A city guide to Tijuana

According to Lúdica Cervecería co-founder, Gustavo Del Castillo.

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Gustavo Del Castillo

Header photo:
Gautam Krishnan

Saturday 30 May 2026

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This article is from

Mexico

issue 131

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Baristas Bravos (IG @baristasbravos)

"Coffee bean of the month pour over at Baristas Bravos, excellent coffee beans roasted locally”. Baristas Bravos was recognised in The Best 50 Coffee Shops in Mexico, 2025 by @thebestcoffeeshops.mx, attributing its success to the Tijuana community, baristas past and present, and the incredible dedication of Mexican coffee growers. “Being able to enjoy a cup is also sharing your work and our responsibility at the bar is to give an honest expression to your dedication,” the team says of its commitment to growers.

PHOTO: Baristas Bravos

Aruba (IG @arubadaydrinkbar)

“Ranma 1/2 cocktail at Aruba, perfect place for a mid day cocktail.” A glance in the direction of Aruba is all it takes to elicit a smile — to say its drinks are loud and colourful is an understatement. Another award winner, Aruba was included in North America’s Top 50 best bars in 2025 by @50bestbars.

PHOTO: Aruba Bar

GSalinas Vinos (IG @gsalinasvinos)

“A glass of local wine in GSalinas Vinos, we recommend riesling with ojos negros grapes.”

When people think of wine from Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe is often the region that comes to mind, but the high-altitude and cool climate of nearby Valle de Ojos Negros means grapes from this region should not be overlooked.

PHOTO: GSalinas Vinos

Creyente Cocina Mexicana (IG @creyentecocina)

“Breakfast at Creyente Cocina Mexicana, we recommend cheese stuffed chilaquiles with salsa verde.” With two locations in Tijuana, Creyente is a hot spot for well-loved dishes from across Mexico, made with fresh, quality ingredients, and served in a chic, modern setting. Chilaquiles are made by cooking stale corn tortillas in a flavourful sauce — usually either green (verde), red (rojo) or mole — until soft, and topped with salsa, white onion, coriander, crema and queso fresco.

PHOTO: Creyente Cocina Mexicana

Las 3 Salsas (FB @TaqueríaLasTresSalsas)

“Carne asada taco at Las 3 Salsas in Las Ahumaderas, known as ‘Taco alley’”. Carne asada tacos are not unique to Tijuana but they are synonymous with the north of Mexico where ranching and livestock farming is the most common form of agriculture (the climate in the south of the country makes it better suited to horticulture).

PHOTO: Las 3 Salsas

La Corriente Cevicheria Nais (IG @lacorrientenais)

"Red Snapper" Tostada at La Corriente Cevicheria Nais. Tijuana is a must-visit destination, but so is everywhere else in Mexico. If it’s not possible to get so far north on your next trip, you can get a taste for the seafood that’s so popular in Tijuana at La Corriente Cevicheria Nais, which has locations in Mexico City, Monterey, Mexicali and San Diego. Gustavo’s favourite red snapper tostada is on all menus.

PHOTO: La Corriente Cevicheria Nais

La Carmelita (IG @lacarmelitatj)

“For a nice modern take on traditional Mexican food, head to dinner at La Carmelita.”

The beauty of Mexican dining is that you can start your day with breakfast from a cart on the street, and finish it in a Michelin-starred dining room; each is as delicious as the other, but in different ways. Carmelita Molino y Cocina’s menu is sleek and sophisticated yet welcomes diners into a comfortable and relaxed setting. The combination is a worthy recipient of its Bib Gourmand.