Villa Torél

The story

Villa Torél – Bib Gourmand Contemporary Mexican in Ensenada, Valle de Guadalupe

A terrace in the vines

Villa Torél sits within the historic Bodegas de Santo Tomás winery, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Valle de Guadalupe. The dining room is a large, open-air terrace with a relaxed atmosphere, where the sea breeze and vineyard views set the stage for a meal that celebrates the region’s bounty.

Chef Alfredo Villanueva

Born in Mexico City but formed professionally in Monterrey, Alfredo Villanueva came to cooking as a self-taught artist. He studied visual arts before his passion for food led him to study every resource he could find on restaurant operations, and to work in kitchens in Mexico, Spain, and the United States. Today, his cooking reflects this mix of influences—with deep respect for the product. He runs Villa Torél alongside his wife, Denise, in what he calls the most enviable context for a Mexican cook: Baja California, with close access to incredible seafood, orchards, farms, and wine.

Cocina de proximidad

The kitchen is built on proximity: ingredients from local gardens, ranches, and fishermen arrive directly to the table, transformed into dishes with generous, deep flavors. The menu changes with the season and the geography, with certain influences from the Eastern Mediterranean. Plates are meant to be shared.

Highlights from the current menu include bluefin tuna crudo with rhubarb kimchi and black garlic mayonnaise; lapa cocktail with crispy potato tacos; roasted carrot with albedo cream and duck jus; and a three-cook duck with its own juices and sorrel leaves. Wagyu cross loin from the nearby Sierra Blanca valley, a meloso rice with shellfish sofrito and aioli, and daily catch with basmati rice, capers, and almonds round out the savory options. Desserts like date and almond tart with vanilla ice cream from Papantla, or 74% chocolate tart with salted caramel, use cacao from Chiapas.

Recognition

In 2026, Villa Torél was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a distinction for good quality, good value cooking. It is a natural fit for a restaurant that sources thoughtfully, cooks with clarity, and serves it all in one of Mexico’s most beautiful wine valleys.