El Squid Roe

El Squid Roe has been the loudest, wildest, and most beloved address on the Cabo San Lucas Marina since January 1989. Spread across three open-air stories on Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas, this family-owned institution, founded by Billy La Garde and now co-run with his son Diego, is the rare venue that doubles as a family-friendly restaurant by day and a balcony-shaking nightclub after dark. Carnival lights, vintage Mexicana decor, and conga-line waiters have made it a rite of passage for everyone from honeymooners to A-list celebrities passing through Baja Sur.

What to order. The kitchen, open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., leans into oversized American-Mexican comfort plates designed to feed a crowd. The Almost Famous Ribs arrive fall-off-the-bone, basted in a sweet-smoky glaze and stacked high. Sizzling Fajitas hit the table on lava-rock platters with house-made tortillas, while the Loaded Burger piles bacon, cheese, and crispy onions on a hand-pressed patty. The Macho Nachos are a tower of homemade chips, melted cheese, beans, jalapenos, guacamole, and tableside salsa borracha. Add a Caesar Salad prepared in front of you, Billy's Ceviche, the Mayan Fish, or Shrimp Thermidor for a more seafood-forward meal.

Best for. El Squid Roe is built for groups. Birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, cruise-ship day trips, and post-fishing celebrations all funnel through here. Families and couples come for an early lunch on the breezy balconies overlooking the Marina; the energy ramps up around sunset with shot specials, dance-on-the-table service, and themed nights that run until 3 a.m. Sports fans can catch big games on the screens around the bar, and VIP bottle service is available on the upper floors for groups who want a reserved table above the crowd.

Getting there. The restaurant sits at Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas 1112, in the downtown core of Cabo San Lucas, directly across from Plaza Bonita Mall and a two-minute walk from the Marina boardwalk and Puerto Paraiso. From the Tourist Corridor it's roughly a 20-minute drive; rideshare and taxis drop off at the corner of Lazaro Cardenas and Marina Boulevard. Walk-ins are welcome, but tables fill quickly during high season and on cruise days.

Recognition. Owner Diego La Garde has been profiled by Mexico News Daily as the "master of Cabo revels," and the venue is consistently listed among the most iconic nightlife destinations in Mexico. After more than three decades, El Squid Roe remains independently operated by the La Garde family and a fixture in nearly every Los Cabos travel guide.

Reservations. Walk-ins are accepted for the restaurant; VIP tables, bottle service, and open-bar passes can be reserved in advance through the website at elsquidroe.com or by calling +52 624 157 4479. The address is Blvd. Lazaro Cardenas 1112, Centro, 23479 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S. Doors open daily at 9 a.m., the kitchen serves until 10 p.m., and the bar keeps the party going until 3 a.m.

Reviewed by the What's in Cabo editorial team