This review is for dinner on 4/22/17. Seated on an outdoor patio under a palapa, music in the background, watching the ocean and pilot whales swim by--doesn't get much better than that for ambience! Add excellent food and spot-on service; that's what I experienced a Dmytri's Original La Fonda (not to be confused with the other La Fonda next door to the north) last night. I had the La Fonda BBQ'd baby back ribs. Dinner companions had the sea bass and stuffed shrimp (stuffed with lobster and wrapped in bacon. The usual tortilla chips showed up for starters accompanied by salsa cruda that was just made--excellent. For drinks we ordered "sangria," which was the only fault I could find the entire evening. It may have been sangria but it was mixed with an equal amount of soda, so it was more like a wine cooler. That being said, it was delicious. My ribs were not the usual BBQ variety. The sauce had a slight sweetness to it, but not overpowering. It was accompanied by mashed (real!) potatoes and sweet cinnamon apples. The ribs were not pre-cut and after one bite it was obvious it was not American pork. It was extremely flavorful--no hormones or antibiotics here. It was the finest pork I've had in decades! I had the pleasure of meeting Dmytri (yes, that's how he spells his name); when he found out that I'm a retired chef, he sat down and we "talked shop." He said that the pork was from his own farm. Most everything he serves is either raised on his farm or close by. I tasted the fish that others in our party ordered. It literally melted in my mouth and had a very thin coating of buttered bread crumbs. I usually don't care for fish, but this I would eat in a heartbeat! I didn't taste the stuffed shrimp, but it too was pronounced excellent. One last comment about Dmytri; he's one of a dying breed of restaurateurs. He spends most of his day in the kitchen to assure quality, the rest circulating among the tables insuring his guests are happy and satisfied. So, if you find yourself between Rosarito and Ensenada, stop in and see Dmytri; it's an experience you won't soon forget! read more

***BEWARE*** We stopped here as we heard great things and the spot had a 4 star review. At first, we were so impressed and relaxed by the view. We ordered 2 lobsters, ceviches, and guacamole. We ended up waiting 1.5 hours for a lobster that NEVER came! The ceviche tasted like coctel (not ceviche) and the "guacamole" was just avocado - no salt, no cilantro, tomato, and NO SALT! The worst! We left flaming mad and without dinner. We were so upset that we had zero appetite left. Stay away!!! read more

Ok maybe I went on an "off" day but I am surprised this place got 5 staff reviews. CONS -the place looks run down, and just dirty, but the view is fantastic. I get it. Ok. We decided to try it - they tried to serve us old soup. I mean it was already bubbling it was so old. - we ordered: *sole (panfried) with veggies - mushy and seemed undercooked. The veggies had a Long hair in it. It was LONG! Sent plate back and fish still was mushy, which was an indicator that the fish was not fresh. *Broiled sea bass - this was actually fresh, well-seasoned and cooked perfectly. Mashed potatoes were ok. I didn't eat the veggies since it was the same type of veggies with the long hair in it. Came with FRESH flour tortillas. *Fried fish - server did not know what kind of fish this was but this had no flavor - again an indicator that it wasn't fresh fish. I mean they are in baja, not far from ensenada (which is the fishing capital of baja). Why don't they have fresh fish? PROS Our server seemed new in his position, but went above and beyond to try to make sure we were taken care of. That one star is for him. The view is fabulous, but I don't think I would eat there again...maybe a quick drink... no. Maybe not. read more

La Fonda is our family's favorite restaurant in this area to go to!! Their tortilla chips are THE BEST I swear. We got lobster at a good price and always eat as many chips/salsa our appetite can handle. read more

From the reviews before me, it looks like we should have gone for breakfast instead of dinner. We had a party of 11, two nights ago, 8 of us had the daily special which was a lobster burrito. The second they sat the food in front of us, it smelled really bad but I thought it was food from the person sitting across from me who had ordered the sea bass. Out of 8 people, only 2 people could stomach the lobster burritos they were so bad, we think the fish was very old. We should have known better than to order the daily special. The waiter said they made a mistake and put too much oregano, I don't know if he thought we were stupid or what but it had nothing to do with oregano. He gave us credit for 4 of the meals. The friends who had the sea bass said it wasn't good either. We were told by our friends who had been there before that the food was great so maybe it was an off night. Also, I understand it is Mexico and an outdoor-ish patio but I was really creeped out by the cockroach that kept running by our table. We went while it was dark so I didn't get to see the amazing views people speak of. Not fonda La Fonda! read more

If you pay with dollars and not pesos they use 18 as the conversion rate for your change. If you are paying in pesos they say the conversion rate is 20. Watch out for these scammers! I was sitting at the bar having a drink and a cockroach went running across the bar. The rooms are old and run down. Also had cockroaches running around the bathroom. I just picked up my shoe and a roach went running across the floor from underneath it. The positive things about this place is the view and sleeping to the sounds of the ocean. We will not be back! read more

Used to go here back in the 90's. Great lobster! Large margaritas. Sit outside on the patio if you can get there early enough!!

Food was burnt, waiter was clueless, and they don't except credit cards. Will never return to this place again. Simply one of the worst places we've ever stopped and ate read more

This place was amazing! We loved it here. Food and service was great! There isn't too many great places to eat in la mision but Dymtri's la Fonda is the place to go. We ate hear 3 times. We had the chorizo and eggs, banana pancakes, beef steak and eggs, calamari steak and filet mignon. All these dishes were amazing. The steak was cooked perfectly. The beans were amazing. The black bean soup was especially good. The views are amazing and prices were affordable as well. I think this place deserves 5 stars. In the future we will be eating here when we stay in la mision. read more

Cockroaches. The staff is amazing but having a cockroach land as a uninvited dinner guest is disgusting! We have come here before and loved the atmosphere but WILL NOT BE BACK! read more

I have traveled the world and La Fonda is my favorite restaurant in the World. I tell all my friends that it is my fav in the world. Even though rustic in its decor the food is great and super reasonable. Not to mention the crazy beautiful setting on the ocean. Many times live music and roster walking around. Everyone I take here feels the same way. Your making a mistake if you don't experience La Fonda. I look forward to every time I can make there for a late lunch or dinner. read more

This was so good. A little pricier than I would have thought but delicious. And the margaritas with that ocean view...whoa.

Food is a bit greasy and a bit overpriced Service is better when the owner is at the restaurant I wish the Margaritas were better because La Fonda has an excellent view read more

We stopped at La Fonda on our way back to Rosarito from a day in Ensenada. My husband had been to La Fonda as a kid and wanted to take me there. We had an incredible view, we shared the lobster and it was amazing. We even had leftovers and the rice and beans were definitely tasty as well! read more

If you are Baja bound, must stop at this restaurant, great food and unbelievable views.

Great spot, casual and yet plenty of good dishes. Don't look for caviar but expect to be pleasantly surprised by wonderful food and drinks. I've been very happy with the breakfast and lunch options over the past few months- the current chef puts a lot of nice thought into the food. Great layering of flavors, and presentation. Nice option for American treats if you live on this side of the fence. And PS Francisco is great! He's been our server many times and he even makes a nice bloody mary :) read more

normally a great dependable place. birthday celebration. food was marginal( dont order the osso bucco) and took an hour to be served. ridiculous. many overcharges. won't be back soon but the view is gorgeous. skip the $10 guac and sip a cocktail..thats all read more

This place is awful. I don't even know where to begin... Waited over an hour for lobster that came as we were walking out the door; served guacamole that was just unseasoned avocado; brought ceviche that was basically cocktail; watered-down margarita in a tiny glass; tune beer selection; ridiculous exchange rate for dollars to pesos... Save your time and money and eat in Ensenada. read more

We have come here before, while staying in La Mision (nearby housing community) and came here again this year after surfing Alistos, K58. The views are fantastic and if you can get a seat overlooking the beach it's very much worth it. The vibe is a good mix of locals from the La Fonda area and people staying at the hotel. The vibe is super friendly, the Salsa was fantastic (especially the 2nd time) with the chips coming fresh out the frier...the food is good, not amazing, but well done and good value for your money. I heard they also had 3 bands and didn't charge a cover for new years but our plans took us to Porto Nuevo. read more

Today we Came to have breakfast-based on a friend's recommendation. I was very disappointed. My friend ordered Bistec Ranchero- the meal was almost cold, beans and eggs were hot????My husband ordered omelet and the mushroom almost raw with not much flavor in this omlet. My friend ordered Chile verde and eggs and he said average breakfast. The flour tortillas and corn were good. This place caters more to the American palet, not authentic taste. My dish was chorizo -it was raw. Literally just eggs and chorizo no onions or other condiments. I literally always eat my food even if I'm not fond of it, but I could not eat it. The banana on the pancakes were very savory, pan cakes disappointing. I hate to sound so pessimistic, but I was not feeling this place or food. The water was not attentive if we were ok. He took our drink order and food. That was it!!!Maybe needs a little more training. When entering everyone was very hospitable. read more

great food and views of the ocean, unfortunately bad security outside where you park, broken in and belongings stolen in mid afternoon. management not really interested. read more