• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

The way to a city's heart it's through its food! And on this private food tour, you'll get to know Oaxaca through its cuisine and the tastings favorite of the locals. A local food expert is ready to give you a taste of the real Oaxaca satisfying your cravings for local food and city highlights.

Destination

Oaxaca, Mexico

Category

Food Tours

Duration

2.5 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Español

Included

• Private Guide
• 6 local Tastings
• Vegetarian Options Available
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to Attractions
• after 19.00 the local market is closed

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 3 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at At the entrance of Casa del Mezcal - Oaxaca to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Food Introduction

   This culinary kickstart tour is short and sweet! A perfect way to get acquainted with the local cuisine, its best tastings, and where to find them - all with the help of a local food expert

4. Locals’ Favorites

   Kickstart your time in Oaxaca by discovering the local cuisine. Try some of the ultimate locals’ favorite food treats like Coronita and Taco de Lechon picked by your local host and hear why the locals love them so much!

5. City Highlights

   This tour is more than just food; it’s a cultural experience! In between food stops, discover city highlights for a well-rounded experience that will satisfy your appetite for Oaxaca. Check out Zocalo, Mercado 20 de Noviembre and more city highlights along the way

6. Food Recommendations

   With this private food tour, you’ll be set to keep enjoying the most authentic food and drinks in Oaxaca. Your food expert host knows where to go and what to order and will give you recommendations based on your likings and dietary preferences

7. Special Diet or Allergies?

   If you follow a special diet or have an allergy to a specific food, let your host know! They’ll make sure to consider that so you can have an enjoyable and safe experience

8. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Unknown

(About local Raquel)

5 March 2025

We did the culinary experience with Raquel and it was amazing - we learned not only a lot about Oaxaca’s native foods but also about the culture and how everything ties together. One of the things I have noticed since being in Oaxaca is how proud the people are of their culture and heritage and that certainly came through during Raquel’s tour. We not only sampled many of the items in the market but she also explained how it fit into their culture. She also took us to a cultural museum and made suggestions for other things we might want to consider while we’re visiting Oaxaca. Overall it was a great experience and would highly recommend.Totally enhanced our Oaxaca experience!

Donna

(About local Raquel)

26 February 2025

We were so fortunate to book Raquel on our first day in Oaxaca, and I strongly suggest you do this! Not only did she give us an unbelievable introduction to Oaxacan food with the most respected vendors in the Benito Juarez market, she took us around town to familiarize us with several notable sites and artisan places which we were able to spend more time at later on. She also gave us an extensive list of restaurants, many of which we ate at and thoroughly enjoyed. Raquel is so energetic and enjoyable… truly felt like we were with an old friend. If you are going to Oaxaca and want a great experience, don’t hesitate to book her! Absolutely fabulous experience!

Peter🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Raquel)

24 February 2025

My wife and I had a terrific evening food tour with Raquel eating some wonderful local street food (the ice cream, mole and crickets were definite highlights), but more importantly meeting some amazing local folks and learning about Oxaxa from a different non-touristly perspective. Spending time with Raquel was truly special as she not only is deeply immersed in the culure of Oaxaca but also leverages her global experiences that help create the space for stimulating and insightful conversations. The night ended perfectly with an amazing mezcal in a cool local mezcaleria! We would highly recommend a tour with Raquel - you will not be disappointed!A great connection.

NICK🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Raquel)

16 February 2025

We had a fantastic tour with Rachel today. Rachel is extremely knowledgeable not only about the Oaxacan food but also about the culture and history of the area. We tried lots of different foods we hadn’t tried before and learnt so much about the area too . Rachel has a very engaging persona and the time flew by. We would highly recommend taking this tour with Rachel Our best food tour yet !

Michelle🇺🇸 United States

(About local Raquel)

31 January 2025

Raquel is passionate about the culture and walked us through every taste perfectly. What a great experience!

Amy

(About local Raquel)

2 December 2024

Our family of 4 had a great time with Raquel exploring Oaxaca's markets. She showed us her favorite tamale stand, told us about the history of some of the stalls, and guided us in trying chapulines (crickets) and other local delicacies! She was very patient and helpful with our school-age boys and knew where to find bathrooms (very important with kids!) Thanks Raquel!Excellent Food Tour with Raquel

Robert🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos Vidal)

17 November 2024

Carlos! We absolutely loved our time with you!!! You taught us so much, took us to places we would have never found on our own and introduced us to a food and culture that is wonderful and unique. Ten stars with a cherry on top! Mil gracias!!!Carlos is an absolute jewel!!!

Aaron

(About local Raquel)

2 July 2024

Raquel met us right on time with a huge smile and lovely attitude. We absolutely LOVED our time with her and would recommend anyone looking to experience the city and its street food to book with Raquel. From the exotic tastings in the market to the finer touches in a cozy cafe, she was an absolute delight as we learned all about the local culture and cuisine. We appreciated her passion for sustainability. We got so much great information that it made the rest of our trip and honestly felt we made a new friend :) All around wonderful experience

Maggie

(About local Raquel)

28 February 2025

We had an amazing tour our first evening in Oaxaca. Raquel was so knowledgeable about the history and culture of the area and also, where to get the best bites. From tamales and tlayudas in the market to street tacos and mezcal tasting, we ate and sipped our winding way through the streets of this tradition-rich city. Raquel was so personable and tailored everything to our wishes, even showing us an amazing print making cooperative at the end of the tour. Everyone in our group raved about how great she was, and what a fun time we had. It was a great introduction to the city and its food at the beginning of our trip! Wonderful way to learn and taste!

Chelsea

(About local Raquel)

26 February 2025

Raquel was a phenomenal guide in every way—I truly can't recommend her enough. She gave us such a great introduction to the history, culture, and flavors of Oaxaca. She went above and beyond to make our time in Oaxaca special and memorable, and we loved getting to know her! Raquel rocks!

Vanessa

(About local Carlos Vidal)

24 February 2025

Carlos took us to many food tastings like tamales, fruits, grasshoppers (which I didn't eat ;) , sweet empanadas, cheese, chocolate, and lastly, to a market where we had soooooo many yummy Oaxaca food that I wanted to go back for more, but this time with an empty stomach ;) Hahaha! Carlos was very patient w our wishes to take sooooo many pictures around the walking area, and was also thankfully patient w my senior parents, accommodating their need to sit down once in a while. We really loved all of Carlos' food choices, and most importantly for me, my parents enjoyed the tour :) So glad they came along!A fun and yummy food tour with Carlos!

Erin

(About local Raquel)

23 February 2025

We got a custom tour the first day we arrived in Oaxaca and I am so happy we did. Raquel helped us get our bearings in a new city while learning about the history, art, food, and much more. Raquel is super knowledgeable and has a wonderful energy. I can’t recommend her enough - thank you!!Thank you Raquel!

Chas🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Carlos Vidal)

23 February 2025

Carlos was really friendly and happy to tailor the tour to our requirements, notably that my wife is vegetarian (whilst I am not). She always had something to try, and I didn’t feel that I missed out on anything either. He was also very good at highlighting where something that looked vegetarian wasn’t technically, so that she could make her own decision depending on how strict she was (e.g. a tamales where the dough was made with lard). He clearly has a lot of knowledge of the places to eat, and the shop / stall holders who seemed to know him, and we definitely ate in places and tried things that we wouldn’t have done without his guidance. He was informative about so many things - not just the food we tried, but also about the city and wider food culture. He gave us several recommendations for some restaurants to try, as well as craft places to check out when we mentioned about some souvenirs / gifts we wanted to buy. Something else that was very pleasant was that we didn’t leave the tour feeling completely stuffed - just nicely full. We have previously done a food tour in another country where we were struggling to manage some of the later tastings, as we were being given really big portions. Carlos managed to fit in more than 10 tastings, but several were small snacks, so it was never too much.Really enjoyable, relaxed & informative

peter

(About local Carlos Vidal)

22 February 2025

Really wonderful tour. Great number and variety of food tastings, a lot more than the ten advertised. Some things we would never have known about otherwise. Knowledgeable and attentive guide. Highly recommended. Great tour

Carol

(About local Rolando)

22 February 2025

My tour with Rolando was exactly what I wanted. A brief overview of the Zapotec & Mictec peoples and the Conquest with a more in depth discussion of the development of the city as reflected in its architecture. We stopped for a delicious snack, and visited a few artisans in the Barrio de Xochimilco. I highly recommend a tour with Rolando for an introduction to Oaxaca.Perfect

Ella

(About local Sofia)

21 February 2025

Sofia was an amazing host. We had a great time and loved how she tailored our experience to our specific wishes. She is the best! Would definitely do this tour again!Awesome tour!

David

(About local Rolando)

20 February 2025

Rolando is an excellent tour guide!! Knows the City really well and has great information about the history of the city. We saw some amazing artisans that we never would have seen on our own. Well worth it!!Great tour

Phyllis

(About local Sofia)

18 February 2025

Four of us took a walking tour with Sofia. We met her in the zocalo where she was easily identifiable. We had a lot of questions and Sofia was happy to answer them as we went to each location. I would say that if you are looking for an introduction to Oaxaca with a very happy, enthusiastic and energetic tour guide this tour is great for you!Oaxaca city walk

sheila🇺🇸 United States

(About local Raquel)

17 February 2025

We had. Great time walking around Oaxaca with Raquel. She was so informative and taught us a lot about the beautiful city of Oaxaca. She was very flexible and accommodating regarding timing. Anazing eveningnin Oaxaca

Mary

(About local Raquel)

15 February 2025

Raquel gave us a five-star tour of Oaxaca’s highlights and hidden gems. Her passion for the city and its peoples and its artists was infectious. She took us into artisans homes where they demonstrated their art for us. A scheduling mistake was n the morning was quickly dealt with and we had our fabulous 3 hour tour later in the day. I would recommend Raquel to anyone. She is the best.Five-star tour of Oaxaca’s highlights and hidden gems

Tracy

(About local Carlos Vidal)

15 February 2025

We had a great time with Carlos, including my 6 year old daughter who liked learning about all the food and trying bits and pieces. Carlos took us to parts of the city we probably wouldn't have seen otherwise which was lovely. I loved that he told us about the families and the women making the food. We ate loads and definitely didn't need anything more until late that day! From the moment of booking, Carlos was attentive and responsive. He was so lovely and really well organised. 100% recommend a tour with Carlos. Amazing and accessible tour

Marcus🇦🇹 Austria

(About local Sofia)

15 February 2025

Wie haben mit Sofia eine Abend-Walkingtour durch Oaxaca gemacht. Dabei haben wir nicht nur historisch Wissenswertes erfahren sondern durften diese außergewöhnliche und bunte Stadt auch von ihrer kulinarischen Seite kennenlernen. Sofia hat uns auf ihre sehr sympathische Weise die besonderen Ecken der Stadt gezeigt und Oaxacas vielfältige Speisen probieren lassen. Einzigartige, sympathische Stadttour

MICHAEL

(About local Carlos Vidal)

14 February 2025

We had a perfect food tour with Carlos. He brought us to local markets and offered us great version of some basics and so many wonderful new tastes that we would never have found without him. He is a warm, pleasant and wonderfully communicative guide for this English-speaking couple!! Couldn’t rate him higher. Wonderful food tour with Carlos!!

Unknown

(About local Sofia)

13 February 2025

We enjoyed the tour very much! Sofia was very knowledgeable and took us to several interesting places. We definitely wouldn't have found these places on our own. My favorite part was seeing the old aqueduct. Fun and knowledgable!

Wendy

(About local Raquel)

10 February 2025

We had an absolutely amazing day out seeing the astonishing & beautiful Hierve el Agua, swimming in the “natural infinity pool” among stunning scenery. We also loved seeing the beautiful ancient remains at Mitla and learning about weaving and chocolate-making. Raquel is a marvellous guide: Mexican born & raised, but she has also lived in other countries and was able to provide a truly enlightening world-context. We love to do tours given by local people when we travel, & have had many from different companies, but Raquel is a truly inspirational guide and by this was the best tour we have had! Many thanks, Raquel, from Wendy, Larry & RobynFantastic trip to Hierve el Agua

fkj76xf4tq

(About local Raquel)

10 February 2025

Raquel gave us a good introduction to Oaxaca, focussing on just what we wanted to know. She’s a lovely person. Highly recommend her as a guide.Great person to spend time with

markkelly1917

(About local Raquel)

6 February 2025

Raquel is a wonderful guide. She is bright, knowledgeable, and personable. Her passion for Oaxaca is palpable and she is an effective presenter. We very much enjoyed our time with her. Raquel is a delight

Ryun

(About local Raquel)

3 February 2025

We had the absolute pleasure of going on the "10 Tastings of Oaxaca" tour with Raquel, and it was one of the highlights of our time in Oaxaca! Raquel is not only incredibly knowledgeable about Oaxacan food, drink and culture, but also passionate about sharing that love with her guests. Raquel took us through Oaxaca's vibrant markets, local eateries, and hidden gems that we never would have discovered on our own. (*Don't miss out on the local Tejate drink!) What truly set this tour apart was Raquel's personal touch. She engaged with us on a deeper level, offering insights into the history and traditions of Oaxaca. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and we felt like we were walking through the city with a close friend rather than a guide. If you’re looking for an authentic, immersive food tour in Oaxaca, I highly recommend this experience to fully appreciate the rich culinary heritage of this amazing region. Thank you, Raquel, for making our trip so special!"10 Tastings of Oaxaca" Tour with Raquel

Jose

(About local Rolando)

31 January 2025

Rolando was very nice, knowledgeable, showed very interesting points of this beautiful city, gave good recommendations in general, he was a great tour guide. Gracias Rolando.Walking in Oaxaca..

Chelsea

(About local Carlos Vidal)

26 January 2025

We were really looking forward to trying the food in Oaxaca, and this tour seemed like the best way to get an introduction to the various local specialties. It did not disappoint!! Carlos is very knowledgeable about Oaxaca’s food culture and he took us to local spots we would have never found on our own. He was very happy to keep whatever pace we were comfortable with and adapt the route to how we were feeling. Wonderful experience!!Delicious food tour with Carlos

tom.c.osborn

(About local Sofia)

26 January 2025

Sofia was a fantastic guide. She was energetic, passionate, patient, helpful, knowledgable and fun! We highly recommend using her services. Worth every dollar!

Phil🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sofia)

23 January 2025

We really enjoyed our 3 hour Oaxaca city tour with Sofia. She was personable and well educated. She was passionate about her home town and took us to places that we will definitely revisit. It was the perfect tour for 1st time visitors and we highly recommend Sofia as your tour guide.Fun and Informative Tour With Sofia

Laura🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Sofia)

11 January 2025

Our guide Sofia was excellent in many ways. She is knowledgeable about all things 0axaca. She shared many artisan places with us. The authentic Oaxaca. We have travelled to many places in the world and have had some tours. She is definitely in the same category as them. She knows her city very well. The Beauty of Oaxaca

Michael

(About local Rolando)

4 January 2025

Excellent and informative tour with Rolando. His insights and background as an architect and multi-generational family of Oaxaca gave unparalled perspective. The food tasting portion of the tour was magical and funExcepcional y divertido. Rolando was very knowledgeable

Hilde

(About local Carlos Vidal)

2 January 2025

Anu

(About local Carlos Vidal)

31 December 2024

Our extended family with 4 adults and 2 kids (5 years old) had the best time with Carols! He is friendly, patient, and very knowledgeable about Oaxacan foods having worked in the hospitality industry alongside well regarded chefs. He fully customized the tour to our preferences and pace, and took us to places we would never have found on our own. We sampled local produce & speciality foods at the markets, and ate delicious meals at hidden gem eateries. Everyone had a great time, including the kids who gave Uncle Carlos hugs at the end and invited him to San Francisco for a food tour one day!

mark

(About local Sofia)

27 December 2024

Sofia was a delight to be with on our tour of Oaxaca. Her love of the city was infectious and her knowledge of the region’s history and culture was outstanding. Sophia was so fun to be with we wanted to take her with us for the next five days of our time in Oaxaca. We give her our highest recommendation. Wonderful tour with Sofia

Daniel🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Carlos Vidal)

27 December 2024

My family and I had a great time with Carlos on our Oaxaca food tour. We visited many fun neighbourhoods and discovered many new dishes.Great tour

Sonja🇿🇦 South Africa

(About local Carlos Vidal)

22 December 2024

We had the best time with Carlos and we can highly recommend this tour!! He was very friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Carlos showed us some of his favorite street food places which we would never have tried otherwise. We enjoyed going to different markets trying out the local food and different types of fruit. This tour was really AWESOME!! Awesome local experience !!

Sara

(About local Rolando)

13 December 2024

Perfect way to learn about the history of Oaxaca and enjoy its food. Rolando is the best! He is very knowledgeable and accommodatingGreat tour!

Jane🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos Vidal)

25 November 2024

Carlos led my family of 3 on a wonderful food tour of central Oaxaca. We had just arrived and it served as a great introduction to the area. We started with breakfast of blue masa tacos made right in front of us at Tacos de Cazuela Tía Chave, then moved on to Tamales Cande, quesillo, pastry and tropical fruit at a local market. We then had a demonstration and cacao tasting at Corazón de Cacao, a family owned business, followed by fresh juice and garnachas at the organic market. All in all it was a great day. We appreciated that Carlos introduced us to so many local food artisans and accommodated our pescatarian diet.Fantastic Food Tour with Carlos

Ella

(About local Carlos Vidal)

20 November 2024

We had the best time with Carlos! He is friendly, knowledgeable and engaging. It was a hot day and the first thing Carlos did was offer us both some ice cold water which was much appreciated. He showed us around markets where we tried local delicacies and he helped us communicate with some local vendors to buy presents for our family back home. As we booked a private tour, Carlos also catered to what we wanted to try (ie soaked chicharon quesadilla). We highly reccomend Carlos!Excellent! Book Carlos!

laura

(About local Carlos Vidal)

20 November 2024

We had such a wonderful time with Carlos. He took us to a variety of places, none of which we would have found on our own. From street tacos to the market to a chocolate tasting, it was all fun and delicious.Come hungry and curious!

Michael

(About local Rolando)

18 November 2024

Rolando was fun, accommodating, and knowledgeable. He brought us too many out-of-the-way places that we enjoyed and he gave us a food experience that was unique for us. I would highly recommend Rolando to anyone looking to learn about Oaxaca.Rolando is the best!

Michelle

(About local Raquel)

7 November 2024

We don't know where to start, it was more than amazing! First of all Raquel is a lovely, friendly and a women with knowledge. She has a lot of experience in different ways. Culture, food, studies and about humans. We learned about all of this. The tour was adjusted on what we prefer and liked. For me, with a cheese intolerance, it was also perfect! We ate a lot of different things. Besides, Raquel is so nice for the people that sell the food aswell. She prefer locals that make food instead of big chains. We had an amazing time!The best foodguide ever!!

Art

(About local Raquel)

4 November 2024

Great intro to Centro Oaxaca. Raquel provided us with a great insight on the history and current trends, plus introduced us to the local must see spots.Welcome to Oaxaca!

Larissa🇧🇷 Brazil

(About local Raquel)

4 November 2024

Raquel is a great guide! She took us around Oaxaca giving us a lot of information about the city, its culture and people. We took the tour in Spanish and she made sure my mom felt included (my mom only speaks Portuguese). She made our experience in the city much more fun!Great guide!

Stevie🇳🇿 New Zealand

(About local Raquel)

25 October 2024

We had such a lovely evening with Raquel who showed us all the delicious food and drink around Oaxaca. Her knowledge was exceptional and she knew so much about the culture as well! We felt very educated and well looked after, would highly recommend! Best tasting tour Oaxaca has to offer!

Lizzy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos Vidal)

9 October 2024

We absolutely loved our tour with Carlos. He is very knowledgeable about the area and shared all kinds of interesting information with us. He knew some fabulous places for local food, and everything we had was delicious with plenty of things we would never had known to try. Oaxaca food tour

Stephen🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos Vidal)

23 September 2024

Carlos was great and so knowledgeable and passionate about the local food culture. He was very accommodating and even started the tour later for us as we arrived later in the day. Amazing food and we were so happy we met with him our first day since his recommendations helped us find amazing food throughout our trip. So much fun!