Restaurants in Baja California
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La Coronela
Part of Hotel California, La Coronela serves big breakfasts, including French toast, eggs Benedict with smoked marlin, and homemade muffins, cinnamon rolls and banana bread. For lunch and dinner, choose anything from gorgonzola pizza to tapas to gourmet seafood.
reviewed
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A
Morgan's Encore
Set in a beautifully remodeled heritage building, Morgan's specializes in gourmet Mexican and international food. Follow the staircase to the open-air terrace upstairs for a fabulous setting. For those of you who really want to splash out, try the US$42 rib-eye.
reviewed
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Shut Up Frank's
Get your north-of-the-border fix at this restaurant and sports bar where the menu - painted in blue on the walls outside - includes burgers, ribs, steak, pancakes and big egg breakfasts. You can also join the expat sport fanatics shouting at the big-screen TV.
reviewed
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B
Restaurant Ricardo’s
One of Tijuana’s best-value places is this bright and cheerful diner-style joint, with two hours of free parking. Excellent breakfasts and tortas (sandwiches), among the best in town, are served around the clock. The waterfall adds to the ambience.
reviewed
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C
Mariscos Bahía
Since its opening in 1970 Mariscos Bahía has become a venerated classic. The halibut came out overcooked during our last visit, but the camarones al mojo de ajo (garlic shrimp), the sidewalk terrace and the delicious margaritas made up for it.
reviewed
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D
Super Tacos Baja California
The delicious fish, shrimp and manta-ray tacos at this popular stand, between Calles Constitución and Zaragoza, are served with freshly made salsas. As with potato chips, it’s hard to eat just one. It is conveniently located outside the Pensión California.
reviewed
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E
The Shrimp Factory
Casual and popular, the Shrimp Factory dishes out boiled or fried shrimp and lobster by the kilo or half-kilo. The lobster's good, but the shrimp is where it's really at. A kilo of the latter serves two to three with rice, beans and tortillas included.
reviewed
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La Fonda
Superb Mexican cuisine that’s worlds away from the typical antojitos – try the cream of poblano soup with pumpkin flowers or the huitlacoche (corn mushroom) stuffed chicken. The Don Julio margarita vies for the best in Baja.
reviewed
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F
Mariscos Mocambo
Touristy but renowned for its large portions of fresh fish and shellfish, Mariscos Mocambo is just the place for casual atmosphere and reasonably priced seafood. It's festive without pandering to the bring-out-the-sombreros-and-tequila crowd. Great.
reviewed
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G
Bronco's Steak House
Bronco's Steak House Vaquero (cowboy) culture is as alive in the décor here as it is in the hearty and humongous mesquite-grilled steaks that many claim are the best in town. Prices are high, but so is the quality. Great breakfasts.
reviewed
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H
La Boheme
Reasonably priced La Boheme is set in a candlelit courtyard in a historic building. The cream-of-asparagus soup, simple though it sounds, is exquisite. The bar has great ambience and is a nice spot to stop for a glass of red before heading home.
reviewed
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I
Restaurant Rome's
For some good ol' family-style cooking, slip into this old-school diner, complete with jukebox and big booths. The set lunch (including dessert and drink) is a bargain. Otherwise choose from modest, but well prepared Mexican plates. Great soups.
reviewed
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J
Baan Thai
For a change of pace, try the flavorful and spicy concoctions at this upscale Thai restaurant. Dishes like tom kha ghai soup, fish wrapped in banana leaf, and the catch of the day prepared in lemon black-bean sauce are all assiduously prepared.
reviewed
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K
Las Ventanas del Ché
Red tablecloths and a steak knife on each napkin make this Argentine steakhouse feel just like they do in the mother country. Along with numerous cuts of beef, there are salads and sandwiches. Chase it all down with a bottle of Mexican wine.
reviewed
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L
Tacos Don Zefe
Not only does Don Zefe serve what are arguably the best seafood tacos in town, it's also the perfect combination of taco stand and restaurant: outdoor tables, a stainless steel bar mounted between two palm trees and friendly counter service.
reviewed
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M
China Town
Plenty of folks in Mexicali say this spotless, modest restaurant serves the best Chinese food in town. A friendly old Chinese-Mexican woman presides over the cash register while attentive waiters whisk out enormous plates of darn good food.
reviewed
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Miguel's
Locally loved for its hearty plates of Mexican food, shrimp in garlic butter, fresh soups, tasty tacos and delicious breakfasts, Miguel's is a modest little palapa-style restaurant that never seems to fail its faithful customers.
reviewed
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N
El Rodeo
El Rodeo is a fine-beef restaurant with eccentric ranch décor: towering cacti out front, antique gas pumps, Coke machines and a shrine to assassinated PRI presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio inside. The steaks are delicious.
reviewed
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Pan del Triunfo
Pan del Triunfo is an excellent bakery with delicious pastries, baguettes and whole-grain loaves of bread. For a sugar fix, nothing beats it. All its lip-smacking breads, cookies, pastries and doughnuts are made right on the premises.
reviewed
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O
Pancho’s
Offers ‘all you want to know about tequila’ in a festive atmosphere. Aromas from the open grill mix with the mariachi band’s tunes. The tequila tasting is like an intensive tequila class, but offers inebriation in place of graduation.
reviewed
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Tacos Aaron
If you're driving up to Tijuana's beaches be sure to stop for tacos at Tacos Aaron, across from the Calimax as you enter Playas from the toll road. The truck whips out some of the best, most imaginative tacos on the entire peninsula.
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P
La Casa del Mole
If you're feeling tropical, head here for Tijuana's best mole-based dishes served in a glass-roofed jungle setting. Mole is one of several delicious Oaxacan sauces made with chile, chocolate and plenty of spices.
reviewed
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Q
Tacos El Fenix
A local institution, El Fenix serves outstanding fish and shrimp tacos to a throng of regulars who harmoniously navigate the condiments bar as cash and tacos change hands at full tilt. Tacos this good at these prices are a steal.
reviewed
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R
El Quinto Sol
Besides its bean specialties, this vegetarian landmark and health-food market offers large breakfast servings of yogurt (plain or with fruit, granola or muesli), licuados (fruit shakes), fresh-baked breads and pastries.
reviewed
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S
Negai
Tijuana's hippest Japanese restaurant is minimalist to the extreme and very popular for its fusion cuisine, which draws more from Japan than Mexico. Sushi, sashimi, teriyaki dishes and a couple of curries are the primary dishes.
reviewed