Blue Fish Cabo

Shoppes at Palmilla, San José del Cabo, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, México

Blue Fish Cabo Seafood Longtime visitors will love this mariscos mecca at theShoppes at Palmilla, which features fresh local seafood served in time-honored Baja California Sur-style preparations. Chef Ildefonso “Poncho” Avilés hails from a family with deep roots in San José del Cabo, and Blue Fish Seafood is one of the rare local restaurants that eschews regionally representative dishes from across the country in favor of traditional local favorites.

The original incarnation of Blue Fish was an intimate 10-table eatery that opened at San José del Cabo’s Plaza Península in 2011. The restaurant moved to its present location in January 2016, and the new digs are a big improvement, not only in terms of seating capacity but overall charm. A spacious patio adds alfresco ambience to an already exceptional dining experience. The service, meanwhile, remains unchanged: unfailingly warm and welcoming.

The bill of fare is unpretentious and affordable, with specialties that range from ceviches and sashimis to aguachiles and tortilla-wrapped seafood tacos. The chef’s most beloved dish is a sea bass ceviche with fresh mango, but delicious options abound: “octopus in love” tostadas; smoked marlin tacos; yellowtail ceviche with sliced pineapple; a special tuna sashimi; a superb aguachile made with scallops rather than the more traditional shrimp; and oft-imitated-but-never-duplicated chile and lime seasoned chips.

Tacos and ceviches are appropriate any time of day, but a dedicated dinner menu is also on hand for evening visitors. Highlights include an organic arugula salad with octopus, a garlic flavored octopus cooked a la parilla, and a hearty mixed grill platter showcasing fresh lobster, fish and scallops. For dessert, try a slice of cheesecake or the flan de la casa with a post-prandial jigger of Licor 43. Mexican beer, liquor, and tropical cocktail options are also on tap, including top-shelf tequila and mezcal.