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    The Birds Cafe

    4.3 (717 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

    The Birds Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    THE BIRDS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Birds Cafe

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    view from patio
    Betty B.

    honestly, was a memorable lunch. the line was a little long, but moved quickly. The lobster and crab rolls were great and filling. The fruit was fresh and sweet and the view was spectacular.

    Drink options
    Gina S.

    Good seafood with lovely views. So you place your order at a walk up window and pick up at a different window when your hand buzzer goes off, easy peasy. The Seafood combo dish came with the freshest beer battered fish I've ever had. The fish was so flaky and delicious. The batter was on point! The prawns also had the same beer batter and were also very good! The clam chowder was also very good- I saw a lot of complaints that it was too thin and I understand because that is what we are used to here. And while it was on the thinner side, it was still super flavorful and it was generously cooked with lots of clams. Lovely views from the patio as well. A different building sells coffee and bakery items (the brownie was divine!). There is also a gift shop but it was closed by the time we got there. Good food and I don't think you can go wrong whatever you order!

    French fries, fish tacos and shrimp and toasted brioche sandwich with lemon slices
    Rachel H.

    Birds Cafe is quick stop on Highway One that offers beach shack fry-up meets old fashioned Hitchcock nostalgia. We ordered a shrimp remoulade on brioche sandwich and fish tacos and both were solid (nothing to write home about.) The real draw for us was the windswept coastal view. We saw birds floating on the airstream overhead and imagined our food might invite a Tippi Hedren inspired showdown, but all but the most aggressive starling left us alone. Not fancy, but fun, atmospheric, and worth a pit stop if you're in Bodega Bay.

    Table outside
    Toni L.

    Great seafood option for highway 1 Bodega Bay, outdoor seating perching on the deck/bluff with Bayview. Fresh air, sunshine, waterview, can't beat the charming laid-back vibe. Menu Options are the usual coastal seafood, oysters, clams chowder, fish taco, crab and lobster roll, but they also have hot dog. You order at the window like lots of the places along highway 1. It take about 10-15min for the food to come out. Delicious oysters, both raw and BBQ. Good clams chowder too. The crabroll was good but a bit rich in butter for those of.you that love a very buttery roll this one is for you. Overall, a delicious meal. We even stopped by the little coffee shop next to it for a delicious cookie and a spicy pickle :) for the road. We just glad we tried it and not listening to our cousins who were not a fan of this place. Perhaps they are carnivores and not pescatatian like us.

    Fish and chips! Don't forget their amazing tartar sauce!
    Jim M.

    This place just keeps getting better. The food is always fresh and plentiful. I just can't get enough of their tartar sauce either! Your order comes out fast too. On the dining patio there are a large amount of umbrella tables and chairs, and now they have placed pet watering stations around the perimeter. Also, they now have a coffee, dessert and ice cream shack, along with a wonderful fudge and gift shop!

    Heather D.

    Adorable little spot in bodega bay! There was a line for the building with lunch options so I assume it's good. We went to the coffee house for an afternoon pick me up. The coffee we got was decent (iced dirty chai and an iced white mocha), the gourmet fudge was delicious. We did the buy 4 get 2 free deal (it was 6.25 a piece) and all of the flavors were good. It was so good we couldn't stop eating in time and because it was so rich, we practically made ourselves sick. Highly recommend. The other thing I love about this place is the ambience. The seating area is in the midst lush greenery and looks out at the water. Hands down...fresh air, sunshine, and a tasty treat is the perfect addition to any day and well worth the stop.

    Chicken tenders with fries and corn dog with fries
    Jessica P.

    Great option for non-seafood lovers in the area. Stopped by when driving up the coast and was looking for a lunch spot. They have a designated parking lot but was very full and we got the last spot. They had a good selection of seafood, salads and non seafood items. My husband and I aren't big on seafood so it was nice they had other options that weren't an arm and a leg. We ate on the patio and everything was delicious. Their staff was friendly and quick with our order and keeping the patio clean. We got a coffee from the cafe next to the restaurant and noticed they had a lot more patio seating to hangout and enjoy a coffee or soft serve.

    Artichoke Tacos
    Lindsey T.

    Great food in a charming location! This is a super casual spot that semi-overlooks the water. We came here for Saturday lunch and it was pretty light. We were able to order quickly and self service seating at the cafe area. We ordered the oysters, seafood combo, clam chowder, and the shrimp roll. The oysters and the clam chowder were definitely the stars of the show, I'd highly recommend it. The chowder was one of the best I've had in a long time and I love all the pepper and flavor that it had. The other dishes were good as well, though I thought the shrimp roll was a bit average.

    Clam chowder
    Linda V.

    The service was quick and polite. The ambiance and outdoor seating is really spacious, relaxing, and beautiful. We enjoyed the oysters and the clam chowder was good but not memorable. I was really disappointed with the portion for the crab roll- it was about $32 and served with cold crab, also pretty disappointing. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wanted a decent meal.

    Inside
    Kevin G.

    So I was a bit disappointed by the food we ordered: fish & chips, fish tacos. The battered fish had a slight acidic after taste which could be from the oil used. The fish tacos used the same deep fried fish which was disappointing. French fries were okay- nothing special. We all felt like the lunch was nothing special so I'm confused why the place gets such high marks. Perhaps we just ordered the wrong things ? I don't eat raw oysters so maybe that's what people come here for?

    Sharon P.

    I enjoyed this cafe. The drinks and food was reasonable. I refuse to pay $16 for a sandwich or burrito at other locations I went to. I would definitely revisit the shop. The staff was nice, there's plenty of seating. Its kind of located in weird curve so be careful not to pass it up. They also offers lunch dishes and oysters. Check them out.

    Inna D.

    There are so many things I could say about this spot, and all of them would be good! Starting off, their service is really quick, and the menu is simple yet so amazing! They have such beautiful views, tons of seating, but the fish tacos and oysters are what really keep me coming back! I love to do a selection of the various oyster flavors, because they're all delicious. Truly one of Bodega's best spots!

    Fish & Chips
    Sandy G.

    Charming little spot--fish and chips were fresh and crispy, just what you'd hope for. Service was fine, nothing special, but the food made it worth it. Outdoor seating available. Dog friendly.

    The sandwich was good, there was just too much dressing.

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    Page 1 of 18

    Ask the Community - The Birds Cafe

    Do they take reservations?

    I don't think so. It's a walk-up counter, first come, first serve. The line moves very quickly and the food is amazing!

    Hi. Are dogs allowed in the outside seating area? Thanks in advance!

    Most likely yes if they're on a leash and next to you.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Fisherman's Cove - King salmon

    Fisherman's Cove

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Locally sourced ingredients

    Every once in a while, I go to a restaurant that knows how to do it. This was one of those places…read more It's not the fanciest place, but it's perfect for a fishing town. They have seating inside and outside. My mother had been craving fried oysters so I took her here. For some reason, not many places have fried oysters. I think this was the only place in the Bodega Bay area. Not sure why that is. Anyway, the oysters were 5 stars for my mom. They came with a dipping sauce. I think it was the garlic aioli. I ordered the chicken sandwich special that comes with chipotle aioli. I traded that for the garlic aioli. It was loaded with thin slices of chicken breast. I'm not sure what type of bread they used, but it was perfect for the sandwich. When we first ordered, it was Ash who took our order. He's so energetic and friendly. He is part of what makes this place special. They have an attention to detail and service that reminds of the Garden Cafe in San Rafael. I will be back even though I have to drive all the way from Novato. :)

    Lunch at Fisherman's Cove was great start to a weekend road trip!…read more Driving oceanside, you can't help but want a crab sandwich and fish and chips. That's what my boyfriend and I ordered, and were satisfied (not to mention fueled for our hike that afternoon). I agree with other reviews that say it's pricey for what you get, but you'll still have a satisfying meal. The crab sandwich is real fresh, I kinda wish they toasted the bread, but would still recommend it. It came with a few slices of carrot that seemed random IMO, but still ate it. Also, you can't go wrong with the fish and chips! Service was straight-forward - you order and pay at the counter, then take your number to seat where your food is delivered. Most people were sitting outside on the benches, which is where you wanna be, especially on a sunny day with a view of the water. But there are also chairs and tables inside. Parking can be tight around here. The lot outside the restaurant is very small, and the street/back parking signs can be confusing. (There were cars parking in zones clearly marked with "No Parking" signs.)

    Photos
    Fisherman's Cove - Fresh King Salmon for menu special

    Fresh King Salmon for menu special

    Fisherman's Cove - Getting ready to fillet fresh halibut

    Getting ready to fillet fresh halibut

    Fisherman's Cove - Two dozen Beautiful raw Oysters on the half shell with mignonette sauce and lemons

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    Two dozen Beautiful raw Oysters on the half shell with mignonette sauce and lemons

    Spud Point Crab Company

    Spud Point Crab Company

    4.4(1.9k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    We loved this place!…read more We were in Bodega Bay for a couple of days. Ate at Fisherman's Cove for lunch one day. Then came here for lunch the next day. The two restaurants are nextdoor to each other by the harbor. There's street parking - the parking lots are limited so we just parked in the street instead. Spud Point is casual. You wait in the line and order at the window. Then they bring the food out to you. There are some picnic tables and sunshades out front. Very easy and no pretense here! Here's what we ordered: Italian sourdough French bread $5 Red chowder $10 White chowder $10 2 crab sandwiches $20 each Albacore tuna sandwich $11 When ordering the bread, make sure you get some butter. The bread was absolutely delicious with crusty exterior and chewy inside. Perfect accompaniment with the chowder! We loved though New England white chowder. The Manhattan red chowder was fine, but we barely had half of it and took the rest home. The crab sandwich was great too! Tuna sandwich was good! There are other foods for sale at the order window - bags of chips, Crustable sandwiches. Can't wait to come back here! Wish I had the cooler with me to buy live crabs!!! BTW, I didn't see a bathroom here. But Fisherman's Cove (nextdoor) has one. It's just one unisex bathroom so there's a long line!

    My husband and I are from San Francisco, and we've always loved visiting Bodega Bay and Tomales…read moreBay. Spud Point Crab Company used to be one of our favorite stops, especially for their clam chowder. I've tried many clam chowders across California, and for a long time, I thought theirs was the best. Unfortunately, our recent visit last weekend was very disappointing. The clam chowder was not the same--it tasted average at best, and I would honestly rate it a C-. Even more disappointing was the $20 crab sandwich. The portion was extremely small--about the size of chicken teeth) and it was served on what looked like a hot dog bun. For that price, I expected a more generous portion and at least a decent, fresh, high-quality bread. I've never seen anything like this in the Bay Area, especially at that price point. It's really sad to see such a big drop in quality from a place we used to enjoy so much.

    Photos
    Spud Point Crab Company
    Spud Point Crab Company - Crab cakes

    Crab cakes

    Spud Point Crab Company - Crab sandwich

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    Crab sandwich

    Gourmet Au Bay - Oysters

    Gourmet Au Bay

    3.9(376 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Went here yesterday mid day for the first time and while hardly cheap we still felt it was worth…read moreit. Unlike other more popular restaurants in the area, no need to stand n an endless line which is great. Beautiful spot with great bay views unlike some other area restaurants with a more industrial setting. All the food was excellent. Crab sandwich was outstanding with a gorgeous bun, fantastic couscous and excellent pickled veggies on the side. Clam chowder was very good with a great hint of bacon in the savory broth intermixed with clams. The Rock Cod paella was deemed excellent and my brother in law vowed to get it again next time. If you want a quiet place on the bay with easy parking, great views and friendly service give it a try.

    Wife and I decided to try somewhere different in Bodega Bay…read moreso thought we'd give this place a go. Nice atmosphere and service but this place is way to expensive for what you receive. My wife had the Crab Cakes which she said weren't bad. For $32 you got two 2-3 ounce Crab Cakes with a topping that tasted like a citrussy mayonnaise. If this is all you order be prepared to still have stomach hunger growls when you leave. No bread...No small salad or coleslaw on the side ! I had the Clam Chowder which was fair. Could have been hotter! I prefer a chunkier Chowder and this was more pureed. The biggest chunks of anything where the bacon bits. Very little clam meat in my bowl. Where's the beef ??....In this case clams ! I ordered the bread for $5 extra and you received about 3 ounces worth of a toasted bread. We had a pint each of tap beer and our total bill was just shy of $75. We gave it a try but won't be back.​

    Photos
    Gourmet Au Bay - Inside- cute decor

    Inside- cute decor

    Gourmet Au Bay
    Gourmet Au Bay - Reality Czeck Pilsner

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    Reality Czeck Pilsner

    Rocker Oysterfeller's

    Rocker Oysterfeller's

    4.0(246 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    Wonderful food in such a special environment. We received the BEST service from Pam! She's a gem,…read moreand she made our dinner even more memorable than we could have hoped for. Pam, thank you for everything, and Chee-Hooo!!!

    My husband wanted some oysters so we gave this place a try, and I'm so glad we did since we went…read moreback the next day for more! We had a tasty lunch with raw oysters and a jalapeño mignonette sauce, smoked trout dip, and a bowl of the chowder. The smoked trout dip was pretty good with the chip and pickled onion (my least favorite dish). The raw oysters with the mignonette sauce were fantastic...we went for two rounds! My favorite chowder in Bodega Bay was Spud's, but I think this one knocked it out. I enjoyed the smoky flavor to it! Our kids aren't seafood fans so I really appreciated their kids menu that had butter & cheese pasta. Their Bloody Mary was solid as well! The following day, we had the Wedge Salad and calamari along with a bowl of chowder. The salad was crisp and the combination of ingredients was perfect with all the textures and flavors of the bacon, cherry tomatoes, shoe string onion rings, and blue cheese dressing...the best wedge salad I've ever had! I loved the lightness of the calamari batter as well! This is a nicely decorated and clean restaurant. It was romantic with the view of the bay. I felt the customer service was a little off, but eventually our servers were nicer as both lunches went on. There was a Hispanic man that was very friendly and kept our water filled. We enjoyed talking to him. The customers sure were friendly with lots of smiles towards our kids. This is my favorite Bodega Bay restaurant. I look forward to bringing family and friends.

    Photos
    Rocker Oysterfeller's - Dining area

    Dining area

    Rocker Oysterfeller's - BBQ Shrimp

    BBQ Shrimp

    Rocker Oysterfeller's

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    The Birds Cafe - seafood - Updated May 2026

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