Best Oaxaca Restaurants

Chef Alejandro Ruiz Olmeda serves up superb modern Mexican cuisine. This is Oaxaca's priciest restaurant, but it's worth the expense. If you'll be celebrating a special occasion in Oaxaca, this is the place for it. Make reservations in advance, and if the weather's fine (as it usually is in Oaxaca), ask for a spot on the terrace.
Address: Constitucion 104A
Phone: (951) 516-8889

This casually elegant restaurant-gallery offers a varied menu based on locally sourced fresh ingredients and displays work by local artists. Chef Pilar Cabrera, who also offers cooking classes through Casa de los Sabores, is a mainstay of the Oaxacan food scene and you can sample her creations here.
Address: Reforma 402
Phone: (951) 516-6668

Moles are the specialty at Los Pacos. Be sure to ask for the mole sampler so you can try all of Oaxaca's seven moles, then you can choose the one you like best for your main course. There are two locations, one in the Centro and the other in Colonia Reforma - both are good but some swear the Colonia Reforma location is better.
Web Site: Los Pacos
Address: Abasolo 121, Centro (closed Sundays) and Belisario Domínguez 108-1, Colonia Reforma (closed Mondays)
Phone: (951) 516-1704 Centro location and (951) 515-3573 Colonia Reforma location

Enjoy impeccable service and excellent food in an elegant setting. Take your pick of dining rooms - my favorite is the courtyard with a fountain. The menu lists regional dishes as well as a variety of steaks and seafood, but I enjoyed the huitlacoche crepes in poblano sauce.
Web Site: Catedral
Address: 105 García Vigil, corner of Morelos
Phone: (951) 516-3285
Closed Tuesdays.

Set in the back courtyard of the same building as Oro de Monte Alban, the gold jewelery store, Los Danzantes' distinctive decor has high adobe walls and a reflecting pool along the length of one wall. Here you'll find traditional ingredients prepared in creative, and often delightful ways. Try the "cascada de chocolate" for dessert (if you're in a hurry, order it ahead of time to avoid a long wait). They also serve a house mezcal, which is worth a try, either striaght or in one of their signature cocktails. 
Web Site: Los Danzantes
Address: Macedonio Alcalá No. 403-4
Phone: (951) 501-1184

The restaurant of the Quinta Real hotel, El Refectorio is a great place to try Oaxacan cuisine, but there are also international offerings on the menu. The rear wall of the main dining room is studded with earthenware pots that were uncovered during the 16th Century building's restoration. The buffet breakfast is unmatched in Oaxaca.
Address: 5 de Mayo N° 300
Phone: (951) 516-0611

Overlooking Oaxaca's vibrant Zocalo, La Casa de la Abuela serves traditional Oaxacan cuisine at its best. Get a seat by the window to enjoy the view while you dine.
Address: Hidalgo 616
Phone:(951) 516-3544

This relaxed but trendy restaurant serves fusion cuisine, which they call "cocina mestiza." The menu is posted on a blackboard and features novel combinations, such as guava mole. For starters, try the pastry cones stuffed with jamaica (hibiscus flower). The extensive drinks menu includes imported and local artesanal beers and a variety of mezcals, and they often have pulque as well. 
Website: labiznaga.com.mx
Address: Garcia Vigil 512
Phone: (951) 516-1800