01
Best overall pick
Brick & Fire Bistro
Myrtletown & Midtown Eureka • Cozy Wood‑Fired Bistro • Date‑Night Favorite
A warm, brick‑lined spot known for wood‑fired pizzas, seasonal mains, and an intimate dining room that still feels relaxed.
From Myrtletown, Brick & Fire Bistro is a quick hop down Myrtle Avenue into a neighborhood that feels more residential than touristy, but the food is worth planning around. The menu leans on a roaring wood oven for pizzas, roasted vegetables, and hearty mains that highlight local produce. Ask about nightly specials and be ready to reserve ahead on weekends, when locals tend to fill the small dining room early.
02
Best for beers and pub food
Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe
Downtown Eureka • Lively Craft Brewery Pub • Best For Groups And Beer Lovers
A colorful Eureka institution pouring its own beers alongside big plates of classic pub comfort food.
Lost Coast’s taproom and cafe make a practical choice when you’re coming into downtown from Myrtletown and want something easy but still local. The menu covers burgers, fish and chips, and hearty plates that pair naturally with their IPA‑heavy tap list. It’s casual, kid‑tolerant, and loud in a good way, which makes it a smart pick for mixed groups or a relaxed first night in town.
03
Best harbor‑view seafood
Café Waterfront
Old Town Eureka Waterfront • Classic Seafood Restaurant In A Historic Building • Best For A Relaxed Special Occasion
An Old Town standby in a historic brick building, serving local seafood and steaks with views toward the harbor.
Café Waterfront sits right where you want to be if you’ve driven in from Myrtletown to stroll Old Town before or after dinner. Inside, the room mixes old‑Eureka character—brick walls, big windows, a long bar—with a menu built around local fish, oysters, and well‑executed staples like chowder and steaks. It works equally well for a slightly dressy night out or a long lunch watching the weather move over Humboldt Bay.
04
Most uniquely local experience
Samoa Cookhouse
Samoa Peninsula, Across Humboldt Bay • Historic Family‑Style Cookhouse • Worth‑The‑Drive Destination
A former lumber camp cookhouse where meals are still served family‑style at long tables, heavy on comfort food and local lore.
Driving across the bridge from Myrtletown to the Samoa Peninsula feels like a small trip back in time, and Samoa Cookhouse leans into that history. You don’t order from a menu; instead, they bring out whatever’s cooking that day—think fried chicken, biscuits, potatoes, and generous sides—served family‑style at big communal tables. Plan a little extra time to walk through the attached logging museum, which helps explain why this place matters so much to locals.
05
Best laid‑back bayfront stop
Gill's By The Bay
King Salmon, South Of Eureka • Casual Waterside Diner And Seafood Spot • Relaxed Breakfast And Lunch Pick
A low‑key spot right on the water, known for hearty breakfasts, chowder, and simple seafood plates overlooking the bay.
Gill’s By The Bay is a bit of a detour from Myrtletown, but the drive south rewards you with a quieter, almost vacation‑town feel. Locals come for big breakfasts, strong coffee, and clam chowder served with a view of fishing boats drifting by outside the windows. It’s the kind of place where you linger over an extra cup of coffee, then wander the shoreline before heading back into town.