Restaurants
Where to eat in Avila Beach, from patios on the sand to seafood on Harford Pier and garden dining in the valley.
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- Areas
- Front Street, Harford Pier, Avila Valley
- On the pier
- Mersea's (Harford Pier); Fat Cats Cafe at its base
- Along the trail
- Woodstone Marketplace, Secret Garden, Gardens of Avila
- Before you go
- Hours change by season, so check each website
Avila Beach has three places to eat: Front Street, Harford Pier and the Avila Valley. Front Street is the promenade along the main beach, with patios looking straight at the water. Harford Pier is up Avila Beach Drive at Port San Luis, the working harbor. The valley spots sit along Avila Beach Drive and the Bob Jones Trail, a short drive or bike ride inland.
Every place below was open as of October 2026. Hours change with the seasons, so check the website before you go. For drinks and tasting rooms, see Bars & Happy Hour and Wine Tasting.
On the sand: Front Street
Custom House
A casual beachside restaurant with fresh fish on the menu. It's known for its Bloody Mary.
404 Front St · oldcustomhouse.com
Mr. Rick's
An oceanfront bar and patio near the sand, open since 1992, with drinks, appetizers, burgers and live music.
404 Front St · mrricks.com
Mission Pizza
A takeout counter in the old cafe space at the back of Custom House, with specialty pizzas, flatbreads, sandwiches and salads.
404 Front St · missionpizzaavila.com
Blue Moon Over Avila
A French wine bar and bistro with wines from around the world, in the old Del Sol space.
460 Front St · bluemoonoveravila.com
Shuck Shack
Local oysters, coastal snacks and natural wine, run by the Sinor-LaVallee family.
480 Front St · Shuck Shack website
Avila Market Restaurant & Mercantile
Burgers, sandwiches, breakfast and acai bowls, with a long list of beers on tap.
354 Front St · Facebook
Hula Hut
Salads, sandwiches, wraps and smoothies with a Hawaiian theme. Also known for its fudge and ice cream.
380 Front St · Facebook
Joe Momma's Coffee
The rooftop coffeehouse at the Inn at Avila Beach, serving breakfast with an ocean view. More on the Coffee & Cafes page.
256 Front St · hotelsavilabeach.com
Harford Pier and Port San Luis
Harford Pier is open, and it's the place to go for a meal over the water while the Avila Beach Pier is mostly closed for repairs. Read more on the Harford Pier & Port San Luis page.
Mersea's
Seafood and a bar out on Harford Pier, with indoor and outdoor seating. The walk out over the water is part of the meal.
3985 Avila Beach Dr · merseas.com
Fat Cats Cafe
A long-running diner at the base of Harford Pier, known for breakfast and burgers.
3920 Avila Beach Dr · fatcatscafe.com
For fish to cook at home, Harford Seafood Company sells fresh seafood at the end of the pier. See Fish Markets.
Avila Valley and the Bob Jones Trail
Gardens of Avila
The restaurant at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, with seasonal farm-to-table dining in a garden setting. A good pick for a dinner date.
1215 Avila Beach Dr · sycamoresprings.com
Secret Garden at Sycamore Springs
A casual outdoor spot right on the Bob Jones Trail. Mornings bring cinnamon rolls and coffee, and afternoons bring baked goods, salads, local beer and wine. Family and dog friendly. The resort lists it as open daily from 10 a.m. to dusk, weather permitting.
1215 Avila Beach Dr · sycamoresprings.com
Woodstone Marketplace
A deli, coffee bar and wine shop halfway along the Bob Jones Trail. Easy for picnic sandwiches.
6675 Bay Laurel Pl · woodstonemarket.com
Avila Valley Barn: Chicken Shack and Smokehouse
Barbecue, fried chicken and a bakery at the farm stand, with fresh pressed cider in the fall. More on the Avila Valley Barn page.
560 Avila Beach Dr
Mulligan's Bar & Grill
Casual coastal food and a full bar at The Avila golf resort (formerly Avila Beach Golf Resort), with live music every week.
6464 Ana Bay Rd · avilabeachresort.com
Getting there and parking
Front Street restaurants are all a short walk apart. Parking in town gets tight on busy days, so read the parking guide before you go. For the pier and the valley, see Getting Here & Getting Around.
Local tips
- Front Street patios fill first on warm weekend afternoons, so eat early or late if you want a rail seat.
- Fat Cats Cafe is the breakfast stop for people heading out to fish or paddle from Port San Luis.
- If you're riding the Bob Jones Trail, plan your break at Woodstone Marketplace or the Secret Garden.
- Mission Pizza is takeout, so grab a pie and eat it on the sand a few steps away.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best seafood restaurant in Avila Beach?
For seafood with a water view, walk out Harford Pier to Mersea's. On Front Street, Shuck Shack does local oysters and Custom House has fresh fish on its menu.
Are there restaurants right on the beach in Avila?
Yes. Custom House, Mr. Rick's and the rest of Front Street sit along the promenade facing the sand.
Where can I get breakfast in Avila Beach?
Fat Cats Cafe at Harford Pier, Avila Market on Front Street, Hula Hut, and the rooftop at Joe Momma's Coffee at the Inn at Avila Beach.
Is Ocean Grill open?
Ocean Grill's own site says it is temporarily closed until further notice, so we've left it off this list for now.
