Lobster Restaurant Recommendations along the Mexican Riviera

[SelectSys]

My sister in law and wife are going on a  cruise this Friday to Cabo. PV and Mazatlán.

 

My sister in law is a big lobster fan and wants to eat it at least once on shore for lunch.  

 

Any good tips / recommendations for their port stops?

 

Thanks in advance.to all!

[Ine]

Mexican Rivera does not have real lobster places. Lobster is best is colder ocean areas.If you find any it will be imported from other areas.  There is a mexican version of lobster, but I often hear it is not as tasty and smaller.

In Puerto Vallarta you might try The Blue Shrimp, or Tuna Azul 

Edited April 11 by Ine

[SDPadreFan]

Here is a description I found on the internet.

 

"Like the Caribbean lobster, the California lobster is a warm water species and lacks claws. However, unlike its East Coast cousin, the California lobster rarely finds itself on a Western plate. Described as "slightly chewy" and as having a "creamy and extremely nutty flavor," the California spiny lobster might just be the West Coast scuba diving community's best-kept secret, as they're the only Americans that have access to them. However, they are quite popular in China, which is where the majority of commercially caught spiny lobsters from California and Mexico end up.

 

Scripps Institution of Oceanography graduate Kate Masury claims the Chinese prefer clawless lobster species to their cold water counterparts. This demand has driven up the price of the lobsters, leading Americans to select cheaper options. Still, if you manage to get your hands on a California spiny lobster, you may want to treat yourself by boiling them, dousing them with butter, slapping them on a hot grill for a few minutes, and then finishing with even more butter."

 

So if your sister has never had Baja Lobster then she may be disappointed in the comparison to cold water Maine lobster. It's certainly not bad - but it is different.

 

In Cabo, on the Marina Walk are several excellent restaurants that "probably" offer lobster. My personal favorite is Solomon's Landing but there is also the excellent Captain Tony's as well as The Tiki Bar (a little further down the walk). Tiki Bar is also a favorite of mine for their outstanding fish & chips and their sushi is very good as well.

 

There is also a street nearby called Calle Miguel Hidalgo (also sometimes called restaurant row). On that street is a restaurant called "The Crazy Lobster" and they should definitely have it. We ate there probably 15-20 years ago and it was good (nothing to write home about - but good).

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cN9uVeD12R5z1V8C7

 

[SDPadreFan]

Checked menu's for Captain Tony's and Solomon's Landing and only saw lobster listed for Solomon's Landing (pretty dang pricey though). If I was looking for seafood at Solomon's, I would definitely go for the whole grilled red snapper (wow is that good). But the Crazy Lobster will definitely have lobster.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

Mexican Rivera lobster is out of season, if you find it it's probably frozen and flown in from China or south America.  We have never found good lobster in Baja after February.  We only live a few minutes from Puerto Nuevo and we can watch the lobster fisherman tending their traps from our balcony.  I haven't seen any activity for at least two weeks.    

[SelectSys]

5 hours ago, Ine said:

There is a mexican version of lobster, but I often hear it is not as tasty and smaller.

The lobster around where I live - aka the "spiny lobster" - is really pretty good from my view.  However, thanks for the input.  I never really have looked for lobster below Ensenada.

 

3 hours ago, SDPadreFan said:

So if your sister has never had Baja Lobster then she may be disappointed in the comparison to cold water Maine lobster.

My sister in law lives in Orange County and is familiar with our lobster.  No problem with taste.

 

3 hours ago, SDPadreFan said:

Calle Miguel Hidalgo (also sometimes called restaurant row). On that street is a restaurant called "The Crazy Lobster" and they should definitely have it.

Thanks.  I was looking for something beyond the marina to recommend/consider.

 

29 minutes ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

Mexican Rivera lobster is out of season, if you find it it's probably frozen and flown in from China or south America.

My understanding is that most of the lobster served in Puerto Nuevo is from out of the area regardless of time of year.  It seems to me that the demand most likely outstrips the supply by a large margin.

 

Thanks to all for their input!  It seems like Cabo would be the best place to try and find a lobster lunch.

 

BTW - On my own search I found this place as well which seems to get good reviews and lobster seems to be on the menu:

https://www.opentable.com.mx/r/las-mariscadas-cabo-san-lucas?ref=16420

[SDPadreFan]

26 minutes ago, SelectSys said:

BTW - On my own search I found this place as well which seems to get good reviews and lobster seems to be on the menu:

https://www.opentable.com.mx/r/las-mariscadas-cabo-san-lucas?ref=16420

 

 

Yep, I know that area well. It's on Calle Cabo San Lucas just past the restaurant "Mi Casa". Mi Casa doesn't look like much on the outside but it's beautiful inside (especially at night). Been going to Cabo every year since 2002 to visit our timeshare. Haven't missed a single year yet. Anyway - that's an easy walk from the tender pier. We will be back there on Carnival Firenze in August and then our usual one week stay at our timeshare in October. That restaurant is actually not far from our timeshare at PB Sunset Beach. At the intersection between Mi Casa and Las Mariscadas we would drive up the hill (left) and then up to Via de Lerry (left) and that is the private entrance to our timeshare perched on the hillside overlooking the Pacific. We watch the cruise ships go by from our balcony.

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QHS2zTZygTjCvmo67

 

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

On 4/11/2024 at 2:54 PM, SelectSys said:

 

 

On 4/11/2024 at 2:54 PM, SelectSys said:

My understanding is that most of the lobster served in Puerto Nuevo is from out of the area regardless of time of year.  It seems to me that the demand most likely outstrips the supply by a large margin.

We see plenty getting brought in during lobster season and it's pretty easy to tell if it's fresh and from the locals.  Best thing is lobster season is for the most part low tourist season especially during the week for lunch.  We usually go in January and February.   We haven't found the "top" rated places on the review sites to be the best.  Sandra's gets high marks and we weren't impressed at all.  Ortega's Patio was very good.  Seite Mares we haven't tried but friends really like it.  It will be our next spot to try.  

 

[SelectSys]

As an epilogue, here is a snapshot of the lobster lunch from Las Mariscadas this afternoon.  The report from the field was that the restaurant was very good and worth a visit for those heading to Cabo.

 

Edited April 15 by SelectSys

[SDPadreFan]

Good to know. While we pretty much always do the optional AI at our timeshare these days. It is good to know about quality restaurants in Cabo (especially those just a little off the beaten path). Hope your sister-in-law is having a great cruise.

Edited April 15 by SDPadreFan

[SelectSys]

23 minutes ago, SDPadreFan said:

know about quality restaurants in Cabo

I talked to my wife this morning and she did indicate the food was also pretty expensive - well over $100 for lunch.  Cabo isn't necessarily a bargain these days.

Edited April 15 by SelectSys

[SDPadreFan]

29 minutes ago, SelectSys said:

I talked to my wife this morning and she did indicate the food was also pretty expensive - well over $100 for lunch.  Cabo isn't necessarily a bargain these days.

Agree - but the lobster was probably a big part of that price. A favorite of ours used to be Hacienda Cocina y Cantina. The food great, the views spectacular, and the prices "reasonable". Last time the food and drink had gotten pretty expensive, so now it's on our "major celebration" list only.

 

The good news - Cabo Costco still has their $1.50 hot dogs. The bad news (for most), a cab ride there and back can easily cost $40-$50 round trip (maybe even more).