Terraza Istmo

This Terraza is a must if you are ever in Oaxaca. The staff were amazing just like the mole. Beautiful rooftop!! I’m staying in the hotel below so, I will try something new tomorrow 🥰🥰

Went around 7pm on a Saturday and we were almost the first ones there. My husband enjoyed his meal, the estafado Istmeño and a cocktail, but my meal, the Pollo garnachero, was very dry and bland. My mojito was also not great, tasted a bit watered down. The service was only OK. The roof top is nice though, with nice views of the Guelaguetza fireworks.

This lovely restaurant serves the best food in an ideal setting on the roof rooftop. The service was excellent. I plan to go back again soon. Update: I returned the next night, so here are more photos of the views. Yummy!

Very Very Nice, ok View of Roof Tops, snacks food waste Very good. Just don't order things with fish inside, but you should never order seafood unless you can see the Ocean... Definitely not in Oaxaca city.

Came here in 2024, and was amazed at the complexity and depth of the food and flavors. It was so good I had to come back in 2025-I was in town for 4 days and ate here twice, and each time I had something different that was better than the previous dish. The vibe is on point, with a beautiful view, amazing and attentive service and the chefs! They deserve a tip and a kiss..it felt like I was eating homemade food..I’ve been to the upscale places in town and this bi-far is better in regards to quality, taste, vibe and price point…if you want good local food come here! I’ll be back

The perfect place to try our first mole. The food was delicious. The staff was super friendly and very accommodating. When they saw our youngest battling the mosquitoes, they spontaneously brought him a repellent. A strong recommendation!

We really liked this place. We had the garnachas (not pictured) the negro tamales and the corn bread desert. All were really good. I keep thinking about the desert 😋 Nice view too. Pro tip: Ask for the habenero sauce.

kind helpful staff, beautiful view, and delicious food. thank you for a wonderful experience for a date night

This is a rooftop restaurant by Plaza del Danza. It is located in a hotel. You would walk in and go up the stairs (keep walking as you pass by the seats and hotel amenities). Note: make sure you place a reservation ahead of time. We didn't but we decided to wait (the estimated wait time was 25 minutes, but we were seated within 5-10 mins). We ordered the cocktails (tasted good - the mezcal mule could have been stronger but the mezcal old fashioned was strong). Food tasted great! I loved being able to watch the kitchen work and send out food. It felt like one of those high end restaurants. There is an english and spanish menu. Staff was attentive and made sure we were good with our orders. You can also pay by credit card. The restrooms are by the kitchen.

Oh wow. We were there in mid October, sat on the terrace with a great sunset. I had a mezcal cocktail with Ancho Reyes Rojo (a chile liqueur) and the bartender's tamarind mix, which was so good. Then the istmeno pork in a reddish sauce with stunning mashed potatoes. But what really blew me away was how the cocktail related to the dish - the ancho, the tamarind. Truly outstanding!!!

Lovely unassuming spot in the center of Oaxaca. Service was good and great prices considering the beautiful rooftop experience + deliciously prepared food. Most memorable for me was the soup -- don't remember the name but the broth was delicious and has a piece of corn on the cob in it. They had the traditional Oaxacan staples but what I loved is that they rolled the Tlayuda. A good spot to add to the list while visiting Oaxaca.

Very attentive service place is away from the rain and then offered to move us again later Tamal was very good, mole not at all overpowering

Food, service and ambiance! Terraza Istmo has all three! Jerry is an expert, friendly, bilingual (Spanish/English) server who guided us to outstanding entrees, including a fine estofado, fork tender pork ribs, perfectly seasoned caldo de pollo and a delicious tamale. Best meal all week! Relaxed comfortable terrace dining, great views. We'll go back!

This restaurant is beautiful and delicious! I went there with a large group. Everyone was nice and accommodating. We got a lot of food to share at the table. The food was so delicious! We felt welcomed and well taken care of the entire time. We even got to end the night with shots on the house. It was a great experience with even better views.

Food was very good as were the drinks. I had some great meals in Oaxaca, but this one stands out. Try the shrimp - probably the best shrimp I've ever eaten.

Come for the view and stay for the food. The garnachas are very good, so don't bother with the tostadas. The empanadas are also good.

Great food, cocktails and service. The patio was pretty but you could definitely hear the traffic. Listen to their recommendations, they know the food and it was tasty.

Worst experience. Worst food. Powdered meat isn't our style, ordered "carne" tostadas and empanadas. Cheese was gross and smelled bad. Not bad like blue cheese or Gorgonzola, just foul. We couldn't eat it. Drinks mediocre. Don't waste your time, better spots.

My wife and I an three friends stumbled across Terraza Istmo tonight and were very happy that we did. Rafael recommended some drinks and the cocktails were wonderful (mezcal & cucumber, mezcal & tangerine and mezcal & tamaino?) and my Pollo Ganarchero was delicious and my wife greatly enjoyed her tamales. Our friends all got the Relleno de Puerco and said it was excellent. It was a rooftop setting which was perfect on a beautiful night and we highly recommend stopping by.

Delicious, delicioso, délicieuse! In any language this place is hidden but don't let that give you reason to doubt that this place is a must and it is definitely a hidden gem! We had tostadas, sopa de guias, and tamales de mole con pollo. The salsa they have is hot, but tasty! We had two beers, Colimita and Catorce ochenta y seis. Enjoyed them both.

This place is a hidden gem. Our waiter, Rafael, was very helpful in helping us understand each menu item, as well as the cocktails! The Mezcal & tangerine (and Mezcal & cucumber) drinks were great! The Millito de Maize soup (with pork) was so flavorful. And the Relleno de Puerco was to die for. You really need to go here!

What a great place. Unsuspecting and one of my favorite dishes in Oaxaca. Went before a concert at Guelagetza Auditorio.

Delicious food from Istmo, very flavorful and well priced. Different than anything else we have had in Oaxaca city. Every dish we ordered was enjoyable! Beautiful terrace with views of the mountain and amphitheater. Come at sunset! David had great recommendations for mezcal and dishes, and was the nicest waiter we met in Oaxaca.

Cannot go wrong here folks. Solid service. Food is delicious and highly diverse. The only setback is they have lots of mezcal and no tequila, if you can call that a setback. Music made me dance with my wife, its Super Grupo Juarez. The entry is tricky, just go straight in and up the stairs. Enjoy folks.

Absolutely delicious food, great staff, and beautiful view! If you are interested in trying AUTHENTIC istmeña food, this is the place! Drinks are tasty and strong, the staff are so friendly, and the view is unforgettable!