The Late Shift: Tasting Oaxaca, By Night

From$115

5 hours

Max 7 people

Oaxaca, Mexico

About this activity

Discover Oaxaca's vibrant night eats on a culinary walking tour—enjoy market visits, iconic street food, and local favorites hidden from most visitors.

Highlights

Culinary walking tour
Market visit - Eating grilled meats in the smoke corridor
Iconic street eats with generations of history
Bean-based comfort food in a beloved neighborhood spot
Untouristed local stops

Full description

On this afternoon-into-evening tour, we’ll explore this culinary changing of the guard, tasting our way through some of the city’s best nighttime food spots while also gaining an understanding of their important role in maintaining Oaxaca’s civic life. Along the way, we’ll stroll through historic neighborhoods and public spaces, experiencing a side of the city few visitors get to – day or night.

Our journey begins in Oaxaca’s historic center, just as the night shift of food stalls starts to emerge and a whole new set of aromas begins to fill the air. Our first stop, a vendor outside one of Oaxaca’s main markets, has been serving tortas and tostadas to workers heading home since 1930. Joining the after work crowd, we’ll get a taste of their rightfully famous – and filling – creations. From there, we’ll continue to a new family-run restaurant that has already become a neighborhood staple thanks to its devotion to one of the most elemental of Oaxacan ingredients: Beans, served out of large clay pots. Here we’ll taste a sampler of their homey dishes, which respectfully riff on traditional Oaxacan cooking. Continuing our exploration, we’ll next stop by the small shop of a local woman devoted to all things cacao and chocolate, where we’ll enjoy some of her artisanal creations. As we make our way through the neighborhood, we’ll visit another iconic streetside business, this one of a family that’s been selling tortillas stuffed with chicken and mole since 1965. Now run by the family’s fourth generation, their stand has become a strategic stop for hungry workers heading for their evening shifts, hungry locals and, of course, people looking to fuel up before getting the party started.

Included / Excluded

Guided tour through Plaka and Anafiotika neighborhoods
Tastings of traditional Greek dishes and local specialties
Wine tasting featuring small Greek producers

Transportation to and from the meeting point

Meeting point

Meet the guide at the meeting point at the start time of the tour. If you are lost or have an emergency, call your guide directly.

Important information

Know before you book

The tour is conducted in English; proficiency is recommended.
Some stops may not be suitable for individuals with mobility impairments due to stairs and uneven terrain.
The tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Know before you go

Wear comfortable shoes
Wear shirts in layers — it can be cooler at night
Bring an umbrella if you’re traveling in Oaxaca’s rainy season

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

More than one week before the beginning of the activity: 90% Refund Less than one week before the beginning of the activity: 50% Refund Less than 72 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: No Refund

Reviews

5.0(31 reviews)

Justin Markley

Jun 2026

5.0

We really enjoyed our tour with Dennis, great food and conversation! It was a great introduction to Tokyo and we really appreciated all his helpful tips for navigating the city

Liu Marian

Jun 2026

5.0

My husband booked the Monzen-Nakacho tour a couple of months ago. We wanted to do a food tour in Japan, because did a food tour in another country with another company and had a good time. This tour is the next level. Dennis and Kan (invited by Dennis so we had two guides!) are not only personable and knowledgeable, they know how to break down the barriers for us to learn Japanese culture. My husband understands Japanese food while I’m completely ignorant, and both of us had a wonderful time. We were (apparently) there for the food, but we got to learn the history, beliefs, and culture behind and beyond the food and drinks. Getting to meet locals who are masters of their crafts is another highlight. Dennis and Kan were great in getting us to interact with locals and with each other within our small group. Six hours flew by and it felt like we have known these people for much longer because of the meaningful conversations! Will return for their other food tours when we visit Japan again!

Ditha Rimadiputri

Jun 2026

5.0

I wanted to taste and get a better grasp of Tokyo’s culinary scene, and this tour delivered exactly that. Elly, our wonderful tour guide, shared a wealth of historical knowledge and fascinating insights about the city and its food culture. As a professional chef, I left the tour feeling inspired, satisfied, and genuinely impressed by the variety of foods I was able to experience. My biggest thanks go to Elly for guiding us to some of the best bites in Tokyo and making the experience so memorable.