Kelly Irwin

La Cocina de Humo provided one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this wasn’t just a meal—it was a celebration of local flavors, seasonal ingredients, and the art of cooking. Every dish was prepared right in front of us, showcasing the skill and passion behind each plate. The dishes themselves were unique to the region, highlighting the freshness and depth of local produce. Each bite was absolutely delicious—hands down some of the best food I’ve ever had. The atmosphere was equally special. Dining under the canopy of a majestic 90-year-old Coquito tree, the setting was serene and intimate, making it the perfect place to celebrate my birthday. The peaceful, quiet surroundings made the experience feel even more personal and unique. A special thank you to Carlos for making the evening unforgettable. I’m so grateful for the attention to detail and the genuine warmth that made my birthday dinner one for the books. I will definitely be coming back, and I can’t recommend La Cocina de Humo enough!

Forest Key

Sister establishment to Levadura de Olla restaurant, this reservations only “experience” offers a 7 course menu prepared in a wood burning oven and comal in a lovely brick and pottery adorned setting that aims to recreate a traditional Oaxacan village kitchen. We thought the food was as tasty as any we tried during our visit to Oaxaca and the price/value was exceedingly reasonable. Very romantic setting, and bonus, a house cat joined us for some cuddling. Highlight of our week!

+2

Y es

I recently had the pleasure of attending a culinary class led by Paula, and it was truly a fantastic experience. From crafting salsa de chiles secos con tomatillo to preparing mole amarillo con pollo, every dish was a delightful journey into authentic Mexican cuisine. Paula's expertise shone through as she guided us through each step with ease and enthusiasm. The tamal de salsa verde con pollo and empanada de flor de calabaza con quesillo were exquisite creations that left us craving more. Not only is Paula a friendly and welcoming teacher, but her knowledge and skill in the kitchen are commendable. If you're looking for a memorable culinary adventure, I highly recommend learning from Paula. Nuestro agradecimiento por hacer esta clase culinaria una experiencia verdaderamente memorable. Tuvimos la oportunidad de aprender de la deliciosa cocina oaxaqueña.

+6

William Wallace

Went on April 3 2023 with my wife as an anniversary lunch. For some reason, the other reservations did not show up so we were treated to a private meal. It was AWESOME. We both speak quite a bit of Spanish so that wasn’t a problem while we enjoyed a 6 course lunch with explanation and demonstration. Could not be happier with our afternoon at this place. I believe the woman that taught us was named Elena. Hats off.

Juan F Ferrara

Having Chef Thalia Barrios explain the origins of their restaurant concept and then being the one preparing each of the six plates is a unique and amazing experience. The setting and decorations make for an all around great restaurant to stop by while in Oaxaca.

Robyn Huang

It’s a tourist experience but an excellent one. The dishes were unique - from the coffee, the handmade yellow and blue corn tortillas to the different rich moles all with variety of ingredients. The dishes were acidic, herbaceous, a little spicy - a gift for the senses. My favourite was the shrimp and squash tamale — I felt like I was by the coast. The space was beautiful and team hospitable. I wish I could visit their home village.

Matthew Reichel

This experience goes above and beyond. Oaxaca has a great gastronomic culture, and there are plenty of great restaurants in the city. Rarely are there exceptional restaurants. This place is the exception— it’s exceptional. The flavours are both deeply traditional as well as creative and steeped in the land and culture of San Mateo Yucutindoo.

Sarah Cortés

Walking into this place is like a magic place in the center of the city. It's such a special spot. The food was delicious and the experience so special. It is a pricey thing to do, but 6 or 7 courses, a private chef, and magical ambience was well worth it. Thank you for making our honeymoon so special!

Osula Lam

Walked here on a rainy Wednesday evening in early July 2023. We had made and paid for the reservation in early April 2023. The restaurant was very quaint and intimate. They said they'd normally be able to fit 25 guests but that night there were only two other couples. Note that this place is Spanish speaking only. On their website they said to tell them if you require a translator. I emailed them to ask for one but never got a response from them. The food "Experience" came out to MX $2,430 for two, which excludes the drinks you order there. My fiance ordered a beer which was MX$95. It was an 8-course meal with some complementary drinks included. There was a sweet corn water drink that was included, a small glass of a kind of sweet juice, and another glass of fermented drink with 2% alcohol. The food was very good and hearty. The savory food felt very homey and did not have very much acidity too many of the dishes. They were very careful with the dietary restrictions. If a dish contained something you're allergic to, they'd give you the same dish without the ingredient instead of a substitute dish. They also have cooking classes there as well. They have an amazing pottery store in the front as well. If I had to say one negative thing about it was the bench seating didn't have any cushions and my boney butt was hurting quite a lot towards the end of the 2.5-hour meal. I wouldn't come back here but I'm glad I got to try it. They said that they change their menu every week so you might have a very different experience.

+10

jojo yang

A unique concept, badly executed. You have to request in advance (for a fee) if you want a translator (which we did not realize as it was only written at the end of one email), otherwise the chef doesn't speak a single word of English which really takes away from the experience. The food itself was rather bland and basic, the meats were rather tough and the flavors are extremely simple. I would not call this a gastronomic experience, but it's great for photos if that's your thing.