The valley now has a few well-known restaurants to go with its boutique wineries: Around 22 kilometers (14 mi) northeast of Ensenada, perched on a hill just north of the small community of San Antonio de las Minas, Restaurant Mustafa (Km 93, tel. 646/155-3185, Wed.–Mon. 8 a.m.–7 p.m., mains US$7–12) serves Moroccan-influenced dishes, including lamb shish-kebab and chicken breast stuffed with spinach and cheese, along with a menu of Mexican specialties.

In San Antonio itself, El Mesón is popular for breakfast and lunch; it’s closed on Thursday. The owner is an admirer of British aviation artist Robert Taylor and displays Taylor’s work on the restaurant walls.

Visiting gourmands praise Restaurant Laja (Km 83, tel. 646/155-2556, www.lajamexico.com, prix fixe menu US$52 or US$69) for farm-fresh cuisine on par with California’s celebrated Chez Panisse and French Laundry restaurants. The brainchild of former Four Seasons chef Jair Téllez, the restaurant is located about 50 meters off Mexico 3 via a washboard road, in a private home with white walls and a red tile roof.

Francisco Zarco itself has a couple of small eateries worth trying. Doña Chuy’s (mains under US$10) offers an economical Mexican alternative to the other restaurants in the valley, which tend to be a bit on the expensive side, while small, clean Restaurante La Cabaña de las Lomas (Km 92.5, Cajeme St., tel. 646/155-3033, Fri.–Sun. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) specializes in northern Mexican food, including fresh quail.