Enchiladas bathed in Mexican mole at Fiesta Oaxaca in Santa Fe

The Moles of Mexico

Five Mexican Moles. One Table in Santa Fe.

Mole is one of Mexico’s most complex culinary traditions — and no two moles tell the same story.

At Fiesta Oaxaca, we celebrate that diversity through five handcrafted Mexican moles, each with its own combination of dried chiles, seeds, herbs, fruits, spices and traditional ingredients.

From the deep, roasted character of Mole Negro to the fresh brightness of Mole Verde and the sweet-tart personality of Mole de Tamarindo, our moles invite you to experience just how different one mole can be from another.

And the best way to discover them? Taste all five side by side.

Try Our Mole Tasting

What Is Mole?

Mole is not simply a sauce — and it is definitely not just “chocolate sauce.”

The word mole comes from the Nahuatl word mōlli, meaning sauce or mixture. Across Mexico, generations of cooks have created regional versions using combinations of chiles, seeds, nuts, herbs, vegetables, fruits, spices and, in some recipes, chocolate.

Ingredients are toasted, roasted, blended and slowly cooked until individual flavors become something entirely new.

Some moles are dark and smoky. Others are bright and herbaceous. Some are gently sweet, earthy, tangy or spicy.

That complexity is exactly what makes mole one of Mexico’s most fascinating culinary traditions.

Meet Our Five Moles

Hover over each card to explore its flavor profile and key ingredients.

Deep · Roasted · Complex

Mole Negro

One of the most iconic moles associated with Oaxaca, Mole Negro is layered, dark and deeply aromatic. Our version combines roasted dried chiles with seeds and nuts, plantain, tomato, garlic, onion, Mexican spices and a subtle touch of chocolate. The roasting process develops its characteristic dark color and creates a flavor that moves between smoky, savory, slightly sweet and pleasantly bitter notes. Chocolate is only one element in the recipe — never the dominant flavor.

Flavor Profile: Rich · Smoky · Toasted · Deep

Key Ingredients: Roasted Chiles · Seeds & Nuts · Plantain · Tomato · Spices · Chocolate

Bold · Red Chile · Warm

Mole Colorado

Brighter in color and more chile-forward than Mole Negro, Mole Colorado celebrates the depth and natural fruitiness of dried red chiles. Red chiles are blended with traditional Mexican spices, aromatics and other carefully balanced ingredients, then slowly cooked into a smooth, richly colored mole. The result is savory, warm and gently sweet, with the character of the chiles remaining at the center of the experience. It is an excellent introduction for anyone discovering Mexican mole for the first time.

Flavor Profile: Savory · Warm · Chile-Forward · Balanced

Key Ingredients: Dried Red Chiles · Tomato · Garlic · Onion · Mexican Spices

Fresh · Herbaceous · Savory

Mole Verde

Mole does not have to be dark. Our Mole Verde offers a completely different expression of the tradition, built around pumpkin seeds, tomatillo and aromatic herbs. Pepitas create its naturally creamy body while tomatillos bring freshness and acidity. Hoja santa — an aromatic Mexican herb with distinctive herbal and anise-like notes — adds another layer of character. Fresh, savory and vibrant, this is one of the clearest examples of just how diverse Mexican mole can be.

Flavor Profile: Fresh · Herbaceous · Nutty · Bright

Key Ingredients: Pumpkin Seeds · Tomatillo · Hoja Santa · Peanuts · Sesame · Chiles

Sweet · Tangy · Gently Smoky

Mole de Tamarindo

This is the mole people rarely expect. Mole de Tamarindo brings together the natural sweet-and-sour character of tamarind with tomatillos, tomatoes, garlic, onion and dried guajillo and ancho chiles. The tamarind creates a bright acidity that cuts through the richness normally associated with mole, while the dried chiles add warmth and subtle smokiness. The result is a sauce that is sweet, tangy, savory and unmistakably Mexican.

Flavor Profile: Sweet · Tangy · Savory · Mildly Spicy

Key Ingredients: Tamarind · Guajillo Chile · Ancho Chile · Tomatillo · Tomato · Aromatics

Rich · Spiced · Comforting

Mole Oaxaca

Our Mole Oaxaca represents the deeply layered style many people imagine when they first think about traditional Mexican mole. Chocolate, multiple varieties of dried chiles and seeds, plantain, tomato, garlic, onion and Mexican spices are blended together to create a mole with exceptional depth. It begins slightly sweet, develops into toasted chile and spice, and finishes rich and savory. There is no single ingredient meant to dominate. The beauty of this mole comes from the balance created when all of them become one.

Flavor Profile: Rich · Toasted · Slightly Sweet · Complex

Key Ingredients: Chocolate · Dried Chiles · Seeds · Plantain · Tomato · Garlic · Onion · Spices

Five Moles. Five Completely Different Experiences.

Reading about mole is one thing. Tasting them next to each other changes everything.

Negro

Colorado

Verde

de Tamarindo

Oaxaca

Our Mole Tasting lets you explore all five Fiesta Oaxaca moles side by side and discover the differences in chile, sweetness, acidity, herbs, roasting and spice for yourself. Start dark and smoky. Move into red chile and spice. Discover the freshness of verde. Then taste what tamarind can do to mole.

You may arrive thinking you already have a favorite. You may leave with a completely different one.

Experience the Mole Tasting

Tamal wrapped in banana leaf served with Mexican mole

Choose Your Mole. Then Make It Yours.

Once you find your favorite, experience it as part of your meal.

At Fiesta Oaxaca, our moles can be enjoyed in several ways, including our Traditional Mole Plate, Mole Enchiladas and Mole Burrito.

Ask our team about available plant-based and gluten-free options and we’ll be happy to help you choose the preparation that works best for you.

Explore the Menu

Looking for Mole in Santa Fe?

You’ll find us in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, just steps from the historic Santa Fe Plaza.

Whether you already love traditional mole or you are tasting it for the first time, Fiesta Oaxaca gives you the opportunity to explore five distinctive Mexican moles in one place.

Come hungry.

Leave knowing your favorite.

Fiesta Oaxaca

135 W Palace Ave, Suite 101

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

Steps from the Santa Fe Plaza

Reserve Your Table

Frequently Asked Questions About Mole

Is mole always made with chocolate?↓

No. Chocolate appears in some traditional mole recipes, including several dark moles, but many moles contain no chocolate at all. Mole Verde, for example, gets much of its character from ingredients such as pumpkin seeds, tomatillo and herbs.

Is mole spicy?↓

It depends on the mole. Chiles are essential to many mole recipes, but they contribute much more than heat. Different dried chiles can add fruitiness, smokiness, earthiness, sweetness and depth. Our five moles range in flavor profile, and our team can help you choose one based on your preference.

What is the difference between Mole Negro and Mole Verde?↓

They are dramatically different. Mole Negro is dark, deeply roasted and complex, while Mole Verde is brighter, fresher and more herbaceous, with pumpkin seeds, tomatillo and hoja santa.

What is the best way to try mole for the first time?↓

We recommend our Mole Tasting, which allows you to taste all five of our moles side by side before choosing your favorite.

Where can I try traditional Mexican mole in Santa Fe?↓

Fiesta Oaxaca serves five handcrafted Mexican moles at 135 W Palace Ave in downtown Santa Fe, just steps from the historic Santa Fe Plaza.