About
A visit to Tailhunter Restaurante is never just about the food. It's about the fun, the fishing stories, and the Baja life energy. It was founded by Jonathan Roldan, a die-hard angler and longtime La Paz local, as a fishing spot and quickly became a go-to for great food and good times. It's now a two-story restaurant and cantina which is just as famous for the way it's run as it is for the food (ocean to table).
Tailhunter is a meeting place for the locals, the sportfishers and the travelers who come in to have a cold beer, swap stories about their day's catch and eat some really good food. The staff is renowned for their friendliness and the atmosphere is very much La Paz: relaxed, welcoming and just a bit rowdy when the sun goes down. You can come in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it's always a lively place with plenty of conversation and live music or laughter.
Vibe
Tailhunter Restaurante is a very distinctive place with a colorful frontage, an ocean-facing terrace and a breezy palapa roof. The interior is all about Baja's fishing culture with marlin on display, lots of vintage fishing photos and some rather cheeky murals. The cantina itself is very much a sports bar with big screens showing the game, high-top tables, and a long bar where the bartenders are mixing up house margaritas and local craft beers.
Seating options are outdoor tables with ocean views, indoor booths, and a rooftop patio, which is ideal for watching the sunset. It's a very social, lively atmosphere, with the regulars obviously getting on well with the new visitors, and the staff seems to know everyone's name. The reviews are full of praise for the atmosphere, the fun crowd, and the fact that it's essentially a night out every night.
Tailhunter Restaurante: Menu & Drinks
The menu is very much a Baja menu with seafood firmly in the driving seat. The fish tacos are the order of the day (as they should be) and are crisp, beer-battered, and loaded with slaw and their house salsas. The ceviche trio is also a big hit with the customers (shrimp, fish and octopus in citrus marinade with tostadas). If you're after something a bit more substantial, then the bacon-wrapped shrimp is excellent, grilled to perfection and full of that smoky bacon flavor.
One dish you simply must try is the "Tailhunter Molcajete," which is a hot stone bowl full of grilled shrimp, steak, chicken, and chorizo, all in a bubbling tomato-chile sauce with nopales, cheese, and avocado on top. Served with warm tortillas on the side, it's a great dish to share and is ideal for anyone who likes a bit of heat and a good mix of land and sea (Baja style). It's a real local favorite for the quantity and the way it brings together the land and sea.
Tailhunter also has a 'catch and cook' option for the anglers (bring in your fish and they'll cook it however you like it, grilled, fried or sashimi). The drinks menu is fairly standard with margaritas, mojitos and a rotating selection of local ales. Don't skip the churros for dessert; they're dusted with cinnamon and come with plenty of chocolate sauce.
Dining at Tailhunter Restaurante is all about the flavors of La Paz and the spirit of Baja, with big plates, cold drinks, and a homey atmosphere.
Local Tips
- Come early if you want a table at sunset with ocean views.
- Ask about the daily specials and the 'catch and cook.'
- The upstairs cantina is excellent for live music and a very lively bar.
- Portions are generous, so consider dining tapas-style.
- Parking can be challenging on the weekend; plan accordingly or walk along the malecón to your meal.
