Ancestral Cocina Tradicional, nestled in the picturesque Barrio de Xochimilco in Oaxaca, is a culinary gem that has captured the hearts of both locals and visitors. This Oaxacan restaurant is renowned for its extraordinary mole, described by patrons as the best they’ve ever encountered. The attention to detail in their dishes, like the standout molotes de platano con coloradito, illustrates the perfect balance of sweet and savory, elevating traditional recipes to new heights. Guests rave about the ambiance, likening it to a “candlelit jungle,” enhanced by live saxophone music and lush greenery that creates a serene dining experience. Each dish is not only thoughtfully prepared but also celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Oaxaca. Flavors burst with depth, especially in the acclaimed pork shank that is impossibly tender. While some diners noted minor inconsistencies, such as dryness in certain meats, the overall experience is defined by excellent service and meticulous presentation, making every meal a memorable one. Ancestral Cocina Tradicional is more than just a restaurant; it’s a journey into the heart of Oaxacan cuisine, a place where every dish tells a story and every visit feels special. Don’t miss this enchanting eatery—it’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves food
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Quiet
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Photos
Reviews For Ancestral Cocina Tradicional
Andre Mariette
May 22,2025
Easily one of the best meals of my life. Absolutely the best Mole that I’ve ever tried. Actually, a couple of them. We accidentally stopped in here a few days prior to grab a quick cocktail and lunch and based off of that knew we had to come back for dinner before leaving. The atmosphere like a lot of places in Oaxaca is just stunning covered by plants and beautiful architecture. This place has a really nice variety of Mezcal and traditional yet, creative dishes of Oaxaca. Each of the dishes felt very well crafted and thoughtful. The depth of flavor and everything really was remarkable. We tried some chorizo and queso croquettes a ceviche and a pork shank that you could’ve used a soft spoon to cut. The service was also very hospitable. One of those type of places you need to stop in. One last thing. Both Yelp and Google have the location wrong but just slightly. As you are walking on the unassuming street/alley you’ll see it dip in a little side street with a lil coffee shop and what looks like maybe a dead end. It’s actually tucked back there haha!
Abdullah
May 15,2025
Ancestral Cocina Tradicional is a great spot for traditional Oaxacan food, and the molotes de platano con coloradito were the absolute standout. They had the perfect balance of sweet and savory, especially with the cheese and cream. I’d go back just for those. The only downside was that the pork was pretty dry, which was a bit disappointing given the restaurant’s reputation and the extremely strong start with the molotes. The service was excellent, and the team was super responsive and made it easy to book a reservation through WhatsApp.
Isabelle Amy
May 5,2025
Wow! What an INCREDIBLE restaurant. The food is the best we have had in Oaxaca, so flavourful and thoughtfully prepared. The service was perfect and the setting is just so beautiful, like a candlelit jungle . We ordered the rock soup and it was such a great experience having it prepared at our table by the lovely waiter. The short rib and shrimp mains were amazing. Five sparkling stars across the board .
Nada Heuring
May 4,2025
Simply fabulous. The ambience was so lovely, beautiful garden setting. Wonderful gentleman playing the saxophone. Such a nice touch. Service was outstanding! A good explanation of the menus items. The foot was over the top. We ordered 3 different entrees and they were all delicious. The short ribs and mole sauce won!
Megan Thompson
Apr 14,2025
Off the beaten path for us, we’re staying in Centro Oaxaca, crowds of people of the streets; doing business of all kinds. But after a mile & a quarter stroll observing all the going’s on we found Ancestral- so happy we did. We’ve been sharing a fruit plate everywhere, accompanied by greek yogurt & granola drizzled with honey. Presentation varies with each restaurant. Right now I’m totally hooked on Mole Coloradito - OMG! Must try in Oaxaca. Ancestral did a great job. Rich creamy mole covered my enchiladas with a generous amount of queso. I loved the raw onion garnish- I could have eaten a few more. Fresh juices as usual - Green and Gyuaba. Shared a chocolatey dessert finished off with mezcal whipped cream and these delicious crunchy soury pieces! Yum
Lisa Hoover
Apr 12,2025
I would give the atmosphere more stars if I could. Restaurant is tucked away. Mole in all varieties- on point. I had a mezcal gin drink. On point. Food was curated to enhance the authentic mole experience.
Jason Lopez
Mar 30,2025
Lunch here was wonderful. We met a friend who had been here before, and so we shared two main dishes, the pork with an almond sauce and a short rib with a red mole...both were outstanding. As an appetizer, we shared the guacamole and cheese plate, which was super tasty. We also had the tomato salad and it was beautiful and delicious. It was not crowded for a midweek late lunch, which is a great secret since it is nearly impossible to get a dinner reservation.
Kay
Mar 22,2025
A must visit. It's not a long walk regardless of how it looks on a map and you won't regret it. Everything from the atmosphere, to drinks, service and food is exceptional. We came here twice and I regret not coming back more often. The staff was very accommodating and patient with a little baby in our party which we really appreciated. The food is creative, high quality, fresh and absolutely delicious. Don't skip dessert.
Reviews For Ancestral Cocina Tradicional