Culinary Arts and Culture Unite at LaFrida and Casa 46

Pueblo Bonito Resorts is not your typical all-inclusive hotel operator.

The proof can be found in two outstanding restaurants. Each has a story to tell.

LaFrida, the signature dining room at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach in Los Cabos, and Casa 46, set in a museum-like home overlooking a 19^th-century plaza in Mazatlán, elevate dining beyond cuisine based on their décor and sense of place. Each stands out for its individuality and excellence. Both restaurants are open to outside diners.

Created to honor iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, the candlelit room at LaFrida is a stage set brought to life by replicas of Kahlo’s paintings as well as traditional Tehuana dresses favored by the artist, hand-blown stemware that reflects the candlelight and, for good measure, calaveras Catrinas (skeleton figurines).   

Settling into LaFrida’s high-backed, throne-like dining chairs—a blend of Spanish colonial and European influences—diners soon sense that fine dining here is a cultural celebration. The room’s visual elements form a rich tapestry that reflect LaFrida’s culinary mission: to elevate traditional Mexican flavors with modern sophistication.

With 33-year-old wunderkind Chef Anaisa Guevara at the helm, LaFrida has evolved into a splendid example of bold Mexican cuisine without sacrificing its roots or identity. Guevara infuses her deep reverence for Mexican cookery into her dishes, injecting contemporary verve into classic recipes.

Selected as a member of the VI generation of “Best New Chefs in Mexico 2024” by Food & Wine magazine, Guevara was given free rein to create a journey of fresh sensory experiences at LaFrida. But first she did her homework.

“I spent six months getting to know the staff and learning about the DNA of LaFrida,” she explained. “I didn’t introduce my first menu until I absorbed everything I could about the dining room’s traditions. What we serve is my interpretation of Mexican cuisine without losing the classic LaFrida spirit.”

A feast for the senses as well as the palate, LaFrida is where patrons can savor gourmet cuisine while enjoying live music, Pacific breezes and a romantic ambience.

In addition to her duties at Sunset Beach’s premier restaurant, Guevara is creating the menu for a second LaFrida at the soon-to-open Pueblo Bonito Vantage San Miguel de Allende. In a Baroque colonial city in Mexico’s central highlands known for its fine dining, LaFrida will delight with its celebration of sparkle and color, from the indigo blue and raspberry walls to the antique Venetian mirrors. Like the original, the new LaFrida will offer an unparalleled gastronomic experience with service to match.

Casa 46, the culinary jewel of Mazatlán, is an aesthetic and sensory experience not to be missed. The restaurant’s superb regional Mexican cuisine highlights traditional flavors with a touch of innovation. Exceptional dining, personalized service and an extensive wine cellar are its hallmarks. Casa 46 is accessible to guests of three Pueblo Bonito properties in Mazatlán, notably the recently opened Pueblo Bonito Vantage Centro Histórico Mazatlán, a boutique hotel that is a short walk from the restaurant. 

According to Chef Carlos Contreras, “At Casa 46, we strive to capture the soul of Mexican cuisine in every dish. We combine traditional regional recipes—many inspired by my Oaxacan roots—with modern techniques to give diners not only remarkable flavors, but also a taste of history.”

Indeed, the cuisine at Casa 46 is eclectic. For example, among the entrees (appetizers) is Surf & Turf Guacamole: Crispy rib eye and octopus chicharron, accompanied by molcajete sauce and homemade tortillas. Also recommended is Salad 46: Lettuce marinated with jalapeño and cilantro pesto, smoked marlin, tomato jam, sourdough bread, and parmesan cheese.

La Terraza, the restaurant’s upstairs dining area, boasts a spectacular panoramic view of the Plaza Machado, which is lively at all times of the year, especially during the annual Carnival and Day of the Dead celebrations.

Casa 46 pays tribute to the founders of the city and to those who contributed their talents and efforts to bring fame and glory to Mazatlán. Casa Machado, renovated and refurbished with exacting attention to detail, was chosen years ago as the home of Casa 46. It is now a beloved culinary outpost in a port city known for its fine dining.

Patrons are free to explore the establishment’s museum-quality home before or after dinner. At the entrance are images of distinguished personalities who participated in the economic development of the state of Sinaloa. The iconography details the impact made by the five foreign cultures (French, Spanish, German, Asian, and American) that settled in Mazatlán during different eras, forging the city’s personality.

The Bar, its decor simulating a library, is an ideal spot to watch sporting events, play poker or dominoes, and sample top-shelf spirits or artisanal cocktails with friends.

The Cava is the carnival hall (decorated with framed pictures of former carnival queens), while the maritime hall honors the different epochs and customs of Mazatlán culture.

Restaurants at all-inclusive resorts tend to get branded as generic. Not so at Pueblo Bonito Resorts. LaFrida and Casa 46 remain perennial favorites because their cuisine is cutting-edge, their service is impeccable, and because each dining room connects patrons to a distinctive sense of place.

Start planning your Pueblo Bonito culinary adventure today!