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ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine, Chicago, IL

ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine

4.6
4.6
94 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 11 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
We celebrate the culinary connections between the Oaxacan region in Mexico and a neighboring international cuisine. It highlights the vibrant flavors, traditional techniques, and unique ingredients of Oaxaca, while also incorporating elements and influences from a neighboring culinary tradition.

Meet Carlos Lopez Muñoz, a culinary virtuoso hailing from the vibrant tapestry of Oaxaca, Mexico. His gastronomic odyssey began in the heart of his family's kitchen, weaving a narrative steeped in the rich culinary tradition of "El Istmo."

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Regional Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Fri–Sun 9:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Thu–Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Lopez Muñoz

Experiences

  • ISTMO NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER

    $95.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    Join Istmo for an enchanting New Year's Eve celebration! This experience is $95 per person and includes a 5-course tasting menu and a bubbly toast of Monte Xanic Rose with an option to enhance your experience with a wine pairing or cocktails for $45. We look forward to toasting to 2025 with you as we reflect on the past year. We can't wait to share this special evening with you!
    ISTMO NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER Photo

What 94 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine offers a delightful taste of authentic Oaxacan food with "amazing" flavors and "unique" dishes. Guests rave about the "phenomenal" food, "friendly" service, and vibrant atmosphere. Standout items include the Pineapple Agua de Chile and mole dishes. With creative cocktails and a "gorgeous" setting, it's a must-visit in Chicago.

94 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The service is very nice, the drinks and tortillas were the best. We had agua chile as an entre the surprise was there was nothing but cheese wuth sauce and 1 tostada, it was good but is not aguachile at all. The mole was okay. The chicken had no flavor, and the rice is definitely from instant rice. The Chamorro was a beautiful presentation, a great idea, but it definitely needs flavor. The mash potato was so waterrly. So, for the $190 that we spend is definitely not worth.

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  2. Ruben

    Chicago7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely place, great service, excellent food, awesome drinks. Love the bacalao, if you like fish a most try! All the plates at great, you can either share or have one just for yourself. Great attention to detail. Lovely place will go back again.

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  3. Laly VIP

    Chicago6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was my second time dining there. The food is amazing, and the service is great as well. The chicken and pork dishes are fantastic. Now they have their liquor license, and the drinks are on par with the food!

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  4. Jeffrey VIP

    Chicago84 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 3, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The cocktails were good. Hamachi appetizer was refreshing with a little kick. Pollo con Mole was very good with the arroz toasted sesame seed blended well. Lubina Rayada seared wild striped bass was good. Nicoatole corn and coconut custard had a good crunch. The custard was to soft.

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  5. Rob VIP

    Chicago30 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    How can you run out of a beer and Queso Fundido at 8:15 on a Saturday Night?

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  6. Marco

    Costa Rica1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Pineapple Agua de Chile is the best!! Memorable!

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  7. Carrie

    Chicago6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food and drinks! Atmosphere was also pleasant. Not too loud as most other popular restaurants in Chicago. Highly recommend pork and mole.

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  8. Deep

    Chicago3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server was extremely friendly and helpful, the food was phenomenal, and the prices were very reasonable for the quality of food. Highly recommend!!

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  9. David

    Chicago1 review

    2.0

    Dined on February 21, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Servers were—no, server—was overwhelmed and very slow.

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  10. Cynthia

    Chicago1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I went in the evening for a dinner date night. The food and drinks are amazing! The tables were a bit too close to the other party, but aside of that the food was the best, great customer service! I will definitely be going back to check out in the morning!

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FAQs

ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine is rated 4.6 stars by 94 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 11 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine

3231 N Clark St ste 4, Chicago, IL 60657-2172

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Regional Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Fri–Sun 9:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Thu–Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Lopez Muñoz
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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