My Honest Review of Restaurante Alfonsina Oaxaca (Was it Worth it?)
Want to visit Restaurante Alfonsina in Oaxaca?
You’re in the right place because I had the chance to eat there, and I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about dining at Restaurante Alfonsina Oaxaca Mexico.
As it’s one of the most famous Oaxaca off the beaten path restaurants, you’re going to want to read every word in this article, because Alfonsina was not easy to find — even with GPS!
However, after reading, you’ll be much better prepared than I was.
For foodies who love hidden gems, this place is a must (even if it’s basically in the middle of nowhere). You can think of the trip there as the adventure, and the food as the hidden treasure you’ll find once you arrive.
Wondering, Is Restaurante Alfonsina Oaxaca worth visiting? — the answer is YES.
The food was worth making the 45-minute drive from Oaxaca City. Ready to see what I ate, figure out how to find this place, and more? Let’s dive in!
Restaurante Alfonsina serves traditional Oaxacan foods, including memelas, tamales and the seven Oaxaca moles (pronounced moe-lays).
The menu is always changing, but you’ll always get a five-course meal using whatever’s fresh in Central de Abastos Market that day.
🤤 Some of the Food at Alfonsina Oaxaca That We Ate
Is Restaurante Alfonsina vegan friendly?
Yes — The staff at Restaurant Alfonsina Oaxaca will ask if you have dietary restrictions before serving your meal.
While my boyfriend and I did not, there was a pescaterian and a vegetarian at the table next to us, and they were served different plates than the rest of the people in their party.
You can also ask if they know what will be on the menu the day you plan to visit. While the La Alfonsina Oaxaca menu changes often, they just might already be serving vegan dishes the day you visit.
How much does it cost to eat at Alfonsina Oaxaca?
We paid $400 pesos (about $20 USD) for lunch, per person. However, the price increases a bit to $600 pesos ($30 USD) in the Oaxaca high season months of November to March.
The dinner at Alfonsina is $600-$800 pesos ($30-40 USD) per person, depending on the time of year you’re dining.
Of course, prices are always subject to change, so double check by contacting the restaurant before your meal.
⚠️ Note: your prix fixe meal does not include drinks
Those range from $20 pesos to $100 pesos per drink, depending on if you’re ordering Oaxaca mezcal, Mexican beer, or agua del día — one of the most popular Mexican drinks.
I had the agua del día, or “water of the day,” which is water made with whatever fresh fruit they have a lot of that day. The day we went to eat at Alfonsina Oaxaca, it was agua de tuna.
Tuna is the Spanish word for prickly pear cactus, and one of the desserts at our meal also had tuna in it.
What is Restaurante Alfonsina famous for?
Alfonsina is known as one of the best restaurants for traditional Oaxacan foods. It is also known for its beautiful ambiance.
Foodies will love venturing to this off the beaten track Oaxaca culinary gem to sample foods unique to Central Oaxaca and Oaxaca state.
Who is the chef at Restaurante Alfonsina?
The restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Jorge León, one of the best Mexican chefs working today.
However, it’s his mother, Doña Elvia, who runs the kitchen at Alfonsina. The restaurant is named in honor of her late-mother, Alfonsina.
👨🍳 Who is Chef Jorge León?
Jorge León’s first job in a restaurant was as a dishwasher at Casa Oaxaca Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Oaxaca. (They also have a hotel, so it’s also one of the best hotels in Oaxaca City.)
He worked his way up, and eventually Chef Enrique Olvera offered León a position at Pujol Mexico City. Pujol is one of the best Mexico City restaurants, though many consider it the best restaurant in all Mexico.
León’s job at Pujol was to make the mole, and his proficiency with this complex Oaxacan cuisine earned him the nickname, “Moles.”
He was in charge of the signature dish at Pujol, the Mole Madre, which is based on one of his family’s recipes.
He worked at Pujol for six years, before returning to his native Oaxaca. When we ate at Alfonsina, we saw him walking around, as the restaurant is actually in his family’s home.
Restaurante Alfonsina on Somebody Feed Phil
One of the Oaxaca Netflix restaurants, you may have seen Restaurante Alfonsina on the Oaxaca episode of Somebody Feed Phil. For fans of the show, Alfonsina is a must-try on the Somebody Feed Phil Oaxaca restaurant list.
If you want to visit more Oaxaca restaurants on Netflix, here are a few more to try:
- Memelas Doña Vale
- Crudo Oaxaca
- Empanadas del Carmen
- La Cocina de Humo
- Tlayudas la Chinita
- Lechoncito de Oro, which some say has the best tacos in Oaxaca
Where is Restaurante Alfonsina located?
Restaurante Alfonsina Oaxaca is located in the small pueblo of San Juan Bautista la Raya, which is about 40 minutes by rental car or taxi from Downtown Oaxaca City, and 20 minutes south of Oaxaca International Airport.
There aren’t really any street signs in San Juan Bautista la Raya, but you need to be on Calle García Vigil, between Calle Cinco de Mayo and Camino A. Villa de Zaachila.
📍 Restaurante Alfonsina Address
Calle García Vigil #183, San Juan Bautista la Raya, Oaxaca, Mexico 71232. Find it here on Google Maps.
👀 Look for this sign outside Alfonsina Oaxaca
🚨 Warning: GPS may get you lost
Restaurante Alfonsina wasn’t easy to find — even with GPS, and a strong signal thanks to our Mexico SIM card.
We took a taxi to Alfonsina, using GPS the whole way, and still ended up having to walk a few blocks to find the restaurant because the taxi driver was going in circles.
I included a photo of the outside of the restaurant to help, but still, you might not find it on the first try.
For those (like us) who do get lost, don’t worry! This is a small town where everyone knows everyone else, and it felt perfectly safe.
Also, just because GPS failed us, doesn’t mean it will fail you — so I wish you better luck with your GPS than we had.
To find it, you’ll want to ask one of the locals you see walking around where Alfonsina is.
This is what we had to do, and a friendly man pointed us in the right direction — as everyone who lives in San Juan Bautista la Raya, Oaxaca, knows where Alfonsina is located.
🚌 Is there public transportation to Restaurante Alfonsina?
There’s no direct bus that will take you from Oaxaca City to Restaurante Alfonsina, so you’d have to use a combination of colectivos (small shared vans) and taxis.
In the end, the trip would take you about 2.5 hours, so just go by rental car or taxi.
🚕 If I take a taxi there, how do I get back?
The staff at Restaurante Alfonsina Oaxaca will call you a taxi to take back to the city if you need one. You do not need to pay a taxi to wait for you while you eat.
Are reservations required at Restaurante Alfonsina?
Yes — This is a small restaurant with only about four tables and 12 seats, so you must make a reservation if you want to eat there. Depending on the time of year, you’ll want to make your reservation 3-7 days out.
How do I make Restaurante Alfonsina reservations?
There are a few ways to make a reservation at Restaurante Alfonsina. The easiest way is via their website; you can make your Restaurante Alfonsina reservation here.
If you or someone in your group speaks Spanish, you can also call them or send a Whatsapp message to make Alfonsina Oaxaca reservations. The Restaurante Alfonsina phone number is +52-1-951-204-8137.
When is Restaurante Alfonsina open?
Alfonsina Oaxaca Restaurante is open for lunch and dinner service, Monday to Sunday. There is a 1pm seating and a 2pm seating for lunch, and a 6pm seating and a 7pm seating for dinner.
Regardless of if you choose lunch at Alfonsina or dinner at Alfonsina, you’ll get five courses.
After our fourth course, they asked if we wanted to try anything else they had cooked that day, so we paid for an additional savory course before dessert. It was $100 pesos ($5 US) extra per person.
The menu changes daily, and is inspired by whatever Chef Jorge and his mom, Chef Elvia, picked out at the local market that day.
💁♀️ Alfonsina Reservations Pro Tips
I did the lunch because I knew Alfonsina Oaxaca has a beautiful outdoor courtyard, and I wanted to enjoy it in the daytime.
This was in mid-October when the Oaxaca weather is on the cooler side, so in the summer, dinner might be a better option.
Is Restaurante Alfonsina worth visiting?
It was worth it for the experience, for sure. However, it’s hard to say if the food is always worth it because the menu changes daily.
While I loved what I ate, I can’t say I’d love the food as much the next time — so it’s a bit of a gamble with their menu.
That said, for foodies with no dietary restrictions, and enough time on your Oaxaca itinerary to venture a bit far outside of Oaxaca City — yes it’s worth visiting Alfonsina Oaxaca.
Restaurants Similar to Alfonsina Oaxaca
If you don’t have the time to visit, or just want to check out similar places in the city itself, here are some of the best restaurants in Oaxaca City that are similar to Alfonsina in cuisine and vibe:
- Restaurante Casa Oaxaca
- Criollo Oaxaca
- Levadura de Olla
- Ancestral Cocina Tradicional
- Origen Oaxaca
- Las Quince Letras
Mo-Kalli Oaxaca Restaurant
For those die-hard foodies who will go anywhere for a great meal, I can’t recommend Mo-Kalli enough. In my opinion, they have the best mole in Oaxaca (a controversial statement, I know).
It is located on a dirt road in the small town of Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca — so you’ll want to visit in your rental car.
This town is famous for the Tlacolula Sunday Market, one of the best Oaxaca markets — so Sunday makes a great day to go. Tlacolula is also near the Oaxaca pueblo magico of Milta, which has some ancient ruins.
Oaxaca City Travel Guide and FAQ
How do you pronounce Oaxaca?
Wondering about the Oaxaca pronunciation? It’s a common question, so if you are, you’re not alone! The word Oaxaca is pronounced waa-haa-kah.
Where is Oaxaca located?
Oaxaca is a state in southern Mexico, surrounded by other Mexican states like Chiapas and Puebla.
🗺️ Oaxaca Map
The southern edge of the state sits on the Pacific Ocean. Oaxaca City is the state’s capital city, and located about six hours south of Mexico City, you can book direct flights.
What is the best time to visit Oaxaca Mexico?
The best time to travel to Oaxaca is during the dry season, October to May. If you don’t mind some rain during the Oaxaca rainy season, you will also get lower prices — as this is the slow season.
🌡️ Oaxaca weather
If you want to avoid the crowds, the Oaxaca busy season runs from about late-October for Day of the Dead, through mid-January.
Many also visit Oaxaca de Juárez (Oaxaca City) for the Guelaguetza in July, the second biggest Oaxaca festival.
Oaxaca City has a desert climate, so hot days and cool nights. The temperature in Oaxaca City fluctuates a lot, so be mindful and bring layers when packing for Oaxaca.
If you hate the heat, avoid the hottest months of April to May so you have an enjoyable Oaxaca vacation.
Is Oaxaca safe for tourists?
For the vast majority of travelers, Oaxaca is safe to visit. In fact, Oaxaca is one of the safest states in Mexico. Oaxaca City is the country’s 67th largest city, with a population of about 275,000, but retains a humble, pueblo vibe.
⚠️ For a deep dive into this topic and a Oaxaca safety guide, check out Is Oaxaca Safe to Travel to Right Now?
That’s not to say bad things don’t happen in Oaxaca City; they do.
However, if you take the same general travel precautions you would anywhere else — ie. stay aware of yourself, your belongings and your surroundings — you should be safe traveling to Oaxaca City.
What’s the closest Oaxaca Airport?
Wondering, Is there an airport in Oaxaca City? Yes, there’s Oaxaca International Airport (code: OAX). The Oaxaca Airport is located about 20-30 minutes from downtown.
You might see this airport called Xoxocotlán International Airport, but it’s still OAX. ▶Book your Oaxaca flights now!
🚐 Best Oaxaca Airport transportation
Is there Uber in Oaxaca City?
No — There is no Oaxaca Uber service, and no Lyft in Oaxaca either.
They do have DiDi Taxi through the DiDi Rider app, which lets you call a Oaxaca taxi via the app. It’s basically like using Uber or Lyft, but you will get a regular cab.
🚕 Are taxis safe in Oaxaca Mexico?
For the majority of travelers, yes, taxis are perfectly safe to use in Oaxaca.
I personally prefer to call taxis via the DiDi Rider app, so I have a record of my trip and the price is already set for me, but you can also just hail a cab on the street.
How do you get around Oaxaca City?
Oaxaca City is walkable, so if you’re just staying in the city itself, you can walk and use taxis and public transportation as needed.
If you’re doing Oaxaca day trips, a rental car or group tour is your best bet, and I recommend booking Oaxaca tours via Viator and Airbnb Experiences.
How many days do you need in Oaxaca City?
Within Oaxaca City itself, you can see the highlights in 2-3 full days. However, many visitors could realistically spend a week in Oaxaca City — especially art, food and culture lovers.
If you want to explore the artisan towns and unique areas surrounding the city, you’ll want another 1-2 full days. 🚗 Oaxaca City Pro Tip: The best way to do this is by renting a car in Oaxaca and driving.
The best things to do near Oaxaca include exploring Hierve el Agua in San Lorenzo Albarradas, San Agustín Etla, Teotitlán Del Valle and San Pablo Villa de Mitla, a pueblo magico (magic town) and UNESCO Site.
Want to visit the best Oaxaca beaches — including Puerto Escondido, Zipolite, Huatulco, San Agustinillo and Mazunte? Then you’ll want another 3-4 full days.
What is Oaxaca known for?
Wondering, Why is Oaxaca so popular? There are five things Oaxaca is known for — art, culture, the Oaxaca Day of the Dead celebration, mezcal and food.
In fact, Oaxaca is known as the Foodie Capital of Mexico, so try both the street food in Oaxaca and the restaurants — and of course, don’t miss these best Oaxaca mezcalerias (mezcal bars).
For a deep dive into this topic, check out this What is Oaxaca famous for? article. In it, you’ll learn even more about what makes Oaxaca unique.
Is Oaxaca City worth visiting?
Yes — Oaxaca is magical; it’s the Mexico people imagine Mexico to be.
There’s everything from rich history, colorful festivals, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, locally-made Oaxacan mezcal, beautiful nature, colonial architecture, indigenous artisan communities, and of course, the Oaxacan food.
As you’ll usually need to take at least two flights to Oaxaca, Mexico, or even a flight and a bus, you might still be wondering if traveling to Oaxaca is worth it.
I hope this guide to Oaxaca made it clear that FU+K YES IT IS!
Final Thoughts: Eating at Alfonsina Oaxaca
From chocolate and mole to grasshoppers and tacos, there’s a whole world of flavors awaiting you with traditional Oaxaca cuisine. In fact, Oaxaca is known as the foodie Capital of Mexico, so there’s almost too many great options.
For foodies, Alfonsina Oaxaca Mexico is a must-visit. It combines the best of both worlds, spectacular food and rustic ambiance, for a meal you won’t soon forget.
You’ll really feel like you’re family when you step into Chef Jorge León’s home, and enjoy food cooked by his mother, Doña Elvia, and other members of the family.
If you have space on your Oaxaca itinerary, don’t miss Alfonsina. Even if you’ve been once, it might night be a difference experience the second time around, as the Restaurant Alfonsina menu changes often.