Insider’s Guide to Oaxaca's Central de Abastos Market
A market tour that dives deep into the rich food traditions and vibrant culture at Mercado Central de Abastos, Oaxaca City’s most important culinary gem.
Centro Histórico » Walking food tour » 5 stops » 3.5 hrs
Awash in Oaxaca’s emblematic culinary traditions, there’s no other place like Oaxaca’s Central de Abastos Market, the city’s most important mercado and one of the great centers of food commerce in the Valle Centrales region.
It’s a Oaxacan food-lovers paradise.
Brimming with produce and product, it’s not uncommon to see Oaxaca’s best chefs on early morning runs to the Central de Abastos to source ingredients for their restaurants, often stopping at one of the market’s stellar food stalls for an obligatory breakfast.
Some of the best food in Mexico is served at its comedores.
From tasajo-topped miltomate memelas and green mole empanadas, to Tlacolula-style barbacoa and cabeza de res tacos, the Central de Abastos Market is a testament to both the diversity and deliciousness of Oaxaca’s storied cuisine.
Ages 18+ only.
Includes:
5 Oaxacan street food stops
A series of tastings at the market
1 pulque or tepache beverage
Traditional Oaxacan ice cream
Severe food allergies and/or strict dietary accommodations cannot be accommodated. Click here to learn about our Dietary Accommodations.
THE RENDEZVOUS POINT
Our meeting spot is located in the Centro Histórico neighborhood of Oaxaca City. After you make a reservation, you will receive a confirmation email with the meetup details. The meeting point is centrally located and easily accessible by walking from hotels and Airbnbs in the Centro Histórico or by using the city’s taxi services.
EAT. EAT. REPEAT.
Over the course of the morning, we’ll navigate the market’s ever-busy stalls to dive deep into this region’s very best dishes as we eat our way through the city’s must-visit culinary gem. We’ll stop at five food stands and pull up to a pulquería for a round of pulque, a pre-Hispanic low-alcohol fermented beverage made from the sap of the agave plant.
To cap the day off on a sweet note, we’ll finish our food-filled adventure beneath the canopy of a giant ficus tree over heaping scoops of traditional Oaxacan ice cream.
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
We will end our adventure at a quiet pedestrian plaza in Oaxaca’s Centro Histórico neighborhood. From there, you can either grab a taxi or walk to your next destination.
BEFORE YOU GO
This is a 3.5 hour walking food tour around Oaxaca City’s biggest traditional market, so please wear comfortable shoes, as there will be a lot of walking involved. There will also be plenty of food, so it's a good idea to skip breakfast!
The heat and sun in Oaxaca City can be intense all year round. We strongly encourage guests to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats if you are sensitive to the sun. Additionally, Oaxaca City is situated at an elevation of 1,555 meters (5,100 feet), so be sure to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water before the food tour. It’s best not to show up hungover!
The summer months mark Oaxaca’s rainy season. Although the rain usually starts in the late afternoon, well after our tours have finished, our Insider’s Guide to Oaxaca's Central de Abastos Market tour runs rain or shine, so be prepared.
Oaxaca’s Central de Abastos market district is a bustling, working-class area. We advise leaving flashy jewelry, watches, and similar items back at your hotel for safety.
THE CTH WAY
A blogger once described Club Tengo Hambre food tours this way: 'It felt like very cool friends were showing us around their town.' That's what CTH is all about. Our food tours are small, intimate gatherings. Our aim is to celebrate both the social aspect of food in bringing people together and the vibrant food scene that makes Oaxaca City one of the best places in the world to eat. We want you to bring your friends + make new ones.
Club Tengo Hambre’s Insider’s Guide to Oaxaca's Central de Abastos Market tour was, quite literally, decades in the making. Years of food intel went into its curation. Our menu focuses solely on the best of Oaxaca’s regional street cuisine
Word of Mouth
“We had such a great time on this food tour with Goyo! He was so knowledgeable and kind and brought the group together! The food was delicious and it was a great introduction to Oaxaca! Thank you so much, Goyo!”
A wonderful experience of community and incredible food
“We cannot recommend this tour enough. Valeria was a wonderful guide. She introduced us not only to the food but the wonderful community that exists across Oaxaca. It’s a really special experience. The diversity of food and drinks was unmatched. Each and every stall was our favourite! You learn about the history of the place. Should be required for all tourists visiting the area. But also, just lovely vibes!”
“The BEST time of your life, we didn’t want it to end. Eating your way through Oaxaca with our guide Goyo is like hanging with a close friend. He has an infectious energy and love for his home and left us with so much knowledge and love for this city and the culture.”
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