103 Best Restaurants in Los Cabos and the Baja Peninsula, Mexico

At a restaurant known colloquially as "La Pergola" due to its lovely location under one in Baja Club's garden, executive chef Panagiotis Vounos prepares Mediterranean cuisine inspired by his native Greece with a touch of French flair (it's where he received his training and worked before moving to La Paz). When it comes to beverages, however, that's all Mexico: the wine is sourced exclusively from Valle de Guadalupe, and Baja Club was the first establishment to officially collaborate with GUAYCURA Damiana Liqueur to create hyperlocal craft cocktail recipes.

Located right at Playa Punta Lobos, this is a brilliant place to grab an elegant, beachside bite. Recently recognized by Michelin Guide, Benno serves a mix of Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, with every dish crafted from local ingredients. The sommelier is among the most friendly and knowledgeable in town, providing great pairing recommendations with an emphasis on organic and biodynamic wines. The drive out here (down a barren, unlit dirt road) can feel a little hairy after dark, so while it's a lovely place to see the sunset, plan accordingly.

New-kid-on-the-block Biznaga is one of La Paz's trendiest restaurants, and a top spot for young, cool locals to gather. Its splashy design and solid mixology is garnering even more praise than its bites, but you won't leave disappointed or hungry if you order a selection of starters and tacos for the table.

A few blocks away from downtown Cabo's heavy foot traffic and named after the town's zip code, this is an adorable place to grab breakfast or spend an afternoon co-working. Their slogan is "Coffee made by locals, for locals," and their beans are sourced from the Mexican state of Chiapas and are available for sale to take home with you.

This cute and casual eatery was the first in Todos Santos to open with tourists intentionally in mind, back in 1993. The building is over a century old, and was a house in the late 1800s; the flooring is original from 1933. The chairs and wall decor are colorfully quirky and very Mexican, with the menu mixing traditional cuisine with international favorites.

This trendy, San Francisco--based restaurant decided that Cabo was missing out on quality Asian comfort food, and, honestly, they were right. The clientele is an interesting mix of hip locals and families alike, and it's the perfect spot for a hearty bowl of noodles and a refreshing cocktail, both of which will fuel you up nicely after a long day on the water. However, this place can be loud, so plan accordingly if you want to have a meaningful conversation. 

If you need fuel after a day at the beach, walk across the street at Km 41 to this two-story blue collective where you’ll find everything from poke bowls to craft beer. A tribute to surfing and all-things-local, Colectivo Surf serves produce from local farmers, fish from pangueros (fisherman) along Baja's coast, organic wine from Valle de Guadalupe, and small batch beers from their own brewery. The local gem is the brainchild of humble owner, Noel, a San Diegan who spent the better part of his life paddling into Rosarito’s best breaks. In 2016 the surfing entrepreneur manifested his vision to build a business that would empower the local economy. By using local ingredients, creating jobs, and providing killer cuisine, Noel has impacted an entire community one “order up” at a time. The house mezcal will put hair on your chest, and the 15 beers on tap will keep you on pour-repeat. Ceviche, fish tacos, poke bowls, and ocean-to-table sushi are the perfect postsurf meal. In summer months (June–August), there’s live music Friday–Sunday from 6 to 11 pm.

The initial draw of this rooftop restaurant may be its privileged overlook of Médano Beach (sunset, unsurprisingly, is the hottest hour for a reservation), but the strength of the menu would warrant a visit, regardless. Every item from this "Open Fire Kitchen" is grilled and smoked, bringing a creative technique and fresh flavor to an area mostly dominated by beach clubs. The wind can get somewhat fearsome come nightfall, but thick, cozy blankets are readily provided.

The go-to place for brunch outside of the big resort restaurants, this European-style café and bakery is the perfect stop for a quick coffee, pastry, or a slice of pizza. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available, as well as nonalcoholic cocktails. 

Dining at Deckman’s is like stepping into the quintessential Pinterest photo, replete with an open-air kitchen, straw floor, and wooden tables adorned with wildflowers. As if the chirping birds, adobe structure, soft jazz, and vineyard views weren’t enough, you’ll find a revolving menu built around seasonable products from the neighboring Mogor Ranch. Exclusively for Deckman’s are fresh eggs, lamb, olive oil, and all things green that travel 0 kilometers from the farm to your plate. The seven-course tasting menu ($120) may highlight foie gras, oyster tacos, grilled quail, beet gazpacho, and enough veggies to justify that berry pie. Complementing the cuisine are wines from Mogor Badan or artisanal beers from Agua Mala. Don’t expect to see a freezer, plastic bottles, or soft drinks for that matter, since every item is local, organic, unprocessed, and as natural as they come. The best part of the restaurant is Drew Deckman himself, an unpretentious chef and true ambassador for the Slow Food movement. Late diners should arrive early since this romantic spot closes at 8 pm.

Sandwiches are a surprisingly uncommon treat in Mexico, prompting local couple Nicole and Robert Ellingwood to meet the need with their gourmet food truck. Located in the Buenos Aires Food Park along with a few other businesses-on-wheels, you can enjoy your “sando” in their shaded yard (stocked with fun yard games for kids young and old) or easily take it to-go.

One of the more upscale choices near Médano Beach, Edith's is the sister restaurant to popular The Office. The Caesar salad and bananas flambé are prepared tableside at this colorful and much-loved restaurant, while Wally's Special, a medley of lobster, shrimp, and fish, is one of the most ordered items on the menu. As good as the food is, the atmosphere is even better. Families dine in early evening, so come in later if you're looking for a less crowded experience.

Perhaps the most revered reservation to score in Cabo San Lucas, cliffside El Farallon provides one of the most breathtaking vantage points in town. There's no typical menu here—rather, that day's selection of grilled entrées, featuring fish, shrimp, scallops, steak, and more, are presented on a large chalkboard, along with the available sides. Every meal also comes with a trio of appetizers, guaranteed to leave you stuffed by the end of the meal. An optional wine pairing for each course is a fine complement, as is a pre- or postdinner glass at the chic Champagne Terrace. Try to score a seating time before/during sunset, if you can; it gets quite dark afterward, diminishing the otherwise stellar view.

At this glorified food court, more than 20 culinary offerings are at your disposal, ranging from Mexican and Greek to Spanish and Italian. Savor wine, cheese, or tapas while the little ones dig into gourmet hot dogs, creamy gelato, or treats from the candy shop. In this two-story industrial-style building, grab what you want and converge back at the table with the meal of your choice; sushi, barbecue, and Oaxacan cuisine are top picks. The organic market is great for meals-to-go, and the assortment of tacos and regional dishes explore the best of Mexico’s gastronomy in a unique environment.

The dinner menu is forever changing at this family-owned and -run restaurant, and that's a good thing. Whether you order soup and salad, steak, or fresh catch of the day prepared any way you like it, this is a one-of-a-kind dining experience with amazing sea views. Patio dining is de rigeur during most of the year, but during the hot summer months, guests may prefer air-conditioned indoor dining room seating.

A dark, wood-paneled restaurant with leather booths, Mexican antiques, and a large central fireplace, this is one of Rosarito's oldest eateries, and the best in town for atmosphere. Diners unimpressed with newer, fancier places come here for grilled venison, lamb, and quail from the owner's farm in the Baja wine country. Made-to-order tortillas, salsa, and margaritas are remarkably fresh. Farm-grown mangos, strawberries, and melons are infused into simple syrups for cocktails. They serve organic vegetables, have a delicious flan, and offer wine tastings in their small damp cellar. Ask for a table on the back patio where potted plants and a waterfall make a pleasant setting in the charming greenhouse.

At "The Golden Chicken," it's best to order ... well, chicken! You can try it roasted, grilled, fried, or baked, in fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, soup ... a menu worthy of Forrest Gump's narration. Their pork ribs are also quite popular.

From its chateaubriand bouquetière to the savory chicken cooked in prune sauce, this classy French restaurant has been family-owned since 1947. Louis XIV–style furnishings and an attentive staff make it both comfortable and elegant. In addition, the restaurant pays tribute to its heritage with family photographs that line the hallways, starting with a portrait of founder Doña Pepita. As the oldest French restaurant in Mexico, it's also considered one of the top of the pack with more than 10 Five Diamond Awards. Impressive preparations of Caesar salad, crepes Suzette, and café flambé create a show at your table. For larger parties, request one of the three private rooms modeled after Paris and the Palace of Versailles. The sidewalk tables are a perfect place to dine and people-watch. The small café in the front sells pastries that are made on the premises.

From the moment you see guests clinking glasses atop wine-barrel towers, you know you’re in for a memorable dining experience. On the edge of sprawling vineyards, this rustic setting has a seasonal menu to match. Chef Javier Plascencia is famous for his oak-grilled favorites like quail with chard or beef-cheek tacos. The homemade sausages and slow-cooked lamb come with sizzling sides on cast-iron skillets. If you’re just looking for a starter with a view, try the oysters, chocolate clams, or ahi tostadas. By day this alfresco spot is a family favorite, and by night romance kicks in with fire bowls illuminating grapevines creeping toward the sky. Finca Altozano is just one branch of the family tree made up of several businesses—including four eateries, a café, shop, hotel, and farm—all within the property.

It's no surprise that this impossibly hip Asian fusion hot spot originated in Tulum, as it feels a bit more suited for that crowd than what's typically found in Cabo. But Funky Geisha's presence marks an exciting change in the local party scene---it's no longer limited to just spring breakers or sea dogs---and diners can enjoy a variety of sushi, curry, noodles, and rice dishes while wiggling their toes in the sand and gazing in awe at a nightly fireworks display just steps away.

Nothing beats walking down the malecón with an ice cream in hand ... or in this case, Italian gelato. Choose among 28 artisan flavors at Giulietta e Romeo.

Chef Lalo Pino is one of the most interesting characters you'll meet in La Paz, and his food reflects that. Perhaps because both his menu of craft tacos and the concept of Hambrusia (which is slang for hungry, like "munchies") were inspired by growing up on the peninsula before there were supermarkets and accessible ingredients from the mainland. Order a variety to try, or put your fate in Pino's hands by going the omakase route and he'll bring out six of his personal favorites. The dishes are lightly Asian-inspired, simply because "umami goes really well with tacos."

A trendy offspring of neighboring Sano’s Steakhouse, “Smoke and Salt” focuses on local seafood with a twist; guests of the casual hot spot can also order from the more formal steak house next door. The bar shakes up tequila and mezcal from small-batch labels and all their wines come from Mexico. The oysters with beet and ginger mignonette whet your appetite for tuna carpaccio bathed in oil and lime or agua-chili shrimp on crispy blue-corn tostadas. Salsas and garnishes, such as the watermelon radishes and lemon-serrano vinaigrette, are punchy and fresh atop tuna belly tacos.

Nestled on top of a small hill on the outskirts of town, this charming Italian restaurant by Chef Daniela Borghini overlooks pretty gardens (hence the name) and the ocean. The ambiance is pleasantly pleasing, and the pizzas (which are 33 cm, in between a size medium and large) and pasta dishes are a guaranteed hit.

Go for the delicious complimentary focaccia bread; stay for the fine wines, family-style fare, and charming views of downtown Cabo San Lucas. Chef and co-owner Antonello Lauri shows off his Roman heritage on the menu at Invita, which is overflowing with traditional Italian favorites like the filling eggplant Parmesan made from recipes passed down from his grandmother. The intimate dining area is dominated by an enormous Bacchus-theme painting by local painter Yandi Monardo, which offers a clue as to just how seriously Invita takes its wines; temperature-controlled selections by the bottle or glass are touted on the bar-front blackboard. Views are provided courtesy of an expansive picture window, which looks out across the gazebo to the center of the town square, Plaza Amelia Wilkes.

Set next to a beautiful garden that provides many of the fruits, veggies, and herbs used in the kitchen, Jazamango is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds, and one of the most iconic restaurants in Todos Santos. It's helmed by well-known Mexican chef Javier Plascencia, known for his organic, sustainable approach to creating Baja-Mediterranean fusion dishes. Specialty cocktails and craft-brewed Baja beers are spotlighted at the bar, while the kitchen serves delicious dishes like lechón prensado (roast suckling pig) and a six-hour braised beef short rib. All ingredients are sourced locally; the catch of the day, for example, comes straight from Punta Lobos.

Seafood soup and grilled fish are options at the "House of Lobster," but clearly the lobster, fried Puerto-Nuevo style, is the star. This is one of the best spots in town to try the deep-fried recipe created by Susana Diaz Plascencia in 1956; otherwise, try their fresh lobster steamed or stewed with seafood and salsa inside a traditional molcajete stone. Most wooden tables in the large dining room are covered with platters of fried or grilled lobster and all the standard accompaniments like rice, beans and paper-thin flour tortillas. Start with the clam chowder or jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon. The medium-size lobsters tend to be a bit more flavorful than the larger ones. There's an actual wine list here, and it has several Baja wines. On a hot day opt for the tart margaritas.

This food-cart stall off Ensenada's bustling Calle Primera is the place where locals get a solid helping of the region's seafood. Established in 1960, La Guerrerense has been featured on international shows like Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. Popularity has led to the opening of a neighboring restaurant by the same name, but it's the original cart that keeps crowds ogling a small army of cooks cracking clams, shucking oysters, and piling the freshest fish onto tostadas. After you choose from the day's catch—shrimp, uni, clams, tuna, cod, lobster, octopus—stand back and wait while your dish is prepared. Once it's ready, make your way through the throng of hungry patrons, and dress your plate from the selection of bottled salsas and condiments on display, which are also for sale. Most-loved is the salsa made with toasted peanuts, oil, garlic, and fresh chilies. Owned by Sabina and Luis Eduardo Oviedo, the spot is a mainstay on the Ensenada food scene, and not to be missed.

After picking up somewhat of a cult following in San José del Cabo, La Lupita opened this location that's just as fun---there's a prominent stage overlooking the restaurant floor for bands to perform on and free-flowing cocktails. Just one block from Médano Beach, it feels less touristy than many of the neighboring establishments serving up gourmet tacos (the santo pastor is their specialty, but you'll want to try a variety), flights of mezcal, and an unbeatable ambience.

Las Tunas is a residential neighborhood north of downtown that's almost exclusively filled with vacation homes, short-term rentals and inns, and construction sites building the two. Amid all of that, however, is a coffee shop and bakery with perhaps the best breakfast in all of Todos Santos. If you have a rental car, it is absolutely worth making the drive up to start your morning here.