Zandunga

Sunlight beams down through an open roof and into this colorful, spacious courtyard set with handsome wooden tables. Pottery, textiles and paintings by local artists adorn every wall in sight. Truly, this restaurant captures the vibrant spirit of downtown Oaxaca. It’s a lovely scene to take in while exploring a curated menu focused on traditional regional flavors. Start with the garnachas, the masa carefully fried and topped with tender, shredded beef and pickled cabbage, before moving on to the crispy plantains stuffed with queso and crema that are both tropical and savory. Tamales come prepared with mole negro, sweet corn or raisins. A generous platter featuring many of these standout dishes offers diners an efficient way to sample everything.