Fog Eater Cafe

Probably the best vegan restaurant I've been. We tried Crabbies which wasn't in the menu, and it was delicious. The staff was friendly and the service was great. I'd definitely come back and recommend this place to others.

They serve delicious, fresh, nutritious food and the staff is so warm and friendly. Alongside fun, nostalgic music and cute ambiance you can’t go wrong! I adore this restaurant. I came here alone to treat myself and it was a perfect pick-me-up spot. I will be coming back!

Such delicious food. Friendly and great service. Crab cakes and pie were my favorite. We loved the Friday night natural wine tasting.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff and amazing vegan food! The outdoor patio had a cozy ambience; would love to go visit again for some more homey and wholesome food ❤️

+1

This was the perfect place for dinner when visiting Mendocino. Everything tasted perfect and super unique and felt like you were eating at a welcoming home. Waiters were super kind, funny and attentive. Get the beignets you won’t regret it!

Loved this place so much. We didn’t even realize it’s vegan. Style and ambiance is on point, staff is amazing. It’s like Wes Anderson made a movie about a 1950s diner. Fried mushrooms, grasshopper pie, yum!

The patio is gorgeous! Their pie is homemade and well made. You have to ask for it though, I didn't see it on the menu for brunch. Someone needs to buy them new coffee carafes though 😂 those things dump so much coffee on the table it was comical.

The food is phenomenal! This is one of the best vegan restaurants I've been to in California, and the best vegan southern food I've ever had. This restaurant is a destination in and of itself. If weather permits, outdoor seating is super nice. The table next to the bathroom is not ideal.

We love Fog Eater!! What an amazing experience, the food was delicious, the service was great, and we were so happy to be able to bring a cookbook home to Canada! One of the best vegan meals we've ever had.

Both my wife and I had the best time here last weekend, food was phenomenal, service was impeccable, and ambience is adorable. Well thought out restaurant that I wish we lived closer. Thank you for a great time and can't beat the beautiful weather while we were there. We will certainly be back when we go to Mendocino. If you are in town, don't even think twice about it, just GO!!

+1

Wow, what a find this gem was. Absolutely incredible food and dining experience. Every dish was inventive, creative and delicious. We ate slowly to savor all the flavors. They take care to source and only serve fresh, local ingredients. The integrity and beauty in the food was evident. The backyard garden was really sweet and quaint. The whole energy is kind, considered and creative. The ladies that served us were delightful. I will definitely recommend this restaurant to any driving along 101. A must visit.

Wow! The food here doesn’t just look great, it also tastes amazing. I ordered one of the entrees of the day, basil cashew ricotta quiche topped with Chantelle mushrooms and a side of heirloom tomatoes and lettuce. I also had the eggplant bisque and the hush puppies. For dessert I had the beignets with the jam and chocolate coffee dips. I’m leaving this review as I wait for the beignets to cool but I already know they’ll be delicious because everything else was. Also, the weather was perfect to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful and cozy backyard setup, but they also have indoor seating. This place is a must try… I wish I was staying in Mendocino longer so that I could try everything else! Thank you!

+4

This place was a grand slam of an experience. My wife and I were immediately both super impressed with the charm of this cafe. The mismatched salt and pepper shakers, fun and vibrant colors, Nancy Sinatra playing in the background, and the ice cream parlor feeling bar facing the small kitchen. I kept feeling like I was in a Wes Anderson movie. My fried blue oysters with mashed potatoes were absolutely wonderful and flavorful, and my wife’s pistachio crusted tofu was also unique and incredible. We even got pie for dessert (which we don’t normally do) and were again, extremely happy with our choice. The whipped cream on top was fluffy and not overly sweet, the crust was flaky, and the caramel drizzle was rich and delectable. We left, happy as two (vegetarian) clams, and as we walked away, captured the night time quaintness of this side street gem. Thank you so much for serving us our favorite meal on our honeymoon. Can’t wait to come back.

This place is SO DELICIOUS — I can’t stress enough how the grits and gigante beans took my breath away. Absolutely incredible ! The atmosphere is incredibly cozy and the staff is kind, friendly, and helpful to boot. Probably the perfect restaurant ?? It was amazing to have so many options as a vegan. We loved it here and can’t wait to go back.

Hands done one of my favorite meals this year (and maybe the past 10 years). We sat at the counter and enjoyed wonderful service - and some great jokes - from the team at Fog eater. The Mac and cheese was divine. The seasonal small plate delighted, and it was a two way tie for most favorite dish. The gigante beans with grits and the seasonal pie were outstanding. The flavor combinations and presentation of the overall meal brought an actual tear to my eye. Thank you for hustling so hard, bringing such care to your ingredients and making your restaurant fun and welcoming.

Charming & fun plant-based comfort fare: teeming with character (each crockery piece seems entirely distinctive), friendly service and a diverse yet reasonably-sized menu. Everything can be made vegan! Brunch is the stunner - Sunday only but please get the cornbread French toast. The desserts aren't too sweet, the flavours are innovative and above-average, and the portions are a good size.

Wow!!! Such a beautiful experience. Everything we ordered was perfectly thought out and prepared: The salad was delicious, the hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes were so satisfying and bursting with flavour, and the fried mushrooms with mashed potatoes and greens were divine!! We also got a great orange wine and a white negroni, which were delightful and ended the meal with beignets. Four fried dishes, but all unique and non too heavy. The place itself is super cozy and inviting. It’s very clear that the owners are talented and have a clear vision. Would absolutely recommend and hope I can come again soon!

Fog Eater Cafe is a wildly charming gem nestled perfectly in the dreamy coastal town of Mendocino. If Southern California has Crossroads, Fog Eater is the shining beacon for vegans in NorCal. The southern-inspired cuisine is exceptionally executed—comforting, flavorful, and satisfying enough to impress even the most devoted carnivores. The wine list is beautifully curated, and the low-ABV cocktails are inventive and refreshing. The space itself is cozy and adorable, the service warm and attentive, and the soundtrack always on point. Be sure to save room for dessert—their sweet offerings are as thoughtful and elevated as the rest of the menu. Truly top notch pie game. A must-visit for anyone—vegan or not—looking for a memorable dining experience on the Mendocino coast.

Nice service from this place. I ate at the bar, walked in when it opened for the day. They serve vegan, southern-inspired food which is delicious. I enjoyed the nettle soup, and fried green tomatoes with vegan pimento cheese. They bring boiled peanuts to snack on gratis

Got the fried cauliflower and waffles, grits and grillades, plus coffee and local kombucha. Cutest place with friendly staff and locally sourced ingredients where possible! All the sauces were quite delicious and I adored the decorative coffee cups. Waffle could have been a little warmer (I think the syrup was cold?) but otherwise no critique for improvement. I wish I had a spot like this close to home!

Well Done Ladies! The delicious food is and executed with much passion and love. First time dining at Fog Eater was met with our much anticipation and curiosity. Can anyone in Mendo possibly create interesting California (mostly Vegan) Cuisine with a Southern inspired dishes. All I can say is try it , love it, and live it. -more to come

Came to this place because it was one of the few brunch places open before 10-11 am. I must admit, I was not all convinced. The place inside is small, but they have several tables on the back of the establishment. Inside the decor is nice, and even the bathroom has a nice feeling. The menu was not extensive and to be honest, I was not sold when I finished reading it. We had 2 mimosas, which were OK. Once the food arrived though, all my biases and preconceived ideas came crashing down. The grits were just AMAZING!!! super tasty, flavorful and plentiful. My had had a special all vegetarian. I must admit again that it did not look good, but once I had a bite, I was sold on the plate. The service was super friendly. Highly recommend to visit this place.

Wowow!!! Honestly so impressed by this place. Absolutely delicious. Great food with creative and tasty combos. We aren't vegan or vegetarian and we loved this spot. High quality food and great service. Plus it's super cute and cozy inside. Had dinner and then came back for brunch. Highly recommend and will definitely be back on our next visit to Mendocino!!!

I have eaten at many vegan places throughout the United States but few compare to Fog Eater. This is my favorite place to eat by far and has my all time favorite dish on their menu (the fried blue oyster mushroom). The service and atmosphere are top notch, I definitely suggest eating outside if it's warm enough. They have a gorgeous outdoor eating area and space heaters spread throughout to battle the constant chill of Mendocino. I have always been blown away by every single thing I have ordered, from the apatizers to the desserts. So much love and care has been put into each and every item on the menu. Their pairings of flavors is top notch. The price may seem high but you get plenty of food for the ammount you spend and it is absolutely worth every cent.

We loved the meal here, had the garlic soup, fried oyster mushroom, pot pie, and banana pineapple cake. Everything we had was delicious, the service was great, and atmosphere was extremely pleasant with bright colours and modern French cafe music. Not sure why people complain about portions being small, must be true ‘Muricans used to the large XL portion sizes. We found the portion sizing to be perfect. It was one of the biggest personal pot pies I had ever had. As far as vegetarian places go, it was very gratifying. Food 9.5/10 Atmosphere 9/10 Service 10/10 Value would eat again 9/10

This was perhaps the best brunch that I've had. The food both looks and tastes amazing! We ordered brunch stuff; The eggs were perfectly poached eggs the beetroot sauce complemented it exquisitely. Super chic ambience and a shootout to the cheerful waitresses/ owners.

Incredible meal, people and experience. Every item we ordered, from the fancy soda, to the green tomato bisque and focaccia to the oyster mushroom and cobbler to the beignets were packed with flavor, perfectly prepared and delicious. We won’t drive through (or near) Mendocino without stopping here. Ideal for vegans/vegetarians trying to impress their meat eater friends.

Amazing meal start to finish. Boiled peanut appetizer (gratis), mac n chz and braised greens, pistachio creme brulee. Oh and a shrub! Divine. Looking forward to next time

Anders

This place was a grand slam of an experience. My wife and I were immediately both super impressed with the charm of this cafe. The mismatched salt and pepper shakers, fun and vibrant colors, Nancy Sinatra playing in the background, and the ice cream parlor feeling bar facing the small kitchen. I kept feeling like I was in a Wes Anderson movie. My fried blue oysters with mashed potatoes were absolutely wonderful and flavorful, and my wife’s pistachio crusted tofu was also unique and incredible. We even got pie for dessert (which we don’t normally do) and were again, extremely happy with our choice. The whipped cream on top was fluffy and not overly sweet, the crust was flaky, and the caramel drizzle was rich and delectable. We left, happy as two (vegetarian) clams, and as we walked away, captured the night time quaintness of this side street gem. Thank you so much for serving us our favorite meal on our honeymoon. Can’t wait to come back.

Greta Langenberg

This place is SO DELICIOUS — I can’t stress enough how the grits and gigante beans took my breath away. Absolutely incredible ! The atmosphere is incredibly cozy and the staff is kind, friendly, and helpful to boot. Probably the perfect restaurant ?? It was amazing to have so many options as a vegan. We loved it here and can’t wait to go back.

Danielle V

Hands done one of my favorite meals this year (and maybe the past 10 years). We sat at the counter and enjoyed wonderful service - and some great jokes - from the team at Fog eater. The Mac and cheese was divine. The seasonal small plate delighted, and it was a two way tie for most favorite dish. The gigante beans with grits and the seasonal pie were outstanding. The flavor combinations and presentation of the overall meal brought an actual tear to my eye. Thank you for hustling so hard, bringing such care to your ingredients and making your restaurant fun and welcoming.

Amanda Z

Charming & fun plant-based comfort fare: teeming with character (each crockery piece seems entirely distinctive), friendly service and a diverse yet reasonably-sized menu. Everything can be made vegan! Brunch is the stunner - Sunday only but please get the cornbread French toast. The desserts aren't too sweet, the flavours are innovative and above-average, and the portions are a good size.

Mandy Cartner

Wow!!! Such a beautiful experience. Everything we ordered was perfectly thought out and prepared: The salad was delicious, the hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes were so satisfying and bursting with flavour, and the fried mushrooms with mashed potatoes and greens were divine!! We also got a great orange wine and a white negroni, which were delightful and ended the meal with beignets. Four fried dishes, but all unique and non too heavy. The place itself is super cozy and inviting. It’s very clear that the owners are talented and have a clear vision. Would absolutely recommend and hope I can come again soon!

Zach Weinstein

Nice service from this place. I ate at the bar, walked in when it opened for the day. They serve vegan, southern-inspired food which is delicious. I enjoyed the nettle soup, and fried green tomatoes with vegan pimento cheese. They bring boiled peanuts to snack on gratis

B E

Fog Eater Cafe is a wildly charming gem nestled perfectly in the dreamy coastal town of Mendocino. If Southern California has Crossroads, Fog Eater is the shining beacon for vegans in NorCal. The southern-inspired cuisine is exceptionally executed—comforting, flavorful, and satisfying enough to impress even the most devoted carnivores. The wine list is beautifully curated, and the low-ABV cocktails are inventive and refreshing. The space itself is cozy and adorable, the service warm and attentive, and the soundtrack always on point. Be sure to save room for dessert—their sweet offerings are as thoughtful and elevated as the rest of the menu. Truly top notch pie game. A must-visit for anyone—vegan or not—looking for a memorable dining experience on the Mendocino coast.

Chelsea Branson

Got the fried cauliflower and waffles, grits and grillades, plus coffee and local kombucha. Cutest place with friendly staff and locally sourced ingredients where possible! All the sauces were quite delicious and I adored the decorative coffee cups. Waffle could have been a little warmer (I think the syrup was cold?) but otherwise no critique for improvement. I wish I had a spot like this close to home!

Cindy G

Amazing meal start to finish. Boiled peanut appetizer (gratis), mac n chz and braised greens, pistachio creme brulee. Oh and a shrub! Divine. Looking forward to next time

Burton Kendall

Well Done Ladies! The delicious food is and executed with much passion and love. First time dining at Fog Eater was met with our much anticipation and curiosity. Can anyone in Mendo possibly create interesting California (mostly Vegan) Cuisine with a Southern inspired dishes. All I can say is try it , love it, and live it. -more to come

Manuel Navedo

Came to this place because it was one of the few brunch places open before 10-11 am. I must admit, I was not all convinced. The place inside is small, but they have several tables on the back of the establishment. Inside the decor is nice, and even the bathroom has a nice feeling. The menu was not extensive and to be honest, I was not sold when I finished reading it. We had 2 mimosas, which were OK. Once the food arrived though, all my biases and preconceived ideas came crashing down. The grits were just AMAZING!!! super tasty, flavorful and plentiful. My had had a special all vegetarian. I must admit again that it did not look good, but once I had a bite, I was sold on the plate. The service was super friendly. Highly recommend to visit this place.

Simone Anne

Wowow!!! Honestly so impressed by this place. Absolutely delicious. Great food with creative and tasty combos. We aren't vegan or vegetarian and we loved this spot. High quality food and great service. Plus it's super cute and cozy inside. Had dinner and then came back for brunch. Highly recommend and will definitely be back on our next visit to Mendocino!!!

Andrew Cuscito

I have eaten at many vegan places throughout the United States but few compare to Fog Eater. This is my favorite place to eat by far and has my all time favorite dish on their menu (the fried blue oyster mushroom). The service and atmosphere are top notch, I definitely suggest eating outside if it's warm enough. They have a gorgeous outdoor eating area and space heaters spread throughout to battle the constant chill of Mendocino. I have always been blown away by every single thing I have ordered, from the apatizers to the desserts. So much love and care has been put into each and every item on the menu. Their pairings of flavors is top notch. The price may seem high but you get plenty of food for the ammount you spend and it is absolutely worth every cent.

Bo Roberts-Leung

We loved the meal here, had the garlic soup, fried oyster mushroom, pot pie, and banana pineapple cake. Everything we had was delicious, the service was great, and atmosphere was extremely pleasant with bright colours and modern French cafe music. Not sure why people complain about portions being small, must be true ‘Muricans used to the large XL portion sizes. We found the portion sizing to be perfect. It was one of the biggest personal pot pies I had ever had. As far as vegetarian places go, it was very gratifying. Food 9.5/10 Atmosphere 9/10 Service 10/10 Value would eat again 9/10

Adarsh .N

This was perhaps the best brunch that I've had. The food both looks and tastes amazing! We ordered brunch stuff; The eggs were perfectly poached eggs the beetroot sauce complemented it exquisitely. Super chic ambience and a shootout to the cheerful waitresses/ owners.

Jess Hemstreet

Incredible meal, people and experience. Every item we ordered, from the fancy soda, to the green tomato bisque and focaccia to the oyster mushroom and cobbler to the beignets were packed with flavor, perfectly prepared and delicious. We won’t drive through (or near) Mendocino without stopping here. Ideal for vegans/vegetarians trying to impress their meat eater friends.

Great time sitting out on the patio - heaters helped stave off the chill. Staff was friendly and food was delicious. We got the cauliflower biscuit sliders, pistachio crusted tofu, and beignets. Left full and happy, and even considered buying the cookbook.

We had the most wonderful dinner at Fog Eater! I am a vegetarian but my husband is not, and we both loved our meals and shared plates! The service was wonderful and this cute spot was the perfect Friday night dinner spot - we even sat on the covered patio with our dog!

From time to time, you come across a spot that hits all the notes. Fog Eater delivered on all fronts: quality of food + drink, creativity, atmosphere, music, and service. Even the other guests were interesting and contributed to the vibe. We loved our meal and experience here. Wonderful addition to the Mendo community and food scene.

Christine VanDerwill

From time to time, you come across a spot that hits all the notes. Fog Eater delivered on all fronts: quality of food + drink, creativity, atmosphere, music, and service. Even the other guests were interesting and contributed to the vibe. We loved our meal and experience here. Wonderful addition to the Mendo community and food scene.

Katie & Matt

We had the most wonderful dinner at Fog Eater! I am a vegetarian but my husband is not, and we both loved our meals and shared plates! The service was wonderful and this cute spot was the perfect Friday night dinner spot - we even sat on the covered patio with our dog!

Kindle Williams

Great time sitting out on the patio - heaters helped stave off the chill. Staff was friendly and food was delicious. We got the cauliflower biscuit sliders, pistachio crusted tofu, and beignets. Left full and happy, and even considered buying the cookbook.

A nice gem in Mendocino. Is it me or are there lots of Italian restaurants in Mendocino? I like Italain food but would probably like a little bit of variety? Well, it was a 45 minute wait. First off, I'm not vegetarian but willing to try vegetarian. The food at Fog Eater was different but goof. Southern plate- loved th Mac and cheese, greens and the bbq lima bean. It came with a hot mini cornbread. I wished they would give you honey as well. Gumbo- delicious Beignets- this is a must!!! It came with a chocolate and Caramel sauce and dare I say it's as good as the beignets or better than Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans? Warm, fluffy and soft. Service was great and the waitress did a great job of explaining everything to me. So if you are vegetarian or just want to try something g different in Mendocino, this is thr place to go!

+2

The food was great, service was good. However, I was APPALLED when the check came and they automatically added a 20% tip! The waitress even said to me they already added gratuity! I've never had that happen before and I travel quite a bit. Needless to say I will not be returning to the Fog Eater.

The food here was fantastic! My only complaint is the mandatory 20% gratuity. While I always intend to tip generously, being forced to do so feels like an additional hidden cost and takes away the personal touch of showing appreciation. This practice is disappointing.

We had a recommendation to come here and it did not disappoint. Delightful Americana themed restaurant with savory menu dishes such as the one we tried here (Fried Cauliflower & waffle) with a peppery syrup and gravy. Our coffees were bitter, but served in darling teacups & saucers (Not enough cream). We didn’t find any keto choices on the menu but maybe it’s a vegan place.

+2

This is a quaint little vegan restaurant, with a very innovative menu though a little pricey in my opinion. Love to see such vegetarian/ vegan places. The food here is very tasty, so much so that we decided to repeat our small plates. We tried the hush puppies and the crabbie cakes. Both were very good. I also ordered a herbal spritz, which was very refreshing. We also tried the rhubarb and strawberry pie - the least favorite of the entire meal I would say and I would not reorder that. They apply a 20% gratuity and they mention that while billing, rather than just sliding it in which I think is a +1.

tanuja bhowmik

This is a quaint little vegan restaurant, with a very innovative menu though a little pricey in my opinion. Love to see such vegetarian/ vegan places. The food here is very tasty, so much so that we decided to repeat our small plates. We tried the hush puppies and the crabbie cakes. Both were very good. I also ordered a herbal spritz, which was very refreshing. We also tried the rhubarb and strawberry pie - the least favorite of the entire meal I would say and I would not reorder that. They apply a 20% gratuity and they mention that while billing, rather than just sliding it in which I think is a +1.

It's okay. The service was exceptional with very friendly staff who clearly knew the menu and seem to enjoy working there. The food is about twice as expensive as it should be for how much you get. It's southern inspired, which I guess to them means fry everything as the food was overly oily. It was vegan, but not healthy. My wife really enjoyed it though, so clearly it is for some people, just not for me. I've never spent this much on a meal and still left hungry and with indigestion.

Went here for dinner this past weekend. The place was just about getting crowded. Fog Eater Cafe does not have many options for eating. We ordered the Gumbo, Pot Pie and the Kids Cajun Mac n Cheese. We also ordered the Banana Pudding and an interesting South Korean Makku beer. The serving size of these dishes was too small. The kids Mac n Cheese was served in a saucer that's similar to the tea & saucer set. The beer was great and so was the pudding. But otherwise, the food was just about okay.

+2

We came here bc of the reviews online and were surprised by how bad the food was. Very basic — mounds of rice and beans, very little flavor. They also didn’t have tofu.

Food options are limited but good in taste. Portion size is on the smaller side. Staff is welcoming and quick. Parking is on street but plenty. Any of the dish can be made vegan. Sitting is indoor and outdoor. One star is for the malpractices we observed through our. The beignets were offered in a way that they looked complementary, something shall ‘shall I get you beignets before the food?’. We saw that happening to other customers also. And the gratuity is added as 20% by default to any order. Not a great experience and not going back.

+1