11 Best Restaurants in Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos and the Baja Peninsula

While the Waldorf Astoria's other restaurant, El Farallon, tends to gather universal acclaim from Cabo's visitors and residents, we'd like to boldly suggest that dining at Don Manuel's is an even better experience. Open for each meal of the day, the modern Mexican cuisine served is innovative and decadent. The tranquil sound of the rolling waves is well complemented by nightly live music, the exclusivity of the restaurant makes it feel as if both nature and the band are performing just for you. A postconsumption stroll along Pedregal's nearly private beach makes for a perfect dessert.

Ask any Cabo local where you should get dinner, and there's a good chance they'll suggest Los Tres Gallos. Fun, festive, and flavorful, it's a must-try for anyone seeking traditional Mexican cuisine. Set in a courtyard shaded by fruit trees, twinkle lights, and papel picado (colorful tissue paper flags), the menu is crafted from generations-old family recipes of classic heritage dishes such as cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) and molcajetes (stone bowls) filled with flank steak, shrimp, chorizo, nopal, and panela cheese.

This trendy restaurant and lounge grows most of its vegetables and herbs on its rooftop garden, sourcing any remaining ingredients from its San Jose--based sister restaurant, Flora Farms. Whether you come just for drinks or a full-course meal (both are popular options), every bite and sip will taste impossibly fresh. Seating is dispersed between their dining room, chandelier patio, or rooftop terrace, each space offering a different vibe.

If you plan to stay in a resort community to the immediate west of Cabo San Lucas (like Quivira, Diamante, or Rancho San Lucas), then Anica needs to be on your radar. Named after the first indigenous settlement in Baja California Sur, the menu—inspired by ancient tribal cooking techniques—is a delicious blend of traditional and contemporary. Oenophiles will be particularly delighted with the sommelier's top notch local wine tastings and pairings.

One of the more upscale choices near Médano Beach, Edith's is the sister restaurant to popular The Office. The Caesar salad and bananas flambé are prepared tableside at this colorful and much-loved restaurant, while Wally's Special, a medley of lobster, shrimp, and fish, is one of the most ordered items on the menu. As good as the food is, the atmosphere is even better. Families dine in early evening, so come in later if you're looking for a less crowded experience.

It's no surprise that this impossibly hip Asian fusion hot spot originated in Tulum, as it feels a bit more suited for that crowd than what's typically found in Cabo. But Funky Geisha's presence marks an exciting change in the local party scene---it's no longer limited to just spring breakers or sea dogs---and diners can enjoy a variety of sushi, curry, noodles, and rice dishes while wiggling their toes in the sand and gazing in awe at a nightly fireworks display just steps away.

After picking up somewhat of a cult following in San José del Cabo, La Lupita opened this location that's just as fun---there's a prominent stage overlooking the restaurant floor for bands to perform on and free-flowing cocktails. Just one block from Médano Beach, it feels less touristy than many of the neighboring establishments serving up gourmet tacos (the santo pastor is their specialty, but you'll want to try a variety), flights of mezcal, and an unbeatable ambience.

Cabo San Lucas's original sushi restaurant, Nicksan has remained a go-to date night and celebration location for over 30 years. Owner Angel Carbajal is an artist behind the sushi counter (he also owns fishing boats that collect fish each day), having been mentored by Masayuki Niikura (one of the first-ever Japanese chefs to prepare spicy tuna), and his creative Japanese-Mexican fusion dishes, nicknamed “Nicksan style,” expertly balance the culinary traditions of Japan with the unique flavors of Mexico. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekend nights and during high season. Otherwise, be prepared for a wait.

Based on seating availability alone, this is, without question, the most popular restaurant in Cabo San Lucas. Day and night, the place is packed, thanks to its well-prepared and well-portioned seafood-based menu and drinks, as well as its history of being the first-ever palapa to grace Médano Beach's sandy shore. It's a bit touristy, for sure, but the near-perfect views of El Arco and the merry atmosphere make up for it.

A rustic-chic oasis overlooking the Pacific, Pícaro is not just a restaurant, but a destination in and of itself. Perched on a hilltop about a 20-minute drive from Centro, you'll forget about the schlep when you taste Chef Christian Ricci's Mexican/Mediterranean cuisine, inspired by both the local produce and his Italian upbringing. The menu is regularly changing based on what ingredients are in season, but expect to always find fresh seafood and tender meats.

At this longtime local establishment near the entrance to Pedregal, diners are delightfully surprised to find an elegant dining area that's open to the stars. Nightly live music and an adjacent wine bar offer a more romantic and sophisticated evening out, a reprieve from the neighborhood's rowdiness, and fresh, house-made pasta (including gluten-free options) and tableside Caesar salad are among the highlights.