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ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine, Chicago, IL

ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine

4.6
4.6
55 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 30 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Innovative
  • Vegetarian-friendly
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

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • 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
  • Phone number
    (872) 315-2034
  • Website
    https://www.istmochicago.com/
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Lopez Muñoz
  • Catering
    contact@istmochicago.com
  • Private party facilities
    Join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating the vibrant spirit of Oaxaca! Immerse yourself in an exquisite culinary experience featuring authentic Oaxacan cuisine, known for its rich and diverse flavors. Our skilled chef will delight your palate with traditional dishes, crafted with the freshest local ingredients and time-honored recipes.

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

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 55 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
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Chicago

    Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine brings authentic flavors with "extraordinary food" and exceptional service. Guests rave about the "amazing chef" and flavorful dishes like enchiladas and tlayuda. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff make it a neighborhood gem. While some aspects can improve, the anticipation for dinner service is high.

56 Reviews

  1. Ava

    Indiana

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Absolutely delicious food and drinks. A very memorable and enjoyable meal!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Jazmine

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful restaurant. Authentic Mexican cuisine. Brunch was delicious, looking forward to their dinner menu.

    Is this helpful?

  3. David

    VIP

    Chicago

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Still some kinks to work out but foid is great. Only one beer selection? Need to install cold weather entryway to keep diners near doir from freezing.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Chicagofireball

    VIP

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our dinner at Istmo was such a pleasant surprise. The staff was kind and knowledgeable. We received a history about the dishes from the owner. The restaurant was beautiful and the food was superb. A complete gem!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Valentina

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our dinner was absolutely amazing! We had the best experience. Food was delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jay

    VIP

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Every time we dine here, we have an amazing time. The food is excellent, the service is friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend this place for authentic Oaxacan food!

    Is this helpful?

  7. sam

    VIP

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    ImFun and Delicious! I’ve had Sunday brunch and more recently my special birthday meal. The service and food have been great both times. Glad they’ve been able to extend their hours for an evening meal. The beverage program is on point and even better ( for me) they now have their liquor license. The chef really brings the flavors of the isthmus region of Oaxaca to the table in an inventive manner. Very thoughtful.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Tomasa

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Every thing was delicious , definitely going back!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Karen

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food, chef came out, great staff. Will have to come back to try their breakfast menu.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Seth

    VIP

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a serious restaurant serving serious food. Incredible dinner that exceeded my expectations and then some.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine is rated 4.6 stars by 55 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 30 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine

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

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Lake View
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Fri–Sun 9:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Thu–Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Regional Mexican
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Lopez Muñoz
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Private Room, Vegan, Weekend Brunch
  • Website
    https://www.istmochicago.com/
  • Phone number
    (872) 315-2034
  • Catering
    contact@istmochicago.com
  • Private party facilities
    Join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating the vibrant spirit of Oaxaca! Immerse yourself in an exquisite culinary experience featuring authentic Oaxacan cuisine, known for its rich and diverse flavors. Our skilled chef will delight your palate with traditional dishes, crafted with the freshest local ingredients and time-honored recipes.
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