Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Mexico
  3. Baja California
  4. Ensenada
  5. Valle de Guadalupe
Primitivo, Ensenada, BCN

Primitivo

4.6
4.6
456 Reviews
MXN500 and over
Farm-to-table

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
  • Good for groups
The Michelin Guide recommends Primitivo for its one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience that celebrates the bounty of local ingredients. Chef Carolina Jiménez has teamed up with local producers to create a menu that celebrates rustic cuisine with a touch of ingenuity and sophistication.

Kick off your evening with some fresh and succulent oysters – the perfect starter for what's in store. Next, you can choose your protein: fish or meat (duck in the autumn/winter season), both of the highest quality.

From there, you'll get to enjoy a series of dishes where each part of the main ingredient is used to the fullest. Be sure to leave room for dessert, too! Think almond tart with apples and sherry, or a soft chocolate cake with candied orange peel and smoked lavender ice cream. And don't forget to check out the seasonal cocktails and wine list!


Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

What 456 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Baja California

    Kid-friendly

  • Baja California

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Ensenada

    Best Service

  • Ensenada

    Best Ambiance

  • Ensenada

    Neighborhood gem

  • Ensenada

    Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Primitivo offers a "romantic dining" experience under the stars with "phenomenal service" and a "peaceful and beautiful" ambiance. The food is "exquisite" and carefully prepared, with standout dishes like ceviche with nopal. While some feel the menu could be more imaginative, the overall experience is memorable.

456 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    If you’re looking for great food, a unique atmosphere and experience, great staff, and good value for your money then this is a great place to eat! You are set up with a 3 or 4 course menu and you have a few different types of food to choose from. We went with the beef selection and it was fantastic! It was my wedding anniversary and I wanted something different and this was just perfect. Even with outdoor eating we had a fire pit started just for us to keep warm. I definitely will do this again!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Elnopalito

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful intimate dinner at primitivo. Will return

    Is this helpful?

  3. Vanessa

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Primitivo is undoubtedly the best kept secret in VDG. We had no idea they have been here for 6 years!! So happy we were able to visit today for my husbands birthday. We have been virtually everywhere in VDG and this is definitely our new favorite. Great staff, service, food, ambiance. Cannot wait to bring our friends back later this month. Thank you Primitivo !!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Melissa

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was amazing and the ambience was perfect! This is a must stop and recommend it to anyone!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Buck

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Still wonderful ambience thanks to the oak tree but only white wine option was not good, clams were ok, and meat dishes were overcooked. Sad since used to be my favorite location in VdeG.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Michelle

    VIP

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place! Peaceful and beautiful, delicious food, wine and great service! Thanks!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Rosmary

    Baja California

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excelente. La comida divina, muy buen servicio y atención de parte de todo el equipo, comer al aire libre, debajo de un encino fue una linda experiencia Si duda, volveré.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Ian

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    4 guests - ordered both the shared protein and vegetarian menu. Although the food was tasty - we all felt the food was rather simple / basic and unimaginative - especially for a Michelin star awarded restaurant. Service was OK - nothing special - In general, we all felt the overall experience was not worth the price.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Art

    Baja California

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Vast food, good service, would appreciate more drinks options, bathrooms need upgrade!!! Ceviche with nopal was amazing

    Is this helpful?

  10. Arnoldo

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I don’t want to discourage anyone from attending, but best not to reserve at closing during the off season when the traffic is slow. Had the place to ourselves and service was excellent, along with the atmosphere. A fire pit was brought to us to keep us warm and were surrounded by 4 of the most docile dogs ever… just chillin around the table. We did expect a bit more from the food for the price Both potatoe dishes were overcooked and the New York a bit too salty. Wish there were more red wine choices sold by the glass… perhaps we should have just chosen a bottle. We will probably come back again to try the seafood.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Primitivo is rated 4.6 stars by 456 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
Google Map for Primitivo

Carretera Ensenada Tecate km 89, Col. Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, BCN 22766

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    MXN500 and over
  • Cuisines
    Farm-to-table, Country kitchen, Grill
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 1:00 pm–7:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–5:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Carolina Jiménez Castro
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo