18+ Must-Try Restaurants in La Paz Mexico

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Baja California Sur’s coastal capital city of La Paz is teeming with delectable dishes and drinks.

From drool-worthy Baja fish tacos to freshly-shucked mollusks to sizzling barbecue to homemade pasta to authentic sushi, La Paz has so many great restaurants offering both local Mexican and international cuisine.

Being based as a digital nomad in La Paz gave me the wonderful opportunity (and immense guilty pleasure 😋) to try over two dozen restaurants and places to eat around the city. (One of the perks of being a slow traveler is that I get to travel in one place for an extended period of time!)

And while that may seem like a lot, that doesn’t nearly scratch the surface of La Paz’s epic foodie scene which seems to grow by the minute as new eateries pop up nearly every month.

That said, while I list my favorite places to eat in La Paz below, I encourage you to dine outside of this restaurant bucket list (and come back to tell me about it!).

So, ready to dive in and chow down on delicious Baja grub??

Read more below and don’t forget to save this post for later as I will add more must-try restaurants in La Paz in the future!

Best Restaurants & Places to Eat in La Paz

Tiger Club

• $$+
• Tues–Sat, 6pm till late

One of our absolute favorite places to eat in La Paz is Tiger Club!

This cozy and unassuming restaurant tucked away inside the Casa Nopal boutique is a newer addition to the La Paz foodie scene.

Their menu is all about shareable, small plates featuring gourmet Thai/South-East Asian–Mexican fusion, wine, and mezcal.

Clémentine and Jonathan, the French–Mexican owners and chefs, are super sweet and make you feel like you’re eating at a friend’s extremely aesthetic plant and art-filled home.

In addition to your stomach, Tiger Club fills a much-needed gap in the diversity of flavors of the city. It’s our go-to when we want to treat ourselves and reminisce about our SE Asia adventures!

Call to reserve or get there early as space is limited (and don’t forget to pick up some boho goodies and Mexican handicrafts in their onsite boutique!).

🌟 After eating at Tiger Club, walk around the corner for more mezcal at La Miserable Mezcaleria! It’s the best bar in La Paz (they also serve beer and cocktails if mezcal isn’t your muse). Open Mon-Sat from 7pm to 2am.

Hana Sushi & Nigiri Bar

• $$$
• Wed-Mon, 2:30–10 pm

There are multiple sushi restaurants in La Paz, but the BEST you’ll find is at Hana Sushi & Nigiri Bar.

If you have the budget and want a more refined authentic Japanese sushi experience, then Hana is the place to go. Sure, there are definitely other decent sushi places but they feature mainly rolls that are overloaded with glazes and sauces.

The menu at Hana has all your typical small Japanese appetizers and dishes like edamame, gyoza, and ramen, but the highlight is really the sashimi and nigiri you can order by the piece.

They have a variety of fresh fish to choose from but we typically go for the salmon, eel, and tuna cuts (atami, chutoro, and otoro).

As a couple, we order 1-2 entrees, 1-2 rolls, and a few select sashimi pieces depending on how hungry we are. Combined with a cocktail or sake, we walk away paying around $80 USD (1500 MXN) which is probably the most we spend eating out in La Paz.

We love to come here every once in a while and snag a seat inside at the sushi bar. Call ahead to reserve a spot inside—if you show up without a reservation you will likely have to wait or get seated on the outdoor patio (which is nice too!).

Tres Virgines

• $$$
• Daily, 12pm–12am

For Baja wines and woodfire-grilled steaks and seafood, head to Tres Virgines.

We don’t come here that often but whenever we do, I’m always finding myself commenting, “Oh, I forgot how nice this place is!”

Indeed, it’s hard not to want to walk inside when you pass by (as we often did, going to/from the Aramburo neighborhood market for our groceries).

The indoor cocktail bar at Tres Virgines is cozy and inviting while their outdoor courtyard is breezy and spacious (with a leafy fairy-light-lit tree acting as its crown centerpiece).

Whether you go to drink or dine, this restaurant simply oozes an upscale yet laid-back Baja Sur vibe. It’s a great choice for fine dining in La Paz, along with Sortis Restaurant (Mediterranean/Italian) on the opposite side of the block.

Locos Por La Pasta

• $-$$
• Tues-Sun, 1-10pm

Fresh, handmade pasta in La Paz? Yes! Locos Por La Pasta isn’t your typical Italian, though. Think Italian staples with Uruguayan culture and flare mixed right in—every bite feels like a little surprise on the classics!

If you’re looking for an ultra-cozy dinner spot, come here—you won’t be disappointed! The interior of this little hole-in-the-wall laden with red bricks and wine on its shelves inspires European vibes.

We have dined here on multiple occasions, thanks to its consistent yummy food, great prices, and friendly staff. We even brought our real Italian friend here (whom I made try my chicken alfredo—lol!).

You can watch your pasta get made right in front of you with the see-through kitchen or sit on the sidewalk with a candle to make it feel like you’re actually on a getaway across the pond.

PS — The only kicker sometimes is that they don’t always accept credit cards, so take cash just in case.

Tacos El Estadio

• $
• Daily, 8am-2pm

You won’t find better local Baja fish tacos than at Tacos El Estadio! This typical Mexican taco restaurant is a favorite for both locals and tourists or expats “in the know.”

Part of its success as a local gem is its location. The only reason we came upon it is because our apartment was only one block away. That said, it’s still mostly locals who frequent this much-loved taco stand.

So, what can you expect?

Succulent, fresh fish and shrimp tacos piled high on not one—but two—corn tortillas (yes, the taco is that juicy and heavy), smoked marlin hard tacos, gooey quesadillas, enchiladas, plus your typical sugary soft drinks or agua del día, and all the sauces and toppings you could ask for such as cream, chipotle, lime, chile, pico de gallo, red onions, and more. 🤤

For even more delicious fish tacos in La Paz, head to McFishers ($$) on the opposite side of town. This place has more seating and caters to a more touristy audience, however, the food and service remain top-notch!

Planeta Veggie

• $$
• 12-7pm, closed Wednesdays

Just around the corner from Tacos El Estadio is another underrated place to eat in La Paz—and it’s vegan!

There aren’t many vegan/vegetarian restaurants to choose from in La Paz, but even if there were, Planeta Veggie would still come out as a top choice for vegan-friendly eats.

The menu is simple yet delicious, consisting of mostly falafel and pita-style wraps and burgers served with a side of seasoned home fries (or salad).

The most popular item is probably their “Athena” wrap which comes loaded with faux soy-glazed “meat” topped with lots of veggie shreddings and Greek-style sauce. The owners became like friendly neighbors to us as we came here often for lunch!

The seating area is at the back of their shop, so don’t be shy to walk in and seat yourself! The quaint interior courtyard with its central shady tree is super lovely to enjoy on a sunny day.

Dulce Romero

• $$
• 8am-10pm, closed Sundays

Dulce Romero is our go-to brunch spot in La Paz, hands down!

Not only is this place great for healthy brunch/lunch and smoothies, but it is also a very popular place to grab your fresh-baked bread and pastries. They have awesome French-style baguettes and other delicacies to try.

Now, thanks to its popularity, Dulce has expanded its property. You can still eat at the original location across the street. There are three seating options here: inside, upstairs, or outside on the sidewalk (which gets pretty noisy).

The new location is twice the size and is super modern. Not sure how they’ll continue expanding from here, but don’t miss out on this La Paz staple.

If you’re looking for more healthy vegetarian food, check out Capuchino Café!

NEMI

• $$$
• Mon-Sat, 6-10pm

This cozy fine dining restaurant located just outside of historic downtown La Paz is not to miss if you are craving creative Mexican cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients that come together to offer a mish-mash of explosive flavor in your mouth.

Menu items may change seasonally, but you can expect dishes such as miso-marinated grilled shrimp, slow-roasted pork picanha, Bluefin tuna tartar, fois gras with fig and hibiscus reduction, and much more.

You can expect excellent food and even better service here. Call or email at 612 159 55 02 or reservaciones@nemirestaurante.com to make reservations, since space is limited.

When all is said and done, NEMI is an underrated place to eat in La Paz. But like Tiger Club, it’s quickly garnered a loyal following and a near-five-star reputation.

Los 32 Sabores

• $$+
• Mon-Sat, 4-11pm

Los 32 Sabores is where to go if you’re looking for regional Mexican gastronomy. Think not just flavors from Baja California but also from across Mexico (hence the name). So if you’ve been craving an authentic Oaxacan mole, this is where you’ll find it!

We ate at Los 32 Sabores, a bit ironically, for the first time for their annual Thanksgiving dinner “a la Mexicana” and had such a scrumptious meal.

It was so good that we went back for second helpings on another occasion with friends who were visiting and we all walked away satisfied and full!

Not only are the food/cocktails delicious and worthwhile, but the atmosphere is also beautifully decorated in classic Mexican vivid colors and art. There is an intimate interior courtyard with a fountain and a little corner for live music.

La Mäsa Panadéria

• $+
• Tues-Sat, 8am-1:30pm

La Mäsa is one of my favorite cafes and coffee shops in La Paz, thanks to its artsy and airy atmosphere, friendly owners, and delicious pastries and lunch food.

I’m including it as well in this La Paz restaurant guide because its Spanish tortilla and sandwiches with fresh-baked bread are simply too good!

Typically, we come here mid-week to work for a few hours on our laptops. When we do, we start off early with breakfast (get the blueberry cream tart!) and then order another round of drinks and lunch come noon.

If you stop by, make sure to tell Ruben and Ixchel I said hi! 👋

Harker Board

• $$
• Daily, 1:30pm-11pm or 12am (weekends)

Harker Board Co, or simply Harker as everyone refers to it, is our go-to for classic Mexican-American pub grub (pizza, burgers, tacos) and craft beer.

It’s also one of the rare rooftop bars in La Paz that actually has a fun atmosphere and fabulous views for sunset.

It’s hard to miss Harker when walking along the La Paz Malecón, with its hipster-chic exterior made of brick and 3D-like dolphin art, cacti, painted walls, and general “Baja-surf” vibe.

That said, with its target audience being mostly foreigners, the prices are a bit higher here too across the board, including food, drinks ($100 MXN+ for a brew), and guided tours. Nonetheless, it’s a fun spot to gather with friends to watch the sunset or a soccer match (this is where we came to watch the World Cup!).

Lamplight Taberna

• $$
• 5-11pm & 6-12am on weekends (closed Tues-Wed)

If you’re looking for a cozy place to eat Southern fare and drink craft beer, then head to Lamplight Taberna (formerly called Árkansas Cocina).

This little bar tucked away in downtown La Paz is nearly missable if you’re not paying attention. It’s located right across from the historic Téatro Juárez behind large wooden doors.

The seating is outside with a retro-style bar. It’s definitely got a unique, cozy atmosphere and you can tell it’s expat-owned.

Fried chicken, BLTs, mac ‘n cheese, and Southern-style pulled pork sandwiches are the type of food you’ll find on the menu.

Hambrusia

• $$
• Daily, 2pm-12am

Right next door to Harker in the white-washed building is another great restaurant to try on the La Paz Malecón—Hambrusia.

Hambrusia was one of the first restaurants in La Paz that we ate at (the night of Halloween, actually!) and its Mexican-Asian small plates didn’t disappoint.

However, as then-pescatarians, we were a little limited as the menu has fairly large sections on beef/pork tostadas. Their mango-Ancho Reyes mezcal cocktail made up for it though!

BueyCup Ramen

• $+
• Tues-Sun, 1-8:30pm

For brothy ramen, Korean bites, or vegan comfort food, BueyCup has got it all! We love this funky little hole-in-the-wall in downtown La Paz.

The menu, as I teased above, really features a mixture of Asian flavors from Korean BBQ to Japanese-style tonkatsu ramen. You can also order all of it in a vegetarian or vegan version if you’d like.

There is no fuss, dim-lit seating inside or you can eat outside on the sidewalk.

BueyCup also hosts the “Cultura Friki Showroom” in the event space just next door. Here is the 2023 event calendar.

During this event, you can shop for anime collection toys, video game paraphernalia, and all things freaky and fun that will directly transplant you from La Paz to the eclectic Akihabara neighborhood in Tokyo.

Read all the best things to do in La Paz Mexico here!

Nómada Fresh & Organics

• $+
• Daily, 8am-3:30pm

For healthy and organic food in La Paz, check out Nómada!

We come here often for healthy breakfast or brunch—there really isn’t a “niche” to their menu as they offer a bit of everything from Mexican dishes to rice bowls to plates of pasta to salads and more.

Beyond the menu, we just love the setting. It’s one of the few places where you can eat out on a sidewalk in La Paz under shady trees.

The location is right across from Doce Cuarenta Coffee Shop, so you can cross both places off your list!

Toto Frito (Fish & Chips)

• $+
• Wed-Mon, 1-9pm

Toto Frito is not your typical restaurant in La Paz. This place, just one block behind the La Paz Malecón features a stationary food truck serving sustainably-source fish and chips, but with a spacious covered patio and second-level bar seating.

If it sounds simple and delicious, it’s because it is. I love coming here just an hour or so before sunset and snagging a seat up at the bar.

There are typically very few people up there at that time and it’s just a lovely off-the-beaten-path place to eat in La Paz—with one of the best views of the sea!

Fuego y Leña Pizza Artesanal

• $$
• Tues-Sun, 5-11pm

Did someone ask for pizza?? If so, then don’t waste your time searching online for the best pizza in La Paz. The best we’ve found so far is at Fuego y Leña.

They also serve pasta and burgers and serve up a tasty margarita, but since we often order in via Uber Eats, we tend to just go for their artisanal pizzas. Their location is also nice for eating out in town away from the malecón.

Bismark (Malecón)

• $$
• Daily, 8am-10pm

Bismark is one of the original seafood restaurants in La Paz, dating back to 1968. They serve everything from lobster to tacos to fresh shellfish and more.

I think Bismark is also one of the prettiest restaurants with an outdoor dining area located on the La Paz Malecón (they have a second location further back in town as well).

I’d love this place more if it weren’t so popular. Honestly, it feels more like a factory than a restaurant but it doesn’t seem to bother people much as it’s always packed (especially on game days!).

Also—and this doesn’t discredit the quality of food or service—but both times we’ve ordered garlic fish here, an uncomfortable amount of big, buzzing flies swarm us. I’m not sure if it’s due to the location being outdoors by the sea, under a large tree, or what, but it once got so bad that our server had to light multiple “fly-free” candles at our table to ward them off (it didn’t help much, so we ended up wafting at both flies and smoke!).

Don’t let that put you off, however, Bismark has been a must-try restaurant in La Paz for decades, for a reason.

A great alternative that’s less busy but just as good is Claros Fish Jr located on the other end of the malecóon (and one block back). It’s a great place for Baja seafood and tacos with its own condiment bar and palapa-style open-air roofing. We tend to stop after doing our market round on Tuesday/Saturday when the outdoor farmer’s market takes place nearby. 👩‍🌾

More Great Places to Eat in La Paz

There are still so many more great La Paz restaurants, cafes, and bars not mentioned on this list that are worth discovering during your trip.

Some I have passed by numerous times on my walks, but never had the chance to go in.

That said, these are the restaurants that are still on my La Paz foodie bucket list! If you decide to try one of them, come back and let me know how it went!

• Estancia Uruguaya
• Tex Burger
• Tatanka
• Maria California
• Mango Blues (vegan)
• Punto Sano
• Oyster House by FISM
• Spuntito Los Gabrieles

Similarly, the below are places I have eaten at but didn’t go back for a second round, or wouldn’t necessarily recommend first!

Please note this isn’t a comprehensive list and is just my initial impressions and opinions (feel free to take them “with a grain of salt”)!

• La Coyota (super cute place, wanted to love the pizza and cocktails but just didn’t! I need to give it a 3rd chance)
• Casamarte (decent for shellfish, no major complaints)
• Tailhunter (got sick off the lobster gobernador tacos!)
• J & Rs Ribs (ok but underwhelming… maybe it’s just my high standards being from North Carolina?!)
• Nim (need to retry, but the shrimp was freezer burnt and not fresh…)

I hope this restaurant guide to La Paz helps you find the perfect place to eat, drink, and be merry! Feel free to drop your thoughts and food recommendations below in the comments. Buen provecho!