Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
Question For Ensenada People
Hello Nomads,
I will be spending more time in Ensenada soon and I'm curious to hear what some of you who live there recommend for cool restaurants, movie theaters,
sports fields to watch games, records stores, hipster hangouts (I'm kind of kidding), surf shops, music equipment stores, etc.......
Of course I'm googling.
Of course I've driven thru there hundreds of times and stayed downtown and by the marina, and Estero Beach, and I know all about the Baja 1000 and La
Bufadora.
I'm looking for places the locals hang out that are interesting. Yes, I'm a guero and do guero things, but I want to see more Ensenada and of more of
what's happening off the beaten tourist path.
Thanks in advance for any comments you may have.
|
|
|
BoenBaja
Nomad
Posts: 430
Registered: 12-24-2023
Member Is Offline
|
|
This is well known, but El Trailero in El Sausal has a great variety of local cuisine.
|
|
|
cupcake
Senior Nomad
Posts: 618
Registered: 4-23-2024
Member Is Offline
|
|
Probably well on the beaten path, but I enjoyed wandering around the Riviera del Pacifico one afternoon in 2022. I had the place mostly to myself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A452xinLf14
|
|
|
bajaric
Senior Nomad
Posts: 668
Registered: 2-2-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
Well, I don't live there, and this is not really "off the beaten path" but when driving south with passengers, we always stop at what I call my secret
Ensenada parking lot. Just when you enter downtown Ensenada at the first light the entance to the parking lot is to the right. Secure cheap parking,
usually never full, and then it is a short stroll to the north end of the malecon where the Black seafood market is located. The Black is kind of
gross, flies buzzing all over everything and guys with fans shooing them away so they can come right back, like they never heard of glass encosures
for a fish market. I think I got some endengered sea bass there once ha ha. I had the guy filet it, then he charged me extra from what he said it
would be.
On the way to the malecon you walk past a half dozen hole in the wall restaurants, with guys outside trying to get you to come in. They all seem
about the same, but good relatively cheap seafood. Many people from the cruise ships eat there. I wonder if anyone has a favorite place to eat in
that immediate area that stands out from the rest.
|
|
|
bajaric
Senior Nomad
Posts: 668
Registered: 2-2-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
And just to get the devil number off my post count, the area just east of the bars and hotels has some "bodegas" that are kind of fun to shop. Mexico
has tarifs on aisian goods, so you see spoons from Brazil, etc. that you would not find in shops NOB.
|
|
|
latitude32
Senior Nomad
Posts: 918
Registered: 3-6-2025
Member Is Offline
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by bajaric  | Well, I don't live there, and this is not really "off the beaten path" but when driving south with passengers, we always stop at what I call my secret
Ensenada parking lot. Just when you enter downtown Ensenada at the first light the entance to the parking lot is to the right. Secure cheap parking,
usually never full, and then it is a short stroll to the north end of the malecon where the Black seafood market is located. The Black is kind of
gross, flies buzzing all over everything and guys with fans shooing them away so they can come right back, like they never heard of glass encosures
for a fish market. I think I got some endengered sea bass there once ha ha. I had the guy filet it, then he charged me extra from what he said it
would be.
On the way to the malecon you walk past a half dozen hole in the wall restaurants, with guys outside trying to get you to come in. They all seem
about the same, but good relatively cheap seafood. Many people from the cruise ships eat there. I wonder if anyone has a favorite place to eat in
that immediate area that stands out from the rest. |
you are correct the lot entrance is at the lighthouse, then you're just steps away from Muelle tres....it's very good 
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
The finest cuisine in North America! Thanks buddy!
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
Interesting. The wife and I are gonna visit! Gracias cupcake.
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by bajaric | Well, I don't live there, and this is not really "off the beaten path" but when driving south with passengers, we always stop at what I call my secret
Ensenada parking lot. Just when you enter downtown Ensenada at the first light the entance to the parking lot is to the right. Secure cheap parking,
usually never full, and then it is a short stroll to the north end of the malecon where the Black seafood market is located. The Black is kind of
gross, flies buzzing all over everything and guys with fans shooing them away so they can come right back, like they never heard of glass encosures
for a fish market. I think I got some endengered sea bass there once ha ha. I had the guy filet it, then he charged me extra from what he said it
would be.
On the way to the malecon you walk past a half dozen hole in the wall restaurants, with guys outside trying to get you to come in. They all seem
about the same, but good relatively cheap seafood. Many people from the cruise ships eat there. I wonder if anyone has a favorite place to eat in
that immediate area that stands out from the rest. |
I just typed a long reply but it got lost somehow! Devastating.
Anyways, thanks for the mental journey into the fish market. I was closing my eyes trying to imagine where this secret parking lot is and I think I
know.
I had a killer fish taco in there once. The batter was dark and super fried and probably blocked a few arteries.
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by bajaric | | And just to get the devil number ofpost count, the area just east of the bars and hotels has some "bodegas" that are kind of fun to shop. Mexico has
tarifs on aisian goods, so you see spoons from Brazil, etc. that you would not find in shops NOB. |
Super interesting. So like a couple blocks east of Lopez Mateos?
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by latitude32 | | Quote: Originally posted by bajaric | Well, I don't live there, and this is not really "off the beaten path" but when driving south with passengers, we always stop at what I call my secret
Ensenada parking lot. Just when you enter downtown Ensenada at the first light the entance to the parking lot is to the right. Secure cheap parking,
usually never full, and then it is a short stroll to the north end of the malecon where the Black seafood market is located. The Black is kind of
gross, flies buzzing all over everything and guys with fans shooing them away so they can come right back, like they never heard of glass encosures
for a fish market. I think I got some endengered sea bass there once ha ha. I had the guy filet it, then he charged me extra from what he said it
would be.
On the way to the malecon you walk past a half dozen hole in the wall restaurants, with guys outside trying to get you to come in. They all seem
about the same, but good relatively cheap seafood. Many people from the cruise ships eat there. I wonder if anyone has a favorite place to eat in
that immediate area that stands out from the rest. |
you are correct the lot entrance is at the lighthouse, then you're just steps away from Muelle tres....it's very good |
Sweet. Always heard of that place but never gone. Next weekend!
|
|
|
wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
I haven't been in many years, but I would hope it's still there ... coming into the main drag, on your left, there is a fast food place - Burger King
or something like that. At that corner turn left and look on the left side of the street about maybe 5 ? blocks down for the small Ahumada shop -
smoked fish. It's open early and not much left by noon, but it's so nice to have along on a camping trip. With a cold pinot grigio. And a sunset
view. I sure miss Baja.
|
|
|
latitude32
Senior Nomad
Posts: 918
Registered: 3-6-2025
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by wilderone | | I haven't been in many years, but I would hope it's still there ... coming into the main drag, on your left, there is a fast food place - Burger King
or something like that. At that corner turn left and look on the left side of the street about maybe 5 ? blocks down for the small Ahumada shop -
smoked fish. It's open early and not much left by noon, but it's so nice to have along on a camping trip. With a cold pinot grigio. And a sunset
view. I sure miss Baja. |
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
This sounds excellent............I'll swing by and grab a snack next weekend. Thanks wilderone and latitude!
|
|
|
BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
For an alternative, PAMPAS Brazilian restaurant is all you can eat meat. This style restaurant is known for their salads but this was not my
experience at this place - but the meat and the dessert are really good!
El Yaqui is a really good taco stand- but I bet you know that one.
and the best filet mignon steak with mushroom sauce is at LAS BUGAMBILIAS retaurant at the El Cortez hotel.
Tell us and show us when you go for those of us so far away!
|
|
|
mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20313
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
|
|
Temaky Sushi on same block as hussongs cantina. It's Mexicanized sushi - pretty good.
Cafe Arabiga on segunda is hip cafe, fairly good coffee. Good pace to hang out. Sometimes have live music.
CICESE cafe - ok food, but great view from up on the hill overlooking UABC.
Restaurante Olympo. Good beer selection, good food, various asian, mex and american menu items. On hwy 1, across from UABC.
Woke!
Hands off!
“Por el bien de todos, primero los pobres.”
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Pronoun: the royal we
|
|
|
wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Yes, that's it, Latitude!
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca | For an alternative, PAMPAS Brazilian restaurant is all you can eat meat. This style restaurant is known for their salads but this was not my
experience at this place - but the meat and the dessert are really good!
El Yaqui is a really good taco stand- but I bet you know that one.
and the best filet mignon steak with mushroom sauce is at LAS BUGAMBILIAS retaurant at the El Cortez hotel.
Tell us and show us when you go for those of us so far away! |
Thanks Blanca. We will check these ideas out. Really appreciate the effort. Hope all is well. Say Hi to Les.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
