Spring weekend in Oaxaca
Spring in Oaxaca — blossoms, opening patios, markets and the first warm-evening dinners worth booking.
Top spots in Oaxaca
Mezcal Route
Food & DrinkSantiago Matatlán
Family palenques producing artisan mezcal in clay-pot stills.
Hierve el Agua
OutdoorsSan Lorenzo Albarradas
Mineral-petrified 'waterfalls' and infinity natural pools 90 min east.
Monte Albán
OutdoorsValles Centrales
Zapotec mountain-top ruins 25 min away — go at sunset.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Food & DrinkCentro
Smoke-filled meat hall + tlayudas, tejate and chocolate mills.
Where to eat
Casa Oaxaca
$$$Modern Oaxacan · Centro
Rooftop view of Santo Domingo + Alejandro Ruiz's signature mole negro.
Itanoní
$Heirloom corn · Reforma
Native-corn antojería — every taco built on a different masa.
Origen
$$$Modern Oaxacan · Centro
Rodolfo Castellanos' courtyard tasting — refined seven moles.
Tlamanalli
$$Zapotec · Teotitlán del Valle
Abigail Mendoza's heritage Zapotec lunch — by reservation only.
Las Quince Letras
$$Traditional Oaxacan · Centro
Family-run mole negro since 1990 — go for the mole sampler.
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Monte Albán, Hierve el Agua, Mercado 20 de Noviembre. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Oaxaca and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.