The Vegan City Guide: Baja California Sur
Welcome to our most anticipated vegan city guide yet!
Baja California Sur!
The biggest goal with all of my vegan food guides is explore all the vegan options available in a city/region firsthand, and to share my experiences of what I found so you can have a better sense of what to expect before you travel there yourself. Traveling to new places can be tough with food allergies and with the plant based lifestyle, so I went ahead and did all the hard work for you, as amazing (and also as painful) it may have been. 😂 So I hope this guide can help you on your quest for better and healthier food options.
This way, you can have an incredible vacation by having an idea of what’s available to eat, while also supporting the local businesses serving vegan options in the area. By supporting restaurants that have plant based options, even if they’re not all vegan, we’re showing them that there is a need for plant based food and allergy friendly dishes, which in turn will show the demand for better options in the future. This is why there isn’t just strictly vegan places on this guide, because we want to support all restaurants, hotels and cafes that are making an effort to be apart of the change we want to see.
As I write this guide on the plane home, I’m leaving with a larger sense of gratitude for Mexico and have been once again reminded of the incredible hospitality + vibes that we were met with everywhere we went. I hope this guide can help you have the best time while getting rid of the stress of what to eat. To help you to avoid the tourist traps and have knowledge of where to seek out the healthy food culture around the city. Regardless if you’re staying long term in Baja California Sur, headed for a quick trip, or passing through for an event, I recommend you save this vegan city guide for inspiration.
Obviously we couldn’t get to everything so if you visit Baja California Sur and want to share something we missed, send us an email at Steve@chefbai.kitchen with 2-4 photos and a review and we’ll add it to the guide! For those wondering, I grouped up Todos Santos, Cerritos, and San Jose Del Cabo for this vegan city guide because I was only there for a short time and not able to stay long enough in each town to make individual guides. Maybe someday though! 😊
As always, this goes without saying, don’t forget to tip your servers in pesos, remain patient cuz everything moves slower down here, brush up on your useful Spanish terms, and if you’re unsure about something, just ask!
With all of my city food guides, this of course is just my experience. Use it for reference and let me know what you found on your journey over at @chef_bai on IG or Tiktok. Be sure to save/ bookmark this vegan city guide for when you plan to visit and don’t forget to share the love and send to a friend!
Legend For Symbols:
(V) = Full Vegan Restaurant
(VO) = Vegan Options Available By Request
(VEG) = Vegetarian Restaurant
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Things to remember before you go:
- Todos Santos is by far my favorite place to go out of the three locations. Everyone in San Jose will say “it’s so sleepy there” but if you want a relaxing vacation, great food, empty beaches and live music at the little bars in town, I promise you will absolutely love it.
-Whale migration season is in full swing from December-February and is absolutely the BEST time to go. You will see so many whales breaching all along the coastline, especially in the morning hours on the beach. (There’s also turtle hatching and release from December - February at Tortugueros Las Playitas!)
- You will absolutely need to rent a car if you want to hop between San Jose Del Cabo, Cerritos, and Todos Santos. San José del Cabo is about 90 minutes from Cerritos, and Cerritos is about 20-25 minutes away from Todos Santos. It’s all worth having the freedom to drive when and where you want by having a car rental. Book far in advance and watch out for really good deals, if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. We used Sixt Car rental and put everything on our credit card to avoid having any funds linked to our personal accounts. If they ask for a cash deposit or half cash, half card payments it’s a bit sketchy and say you disagree. We said it’s for our business and had to put everything on the credit card and got past that ordeal. (I recommend a car with a tall clearance for the dirt roads and a locked trunk so valuables can be safely stashed away.)
- Bring a large water canteen to refill. It’s almost always hot, dry, and dusty, so you’ll want to stay extra hydrated. Water here is your best friend, and remember don’t refill with any tap water because you don’t want to drink the tap water anywhere in Baja. Filtered water only from bottles/jugs!
- Book your stay as far in advance as you can. Hotels fill up fast and what’s left can be expensive if you wait till the last minute.
- Visit with respect for the area and the native culture. Tip well (especially in pesos), be respectful, and try to use Spanish as much as possible. Google translate is your BFF and try to brush up on your Spanish beforehand.
- Mondays and Tuesday are pretty quiet in the area and lots of places aren’t open or they close early, so plan ahead. If you want to go out for dinner on either Mondays or Tuesdays, figure it out early!
- Though many places claim to have vegan/plant based items or vegetarian options that can be turned into vegan, always double check by asking for “no leche, no crema, no carne.” This also includes double checking if there’s lard in the beans or if they use meat stock/broth to make the rice. Double checking now can save you and your stomach later! The saying here can help get the ball rolling: (Yo soy vegano = I am vegan) or (Nosotros Veganos = We are vegan)
- For the trip, bring a debit card to pull out pesos or bring cash to exchange U.S. Dollars into pesos at a local bank in town. The exchange rates at banks are usually way better than at your local coffee shop, restaurant, or gift shop, so if you only have big bills like 20$ or $100 USD bills, you will end up paying a lot more by getting a low exchange rate.
- If you can, use your credit card at places available because your bank back home in America will have the very best exchange rate. Just remember, a lot of places in the local areas will be cash only, so having pesos will save you. (Always ask before your meal if they take card or cash to prevent any problems later on.)
- Almost everyone uses WhatsApp to text and call, so I suggest you download that first before your travel in case you want to reach out to any restaurant, car/scooter rental, or hotel. On the app you can text any questions you may have about something specific. We used this multiple times a day and was a lifesaver while traveling Baja. (Response time varies, some are quick and some will respond a day later. 😂
Hotel Review
Most Vegan and Eco Friendly Hotel In Baja california Sur:
Desierto Azul Hotel
Camino a, Las Playitas, Las Tunas, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
Kicking off the guide with the major highlight. We wanted to show the spotlight on this hotel because Desierto Azul is a little slice of paradise. The entire area around the hotel have an intimate setting and is tucked away from the beaten path of downtown Todos Santos. The property is literally across the main road from Playa Tortugas where you can go see the baby turtles get released back into the ocean almost every night at sunset from early December to the end of March - a truly incredible experience!
This hotel is privately owned and because there are only 4 rooms, you’ll get the absolute most attentive service. Shout out to José who was at the front desk anytime we needed to ask him a question about the hotel or about the town. One of the best parts about this hotel is the sustainability aspect. The eco-certified and eco-conscious goes down to the smallest of details throughout the hotel. With a sustainable essence, a minimalistic & organic architecture; Desierto Azul is a small oasis to disconnect from your problems and recharge with nature. The sheets + pillows + mattresses are all organic paired with a ridiculously comfortable bed. All the soap and personal products are made with clean and organic ingredients which was perfect because I forgot to pack some of my face wash and it really saved the day. Their pool is salt water without chlorine or chemicals and heated by the sun. The tap water is completely filtered so you’re safe drinking from the sink or even the shower. This filtered water is a truly one of a kind feature in Mexico and even some of the best hotels we’ve stayed at don’t have this option. They even a plant based bakery on site where you can get organic, gluten free, vegan treats on-the-go, or sign up for their public cooking classes they hold in their plant based cooking studio every few weeks.
At Desierto Azul, you can relax at the pool during the day with an organic margarita or green juice, or enjoy the large array complementary plant-focused, organic breakfast, or grab some freshly baked goods at the bakery on your way to the beach, or just spend the day catching up on rest in the incredible and comfortable rooms (like I did one day!). Wake up to a sunrise over the mountains and fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean. If you are a night owl, the place is perfect for stargazing with minimal light pollution, with all their gentle mood lighting too. We laid under the stars one night and it was astounding how many stars you could see, and it helped remind us how lucky we were to be sharing this amazing experience together.
100/10 would recommend this hotel, and I can’t wait to go back!!
Best Luxury Hotel For Couples (Or Honeymoons) In Baja california Sur:
Paradero Hotel - Todos Santos
La Mesa KM 59 +3100, Degollado, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
If you are looking for an absolutely stunning and top level hotel to hang out for a weekend or for your honeymoon, this is the spot! We loved this hotel for so many reasons, but the biggest reason is honestly the level of service, because everyone is on top of everything, ready and waiting to help make your experience better. All the staff from the front desk to the dining hall are all working hard around the clock to make sure everything is clean, stocked, and easy for you to sit back and relax.
This 35 suite resort hotel has a minimalistic architecture that blends in perfectly with the surrounding desert and mountains while being located in the heart of the ever growing fields of veggies and chili peppers. Inside the walls of this massive complex there are tons of drought friendly greens that they utilize in all their foods inside in the restaurant.
The kitchen is ran by Eduardo Rios, famous world renowned chef, who keeps the entire staff on target day and night with his passion for food. No matter what allergies you have, they are able to accommodate vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options which is always super refreshing. Whether you are sitting down at the bar or hanging out in the infinity pool, you can have full view of all the action inside the kitchen, and watch all the magic happen.
All the rooms are special in their own ways all while leaning towards an eco friendly future with their micro touches like glass bottles for personal products and organic bamboo bed sheets. Many rooms have a view of the ocean, mountains, or chili fields; and some even have rooftop views of the entire resort that are so stunning and breathtaking. The room we had came with complimentary locally made sun hats (to take home) and tons of windows to keep the breeze blowing and refreshing all day and night. None of the rooms have TV’s which was amazing because it really helps you drop in and enjoy the property and everything it has to offer. There are experiences going on daily from yoga, fitness classes, vegan cooking classes, morning/afternoon hikes to the ocean, meditation, and even a temezal (Mexican sweat lodge) to help you drop into the present moment.
Overall a 10/10 place to book your honeymoon or couples get-a-way for the weekend, an experience that you will never forget. (If you are on a budget, I recommend looking elsewhere, because it definitely doesn't come without the cost, but wow is it worth it!)
Plant Based Food Guides:
Todos Santos
Panvero Bakery (VEG)
Camino a, Las Playitas, Las Tunas, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
Best Bakery***
What we loved: This bakery is the same location as Dieserto Azul, but in a separate building. Located right off the road, it’s the perfect place to stop off when you’re on the way to the beach or on the way back from a local yoga class. The fresh juice, matcha and baked goods make this place a really unique place in this part of Mexico. With a super friendly staff and variety of treats to choose from, it’s a no brainer!
Tips when ordering: They open early and sell out fast, so the earlier you can get there, the more you’ll get to choose from. Almost everything is plant based, but one or two items contain eggs so just make sure you read ingredients before ordering. Very, VERY gluten-free friendly for all my celiac friends too!
What we ordered:
Sweet potato brownie
Blueberry brownie
Zucchini bread
Detox green juice
Matcha latte
Rumi Garden - Vegetarian CUISINE (VEG)
Santos Degollado Ave 128, Av. Santos Degollado 326, Lomas de Chapultepec, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
What we loved: The whole vibe of this place feels like you’re going to your grandma’s backyard or you’ve landed somewhere magical. There are inspirational quotes and art work everywhere. The owner Nina is frequenting the tables and will easily make you feel like you’re the only one in the restaurant. The food is really unique and since there is no alcohol here you really feel like this is a place of healing. I was actually a little sick from our travels and the food here quite literally brought me back to life. Great energy and environment!
Tips when ordering: Everything is very shareable, but portions are a little small so I would recommend getting an extra dish to share if you’re hungry! They are open on Monday and Tuesday when the rest of the town is pretty sleepy so it’s definitely the best spot for a slow and sleepy Monday night.
What we ordered:
Vegetable Esquites
Mango Tofu
Miso Dumpling Soup
Chilate drink
Pineapple Turmeric Juice
Shakti Bowl (VO)
C. Benito Juárez sn, Centro, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
What we loved: This was a highly recommended spot for us to try out so we couldn’t miss it! It’s right on the main street of Todos Santos, so it’s the perfect place to grab a local power bowl to take to the beach or to stop and get a healthy lunch while visiting the local shops. Simple dishes with plenty of vegan options.
Tips when ordering: Besides their vegan options, a few of the vegetarian options can be made vegan. Just make sure you preface no “leche” (no dairy) when ordering a vegetarian option if you’re ordering vegan. Bowls are big, so we shared one and we’re both full.
What we ordered:
Yami Bowl
Moon friendly KITCHEN (V)
C. Álvaro Obregón entre calle Cuauhtemoc y, Raúl A. Carrillo, Cabeza Blanca, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
Best Rooftop***
What we loved: This place is a hidden gem!!! I was totally unsure as to what to expect when we walked up, but I was pleasantly surprised. This little cafe has all the good energy and a rooftop deck that’ll keep you there for hours. We actually stayed for 3 hours watching the view, eating waffles and drinking ceremonial cacao. When I say Todos Santos is the place to slow down, this is exactly what I mean. It also has a cute little market inside with gifts/goodies to take home with you. I bought a tote bag that was organic cotton and locally made for a great price.
Tips when ordering: Give yourself time to slow down and enjoy more than one thing on the menu here. The cacao was incredible, (but very strong!) and there were lots of tea infusions - obviously I had to have both!! Both the sweet and savory waffles were gluten free and the entire place was very allergy friendly which can be hard to find in Mexico. There is also a to-go juice fridge downstairs, so if you have a day at the beach planned and want something to keep you hydrated, this is the place!
What we ordered:
Sweet Waffles
Savory Waffle
Ceremony cacao
Immunity Wellness Tea
Alma Y manny’s (VO)
Heroico Colegio Militar 90, Centro, 23880 Centro, B.C.S., Mexico
What we loved: This place is a very typical, very low key spot that you would find anywhere in Mexico. What makes this place great is the little curated vegan menu they offer that is really unexpected from a place like this. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner when we came to town in 2019 and learned all about how he adopted the vegan restaurant for his family member who was suffering with health issues. The fact that we came back almost 5 years later and the vegan menu still stands made us both so happy. There’s usually some super sweet street dogs who frequent this place, so of course we didn’t mind sharing our dinner with them. Careful though - you might end up falling in love and taking one home!
Tips when ordering: The margaritas are *so* delicious, and don’t forget to ask for a Tajin rim for the extra spicy kick. The vegan chile relleno, is an absolute must try!! Oh, and the fries with the veggie burgers are thick cut and something you won’t find anywhere else in Todos Santos.
What we ordered:
Chile Relleno de vegetales con queso de almendras
Vegan burger
Guacamole
Margaritas with tajin
el refugio mezcaleria (VO)
Heroico Colegio Militar, Centro, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
***Best Mezcal Varieties
What we loved: Where do I even start?! This place has a special place in my heart for so many reasons. We always stay here for hours drinking mezcal, eating incredible food and getting to know our servers and the owner. There is just an energy about this place that feels really authentic to Todos Santos and it’s a vibe you can’t really get anywhere else. Plan to come here for a special occasion and plan to stay awhile because the mezcal will be flowing all night long. Perfect for date night with wholesome vibes and super fresh food daily! Plus, there’s lots of stray dogs and cats that will win over your heart too. Their small batches of mezcal from all across Mexico are wildly popular and packed with so much extraordinary flavors and origin stories.
Tips when ordering: This spot is my favorite because they change the menu every single day. Yes, you read that correctly. They go to the markets early and purchase ingredients that are in bulk and in season to keep foods costs down. You never know what you’re going to get which makes the experience that much more memorable. You pick a style - for us the vegan option, (duh!) - and then they bring you what they have for the evening. It’s always creative, delicious and balanced. Be sure to get the Hibiscus juice or cocktail to go along side the Mezcal tasting for the evening. You pick a flight of 6 mezcals from a list of 15-20 on the menu, and we always chose the dealers choice from our server, and it never disappointed.
What we ordered:
Vegan dish of the day
Guacamole with no crickets
Mezcal flight (dealers choice)
5 Tacos & a Beer (VO)
Camino a, Las Playitas S/N, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
***Best Palomas
What we loved: This place hit all the spots for us. Great food, amazing margs, great tacos and live music! We went here a couple times on our trip because they were so vegan friendly,the paloma’s were just too good, and the price was pretty cheap. It’s the best spot to stop at after a long day at the beach or if you’re just craving a really incredible taco. Always tip the live music and if it’s just one or two of you, the picnic table is great for communal seating to meet some locals and make some new friends.
Tips when ordering: The cauliflower tacos are a little spicy so just be ready for that! (Steve ate his weight in cauliflower tacos I think lol) The veggie burger is a staff favorite and the guac is made to order, so it’s an absolute must! Come early because this place fills up fast.
What we ordered:
Vegan cauliflower tacos
Vegan burrito
Guacamole
Paloma
Margarita with tajin
jazamango (VO)
Los Naranjos s/n, Fraccionamiento La Huerta, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
What we loved: I wasn’t so sure about this spot after reading the reviews and being a little confused about what they had so lets clear some things up. We stumbled upon this place while we were shopping and I am *so* glad we did! Besides the really sweet servers, the overall vibe of this place was laid back and perfect for an afternoon carajillo. We actually stayed for hours here because the vibes were that good, all thanks to the friendly staff. The seating patio is super cute at dusk and even cuter after dark with all the mood lights and warm atmosphere to keep you feeling right at home.
Tips when ordering: Vegan options are limited, but the guac and spring rolls make this place a perfect mid afternoon spot to stop off at for a snack and a cocktail or latte. The service is really accommodating, so if you see anything that catches your eye, just ask and they will try to make it allergy friendly for you!
What we ordered:
Guacamole
Spring rolls with tofu
Carajillo
Margarita
El mirador ocean view restaurant (VO)
Camino a El Mirador Restaurant, Rafael Pedrajo 1, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
***Best Coastal Views
What we loved: At first when you pull into the town of Todos Santos from the south, you’ll see the big signs for this ocean view restaurant. The 1 km drive is a bit daunting and you may be thinking, “Am I going the right direction?” but as you reach the top of the hill, it’s all worth it. Around the bend you’ll find this gem with the most epic ocean view, especially for sunset. The building has lots of beautiful wooden architecture with tons of indoor seating which is nice, but the outdoor seating on the patio and the few tables along the cliff side are breathtaking. Get there an hour or so before sunset to score one of these private tables on the cliff to sip on a drink overlooking the coast.
Tips when ordering: The vegan food is very limited, and when I say limited it pretty much fries, salad, and hummus… the vegan trifecta to hold you over if you are hungry. But trust me, the views and the cocktails make up for the lack of vegan options!
What we ordered:
Hummus
Margaritas
Paradero Dinner (VO)
La Mesa KM 59 +3100, Degollado, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
***Best Date Night
What we loved: Get ready to immerse yourself in a culinary journey. From start to finish, every dish is carefully designed and cooked to perfection, all while you can watch along the entire time. The kitchen is behind the bar and it feels like an intimate experience, like watching a live play or movie scene from the set. Lights, camera, action and your taste buds are geared up for an explosion of flavors and textures. They grow everything fresh nearby from their lush and amazing gardens, which you can taste in each bite. It’s a great spot for date night where you can sit back and relax, and they are super accommodating for allergies and vegan options. Superior food, expert staff, and a world renowned chef make this an unforgettable experience. We loved eating here after dark because the whole place lights up, the music gets more up beat, and you can watch the kitchen and bartender lock into high gear for the late night rush.
Tips when ordering: The staff is very knowledgeable so be sure to let them know if you have an allergies and if you are plant based, because there are a number vegetarian options that can be made into fully vegan. If it’s not too busy, you can even request vegan options not located on their menu that the chef and kitchen can whip up. I highly suggest you to sit at the bar when eating, because not only do you get to watch the magic at work behind the bar in the kitchen, but you can also get to know your bartenders who were all very talented. We ordered a few drinks from their cocktail menu, and even a special nigroni cocktail that we asked to surprise us with, and of course everything which was absolutely delicious and refreshing.
Overall a 10/10 experience! If you come here in the morning for breakfast, you must get the chilaquiles with both red and green salsa, because it will blow your mind.
What we ordered:
(Breakfast)
Acai bowl with no granola
Chai latte with coconut milk
Chilaquiles with no eggs
Vegan breakfast burritos
Strawberry orange juice
(Dinner)
Blackened Cauliflower with pickle
Guacamole with ginger
Cauliflower tacos
Tomato aquachile
Tortilla soup with no pork rind toppings
Lemon poppy seed sorbet
Special Nigroni Cocktail
La Santeña (VO)
C. Álvaro Obregón, Centro, 23300 Todos Santos, B.C.S., Mexico
Best Carajillos***
What we loved: This place caught our eye from the moment we passed it. Located right in the center of town, it has a cute patio that’s raised up from the road, and across the street is a wall of beautiful murals from local artists. It holds a place in our heart because back in 2019 when we first visited Todos Santos, we stumbled upon this when we first arrived in town and ordered carajillos to go, (yes you read that right ha - because it’s more like a low alcohol spiked coffee) and walked around the town shopping and laughing through the streets. For years I would think back to this beautiful memory with my husband Steve, (who was just my Bf at the time) and how we were just falling in love drinking carajillos in the streets without a care in the world. Fast forward to 2024 and we had to go back and do it again, and the best part… we had the same bartender! I'm kicking myself for not remembering his name, but he was such a sweetheart and or course made the best carijillos in town. Unfortunately the menu really only has fries and guac when it comes to vegan options, but the patio, the vibes, the drinks, and the staff made this place all worth it to include in this guide!
Tips when ordering: Come during the morning when the sun is shining, cuz you can sit under the shade out on the patio, use their wi-fi and plan your day ahead of where you want to go for eat and what beach you want to spend your day at. You could be my husband Steve who started his day off with guacamole and a carajillo before breakfast, but that’s a whole other story. If you want to get a drink like we did, you can order “dos carajillos para llevar” for 2 carajillos to go!
What we ordered:
Guacamole with no cheese
Carajillos and lots of them!
Cerritos/El Pescadero:
Baja Burritos Cerritos (VO)
Calle Playa Los Cerritos Beach KM 65 Playa Cerritos, 23300 El Pescadero, B.C.S., Mexico
Best Burritos***
What we loved: Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by how fresh and delicious the food is from here. Most of Cerritos roads are dirt and gravel, so make sure you have 4 wheel drive or a car with some clearance underneath. When you use google maps, you’ll come up on this tiny shack off the main road and you may be thinking, “this can’t be right?” But it’s exactly where you want to be! The food here is some of the best we had during our trip. No joke! The owner runs it Thursday-Sundays and buys all the ingredients fresh each day, which you can taste in each bite. They have full vegan options for most of their tacos, burritos, super burritos, bowls, and everything was absolutely amazing. He even makes a homemade pumpkin seed vegan cheese and vegan mole that we had to get extra sides of because it was just too good. The burritos are massive and perfect on the go meal to take on your travels up and down the coast. Don’t let me forget to mention the staff (the owner and his employee) were the nicest guys ever, and had tons of tips about the local area. We sat and talked for hours while we ate, and it was definitely a highlight of the trip.
Tips when ordering: They have tons of vegan options but aren’t fully vegan so be sure to clarify with them that you want everything to be vegan when you are ordering. The owner/main cook speaks English, but his staff doesn’t so try to order in Spanish if possible, (use this as a great time to brush up on your Spanish skills.) It’s cash only so be sure to keep some pesos on you, and when you are ordering, get an extra side of the pumpkin seed vegan cheese because you’ll want to put that on everything. The portions are big and the super burrito is massive, so sharing here is recommended because usually you won’t have a fridge to hold the leftovers while traveling. If you are in a rush, call ahead to order because it gets really popular during lunch time and they are a small team of just 2-3 people. Lastly, don’t forget to tip generously, cuz these guys deserve it!
What we ordered:
Super vegan burrito + avocado
Vegan bowl with mole
Vegan bowl with vegan pumpkin cheese
San Pellegrino with lemon
Tasi Juice Bar, Smoothies & Acai Bowls (VO)
Los cerritos, Playa los cerritos, 23310 El Pescadero, B.C.S., Mexico
Best Açaí Bowl***
What we loved: Located right near the main beach of Cerritos, it’s a small and local group of friends that runs this smoothie food truck, and it’s great for smoothies or açaí bowls on-the-go. The crew is small, but the vibes are high here. The patio is in a shared space with another coffee food truck and a surf shop next door, so if you want to grab a coffee, a smoothie and a rental surfboard, this place has you set. They even sell local handmade jewelry and gifts that you can get at a really great price if you’re looking to bring home something for your friends or family.
Tips when ordering: They use almond milk for the base of most of their smoothies and bowls which is a win-win in my book, and you can watch them make all your smoothies right in front of you, so there’s no guessing. Get there early, be polite, and be patient because it can get busy quick and you can end up waiting for a smoothie for 10-20 minutes. If you do have to wait some time, be sure to ask them about their hand made gifts, or where they came from, or just grab a coffee from next door and check out the surf shop.
What we ordered:
Mixed berry açaí bowl,
Blue dream bowl
Hierbabuena (VO)
Parcela 76, LAS MARAVILLAS, 23310 El Pescadero, B.C.S., Mexico
Best Fresh Food***
What we loved: What isn’t there to love about this place! We first came here in 2019 and I loved it so much I couldn’t get it out of my head. As soon as we were headed north from San José del Cabo I was on a mission to find it again. This restaurant is nestled between their luscious gardens, where they use for all the food. Fresh food grown on the property with an amazing farm to table patio set up. This means that everything is as fresh as it can get. Love, love, love this spot! We came here both during the day and night, and honestly we couldn’t decide which time was better. During the day you can walk about and check out the garden and all the produce, but during the evening all the lights and music come alive and the vibes get so, so good.
Tips when ordering: The staff is amazing and very responsive, but English is rare and only 1-2 members of their large staff spoke English, so this is a great place to test out your Spanish speaking skills. Lots of their menu items have dairy in them, but they are very flexible and can omit and change a lot of the items to be vegan. This included the calzone which was probably the best and freshest calzone we have ever had, with a tomato sauce that was so rich you know they just grew it themselves and made it on the spot. They have a special menu on a large chalk board separate from their written menu that gets updated daily, so be sure to ask about any specials that could be turned vegan. We ordered the fava bean soup without cheese, and it was so perfect that we had to order another one! One of my favorite parts about Hierbabuena is if you are feeling under the weather while traveling, just ask for their daily tea infusions which come with a variety of local fruits and herbs from the garden paired with hot water and agave. This was seriously the perfect remedy for a sore throat or upset stomach.
What we ordered:
Guacamole
Grilled veggie plate
Fava bean soup with no cheese
Kale salad with no cheese
Veggie calzone with no cheese
Soda water with Oj
Infused tea
Margaritas
San Jose Del Cabo:
Chula Vegan Cafe (V)
23400 Blvd. Antonio Mijares s/n Plaza La Mision Local 1 A, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
What we loved: This place is one of the few 100% vegan places in Baja California Sur, and that alone created a special space in my heart. The patio and the indoor seating is really cute and the tables/chairs are all a little different with micro touches to everything to give it that authentic Mexican feel. The walls are all painted with vibrant colors and artistic designs which help bring this place to life, plus they have a whole wall of gifts and treats that are all made locally and sold at reasonable prices. The food is super simple yet so delicious, and it was unfortunate we were only able to eat their once because I wanted to try everything on the menu. From the smoothies, lattes, breakfast items, power bowls, and desserts everything is made in house and made with 100% love. This place is a vegan food paradise!
Tips when ordering: You don’t have worry about any dairy or animal products while eating here which is such a sigh of relief, compared to the usual adventures of eating out in Mexico, so the tips when ordering here are to enjoy yourself here. Sit back and enjoy the 100% vegan menu, check out all the gifts and merchandise, and try all the food you can because it’s all so yummy. If you are in a rush, you may want to call ahead because when it’s busy around lunch time, the food can take a minute, but just know when it comes out, it’s all so worth it.
What we ordered:
Super C. smoothie
Dulce cacao smoothie
Sweet potato pancakes with almond butter + maple syrup
Chilaquiles with both green and red sauce
Don Sanchez Restaurant (VO)
Blvd. Antonio Mijares 27, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
What we loved: We came here on my birthday for dinner and it did not disappoint. The staff were all very responsive, knowledgeable on the menu, and seemed to be working in unison with one another. As you enter the restaurant you feel like you just dropped into a whole different world with all the gorgeous wooden architecture, the hanging macramé lights, and all the cozy chairs and benches. When it came to the food, everything was super thought out and curated into something you’d find at a five star restaurant. They started off our meal with an amuse-bouche to clean our palettes, and then we told them to surprise us with a mocktail and a mezcal cocktail which were both so delicious! Overall the food was amazing, but the portions were a bit small compared to the high prices, so I would most likely recommend this spot for a quick cocktail and appetizer.
Tips when ordering: To be honest, at first glance the menu is very meat heavy, but after telling them we were vegan they were very accommodating and gave us lots of options that could be turned into plant based. Remember to let them know if you have any allergies and if you’re plant based, because they will be able to help point you in the right direction. If you have an special occasion like a birthday or celebration, definitely tell them while you run off to the bathroom, because they will find some way to bring a smile to your face. Steve mentioned it was my birthday and they brought a vegan sorbet with a lit candle and even sang happy birthday in Spanish for me, I blushed so hard I was smiling for hours.
What we ordered:
Spicy mezcal cocktail
Hibiscus mocktail
Tuber ceviche
Vegetable Quesadilla with no cheese
Vegan sope
Wild Mexican mushrooms mix
Sorbet dessert
Extra activities definitely worth checking out!
Dos Maria’s Day Spa: TEMAZCAL & MASSAGE INTEGRAL
Avenida DosMarias, 23300 El Pescadero, B.C.S., Mexico
Looking for an unforgettable experience? This spa has a mission to offer a personalized service, utilizing various traditional and modern therapeutic techniques, to facilitate a balancing of energy, relaxation, and physical/spiritual healing. It’s super safe and all the staff is very friendly. We did the temazcal which is a lot for your body and mind to go through, but you will feel like a new person, almost a rebirth you could say. Follow it up with an hour massage and you will leave there feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Both Maria and Maria are the sweetest women ever and have such a healing and calm energy that you can feel from start to finish. One of them speaks English so if your Spanish is rusty, she can communicate with you through the whole process.
Some things to consider… it’s a bit off the beaten path on a bumpy dirt road and you have to really keep an eye on the signs on the sides of the road to make sure you are going the correct way, but it’s near the water and tucked away in a forest of palm trees. They only take cash so be sure to save some dollars for this experience and don’t forget to tip! Their prices are on their website and you can talk to them through WhatsApp beforehand if you have any specific questions.
Are you a restaurant, hotel, food market or business that offers plant based, allergy friendly and/or eco friendly offerings to your community? We want to hear from you! Fill out the form below to email Chef Bai to be featured in our next vegan guide!
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