With its beautiful beaches and jaw-dropping scenery, Los Cabos is a true paradise.
There are many things to do in Los Cabos, but if you’re visiting for the first time, this is my recommendation on 6 places you must not miss.
But what if you want to eat?
With so many resorts in the area, you might think that there are no other options for dining. But this is not the case! Many remarkable restaurants in Los Cabos will make your trip one to remember, whether you’re looking for an upscale fine dining experience or just some tasty tacos on the beach.
In the last decade, the culinary scene in Los Cabos has developed to a level that puts this beautiful destination on the map of international culinary experts.
Get ready to experience a new level of Mexican cuisine while on your next trip to Los Cabos.
This is my recommended list of the most remarkable restaurants in Los Cabos that are not inside a hotel or resort.
The Office
The most famous restaurant in the region, for both locals and international tourists, for a good reason, it’s a fantastic dining experience. Chef Ernesto Vega Rueda brings his creativity to food and puts his spin on traditional Mexican cuisine, making it a unique dining experience.
The Office’s gastro bar prepares exotic cocktails that are not too expensive and feature quality tequila, such as Fortaleza Tequila made by Casa Noble, a small batch tequila maker from Jalisco, Mexico.
The Office is not just a restaurant; it’s a dining experience that you can enjoy at any time of the day or night.
La Lupita Taco & Mezcal, San José del Cabo
La Lupita Taco & Mezcal Chef, Iker Martinez, has gained fame for his exceptional cooking skills and unique tortilla recipes. The restaurant offers simple street food with a gourmet twist.
Tacos are made by hand and feature signature tortillas, including salmon, shrimp, or mahi-mahi wrapped in a masa-based tortilla or blue corn tortilla. My favorite taco is the La Lupita Taco, which includes masa and chorizo sausage stuffed with fresh orange salsa and a slice of avocado.
La Lupita also serves up delicious Mexican-style breakfasts in a casual atmosphere with big comfy chairs to relax into after playing golf or walking on the beach. Meals include huevos rancheros, shrimp tacos, “papas con chorizo”, breakfast burritos, and quesadillas, as well as complimentary condiments such as guacamole, diced onion, radish slices, and freshly made salsas.
There are more than 30 different types of mezcal available for sampling at La Lupita too!
Toro, Latin Kitchen & Bar, Punta Ballena
The concept for Toro comes from acclaimed chef and restauranteur Richard Sandoval, recognized as the “Father of Modern Mexican Cuisine,” who has an international collection of 40 Latin American-inspired restaurants.
At Toro Latin Kitchen & Bar, he successfully combines Pan American cuisine with South American, Japanese, and Chinese influences.
The Toro fine-dining establishment offers spectacular views of the Sea of Cortez. Their freshly caught oysters, clams, crabs, and octopus are chilled in ice and beautifully displayed upon arrival. Cuts of meat are served with small quesadillas, rice, beans, guacamole, and freshly made tortillas.
Sunset Monalisa, Cabo del Rey
Sunset Monalisa is a Mediterranean / Italian restaurant with a unique location at the tip of Cabo San Lucas Bay – offering breathtaking views of the ocean and the famous arch – apart from an exceptional culinary experience.
Talented chef Jacob Ramos (formerly Senior Chef at the Ritz Carlton Los Angeles) seeks out the freshest seafood and the best local ingredients to give his menu a unique twist.
Whether dining on the cliff terraces, toasting at sunset or celebrating a special event, you are sure that your evening will be unique and memorable at Sunset Monalisa.
Carbón Cabrón, Cerro Colorado
Carbón Cabrón offers a unique journey through the flavors of Baja California Sur, guided by internationally renowned chef Poncho Cadena.
Chef Cadena and his brother created a unique gastronomic and architectural concept using the best quality local ingredients.
In every dish offered by Carbón Cabrón, you will find the herbs and vegetables from the gardens of Los Cabos, as well as the different types of cheese and other dairy products from the local “rancherias.”
Romeo & Julieta, Cabo San Lucas
Romeo e Giulietta at Cabo San Lucas Luxury Resort & Spa is a romantic retreat, perfect for celebrating anniversaries and other memorable occasions. The cuisine is inspired by the flavors of northern Italy and with many dishes prepared tableside.
The restaurant has become an icon among restaurants in Los Cabos and continues to be progressive in planning for the future.
Chef De Francesco Maggiore, a native of Milan, will marvel you with his authentic specialties, including delicate pasta and hand-rolled veal and egg ravioli.
Sea bass carpaccio with lemon vinaigrette; seafood mixed grill with squid, white fish, and shrimp in olive oil; gnocchi Bolognese style (with meat sauce) are just some of our favorites.
Invita Bistro, Cabo San Lucas
Invita Bistro offers various homemade dishes derived from family recipes from past generations (“la Cucina della Nonna”), accompanied by an excellent selection of national and international wines.
Cabo residents Antonello Lauri, Joaquín De la Torre, and Justin Benham have come together and have created this unique and contemporary dining experience in a comfortable and elegant setting.
This exquisite location has been a favorite to many locals and foreigners who live in Cabo San Lucas near the city center.
The restaurant chefs are proud to offer seasonal menus based on their family recipes from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Farm-to-table local ingredients combined with Mexican heritage have brought about a wonderful dining experience; “the flavors of my grandmother,” chef/owner Jorge Mendez says as he talked about his passion for cooking.
Jazamango, Todos Santos
Jazamango is located in Todos Santos, Baja California.
All of the food served at this restaurant gets cooked with locally grown ingredients.
Inspired by the love for Baja and Todos Santos, Jazamango’s cuisine is based on a mixture of local products and organic ingredients directly from its garden (“farm to table” concept), creating a unique mix of flavors and dishes that please and satisfy the senses.
Chef Javier Plascencia created an entirely new culinary experience, creating flavors with a heart combining the best local ingredients with his passion for cooking.
Jazamango setting is a lovely garden with fire pits, and it has a beautiful atmosphere. The servers make you feel at “home.” Jazamango is a must-see for any food lover visiting Todos Santos.
Its outdoor patio area for those looking to enjoy a beautiful day or night outdoors with friends and family eating good homemade food paired with great drinks!
Flora’s Field Kitchen, San José del Cabo
Flora’s Field Kitchen is a restaurant that serves many delicious organic and natural dishes, emphasizing local cuisine. The menu is full of surprises, where each day, they offer new options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Flora’s Field Kitchen is part of Flora Farms, the famous organic farm located in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna, on the outskirts of San José del Cabo.
Known for its excellent organic cuisine, Flora’s Field Kitchen succeeded in perfecting the concept of “farm to table.”
There are no plates or utensils; in fact, it all comes directly from the earth!
Everything you eat depends on what season it is, so be sure to ask your server about their daily ingredients.
Under the talented eye of Chef Guillermo Tellez, Flora’s Field Kitchen is all about handcrafted food with fresh ingredients from his farm.
His goal is to create a healthy family meal, conscientiously preserving the natural resources of the region.
Panazia, Cabo San Lucas
Panazia’s menu is Asian with a Mexican twist or what they call “Mexiatica.”
The restaurant is a bit out of the way, but don’t let that stop you from trying this hidden gem.
The owner used to be the chef of Chin’s Chinese restaurant in Palmilla. Recently, he decided to open his place – Panazia.
The food is excellent, with large portions and at reasonable prices. It’s a gem among restaurants in Los Cabos and a favorite among locals and tourists.
The Fish Sushi, Cabo San Lucas
The Fish Sushi is located next to the Marina at Cabo San Lucas; the restaurant was inaugurated in March 2015 and offers an excellent fish and sushi selection.
The Fish Sushi is undoubtedly a fierce competitor for the title of the best sushi in Los Cabos. The dishes themselves are incredibly vibrant, reflecting the fish’s quality and freshness and the other ingredients.
The Fish Sushi is located just a few blocks from the Cabo San Lucas marina. While it’s not as popular as its competitors Nick San and Sushimaniaz, it has developed a solid local following for its excellent quality and affordable prices. Chef Memo Reyes and his team offer a generous selection of rolls, sashimi, and tempura desserts, among other Japanese dishes.
For true sushi lovers, The Fish Sushi offers the option of an “omakase,” which in Japanese means “trust and put yourself in the hands of the chef.” In a particular room, exquisite sushi dishes come directly from the talented hands of Chef Memo.
Nick-San, Cabo San Lucas
NickSan restaurant in downtown Cabo San Lucas was the result of the fusion of the talents of two chefs, Masayuki Niikura from Japan and Angel Carbajal from Mexico.
At first, it was just a fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with some Mexican ingredients to complement its flavor; now, 25 years later, it is an exceptional experience of Japanese haute cuisine.
NickSan offers a fusion of Mexican ingredients and traditional Japanese cuisine but with a touch of greater sophistication in the techniques used to prepare new dishes. In each creation, you can find the passion of Nick San chefs to delight the palate of customers, show new culinary experiences, flavors, and emotions.
NickSan’s popularity and success have resulted in the creation of its franchises, six in various parts of Mexico, that only have the purpose of exceeding the expectations of their customers.
They offer a wide variety of fresh fish to taste in sashimis or nigiri and in their distinct and new creations, which often happen simultaneously to customers deciding they want to try the special of the day.
This is my list of some of the best non-hotel restaurants in Los Cabos. Making this list was tough since so many places offer incredible food and service in Los Cabos.
If you are visiting Los Cabos or planning to go for the first time, read my list of the 6 places you must not miss while visiting Los Cabos!
Also, for a great list of the best Los Cabos Resorts, go here.
