Copal — Restaurant in Oaxaca

I had the absolute pleasure of dining at Copal this evening, and from the moment we walked through the door, it was clear that this restaurant belongs among the finest in the world. The atmosphere was welcoming and elevated, with a perfect playlist of music.

The service was impeccable and seamless. About 20 minutes after we arrived, it began to rain. Within seconds, the attentive staff gracefully moved our table under cover, efficiently and without disrupting our meal. It was a small gesture that spoke volumes about their professionalism and care.

The food and cocktails were a delicious celebration of Oaxaca’s culinary diversity. The menu is a beautifully curated taste of the various regions, expertly highlighting local ingredients and honoring the deep cultural heritage of the state. We had the ceviche, bone marrow with shrimp, carrots, octopus and grilled chicken with the mango dessert and it was devine.

A special thank you to Gustavo, Ingrid, and Carmen, whose warmth, generosity, and storytelling enriched the evening. While every staff member was kind and attentive, these three went above and beyond sharing insights about the restaurant, Oaxacan traditions, and even their personal experiences, which added a beautiful layer of human connection to the night.

I truly cannot recommend Copal highly enough and already look forward to...

We found Copal just around the corner from the Holiday Inn Express late at night. Stopped for some drinks.. which were excellent. Next night came for dinner, Willy was our server and we ordered Tropical Ceviche and Costra Oaxaquena for appetizers… both excellent ( I recommend asking for soft tortillas versus tortillas tostado with the ceviche, better fir soaking up sauce), We wanted the Wood Grilled Ribeye, but due to a local strike that was not available. So we went with Grilled Marinated Prawns (if you order these ask for them to be peeled before served) and Wood Grilled Chicken which was not good. They need to send their griller to Spuntino in Mexico City to see how good chicken is done…this is why 4 stars instead of 5! Maybe an off night on the chicken, but rest was great and I would...

We came in for a snack and a drink. We had the shrimp guacamole and the charred carrots. Both dishes were exuisite in both flavour and texture. The carrots are on a bed of green pumpkin seed sauce that tasted something like peanut butter, but better. The shrimp guac was well balanced, tangy and the pork rinds were fluffy and almost spongy. Delicious combo.

The atmosphere was relaxed and the staff were pleasant and engaging. The overall design and attention to detail was top notch. I love that they burn bowls of copal that fills the area with copal scent. The mirrored ceiling in the wine room is very cool and the sculpture in the entrance draws you in. Great concept and design all around. We will be back to try the mains and maybe then I’ll update to 5...