, complex, and perfectly balanced, showcasing the depth of flavor Oaxaca is famous for. The service was impeccable, with the staff going above and beyond to explain the dishes and ensure we had a wonderful experience. We also appreciated their recommendations, which made our meal even more special. And the final touch was the small slice of cake they gave my wife to celebrate her birthday along with Las Mañanitas song. If you’re looking to explore the true flavors of Oaxaca in an elegant yet welcoming setting, Casa Oaxaca is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be coming back for more of their amazing mole!

Casa Oaxaca el Restaurante

Casa Oaxaca el Restaurante

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