From shrimp mixiotes to manta ray machaca, the gastronomy of Todos Santos is full of pleasant surprises.
Being small does not prevent Todos Santos from having a surprising culinary offer. Each block holds something delicious: a good coffee, a Mexican food terrace, an oyster bar, and even tequila and mezcal tastings. The gastronomy of Todos Santos is full of delightful surprises.
Its subtropical climate and fresh water reserves have turned Todos Santos into an oasis in the semi-desert. In fact, it was the richness of its lands that gave life to this town when friars first established a visit and later a mission to tend the orchards that fed the inhabitants of La Paz.
Since then, all kinds of fruits, tubers, and vegetables have been grown on its soil, later transformed into preserves and desserts. Meanwhile, its waters provide a great variety of fish and seafood.
Come to Todos Santos and discover the blend of cuisines and flavors that have given rise to a rich and abundant gastronomy.
From the Sea to Your Palate, the Motto of Todos Santos Gastronomy
A classic dish is fish tacos, which here are prepared battered and served on handmade tortillas with lime, salsa, and cabbage. Other must-tries are shrimp in garlic or coconut sauce, ceviches, and fish prepared zarandeado style, roasted, or wrapped in paper.
Don’t leave without trying the butter lobster, famous throughout the Baja California peninsula. Some roasted clams or the oyster bar at Oystera, where you can also enjoy fried oysters with a drink in hand.
To experience Sudcalifornian cuisine with Mediterranean influence, head to El Mirador Restaurante, Benno, or Dūm.
Farm-to-Table, From the Garden to the Table
This is one of the most popular concepts in Todos Santos, consisting of using what is harvested from gardens and prepared on ranches to create dishes with top-quality, fresh ingredients. Examples include restaurants like Jazamango, Hierbabuena, and The Garden.
You can enjoy chiles en nogada or the famous machaca with eggs, knowing every ingredient is organic. This farm-to-table approach has fostered a trend focused on healthy eating, so you will find a wide variety of salads.
An Unexpected Twist
In Todos Santos, it’s easy to find Mexican dishes with a unique touch, either in their ingredients or preparation. One example is manta ray machaca, which will delight you with its tenderness and flavor. You can also try it in a quesadilla or taco.
Other highlights include shrimp mixiotes, fish meatballs, and salmon-stuffed chiles en nogada. Some of these dishes can be found at Tenoch and Cocina de Campo by Agricole.
A Sweet Ending to the Gastronomy of Todos Santos
Try date bread or corn bread, a kind of spongy cake made with piloncillo.
For something more natural and refreshing, you can opt for fresh fruits like citrus, fig, and papaya, found freshly picked, in ice creams and sorbets, or turned into preserves and fruit pastes.
Among the most famous sweets are guayabate, mangate, and pitahayate, made from guava, mango, and pitahaya fruits, respectively. You can also enjoy cheese or sweet bean empanadas and the famous date and walnut candy, whose flavor you will love.
For Every Illness… Mezcal!
After enjoying some northern classics like machaca burritos, meat empanadas, or ranch-style chilorio, head to breweries and bars to see what’s happening in Baja California Sur.
One option is Mangus Snack Bar, where you’ll find a wide variety of craft beers, including the Baja Brewing Company brand. Todos Santos Brewing also offers beers, artisanal sodas, and beer education classes.
If wine is your preference, La Casita Tapas & Wine Bar pairs it with salads and dishes made from their own garden products. La Copa offers an incredible variety of cocktails.
If you prefer mezcal tastings, visit Hotel San Cristóbal, which also offers cooking classes.
The Adventure of Eating and Preparing the Gastronomy of Todos Santos
Take your gastronomic experience further by taking cooking and cocktail classes offered by several hotels in Todos Santos. For example, at Los Colibrís Casitas, chef Iker Algorri will teach you how to prepare the perfect margarita and a Mexican dish to the rhythm of Latin music.
Desierto Azul offers cooking classes focused on natural and healthy eating, with plant-based recipes you can taste at the end of the session. If cocktails are your thing, Kimpton Mas Olas will teach you to make a fully personalized cocktail at their bar.
Another option is to visit farmers’ markets and ranches, where you can talk directly with the owners and support their ventures with your purchases.
And this is just the beginning! The gastronomic offer of Todos Santos is extensive and suits all tastes and budgets. Whether you prefer an intimate place or a luxury restaurant, a modern café or an outdoor spot, here you can enjoy Mexican, contemporary, and international cuisine.
