Restaurants / Comida
North of Bajamar
La Fonda Del Rio
A New Restaurant, not yet completed, BUT wonderful food, INCREDIBLE view. Just to the left of La Mision Hotel. Park at the top and walk down. Tortilla soup, clam chowder, black bean soup. Tortilla chips made fresh for your table, salsa. Lobster feast, steak, fish, Maui tacos. Champagne Sunday Brunch 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Live Romantic Serenade by world renowned guitarist Miguel de Hoyos Thursday’ 6-10 p.m. & Sunday Brunch Phone: 155-0823
La Fonda
Not a Place -- It’s an Experience! The Cantina is pure Cantina. Food is delicious, from fabulous roast pig to famous lobster. Chips & salsa, black bean soup, green salad, and a Mexican Coffee with each meal. Live Music. Huge Sunday Buffet. 7 miles north of Bajamar, Alisitos off ramp. Km 59, where the toll road meets the free road in La Mision. Phone: 155-0307
La Mision Hotel & Restaurant
Beautiful view, good food, friendly service. Next to La Fonda, for the more reserved.
Km 29 Carretera Libre. Phone: 155-0205
La Palapa de Jose
On the beach, below La Mision. When you come off the toll road, you’ll see an arch with La Palapa de Jose on it, through the arch, first left turn, to the end. Go to hear Miguel de Hoyos, Guitarist, Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights. KM 58 Campo Alisitos, La Mision. Phone: 155-03039
Baja Burgers
The Best Burgers in Mexico. Fresh cut fries, Delicious Milkshakes. In La Mission. Pass La Fonda, continue under the toll road, up the hill, as you crest the hill and start down, Baja Burgers in on the right. Small, bright yellow building with red flames. DELICIOUS!!
Maganas Restaurant Bar
The New Tradition in La Mision! Nice People, the Best Food. Breakfast all day, tacos, tortas, burritos, hamburgers and fries, birra. In La Mision, 2 miles past La Fonda, past Baja Burgers, Km 64. Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 6:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. Phone 155-0586
Further North
Cantamar
The Palm Grill Cantina & Fine Steaks
Authentic Mexican style breakfast, soups, Delicious “grilled perfect” “American Cut” Steak, Ribs or Tasty Chicken served on a Sizzling Platter. Sea fresh fish & Lobster. Live music Fri & Sat 7-11 p.m. Jazz under the palms – Sunday 2-6 p.m. Km 46.5. Carretera Libre in Cantamar
Across the street from Las Gaviotas
Ruben’s Baja Grill - 20 minutes North of Bajamar - On the Free Road ****
North from Bajamar - Between Rosarito Beach & Bajamar
Take the FIRST offramp PAST Cantamar, At the Free Road, Turn Right,
Across the street from Las Gaviotas – 2 story building, 2nd floor
Authentic Mexican Cuisine, Lobster, Prime Steaks, Shrimp, Ribs, Fresh Seafood, Soups & Salads. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Fabulous Sunday Brunch $12.00, INCLUDES unlimited Mimosas
2-3 Miles North of Ensenada (20 miles South of Bajamar)
Las Rosas by the Sea
Menu includes such pleasures as oysters Rockefeller, broiled lobster, lobster bisque, chicken breast parmesan and filet mignon. Fabulous Sunday Brunch 7 a.m. to noon. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is excellent, the service attentive. Las Rosas by the Sea, in the Las Rosas Hotel. 3 miles north of Ensenada, on Highway 1 (the toll road – 3 miles past the toll booth going into Ensenada). Phone: 174-4310
Punto Morro Restaurant*****
Mexican, French, Continental, steak, seafood, great salads and soups and known for their special martinis. You’ll start off with warm bread, butter and pate. The service is exceptional, the food is great and the view is fantastic. The restaurant hangs over rocks in the bay, waves crash against the floor to ceiling windows. Approximately 3 miles past the toll booth going into Ensenada, ½ mile past Las Rosas Hotel. On the bay side, next to the University at Punto Morro Hotel. Lunch and Dinner Km 106 Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada Phone: (646) 178-3507 ext. 40
Sano Steak House*****
GREAT steaks!! 2 miles north of Ensenada, ½ mile past the Coral Hotel & Marina. The original home of the Hussong family. Phone: 174-5145
DOWNTOWN ENSENADA
Fish Tacos-On the Street-THE BEST
On the corner of Castillo and Juarez. Directly across from the Gigante Market. On the street corner, there’s one bench and 4 stools you can wait for, or just stand and eat. Order your fish tacos (tacos de pescado), one at a time. Top it with one or more of the condiments: onions, guacamole (one has chilies, be careful), etc., order your soft drink. When you want another just motion or say “otro” (another). When you finish, tell them how many tacos and drinks you had and pay then. I guarantee you’ll love this place, delicious! Fish tacos can be found all over Ensenada, they originated here.
Casamar
Enjoy an adventure in steak and seafood dining. The freshest seafood and finest steaks are creatively prepared and served in a lively atmosphere from noon to 11:00 p.m. Complete dinners from $6.50 US. Ocean view Bar El Galeon – Live music Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Blvd. Lazaro Cardenas No. 987 (Blvd. Costero) Phone 174-0417
El Cid
Mexican and French cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the center of the tourist district, next door to El Cid Hotel and El Rey Sol Restaurant.
Av Lopez Mateos #993
El Rey Sol
An excellent restaurant that can compete with the finest restaurants in the world. Specializing in French and Continental cuisine. Exquisite dishes immaculately prepared for your fine dining pleasure for over 50 years.
Av. Lopez Mateos #993. Phone: 178-2402
La Embotelladora Viejo
Again we find the French influence in Mexico. Great food, terrific service and a wonderful unique atmosphere. Next to the Santo Tomas Winery. (wine tours & tasting daily) .
Miramar & Calle Septima.
Las Cazuelas-Restaurant-Bar
In a cheerful and lively atmosphere, this award-winning restaurant features seafood, steak and fine Mexican cuisine. Menu includes savory abalone topped with lobster sauce, jumbo shrimp stuffed with lobster, prime rib, Cornish hens, seafood brochettes, and quail. Not to be overlooked is the Disco Romance party place with recorded and live music. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ave. Sangines and Blvd. Costero
Marisicos Bahia de Ensenada
Delicious, fresh seafood, served in a family atmosphere. This is where the locals eat. Watch tortillas being handmade for your dinner. Disco on the third floor. In the center of the tourist section. Moderate Prices.
Av Riveroll #109 Phone: (646) 178-1015
Merlot’s
Downtown Ensenada, 1 block – towards the bay, from McDonalds. New restauranted opened by the old manager of Punto Morro.
Windjammer
Tasty gourmet Mexican food in a comfortable atmosphere. Just past the 3 heads in Ensenada on the right
DRINKING ONLY . . .
Hussong’s Cantina
The Bar That Built a City, built in 1892. Until you’ve been to Hussong’s, you haven’t been to Mexico. Ave. Ruiz 113
Wine Tasting in Ensenada
Bodegas de Santo Tomas
The Oldest Winery in Baja California
Miramar & Calle Septima, Ensenada
L.A. Cetto
On the way into Ensenada, just past The Coral Hotel & Marina on the left
Across the street from Sano Steak House
Wine Tasting & Tours – Guadalupe Valley
Casa Pedro Domecq (nice wine tour), L.A. Cetto, Monte Xanic, Chateau Camou, Mogor-Bandan, Vinos Bibayoff, Vina de Liceaga, Casa de Piedra, Adobe Guadaulpe Vineyard, Vinisterra S.A. de CV.V.
Restaurants on your way the Guadalupe Valley
Restaurant Leonardo’s (no alcohol served)
On the right as you enter San Antonio de las Minas
La Hacienda**** – in a garden-nursery
Just past Leonardo’s, big sign (between 2 Tecate signs), turn right (dirt road about 3 blocks)
Left turn – a block down on the right – lots of trees
If you see Liceaga winery on Hyw 3, you’ve gone to far, turn around and look for the signs
Restaurant Mustafa
Fun, great owner, Mexican food and lots of lamb
On the left, just past Liceaga winery
Laja****
Owned and operated by Jair Tellez and Laura Reinert
Should be your top dining destination in the wine country
Price Fix Menu. Pricey, but worth it.
Carretera Tecate-Ensenada, Hwy 3, Km 83.
For a quick trip. Highway #3 – towards Tecate
Hacienda Restaurant.
It’s in the town of San Antonio de las Minas about Km 91, when you come down the hill and finally start seeing some buildings. On the right are a couple of restaurants, (Leonardo & Casa de Campo), just past those restaurants is a dirt road, on the right. You’ll also see a sign that says Hacienda, turn right (between 2 Tecate Beer signs), go about 3 blocks, over a little one way bridge. Another sign for Hacienda – turn left. You’ll have to ford a small river (in the rainy season), Hacienda Restaurant is on the right. Outdoor dining in a plant nursery. Great food. They also have a restaurant in Ensenada (Windjammer). You’ll enjoy this place.
Before or after lunch, just past the turn off for Hacienda Restaurant . . .
Vina de Liceaga, Km. 93.5. Bright yellow building on the right side of the road
Small vinyard, good wine, great grappa.
If you want more wine tasting you’ll have to go all the way into Valle de Guadalupe. Domecq & L.A. Cetto are the easiest to find, both have wine tasting and tours.
If you’re more adventuresome – Monte Xanic, Chateau Camou and Adobe Guadalupe are well worth the trip. And if you’re ready for a little bouncing down a dirt road (worse than going to Xanic, Camou & Adobe Guadalupe combined, you can find many more small wineries.
LaJa is a wonderful French Countryside restaurant. Price Fix menu, around $35.00 per person for the four course lunch. Small DELICIOUS servings. I love it, Rocky hates it. Km 83.
L.A. Cetto also has wine tasting in Ensenada. Just past the Coral Hotel and Marina on the left side of the road. Directly across from Sano Restaurant (also a good restaurant). You can also have cheese, bread, meats at Cetto for a nice afternoon snack.
TIJUANA
Caesar Hotel & Restaurant
The birthplace of the Caesar Salad
You might expect this popular salad with the Romanesque name to have its roots somewhere along the Mediterranean shore. But no. the original Caesar salad was a product of Tijuana. It was the creation of an Italian immigrant and restaurant owner, Caesar Cardini. During prohibition, Cardini’s hotel and eatery were the favorite of Hollywood celebrities, who would make a run for the border and legal booze in Mexico. As the legend goes, Caesar’s was packed for the July Fourth weekend of 1929. The stars were out in strength, from W.C. Fields to Jean Harlow. One problem: The kitchen ran out of food. Cardini, a personable showman as well as restaurateur, gathered together staples form the pantry: anchovies, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, croutons, eggs. He pushed a service cart to the center of the dining room and, with a few heads of romaine, tossed his way into salad history. Seventy years later, Caesar salad is the most popular salad in America. The basic Caesar has taken on several variations, but still stays true to its Tijuana beginnings.
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