01
Best pre-hike coffee
Crags View Coffee & Books
Near Castle Crags State Park • Laid-Back Coffeehouse And Café • Best Pre-Hike Stop
A tiny, friendly café where hikers fuel up on espresso, pastries, and simple café bites before or after the trail.
Just up the road from Castle Crags State Park, this spot feels tailor-made for road-trippers and backpackers rolling off the highway. Expect strong coffee, comfort baked goods, and a few easy sandwiches or wraps that travel well in a daypack. Grab a table on the porch when the weather is nice and watch the traffic hum along the canyon.
02
Most talked-about burgers
Yaks on the 5
North Dunsmuir, Just Off I-5 • Lively Burger And Craft Beer Spot • Best For Big Appetites
A destination burger joint known for over-the-top creations, strong flavors, and a fun, high-energy vibe.
Yaks is the place locals steer visitors when they ask where to eat off the freeway. The menu leans into hearty, creative burgers piled high with toppings, plus big salads, fries, and plenty of sauces to sample. It is casual, loud, and a little chaotic in the best way—ideal after a long drive or a big day on the river.
03
Top special-occasion dinner
Cafe Maddalena
Historic Downtown Dunsmuir • Intimate Mediterranean-Inspired Bistro • Coziest Date-Night Choice
A small, candlelit dining room turning out carefully plated, Mediterranean-leaning dishes with a serious wine list.
In a town better known for fishing and trailheads, Cafe Maddalena feels pleasantly unexpected. The cooking is thoughtful and seasonal, with pastas, seafood, and meat dishes that would not be out of place in a bigger city. Reserve ahead if you can, then linger over a bottle of wine and watch the evening settle in over the old railroad town outside.
04
Go-to local hangout
Dunsmuir Brewery Works
Dunsmuir Historic District • Small-Town Brewpub And Grill • Post-Hike Pint Pick
A relaxed brewpub pouring house beers alongside burgers, salads, and pub favorites in a laid-back downtown setting.
Dunsmuir Brewery Works is where guides, anglers, and road-weary travelers end up swapping stories over pints. The beer selection is centered on their own approachable styles, and the food is exactly what you want with a cold IPA—burgers, sandwiches, and a few lighter options. Sit on the patio when the weather cooperates and watch trains roll through the canyon corridor.
05
Favorite for breakfast
Cornerstone Café & Bakery
Central Dunsmuir • Homey Breakfast And Bakery Café • Best For Slow Mornings
A warm, small-town café serving hearty breakfasts, fresh-baked goods, and good coffee in an unhurried atmosphere.
Cornerstone is the kind of place where the servers know half the room by name and the coffee refills keep coming. The menu covers the basics—eggs, pancakes, scrambles, and solid lunch plates—backed up by house-baked breads and sweets. It is a natural first stop before heading back to Castella or continuing north toward Mount Shasta.