Guelaguetza Restaurante

If you're a mole freak like me, you've just died and entered heaven - a Oaxacan dream complete with live music and portions to feed a family of 5.There's valet parking in the back - do it because no one wants to deal with the nightmare that is DTLA parking. The inside is super spacious, super lively and family friendly - I skipped right in and was seated promptly. I ordered the mole enchiladas (Coloradito) and added all the fixins - add the chicken inside, the cheese/avo on top and let that plate take you for a ride. I was absolutely stuff and had more than enough leftovers for a full meal. The mole was everything and a bag of chips - currently drooling thinking about.Absolutely loved this spot.

This is such an amazing restaurant. I've had a few different dishes from there, but the mole and tlayudas are a must try!The service is outstanding, servers are so kind and attentive. I went for breakfast so it was a very relaxed vibe. Parking is limited in the neighborhood so be prepared to pay for valet. Overall this place is a 10 out of 10!

At the recommendation of a coworker, we dined at Guelaguetza Restaurante last month for a work lunch with a group of eight. We had a reservation for a Wednesday afternoon and were seated promptly, which I appreciated. Our server took our drink orders fairly quickly as well, and the overall service was smooth throughout the meal. To start, I ordered a 16oz. horchata (my favorite) and when it arrived, the presentation was truly impressive. It felt like a little piece of art, which made the experience special. However, at $6 a glass I found it to be quite pricey for a drink.Deciding on a meal was a bit of a challenge for me since I'm not very familiar with authentic Oaxacan cuisine. The menu was extensive and unique, which can be exciting but also a bit overwhelming for someone new to this type of food. The restaurant is renowned as the best Oaxacan restaurant in the country, which of course raised my expectations. Ultimately, I chose the chiles rellenos with a side of rice. While the dish was pretty flavorful and well-prepared, I was surprised that my meal ended up costing well over $25. I found the prices difficult to justify for a lunch outing, especially for dishes that, while authentic, didn't blow me away in terms of portion size or presentation.That said, I admire the restaurant's dedication to Oaxacan culture. The vibrant market inside, showcasing traditional items and ingredients, added a nice touch to the overall atmosphere. The holiday decorations were lovely and made the space feel festive, though we didn't get to experience the entertainment I've heard they're known for. While the service and ambiance were both enjoyable, the high prices leave me hesitant to return. Guelaguetza is a beautiful celebration of Oaxacan culture, but for the cost, it wouldn't be my first choice for a meal out. Still, if you're an adventurous foodie or already a fan of Oaxacan cuisine, it's worth a visit at least once.

The wait for this place is long most of the time. Tried to go on a Saturday night but it was too packed. Came back on a Sunday and the crowd was much less, although it was still steadily busy. They do offer valet, so that is helpful for the parking situation. This place has amazing molé and the meat platter was very unique and flavorful. Tried the molé chips while we waited for our food. Very addictive and we killed 1 bowl in a very short time. The molé sampler feeds 2-3 people and has 4 different types of molé. Each were different and unique. I do wish they could label each one, so you can remember the type you like the most. Everything we tried was delicious and very satisfying. The place is large and the decor is really fun and bright. They also had live music which added to the atmosphere. Will be coming back when in town.

Guelaguetza is hands down one of the best spots for authentic Oaxacan cuisine in Los Angeles. From the moment you sit down, you're welcomed with their complimentary chips served with mole and queso fresco-- a perfect way to start the meal and get a preview of their famous moles.I highly recommend trying their Oaxacan horchata. It's a sweet rice-based drink topped with fresh cantaloupe, chopped walnuts, and a beautiful pink cactus fruit syrup. Not only is it delicious, but it's also dairy-free!Now, let's talk about the star of the show-- their mole! You must order the Festival de Moles ($52.50). It's a sampler of four rich and flavorful moles: mole negro, mole rojo, coloradito, and estofado. Each mole comes with shredded chicken breast and rice, served in generous portions that are perfect for sharing. The complexity and depth of flavors in each sauce are incredible and showcase the heart of Oaxacan cuisine.To start, we also ordered the Quesillo Fundido-- a hot skillet filled with melted Oaxaca cheese, grilled chorizo, mushrooms, and a small side of guacamole, served with your choice of organic corn tortillas or three flour tortillas. It's a perfect appetizer to share, and the gooey, cheesy goodness pairs perfectly with the smoky chorizo.Their drink menu is equally impressive, especially if you're a fan of mezcal-based cocktails. I ordered the Pasión De Oaxaca ($15.50), a delightful blend of mezcal, tequila, passion fruit, grapefruit juice, and a tajin rim. The smokiness of the mezcal balanced with the tart citrus and passion fruit made for a refreshing drink with a kick.The restaurant also offers a fantastic ambiance with live music during the dinner hour, which adds to the festive atmosphere. I highly suggest making a reservation if you want to secure a table, as it can get quite busy (and for good reason!).Overall, Guelaguetza delivers an unforgettable Oaxacan dining experience-- from the food and drinks to the vibrant atmosphere. Whether you're a mole lover or new to Oaxacan cuisine, this place is a must-visit!

Incredible mole! I tried the enmoladas- mole negro enchiladas with shredded chicken. It was one of the best mole negros I've ever had outside of Mexico City. Mole Coloradito is also delicious! I tried mole Amarillo which I didn't love, it was a little bland so wouldn't get that again. But everything else was incredible!

Great food and atmosphere. Waiter was really friendly and helpful at offering suggestions. During this visit the restaurant was closed for and event but the patio was heated and overall pleasant.

Seems like this is essentially a Mexican LA landmark in the heart of K-Town?!I came here on a work holiday party and it seems like a few others were doing the same. In a large location with a few different areas, there must have been 3-5 different larger groups celebrating the holidays. Even with that bit of chaos, the service and food was great. The complimentary chips and mole coloradito sauce was on point! Those got gobbled up real quick by the table as did the guacamole. I enjoyed the Tlayula Tlayuda Guelaguetza (Mexican pizza?) and was able to take home more than half of it because the portion was huge. It can definitely be shared in my opinion. Others at my table enjoyed the massive tamale and the meat platter. I think this is the type of place where you can go family style when ordering. There's some unique dishes that everyone will want to try and the portions are tremendous. It's a bit out of the way for a Ventura County person but it was worth the experience for sure.

-Good and fast service-The atmosphere is good.-The food and drinks are very expensive for what they are, I ordered a Tlayuda it was very dry. They charge everything separately, in other Oaxacan places they already include tomato, avocado and Oaxaca cheese.-The Micheladas were expensive and poor quality.

Food was great and the service was on point. They made sure we got all of our food items.