FIVE FABULOUS CULINARY EXPERIENCES IN LOS CABOS

By Lola Augustine Brown

Located at the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos serves up incredible natural beauty, and some truly exceptional places to dine. From exclusive resort restaurants to rustic farm-to-table experiences to loved-by-locals favourites, there is something for every palate. Here are five unmissable places to dine on your next trip.

THE COFFEE LAB

This little downtown Cabo spot serves the best lattes around, made with a range of beans from different regions of Mexico. It’s tucked into a back alley so a little tricky to find, but worth it. There’s a definite hipster vibe – witnessed by the pour-over coffee, and avocado toast and chia pudding on their menu – but their dedication to quality makes this a first-class spot for healthy breakfasts and lunches, and coffee however you take it. There’s not much inside seating, but there is a sweet patio outside if you want to stick around.

FLORA FARMS ©LOLA AUGUSTINE BROWN

THE BAJA BREWING COMPANY

Back in 2007, this craft brewery started small with three beers, and now has three locations in Cabo. Their San José del Cabo cantina, located in the historic arts district, was recently refurbished and offers a great space to sample one of their beers. Their Peyote IPA is a big seller, though Fady El Masri Rojas, of the Baja Brewing Company, quipped that he couldn’t say if there is peyote actually in it – that is a trade secret. They also serve wood-fired pizza and burgers in a fun and lively atmosphere.

MEZCAL RESTAURANT AT THE MONTAGE

TUNA CRUDO IN FERMENTED CHILI SAUCE, MEZCAL RESTAURANT

The five-course tasting menu at decadent Mezcal is incredible. From the first bite of the breadbasket (served studded with poblano peppers and avocado butter) to the shrimp tacos with pineapple purée and avocado relish, artfully arranged sea bass with crispy skin, and the 18-hour roasted suckling pig with white bean hummus, everything served is perfect. Smoky mezcal cocktails come served actually smoking in a glass cabinet. The selection of Mexican wines accompanying our menu is an unexpected delight.

SHRIMP TACO WITH PINEAPPLE PURÉE, AVOCADO RELISH AND PICKLED VEGETABLES, MEZCAL RESTAURANT

FLORA FARMS

What started small as Cabo’s first organic restaurant has grown into a stand-alone destination that offers sumptuous dining, a colourful farm store, and cooking classes amongst mango and papaya groves, vegetable, and herb gardens. My visit starts in the bar with Flora Farms’ signature Farmarita made with carrot and orange juices, and tequila, before we tour the property’s gardens, and view the on-site butchers and bakery. Then, more drinks before we are shown traditional methods of making salsas in the cooking class, with plenty of delicious tastings, after which we sit down to a wonderful lunch of Baja fish tacos. From start to finish, the Flora Farms experience is a dreamy feast for the senses.

LATTE

AGUA AT ONE&ONLY PALMILLA

Greeted with a hand-on-heart welcome, literally, by every staff member, the One&Only Palmilla makes you immediately feel at home in the lap of luxury. The menu at Agua offers sumptuous takes on local cuisine. My meal starts with a roasted corn and scallop soup with Huitlacoche foam, then progresses to saffron fettuccine with jumbo blue shrimp and zucchini blossom. Both dishes are stunning in their presentation and off-the-charts tasty – I thought there was no way I could manage dessert, yet I did. My meal ended with a slice of tres leches cake so perfect, served with mocha gelato and a smear of meringue. Heaven.