Review: Muelle 3 (Ensenada)
Located on the very beginning of Ensenada’s boardwalk, just meters from the famous seafood market “El Mercado Negro,” Muelle 3 is amongst the city’s most prided restaurants.
Having opened its doors about a decade ago, it quickly made its way to the top of every local foodie’s list. The freshness of its products is reaffirmed through taste, but also through the salty ocean breeze that blows across the table as you inhale an ice cold oyster.
My recommendations start with the signature dish of the house “Ceviche de la Casa.” This is my favorite ceviche in the world, and this is coming from someone who spent three months in Peru on a hunt for the best ceviche. For those who don’t know, Mexico and Peru battle each other for the title of “home of the best ceviche” – sorry Peru, we take the prize and it is at Muelle 3. Half an order is enough for two people to share as a starter, and a full order should be enough for four people.
The yellowtail ceviche (image above) is also impecable.
Before moving on to the main dishes, I religiously order a “Marisquite.” To most foreigners, this appetizer will make you scratch your head, but for locals it merges two deeply emotional gastronomic experiences: the esquites (corn in a cup with chilli powder) that we eat as children when playing at the park, and the seafood cocktail that makes you feel like a true Ensenadense. The combination of these two recipes creates nostalgia in a cup.
After a warm and spicy trip down memory lane, main dishes are making their way to the center of the table to be shared amongst all. Safe to say you can go ahead and order whatever you fancy, but here is a list of my favorite, highly recommended dishes.
Classic deep fried calamari, no twist, nothing more. If you tend to like this dish, definitely order it here.
For squid lovers who can’t have enough, the Pin-Pon is sauteed squid in a paprika-like oily sauce – I don’t quite know the recipe but this is my interpretation. Served with bread and butter, you will be licking the plate.
Huitlacoche Octopus is another classic order. If you don’t know what huitlacoche is, it is one of Mexico’s pre-hispanic ingredients, sacred to mexican gastronomy. It is a corn fungus, black in color and with a very strong and unique flavor. This is definitely not a dish for faint taste buds, yet one that curious eaters will love.
The risotto is magical – that’s all I have to say about that.
I forgot to mention the clam chowder, another very popular one. It comes in a small serving of very delicate cream, quite the opposite of most chunky and starchy chowders.
For desert, I recommend getting more oysters!
Jokes aside, I have never made it to desert without a complete food overdose. So I will have to leave the desert expedition open for you to discover on your own.
In the effort of providing some constructive criticism to a nearly perfect restaurant experience, I think it is fair to say that Muelle 3 is not flexible with their menu. While I would never dream of asking a chef to alter their dish, I do think a customer should be able to get any additional ingredient or side dish they wish, even if at an extra cost. At Muelle 3 they are quite strict with this; what is on the menu is what you get, and don’t you dream of ordering some extra tortillas on the side – ain’t gonna happen.
Maybe this inflexibility is part of the strategy they apply to maintain excellent quality control?
Unlike many restaurants in the region who seek to “elevate” a traditional recipe into a fine dining experience that merely leaves you hungry and broke, Muelle 3 provides a delicate yet unpretentious experience that will send you off with nothing less than a smile on your face, and eagerness to return.
Quick tip on visiting hours: it is a tiny space with only a few tables so avoid visiting on Fridays and Saturdays if you don’t want to wait in line outside (sometimes over one hour!). Mon-Thurs you are likely not to wait much, if at all. They are closed on Sundays.
We have come to the end of this five star review.
Cheers to unpretentious excellence and all the best wishes for endurance and longevity of culinary treasures such as this one.
Buen provecho,
Cookie
Samantha Rodriguez de la Gala
PARA MI , DE LOS MEJORES DE LA CIUDAD….
Aida Hernández
Cada que visito Ensenada tengo que ir por lo menos una vez a Muelle 13, las conchas frescas, ostiones, almejas son también otro de los atractivos. Sentarme frente al mar, a un lado del Mercado Negro, mueve todos mis recuerdos infantiles de mi padre, quien era un amante de la comida de mar y no llego a conocer Muello 13 pero de seguro le habrían encantado sus platillos… pero con tortillas extras.
Bill Lamkin
Couldn’t agree more. My favorite restaurant in the world owned by a very cool guy; David.
Alina Hernández
Definitivamente coincido con esta opinión. Cuando tengo visitas de fuera Muelle 3 es un orgullo que me gusta compartir sobre mi ciudad.
Angelica Hdez-Gaeta
Deliciosa cocina de autor. Para los amantes del marisco fresco, platillos bien elaborado y excelente presentación está es la mejor opción, definitivamente un orgullo Ensenadense…❤️
Claudia
Es visita obligada ir a Muelle Tres cuando estás en Ensenada, es como nuestra Segunda casa, que comer?? Todo es delicioso!! Mis preferidos, el ceviche de la casa, arroz de mar, pasta de mariscos!!! No puedes dejar de ir!
Paul Hepker
One of my favourite Ensenada restaurants. Amazing location. Delicious food. Fantastic host! Hola, David!
Adriana Hdez
Sin duda mi favorito en Ensenada!
Lo amo! No vi la foto del pulpo con huitlacoche. Pero ya lo he comido tb. ☺️
Ivonne Boileve
Definitivamente Muelle 3 es un Clásico y un Must en Ensenada, la razón es sencilla, frescura y calidad siempre!!
En lo personal disfruto esperar fuera por mi mesa mientras disfruto un “blanquito” y me entretengo viendo, conviviendo y saludando gente 😉