Sunset Monalisa
Rating
Family of 4
$250-$500 for a family of 4.
Duration
2-3 hours
Best Ages
8 and up
About
Sunset Monalisa is Cabo San Lucas's premier sunset dining experience, and for families celebrating a special occasion or treating older kids to a grown-up dinner, it's unforgettable. Perched on a cliff along the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, the restaurant's multi-level terrace directly overlooks the Sea of Cortez, with El Arco and Land's End visible in the distance.
The restaurant opens at 4 PM, and the smart play is arriving by 5:30-6 PM to claim your table, order aperitifs, and settle in before the main event. The sunset — which occurs between roughly 6 PM and 7 PM depending on the season — is dramatic from this vantage point. The sky transitions through orange, pink, and purple over the water, and the entire restaurant falls quiet to watch.
It's genuinely beautiful, and even kids who might initially be skeptical about "just watching a sunset" end up transfixed.
The cuisine is modernist Mediterranean, served as a prix fixe 3-course menu or an extended 6-course "Signature" tasting menu that changes weekly based on available ingredients. The food is creative, well-executed, and beautifully presented — think fresh fish with seasonal vegetables, handmade pasta, creative ceviches, and elaborate desserts. There is no kids' menu.
This is a restaurant for families with older kids (8+) who are ready to try sophisticated food and can sit through a 2-3 hour multi-course meal.
The atmosphere is upscale but not intimidating — smart casual dress code, professional but friendly service, and an outdoor setting that feels more relaxed than a formal indoor restaurant. The staff is accustomed to welcoming families and will accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice.
Pricing is on the high end: expect $60-100+ per person for food, plus drinks. A family of four will spend $250-500. This is a splurge dinner — treat it as the highlight meal of your Cabo trip rather than a regular night out. Reservations are essential, especially during peak season (December through April) and especially for cliff-edge tables.
The restaurant is located at Km 5.5 on the Tourist Corridor, so you'll need a taxi or Uber from both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Budget for transportation in addition to the meal.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
No
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Arrive by 5:30-6 PM to catch the sunset — this is the whole point. Request a cliff-edge table when you book. Winter months have the most dramatic sunsets.
Wait Times
Reservations required — walk-ins rarely accommodated
Nearby Food
Sunset Monalisa is the destination — there aren't walkable alternatives nearby on the Tourist Corridor cliff. If the budget is too steep, consider The Office on the Beach at Medano for a more casual sunset dinner.
Why Kids Love It
Sunset Monalisa is the kind of restaurant you bring older kids and teens to for a special family dinner they'll remember forever. Perched on a cliff along the Tourist Corridor overlooking the Sea of Cortez, the restaurant's outdoor terrace has a front-row seat to what is arguably the most dramatic sunset view in all of Cabo. As the sun drops toward the Pacific horizon, the sky turns through every shade of orange, pink, and purple, and the entire restaurant pauses to watch — it's a communal moment that even screen-addicted teenagers put their phones down for.
The food is serious Mediterranean cuisine, presented as a multi-course experience with menus that change weekly based on seasonal ingredients. This isn't a chicken-fingers-and-fries situation — it's an opportunity for kids who are ready to level up their dining experience with dishes like fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and creative appetizers. The staff is professional and welcoming to families, and the atmosphere is romantic but not stuffy.
For families celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or the end of a great Cabo trip, Sunset Monalisa is the place to do it.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Make reservations well in advance — at least a week during peak season (Dec-Apr), and request a cliff-edge table specifically
- Arrive by 5:30-6 PM to settle in with drinks before the sunset, which happens between 6-7 PM depending on season
- This restaurant is best for kids 8+ who can sit through a 2-3 hour multi-course dinner and appreciate the experience
- Dress code is smart casual — no flip-flops, swimwear, or beach attire. Nice resort wear is fine
- Taxi or Uber from downtown Cabo or the hotel zone — it's on the Tourist Corridor with no walkable restaurants nearby
What to Bring
- Reservation confirmation — they won't seat you without one during peak season
- Camera for sunset photos — the views are spectacular
- Light jacket or wrap — the cliff-side terrace gets breezy after sunset
- Credit card — this is not a cash-only restaurant
- Smart casual attire — no beach clothes
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$250-$500 for a family of 4.
The 3-course prix fixe menu is the standard format.
Expect $60-100+ per person for food, plus drinks.
This is a splurge dinner, not a casual meal.
Tips to Save
- Come for the sunset and order the 3-course prix fixe rather than adding extensive à la carte extras.
- Skip the wine pairing and order individual glasses.
- This is an inherently expensive restaurant — budget $250-500 for a family of four and treat it as a special occasion, not a regular dinner out.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 4PM-10:30PM
- Monday
- 4PM-10:30PM
- Sunday
- 4PM-10:30PM
- Tuesday
- 4PM-10:30PM
- Saturday
- 4PM-10:30PM
- Thursday
- 4PM-10:30PM
- Wednesday
- 4PM-10:30PM