ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine

Name: ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine
Address: 3231 N Clark St ste 4, Chicago, IL, United States, 60657-2172
Telephone: (872) 315-2034
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.7

4.7 (134)

$30 and under

Mexican

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 6, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 20 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Great for creative cocktails
Neighborhood gem
Lively

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 Sat, 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.

Location
3231 N Clark St ste 4, Chicago, IL 60657-2172
Neighborhood
Lakeview / East Lakeview
Parking details
None
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Private Room, Vegan, Weekend Brunch

Experiences

Oaxaca Meets Baja
$125.00 per person
Prepaid
Jun 12, 2025 only
Embark on a culinary journey through the Isthmus region of Oaxaca with a five-course dinner that delights the senses. Each course tells a story, blending vibrant ingredients and flavors while honoring the region's rich cultural heritage. As you savor each dish, sip on thoughtfully curated wines from Monte Xanic, enhancing the meal’s character and depth. The harmonious pairing elevates the dining experience, inviting lively conversation and delightful discovery, creating lasting memories of Oaxacan cuisine.

What 134 people are saying

ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine offers "extraordinary" Mexican dishes in a vibrant, welcoming setting. Guests rave about its "authentic" flavors, attentive service, and unique cocktails. Highlights include the green chorizo and chocolate drink. Chef Carlos is praised for his "creative" dishes that transport diners to Oaxaca. A "fabulous addition" to the Chicago food scene.

134 Reviews

G
Greg VIP
New York City51 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
These folks are THE BEST! Everything A+++ Food is beyond elevated. Oaxacan Perfection!
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C
Carl and Rosy VIP
Chicago / Illinois42 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is my first visit since they received their alcohol license. As always, the food was extraordinary. It's great to have a high-quality Mexican restaurant in Lakeview. I visited Oaxaca for the holidays, and the quality of the food here is as good as any Michelin-starred restaurant there.Must try the chocolate drink. Green chorizo is a must too. They have good wines too.
Is this helpful?
s
susan VIP
Chicago / Illinois42 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I’ve been here several times for both breakfast and dinner. Always a great choice.
Is this helpful?
A
Amy VIP
Chicago / Illinois2 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 17, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was amazing and the margaritas were also delicious. The service was great.
Is this helpful?
K
Kristin VIP
Portland / Oregon2 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dinner was perfect. Every dish was perfect. The staff were all very kind and attentive. They even made our child an off menu small steak, rice & beans. My husband’s cilantro jalapeño margarita was amazing —savory rather than sweet.
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A
Andrew VIP
Chicago / Illinois12 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Very impressed by everything we ordered. We’ll definitely be back. It’s the first Oaxacan restaurant in Chicago I’ve been to that was as good as in Oaxaca. So far exceeded the typical boring Mid-Western brunch.
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V
Vicki VIP
Memphis / West Tennessee11 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 9, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
How lucky are we to have this awesome restaurant in our neighborhood! The food is amazing.
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D
David
Chicago / Illinois13 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 9, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Novel and delicious twists on menu selections and presentations. Oaxacan cuisine at it’s best!!
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E
Eric
Chicago / Illinois1 review
4.0
Dined on May 9, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
No complaints. Good food, better cocktails, nice service. Will be back.
Is this helpful?
C
Chase VIP
Chicago / Illinois3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was amazing. Our server was lovely. The strawberry mimosa was to die for. The food was delightful.
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FAQs

ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine is rated 4.7 stars by 134 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 6, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 20 times today

Experiences are available.

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

Additional information

Neighborhood
Lakeview / East Lakeview
Hours of operation
Breakfast Sat, 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.

ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Experiences

Oaxaca Meets Baja

Menu

What 134 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine restaurant rated?

Is ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information