Photo courtesy of Drakes Sonoma Coast (at Bodega Bay Lodge)
The Sonoma Coast doesn’t get more classic than Bodega Bay. Perched on the edge of the Pacific, this fishing village turned weekend escape has a food scene built around what the ocean provides—crab, chowder, and oysters so fresh they barely hit the plate. From roadside clam chowder stands to white-tablecloth dinners with ocean views, here’s where to eat in Bodega Bay and the surrounding Sonoma Coast.
Part market, part restaurant, The Tides Wharf is pure coastal tradition. Known from Hitchcock’s The Birds, it has been serving seafood favorites for decades. Expect clam chowder, fish and chips, and local oysters straight from the bay. Nothing fancy, just done right.
Favorite Local’s Dish: Bodega Bay Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.
Tip: Order a cup of chowder at the counter downstairs and take it to the outdoor deck for harbor views without the wait.
Visit: 800 California Highway 1, Bodega Bay, California 94923
Contact: (707) 875-2751
Price Range: $$
Website: innatthetides.com/tides-wharf-restaurant
Photos courtesy of Open Table, Terrapin Creek Café & Restaurant
While Terrapin Creek once held a Michelin star, the spot still manages to stay relaxed, feeling like a neighborhood bistro that happens to serve some of the best seafood in Northern California. Menus change often, but Dungeness crab cakes, house-made pasta, and fresh vegetables keep regulars coming back.
Favorite Local’s Dish: Pan-Roasted Petrale Sole with black rice and lemon butter sauce.
Tip: Reserve early. The dining room is small, and locals fill it fast.
Visit: 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay, California 94923
Contact: (707) 875-2700
Price Range: $$$–$$$$
Website: terrapincreekcafe.com
Bodega Bay is a top Sonoma Coast vacation destination for a reason—there’s lots to eat, see, and explore. When you’re ready to settle in for a few days of taking in beautiful scenery and eating all the delicious seafood, look no further than these top hotels in Bodega Bay. Explore Now
No frills, no tablecloths, just crab pulled from local waters that morning. Spud Point is family-run and famous for its crab sandwiches and chowder line that often stretches to the street. It’s everything you want from a coastal shack: quick, fresh, and unforgettable.
Favorite Local’s Dish: Crab Cakes with roasted red pepper sauce.
Tip: Bring cash and arrive before noon. They often sell out early, especially on weekends.
Visit: 1910 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, California 94923
Contact: (707) 875-9472
Price Range: $–$$
Website: spudpointcrabco.com
Tucked inside a small harbor store, Fisherman’s Cove serves grilled oysters, tacos, and casual seafood plates with a local craft-beer list that rivals most city pubs. The picnic tables outside are the move on warm days.
Favorite Local’s Dish: Oysters Kilpatrick with spicy Worcestershire and bacon.
Tip: Ask which beers are from Sonoma County. They rotate taps from the Russian River and Seismic.
Visit: 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, California 94923
Contact: (707) 377-4238
Price Range: $–$$
Website: fishermanscovebodegabay.com
For something refined, Drakes Sonoma Coast inside The Lodge at Bodega Bay offers a fine-dining experience built on coastal ingredients. Picture fresh caught fish, local mushrooms, and wines from nearby vineyards, all paired with panoramic ocean views.
Favorite Local’s Dish: Pan-Seared Black Cod with cannellini beans, escarole, and shitake mushrooms.
Tip: Stop in for happy hour at Drakes Fireside Lounge before dinner. It’s one of the best sunset spots in town.
Visit: 103 Coast Highway 1, Bodega Bay, California 94923
Contact: (707) 875-3525
Price Range: $$$
Website: www.lodgeatbodegabay.com/drakes-sonoma-coast
A coastal wine bar with reservation-worthy views, Gourmet Au Bay is a casual yet refined lunch and dinner spot in Bodega Bay. Their menu features unique seafood-focused dishes, many of which are cooked in their wood-fired oven, like the chile shrimp pizza and wood-fired Miyagi oysters. It’s all paired perfectly with an extensive wine list that features bottles from Napa, Sonoma, and beyond.
Favorite Local’s Dish: Smoked Clam Pizza with bacon and pecorino romano.
Tip: Bringing Fido along? Gourmet Au Bay’s patio is dog-friendly for those exploring the Sonoma Coast with their pup.
Visit: 1412 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Contact: (707) 875-9875
Price Range: $$
Website: gourmetaubay.com
What is Bodega Bay known for?
Bodega Bay is known for its working harbor, dramatic ocean views, and fresh-off-the-boat seafood. It’s also where Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Birds in 1963, cementing the town’s place in pop culture. Beyond that, travelers come for whale-watching, kayaking, and quiet coastal escapes that still feel authentically local. Here are the top things to do in Bodega Bay.
Where can I find the best seafood in Bodega Bay?
For classic crab sandwiches and chowder, Spud Point Crab Company is the must-stop. Terrapin Creek highlights beautifully plated seafood dishes, while The Tides Wharf offers casual comfort with a postcard harbor view. If you like oysters, Fisherman’s Cove grills them over open flame just steps from the water.
Is Terrapin Creek still Michelin-rated?
No, Terrapin Creek’s Michelin star was not renewed after 2018, despite a seven-year streak. What it lacks in Michelin recognition, it makes up for in delicious food and cozy ambiance.
Bodega Bay balances rugged coastal character with quietly excellent food. Whether you are chasing crab sandwiches, a long lunch by the water, or a wine-paired dinner as the fog rolls in, the town proves that the heart of Sonoma dining doesn’t stop at the vineyards. It keeps going all the way to the edge of the Pacific.
