5 Food Tours in Oaxaca That Repay the Booking

1.Authentic Oaxaca Cultural Food Tour, eat like a local.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 462 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $114Our pick

Start with Aurora, Betsaida, Ellie, or another Me Encanta Oaxaca guide at Santo Domingo and walk through central Oaxaca, tasting more than 24 foods and drinks at three markets and two street stalls. Expect corn-based dishes, exotic fruit, mezcal, mole, grilled meats, chocolate, and local history. Come hungry and wear comfortable shoes.

“this was an amazing experience—a great way to learn about and experience oaxacan cuisine. betsaida and her whole team took great care of us, giving us so much insight on the history and culture of oaxaca while introducing us with the tastiest dishes, fruits, and drinks. she is engaging, passionate, warm, and attentive, and made sure the whole group had a wonderful time. her team also worked hard to make sure everything ran smoothly. it was a delightful tour from start to end!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Immersion Tour and Oaxaca Markets, All gastronomy included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 386 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $59Best value

Walk from central Oaxaca to its huge local market with guides such as Brian or Yahel, tasting about 20 foods and drinks. Try traditional tacos, quesadillas, grilled meats, tejate, pulque, baked goods, moles, grasshoppers, and more. The tour lasts about three and a half hours, welcomes omnivores and vegans, and ends where it begins.

“Value was horrible. We certainly didn’t leave super full. We only had two full sized items then a pinch of a few other things. The group way too large to navigate the crowded market. We didn’t try very many things. Didn’t learn or taste any fruits or veggies. I’ve been on other food tours and this one missed the mark. Highly unsanitary. We were all pinching and licking things over and over. Don’t do this your if your a germophob. Guide asked us if we would like to try a drink. We all said yes. Didn’t say they weren’t included in the $55. Had to pay extra. He took some…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 333 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Start at Casa Crespo with a market walk, then return to cook a changing Oaxacan menu with Oscar, Emily, or another instructor. You may grind masa, make mole, prepare tortillas, and mix drinks. The small-group format encourages hands-on work, though larger groups can mean more prep than cooking.

“Very informative and interactive! Food was excellent and filling. Very warm and hospitable people and the tour guide was very friendly”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.The Real Traditional Oaxaca culinary Cooking experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 251 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $100

Spend about five hours cooking at Quinta Brava in Santa Cruz Xoxocotlan. With Miguel Angel, Jose, and their team, you’ll visit a local market, gather garden ingredients, make tortillas from nixtamalized corn, taste several moles, and prepare a full Oaxacan meal in a wood-fired ranch kitchen.

“The class was amazing! We don’t typically do group things like this ever, but something about it changed our mind. And we are so happy it did. The entire group was just delightful. Chef was so fun and informative. We happily recommend to anyone who wants to learn about Oaxacan cuisine, the act of cooking it, history of ingredients; or if you just want to have a great time, lots of laughs, and maybe a few beers while you’re at it. It was an experience we very much treasure!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Market tour and all gastronomy included⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 35 reviews · 4 hours · from $64

Spend four hours with an English or Spanish-speaking gastronomy guide, exploring Oaxaca’s Central de Abasto and tasting a wide range of regional foods. The route suits omnivores and vegans, includes pre-Hispanic drinks, and may be led by guides such as Brian or Roberto. Expect plenty of walking, a small group, and no need to eat beforehand.

“This was an AMAZING tour! This market would only be navigable with a guide and Brian was the best! I learned so much, learned and tried so many things, and bought my fair share of goodies. It was a market of the people with no frills of a tourist trap and everything was so reasonably priced. I HIGHLY recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review