There are 30 miles of coast from Elk at the southern end to Fort Bragg at the north. There are also 30 really good restaurants ranging from pleasant, fun places with very good food to world-class restaurants that serve some of the most interesting food anywhere. All are locally owned and many operated by couples. The following are our personal favorites combined with impressions gained from our friends. We can recommend them all in their category. The are listed by location from south to north. Most of these are very small so reservations are a good idea. Resort or casual attire are acceptable in all. Prices are similar to San Francisco or Sonoma County (i.e. Pretty Expensive but worth it.) Fort Bragg restaurants are almost equal to those to the south but are generally less expensive and more casual.
We may have overlooked a few good places for which we have not heard any word of mouth or where the meals are inconsistent.
|
Restaurant |
Location |
Specialty |
Meals |
Ambience/Price |
Our Rating |
Telephone (AC 707) |
|
Queenies Roadhouse |
Elk |
Hearty, Natural |
B, L |
Rustic, Friendly, $$ |
+++ |
|
|
After many years of reputation building as a top breakfast chef, Lynn Derrick has her own place with a devoted following. |
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|
Harbor House |
Elk |
Set Prix Fixe Dinners |
B,D* |
Classic, $$$$ |
++++ |
877-3203 |
|
Beautiful setting classic lumber baron's house, dramatic cove. Excellent breakfasts and a renowned dinner chef. Call for fixed dinner menu. |
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|
Ledford House |
Albion |
California |
D |
Very Nice, $$$$ |
++++ |
937-0282 |
|
Co-owner Lisa Gear as chef, Tony Gear as maitre 'd. Only place with full view of sunsets (they can be spectacular here). Popular with locals. |
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|
Albion River Inn |
Albion |
California, Asian Influences |
D |
Ocean view, $$$$ |
+++++ |
937-1919 |
|
Considered by many locals as the best overall dining experience on the coast. Energetic, constantly full, piano. |
Heritage House |
Little River |
California |
B,L,D |
American, $$$$ |
++++ |
937-5942 |
|
This is a historic resort. Famous as the setting for the classic Alan Alda/Ellen Burstyn movie "Same Time Next Year". The resort is being moved very up-scale. Our dinner there was excellent with prices in line. |
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|
Little River Inn |
Little River |
California |
B,L,D |
American with Mexican Influence, $$$ |
+++ |
937-5942 |
|
The Inn is a large resort with golf course and is run by very nice people. Restaurant is very good for breakfast & brunch. Now has chef Marc Dym, formerly famous at Stevenswood. We a good dinner. Dining room faces a very pretty small garden. |
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|
Stevenswood |
Little River |
Advanced California |
B,D |
Classy Modern,$$$$ |
++++ |
937-2810 |
|
High-end small hotel. Now with chef Ira Minuteman. We have had very good experiences there. Zagats recently named it as one of the top 50 restaurants in the San Francisco area. Pretty, intimate dining room. |
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|
Ravens at Stanfod Inn |
Mendocino |
Gourmet Vegetarian |
B,D |
Friendly, Spacious/$$$$ |
+++ |
937-5615 |
|
Located in excellent upscale resort. Almost like Greens (San Francisco) but last visit uneven and prices up. However, excellent experience. Ovo-lacto vegetarian & you won't miss the meat. Some vegan items. Large organic garden. |
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|
Cafe Beaujolais |
Mendocino |
Advanced California |
D |
Ambience/Price |
Our Rating |
937-5614 |
|
Probably the most famous restaurant in Mendocino & still excellent. Busy. Indoor cozy dining room or sunporch. |
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|
955 Ukiah |
Mendocino |
California with Asian Influence |
D |
Nice Rustic, Busy |
+++ |
937-1955 |
|
Can be very good. Popular, busy. Some dishes idiosyncratic. |
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|
Mac Callum House |
Mendocino |
Advanced California |
B,D |
Elegant Victorian, $$$$ |
++++ |
937-5763 |
|
Grand historic house, comfortable dining room, cozy bar, & sunporch (same menu plus pasta entree that can also be requested in dining room). Excellent food for breakfast & dinner. |
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|
Moosse Cafe |
Mendocino |
Lighter California with Asian Influence |
L,D |
Bright,$$-$$$ |
+++ |
937-4323 |
|
Best choice for nice lunch. Excellent for dinner, a little less expensive. Interesting food. Beautiful garden. |
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|
Mendocino Hotel |
Mendocino |
California |
B,L,D |
Classic/$-$$$$ |
+++ |
937-0511 |
|
Breakfast & lunch are pretty good and one of few choices. Dinner in elegant main hotel can be very good. |
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|
Mendocino Cafe |
Mendocino |
Natural with Strong Mexican Influence |
L,D |
Very Casual, Deck with View/$-$$ |
+++ |
937-2422 |
|
Very good choice for lunch on a nice day. Dinner good but less atmospheric. |
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|
Bay View |
Mendocino |
American |
B,L,D |
Very Casual, with View/$$-$$$ |
+++ |
937-4197 |
|
Surprisingly good for a place that looks touristic. Popular locally. |
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|
Sharon's by the Sea |
Noyo Harbor |
Seaside |
L,D |
Cute Dockside,$$$ |
+++ |
964-0680 |
|
Emphasis on seafood. Fun. |
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|
Thai Cafe |
Fort Bragg |
Thai |
L,D |
Friendly,$$ |
+++ |
964-7931 |
|
Down home Thai food. Small diner shape. Very popular with locals. |
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|
Nit's Cafe |
Fort Bragg |
Thai & California |
L,D |
Friendly,$$ |
+++ |
964-7187 |
|
Very new. Opened by Nit who formerly cooked at Moosse Cafe. She offers a equal number of Thai & California dishes of high quality. Extends range of presentation & flavors of both styles. Very popular. |
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|
Mendo Bistro |
Fort Bragg |
California |
D |
On Mezzanine of Classic Store/$$$ |
++++ |
964-4974 |
|
Chef Nicolas Petti and his wife Jaime have created a restaurant nearly matching those in Mendocino at 75% of the price. Range of dishes including opportunity to separately choose meat, method of cooking and sauce. |
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|
The Restaurant |
Fort Bragg |
American |
L,D |
Antique Roadhouse/$$$ |
+++ |
964-9800 |
|
Long-time local favorite. Reflects Chef-Owner, Jim Larson. Sunday Brunch. A bit less exciting than most. |
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|
Rendezvous |
Fort Bragg |
Hearty European |
D |
Classic Lumberman's House/$$$$ |
++++ |
964-8142 |
|
Swiss-trained American chef provides interesting, hearty food. Includes game and other unusual fare. Popular with locals. |
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|
Eggheads |
Fort Bragg |
Eggs |
B,L |
Wizard of Oz/$ |
+++ |
964-5005 |
|
Eggs in many preparations all quite good. |
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There are 2 newly opened Mexican restaurants that we can recommended. Mariachi is on the right in the block past the Safeway as you enter Fort Bragg.
Best takeout deli is Mendocino Market on Ukiah Street or Harvest Market (Mendocino & Fort Bragg). This is a wonderful market.
* Many restaurants serve only on certain days that may vary by season. Always telephone to confirm availability. It is necessary to make reservations at many restaurants.
Note that these are personal observations, not influenced by advertising (unlike most local guides). We welcome observations by community residents and visitors by e-mail
See Also Our Personal Guides to the Area's:
For More Information Click for E-Mail or Call 707-937-3784