Mendocino Cafe

This is a really cute café that my boyfriend and I stumbled onto while walking around town.
My boyfriend and I was in Mendocino for valentine’s day and I did not realize everything in a smallish town would close early. I had reserved a hot tub session from 8pm-​9pm and we saw this restaurant before that. We were both so disappointed that it would be closed by the time the hot tub session was over because the menu looked so good.
Luckily, one hour is actually too long and we didn’t last that long. So at about 8:40 ish we came back to this place and asked if they were still serving (and they were!).
We ordered the chicken caesar salad the thai burrito, both of which was yummy. The thai burrito was a good fusion of two different cultures and I really liked it. The caesar salad wasn’t particularly special, but it did taste good.
What I liked most about the place was the ambiance and how nice the servers were. Even though we came near closing, they never rushed us and the server came over to check on us often. They were great about re-​filling our waters and our food was brought out fast. The dining area also was really cute with art work representative of the local bay area (saw a painting depicting the SF chinatown).

One of the best restaurant’s in Mendocino! Small but quaint! Love the outdoor patio. Very accommodating. Our food was on time and delicious! Thank you for a wonderfull Valentine’s dinner!

This was my favorite restaurant in Mendocino! We didn’t want to go to any super fancy and expensive restaurant, but did try quite a few while in town. This was one of the most popular places in the area, so reservation is a good idea, or show up early. The place was very cozy, and the waitstaff were nice and efficient. We ordered a fish dish from the daily special menu, and a few other items from the standard menu. Everything was delicious! The ingredients were so fresh, and the sauces and spices complemented the ingredients very well. The portions were generous and prices were reasonable. We also ordered the panna cotta for dessert. I love panna cotta and will always get them whenever possible, but the one we had here was just ok, not enough flavor for me. I would definite come back here for dinner next time I’m in Mendocino, but maybe try a different dessert.

A decent place whose food is so diverse it really doesn’t adequately belie what this small café is all about. They have major issues with service and the overall handling of their dishes, but this is a solid place that potentially deserves a second look (not without some major changes that would have to happen though).
I was here on New Year’s weekend for a wedding and this is where we came to a day after. The place was packed which isn’t surprising because it was clearly in a former house, which many of the restaurants in Mendocino area had previous lives as. The difference here is that there was a huge side porch that had a ton of sun and not much shade (natural and umbrellas were both sorely lacking, and it was an actual sunny day in Mendocino!). But following the advice of my fellow Unilocalers, I knew the place had potential. Like many of the reviews had already acknowledged, Mendocino Café’s menu is all over the place with dishes that are Asian inspired, Mexican, Italian, All-​American, and a traditional coffee shop. Like I said all over the place.
We got there at about 1pm on New Year’s Day and of course the place was packed. But not too packed as we got sat right away, once the serving crew acknowledged we were standing at the front door for what seemed like forever. Once we got the menu, I have to admit the prices are not as affordable as I hoped they would be, but of course after looking at the pictures that my fellow Unilocalers shared on the Unilocal app, I knew the portions would be hearty to say the least.
Since I wasn’t too hungry, I almost just went with the clam chowder, which many have said on Unilocal is divine. But I saw the portion and knew it would be too small. (It’s like I’m a real life Goldilocks!) Then I saw a pic of the Ahi Salad posted on Unilocal,and said that’s just right for me! It was a surprisingly exotic dish, coming from Mendocino after all with buckwheat soba noodles, cabbage, marinated cucumbers and topped with two large fillets of seared ahi tuna doused with a sesame-​ginger vinaigrette, and at 16 dollars it was well worth the price.

My fellow diners hadn’t eaten all day and they were hungrier than I so they went with the Thai Firepot. We heard others nearby us ordering that same dish and it sounded intriguing with its mixture of red curry broth, vegetables, chicken, which all topped bean thread noodles (whatever those are). My other friend got the Café Burrito Mojado, a traditional beef burrito topped with mojado sauce, sour cream and guacamole. Both dishes were filling and huge and at 14 dollars a piece a somewhat decent bargain for lunch. (Especially compared to my dish) For some reason, my friend also wanted to try the apple crisp for dessert and it was a real miss. I’d advise not ordering that one dish should you come.
It was a solid experience at Café Mendocino. Would I come back? Honestly, I don’t know as there are ton of options left in the small shopping and eating corridor that can always use some business. The menu is eclectic and the portions are solid and the good news is this place does in fact take credit cards unlike many small establishments in Mendocino. The staff is trying their best, but sometimes seem like they can’t keep up with the rush. Maybe at dinner time it’s a different story.

Nice little café in downtown with great food. Has a lot of options for vegetarians. Try out the quesadilla here.

We stayed at the Mendocino Hotel over Christmas and ate here one morning. In a word– outstanding. Wonderful setting, meal and service… reasonably priced.

The service was friendly and prompt and kept our water glasses full. Seafood fettuccine was delicious, clam chowder was not too salty — the way I like it, and the crab cake sandwich was simply amazing. Blackened Rockfish Sandwich came with a wonderful homemade Aoli sauce! Will definitely come back next time we come through Mendocino.

We had dinner here over the weekend and really liked it quite a bit. It was busy but the wait wasn’t too long. My husband raved about the Curry Thai Fire Pot, he’s still talking about it lol! I had the Big River salad with chicken. The veggies were so fresh and the chicken well cooked and had great flavor. Wish we had room for dessert! Next time.

Wonderful back patio and «Healing Soup». Perfect way to spend a late warm sunny afternoon. Thank you!

Ironically we were sent here by a waitress at the Trillium Café because she said the Mendocino Café has the best clam chowder in town. Wow. She was right. The food was delicious, fresh and quick. The waiters always have a smile on the face and are so friendly. Our two bowls of delicious, chunky chowder were followed by a crab cake sandwich and pastrami sandwich. You Must try the crab cake if you like moist flaky big chunks of fresh crab topped w home made tangy coleslaw. It was so lightly breaded it was practically seared and served with a home made bun. It came with a spicy aoli sauce. The pastrami sandwich was equally delicious piled high with meat and a great bun. By far our best dining experience in Mendocino.

Very comfortable patio dining:-) In fact, I would suggest sitting outside rather than in, especially if the weather is permits.
The food was interesting and yummy! We ordered a Thai burrito– spicy, filling, and flavorful!- and a Mendo salad with their house mustard dressing. The dressing was incredible, just the right amount of vinegar and mustard. For dessert we got the blueberry/​apple crisp. It was hot and buttery. I liked it fine, but probably would not reorder it.
Really, only the service was lacking– mainly in part because we had so many different people coming to the table. I wouldn’t mind trying this place for a low-​maintence lunch again. Cheers!

This review is for the cup of coffee and the best bread pudding I’ve ever had. Warm, with a nice crust and soft center, with plenty of fresh cream and custard. So good! After the over priced dinner at Flow, their price point was soooo refreshing.

I had a lackluster experience here. Given it was a crowded evening, I was seated quite promptly, but that’s where the service pretty much ended. The server took over 20 minutes to get to my table, even though he passed by it several times… and that was when the water finally arrived as well. By then I was about to leave. I ordered their Café Catch, which was blackened rockfish, with mushrooms, veggies, and a side of spicy aioli sauce. It finally came, but without the mushrooms! I was so starving I almost finished the dish before realizing that there were no mushrooms. Mendocino was a nice place to visit, but I don’t think I’ll come here again the next time I am in town.

Have eaten here numerous times and lived to tell the tale. Beautiful garden setting with a sweet cat frolicking about adding to it’s appeal (maybe not for everybody)…(lots of animals and hippies sighted from the deck)…one can see what a true hippie looks like (cachinate).
if you don’t like the food. return it…

Quaint little café offering eclectic menu. Husband had the burger, said it was the most flavorful patty he has ever had. I had the crab cake sandwich which was so yummy I scraped the little bits that fell onto the plate. Interesting beverage selections and a wide variety of desserts. Recommend sitting on the patio overlooking a small garden filled with the most adorable yellow chirping finches.

We ordered lentil soup and indian masala curry and decided to share between the two of us. The lentil soup was good for the cold weather though a little less black pepper would have given more flavor.
They were nice to split the curry for us, it was so delicious and it’s mint chutney was nice — tangy
They were friendly and the service was pleasant.

We’ve got food poisoning after dining here on our last night in Mendocino. We shared the clam chowder, Brazilian fish stew, and blackened rock fish. We’re thinking it’s the fish stew but can’t be sure. Within an hour of the meal, We were throwing up in our hotel bathroom. (We didn’t have anything else that night).
Service was warm and friendly tho, just wish we didn’t get sick on our vacation. =/

Three stars for this place.
For the price of their dishes, I was expecting a lot more bang for my buck. Tip for anyone traveling to Mendocino, be prepared to fork over the money when eating out.
Anyway tried this place last Friday night and we were seating right away. Hostess and waitress were very nice.
They have an eclectic menu ranging from clam chowder to Thai hot pots. I however ordered the local rockfish which was very firm and somewhat tough. I’ve never had rockfish before so I’m not sure if that’s the typical texture. It was served in a garlic white wine sauce with a side of rice and veggies.
Clam chowder was good, nothing to rave about. $ 5 cup or $ 8 bowl.
What I was very impressed with was the bread we got to munch on and the apple blueberry crisp with homemade whipped cream.
Tip– lots of vegetarian and gluten free options at this place.

I stopped in here a number of times on my trip to Mendocino and grabbed a bite to eat and sit on the patio or read. I always had the soup and salad, which was a great value.
The salad is very fresh and well made with lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, onions, and cucumbers with your choice of dressing. A big bowl of soup, and a few pieces of brown bread.

Chicken satay — 3 star dish. The chicken was very tender — they give you 3 skewers. The peanut sauce kills this dish as their version is mild and not peanutty — IMO.
Dim sum — 4 star dish — very tasty and good to share. The dipping sauce is pretty meh and super salty (it is soy sauce after all)
Shrimp — 3 stars — good flavor.
The candy sauce — is a crazy habanero hot sauce — lets just say if you like spicy you got it and in the words of confusions — long way little goes! …
Vino = atrea old soul red — had to get the bottle for this good table wine — can you tell it’s getting to my head. Confucious or Yoda .
PS-​key to making best dipping sauce:
1-​part candy sauce (special req only)
1-​part dim sum dipping sauce
1-​squirt agave sweetener (on table)
Hot Lips!!!
Apple blueberry crisp — wonderful! 4 stars!
It would have been better with ice cream.
Light and not too sweet.
Bread pudding with brandy sauce — she’s a bread pudding snob so only asked for half an order with everything on the side — her verdict — 3 stars… nuff said.