This beautiful breakfast cafe in Ensenada is nestled in the fish factory area of El Sauzal but serves the best chilaquiles. This may be an area that up until now you have avoided. It’s no wonder as the outside stench is truly foul.
However, if your heart desires a beautiful breakfast cafe kitted out with warm contemporary decor that serves perfectly presented chilaquiles and delicious Cinnamon Rolls with berries, then this place will fast become your favourite for breakfast and lunch in Ensenada. It is without a doubt our favourite family food spot.
Escama also have excellent vents and fans to keep out all signs of the outdoor smells, allowing you to enjoy the delicious scent wafting from your own meal.
Escama Gastro Cafe adds its own touch to Mexican dishes, making them aesthetically pleasing, tastier with fresh ingredients and homemade sauces. I’ve found that the icing on the cake at Escama is that it is an affordable eating experience with a high end quality of food.
In true Baja Med style these dishes are incredible, and everything that arrives to the table is always beautifully presented. Food at Escama always feeds my soul and satisfies my taste buds. The quality at Escama is consistent too!
About this beautiful breakfast cafe known as Escama Gastro Cafe
Escama started in a farmer’s market in 2017 and formally opening in August 2018.
The Escama Project was designed by couple, Yulia and Jorge who are originally from Jalisco.
The concept here is one of sharing their love of cooking and coffee, combining it under one wholesome roof for others to enjoy.
Yulia and Jorge offer a cuisine inspired by experiences and memories from childhood and food that they themselves love to prepare and enjoy.
I always try to support small businesses when I can, and luckily Ensenada is still full of them. Yulia and Jorge are always so warm and welcoming too.
What to order on your first visit?
1. Chilaquiles with Shrimp
These Chilaquiles with Shrimp appears on the menu at Escama in Spanish as “Chilaquiles con Camaron” making it a nice step away from chilaquiles with egg. You have a choice of sauces, red (rojos), green (verde) or mole negro de la casa. This dish is served with beans and pretty garnish.
It is one of my favourite chilaquile dishes in Ensenada and it is right on par with La Patrona Antojeria.
If you’re living in Ensenada, chances are you love seafood. If that’s the case this dish is soon to be your favourite.
Other combinations aside from shrimp is egg or chicken.
2. Enfrijolades
This is a very saucy, bean rich dish but I find it to be absolutely delicious and certainly gets my top marks for presentation.
These enfrijolades are filled with egg and can either have vegetarian soy or pork chorizo.
They sit within a fantastic bean sauce and are served with cheese and nopal salad.
As a pescatarian I am always so grateful to cafes that have a veggie alternative for me.
3. Cinnamon Rolls filled with Berries
Usually, I’m not a huge fan of Mexican Cinnamon Rolls. They are often too sweet, too stodgy, doughy, and drizzled with too much sweet cream.
However, these cinnamon rolls from Escama are moist, succulent, rich with berries through each layer and have just the right level of sweetness without being too overbearing. I often buy a few to take away, but be warned they sell fast.
I’m yet to find a better cinnamon bun in Ensenada. The berry combo works amazingly with the cinnamon.
4. French Toast at this beautiful breakfast cafe
This french toast is a wonderful take on the traditional, but more beautiful and much tastier! Not to mention it is my daughter’s favourite here.
At Escama this french toast is made with chocolate and blueberry brioche. It is served (or should I say gloriously decorated) with spiced sugar, seasonal fruit, sauteed berries and mascarpone cheese.
It is the perfect dish if you have a sweet tooth at breakfast but want a slightly “healthier” spin to the traditional.
5. Puerco Ahogado
This dish is meaty. It is a Michoacan- style pork leg served with a homemade birote sauce, kimchi and mexican cabbage.
My husband loves it and has ordered it repeatedly.
What if you don’t want to eat at this beautiful breakfast cafe?
If you don’t fancy eating at this beautiful breakfast cafe in Ensenada but do want to visit this location, their coffee is excellent. They offer a huge range of choices and make an excellent cappuccino. They have freshly squeezed orange juice too. I usually opt for a coffee and a fresh juice.
If you have children their hot chocolate is delicious. It’s made with real chocolate and topped with cream and marshmallows – every kids dream!
Grab a coffee, bring your book and enjoy!
After you’ve finished your breakfast, why not go and visit one of these places in nature nearby.
How to get to Escama Gastro Cafe
Situated by the area in El Sauzal known primarily for their fish factories, and Wendlandt brewery. Escama can be found on the corner when pulling off the highway.
Additional information
Escama is a great spot for enjoying a birthday meal or when holding a small gathering with family and friends.
They design and make incredible birthday and celebration cakes too.
Absolutely gorgeous presentation. Wow! This would definitely make the must visit when in Ensenada list.
If you come and visit shoot me a message. There are so many amazing food places popping up now, more than ever but they can be tricky to find if you don’t know where to look! Unfortunately, Google searches seem to bring up the really old places in town that I don’t rate at all! It’s all word of mouth!
This looks like what breakfast dreams are made of!!
What a great post! Your photos and description make my mouth water. Now I want to go there and try all these dishes!