Top 10 Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Oaxaca

Let me preface these recommendations by saying, this is not by any means an exhaustive list and is definitely based on my personal preferences. There are plenty of affordable restaurants and street vendors in Oaxaca, but sadly I couldn’t try all of them. After all, we were only visiting for 10 days, and since we were sticking to a daily budget, we didn’t eat out for every meal and decided to forego some of the top-rated (and still reasonably priced) restaurants such as Casa Oaxaca and Tierra del Sol. You typically need a reservation at those places and we don’t plan enough in advance for that. So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here’s my top 10 budget-friendly restaurants in Oaxaca.

Mercado 20 de Noviembre

We ate at two of the numerous comedores that call this market home, but I’m willing to bet that you can’t pick a bad one out of the bunch. This market is also home to the famous “meat alley,” where you choose an assortment of meats made-to-order, take a number, and try to find an open seat. While you’re waiting, you can order a number of sides (avocado, salsa, nopales, etc), drinks and fresh tortillas, all for around $15 USD for two people.

It’s hectic, loud, and visually overwhelming…but take a deep breath, find a seat, and push past the discomfort. It’s worth it.

My favorite dish I had here was enchiladas divorciadas (one side salsa roja and the other salsa verde).

Boulenc

Note: this is not traditional Oaxacan food. You might feel like you’re cheating or skipping out on the genuine Oaxacan food experience, but this restaurant is popular for a reason. A mix of bakery, hostel, and restaurant/bar, they serve delicious pastries (get the manzana one), amazing breakfast including shakshuka and pancakes, and other unique dishes like vegetarian banh mi. I read a lot of positive reviews about their wood fire pizzas, but I’m not a huge fan of Italian, so their other menu items appealed to me more.

We went to the bakery and restaurant twice each. The pastries run about $20-$40 MXN or $1-$2 USD, so they are a great choice for an inexpensive breakfast. It gets busy, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait a bit for a table (they have benches outside).

A.M. Siempre

As I mentioned in a previous post, the charming neighborhood of Xochimilco has been gaining a reputation for their breakfast and brunch spots. We tried two of them, but A.M Siempre was definitely our favorite of the two. Tucked into a side alley with a burnt orange facade, they serve dishes like eggs benedict, Oaxaqueña style with chapulines.

Calabacitas Tiernas

Mainly known for its wide range of vegetarian choices, Calabacitas Tiernas has an interesting layout inside, surrounded by a bookshop and artisan-made gifts. There is a tree growing in the center of the restaurant which vines overhead giving it a really intimate, romantic feel. We had the vegetarian taquitos, stuffed with plantains and hibiscus flowers, and they were delicious. The mousse de cacao dessert, which was perfect to share, had a nice balance of flavors without being overwhelmingly sweet.

Xocolatl Café

We tried a couple cafes within the vicinity of our Airbnb in the Centro district, but the only one we frequented was Xocolatl. They had the best prices, the best flavor and the most welcoming presence. My go-to was the “moka caliente” and the owner very proudly told me each time that it was made with Oaxacan chocolate.

Don Juanito

If you have a hankering for tacos while in Oaxaca, you’re not totally out of luck. You won’t see them on very many menus, but Don Juanito has a small selection, including my favorite, al pastor, for a great price. They also have a “tacos for the table” special that includes 8 tacos for a little under $10 USD and is a perfect size to share between 2.

La Atolería

You won’t want to leave Oaxaca without trying the pre-Hispanic drink made of maize dough called atole. This is one of the only spots we saw solely dedicated to serving atole, and has a selection of 8 different blends to choose from. I had the guava version and it was excellent – it reminded me of a warm smoothie, which sounds strange, but trust me, it’s good.

Neveria La Oaxaqueña

Honestly, nieve (“snow”) from anywhere is good, but I really enjoyed the vibe of this place, and they had so many flavors. I tried the pistachio mixed with local favorite, tuna – from the prickly pear cactus not the fish! A serving is $40 MXN or $2 USD.

La Flor de Huayapam

You simply have to try the refreshing, frothy, maize-based chocolate drink called tejate while you’re in Oaxaca and this stall in Mercado de Benito Juarez is the best place for it. Sip it the traditional way, from a bowl, or get it to go if you’re in a hurry. We tried two types of tejate during our trip and this was our favorite. Head to the very center of the market and look for this awning.

Mercado IV Centenario

This market was located very close to our Airbnb so it was super convenient when we weren’t prepared to brave the crowds near the busier markets of Benito Juarez and 20 de Noviembre. It does close a bit earlier, 6 PM on the weekdays and 3-4 PM on the weekends, so it’s better for lunch than dinner. There is a set of stairs to the right side of the front of the market which are lined with various restaurants, most of them selling tlayudas, enmoladas, and entomatadas. Without drinks, we could get two meals here for less than $10 USD.

One final important reminder, no matter where you travel, is that cost doesn’t always equal quality. On our last night, we ate at a more expensive restaurant because we wanted to try moles that were different from the most popular one, mole negro. While the presentation was amazing, the food itself wasn’t as flavorful as some of the market meals we had even though it was triple the cost.

Helpful Spanish Phrases for Ordering:

• Quisiera… I would like….
• Una mesa para (dos)… A table for (two)…
• La cuenta, por favor. The bill, please.
• ¿Están listos? Are you ready?
• ¿Algo más? Anything else?