Rosarito Beach, just thirty minutes from the U.S.-Mexico border, has long been a haven for sunseekers, spring breakers, surfers and weekend adventurers. But beyond its sandy shores and oceanfront resorts lies a thriving culinary scene that offers something for every palate and occasion. The city has undergone somewhat of a culinary resurgence over the last two decades—when the rustic El Nido steakhouse and the ever-popular Tacos El Yaqui were the only widely-known eateries to most visitors.

Explore Rosarito’s unpretentious yet delicious offerings in four essential categories: where to find the best tacos, where to fuel up with a hearty breakfast, can’t-miss casual dining eateries and fine dining destinations. Each recommendation is rooted in the town’s culinary traditions, featuring fresh ingredients, authentic flavors and the amicable hospitality that defines Baja California dining. Whether you’re visiting for a day or an extended getaway, set out on a flavor-filled culinary tour of Rosarito Beach with this essential guide!

ROSARITO BEACH’S TOP TACOS

Mariscos Marlyn began its life as a food truck—which now serves as the kitchen for their spacious yet cozy restaurant space. Offerings include everything from siete de mares (a hearty stew of seven different types of seafood) to zesty Mexican cocteles to seafood tacos. The Baja-style fried fish and shrimp tacos compete with Ensenada’s best. The Tritón quesadilla is a monster—it’s loaded with smoked marlin, shrimp and octopus atop a bed of melted cheese and served on a large flour tortilla.

Calle Chihuahua 213, Eduardo Crosthwhite, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 114 3582, IG: @mariscos.marlyn. Hours: Daily: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tacos El Chino is a recent addition to the Rosarito Beach taco scene and on par with the town’s best. From succulent grilled carne asada to tangy adobada shaved from the spit into a supple, house-made corn tortilla, there’s a taco here for every taste. Birria de res (spiced and stewed beef) is available as tacos or as an order in a bowl with a side of tortillas. Feeling adventurous? They also offer tacos of cachete (beef cheek) and ojos (beef eye ligament)—two fillings not often found at local taquerías.

Ensenada 67, Predios Urbanos, 22703 Playas de Rosarito, +52 310 818 6996, yelp.com/biz/tacos-el-chino-rosarito. Hours: Sun-Thu: 7 a.m. – 3 a.m. (next day), Fri-Sat: 7 a.m. – 5 a.m. (next day)

Make Taco is a hidden gem located just a block from Rosarito’s main drag. Its low-key entrance is easy to miss, but one doesn’t want to miss the excellent tacos here. The fried shrimp taco features plump Baja California shrimp coated in breadcrumbs, which gives each snappy bite added texture. A favorite here is the Costal Azul taco, which also features shrimp, but wrapped in smoky, unctuous bacon sourced from a local ranch. The menu also lists ceviches and aguachiles as well as other mariscos specialties.

Calle mar del Norte #552, Centro, 22700 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 107 6573, IG: @maketacorosarito. Hours: Fri-Mon: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wed, 10 a.m. – 3:30 pm, closed Thu

Tacos El Yaqui is a Rosarito Beach legend: they were named “Best Taco in the World” by Taste Atlas in 2023. There’s only one type of taco on the menu here, Sonoran-style perrones. Chopped morsels of flame-grilled arrachera are heaped onto a flour tortilla and dressed with beans, guacamole, cilantro and onions. Expect long lines on weekends, but it’s always worth the wait. Don’t want to wait? Check out Taqueria 2000 in Rosarito Beach, who also specialize in tacos perrones and was founded by former taqueros at El Yaqui.

Mar del Norte #115 12, Zona Centro, 22700 Playas de Rosarito, IG: @tacoselyaquiperrones. Hours: Mon & Thu-Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sun: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., closed Tue & Wed

Tacos El Sureño isn’t well-known by the majority of Rosarito Beach’s casual visitors. It’s a bit off the beaten tourist path. But locals and taco connoisseurs beeline to this beloved taqueria for their southern Mexico-style tacos. The tripa (small intestine) is served “wet”, just like they do it in Mexico City (most Baja taquerias serve them crispy, Sonoran style). The suadero, popular in the state of Puebla, is sublime. The fatty, flavorful cut is fried to perfection—crisped on the outside and moist inside. It’s served on a sumptuous house-made corn tortilla.

Constitución (Ampl. Constitución), 22707 Playas de Rosarito. Hours: Mon-Wed: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thu-Sun: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

BREAKFAST IN ROSARITO BEACH

M122 Bistro & Café is housed in a welcoming, playfully-decorated, two-story space constructed of recycled shipping containers. Traditional breakfasts, such as scrambled eggs, French toast, waffles, bacon and seasonal fruit are on the menu. Rolling with a hungry crew? Try their “Breakfast Board”, which includes a family-sized sampling of all the above. They also offer several coffee drinks and juices with which to wash it all down. M122 is also open for lunch and dinner and offers some terrific tacos.

Calle Graciano Sánchez Ejido #122, Mazatlan, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 125 7054, IG: @m122_bistrocoffee. Hours: Wed-Sat: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., closed Mon & Tue

Las Rocas Resort is a popular lodging destination in Rosarito Beach and breakfast at Café del Mar is available every day of the week. The kitchen—helmed by chef Jesús Villacaña, formerly of the Rosarito-based Restaurante Raíces—prepares a variety of specialties, including four styles of eggs Benedict. For something different, try the skillet of plump grilled shrimp, fried potatoes and veggies topped with two perfectly-poached eggs. Breakfasts are best enjoyed on the outdoor patio overlooking the vast Pacific.

México 1, Baja California, 7273+4R El Descanso, Baja California, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 614 9850, lasrocas.com. Hours: Daily: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Xantina is housed in a large, airy dining room with an adjacent outdoor patio. They offer some of the best breakfast options in Rosarito Beach. Their chicken and waffles dish is superb: the chicken is lightly fried and provides a satisfyingly crunchy texture. It’s served with two eggs, any style, and bacon. For a “boozy breakfast”, one can’t go wrong with a pomegranate mimosa. Several restaurants have opened and abruptly closed in this corner location in Rosarito, but if the number of hungry locals there during our visit is any indication, Xantina is here to stay.

Calle Mexicali, Los Angeles, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 133 7053, IG: @xantinabrunchandbistro. Hours: Daily: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Acua Baja Bar & Mar, located on Rosarito Beach’s main drag at the Hotel Festival Plaza, is a convenient and affordable breakfast option—they feature daily two-for-one early-bird specials from 8-10 a.m. Hearty options include an array of omelets and other egg-based dishes. The winner here is the delectable omelet loaded with lobster and dressed with queso crema. They also serve classic Mexican breakfasts, such as huevos rancheros. Make sure to visit later in the day for happy hour specials and live music.

Blvd. Benito Juárez 60, Rosarito Centro, 22700 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 112 2342, acuabar.com. Hours: Daily: 8 a.m. – 2 a.m. (next day)

Rancho las Ilusiones, owned by the Cordero family, is a working organic farm and livestock ranch in the hills just east of the Transpeninsular highway. It’s a great place for kids as they can enjoy visiting with sheep, goats, ostriches and other ranch animals. They offer a very fresh list of options for brunch (weekends only), crafted from the ranch’s produce and meats. A unique dish is the conejo machaca, where sun-dried rabbit is cooked with scrambled eggs. Breakfast is best enjoyed with a cup of good, strong coffee.

Baja California #74-D, Colonia Morelos, 22707 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 130 1725, IG: @rancholasilusiones. Hours: Sat & Sun only: 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

CASUAL DINING IN ROSARITO BEACH

Moa Poke & Sushi is located on Blvd. Benito Juárez, Rosarito Beach’s main street. They specialize in Asian-inspired poke bowls as well as several tempting sushi dishes. The spring roll poke combines plump, grilled shrimp, green onion, shredded carrot and avocado drizzled in a rich, velvety peanut sauce. Don’t miss their creative sushi rolls, overstuffed hand rolls and ramen with katsu (breaded) chicken. Baja California craft beers are also available here. The green matcha cake provides a satisfying finish.

Blvd. Benito Juárez, Quinta del Mar, 22703 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 117 7644, IG: @moa_poke. Daily: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunio Beach Club is located on a “private” beach, only accessible via the property or by boat. Take in the ocean view and sample an assortment of local specialties, such as Costa Azul shrimp wrapped in smokey bacon, clams gratinida—cooked and finished with melted cheese—and their pulpo (octopus) ceviche. A refreshing craft cocktail from the bar is the perfect complement to a warm, sunny seaside day. Lodging is also available at the adjacent Castillos del Mar and beach club members have access to events, cabanas and more.

De Castillos 7, Castillos del Mar, 22713 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 527 6518, suniobeachclub.com. Hours: Sun-Thu: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fri-Sat: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Carnitas Los Panchos is a Rosarito Beach institution. The restaurant has been frying what many consider the best carnitas in the city for over 70 years. You can order all your favorite bits of scrumptious pork from this charming family-owned spot. Favorites include chamorro (leg), buche (stomach lining), surtido (mixed meats), maciza (lean meat) and costillas (ribs). The sublime corn and flour tortillas are made in-house—by a sweet little old lady who’s been kneading and pressing them here for over 50 years.

Km. 21.5, Carretera Libre a Rosarito, Lucio Blanco, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 612 0009, FB: CarnitaslosPanchos. Hours: Daily: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Hacienda de Badú is adjacent to Carnitas Los Panchos—and owned by the same family. Traditional cook Josefina Sanchez runs the kitchen in the impressive, homey two-story brick restaurant. They specialize in succulent barbacoa (pit-roasted lamb). It’s served with supple house-made corn tortillas and best drizzled with a zesty house-made salsa tatemada. Traditional Mexican breakfasts are also available, as is their unmissable café de olla (coffee with cinnamon, and raw dark sugar, known as piloncillo).

Km. 21.5 Carretera Libre a Rosarito #1009-2, Lucio Blanco, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 613 4011, facebook.com/HaciendadeBadu1993. Hours: Daily: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m

La Casa de Langosta is one of the classic Rosarito Beach restaurants in the Puerto Nuevo lobster village. Its matriarch, Rosa María Plascencia, was one of the first to fry the crustaceans in 1954 to feed the hungry lobstermen as they came in on their boats after a long day on the water. Today, her family still serves Puerto Nuevo style lobster with the requisite sides of rice, beans, and oversize flour tortillas. A variety of other types of seafood are also on offer. For something different, try the delectable fried lobster chimichanga.

Rentería 3, Centro, 22716 Puerto Nuevo, +52 661 614 1072, IG: @casalangosta. Hours: Mon-Fri 12:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., Sat-Sun: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

FINE DINING IN ROSARITO BEACH

Sunset Bella Bistro is perched atop a high hill at the exclusive Bellafler Collection Hotel & Resort. The sunset view of the Pacific from the glass-enclosed dining room is simply stunning. The menu from chef Ana Arvizu highlights the bounty of the region. Dishes include the fresh catch of the day prepared in one of two styles, grilled octopus and several chef-driven tacos. Desserts pay homage to Mexico’s culinary history—the buñelo, a postre staple from the state of Oaxaca, is coated in xoconostle (cactus fruit) ash.

Av.Aguamarina No. 10 Fraccionamiento, Puntazul Zafiro, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 117 8778, IG: @sunsetbellabistro. Hours: Daily: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Esencia Restaurante features Mediterranean cuisine which wouldn’t be out of place in the Valle de Guadalupe—Baja California’s wine country. Their verdant courtyard is the perfect spot in which to indulge in it all. A crudo of local bluefin tuna served with a side of Asian-inspired dipping sauce is an inspired start to a wide selection of entrees. The perfectly-grilled beef filet is bathed in a luxuriant, savory brown sauce and served with a twice-baked potato and garden vegetables. Craft cocktails here are riquísimos.

Calle Mar del Norte 480, Zona Centro, 22700 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 130 2019, +52 661 130 2019, IG: @esencia_rosarito. Hours: Mon-Sat: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Sun: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Encanto, just south of Rosarito Beach in Primo Tapia, is a rustic, yet refined two-story brick restaurant built atop a rocky cliff atop a small bay. It offers inarguably one of the most dramatic views in the area. The menu features hearty entrees, such as a savory grilled ribeye, Costa Azul (bacon-wrapped shrimp) in a hearty white sauce, Puerto Nuevo-style fried lobster and grilled salmon with vegetables. A favorite is the molcajete—a large lava-crafted bowl filled with lobster, shrimp and arrachera in a rich, tomato and chile-based broth.

Carr. Transpeninsular 1015, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, +52 (661) 172 1766, restauranteencanto.com. Hours: Daily: 9 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Ochuna offers a healthy menu of Mediterranean cuisine, influenced by Spanish, Italian, Arab, Greek and French preparations. That may sound like a hodgepodge, but most of the dishes here hit the mark with a blending of both tradition and ingredients. Charcuterie boards feature fine meats and cheeses from around the globe. Lamb, steaks and short ribs are cooked over charcoal, infusing the meats with a satisfying, charred flavor. They also feature several very good pasta dishes—there’s something on the menu for everyone.

Blvd. Benito Juárez 2701, Echeverria, 22703 Playas de Rosarito, +52 661 112 2308, ochunarosarito.com. Hours: Daily: 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Los Portales de Garcia, located next door to Encanto, is a three-story brick structure dramatically perched atop the same cliff above a small bay in Primo Tapia, just south of Rosarito Beach. The menu offers a delectable array of grilled steaks, seafood, and more. Start with one of their sublime craft cocktails and finish with a tasting of house wines, whiskeys, or artisanal agave-based spirits in their seaside cava. They also serve breakfast and are a popular starting point for tour groups on their way to the Valle de Guadalupe.

Km. 52, Carretera Libre El Campito, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, facebook.com/losportales05. Hours: Mon-Thu: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Fri-Sun: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Disclaimer: The author received complementary food and drinks from some of the restaurants listed during a restaurant tour with CANIRAC Rosarito. No other compensation was received from the restaurants for this article and our opinions remain steadfastly our own.