Rock-star chef, champion and walking repository of Oaxacan cooking, Alejandro Ruiz is the man behind this gastronomic benchmark of regional cuisine. If you have to choose just one Oaxaca restaurant that encapsulates the best of the regional food in the state, Casas Oaxaca is it. It’s housed in a charming colonial building in the state capital’s center, where you can choose between the buzzing indoor dining room or the more serene rooftop terrace.

Casa Oaxaca is one of the best restaurants in Oaxaca City, so definitely make time for a dinner there. Thanks to the stunning setting and incredible food, it’s as beloved by locals as it is by tourists and travel experts. Request a seat on the terrace overlooking the church, and prepare your appetite for a parade of Oaxacan seafood dishes, molés, grilled meats—and for dessert, an incredible coconut flan that I’m still dreaming about.

The city of Oaxaca features an impressive number of museums and art galleries, but your first stop should be CASA, a great spot located in the village of San Agustín. This bustling art center started by Francisco Toledo – Mexico’s foremost contemporary artist – is set in an expansive facility to accommodate its mission to educate, exhibit and act as a workshop for the painter. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place to spend half a day.

Casa Oaxaca is considered to be the top Oaxaca restaurant on many best restaurants in Oaxaca lists and for good reason. Its critically acclaimed chef Alejandro Ruiz brings together the tradition, flavors, recipes, and heritage of his upbringing in Zimatlán, a pueblo just an hour south of Oaxaca City. As soon as you enter the glamorous Casa Oaxaca dining room, you’re met with true Mexican hospitality.

This pioneering restaurant helmed by Alejandro Ruiz, attached to a luxury boutique hotel, was the first to place Oaxacan cuisine in a fine dining context. Ruiz respects traditional flavors and techniques, though uses modern plating and has a nice wine list. Try and have a pre-dinner cocktail drink on the rooftop, which has stunning views of Iglesia Santo Domingo de Guzmán.

Toledo, who passed away in 2019, used his platform to champion the arts and founded many of the region’s art spaces, including CaSa and el IAGO. As a result, artists are everywhere in Oaxaca, making it impossible to walk a block without passing a gallery, cooperative or taller (printing workshop). The result is a city vibrating with the energy of people making things.

Don’t let the fact that this drink looks like muddy water fool you. Sweet, sour, salty, and strong, this cocktail was perfectly balanced and makes for a nice compliment to any Oaxacan meal. I don’t typically enjoy tamarind, but I really enjoyed this drink, and it was Lindsay’s favorite in all of the cocktails we’ve tried during our two months in Mexico.

For breakfast, try Café Casa Oaxaca located on Calle Jazmines, a little more than 2 miles from the Zócalo. A stone's throw from the Templo de Santo Domingo is Oaxacan celebrity chef Alejandro Ruiz's Casa Oaxaca el Restaurante. To sample moles, head to Las Quince Letras, which is just a couple blocks from the Templo de Santo Domingo on Calle Abasolo.

Why We Love It: CASA plays host to the best local and international artists across multiple disciplines not to mention the ridiculously beautiful architecture and surrounding countryside. How To Get There: CASA is located 20-30 drive from Oaxaca Centro. Take a collectivo from Central de Abastos $15 MXP.

I asked some foreigners living in Oaxaca for advice on where they recommend, and many suggest El Tejadón, La Biznaga and Tr3s Bistro, as they have service and surroundings acceptable to most foreigners and have menu items that cater to vegetarians and others with special dietary needs.

CASA or Centro de las Artes de San Agustin, is an ecological art center founded by beloved Oaxacan artist, Francisco Toledo in San Agustín Etla. Housed in a former factory, the building and grounds have been beautifully restored to display art exhibitions and hold artist workshops.

From the tasty food to the great service, Casa Oaxaca Restaurant is a must-try. Many say they make the best mole Oaxaca has. Located in an 18th Century colonial townhouse in the heart of the city, Casa Oaxaca is an acclaimed restaurant with a relaxed ambiance.

Casa Oaxaca Reforma: Experience the elegance of Casa Oaxaca with a refined breakfast menu that highlights regional flavors in a sophisticated setting.

Otros lugares recomendados para comer son Casa Oaxaca y su tostada de insectos, o el Restaurante Coronita y su degustación de siete moles.