Oaxaca Amsterdam — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Underwhelming, disappointing experience.

We've been to Mexico, even cooked with Oaxacan chefs - we've come to like traditional mexican cuisine quite a lot. So when this place opened we were excited to try it out, even though the price point is on the higher side.

To understand the rating, a bit of background info is helpful. One of the key ingredients in real Mexican cuisine is corn, especially in the form of corn tortillas. The flavour of "real" tortillas made of 100% corn is quite unique, so when this place advertised they're proudly making their own tortillas from scratch we were even more happy.

When the first dish (iberico al pastor tacos at spicy 24 Euros) arrived in cheap wheat tortillas, we thought it was an odd choice but didn't think further. The second dish was also served with wheat tortillas though, so we asked for corn ones, and here's where the unpleasant experience started. They replaced the basket with wheat tortillas with... wait for it... different wheat tortillas.

We asked again, because we wanted to enjoy the mains (34 euros each) with proper tortillas. The server then explained to us, that "due to the festive season they couldn't get the nixtamalisation delivered" and only selective dishes would be served with corn tortillas, including our main. Although the comment didn't make sense (nixtamalisation is not a product, but the process of cooking the corn in an alkaline solution to soften it), we were happily waiting for the main and the promised tortillas.

It's easy to guess: the main again arrived with wheat tortillas. We asked another waiter, and he told us a different story about "the nixtamalisation machine being broken". When we said we're unhappy with the situation, they replaced the main, this time with proper (nice!) corn tortillas - so they existed after all...

When we paid (160+€ for 2 starters, 2 mains and drinks) they even tried to charge us 7 euros for extra tortillas on top.

While the toppings and proteins were decent, some even nice: for a place in this price category advertising with "mexican heritage and years long research of the chef" this is unacceptable, at least for us. At least get your story straight, as a customer we didn't feel we were appreciated. We...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Oaxaca, a new Mexican restaurant with my family, and I must say, it was an absolute delight. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were transported to a world of authentic Mexican cuisine that left us craving for more.

The flavors in each dish were a true testament to the restaurant's dedication to showcasing the vibrant and rich culinary heritage of Mexico. We were pleasantly surprised by the unexpected combinations that married together perfectly, creating a symphony of tastes that danced on our palates. It was evident that each dish was crafted with care and attention to detail, resulting in a dining experience that was nothing short of excellent.

The staff treated us with the utmost professionalism, courtesy, and warmth, making us feel like valued guests. The level of service we experienced was akin to that of a Michelin-starred establishment, and it only enhanced our overall dining experience.

One particular highlight of our evening was opting for the tasting menu. This allowed us to sample a variety of dishes, each more delicious than the last. From the appetizers to the main courses and decadent desserts, our taste buds were taken on a journey through the diverse flavors and culinary traditions of Mexico. It was a true feast for the senses, and we left the restaurant with a genuine desire to return soon.

In conclusion, I cannot speak highly enough of oaxaca. The food, service, and overall experience exceeded our expectations, and we are eager to revisit this culinary gem. If you have a hankering for authentic Mexican cuisine that will leave you wanting more, do yourself a favor and make a reservation at this...

I was visiting Amsterdam for business. After my event yesterday, I was looking for 'a nice restaurant' for dinner. Unfortunately, I came across this restaurant. The staff was fairly pleasant and charming and presented me with a very limited menu of guacamole and tacos. I was a bit puzzled as the space seemed like a proper restaurant (-I learned later that they don't open 'properly' until 6pm and it was around 5pm when I went it- I wish they had told me this when I arrived!). Nevertheless, I was so hungry that I decided to order the guacamole with tortillas and chicken tacos. The guacamole arrived almost immediately. It was a huge lump of stuff, full of raw onions and not easy to eat plus 'homemade tortillas' (so 'crunchy' they could break your teeth) and a large portion of fried, pork lard (not nice really). Then, the chicken tacos arrived and the taste and smell were so awful that I had to return it. The staff- very charming again- recommended I was possibly best to try the tacos with 'cerdito' meat (pork). I did this and it was OK. it was just pork meat inside the tacos and a side sauce which was not easy to eat cos it was very citric. So I mainly ate the meat and left everything else behind. The worst part was that by the time I got back to my accommodation, I started to feel my stomach upset and in fact all day today, my stomach had been very unsettled and I had hardly been able to eat. So I truly would recommend staying away from...