While Baja California is home to some incredible food, there’s nothing like enjoying a delicious meal with a side of sweeping views. Here are a few of our favorite spots along the peninsula for enjoying impressive vistas while you eat and drink.
Finca Altozano
(Valle de Guadalupe, BC)
Information: www.fincaltozano.com, tel: 011-52-646-156-8045
Why We Love it: This rustic campestre restaurant in Valle de Guadalupe is the magical creation of Javier Plascencia, one of Baja California’s most well-known chefs. The al fresco dining offers views of the vineyards as well as the organic garden where much of the food comes from. After your meal, grab a glass of wine and climb to the top of one of the gigantic wine barrels that’s been converted to a lookout lounge area. Grab a seat, sip your wine, and enjoy the beautiful tranquility of the valley.
What to Order: Even if you don’t normally like octopus, try the Pulpo del Pacifico as it’s a house specialty. The lamb birria, ahi tuna tostada, and heirloom tomato salad (when in season) are other must-try items on the menu. Wash down your meal with a glass of wine from their extensive selection of Valle de Guadalupe wines (their local craft beer list is also impressive).
DBTC Insider Tip: You should definitely make a reservation, especially on the weekends or during summertime. If you risk it and the restaurant is booked, there’s a more informal restaurant on the property, Lupe, which operates out of a vintage airstream and features a casual menu of tortas and hamburgers, while offering the same great views as Finca Altozano.
Bar Bura at CuatroCuatros
(Ensenada, BC)
Information: www.cabanascuatrocuatros.com.mx, tel: 1-800-965-4444
Why We Love It: While it’s not technically a restaurant, this bar boasts possibly the most spectacular views on the entire peninsula. Just outside Valle de Guadalupe on the Mexico 1 free road north of Ensenada, this bar is perched high up on the cliffs with breathtaking, birds-eye views of the Pacific that have quickly made this spot a must-visit for hipsters and trendsetters. The simple concept is all outside with covered hay bales for seating, and a few canopy covers for shade.
What to Order: Get a bottle of Valle de Guadalupe wine to share with your friends. There’s a light food menu available featuring light dishes like ceviche and aguachile.
DBTC Insider Tip: The bar is located on the CuatroCuatros property, home to the well-known glamping tent cabins. Be aware that they charge an entry fee (per vehicle) to get up to the bar. You’ll enter the CuatroCuatros property (tell them at the gate that you are going to the bar), and drive on a dirt road up the hill to a parking lot. You’ll park your car and then hop onto one of the CuatroCuatros vehicles shuttling visitors farther up the hill to the bar.
La Picazón
(Loreto, BCS)
Information: www.lapicazon.com, tel: 011-52-613-111-8782
Why We Love It: There’s no more perfect way to while away a beautiful Loreto afternoon by enjoying a margarita in a hammock, looking out onto the Sea of Cortez. More than just a restaurant, La Picazón is a place to spend your afternoon hanging out, whether in one of the lounge areas or in an aforementioned hammock. Owners Alejandro & Imelda have created a friendly “mi casa es su casa” attitude that invites guests to come, eat, drink, and relax, while enjoying the beautiful views of Isla Coronado and the Sea of Cortez.
What To Order: The menu features items with a fresh approach, such as the shrimp wrap and loaded quesadillas. Their margarita is a favorite of many locals in the area.
DBTC Insider Tip: Located on a dirt road north of town, the remote location can be a little difficult to find. Take Calle Davis north, and when you think you’ve missed the restaurant and gone too far, keep going. GPS coordinates are 26.082363, -111.324362. Bonus points if you spot the “Discover Baja” boat in the parking lot on your way in! Note that they are only open from 12pm-6pm.
El Mirador
(Todos Santos, BCS)
Information: www.guaycura.com, tel: 011-52-612-175-0800
Why We Love It: With a name meaning “the lookout,” this aptly-named restaurant is located south of the town of Todos Santos in a large palapa perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific and Punta Lobos. A popular spot around sunset time, both indoor and outdoor dining options offer grand beach and ocean views.
What to Order: While some people go just to enjoy cocktails at sunset time, the freshly-caught fish dishes are crowd pleasers if you decide to stay for dinner.
DBTC Insider Tip: Go before sunset time so you can enjoy the views and then take in the sun dipping into the Pacific (and to find your way more easily on the hilly dirt road!)
Photo courtesy www.sunsetmonalisa.com
Sunset Monalisa
(Los Cabos, BCS)
Information: www.sunsetmonalisa.com, tel: 011-52-624-145-8160
Why We Love It: Located along the Cabo Corridor, this is one of the most popular restaurants for seaside fine dining with views of the peninsula’s most iconic landmark—The Land’s End Arch. Monalisa’s outdoor patios sprawl along the cliffs to offer incomparable sweeping views. The sound of a conch shell blowing ushers in the sunset, an event that most diners plan their reservations around.
What to Order: While the menu features many Italian and seafood dishes, the lamb shank is cooked for 18 hours and a favorite of many patrons.
DBTC Insider Tip: If you’d like to enjoy the views without having to enjoy a formal meal, there are two more options on the property in addition to the main restaurant—Sunset Point, a pizza and wine bar; and Taittinger Terrace, an oyster and champagne bar.