Glou Glou — Restaurant in Oaxaca

As part-time residents of Zicatela, we’re always keen to explore new restaurants in the area and had heard much about Glou Glou. Getting a reservation was pretty easy, walking there from the Punta less so. Most of the streets are still unpaved and for my parents, the trek from the beach to the restaurant was quite exhausting.

The place itself is absolutely stunning. There is plenty of bar seating at the open kitchen, tables for groups and the inventive use of concrete to create small raised platforms offers additional seating, which is great for couples or a small group of friends.

The service was impeccable, especially by the sommelier who went out of her way to suggest different wines and let us try different options.

I think the biggest surprise were the hefty prices that felt exorbitant for Puerto Escondido. Also, the food menu was quite limited and some of the dishes were underwhelming. The roti bread is a nice idea but not enough to share between four and the 5 spice butter tasted of very little.

The gordita lacked some seasoning and was a bit dry while the octopus could have used a bit more accompaniments to bring the dish together.

Last but not least, for someone who doesn’t drink alcohol it is always a let down when a fancy place has tons of alcoholic options but just one non-alcoholic drink. There is definitely room for improvement.

We’ll probably come back another time in the future because it is a really beautiful space and a lot...

It's evident that this restaurant is still finding its footing as a new establishment. While the menu and ambiance strive to offer a unique culinary experience, there's room for improvement. We sampled a variety of dishes and found some highlights, but others fell short.

The salads stood out, with adjustments made to accommodate vegan diners. However, the aguachile was somewhat overshadowed by the strong flavor of the watermelon, masking the sauce and fish. On the other hand, both the lamb and pesca del día were delightful.

The standout dish of the evening was undeniably the gordita de camarón. Its flavors and presentation were exceptional.

In terms of service, we found it generally good, although there's room for enhancement in the sommelier's role. When seeking advice on orange wines, we encountered confusion, as the comparisons with white wines lacked clarity.

The ambiance was pleasant, especially if you're inclined to capture and share your dining experience on social media.

Overall, while there are areas for improvement, the restaurant shows promise. However, it's worth noting that, based on our experience, the pricing feels somewhat high considering the current offerings, especially when factoring in the requirement for a deposit to secure a...

We tried nearly everything at Glou Glou while staying at Casa TO, and it was our favorite food in all of Oaxaca. It's very good but quite expensive.

What We Loved: • 7-Course Tasting Menu: Every dish was unique and delicious, with a creative blend of Mediterranean and contemporary Mexican flavors. My wife is vegetarian, and they seamlessly adapted each course for her without sacrificing taste. • Ambiance and Staff: The atmosphere was lovely, and the staff was attentive and friendly. • Fine Dining Quality: The dining experience here stood out even more than some Michelin-starred spots in Oaxaca. Each dish was thoughtfully crafted, making it truly enjoyable.

What Could Be Improved: • Price: This place is not cheap, especially by Mexico standards. This isn’t a spot for budget dining, so expect to pay at least $200 USD for a tasting menu for two. • Water Service: They served expensive mineral water without asking, and we would have preferred filtered tap water. • Service Attention: At times, it was difficult to get the staff’s attention, leaving us waiting on occasion.

Overall: Highly recommended! Visit before they inevitably receive Michelin recognition and raise prices even more, as they’re certainly...