Noyo Harbor is one of the west coast’s few minor operational ports. You could imagine you’re on a movie shoot or on a seafaring adventure at a theme park. Docks and piers with weathered pilings, fishing boats, Coast Guard trainees, seafood stores, and packing sheds coexist alongside historic accommodation, outfitters, and charter boats. And no Fort Bragg CA restaurant scene would be complete without some of the greatest.
A day at Noyo Harbor, on the Mendocino Coast, puts you in the middle of a functioning wharf and a way of life endangered by dwindling catch. Seafood aficionados, water sports enthusiasts, boaters, nature lovers, and commercial fishermen flock to Noyo Harbor. It’s completely genuine.
In the late 1800s, Fort Bragg became a California boomtown. The area was dominated by fishing and logging. As the Noyo River reaches the Ocean, a deep natural harbor forms.
A timber mill originally existed beside fishing boats on the river. Fish, timber, and people were loaded on steam and sailing ships bound for San Francisco.
The lumber industry has gone out of business. Since the 1970s, fishing has been steadily declining. Noyo Harbor has undergone boom and collapse, but the Mendocino Coast is economically recharging.
Noyo Harbor is at the epicenter of development. At Fort Bragg, California’s Noyo Harbor, fish markets, housing, local artists and performers, fishing, kayaking, and, most importantly, restaurants are thriving.
On the harbor, there are eight excellent eateries. They all provide fresh seafood, but each has its own own style, taste, and atmosphere. All eight are in prime places to soak in the noise and bustle of boats unloading their catch after a successful fishing day. Seals, otters, ravens, ospreys, and gulls give endless entertainment in the sky and on the lake.
Evenings are for drinking sundowners. Most port restaurants feature decks or windows with views of the Noyo River and the Ocean. Even on a cloudy day, sunsets are stunning.
The eight restaurants in Fort Bragg are listed in chronological sequence, beginning with the first and ending with the last as you go along North Harbor Road, the sole street on the shore.
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Contents
- 1 15 Best Restaurants in Fort Bragg, California
- 1.1 The Noyo Harbor Inn
- 1.2 Noyo Fish Corporation
- 1.3 Ristorante & Mercato Cucina Verona
- 1.4 The Princess Deli & Seafood Market
- 1.5 House of the Sun
- 1.6 Restaurant at Sea Pal Cove
- 1.7 The Wharf Silvers
- 1.8 The Noyo River Grille
- 1.9 The Q
- 1.10 Restaurant Eggheads
- 1.11 The Gallitos
- 1.12 The Palapa
- 1.13 Fusion of Maya
- 1.14 Pizza Vinny’s
- 1.15 Jenny’s massive burger
- 2 FAQ
- 3 Which of these Ft. Bragg, CA restaurants do you want to try the most? Please share your thoughts in the comments box below!
15 Best Restaurants in Fort Bragg, California
The Noyo Harbor Inn
500 Casa Del Noyo Drive, 707-961-8000
The 150-year-old inn, which sits high above Noyo Harbor, has reopened its doors after being closed for more than ten years and undergoing a six-year rehabilitation and restoration.
The inn, restaurant, and bar have all been lovingly restored. Two redwood structures accommodate 15 rooms, each with panoramic views. The views of the Ocean, Noyo River, Noyo Harbor, and South Harbor Marina are unrivaled no matter where you dine, sit, or sleep. This is the spot for a long, relaxed meal.
This lovely restaurant has a multi-leveled, wrap-around veranda with views of the harbor and Noyo River. Everything is produced from locally sourced and fresh ingredients and is available for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Local wine, beer, and spirits are available at the tavern.
Outside the kitchen, a garden rests under the restaurant deck. In the kitchen and tavern, herbs, greens, and flowers are employed. The chef sources fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fresh seafood from Mendocino County producers. The seasonal cuisine varies often, making the most of local ingredients.
The Noyo Harbor Inn embodies California casual luxury. The atmosphere is reflected in the meal. Choose the seafood chowder. It’s opulent, buttery, and brimming with oysters, clams, scallops, and fish. It’s ideal with a parmesan cheese-crusted fish sandwich and a Blood Orange Mimosa.
Every day, NHI hosts a happy hour with beer and food deals. The terrace is comfortable all year, with umbrellas or heaters available as required, and is ideal for a romantic supper with your loved one. NHI Bistro is open all day Wednesday through Monday, beginning at 9 a.m. (currently closed on Tuesdays as stated on their website). This is place to dine in Fort Bragg because of the combination of restored heritage and outstanding cuisine.
Noyo Fish Corporation
707-962-020432440 N Harbor Drive 707-962-020432440 N Harbor Drive
Noyo Fish Company, one of the harbor’s newcomers, is a traditional seafood shack. Locals declared it the greatest fish and chips in town when they started in 2019.
Top sales include fish and chips, prawns and chips, or a combination of the two, served on paper in a basket. Fish or shrimp tacos in Baja style are served with crispy fish or shrimp, spicy slaw, and house-made chips and salsa.
The seafood sandwich fillets and shrimp are crispy on the exterior and juicy and soft on the inside. Their double crisp fries are the greatest in the harbor, in my opinion. They’re gently covered with a hidden crunch on the outside and soft and velvety on the inside.
Deep-fried pickles are the ideal tangy side dish. Check out the specials board for dishes like shrimp quesadillas, crispy panko calamari strips, and grilled shrimp Caesar.
Choose from a variety of local and foreign bottled beers. Additional local beers are now available. There are also plenty of non-alcoholic drinks in the cooler.
Dine outdoors at an umbrellaed picnic table with a front-row view of the harbor seals and boat activity. Fishing and party boats dock at the Noyo Fish Company. Across the river lies the US Coast Guard Station.
If it’s raining, sit inside where the view is just as nice as it is outdoors. Just make sure you get a seat since this is one of the nicest restaurants in Fort Bragg.
Noyo Fish serves lunch and supper. Visit their Facebook page for seasonal hours and days.
Ristorante & Mercato Cucina Verona
E Laurel St, Fort Bragg, +17079646844124
Cucina Verona is the greatest restaurant close to Triangle Tattoo and Museum. This eatery serves delicious Rockefeller oysters, squash lasagne, and arugula salads.
I propose that you sample their bread pudding, cheesecakes, and tiramisu. It is a necessity to enjoy the wonderful marsala, draft beer, or cognac when visiting Cucina Verona. You will also be served excellent coffee or a tasty bread drink.
In the evenings, they also have performers who play live music. They provide such a pleasant service that it is often mentioned in remarks.
The rates given here will pleasantly surprise you. The lovely decor and unique atmosphere will make you feel quite at ease.
The Princess Deli & Seafood Market
410 North Harbor Drive, 707-962-312332
The Princess, as the locals refer to it, is usually bustling. Captain Heather of the FV Princess took a major risk by reopening a long-closed port fish market so she could sell her catch locally. She soon began purchasing from other small catch boats in order to keep her fish case stocked.
It wasn’t long before they started keeping a pot of chowder boiling. Then there were sandwiches. Currently, most of the deli’s hot cuisine is grilled. Each day is unique, based on the previous day’s catch.
When the demand for hot seafood increased, a larger grill was installed. Please keep in mind that there is no fried food available here. Salmon burgers with grilled fillet, pickled onions, and sriracha mayo are out of this world. Fish tacos are available with a variety of grilled fish.
What about a taco salad with grilled salmon or a drink with Dungeness crab?
Enjoy the half-shell oysters or the Princess clam chowder.
Beer, wine, and exquisite sandwiches, as well as a kids menu, fill out a menu that offers something for everyone’s taste, including a Harris Ranch Angus burger.
Just alfresco seating is available at Princess. But don’t worry, they’ll add a cozy tent and heaters once our mild winter arrives. Weekend evenings and holidays are made for toe-tapping to live music.
Lunch and supper are served in the Princess Deli and Seafood Market. Visit their website for seasonal changes in days and hours. This is one of the greatest restaurants in Fort Bragg for fresh, grilled fish.
House of the Sun
North Harbor Drive, 707-409-509532351, 707-409-509532351
The seafood at Casa del Sols is served to a Latin rhythm. The family-run cafe provides Latin delicacies such as Enchiladas Suizas, Fajitas, California Burritos, and tacos. Most Latin cuisines, predictably, include fish or shrimp.
On a cold winter day, the Chefs Clam Chowder will keep you toasty. You’ll keep toasty and comfy if you pair it with a Surf & Turf Nacho and a glass of wine.
Cajun Shrimp Stew with a half house salad is my favorite soup and salad combination. The broth for the shrimp stew is spicy but not overpowering.
Fresh greens from local farmers are used in all of Casa del Sol’s salads. The house salad includes tomatoes, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, carrots, olives, cheese, house-made croutons, and a fantastic vinaigrette.
Casa del Sol features a large menu with several items designed to be shared. Bring a group and order a variety of appetizers to share.
The Carne Asada Fries are one of the delicacies that everyone raves about. Served with juicy Carne Asada, melted Monterey and cheddar cheeses, Pico de Gallo, and guacamole over a bed of crispy handmade fries. Excellent as a shared appetizer or as an entree.
Most foods combine well with beer and wine. The collection is both domestic and imported.
Casa del Sol does not have a terrace or a view of the ocean. You are instead wowed by rotating art and photography shows. The little caf is calm and welcoming. You instantly feel at ease since the room is brightly colored and decorated with traditional art.
Casa serves lunch and supper. Visit their Facebook page for seasonal hours and days. This is a must-try restaurant in Fort Bragg.
Restaurant at Sea Pal Cove
707-964-130032390 North Harbor Drive
Sea Pal Cove is located near a commercial fishing wharf. From their expansive deck, you can see fishing boats preparing to set sail, unloading the day’s catch, and cleaning and bagging party boat catch. You may observe the chef leave the kitchen to get freshly caught fish from the shed next door.
When fishing boats are not present, harbor seals will delight you with their aquatic acrobatics. Wharf-cats congregate in this location, waiting for leftovers when fishing boats arrive. They fight with seagulls and each other. That is almost always a tie.
The menu is limited to chowder, fish and chips, shrimp and chips, and popular grass-fed beef burgers. The gluten-free clam chowder is a forty-year-old family recipe that is made from scratch every day. Serve with your fish, shrimp, or burger.
The Sea Friend menu includes eighteen tap beers. Although the number and origin vary, the majority are California beers, with some being local. Wine and soft drinks are refrigerated in the cooler.
They provide wonderful informal service. Inside, place your order, and your meal will be served to your seat. It’s served in baskets lined with paper. The modest caf has seats, but the finest spots are on the terrace.
Picnic tables, vintage hippie spool tables, and a natural-edged wooden complete bar flank the railing are available. The Noyo River, the port, and the Noyo River Bridge are all visible from their outdoor seats.
A fire pit is maintained lit after dark or on a windy day. Sea Friend is a welcoming establishment; purchase a pitcher of beer and share it with your neighbors. This Fort Bragg seafood restaurant provides a genuine atmosphere of days gone by in the port.
Sea Buddy serves lunch and supper. Request that seasonal days and hours be changed.
The Wharf Silvers
North Harbor Drive, 707-964-428332260 North Harbor Drive
Silvers at The Wharf is one of the Mendocino Coast’s longest continually running seafood restaurants. Silvers is a traditional American seafood restaurant with a gorgeous Mayan flair.
The restaurant, bar, and terrace are located on the second level of a seaside structure. Picture windows frame Noyo Inlet, the Noyo River Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean in the interior eating rooms. On a rainy day, I adore the vista.
Traditional fish-house favourites such as fish & chips, calamari, salmon, petrale sole, scampi, and clam chowder are on the menu.
Louis Salad with Bay Shrimp is my absolute favorite traditional meal. Fresh, plump, pink, and properly chilled shrimp. The Louie dressing is real, not the often replaced Thousand Island dressing. Its delectable elements are fresh and energetic, but the house-roasted beets are the salad’s crowning glory. I’m constantly asking for more.
Flash-fried Night Fish, similar to anchovies, is a popular seasonal snack. They are crisp, sensitive, and irresistible, and are netted locally every day while in season. For a local take on a classic, top your Caesar Salad with flash-fried Night Fish.
The Mayan ancestry of the owners blends well with the classic American dishes. The smoked chipotle slaw is crunchy, creamy, and somewhat spicy. The Mayan Fusion Burrito is massive, more than enough for two people. There is a vegetarian burrito option. Chef’s Favorites
Silvers at the Wharf is open from 11 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. seven days a week for lunch and supper. See a virtual tour and stunning viewsHERE. It is one of the top restaurants in Fort Bragg because of its location and cuisine.
The Noyo River Grille
North Harbor Drive, 707-962-905032150 North Harbor Drive
Come to our home, our cuisine is about family,” says Chef Guillermo Medina of Noyo River Restaurant.
NRG boasts a dog-friendly sunset deck, an outstanding ocean view, live entertainment, and top-notch service.
The cuisine is always fresh and locally produced, and it varies on a regular basis. As appetizers and entrees, seasonal fish and shellfish are constantly available. Daily specialties and freshly baked bread are served with fish and chips, soups, salads, and sandwiches. Visit Facebook for special meals such as Soup Saturdays and Sunday Fundays.
House-cured salmon (in season) is a must-order beginning, served with pickled red onions, crème fraiche, and capers. It’s bright, light, lively, and delicious. This must-try beginning is reason enough to visit this Fort Bragg eatery.
Get crab cakes if they’re on the menu! Guillermo’s tortillas are the greatest on the coast. Dungeness Crab has just enough additional ingredients to keep the delicious, light cakes together. With a salad and a glass of bubbly, you’ve got yourself a fantastic lunch or light supper.
Local musicians perform and sing while you enjoy a sunset cocktail on the terrace overlooking the port, bridge, and Ocean. The pub serves domestic and international beer and wine.
Happy Hour begins at 36 p.m. seven days a week, with app and drink specials. Noyo River Restaurant is available for lunch and supper seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
You will not be disappointed by any of the restaurants in Noyo Harbor; your only challenge will be choose which one to visit. If you just have one day in town, consider a progressive meal. Stop at one of these great Fort Bragg restaurants for an appetizer and beverage, then continue on to another Fort Bragg seafood restaurant for an entree and dessert.
My hometown is Fort Bragg. Thus, the next time you come, I want to see you at sunset on a Noyo Harbor deck, experiencing the abundance of the sea from hook to mouth at one of Fort Bragg’s eight seafood restaurants.
The Q
+170796101001064 S Main St, Fort Bragg, California 95437, USA
An true old-fashioned American diner. Excellent cuisine and a kind staff.
We passed by this restaurant and decided to dine inside. We’ve had The Q, as well as smoked ribs and oysters. I haven’t had a better-prepared lunch in a long time. The unique mix sauce is equally delicious.
The buffalo cheddar burger with handmade chips and ranch dip is an ideal pairing.
I suggest this restaurant to any Barbecue and cuisine enthusiasts.
The service is equally as amazing as everything else on the menu.
Restaurant Eggheads
+17079645005326 N Main St, Fort Bragg, California 95437, USA
The street eatery in Fort Bragg is ready to provide you with one of the most memorable dining experiences of your life.
We can’t help but stop for a lunch every time we pass by this restaurant, and we’re always happy with the cuisine.
My particular favorite is the devilish Benedict eggs with hollandaise sauce.
If you find yourself at this location, the Wizards garlic lover omelet should be on your morning menu.
You should also notice the Wizard of Oz mood at this location.
The personnel is fantastic, and the service of finding you a seat is quick. We are overjoyed that we were able to visit this location, and we will surely return.
The Gallitos
+17079644519230 N Franklin St, Fort Bragg, California, USA
Incredible Mexican food and decor. Everything is exquisite, from the first mouthful to the final crumb.
I ordered a burrito, and it was the finest burrito I’d ever had; all of the tastes were perfectly balanced, and it really felt like paradise.
The salsa is not very hot, and the guacamole is something that everyone should experience. There are no bad flavors; it is exactly what you would expect from Mexican food.
The staff is kind, the music is played at a comfortable level, and the service is prompt.
I will definitely come back as often as I can.
The Palapa
+17079648684647 E Oak St, Fort Bragg, California, USA
I am quite happy that I stopped at La Palapa for lunch. Excellent Mexican cuisine. The staff is kind and makes you feel like you’re a member of their family.
We had the Grilled Chicken Chimichanga and Tacos, both of which were excellent. All of the foods on the menu are very delicious. Salsa is a spiritual experience. You will never be hungry since the platters are constantly filled.
If you have the time, I highly suggest sampling the whole menu.
Fusion of Maya
+17079610211418 N Main St, Fort Bragg, California, USA
Superb Yucatan-inspired Mexican food that tastes like it came from Mexico.
Try the Fresh Mayan-Style Ceviche; it’ll melt your heart, and the tortillas are out of this world. Fresh items, excellent service, and the greatest rates. Don’t forget to taste their distinctive drinks.
The ambience transports you to Yucatan, and the waitresses are all so lovely and friendly that you feel as if you’ve been here every day.
I highly suggest this restaurant if you want to eat Mexican.
Pizza Vinny’s
+17079610580111C Boatyard Dr, Fort Bragg, California, USA
Pizza establishment with a homey environment, high-quality ingredients, and good service.
We stopped here on a road trip and ordered the Timberwolf pizza, which has a terrific range of toppings cooked to perfection and leaves you satisfied with every bite. The crust was crunchy while remaining soft.
The youngsters will like the arcade at the rear of the restaurant. The workers are all courteous and pleasant, and the service is excellent.
Easily my favorite pizza place in a long time. I suggest visiting here when you want to enjoy Italian cuisine outdoors.
Jenny’s massive burger
+17079642235940 N Main St, Fort Bragg, California, USA
Excellent tiny burger joint on Fort Bragg’s main street with exceptional customer service and delicious burgers.
The Big Cheeseburgers with Fries were our choice. The Cheeseburger is delectable, and the fries are crunchy and wonderful. We will surely return for more. Maybe next time I’ll try something else, but I’m certain it’ll be just as great as the burgers we sampled. The chocolate shake is also quite tasty.
The site is conveniently off the highway and has plenty of parking. As a result, there is plenty of room to sit outdoors.
FAQ
What makes Fort Bragg famous?
Fort Bragg is one of the most major US Army military locations in the world. Fort Bragg was constructed in 1918, during World War I, as a site with excellent topography, abundant water, a magnificent railway infrastructure, and a pleasant climate for all-year training. It is known for its rich history and gorgeous surroundings.
It has grown in popularity over time and is now a year-round destination. At Fort Bragg, you may see the notable endangered species red-cockaded woodpecker and Saint Francis satyr (a rare butterfly species).
What are the most popular Fort Bragg restaurants?
The Q, La Palapa, Vinny’s pizza, and Jenny’s gigantic burger are the most popular eateries in Fort Bragg.
What are the greatest take-out restaurants in Fort Bragg?
Jennys Giant Burger, Los Gallitos, Eggheads Restaurant, The Q, Mayan Fusion, La Palapa, and more provide takeout in Fort Bragg.
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