This trip to Oaxaca was a reminder that culture lives in the quiet places—in the way masa is pressed by hand, in the way seeds are saved and shared, in the love passed through recipes.

 

In the heart of the city, I dined at places that felt more like homes than restaurants, a sensation I look for when I travel. I´m always seeking to re-create what I feel in my own mothers house. Here, each dish carried memory. 

 

Each bite felt like a story being told again and again, until it takes root in you and eventually becomes you. 

Set in the home of the chef’s mother, this intimate restaurant in the outskirts of Oaxaca City serves tamales made in barro ovens and the softest fresh tortillas. A true celebration of seasonal flavors and maternal warmth.

An art space, a seed bank, a reminder that future nourishment begins now. Bring seeds to exchange, or simply receive some to bring back home. Let the cycle of care continue.

Led by Chef Thalia Barrios, these kitchens offer more than food—they tell stories. Stories of nurturing grandmothers, heritage, harvests, and the landscapes of Oaxaca’s Sierra. Giving us a glimpse into the homes of the people who lead with great care.