Avila Beach may not be a gastronomic capital, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good choices to eat any time of day. This gem of a town on the California Central Coast offers many things to do, considering its size, and the same is true for its cuisine.
From some of the best and freshest seafood you’ll ever try to delicious treats to indulge your sweet tooth, super healthy cafes, and European-style bistros, there is a little something for everyone in Avila Beach, if you know where to look.
In this article, you’ll find a list of the best restaurants in Avila Beach where you can treat your taste buds during a visit. Check them out!
Custom House
If you like to eat quality food while sitting at an outdoor patio enjoying views of the ocean (and who doesn’t?), then head to Custom House restaurant, on Avila Beach’s lovely promenade.
With a relaxed atmosphere and amazing views, they have a very extensive menu, and options for all palates.
They serve very fresh fish and veggies, a great steak, and pizzas. There are also vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and even a bar for you to grab a cocktail while watching the sunset.
The cutest detail, though? Custom House is Avila Beach’s most pet-friendly restaurant, they even have a doggie menu!
Address: 404 Front Street
Opening Hours: Daily from 11 AM to 9 PM
Mersea’s
Mersea’s is the famous restaurant on the pier, locally renowned for its high-quality ingredients, great service, and unbeatable views over the bay.
Located at the end of the Harford pier, they offer unpretentious but fantastic fresh food and quick service. Try their clam chowder, the fresh oysters, or the fish and shrimp tacos, coupled with a drink from the bar. They also have some of the fairest prices for quality in the area!
There is indoor sitting, but nothing beats sitting outside on the deck and watching a marine life spectacle while you eat. You may spot seals, otters, sea lions, pelicans, seagulls, or even whales if you’re lucky.
Address: 3985 Avila Beach Drive
Opening Hours: Daily from 11 AM to 8 PM
Hula Hut & Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream
This super-friendly cafe is a great option for breakfast, or to stop for that much-needed afternoon coffee. Hula Hut specializes in ice creams, cakes, and gifts, so it’s a great spot not only for those with a serious sweet tooth but also to get a souvenir for your loved ones back home.
They offer smoothies, sandwiches, great bacon, breakfast burritos, and many cakes and pastries, like brownies, lemon cake, and banana muffins.
You can also grab a sandwich to go and have a beach picnic, although they are located on the promenade, so you can easily sit outdoors and enjoy the view of the water.
Hula Hut teamed up with Doc Burnstein’s -in what looks like a blissful combination- to offer handcrafted, super-premium ice cream, which is kind of famous in California, and they’ll let you sample different flavors before picking your favorite!
Address: 380 Front Street
Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM in the summer, and from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM in the winter
Fat Cats
There are really no cats at the Fat Cats Café at Avila Beach. The name came from a big cat that adopted the restaurant during construction and stayed on for some time.
Fat Cats has been a local favorite since 1985 and is named one of the 5 can’t-miss eateries on the Pacific Coast Highway by USA Today Travels. That should tell you something!
This rustic and charming restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which makes it a great option throughout the day. They also have an outdoor patio that is heated when it’s cold, so you can enjoy the ocean views any time of year.
Having built a reputation for its ocean views and great service, Fat Cats has an extensive menu with options for all palates and diets, but they stand out for having some of the best seafood in Avila Beach, raved out over and over again.
Address: 3920 Avila Beach Drive
Opening Hours: Daily from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Ocean Grill
Sitting right by the ocean, Ocean Grill at Avila Beach is a more contemporary spot offering a wide selection of foods, including wood-fired pizzas, seafood & American entrees.
The menu is quite varied, with many dishes for starters, salads, and flatbreads. Their clam chowder is particularly good and praised!
Of course, they also offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options in all courses, and, although there’s no separate bar, they have a huge selection of wines and 8 different tap beers.
Located steps away from the water, they feature a dog-friendly outdoor covered patio with heating for cold days.
Address: 268 Front Street
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu from 4 PM to 8:30 PM; Fri-Sun from 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Blue Moon Over Avila
With this dreamy and romantic name, Blue Moon Over Avila is one of the most elegant restaurants. This is as close to a French Bistro as you can get in this part of the U.S., and the European influences can be seen, felt, and tasted.
At Blue Moon, the emphasis is on seasonal, high-quality ingredients, such as very fresh, locally sourced produce, fresh seafood, and gourmet imported products.
They have a rotating menu, and serve small plates, entreés, and desserts, all accompanied by an excellent selection of boutique wines and beers.
They offer both indoor seating and an outdoor patio overlooking the bay, great for relaxing and enjoying an evening with your significant other in an elegant and stylish setting.
Address: 460 Front Street
Opening Hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Kravabowl
Ready for a detox from all that seafood and fried food? It’s time to pay a visit to Kravabowl, arguably the healthiest place to eat in Avila Beach, and no doubt the best spot for some vegan breakfast goodness.
These colorful, delicious, and very Instagrammable fruit and granola bowls are hands down the best in town. Healthy and good for the soul!
Their Acai bowl is the star, but all the bowls are mouth-watering and include excellent fresh fruit and healthy add-ons.
Think pitayas, mango, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, coconut, cacao nibs, granola, honey, and Greek yogurt. If you don’t fancy any of the pre-made combinations, you can build your own bowl!
Of course, they also offer coffee, cold press juices, smoothies, coconut water, and even kombucha for the healthiest among the healthy. They’re located inside the Avila Market.
Address: 354 Front Street (inside the Avila Market)
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM
Avila Market Restaurant & Mercantile
The Avila Market & Mercantile gathers a bit of everything and puts it under the same roof to make life easier for you. With a casual and relaxed style, this market has one of the most diverse menus in town.
And don’t be deceived, fast doesn’t mean unhealthy here. This is a great place for vegetarians and vegans too. The wide selection of foods includes sandwiches, wraps, burgers, salads, poke bowls, tacos, many breakfast options, granola bowls, and the most hipster avocado toast you can think of.
Seafood is also present, with Fish & Chips, calamari, shrimp, and award-winning clam chowder. The Market is a great spot to stop by and pick a little something for a beach picnic, and always a good idea to have both dinner and lunch.
Address: 354 Front Street
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 9 PM
As you can see, small doesn’t mean limited, and Avila delivers in the food department too, making it an even more enticing destination in this part of California. Take your pick between the many options of bars and restaurants, and simply enjoy the views over the Pacific in pure Californian style.
Kathy Trevino
Monday 31st of July 2023
My favorite place go every year 4 the last 21years
Stefania Guglielmi
Tuesday 1st of August 2023
Amazing! Which one is your favorite restaurant?