From Ensenada in northern Baja to Cabo San Lucas in the south, Baja is home to countless mouth-watering restaurants. Many towns on the peninsula boast a thriving foodie scene, with so many restaurants you’d need to move here to experience them all. If you’re on a road trip through Baja, however, you won’t want to miss these tasty gems.
La Esquina Cafe, Todos Santos
Todos Santos, located a little over an hour north of Cabo on the Pacific coast, is becoming especially popular with foodies, with an outstanding farm-to-table scene, and some top-notch restaurants for breakfast. Cafe La Esquina is arguably the best of the best, with a chill, open patio and a menu that includes all sorts of local and international favorites. Most dishes are made using local ingredients, and you’ll find lots of healthy, organic items like the incredibly tasty gluten-free coconut-flax pancakes and fresh-squeezed juices. The cafe also hosts a farmers’ market on Wednesdays and Fridays for picking up some of your own local produce and other items.
C. Horizonte, Las Flores, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
Susanna's Restaurant, Rosarito
Located in Rosarito, a town just minutes from the U.S./Mexico border, Susanna’s is a beloved gem, particularly among American and Canadian expats. Owner and California native Susanna utilizes only the freshest ingredients, with no processed foods whatsoever, relying primarily on fats from plants, seeds and nuts as well as lean protein sources like fish. The menu features California cuisine, with a mix of European- and American-style dishes such as salmon fettuccine and lemon dill poached sole along with an extensive wine list.
Blvd. Benito Juárez 9356, Playas Rosarito, 22710 Rosarito, B.C., Mexico
La Cocina de Doña Esthela, San Marcos
Situated at the end of a long, bumpy dirt road in the Valle de Guadalupe region north of Ensenada, La Cocina de Doña Esthela has been a favorite with locals for years. When Doña Esthela opened her restaurant after a lifetime as a dish washer, it wasn’t long before her home kitchen was thrust into the spotlight, featured on the BBC cooking show “Road to Mexico.” Considered one of the best eateries in Baja, Esthela is legendary for her massive Sinaloan plates of shredded beef machaca with eggs and homemade queso fresco for breakfast, but her birria de borrego, wood-roasted lamb served with lime and coriander-loaded salsa and fresh-made tortillas, is a true star for dinner as the house specialty and signature dish.
Ranchos San Marcos, El Porvenir, 22766 Ejido San Marcos, B.C., Mexico— +52 646 156 8453
Claudia's Restaurant, Loreto
Claudia’s boasts the quintessential colorful Mexican look with its brightly-hued tables and fairy-lit tree. The menu is ever-changing, dependent on what the local fishermen bring in that day, though the chocolate clams and yellowfin tacos are the local favorites. It’s a fantastic eatery for those seeking authentic street-food paired with to-die-for margaritas, albeit slightly more upscale. The charming owner welcomes each and every guest, providing a particularly inviting environment as well.
And. Juan María de Salvatierra 42, Centro, 23880 Loreto, B.C.S., Mexico
El Mirador Oceanview Restaurant, Todos Santos
Set high atop hill overlooking the glistening expanse of the Pacific, El Mirador is famous for its view, one of the very best in Baja, as well as its remarkably prepared cuisine. Each and every detail is attended to, with a menu primarily focused on seafood and fish, brought in daily from the nearby Punta Lobos beach fishermen. Not only is the food mouth-watering but so are the fruity cocktails. If you arrive in time for sunset, you’re sure to be mesmerized by the dazzling colors that are splashed across the ocean too.
Cam. a El Mirador Restaurant b1a, La Poza, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
The Garden by Rancho Pescadero, El Pescadero
El Pescadero, just south of Todos Santos, offers its farm-to-table experience in a breathtaking setting at beachfront with a magnificent backdrop of the Sierra Laguna Mountain Range. Located at the boutique resort known for barefoot luxury, Rancho Pescadero, the Garden specializes in dishes made from local produce, with the majority sourced from the garden that the outdoor eatery overlooks, along with the bounty of fresh seafood provided from the Pacific. The menu includes traditional standards with regional flair and flavors, with house specialties like the Crispy Sopes with Smoked Marlin Salpicon.
Mc-Fisher, La Paz
Mc-Fisher in La Paz is a locals’ favorite, serving a menu that showcases regional platters and specialties, with rows of coal grills lining one side of the eatery, and tables filling the remainder of its stone courtyard. Look forward to some of the freshest local seafood around, including fried fish tacos and octopus in a garlic marinade. Marlin is always on the menu – grilled, fried or baked, and you can’t go wrong with the house special enchiladas.
Sunset Monalisa, Cabo San Lucas
Considered a must for foodies visiting Cabo, the Sunset Monalisa, not surprisingly, offers awe-inspiring sunsets, but it takes that up a notch by overlooking the Bay of Cabo San Lucas and the famous Arch at Land’s End. Incredibly romantic, it’s best experienced by visiting just before dusk, so be sure to book a table well in advance. You’ll be able to choose from an outstanding Italian-focused menu that includes items like handmade pastas and fresh-caught seafood, with the seven-course taster and wine pairing a special treat. You’ll also find an elegant bar and a champagne and oyster terrace as well as delectable deserts like the chocolate souffle.
Mama's Royal Cafe, Cabo
Mama’s Royal Café is the place to go for your morning meal while in Cabo. It’s been offering incredible breakfasts, from legendary omelets to fresh fruits and smoothies for nearly three decades now. Specialties include creative dishes like the Texas Tornado, a chicken-filled crepe with poblano chiles and avocado, and the massive King Kong Omelet.
Calle Miguel Hidalgo s/n, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico
