Oaxaca: Food & Markets Tour with Tastings & Lunch

Summary

Oaxaca markets food tour with tejate grasshoppers sweets lunch

You’ll sip tejate in bustling Benito Juarez Market, crunch grasshoppers with locals nearby, watch tamales sizzle on hot comals, and share stories over smoky tlayudas for lunch. Every step brings new flavors or laughter — this isn’t just eating; it’s being part of Oaxaca for a few hours.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d taste in Oaxaca to be a drink that looked like muddy water but smelled faintly of flowers. Our guide, Ana, handed me a cup of tejate at Benito Juarez Market and grinned — “It’s our ancient energy drink,” she said. I tried it (awkward sip), and it was cool, grainy, almost nutty. The market air was thick with chiles and fruit; somewhere behind us, an old man was laughing at something I’ll never know. Grasshoppers came next — salty, crunchy, weirdly addictive. I ate more than I meant to.

We wandered between stalls where women in bright aprons pressed tamales into banana leaves. Ana pointed out a vendor selling Oaxacan sweets — little clouds of sugar dusted on my fingers. The colors everywhere: piles of chilies, purple corn, yellow marigolds tucked behind ears. At 20 de Noviembre Market, the meat corridor hit me like a wall — smoke from roasting beef and pork curling around us. I watched as they slapped an empanada onto the comal; it hissed and crisped up right there.

I still think about that tlayuda — crispy edges, beans and cheese melting together, smoky from the grill. Lunch was loud and messy (in a good way). Ana told stories about her grandmother’s recipes while we ate; sometimes she’d switch to Zapotec mid-sentence and just smile at our confusion. By the end, my shirt had a streak of mole sauce on it and I didn’t even care. The whole tour felt less like a checklist and more like being let in on something locals actually do — not just watching from the outside.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Oaxacan traditional food tasting

• Taste traditional city waters and "El tejate"
• Try grasshoppers and Oaxacan sweets
• Taste roasted meats in meat corridor
• Try traditional tamales, empanada, and tlayudas

Top questions

What markets are included in the Oaxaca food & markets tour?

The tour visits Benito Juarez Market and 20 de Noviembre Market in Oaxaca.

Is lunch included in the Oaxaca food & markets tour?

Yes, lunch is included during the tour along with tastings at each market stop.

What foods will I try on this day trip?

You’ll taste tejate (cacao drink), grasshoppers, Oaxacan sweets, roasted meats, tamales, empanada al comal, and tlayudas.

Is this Oaxaca food tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health.

Does the tour include pickup or transportation?

No hotel pickup is included but public transportation options are nearby each market.

Are there vegetarian options on this Oaxaca food tour?

The main tastings focus on traditional dishes which include meat; vegetarian options may be limited.

What’s included

Your day includes guided tastings at both Benito Juarez Market and 20 de Noviembre Market with a local guide leading you through each flavor stop; lunch is provided along the way so you can relax into every bite without worrying what comes next.