Wine and Dine Your Way Through the Southern Tip of Baja California Sur
!Viva Los Cabos! Californians love Cabo. It’s our halfway house to a foreign getaway but with all the comforts of home. Cabo has it all: entertainment, activities, eats, beaches, resorts—you name it! Whether you want to go fancy or feral, this place has it all. And when it comes to restaurants, there’s no shortage of delicious destinations that range from upscale to on-the-corner, indoor to outdoor, authentic to eclectic. Say adios to the states, pack your bags and bring your appetite—we’re taking you on a culinary journey through the best restaurants in Los Cabos.
Flora Farms
We’ll start with the ultimate fan favorite: Flora Farms. Flora Farms is a sprawling estate off the beaten path outside of San Jose—the main city in Cabo. It’s a hop, skip and a scary dirt road ride away but worth the adventure once you step foot on their immaculately maintained property. It is a working farm with some local shops and cottages along with lots to see and do. Their restaurant serves up farm-to-table fare that is as fresh as fresh gets. Their bread is all cooked on-site, and the Farmarita margarita made with carrot juice has a reputation of its own. This is a great spot to take the whole family to as kids can roam freely and check out the turtle pond and the playground. Flora Farms is a super-fun field trip and we highly recommend checking it out while you’re in Cabo!
Vela at Hilton Los Cabos
The beauty of Cabo is that there are so many amazing hotels that play host to awesome restaurants—Vela at the Hilton Los Cabos is no exception. This spot is doing everything in-house, from hand-rolling flatbreads to hand-cutting pastas. There’s a reason this elevated Italian Cabo restaurant has a Travelers’ Choice designation on Tripadvisor. Overlooking the main pool, Vela’s relaxed atmosphere lends itself to a fun night out with friends or even a fancier family foray as the Hilton is incredibly kid-friendly. Be sure to enjoy the Starry Night—the cocktail and the real thing.
Acre Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
If you visit Flora Farms, you’ll want to make it a double feature and check out Acre as well since it’s off the beaten path. This restaurant in Cabo is a relatively newer addition to the culinary scene, and it offers way more than just dining and drinks. This lush resort features treehouse accommodations, hidden alcoves and basically a whole petting zoo worth of animals. The vibes are high, the drinks are strong, and the food is fresh and delicious. The entire property is Instagram-worthy, especially the restaurant, which has been designed to perfection. Kids will love checking out all of the animals, and you’ll get your second wind at Fausto’s Coffee Shop, which is located right near the entrance.
La Biblioteca
Another noteworthy restaurant at Hilton Los Cabos is La Biblioteca, an intimate dining concept that features a private five-course dinner complete with wine and tequila pairings. Guided by an expert in agave spirits and wine, up to 12 guests can enjoy sampling some of Mexico’s best regional foods and beverages. Reservations are a must, and the dinner can last up to three hours. Not only does this meal satisfy the American urge to say “¿Dónde está la biblioteca?” but it also satisfies the inner foodie in you who wants to leave Mexico with a core-memory meal.
Jardín Secreto
Speaking of, located right across the street from La Lupita is a hidden favorite called Jardin Secreto (translates to Secret Garden). At the end of a long walkway, a romantic, dimly lit restaurant awaits. With more than 550 reviews and a five-star rating on Tripadvisor, this place has made a name for itself among its Mexican counterparts by serving up a menu that skews more Italian with things like pizzas and pastas. People really love the pork belly pizza, and you can’t go wrong with a short rib or steak entree. But where this place really sets themselves apart is in the cocktails—they are hand-crafted to perfection!
Sage Baja
Another popular restaurant located on the same street as La Lupita and Jardin Secreto is Sage. They opened at the end of 2023 and have quickly garnered the attention of foodies from all over. Walking into the airy outdoor courtyard, you’ll immediately be smitten with the earth and bohemian decor and then sold once you start sippin’ and snackin’. Try the pineapple-infused Aperol spritz for a delicious take on this Italian classic. This is one of those places you’ll want to order a variety of different things for the table and share so that you can try a little bit of everything. Need some inspo on what to order? Check out their smartly curated Instagram and get excited!
Outpost Cabo
Another incredible restaurant located downtown is Outpost. This ultra-vibey spot is technicolor cool serving up dangerously delicious drinks and equally as good grub. They are also serving up tableside Caesars and, if you ask us, you can never have too many of those. This is a great spot to take the girlies for a ladies’ night before hitting the town and painting it El Squid red. And if you end up “accidentally” leaving your credit card at Outpost, you can enjoy one of their Pelo de Perros (hair of the dog) drinks like the Good Morning Punch the next morning.
Manta at The Cape, A Thompson Hotel
Manta is a contemporary-cool culinary escape serving up seafood-forward dishes in a dreamy setting that overlooks the ocean. This spot is a little bit Mexican, a little bit Korean and a whole lot delicious. Try their take on a piña colada—made with reposado tequila—and mull over the menu with some Korean fried chicken and an order of their glowed-up guac. Anything from the ocean is going to be as fresh as fresh gets, and you’ll be staring at the very place where that dish came from with the 180-degree views of the sea. Be sure to have a nightcap on the rooftop for unparalleled views of the city.
Edith’s Restaurante
Edith’s is an institution in downtown Cabo located near the famed “Office.” This is how it’s going to go: first you’ll start with a giant margarita the size of your head. Then, you’ll move onto the tableside Caesar salad. After that, it doesn’t really matter because you can just melt into the sounds of the live mariachi band and get lost in the lush interior design. The casual, laid-back environment is fun without being fussy, and the prices are reasonable. They are known for their bananas Foster—we thought you’d want to know in case you’re like us and need something sweet to end any meal. This is easily one of the best restaurants in Cabo San Lucas!
Los Tres Gallos
Los Tres Gallos is a casual eatery serving up all the classics with a twist, such as bone marrow tacos and hominy-infused pozole. Pozole is basically the Mexican equivalent to chicken noodle soup; it’s a hug in a mug—great for the soul! Listen to the melodies of the live mariachi band and enjoy the warm Cabo air. The ambiance here is approachable and laid-back and the decor is as colorful as it gets with painted walls, hanging strands of papel picados and classic Mexican glassware. This restaurant in Cabo San Lucas is walkable from all the hustle and bustle of the downtown Cabo marina and is a great spot to start if you plan on hitting the party scene after.
Sur Beach House
Speaking of party scenes, Sur Beach House is a super-fun spot right on the water that feels more like a Baja beach house. Its organic aesthetic makes it highly Instagrammable, and the playlist will have you poppin’, lockin’ and maybe even droppin. This is the kind of place where you come for a boozy brunch and suddenly, the sun is setting and you’re way too many drinks deep. The food is fresh, the cocktails are strong and the views are unparalleled.
Local Insight: The in-house Sommelier and mixologist, Nizuniro (locals call him Nizu) has created a beverage menu that pairs perfectly with Chef Andres’ dishes.
Bagatelle Los Cabos
If you like Sur, then you’ll love Bagatelle. This is the spot where you see people dancing on tables in broad daylight. All rules go out the window during a meal at this South of France-inspired spot, but don’t get it twisted—this restaurant and bar keeps things classy thanks to its gorgeous design. On the patio, you’ll find vines overhead, colorful cushioned seating and hanging pendant lights that’ll transport you straight to the French Riviera. The daytime can get wild, but just wait until you see what goes down after dark. Think live club music, bottle service-style sparklers everywhere, DJs and dancing. The menu features some stars like the truffle ravioli, avocado pizza and beef topped with foie gras. Core memories will be made and forgotten.
Mezcal at Montage Los Cabos
This restaurant in Cabo San Lucas looks like a place that would be featured on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table.” You can practically hear the violin-heavy theme song when looking at their dishes, featuring gastronomic delicacies that sparkle, bubble, smoke and shine. If the chef is offering a tasting menu the night you go, we highly recommend you take advantage of it. The place is also called Mezcal, so it would be a sin to not imbibe in one of their featured artisanal cocktails like the Xilonen “Mexican Goddess of Subsistence”—a smoky Aperol-scented margarita. They also offer experiences like mixology classes, tequila tastings and cooking classes. And if you do end up bringing a little or two, they have a children’s menu that’s bound to please your picky eaters.
El Farallon
This is one of the most unique dining environments in Cabo—situated a splash away from the sea etched into a mountain on the west side of the city. As one of the Waldorf Astoria’s 10+ culinary options, this Pedregal pit stop serves up the freshest seafood as you overlook the very place your food came from. It’s a chef’s choice-style menu, reflecting the catches of the day and whatever kind of pelagic protein was able to be procured, so you never know what you’re going to get until you get there. The ambiance is very Amalfi Coast-esque, and you won’t need any salt for your tequila because you’ll be able to taste it in the air.
Cocina del Mar Restaurant
Cocina del Mar, which literally translates to kitchen of the sea, is aptly named with stunning 180-degree views of the Cabo coast. Serving all three meals of the day, this restaurant located within the five-star Esperanza resort is hocking all the healthy eats and treats that will make you feel good without skimping on flavor. The seafood fondue is a fun and interactive dish, or if you want to get your hands dirty, opt for the peel-and-eat shrimp. This restaurant feels like you’re eating in your own personal palapa with your private chef satisfying your every craving.
Semillón
Want to feel like you’re dining in a secluded sanctuary of jungle-like nature? Look no further than Semillon. This restaurant, located inside Puerto Raiz and only five minutes from San Jose Del Cabo, is garnering quite the reputation with its ultra high-end cuisine, top-quality ingredients and wild (literally) atmosphere. It’s giving “Jumaji” vibes, and we’re here for it. Sure, they have things like bone marrow and they might use tweezers to delicately adorn your food with microgreens, but they also have—you guessed it—one of the best tableside Caesars in town. It’s fine dining without feeling fussy and needs to be added to your Cabo culinary checklist, like, yesterday.
Sunset Monalisa
Sunset Monalisa is an open-air dining destination where adventurous eaters can choose from a three-, five- or seven-course menu to enjoy the flavors of the world with the Cabo coastline as their backdrop. This is a quintessential date-night spot for lovers seasoned and new to enjoy each other’s company, great food, drinks and, of course, an iconic Cabo sunset. Not sure what to order? Try their Iberico ham-infused Flambe Spaghetti, which is prepared tableside with vodka inside a Parmigiano Reggiano wheel. It’s basically dinner and a show. Wash it down with an ice-cold dirty martini and you’re in business, baby!
Toro Latin Kitchen & Bar
Toro Latin Kitchen & Bar is a new spot that you’ll add to your must-visit list every time you return to Cabo. This place feels like a Tulum day club that transforms into a dimly lit gathering place at night. The meats are sous vide, sauteed, seared and smoked to perfection. This Cabo restaurant is not afraid of seasoning and spice—and we love that! We also love the communal lounge seating, which makes for a more casual dining experience and goes great with a smoked añejo old fashioned.
Craft Los Cabos
This new farm-to-table restaurant on the Hotel ME Cabo rooftop is sure to impress. You want views? You got it! You want cocktails that wow? They’re on it. You want food that leaves a legacy? This is the spot. Touted as an “open fire kitchen,” Craft Los Cabos uses nature’s oldest tool to heat things up in and out of the kitchen. The rooftop gives patrons the best views of the Cabo skyline to enjoy with one of their fancy libations, such as the Threshold, Arcane or Kabbalah. Enjoy this newest edition to the Cabo culinary scene!
Lumbre
Bread and bone marrow butter suit your fancy? Limbo on down to Lumbre in San Jose del Cabo for highly shareable and drool-worthy dishes. The open kitchen allows you to watch talented chefs cook an array of local, farm-fresh ingredients to create memorable meals like their Picanha Barbacoa. These are people who know their way around an open flame and aren’t afraid to play with different flavors, textures and spices. This is real gastronomy, people, and your foodie friends will appreciate a seat at the table.
El Huerto
While we’re on the topic of expansive estates, El Huerto gives Acre and Flora Farms a run for their money with its larger-than-life property. Another farm-to-table eatery, El Huerto is dreaming up drool-worthy dishes and bringing them to life. Don’t believe us? Just check out their Instagram. The revolving menu of home-grown riches is ever-changing, so you’ll never have to order the same thing twice. And the drinks deserve their own glory with how beautiful and balanced they are. Try the Bees & Flowers with scotch, sencha-infused organic honey, lemon juice and orange bitter. Dress up for this evening because you’ll want to take lots of pictures with the stunning desert backdrop!
Los Tamarindos
While we’re on the topic of off-the-beaten-path places, Los Tamarindos in San José del Cabo is another awesome option to relax, recharge and refuel. If you are interested in learning more about their process and ingredients, sign up for one of their cooking classes. More of a passive eater? We get it; just settle in and let your server take you through a culinary journey filled with produce grown a stone’s throw from where you’re sitting. Have the bartender make you a custom cocktail and enjoy the serene setting as you nosh on plates like yellowtail tartar and coconut ceviche. Pro tip: opt for a dinner reservation so you can catch the spectacular sunset from their rooftop.
La Lupita
Located in San José del Cabo on a brightly decorated, flag-lined street is our favorite Mezcaleria: La Lupita. This place is slinging beefed-up street tacos on tortillas made in-house with live music and lots (and lots) of mezcal. We dare you to try A Taste of La Lupita to start—which includes fried grasshoppers—and don’t miss out on the esquites (street corn cup). This place is mostly outdoors, so you can enjoy the warm Mexico weather and wash it down with an ice cold mezcal marg. Be sure to get an order of the churros for the table and work in time after dinner to stroll around the surrounding town and discover other local gems!
