The Ultimate Guide to the Best Tacos in Cabo San Lucas
Craving authentic Mexican flavors? Discover the best tacos in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! We’re sharing our top taco experiences from our delicious trip to Los Cabos.
There’s something special about savoring tacos in Mexico, right where they originate! For my birthday, our travels led us to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and I eagerly anticipated indulging in genuine Mexican cuisine. Throughout our week-long stay in Cabo, we devoured an impressive number of tacos – at least 20 each, and we have absolutely no regrets!
Every bite was a pleasure, but we’re excited to share what we consider the very best tacos in Cabo San Lucas that we enjoyed during our trip. Be sure to bookmark this page for easy reference when you plan your next getaway to Los Cabos!
Exploring Baja Tacos: A Cabo Culinary Staple
If you’ve visited Mexican restaurants in the United States or Europe, you’ve probably come across “Baja tacos.” This taco style takes its name from the Baja California Sur state of Mexico, home to Los Cabos, which includes the popular tourist destinations of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Baja tacos stand out from other Mexican tacos in a few key ways:
- Corn Tortillas Only: Authentic Baja tacos always use corn tortillas, never flour.
- Lightly Battered Fish: They feature a delectable white fish that’s lightly battered and fried to crispy perfection.
- Salsa Selection: Restaurants in the region pride themselves on serving Baja tacos with a diverse range of house-made salsas, from mild and tangy to intensely spicy.
- Minimal Toppings: Traditionally, Baja tacos don’t include lettuce or cheese, although most restaurants offer these as options for those who prefer them.
- Cabbage and Lime: They’re frequently topped with freshly shredded cabbage and served with a wedge of lime for a burst of citrus.
- Shrimp Alternative: As a popular alternative to fish, shrimp is also commonly used in Baja tacos.
Our Picks: The Very Best Tacos in Cabo San Lucas
While we savored traditional Baja tacos during our Mexican adventure, we also explored a wide array of other taco styles that delighted our taste buds.
Here’s a glimpse into what Alain and I consider the very best tacos in Cabo San Lucas:
Mother Flower: A Taco Revelation
Without a doubt, our absolute favorite tacos in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, were the ones we discovered at Mother Flower restaurant. Tucked away in the heart of downtown Cabo, Mother Flower is a small, inviting restaurant with high tables and a vibrant open kitchen.
We were determined to try every taco on their menu. The picture above captures one of each taco, with an extra order of the fish tacos because we couldn’t resist having one each!
We both agreed that the fish tacos, prepared in the traditional Baja style, were the highlight of our entire trip. These were generously topped with a creamy white sauce, a fiery árbol salsa, crisp cabbage, and a refreshing pico de gallo, and served with an additional side of salsa.
Our second favorite was the shrimp tacos (pictured next to the fish tacos). These were expertly seasoned with a flavorful dry rub and paired with a smoky chipotle sauce, more pico de gallo, and a tangy seafood sauce.
We also thoroughly enjoyed the three meat tacos: the carne asada, pork carnitas, and pollo asado. Each was served with creamy guacamole, melted cheese, árbol salsa, fragrant onion, and fresh cilantro. However, the seafood tacos stole the show.
Another reason to adore Mother Flower: each taco is priced at a reasonable $90 MXN (approximately $5.20 USD)!
Metate: Michelin-Recommended Baja Bliss
Metate, recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand award, is located just a short drive outside the Cabo San Lucas city center. While our entire dining experience was exceptional, the Baja Tacos at Metate truly stood out.
These tacos boast a slightly crunchy base made from a combination of blue corn and yellow corn tortillas. The flaky white fish is coated in a distinctive squid-ink batter, giving it a striking dark appearance. They are then topped with delicate shredded and pickled red cabbage, fresh cilantro leaves, and generous dollops of creamy avocado crema. These tacos were simply divine!
Juan More Taco Food Tour: A Culinary Journey
A discussion about tacos in Cabo San Lucas would be incomplete without mentioning the Juan More Taco food tours. Food tours provide an incredible opportunity to delve into the history and cuisine of a destination. Taking one early in your trip is an excellent way to get acquainted with the area and receive valuable recommendations from locals.
Each food tour is a unique experience, but one thing is certain: you’ll be treated to an abundance of delectable Mexican food! During our tour, we enjoyed tacos at Mercabo Gourmet Food, Taqueria Morelos, Los Tacos May, and El Paisa.
We were particularly impressed by the smaller, family-run businesses favored by locals. While you can visit each taco spot independently, I wholeheartedly recommend joining a tour. You’ll gain insider knowledge about the restaurants, the ingredients they use, and a deeper appreciation for the food you’re eating, as well as witness its preparation firsthand.
While we savored most of the tacos on our tour, the Marlin taco and the shrimp taco, which we enjoyed at the beginning, were our absolute favorites.
La Lupita: A Tourist-Friendly Taco Destination
No discussion about tacos in Cabo San Lucas is complete without mentioning La Lupita. They have two locations: one in Cabo San Lucas and one in San Jose del Cabo.
While these restaurants may cater more to tourists, they offer a fun atmosphere and tasty tacos.
During our visit, we ordered the El Takeshi (rib eye) taco, Santo Pastor (pork) taco, a Camaron Enchipotlado (shrimp) taco, a Taco Güero (shrimp tempura), and the Pork Belly taco.
The shrimp tacos were the clear winners! The moral of the story: you can’t go wrong with seafood tacos in Cabo!
Answering Your Baja Taco Questions
- How much are tacos in Cabo San Lucas?
- The price of tacos in Cabo varies, like anywhere else. Smaller taco spots with a local clientele offer tacos from $35 MXN (about $2 USD) and up. High-end restaurants offer tacos in the $250 MXN ($14 USD) range and higher.
- Do I tip at restaurants in Cabo San Lucas?
- Yes. Leave a 10-15% tip for average service and 15-20% for excellent service. While many restaurants accept American dollars, tipping in Mexican Pesos is recommended.
- Can I pay with American dollars in Cabo San Lucas?
- While the Mexican Peso is the official currency in Los Cabos, most restaurants in tourist areas of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo take credit cards and American dollars. Inquire beforehand to ensure you have an acceptable payment form.
- What sort of toppings are offered with tacos in Los Cabos?
- Common toppings include shredded or pickled cabbage, cilantro white sauce or Chipotle mayo, pico de gallo & avocado, mango pico de gallo or mango slaw, queso dip, and lime wedges.
Savor Every Bite: Enjoying Tacos in Cabo San Lucas
Alain and I truly had a blast eating our way through dozens and dozens of tacos in Los Cabos. It’s a tough job, but we’re happy to do it! 😉
If you’ve enjoyed tacos in Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo that aren’t listed here, please share your recommendations in the comments below! We’re always eager to discover new places to visit on our next trip to Cabo!
If you visit any of these taco spots, please let them know you read about them on Urban Bliss Life! And if you snap some pics, tag us @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.
Planning Your Cabo Trip? Essential Travel Resources
Here are some of my favorite travel items and resources that I use whenever I travel:
- 🧳 Away Luggage – I’ve traveled extensively with Away luggage and highly recommend their durability and stylish designs.
- 🎒 Backpack – My go-to travel backpack is packed with pockets and offers ample space for everything from my laptop to extra shoes.
- 📍Apple Air Tags – I always discreetly place these airtags in my luggage, especially when checking bags, so I can track their location.
- 👚 Packing cubes – Simplify packing and maximize space with this compression packing cube set.
- ⚡️Portable charger – A portable power bank is essential for keeping my devices charged on the go. I’ve found this one to be incredibly reliable and long-lasting.
- 🔌 Travel adapter – Traveling to multiple countries? This all-in-one international travel adapter ensures my devices work seamlessly wherever I go.
- 🛩 Flights – Discover great flight savings here.
- 🏨 Hotel – Snag the best lodging deals with this booking tool.
- 🚙 Rental cars – Find excellent rental car savings on this site.
I use all of these products and earn a small commission through these affiliate links.
Follow UrbanBlissLife on Instagram for more travel inspiration!