Oaxaca: 3 Markets Food Walking Tour & 24 Tastings

Summary

Wander Oaxaca’s markets tasting mezcal, chocolate, grilled meats and more

You’ll taste your way through three lively Oaxaca markets with a local guide, sampling over 24 traditional dishes — from smoky grilled meats to sweet chocolate de agua and even crunchy chapulines if you’re brave. Expect laughter around crowded tables, stories behind every bite, and a feeling that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We started winding through the old streets of Oaxaca just as the city was waking up — a little haze in the air, that smell of corn and coffee drifting from somewhere close. Betsaida met us outside the first market with this easy smile, and I remember thinking she looked like she actually knew every single person who passed by. The walk itself wasn’t long — maybe a mile all in — but we stopped so often it felt like time stretched out in between bites and stories.

Inside Mercado Benito Juárez, it’s noisy and bright, everybody calling out prices or laughing over something I couldn’t quite catch. Betsaida handed me a warm cup of chocolate de agua (she said her grandmother made it this way), and I tried to sip without burning my tongue. There was something earthy about it — not sweet like at home. We tasted grilled meats with smoky salsa that made my lips tingle, then these tacos stuffed with pumpkin flower that were softer than I expected. Someone offered chapulines (grasshoppers) on a napkin; I hesitated but tried one anyway — salty, crunchy, not nearly as weird as I thought.

The second market was quieter but filled with different smells — ripe fruit, atole bubbling somewhere behind a stall. At one point Betsaida explained how corn is basically everything here; she pointed out tortillas stacked high next to piles of Oaxacan cheese. We tried some kind of dessert made from local fruit — I can’t remember the name now — but it tasted almost floral. There was mezcal too (of course), sharp and smoky; Li laughed when I tried to say “salud” in Zapotec. Probably butchered it.

I didn’t expect to feel so full or so welcomed by the end of this Oaxaca food tour. It’s not just about eating (though you’ll eat a lot); it’s hearing why these foods matter, watching people greet each other across crowded aisles like family. Even hours later, walking home past the last street stall where someone was still grilling meat over coals, I kept thinking about that first sip of chocolate de agua — simple but somehow unforgettable.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Oaxaca cultural food walking tour

• Join 6-hour food walking tour
• Taste over 24 typical foods
• Visit 3 main markets
• Try street food at 2 stalls
• Learn about culture and history
• Discover corn-based dishes
• Eat unique Oaxacan tacos
• Sample grilled meats and garnishes
• Taste typical desserts and local fruits
• Enjoy traditional drinks like chocolate de agua

Top questions

How long does the Oaxaca food tour last?

The tour lasts around 6 hours.

How many tastings are included?

You’ll try more than 24 typical Oaxacan foods and drinks during the tour.

Are vegetarians accommodated on this tour?

Yes, vegetarians can be accommodated if you let them know when booking.

Is transportation included in the Oaxaca food tour?

No, transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.

What markets do we visit on this food tour?

You’ll visit three main markets in Oaxaca plus two street food stalls.

Are drinks included on the tour?

Yes, all foods and drinks (including mezcal) are included in the price.

How much walking is involved?

The total distance walked is about 1 mile with some uphill sections and stairs.

Can guests with allergies join this Oaxaca food tour?

Yes, allergies or restrictions can be accommodated if mentioned when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes all food tastings (over 24 dishes), drinks like mezcal and chocolate de agua, lunch at various stops along three main markets and two street stalls, plus stories from your local guide throughout the six-hour experience. Just meet up in central Oaxaca—no transport needed—and come hungry for both flavors and conversation.