Went to Copal on Easter Sunday 2024. We had a 4:45 pm reservation that was made online two days prior and verified via return phone call on Saturday.My friend had a screen shot of her online verification since it was for a holiday and she intended to stop by in person to verify but since Copal called her back to confirm she didn't worry about it. I used to live in Oaxaca and I was super excited.The wait staff were vivacious, friendly and attentive. My friend had enchiladas, I had the Quesadillas del Mercado. We also got sides of Chapulines and Nopalitos. I really wanted to try the green mole but didn't want another entire entree. They graciously accomodated with a side of green mole and a side of grilled chicken. I also got Aqua de Jamaica. Everything was delicious! I skipped the beans becsuse they were too firm but my friend loved them. The nopalitos were chopped into a salsa with onions. The Quesadillas were fantastic and more than I could finish at one meal, and the grilled chicken was beyond amazing. It brought back memories of the father/daughter butcher team that I used to buy from at the Mercado near Abrahan Castellanos- the meat is cut thin snd pounded very flat over a block of ice so that it is tender and cooks easily. The Chapulunes were big and as good as homemade, yum! I will definitely order chicken with green mole in the future but I will opt for take out.The downsides: The interior seating area has terrible acoustics and glare from outdoors. It might be better after dark.The bathroom seemed to be flooded and in need of repair. The person at the host station seemed to be focused on driving patrons out rather than welcoming them in, which was very puzzling. The host rattled off about five different suggestions as to why we must be mistaken in the three seconds it took for my friend to bring up the screen shot of the confirmation. The reservation was not on their books. So be sure to take a screen shot of your reservation and be prepared to be treated like a door crasher.Bottom line, the food is outstanding and I will definitely order take out from Copal in the future.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Kathryn Roberts
A new favorite, absolutely incredible and authentic Oaxaca food. Don’t skip the appetizer sampler, it has so many tasty things to try. Then we got two miles and the tlayuda and all were amazing. Ayuda could easily feed two. Great outdoor patio and very tasty cocktails. Great mezcal collection.
Great cocktails, worth a visit if you love Mezcal. The food was good, not great as it lacked some spice and depth of flavor.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mole Negro
Sharon Parker
Great food!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pablo Yale
The Molé is off the hook here. Quite possibly the best enchiladas I've ever had in this life or in the past. Super friendly bartender has great advice on the food and drink pairings. Last time I was here, I couldn't walk out, because it used to be an urgent care place. Today I walked out so full they almost brought the wheelchair back. Btw it's pronounced Wah-hawk-en, not the way I thought it was. ?Parking: Looks like there's not enough parking, but I had no trouble driving in on a whim.
So good! Tonight was my Son and I first time. What were we waiting for? We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mole Negro
Corey Bengisu
Delicious and authentic Oaxacan cuisine, including a diverse selection of molé, nicely crafted drinks and mezcal flights. The service is great, too. I appreciate the vegetarian/vegan options.Vegetarian options: Couple of vegan molé options and vegan/vegetarian versions of multiple good appetizers. Also the expected chips and guacamole and black beans.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mole Negro
Adilene H.
THE BEST FOOD EVER !! If I lived closer I would definitely be here everyday !!! The service is amazing, staff is super friendly and explain to you what certain foods are if you have questions. The ambiance is chill and perfect for a night out for good Oaxacan food ! I always get the potato taquitos and the agua de jamaica !!
Joshua Gosline
Though I’ve been to Copal before and always enjoyed it, this time around I feel like our experience merits a review, mostly due to the service and support staff, notably to Carlos, our server, and Brittany who I believe is a manager.We were a big group, I think somewhere around at least 12 adults and on top of that 3 young children, something most service staff would probably dread. Despite our large (and loud) party + kids, Carlos, Brittany, and all the support staff were genuinely friendly, patient, engaging, and attentive. We all truly appreciated their service and it put us at ease and elevated the experience.The food was fantastic as always, I personally hadn’t been back for nearly three years and everything was great and exceeded our expectations. We reordered multiple antojitos because we were enjoying them so much, notably the chapulínes and the esquites. All the moles were very, very good. We loved the Casa Vieja Misión from Valle de Guadalupe, and we were really happy to see Mexican wine represented on the menu (and hope to see more!).Overall between service, drinks, and dining we all had a phenomenal time and this secured Copal as one of our favorite spots in the greater SC area. Thank you to Carlos and Brittany and all who attended to us! Hasta muy pronto
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chapulines, Esquites
Stu Daniels
Home of the best Mole I have had since being in Mexico. This restaurant is the real deal. We went there twice in one week.
Best Oaxacan cuisine in the area, hands down!! These bartenders are very patient and helpful if your not quite sure what to drink. Try the mole!!! Its to die for. And the mezcal Paloma with there giant wedge of fresh grapefruit to garnish. O and the taquitoes? All very
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben Phillips
Horrible service. Could not get a server to save my life, even asked the hostess could we please get a server… but no. Continued to sit and stare at the wall. Tables around us seemed to get served no issue. For a nicer place they need to get it together. Was not remotely busy.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Diane K.
I highly highly recommend Copal. For the food, the drinks, the service was amazing. Shout out to Austin our server she was fabulous and so knowledgeable on the food. I felt comfortable and so welcomed I would come here again.
Kristen S.
Deliciously fresh, authentic cuisine that is presented beautifully! My friend and I just tried Copal for the first time. We shared dishes such as an oaxacan taco plate, a vegan mole that I don't prefer, tlayuda, and esquites. Their salsa was just the way we like it. Thin, liquidy, and consistent with a ton of flavor. Absolutely delicious!
Caitlin M.
Copal has amazing service, food, drinks, and ambiance. The food is authentically Oaxacan and has a lot to offer. Great choices for meat eaters, the pork picadillo is the absolute best! They also have a significant selection for gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. Every mole is superb, you can get a sampler with drinks and chips while you decide what to eat
Went to Copal on Easter Sunday 2024. We had a 4:45 pm reservation that was made online two days prior and verified via return phone call on Saturday.My friend had a screen shot of her online verification since it was for a holiday and she intended to stop by in person to verify but since Copal called her back to confirm she didn't worry about it. I used to live in Oaxaca and I was super excited.The wait staff were vivacious, friendly and attentive. My friend had enchiladas, I had the Quesadillas del Mercado. We also got sides of Chapulines and Nopalitos. I really wanted to try the green mole but didn't want another entire entree. They graciously accomodated with a side of green mole and a side of grilled chicken. I also got Aqua de Jamaica. Everything was delicious! I skipped the beans becsuse they were too firm but my friend loved them. The nopalitos were chopped into a salsa with onions. The Quesadillas were fantastic and more than I could finish at one meal, and the grilled chicken was beyond amazing. It brought back memories of the father/daughter butcher team that I used to buy from at the Mercado near Abrahan Castellanos- the meat is cut thin snd pounded very flat over a block of ice so that it is tender and cooks easily. The Chapulunes were big and as good as homemade, yum! I will definitely order chicken with green mole in the future but I will opt for take out.The downsides: The interior seating area has terrible acoustics and glare from outdoors. It might be better after dark.The bathroom seemed to be flooded and in need of repair. The person at the host station seemed to be focused on driving patrons out rather than welcoming them in, which was very puzzling. The host rattled off about five different suggestions as to why we must be mistaken in the three seconds it took for my friend to bring up the screen shot of the confirmation. The reservation was not on their books. So be sure to take a screen shot of your reservation and be prepared to be treated like a door crasher.Bottom line, the food is outstanding and I will definitely order take out from Copal in the future.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
A new favorite, absolutely incredible and authentic Oaxaca food. Don’t skip the appetizer sampler, it has so many tasty things to try. Then we got two miles and the tlayuda and all were amazing. Ayuda could easily feed two. Great outdoor patio and very tasty cocktails. Great mezcal collection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tlayuda GF, Mole Verde GF, Mole Negro
Great cocktails, worth a visit if you love Mezcal. The food was good, not great as it lacked some spice and depth of flavor.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mole Negro
Great food!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Molé is off the hook here. Quite possibly the best enchiladas I've ever had in this life or in the past. Super friendly bartender has great advice on the food and drink pairings. Last time I was here, I couldn't walk out, because it used to be an urgent care place. Today I walked out so full they almost brought the wheelchair back. Btw it's pronounced Wah-hawk-en, not the way I thought it was. ?Parking: Looks like there's not enough parking, but I had no trouble driving in on a whim.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mole Negro, Oaxacan Taco Plate GF
So good! Tonight was my Son and I first time. What were we waiting for? We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mole Negro
Delicious and authentic Oaxacan cuisine, including a diverse selection of molé, nicely crafted drinks and mezcal flights. The service is great, too. I appreciate the vegetarian/vegan options.Vegetarian options: Couple of vegan molé options and vegan/vegetarian versions of multiple good appetizers. Also the expected chips and guacamole and black beans.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mole Negro
THE BEST FOOD EVER !! If I lived closer I would definitely be here everyday !!! The service is amazing, staff is super friendly and explain to you what certain foods are if you have questions. The ambiance is chill and perfect for a night out for good Oaxacan food ! I always get the potato taquitos and the agua de jamaica !!
Though I’ve been to Copal before and always enjoyed it, this time around I feel like our experience merits a review, mostly due to the service and support staff, notably to Carlos, our server, and Brittany who I believe is a manager.We were a big group, I think somewhere around at least 12 adults and on top of that 3 young children, something most service staff would probably dread. Despite our large (and loud) party + kids, Carlos, Brittany, and all the support staff were genuinely friendly, patient, engaging, and attentive. We all truly appreciated their service and it put us at ease and elevated the experience.The food was fantastic as always, I personally hadn’t been back for nearly three years and everything was great and exceeded our expectations. We reordered multiple antojitos because we were enjoying them so much, notably the chapulínes and the esquites. All the moles were very, very good. We loved the Casa Vieja Misión from Valle de Guadalupe, and we were really happy to see Mexican wine represented on the menu (and hope to see more!).Overall between service, drinks, and dining we all had a phenomenal time and this secured Copal as one of our favorite spots in the greater SC area. Thank you to Carlos and Brittany and all who attended to us! Hasta muy pronto
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chapulines, Esquites
Home of the best Mole I have had since being in Mexico. This restaurant is the real deal. We went there twice in one week.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chapulines, Molotes GF
Restaurantji Recommends
Best Oaxacan cuisine in the area, hands down!! These bartenders are very patient and helpful if your not quite sure what to drink. Try the mole!!! Its to die for. And the mezcal Paloma with there giant wedge of fresh grapefruit to garnish. O and the taquitoes? All very
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Horrible service. Could not get a server to save my life, even asked the hostess could we please get a server… but no. Continued to sit and stare at the wall. Tables around us seemed to get served no issue. For a nicer place they need to get it together. Was not remotely busy.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
I highly highly recommend Copal. For the food, the drinks, the service was amazing. Shout out to Austin our server she was fabulous and so knowledgeable on the food. I felt comfortable and so welcomed I would come here again.
Deliciously fresh, authentic cuisine that is presented beautifully! My friend and I just tried Copal for the first time. We shared dishes such as an oaxacan taco plate, a vegan mole that I don't prefer, tlayuda, and esquites. Their salsa was just the way we like it. Thin, liquidy, and consistent with a ton of flavor. Absolutely delicious!
Copal has amazing service, food, drinks, and ambiance. The food is authentically Oaxacan and has a lot to offer. Great choices for meat eaters, the pork picadillo is the absolute best! They also have a significant selection for gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. Every mole is superb, you can get a sampler with drinks and chips while you decide what to eat