Top Oaxaca Cooking Classes

Oaxacan Cooking Class with Local Chef

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Discover the tastes and textures of Oaxaca during a cooking workshop right in the heart of the city. Join a small group and visit a local market to gather ingredients for your class. There's no set menu, so the group can select which traditional dishes to make. Learn about the origins of each dish and several techniques during your hands-on class. Your tour end with the delicious meal that you've created.

Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT: IT IS NOT A RESTAURANT, I DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF A CHEF I am Minerva Lopez and I am a traditional cook from Oaxaca and I have more than 40 years of experience in pre-Hispanic and traditional cooking. I invite you to spend a day at my house, with my family, my culture, it is an authentic experience where you will learn to cook as I learned, as if it were with mom! Our groups are small which makes for an intimate, family experience The market that we visited is the largest in Oaxaca and it is not touristic, where the locals go to buy our fresh and organic ingredients, here it is possible to adapt our menu to your tastes There are vegan, vegetarian and meat lovers options. At home away from the city in a small town, our outdoor wood stove is the best place to cook. Everything we will eat is prepared at home MORE THAN A CLASS IS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF FLAVORS AND KNOWLEDGE

Traditional Cooking Class with Minerva Lopez

6 hoursFree Cancellation

My name is Sonia and since childhood I have had a great passion for traditional Oaxacan cuisine, and not only because I was born in this beautiful land, but also because I am so proud to have learned from the best cooks in the region. My mother always told me that there is no cooking in clay pots and charcoal, since then I have followed her advice. All dishes will be easy to replicate at home, a digital recipe will be provided. I have attended diplomas in pastries and I make cakes with organic eggs and fresh butter. I would love to welcome you to my house and share the knowledge I have gained over all these years. Classes are available in English and Spanish. We offer classes for vegans and vegetarians as long as they let me know in advance. It fills me with emotion to show you everything about Oaxacan cuisine. Welcome!

Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Mole & Tortilla class, Market Tour, mezcal tasting | Quinta Brava

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Journey into the heart of Oaxacan culture with a traditional cook, a UNESCO-recognized guardian of Mexican heritage. This tour empowers local families and honors the women preserving Mexico’s culinary legacy. Begin at the vibrant market in Teotitlán del Valle, selecting ingredients that bring ancestral recipes to life, before heading to our host’s home for a warm welcome with Oaxaca’s traditional bread and chocolate. Learn to prepare tamales and moles (green, red, black) using time-honored techniques on the metate and comal. After enjoying your creations with an artisanal mezcal tasting, visit a family-owned textile workshop where handmade rugs and modern products, like hats and bags, blend tradition with innovation. End this unique journey with a stop at the legendary Tule Tree, a living symbol of Oaxaca’s heritage.

From Oaxaca city: Traditional Cooking Class with UNESCO Chef

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

1 Hour Oaxacan Chocolate Making Class with Mole-making and Drinks

Foodies know that every meal is precious when traveling, so don't risk wasting time on a bad meal. Walk and eat your way around Oaxaca on this small-group tour. Sample a plethora of different local dishes at markets and street food stalls, starting at Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman. Learn about Oaxacan culture through its food, and get a close-up look at a side of the city many travelers miss.

AUTHENTIC OAXACA CULTURAL FOOD TOUR, eat like a local.

6 hoursFree Cancellation

Mexico on Your Plate: Hands-On Cooking Experience

In this class, you will learn about the origins of cacao, where it is produced, and its importance throughout the history of Mexico and Oaxaca. We will explore different types of cacao pods and their unique characteristics, connecting you to the roots of this iconic ingredient. You will then create your own artisanal Oaxacan chocolate, learning each step of the process—from roasting and peeling to grinding and transforming cacao into oaxacan chocolate. We work closely with local producers to ensure an authentic and high-quality experience. Along the way, you will also learn how chocolate is traditionally enjoyed in Oaxaca, both as a drink and as a food, giving you a deeper appreciation for its cultural significance.

Traditional Oaxacan Chocolate Class

We developed this class because in 2016 I won a contest in Oaxaca with the best bartenders in the City. From there I have the opportunity to make cocktails for events, classes or gastronomic projects. I have a YouTube channel and a local television program where we prepare the cocktails and the contest I win to show how cooking is more passion than quantity, because flavors are what guide the experience.

Mixology class with Mezcal in Oaxaca

4 Moles Oaxacan Cooking Class with Traditional Cook

This is a practical cooking class focused on making five different sauces, designed to be made in a market environment. The activity begins with a guided tour of the market, where participants select fresh and seasonal ingredients, learning to recognize their quality, origin and culinary use. Later, in the workspace, a chef or facilitator guides the participants step by step in preparing the sauces, sharing basic techniques, flavor combinations and context on the Mexican culinary traditions associated with each recipe. The activity concludes with a tasting of the prepared sauces, encouraging conversation, exchange of learning and appreciation of the work done by the participants.

Salsa Making Class in a Mexican Market

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Discover the culinary essence of Oaxaca and immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience by taking our traditional mole making class. Through an exciting tour of the local market and an immersion in the culinary culture of this Mexican region, you will have the opportunity to not only learn how to prepare the emblematic Oaxacan mole, but also to understand its deep cultural meaning and its importance in identity. gastronomic of Mexico. From the careful selection of fresh, authentic ingredients to the tasting of unique flavors, this class will allow you to appreciate the richness of traditional Mexican cuisine. Immerse yourself in a unique culinary adventure that awakens all the senses and carries with it the authentic spirit of Oaxaca. Through our mole making class, you will not only learn about the complexity of flavors and cooking techniques, but also the history and culture embedded in each bite. Minimum 1 maximum 12 people. We do not use products of animal or illegal origin.

Prepare an Oaxacan Mole by a Traditional Cook

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Mezcal & Mole by a Certified Sommelier

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

With the help of a traditional cook, you will discover the unique flavors of traditional Oaxacan cuisine, while learning about our traditions and culture. In this class you will make delicious memelitas with your own hands, from preparing the dough to making a delicious molcajete sauce to accompany them. I will teach you recipes that you can easily repeat at home. We will cook in a traditional smoke kitchen, with utensils that have been used for generations in my family, you will discover our traditions and I will give you advice that will help you better understand and taste the dishes of Oaxacan cuisine. When we prepare the mole, I will teach you how to select the best ingredients that have given Oaxacan mole worldwide fame and recognition. Please let me know in advance if you have dietary restrictions so I can adjust the menu so you can fully enjoy the experience.

Traditional cooking class: learn how to make an Oaxacan mole

4 hours 45 minutesFree Cancellation

In this Moles tasting it will not only be a test of each one, but rather you will have the opportunity to listen to the history and rituals of Oaxacan food, each mole will be served in the different ways in which we locals enjoy it every day. We will have dynamics where you will learn about the general ingredients of each mole and you will be surprised to discover the fusions of flavors. Each mole is a different dish, which will make you end up very satisfied and happy to have joined us. We have unlimited mezcal along with the moles, so that you also end up being a mezcal expert at the end of the tasting. It is not a cooking class, but we also offer a class where you can learn to make two of the moles that we will present to you here, so you can ask us about that class.

Siete Moles Tasting

The ancient Zapotec city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte Alban sits about 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) west of Oaxaca. With this tour, explore the hilltop archaeological site with a guide and enjoy views overlooking the Oaxaca Valley. That leaves enough time to visit the artisan towns of Arrazola, Cuilapam de Guerrero, and San Bartolo Coyotepec. Plus, round-trip transportation from your hotel in downtown Oaxaca is included.

Monte Alban, Alebrijes & Black Pottery: Oaxaca Essential Day Tour

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Cacao, Chocolate Experience in Oaxaca for Small Groups

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

Tasting of Oaxacan honeys Taste the sweetness of Oaxacan honeys! In Nunduve you can taste different local honeys while talking about the interesting world of bees. Enjoy a unique, interesting and very sweet experience! We’ll start with a presentation and introduction to the world of bees and honey. You’ll be surprised by everything you don’t already know about these topics! Next, we’ll talk about the most important characteristics of honey sensory analysis and try six different honeys, learning not only about their characteristics, but also about their origins and history. We will conclude by answering all your questions with a coffee or drink of your choice I am a honey and bee biologist with 10 years of experience. We would love you to be part of this experience!

Oaxacan Honey Tasting

Traditional Mexican Cooking Class

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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What are people saying about Oaxaca

Mole & Tortilla class, Market Tour, mezcal tasting | Quinta Brava

Gregory_K, Sep 2026

A Wonderful Oaxaca Cooking Experience!!

A wonderful way to spend a morning in Oaxaca. Miguel and Jose are so kind, teaching you every step, from making homemade tortillas all the way to mole. They offer as much or as little info as you want. A favorite experience of ours in Mexico! The setting is a beautiful outdoor kitchen and garden with two of the sweetest dogs for additional company!

Traditional Cooking Class with Minerva Lopez

Natalia_M, Sep 2026

Highlight of the trip

We had high expectations for this tour and they were absolutely exceeded. The market tour was very informational and we even got to see where maiz is processed. The cooking experience in Minerva Lopez’s home was absolutely incredible since she has so much knowledge to share. Overall a major highlight of our trip and we hope to return soon!

Oaxacan Cooking Class with Local Chef

Veronica_M, Aug 2026

Excelente

We had such an amazing experience at this cooking class! We learned so much and had a wonderful time throughout the entire experience. chef Oswaldo is incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and made the class both informative and fun. You can truly tell how much he loves what he does. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking for a fun, hands-on, and memorable experience!

Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes

Mercedes_A, Jul 2026

Wonderful experience

This 100% hands-on cooking class is an absolute must-do in Centro, Oaxaca. You will learn the secrets to roasting and peeling poblano peppers, mastering the perfect fluffy egg batter, and crafting authentic, stone-ground salsas. It is the perfect blend of cultural immersion and culinary education.

Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class

Teresa_B, Jun 2026

A Great cooking class deep in a Oaxacan neighborhood

This is a very interesting afternoon of going to a real market in a non-touristy corner of Oaxaca. Quetie (sp?) shopped with us, identified unfamiliar fruits for us, and then let us back to the big kitchen where in a friendly and clear way she instructed us and how to make a wonderful vegetarian soup with corn and spinach and how to make delicious tortillas by hand and mamelas and quesadillas. Diego concocted a fantastic mango with mescal cocktail. My daughter and I loved it and have already gone shopping at our local Mexican store back in Chicago to try to re-create the menu. We appreciated these hard-working and friendly young people of Oaxaca who shared their culture and skills very generously with us. I highly recommend them.

Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour

Avi_N, Jun 2026

Come to cook stay for the mole

This was a great experience. The food was delicious and we shopped at the market and cooked and of course ate. I recommend don’t eat.much before the cooking class. We made chocolate mole - the best I have eaten and I ate many. Overall, highly recommended.

AUTHENTIC OAXACA CULTURAL FOOD TOUR, eat like a local.

Andrew_P, May 2026

The best tour we did in all of Mexico, special thanks to our guide!

Would give this 7 stars if I could! We absolutely loved this experience, wow! I thought 6-7 hours might be too much time but I could have gone another 7 hours! We loved the pre-Hispanic history provided by our guide throughout our walking tour of Oaxaca. We felt like we saw the majority of old Oaxaca on our tour and saw so many things we would have otherwise missed. This includes the food! I am not usually one to try different foods but this was so much fun and so, so tasty. Ours favorite were the black mole tamales which would have been impossible to find if not for this tour - we didn’t see them anywhere else in Oaxaca on our trip, and the variety of Oaxacan fruits, including a chewable stick which was SO cool, and spicy!!! We loved the mezcals, the fruits, the pre-Hispanic atols and conversation with our guide. We were lucky enough to be the only group on the day we booked and if a private tour isn’t already available, I’d recommend this operator to create a private tour, because it felt so much more personable and intimidate with only the 3 of us. Highly recommend if you love food and history! We wouldn’t have tried 95% of the foods we tried on this tour had it not been for the tour. We also wouldn’t have seen 70% of the sites and markets if we didn’t book this tour. I’ll be recommending this tour to everyone. I loved meeting the owners of every restaurant/market we stopped at, too.

Tule, Mitla & Hierve el Agua Full-Day Tour with Certified Guide

YOLOTL_P, May 2026

Fascinating Tours

It was a fascinating tour, they arrived on time for us, and were very friendly. Our Guide Edelmira told us many stories, she made it very entertaining and fun. They took us to many places with all the explanations. We had an incredible time. Hope to see them soon, all our family loved it.

Tour de medio día a monte albán

Donal_M, Mar 2026

A Half day well spent

As it’s so close to the city a half day is perfect to visit Monte Alban. Gabriel our guide from OaxacaTours was excellent in delivering to us the requisite information in English and encouraging us to ask questions. It’s only 25-30 minutes by minibus to the car park from the centre of Oaxaca. The 8:30am departure got us back to the city at about 12:15pm leaving plenty of time to do something else.

Mezcal & Mole by a Certified Sommelier

Hitomate_H, Mar 2026

The Perfect Introduction to Mezcal (and Mole!)

I had an absolutely fantastic experience with my guide, Ro. She was incredibly knowledgeable and answered my many questions in a way that was easy for a layperson to understand. We primarily spoke in Spanish, but whenever I struggled to follow, she seamlessly switched to English, which made the experience even more comfortable. While I originally came for the mezcal tasting, the mole pairing ended up being a huge highlight. I had never been much of a fan of mole before, probably because I’d only had mediocre versions, but this completely changed my perspective. I left a true fan and even brought some of my favorites home. Fair warning: you’ll likely leave with a few bottles of mezcal as well. Ro thoughtfully wrapped mine in bubble wrap so they made it home safely in my luggage. This tasting is a fantastic way to learn about and appreciate the nuances of mezcal before visiting the distilleries themselves. 10/10 experience, absolutely worth the price and highly recommended.

Imperio Monte Albán, Ex Convento de Cuilapan y Artesanías locales

HECTOR_C, Oct 2025

Outstanding and exciting experience.

Our tour guide Emanuel did an outstanding job, being kind and exited to share all the information he has gathered through his own life, experience and studying. He had every bit of information about every place, every historical name, every historical time. I totally recommend enjoying this tour.