This waterfront restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner was first made famous in “The Birds,” but today is popular for its fresh seafood and endless views, including those of a working fishing dock. There is patio seating, but on chillier days, the place to dine is inside next to a window, where you can enjoy Barbecued Oysters or Cioppino as you gaze out at the ocean.


Image courtesy of The Inn at the Tides

This intimate and unassuming restaurant bills itself as “a casual neighborhood spot,” but there is nothing casual about the impeccably prepared dishes, which are inspired by seasonal ingredients and global cuisines. The menu is seafood-focused, but those craving chicken or steak will be equally as satisfied. (Vegetarians, on the other hand, will want to check the menu ahead of time to make sure there’s something for them other than salads and dessert).


Image courtesy of Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant

During the commercial fishing seasons, the crab and wild king salmon that you eat at this small family-owned restaurant come straight from the dock where the owner and his son unload the day’s catch. Obviously, that means anything with salmon or crab are the dishes to order. And don’t worry—if you’re there outside of crab season, you can still get crab cakes and crab cocktail. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to try their famous New England clam chowder. (Not into seafood? The chili dogs don’t disappoint.) Dress warmly as the seating at Spud Point Crab Company is all at picnic tables on the outdoor patio.


Image courtesy of Spud Point Crab Company

This casual wine bar is the perfect stop for a glass of wine and an afternoon snack. Snag a spot on the patio that looks out to the water if you can, and order a flight of wine (served on an adorable wooden surfboard) and oysters and a wood-fired pizza to share.


Image courtesy of Gourmet Au Bay

Pop into this no-frills seafood shack to satisfy your barbecue oyster and fish and chips cravings. You’ll spot it easily as it’s covered in kitschy decor, like colorful hanging buoys and a boat painted like a shark. Order at the counter and enjoy your food outside on the covered patio.


Image courtesy of Facebook: The Boat House

Eating your way through Bodega Bay definitely involves trying a lot of different clam chowders to determine which one is actually the best. Ginochio’s is made from scratch every day and has a perfect scallop and clam-to-potato ratio (aka: a lot more of the former than the latter). The restaurant is also known for its Buttery Dungeness Crab Sandwich—loads of local crab and creamy havarti cheese between two slices of buttery grilled sourdough bread. However, if you need a break from seafood, Ginochio’s also puts out some top-notch barbecue, including beef brisket and pulled pork that spends 14 hours in the cherry wood smoker. And though it will be obvious upon arrival, the outdoor patio with water views is the spot to sit. (Ginochio’s also serves breakfast, including a popular hash made with that previously mentioned beef brisket.)


Image courtesy of Ginochio’s Kitchen

For a true fine dining experience in Bodega Bay, look no further than Drakes Sonoma Coast, where you’ll find gorgeous views of the water, a menu of seasonal dishes that “celebrate the abundance of Sonoma” made with local and sustainably farmed produce, seafood, and meats, a large stone fireplace that adds warmth to the space (literally and figuratively), and an excellent wine list highlighting local Sonoma County wineries along the Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley. If a fancy sit down dinner isn’t on your agenda, stop by and enjoy drinks and oysters outdoors next to one of the firepits.


Image courtesy of The Lodge at Bodega Bay

Like many of the restaurants in Bodega Bay, Lucas Wharf was originally owned by two brothers who were successful commercial fisherman and wanted to see the fruits of their labor enjoyed by locals and visitors. The restaurant sits on a pier overlooking the water, so while you’re dining you may see fishing boats unloading their catch and sea lions playing in the water. During King Salmon season, that’s the thing to order: It comes prepared in four ways, all of which are delicious, but the creamy dijon sauce is always an excellent choice.


Image courtesy of Lucas Wharf Restaurant & Bar

This casual and affordable restaurant has a spacious patio with Bay views where you can dine without any fear of a literal reenactment of any of the scenes of the famous horror film for which it is named. (Although it is always a good idea to protect ones fries when seagulls are in the vicinity—a lesson most people need only learn once.) You’ll find a lot of items on the menu that are on many of the menus in Bodega Bay (fish and chips, clam chowder), but the fish tacos are the thing to order.


Image courtesy of Facebook: The Birds Cafe