Where to eat in Valle de Guadalupe? That’s a question that any foodie is bound to ask when planning a trip to this world-renowned wine region. With so many amazing restaurants to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start. But don’t worry, I’m here to help. In this blog post, I’ll share some of my favorite places to eat in Valle de Guadalupe, from casual breakfast spots to fine dining date worthy restaurants you MUST try.

First up on this list is a casual breakfast spot, La Cocina de Doña Esthela: This iconic family run restaurant has been serving up authentic Mexican cuisine for over 20 years. The chef and owner, Doña Esthela, is a self-taught cook who learned her skills from her grandmother & you can still find her working hard in the kitchen herself & even taking the time to stop to take pics with fans – I told you, she’s iconic! Her passion for food is evident in every dish she creates! Gordon Ramsey himself has said that she deserves a Michelin star as her restaurant was voted the best breakfast in the world, yeah you read that right!

One of the things that makes La Cocina de Doña Esthela so special is its commitment to using fresh, local ingredients. Doña Esthela sources her produce from local farmers and markets and makes all of her tortillas and salsas from scratch. Another thing that makes this spot so unique is the menu. Doña Esthela serves a variety of traditional Mexican dishes, as well as her own signature creations. Some of her most popular dishes include the machaca con huevo, the carne en su jugo, and the mole poblano. Doña Esthela herself cooks in the kitchen, and her passion for food is evident in every dish. We dined here twice for breakfast, it was truly that good. I had the corn cakes twice – two different ways, because they were the best damn pancakes I’ve ever had in my life. My husband ordered the birria which was made from goat (which is hard to find) and it literally fell off the bone & I’ve been searching for goat birria ever since. He got the machaca con huevo the second day & it was equally delicious. Arrive before 10am if going on the weekend as it can get pretty busy but moves pretty fast.

Another casual-ish place – but for dinner is Bruma Wine Garden which is located at the Bruma winery, offering stunning views of the surrounding vineyards. You can grab your drink and walk around the vineyard making this such a unique dining experience. There are even some large mirrors that face the vineyard so you can have that selfie moment with a stunning backdrop.

Another thing that makes Bruma Wine Garden so special is its menu. The well respected chef, David Castro Hussong, is a young and innovative chef who is passionate about using fresh & local ingredients. Chef Hussong creates a variety of small plates that are meant to be shared. The dishes are beautifully presented and the flavors are exquisite. Some of the most popular dishes include the wood-fired pizzas, the raw seafood dishes, and the grilled meats. Trust me, I’m a fellow New Yorker & the pizza was OUTSTANDING – I really wasn’t expecting to like it so much but it exceeded my expectations.

Our last more upscale restaurant is actually in the same location & the same chef but trust us – it’s a completely different vibe & menu. Fauna has won numerous awards, including the title of “Best New Restaurant in Valle de Guadalupe” by Baja California Magazine. Their menu is a little less casual & would honestly be great for a group! We were kind of sad we weren’t hungrier and it was just the two of us because they have a tasting menu that is quite a lot of food so you can try a little of everything. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable & the service was incredible. They also have an open kitchen and Marichuy was working hard on making fresh tortillas & was the absolute sweetest. She gave us a fresh one off the grill to try while we were waiting for our food. The views are also just as stunning which made this a truly unforgettable experience. Both restaurants by Chef Hussong have family style seating – a large wood table, so choose your seat wisely. I sat across from my husband and the table was quite wide & it felt like he was pretty far away. Unfortunately, the people sitting next to us were pretty drunk and I kind of regretted not having my hubby sit next to me because we were looking for more of an intimate dinner. EIther way, I’d still go again.

I also just want to note, because both Fauna & Bruma Wine Garden are located on the same vineyard, if you try to search them online – it’s a little bit of a hot mess! Pictures are uploaded into the reviews of the wrong restaurant so it can be a little confusing. I made sure to hyperlink both where you can make reservations. If you’re a visual person – check out the pics within the hyperlink – they are mostly accurate.

A few tips:

• Dress casually: Even the most upscale restaurants in Valle de Guadalupe have a relaxed dress code. You don’t need to dress up to enjoy a delicious meal.
• Try the local wines: Valle de Guadalupe is known for its excellent wines. Be sure to try a few different bottles while you’re there.
• Make reservations in advance for both Fauna & Bruma Wine Garden – spots fill up pretty quickly because they are such amazing restaurants!

Valle de Guadalupe is a foodie’s paradise, with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or a fine dining experience, you’re sure to find something to your taste. What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever had in Valle de Guadalupe?