Dining Delights

Los Cabos offers a varied and flavorful experience

By Cecilia Escribano

Scuba diving. Luxurious resorts. Golf. Deep-sea fishing. These are just a few of the attractions that lure tourists to Los Cabos. There’s another attraction that beckons travelers to this unparalleled destination: the cuisine. From Cabo San Lucas to San José, and all the way down The Corridor, the culinary offerings are varied, excellent and guaranteed to delight the most demanding palates.

The dining options in Los Cabos are creative and versatile, offering everything from classic Mexican standards to the most ingenious Asian cuisine. Seafood is tops, of course, with Pacific offerings such as dorado, yellowfin tuna and melt-in-your-mouth bass. But you’ll also get a chance to savor homemade pasta dishes, prime cuts of beef and the freshest organic veggies grown right in the area.

Médano Beach
There’s no more satisfying experience than enjoying a delicious dish and exquisite beverage while admiring El Arco, the most emblematic image of Los Cabos. Médano Beach is home to various restaurants that offer this unforgettable view.

Enveloped by Nikki Beach’s cool and casual style, enjoy tantalizing and light creations like sushi, salads and quesadillas either poolside or sitting on one of the luxurious chaise lounges on the beach, as a DJ spins tunes in the background. Just a few steps away is the colorful and fun spot known as The Office, bearing the distinctive influence of Edith Jiménez. First-class Mexican food, music and entertainment are guaranteed in this legendary restaurant. Next door, the Mango Deck offers a lot of Mexican-style fun, with breakfast, games and music from morning to night. The Office and Mango Deck are the best options for admiring Lover’s Beach while experiencing an authentic Mexican fiesta.

Slightly farther away but boasting equally enchanting views, Baja Brewing Co. pours up delicious artisan beers. Located on the terrace of the Cabo Villas Beach Resort & Spa, Baja Brewing Co. boasts an incredible selection of beers to accompany a plate of onion rings and shepherd’s pie. At Puerta Vieja, you can savor authentic Mexican cuisine in an elegant location out on the highway, but still close to Cabo San Lucas. With its enchanting colonial décor and international menu flavored with a hint of Asian, Puerta Vieja provides an impressive view of El Arco. Next door, The Villa Serena also boasts this magnificent view. Housed beneath an enormous thatched roof, this restaurant provides an authentic Baja California experience and a unique twist on the best Mexican dishes.

The Marina
There are lots of restaurants in the Marina Golden Zone, where you can admire the fabulous yachts and catamarans that ply the Sea of Cortés. This list will barely scratch the surface of the best establishments here due to the extremely varied amount of eateries.

Here are some of the dishes you shouldn’t miss (and a few other suggestions): the bife de arrachera (seared flank steak doused with lemon) and the molcajete azteca (meat and vegetable stew) of Los Deseos; the lobster topped with a curry, coconut and poblano chili sauce at Baja Lobster Co., created by Chef Manuel Ramiro; an ice-cold beer and sandwich at Jack’s Bar & Grill to give you strength for the long walk; and any creation by Chef Roberto Masciardi of Presto, all accompanied by the secret, exquisite sauces of his native Italy.

If you like meat, La Casa Country is the perfect option. Characterized by a carefree Western style, this establishment serves up savory American cuts of quality Angus, surf and turf combinations and, of course, delicious Mexican food. And if you run into a gigantic lobster while exploring the Marina, don’t panic: It’s just the entrance to Lorenzillo’s, a place renowned for its exquisite lobster recipes. Here, you can order whatever you want and however you want it: Everything on the menu of this restaurant is absolutely fantastic. For a sweet finish, Señor Sweets should be your next stop. Located next to the Marina, this locale offers a variety of flavors of gelato, pastries and gourmet coffee. It‘s perfect for taking a break, recharging your batteries and continuing on your exploratory culinary tour of Los Cabos.

Authentic Mexican Flavor
Near the Marina, but removed from the hustle and bustle, are several restaurants that lure any lover of Mexican cuisine. At Edith’s, you’ll find the perfect fusion of Baja California and Guerrero, where owner Edith Jiménez was born (she’s also the owner of The Office). The restaurant boasts an excellent ambience and delicious food. La Fonda, another Mexican classic that fuses culinary traditions with a folkloric atmosphere, is perfect for a romantic dinner. It’s located just a few blocks from downtown San Lucas.

Do you want to discover the culinary secrets of Oaxaca, Puebla and Jalisco? Hacienda El Coyote is the place where you’ll find more than 200 varieties of tequilas and mezcales. The high points: Oaxaca cheese with epazote (Mexican tea), the cochinita pibil (slow-roasted, pulled pork topped with axiote sauce) and chicken tinga (poached chicken topped with poblano chile sauce). Also near the Marina, Bar Esquina located inside the Bahía Hotel & Beach Club, boasts a Mediterranean-Mexican menu utilizing organic products, regional ingredients and the freshest seafood in Baja. To wind up the perfect evening, there’s nothing finer than a Chiapas or Oaxaca coffee.

The Inevitable Italian Touch
With the piano playing in the background, Galeón Ristorante Italiano’s menu will fascinate you with creations that combine the culinary secrets of Italy with the freshness of Baja seafood. Romeo & Julieta is another magnificent spot for a romantic interlude, where you’ll feel transported to Tuscany. In addition to savoring homemade pastas and other authentic Italian dishes, you’ll want to try the unforgettable clay-oven pizza.

What’s New!
Each year, a new restaurant with a new concept opens to attract the attention of residents and tourists. This year, chefs Edith Jiménez, Sergio Miguel Lopez Marin and Sergio Álvarez Henríquez opened Rámuri (a Chihuahuan tarahumara tribe term used to describe mestizos, or people of mixed ancestry). This brewery — located at the entrance to Cabo San Lucas across from the fire station — gives honor to its name: The nine types of beer are based on German, English and Belgian recipes, but all bear the mark of a Mexican brand. You’ll also find beers crafted with Oaxaca coffee, jalapeño peppers, Chiapas cocoa, avocado leaves and even the herb damiana, all made on-site, along with grilled snacks to accompany them.

Close to the Sea
In the Capella Pedregal Resort & Spa (located at the juncture of the Sea of Cortés and the Pacific Ocean) lies Don Manuel’s, an enchanting restaurant styled after a Mexican hacienda, offering dishes prepared from organic products cultivated specifically for the locale. Frida Kahlo, an indisputable symbol of Mexican culture, is alive in every corner of LaFrida, one of the restaurants of the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa. With its elegant dining room and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, LaFrida has been honored with the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award, thanks to the talent of Chef Antonio de Livier and his distinctive take on the native cuisine of his country. Cerritos Beach Club & Surf, along the Pacific coastal highway, is a magical beach restaurant with a casual atmosphere and simple but delicious fare. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a Saturday, you’ll delight in the magnificent voice of jazz singer Dalene Jones, who accompanies pianist Diego Ramirez.

Click here for a quick list of bars and restaurants in Los Cabos to help you plan where to eat, dine, party and drink.