La Paz completely exceeded my expectations when it came to food.

Unlike the flashy restaurant scene in Cabo San Lucas, dining in La Paz feels much more local and laid-back. Fresh seafood, incredible fish tacos, rooftop cocktail bars overlooking the Sea of Cortez, cozy mezcalerías, and one of Mexico’s top-ranked fine dining restaurants all coexist within a few blocks of one another.

Whether you’re grabbing breakfast before heading to Balandra Beach, looking for the perfect sunset cocktail, or planning a memorable dinner after swimming with whale sharks, these are the best restaurants in La Paz that I recommend after eating my way through the city.

Planning a few days in La Paz? Here are a few more guides to help you make the most of your trip:

• Destination Overview of La Paz
• 3-Days in La Paz Itinerary
• Day Trip To Isla Espiritu Santo Recap
• Balandra Beach Guide
• Republica Pagana Review

Things to Know Before You Go

• Most restaurants are walkable from the Malecón.
  • If you’re staying near downtown, you’ll be able to walk to nearly every restaurant on this list.
• Reservations aren’t usually necessary…
  • …except for the most elevated options like Nemi and Quemadero, where I’d book several weeks ahead if you’re visiting during whale shark season (October through April).
• Sunset is part of the experience.
  • La Paz has some of the most beautiful sunsets in Baja. Plan drinks at Azotea, Mareta, or HarkerBoard before dinner if you can.

Quick Deets: Best of Dining in La Paz

• Best Coffee: Doce Cuarenta
• Best Rooftop: Azotea
• Best Fine Dining: Nemi
• Best Bar: La Miserable
• Best Budget Meal: Taco Fish

The Best Restaurants in La Paz

Casual Restaurants

Taco Fish

This ended up being my favorite meal in all of La Paz!

There are two locations, including one on the Malecón, and while it doesn’t look like much from the outside, don’t let that fool you. The fried fish tacos here are easily some of the best I’ve ever had—crispy on the outside, flaky inside, and served with fresh toppings and homemade salsas.

If you’re hungry, order a mix of: the fried fish tacos, shrimp tacos, and marlin empanadas.

The marlin empanadas are a local specialty. Personally, I’d still order another fish taco before getting a second empanada, but they’re worth trying at least once.

Doce Cuarenta Coffee & Bakery

If you’re spending multiple days in La Paz, you’ll probably end up here more than once.

Known for excellent specialty coffee, fresh pastries, and delicious chilaquiles, Doce Cuarenta is one of the city’s most popular breakfast spots. Grab an iced latte before heading to Balandra Beach, or linger over breakfast on the patio.

Sonset

By day, it’s a bright café serving smoothies, juices, coffee, and healthy breakfasts. And by night, it transforms into a cozy natural wine bar.

The owner is usually there greeting guests, giving it a warm neighborhood feel that’s hard not to love.

Mc-Fisher

A longtime local favorite specializing in Baja seafood, Mc-Fisher is another excellent stop for fish tacos, grilled seafood, ceviche, and smoked marlin. It’s casual, affordable, and a great option if you’re looking to eat where locals do.

Mariscos Toro El Güero

When locals talk about seafood in La Paz, this place comes up again and again.

Known for generous seafood cocktails, fresh aguachiles, tostadas, and chocolate clams, Toro El Güero delivers classic Baja seafood without any unnecessary frills.

Made Pizza Bar

Sometimes you just need a break from seafood, and Made is perfect when you do.

Made Pizza serves excellent Neapolitan-style pizzas alongside natural wines and craft cocktails in one of the trendiest spaces in town. It’s a refreshing change of pace after several days of tacos and ceviche.

Upscale Restaurants

Nemi

Consistently ranked among Mexico’s best restaurants, Nemi is the city’s premier fine dining experience.

Its tasting menu showcases seasonal Baja ingredients through beautifully plated, constantly evolving dishes. If you’re celebrating something special, this is where I’d splurge.

Reservations are highly recommended, and while it’s certainly the most expensive meal in La Paz, it’s also considered one of the city’s signature culinary experiences.

Book your reservation HERE.

Azotea

If you only visit one rooftop during your trip, make it Azotea.

Located atop República Pagana, the architecture alone is worth the visit. Add panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez, creative cocktails, and Baja-inspired small plates, and it’s easily one of the best dining experiences in the city.

Try to time your reservation for sunset – you won’t regret it!

Bizanga

Quemadero

One of the newest stars of La Paz’s dining scene, Quemadero centers its menu around open-fire cooking and seasonal Baja ingredients.

Expect beautifully grilled seafood, locally sourced produce, creative cocktails, and a modern atmosphere that’s quickly made it one of the city’s hottest reservations.

Casamarte Oyster Bar & Grill

If seafood is what brought you to Baja, Casamarte should absolutely be on your list.

Fresh oysters, local catch, Baja wines, and a polished yet relaxed atmosphere make it one of the city’s best upscale seafood restaurants.

Mareta

One of La Paz’s newer dining destinations, this open-air restaurant pairs sweeping ocean views with a relaxed Baja atmosphere. The menu focuses on fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients, and handcrafted cocktails, making it an perfect place to hang out while watching the sunset.

Whether you stop by for lunch overlooking the water or settle in for golden hour, Mareta is one of La Paz’s prettiest dining settings.

Drinks & Nightlife

La Miserable

No trip to La Paz is complete without a stop here.

This intimate mezcal bar has one of the city’s largest selections, and the staff genuinely enjoys helping guests discover new varieties through tastings or handcrafted cocktails.

Whether you’re new to mezcal or already love it, they’ll guide you toward something you’ll enjoy. Grab a tasting flight if you’re curious, or order one of their mezcal cocktails and relax on the garden patio.

HarkerBoard

Come for the craft beer and stay for the sunset.

This rooftop overlooking the Malecón is one of the best places to grab a local Baja beer or cocktail before dinner. While the food is fine, I’d recommend stopping here primarily for drinks and the incredible views.

Tiger Club

One of the coolest newer spots in La Paz.

Tiger Club blends inventive cocktails, natural wines, globally inspired small plates, and laid-back music into a fun neighborhood atmosphere that feels refreshingly different from many of the bars along the waterfront.

Also, it is attached to an incredible shop, with the best selection of artisanal goods!

Why You’ll Love Eating in La Paz

One of my favorite things about La Paz is that it hasn’t lost its local feel.

You won’t find endless chains or flashy restaurants catering exclusively to tourists. Instead, you’ll discover neighborhood taco shops packed with locals, cozy courtyards serving some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever eat, rooftop bars with panoramic Sea of Cortez views, and restaurants that genuinely celebrate Baja’s incredible ingredients.

Most of the best restaurants in La Paz are all within walking distance of each other, making it easy to spend an entire evening hopping from sunset cocktails to dinner and ending the night with a mezcal tasting.

For a city of its size, the restaurant scene is surprisingly diverse—and honestly, it ended up being one of the highlights of my trip.