Ever find a travel destination that you absolutely love? You love it so much that you would visit there over and over again. Well, Cabo is that place for me and my family! It is a heaven for all watersports lovers.
Just as every place has its upsides there are also downsides with any destination. For me, the downside is that you are very limited in choices of swimmable beach areas. Beaches where you can actually get in the water and it be safe to do so. With Cabo being on the Pacific side of the baja peninsula, it’s known for it’s dangerous waves and strong undertows. These waves are like no other and they come on shore with a fury. However, don’t fret because there are swimmable beaches near town. Beaches such as Santa Maria, Palmilla, Chileno, Lover’s, and Medano to name a few. There is also a great surfing town where you can kite surf and swim, you would just need to rent a car to get there.
As far as places to stay, there are so many fabulous resorts that I feel you really can’t go wrong with most of them. My advice is to get on the web and do your research and definitely read up on the feedback and reviews that people leave behind. We have stayed at everything from resorts to renting out homes. All have their pros and cons, you just need to customize and decide what suits your needs best for your trip.
In this post, I am going to focus on my favorite places to dine in and around the San Jose and Cabo San Lucas area. If there is one thing you should know about me is that I am such a foodie. Even when I travel for work, I will try and find the most intriguing and delicious places to dine. That was no different for our trip to Cabo. I made reservations to ensure availability either on OpenTable or reserving directly with the dining establishment. I did so way in advance to ensure we were able to dine with them during our stay. My favorite places to dine are in no particular order…
Acre Baja
Located in the foothills of San Jose del Cabo’s mountain valley, is this fabulous boutique hotel resort and farm to table restaurant. It is situated on 25 acres of greenery which is home to elegant treehouses, organic farms and this amazing restaurant. I loved everything about this place and the vibe was so much fun. As soon as we stepped into the hostess area, we were greeted by a DJ playing some beats. You knew that moment you were in a trendy and cool place. We took a moment to walk around and explore the property before being seated. We were able to find the resort mascot/pet who happens to be the cutest donkey by the name of Burrito. Such a little cutie, my six year old really enjoyed seeing him along with the other farm animals including some peacocks, goats, and other small animals. The grounds of this place was absolutely beautiful.
Flora Farms
Right down the way from Acre Baja is well known Flora Farms. Known for their farm to table concept they used the freshest ingredients. Their meats come from a nearby ranch and are raised on humane diets w/out hormones or antibiotics. They have now ventured into developing gorgeous cottages and lofts that are dwelling communities which you can buy into. Go early and book a home tour, you will get to see the lovely homes and the property hearing more about all the perks of having ownership in their farming community. Celebrities are known to frequent here. One year when we went, Chandler Bing (I mean, Matthew Perry) was outside and I was able to sneak a pic. Super neat for me because I loved the show, Friends.
El Fallaron at Pedregal
Ranked up there as a Top Ten in Cabo, but let me warn you in advance to get your bank accounts ready. This place does boast a wow factor. It is known for its cliffside setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean and it is part of the prestigious and exclusive Resort at Pedregal. Upon arrival into the lobby area, you are escorted to the restaurant where you are greeted at the Champagne Bar for starters. You wait there until a server arrives to explain the menu and how to order. You are shown all the fresh seafood (lobster, fish, scallops, etc..) and you place your order then and there. Upon ordering, you are shown to your candlelit table where the view is breathtaking. Ambiance is incredible with waves crashing in the background and excellent food with service does not disappoint.
Toro Latin Kitchen & Bar
This is a Richard Sandoval restaurant and it is soooo good! My husband and I were given this recommendation in 2017 and we loved it so much, we had to take the family back for our Summer 2018 vacation. They have amazing mixology and craft cocktails that we thoroughly enjoy. One of our favorite dishes is their Tuna Chicharron. We love this so much that I have adapted the recipe and now make it at home. It is actually diced tuna chunks fried chicaharron style. We serve this taco style with guacamole, roasted salsa, and pico de gallo. Yummy! Definitely add Toro to your dining musts when in Cabo.
Comal at Chileno Bay Resort
Where do I even begin? To me, Comal is my favorite ocean side dining when in Cabo. The restaurant and resort is situated in Chileno Bay which is one of the premier beach areas of Cabo in which you can actually swim. Most of the snorkeling outfits that come out of the marina take their guests for snorkeling excursions to this bay. The ambiance is so magical to me. I would recommend going earlier than your reservation or staying after dinner to have a cocktail and enjoy the scenery. The sunsets is so majestic embracing you with hues of pink cotton candy skies. It really is breathtaking! We were able to enjoy our Fourth of July from here and their fireworks show was fabulous.
The Office
No visit to Cabo is complete unless you stop by the Office for a meal. The restaurant is beachside on Medano Beach and is actually on the beach. Wear appropriate shoes for walking on the sand. I like to get there at time when I can get a table in the front closest to the beach. For obvious reasons, it’s hot and the breeze is much nicer. Keep in mind, you will be approached by locals selling you everything from tshirts, hats, blankets, cover-ups, trinkets, and so much more. They are respectful and will leave you alone if you ask them to and show no interest. On the flip side, you could get all your souvenir shopping and negotiate a reasonable price all while you dine, drink, eat and enjoy the view of El Arco.
Well, those are just a few of my favorites when we go to Cabo. Some other places we dined are:
Nicksan– If you are a sushi lover, Nicksan in the heart of Cabo is absolutely so good! Some of the most unique and creative rolls packed with flavor and the freshest fish ever.
Edith’s (owned by The Office) and not situated too far from there and just around the corner. Known for their fine dining, steaks, and table side Cesar Salad. Love the ambiance with lanterns hanging, it gives such a romantic and relaxing vibe. It is so good!
Puerto Vieja – the view of the Arch from afar is spectacular. Go early enough to see the sun setting. It is such an amazing view. The other thing is for the delicious food, I found this restaurant to be the most fairly priced. This is where I enjoyed my lobster. So, good!
Lateral in San Jose – the boys and I stayed in San Jose at the JW Marriott for one night while we waited for my husband to join us the next day. He stayed behind for work. After we picked him up from the airport, we asked our driver to take us to a local place in San Jose before heading to our airbnb in Cabo. He took us to Lateral and it was delicious. Sometimes the best food is where the locals go.
Places I want to try next time are:
Manta at the Cape, The Rooftop, The Ledge – all of these are located at The Cape (A Thompson Hotel) Resort and I hear the views are amazing. We had a reservation at the Manta, but after all the other dining places I had already booked, I had to cancel one for budgetary reasons. I will have this at the top of my list when I return.
Los Tamarindos – this is another farm to table concept and is also located in San Jose del Cabo’s estuary. They also offer cooking classes which I think would be so much fun to do as a couple and of course, without kiddos. This restaurant is on top of my list for next time as well.
The eating and dining scene in Cabo is absolutely spectacular and I don’t think you can go wrong. Keep in mind some of these places are very expensive, so researching some of these establishments in advance and looking at their menu first is a wise thing. Make your selections based off the menus, reviews, and most importantly, what suits you best. I would love to hear about your favorite dining places in Cabo. Leave me a message so I can try them out on my next visit.
