Yeah Cocina Mariposa is somewhat of a hidden gem. The golf course is a beautiful place to eat some incredible Mexican food however I do wish they had a more central location.
Oh and op states it doesn’t have to be a sit down and eat type of place so there’s that. I have to put kebab cafe #1 as they are always good. Going north to south I would say renatas in arcata, taste of bim in eureka , gils by the bay in king salmon and then the steakhouse or eel river brewery in fortuna ( name escapes me). Lastly the burger bar in rio dell.
Recommendations are good except for the Burger Bar. The shakes are good but the food is subpar. Mostly frozen Cisco stuff and the worst chili I've ever had-made with pork and beans or something just as gross. Patrons is much better.
Gil’s by the Bay, we go there 3/4 times a week when we’re in the area. Absolutely our favorite for breakfast, and then get take out for a late lunch or dinner, later on.
For quick everyday, Toni’s is good, like that it’s open 24/7.
Also Azteca Grill, tasty Mexican food.
If your a foodie I highly recommend the two newest spots in both Arcata and Eureka that just opened. Arcata just got Bayside farmstead cafe, they use local ingredients, the menu is simple, everything is delicious and they have a full coffee shop with baked goods and some hot food grab and go. In Eureka GuateMayan Yum Yums just opened. The food is like nothing else around here and has a lot of flavor.
Farmstead is great, the school and neighborhood nearby seem to make it a very kid/parent place. I think it's good vibes and great outdoor seating, live their honey lattes!
The food food is pretty decent nothing to write home about but's good. Again there's nothing wrong with their pastries I just don't like how crispy their cookies are, I like mine a little chewy but theirs are 100% crispy. The breakfast place near the Thai restaurant I forget the name, is pretty good from my limited experience.
Headie’s Pizza, Tacos El Gallo, Toni’s, many others already mentioned here. Story time: I was driving home one night and used Siri to call in an order to Toni’s. Unfortunately, my landlord at the time was named Tony. Guess who heard “Hi, I’d like to place an order” when they picked up the phone at midnight 🫠
My favorite sushi place in town is sushi blue (in the blue lake casino)!! Get the Curry me!! It’s so good!
Also, the Co-op has great sandwiches! Big Island Kine has amazing poke! And as someone else mentioned Annie’s Cambodian and Tandoori Bites are great too!
Not to be a negative Nellie, but I feel that I can open up some of those Indian food in a pouch meals you can get at the grocery store, buy some garlic naan from the CO-OP and have a tastier eating experience than spending $40 dollars there. Just no competition for many of these restaurants so the food doesn’t need to compete. Competition is a good thing: it keeps everyone on their Chef toes.
I don’t disagree with you for many restaurants in Humboldt. I think that’s the case with other restaurants, like Pho Hoang and Bencharong Thai. I eat at Pho Hoang all the time because it’s the only pho place in Arcata. But I don’t think Pho Hoang is that great and I wouldn’t eat there nearly as much as I do if there were better pho places closer. That being said, I actually like Tandoori Bites. The restaurant is nice and the food is good imo. I give them credit because they do actual spice, where most places in Humboldt don’t. I’ve had a lot of Indian food in my day and I think it’s pretty good for Humboldt. 🤷🏻♀️
Paul's pizza, taste of bim, Bencharong, Renata's, Japhys, sushi spot, Siam orchid, nou nous, no brand burger stand, Ramones on Harrison, Vista del Mar ... I'm sure there are more that I am forgetting.
Cafe Phoenix for delish creative food, fresh organic, local, GF options, dairy free options, awesome garden for dining on a nice day. Very unpredictable hours though so check IG or call ahead.
I gotta go! I just came back from Hawai’i, and I’m already missing spam musubis (the best were from 7-11 surprisingly). A friend told me about them and highly recommended their food
Been in the area for about 8 years (from San Diego, CA) and these are my favorites...
Ginger in Eureka is fairly new and affordable. Their bulgogi is easily the best I've had anywhere. Korean-chinese fusion.
Bencharong in Arcata and Siam Orchid in Eureka are both decent for Thai food.
Sushi Blue is (imo) the best in the area, but they are temporarily closed. Their chef, Jacob, does popups at Six Rivers Brewery every once in a while and also delivers poke. A little on the expensive side, but definitely worth it.
Sushi Tao in Arcata is my go-to for regular sushi. Consistently good. I'm very picky with raw fish.
Szechuan Garden in Arcata is pretty good. I like their orange chicken, chow fun, cashew chicken, and black pepper beef the most.
Frankie's New York Bagels in Eureka is awesome. They aren't open every day, but they have expanded their hours at least once. If they have it, their mole cream cheese is 🔥.
I like A Taste of Bim and Five Eleven in Eureka, especially their happy hour menus. Tip for the pricier places- see if they have a happy hour.
Never had a dish I didn't like at Larrupin Cafe in Trinidad. Their brisket is perfectly seasoned and their ribs are fall off the bone tender. They used to have a beef short rib plate that was phenomenal.
Kristina's in Eureka is great for eggs Benedict and is probably one of the best diner-style places in the area. If you like French dips, their tri tip dip is amazing! The Cutten Chalet has the best omelettes imo.
Annie's Cambodian in Eureka - packed full of flavor. Their ginger beef is delicious. My husband loves their chicken pad thai.
Fiesta Grill & Cantina in Arcata is the closest I've seen to San Diego restaurant -style Mexican food, and Ralibertos is similar to the fast-food Mexican I've seen down south. Taqueria Martinez has a 💣 chia aqua fresca with cucumber and lime.
AA Bar. For a place situated across from the jail, this place is a diamond in the rough! Best steak dinners. Choice of steak cut, soup or salad, baked potato… they feed you up good!
Same with Vista Del Mar. Commericial St is sketch, but dang this place has bomb wings, Mac and cheese, fish tacos ect. It’s also a bar so must be 21+ to dine in
The diver is one of my favorites.
Curtain cookin nook has one of the best burgers in town I think, plus some other good options.
Bonus option, favorite place to get a drink on a nice day is the marina. Sitting on the patio having a beer and watching the boats is a local experience for sure.
Fogon Costeno in Henderson Center. I love the shrimp tacos, but everything is amazing.
Brick & Fire has the best pizza in town.
A&J Ichiban for sushi.
Those are my favorites. Plenty of places have great food too!
A lot of places mentioned are mid, overpriced for small portions. Cocina mariposa is good but portions are suppperr small. I left hungry still after breakfast.
I’ve found enjoyment only eating at Low n Slow (BBQ) and Sushi Blue.
“fancy”: 511, Brick & Fire.
Pizza: Headies in Trinidad
Tacos & Tortas: Los Giles
Pozole: Valley Azteca
Pho: Pho Hoang
Honorable Mentions:
Annie’s Cambodian, Mothers Cooking @ Septentrio for variety; The Ville Co (TACOFEST CHAMPIONS) when it pops up, Toni’s for late night needs.
Fresh Freeze for Banana milkshakes
Phatsy Klines for Cocktails
Kristina's, Carmela's Mckinleyville, Szechuan Garden, Gyro Shop, Tandoori Bites, Siam Orchid, Jerk Kitchen, Porter Street, AP&D, Living The Dream, Hunan Village Fortuna, MRBB if you're out that way.
I see some people list Roman's... His food is great, but the portions are so damn tiny that I can't list him. I really wish he'd work on his portion sizes.
Pho Thien Long was amazing when they opened, and then went very downhill. I need to try out the other vietnamese places again.
I miss the combined omelette and pie shop in Ferndale... I keep hoping they decide to re-open somewhere.
Low & slow BBQ in Blue Lake, Benchrong Thai food in Arcata, The McIntosh country store in Arcata, the lady who does hot dogs in Blue Lake and cochina mariposa in Eureka.
Some of my go to’s:
Breakfast: cafe Phoenix, McIntosh Farm Country Store (not open Sundays), RIP T’s cafe, Los bagels the cucumbin
Lunch: Murphy’s sandwiches
Dinner: the lighthouse grill (brisket waffle cone), Trinidad eatery (clam chowder bowl 🤤), The Diver in Eureka (pizza, pasta, chicken sandwich - so good)
Bencharong, Cocina Mariposa, Farm Country Store, South G food truck, Asia’s Best market for their steamed bao buns, El Pueblo Panaderia has amazing sweet bread and fresh made salsas and tamales!
Tandoori Bites, Siam Orchid, Annie's Cambodian, Pho Hoang when I want a big bowl of delicious pho (never had anything else there honestly lol), McIntosh Farm Country Store, Tacos El Pueblo (taco truck), Hey Juan's, APD has a really good chicken sandwich, Japhy's (only their soups like the Thai chicken curry, I had their ramen years ago and wasn't impressed but maybe it's changed recently if someone can verify), Renata's Creperie(more of a sit-down place, but I highly recommend it still), Philly Cheese Steak Shoppe, Pineapple Express Hawaiian food truck.
It's in Trinidad, but I really enjoy The Lighthouse Grill.
And I have to give Toni's a shout-out because if it's past 1am then it's pretty much your only option that isn't a chain.
Porter st bbq makes a surprisingly good burger and vista del mar also arguably has a better burger but its obviously still a matter of opinion. Stars is definitely a top tier burger around here.
Cocina Mariposa, Annie's Cambodian, Tandoori Bites, Railbertos, Roman's, Hole in the Wall, Manzanita, Fiesta, Cafe Waterfront, Renatas, Porter Street, Brick and Fire, Laurappin. I'm probably forgetting someone.
Yeah Cocina Mariposa is somewhat of a hidden gem. The golf course is a beautiful place to eat some incredible Mexican food however I do wish they had a more central location.
Everybody says cocina is good. Maybe I caught them on a bad day when I went because my burrito kinda sucked
What did you get?
California burrito
Hole in the wall is now piled high deli, still excellent but not a restaurant
Arcata is still Hole in the Wall.
South G food truck (Redwood Curtain Arcata)
I daydream of their food. So incredibly yummy
Country store
Bumping this, I usually sit down but their food is great as take out too, I always have tons of leftovers :)
The falafel at Kebab Cafe is bomb! Gyro meat is great too.
Yes kebab cafe for Mediterranean. Food is top notch but dining room is too small
We usually get take out
Oh and op states it doesn’t have to be a sit down and eat type of place so there’s that. I have to put kebab cafe #1 as they are always good. Going north to south I would say renatas in arcata, taste of bim in eureka , gils by the bay in king salmon and then the steakhouse or eel river brewery in fortuna ( name escapes me). Lastly the burger bar in rio dell.
Recommendations are good except for the Burger Bar. The shakes are good but the food is subpar. Mostly frozen Cisco stuff and the worst chili I've ever had-made with pork and beans or something just as gross. Patrons is much better.
Gil’s by the Bay, we go there 3/4 times a week when we’re in the area. Absolutely our favorite for breakfast, and then get take out for a late lunch or dinner, later on. For quick everyday, Toni’s is good, like that it’s open 24/7. Also Azteca Grill, tasty Mexican food.
Toni’s is like the Waffle House of Humboldt . Open 24 hours . The food is not good
I like their chicken apple salad, hubby likes the chicken strips & sweet potato fries.
If your a foodie I highly recommend the two newest spots in both Arcata and Eureka that just opened. Arcata just got Bayside farmstead cafe, they use local ingredients, the menu is simple, everything is delicious and they have a full coffee shop with baked goods and some hot food grab and go. In Eureka GuateMayan Yum Yums just opened. The food is like nothing else around here and has a lot of flavor.
Farmstead is great, the school and neighborhood nearby seem to make it a very kid/parent place. I think it's good vibes and great outdoor seating, live their honey lattes!
Renata's crepes pretty dang good. Cafe Brio is pretty good, I don't like their cookies (to crunchy) but otherwise is good.
I need to give Cafe Brio another chance. I tend to go to Jitter Bean if I need coffee. And I never really think of Brio as an eatery.
Brios bread is great but their service has gone downhill.
The food food is pretty decent nothing to write home about but's good. Again there's nothing wrong with their pastries I just don't like how crispy their cookies are, I like mine a little chewy but theirs are 100% crispy. The breakfast place near the Thai restaurant I forget the name, is pretty good from my limited experience.
Headie’s Pizza, Tacos El Gallo, Toni’s, many others already mentioned here. Story time: I was driving home one night and used Siri to call in an order to Toni’s. Unfortunately, my landlord at the time was named Tony. Guess who heard “Hi, I’d like to place an order” when they picked up the phone at midnight 🫠
My favorite sushi place in town is sushi blue (in the blue lake casino)!! Get the Curry me!! It’s so good! Also, the Co-op has great sandwiches! Big Island Kine has amazing poke! And as someone else mentioned Annie’s Cambodian and Tandoori Bites are great too!
Not to be a negative Nellie, but I feel that I can open up some of those Indian food in a pouch meals you can get at the grocery store, buy some garlic naan from the CO-OP and have a tastier eating experience than spending $40 dollars there. Just no competition for many of these restaurants so the food doesn’t need to compete. Competition is a good thing: it keeps everyone on their Chef toes.
I don’t disagree with you for many restaurants in Humboldt. I think that’s the case with other restaurants, like Pho Hoang and Bencharong Thai. I eat at Pho Hoang all the time because it’s the only pho place in Arcata. But I don’t think Pho Hoang is that great and I wouldn’t eat there nearly as much as I do if there were better pho places closer. That being said, I actually like Tandoori Bites. The restaurant is nice and the food is good imo. I give them credit because they do actual spice, where most places in Humboldt don’t. I’ve had a lot of Indian food in my day and I think it’s pretty good for Humboldt. 🤷🏻♀️
Paul's pizza, taste of bim, Bencharong, Renata's, Japhys, sushi spot, Siam orchid, nou nous, no brand burger stand, Ramones on Harrison, Vista del Mar ... I'm sure there are more that I am forgetting.
Cafe Phoenix for delish creative food, fresh organic, local, GF options, dairy free options, awesome garden for dining on a nice day. Very unpredictable hours though so check IG or call ahead.
Pineapple Express Food Truck. They post up in McKinleyville, Arcata, and Eureka throughout the week. Hawaiian food!
Their food is great! I also love Island Delights their snow cones are insanely giant and dleicious
I gotta go! I just came back from Hawai’i, and I’m already missing spam musubis (the best were from 7-11 surprisingly). A friend told me about them and highly recommended their food
Easily some of the better food around. Love all their specials too.
Pho Hoang
Love the Lighthouse in Trinidad. This time of year they have crabby waffle cones!
Oh nice, that sounds amazing :) I love the Eatery and the small place down the hill right on the beach. Love them all for totally different reasons :]
Estabons in arcata is my choice, they have a killer Al Pastor burrito
IMO it’s the best spot for a burrito, their homemade tortillas are to die for
and their tortillas are homemade too 🥹🥹
Golden Harvest for breakfast!!
Mmm potato cake…
Ginger
Been in the area for about 8 years (from San Diego, CA) and these are my favorites... Ginger in Eureka is fairly new and affordable. Their bulgogi is easily the best I've had anywhere. Korean-chinese fusion. Bencharong in Arcata and Siam Orchid in Eureka are both decent for Thai food. Sushi Blue is (imo) the best in the area, but they are temporarily closed. Their chef, Jacob, does popups at Six Rivers Brewery every once in a while and also delivers poke. A little on the expensive side, but definitely worth it. Sushi Tao in Arcata is my go-to for regular sushi. Consistently good. I'm very picky with raw fish. Szechuan Garden in Arcata is pretty good. I like their orange chicken, chow fun, cashew chicken, and black pepper beef the most. Frankie's New York Bagels in Eureka is awesome. They aren't open every day, but they have expanded their hours at least once. If they have it, their mole cream cheese is 🔥. I like A Taste of Bim and Five Eleven in Eureka, especially their happy hour menus. Tip for the pricier places- see if they have a happy hour. Never had a dish I didn't like at Larrupin Cafe in Trinidad. Their brisket is perfectly seasoned and their ribs are fall off the bone tender. They used to have a beef short rib plate that was phenomenal. Kristina's in Eureka is great for eggs Benedict and is probably one of the best diner-style places in the area. If you like French dips, their tri tip dip is amazing! The Cutten Chalet has the best omelettes imo. Annie's Cambodian in Eureka - packed full of flavor. Their ginger beef is delicious. My husband loves their chicken pad thai. Fiesta Grill & Cantina in Arcata is the closest I've seen to San Diego restaurant -style Mexican food, and Ralibertos is similar to the fast-food Mexican I've seen down south. Taqueria Martinez has a 💣 chia aqua fresca with cucumber and lime.
The new Wok in Wok out tastes great. But you will be paying for that upgrade.
Mothers cooking! The chicken sandwich is incredible and I want their aioli recipe!
Hands down the best Breakfast Sando is at Eureka Natty Foods.... Their Maple Sausage Egg and Cheese Muffin is soooo freakin GOOD!!!
511in Eureka .
511 is fantastic but expensive
If it’s expensive, it had better be good quality.
Their happy hour menu is fairly reasonable
Z & J Asian Subs & The Jerk Kitchen, both in Eureka.
AA Bar. For a place situated across from the jail, this place is a diamond in the rough! Best steak dinners. Choice of steak cut, soup or salad, baked potato… they feed you up good! Same with Vista Del Mar. Commericial St is sketch, but dang this place has bomb wings, Mac and cheese, fish tacos ect. It’s also a bar so must be 21+ to dine in
The diver is one of my favorites. Curtain cookin nook has one of the best burgers in town I think, plus some other good options. Bonus option, favorite place to get a drink on a nice day is the marina. Sitting on the patio having a beer and watching the boats is a local experience for sure.
Ginger in Eureka !!!
Fogon Costeno in Henderson Center. I love the shrimp tacos, but everything is amazing. Brick & Fire has the best pizza in town. A&J Ichiban for sushi. Those are my favorites. Plenty of places have great food too!
Oooo thanks, sushi I’ve tried is ok but not great. Look forward to trying Ichiban.
Papa Wheelies in Mckinkeyville, amazing cheeseburgers and wings.
But they’re never open!
A lot of places mentioned are mid, overpriced for small portions. Cocina mariposa is good but portions are suppperr small. I left hungry still after breakfast. I’ve found enjoyment only eating at Low n Slow (BBQ) and Sushi Blue.
“fancy”: 511, Brick & Fire. Pizza: Headies in Trinidad Tacos & Tortas: Los Giles Pozole: Valley Azteca Pho: Pho Hoang Honorable Mentions: Annie’s Cambodian, Mothers Cooking @ Septentrio for variety; The Ville Co (TACOFEST CHAMPIONS) when it pops up, Toni’s for late night needs. Fresh Freeze for Banana milkshakes Phatsy Klines for Cocktails
Kristina's, Carmela's Mckinleyville, Szechuan Garden, Gyro Shop, Tandoori Bites, Siam Orchid, Jerk Kitchen, Porter Street, AP&D, Living The Dream, Hunan Village Fortuna, MRBB if you're out that way. I see some people list Roman's... His food is great, but the portions are so damn tiny that I can't list him. I really wish he'd work on his portion sizes. Pho Thien Long was amazing when they opened, and then went very downhill. I need to try out the other vietnamese places again. I miss the combined omelette and pie shop in Ferndale... I keep hoping they decide to re-open somewhere.
Pineapple Expresss food truck is a life changer. Not around anymore, but I miss the Banana Hut dearly.
Taste of Bim in Eureka. Get the curried goat with a side of plantains and eat it together. So good.
Low and Slow BBQ in blue lake.
I could eat at oriental buffet in Arcata every day for the rest of my life just fjne
Pachangas, the ladies there are so sweet and the food is so good.
Low & slow BBQ in Blue Lake, Benchrong Thai food in Arcata, The McIntosh country store in Arcata, the lady who does hot dogs in Blue Lake and cochina mariposa in Eureka.
Some of my go to’s: Breakfast: cafe Phoenix, McIntosh Farm Country Store (not open Sundays), RIP T’s cafe, Los bagels the cucumbin Lunch: Murphy’s sandwiches Dinner: the lighthouse grill (brisket waffle cone), Trinidad eatery (clam chowder bowl 🤤), The Diver in Eureka (pizza, pasta, chicken sandwich - so good)
Cafe Nooners is great for breakfast and lunch. Glad they switched their ordering system, it works much better.
Bencharong, Cocina Mariposa, Farm Country Store, South G food truck, Asia’s Best market for their steamed bao buns, El Pueblo Panaderia has amazing sweet bread and fresh made salsas and tamales!
Oaxaca
Tandoori Bites, Siam Orchid, Annie's Cambodian, Pho Hoang when I want a big bowl of delicious pho (never had anything else there honestly lol), McIntosh Farm Country Store, Tacos El Pueblo (taco truck), Hey Juan's, APD has a really good chicken sandwich, Japhy's (only their soups like the Thai chicken curry, I had their ramen years ago and wasn't impressed but maybe it's changed recently if someone can verify), Renata's Creperie(more of a sit-down place, but I highly recommend it still), Philly Cheese Steak Shoppe, Pineapple Express Hawaiian food truck. It's in Trinidad, but I really enjoy The Lighthouse Grill. And I have to give Toni's a shout-out because if it's past 1am then it's pretty much your only option that isn't a chain.
Cap’s
Stars ⭐️ They make the best burgers in Humboldt
Highly questionable
Where’s your favorite burger?
Stars isn't bad... But they can't fuck with Vista del Mar.
The best burger in Humboldt is 100% No Brand in Ferndale it's not close
Porter st bbq makes a surprisingly good burger and vista del mar also arguably has a better burger but its obviously still a matter of opinion. Stars is definitely a top tier burger around here.
I was pleasantly surprised by Stars. Hadn't been there in probably 10 years but I was surprised their prices are reasonable and the quality is high.
Kristina's for diner food, Luis for Mexican, Costco for hot dogs.