Hierba Dulce, a Healthy Favourite Serving Honest Food in Oaxaca
Tucked behind a modest jewellery shop in the centre of town, Hierba Dulce is one of the city’s quiet culinary gems — a cosy, informal restaurant serving traditional Oaxacan dishes with a lighter, healthier twist. The kitchen is run solely by women, proudly committed to “de-industrialised food,” using organic, local ingredients and heirloom corn for all their masa creations.
The menu is entirely vegetarian, with many vegan options — in general, Mexican food gives the impression of being vegetarian friendly, but even if you order a quesadilla or a veggie taco, most traditional places, especially at food markets, may use animal fat in their moles and tortillas. So, if you are pescetarian, vegetarian, or vegan, always ask. Here, everything is clean, low in sugar, and made from scratch: nut milks, herbal drinks, and some of the best horchatas and hot beverages. All drinks are phenomenal.
One highlight is the mole tasting, including regional classics prepared with thoughtful precision:
Almond mole - almond-based with heirloom tomatoes, cinnamon, and olives. Green estofado - spiced with sesame seeds, tomatoes, and other herbs. Güichillo mole - includes pastilla, black chilhuacle, verde and guajillo chiles, mulato, and avocado leaf; also yellow, red, and green moles.
The back patio is an amazing minimalist space with a triangular fountain all surrounded by tall walls painted in the most perfect shade of pink. They serve brunch and lunch only, making it an ideal midday stop.
Hierba Dulce Restaurant
+52 951 516 5374
Calle Porfirio Díaz 311, Ruta Independencia, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., México
www.hierba-dulce.com
