Seafood, seafood, seafood! If there’s one cuisine you can expect to find in Morro Bay in every way, shape and form, locally caught, sustainably sourced with local ingredients, it is seafood.
From restaurants recommended by TripAdvisor to those that have been serving Morro Bay for almost a century, to venues with live entertainment that donate to dozens of local charities, you won’t be lacking for anything when eating in Morro Bay, CA.
Many of these restaurants are located on the Embarcadero, from which you can see not only Morro Bay but also ‘Morro Rock, one of the nine visible volcanic hills and mountains in a chain that stretches from Morro Bay all the way to the city of San Luis Obispo.’
Take a look at this list of best restaurants in Morro Bay and see what you think. Note: any time price listings weren’t available from the menus on the restaurants’ websites, pricing was taken from reviews on Yelp!
1. GIOVANNI’S FISH MARKET
$$ | 805-772-2025 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
Not only a restaurant, Giovanni’s name isn’t lying – it’s also a fully functional fish market, with fresh fish fillets, crab, abalone, lobster, oysters, shrimp, sushi and sashimi, and other shellfish plus smoked fish.
Then, at the restaurant, any combination of the above list can be found deep fried, in chowder, raw on the shell, barbecued, or in poke or rice bowls!
2. FRANKIE & LOLA’S FRONT STREET CAFE
$$ | 805-771-9306 | WEBSITE
Frankie and Lola’s is open for a delicious breakfast menu from 7 am -12:30 pm. Lots of scrambles and omelettes are available, as well as burritos and open and closed-face sandwiches.
Also, in place of the many meat sausages used, vegetarian sausages that are veritably scrumptious can be substituted: soy chorizo, sundries tomato soy sausage, and tofu!
3. TOGNAZZANI’S DOCKSIDE
$$$ | 805-772-8100 | WEBSITE
There are multiple locations of the beloved restaurant – this is a review for the dockside location! Dockside support local Morro Bay fisherman by using locally caught, fresh seafood in its dishes whenever possible.
A nearby dock outside of the restaurant is used by local fisheries to offload their catches, which can be viewed through the restaurant windows (as well as Morro’s Rock.)
4. SHINE CAFE
$ | 805-771-8344 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
Ready to get your vegan on? Located at the same address as the Sunshine Health Foods market, Shine Cafe is also next to a juice bar – all owned by the same folks!
Shine Cafe was established in 1998, and its vegan cuisine features fresh local organic ingredients. Plus, there’s a breakfast menu for the weekends – including smoothies from the juice bar!
5. DORN’S BREAKERS CAFE
$$$ | 805-772-4415 | WEBSITE
Dorn’s Breakers Cafe opened in 1942! Known for its fresh and local seafood, Dorn’s menu carries such specialties as a calamari sandwich, a crab and shrimp salad, half-shell oysters starters served with warm sourdough bread, ahi, lobster tail, and even such turf dishes as New York steak dry-aged on the premises.
Lunch is 11-4, dinner starts at 4 – and the dessert menu is any time, baby!
6. HOFBRAU
$$ | 805-772-2411 | WEBSITE
Hofbrau has been in business for over 50 years! They are now open every single day from 11 am to 8 pm.
Overlooking Morro Bay from the Embarcadero, Hofbrau offers fresh seafood, salads, and a variety of burgers and sandwiches. Try their seafood sandwiches: calamari steak, arctic cod, or salmon burger.
7. MORRO BAY BUTCHER & DELI
$$ | 805-225-1440 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
In the age of the supermarket, Morro Bay Butcher & Deli “are a group of young entrepreneurs who aim to be a part of the resurgence of consciously sourced, quality, local, meats to the marketplace.”
Morro Bay Butcher offers cuts of beef, pork, chicken, and lamb, and the deli serves hot and cold sandwiches from 11-4 Tuesday through Saturday.
Look for the Brie Grilled Cheese with roasted red pepper, and the Hot Mess sando with shredded beef, arugula and sriracha mayo!
8. BLUE SKY BISTRO ON THE BAY
$$ | 805-772-8988 | WEBSITE
Recommended on TripAdvisor with the 2014 Certificate of Excellence, Blue Sky Bistro is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – as well as private events and live entertainment!
Blue Sky Bistro’s menu uses fresh wild-caught and sustainably raised seafood, with many locally sourced ingredients, and also donates to literally dozens of charities.
9. THE GALLEY SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR
$$$ | 805-772-7777 | WEBSITE
Overlooking the waterfront, The Galley Seafood Bar & Grill utilizes seasonal ingredients from the head chef’s own family garden, located in the Los Osos valley. Vegetarian dishes are available. Try the shrimp scampi, the surf and turf, or the blackened fish or shrimp tacos.
10. HOUSE OF JUJU
$$ | 805-225-1828 | WEBSITE
House of Juju is so popular that this is the second location, with a third new restaurant coming soon to Idaho!
The original location is in Clovis, CA. Burger meat choices include USDA-certified Angus beef, free range ground turkey, portabella mushroom, all natural grilled chicken, or all natural free range bison!
House of Juju takes visitors’ experiences into very serious consideration and hope that you will reach out via the contact form on their website so that you feel like family.
11. DUTCHMAN’S SEAFOOD HOUSE
$$ | 805-772-2269 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
Dutchman’s Seafood House is available to host private events. You can order takeout anytime of the day, all day every day!
The restaurant also has an option to become a VIP and be the first to learn about exclusive events, secret menus, special discounts and offers, as well as loyalty rewards.
12. THAI ELEPHANT MORRO BAY
$$ | 805-772-5988 | WEBSITE
There aren’t many restaurants in Morro Bay that are reviewed by fans that aren’t straight seafood, so you know this must be good Thai cuisine!
From coconut shrimp to garlic edamame starters, Thai Elephant Morro Bay also boasts delicious Thom Ka and Thom Yum soup with your choice of chicken, shrimp, or seafood protein; as well as wonton soup stuffed with chicken wontons.
Try the curry, sauteed, fried rice and noodle dishes as well as the salads and the chef’s specials!
13. THE SAVORY PALETTE
$$$ | 805-772-8388 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
Looking for a wine shop that also has wine appreciation classes and live music? The Savory Palette is primarily a wine shop but also offers a delicious small plate menu.
Among their tapas are a mini open-faced steak sandwich, scallops in champagne butter sauce, a sausage snack plate, various flatbread, and something called Roasted Frog’s Balls: roasted Brussels sprouts with a yummy goat cheese topping.
14. WINDOWS ON THE WATER
$$$$ | 805-772-0677 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
Windows On the Water prides itself in offering you “locally raised livestock, seafood and organically grown produce.” Its menu changes seasonally because its produce comes from local farmers!
The venue is available for private events: weddings, receptions, corporate events and other large parties. Try the Fijian ahi or the cioppino!
15. THE SIREN RHYTHM & BOOZE
$$ | 805-225-1312 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
Not many sports bars made it onto this list, but there’s a reason for this one! From live music to dancing to billiards, The Siren Rhythm & Booze offers a chance to kick up your boots while providing delicious eats!
On Tuesdays they have free open blues jams – hence the venue’s name. Take in a show while trying some Baja inspired tacos.
Summary
Satisfied? The 15 best restaurants in Morro Bay do have a variety of cuisines, but seafood takes the prize here.
One would expect no less, with Morro Bay’s beautiful seaside views of Morro Rock. When you visit Morro Bay, CA make sure you bring this list with you for when you get hungry. Bon appetit!
What about roses landing on Embacadero