Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
Prepare yourself for a gourmand's delight. The competition, creativity, selection, and, yes, even the prices are utterly beyond comprehension. From elegant dining rooms to casual seafood cafés to simple taquerías, Los Cabos serves up anything from standard to thrilling fare.
Seafood is the true highlight here. Fresh catches that land on the menus include dorado (mahimahi), lenguado (halibut), cabrilla (sea bass), jurel (yellowtail), wahoo, and marlin. Local lobster, shrimp, and octopus are particularly good. Fish grilled over a mesquite wood fire is perhaps the most indigenous and tasty seafood dish, while the most popular may be the tacos de pescado (fish tacos): traditionally a deep-fried fillet wrapped in a handmade corn tortilla, served with shredded cabbage, cilantro, and salsas. Beef and pork—commonly served marinated and grilled—are also delicious. Many restaurants import their steak, lamb, duck, and quail from the state of Sonora, Mexico's prime pastureland, and also from the United States, though many of the high-end spots are only using local ingredients.
In San José, international chefs prepare excellent Continental, French, Asian, and Mexican dishes in lovely, intimate restaurants, and it's where the major portion of the area's explosion in new eateries has occurred. Following in the footsteps of Northern Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe, several restaurants on the outskirts of San José del Cabo are offering farm-to-table cuisine, as well as cooking courses and tours. This organic movement has spread from the Farmer’s Market in San José del Cabo to the luxury resorts along the coast that rely on the farms for their daily menu. The Corridor is the place to go for exceptional (and expensive) hotel restaurants, while intense competition for business in Los Cabos means many restaurants go through periodic remodels and reinvention, the Corridor restaurants included. With San José emerging as the hotbed of culinary activity, it’s fair to say that Cabos San Lucas lags somewhat behind. But Cabo has comfort food covered, with franchise eateries from McDonald's, Subway, Johnny Rocket’s, Domino's, and Ruth's Chris Steak House.
Dining at Casamarte offers the quintessential La Paz experience: truly nothing can beat slurping back raw oysters and chocolate clams while people watching on the malecón at sunset. Though the menu is pretty diverse, the seafood (and the raw bar, especially) is what you come for.
Read the sign on wall that asks, “Do you oyster?” and then dive into a culinary journey that blends an alfresco shell bar with local sparkling wines. Bypass the à la carte options of poke, and shellfish tostadas (although equally delicious), and go straight for the seven-course tasting menu ($100) that makes this place one to brag about. You’ll be shaking your head in amazement with oysters on the half shell, clam ceviche, seared abalone, and tempura oyster tacos. The vineyard view takes it up a notch, with communal tables under market lights, and an open kitchen where you can watch the chef top dishes with steaming chili butter and crunchy pork belly chicharrones. If you know your oysters, you’ll be treated to only the finest species of pai pai, chignon, and kumiai. Bring your phone because this place is definitely Instagram worthy.
Delivering a similar quality to their contemporaries but at a more accessible price point, this sushi spot is still a bit under the radar, but that won't be for long. If you go, don't be fooled by the nondescript exterior: you're in the right place, and it's worth going inside! There's also a speakeasy next-door (and accessible through the kitchen) called Hideaway with a lovely selection of mezcal.
Though the architecture looks a little strange from the street, this five-story rooftop restaurant is sexy as hell. Bring your bathing suit, because select counter seating comes with a private plunge pool, along with a cheeky-chic, golden framed button that instructs you to "Press for Champagne." With expansive ocean views, this is a great spot to take a date or meet up with friends. Food is served from 8 am until 10:30 pm.
A branch of the established San José del Cabo microbrewery, this rooftop cantina has eight styles of beer on tap plus whichever additional seasonal brews are available—order a sampler to try a taste of each. A menu of classic pub fare is available for dining, with special emphasis on their "famous" beer pizzas; the dough is made daily from spent barley, yeast, and beer. The marlin empanadas are also a great snack or appetizer. Whether you're a beer fan or not, the open-air venue and excellent view make this a place worth stopping by.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
For fresh, inventive sushi, there's no question that the Nicksan franchise corners the market, and this outpost in The Shoppes at Palmilla shopping mall wins the prize. Pair wine or sake with each of your selections, perhaps the lobster roll (with cilantro, mango, mustard, and curry oil), lobster sambal (marinated in sake with soy, ginger, and garlic), or tuna tostadas served on rice crackers with avocado.
Sample one or several of the more than 500 tequilas available and you'll surely appreciate the rainbow-color Oaxacan tablecloths, murals, painted chairs, and streamers even more than you did when you first arrived. Coat your stomach in the process with dishes from different states throughout Mexico: mole from Puebla, carne asada from Sonora, tamales from Oaxaca, and seafood from Baja are just some of the tasty items you can order. Note: though many souvenir shops advertise "complimentary" tequila tastings, this is the place to actually do it; they're available every evening with advanced reservation.
Sitting on the intimate patio of this adorable restaurant feels like visiting a friend's home—should that friend happen to be the best Italian chef that you know. The fresh pasta is incredibly tasty, but the best part of your meal might be the straight-from-the-oven bread basket that gets served first.
Hidden inside the lush courtyard of a local boutique hotel, this humble, family-owned eatery has been serving up a Sicilian storm for over a century, bringing the Galluzzo family's heirloom recipes and signature massive portions to the hungry people of Cabo's center. The place has gotten so popular that there are often set seating times for dinner; be sure to call ahead to make a reservation. More spontaneous diners should have no problem walking in for lunch.
Chef and owner Brian Solomon runs one of the most popular restaurants on the Cabo San Lucas Marina, supplementing waterfront views with first-class service and an enormous range of quality food and beverages. Fresh local seafood is the specialty of the house, but pastas, steaks, and traditional Mexican favorites are also staples of the lunch and dinner menus. The palapa-style architecture is fun yet classy, and the space is pet-friendly, too.
In addition to the fresh Southern California cuisine, many come to this restaurant to connect with the charming owner Susanna who moved to Rosarito years ago to open a furniture shop. Her love for fine food prevailed, thus turning her store into a restaurant that makes people feel right at home. From the moment you try the fresh-baked bread with homemade butter and tapenade, you know you’re in for a memorable meal. Everything here is made from scratch including salsas and vinaigrettes. Entrées are beautifully prepared, like the grilled salmon with strawberries and spinach or the pork rips with a spicy pineapple sauce. Susanna’s rich flan is made with Grand Marnier and three types of milk, a dessert perfect to share. Larger groups can request the private table in the wine cellar, ideal for private parties.
A favorite spot among the dwindling community of local Mexican residents, Tiki Santos can be a little difficult to find (the location shown on Google Maps is not correct), but if you persevere, you'll be rewarded with generous portions of classic Mexican seafood dishes at moderate prices. The decor is as basic as they come—plastic chairs on a dirt sand floor—but that's part of the charm. The food is just as good (if not better than) other restaurants in town charging double.
For a light and healthy breakfast, look no further than this plant-based café. Bright, colorful, and filled with greenery, it's a can't-miss spot for vegetarian and vegan travelers looking for fresh smoothies, açai bowls, and the like.
Refuel with a coffee and pizza of Neapolitan roots at the Koral Center food hall. Order a takeaway tiramisu and choose your coffee beans for a premium espresso. If you need something more substantial, head next door to Pan di Bacco for a proper Italian dinner.
Open for more than 30 years in the Villa Serena neighborhood along the main highway, this quiet, open-air, palapa-covered restaurant offers standard fare, from beef and shrimp kebab to baby back BBQ ribs and lobster tail, with some Mexican specialties thrown in. If you grab an ocean-facing table, you can watch the cruise ships glide past. This restaurant has what most don't: a pool—perfect for dipping your feet while sipping a fruity concoction.
Popular with the surfing crowd, this palapa-covered joint is right on Costa Azul beach, just south of San José del Cabo. Though their burger is the reason to come, the aroma of grilling lobster and tacos, and a soundtrack of surf tunes are why many return. The crowd can get downright rowdy. There's no question that owner "Big Tony" feeds you well for your pesos. With half-pound burgers, slabs of prime rib, or steak and lobster for two at under $30, you'll leave the beach a glutton, albeit a jolly one. Bring the kids in the daytime; they'll enjoy running from the dining table to the sand between every couple of bites. Sporting events sometimes blare on the TV, and live music is offered nightly.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
Thank you for your interest!
