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Oaxaca, Mexico, is recognized as one of the world’s best food cities. Locally, the specialty ice cream isn’t even an ice cream at all. Known as nieves, these sweet concoctions are typically made with fruit and ice, but local shops offer a wide variety of flavors, including dairy-based options. Here are my favorite places for nieves and ice cream in Oaxaca de Juárez, including traditional nieve shops and places showcasing the incredible local flavors.
The Best Ice cream & Nieves in Oaxaca, Mexico
Nixy & Paletas Caty y Juanito
There are several Nixy & Paletas Caty y Juanito ice cream shops in Oaxaca.
They specialize in high-quality nieves and paletas, with loads of different flavor options. Some even use mezcal as a base, mixing it with mango or tamarind.
I couldn’t decide which flavors to get, so I went a bit crazy, opting for Mango mezcal, Oaxacan chocolate, and Oreo (see photo at the top of the page).
Meanwhile, my girlfriend got a combo cup of Lime pie, Coconut, and Mamey.
All of the flavors were excellent. Between the flavors and quality, it was my favorite place for nieves and ice cream in Oaxaca.
Address: C. Violetas 217, Reforma, 68050 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
Address: Priv. de Reforma 101-B, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
Address: Portal de Clavería 1, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
Address: 20 de Noviembre 228, OAX_RE_BENITO JUAREZ, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Nieves Chagüita
Mercado Benito Juarez is a massive complex of small stalls in the center of Oaxaca. It’s a popular spot for food tours, including the Oaxaca food tour I took with Culinary Backstreets.
One of our stops was Nieves Chagüita, a traditional nieve maker that highlights the local tradition. The family’s experience with nieve-making dates back hundreds of years.
When Nieves Chagüita first opened, it offered only three flavors: leche quemada (burnt milk), lime, and tuna (prickly pear). They’ve since expanded to dozens of flavors, but those original flavors remain favorites today.
The combination of tuna and leche quemada is the traditional combo, so I had to get that. I had some with chapulines (grasshoppers), which people in Oaxaca can put on pretty much anything.
If you want an authentically local nieve experience, be sure to visit Nieves Chagüita.
Address: OAX_RE_BENITO JUAREZ, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca, Mexico (map)
Website
Plaza de Las Nieves
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad and Plaza de la Danza are important Oaxacan landmarks.
The area is also home to Jardín Sócrates AKA Plaza de Las Nieves, which is dotted with small ice cream shops.
There are a couple of shops with especially good reviews, including La Oaxaqueña Nevería and Nieves El Niagara.
We went to the latter, which has been open since 1927 and offers a wide variety of local flavors.
You can still see how the nieves are made in metal containers inside a larger wooden container, just as they have been for generations.
Between the nieves, street vendors selling arts and crafts, and kids playing in the plaza, it’s a quintessential stop for experiencing life in Oaxaca.
Address: Jardín Sócrates, CALZADA MADERO, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
Mezcalite POP!
For the boldest local Oaxacan flavors, head to Mezcalite POP!
The Paty Chamoy is their best-known creation, an absolute mouth punch of incredible flavor.
This cup of deliciousness starts with scoops of fruity nieves (made with or without mezcal). Flavors include mango, tamarind, passionfruit, and more.
Next, the wildly complex sauce called chamoy is drizzled over the top. Name a flavor profile, and it’s probably in chamoy. It’s simultaneously sweet, sour, spicy, and salty.
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You can also add toppings such as Tajin (chili salt) and chapulines (grasshoppers).
It’s a must-try Oaxacan dessert.
If it all sounds too intimidating, the shop also sells regular paletas and ice cream scoops.
Address: C. Porfirio Díaz 404, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68101 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Flor Cacao
Flor Cacao is a specialty chocolate shop in central Oaxaca. They offer a variety of chocolate-based drinks, fine chocolates incorporating local flavors, and ice cream.
There are several ice cream flavors available, including vegan options. We enjoyed their vegan chocolate ice cream, which uses pixtle seeds for creaminess.
Address: C. de Manuel Bravo 210, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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Rito Chocolatería & Tienda
As you might suspect from the name, Rito Chocolatería & Tienda also specializes in chocolate.
But if you’re specifically craving chocolate ice cream, why not go to a chocolate specialist? The shop sells just two ice cream flavors: chocolate and mango.
Address: C. Porfirio Díaz 708-H, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico (map)
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