Primitivo

4.6

457 Reviews

MXN500 and over

Farm-to-table

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 1 time 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!

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
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
Phone number
646 947 8523
Website
http://www.primitivorestaurante.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Carolina Jiménez Castro
Catering
We're here for you and your event! We're delighted to bring our culinary excellence wherever you choose! We're here to make sure you get the best food and drink, in whatever place you like best!
Private party facilities
Come celebrate under the magic of a centennial oak tree! We've got some unique events lined up with the essence of the region, including wood-fired cooking to delight your palate.

Location
Carretera Ensenada Tecate km 89, Col. Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, BCN 22766
Neighborhood
Valle de Guadalupe
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Firepit, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Ostiones
Frescos con salsa ponzu ahumada. A las brasas con mantequilla de mariscos y limón amarillo.
Almeja Chione
Al vapor con crema, hongos, pancetta y papas a las brasas.
Pesca
Menú de cinco tiempos, para dos personas: Tiradito con salsa ponzu y alga nori. Ceviche tatemado. Toro confitado con papas al rescoldo y reducción de mariscos. Collar asado con alioli de chile morita. Lomo sellado con col asada.
Pato
Menú de cuatro tiempos, para dos personas: Papas confitadas en grasa de pato, perejil y chicharrón de piel de pato Alas glaseadas con Con betabel golden, sake, miel de naranja y soya. Estofado de tomates, papa y vino tinto, pierniles confi tados. Puré de calabaza mantequilla tatemada, brócolis, vinagreta de arándanos, alcaparras y anchoas, sellados con salvia y reducción de pato y cebolla caramelizada.
Res
Menú de tres o cuatro tiempos, para dos personas: Papas fritas con romero y ajo, tripa dorada. Mollejas de res con tortillas hechas a mano y salsa de habanero. Costilla asada y zanahorias glaseadas con chicharrón de New York. New York con papa a la ceniza.

POSTRES

Tarta de almendras con manzanas caramelizadas al Jerez, acompañada de helado de dátiles y nueces.
Bizcocho de calabaza mantequilla con helado de cardamomo y vainilla, pistachos caramelizados

MENÚ VEGETARIANO

Menú de cuatro tiempos, para dos personas.
Garbanzos salteados con chile en polvo y limón. Papas fritas crujientes con romero y ajo. Ceviche de verduras a la parrilla. Cebolla cocida asada con mantequilla de soya. Nuez asada con rúcula y chimichurri. Repollo caramelizado con salsa ponzu y chile morita. Zanahorias caramelizadas con naranja, miel y soya.

EXTRAS

Orden pan
Tortillas
Tostadas

What 457 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

Noise • Moderate

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 truly "remarkable experience" with its "exquisitely crafted" menu, "outstanding" service, and enchanting ambiance under a centuries-old oak tree. The open-air kitchen and "creative menu" elevate the dining experience, while dishes like the octopus tasting menu are "memorable" and "phenomenal." Ideal for special occasions and romantic evenings.

457 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
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?
E
Elnopalito
San Diego2 reviews
5.0
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?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Baja California2 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Una gran experiencia culinaria! Super recomendable!
Is this helpful?
V
Vanessa
Los Angeles2 reviews
5.0
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?
M
Melissa
Orange County1 review
5.0
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?
B
Buck
San Francisco1 review
2.0
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?
M
Michelle VIP
San Diego6 reviews
5.0
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?
R
Rosmary
Baja California1 review
5.0
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.
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I
Ian
San Diego1 review
2.0
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?
A
Art
Baja California1 review
4.0
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?

FAQs

Primitivo is rated 4.6 stars by 457 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 1 time today

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

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighborhood
Valle de Guadalupe
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 1:00 pm–7:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–5:00 pm
Price
MXN500 and over
Cuisines
Farm-to-table, Country kitchen, Grill
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Private Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Carolina Jiménez Castro
Additional
Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Firepit, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.primitivorestaurante.com/
Phone number
646 947 8523
Catering
We're here for you and your event! We're delighted to bring our culinary excellence wherever you choose! We're here to make sure you get the best food and drink, in whatever place you like best!
Private party facilities
Come celebrate under the magic of a centennial oak tree! We've got some unique events lined up with the essence of the region, including wood-fired cooking to delight your palate.

Primitivo

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

PLATILLOS

Ostiones

Almeja Chione

Pesca

Pato

Res

POSTRES

Tarta de almendras con manzanas caramelizadas al Jerez, acompañada de helado de dátiles y nueces.

Bizcocho de calabaza mantequilla con helado de cardamomo y vainilla, pistachos caramelizados

MENÚ VEGETARIANO

Menú de cuatro tiempos, para dos personas.

EXTRAS

Orden pan

Tortillas

Tostadas

What 457 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Primitivo restaurant rated?

Is Primitivo currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information