Historic Hiouchi Cafe — Restaurant in Crescent City

Hiouchi Cafe is the kind of place that feels like it has been waiting for you--a hidden treasure nestled along the scenic route to Jedediah Smith Redwoods. The moment you walk in, you're greeted with the kind of warmth that makes you feel at home, even on your first visit. Kevin and crew make everyone feel like they are part of the family.

The menu is a love letter to comfort food, with generous portions that satisfy both your appetite and your soul. Their breakfast options are especially standout--a hearty appetite will be satisfied with either the breakfast bowl (sausage, eggs, hash browns and cheese in a sourdough bread bowl topped w/ perfectly seasoned gravy) or the area famous, not for the food shy, 16 inch pancake. If you're stopping by for lunch, the Cuban sandwich is a must-try; it's indulgent in all the best ways. In the area on Sunday morning? Their brunch is the best in the county! Chicken and Waffles, Eggs Benedict, Chilaquiles, mimosas, there are so many great choices you will spend most of your time trying to decide. Here's a hint, they are all amazing!

What makes this place truly special, though, is the atmosphere. The interior is cozy and welcoming, with local artwork and pictures of catches from the river that adds a personal touch to the space. On sunny days, the outdoor seating offers a serene spot to soak in the surrounding natural beauty. It's the perfect place to pause, whether you're fueling up for a hike or just taking a break from the bustle of life.

The staff are the heartbeat of the cafe--friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. They take the time to make you fell at home, and their recommendations are spot-on.

Hiouchi Cafe is more than just a place to eat; it's a slice of the community. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it's the kind of spot that lingers in your memory long after the meal is over. A genuine gem that perfectly complements the awe-inspiring redwoods that are right outside...

Charming Atmosphere, Disappointing Service and Food Flavor.

We recently dined at Hiouchi Cafe, drawn in by its glowing local reputation and its charming, woodsy atmosphere. The space itself is undeniably inviting—rustic, warm, and reminiscent of a cozy home-cooking vibe. Unfortunately, the experience did not live up to the ambiance.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear there was a discrepancy in how guests were treated. A table of locals seated just before us received prompt and attentive service, with their water, drinks, and orders taken almost immediately. In contrast, our drink order and even silverware were completely forgotten. We waited quite some time before another waitress had to retake our entire order. Even after that, our drinks were forgotten again. By the time his drink arrived (at my husband’s persistence), I’d already lost interest in ordering my own.

When the food finally came out, it was bland and underwhelming. Perhaps my palate is accustomed to the more flavorful cuisine of Southern California, but given the restaurant's high praise among locals, we were expecting something memorable. Unfortunately, the flavors were as disappointing as the service.

To summarize: the atmosphere is picturesque, and portions are generous, but the food and service left much to be desired. As new residents in the area and frequent restaurant explorers, we were excited to try this highly recommended spot. However, this experience left us disappointed, and we won’t be returning. Sadly, even the local Denny’s offers a more satisfying, flavor and service,...

We stopped by for dinner, which is new at the Hiouchi Café. I got a patty melt, and my wife got the chili. The burger patty was the least flavorful burger I've ever had. No salt or pepper had been added to the hamburger mix nor had been applied while cooking, and the beef itself was also almost flavorless. My daughter got a plain hamburger, and I confirmed by tasting her patty that it wasn't just mine that was unseasoned. The chili was surprisingly over-seasoned. It seemed to have far too much cumin and paprika compared to the amount of liquid. The French fries were actually delicious and cooked perfectly. Crispy on the outside, light and fluffy in the inside, and cooked in good oil. Overall, we were disappointed at the food for the price.

The service was okay, nothing particularly noteworthy.

The atmosphere was good. Plenty of windows makes for a bright dining room, the café was clean, and people friendly.

We stopped in hoping to have some of their breakfast foods after looking at the menu online. The online information does not note that the breakfast menu ends at 2:00 PM. If we had known that, we likely would not have stopped in. After our experience with the dinner, we likely will not be stopping in...