Los Cabos delivers the quintessential Mexican beach vacation, where sun-seekers find it impossible to resist its picture-perfect landscapes and luxury beach hotels. There’s no better place to appreciate the postcard-worthy views in Los Cabos than from one of its alluring waterfront restaurants, where you can gaze out into the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez while sampling fresh local seafood and gourmet cuisine. From laid-back eateries to romantic fine-dining options, here are our top picks for the best waterfront restaurants in Los Cabos.
Sunset da Mona Lisa
Sunset da Mona Lisa might just be one of the most sought-after restaurants in Los Cabos. Reservations are highly recommended at this popular restaurant, where you’ll find multi-leveled dining areas carved into a cliff overlooking the Bay of Cabo San Lucas. Soak up the mesmerizing views of the famous Arch at Land’s End while you dine from a menu with Italian dishes made by their Michelin-trained chef. Whether you tantalize your taste buds with a platter of black truffle fettuccine or splurge on a six-course taster menu with wine pairing, you’ll experience one of the best fine-dining restaurants in the area.
Why You Should Visit: It boasts nine terrace locations for outdoor dining, including a champagne bar with several fire pit areas.
El Farallón
Nestled on the cliffs above the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, El Farralón is a seafood-centric restaurant found at The Resort at Pedregal. It offers the ultimate romantic atmosphere as you dine al fresco under the starry sky, where you can pick your dinner selection from an ever-changing “catch of the day” ocean-to-table menu. Sit at one of the coveted waterfront tables and enjoy fresh seafood options like sea bass, Red Snapper, Yellow Tail Tuna or Lobster Tail, then pair it with grilled asparagus, roasted potatoes and frijoles charros-chorizo white beans. Top your meal off with their Tres Leches cake with berries or traditional flan.
Why You Should Visit: You can enjoy a pre or post drink at the adjacent Champagne Terrace, where 15 different champagnes pair with imported cheese and artisan salts.
The Office on the Beach
Watch the waves roll in from the only office you should visit on vacation: the Office on the Beach. This all-day dining hotspot is great for digging your toes in the sand while dining on breakfast favorites, lunch specialties and traditional Mexican dishes for dinner. You can’t go wrong with their papaya and mango smoothies mixed with fresh orange juice, which pairs perfectly with a Mexican and Avocado omelet or egg burrito. During lunch, you can pick from Mexican Ranch-style Chicken Soup or sautéed octopus with garlic, while dinnertime sees more hearty choices like grilled flank steak and fresh sea bass on the grill. At sunset, you can watch Mother Nature put on a show as the sun sinks behind El Arco, margarita in hand.
Why You Should Visit: The restaurant’s themed events each week, including a Gran Fiesta Mexicana with piñatas dances, mariachi music and audience participation.
Cocina del Mar
Located at the luxurious Esperanza Cabo San Lucas Resort, Cocina showcases fresh seafood dishes alongside spectacular ocean views. Its innovative and contemporary menu is as impressive as the atmospheric cliffside setting, where you’ll find fresh seafood with creative twists on traditional Baja flavors. Start with the San Carlos Bay Oysters with fresh lemon and chayote pico de gallo mignonette before moving on to coastal cuisine like seafood ravioli or grilled lobster tail, then tuck into seared scallops or tamarind braised short rib. Local garden favorites include butternut squash tacos and zucchini “encerraditos”, as well as melon, avocado, watermelon paired with agave mint dressing.
Why You Should Visit: Enjoy pre or post-dinner cocktails served at the lantern-lit bar and lounge, perched atop cliffs that overlook the hotel’s two private beaches.
Hacienda Cocina y Cantina
With stunning views of Land’s End and the bay, Hacienda Cocina sits off the seashore in Medano, the main beach in Cabo San Lucas. The casual restaurant serves Mexican cuisine that focuses on traditional dishes from the Sea of Cortez, serving ceviche, Mexican tamales, skirt steak and slow-roasted pork. They even have traditional family-style platters served with handmade tortillas and delectable desserts like Churros De La Casa, which are Mexican street doughnuts with chocolate and caramel sauces.
Why You Should Visit: It’s extensive drink menu that includes everything from hibiscus infused water and Mexican beers to cocktails like Guayaba that combine rum with guava puree, fresh lime, mint and sugar cane syrup.
Lorenzillo’s Los Cabos
Lobsters are the star attraction at Lorenzillo’s Los Cabos, where you’ll find them incorporated in bisque, carpaccio, tacos, salads and whole—served steamed, broiled, grilled and stuffed, then bathed in an array of sauces. Lovers of spice can dine on Lobster with garlic and chili pepper vinaigrette or grilled lobster with Cajun seasoning, while Roquefort Lobster is an indulgent choice with creamy Roquefort cheese. Don’t fret if you’re not a fan of seafood, they’ve got plenty of other options like pasta, steak and poultry. Top off your meal with the Flor de Mar, an elegant Opera Cake with sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup and layered with chocolate ganache.
Why You Should Visit: The Lobster Thermidor dish, where lobster is sautéed in a béchamel and béarnaise sauce topped with grilled mozzarella cheese.
The Sand Bar
A beachside location, delicious food and on-site massages…can you really ask for anything more? The Sand Bar delivers a laid-back setting with plush lounge chairs and upbeat music setting the tone, while its bottom deck is an elevated perch with unbeatable views of Land’s End and Medano Beach. At lunchtime, you can dine on tacos, enchiladas or the fresh catch of the day, while larger groups can choose from a sharing platter. Dinner offers pork carnitas and grilled Argentinian flap steaks, plus hard-to-pass-up desserts like dulce de leche crepes and Brazilian cassava tortillas stuffed with Nutella and banana.
Why You Should Visit: If you’re in need of a little pampering, head to the rooftop Massage deck, where professional massage therapists offer 60 and 90-minute massages.
SUR Beach House Los Cabos
Located at Bahia Hotel Beach House, SUR Beach House Los Cabos makes you feel like you’re dining in the comfort of your own beach house. Sitting a few feet away from Cabo’s most swimmable shoreline, this restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere with music curated by DJs daily. Relax in your beach chair as you feel the breeze of Medano’s coastline, then enjoy a chilled bottle of rosé, margaritas and fresh oysters. Its internationally-inspired menu has everything from sushi and ceviche to tacos and sandwiches. For dinner, try the grilled red snapper or center cut NY prime with a side of truffle fries.
Why You Should Visit: You can enjoy your meal at a table on the terrace or in the chilled out, open-air dining room—shoes not required.