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

Imagine a restaurant where communal tables sit among sunflowers, where rosemary sprigs burn like incense, and where chefs are free to create an experimental menu. That’s Fauna, tucked within the Bruma property and run by prodigy-chef David Castro Hussong, who consistently pours out culinary magic. He’s like a pilot that doesn’t know his destination but ends up taking you to a place you never dreamed existed. Let him take control by going straight to the "Fauna Feast" tasting menu ($110/$165 with wine pairing) that may include abalone with pumpkin seeds, chocolate clams, scallops with eggplant puree, crispy pork with sauerkraut, shredded lamb with chili sauce, charred cabbage bathed in butter, and honey semifreddo that will leave your taste buds dumbfounded. At first glance prices may seem high, but portions are substantial, presentation is impressive, and the contemporary Mexican cuisine will blow your mind.

Tucked away on a quiet street, this Ensenada restaurant is located in an 80-year-old house whose cozy dining room gives a glimpse of the home-turned-restaurant with local artwork and adobe archways piled high with books. Chef Miguel Bahena and Carolina Verdugo have created an innovative Baja fresh menu showcasing oysters with chili butter, squid ink risotto, confit duck with guava mole, and bay scallops with barley. Handmade tortillas are made Sanora style, slightly thicker to soak in the flavors. Weekend brunch draws a crowd, as does the tasting menu available in five- or seven-course pairings.

Dine with ubercool people at Manta, The Cape’s culinary centerpiece by chef Enrique Olvera. Sip a cocktail in the sunken lounge bar, and move on over to the terrace with views of El Arco and surfers in action. The setting is sleek black, with a hip wait staff serving a menu to match. Kick off with aguachile, Peruvian ceviche, or sashimi, and move on to fish tempura tacos with miso and cabbage or rib-eye chili crust. A four-course tasting menu is worth the splurge, and the chocolate sponge cake with peanut ice cream is worth the calories.

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.

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.

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.

A rustic-chic oasis overlooking the Pacific, Pícaro is not just a restaurant, but a destination in and of itself. Perched on a hilltop about a 20-minute drive from Centro, you'll forget about the schlep when you taste Chef Christian Ricci's Mexican/Mediterranean cuisine, inspired by both the local produce and his Italian upbringing. The menu is regularly changing based on what ingredients are in season, but expect to always find fresh seafood and tender meats.

La Playa is one of the nicest places to have fresh seafood or beverage in Los Barriles. It’s a little pricey, but everything tastes incredibly fresh, and you can’t beat the location or beach access. It’s a fun spot to watch the kiteboarders on a windy day.