Mariscos La Morena San Felipe Restaurant

At the corner of of Av. Malecón Sur and Calle Ensenada in San Felipe you will find an open and welcoming seafood restaurant called Mariscos la Morena. If you were planning to walk right by the gem, the staff posted outside to lure you in will do their best to entice you with their daily specials and drink specials in broken English as you stroll by the restaurant. Do yourself a favor and step inside; you’ll be glad you did.

A Beautiful Oceanfront View

You will notice a few things about the interior of Marisocs la Morena. First, the dark brick floors are exceptionally clean, and the walls are painted bright red. Unlike many of the restaurants that line the Malecon, the tables and chairs are all matching, giving the interior a cohesive and put together feel. The menu is listed above the kitchen, with pictures of each dish and the name of it in Spanish and English. The prices aren’t listed however, so you will have to ask your server when he or she comes to the table. The open dining area allows the sea breeze from The Sea of Cortez to blow through, and when that isn’t enough, there are fans throughout the restaurant that work wonders when the summer sun heats San Felipe to 100+ degrees.  Finally, before you even step food inside, you’ll appreciate the free parking directly in front of the restaurant that makes getting in and out a breeze. Mariscos la Morena is open seven days a week from 8am to 9pm.

Delicious Breakfast

If you find yourself on the Malecon (or boardwalk) early in the morning, head to Mariscos la Morena for breakfast. Their large breakfast menu includes Huevos Mexicana (a large dish of cheesy eggs combined with onion, tomatoes, peppers and crunchy tortilla strips.) The French toast is moist and sweet, and the chilaquiles is a classic Mexican breakfast option. It consists of tortillas covered in mole or salsa, and then a generous portion of chicken, cheese and eggs are added to create a hearty dish. Usually chilaquiles is served with beans on the side, and a bit of sour cream. If you haven’t ventured into the world of Mexican breakfast food, this is the place to do it. For those trying to “be good” when it comes to eating on vacation, they have a fruit and yogurt option, made with fresh fruit from the local market. A hot cup coffee or large cup of orange juice pairs great with any Mexican breakfast dish you decide on.

Tasty Lunch Options

If it’s closer to noon and you are looking for a cool place to get out of the sun and have some lunch, the options for lunch are endless. From fish and shrimp to authentic Mexican specialties, soups and tacos, making a decision on what to eat could be the hardest decision you make all day. Since seafood is what they do best, you can’t go wrong ordering a fresh fish.  The Mango and Chipotle Fish is a sweet and spicy fish entrée that mixes chunks of mango and tomatoes, seasoned with garlic and spices and spritzed with a little lime. The hint of chipotle kicks in after the sweetness of the mango salsa, keeping your taste buds on edge and enhancing the experience even more.  The Pescado Frido Entero translates loosely to “An Entire Fried Fish” and when it comes to the table that is exactly what you get; an entire fish, fins and all, displayed across the plate accompanied by fresh vegetables.  If it is shrimp you’re craving, order “The Platter.” This overwhelming seafood masterpiece includes Diabla shrimp, Coconut shrimp, breaded shrimp, pistachio shrimp, Costa Azul shrimp, Cacahuate con chipotle or the delicious mango fillet, your preference. And as if eating all of that won’t leave you stuffed, a complimentary platter of 20 steamed clams is included for 8 guests.

If you didn’t come for the seafood, you can rest assured that everything else on the menu is just as tasty. Try an enchilada, a flour tortilla bursting at the seams with chicken (or beef) beans, and cheese. Although the enchiladas are a good size, it is recommended to order a side salad or soup to complete the meal. The tacos and quesadillas are always a safe and delicious choice, and you can order them with the filling of your choice (locals rave about the shrimp tacos.) They are so reasonably priced (around $1.50 per taco) that you can order as many tacos you think you can eat, or want to take back to your vacation rental to enjoy later.

Margaritas, Beer and Tequila, OH MY!

The service is quick and friendly, and there is a full bar to add to the entire experience. The margaritas are strong and the beer is cold. If you can think it up, your talented and knowledgeable bartender can put it together and pour it into a glass. If you are coming for just a few drinks, sit up at the bar and get to know the bartenders. They are extremely attentive and interactive with the guests, and strive to make each experience fun and unique. While you’re up at the bar enjoying a few adult beverages, order a cocktail. And we don’t mean a fruity drink with a cherry at the bottom (although they make those too) but instead an impressive glass of clam, octopus or shrimp cocktail served with spicy cocktail sauce and lemons as a garnish. A cold drink, some zesty shrimp cocktail and a chair looking over the Sea of Cortez is a great way to begin a night out on the Malecon.

Have a few extra pesos handy for some tableside entertainment in the form of guitarists or singing duos. It is a fun and unique component to an amazing Mexican meal.

Mariscos la Morena is not just another seafood place along the boardwalk. Although it is located around other seafood places, locals and tourists alike flock here to take advantage of the fresh ingredients, the gorgeous views, friendly service and great prices.

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• Address: Avenida Malecon S - Plaza Maristaco #16, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, 21850
• Telephone: +52-686-577-0915
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Morena-Restaurante-Bar/100125653449700