The 16 Must-Try Restaurants in Cabo San Lucas

Renowned by Todos Santos locals for serving the finest coffee in town, Taller 17 is a cozy spot that boasts an impressive array of drinks and freshly baked pastries. The coffee and espresso pack a punch, the Mexican hot chocolate is perfectly infused with cinnamon, and the homemade kombucha is just right. They also offer various milk alternatives like soy and almond. Don’t miss out on their indulgent blueberry scones, decadent brownies (with a gluten-free option), fruit pies, or irresistibly soft cookies.

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A hidden gem favored by local chefs in the Pescadero/Todos Santos region, Noah serves Japanese dishes that showcase the incredibly fresh seafood typical of the area. They focus on fish, which is personally selected by the head chef and delivered daily from Punta Lobos, a nearby beach in Todos Santos. The menu features all the beloved sushi classics, blending traditional Japanese flavors with Mexican influences. Don’t miss the Emma roll, featuring tempura shrimp, avocado, fish, ginger, and serrano slices, as well as the Noah roll, which combines fish, avocado, cucumber, and grilled jalapeño. ($$)

With its dirt floor and straw roof, El Compa Chava is a casual roadside café that caters to locals and visitors alike, renowned for its serious take on ceviche. Choose from a range of options, including octopus, raw shrimp, and fish ceviche, or try it served in large chocolate clams (a Baja specialty) or in a molcajete. The saying bueno, bonito, y barato — good, pretty, and cheap — perfectly describes Compa Chava; everything here is worth sampling, especially the shrimp tacos, lightly battered bass, and baby scallop aguachiles, all as delightful as the ceviche. 

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Committed to using locally sourced ingredients, Jazamango features a menu that seamlessly blends Mexican and international flavors, alongside seasonally updated cocktails (the maracuja mojito is a standout). Fresh pasta is made daily, and every Sunday, barbacoa takes center stage, while pop-up menus introduce specialty offerings like 'Vietnamese tostadas.' Nestled in a contemporary compound with an extensive vegetable garden, the restaurant boasts an airy indoor-outdoor atmosphere that feels sophisticated yet approachable, with its desert backdrop and sunflower garden providing a charming setting. ($$)

While technically a resort, the entirely outdoor restaurant at Paradero, nestled next to its fragrant mint and lavender garden, is well worth the visit. The restaurant's artisanal approach is evident in its menu, which features Mexican classics blended with flavors from Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian cuisines, all crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Head chef Eduardo Rios, inspired by his time at Mexico City’s Pujol and travels in Hong Kong, creates remarkable dishes. Notable highlights include zarandea-style shrimp tacos cooked over an open flame, paired with togarashi and chile mayo; freshly pressed warm flour tortillas; and a roasted cauliflower head grilled on a hibachi. Breakfast is equally impressive, with lightly fried eggs wrapped in Mexican pepper leaves and French toast served with homemade ice cream. ($$$)

The strawberries at Agricole, a charming farm and grocery with a selection of prepared foods, are reason enough to make the trip to Baja. Owner Lis Ibarra organically cultivates all produce on her plot behind the store, and her dedication is evident in the vibrant, juicy strawberries. Unique offerings include strawberry water, strawberry pie, strawberries served with cream and chia seeds, as well as fresh cartons of plain strawberries. ($)

La Raiz specializes in tortilla-making. While it may not be a traditional restaurant, they craft the finest quesadillas around. The magic ingredient is Margarita, who oversees the nixtamalization process, where maize is soaked, washed, and hulled, preparing it for tortilla creation. Margarita and La Raiz’s owner, Christian, are passionate about their craft and can share insights into the tortilla-making process while you watch your quesadilla being prepared. ($)

Set against a stunning rocky beachfront, El Farallon at the Waldorf Astoria offers a picturesque dining experience, perfect for watching tangerine sunsets. The menu changes daily based on the fresh catch brought in each morning, featuring a selection dubbed the “Baja bounty,” which may include sea bass, red snapper, yellowfin tuna, and jumbo shrimp at a premium price. For an extra treat, you can add lobster, and sides are served family-style. ($$$$)

Los 3 Gallos is the go-to destination for authentic Mexican fare. Unlike many other Mytouries in Cabo that lean towards fusion cuisine, Los 3 Gallos prides itself on local classics such as traditional pozole, Caesar salad (originally crafted in Tijuana), mole enchiladas, and stuffed green peppers. The patio is enveloped in lush greenery, making it an ideal spot to savor at least one dessert, be it flan, churros, or the delicious tres leches cake infused with tequila. ($$)

When in Mexico, tacos are a must! For over 30 years, Tacos Gardenias has been a family-run gem serving all the Baja favorites, including fish tacos, shrimp cocktails, ceviche, and seafood soup. They also offer tacos filled with cochinita pibil (succulent marinated pork), nopales, and fried shrimp. The taqueria opens at 8 a.m., perfect for grabbing tacos after a surf session. ($)

With breathtaking views from its secluded beach location and stylish decor, Manta complements its ambiance with an equally impressive menu. This is the work of Enrique Olvera, the acclaimed chef from Pujol, who artfully combines a range of flavors to create innovative dishes that honor traditional Mexican cuisine. Highlights include beet ceviche featuring ginger, habanero, and leche de tigre; mushroom ramen infused with epazote; and a delightful rompope cream tart for dessert. ($$$) 

For those craving authentic Mexican flavors without the gourmet pretensions, El Fogon is a must-visit. Known for its tacos al pastor, carne asada, and cecina, many consider it to serve the best tacos in San Jose. With affordable prices and a vast menu, grab a streetside plastic table and indulge in Mexico City-style tacos paired with refreshing cucumber slices and quesadillas made with northern-style flour tortillas. On weekends, they offer pozole in your choice of red or white broth—perfect for lunch, dinner, or late-night cravings. ($)

Named after its beloved Labrador mascot, Coffee Lab serves as more than just a coffee shop; it's a vibrant community hub. Locals and visitors gather here for cultural events like Wednesday movie nights, live music, DJ performances, and a rotating gallery showcasing Baja artists. On the coffee side, this specialty roaster, established in 2015, expertly roasts Mexico’s four principal coffee varieties sourced from Chiapas, Veracruz, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, while also offering delicious snacks such as avocado toast and chia pudding topped with fresh fruit. ($)

When you crave a break from seafood, La Panaderia SJD delights with its homemade palmiers, mille crepe cakes, and hibiscus donuts. If you visit in January, don’t miss their three kings bread, a traditional treat for the Feast of the Epiphany. They also serve classic Mexican breakfasts, including machaca and potato tacos, a chicharrón omelet, and an amazing French toast made from sweet concha bread. ($)

Flora’s Field Kitchen began when Flora Farms decided to keep its exquisite produce for itself instead of selling to upscale restaurants. Today, it’s a beloved spot in the Cabo region, offering simple yet delightful comfort foods like breakfast omelets, wood-fired pizzas, and fried chicken (with no beef served for sustainability). The farm cultivates over 100 varieties of vegetables and herbs, using a minimally disturbed soil method, while its chicken and pork are raised humanely on a nearby 150-acre ranch, free from hormones and antibiotics. Even their ice creams and sorbets are made in-house, all sourced from their 25-acre organic farm where Field Kitchen resides. ($$$)

True to its name, El Marinero Borracho (The Drunken Sailor) is a casual, nautical-themed spot perfect for savoring the delights of Baja’s cuisine and sunny weather. It’s the ideal location to sip on a clamato — a classic Baja cocktail made from tomato and clams — while enjoying that eternal Sunday vibe. Their tostadas are generously topped, and the kitchen happily adds thick slices of avocado to dishes. For those who prefer to skip seafood, Dinogos can swap any fish on the menu for hearts of palm. ($$)