Dos Pescados

Dos Pescados is a coastal gem with incredible food and beautiful ocean views. The food ordered was flavorful, and perfectly balanced, and the margaritas are a must-try. The vibe is relaxed yet stylish, making it ideal for a sunset dinner or casual lunch by the sea. Great service, bold flavors, and a view that elevates the whole experience. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant if you want excellent food, service and views.

Great view and atmosphere! Service is fantastic. Drinks were well made and balanced. Fish tacos were good, but for a restaurant named Pescados (fish in Spanish) I would expect more fish / sefood items on the menu. The chips were over cooked and the salsa was ok. The employees are so nice and friendly while still being professional. Parking is easy and it's a great location!

First things first. Serious upgrade over Palapas. IMHO Palapas only existed as a place where you could grab a beer and palatable but boring food after a little league game with a view, while the kids ran around and left the parents Ali e for a little while. Overall quite impressed with the food. The salsa was quite good, as were the chips. I would give the snapper ceviche with mango and aji amarillo a 5/5 both for taste and presentation. The arugula salad was just ok; loses points for (strongly suspect but can’t be certain) canned beets, and being quite salty (might be the nuts). I would recommend they switch to house made roasted beets and maybe Pepitas. We also had the Birria tacos, and the seafood (not Baja-style) fish tacos al pastor. Both also very good. My only quibble is that the fish tacos utilize a medley of their fish - which means there was salmon in there, and unless it’s sashimi or sushi I’m not a salmon fan. The al pastor preparation was a fun twist. I quite liked their version of a Paloma - utilized pamplemousse and tonic in addition to the grapefruit lime and tequila - very refreshing. Lastly, props for making a pumpkin dessert (pumpkin flan) that I didn’t hate! The toasted Italian meringue was an excellent touch. Looking forward to eating here again - something I’d never say about the former establishment. 6/2025 Happy to say that the food has only gotten better. The Ahi aguachile with strawberries and Serrano peppers was fantastic and looked as good as it tasted. Service and waitstaff continue to be amongst the friendliest in town.

All of the food we had was good and the outdoor seating was nice for our sunny day. The ambience and location is more what the restaurant has going for it.

This was our first visit since the restaurant changed over from one which had been there for decades. We think the current one is definitely an improvement. The service was great, prompt and friendly. I had Carne Asada. The meat was tender and medium rare. The garnishes of radish, cilantro, shredded lettuce, guacamole, and pickled red onion nicely complemented the plate. The large roasted jalapeño was a nice touch. The rice and beans were good, and everything was tied together nicely with fresh flour tortillas. My wife enjoyed the chicken enchiladas. Fresh tomatoes and guacamole complemented the rice and beans on the side. I had a taste and it was delicious. A couple of margaritas rounded out a great lunch.

A fantastic place - the bar staff: Paul & Shaun always keep us entertained and plied with El Jefe’s! The food is equally fantastic with lots of choice. I’ve had quite a lot of the options and All have been great! Worth a visit if you are in the area!

Truly incredible food. We knew the food was going to be good because the chips and salsa came and it was fantastic. Chips were lightly crunchy and fluffy. Salsa was very tasty and very well made very fresh. The slaw was fantastic! Super fresh & super good. The pozole really was a fantastic dish lots of flavor. Pozole really hit the spot. The rockfish plate also was just so good and amazing. Very well-made, lightly cooked and fluffy flaky fish. This is the kind of restaurant that we need in Santa Cruz! thank you for being so amazing.

Situated upstairs, you can see views of the pacific. They have happy hour discounts (about $2-3 off for most items on the reg menu), 3-5pm, even on the Sunday I visited. There were pictures of ceviche on Google, but those were from a previous menu and not available anymore. Food was good, bartender friendly, very leisurely pace, not a place for a quick bite to eat.

Dos Pescados is a vibe. The ocean view is gorgeous, and it really sets the tone for the meal. The raw menu is fresh and absolutely delicious, everything is so intentional with the flavors and is high-quality. The chips and salsa are a perfectly addicting, and the quesabirria and braised short rib are a must-try. Their bar is also a standout with many delicious options on or off the menu. The inside is almost like you're in Tulum and the music completes the ambiance, which is such a nice contrast to the sleepy, foggy town it's nestled in. Definitely a refreshing spot with great food and energy.

Nice setting and great views in a pleasant little cluster of shops. The waitstaff responding nicely to requests for items they forgot to provide. It gave the impression of a less-than-organized situation behind the scenes and in the kitchen. Food ran the gamut from outstanding to meh. The appetizer of raw sablefish in a cold coconut broth was exquisite. The chicken enchilada with rice and beans was standard Mexican fare, not belonging beside the other more sophisticated dishes. Braised short ribs were accompanied by relished polenta and spinach.

Slim pickens round hea... The chips and dip were the best dish we had. The salsa is some sort of sorcery mixed in an amazing magical concoction. We must've had 3-4 servings of it. The other entrees like the tacos and the fish&chips were so so, but they weren't bad either. The atmosphere on a Friday night was fresh and lively. The drinks sure were flowing! Service was also super friendly and very welcoming.

Everything great about Palapas is still here: the view, the service, delicious seafood, and, of course (!) master bartenders Paul and Josh! I like the food better: the food quality is higher (such as locally raised chicken and locally sourced in-season vegetables) and the prices seem about the same. We ordered wine (happy hour price!), a mango margarita, chicken, and and an ahi taco with radish. I will agree with some of the other reviewers that the salsa and chips are not an improvement. The chips are thick and don't taste fresh, and the salsa, which does have a fore roasted pepper taste I like, also has an oddly sweet taste that isn't my thing.

Service, food, and drinks were amazing. This place is a one of a kind in the Monterey bay area. The fresh ingredients, fresh flavors, and expansive options for my whole family have us coming back any time we are in the area. Such an upgrade!!!!!

We heard about this new restaurant that took over from Palapas in the Seascape Village and decided to check it out. We arrived early to catch their Happy Hour (W-Su 3-5 pm), but honestly it wasn't much of a draw... most of the HH food items were the same price on the regular dinner menu! However, the HH wines by the glass were between $2-5 off... so I guess the HH deal is on the drinks. In any case, here's what we had... * Snapper Ceviche -- Raw snapper chunks with diced mango in a chili & mango dressing, served with house made corn tortilla chips. Fish was very fresh. Not really a cured ceviche, but more like a poke. If you don't like the raw fish texture like my spouse, skip it. * Fish Tacos (2) -- Good, but not great. Small strips of beer batter cod with some chili crema and mango. I think Vino Cruz does this much better. * Guac -- Nice fresh avocado mash with some chili oil & pepitas accompanied by tortilla chips. (Strangely, these cups were a bit thick and stale, and not as light & crisp as the ones that came with the Snapper Ceviche.) * Street Corn (2 cobs) -- Yummy! We liked this. Fresh sweet corn with the shaved cotija cheese topping. * Caesar Salad with Salmon topper -- This was our favorite dish from the regular dinner menu. An elevated Caesar with baby romaine wedges, delicately applied Caesar dressing with light dusting of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan. Salmon was perfectly seared and crisp (skin removed) outside and juicy just medium well. We'd totally get this again. Our server June was great... cheerful & friendly. The restaurant layout and ambiance are great too... great views of the Monterey Bay, plenty of indoor seating and multiple heated patio balcony areas, including a pet-friendly area off the main indoor bar. The new restaurant certainly has potential. Would be nice if they had real deals on their Happy Hour Food Menu, but maybe we'll just come back to try a regular dinner.

We were never excited about the restaurant that was there before two Pescados took over. No, Palapas was at least serving Mexican food. When the server brought over the salsa and chips, We were disappointed. Tasteless. No chili peppers, which Salsa is usually made with! Our orders arrived and while we cannot complain about the fried fish tacos, it would be hard Not to complain about the albino (white) rice with NO FLAVOR, or the chicken tacos that were also lacking in any flavor!! Please, please 2Pescados-figure out WHAT you are serving! We want you to succeed! Yes, the place was packed, but don't you want people to leave satisfied? Not needing to go home and eat??

If someone from Dos Pescados could contact someone from Palapas to find out where were they ordering the chips from...that'd be great! Overall it was okay, nothing too fancy, nothing to say wow about. The chips were really an unpleasant surprise...

We just had a wonderful experience at this new restaurant! The views are amazing, the service was outstanding and we really liked the menu. We went for a birthday celebration and everyone loved the food! It's a fun sampling of seafood, small plates and interesting flavors. We shared guacamole, oysters Shishitos peppers as Pupus. I loved the grilled peach salad and had the veggie enchiladas which were very tasty! Our friend got the grilled fish tacos and loved them! My bestie had the halibut and she really enjoy all the flavors. The craft cocktails were so good we had Mezcal margaritas and martinis which were delicious our other friends enjoyed the beer selection! So happy we have a new local place to dine! Will come back for sure!!

Let's start out by recognizing that reviews for DP are divided. I am sorry for the folks that looked for the 'old place' but let's say it outright: Dos Pescados is amazing, and the fresh new cuisine that the Aptos area needed! Dos Pescados isn't trying to be "Palapas" - and that's a good thing (no relation). We went for the first time yesterday and it blew us away. The food, cocktails and, yes, the service were fantastic. This is not 'quesadilla and beans'. This is innovative, fresh, locally sourced cuisine that excels throughout (and yes, keeps a nod to Mexican cuisine throughout). Just what the neighborhood needed. With a clear nod to the (highly regarded) One Fish Restaurant, all the Crudos were fantastic (and yes, we had them all!). Chef Trent has always shined there, and the complex, bold flavors and fantastically fresh (raw) fish does not disappoint. The oysters (try them with the Mezcal-vinaigratte added - delicious) were impeccable. But, we found the cooked food just as great! - perfectly cooked fish and meat, great flavors and sauces (nothing "bland" here!) and topped off with really great cocktails. The plates (roasted rock fish) as well as the Tacos (Chorizo and Potatoes - so good. Grilled fish taco: super flavorful, where the pineapple mingled with spice and the avocado salsa and added a nice crunch). The service is 'young' - and rocked (friendly, knowledgable, attentive) - seriously, for once this is a place where everyone seems to love to be there! Smiles and time taken where needed - this is a well managed place. Kudos to the GM (Lindsey) as well who was present throughout the night. Finally, prices are also more than reasonable - especially for the location and the quality of the food. This place won't please some folks - a) looking for the previous place or b) looking for cheap, simple Mex food. It should and WILL however draw the crowds looking for genuinely impeccably prepared, high-quality, innovative Food in a super fun (and casual) environment. To us, this is the highlight newcomer of the year so far in the Aptos region. Come here and judge for yourself and disregard the 1-star comments coming from folks miffed that their 'old place' ain't here anymore. This is progress in the yummiest of ways!

Clean restaurant- incredible MENU w/ amazing sauces and spices. Variety of vegan or GF options- flavors are SO SO SO good!!!

Food service drinks all fabulous. Food was fresh and not heavy. Great flavors and unique. Super yum.

Food was incredible! Chef has the talent of a three-star Michelin rated chef!! Try everything on the menu, especially the raw stuff!

The previous restaurant had been a family favorite for many years. We were looking forward to trying the new place and had high hopes it would also become a family favorite. Unfortunately, we left disappointed. It started with the reservation system. For a party of 5, you are only allowed to make reservations for the patio. Two members of our party didn't want to sit outside so we were fortunate that they could accommodate us inside. But it added some stress to the evening. Next, the food was mediocre. I liked my fish tacos but most of the table was disappointed with their meals. For example, the vegetarian enchiladas were very mushy and not flavorful. The salmon portion was very small (but cooked well). The server was kind but he was new so wasn't able to answer all of our questions. Because of our loyalty to the previous restaurant, I know we will be back. But, we're hoping for a better experience.

We ate at Dos Pescados twice in 24 hours! We stayed at the Seascape resort and walked over for dinner on Saturday around 6pm, and then went back for lunch on Sunday around 1pm. Both times we were sat immediately and had excellent service. The chips and salsa are so good, my husband asked if they sold the salsa to go because he wanted to take some home! For dinner we had the street corn and beef empanadas as an appetizer and fish tacos and the wet burrito as our main entrees. Everything was fantastic and came out so quickly. The fry on the fish was perfect. Also the mango margarita was SO good. For lunch on Sunday we had an arugula salad with trip tip that was cooked perfectly, and the carne asada quesadilla which was one of the best we've ever had. Both of our experiences were 10/10!

Great food and fantastic service! First time to go and we will definitely be back. The salad, tacos and chili verde were all really good. The waitress, water gentleman, and manager all came by and made sure we had a nice dinner.

Absolutely love this place, drinks stay consistently great, sweet friendly waitstaff, quality eats; you get what you pay for to the fullest extent everything is made and cooked with care and intent. So many familiar faces and friends stayed after the switch. Lindsey, is incredibly kind and everyone else who works here truly adds to the experience and atmosphere in their own ways. It's always nice finding a spot with good food & drinks but it's even more amazing to find a place where you feel like family every time you go in

Baja fish tacos were delicious. The crab nachos were also very good. Great service! Don't forget to ask the waitress about the Dirty Dave IPA. The KOA Bois will back!

I live locally and use to be a regular at Palapas. My boyfriend and I loved the menu and all the dishes we tried last night at Dos Pescados. We especially enjoyed the tuna tostada and snapper ceviche. We found the fish fresh, flavorful and crafted with intention. You can tell they take pride in their menu. We did not love the Palapas menu so we like seeing an elevated menu. We were regulars at Palapas though because of the atmosphere and former staff- it's absolutely amazing to see so many familiar faces. The staff, menu and views are exceptional at Dos Pescados. We dined at the bar last night with Paul and had a wonderful time. My boyfriend loved the El Hefe marg. We look forward to more nights at Dos Pescados.

Loved my experience at Dos Pescados! Ignore the lower star reviews if you've ever eaten at a nice restaurant before. They plates are mostly tapas style, so order multiple items and have fun sharing the plates and trying all the different tastes. The dishes were creative and really refreshing for Aptos. I enjoyed the ceviche, halibut, elote, and churros. My mom liked the chicken tacos a lot as well, as she has a fish allergy that's what she ordered. It's good to know there's things on the menu people with different restrictions can eat. I can't eat cilantro and they accommodated for me without fail. Service was great as well, Carl and everyone else who came by were awesome. The price was totally fair too, good for the area and for really fresh fish. Can't wait to bring my friends next time!

We ate at Dos Pescados for an ocean view and sunset the first week they were open. After so many years going to Palapas it was definitely a change of mindset to not see the old menu and be open to a brand new menu and restaurant. Most of the staff were the same as when the restaurant was Palapas- I really appreciate that they worked hard to open quickly and to keep the previous staff employed. The service was amazing. I had the salmon that was from a sustainable source and it literally melted in my mouth. I later found out that this is a rare type of salmon- Best salmon I have ever had. I was with a group of 12 friends and a lot of had the street style tacos. We also had the calamari guacamole and tomatillo salsa. Everyone enjoyed a margarita. They were big and strong. We ordered the flank steak and vegan enchiladas to go to take home to our children- the kids gave a thumbs up and they are a tough crowd. Overall the menu was adventurous, exciting because it was different and unexpected. The food was enjoyed by all.

This restaurant generates excellent Mexican food, some of the best I have tasted. That being said, they continue to shoot themselves in the foot with understaffed service. The last time we ate there, it took 30 minutes to get drinks from the bar. Tonight it took 45 minutes to get a glass of water, and another 10 minutes to get our bar drinks. Get another bartender please!! The food is consistently good although every time we go, the menu is always transformed. We went a month ago and the menu tonight was at least 50 percent different. Thankfully they kept the yummy Baja fish tacos. I really want this place to make it. The servers are very friendly but they have too many tables to serve. We were a group of 6 and three of our courses never made it to the table. They take orders on paper notebooks. Very inefficient! Please! Please! I really want you guys to make it, but you keep getting in your own way. This is a management problem, not a food problem.

Epic crudo and ceviche. Tacos were also tasty! First day open and service was fast and friendly'

WOW, totally surpassed our expectations! Both my wife and myself found the staff very welcoming and well trained. All our dishes were extremely fresh and a joy. The oysters were outstanding and don't miss out on the ceviche or Baja tacos. SO glad they are in our neighborhood ;)

We want to like this place! We have been two times and won't be back. It's not for us. The food is fresh and presented beautifully but the depth of flavor is missing. The mango ceviche didn't have the multitude of flavors that good ceviche wows your tastebuds with, but it is pretty. The salsa and guacamole are so bland. We are not seafood lovers, so maybe it's good for true seafood lovers. The cocktails are really tasty and the service is so friendly. We are sad because we live four blocks away. I have heard the owner is hardworking and works hard to train the employees so they really understand the menu and good service, so we may venture back after a few months to see if they have worked out the dishes to have more flavor. Good Luck

The food was excellent, especially the snapper ceviche. The service was friendly and fast. The cocktails were also quite nice. Good start I am looking forward to what this place will become over the next few months

Appetizers: ordered mango ceviche and tuna tostada. The tostada was my favorite. Entree: Chilie Verde was delicious. Drinks: margaritas were tasty. Homemade tortillas and chips. Everything was nicely portioned. Service was excellent. Ambience was good due to location across Seascape Resort. The patio seating provided a good view of the ocean

This restaurant has replaced Palapas near Seascape Resort in Aptos. What an upgrade! Michelin star restaurant brings a modern touch to Mexican cuisine, on a par to what you can get now in Los Cabos, MX.

Chef Trent is first class and his food is next level, I normally don't touch raw fish - but he made a believer out of me!

11 out of 10. The salmon is so so good. Their take on a slaw is just fantastic. Great salads too, arugula and the ceasar. Yummy. Really good and great people!

First encounter, we were abruptly told we have to have reservations. We left. Decided to return. Salsa was odd. Taste was off, not Mexican. Our friend ordered ahi bowl, basically she got just the bowl. It was 1/4 filled. At least pretend to fill it with lettuce or something. Meager at best. The men had chili verde. My husband went home to eat more food. Obviously not enough to fill him up. Meat was chewy. I had the quesadill. Full size. Taste was not Mexican. This owner has a long way to go to fill Palapas shoes. It may not have been five stars, but better than odd tasting, meager plates.

The reviews are divided, and it depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for Palapas - it is gone. The casual ambiance and large plates and comfort Mexican food left when the restaurant changed names. Dos Pesacados is about a leveled up ambiance, small plates and a more coastal offerings (think seafood meets Mexican). The service has become better and the waitstaff is very nice, going to great lengths to please unhappy locals unfamiliar with the new restaurant style and food theme. We wish it well, and we miss Palapas. Luckily, Manuel's is near by.

Ignore the haters. This place is amazing!! I will admit I am a bit of a snob about where I eat and this place did not disappoint. The drinks? Superb! The fresh fish? Delightful! Everything was amazing! From the drinks to the crudo to the steak to the churros. Exactly what our area needs, a modern twist on Mexican food. Thank you Dos Pescados for upping the game! Also shout out to the bar team, Sean & Josh - great service and great drinks, can't wait to come back!

We had our first visit to Dos Pescados for lunch today and it was lovely! We sat on the patio looking out at the ocean. The wait staff and general manager were very attentive to us. The food was truly outstanding! It was fresh, and delicious, and was brought to us in a timely manner after we ordered. The chips were warm and crisp, and the salsa was so good. They have a daily Happy Hour and we plan to be back often. We are thrilled to have a fabulous new restaurant so close to by.

Had lunch at the new Dos Pescados the other day with wife and friend. Menu is interesting and adventurous but good. We had Baja tacos, vegan enchiladas, ceviche, and guacamole with our complimentary chips and salsa. Not traditional Mexican food but everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Plates a bit smaller than the old Palapas but so are the prices. Service was really great and looks like lots of the same familiar staff stayed on which is nice. I fully recommend it.

So we've been back many times since my first review, menus adapting in a good way, chicken fajita soup is amazing. The owner/chef personally replied (in a very positive reply) to some comments they asked for, quite helpful for my gluten free wife. We look forward to continuing to eat here as it evolves further.

Palapas was a joke from the outset many years ago. Dos Pescados is so much worse. They might try to have some adults actually working there. Not kids who are still in high school as the wait staff. Just so lame.

Loved this spot. From the moment we arrived, greeted with friendly welcoming smile, to the clean bright freshly painted walls to the delicious authentic salsa fresh made with perfect consistency. Chips warm. So happy this place took over for prior Palapas Restaurant!

A group of us ordered takeout. Fish tacos, steak quesadilla, birria tacos. It was delicious! Time from ordering to eating was only 30 min. While we didn't dine in, we did love the food.

Our second time coming to this yummy restaurant. Our waitress was so sweet and bubbly, Leah was wonderful. It was a warm evening and beautiful, sparkling water off of the balcony. Our food was delicious. We got chicken parrila, guacamole, salmon belly, street corn, and oysters to eat. Drinks were Paloma and Dos Pescados margaritas.... UuuuUmazing!

We were at the cantina and food was very bland, margaritas were poor. Get's a star for a beautiful balcony!

We had a lovely lunch on the patio with the usual beautiful ocean views. All three of us were very pleasantly surprised by how much we liked the unique menu. Our choices of empanadas, caesar salad and chicken enchiladas did not disappoint, and in fact we savored every bite and appreciated the unusual but very tasty combinations of flavors. And the chips and salsa were addictive! Love that the ingredients are so fresh, with many locally sourced. After many years of going to Palapas with friends and family, it's a huge relief that this "replacement" is going to be a new favorite. The wait staff was prompt and friendly and the kitchen crew clearly knows what they're doing.

A bit different than its predecessor, which is OK, but did miss the tasty chips.... Halibut ceviche was nice, but need to garnish with more than just cucumbers. Sea bass was good with a near perfect crust. Tasty salsa, but could use a bit more "bite". Excellent cilantro garnish!! Yes we like cilantro. Enjoyed the margaritas, not too sweet. Service and staff did a good job. We plan on returning in the future.

Second visit and another great lunch. Food was again creative and super flavorful. Service was attentive. Of course you can't beat the outdoor patio and ocean view. These guys really know how to run a restaurant. Will be back as often as we can.

So I know this restaurant is in transition but it appears there's much work to be done. My husband went last night to get us food to go, as we live about a half mile from the Village. He sat at the bar and had to walk around to find someone to take his order. After that it took about another half hour for his food to come. We ordered the chorizo and potato tacos, quesadillas and guacamole and chips. I opened the box with my tacos and it looked like they'd just thrown 2 corn tortillas with a dab of chorizo and potatoes in a box. No fixings to be found. No lettuce/cabbage, onions, cheese, sour cream, salsa...nothing. The quesadillas were the same story. Way overcooked with zero fixings. Just meat and cheese in a dark brown tortilla. The guacamole was merely an avocado mashed with nothing added, including salt. We decided to give them another month or so before we try Dos Pescados again to see if they're able to iron out both the wait staff and kitchen issues.

Had a great meal here last night. Much improved from when we tried it a few months ago. The baja fish tacos had a tempura style batter and flavorful toppings and friends really liked the chicken enchiladas and sea bass. Even the chips have gotten better! Same friendly staff and amazing view. If you tried it before and wereńt impressed, Íd recommend giving it another try.

The salsa is an odd brown and bland served with stale chips. Odd club beating roxy style music doesn't fit here; teenage bus peeps and servers nice but so utterly inexperienced it was painful to watch. Ssslooooooow service with the place far less than half full. Beautiful presentation of tasty halibut ceviche but took more than 20 minutes to arrive and only after we took our last bite, our drinks were delivered. Chicken tacos and quesaberria were tasty but could not save the aforementioned failures. We are local and looked forward to trying this place following Lily Belli recent write ups but this place does not have its groove on.

Delicious food and great service. Will definitely be back. Great views of the ocean if you sit on the outdoor deck.

We had an amazing meal at Dos Pescados. We really enjoyed the Hamachi appetizer and the Chili Verde. The drinks were fantastic. I appreciated the wonderful meal with appropriate servings as well. I dislike wasting food and I ate every bite on my plate(s)! Also the service was great and the drinks were fantastic and creative. We will be back!