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Cabo Culinary Preview: Star-Studded Dining at Nobu Los Cabos

Mexico maintains its status as a top culinary destination with the allure of the best Cabo restaurants keeping travelers coming back time and time again.

In the realm of hospitality, certain names are synonymous with exceptional culinary experiences. Nobu is one of them. And specifically, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos – the collection’s first hotel in Mexico – is no exception. Sitting on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, the property offers 200 accommodations and access to the Pacific beachside. The hotel also offers a luxurious spa for those seeking highly personalized wellness excursions. However, this resort’s crowning jewel is the variety of elevated bars and dining, including the iconic Nobu coastline restaurant.

But before we jump into the main course, let’s start with a taste of some frequently asked questions about Los Cabos and Nobu.

Where is Los Cabos?

One question we’re always fielding is “is Los Cabos the same as Cabo or Cabo San Lucas?” For starters, Los Cabos encompasses the entire region that stretches along the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. Within the region are various destinations, hence the plural name Los Cabos; this includes the two towns of Cabo San Lucas (commonly referred to as just “Cabo”) and San José del Cabo. Another key differentiation is that the two towns offer contrasting experiences for travelers. For example, Cabo San Lucas is home to a variety of buzzy downtown boutiques, restaurants, and festivals. This differs from San José del Cabo’s quieter beach town vibes with a flourishing local art and food scene.

While the two towns are a half-hour ground transfer apart, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos and its restaurants blend the remoteness of San José del Cabo and access to Cabo San Lucas’  electric energy seamlessly. Once on property, guests can enjoy the resort’s trademark dining in settings that fuse Japanese minimalism with local Mexican culture. Whether it’s an all-day fare or a well-appointed dinner, this property caters to all kinds of tastes.

What makes Nobu famous?

Nobu first began as a TriBeCa restaurant concept between world-renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro, Drew Nieporent, and Meir Teper. Since then, the lifestyle brand has expanded to include a variety of hotels, restaurants, and residencies across the globe. Across all twenty-six outposts, Nobu Hotels is particularly successful at combining Japanese modernism and minimalism with the local culture. This is also reflected in the cuisine at each destination, including Nobu Hotel Los Cabos’s restaurants.

 

Nobu Hotel Los Cabos brings Nobu’s signature cuisine and creativity to this iconic beach destination. In addition to fine dining, guests can enjoy multiple swimming pool environments, a Chef’s garden, a spa, and plenty of shopping. The Essencia Spa is particularly notable, featuring cutting-edge treatments utilizing products from Natura Bissé, indoor hydrotherapy areas, and a cabana jacuzzi.

What’s it like dining at Nobu?

Despite the wide range of entertainment offered at the resort, the dining experience remains the soul of Nobu Hotel Los Cabos. Paired with breathtaking views, the abundant options at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos’s restaurants guarantee multi-sensory culinary experiences. The signature Nobu Restaurant is located on the beachfront of the Pacific Ocean, delivering the famed Nobu experience overlooking the coast. Here, guests can enjoy signature dishes such as rock shrimp tempura, miso black cod, and yellowtail sashimi with thinly sliced jalapeño peppers.

The dining experience remains the soul of Nobu Hotel Los Cabos.

The resort also offers a variety of menus for guests looking to taste Nobu’s take on Mexican and American cuisine. For a more local flare, try their a-la-carte Mexican cuisine at Pacific Restaurant. We also recommend working with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to book a table at the Ardea Steakhouse with their fire-cooked meat, a selection of cheeses, artisanal sausages, handmade pasta, and pizza in a traditional clay oven. And make sure not to sleep on their barside offerings.

Guests can also choose from any of six bars at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos – one bar at Nobu Restaurant, one in Playabar, Pacific Restaurant Bar, and the Cortez Swim-up Bar. Their premium cocktails are perfect, from casual poolside lounging to enjoying live entertainment. Additionally, this hotel collection continues to expand its team of accomplished chefs to add their own spin on the Nobu experience.

We checked in with Executive Chef Paolo Dela Corte for insight into his work at Nobu Los Cabos’s restaurants.

 

SmartFlyer: We understand you hail from the Amalfi Coast, developing a love for Mexican culture and traveling to hone your craft. How did your upbringing and travel inspire you to take the plunge into the culinary arts?

Paolo della Corte: My interest in the kitchen started back in my hometown in Italy. I started this journey back in my teenage years when I used to spend summers working part-time in kitchens, falling in love with this beautiful industry.

SF: Similarly, how has local Mexican culture influenced your culinary journey and process when crafting new dishes?

PC: It would sound like a cliché to say I love Mexican food; everyone loves Mexican food! But I am the kind of person that would go to different towns and try all the local food and different ingredients. When you go deeply into the local ingredients, that’s when you can get creative. I also want to share the flavors that highlighted my childhood, and getting authentic flavors to guests’ tables is what inspires me.

SF: What do you find most special about Nobu Los Cabos’s restaurants?

PC: Nobu Los Cabos’s hotel and restaurants were born to focus on expanding Nobu-san’s signature dining in this beautiful area of the Pacific Ocean. Since 2019, the hotel has opened restaurants like Ardea which is also becoming very popular in the area. Our hotel has more people choosing us for weddings! Every day we are updating menus, creating activities, and finding new ways to please our dynamic guests. Our motto will always be “Dine with us and stay with us.”

SF: Outside of Nobu Los Cabos restaurant’s signatures, what are some other personal favorites that you recommend to guests try and why?

PC: One of my favorite things about Cabo is the quality of some of the local products that you may find here. You need to try local fish tacos and my favorite, Chocolata clam!

Check out our take on Nobu Los Cabos’s restaurant signature, Black Cod with Miso:

3 tbsp mirin
3 tbsp sake
½ cup white miso paste
⅓ cup sugar
4 black cod portions

In a small saucepan, bring the mirin and sake to a boil. Whisk in miso till dissolved, then add sugar and whisk until dissolved. Transfer this sweet marinade to a large baking dish, then let cool. Add fish and turn to coat before covering and refrigerating overnight. The next day, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat a grill pan and add vegetable oil. Lightly remove any excess marinade from the cod and pan fry till lightly browned. Transfer to oven and bake until flaky. We recommend serving with fresh ginger slices!

Craving a taste of Nobu’s Cabo experience? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor to get planning.

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