Make It “Three Squares” Plus Dessert! Eating Very Well on Vacation in Los Cabos

Advice from veteran visitors and locals alike, will point you to those restaurants lining Médano Beach, where you can sit under a colorful umbrella, wiggle your toes in the sand, and watch the day’s activities unfold. Most of these restaurants serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and become livelier and livelier as each mealtime approaches. After a night on the town, a good breakfast is a must. Baja Cantina Beach Grill on Médano Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast buffet, or order from a menu that tempts you with special items like Breakfast Fajitas in Molcajete (scrambled eggs with peppers and onions prepared in a lava bowl.) Servings are quite substantial, and a comfortable terrace gives you the ideal front-row seat to watch all the lively action on the beach and the constant motion in the bay. Perhaps even more of a treat is to opt for a lounge chair on the beach, sit back, and be waited on by attentive servers.

Located at the other end of Médano Beach in the Club Cascadas de Baja, Cascadas Beach Grill, is a more slow-paced atmosphere where you can start your Cabo day with a delicious and nutritious meal. It’s a great place for Sunday brunch. Enjoy beachside dining as you kick back on the lovely terrace, or with your feet in the cool sand, and feel the sea breeze while you indulge in such specialties as Eggs Benedict and Stuffed French Toast. Other breakfast items include a variety of egg dishes, fruits and yogurts, and a lovely selection of fresh juices. Both an extensive breakfast buffet and menu orders are available.

Along the marina’s malecón, you’ll find a number of restaurants serving huevos rancheros (Mexican eggs), huevos divorciados (eggs with two different sauces), machaca (scrambled eggs with shredded beef), and other Mexican breakfast favorites. Try Café Canela’s for fresh baked goods and Solomon’s Landing for eggs “the way you like ‘em.” Located on the malecón in front of Hotel Tesoro Los Cabos, both of these family-friendly restaurants boast all-American breakfasts and follow-through on their promises.

Another place for a wonderful American-style breakfast, or a sandwich that rivals any you’d find in New York’s famous delis, is Lenny’s. Adjacent to The Original Park Restaurant, Lenny’s is an institution in Cabo San Lucas, having a 27-year history of serving fabulous breakfasts. Order the pancakes. They’re perfect, just like mom used to make. For lunch or a day-trip carry-out, Lenny’s super-sized sandwiches come in classic and original combinations and are made in an old time deli way, piled high with quality meats. Back to pancakes for a moment, La Casa del Dorado’s breakfasts always start with a sampling of their own pancakes, which can only be outdone by a full order of them!

At Plaza Puerto Paraiso is Señor Sweets Bistro where, as the name suggests, desserts of all kinds capture your eye and tempt your palate. Lunch is also a specialty there, where you can choose from a number of menu items. The panini sandwiches are fabulous and the salads generous. But whatever you do, don’t miss dessert. In fact, you’d better order another one to go, because you won’t find anything like their desserts elsewhere in town. You can walk it off by taking a stroll along that Golden Zone, where you’ll find Mi México Jewelry for precious objects of distinctive design; Huichtol Ethnic Art Store, presenting the symbolic and vibrant colors of this ancient culture; and the Tequila Museum, where the history and growth of México’s national drink is explained and celebrated.

Along the corridor in San José del Cabo, try 7 Seas Restaurant at the Cabo Surf Hotel. Have a leisurely breakfast or lunch while enjoying the blue water and white surf just down below, catching surfers riding some dream waves. If time allows an excursion to Todos Santos, Hotel California has great food and a delightfully different breakfast menu. Lunch there might include oyster tacos, a singular treat created by their talented Chef Dany. Once out of town, you’ll see some pretty interesting places to have a midday meal, whether you travel up the East Cape or the Pacific side. Word-of-mouth is a good way to find these.

Almost everyone can look back to summer outings and activities that involved packing a lunch. Take a cue from those days. A fresh idea for a picnic, with nary a finger to lift, can be prepared by Denni’s Catering in Cabo San Lucas. For a gourmet outing, try a salmon wrap dressed with sesame and cilantro. Maybe add a salad with beets, mangos, jicama, goat cheese and croutons, and Denni’s famous chocolate pavé (a square French cake) for dessert. Don’t forget a cold bottle of summery white wine or flavored ice tea. First watch your guests savor a relaxing meal, and then get ready as the raves begin and the kudos fly. A languid siesta is the perfect punctuation to your sublime fiesta.

Warm sun, soft sand, aqua water, crystal blue skies - and food! What a Cabo day is all about. A hearty and healthy breakfast or lunch will keep you energized and ready to take on any adventure, give you a great opportunity to come together with family and friends in a casual atmosphere, and satisfy your daytime appetites. And desserts never fail to add a little joy. ¡Buen provecho!