Food in Cabo is an experience that engages all the senses. The air is rich with the scent of roasted chiles, char-grilled seafood, and sun-warmed tortillas. Walking through the busy streets, you’ll hear the sound of food cooking on hot comals and see families sitting at outdoor tables, enjoying simple, flavorful meals together. It’s tradition, memory, and a true expression of Baja’s culture.
Whether you’re savoring a smoky tostada by the beach or digging into a fish taco from a bustling stand, food in Cabo San Lucas is immersive, rooted in family, and alive with history. This guide takes you on a flavorful journey through 20 of the best foods in Cabo—from street tacos and seafood specialties to drinks, desserts, and cultural dishes that bring you closer to the heart of Mexico.
Iconic Mexican Dishes You Have to Try in Cabo
Tacos al Pastor
Tacos al pastor, though born in Mexico City, are deeply loved in Cabo. Inspired by Lebanese shawarma, the pork is marinated in achiote and pineapple, slow-roasted on a vertical spit, then shaved onto corn tortillas.
A touch of cilantro, onion, and fresh salsa creates a punchy, sweet-savory bite that locals crave. This is one of the most popular Mexican dishes across the country—and one of the best foods to try in Mexico.
Baja-Style Fish Tacos
Cabo San Lucas is widely regarded as the birthplace of the Baja-style fish taco. Fresh-caught mahi-mahi or sea bass is lightly battered and fried, then tucked into a corn tortilla with cabbage slaw, crema, lime, and chipotle sauce.
Crunchy, creamy, and tangy all at once, it’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures—one that captures the essence of Cabo’s sea-to-table cuisine.
Ceviche
This coastal staple transforms raw fish or shrimp into a bright, citrusy delight. Marinated in lime juice, ceviche is mixed with tomato, onion, serrano chile, and cilantro.
In Cabo, you’ll often find it served with tostadas or avocado slices. It’s especially refreshing on a hot afternoon with a cold drink in hand.
Enchiladas Verdes
Enchiladas verdes are a comforting dish featuring corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken or cheese, rolled and smothered in green tomatillo salsa.
Baked and finished with crema and queso fresco, they offer a tangy, savory kick that’s deeply satisfying.
Chiles Rellenos
Poblano peppers are fire-roasted, peeled, and stuffed—traditionally with cheese or picadillo—then dipped in egg batter and fried.
Topped with a mild tomato sauce, these chiles offer a balance of smoky heat and creamy texture that defines this classic Mexican dish.
Mole Poblano
Known for its complexity, mole poblano blends dried chiles, chocolate, nuts, and spices into a rich, velvety sauce. It’s often served over turkey or chicken and takes hours—sometimes days—to prepare.
If you’ve never tasted chocolate in a savory dish, mole will surprise you. In Cabo, local variations may include regional cinnamon or dried fruits, adding even more depth. Each bite balances sweet, smoky, and earthy flavors in a way that defies expectations. Tamales
Wrapped in corn husks and steamed, tamales are made with soft masa dough and filled with pork, chicken, or vegetables. Cabo locals often prepare Tamales de Guemes, filled with raisins, olives, and nuts—a uniquely Baja touch.
Served during holidays and festivals, they’re both nostalgic and delicious.
Pozole
This hearty hominy stew is often reserved for special occasions. Made with pork (or sometimes chicken) and red chile broth, pozole is garnished with shredded lettuce, radishes, lime, and tostadas.
It’s a deeply flavorful comfort food—and a great way to warm up after a beach day.
Cochinita Pibil
Marinated in achiote and citrus, then wrapped in banana leaves and slow-roasted, cochinita pibil is tender, tangy, and vibrant.
Though a Yucatán specialty, it’s widely enjoyed in Cabo, especially when paired with pickled onions and handmade tortillas.
Birria
Originally from Jalisco, birria has gained a passionate following in Cabo. Spiced with adobo and simmered to perfection, the meat (often beef or goat) is served in tacos with a side of consommé.
Dip, crunch, sip—this dish is a multisensory favorite among foodies.
Mexico’s Most Iconic Drinks
Tequila
Made from blue agave, tequila is one of Mexico’s most famous drinks. Sipped neat or enjoyed in cocktails, it’s central to celebrations.
Just be sure you meet the legal drinking age in Mexico.
Mezcal
Mezcal is known for its smoky flavor, achieved by roasting agave hearts in underground pits. It’s often sipped slowly with orange slices and chile salt.
Mezcal rituals and tastings have become part of many Cabo culinary experiences.
Margaritas
Tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur come together in this refreshing cocktail. On the rocks or blended, the margarita is practically a Cabo rite of passage.
Pair it with grilled fish or chips and guacamole.
Micheladas
A savory beer cocktail mixed with lime, hot sauce, and spices, the michelada is Mexico’s answer to the Bloody Mary.
Served icy cold, it’s a favorite beachside refresher.
Horchata
This kid friendly option is made from rice, cinnamon, and vanilla. Sweet, smooth, and cooling, horchata is beloved by children and adults alike.
Agua Fresca
Simple and refreshing, aguas frescas are made from blended fruits, water, and sugar. Hibiscus (jamaica) and tamarind are local favorites.
Another kid friendly option that’s healthy and hydrating.
Pulque
Made from fermented agave sap, pulque is thick, yeasty, and full of history. Once considered sacred, it’s now a niche but celebrated drink in Baja.
Cabo’s Markets and Street Stalls: Where the Flavors Live
In Cabo, the real magic often happens at street level. Picture it: sizzling meats on open grills, bubbling cazuelas of stew, and plastic tables filled with families enjoying tacos with sticky fingers and big smiles.
Local markets like Mercado Municipal hum with life. Taqueros hand you a plate, and you build your perfect taco at the salsa bar—layering roasted chile, fresh lime, and maybe a few slivers of pickled onion.
You’ll find comida de pobres, a simple fish and bean stew, alongside adventurous bites like grilled chocolate clams or tacos de lengua. The vibe is communal, casual, and completely authentic. These stands aren’t just convenient—they’re essential to the Cabo San Lucas food scene.
Cabo’s Salsas: Heat, Texture, and Personal Style
Now that your palate’s primed, let’s explore the essential companion to every great Mexican dish: salsa.
- Salsa roja – Tomato-based with smoky dried chile
- Salsa verde – Tangy and bright from tomatillos and serranos
- Salsa macha – Rich chile oil with toasted seeds
- Habanero salsa – Blazing heat with citrusy kick
- Chile de árbol – Thin and spicy, perfect for red meat
- Pico de gallo – Fresh chopped tomato, onion, cilantro
Locals often layer salsas to create their signature flavor combinations. Some swear by a spoonful of each.
Hands-On Ways to Taste Cabo
Want to go deeper than just dining out? Cabo offers immersive food experiences that invite you to connect with the culture.
Grind toasted spices in a molcajete, shape tortillas by hand, and learn about agave while sipping tequila—all while exploring local traditions and tastes through a guided Cabo San Lucas city tour.
Visit a morning market to see what’s fresh, then taste your way through stalls with a local foodie. These experiences not only feed your stomach—they enrich your understanding of Mexican foods and culinary traditions.
Regional Dishes Tourists Miss
Chilorio
A shredded pork dish from Sinaloa, chilorio is cooked in chile paste and orange juice until intensely flavorful. In Cabo, it’s served with tacos or tortas.
Tostadas de Pata
These crunchy tostadas are topped with marinated beef foot, a traditional delicacy with a chewy texture and tangy flavor.
Camarones a la Diabla
Spicy and rich, these shrimp are sautéed in a fiery red chile sauce. Served with rice and tortillas, they pack a serious punch.
Buñuelos
No meal is complete without something sweet to finish. Buñuelos are crisp, golden fritters dusted with cinnamon sugar or drizzled with piloncillo syrup. Often enjoyed during holidays and festivals, they’re light, crunchy, and perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth after a savory meal.
Chocolate Clams
Found in the Sea of Cortez, these large clams are grilled with herbs and occasionally cheese. Don’t let the name fool you—they’re savory and spectacular.
Comida de Pobres
Meaning "food of the poor," this term encompasses humble, resourceful dishes - often featuring seafood stews with beans and rice - deeply tied to Cabo's fishing roots. These dishes are simple, nourishing, and full of heart, representing how coastal communities create delicious meals from accessible, everyday ingredients.
Smoked Marlin
A Cabo specialty, smoked marlin is shredded and served in tacos, tostadas, or scrambled with eggs. It’s smoky, salty, and uniquely Baja.
Fine Dining, Cabo Style: Where Ocean Views Meet Baja Flavors
Some meals are unforgettable not just because of what’s on your plate—but where you eat it.
In Cabo, cliffside terraces and beachfront tables set the stage for multi-sensory dining. Picture this: handmade tortillas, grilled lobster, and a sunset that lights the ocean on fire. It’s not a dream—it’s just another dinner in paradise.
For an unforgettable night, combine dinner with golden-hour views from the water. Sip wine on deck, nibble fresh seafood, and watch the sun dip below the horizon.
Sweet Endings: Cabo’s Traditional Desserts
Finish strong with these local favorites:
- Churros – Crispy, golden, and dusted with cinnamon sugar
- Tres leches cake – Soft sponge soaked in three types of milk
- Flan – Creamy caramel custard
- Pan de elote – Sweet, moist corn cake often served warm
- Torrijas – Mexico’s answer to French toast, soaked in syrup
- Pitahaya treats – From fruit cups to ice cream, this Baja dragon fruit adds bright color and delicate sweetness
Secretos de Abuela: Recipes Passed Through Generations
Cabo’s best dishes don’t come from cookbooks—they come from memory. You’ll find grandmothers who can shape a tortilla with closed eyes and cook by smell rather than timers.
These ancestral skills—nixtamalizing corn, grinding chiles, tasting by instinct—are passed from hand to hand, often in humble kitchens. They’re what give Cabo San Lucas food its emotional flavor.
Whether you’re eating a tamal at a street fair or sipping broth from a market stall, know this: you’re tasting generations of care.
Begin Your Flavor-Filled Journey
In Cabo San Lucas, food is more than sustenance—it’s a shared language, a cultural inheritance, and a multisensory celebration of place. From smoky street tacos and sizzling seafood to time-honored stews and decadent desserts, every bite reveals a chapter in the region’s rich culinary story.
Whether you’re wandering through bustling markets, savoring chocolate clams on the beach, or watching tortillas puff up on a comal under a desert sky, Cabo’s flavors invite you to slow down and connect. With every meal, you’re not just feeding your body—you’re nourishing your sense of wonder.
Ready to Taste Cabo?
Cabo Adventures offers unforgettable experiences that blend flavor with discovery—from sailing excursions with fresh ceviche on board to cultural city tours that reveal the roots behind every spice and sauce. Whether you're raising a glass of mezcal at sunset or sharing tamales at a local stall, these moments are how memories are made. Let Cabo feed your soul. Explore Cabo Adventures Experiences.
