- 4 hours Duration 4 hours
Whether it’s a private tour for friends, family, or colleagues, Oaxaca Eats Food Tours will tailor your needs to a special day or evening.
Quick Details
Visit one of the world’s top food destinations
From mole and mezcal to chocolate and chapulines (grasshoppers) — discover why Oaxaca is one of the world’s top food destinations
- Sample 20+ traditional food tastings from 4 locally-owned restaurants and shops.
- Sip delicious aguas frescas (fruit waters) and taste multiple types of mezcal.
- Explore the historic center and learn about the food and culture with a local guide.
- Practice responsible travel and support local non-profits with a 5% donation included in the tour price.
Other information
- Tours are in English. Bilingual guides will translate in Spanish as needed.
- Eat a light breakfast. There is plenty of food on the tour for a filling lunch.
- Distance walked is about a mile. Mostly flat walking, some stairs.
- Tours occur rain or shine. Wear comfortable clothing, (hat, sunscreen) and good walking shoes.
- Small group size — 10 people maximum.
- Tickets must be purchased online prior to the tour. No walk-ups or cash are accepted.
- We suggest not making an early dinner reservation on the day of your tour.
What to Expect
Tour Basics
Our Classic Centro tour is a guided four-hour excursion that will take you to four unique tasting locations. You will sample over 20 different foods and beverages (including Mezcal) from local restaurants and specialty shops. Participants will be seated at all locations. The tour is about one mile of walking and suitable for most fitness levels.
At each tasting location, enjoy foods that contain some of the most important elements found in traditional Oaxacan food like corn, chiles, and chocolate. You will also taste a variety of Mezcals – straight up or in a cocktail as well as delicious agua frescas (fruit waters). In addition, you will learn about the families and history of each destination. Along the way, your guide will share information about the culture and history of Oaxaca and answer any questions you might have.
Giving Back
Oaxaca Eats Food Tours is a socially responsible business, and 5% of each ticket sold is split between these two charities in Oaxaca. Click on the links below to learn more.
Ready your taste buds for great food and drink at some of Oaxaca’s best local restaurants and shops.
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Mezquite Gastronomia Y Destilados
Sample a botana Oaxaqueña featuring local cheeses, grilled meats, chapulines and more. Sip a Mezcal cocktail on the terrace and enjoy the view of Santo Domingo.
Tierra del Sol
Chef Olga Cabrera prepares exquisite Oaxacan traditional dishes, with an emphasis on those from the Mixteca region. The special house mole is a tribute to her grandmother.
Expendio Tradición
From a centuries-old tradition of Mezcal making comes authentic Oaxacan cuisine. A trio of bites featuring shrimp, octopus and a refreshing tomato salad doesn’t disappoint.
Casa Taviche
Chef/owner Daniel Garcia creates beautiful plates with unique recipes sourced from traditional cooks and elders. The result is always an occasion to cheer.
Don Juanito Taquería and Pozolería
A family tradition since 1966, indigenous and mestizo elements infuse the rich food offerings, like Pozole, at this soul-filling restaurant.
El Huateque-CocinArt
Chef Dana Andrade’s plates are pleasing to the eye as well as the palate. Enjoy traditional Oaxacan dishes as you admire the beautiful art in this cozy space.
Cafébre
Artesanal extraction methods with locally-grown beans, combined with owner Kate Avansino’s passion for coffee, make this special place a major player in Oaxacan specialty coffee.
La Casa del Tío Güero
Housed in a historic 16th century building, sister chefs Ximena and Daphne offer tasty daily menus and a la carte offerings like Chiles en Nogada. A popular spot with locals.
Café Yalálag
This quaint bakery and coffee shop is run by third-generation bakers famous for pan de yema. The stop includes a chocolate beverage perfect for dunking the delicious bread.
Note: Tour stops may vary.
Where to Meet
Tour starts near Santa Domingo church on Calle Macedonio Alcala (exact location provided with your tour confirmation).
Parking available at Estacionamiento Real Santo Domingo.
Have questions? Here are the most frequently asked.
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The tour is 4 hours and covers about a mile or 1.6 kilometres which is walked at a moderate pace. Most locations are within 5-10 minutes of each other. One restaurant requires climbing a staircase (with handrail) to reach the second floor terrace. The tour is appropriate for most fitness levels. It is not wheelchair accessible and a stroller is not recommended.
Note: Oaxaca sits at an altitude of 5,102 feet or 1,555 meters. For those not acclimated to higher altitudes, you might experience some altitude-related symptoms such as shortness of breath. Walk slowly, keep hydrated, and rest when needed.
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All food, drinks, and restaurant gratuities are included in the ticket price. 5% of the ticket price will be divided between two non-profit charities that we support – Esperanza Infantil and Institute of Historic Organs of Oaxaca.
Extra costs include additional beverages not part of the original tour and/or items for purchase at tasting locations along the way.
Gratuity for your tour guide is not included in the ticket price but is always appreciated at your discretion. Standard gratuity in the service industry is 15-20%. For our tours, 15% is approximately $12-14US or about 200-300 Mexican pesos.
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Please be sure to let us know if you or anyone in your group has a dietary restriction (e.g. vegetarian, no beef, lactose intolerant) by checking the appropriate boxes during the ticketing process. If someone in the group has a food allergy, i.e., peanuts or shellfish, please make us aware of this prior to the tour. We would ask that you bring any medication you might need such as an epipen.
If you have food allergies or intolerances and decide to try tastings in addition to those that have been specially prepared for you, please be aware that you do so at your own risk and Oaxaca Eats Food Tours assumes no responsibility.
We cannot guarantee there will be alternative food or drink items for you but we do want to ensure your health and safety.
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Tours are held rain or shine. However, if you are visiting between November and April, it is unlikely that you will experience rain. We ask you to check the weather and dress appropriately. Because Oaxaca is situated over 5,000 feet above sea level, the sun can be quite intense even if the temperature isn’t, so a hat and sunscreen will come in handy. And don’t worry, in the event of a severe weather situation, we will not put you in harm’s way and will reschedule if possible. If it’s not possible we will refund your ticket price.
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Yes, bathrooms are available at each food tasting location.
Still have questions? Visit our FAQ page to submit your own.