Ballena is a master class in dining! I ate here twice within an eight day visit to San Jose del Cabo. If you are looking for an extraordinary culinary experience that ticks every single box, look no further than Ballena. They are at the top of my SJDC dining wishlist. The atmosphere bridges modern sophistication with cozy warmth. Soft amber lighting, and stunning botanical installations create an upscale experience without feeling stuffy. Perfect for an intimate dinner, family gathering or business meeting. The service was impeccable and the staff created a culinary experience. Our servers were knowledgeable and guided us through the menu. The food was beyond delicious! From the tuna tartare, to the ceviche, the lobster tacos, and the lobster spring rolls, to the pad Thai, and tagliatelle bolognese all were outstanding. Pricing was an exceptional value and I left feeling deeply satisfied. Ballena is a perfect 5 out of 5. read more

This was one of the best restaurants I have been to in San Jose del Cabo! The views are stunning, the architecture is gorgeous, the food was amazing, and the service was five stars! Everyone there makes you feel special. Allen was our server, he was great. I would recommend getting the tour of the facilities, they are putting in art galleries, and installations on the property. The location of the restaurant is set up on a hilltop, overlooking the marina. I recommend coming during daylight, so you can enjoy the view. We sat inside the main dining area, which was beautiful, they also have gorgeous patio seating as well. 5 stars across the board! I highly recommend dining here! We can't wait to go back! read more

Had a wonderful dinner last night with neighborhood friends celebrating a birthday. The setting is beautiful once you get inside the entrance. Driving up, I was a bit unsure about where we were going, but stepping in from the dirt fielded parking lot felt like entering the twilight zone--in the best way. The outdoor space is stunning, set in the Baja hills with views of the far off ocean and sunset. The food was delicious--we ordered from the Asian fusion section of their international menu. The Pad Thai (5) was very good, the Kung Pao (3.5) was decent (the rice was actually the best part), and the pizza (5) was outstanding with a great textured crust and flavorful sauce. All are pictured. Service was a bit scattered, but we were a group of 12-13, so it's understandable. It took quite a bit of time, but the appetizer bite they provided was delish and the drinks were excellent and kept everyone happy. I would come here again if I could find it on my own. A bit off the beaten path but worth it. read more

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10 out of 10! Ambience and view are wonderful. Every staff member was so kind and attentive, went above and beyond. Food was delicious! Will be back everytime we are in town. read more

An experience like no other, the complimentary items were an amazing touch. The portions were extremely generous. And the service was above and beyond. Thank you to our team Jairo, Eulises and Hugo and Dali and Marco. Just amazing! read more

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Treat yourself! Group of 7 had lunch on the outdoor patio. Perfect weather, excellent food, excellent service from Marline. 4 separate checks- no problem. Everything was spectacular!!! read more

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Jairo was absolutely incredible!! Food and atmosphere was such a vibe! Highly recommend! read more

Ballena - International Near Me - Cabo San Lucas, BCS

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Ballena is an oasis worthy of Michelin status. A clear path of lanterns affixed to the ground lights the way into this beautiful establishment. The level of service from greeting to eating is exceptional. I love how they start off with an amuse bouche of both food and drink. This adorable mini margarita with black salt accompanied a fritter that tasted like the desert surrounding us. Their sea bass with purple sweet potato purée is unreal and a must try! I also really like their White Haven cocktail - a tequila based drink made with ultra smooth Volcan Blanco. This needs to live in my bar cabinet if I can find it states side. read more

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The food was amazing, the service was above and beyond, so many little details they add to your dining experience and the ambience was absolutely beautiful. This was by far our favorite dining in Cabo! The wine and every recommendation our waiters Jaro and Renaldo suggested was perfect!! They even made my dish less spicy since my stomach won't handle it The whole staff, from the moment we checked in until we departed, were very attentive , friendly, and knowledgeable of their menu. Jaro and Renaldo were very detailed and took their time explaining the menu and daily specials. thank you for a great last evening in Cabo! read more

Ballena - Carbone pasta - International Near Me - Cabo San Lucas, BCS

Words cannot describe the experience my fiancée and I had at Ballena on May 27th, but I'm going to do my best... Upon arrival, we were greeted at our car door and warmly welcomed. We checked in at the reception desk and were immediately asked where we were from and where we were staying. While walking to our table, the host gave us a brief history of this beautiful restaurant and property, which only opened in November 2025. He shared the story of how the owners lost their son when he was only in his 40's, and how this restaurant and property serve as a tribute to his love of art and whales. On our way to the table, we were greeted by every staff member, and only about a minute into the experience, we knew we were in for a treat. Upon being seated, we were introduced to Hugo and Louis, who would be our waitstaff for the evening. We were greeted by name and asked about our stay at Cabo Azul. We immediately noticed even more whale details -- a whale tail at the center of the table and beautiful ceramic plates with a whale printed in the middle. Louis asked what kind of water we'd like and then brought over a tray of assorted citrus garnishes. Once we selected our choice, he ran it around the rim of our water glasses before dropping it in and pouring the water. Next, we were treated to a shot-sized complimentary margarita made with the restaurant's house Volcanes tequila. It was delicious. Hugo then asked if we would like any drinks from the bar. We asked about the wine options and were handed a tablet where we could browse the selection along with detailed descriptions of each wine. While we waited, we were treated to our second complimentary item: a mini spring roll, which was equally delicious. Having not even ordered a single dish yet, the level of detail at every step was unlike any restaurant experience we had ever had. It immediately brought to mind Eleven Madison Park and the book I was listening to about their approach to hospitality. As the sun set, we placed our order and enjoyed the view of the incredible sphere art piece -- one of only three in the world -- with the Sea of Cortez in the distance. Hugo returned to the table with our bottle of Pinot Grigio, pouring a small taste first to ensure it was to our liking before topping off our glasses with a generous pour. To start, we ordered the lobster spring roll. It was incredibly flavorful and came with a peanut sauce that Louis carefully spooned onto our plates while Hugo explained that it was made from 100% peanuts. Next came one of the evening's specials: steak filet tacos on blue corn tortillas, served with two different salsas. I chose a few small scoops of the salsa verde, and upon the first bite, I could taste every flavor and spice come alive. It was a near-religious experience that I won't forget. Every step of the way, Hugo was there to top off our wine glasses while Louis ensured everything on the table remained spotless and tidy. Then it was time for our entrée: the Kung Pao chicken, a dish that stood out to us because of its Asian fusion influence despite us being in Mexico. Once the dish arrived, the lovely food runner mixed together the chicken, vegetables, and sticky rice before serving it perfectly onto the center of our plates, and we were thrilled with our decision. Finally, it was time for dessert. In discovering Ballena, this was one of the details that first stood out to us: the duo of cactus-shaped churros accompanied by a caramel mezcal sauce and a coconut cream sauce. It was the perfect closing note to an incredible experience. Hugo brought us the check, and we expressed how much we enjoyed every part of the meal and the level of detail throughout the evening. Before we even had a chance to pay the bill, Hugo asked if we'd like a tour of the unfinished property, and of course we jumped at the opportunity. Another staff member, also named Hugo, led us through the unfinished property while explaining the owners' vision for the completed space. From above, we overlooked the future art gallery, with walls tall enough to feature enormous paintings, a beautiful sculpture garden, a printing press room already being used by local artists, and -- of course -- even more whales. We wrapped up the tour, said goodbye to one Hugo, and returned to the other to pay our bill and express our gratitude and amazement at the experience from start to finish. We left Ballena that night excited to return, and by our next visit, we truly believe this restaurant concept may be worthy of Michelin greatness. - Final Note... don't be like us and forget to grab a matchbook to commemorate the experience! read more

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Ballena was one of the highlights of our time in San José del Cabo. The food was absolutely delicious, and the menu had enough variety to satisfy just about any palate. We enjoyed a beautiful Mexican wine, an incredible tuna tartare appetizer, and wonderful entrées from start to finish. And do not leave without ordering the churros for dessert. They come with two sauces -- a coconut sauce and a mezcal caramel -- and honestly, they were worth dreaming about afterward. The setting and view were spectacular, especially around sunset, and the experience was elevated even more by the service. Hugo kindly gave us a tour of the property while we waited, which made the evening feel extra special. The entire staff was stellar: warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Highly recommend for a memorable dinner in San José del Cabo. read more

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Had seen some early Social Media posts about Ballena and wanted to give it a try. We were not disappointed for this recently opened stunner! Greeted by lovely hostesses, we were shown to our seats overlooking Puerto Los Cabos. Our attentive waiters, Hugo and Samantha, kept the professionalism alive. They served a welcome lychee cocktail from the bar and an amuse buche from the kitchen. After reviewing the menu we chose the tuna tartare and lobster spring rolls. The presentation and service of the apps was well done by the staff. We made plans for a family return at New Years and look forward to making our way through the menu at this beautiful location which is sure to become a Baja Sur hotspot! Well done! read more

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WOW!!! My husband and I have a tri-coastal lifestyle (San Diego-Boca Raton-San Jose del Cabo) and are impressed. We've eaten in many exceptional places and this place definitely exceeds expectations in terms of service. The food/cocktails/wine are exceptional and the service is at the fine dining level. I highly recommend. read more

What a wonderful addition to the San Jose food scene! The thing that really stands out here is the service-absolutely on point and on par with the finest restaurants. The food is also delicious with great options for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. Our waiter Max really went above and beyond to make the evening stand out and the location itself is truly breathtaking. Ballena will be in our regular rotation now, in fact we are bringing guests back this evening! read more

Ballena - International Near Me - Cabo San Lucas, BCS

The architecture is fabulous. As is the service. Very well designed and lovely on the eyes. But...and it's the biggest but in any restaurant, the meal went steadily downhill. Apps were OK, not great, but OK. We ordered several for the table and none were above OK. The entrees were abysmal. I ordered the salmon. Mine came out cold. Sort of like if they prepared it somewhat in advance and wanted to reheat it in the microwave. Cannot recommend it to anyone. One entree looked great. The short rib was big enough to feed a family. Since I only eat great meat, I kind of wished I'd ordered it. The wine list was also poor. No depth to any of the selections. This is just a very pretty face with no substance. If you don't care about the food very much, it's a great place. But when going to a restaurant, I expect the food to be commiserate with the architecture. Don't bother unless you want to spend three hours looking at very pretty architecture. Don't go for the food. read more

Ballena was one of the best and most memorable dining experiences I've had in recent memory. Brand new spot, open for a week now as of late Nov 2025. The space is stunning, open, and expansive. Great mountain views from every spot. But the food and staff are what makes Ballena special. Their attention to detail was outstanding; they made us feel incredibly welcome and attended to. By the time we left they felt like old friends. The manager Otto personally took care of us and stopped in multiple times. Highest recommendation. read more

Overall good dining experience, as long as you do the following: 1) ask to be seated in the main dining room. The restaurant was half full and we were seated at the most remote corner with families with small babies (we are a couple on a date), 2) do NOT order short rib. It's not on the menu and while the waiter explains the dish he fails to let you know that it's $180 usd for basically 200grs of meat and white rice. I felt a bit cheated by the last part. But: place is beautiful, service is excellent and food is good quality. read more

Our Friend who lives here wanted to bring my husband and I to try it as our last dinner during our week stay. The location is gorgeous. The menu offers a unique range of options that really highlight the area. All the food was delicious with rich flavors. We got several starting plates as well as a pizza & followed it with two main plates which we shared amongst 3 people. We all left happily full & so grateful for the warm service. The three of us recommend it as a magical experience. read more

We had the best experience!!! The service was incredible and the food was delicious - Jairo and Marcos were especially memorable. A perfect last dinner for our bachelorette weekend!! read more

Unbelievable experience! The ambiance, culture, staff and more importantly Hugo - he gave us a tour and shared the sentimental significance of this incredible destination, was the perfect host and made our evening! The architecture and attention to design is breathtaking, the art and overall vibe is a must see! Food unreal too, rounded out the whole evening! Alan and Sam were a beautiful support and A+ team! Thank you and see you next year! read more

Truly the most exquisite location, decor, design, and menu. Over the top incredible on every level. Service was A+. Food was beyond delicious. Spectacular spot for dinner with friends. Our new favorite restaurant. Opened in Nov 2025 it's not to be missed. There were 5 of us, we ordered a bunch of dishes to share. Our amazing server, Jose Luis, French-style-served everything for us. Incredible. Cocktails were unique, hand crafted, creative, and delicious. Everything from the moment you walked up to reception was stunning and welcoming. Ballena, thank you!! Bravo! read more

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Beautiful restaurant with spectacular service. A must when visiting Los Cabos. Dali and Ulysses were excellent servers. Will be back

I give Ballena 3.75/5 The service was wonderful. We greatly appreciated everyone especially Hugo. It's a lovely setting and I believe this restaurant has a ton of potential to be fabulous however we only enjoyed some of the food. The amuse bouche was amazing. Flavourful and beautifully presented. The lobster taco was also delicious. The salad had good flavour but needed to be more refined. Fresh grated Parmesan would have made all the difference. Our mains were disappointing. Mine was really not good. For me, it was inedible. My husband's was just ok. I believe the biggest downfall of Ballena is they are trying to do way too much. They have got Mexican, Asian, Italian and continental on the menu. No chef can be amazing at everything. They need to figure out what the chef is the absolute best at and focus on this cuisine. I think if they do this , they will definitely refine the food and have a great chance to be a very successful restaurant. Again we very much appreciated the wonderful kind and attentive service. We wish you much success. read more

Amazing ambiance, amazing food, amazing service, incredible place. The property is also amazing and so much art to view

Exceptionally good. Found not far from both Flora farm and Acre. If you don't want to go into town this place is just as gourmet and way less of a hassle read more

The service was above and beyond with the most friendliest staff and the food was delicious! Will definitely be back

This stunning new restaurant in the San José del Cabo / Puerto Los Cabos area offers an unforgettable dining experience. Nestled in the hills overlooking Puerto Los Cabos, it boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the marina and the iconic La Cruz de Puerto Los Cabos. The aesthetic is absolutely beautiful--natural stone finishes blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, creating a serene, elevated atmosphere that feels both luxurious and connected to nature. The staff is exceptionally warm, welcoming, and attentive, making you feel truly cared for from the moment you arrive. The menu is wonderfully diverse, offering everything from fresh seafood and perfectly cooked filets to flavorful tacos. Every dish is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, and the thoughtful combinations of flavors are genuinely exceptional. If you're looking for a peaceful, picturesque place to enjoy an outstanding meal, you must try this new hidden gem. It's a dining experience you won't soon forget read more

Food was amazing. Service was spectacular beautiful beautiful setting. Definitely will go back.

A great addition to the San Jose dining scene. The water views at sunset are incredible and the decor is modern but also warm and relaxing. For starters, we had the suckling pig tacos and artichoke salad. Both were good sized portions and delicious. We had the butter sea bass and salmon for entrees, also delicious. The service was attentive but not smothering. We liked it so much we will be returning next week with friends. read more

Everything was truly the best. Food, service and ambiance was 11/10. A must see if able to make it.

Beautiful view! Outstanding service. Food amazing. Be sure to order a churro it's a cactus. Highly recommend!!!!

Dinner was delicious and the ambience and service was great. Felt like a true 5 star / Micheline restaurant experience. The asparagus appetizer with romesco and the pork tacos were delicious. Hugo and Euglesia were great servers. Would highly recommend read more

Amazing food and beautiful restaurant! The service was great and will defenitely be returning!

Amazing food! Amazing service! Gorgeous surroundings. A fantastic new restaurant on the East Cape. Highly recommend!

Easily my favorite restaurant in San Jose . A great surprise. beautiful restaurant. Great service and delicious food.