Welcome to El Escapulario
El Escapulario, nestled in the heart of Oaxaca, offers a captivating dive into traditional Oaxacan cuisine. Renowned for its impressive selection of moles—including the cherished mole negro—this cozy eatery feels like a home-cooked meal away from home. Customers rave about the welcoming atmosphere and stunning mountain views, enhancing the dining experience. With options catering to both meat lovers and vegetarians, every dish is crafted with care, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic flavors. The owner’s passion for her craft shines through, ensuring every guest leaves with a longing to return to this culinary gem.
- C. de Manuel Garcia Vigil 617, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juarez, Oax., Mexico Hotline:
Welcome to El Escapulario, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Oaxaca de Juarez. This charming establishment is not merely a restaurant; it’s an invitation to dive into the rich tapestry of Oaxacan culinary traditions. Located at C. de Manuel Garcia Vigil 617, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, this locale exudes a warm, homely vibe that lets guests feel like they’ve been transported into someone’s kitchen for a heartwarming meal.
At El Escapulario, the star of the show is undoubtedly the diverse selection of moles. Guests rave about the amazing variety, with standout offerings like the mole negro and mole roso, skillfully prepared to showcase the deep flavors and complexities that Oaxaca is famous for. The ambiance adds to the experience, providing stunning views of the majestic mountains that surround the city, transforming each meal into a picturesque moment.
Customer reviews paint a picture of not just food, but a sincere desire to connect. Florence Egan describes El Escapulario as akin to home cooking, while Rahamat Ali expresses the warmth and acceptance he felt as he ventured from India to Mexico, savoring traditional dishes like mole negro puerco and quesadillas. This sentiment of belonging is echoed by diners who appreciate both the patient, friendly service and the authentic flavors that can sometimes be elusive in touristy spots.
The menu is a treasure trove for food lovers, featuring all seven moles of lore alongside rare dishes that often remain hidden on city menus. Philippe de Vienne notes that El Escapulario is the go-to place for introducing guests to exquisite Oaxacan moles, while Wesley Smith highlights the must-try moles tasting and the divine crema chapulines that adds a special zing to the meal.
For those in pursuit of hearty satisfaction, the mole negro con pollo and tortilla soup, as noted by Isabella Campos, are divine choices that will have you battling for the last bite—a testament to the irresistible flavor profile crafted by the owner, who clearly pours her heart into this culinary endeavor.
Lastly, for the adventurous eater, there are traditional seasonal ingredients like chicatanas that promise to elevate your dining experience. El Escapulario is not just a meal; it's a journey through authentic flavors, presented with love and care, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the vibrant food scene of Oaxaca.
In every bite, you not only taste the food but also the love and passion that goes into each dish, making your experience unforgettable. Whether you're a local or a visitor, El Escapulario invites you to sit down, relax, and indulge in the tradition of Oaxacan cuisine that feels just like home.

Amazing selection of moles and it’s like it’s home cooking but eating out. I had mole negro and my partner had mole roso. We had a stunning views of the mountains for our meal.

What a feeling to be home, far away from home. India to Mexico, with broken Spanish speaking like a parrot, ordered all sharing our intentions and emotions, they were so well understood, accepted us with arms wide open. And had us taste such delicious traditional food. Mole negro puerco, Quesadilla and chile entrada of ormigaas. Muiii dricooo! Michaladas are spicy and really yum.

Perfectly executed food in the Oaxacan tradition. They have all the seven moles of lore plus other rarely seen on menus in the city. This is the place we take guests to experience great moles. They have other dishes, all great. Many veg options.

Excellent moles. The moles tasting is absolutely worth getting. The other standout is the crema chapulines. The chocolate drinks are also wonderful.

Incredible experience here. Insanely amazing food. Truly. We got the mole negro con pollo and a tortilla soup. Both were divine. My boyfriend and I fought over who got to have the last bite. The owner here means business. She’s lovely, accommodating and you can tell how much she cares about her restaurant. I’d recommend this place to anyone coming to Oaxaca.

Amazing little gem in Oaxaca, diverse selection of moles. Location is also perfect, super central. Will come back here for sure!

Extremely good moles! Ordered the 5 sampler. Look at other reviews for types. Best traditional mole I’ve had yet! Big recommendation to come here. The combo also comes with drinks which is nice. It’s quite pricy though - see my menu photo. The 5 mole combo with rice and 2 beverages is 650MX. Worth it though!

The restaurant is a modest setting like being in someone’s home for dinner, very cozy and we were lucky enough to sit by the window getting a great view. The staff were very friendly and very patient with us while we spoke broken Spanish. (Thank you!!) Finally, the food!! It was so good! One of the most authentic restaurants in Oaxaca! It’s so good that even locals were expecting us to have eaten there when we spoke with them! The menu even included traditional items like Chicatanus, which is seasonal (June-July) but a little tricker to find (at least it was for us) for those more adventurous!