Ask anyone headed to Mexico what they’re most looking forward to, and you’ll likely hear one answer: food. Once a niche interest, “foodie” travel is now a global phenomenon, with nearly 1 in 5 travelers reporting they’re vacationing specifically to seek out new restaurants and culinary experiences.
Los Cabos, Mexico, is famous for its farm-to-table dining scene, rich enough to tempt any food-minded traveler to get on a plane to enjoy. However, the origin story of farm-to-table cuisine that has made Los Cabos so famous lies elsewhere, in a destination that is now taking the trend — and travel across the region — to new heights.
A Transformative Start
Perched at the tip of the Baja California peninsula, Los Cabos has long been a haven for “fly-and-flop” vacations spent shuffling between the beach and pool. With so many visitors content with going no further than the bounds of their resort, it’s not the kind of place one might expect to find a thriving culinary scene.
Against all odds, farm-to-table eateries in Los Cabos like Flora Farms, Tamarindos, and Acre are now some of the region’s major dining destinations, gaining much more than just local acclaim. What started small is now a highlight of any visitor’s experience in the area, a trend that is, in turn, pushing resorts to innovate their culinary programs as well.
It’s a feedback loop that foodies love, but that has an origin story deeper than most visitors realize, in the beachside “magical town” of Todos Santos that is now considered the future of travel in the region.
“Long before the famous farm-to-table spots in Los Cabos opened their doors, the regional farm-to-table dining concept got its start in Todos Santos, right here,” says Chef Sandro Falbo, the culinary director of Kimpton Mas Olas Resort and Spa, gesturing to a now bountiful garden within earshot of ocean waves.
That was years ago, when a small garden restaurant on the property was born out of both interest and necessity. A lack of nearby stores necessitated growing fruits, herbs, and vegetables to supply the restaurant. The idea stuck: a first example of a culinary concept that would change the region.
Table in Farm
The farm-to-table dining trend was born before Kimpton Mas Olas Resort and Spa existed in its current form, but the tranquil seaside resort is now taking it to the next level. Under the effusively passionate watch of Chef Falbo, Botanica transforms farm-to-table dining into table-in-farm dining, as much an experience and show as a meal.
A stylish al fresco dining terrace nestles tables amongst a bounty of lush, lovingly cared-for bushels of herbs and blooming fruit trees. In season, guests can explore the garden with the chefs, picking their own salad ingredients or watching as bartenders forage for flowers and fruits to infuse their cocktails. It pulls back the curtain and reveals a freshness that simply can not be replicated elsewhere.
Across the property, Kahal is a signature dining concept that marries a love of location with a commitment to raising a new culinary standard. The restaurant’s seaside spot is the perfect match for a seafood-focused menu. Dishes change frequently to match the commitment to using the freshest local ingredients sourced directly from the property’s gardens or local fishermen and family farms across Todos Santos.
Muchas Mas Olas
A fanatic focus on providing richness, freshness, and sustainability in every small detail of the trendsetting culinary experience is reflected throughout the rest of Kimpton Mas Olas.
The boutique property is spread across a wide stretch of oceanfront, with 103 guest rooms, including 22 oceanfront villas and penthouses, across 27 buildings that dot the sands. Handpicked, locally crafted decor and view-maximizing design remind guests that nothing has gone overlooked here, with luxe amenities coming standard. Good morning goodies appear at every guest’s doorstep to start the day, including fresh fruit, pastries, and herb-infused water to pair with the resort’s handcrafted blend of local coffee and organic teas.
The resort’s expansive wellness space is complete with a sumptuous spa, gym, yoga studio, and even an apothecary where guests can craft their own perfumes and essential oils from herbs grown right on the property. It’s the kind of destination that the style-seekers and social media-conscious guests can’t wait to post to their feeds, but those who want to log off and disconnect entirely will also feel right at home.Away to Todos Santos
Todos Santos is far removed from the hustle and bustle of Los Cabos, where an endless row of resorts speaks for every inch of sand, but it’s no detour destination. Once a sleepy seaside village home to an eclectic mix of fishermen, artists, and hippies, Todos Santos has grown into a destination all its own, only one hour north of the Los Cabos airport.
The appeal of Todos Santos is more than just its new cache of trendsetting hotels and wellness retreats. Its quaint mix of small-town historic charm and stunning, sandy coastline meets rugged desert mountains. Immense natural beauty emanates a unique tranquility that’s hard to imagine could be found so close to tequila-soaked Los Cabos.
Lifted high above the sands and sea, the terrace at Kahal becomes an unmatched destination for taking in the sunset. For a few silent moments, everyone turns to face the giant pink orb, slowly descending into the waves before it bobbles below the horizon. It’s a scene that is hard to forget for diners awaiting meals that, in their own way, reveal the natural beauty and bounty of Baja.
