Mezcal is Oaxaca's smoke-roasted agave spirit from 30-plus agave varieties, produced at small palenques across the Valles Centrales and Sierra ranges.
Mezcal is the smoke-roasted agave spirit of Oaxaca, with pre-Hispanic origins refined under Spanish colonial-era distillation. Santiago Matatlan east of Oaxaca is the World Capital of Mezcal, with more than 200 registered palenques. The 2026 Feria Internacional del Mezcal runs July 17-28 and the Mezcaloteca on Reforma is the appointment-only library tasting room with 100-plus family-producer mezcals, opened in 2010.
7 editor picks for Mezcal in Oaxaca, ranked by editorial score. All Oaxaca signature dishes · Mezcal across every city.
Mezcaloteca ★ 4.7
centro-historico · Reforma 506, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca
Mezcaloteca on Reforma is the appointment-only mezcal library with 100-plus family producers for educational flights and a small dry-snack pairing service.
In Situ Mezcaleria ★ 4.5
centro-historico · Vicente Guerrero 413, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca
In Situ on Vicente Guerrero is Ulises Torrentera's mezcaleria with 180-plus mezcals, often poured by the author himself, and a small snack program for long.
Selva Oaxaca Cocktail Bar ★ 4.5
centro-historico · Macedonio Alcala 403 int. 6, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca
Selva on Macedonio Alcala is on the 50 Best Discovery list, a creative cocktail bar with Oaxacan-ingredient drinks and mezcals from small distilleries.
Sabina Sabe ★ 4.4
centro-historico · 5 de Mayo 209, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca
Sabina Sabe on Cinco de Mayo 209 is named for Maria Sabina, a cocktail bar with a vast mezcal collection, natural wines and local-ingredient small plates.
Cuish Mezcaleria ★ 4.4
centro-historico · Diaz Ordaz 712, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca
Cuish on Diaz Ordaz is Felix Hernandez Monterrosa's mezcaleria since 2009, with wild-agave mezcals downstairs and a small art and live-music room upstairs.
Mezcalogia ★ 4.3
centro-historico · C. de Manuel Garcia Vigil 509, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca
Mezcalogia on Garcia Vigil pairs Casa Cortes mezcals (El Jolgorio, Nuestra Soledad) with a tight Mexican wine list and a small kitchen of Oaxacan plates.
La Casa del Mezcal ★ 4.2
centro-historico · Flores Magon 209, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca
La Casa del Mezcal on Flores Magon is the 1935 cantina behind Mercado Benito Juarez, with a long mezcal counter and old-cantina feel in the heart of Centro.