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Open later than most in Puerto Nuevo. They do not take Credit card which is fine. Service is kind and welcoming with lots of seating options. Because we dined after 8pm we enjoyed a quiet window seat. Table adorned with a single dripping candle in a wine bottle. I loved that. Food is fresh and served promptly. We would definitely be back.
Friday ditch day but in the best way. Took the niece and nephew on a foodie field trip to Villa Ortega in Puerto Nuevo, and let me tell you--it was a full-on seafood fiesta with a mezcal chaser. I started with a Mezcalito de Jamaica (aka smoky hibiscus magic in a glass) and dove into the aguachile verde, which was so fresh it practically slapped me with a lime. My niece leveled up with a strawberry margarita and shrimp ceviche served inside an actual half pineapple--because when your plate doubles as tropical décor, you know you're winning. My nephew kept it bold with a Mezcalito de Piña and the aguachile rojo, which was good... but sorry kid, verde over rojo all day. The views? Stunning. The vibe? Rustic coastal charm that makes you want to sip slower and stay longer. It was a Friday afternoon so it wasn't busy but as we were leaving the weekend crowd had begun to arrive and it was on!!! Service was good but we lost our waitress to a bigger group so walked up to the front to pay. Otherwise, everyone was kind and attentive. Verdict: Villa Ortega = seaside therapy with a side of chile-induced tears.
The place is a seafood restaurant known for lobster overlooking the ocean. We ordered a couple of things to try out different options. We also got some drinks that were really good. The lobster was gummy not the greatest, the aguachiles were super tasty, the cóctel de camarón was refreshing and satisfying l, we got marlin and gobernador tacos. The down side of this was our server seemed she was not having a good day. Since we got there she gave us attitude and just did not seem like she wanted to be at work. Also, this place only takes cash.
Wifey and I went to this restaurant for Valentine's Day 2025 and it was our Anniversary also. It was our first time at this restaurant and we came because we got recommendations from everyone in Los Angeles we know. This place did not disappoint. Upon arrival you are bombarded with this amazing smell of delicious food. The decor and the ambience of the restaurant is pretty cool. I like a lot of the statues they have made of wood that depicts different character characters. Our server was really nice and patient with us because we had a difficult time knowing the prices compared to US and pesos. The food was delicious. My wife had the salmon and I had the ribeye steak. Wife wanted crab legs, but unfortunately, we could not find crab legs anywhere in Rosarito. My steak was perfect cooked perfectly tasted great. My wife loves her salmon. The best thing the beans and rice the best rice and beans I've ever had in my entire life. Amazing. I recommend you come to this restaurant if you ever visit Rosarito Baja California Mexico we will definitely be back on our next trip.
If you talk of Puerto Nuevo and lobsters, the first name that comes up is, Villa Ortega's. It is a sprawling restaurant with numerous attractive dining spaces, both indoor and outdoor. The majority of the latter is situated on several patios that command stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. I was told that these different outside seating locations hold around a thousand people over the weekends. Once you are here, it is easy to see why that is so. The menu is extensive and there are numerous choices both for meat eaters, seafood lovers and vegetarians. But if you are making the trek, all the way from the SFV, like I did, you have to order the lobster. And that too, Puerto Nuevo Style (after you have selected a table with captivating ocean views). A difficult task because each table competes with the other. My dish came with a tortilla soup and complimentary bread, tortillas, refried beans, rice and two salsas. The tortillas (made with lard) deserve special mention. They were fresh,handmade, with the right amount of chew and charred look and taste. It takes you to another place. My favorite way to eat these is with the refried beans (which were also superb). I ordered a small lobster and it arrived as a generous portion, succulent and full of amazing flavors and taste. Yes, it comes with melted butter too. Every bite was divine. My server was Antonio and he provided excellent service. Undoubtedly, a memorable lunch visit and I cannot wait, to go back again.
The valet staff was very friendly. The servers inside were not. We had a vegan individual within our party of 10 and were told by a server over the phone that it was okay to bring in outside food since their menu doesn't accommodate a vegan diet. When we got there we were told it wasn't allowed. It was a lot of back and forth until we were allowed to continue on and be seated. Unfortunately the service did not improve much after. It felt like we were being watched the entire time and we couldn't really enjoy our time there. Which is a shame since the outdoor seating area is gorgeous and overlooking the sea. The food was good, not great. Because of the service, I will not be returning.
Best Puerto Nuevo restaurant. Don't be fooled by all the other Ortega named after restaurants in the area. Located in the corner with a huge space for parking which typically is full especially on the weekends. Must come here alone to try their delicious tortilla soup with cheese. Free appetizer cheese balls and salsa and chips. You'll most likely see trio's willing to sing a song for a fee inside which is nice and unique to hear one of your favorites songs while enjoying a drink in the sunset. Beautiful ocean view with delicious selection of food to try. Most all people come for the lobster tails but steak and other items are just as great. Never a fail. Must try.
The place is known for their food. There's plenty of ppl trying to get you to pay for parking or to eat at their restaurant. They do have a parking lot to park your car. But you can also park on the street for free. It is cash only and they will you give you the pesos and American price. Total for 5 ppl with drinks and entrees was about 200 bucks. Door was just okay to be honest. Views are nice and they do have bands playing at your request. The brand and tortilla soup were delicious. They do give you bottled water unless you want tap.
To start off the view is amazing! I stopped by Friday around 11:30AM. This location is huge and they easily accommodate large groups. They have plenty of parking available. We were lucky to have Francisco as a server. He was very welcoming and took care of us. We ordered a platter w/ 3 extra lobsters on the side for a group of 7 . It was plenty of food we even had left overs to take home. Everything was flavorful my favorite by far was the lobster, cooked to perfection. I was also a big fan of the hand made tortillas. They are gigantic and taste delicious. Live music if you choose to have them serenade your loved one. When we left the restaurant was packed. So I recommend and early visit. FYI they are pet friendly which I loved!
3 years ago
This place is definitely huge to fit a large number of guests and offers great view and service. But lobster was a let down. Lobster was over cooked and we were glad we ordered other things such as octopus (chimichori style). Don't expect to have the best lobster here but they have good drinks and decent food. read more
8 years ago
Puerto Nuevo is the place to be when looking for lobster and seafood down in Baja. This area alone has so many restaurants, that every few feet you're greeted with "Buenos Dias! Lobster?" Complimentary chips and salsa and cheese pimento balls is served as you await your entree. Our table got the seafood combo which had shrimp, fish, and lobster, while I opted for the steak and lobster combo that comes with a baked potato and roasted vegetables. A communal side of rice and beans also accompanies the dinner. A bowl of drawn butter for the pretty dry lobster was great, while a bowl of saltines comes with the ceviche that's served in a pineapple. This place is Cash only so come prepared. read more
3 years ago
This is one of my favorite placed to come to eat. The 3 hour drive from Los Angeles is worth it. Food is amazing. The tortillas de harina are huge and delicious. My favorite is the bacon wrapped shrimp. Those are to die for. The Tortilla soup is also a must. The view is also beautiful. Its located next to the beach so get to hear the ocean's beautiful voice. Drinks and food are great. If you are in the area, this is a must. @raulvsfood read more
I was out in Puerto Nuevo with a some friends for a weekend getaway. We stumbled into this place for dinner and we were very impressed! Not only do they have an outdoor deck to sit on, but it's over the ocean giving you an amazing sunset! I ordered the surf and Turf which was absolutely delicious! They served it with beans, rice, veggies, and a twice baked potato!! The ceviche in pineapple was quite decadent. I cannot forget to mention the gianormous flour tortillas they serve with dinner. I would give this place a try if you're indecisive on where to eat in the area. read more
3 years ago
Honestly was excited about this place because of the reviews of the seafood. The lobster wasn't fresh, the rest of the seafood was mediocre. The staff were really nice but very slow. I wouldn't recommend it but if you're looking for a place with a view, this would be it. read more
5 years ago
I'm a little biased, as I love lobster and can get great tasting, all you can eat lobster in San Diego for a reasonable price... but don't get me wrong, this place is great! You really can't beat the view from any seat of the dining room or patio seating. They are literally on the coastline! This is definitely the place to be when in Puerto Nuevo. What's great is parking is free, just remember to tip the dudes that help you get in and get out. The place has a classic look. Tons of seating and really cool decor. Lost of Mexican tile throughout the place including the restrooms. Now to the food. If you can order and the server understands you in between the mariachi bands... you'll be happy with the heaping servings of chips and salsa. The food is delicious and fresh. The lobster is okay not really consistent as I noticed between my wife's plate, mine and the rest of our group. The steak was cooked to perfection but was a bit on the thin side. The guacamole was yummy though... soup that came with the meal was damn good too! I enjoyed it more than the chips and salsa. Beers were ice cold. A bit on the pricey end but still worth it. I'll be back for sure when I visit Mexico again. Remember to tip well. Their staff both inside and out work hard and deserve it. For about $60 a couple, you'll be full of chips, guacamole, seafood and drinks. read more
8 years ago
Another Great find and my first time here. I was told I needed to come here and had to have a few specific items on the menu. Great parking compared to other restaurants near by and great location as well. You should definitely stop here if you happen to be near by. Even just for a quick dessert and Mexican Coffee... Our server was awesome and very attentive. Food was really good and very reasonably priced as well. Our table had a nice view of the Ocean, which was very nice and relaxing after the hustle and bustle of the shopping we just did for a few hours... Aloha read more
Located less than an hour from the border we took a taxi from Tijuana for $30. We had 6 in our group so had to take two taxis since there were no van or SUV taxis and it was still a bit cheaper than uber. This was lace is geared towards the American tourist and is on the pricey side compared to the other surrounding eateries but they were able to give us our puerto Nuevo lobster fix with most of the service and quality you would expect at a resort. I would suggest not driving to the restaurant because the roads are steep, jagged extremely crowded. Even if you're staying overnight in the area, you should taxi or uber in vs dealing with the congestion. Ocean views were great and bathrooms were clean which is a huge plus. read more
Good food and great views. The best place to park is at the first lot at the entrance to Puerto Nuevo. It's only 5.00 all day. There were plenty of mysic bands that swing by every 5 min from mariachi to norteño. The lobster was delicious as always. The hand made flour tortillas are the best. I paid 60.00 for 2 orders of lobsters and margaritas. The food server was very attentive. This place has lots of its waiters versus other locations. I do believe this place also has the best view of the coastline as well. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
Such a cute spot with a great ocean view. They give you the most yummy rolls to start with. The tortillas are giant. The service was good and the inside of the restaurant is pretty cool to with a bar that looks like a ship. read more
4 years ago
We came on a Sunday night we only had the option to seat inside. This place was on my list from TikTok I'm guessing during the day time the vibe is different but I definitely did not get that vibe I seen on TikTok. The food was okay my favorite were the flour tortillas. Important note make sure to bring cash as it's cash only and also the ladies restroom there is a vendor inside where you can buy or sort of jewelry. read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
This is one of the most famous restaurants in Puerto Nuevo. It is probably also the biggest. It has a very gorgeous outdoor patio seating with a view of the ocean, it is spectacular. It is very busy and loud, but great for big groups and families. The go to on the menu is the lobster meal which comes with beans and rice and and a lobster, you can choose what size of lobster you want. All in all everything is so delicious great atmosphere great service and a great experience. Don't forget to order extra flour tortillas They are sooo delicious. If you've never been, highly recommend this place. read more
5 years ago
There are like 20 Ortega restaurants in Puerto Nuevo. I'm exaggerating, kind of. There are maybe 6. If you have ever been to Puerto Nuevo it's like 3 blocks long. Teeny tiny, But Ortega restaurants rule the hood. We have been to various ones and I have to say that Villa Ortega might be my favorite. The have an ocean view, nice outdoor patio and a more upscale look than the other Ortegas. They start off with some rolls that are filled with jalapeno cream cheese and they are warm. Delicious. They make a great margarita and pina colada but bring your own straw. Mexico is slowly getting rid of them one restaurant at a time. I had the bacon wrapped shrimp and it was very good. The bacon was a little underdone but the taste was there. My friend said his steak was cooked well done when he ordered a medium but this is Mexico and it's hard to get a good steak. Go to Baja Calypso on a weekend evening to get a killer steak. One thing that really was impressive is that their tortillas are the size of a baby blanket. I'm not kidding. It's ridiculous. One tortilla could have fed the entire table. All in all I really enjoyed this place. And they have their own parking. read more
7 years ago
Everyone talks about Restaurant Villa Ortega's when it comes to Puerto Nuevo so I gave it a try. I Was impressed with the establishment in whole because of the valet, the private parking and the building looks lovely. The entrance well decorated accordingly, but right before you walk indoors you see a sign that's states "Sorry we don't accept debit and credit cards" Big turn down but fortunately for me a local friend had plenty of PESOS. I was greeted by a cashier and about 4 hosts. They offered the terrace and it was cozy, just the perfect scenario. They serve you these little warm buns filled with cream cheese and jalapeño and they are delicious. I had the "Camaron Aguachile" and it is to die for, highly recommend it to everyone who loves spicy food. Of course, I had to try their puerto nuevo style lobster so I ordered a medium size. It was good but if I return it'll be for the aguachile. Live music everywhere makes this experience unforgettable. it gets very crowded in the weekend so you gotta be careful when walking towards the restroom, you gotta stay out of the waiters way, because some don't wait for you to pass, you have to wait and stay out of their way. Again, some waiters just don't yield. Next I ordered desserts, a chocolate cake and ice cream for the kids. The cake slice was well presented, looks delightful on the plate. The chocolate mousse was really good the the cake part was kind of hard. Restrooms are clean, I feel sorry for the ladies, I saw a long wait line for them. Please give Villa Ortegas a try, you won't regret it & take lots of pictures!! P.S This is a positive review, the star rating is a wake up call for the administrative society. You're known for lobster and attract outside people, you've become a landmark for tourists, we want to use our credit cards when spending hundreds of dolllars. read more
5 years ago
came here because of all the reviews to start off they don't have modelos or coronas and the food has no flavor we ordered a langosta and it was soo bland i ordered a paloma and it was nasty i wouldnt even give this palce one star the only nice thing about this place is the view and the music read more
4 years ago
Really bad service and no lobster, cash only Cold food Bad isn't the same don't came to this place read more
7 years ago
This is my husbands favorite spot to bring me when we are in town. I Love their shrimp cocktail and strawberry margaritas; when ordering margaritas they give you their house tequila, so request your favorite (Don Julio or Patron) if you're picky with your drinks. Servers are always genuinely nice and attentive. They have Mariachi/musicians around, so my husband always request a few songs while we enjoy the view and our meal. The Food, the ambiance and the service has always been great! Restroom are clean, and parking is available. Complementary cheese rolls, chips and salsa when you're seated. Food is reasonably priced. Definitely recommend. *cash only *crowds during weekends *restrooms are upstairs, so if you're sitting outside you need to go back upstairs. read more
We were referred here from friends who visit Rosarito regularly. The food met expectations. We had the seafood platter and bacon wrapped shrimp. Both were outstanding. There are live mariachi groups that song doe anger but they are worth the $$. Excellent voices and upbeat music creating the right environment. The only issue was the service. It was excellent until we needed the check to leave. Small issue that would certainly not prevent us from returning. We had a great time with friends. read more
Great service, good food. We come here for the lobster but frankly everything is good. We've never had an issue with the service nor the quality. We're local in the sense that we reside in San Diego but we don't necessarily frequent Baja California, however this last visit has us reconsidering going more often. I knocked off a star because we ordered the lobster platter for two that included a medium lobster that they slice down the middle and when I added an additional lobster a la cart I was told that they had ran out of mediums and I could only add a small one or a large one, which prompted my boyfriend to ask what they were going to use for the platter since they had ran out- we got no response lol I appreciate the hustle, we opted to add a large one. Everything was great, will return soon. read more
5 years ago
7 years ago
One of our favorite places for seafood. They serve all the extras....chips. salsa, cheese filled bread. I love, love, love the shrimp ceviche served on half a pineapple with avocado slices on top. That alone is filling enough. Beer adds a nice touch to the food. The overall price paid for family of four is amazing. Can't get that at Red Lobster! Will definitely be visiting again. read more
There are many places to eat lobsters in Putero Nuevo, Mexico. Villa Ortega came highly recommend by many who have made the trek down to Putero Nuevo. Putero Nuevo is known as the lobster town so I was really looking forward to eating lobsters, only to be disappointed. This place let me down and confirmed that it's only popular due to hype and to the breath taking views that it has of the Pacific coast. As we entered we were greeted by the hostess. There are three levels to this place. We requested to get a table closer to the ocean, which was two floors down. We were seated on a table overlooking the ocean. One star for this. Service was great. Our server made recommendations and was friendly. I gave another star for that. I ordered the medium lobster which was approximately 1 1/4 lb for $22.95. This came with rice, beans, and soup. The lobster was tasteless and tuff and a real downer as I have initially stated. I don't normally use butter on my lobsters but had to. You can pay with Mexican pesos or US dollars. Of course they prefer to take your US money since it's stronger and a more stable currency then thiers. I won't be returning. read more
A friend of mine knew about a ride down from San Diego to Puerto Nuevo on Saturday 3/30 and since he had been to this restaurant before we decided to join the other motorcycles with Villa Ortega's as our destination. Not sure where the other riders ended up eating at but I'm glad we ended up here! This restaurant is wonderful! We sat on the patio with a beautiful view of the ocean. There were Mariachis playing all around us. The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, and friendly. The drinks were good and the food was delicious! They serve warm rolls filled with jalapeno cream cheese along with chips and 2 kinds of salsas at every table. They also make their own huge flour tortillas. There are 3 floors of this restaurant with plenty of seating, a large bar upstairs(main level), and the restaurant is very clean. I ordered the medium lobster which comes with fresh tortillas and a bowl of tortilla soup. One of my friends ordered the 1/2 lobster & carne asada which is also served with tortilla soup and comes with vegetables, baked potato, rice and beans plus fresh tortillas. My other friend ordered the clam chowder which is served in a bread bowl. Everything was super tasty! The lobster was cooked to perfection and very flavorful. We also got a round of margaritas and a Michelada. If you are ever in Puerto Nuevo I recommend going to this restaurant. Or if you are thinking about taking a trip down the coast from SoCal definitely plan to stop here! read more
This was my first experience with lobster in Mexico. Puerto Nuevo is known for its lobster. Of all the restaurant options in Puerto Nuevo, Villa Ortega seemed to be the most popular and highest rated. I'm assuming the hype has more to do with the view and its local Mexican celebrity visitors rather than the food. Either way, I can't buy it. I did notice an overwhelming amount of California license plates in the parking lot and sounds of English at the surrounding tables, which screams tourist trap. Even the menus are in English. We split a 1 1/4 lb lobster, which came with rice that appeared, but didn't taste dry, tasty refried beans and tortillas of course. The complimentary nachos and salsa were a nice touch. Service was good, clearly catering to American tourists and the views are nice, but the food is meh. That said, I have nothing to compare it to within Puerto Nuevo so this still may be your best bet, especially if you want an oceanfront dining experience. Cash only :( read more
2 years ago
8 years ago
We stopped by Puerto Nuevo on our way back from Ensenada before heading home to San Diego. We wanted to grab some good seafood and we heard Puerto Nuevo was the place to visit. Once we arrived in Puerto Nuevo, we asked 2 - 3 different people which restaurants were best. They all said Villa Ortega's was top 1 - 3. So that's where we ended up. It was easy enough to find. It was pretty busy since it was a Saturday evening and Memorial Day weekend. Surprisingly, we were seated almost immediately. Our table had a nice view of the ocean. They brought us menus, chips with salsa, and some rolls with cream cheese and chopped up jalapenos which was delicious. The menus have prices in dollars and pesos. After taking our drink order and giving us adequate time, the server returned to take our order. I got the steak and lobster, while the wifey ordered the medium lobster. 4 / 5 - Lobster was good. It tasted fresh and had good flavor. 2.5 / 5 - Steak was barely okay. It was a hanger steak which im not too big of a fan of (unless it's cooked right). It was seasoned okay, but cooked medium well to well so it was chewy. I asked for medium rare. We were wanting to return to SD and didn't want to wait, so I didn't send it back. 3 / 5 - Baked potato was okay, not good or great, just a typical baked potato. 3 / 5 - Veggies were okay. The butter they added/cooked with dominated, they probably should have used a tad bit less. 5 / 5 - Flour tortillas were really good. Tasted super fresh and were nice and hot. Someone at the table said that they make them fresh in house. 4 / 5 - Ceviche was nice and tasty. Everyone at the table thoight it was good. They did bring out a bunch of crackers for the ceviche, but I prefer it with a tostada or corn chips. 3.5 / 5 - Bacon wrapped shrimp (shrimp papagayo) was decent. I don't think I could eat more than 2 though. Prices were okay. The only minor annoyance was that the establishment was cash only. Luckily we had the foresight to bring extra money in case of emergency for our trip. So we were fine. My buddy took care of parking, not sure how much it costed... I asked him so I could give him some dough, but he told me not to worry about it. Service was good. Our server was attentive, made sure we had enough drinks, chips, rolls, and checked to make sure we were enjoying our food. We would stop by again if we are in the area. 4 / 5 - Service 4 / 5 - Cleanliness 3.6 / 5 - Food 3.87 / 5 - Overall read more
6 years ago
Been coming here for years. 3 stars for the food and 5 stars for their flour tortillas . Our server "Martha" must've been having a really bad day and she took it out on us. Her service was terrible, she seemed pissed and made us feel stupid when we asked her questions or asked for more than one bowl of beans and rice for a table of seven. She never bought us the check and after waiting for quite a while we had to ask someone else for it. Her conduct was brought up to the restaurant manager and he apologized and said her conduct was unacceptable. Lets hope her night got better read more
5 years ago
I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I had been to Puerto Nuevo over 15 years ago... and had fond memory of the little lobster village but I may or may not be under the influence when I was there. ;) Anyway, I talked this up to the boyfriend and got him all hyped up to drive an hour for some deep fried lobster. There were a number of joints that serve up this lobster dish but we decided to try out Villa Ortega's based on a recommendation from someone we met at OB Noodle house whom we were sharing a communal table with. It was just okay. The lobster, was overcooked and tough. The chips and salsa were good but nothing to write home about either. It was about an hour drive from SD - if we decide to go back for lobster, we'd probably go to another place and ask for them to not overcook our lobster. :D read more
6 years ago
10 years ago
More info about Villa Ortega's
Barracuda 77
22710 Puerto Nuevo, Baja California
Mexico
Directions
66 161 40706
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Villa Ortega's - seafood - Updated July 2026
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