Where to eat at Solaz.
What I ate, what I’d order again, and what I’d skip, with what I learned about each restaurant.
By Brandi Harris · Travel · Los Cabos, MexicoThe lineup
Cascabel. Oceanfront Mexican breakfast.
Mako. Casual beachfront seafood, open for lunch and dinner.
Riccio di Mare. Contemporary Italian.
Al Pairo. Cliffside tasting menu dinner.
Baja Beach. A beachside spot in an Airstream, open for dinner on select nights.
Foresta. The juice bar.
La Cava. The wine cellar, with more than 2,500 vintages.
Resorts change hours and menus, so confirm before you go.
Mako (lunch)
The food was incredible. Mako focuses on fresh fish and shellfish, and the ceviche and the watermelon salad were my favorites. The mini burger was good too. The smoked tuna taco wasn’t for me. I wish we’d been seated closer to the ocean, so when you book, ask for a table with a view.
Cascabel (breakfast)
A breakfast buffet with à la carte options and stations, including a quesadilla station. The menu leans American. I didn’t see many traditional Mexican breakfast dishes, and that’s worth knowing if you want a local breakfast. For travelers who love a bountiful buffet with ambiance, it’s a great pick. It may carry an additional charge, so check. When you book through me, you’ll get complimentary breakfast.
Foresta (the lighter option)
If you want something lighter and leaner, go here. I ordered the secret detox: honey, turmeric, green juice, and green apple. It’s strong, and you can taste the turmeric. It was exactly what I needed after a very full first day.
Poolside
I ordered the short rib barbacoa taco and I highly recommend it. The coconut sorbet was criminally good.
Riccio di Mare (Italian)
I wasn’t expecting much, and it was actually good. The kitchen pairs Mediterranean technique with ingredients from Baja California Sur. Italian food is also filling, so don’t go after a huge lunch like I did.
The night cap
After the sunset sail, the ladies wanted a night cap. We had churros, rice milk horchata ice cream, and a flan. I didn’t love the flan texture. The churro won. The dessert wine was very strong, so go lightly.
“The churro won. I split mine and I’m getting my own next time.”
Al Pairo (the tasting menu)
This is the Michelin-recommended restaurant, on the cliff, and the one to save for your best night. It’s open for dinner only, daily, with a smart-casual dress code. The kitchen reimagines pre-Hispanic cuisine through native ingredients and ancestral techniques. We did the tasting menu, about eight courses. My favorite dish was, ironically, the beef tongue. I had no idea it could taste that good.
I wasn’t drinking much wine because wine makes me sleepy, and I was still on East Coast time. By dessert I was too full for the churros I’d been looking forward to. Pace yourself and plan for the long meal.
How I’d plan three days of eating
Day one. A light arrival lunch, then Mako or Riccio di Mare for dinner.
Day two. A Cascabel breakfast, a poolside lunch, and a spa afternoon.
Day three. Foresta juice in the morning, lunch off property (my pick is Marea at the Montage →
And remember: Los Cabos is a dine-around destination. If Solaz is your base and you’re tired of the same views, take a car and eat somewhere else.
Reservations and dress
Al Pairo and Riccio di Mare are smart casual. Mako, Cascabel, Baja Beach, and Foresta are casual. Pack at least one dressier outfit for Al Pairo. I wore a cocktail dress to dinner at Riccio di Mare, which was right at home. (And yes, that’s how I discovered the no-mirror situation.)
I’d reserve Al Pairo before you arrive, since it’s dinner only and it’s the one everyone wants. Baja Beach is open Wednesday through Sunday evenings, and closed Monday and Tuesday, so plan around that if it’s on your list.
One more thing
Solaz also runs a resort-wide food program called the Inclusive Gastronomic Journey, which brings together dining, chef-led tastings, craft beverages, and snacks. Ask me what’s currently included with your room so you know what’s covered.
— Bee