Sabina Sabe — Restaurant in Oaxaca

I hate to write negative reviews, but this spot needs a reality check.

We came here two years ago and had a great experience — amazing food, solid drinks. But this past weekend? Completely different story.

We were a group of six and confirmed with the hostess that we could sit at the bar, as long as two people didn’t mind standing. No problem — four of us went in and ordered drinks while waiting for the other two. The bartenders were great, super friendly, and made excellent cocktails.

But the hostess and waitstaff? Terrible.

When the rest of our group arrived (literally 10 minutes later), they were told they couldn’t come in because “there was no room,” even though the bar was empty and a full group had just left. I stepped outside to explain they were with us, and the hostess suddenly denied ever saying we could be six at the bar. Then she told us we had to move to a dining table — not the vibe we were going for, and not what we agreed to. To make it worse, she spoke down to us and had a seriously poor attitude.

We’re all Spanish-speaking and it felt like we were being treated differently — which was confirmed when, just 10 minutes later, we saw the bar packed with 20+ people, many standing. So clearly the “max four at the bar” rule was a lie.

The bartenders (again, the only good part of the night) even came by with shots of mezcal to try to make up for the situation. But that doesn’t fix the disrespect or the discrimination we felt as tourists.

When we left, I asked one of the waiters what happened. He admitted the call to move us came from “higher up.”

So yeah — we won’t be back. And I wouldn’t recommend this place to any tourists. It’s clearly gone downhill, and honestly, now I understand why they didn’t make the Top 50 list after 2024.

“What a shame” - Gordon...

Had a burger and the paloma margarita. Both were delicious. The paloma margarita was seriously delicious and fresh.

The thing that made the experience less than great was the hovering service. After I finished the burger, the waiter asked if I wanted dessert and I said I was thinking about it but would like another drink in the meantime while I read my book. Then he proceeded to come ask me literally every 2 minutes for 15 straight minutes if I had decided and I told him I hadn't decided yet and was just enjoying my drink for now. I was in no rush and there were no other people there, so I didn't feel like I needed to hurry. Maybe because I was alone and one of the only guests in there time felt different for him? I was on the fence but leaning towards ordering a 3rd drink and dessert, but after the constant interruption and inability to let me just enjoy the delicious cocktail I decided to leave. Truly felt like it wasn't okay to just sit and enjoy my drink slowly which is a shame because I would have kept ordering. I think part of why it stood out is because after 3 weeks here it's the most pushy/insistent/in my face any service has been. Generally I've had the experience that if I am sipping on my drink and reading, I'm left alone until I look for or ask...

Upon the recommendation of several people, we decided to visit this establishment. Despite its modest appearance, the interior was well-crafted, featuring concrete walls that exuded a unique charm. The bench where we sat was particularly captivating, with its handcrafted appearance adding to the ambience.

When it came to beverages, I opted for a margarita with mezcal, jalapeño, and ginger, and it did not disappoint. In Oaxaca, I tend to order first due to my particular tastes, but the server's accommodating attitude was a pleasant surprise. He assured me that if I didn't like my drink, he would replace it, a departure from the usual practice in Oaxaca where one typically keeps what they order, whether they like it or not. My companion thoroughly enjoyed his Negroni.

Regarding the food, we sampled the tlayuda, which was good but didn't quite win me over. The dorado tacos, on the other hand, were delightful, and I regret not remembering the name of the delicious quesadilla-like dish we also tried.

The service was exemplary, with the staff being attentive and ensuring we had everything we needed, including frequent refills of water. Although I didn't have the opportunity to visit the bar, I've heard that it is an...