The Best Restaurants Where to Eat in La Paz, Baja Mexico

La Paz’s location on the Sea of Cortez means fresh seafood and fish tacos are easy to find. But La Paz isn’t just about seafood. Like many Mexican cities, the food scene is surprisingly diverse, with restaurants serving everything from southern barbecue to classic Italian dishes and more. With so many options, deciding where to eat in La Paz can feel overwhelming – so this guide is a great place to start.

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Where to Eat in La Paz

Even as the capital of Baja California Sur, La Paz – which translates to “peace” – lives up to its name. While there’s always something going on, it’s also a place where it’s easy to slow down, enjoy the sunsets and spend time by the water. That relaxed vibe carries over into the food scene, which is one of the highlights of visiting La Paz.

Located a couple of hours north of Cabo San Lucas on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula, La Paz sits right on the Sea of Cortez. The surrounding desert and calm waters make it a popular destination for fishing and outdoor activities – like swimming with whale sharks. That close connection to the sea shows up on menus all over the city.

La Paz is especially known for its fresh seafood, thanks to the rich waters offshore. Fish tacos, ceviche and local shellfish are easy to find, and many visitors plan their meals around what was caught that day.

Many of the best places to eat in La Paz are located near the malecón, the city’s three-mile waterfront boardwalk. This is where locals and visitors gather in the evenings, making it a natural hub for restaurants, casual eateries and spots to grab a drink for sunset.

Maria California

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day – I just don’t want it to be a super early breakfast when I’m on vacation. So, when I find a breakfast all day restaurants, I go back again and again. Delicious breakfast is only one of the many reasons Maria California is at the top of my where to eat in La Paz list.

Serving traditional breakfast – and Mexican favorites – like chilaquiles, my favorite dish at Maria California is rajas con crema. Rajas are strips of roasted poblano peppers simmered with onions and cream. This might not sound like what you want with breakfast but trust me, with eggs and refried beans, it’s the chef’s kiss.

And coffee lovers will fall in love with the Maria California’s “lechero”. Originating in Veracruz, a lechero is a steamy delicious coffee drink. Actually, it’s not just the actual coffee drink that makes it worth ordering but also it’s tableside preparation and showmanship.

First, instead of a coffee mug, the waiter uses a tall glass for the piping hot black coffee. Next, from high above the cup, he pours steaming milk directly into the coffee. As soon as that milk hits the coffee, the heat of it and the height from which it’s poured, creates a frothy, bubbly mixture that makes the most perfect coffee mix. Sweeten and enjoy.

For the non-coffee drinkers Maria California prepares freshly squeezed juices – or jugos – in Spanish. My favorite on the menu is a salvavidas or a life saving green juice. Made with celery, lime, cucumber and fresh orange juice, it’s delicious and very healthy.

MARIA CALIFORNIA
Lic. Benito Juárez 105, Zona Central, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

Giulietta E Romeo Heladeria

I found Giulietta E Romeo Heladeria on my very first trip to La Paz and I always go back to every time I’m in town. Specializing in artisanal, small batch ice cream with interesting flavors such as matcha, coconut and my favorite – coffee – they also serve sandwiches, pastries and Italian coffee.

Perfectly located near the malecón, it’s easy to grab a coffee and a grilled cheese before a tour or on your way out of the city or enjoy some ice cream in the evening. Strolling the malecón after dinner, with ice cream is a favorite pastime in La Paz.

GIULIETTA E ROMEO HELADERIA
Agustin Arreola 25, Centro, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

Docecuarenta Casa de Cafe

The pandemic hit the restaurant industry hard and La Paz is no exception. Three of my my favorite breakfast and lunch restaurants closed their doors in 2020. However, I’m happy to see Docecuarenta alive and kicking. They actually have locations in Todos Santos and Cabo now, too.

One of reasons I like them so much is that they only use Mexican coffee, working directly with local farmers to introduce the best products to their customers. They roast their own beans and have developed a cold brew that’s famous all over Baja.

Just a couple of blocks from the malecón, Docecuarenta is open all day, and pretty late, serving coffee, of course, but they also have sandwiches, salads, pastries, beer and cocktails on the menu. The shop also sells the cutest mugs and other coffee themed items. Bonus: enjoy the good WI-FI while you sip your beverage.

DOCECUARENTA
Francisco I. Madero 1240, Zona Central, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

Mariscos Bismarkcito

A visit to La Paz isn’t complete until you eat at one of the oldest restaurants in the city. That restaurant – Bismarkcito has been serving food in La Paz since 1968 and specializes in fresh caught seafood, oysters and other fish recipes prepared to your liking.

My dish of choice is the mahi mahi, a la plancha con ajo, or grilled in a garlic chile sauce with a salad on the side. It’s a delicious meal anytime of the day. but I’ve also had some pretty good tacos and other traditional Mexican dishes.

Their laidback palapa bar is the best place to wait out the afternoon heat with a margarita and some chips and their unique salsa. Plus, they offer a non-alcoholic refreshing cucumber drink that’s ideal on a hot humid day.

MARISCOS BISMARKCITO
Paseo Alvaro Obregon entre Constitucion e Hidalgo, Zona Comercial, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

Harker Board Co.

When it comes to where to eat in La Paz, another can’t miss restaurant experience is Harker Board Co. Located directly across the street from the malecón, the restaurant has several levels of rooftops that are ideal for watching the famous La Paz sunsets with a tasty cocktail in hand.

Sip the evening away and watch the sun go down while enjoying a variety of bar and pub food that includes tacos, burgers, wings, pizza and even salads with a wide selection of beers on tap. In addition to the views and food, don’t miss Harker Board’s murals on their buildings. They are some of the best ones in all of La Paz.

HARKER BOARD CO
Paseo Alvaro Obregon 299, Zona Central, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

J + R Ribs

Can a lover of southern food from Montana and two Mexicans open a barbecue restaurant in La Paz and call it soul food with a touch of Mexican? Turns out they can. Imagine my surprise – as a southerner – finding good barbecue in La Paz.

J&R Ribs grills their ribs until they are perfectly tender, them serves them with unique, homemade savory sauces. Even the sides – things like macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob and cole slaw – would make any southern cook proud.

J +R RIBS
Calle. 5 de Mayo, Zona Central, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

Azul Marino

The first time I visited La Paz, I stayed at Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerto Cortés, formerly known as Costa Baja. While I love staying near the malecón, this property is well worth the 15-minute drive from the city center. The resort sits near the marina and offers a quieter setting, along with a golf course and several onsite restaurants.

Azul Marino quickly became our favorite. The menu focused on fresh seafood but also included great salads and wood-fired pizzas, making it an easy choice more than once during our stay. One thing we loved was their willingness to prepare our catch after a last-minute fishing trip that yielded several large mahi mahi.

Since the restaurant has moved to the city center, I can’t say for sure if they still offer this service. If you find yourself in a similar situation, though, it’s worth asking – it ended up being one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

AZUL MARINO
Revolución de 1910 1110, Zona Central, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico

Where to Eat in La Paz Round-Up

When it comes down to choosing a restaurant in La Paz, you have plenty of choices. Besides these favorites, there’s everything from five star fine dining and pizza to street tacos and television worthy fish tacos at the famous Taco Fish, that appeared on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles series.

Also, don’t miss the chance to try La Paz’s regional specialties like fresh warm-water lobster, slightly different from cold water lobster and exotic chocolate clams. Deciding where to eat in La Paz won’t be easy but I just know you’ll love whatever you choose. Buen provecho!