By Juan Pablo Sebastián
The finest of Rosarito’s culinary scene was celebrated during the fourth edition of the 2025 Gastronomic Awards, organized by CANIRAC on Friday, November 21, at the Maurelli Hall in the Lucio Blanco neighborhood.
Top restaurants, cafés, craft breweries, chefs, taquerías and more—previously selected through public voting—were honored at the event, which has become a leading platform highlighting Rosarito’s gastronomic excellence.
CANIRAC president Octavio Machado Sánchez emphasized the importance of recognizing those who drive the sector forward every day through innovation, consistency and community commitment, positioning the culinary industry as a key pillar of the region’s economic and tourism development.
The event also included posthumous tributes to three figures whose legacy deeply marked the local culinary community and strengthened CANIRAC Rosarito:
Hugo Torres Chabert, Guadalupe “Don Lupe” Pérez García, and Francisco “Don Paco” Bautista Sánchez.
The ceremony brought together restaurant representatives, business owners, chefs, and state and municipal authorities, as well as leaders from business organizations, all united in celebrating the creativity, diversity and quality that have distinguished Playas de Rosarito as a regional culinary hotspot.
This year’s edition featured more than 30 awards across various categories recognizing restaurants, chefs, emerging projects, innovative concepts and iconic figures in the local food scene.
Award recipients included:
- Restaurant of the Year 2025: Máxico Tesoro Nacional
- People’s Favorite: GO-B’S
- Best Hotel Restaurant: Sunio Beach Club
- Chef of the Year: Christian Gritti – Pasta y Basta
- Best Steakhouse: El Nido Restaurante
- Best Seafood Restaurant: El Sabrosón
- Best Culinary Concept: Encanto Restaurante
- Best Mexican Restaurant: Rancho 21
- Best New Restaurant: Xantina Brunch & Bistro
- Best Dessert/Pastry: Expresso 29 Coffee Shop
- Best Taquería / Food Truck: Tacos Baja Jr.
Long-established businesses were also recognized, including Los Arcos by Norma Gutiérrez (35 years), Carnitas Cachanilla (over 40 years), Restaurante Los Pelicanos (over 45 years), El Nido Restaurante (over 50 years) and the city’s oldest, Carnitas Los Panchos (more than 70 years).
A special recognition was presented to Josefina Sánchez Aguirre for her representation of local culinary tradition.
Additional honors were awarded to restaurants with histories ranging from five to more than seventy years—including Boxha, Café Capuchinos, Mariscos Los Cabos, Carnitas Cachanilla, Los Arcos, El Nido and others—as well as to long-serving industry workers whose decades of dedication have supported the region’s restaurant sector.
