Bayside Cafe — Restaurant in Morro Bay

A recent trip to Morro Bay, CA had my husband and I looking for a place to eat that wasn't along the Embarcadero. Looking on the map, we found an out of the way cafe across the street from Morro Bay State Park called Bayside Cafe. I read a little bit of the history of this out of the way cafe and so we decided to try it out. The first thing, of course, was the location. We both loved the location. Next to the marina, you see the private boats docked and of to one side the Bayside Cafe. Not a large establishment but definitely well known. As we approached, we saw both outside seating and inside seating. Greeted by the host and some staff, the environment was warm and welcoming. Everyone had a smile, wonderful! We were seated next to the window with a great view. Actually, to be entirely honest, don't think any seat in the cafe had a bad view. looking through the menu, I couldn't decide and my husband was torn between the fish and chips and the crab cake sandwich. Once I heard the specials, one being seafood tacos, I was sold. My husband opted for the crab cake sandwich. Both were delicious and light, and satisfying. Once we finished our lunch, we decided to take a little stroll arounds the grounds-- both around the cafe and across the street at the Morro Bay State Park. Starting at the state park/golf course (beautiful by the way) we noticed two huge birds just wondering around. As we got closer we were both shocked to see that these to large creatures were turkeys. Who expects to see turkeys wondering around Morro Bay? We certainly did not. They were beautiful. We made our way back across the street and meandered around the cafe and noticed some stairs that led to a trail...we are always up for an adventure. As we climbed the stairs and followed the trail, we reached the top of the hill located somewhat behind the cafe. The view was AMAZING! I know that there are gorgeous views of the bay but, for us, this was breathtaking. I included a couple of those pics as well. If you ever make it to Morro Bay, stop in at the Bayside Cafe, the staff is happy, the food is fresh and delicious, and view is breathtaking. We will definitely be returning to...

We stumbled upon an absolute gem in Panama City Beach, and it was love at first bite! This cozy spot combines the charm of a small-town eatery with a delightful resort vibe. Owned by the talented Carolina, a Venezuelan woman with a passion for sharing her culture through food, this restaurant delivers authentic, homemade Venezuelan dishes. Carolina even flies in ingredients from Venezuela every month to ensure every dish tastes just like home.

My boyfriend, a Navy veteran who has traveled to over 20 countries, said, "I've had the pleasure of eating all around the world, and this is hands-down the best place I've ever eaten." And he meant it—not just one dish, but nearly everything we tried blew us away.

We loved it so much that on our way out of town, we stocked up on over six meals to-go! From the Cuban sandwich and the BLT to the empanadas, every bite was an unforgettable flavor explosion. We even chatted with a local who told us this place ranks in the top 3 restaurants in Panama City Beach for locals—and it’s easy to see why.

The customer service was equally incredible. Mariana, who helps Carolina, made us feel right at home with her warmth and hospitality. She even surprised us with complimentary desserts, including a peanut butter chocolate cookie that was out of this world. If you go, do yourself a favor and order it—you won’t regret it.

If you’re ever in Panama City Beach, don’t miss this spot. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience filled with love, authenticity, and...

In Morro Bay, this is the place where locals go to eat. Everything on the menu is great. The biggest challenge is deciding what to order. Lots of variety, from salads to fresh grilled fish, hamburgers to fish & chips. They also have sandwiches, tacos & burritos, grilled steaks & chicken, excellent green chili soup. You can spend a little ($10) or a lot ($30) per entrée. Appetizers are inventive. The desserts are outstanding, made fresh onsite.

Wine and beer selection is pretty good, with a different featured wine each month. No hard cocktails. Plenty of great vegetarian options, but vegans will have to make some modifications, like hold the cheese.

The atmosphere at Bayside Cafe is wonderful. Friendly staff treats visitors like locals and locals like family. Beautiful setting on the bay, with heated outdoor patio dining, counter seating, and inside tables with lots of window seats. Funky, casual, fantastic. We've been going here at least once a week for dinner or lunch since 1996, and the rest of the town does, too.

Downsides are (1) they don't take reservations, (2) wine by the glass is a measured 5-ounce pour that's far too small, and (3) dinner is only served 4 nights a week, Thursday through Sunday. Lunch is served daily, though.

Bonus tip: at the far end of the enormous parking lot is a lovely boardwalk loop that takes you out on the bay. Enjoy a stroll before or after your meal. This part of the back bay has incredible views looking away from the restaurant that most...