Food was good but missing the wow factor for us. The concept is great, big large family style dining tables forces you to engage with other diners yet feel too far apart from your own group. Food is unique and clearly sourced locally. The scallops with squid ink is unreal, have not tasted anything like that thus far. The oysters were good but more commonly. Dessert was good but did not blow us away. Hands down the best part is the handmade tortillas made fresh in an outdoor oven by the local folks just steps from the dining area. read more

Im sad to report the service was terrible. Four out of six people in our group didn't get their food. Finally, after an hour we asked, and apparently the waiter had not input the order for the other four people. They were apologetic, and the food came quickly after that. They also gave us some dessert and some wine for their mistake. And the food was delicious. However, after we paid our $300 plus bill, they came back to tell us that they had overcharged us and would have to return the money via cash. At the end of the night, our group was tired. Frustrated and hangry. To spend that amount, and to have such an exhausting night was too much. read more

Where do I start? Spoiler: LOVED LOVED LOVED this restaurant. Everything was spectacular, from the walk up through the beautiful gardens to the seated terrace, covered by vines. The ambience was absolutely chill and very sophisticated. The food was beyond incredible. We had the prix fix menu with wine pairing, which I thought was very reasonably priced. Every single dish, from broccoli to octopus to tacos was absolutely delicious. The desserts were like nothing I've ever had. The combination of flavors was amazing!! The service was fantastic, and each dish was explained with passion. If you had any questions at all, the weight staff was very helpful and resourceful. Even the bathrooms were cool! I would very highly recommend this restaurant on your next visit to Valle de Guadalupe. read more

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Dishes flow like art A tasting built to linger Each bite speaks with care Colors rich and bold Aromas rise, layers shine Every course refined Valley winds run soft Flavors deep as ocean blue Baja on each plate read more

The service was amazing-- all of the workers were very attentive, informative, and kind. The ribeye steak was delicious. The outside and inside are both beautifully decorated. In the garden, you can see the fresh vegetables they use to make your food. We spent around $350 for 4 sides, a steak, and 4 alcoholic beverages. read more

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This is our favorite place to visit while in Valle de Guadalupe. The food and service are always impeccable. While everything on the menu is delicious, beautiful, and creative, there are definitely some standouts. The oysters with tomato water were the freshest, creamiest, most flavorful oysters I have ever enjoyed. I would come here just to eat those. The scallops are a visual and gastronomical treat. If you have a large group, the sea bass is a great option. There cocktails are unique and delightful. I particularly like their beer selection. Terrific service every time, and the views are stunning. read more

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Absolutely amazing! Great service, outstanding food and beautiful ambiance. The service is friendly and on point. I absolutely loved this place! Even the quinoa dish was incredible! How can quinoa be incredible??? Lol it was! Super recommend this place. read more

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Extremely vibey and well suited for groups if you make reservations in advance. The dishes were each interesting in their own ways, plate design, textures, colors, but I really couldn't get over the sense that everything tasted too similar. The puréed sauces were repetitively citrusy and spicy... on every dish. Overall I enjoyed the aesthetics of this restaurant but felt like the majority of dishes tasted too similar. read more

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Probably some of the best food I've ever had. The beef tongue was to die for, and the wagyu sopes were amazing read more

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100/10 the food, service, atmosphere was all amazing. I highly recommend and can't wait to go back again!

This place gets packed!! A lot of celebrations going on. This is a communal eating place. Tables are long and you can meet other guests. This is a nice place, came here in the afternoon for late lunch after wine tasting. They offered us a couple A La Carte options and we chose 4 vs 6. The 4 was really filling they give you more than expected I think. Everything was tasty and I had a great time. read more

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Fauna food and service still excellent. Sadly they've neglected their EV chargers. It looks like someone ran into them and they were left to rot on the ground. Now there's no charging at all. Sad. read more

Eclectic food with long table seating. A variety of foods to meet all eaters. Servers know the dishes. read more

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Underwhelming given the rave reviews. Service was lovely and prompt. Ambiance - shared tables for the prices they're charging is a little ridiculous. And way too cold after dark to be sit and eat comfortably. Poorly lit entrance like most places in VDG. We did not do the tasting menu but decide to order a la carte: - tetela with spinach and cheese // very bland and just ok - abalone // 3 measly thin pieces sitting in acidic juice - lettuce salad with sardines // enjoyed this and the texture, tart - scallops in eggplant puree // just no, bland...then acidic - tatemado lamb // bland..salty nothing special you cant get in a local taqueria - frangipane dessert // amazing dessert 10/10 - dirty guava cocktail // very good - old fashioned // good Prob would not return unless someone really wanted to go. To be honest, had much better meals at Encuentro up the street. read more

You know, I've fallen in love in Mexico before, but sadly those days are gone and I never thought that I'd find love again south of the border, until I reconnected with a beauty that goes by the name of, Fauna. Much like a lot of Mexico, she's absolutely stunning but in the most humble of ways. She's not the least bit pretentious and welcomes you in with open arms. Fauna introduces you to her friends as you gather around large family tables and a night that starts off as a dinner amongst strangers ends as collaboration of "it was so nice to meet you" and "it was a pleasure enjoying dinner together tonight." Strangers no more, love stricken together by the hospitality of our communal new mistress, Fauna. The five folks in my group went decided to dive into Fauna's tasting menu, a decision that I both don't regret one bit and encourage future guests to do. Course after course rolls out from the kitchen as the servers feet scrape across the dusty dirt floors - I told you she's humble. All of the dishes that we had seen and anticipated ordering made their way in front of our open mouths and the did not disappoint. In fact, they over delivered. We knew the broccoli was going to be good, but let's be real, how good can broccoli actually be. The answer is: incredible. Clean, light, simple, but insanely flavorful. There is a reason you'll see picture after picture of this dish. Not only is she beautiful, she's delicious. Another dish that we knew we'd order if not for the tasting menu was the ceviche. Ya know, I've always prided myself on making a great ceviche and my friends will agree, but this version was out of this world. You have no idea what you're about to dive into with the cucumbers on top masking depths of complicated flavors, but once you're into it, you ain't getting out... until it's all gone. For me a piece of meat is always going to be the best bite, and it was on this particular night, but I'll get to that. There was a dish that stole a little piece of my heart and almost made me cheat on the meat. Who is this homewrecker, you ask? A damn salad taco. Yep, a grilled piece of lettuce and loaded with layers and layers of flavor that I can't even begin to explain. And for this reason the staff serves fresh tortillas to make a taco out of it with the intention of taming this beast a little bit. This was truly insane, but so am I, I suppose. Okay, what can you really say about a NY strip that hasn't been said before? I mean, chefs across the globe just don't toy around with a good piece of meat and the consistent "secret" to making a steak delicious is to start with a quality product, season well, and cook it to a perfect medium rare. Fauna did exactly that and one of my dining companions declared it to be the best NY that he's ever tasted. That says a lot coming from a guy who will rarely order this particular cut of meat. Pair this love affair with some of Fauna's house wines and it makes for a tryst of taste that you'll never forget. There's good reason why Fauna comes in as the second best restaurant in Mexico and the sixteenth best in Latin America, and for $200.00 a head after tip, I'll keep paying this culinary lady of the night that calls herself, Fauna. read more

The food here is phenomenal. And the ambiance even better. Enjoyed the long tables and the friendliness of the staff. Rojelio, Alejandro and Yerlen were great. My favorites from the menu include the Snails w/Shiitake mushrooms, the Blood Clams and the Pork with Pickled Lentils. I enjoyed the chefs use of acidity to balance flavors and the freshness of all their seafood. Honestly worth the drive for a magical restaurant. read more

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If you are ever in the area, a definite try. Had the famous smoked broccoli. The purée it was served with was delicious (tangy, spicy and addicting). The chef sent out a small bowl of it so I could continue dipping every piece of it. Also tried their version of agua chile negro. It was displayed beautifully with cucumbers on top so the crunch could remain. It had a subtle creamy toast but I will be honest and say it was a bit too salty which they were happy to acknowledge. Also tried some mezcal and the drink was made perfectly as well. read more

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Located inside Bruma. We pulled up at the gate, a guy confirmed our reservations and let us in. It was over 100F that day, and like most of Valle, it's al fresco dining, so although we were seated inside, it's completely open air and the nearby thermostat read 98 degrees. It literally felt like a heated yoga class. I wanted the Fauna menu, which is 3 courses + 1 dessert. I got outvoted by the group and we ended up doing the Fauna Feast, which is 4 courses + 2 desserts. Each course is actually a whole round of different dishes, so don't worry about not having enough food. Everything was good, especially the super fresh, meaty, succulent oysters. I also loved all the veggies dishes -- grilled cabbage, head of broccoli, and lettuce with mackerel. The cross wagyu was also delicious. There is a heavy acidic tinge to everything that was overpowering, but I think that's more of a preference thing. Pricey for the area, but worth it. I'm looking forward to coming back to try other seasonal dishes. Never again in that summer heat though. read more

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Did we just order the wrong things? So excited to try what was supposed to be the best restaurant in Valle but was pretty disappointed. I'm not sure if it's because we ordered a la carte instead of the tasting menu, but everything was pretty ok except the scallops ceviche...which was horrible. There were wayyyyy too many scallops for one dish, and the scallops were so dense and without much flavor. I ate like 5-7 of them before deciding to give up. Drinks are good, I would try to it again mainly for the scene/ambience. read more

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We had a very bad experience. Food was not good at all and super expensive. No children menu! Service was not good either. Only tapas and if you want a plate be ready to pay $170.00 for a steak a La carte. We will never go back. I never write bad reviews but I had to take the time to tell everyone how bad it is! Don't waste your money and time!!! read more

I thoroughly enjoyed the exquisite wines, and the food was simply fantastic. A delightful dining experience that I would highly recommend! Great Great customer service Thank you! Coming back soon read more

Fauna - Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Guadalupe, BCN

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5/5 no doubt. Absolutely delicious food, the vibe and ambiance is very hip, and the drinks were great. Perfect date spot or a place to bring friends. Tasting menu was aweeeeesome. Wine pairing was okay but probably not 100% necessary read more

Fauna - Octopus - Mexican Near Me - Guadalupe, BCN

Fauna is located at the Bruma complex and while it is farther than other spots in VDG, it's worth the drive to enjoy the elevated dining experience. We arrived late but they will still able to find a spot for our party in that truly family style dining (i.e., you sit next to another party.) The menu is full of great options and maybe too many so we decided to opt for the tasting menu for the full group. For ~$105, it was such a great deal. It comes with 12 course (outside of dessert) so really it was like 18 courses if you counted everything we got. Drinks also were pretty unique but admittedly kind of a let down only in comparison to the food. For starters, it was very seafood forward with oysters, clams, and abalone. The oysters were the highlight being super fresh. While the others were ceviche-like, although good, the oysters take the cake. The next set also had a number of dishes and the best was the grilled octopus. Multiple tentacles charred perfectly with a acidic sauce. When you think it is all over, they came out with the mains and the charred cabbage, the lamb, and the wagyu steak. The steak came with bone marrow sauce so add on the fat with fat. You essentially can't go wrong with any dish and if you have a chance to enjoy the food, ambiance, and service of Fauna, I'd recommend it and it is truly one of the most worthwhile deals/meals you can have. read more

The restaurant is beautiful, the service is top notch and the food... wow!!!! Absolutely delicious! We started with the Sope, which was very flavorful. My boyfriend ordered the Quinoa with Cactus (which was accompanied by chia chips) and it was light and refreshing. I am not a quinoa fan but this was really good! He also got the Lettuce with Mackerel and the lettuce was fresh and crisp. The mackerel was bursting with flavor. It was also light and refreshing. And finally, we split the roasted chicken with sweet potatoes. This is a MUST get! The chicken was tender, juicy and seasoned very well. It came with fresh homemade tortillas, which was also very delicious. The Naked & Famous cocktail was good, but was more sweet than smokey (from the mezcal). I love the smokey flavor so more of that would've been nice. Overall, we would gladly return the next time we visit Valle! read more

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my goodness, what a meal. the four of us did the tasting and it blew all of us away. the variety, flavor, pacing, plating, service--everything was just delightful. fun atmosphere with community tables that aren't overly packed. cannot recommend fauna enough and cant wait to go back. ps sorry my photos suck, i was trying to capture each course at once and i even forgot 1 course and the pre-dessert like a silly goose. read more

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This place blew us all away!! This was a true 10 out of 10 & the highlight of this trip! This is my new favorite restaurant anywhere- not just in the valle. However if you go to Valle De Guadalupe and you don't come here- your missing out The squid ink scallops were mind blowing good. We highly recommend getting the tasting entrees- it's 4 courses plus dessert. Literally I couldn't be more happy- the ambiance- the service & most of all the food! We loved everything. I will definitely be back & I highly recommend this place! Happy eating read more

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5 stars for the food, 3 stars for service, averaging to 4 -- but we'll definitely be back as the food is soooo good! We had the Fauna Feast - 6 "courses", the first 4 with 3-4 dishes each (and then a palate cleanser and 2 desserts) . This is a *lot* of food, arguably far too much, but it was a great meal and lovely experience. The first course was probably our favorite - starting the meal beautifully with with 4 raw seafood dishes. Three of them were served individually (an oyster, chocolate clam, and abalone), and the fourth was an incredible ceviche. Second course had tuna fin sopes which we weren't quite sure about. They were certainly interesting, but a little too slimy/fishy for our tastes. The grilled lettuce with mackeral was a great take on caesar salad, and the Octopus and tomato dish was delicious with tender/crispy octopus and flavorful smoked tomato. A couple of other highlights from the meal were the scallops with eggplant and squid ink which was strikingly black and white visually, and full of tangy flavor, and the braised lamb with chilhuacle which was like an excellent take on borrego tatemado. Chochoyotas with chicharrones, charred cabbage with chilhuacle, striped bass with mixe adobo, and pork with pickled lentils rounded out the (pre-dessert) meal. What a feast! The desserts were a little disappointing as a finish to the meal, particularly the yuzu ice cream with white chocolate which didn't feel like a coherent dish. The frangipane with pear and pecan nut tart was much better. read more

Had a lovely dinner with a our best friends and enjoyed the communal-style dining they had going on. The decor was lovely and rustic with a touch of outdoor class. First time for all of us but it was highly recommended online. We had an evening reservation and we were seated promptly. Water was given throughout our dinner but it did come at a price so beware of the water charge as it was over $25 for water alone for 4 of us. We opted to choose a variety of the menu options and share them. We ordered the grilled octopus, quail, ceviche, a cucumber salad, some form of broccoli which was my least favorite and undercooked in my opinion, and the famous tomahawk steak. Each dish had its own zest to it. Flavors were savory, salty, citrusy, and small hints of spice. All truly mouthwatering with the exception of the broccoli again. Stay away from the broccoli. Surprising the salad type dishes were my favorite as they were light and refreshing and quite exquisite. Great food, great company, and we actually made friends with a couple next to us who ended up partying with us later @ papas n beer. Tomahawk steak comes out to about $150 and can be shared between 4-6 people. We even took some home for our dog to enjoy. Bailey (our German Shepherd) sends compliments to the chef. Had we known how big it was in comparison to the other small plates, we might have just ordered that and a side or 2. Server was nice and recommended his own personal favorites and although the dining experience is a little costly for mexico, you do get what you pay for. read more

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The best restaurant I've eaten! I can't even explain how good the food is. The ceviche omg!!! The food is soo good we purchased the cookbook. The seasoning, flavors are perfection! Rvsps recommended, if you're a party of 6 or more they will have a fix menu for you. Which is what we had. Def worth it. read more

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Went for my friends birthday and a few of us did the tasting menu with wine pairing. You're able to adjust in advanced for food allergies/dietary restrictions which is great. The food was incredible. All in all probably a 9/10. The wine paired was also incredible. 10/10. Not a wine I didn't enjoy. Be aware that it is "5 courses" but each course is 2 or 3 small plates so you really end up eating about 12 courses total. The ambiance is cool. We were sat at a communal table so if you're looking for a private more intimate seating arrangement you may have to inquire in advanced. Service was great. read more

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While you are in Mexico you have to visit Baja California Norte and explore the amazing food and wine scene, we found Fauna a beautiful concept in the middle of a valley, to get there you have to drive in approximately 20 min and let me tell you just the surroundings are amazing. They have an amazing communal table and their offerings are tasting menu or a la carte, everything seems products of season and well executed. Whatever you decide to get is worth it, we end up being the last table to leave and it was late at night and coming down the hill was just a beautiful experience seeing the clear skies and the stars. All the staff is well trained and very attentive Hopefully you get to visit this amazing oasis in the middle Valley de Guadalupe read more

Truly farm to table experience. The moment we walked in, we could see all the produce grown in the raised planters surrounding the sign. The views are to die for. There is a small seating area where people could wait and order drinks just to the right of the host stand. We sat in the semi-covered outdoor area under the wisteria vines, which were just waking for spring. Dogs allowed here. There are plenty of indoor tables as well. Apparently they open additional outdoor seating for the summer only, and April is not quite summer yet since it does get a bit chilly at night. Don't be fooled by the no frills communal tables and seats, and the unassuming dishware and silverware, because all the efforts are spent on excellent service and impeccable food and drinks. For large groups, you can order from the set menu, and choose from either small or large tasting menu. The group of 8 next to us said they chose the small menu and it was so filling that they couldn't imagine getting the large one. We ordered a la carte and shared family style. Everything in the set menu also is available individually. As far as the food goes, they are unapologetically seasonal, with no guarantees that something will remain on the menu the next time you go, so I am not sure if describing each dish will help you much. Our friends were a bit disappointed that the whole roasted chicken with sesame seeds was no longer available, but honestly everything we ordered were amazing. There are not much descriptions on the printed menu they give you, but the servers are more than happy to answer questions and make suggestions. The standout dishes were the fresh oysters with tomato water and chili oil, the ceviche with cucumber that has this umami bomb of a sauce, and the charred cabbage. The cabbage was meant to be broken down and eaten with the fresh homemade blue corn tortilla and the accompanying puree. Tasted better than any other taco I've had and there wasn't even a shred of meat in it! The desserts and drinks were all good, but not as mind-blowing as the food was. For example, the churros was a bit under and too gooey inside. Margaritas were tasty but nothing super inventive. In conclusion, if you are adventurous about trying some unexpected takes on Mexican cuisine with the freshest available ingredients, and you don't mind rubbing elbows some strangers, who probably will be your friends by the end of meal, book a reservation here. Better yet, bring a few friends so you can try more dishes because the portions are bigger than you'd think, especially given how it costs 1/4 of what it would in San Diego. read more

La comida es deliciosa, el menú está extremadamente bien pensado, el chef es un verdadero genio!! read more

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Fauna, a restaurant that was a part of the Bruma winery, I believe was a delight. It was voted in the top 50 restaurants in Latin America, so I had to see for myself what the hype was all about. Let me start with service, because that was the best part about this place. Our server was amazing. They recommended their house wine and some apps. It was a beautiful day so my partner and I wanted to take a walk in their outdoors lounging area and experience our treats there, our server brought out our wine and apps out there for us to enjoy. The outdoor garden is absolutely stunning! With their home grown herbs, and beautiful flora, we were impressed by just taking in the raw beauty around us. We ordered their house red and white, both wines were absolutely scrumptious! We loved every last sip of it. Keep in mind though, the prices at this place are something that you would find in Beverly Hills, LA, like about $18/glass of wine. Overall, I wouldn't say this was my fav restaurant in valle, but it was definitely up there! read more

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Wow! Where to begin... If you search for top recommended restaurants in Valle de Guadalupe, Fauna is sure to be in that list. It is nestled below the Bruma winery. When you first arrive, you are given the option to be seated at a shared table, or at your own table outside. We opted for our own table, but in hindsight, we should have dined at the shared table as the ambiance was nicer indoors (see the picture). We opted for the multi-course meal instead of dishes a la carte. Most people would say Fauna is a dining "experience." With the multi-course meal, you are given 4 courses, plus dessert - with the chef in control of what you receive. Essentially, small portions of multiple different things on the menu and off the menu for you to try. For two people, this was such a large amount of food! Be sure to leave room for dessert. My girlfriend does not like any type of seafood or lamb - they were able to customize her courses to fit her tastes. I can't even remember all of the dishes that we were given as there were too many to recount. Will you love every dish that you are given? Probably not. Is it creative food worth trying? Definitely. The highlight of the night for me was the dessert. First, the tepache ice cream to cleanse your palate, then a chocolate bomb. Excellent way to finish the night. read more

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Our experience was exceptional, the food was phenomenal, the service outstanding, and the restaurant's decor creates a perfect, cool vibe that truly enhances the atmosphere. read more

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Two of us went here on a Friday night. The place was pretty packed. First impression was the ambiance. Incredible. Whoever designed this place is an architectural genius. We both opted for the tasting menu with drink pairing and really loved everything except the mushroom and the two dessert cocktails. The service was on point and the portions were just about right. There's nothing worse than spending a lot of money on a tasting menu (in this case about $150/person) and leaving hungry. Overall, I would say this is a must do in Valle de Guadalupe. read more

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The place is very well integrated to the landscape. There are two long communal tables. We were in the off season and did not have anyone sitting next to us. (January) We did not take the tasting menu nor the suggested 2 snacks, 2 appetizers and one entree. Maybe we should have. The entrees are very good portions with the exception of the quail. We were 3 people and we got the octopus and grilled tomatoes appetizer and 3 entrees. Pork with pickled lentils, quail and the striped bass. All were very well prepared and had great flavor. The sea bass had a very thick sauce while the others had thin sauces. All were wonderful. Also the bass had a very crisp skin. I ate the bass with the sauce and skin on the provided blue corn tortillas. Note that none of the dishes come with any sides. Yet there is plenty of food. We had a Plan B rose. The service was very attentive. The replaced plates and silverware and also wiped the place mats between courses. Cost was about $25 to $45 for each item. I think good value for the quality. We tried the chocolate and banana and also the churro for after. Both very good and not too large. read more

4.7 stars. Very unique dining experience... I think we had had everything on the menu, and the food was amazing! Great flavors, and uniquely plated. We went a la carte, but there is a tasting menu option, which a lot of diners were enjoying. This was definitely worth the drive from San Diego. Make sure to bring lots of $$$$, it's almost Michelin pricing. Service could use some refinement, but nothing major. Overall it was an enjoyable dining experience. read more

Beautiful spot in Valle de Guadelupe! This was my favorite winery because of the large property with lots of greenery. Since you cannot order wine by the glass at the winery, opt to come here instead for a drink (and maybe a snack or appetizer)! Food was very comparable to US prices, but the items we had were delicious. There is indoor and outdoor seating, all at one long table so you get to know your neighbors. We ate at 4pm, Ensenada's local dinner time, and there were not many guests so the staff was very attentive. In fact, when it got cold they came around to the outside tables and offered us blankets. read more

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