As hosts of a small Mendocino B&B, we find considerable confusion about the right restaurants for guests with specific interests. Since reservations are vital at many of the best restaurants, we felt an impartial guide will be useful in planning your trip to Mendocino. As local residents we eat out often & hear word-of-mouth quickly about new or changed restaurants. Most of the available guides are just vehicles for paid ads They are not reliable guides to some of the very best restaurants that don't need to advertise or the quality of others.
There are 30 miles of California coast in Mendocino County from Elk at the southern end to Fort Bragg at the north. There are also at least 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. This area was one of the birthplaces of "California Cuisine". There is a certain coastal heartiness that permeates most of the food. Among several fishing ports, most restaurants serve excellent seasonal fish & crab. Most restaurants try to serve local produce often organic if possible. Almost all are locally owned and mostly operated by couples.
The following are our personal favorites combined with impressions gained from our friends. We can recommend them all in their category. They 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) |
|
Zebo at Elk Cove Inn |
Elk |
Organic |
D Wed-Sun |
Country Inn $$$ |
+++ |
707-877-3321 |
|
Had good mention in Santa Rosa Press Democrat under chef Ira Mittelman who just moved to Stevenswood. We have not eaten there yet. Full bar. |
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|
Queenies Roadhouse |
Elk |
Hearty, Natural |
B, L |
Rustic, Friendly, $$ |
+++ |
|
|
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, $$$$ |
++++ |
877-3203 |
|
Beautiful setting classic lumber baron's house, dramatic cove. Excellent breakfasts and a renowned dinner chef. Call for fixed dinner menu. |
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|
Ledford House |
Albion |
California |
D |
Very Nice, $$$$ |
++++ |
937-0282 |
|
Co-owner Lisa Gear as chef, Tony Gear as maitre 'd. Only place with full view of sunsets (they can be spectacular here). Popular with locals. |
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|
Albion River Inn |
Albion |
California, Asian Influences |
D |
Ocean view, $$$$ |
+++++ |
937-1919 |
|
Considered by many locals as the best overall dining experience on the coast. Energetic, constantly full, piano. |
Heritage House |
Little River |
California |
B,L,D |
American, $$$$ |
++++ |
937-5942 |
|
This is a historic resort. Famous as the setting for the classic Alan Alda/Ellen Burstyn movie "Same Time Next Year". Restaurant is large with ocean views & a very comfortable bar. It was purchased by an international operator of very high-end resorts. It is being upgraded throughout. It brought a chef with extensive international experience. Our dinner recent there was excellent. The food was handled with a deft touch & beautiful presentation. It was reminescent of "novelle cuisine". | ||||||
|
Little River Inn |
Little River |
California |
B,L,D |
American with Mexican Influence, $$$ |
+++ |
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 have had good reports on dinner. Dining room faces a very pretty small garden. |
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|
Stevenswood |
Little River |
Advanced California |
B,D |
Classy Modern,$$$$ |
++++ |
937-2810 |
|
High-end small hotel. Now with chef Ira Mittelman. We previously had very good experiences there. Zagats recently named it as one of the top 50 restaurants in the San Francisco area. Pretty, intimate dining room. |
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|
Ravens at Stanford Inn |
Mendocino |
Gourmet Vegetarian |
B,D |
Friendly, Spacious/$$$$ |
+++ |
937-5615 |
|
Located in excellent upscale resort. Almost like Greens (San Francisco) but last visit uneven and prices up. However, excellent experience. Ovo-lacto vegetarian & you won't miss the meat. Some vegan items. Large organic garden. |
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|
Cafe Beaujolais |
Mendocino |
Advanced California |
D |
Ambience/Price |
Our Rating |
937-5614 |
|
Probably the most famous restaurant in Mendocino & still excellent. Busy. Indoor cozy dining room or sunporch. The restaurant was recently purchased by a chef/hostess couple who say they will maintain the same quality with a changing menu. We have not sampled it since. |
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|
955 Ukiah |
Mendocino |
California with Asian Influence |
D |
Nice Rustic, Busy |
+++ |
937-1955 |
|
Can be very good. Popular, busy. Some dishes idiosyncratic. Has been for sale & we do not know the current status. |
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|
Mac Callum House |
Mendocino |
Advanced California |
B,D |
Elegant Victorian, $$$$ |
++++ |
937-5763 |
|
Grand historic house, comfortable dining room, cozy bar, & sunporch (same menu plus pasta entree that can also be requested in dining room). Excellent food for breakfast & dinner. |
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|
Moosse Cafe |
Mendocino |
Lighter California with Asian Influence |
L,D |
Bright,$$-$$$ |
+++ |
937-4323 |
|
Best choice for nice lunch. Excellent for dinner, a little less expensive. Interesting food. Beautiful small garden. |
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|
Mendocino Hotel |
Mendocino |
California |
B,L,D |
Classic/$-$$$$ |
+++ |
937-0511 |
|
Breakfast & lunch are pretty good and one of few choices. Dinner in elegant main hotel can be very good. |
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|
Mendocino Cafe |
Mendocino |
Natural with Strong Mexican Influence |
L,D |
Very Casual, Deck with View/$-$$ |
+++ |
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,$$$ |
+++ |
964-0680 |
|
Chapter & Moon |
Noyo Harbor |
Seaside |
L,D |
Dockside,$$$ |
++ |
964-1643 |
|
Operated by a lawyer-turned-chef. Up to date versions of mostly American classics. Busier at luuch. A little hard to find behind an unaffiliated trailer park. Look for nice signs after te Wharf restaurant. |
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|
Silver's at the Wharf |
Fort Bragg |
Seafood |
L,D |
Friendly,$$ |
++ |
964-4283 |
|
Tradtional large fish house, but now owned by Silver Canuk a native of the Yucatan & formerly chef at Little River Inn. Only a couple of Mexican entrees. We haven't tried it but we expect it to be pretty good. |
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|
Nit's Cafe |
Fort Bragg |
Thai & California |
L,D |
Friendly,$$ |
+++ |
964-7187 |
|
This is one of our top favorites. 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. La Playa is located at the Pine Beach Inn south of Fort Bragg. Mi Casa is on the right in the block past the Safeway as you enter Fort Bragg. Mi Casa is the newest & a bit spiffier.
Best takeout delis are Mendocino Market on Ukiah Street. Also good are Harvest Market in Fort Bragg & now Mendocino on Lansing, Frankies on Ukiah, Mendocino Bakery, Garden Bakery, & Little River Market
There are also branches in Fort Bragg of Starbucks, McDonalds, Denny's, Subway, etc.
* 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 on our