Loreto is a small laidback town in Baja California Sur, Mexico. It’s a hidden gem 4 hours drive north of La Paz, 6 hours north of Los Cabos, or a short flight from Los Angeles. There are tons of wonderful things to do in the gorgeous Loreto Bay National Park, the front yard of downtown Loreto, or day trips from Loreto. After a full day of fun and sun, affordable fresh, delicious and authentic food awaits to replenish you. We have a pro when it comes to food and are here to recommend the most sensational food options for your various needs and moods.
Where to eat in Loreto to make your vacation even more memorable? All the links of restaurants below are Google Map links that will take you right to it.
Best Seafood
Almejas chocolatas (chocolate clams) is THE specialty in Loreto. You can only get it fresh (foraged same day) in Loreto and nowhere else in the world. So all of our seafood restaurant picks have it on the menu. “Natural” or “en su concha” is our favorite style for almejas chocolatas, basically sashimi with lime and hot sauce on the side. Different restaurants also cooks them in different ways.
Buena Vida
Buena Vida Restaurant Bar by default offers outdoor dining with a partial sunset view. If one of you are adventurous to try the seafood specialty of Loreto, almejas chocolatas (chocolate clams), but others just want some good old molcajete or tostadas, Buena Vida is the place to go. Their menu options are wide, the food is great, the vibe is cool, the staff is fun, and the price is better than reasonable. Note that they close on Mondays.
El Caloron
El Caloron is the best ocean front seafood restaurant in Loreto, approved by locals and tourists. And you don’t pay extra for that ocean view. You can choose from seafood tacos to specialties like aguachile, almejas chocolatas (chocolate clams), almejas rellenas etc. They close on Tuesdays.
Palapa San Telmo
Palapa San Telmo also offers a wide menu for seafood and some non-seafood. Besides almejas chocolatas, you can also order a whole fish or a seafood tower that may not be available elsewhere. The restaurant is not within walking distance from downtown Loreto but only a quick 7 min drive. Because of that, the price is even better and the seating spacier.
Almejas Cocho
Almejas Cocho only serves almejas chocolatas but in many different ways, whereas other seafood restaurants only serves it natural or with cheese. So this is the place to indulge and have fun tasting.
Pescaderia Maricos Alvarez
If your Airbnb has a kitchen and you are down to cook, Pescaderia Maricos Alvarez is an excellent place to buy seafood, fresh or frozen. They have catch of the day fillet, whole fish, sometimes oysters, and a wide variety of frozen seafood, such as shrimp and lobster from Mexico. They also have canned seafood and condiments for all your seafood dish imaginations. Bonus: the owner speaks English.
Go fishing and bring to restaurant
Fresh catch of the day from a pescaderia is not good enough for you? Many people come to Loreto for sport fishing. If you don’t want to clean and cook the fish yourself, some restaurants like La Palapa Restaurante (8 min walk from the marina) will do it for your for a charge. We recommend asking them to grill the whole fish so the fish remains juicy.
Best Dessert
Michoacana Ice Cream
Michoacana Ice Cream is our number one recommendation on a hot day. They have ice cream and drinks and the best of the best is their popsicles (paletas). While the popsicles in the US are 99% water and sugar, the popsicles here are 99% real fruit. On top of that, you can choose from an awesome wide variety of exotic and fun flavors. Guava, soursop (guanábana), dragon fruit (pitaya), grosella (Otaheite gooseberry), ripe mango, grape, kiwi, hibiscus, pico de gallo, rice, chamoy, piña colada, cream and whole fruits, chocolate and sprinkles and so much more.
Best Tasting Menu
Canipole – Art in Food
We are surprised too but yes you can have a curated home-style tasting menu in Loreto at Canipole Art in Food. Sophia follows her passion to create not only the food, but an experience for you. The space is like a fun open home and kitchen museum, and you can see each course being prepared for you. Reservation is recommended.
Best Hole in The Wall
El Rey Del Taco
Ell Rey Del Taco is the taco place in town. Locals’ favorite. The fish tacos are the best.
Don Nico Birrieria
It’s very difficult to find a good lamb birrieria in the US, even in southern California or Texas, so Don Nico Birrieria is really a treat. It’s a hole in the hole in the wall, but they have borrego and cabeza with deep robust flavors, and amazing birria plate (lamb stew), consome (broth) and quesabirrias (a cross between a taco and a quesadilla with a side of broth for dipping).
Birrieria El Valle
Birrieria El Valle is another locals’ go-to for fast food birrieria. The line is always long.
Tortilleria Harina y Maiz Dulce
Don’t know what the magic is but the tortillas here are infinitely more addictive than the best ones you can find in Southern California, and definitely top in Baja. Their tortilla chips are to die for. Tortilleria Harina y Maiz Dulce is on the south side of Calle Benito Juarez.
Best coffee, smoothie and breakfast
Veganautus Smoothie-Bar
Veganautus‘s smoothies are juices are top quality, most likely better than the ones you get where you live.
La Sirena Baja Cafe
Unfortunately for now, to get good coffee, you would need to leave downtown Loreto. La Sirena Baja Cafe is in an expat neighborhood called Nopoló. At the gated entrance, just let them know you are going to La Sirena Baja Cafe.
Honorable Mention
Taqueria Gloria is a fantastic hole in the wall taco place. Although the menu is limited, the meat is incredibly flavorful and tender.
Gorditas Loreto is a great lunch spot. They have the best gorditas in town. A gordita is a dish made with masa and stuffed with cheese, meat, or other fillings. They usually close earlier than scheduled.
Mi Loreto is a delightful popular touristy restaurant by the mission with live music.
Orlando’s Restaurante is another great safe choice for tourists.
