Best Restaurants Where to Eat in La Paz, Baja Mexico

Along the shores of the Sea of Cortez, La Paz, Baja California Sur, lives up to its name meaning peace. Although this capital city thrives with activity, it’s the perfect destination to slow down and enjoy one-of-kind sunsets, unspoiled beaches and a relaxing waterfront.

But what really sets La Paz apart is its culinary scene. The ideal location on the water means an abundance of fresh, delectable seafood and fish tacos around every corner.

However, La Paz is not just about seafood. Like so many other Mexican cities, La Paz embraces diversity and you’ll find a variety of restaurants in La Paz serving southern barbeque, classic Italian and everything in between.

Deciding where to eat in La Paz can be challenging. Start with these suggestions.

Where to Eat in La Paz

La Paz is not the same as Cabo San Lucas and is located a couple hours north on the opposite side of the Baja Peninsula. This area is full of gorgeous natural areas and is a top destination for water activities.

What makes La Paz so special is it’s one of the best places in North America to swim with the whale sharks that come to feed in the Sea of Cortez every October through April. Travelers from all over flock to La Paz for this amazing phenomenon.

Another one of the most popular things to do in La Paz is strolling the city’s malecón – La Paz’s 3 mile long waterfront boardwalk. The malecón is a favorite activity of tourists and locals so it’s no surprise that many of the these restaurants where to eat in La Paz can be found close to the area.

Maria California

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I just don’t want it to be an early breakfast. Especially on vacation. So, when I discover brunch or breakfast all day restaurants, I’ll go back again and again.

That’s why Maria California is at the top of my where to eat in La Paz list. The restaurant – a colorful palapa style building that says come in and stay awhile – is just a couple of blocks from the malecón.

Serving traditional breakfast fare, Mexican favorites like chilaquiles and lunch, my preferred dish at Maria California is the rajas con crema.

Rajas are strips of roasted poblano peppers cooked with onions and then simmered in cream for the finished dish. It might not sound like something you want with breakfast but trust me – served with eggs and refried beans – it’s amazing.

Coffee lovers will fall in love with the Maria California’s “lechero”. Originating in Veracruz, a lechero is a steaming glass of coffee and although delicious, it’s not so much the actual coffee drink that makes it worth ordering but the way it’s prepared tableside.

First off, the waiter prepares a tall glass of piping hot black coffee. Not a normal coffee mug but a tall clear glass. Next, from high above, 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 it the most perfect coffee concoction. Sweeten however you like 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

Wandering along the malecón after dinner – or any time really – with ice cream is a favorite pastime in La Paz. And I’ve tried my fair share of ice cream shops in La Paz but Giulietta E Romeo Heladeria continues to be my favorite.

Giulietta E Romeo Heladeria is a coffee and ice cream shop, that also serves pastries and sandwiches. I discovered it way back when, on my very first trip to La Paz and it’s still my go-to for morning coffee, a grilled cheese or pastry and that after dinner dessert.

They specialize in artisanal, small batch ice cream with interesting flavors such as matcha and coconut. My favorite one is the coffee flavored.

This small restaurant in La Paz is in the perfect location, near the malecón, so it’s easy to grab your coffee and food before a tour or on your way out of the city. And don’t forget the ice cream.

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 shops closed their doors in 2020. However, I’m happy to see Docecuarenta alive and kicking. The actually have shops in Todos Santos and Cabo now, too.

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

Just a couple of blocks from the malecón – Docecuarenta is open all day, serving, of course, coffee but they also have pastries, sandwiches, salads, beer and cocktails.

Stop by early or late. There’s something for anytime of the day. Plus they have the cutest selection of coffee related items for purchase and really good WI-FI so you can WhatsApp all your friends.

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

Mariscos Bismarkcito

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

My fav is the mahi mahi – a la plancha con ajo or grilled in a garlic chile sauce. The menu also has tacos and some traditional Mexican dishes. Also, their salads are delish.

The 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 have a non alcoholic cucumber drink that is to die for.

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 is Harker Board Co. Located directly across the street from the malecón, they’ve taken full advantage of the view looking out at the Sea of Cortez.

The restaurant has several levels of rooftops that are a great vantage spot for watching the famous La Paz sunsets with a cocktail in hand. Sip the evening away while watching the sun go down.

Harker Board’s menu is a variety of bar and pub food including tacos, burgers, wings, pizza and even salads. They offer a wide selection of domestic beers and beer on tap, plus the tasty cocktails I mentioned.

In addition to the views and food, don’t miss Harker Board’s murals on the building. They have 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, Mexico. J&R Ribs grills their ribs until they are perfectly tender, serving them with unique, savory sauces. Even the sides – macaroni and cheese 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

Marino Azul

The first time I traveled to La Paz, instead of staying in town, I stayed at Costa Baja Resort. And while I prefer to stay on the malecón – Costa Baja approximately 15 minutes from downtown – is worth the drive out of the city center.

The resort is in a gorgeous setting right on the water with a marina, a golf course and several restaurants on site. Azul Marino is my favorite one.

Azul Marino features fresh seafood but they also serve delicious salads and wood fired pizza. Yes pizza. I told you that you could get anything in La Paz.

In fact, pizza in Mexico is one of my favorite things to look for because it’s so common to find wood fired pizzas – which in my opinion are the tastiest.

Another helpful thing Azul Marino does is they will prepare and cook your fish if you go deep sea fishing and don’t want to ship your fish home. We learned about this helpful service after an unplanned fishing trip landed us several mahi mahi.

The restaurant cleaned the fish and cooked it – to our liking – right on site at the restaurant. It was the best meals we had in La Paz and hands down one of the best ever.

AZUL MARINO
Carretera a Pichilingue km 7.5, Local 41 Playa del, Palmira, 23060 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 my favorite restaurants listed here – there are plenty of other places to eat.

From upscale restaurants to street tacos and even television worthy fish tacos from the famous Taco Fish, that appeared on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles series.

Also, don’t miss the chance to try regional specialties like fresh lobster – different from cold water lobster – and exotic chocolate clams.

Choosing where to eat in La Paz won’t be easy but I just know you’ll whatever you decide. Buen provecho!