5 Best Restaurants in Oaxaca, Mexico

The delicious aromas from the busy kitchen lure fans to the outdoor patio of this cheerful trattoria in a neighborhood that's fast becoming known as "Little Italy." Ebullient chef-owners Manuel and Giordana have a warm energy that matches their classic Italian cuisine; la dolce vita begins with a basket of bread sticks and crusty bread served with two addictive pestos (one habanero and the other anchovy herb). The menu includes a tempting array of house-made pastas including spinach ravioli and tagliatelle. But don't hurry to make your choice; wait to hear the daily specials, which are always market-fresh and simple, using the finest seasonal ingredients. Portions are generous and offer excellent value. The wine list is better than average.

Every inch of wall space at this elevated restaurant on the west end of the Adoquín is filled with paintings. And every inch of your small, square table will be covered by platters of homemade pasta, like tortellini, ravioli, and lasagna. Pizzas are also popular; try the one with eggplant, garlic, mushrooms, and basil. Though service can be spotty, the brick-and-stone floors and red tiles peeking through the rafters make for a pleasant environment. The bacon-wrapped shrimp Culiacán is a popular choice.

A few steps up from street level and offering views of Playa Zicatela from most tables, this casual yet impeccably clean restaurant with traditional Mexican decor offers an expansive menu with something to please everyone. Signature thin-crust, wood-fired pizza is always a good option as are the house-made pastas and even some authentic Mexican dishes. Add to that friendly service, and the unusually late opening hours—you can sit down for dinner at 11:45 pm—and you've got a winning formula.

This Italian restaurant serves salads, calzones, and artisanal pizzas with a vast choice of toppings baked to perfection in a wood-burning oven. Try the nutella-banana pizza for dessert. The bar and the restaurant are under one big palapa, and there are small palapas with individual tables on the beach. With the sounds of the waves and soft lighting, it makes for a romantic night out. La Termita also serves a hearty Mexican-style breakfast (but closes for lunch). Five clean, ocean-view guest rooms are available, but book early.

This contemporary Italian restaurant sits within one of the colonial houses of Jalatlaco, one of the oldest parts of the city. Toscana was one of the first successful Italian restaurants in the city and still provides an eclectic menu, focusing on a wide range of pizzas, pastas, and seafood. Sitting under its archways, looking out on the rock garden, you might think you are in Italy. The cocktail menu aids your relaxation, and the food, when it arrives, is always crisp and flavorsome. Afterwards, a stroll around the picturesque neighborhood and a visit to the church are great ways to digest the food.