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

Ask anyone who’s been to La Paz and they’ll tell you the same thing – they didn’t expect to love it as much as they did. I’m one of them. I’ve been back more times than I can count – solo, with my husband, for adventure and for the kind of slow days that remind you why you travel in the first place. And every single time, the food is a big part of why.

Where to Eat in La Paz

Just a couple of hours north of Cabo San Lucas on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula, La Paz is the busy capital of Baja California Sur. Its name means “peace” – and somehow it manages to live up to that. The surrounding desert and calm waters make it a popular destination for sport fishing and outdoor adventures like swimming with whale sharks, but La Paz has a way of slowing you down too.

That relaxed vibe carries right into the food scene – one of the best reasons to spend time in La Paz. Fish tacos, ceviche and fresh local shellfish are easy to find and many visitors plan their meals around what was caught that day – or at times, what they caught that day.

And then there’s the malecón – La Paz’s three mile waterfront boardwalk that comes alive every evening. Grab an ice cream, find a spot and just sit with it for a while. Honestly it’s one of my favorite malecóns in all of Mexico – and that’s saying something coming from someone who loves the one in Puerto Vallarta.

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 restaurant that I like, I’ll go back again and again. Maria California checks that box and is at the top of my where to eat in La Paz list.

Serving traditional breakfast – and a few 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 fills a tall clear glass with piping hot black coffee. Next, from high above the glass, he pours steaming milk directly into the coffee. As soon as that milk hits the hot coffee, the heat and the height from which it’s poured, creates a frothy, bubbly mixture that makes the most perfect coffee mix. Sweeten as you like and enjoy.

For non-coffee drinkers or if you want both and why not – Maria California prepares freshly squeezed juices – or jugos – in Spanish. My favorite on the menu is the salvavidas or a life saving green juice. Made with celery, lime, cucumber and fresh orange juice, it’s delicious and very healthy. I think.

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

Giulietta E Romeo Heladeria

I stumbled on 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 an 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 was 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 feature 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 hits the spot 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. The resort is near the marina and offers a quiet setting, with a spa, a golf course and several restaurants. Only a resort this nice would be worth the 15-minute drive from the malecón.

One of the restaurants, Azul Marino quickly became a 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 with a couple of large mahi mahi in tow.

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 truly was one of the best and most special meals I’ve ever had. And if you are near Hotel Indigo, check out their newish seafood restaurant, Puerto.

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

Restaurants 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!