Situated at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, the gorgeous landscape of Los Cabos, home to some of the best beaches in Mexico, is comprised of two resort towns: party-oriented Cabo San Lucas and laid-back San Jose del Cabo. Both have no shortage of stunning five-star places to stay and eat, where visitors and locals can take advantage of all the amenities. One such spot is the restaurant El Farallon at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal (one of the best resorts in Mexico in our Readers’ Choice Awards), says David Hernandez, the director of bars and agave expert at the hotel: “It’s become such an iconic restaurant in Los Cabos and for many reasons too, like the cliffside tables, ocean views, live music, golden-hour lighting, and the food which is so fresh and changes daily.” But for travelers who explore inland, away from the ritzy beachfront bungalows and closer to where the locals live, the rewards of digging a little deeper await. To learn more about the excellent breakfast spots, places to shop, and venues for live music between the two Cabos, read on for recommendations from Hernandez himself.
Best places to eat and drink in Los Cabos
For an all-day eating itinerary, Hernandez suggests starting the day at Alquimia Cocina Imperfecta, a small, family-owned restaurant in Cabo San Lucas. “Everything is home-made and feels nostalgic,” he says. Their bread is baked in-house, dishes are made fresh daily, and the hospitality is warm. “It’s also tucked away in a non-hot spot of Cabo—a cozy setting that is exactly what locals crave more than another resort chain.”
After a bit of exploring the Cabo San Lucas, Hernandez recommends having lunch by the coast at Baja Brewing, on Playa el Medano (an ideal beach for shallow swimming), right by the Plaza Puerto Paraiso shopping mall. “It’s a great rooftop spot with awesome views of the beach and the famous Cabo Arch,” he says. “It’s super relaxed and has good music. You can hang out for a while and enjoy casual food and beer.” He suggests getting a pizza and some burgers to share, and plenty of the brewery’s craft beers made right in Los Cabos.
For something away from the tourist throngs, Hernandez names Jazamango in Todos Santos as an off-the-beaten-track option. “I promise it’s worth the one-hour drive!” he says, describing the atmosphere as rustic and very relaxed, thanks to the outdoor seating with wooden tables, aromas coming from the wood-fired oven, and chickens from the farm running around. “Their menu is way more farm-to-table than anything you can find in town,” Hernandez says, listing dishes like grilled octopus, fresh ceviche, garden salads, and homemade pizzas, “all using ingredients they literally just picked. It’s the kind of place where everything tastes like it has a purpose. It’s perfect spot for a long, lazy lunch with a cold glass of wine, good conversation, and zero rush.”
