At the end of Baja Peninsula is Cabo San Lucas. It is the kind of vacation destination that can be almost anything you want it to be. You can fill your days with snorkeling, camel rides, off-road adventures, boat tours, shopping, and sightseeing, or you can do absolutely nothing at all except sit by a pool, stare at the ocean, and wonder why you do not live there. With its perfect weather, dramatic coastline, gorgeous resorts, and endless activities on land and water, Cabo already has all the ingredients for an unforgettable trip. But one of the biggest surprises for us was the food. Cabo is not just a place to grab tacos and margaritas, although you can certainly do that too.
This post is not meant to be a complete restaurant guide to Cabo. It is simply a look at the places we tried, what we enjoyed, and which meals stood out most from our vacation.
If you would like to read about all of Pink Bear’s adventures with D and Laura in Cabo, you can go to:
This Blog Includes:
- Overview of Our Restaurants
- Las Estrellas
- Los Tres Gallos
- Edith’s
- Sunset Monolisa
- Sol de Mayo at Rancho Ecológico
- Pink Bear Restaurant Rating
- Final Thoughts
Overview of Our Restaurants
During our trip, meals became part of the adventure. Some restaurants were fun and relaxed, some were romantic and dramatic, and a few felt like destinations all by themselves. From fresh seafood and creative cocktails to sunset views that seemed almost unreal, dining in Cabo turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.
There are so many restaurant choices in Cabo, not just in Cabo San Lucas but the entire Cabo area. D is a foodie, so she did most of the research. Although Pink Bear and I did some Tripadvisor research and came up with a few suggestions. Some of our all-day tours involved food and I will discuss those briefly, but this blog will concentrate on the amazing restaurants we visited on our own.
Las Estrellas
Dinner on our first night in Cabo was a casual one. We were all tired from the long travel day, so we wanted to keep our first dinner relaxed. D chose Las Estrellas for our first vacation dinner. Surrounded by pools and lush gardens, Las Estrellas is an outdoor, family friendly restaurant. It serves not only traditional Mexican dishes with flair, but also things like wood-fired pizza and bruschetta. The food is fresh and tasty with some of the ingredients supplied from their own garden. The prices are also very reasonable, making it a good choice for families or large groups. Dinner is served 5:30PM to 10:00PM. Although it was not crowded when we arrived for our 5:30PM dinner reservations, reservations are recommended especially on weekends and later in the evening. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.
Las Estrellas is located at the elite Esperanza resort in Los Cabos. It was about a 20-minute ride by car from the Westin and 12 miles north of downtown Cabo San Lucas. We took Uber to and from our dinner here. It is very easy to get an Uber in the Cabo area.
Las Estrellas is a large resort complex and there are many gated entrances. If you drive yourself, be aware that it is a bit tricky navigating the resort. Even our Uber driver had a bit of trouble, but we arrived at our destination without too much effort.
We spent a bit of time before dinner strolling through the extensive grounds of the resort. I highly recommend arriving a bit early for your dinner and taking a little walk.
The dining area is as beautiful as the resort itself. The patio seating is very comfortable and not crowded. The food was also superb. We decided to share some dishes so we could both sample a variety of food. We had a lovely hummus plate with fresh naan bread, burrata fondue and ricotta gnocchi. We loved all the dishes and there was enough for us to take home leftovers.
After dinner we walked to the main entrance reception area where Uber picks up. It was a short 10-minute walk from Las Estrellas. The view from the reception area is spectacular.
Los Tres Gallos
Dinner on our second night was at the Michelin recognized Mexican restaurant Los Tres Gallos. They have two locations; we went to the one located in Cabo San Lucas. It is in the Art District. At this one you dine in a beautiful outdoor courtyard.
Because we are now older retired people we like to dine early, so our reservation was at 6:00PM. Dinner service starts at 4:00PM. Reservations are required. We arrived at the restaurant and received a warm reception and uncrowded restaurant area.
The beautiful overhead flags are so colorful. We really loved the atmosphere at this restaurant. We were seated toward the back of the courtyard which was perfect. We were served promptly and ordered drinks while we made our dinner selections. We both ordered their signature Margarita.
The food lived up to its Michelin recognition. We requested guacamole since it was not on the menu. They happily complied. We also ordered queso fundido with mushrooms for an appetizer. For dinner D ordered the sea bass special, and I ordered Pollo with mole sauce. The portions were generous with plenty to take home.
Dessert was a real standout. We ordered the flan which was the best we ever had. We were serenaded by a Mariachi band during our dessert.
The Mariachi Band
Here is a video of the singing
Edith’s
Edith’s restaurant was not even on Pink Bear’s radar, until D met a woman on the plane who highly recommended it. We checked it out online and looked fantastic so we decided to give it a try. We are very glad we did.
Edith’s is in downtown Cabo San Lucas, a 20-minute Uber ride from the Westin. It offers an iconic Baja-meets-Guerrero dining experience specializing in fresh seafood, mesquite-grilled steaks, and table-side Caesar salads and flaming desserts. It is extremely popular and reservations are highly recommended especially during a busy time. The restaurant is open daily from 5:00PM until 10:00PM.
We arrived for our 6:00PM reservation and the restaurant was not crowded yet. We were escorted past the open grill at the entrance and seated at a lovely table in the front section. We could see a bit of the water from our table.
The staff was very attentive as soon as we were seated. The waiter came over with the selection of meats. The meats were prime cuts and fresh seafood.
Fresh prime meats and seafood
They immediately brought us a complimentary appetizer of what was referred to as Mexican Pizza. It came with trio of sauces, red and green chili and salsa.
We asked to have our picture taken before the table got messed up from dinner and they not only obliged but we ended up with a photo session!
They offer an extensive selection of wines and cocktails. D ordered a Bloody Mary, and I ordered a more traditional Margarita. Both were excellent. They also brought warm bread with the drinks.
For the main course D ordered a combo plate of shrimp, lobster and steak and I ordered a Baja shrimp plate. Both portions were large and came out fresh and hot. There were once again leftovers to bring back to the Westin. We were glad we had a villa with a kitchen to store and reheat the leftovers.
After our main course we opted for the bananas flambe prepared tableside. It was not only a dessert but entertainment.
The finale Bananas Flambe
We really enjoyed this dinner. The food was delicious and the presentation flawless. Everyone we encountered was smiling and seemed to genuinely love their job. The attention to detail was also incredible, right down to the little box the check was presented in. I can’t recommend this restaurant enough.
Even the check is presented well
The location of the restaurant is within walking distance to the waterfront, and we took a walk after dinner.
Sunset Monalisa
Our last formal dinner of the Cabo girls’ adventure was the most elaborate. We selected Sunset Monalisa.
Sunset Monalisa is a world-renowned open-air restaurant on the cliffs of the Baja Peninsula in Cabo. Famous for its modern Mediterranean food and panoramic views of the iconic Arch. Consistently ranked among the most romantic and unique restaurants globally. It features cascading multi-level terraces that face the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean.
They have two dinner seatings, 5:30PM and 8:00PM. The 5:30PM seating is required to see the spectacular sunset from the restaurant. Reservations with an advanced deposit are required. They offer a pre fixe 3, 4 or 7-course menu. The menu is set, however there are selections within each course. Menus may vary weekly based on the chef’s inspiration. They have various tiers of seating. Prices vary so refer to the website. We reserved a 4-course VIP experience, with a private cabana facing the Arch. Our view lived up to all the hype. It was worth the extra price. Although a dress code is not required, smart casual to dressy is the norm.
We arrived and were promptly escorted to our cabana and introduced to our wait staff. The vibe was very upscale and special.
It was very windy the evening we went and were very glad to have a cabana, where we were protected from the elements. Note from the pictures the other tables are subject to wind.
The inside of the cabana has lounge seating and a fire pit. Dinner at this restaurant is not just a meal, it is a spectacle.
We were given our menus, both the cocktail menu and the dinner menu. The cocktail menu is called the “7 Deadly Sins”. A picture of the menu is attached
I ordered the Sloth and D ordered the Lust. My drink was not only delicious, but the presentation was amazing. D’s drink was very appropriate since it came with a purple flower, and her favorite color is purple. The drinks were accompanied by warm crusty herb bread and butter.
The drink came with a paper wrapper on the rim that was set on fire and opened into a flower.
After the drinks and bread, we were served goat cheese appetizers. We took the opportunity get some pictures of the glorious view.
The Chef Tasting for the VIP Ocean Terrace Experience is attached below. As noted, this was our menu and just a sample that may vary.
My choices were eggplant, stuffed gnocchi, tenderloin and ruby of Monalisa. D ordered beef tartare, agnolotti del pan, sea bass and mocha parfait.
During our dinner we had a visit from this lovely fellow.
After the main course we were treated to a palate cleansing iced limoncello.
Then as the sun began to set, if that was not enough of a spectacle, the sunset was heralded with the sounding of a shell horn. Our waiter climbed on the rock ledge and blew the shell horn as the sun set over the horizon.
We were served Prosecco and we sipped our drinks as we watched the magnificent sunset from our cabana.
Dessert was another magnificent affair. The dishes served at this restaurant are all works of art. In addition to the desserts, we pre-ordered, we were served a trio of small delicacies.
We savored our dessert and watched the glistening lights of Cabo San Lucas.
As the evening ended, we felt blessed to have experienced this incredible place. The food, the ambience, the service and the views at Sunset Monalisa are incomparable. Anyone visiting the Cabo area should take the time to experience this unique restaurant.
Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo
This authentic Mexican lunch was part of our 4×4 off-road adventure but can be enjoyed independently. Just be aware it is a bit off the beaten path, near Santiago Mexico. As part of our tour, we were treated to an authentic Mexican lunch. We had guacamole and salsa appetizers and then 3 kinds of homemade quesadillas (shrimp, chicken and beef). For dessert we had flan and homemade Mexican candy.
Pink Bear Retirement Rating:
- Overall Cabo Restaurants: 10/10. This area is a food lover’s paradise.
- Las Estrellas: 10/10 Casual patio seating in the Esperanza resort. Gorgeous pool/garden setting
- Los Tres Gallos: 10/10 Michelin recognized restaurant with beautiful patio style seating and music. It lived up to its Michelin recognition.
- Edith’s: 10/10 Lively downtown restaurant with fantastic fresh food, tableside presentations and wonderful staff
- Sunset Monalisa: 10+/10, One of the most unique and exceptional dining experiences imaginable.
- Sol de Mayo: 9/10, the food was authentic and delicious, but it is off the beaten path on a ranch and down an unpaved road
- Pink Bear Approved: Absolutely, food in Cabo is spectacular
Final Thoughts
Before this trip, I knew Cabo would have beautiful beaches, dramatic ocean views, and plenty of adventures. What I did not realize was just how much the food would become part of the experience.
The restaurant scene in Cabo truly surprised us. This was not just vacation dining or a few good meals along the way. Each restaurant felt like its own destination. Some were casual and relaxed, some were colorful and lively, and some were so dramatic that dinner felt more like an event than a meal.
Las Estrellas gave us a beautiful and easy first night surrounded by gardens and resort views. Los Tres Gallos brought color, music, and wonderful traditional Mexican flavors. Edith’s was pure fun, with excellent food, warm service, and tableside presentations that made the whole evening memorable. Sunset Monalisa was in a category of its own, with breathtaking views, artistic food, and one of the most spectacular sunset dining experiences I have ever had. Even our lunch at Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo added something special, with simple, authentic food in a setting far from the usual tourist path.
Cabo may be famous for beaches, resorts, margaritas, and the Arch, but for us, the restaurants became one of the biggest highlights of the trip. The food was fresh, creative, beautifully presented, and often served in settings that were just as memorable as the meal itself.
So yes, Cabo is absolutely a food lover’s paradise. Whether you want a casual dinner, a lively night out, an authentic ranch lunch, or a once-in-a-lifetime sunset meal, Cabo delivers.
Pink Bear approved? Absolutely. In Cabo, dinner is not just dinner. It is part of the adventure.