Claire Johnson

Amazing place for sunset dinner and cocktails! Enjoyed a lovely evening with my parents. Great service, fun music and then the ice cream was to die for. Will come back next time I visit!

Laura W

Garnarchas is good! The rooftop is amazing

Peter Johnson

So happy we discovered this terrace early in our month in Oaxaca. Menu was interesting and our food was fabulous. Excellent service (and view!). We will be back.

Nancy Craft

Great service, atmosphere and delicious regional cuisine- a different style than elsewhere in Oaxaca city. We tried the minilla and discovered a new favorite. Highly recommended for a lovely evening.

Aida Benitez

We dropped into Terraza Istmo for a quick midday bite after six days in CDMX, both with slightly upset stomachs and hoping for something gentle. We told Damián exactly that—we wanted something mellow—and he absolutely nailed it. He recommended the caldo de gallina with a side of rice, which was exactly what we needed, along with two beautifully chosen mezcal tastings that were smooth, comforting, and thoughtfully selected. We immediately noticed their extensive mezcal list and asked what time they closed. After wandering around the Zócalo for a few hours, we found ourselves right back at Terraza Istmo for a light dinner. We asked if they offered a mezcal flight—while it’s not on the menu, Damián happily curated an off-menu flight just for us. He took his time explaining each mezcal in great detail, sharing the story, the agave, and the nuances of every pour. What started as a quick stop turned into over two hours of great conversation, learning, and incredible hospitality. We even had the pleasure of meeting the owner, whose sister is a maestra mezcalera at Los Danzantes—and they proudly carry several of her varietals in-house. Damián was incredibly accommodating, never rushed us, and made the experience feel personal and special. He even walked us through the terrace garden, pointing out the different agave plants growing on-site. And to top it all off, the rooftop views are absolutely stunning, right in the heart of the Centro Histórico—an incredible place to sip mezcal and take it all in. The food is fantastic, the mezcal program is exceptional, and the service—thanks to Damián—is outstanding. For our first night here, the bar has been set very high. We will absolutely be back.

Fernando Kowal

We all know that iconic scene from Ratatouille where the food critic takes a bite and is instantly transported back to his childhood... and that's exactly what happened to me here! The soups, empanadas, and especially the Tlayudas are to die for. The service was astounding, and the salsa music in the background added to the ambiance. The spot is also super comfortable. You absolutely have to eat here!

GHBA

One of my favorite places to eat in Oaxaca, every plate our table got was well balanced and delicious. We came back several times. The cocktails are also creative and almost toooo good!!

Nosoy Nadie

Our first visit to Mexico was good, but Oaxaca and Istmo Terraza were the highlights of our trip. Andrea (Chiki) is one of the best hosts; her smile, her recommendations, everything was incredible. We went for a birthday dinner without a reservation, and they set up a table for us. This place is priceless.

C Maria Fernanda Revilla Osante

Great little place to grab a drink and good local food. Highly recommend. We came back and it’s as good as the first time. Really nice terrace. Nothing fancy. Just local good food and drinks. Get yourself a michelada, tostadas, mezcals and some empanadas. :)

Azucena Okie Kerr

Very cute terrace, with an excellent bartender, kitchen staff and nice service. It's small but has great views.