13 Incredible Restaurants in Eureka, CA You Need to Try
Eureka is the largest city on Humboldt Bay, and its food follows the water. The bay produces more than half of California’s farmed oysters, and Dungeness crab turns up on seafood menus when it is in season. Old Town, the original downtown, is a National Register historic district of more than 150 buildings, most of them Victorian, and it is where many of the best-known restaurants cluster, with others out at the Woodley Island marina, along Harrison Avenue, and in King Salmon.
This guide covers 13 places, from an Old Town oyster bar and a Victorian hotel dining room to a seafood café on Woodley Island, an Irish pub, two King Salmon spots, a falafel restaurant and a bayside breakfast stop, plus burgers, burritos and a bakery café that started in 1981. Ratings and review counts come from each restaurant’s Google listing in October 2026.
Sea Grill
Sea Grill has been serving seafood and steaks at 316 E Street in Old Town since 1988, when Keith Selby and Holly Blackwood opened it in an 1876 Italianate Victorian building. The bar is an antique Santo Domingo mahogany piece that, according to the restaurant, traveled around Cape Horn in the 19th century. Readers of the Times-Standard named it the best seafood restaurant in Humboldt County for 2026.
Rated 4.5 stars from more than 900 Google reviews, it is the Old Town place for a proper seafood dinner. Start with raw Kumamoto or Pacific oysters on the half shell, or the baked oysters Rockefeller, and ask for the house chowder, which comes with entrées as the first-course option. Mains include petrale sole, scallops, and prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights. In season, look for Dungeness crab cocktail and crab fettuccine.
Dinner only, and the website lists Tuesday through Saturday, so check hours before you go. Reservations are by phone, because no online booking is listed. It is one of the pricier dinners in town, though entrées come with a first course, vegetables, and a choice of potato or rice. A separate dining room with its own bar handles private events for up to 50 guests.
Address: 316 E St, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: seagrilleureka.com
Humboldt Bay Provisions
Humboldt Bay Provisions is an all-local tasting room and oyster bar at 205 G Street in Old Town, built around a reclaimed redwood bar. The idea is to serve food and drink made nearby: oysters, local beer, wine, cider and kombucha, plus locally made cheeses, cured meats, breads and desserts. The oyster bar works under the supervision of local oyster farmer Captain Sebastian.
With 4.6 stars from more than 400 Google reviews, this is the easiest way to taste what Humboldt Bay is known for. The bay produces more than half of California’s farmed oysters, and here they come raw or broiled with gourmet sauces. Order a round of both, then build a plate from the local cheese, meat and bread. A Humboldt beer, a cider or a kombucha makes a good match.
There are no reservations, so walk in. The restaurant’s website lists afternoon and evening hours only, opening at 2 p.m., so it suits a late-afternoon stop or an early dinner of small plates rather than lunch. One page of the site shows an earlier weekday closing time than another, so check hours before you go.
Address: 205 G St, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: humboldtbayprovisions.us
Restaurant 301
Restaurant 301 is the dining room of the Carter House Inns, in the Hotel Carter at 301 L Street. The Carter House began in 1982 as a Victorian home Mark Carter built from plans he found in a Eureka thrift store, and the Hotel Carter opened in 1987, styled after a turn-of-the-century inn. The restaurant serves California-French cooking in an elegant Victorian-style room, with a garden-to-table approach.
Holding 4.3 stars from more than 120 Google reviews, it is one of Eureka’s most formal options. The inn describes a seasonal menu built around what Humboldt County growers and fishers supply that week. Order à la carte, or choose the Discovery Menu or the Chef’s Grand Menu, which comes with wine pairings. The wine list runs to thousands of bottles, and the inn says Restaurant 301 has held a Wine Spectator Grand Award every year since 1998.
Book through OpenTable, especially on weekends. The website lists food service from 4:30 to 8 p.m. daily, with dinner starting at 5:30 p.m., so plan on a slower, longer meal at a special-occasion price level. The Carter House bar and lobby lounge serve a lighter menu and cocktails in the late afternoon and evening if you want something more casual. Check hours before you go.
Address: 301 L St, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: carterhouse.com/restaurant-301
Humboldt Bay Bistro
Humboldt Bay Bistro sits at 1436 Second Street, on the corner of Second and P, with views of the bay. Chefs Brett Obra and Evan Daugherty opened it, and the cooking blends French home-style dishes with Californian ones. North Coast Journal readers named Obra the county’s best chef in the 2025 Best of Humboldt poll. The dining room is cozy, and a lounge pours local craft beers, wine and house-infused sake cocktails.
Its 4.4-star rating across more than 500 Google reviews reflects a menu with plenty of range. Start with Humboldt Bay Kumamoto oysters, raw or broiled, the crab cakes, or escargot, then move on to the duck, rack of lamb, or butter-poached Maine lobster tail. The Caesar is made tableside for two, and the French onion soup comes gratinéed. Ask about the fresh catch and the nightly vegan special.
The website lists dinner Thursday through Monday, from 5 to 9 p.m., so check hours before you go. Window seats look over the water, and the view is best near sunset. For a longer, planned meal, the Chef’s Table prix fixe needs at least 72 hours’ notice. The site does not spell out a general reservation policy, so call ahead for a weekend table or a larger group.
Address: 1436 2nd St, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: humboldtbaybistro.com
Gallagher’s Restaurant & Pub
Gallagher’s Restaurant & Pub is an Irish pub at 139 Second Street in Old Town, in the Eagle House. It returned there in 2025 from its Fourth Street location. Owner Mark Hill, who bought the business in 2023, said he wanted to go back to an Irish pub, and the Eagle House offered more foot traffic and atmosphere than Fourth Street. The space had most recently held Tavern 1888.
Gallagher’s holds 4.4 stars from 1,200 Google reviews. Fish and chips is the draw, and North Coast Journal readers named it the county’s best fish and chips in both 2025 and 2026, and best onion rings in 2026. The expanded Irish menu adds boxty (potato dumplings) with corned beef and parsley cream sauce and colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage), plus vegetarian options.
It is a spacious, traditional pub with live music, so evenings can be lively. The owner has said he wants it to be affordable enough for a date night. Check hours and music nights before you go, and call ahead if you are bringing a large group.
Address: 139 2nd St, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: gallaghersirishpub.com
Brick & Fire Bistro
Brick & Fire Bistro is at 1630 F Street, a little under a mile south of Old Town, and it is built around a wood-fired oven. The room is rustic and cozy, and the focus is wine alongside food from that oven, from artisanal pizzas to a wild mushroom cobbler. North Coast Journal readers named it the best restaurant in Humboldt County in both 2025 and 2026.
Brick & Fire carries a 4.6-star rating on more than 900 Google reviews, which makes it one of the best-rated sit-down restaurants in Eureka. Order a pizza from the wood-fired oven, the wild mushroom cobbler, and a salad, since the same readers voted it the county’s best salad in 2026. Pick a glass of wine to go with it, because wine is a big part of the experience here.
Call ahead to ask about a table, especially on a weekend, and confirm hours before you go. It sits a little under a mile south of the Old Town waterfront, so build it into a dinner plan with a short drive rather than a stroll between stops.
Address: 1630 F St, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: brickandfirebistro.com
Café Marina & Woodley’s Bar
Café Marina & Woodley’s Bar is at 601 Startare Drive, at the marina on Woodley Island in Humboldt Bay. The restaurant and its patio look out over the harbor, and the place has a nautical feel. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the owners say they work with local fishermen to source the seafood.
With 4.1 stars from more than 1,500 Google reviews, Café Marina is more of a local institution than a fine-dining stop. At dinner, look for the Captain’s Plate, bouillabaisse, petrale sole, and oysters, plus clam chowder. For breakfast, try a Hangtown Fry, the classic omelet of oysters, bacon and eggs, or the Marina Scramble, Swedish pancakes, or biscuits and gravy. Prime rib is served only on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Reservations are taken only for groups of 10 or more, so otherwise it is first come, first served. The website lists opening at 8:30 a.m. every day and closing at 8 or 9 p.m., so check hours before you go. Ask about the seasonal seafood specials, and grab a table on the patio when the weather is good.
Address: 601 Startare Dr, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: cafemarina.net
Esmeralda’s 2.0
Esmeralda’s 2.0 is a locally owned Mexican restaurant at 328 Grotto Street, in a modest, wood-paneled dining room. It handles dine-in, takeout and catering, and it delivers directly rather than through third-party apps. The kitchen cooks from scratch with fresh local ingredients, and the focus is on big, casual Mexican plates rather than fine dining.
Esmeralda’s has more Google reviews than any other place in this guide, with 4.6 stars from more than 2,700. Start with the al pastor street tacos topped with cilantro and onion and the quesabirria (crisp, cheesy birria tacos) served with consommé for dipping. Big burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, camarones al mojo de ajo (shrimp in garlic sauce) and tamales made from a family recipe round out the menu.
The website promotes daily taco specials, lunch deals and family meal bundles, so check what is on when you go. Ordering online for pickup or delivery is available, and the restaurant also caters parties. Call ahead for a large group. Check hours before you go, especially for Sundays and evenings.
Address: 328 Grotto St, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: eurekasbestmexicanfood.net
Amigas Burritos
Amigas Burritos Mexican Restaurant is at 317 Fifth Street, downtown, and it serves traditional Mexican food for dine-in, pickup, delivery and catering. The restaurant says its aim is to share the flavors of Mexico in a warm, welcoming setting for friends and family. The hand-rolled burritos give the place its name, and the menu goes well beyond them.
Its 4.7-star rating across more than 400 Google reviews is the best of the Mexican spots in this guide, and Lost Coast Outpost readers voted its burrito the best in Humboldt County in a 2024 poll. Along with the burritos, order tacos, enchiladas or the shrimp plate, and save room for tres leches cake. The horchata (a sweet rice drink), jamaica (hibiscus) and tamarindo are all made fresh rather than from a mix, according to the restaurant.
The website does not list business hours or a reservation policy, so check hours before you go and plan on walking in. Online ordering is available through the restaurant’s site for pickup or delivery, and catering is offered for corporate events and family gatherings. The menu is broad, so it helps to look it over online first.
Address: 317 5th St, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: eatamigasburritos.com
Falafelove
Falafelove serves Mediterranean-inspired plates at 1125 King Salmon Avenue, in King Salmon, a small waterfront community just south of Eureka, near the entrance to Humboldt Bay. The food is hearty and flavorful, built on fresh ingredients and bold spices. The website lists gluten-free and vegan options, and the restaurant also does catering by request.
Falafelove has a perfect 5.0 rating from more than 500 Google reviews, and North Coast Journal readers singled it out in both the 2025 and 2026 Best of Humboldt polls. Falafel is the headliner, with Moroccan fish, baharat kebabs (seasoned with a Middle Eastern spice blend) and sautéed chicken as the other entrées. Add sides such as hummus, baba ganoush, spicy carrots or broiled cauliflower, then finish with baklava or malabi, a rosewater custard.
The website lists Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 7 p.m., so check hours before you go, since it keeps a short weekly schedule and closes on some holidays. No reservations are mentioned, so plan on walking in. It is south of town, so plan on driving.
Address: 1125 King Salmon Ave, Eureka, CA 95503
Website: falafelove707.com
Stars Hamburgers
Stars Hamburgers is a mom-and-pop burger restaurant at 2009 Harrison Avenue, and it says it has been serving locals and visitors for more than 30 years. The burgers are made fresh daily with locally grown, grass-fed beef, and the tagline is fresh food made fast. The menu also covers fries, creamy shakes and salads.
With 4.5 stars from more than 800 Google reviews, it has won over the locals: North Coast Journal readers named it the best burger in Humboldt County in 2026. The menu runs from a plain hamburger to the guacamole bacon cheese, Cajun, jalapeño Swiss and blue cheese burgers, plus a double double. Add chili fries or fresh-cut onion rings, and finish with a shake made with Dreyer’s ice cream.
Hours on the website are daytime and early evening, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and shorter on Sunday, so it works for lunch or an early dinner but not a late meal. Check hours before you go. Salads are on the menu for anyone who does not want a burger. No reservations are mentioned, so treat it as a quick walk-in stop.
Address: 2009 Harrison Ave, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: starshamburgerseureka.com
Gill’s By the Bay
Gill’s By the Bay is a breakfast and lunch restaurant at 77 Halibut Avenue in King Salmon, the small waterfront community on Buhne Point just south of Eureka, directly across from the entrance to Humboldt Bay. It has long been a morning coffee stop for local fishermen.
Gill’s has 4.5 stars from more than 1,100 Google reviews, and local voters keep choosing it. Lost Coast Outpost readers named it Humboldt County’s best breakfast and brunch spot and its best outdoor seating, and North Coast Journal readers picked its crab sandwich as the best in the county in 2026. Start with that crab sandwich, or come in the morning for breakfast.
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, so check current hours and the menu before you go. King Salmon is about five miles south of Old Town, so plan on driving. Ask for a table outside when the weather is good, and call ahead if you are bringing a larger group.
Address: 77 Halibut Ave, Eureka, CA 95503
Website: gillsbythebay.com
Ramone’s Bakery & Cafe
Ramone’s began in 1981 as Opera Alley Café in Old Town, and the owners opened a bakery around the corner in 1986 after demand for their desserts grew. Today it has five locations around Humboldt Bay. The one in this guide is the full-service Harrison Bistro Café at 2297 Harrison Avenue, with a heated garden patio and a covered patio. One of the original owners still owns and runs it.
Ramone’s earns 4.5 stars from more than 900 Google reviews, and its menu is bigger than most bakeries’. For breakfast, try the eggs Benedict, chile verde, smoked salmon tartine or Ramone’s granola, and take home a baguette, old-world sourdough, croissants or cardamom knots. Later in the day, look for hand-tossed pizzas, cioppino (a tomato-based seafood stew) and the mushroom shawarma pita.
The bistro is open daily, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 4 p.m. on weekends, when the kitchen closes at 3 p.m. Check hours before you go. Dinner entrées such as the chimichurri steak and Tuscan chicken start after 4:30 p.m. The menu changes seasonally, and the cake case is worth a look: North Coast Journal readers voted Ramone’s best bakery in 2026.
Address: 2297 Harrison Ave, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: ramonesbakery.com
Final Thoughts
Several places here keep short weekly schedules, and Sea Grill, Humboldt Bay Bistro and Falafelove all close on at least one weekday, so check before you go. Sea Grill takes reservations by phone and Restaurant 301 uses OpenTable, while Café Marina only books groups of 10 or more and Humboldt Bay Provisions takes none. Sea Grill, Humboldt Bay Provisions and Gallagher’s are a few blocks apart in Old Town, and a short drive reaches Woodley Island, Harrison Avenue and King Salmon. If you are after crab, ask whether it is in season.
Planning the rest of your trip? See our guide to the best things to do in Eureka, CA.
Main photo, from left: Ilinca Roman, Mitili Mitili and Meritt Thomas / Unsplash
