18 Delicious Restaurants in Arcata, CA You Have to Try

Arcata, CA, is a small town, but its food scene is anything but limited. With a strong emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a mix of cozy cafés, eclectic eateries, and hidden gems, dining in Arcata is a unique experience.

During the five years I lived in Humboldt County, I tried as many restaurants as possible. Some of my favorites have since closed (RIP Japhy’s and Abruzzi 😢), but new spots have popped up, keeping the local food scene alive and kickin’.

On my most recent visit, I made it a priority to check out some of these new restaurants, and – no surprise – several of them instantly became favorites!

So whether you’re looking for a cozy brunch, the best sushi in town, or a late-night bite, here are my top restaurant picks in Arcata, California.

One quick tip: Restaurants here don’t always follow their posted hours, especially around holidays. It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan before heading out!

My Favorite Restaurants in Arcata, California

Here are my favorite restaurants in Arcata. I highly recommend them for your visit!

Reminder: restaurant hours can be unpredictable, and many close for a long holiday break, so always have a backup plan. I showed up at closed restaurants several times when I visited over Christmas and New Year’s. Back-up plans are crucial!

Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots

Bayside Farmstead Café

This cute cafe was entirely new to me and quickly rose to the top of my favorite places to eat in Aracata.

Bayside Farmstead Café is a family-owned establishment committed to supporting the local economy by sourcing ingredients from local and organic farms, offering vegan and gluten-free choices, and using pasture-raised eggs and fresh produce.

They specialize in nourishing breakfast and lunch options, including paninis, egg dishes, quiches, soups, and salads, complemented by freshly baked goods. Their beverage selection features locally roasted organic coffee, teas, lemonades, kombucha, beer, and wine.

I recommend the Iced Salted Honey Latte and the Jetty Breakfast Burrito – both were absolutely perfect. One hundred chef’s kisses.

Address: 1602 Old Arcata Road in Bayside

Renata’s Crêperie

I worked at Renata’s Crêperie for a bit right before I moved home, but I frequented this Arcata staple before and after I got a job there. One of my favorite things about eating at Renata’s is the cozy, colorful atmosphere punctuated by unique and beautiful artwork. It’s on every surface of the building – the outside, the walls, even the ceiling!

I never had a savory crêpe before I was introduced to Renata’s, but my favorite by far is the Got Yer Goat. Adding a scrambled egg to it paired so well with the chevre, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and basil. What a combo, omg!

As far as sweet crêpes go, you can’t go wrong with some butter, sugar, and cinnamon or lemon, like in their Simply Sweet or Maija’s Secret crêpes.

Address: 1030 G Street

Big Blue Café

Big Blue Café is a longtime favorite in Arcata, CA, known for its hearty breakfast and brunch options served in a cozy, laid-back atmosphere. Located in the heart of town, this café has built a reputation for generous portions, friendly service, and a welcoming, artsy vibe that reflects Arcata’s eclectic charm.

The menu features classic breakfast staples like pancakes, omelets, and scrambles, as well as vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. Their signature home fries are a must-try, and their coffee is a great pick-me-up for a slow morning.

Whether you’re looking for a satisfying brunch after a morning hike or just a casual spot to enjoy a comforting meal, Big Blue Café is a solid choice for anyone visiting Arcata.

Address: 846 G Street

Best Lunch & Dinner Spots

Café Phoenix

This is the place for fresh, locally sourced meals in a welcoming environment! Also new to me as of my recent winter visit, Café Phoenix now stands out as a delightful choice in Arcata’s dining scene.

If you need what is seemingly a week’s worth of vegetables in one meal, I recommend the stuffed quesadilla. It is full of fresh, local veggies and creamy cheese and topped with a savory cilantro sauce. It comes with a small salad on the side for even more vegetables.

I also tried my friend’s potato dish, which was drenched with fresh herbs – dill in particular. Fresh dill is such an underutilized herb, in my opinion. And we both had a refreshing lemonade with our lunch. Mine was a berry lemonade. omg.

Address: 1360 G Street

Susukino Ramen Bar

Opening just a month or so before my last visit, Susukino Ramen Bar is the place for authentic Japanese ramen. I enjoyed it so much that I had lunch there twice during the two weeks I was there!

Named after the vibrant Susukino district in Sapporo, Japan – renowned for its nightlife and ramen establishments – the restaurant aims to recreate the lively izakaya atmosphere, offering patrons a place to enjoy quality food and drinks in a casual setting.

Let me tell you. Their ramen hits the spot, especially on a rainy winter day! They offer a limited lunchtime menu that you order at a kiosk and pick up at the counter when your number is called. Choose from half or full portions, heat level, and additional or extra toppings. The full portion was too much for me, and I regretfully couldn’t finish all of it!

Of the four types of ramen on their menu, I tried Tan Tan ramen with ground pork and Shoyu ramen with pork belly. Next time I visit, I’ll definitely sample the other two.

Dinner is much busier with a full menu, including appetizers and, surprisingly, the best cannolis, according to my friend. I tried to get takeout one night for dinner to try an appetizer and dessert, but I was too close to hangry to wait the estimated 40 minutes for my order.

Address: 1504 G Street

Where to Get Sushi in Arcata

Sushi has never really been a thing for me growing up on the East Coast. Firstly, because I am allergic to shellfish. Second, I just generally despise seafood.

Now, that being said, I warily joined a group of coworkers for dinner at Tomo when I first moved to Arcata. I went thinking that I would just have a drink while everyone else ate. Well, turns out they take their veggie rolls just as seriously as their nigiri.

But Tomo is just one of FOUR sushi restaurants in Arcata, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Since I was only there for two weeks on a recent visit, one day, I did a sushi crawl and had one veggie roll at each restaurant.

Here are the rolls I got at each place in order, all pictured above:

1. Tempura Asparagus Roll at Sushi Tao – 768 18th Street
2. Tempura Yam Roll at Nori Sushi Sake Grill – 761 8th Street
3. Sunshine Roll at Sushi Spot – 670 9th Street #101
4. Humboldt Hunny Roll at Tomo Sushi – 761 8th Street

I started at Sushi Tao at 1pm for lunch and ended at Tomo around 5pm. I sat down at each place instead of getting take-out and really enjoyed myself! You should consider trying all four spots by doing a sushi crawl while in Arcata, too!

Best Mexican Food in Arcata

Arcata offers a great mix of Mexican restaurants, serving everything from street tacos to dishes with locally sourced ingredients. These are the ones to try.

• Rita’s Margaritas & Mexican – 855 8th St
• Ralibertos Taco Shop – 1811 G St
• Hey Juan Burritos – 1642 1/2 G St

Best Sweet Treats & Dessert Shops

Aside from the sweet treats and desserts I mentioned above, if you have a sweet tooth, you’ll want to add these spots to your list of places to eat in Arcata.

Arcata Scoop – Cinnamon. Honey Lavender. Cardamom. Those are just three of the unique flavors available at Arcata Scoop. All their handcrafted ice cream is made with the highest quality organic and locally sourced ingredients. The shop is whimsical and fun to visit, too! Address: 1068 I Street

Café Mokka – A hot chocolate after a soak at Café Mokka (and a round of Scrabble with a friend) was my weekly Sunday afternoon ritual when I lived in Arcata. You don’t have to use their hot tubs (or sauna, although I cannot recommend it more) to enjoy the cafe. Address: 495 J Street

Ramone’s Bakery – Go to the one inside Wildberries Marketplace. I used to love picking up a pastry and eating it out on their patio while reading a book. Address: 747 13th Street

Best Late-Night Bites

Don’s Donuts, Pizza & Deli

I am adding Don’s to this list with a huge disclaimer. It was closed during my entire visit over Christmas and New Year’s, so I wasn’t able to pop in to see if it was still the same as I remembered. Or to get a good picture.

I’ll tell you what I remember about it, though. They had the most delicious, homemade old-fashioned donuts I’ve ever had. No over-the-top, fancy flavors with bacon or cereal on top or anything like that, just simple, tasty treats.

My absolute favorites were their apple fritters – they were giant! And fun fact – they paired perfectly with a slice of their pizza at 2 AM after a night at the bar.

Address: 933 H Street

Other Notable Places to Eat

Arcata Theater Lounge – I absolutely loved munching on some vegetarian chili cheese fries while watching sci-fi movies, cult classics, or Patriots games at ATL. Their menu has changed, but they still have movie nights! Address: 1036 G Street

Wildberries Marketplace – They have an outstanding smoothie and juice bar, a hot bar, and Ramone’s Bakery for sweet treats. My favorite part about this place is their patio, pictured above. Make sure to sit out there if you get something to eat here! Address: 747 13th Street

There are lots of other restaurants in Arcata that I haven’t tried yet, and a few that didn’t quite make my favorites list but are still good nonetheless. If the menus appeal to you, check them out when you’re in town.

I’ll keep adding to the post as I visit and try new places!