Cabo Restaurant Tier List: 18 Places Ranked S to B, by the Numbers

A tier list is a blunt tool, which is why people like it. So here is ours, with one rule: the tiers are built from the ratings and review counts in our own listings, not from who bought us dinner. S tier is 4.7 and up. A tier is 4.5 to 4.6. B tier is 4.3 to 4.4, and B does not mean bad in a town where the average is high. It usually means loud, busy, or on the beach, which is sometimes exactly what you want.

S tier: the two everyone agrees on

Salvatore G's

Italian, downtown on Vicente Guerrero, $$$. A 4.8 from nearly 2,000 reviews, which is the best rating-to-volume ratio on this list. Open 11am to 10:30pm, from 4pm on Sunday. Happy hour, a real wine list, great cocktails and a room that works for a date or a table of six.

Flora Farms

Farm-to-table at Las Ánimas Bajas outside San José del Cabo, $$$. A 4.7 from close to 3,400 reviews. Closed Monday; Tuesday to Saturday it runs breakfast 9 to 10:30am, lunch 11am to 1:30pm and dinner 5:30 to 9pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm. Everything comes off the farm around you. Book ahead.

A tier: strong, and you could argue any of them up

Acre Restaurant (San José, $$$, 4.6 from about 1,600): farm-to-table with a fireplace, a rooftop and a bar known for its cocktails. Open 11:30am to 10pm, weekends 10am to 2pm and 5 to 10pm.

La Lupita Taco & Mezcal (San José art district, $$, 4.6 from around 2,200): tacos, mezcal, live music, rooftop. Noon to 10:30pm, closed Monday.

Oystera (Todos Santos, $$$, 4.6 from close to 1,500): the oyster bar worth the drive. 10am to 9pm, noon to 8pm on Monday.

Romeo & Julieta (Marina, $$, 4.6 from about 1,400): Italian and pizza with a rooftop, 4 to 11pm, Sunday 2 to 10pm.

Outpost (Marina, $$, 4.6 from around 1,140): cocktail and wine bar with a rooftop, open 8am to 1am, the latest kitchen on this list.

SUR Beach Club (Medano, $$, 4.6 from about 1,070): the calm end of the beach, 8:30am to 10:30pm.

Sunset Monalisa (Corridor km 6, $$$$, 4.5 from over 2,100): the sunset table, 4 to 10:30pm. The rating trails the S tier by a hair. The view does not.

Jazmin's Restaurant (San José, $$, 4.5 from about 1,900): Mexican, 8am to 11pm, breakfast through dinner.

Baja Brewing Company (San José, $$, 4.5 from close to 1,400): brewpub, live music, 11am to 10pm.

Edith's Restaurante (Av. del Pescador, $$$$, 4.5 from around 1,170): the historic, romantic room, 5 to 10pm.

Jazamango (Todos Santos, $$, 4.5 from about 1,140): farm-to-table, 1 to 9pm, closed Tuesday.

Daikoku (Plaza Nautica on the Marina, $$$, 4.5 from around 1,090): the sushi default, 1 to 11pm.

B tier: loud, busy, on the beach, and still fun

Mango Deck (Medano, $$, 4.4 from roughly 6,200): bar games, live music, quiz night, 8am to 10pm. You are here for the scene.

Los Tres Gallos (downtown, $$, 4.4 from about 1,500): traditional Mexican, live music, 11am to 10pm. The most underrated B on the list.

Cabo Wabo Cantina (Vicente Guerrero, $$, 4.3 from more than 6,200): live music and dancing, 9am to 11pm.

The Office (Medano, $$$, 4.3 from over 5,300): tables on the sand, 7am to 10pm. Over five thousand reviews at 4.3 tells you it is doing exactly what it promises.

How to read this

• Volume matters. A 4.6 from 1,600 reviews is a stronger signal than a 4.9 from 40. That is why the A tier is long.
• Price is not tier. Two $$$$ rooms sit in A. Two $$ taco and brew spots sit right beside them.
• Beach bars rate lower. Crowds, noise and sheer volume drag the score. They are still where we send people on day one.
• Book the S tier. Salvatore G's and Flora Farms fill up in high season, November to April. A week ahead is safe.
• Closures. Flora Farms and La Lupita close Monday. Jazamango closes Tuesday.

Two S, twelve A, four B, and no bad night among them. The full list of where we eat is on our Cabo restaurants page.