A Bounty of Flavors

Bring your appetite — Cabo San Lucas needs to be savored

By Sarah Muñoz

Versatility is done beautifully in Cabo San Lucas, especially when it comes to the sins of the palate. Let your imagination run amok; chances are whatever you crave, you'll find it here. Cabo holds a world of culinary surprises for all who enjoy a good meal, whether it's a five-course affair or a quick fix on the way to the beach.

The options are plentiful here, with everything from sushi to homemade pastas and, of course, Mexican a-plenty. Don't think it's all about the usual here, however; many of the area's best restaurants add innovative twists to everything from an enchilada to sea bass. And yes, the seafood options are both abundant and delicious. Get ready to sink your teeth into any number of concoctions celebrating Pacific classics such as yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi and many other delectable picks fresh from the sea.

Let the day roll along as you prepare your dining tactics — locals eat their heaviest meal in the afternoon yet have a late dinner, starting after 8 p.m. with drinks and going on well into the night. So pace yourself, get set and indulge.

Start off your exploration of Baja California Sur's cuisine with a visit to local landmark The Office Restaurant. In typical Cabo fashion, years ago a windsurfer posted an "office" sign by this restaurant referring to his surfboard rental business, yet people mistook it for the name of the eatery. Now The Office, on Médano Beach, is one of travelers' must-visits — the perfect place to wind down (or up) after a day in the water, with weekly Mexican fiestas, jumbo shrimp, buckets of beer and a 16-ounce Office Margarita that's sure to put a spring in your step. Local brews are two-for-one here all day long, and it really is all day long — you can start ordering food as early as 7 a.m. and hang out until dinnertime.

You'll also hear plenty of buzz about light-and-lively Edith's Restaurante, also on Médano. Here you get not just tasty dishes and plenty of ambience (often with live music), but also a delightful peek at the fun and sun Cabo San Lucas is so well-known for. Here, palapa roofs and Mexican lanterns sway in the breeze as an always-full house lives it up with the help of savory beverages. Visitors can choose from a variety of classics, including handmade tortillas with their choice of fresh shrimp, lobster or steak, or take it a step further with one of Edith's specialties — maybe Wally's Special, which consists of grilled lobster, mesquite-grilled catch of the day and garlic-laced shrimp served with baked potato and veggies, or even a mouth-watering rack of lamb with mint-flavored gravy, rosemary potatoes and steamed asparagus and spinach.

Another popular Médano Beach stop is Mango Deck, which brings together a bar, restaurant and beach club with an 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Happy Hour on local drinks and beer, as well as plenty of sun-and-sand entertainment right by the shore. The vibe here is always happy and loud, with ensuing craziness as the hours go by. As for the menu, you can have your share of Mexican staples such as tortilla soup and guacamole with chips, then move on to barbecue ribs, fried red snapper or even a "Mexican combo": chiles rellenos, quesadillas, taquitos and more.

At Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort, visitors can indulge in Mexican and Latin American cuisine in a 1920s-style dining room (with outdoor seating as well) infused with indigenous flair and Frida Kahlo's essence. LaFrida Restaurant adds an elegant and gourmet quality to many favorites, with tasty dishes mixing local seafood and meats with organic vegetables and spices.

Moving on to Cabo San Lucas' bustling marina, you'll run into a wealth of tried-and-true restaurants renowned for their staying power and wide array of dishes. At the Marina Golden Zone alone, visitors can indulge in good food and an even better view of yachts and catamarans bobbing about. The Italian-inspired Presto has pasta, pizza and wraps for those seeking lighter fare in a minimalist yet modern environment; the fettuccine with seafood is among the favorites. Los Deseos Restaurant combines the flavors of Mexico in a colorful setting of both traditional and modern art (we love the "chandelier" made of colored glass bottles), with offerings from Toluca Steak (beef on tortilla covered with beans, melted cheese and hot ranch sauce) to a Tikin Xic Fish Filet, cooked with achiote sauce in banana leaves. The pirate-themed Los Corsarios Steak House and Sport Bar serves up Angus-certified prime beef cuts as well as ribs and seafood options; its soup-and-salad bar is a good choice for lunch. Meanwhile, Fish and Shrimp Cabo Restaurant can satisfy cravings for ceviche, mahi mahi and clams, and that's just the beginning. Not only is the menu ample, the restaurant also has a waterfront terrace good for noshing and people-watching.

Galeon Ristorante Italiano has more than 20 years under its culinary belt, yet it's still beloved among visitors and locals. This romantic restaurant allows you to enjoy sweeping views of the Sea of Cortés with live piano music and a top assortment of Italian favorites inspired by the Los Cabos setting: veal medallions with artichokes and fresh cream, spaghetti with mussels or maybe a seafood oven-baked pizza. The menu is delightful and the desserts just plain sinful.

In Puerto Paraíso Mall, right next to the marina, the classic and always-good Ruth's Chris Steak House serves up juicy cuts of U.S. Prime beef as well as a surprising selection of seafood options. Ruth's Chris opened its first restaurant in New Orleans in 1965, and its name is now known the world over for its attention to both quality and detail. This might be the ideal place in which to enjoy a steak-and-seafood platter, though its famous tuna filet should also be on our list.

Puerto Paraíso is also home to Tsuki Sushi and Tepan Grill, which entices sushi lovers with exciting and eclectic flavors. Chef Goyito San has created a gourmet Japanese spot where Mexico has a solid presence in the kitchen. Authentic creations such as the Moonlight Roll (tuna, salmon and spicy calamari in peanut sauce) and "new style" sashimi sport reasonable prices and will prove to be memorable. Don't leave without having tempura ice cream for dessert!

For a taste of northern Italy unlike any other, stop by the elegant Ristorante Amarone, also in Puerto Paraíso. Named after a wine cultivated exclusively in Verona, its owners have created an inspiring menu of homemade pastas, seafood and other creative offerings, with many ingredients coming straight from Italy. Amarone has live jazz four nights a week and two sommeliers ensuring that Amarone's three wine cellars are always well-stocked, so your delectable meal will be well accompanied. Start off with the beef carpaccio, move on to tagliolini with small zucchini, shrimp and saffron, and keep ordering… you won't be sorry.

In Plaza Bonita you'll find La Galería Seafood and Art House, where Asian, Mexican and Italian influences have been married to great acclaim. Fresh seafood is a key character here, making a grand appearance in a number of international dishes. Like many other restaurants in Los Cabos, La Galería can also prepare a box lunch for fishing excursions.

Alexander's Restaurant, also in Plaza Bonita, puts another international spin on Cabo San Lucas' dining landscape with cheese, seafood and beef fondue playing a star role. Alexander's menu reads like a heavenly journal: shrimp bisque, sake lobster flambéed at the table, chateaubriand, mahi mahi stuffed with shrimp and scallops, and other enticing options. Reservations are strongly recommended.

The hacienda-style Mi Casa de Mariscos is very much a "seafood home," as its Spanish name suggests. Its warm Mexican décor goes well with a long menu of savory dishes, from a whole fried red snapper to its special shrimp steak with bacon over a bed of fried onions. Another must-try, if you visit during the right season: the oven-roasted goat marinated in herbs and oils, wrapped in a cactus leaf. It is out of this world and uniquely Mexican, but make sure you have someone to share it with, as it is huge! Mi Casa de Mariscos also has a fun shop filled with souvenirs and top drinks.

Mi Casa is vibrant, cheerful and plenty scrumptious — three reasons why it's so esteemed among those in the know. Among its first-rate offerings: a hearty seafood soup filled with scallops, fish, octopus and shrimp; the chile en nogada, a poblano pepper stuffed with different types of meat and served with a fresh walnut cream sauce; and cochinita pibil, shredded pork that's been oven-roasted in achiote sauce and served with marinated red onions. If you have room, try the coconut-almond soufflé.

The more European Peacocks is an eclectic hideaway with a walk-in cellar and romantic garden patio. Impeccable service is a staple here, but the menu is in a class all its own. Imagine the delicate Dueto: interchanging strips of fresh fish and nopal (leaves of a particularly yummy cactus) served on white rice topped with a red bell pepper sauce. Other much-loved alternatives include the ancho pepper filled with vegetables and melted cheese, baked in a puff pastry and accentuated with both cilantro and sweet red pepper sauces, and the always-gratifying blackened salmon in a spicy mango sauce.

Or how about smoked tuna ravioli with mint, with a garlic confit and a sun-dried tomato and pine nut sauce? Sunset da Mona Lisa regales guests with panoramic ocean views from glass-enclosed dining rooms by the tip of Cabo San Lucas, with Italian and seafood specialties sprinkling extra magic on a culinary getaway. Another eye-catcher on the menu: scallops with roasted bell pepper ratatouille and sweetcorn tortellini.

At the popular Lorenzillo's, the specialty is lobster. It comes right from Lorenzillo's personal lobster farm, which can hold up to 20,000 of them! Choose your pleasure, from lobster in coconut milk sauce to lobster with poblano pepper sauce. But there's plenty more to try here, from chicken breast parmesan and rib-eye steak to seafood ceviche and crayfish in garlic-butter sauce. Everyone will find something to like.

Then there's The Shrimp Factory on Marina Boulevard, which has dubbed its main offering "the world's greatest shrimp." The fiesta here is certainly focused on the big fat crustaceans — deviled, beer-battered, coconut-crusted, in fajitas, even by the kilo. Guests may also opt for a shrimp-and-lobster combo or even a simple cheese quesadilla if they've had their fill of seafood.

Romeo & Julieta Ristorante is unobtrusive, tucked away near the entrance of Camino Pedregal, yet those who know it's there come back again and again. That's because the atmosphere is relaxed and homey while the food is both yummy and affordable. Romeo & Julieta has a full menu of such treats as lasagna al forno and spaghetti pesto (as well as handcrafted pizzas), so it's impossible to go wrong here.

At Sea Queen Restaurant, diners have a wide assortment of options ranging from traditional cuts of beef to tangy tacos or even a classic lobster tail. The chef here also lets his imagination run wild to mix up the offers, so creative dishes are complemented by a sushi bar and a gourmet coffee shop.

Mexican selections are generous at La Fonda. You can get your fill of everything Mexican here, from sopes to moles, and even more creative fare such as sea bass stuffed with shrimp, shallots, mushrooms, corn, pumpkin blossoms and cheese. But if you dare, try some seasonal choices such as ant eggs or grasshoppers sautéed in garlic and butter. And should you need a little encouragement, just ask for a margarita!

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