Criollo - 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez

Criollo helped us host fifty guests for an after-the-wedding Sunday brunch. They were so accommodating and wonderful to work with. The food is a nice twist on Oaxacan fare, and the back yard space is very lively yet tranquil. The location is about a fifteen minute walk from Centro, ten from Zocalo.

Overall the experience was really good. My partner has a dairy allergy and they did a nice job accommodating the dishes. The atmosphere was nice -we came on a cold night and they provided guests with blankets which was a nice touch because I definitely needed it. The dishes were great although I felt the dessert felt a bit short. They served an arroz con leche which was honestly one of the most basic dishes they served us-rice was stale, flavor just wasn’t there in comparison to the rest. I was expecting a bit more out of the main dish but we had a chicken with mole which was great. I guess I was expecting another dish like that but maybe I am asking too much. Don’t go expecting Pujol, it’s not Pujol, but does a hell of a job respecting the region of Oaxaca and it’s ingredients. We also had a gin here specific to the region and loved it so much we bought a bottle. I loved this, the fact that you can purchase spirits from your table. Only thing I wish they kept in mind was that we were celebrating something special. Overall recommend for sure but there’s details here and there they can improve.

Disappointing experience considering the price & fame. The service may be the saving grace. Had the dinner tasting menu with drink pairing. Of the drink pairing, the Mexican sparkling wine and cocktails were solid. However, the choices did not feel thoughtful on the whole, because they do not seem to complement, less so enhance the dishes. The food were average and unimaginative. For example, the tomato soup is reminiscent of a minestrone soup, and overlaps with the tomato shot in the first plate. We did enjoy the mole (reminds me of a Japanese curry, slightly sweet & fruity), and the sauce/soup for the soft shell crab. The dessert was sadly a total miss for me. Also did not personally care for the pork on the tlayuda (asked for spicy sauce to mask the flavor, but the sauce never came...) Perhaps should have come here for brunch instead of paying premium for dinner. Overall feels overhyped.

Fantastic 8 course meal. Amazing atmosphere. Wine list a little limited, but your kid can keep busy chasing around the few chickens or habits on the property.

This restaurant is not just an ordinary "let's go to have some food restaurant". When we came in December 2021 it had a 6 course menu of the day for 1700$ (pesos) including the alcoholic beverages, one per course. The price of only the food menu would be around 1100/1200$ The service was 6/5 stars, the first course started straight away. The menu included a variety of high quality traditional Mexican dishes and tasted absolutely excellent. If you want some true Oaxaca-food experience of quality and don't mind to use some extra pennies, this relative newly restaurant is the place to go! Best food I tried in Mexico.

If you are looking for a testing Restaurant and don't mind paying around 50-70 US Dollars plus drinks this is your place to go. (maybe more, the price is depending on what they have on the menu) The menu changes every night and they don’t have a range of prices upfront. I didn’t like that you don’t get to know the menu till the servers get to your table. I felt the place was not transparent with customers regardless of whether you can/can’t afford it, you don’t get an idea of the cost. They will explain the menu out loud so, if you don’t pay attention you will not know the cost or the menu so, if you go, pay attention it’s hard to understand with the face masks. The place is nice/minimalist. They adapt the menu to the allergies, diet’s…the plus side. In my experience, the food was not worth it(the 1200 pesos per meal) when in other places in Oaxaca are very recognized for less than 150 pesos, including places that made it in Netflix show for us to not known the chefs name. The dishes at the restaurant were inspired by local dishes in Oaxaca. In my PERSONAL OPINION, If you are a person that will feel guilty for spending over 50 dollars on a meal in Mexico’s poorest state, and then see kids and people begging for food/money on the street, don’t even go. We felt awfully bad after we pay that and then saw kids eating off the floor on the streets or going through trash cans. I rather support local small businesses and help the local economy. As I said my opinion. If this is the style you’re looking for, this is the place to go. But there are many places with way better taste.

Criollo is one of those special food experiences you have to try while in Oaxaca! We had dinner reservations (recommended) and arrived to sit in a beautiful table in a garden. The menu included a 6 course meal but... It's a surprise! You don't know what's coming. We enjoyed every course and the anticipation of it. They ask you if you have any allergies or don't eat something and that way they'll avoid serving you a surprise you wouldn't enjoy. Highly recommend the food, service and decent prices for the amount of food! Take your time here ?

We almost didn’t go because of the negative reviews, but our hotel was around the corner and were able to pop in without a reservation for breakfast. The outdoor seating was really unique, you can observe the staff preparing food, chickens are running around, meat is on the fire. We didn’t have the tasting menu they’re known for but really happy to stop in to see the space! The food we did have was excellent. I have a hunch that others complaining about service need to lower their expectations. This isn’t New York City!