
One hour south of San Diego if you cross the border into Baja California is a dreamy restaurant that resembles a cliffside castle. Los Portales de Garcia, recently highlighted across social media and a darling amongst the locals who have nicknamed it “El Castillo,” is a spectacular option for date night or any special occasion.
The restaurant draws inspiration from Spanish and Mexican architecture, with the restaurant designed like a stone castle, partially indoors with slots of outdoor seating that offer spectacular views. Wooden tables are made colorful with Solitllo tiles, printed tiles in blues, oranges, clay, and more, with sunbursts that are known in the terracotta tile style that hails from Coahuila, Mexico.
The restaurant, while gorgeous, is not without some critique. Some argue the food is just okay but the beautiful atmosphere makes up for it, some warn that tips and parking are cash only, and some say that on a sweltering summer day, a barrage of flies can make it hard to enjoy your food if you’re constantly swatting them away. But our advice? If you’re nervous the restaurant is all hype with no substance, order a dish that’s hard to screw up or that you typically enjoy, grab some cocktails, and get a cliffside table during sunset.
If you do want to try the food, they offer brunch, lunch, and dinner options complete with live music and a DJ on the weekends. Choose from oysters, Aguachiles, steak, and more, all to be enjoyed while watching waves crashing along the cliffs where the restaurant sits perched.
Whether you love this place or think it’s a TikTok trend, we’d say give it a try and enjoy the ambiance because it’s truly like no other.
Location: Playas de Rosarito Baja California, México. Km 52 carretera libre El campito, 22710 Playas de Rosarito, B.C., México