La Fonda was recommended knowing we were stopping in Ensanada. Now we were on Carnival and it's about a 45 minute drive from the port. However, we were able to get a taxi that waited for us. We were really excited to try the lobster and it was delish. All 4 of us in the party orders it. Chips/Salsa were fresh. They used flour tortillas for the chips. Definitely not the norm But still very very good. I enjoyed the aguachiles verde. I've had better but it was tasty, I like more juice. The view is amazing! It was gloomy while we were there; but still gorgeous! read more

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I agree with the 3 1/2 star rating. View is 5/5. Service is 3 stars (maybe 4 for Mexico). Food was 3 1/2 stars. Mezcal margarita was not great, maybe 3 stars. read more

La Fonda - Mexican Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

My Wife and I have been coming here from OC for over 30 years. We moved nearby about 3 years ago. My how things change! La Fonda was always a go to. Used to be our 1st stop on the way to Ensenada. $6 Shrimp Cocteles, $4 Margaritas (potent!), great service, and the best views anywhere. That was then...Then came covid. When we came back, Dimitri the owner had passed, prices went way up, but things were pretty much the same. OK, not a deal breaker. Last year Dimitti's Wife sold the place. Renovations started on the hotel, new tables and chairs, aaaaand the restaurant started going downhill. New cooks, different recipes, and another hike in prices. That brings us to current day. Stopped in for dinner at the bar. Still top notch service. Ordered the fish and chips which has always been solid. 3 pieces of crispy fish and crispy frys. This time it was 2 pieces of fish. Batter was soggy, fish was mushy, the fries were soft and swimming in grease. I told the bartender and he went back to talk to the cook. He came back and told me the chef left and since no manager was there, there was nothing he could do. OK. I'm out on dinners. This week we went in for breakfast, always strong. Ooops. My bacon was obviously old. It had a sour taste and was way past crispy. Flavor was like old fryer oil. No bacon taste at all. My guess is it was from a day or 2 before and went in the deep fryer to try to save it for my plate. I sent it back and asked for fresh cooked bacon. Delicious like it is supposed to be. Not sure how chef could send that out not knowing it was bad. So now I am questioning breakfast there. Today I stopped in for one of my favorite margaritas.... Oh boy. Not anymore. I asked where is the tequila? Oh the manager changed the recipe AND the tequila. "Can I speak to the Manager?" Nope. He doesn't work here anymore. "So who is in charge?" "Nobody" is what I was told. Oh yeah, and lastly that Margi was now $10usd!! WHAT??!! You need to look pretty hard to find a $10 margarita anywhere... So sorry La Fonda, but that's 3 strikes. As my local friends have told me, "We quit going there. It's only for tourists". I didn't want to believe it, but sadly, that's where we are... The waiters and bartenders are fantastic and I feel bad that they will suffer from a lack of customers. Would love to hear something on Social Media from the new owners as I am far from the only one with this opinion. Hope they can turn things around. read more

Went for New Years Eve-generous lobster portions, not overcooked. Traditional good La Fonda salad, black bean soup, chips. Some nice upgrades like new seating and cleaned up dining room. Wonderful band and service. read more

We often stop at La Fonda on the way back to the states. Good parking and easy access from the toll road or La Mission. Waiters are great, good drinks, carried menu, awesome ocean views. The black bean soup and harina chips are my favorite appetizers. read more

Went for Sunday brunch. Have been coming here for over thirty years but have not been to the brunch in many years. Quality way down from previous years. Just bland and many dishes were lukewarm. We will still come for dinner but won't be coming back for brunch again. Improve taste of food and make sure dishes are warm and that would be a great improvement ! read more

Room 34. We've heard about this place for many years from friends of ours that have gone on group events to Vallarta Guadalupe and stayed at the La Fonda. I have to say the room is a major disappointment. The lady that owns it is originally from the USA and have owned it for 40 years. The problem is that it looks like nothing has been updated or repaired in 40 years. There is no AC so we tried to leave the sliding door open in order to get some breeze and cool from the ocean in. The screen on our sliding door could not be opened and it ended up falling off. The ceiling fan works however only one of the three lightbulbs is working. How hard is it to change two light bulbs so they all work? There is a TV in the room, however there is no remote control to work it, so it is useless. Unlike some of the people on neighboring rooms, we had hot water in our bathroom, but if we flushed the toilet, there was no waiter on the sink to wash your hands. The room door was an interior hollow core door that could have been kicked open by anyone. In other words, the whole place is a mess. The location is nice because it is right on the water and the restaurant and bar are just okay. The drinks are poorly made too. I know some people choose this place because they feel more comfortable at an American owned hotel, but please, PLEASE, do yourself a favor and stay somewhere else, such as Las Rocas in Puerto Nuevo or Hotel Coral in Ensenada. These two are nice hotels with good services, and in good condition, especially Hotel Coral. And, surprisingly you may end up paying much less than what you will have to front to stay in this nasty and unsafe place. read more

This is a great local spot for me to stay over night (or more) on the beach in Rosarito. They also have great drinks and good food. The staff is friendly and welcoming and to top it all off, they have live music on the weekends to dance the night away. If you're looking for a fun local spot, I highly recommend this place. read more

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Great variety for Sunday Brunch. Live music is fun If you are expecting it to be like Dana Point forget about it. Go with the flow! Attentive service! read more

Let me save you the time to figure out where To eat at whole you're in Ensenada. This place sounds like a great idea if you want to sit in a restaurant with an ocean view and drink margarita. However, I will dissuade you from choosing this place as a destination restaurant. If you're a foodie or not, you will be disappointed. Might as well stay in San Diego and eat at a local restaurant. We had the buffet and it was subpar. Maybe because they cook tons of food and lose the taste along the way. The stations are not well labeled and it's confusing. The food presentation doesn't look appetizing and when you decide to try them, it's okay (especially if you're hungry). In addition, the service was okay. The waiter visits you once in a blue moon. In short, I'm not Coming back. read more

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If you're hungry it's okay. If you want good food and a legible menu it's "okay". Pretty much just an over priced "catering to American tourist" type of restaurant. The chalkboard menu is never legible and you basically guess and take your chance at what you'll get. Burgers usually arrive under done, even when ordered well done. Service is normally good and patio views are nice. Other than that, there's many better options in the area, in my opinion. read more

If you don't stop here for breakfast during your Baja trip, then you're doing it wrong. La Fonda has ridiculous homemade tortillas, amazing decor, and beachside dining. You could basically call this heaven. I came here with a large group of friends and they easily accommodated us. We sat on the outdoor patio with the sounds of the ocean crashing just a few yards away. I went with the chili pork verde breakfast option. This plate was massive and every inch of it was covered with huge chunks of pork, a delicious green chili sauce, fluffy eggs, and potatoes... talk about a belly bomb. Everything was delicious, the sauce had the perfect amount spice and the potatoes were coated in a Mexican style seasoning, a lot like Tajin, but chunkier. The pork was good, but most of the pieces were super fatty, so my jaw defiantly got a work out eating it. I eventually gave up and stuck to the eggs and potatoes. The chips they put on the table were amazing! Freshly made, salty, greasy, and dipped in salsa, muy bien! Amazing views, solid food, and spot on service. In the words of Kip from Napoleon Dynamite, " La Fonda is the best to happen to me." read more

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La Fonda is located right on the ocean and has an amazing fireplace that is really romantic in the wintertime. We enjoyed our dinner thoroughly. They show up with a chalkboard and the selections that are available for that evening. During Christmas is super festive and they had a beef carver as well as someone who makes fresh tortillas per order. It's a funny story about la Fonda. There are two la Fonda's next door to each other and the owners/ ex partners had some type of dispute and split the restaurant into two parts. So there's North la Fonda and South la Fonda and it always still debatable which one has the best food. That's for you to decide! PS we favor the south side read more

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Best Sunday brunch around! And we have tried them all. If you like meat you will love this place. Best Pavo (turkey) I have ever had. Soups for everyone and the chicken mole is to die for. Includes margaritas, up to four, and we cannot make that many even asking for them to be light (and we drink a lot). Views, service, food, can't beat it. read more

I've been to Dmytri's several times and this last time did it. The chef has no idea what he or she is doing, the food that comes out of the kitchen is no were close to what or how it's described on the menu or by the staff. The meet is always overcooked, even asked for Med-rare. Poultry is blanched and reheated by microwave and frying pan. In the end, they try to bribe you by giving you "free coffee and desert" NO ThAnK YoU. Let's not talk about the staff has not been trained or educated on the history of the building. It is historical. read more

I am so upset with this placee, here is a list: 1. My wife used the restroom and after she was done there was no toilet paper, soap or paper towel. 2. Cash only, its posted as you walk in and luckly we had enough to cover, they do have a small atm on premises but I prefer to withdraw from an actual bank. 3. The area where the taco bar was is extreamly lacking in condiments. 4. They were using packaged tortillas while claiming it was the best tortillas in town. 5. Prep area for the taco bar was dark and unlit, not really a problem till my next comaint. 6. Found a roach in my wifes taco. OMFG!! See pics. I don't know if my son and I ate some raoches in our food or if my wife ate some but she caught this on her last bite. I am so upset because this restaurant is advertised, "World Famous ". This restaurant was recommended so we took the drive and this was our experience. We made the staff aware and they tried to give us a refund but the damage is done. We refused and asked to please be more aware of whats going on with the food prep process. Im greatly disappointed with our experience. read more

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WARNING: This place has COCKROACHES!!!!! I was highly disappointed with this restaurant. It is very unsanitary and should not be allowed to serve people food. Right when I received my food there was a roach in it. I would not recommend this spot due to the fact there is roaches being served in the food. Not to mention the employees are rude which doesn't help. My experience was very unpleasant, I am sick to my stomach. Will not ever be going back! Porfavor No llegan aquí, es muy sucio y tienen cucarachas en la comida. Miren las fotos. read more

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We found this place driving by. It looked pretty festive so we came in. Had to flag down the bartender to get a beverage multiple times which was irritating because he was too busy making the white folks feel like celebrities. I figured screw it because the Guardia is up and down the main highway because of New Year's Eve weekend so we thought we would just rent a room here since it's attached to the restaurant/bar. Come to find out the hotel doesn't take cards but they let me "Slide" apparently because I didn't know they only took cash. They charged my room at the bar (land tacked on an extra $25 for the room stating that it was part of the conversion from Mexico to the United States. I live here in Mexico so I know it's bullshit (because simple math would've told the host exactly how much to run the card for) but rather than making a scene I figured I would just eat the $25.00. The food was alright. Bland. Lots of white tourists. Meh. Not impressed but the room was cozy af and for that, I will be back! read more

On my way to see my family, we stopped by this place passing Puerto Nuevo but also before the last pay booths to get to Ensenada. It was early like 10:30 a.m. very empty but heard it gets very packed. The place is beautiful. There are seats over looking the ocean. Very relaxing. When we were leaving the live music was just getting there. I would definitely come back for lunch. They were very friendly and accommodating to my dietary needs and made the enchiladas without meat and cheese. The food was delicious and so were the hand made tortillas that the lady in the front is continuously making. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to make a pit stop and eat before getting to Ensenada or wherever their destination is. read more

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We were in the area and walked right over to this restaurant. Their English menu was handwritten on a chalkboard with prices included. The menu was comprised of mainly seafood and the choices were what you'd expect from a good seafood restaurant. Some examples of what you'd find on the menu: Lobster 1.5 or 2.5 pounds Swordfish Filet of Sole Coconut Shrimp Combo of shrimp, lobster, and scallops Stuffed Calamari (with Lobster) Stuffed Shrimp (with Lobster) Pork Cutlet Rib Eye Filet So we given chips and pico de gallo to start...then a simple garden salad. Our order came out fairly quickly. So the service was excellent. The servers were attentive and checked in a couple times to see if we needed anything and if our food was satisfactory. The lobster was super yummm. It was served with drawn butter and lime. The rice and beans were ok. I am guessing they scraped the bottom on the rice pot bc the rice was hard and too dry/crispy to eat in some spots. We did come in around 9:30 and they were probably closing shop. So I suppose that might explain, but not excuse it. Overall, dining was great with the exception of the rice. Really liked the ambiance. I would recommend this place, but come earlier. read more

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We didn't actually stay at the hotel (it seemed to have seen better days), even though it is perched on the coast. We did enjoy lunch and a beer on the way to Ensenada. We had combo plates of tacos, enchilada, beans and rice. The flour tortilla chips and salsa were good and helped set the tone for the meal. The fish street tacos were large but not too flavorful. The crunchy chicken tacos were filling but again, the flavor was lacking. The view of the ocean is spectacular and worth the stop. Otherwise keep trekking down the road! read more

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We love coming here for dinner while in Baja Ca. Mexico. Their Lobster dinners are good and as, always, they have great service. They have a good variety of food to choose from and the servers are attentive to your needs. read more

Wow! Everything I come to Baje California this is my first stop ! Awesome! Can't find the words to describe how beautiful this place really is. read more

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Visited Ensenada for a day with the cruise and our tour took us here for lunch. The place is right on the beach and beautiful, the environment is very relaxing, just what we needed for vacation. Waiters were very friendly and speaks good English. We ordered fish and chips and stuffed calamari, and then it was the waiting and waiting and waiting... 1 hour later we got our salsa and chips... Another 30 mins later we got our food while the rest of our tour group was getting on the bus and ready to leave. The owner came out, said hi to everyone and apologized for the slow service, so did the waiters, and we can tell he is trying his best. We understood it's never easy when a big group show up. The fish was fresh and delicious, the stuffed calamari was a big too heavy, it was wrapped in bacon, but it was my bad not asking for the ingredients when ordering. Overall the food was good and the experience was relaxing. read more

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I went there last night for dinner and ordered prime rib it was shoe leather, so tough l gave to a friends dog and had to perform the hiemlick manuver the dog would have choked. read more

If you're looking for a quiet, relaxing spot on the beach, this is it. Great food, great service, great view

We came across this restaurant because we wanted to have dinner and didn't know where to go since we're not familiar with the area: they have a sign that says world famous and they live up to it! We went in for dinner hoping that they had good food but weren't expecting too much. Their homemade flour tortilla chips and salsa were delicious, so was the side dish of beans (I believe it was Carne en su jugo) and the salad were all good starters side dishes. The lobster was very good and cheap price wise but our favorite was the Coconut Shrimp so fresh and tasteful!!! Their Paloma drinks were delicious read more

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First time here, and can not say I'm disappointed. Beautiful morning breakfast overlooking the ocean. Our food was Delicious pancake syrup was amazing (coconut) read more

Great coconut shrimp, lovely cakes, higher end than I expected but good quality. Not inexpensive. Very clean.

Food is good, service is excellent, view is great , parking is sparse on a busy weekend , but that's to be expected, all in all a decent experience, right up the road from 'El castillo del diablo' , worth a stop! read more

I was here a lifetime ago. This was a stop on a Boca Roja tour I was on. A view you seriously can't beat. Delicious freshly made tortillas with my typical breakfast fare made my morning. Endless mimosas rounded that out. Not sure if they typically do the endless mimosa as we were part of a tour but if they do you should ask for that as I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the champagne. La Fonda also has some of the best salsas I have ever had. Service was fantastic. We had a large group all with different orders and they were on it! I will definitely be back with my wife and friends as I just got approved for Sentry! read more

Great patio deck view. Not a place for vegetarians. Popular for fish, lobster, and mediocre steak. First drinks are strong. Following drinks have virtually no alcohol. Intentionally done. Call them out for your full-strength replacement. read more

I have been going to La Fonda for ten years now for their Sunday Brunch. Today my car was parked right in the front doors. My car was broken through the door lock and belongings were taken while we were eating. The outside security walked away when confronted. After speaking to the manger it sounded like the staff is complicit in robbing customers literally outside their front doors. What a disappointment after 10 years of being a customer. Eat and drink at La Fonda at your own risk! read more

Absolutely the best place to stay if you're heading to Mexico in search of good grub (the best) on the beach, while still close to the border. The Sunday brunch is pretty famous, so parking is starting to become a problem. Just get there earlier. If you are around Saturday night, the have live music or a DJ and have a hopping dance floor. The rooms at La Fonda are rustic, cute. They have fires places and views of the water, ask for a room with a deck facing the ocean. Beach access is really easy. There is also a man on the beach the gives rides in his little motorized hang glider thing for $20. Questionable safety standards, but a freeing experience at the same time. He just goes down the short length of the beach, turns around and comes back, then lands on the beach in front of the hotel. Say a pray, then give it a go. read more

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This is not the way I remembered it. Stopped in on the way to ensenada. Forgot that they are cash only- my fault, but there is an ATM at the entrance willing to charge you $7.95+ 7.95% ... didn't see that % sign and figured it was confirming the $7.95- scummy way to make a buck. We were there @ 11AM on Sunday and buffet was subpar. Hot items were just warm and had a texture of being left there for hours. Waiters were sufficient in numbers- but had to look for one and wave frantically. Then a large group came in - shoved chairs right up next to our table and our service became non existent. Good luck! I'm going to inform all my riding friends that it's not the same breakfast joint we enjoyed in the early 2000's. This is just a tourist trap that is still popular because they were good in the past. read more

Our friends live nearby and suggested we go here instead of Nuevo Puerto for lobster. It was after dark so couldn't enjoy ocean view, but they had a big fire cracking in the fireplace and we were very happy with our meal. I had the full lobster dinner for $26.50? Delicious flour tortilla chips freshly made with pico de Gallo. Bean soup, and then a full plate of lobsters with drawn butter refried beans n rice. After that they serve a Diablo coffee that's delicious. Both food and atmosphere were noteworthy and we will definitely try to return when we come back this way. Others in our group ordered the Sea Bass, Fried Fish (was huge & delicious), and Coconut Shrimp. Everyone was very pleased with their dinners. Oh and I had a margarita, on the strong side but very good. read more

La Fonda - Mexican Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

La Fonda has perhaps the best Sunday brunch on earth. Dmytri and Sara have created a place that brings the best out of everyone and everything, and they encourage guests to relax and enjoy! Of particular note: a giant paella that takes 3 guys to put out, lengua, tamales, chile verde & chile rojo, barbecue beef ribs, ceviche, and pancakes with cocoanut syrup. And, of course, Bloody Marys and Margaritas. We advise getting small portions over time, because new dishes come out of the kitchen all morning long. read more

Loved this restaurant. Ambience is mellow, not overly loud and the ocean view is amazing. Our party ordered multiple entrées, they were all great. read more

La Fonda - Mexican Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

Funky, charming place just overlooking a lovely beach. I'm talking about the restaurant. We had breakfast there this morning, a Saturday in June. I had machaca ( a savory shredded beef) in scrambled eggs. Muy saborosa! The tortillas were fresh and tasty but the hash browns were a big blobby greasy mess! The orange juice may have been fresh but it was hard to tell; it was served in a tall glass chockful of icecubes, so it was pretty water-y. Well, I seem to be panning the food, but the "experience" makes up for it. It's a colorful, festive, friendly, happy place. Do go there! read more

La Fonda - Chorizo with eggs - Mexican Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

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