We ate here twice with our dog either outside or in the bar area. Food was really good and service was better the second time when we sat in the bar area. The menu is on the pricey end, but worth it for what you get. It is a lovely historic inn and we were glad we could sit outside with our dog on their spacious patio the first night. read more

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This was hands down the best dinner I've ever had!! Everything was FANTASTIC! We shared the most amazing salad, and my steak was perfect! Then, if they could top that, the waffle and ice cream dessert was out of this world! read more

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Salmon was pretty good, I liked the sauce on top and the potato and salad it came with too. The cheese and crackers were good but I didn't expect it to come with nuts on top as it wasn't detailed on the menu. The seasonal foster was apple when I went and the waffle was sugary and warm, which complimented the vanilla ice cream well. I do think the caramel drizzle made it a bit too sweet though. read more

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We've stayed at the Benbow several times over the past 12 years. This time our group decided to have dinner in the dining room - mistake. The waiter was pretty rude and we wound up being there for over 2 hours - we had wanted to eat and go to the lobby to play dominos. I gave an extra star for the bartenders - they were helpful for dietary/food allergies. read more

The only reason we're giving 2 stars instead of 1 is because our server "Maya" made our experience the best it could be. We waited over 2 hours just to get an entree. Our server did apologize for the wait, but the staff seemed unprepared for the Valentine's Day ambush. Maya was great, but the timelieness of the dinner for how much it was just didn't add up to the price level. read more

Nestled in the heart of California's Redwood Country, the Benbow Historic Inn (445 Lake Benbow, Garberville, CA 95542) is a timeless gem, just off Highway 101 Exit 636, overlooking the serene Eel River and ancient giants of the Avenue of the Giants. This 1926 Tudor Revival masterpiece evokes old-world elegance amid Humboldt County's misty forests, offering a perfect escape for nature lovers and romantics alike--think stone bridges, manicured lawns, and whispers of celebrity guests like Clark Gable. The on-site restaurant shines with seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine, blending French-American flair with local bounty. From the dinner menu, appetizers like truffle fries tossed in herbs ($17) or mussels in butter-wine sauce with bread ($28) set a tantalizing tone. Soups and salads, such as the classic clam chowder ($12) or organic baby greens with toasted almonds ($15), lead into stellar entrées: pan-seared salmon with tomato vinaigrette ($42), grilled pork tenderloin in coconut BBQ sauce ($42), or the indulgent ribeye with compound butter ($58). Vegetarian options abound, like Benbow Pasta Primavera with fresh veggies and basil pesto ($42). Sides, including sweet potato fries ($10), complement perfectly, while the Wine Spectator Award-winning list boasts over 450 bottles from Humboldt to Napa. Portions are generous, flavors vibrant--our seared salmon was flaky perfection, paired with a crisp local Chardonnay. But the true star? Ted's exceptional customer service. This warm, attentive server embodies Benbow's hospitality, anticipating needs with genuine smiles, expert wine pairings, and seamless coordination. From guiding first-timers through the menu to ensuring a flawless anniversary toast, Ted elevates every moment, making guests feel like cherished insiders. In a world of rushed service, his thoughtful touch--refilling glasses mid-story, sharing Redwood lore--turns a meal into a memory. Don't miss this riverside haven; it's five stars for soul-soothing serenity. read more

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Stayed overnight at the inn which was lovely. The issue was with the restaurant server. We had a lovely dinner and the food was delicious. Paid the bill in cash with 15% tip. Next morning we enjoyed a great breakfast, also paying cash. Upon checkout we were presented with a charge for the dinner. It had been charged to our room! There was a bit of back and forth and they were unable to contact the server. And the tab had no signature. They removed the charge. How did the server know which room to charge? Unless he looked it up by name. This was years ago and we haven't been back because of this. read more

I have been home for a month and can't stop thinking of this Benbow Inn Brussels Salad! Thinking of another trip just to have this meal (I live on the gulf coast) read more

Benbow Inn Restaurant - Brussels salad - Diners Near Me - Garberville, California

We came to Benbow Restaurant as a treat last night while staying at the Benbow KOA campground just next door. We toured the Inn during the day and it was beautiful!! We got to learn more about the Inn, the Benbow family and saw so many wonderful antiques. Many old photos are on display that tell the story of the Inn. The staff even let us view a suite with a claw foot tub. We came back for dinner at 7:30pm and were seated outside on the terrace with live music, Eel River and a beautiful rock bridge view, low lighting and a warm breeze (later they did have outdoor heaters). We ordered mussels for appetizer and old fashioned cocktails. Our entrees were baked cod and bbq shrimp with grits. My boyfriend and I agreed we had not had a dinner that delicious in a long time!!! Finished with a seasonal foster dessert that was AMAZING!! Our waiter was friendly and made wonderful suggestions, especially for dessert. We spent $200 with tip and was worth it for the quality of food we received. They're open for breakfast till 10 then reopens at 3pm for appetizers and cocktails with dinner service after 5. A must see even if just driving by. read more

The ambience is great in a 100 year old grand hotel. A nice dining room with beautiful decor. The black muscles were very good and fresh tasting. The airline chicken well cooked . The ribeye a bit more medium than rare but good . All in all a positive 4star experience read more

The Benbow Inn Restaurant is a lovely breakfast, lunch and dinner destination in the middle of redwood country. The shrimp scampi is delicious, as is the free table bread with black salt butter. The restaurant also offers a very nice selection of local wine to pair with dinner. We also tried the breakfast menu here and enjoyed the breakfast burrito and California omelette. read more

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Food was good for our salad and main courses Service was very good and our server was pleasant and attentive. read more

The menu is limited and it's pretty expensive for what it is but the food was pretty good. read more

Benbow Inn Restaurant - Diners Near Me - Garberville, California

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We had a really excellent dinner last night. We've avoided eating at the Benbow for years because the quality of the food was disappointing and expensive. The menu is still limited and I hope that'll change, but we ordered specials that were exceptional. The salad had roasted Brussels sprouts, almonds, and goat cheese and the entree was blackened salmon, topped with shrimp in a delicious sauce. served on grits. I wish those items were on the permanent menu. Complements to the chef! read more

Trust me. This is a 5 star place. Like anything with personality, there might be hiccups. That's just charm to me. When my bride and I were eating there last night, I asked, is there anyplace more elegant close to home? You can guess the answer. We stay in a certain room, and NO!, not telling which it is. But because we do this, it's like having a second home without any of the second-home-hassels. Long Live Benbow! read more

Food was good but the service was not the best. We wouldn't recommend this place to go.

Got the food to go to our room, but the food was excellent. The place itself is very nice, and if we hadn't had our dog, we would have eaten there. read more

We got married at the Benbow Inn on Christmas Day 2023! They did everything to make our wedding dreams come true. Beautiful Victorian ambience and great food. The service is excellent; friendly, warm, committed to excellence, and professional. The Benbow Inn understands hospitality and the restaurant is equally exceptional! A local treasure in Garberville. read more

Picturesque and yummy food! We were camping and this place was close by. Really cute outside and heard good things about it. Well, it did not disappoint! Walking up to it, you get a sense of s European chalet. Inviting! Walk in and headed up the elevators to the dining room and bar. How cool! A large space awaits you with a balcony to enjoy the fresh air. The ambiance was classic, elegant. A baby grand piano is there. No one playing when we went, but we were there to pick up to go orders. Lesson learned! Next time, will do the whole dining experience. It was a gorgeous evening to be on the patio, drinks in hand. The bar had an old-fashioned feel. People were casually parked, relaxing, chatting, etc. The restaurant: dress nice and decent, people. Stay classy. If you're going to take any pictures, you'll be glad you dressed up a bit. Reservations are required. Call first. They are awesome and friendly! Obviously, we weren't dressed as we were camping, but we didn't book dinner reservations. Food... the great part! Fish and chips. Fantastic! Just fantastic! Gobbled it up like it was my last meal. I had plenty for leftovers and ate all that, too! Even my kid inhaled her fish and chips. I'd drive all the way here for fish and chips, and stay the weekend at least! So much to do and see in the area. read more

Great good at the bar and restaurant (it's the same food). Very affordable for the quality of experience in the dining room. Tasty food. read more

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I'm currently staying at the BenBow Inn and have been going to brunch each morning. Gotta say that I've been surprised by how much I've enjoyed each meal. Today, I had what was the best Turkey Club I've ever had. Also, The staff is on point and very nice. Going to try dinner tonight and am very excited. read more

Benbow Inn Restaurant - One awesome Turkey club with fries and a side of fruit. - Diners Near Me - Garberville, California

The service is always really good here for breakfast time. They have a wonderful inside seating that's very fancy along with the wonderful outside seating where you can overlook the river. The breakfast is always delicious. I would highly recommend a Benbow then if you're looking for something a bit more fancy for dinner or for breakfast. You do not have to be a hotel guest to go to the dining. read more

Benbow Inn Restaurant - Benbow breakfast, bacon, eggs, one piece of sourdough toast, and Home fried potatoes. - Diners Near Me - Garberville, California

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Food service and bar tender great !! We are back again tonight such a pleasant place the patio area is great

I love this place!!! But I have a 50 year prospective! 50 years ago my husband and I had the pleasure of spending our honeymoon here after getting married in Reno. It is historic but oh so pretty! Varina,our waitress,made this a very special occasion. The food, including the New England Clam chowder was excellent. The setting was right out of a European fairy tail. Thank you for our own 50th year memory. read more

We came here for Easter dinner and it was incredible!! The servers were all so friendly and the food was delicious!!! I can't wait to come back and explore their normal menu (we had a special holiday menu) Pictured here: best salmon I ever tasted! read more

Benbow Inn Restaurant - Salmon with pea purée, fiddlenecks, and radishes from the garden! - Diners Near Me - Garberville, California

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Over the last 30 years this place is taking a shit. Benbow used to have great food. Beef Wellington to die for, top of the line back then.. went there for a Christmas dinner last year, had to throw out the "halibut" as it was years too old. The only food I found edible was at the bar, and that lagged. Great venue, too bad they can't throw a good dinner. Service was a 4 out of 10. End read more

My husband and I stayed at the inn. We ate dinner in the bar where we could order from all the menus. I had tomato soup and fish tacos. My husband had the pork tenderloin special. The service and food were fantastic. We also had breakfast here before we went hiking through the state park. I would definitely eat here again. read more

This is a favorite stop when we are heading up to Oregon. Situated in the redwood forest, this historic inn is a beautiful place. We had dinner on this trip...I ordered the quail with Brussel sprouts, quinoa and roasted turnip. It was very delicious. My husband ordered the smoked sturgeon, that was topped with roe and the potato leek soup. He reported that the sturgeon was very good, especially the caviar on top. The soup was flavorful and very creamy. He would have preferred some bits of potato and leek instead. (We had planned to stay the night, but found the breakfast menu somewhat uninspired and the prices to stay quite a bit higher than before the restoration.) read more

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We loved our meal here! The daily specials were delicious -- for us, clam chowder with lots of clams, and cioppino with shrimp, salmon, and mussels (our daughter got a scallop, I didn't, and one of my two mussels didn't open ... some days you don't get a rainbow!) The service was great -- everyone who interacted with us was kind and quick to help. The dessert (three layer cheesecake) was divine. The ambiance is terrific -- like stepping back in time to a rich aunt's house for a visit where dinner service is impeccable. You can eat at the bar if you prefer, and there was a pretty steady flow of people at the restaurant but it was never full (we had a reservation, didn't need one). Lots of locals, casual attire (two young women clearly came straight from the paddocks!) We have been here in the summer as well, and the outside deck along the south fork of the Eel River is AMAZING. The reason I can't give the restaurant a five-star rating is that my wife's steak wasn't very good -- an okay cut of meat prepared very well. But for $56, you expect a great cut of meat. The wines were overpriced, and I ordered the only pinot grigio on the wine list (from an Oregon winery) which was replaced with a low-quality wine from Lake County (outside of Napa) ... same inflated price, but a mediocre wine from a mediocre wine region. My wife did not send the steak back, and we drank the wine, but for $350 (for three people, before a $70 tip) you should expect everything to be perfect and it just wasn't. read more

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Recently had the pleasure of dining at the Benbow Inn for dinner one night and breakfast the next morning on an overnight stay. Gracious hosts and service was spot on white table cloth service, for both sittings, dinner perhaps a bit more formal than breakfast but our server was again spot on, never neglected and we were definitely made to feel appreciated for dining there. The fall evening menu was set up to accommodate pretty much any taste, as well as being able to adjust for any specific needs. That being said, our dinner was fun, leisurely and a very good meal. My Prawns and Pernod appetizer (actually a small plate) was sublime, a light creamy Pernod sauce with a hint of fennel over the plump, succulent perfectly cooked shrimp and sautéed mushrooms - delicious. As was the Butter of the Gods smoke-kissed bone marrow appetizer (small plate again) delicate smoky buttery flavor that instantly melts across your taste buds, the acidic tangy quick pickled red onions a perfect pairing to the marrow. My girl went for the grilled Anderson Ranch Lamb chops atop root veggie and potato mash with a fresh cranberry-harissa chutney and side of sweet velvety delicate squash. Three beautifully grilled chops juicy, smoky flavorful with a balance against the tartness of the cranberries and the spicy ness of the harissa. Superb. Myself, I rarely eat red meat so when I do I go for it and the 10 Oz Eye of Ribeye was a good choice for the night, grilled a perfect rare medium rare, robust flavor and a very nice cut with nice marbling throughout. The bacon fat roasted Brussels sprouts and stout cream were a tasty addition to the meal. A stellar wine list and our host and sommelier was not only enjoyable to talk with, his recommendations were spot on. He pointed me in the direction of a private acquisition not on the list and it was one of the best Pinot noirs I've had the pleasure of in a while. On a side note it was even 25% less than the bottle I had picked. Dessert, what can I say - the Creme Burlee, crispy crack of the brown caramelized top giving way to the creamy custard below again wonderful. But the bring down the house for the night a tribute to the king Elvis himself would of been proud... the Peanut butter cheesecake with chocolate and bananas, just ridiculously good. That with a tawny port, and as they say the rest is history. A good meal in a wonderful setting with stellar service and staff. Definitely worth a visit and I plan to return. 4 Stars - a solid dining experience. 00504 read more

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I took my guy here for his birthday, just an overnight stay, but it was lovely. It was a stormy weekend, so the warmly lit inn was a welcome site. The grounds are full of old oak trees covered in moss and winding paths through manicured gardens. Check in was easy, and up to our room we went. The room was a perfect size, and nicely decorated, but the most epic part of the room was when we opened the bathroom door!! It was basically the same size as our bedroom with a huge walk in shower and a soaking tub to die for. The view from both rooms was of the bridge, the river and the tops of trees. We made it in time for high tea and my guy was pleasantly surprised how much he liked the scones. The inn is historic, welcoming and simply beautiful. The staff is professional and helpful. We loved the bartender! She made a delicious Bloody Mary and according to another couple, a great mojito too. Our dinner at the inn was delicious, and breakfast was exactly what we wanted. Maybe we saw some little things that would be critiqued by some, but were not that fussy. We're local so we understand the people who work here are honest, hard working, local people too. I loved our stay at Benbow Inn. It was a quiet and charming getaway, with amazing food in a romantic setting. We will definitely be back. read more

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I ordered Mahi mahi for dinner -it was ok, not great and pricey. The Cream brûlée was not good at all, not fresh and salty.. I would say it was more than 5 days old. It taste awful. You would not want to finish it. Ugh read more

Benbow Inn Restaurant - Nasty cream brûlée from Benbow Inn restaurant - Diners Near Me - Garberville, California

With few other options in this area - many places were either closed or not quite what we were looking for - we ended up dining here on both nights that we stayed at the Benbow Inn. This is probably the closest thing to fine dining for many miles around, and for the most part it was a very good experience. The dining room is relatively small, and with some degree of social distancing being applied here it made for a comfortable and not-too-loud experience. Over the course of our meals we were able to try a number of things on their menu: Arcadian salad - green salad with goat cheese, candied pecans, grapes, and a honey mustard lemon dressing. Quite good. Beet salad - this was an enormous arugula salad with diced beets and a balsamic vinagrette dressing. Very delicious and can easily feed four people as an appetizer. Hungarian style goulash - stewed beef in a very hearty sauce, served with mashed potatoes and carrots. This was very bold and a little too paprika-forward, but the flavor was good nonetheless. The beef was tender but fell apart a little more than I would prefer. Poulet saute Alice - I'm proud to say that my non-French-speaking son nailed the pronounciation of this dish. It was a quarter chicken (thigh and leg) in a mushroom cream sauce served with asparagus. The choice of dark meat is smart, as the chicken was moist flavorful. The sauce was excellent and the asparagus was properly cooked - still a little crisp, without that mealy texture that comes with overcooking. Petrale sole - I'm always pleased to see sustainable or responsibly-managed fish on a menu; it shows that the restaurant cares about the impact that it has on the environment. Of course, I realize that I don't attempt to learn the source of the beef and chicken that is served, but I can live with my hypocrisy. Anyways, these were lightly fried and served on a bed of spinach and kale. Not a particularly innovative presentation, but sometimes a simple dish is still welcomed. Beef Bourguignon (Beef Burgundy) - this was a special on our second night. The dish was expertly prepared with an intense red wine reduction, served with pommes puree and pearl onions. Really very executed and delicious. Creme brulee - Nice rich flavor but the custard was cold. I personally prefer a warm custard, but it was still a good dessert. Tiramisu - the dessert menu described this a coming with a blueberry compote, which we just couldn't wrap our heads around. It just didn't seem to make sense to pair these two flavors. We asked for the tiramisu to be served without the compote, and the pastry chef prepared a special version with chocolate and caramel accents. Another nice finish to the meal. In general the meals were enjoyable, but service was slow due to staffing issues. It did make for a relaxed pace of the meal, but sometimes there were large gaps between courses and our water glasses weren't filled as frequently as we would have liked. Both dinners lasted nearly 2 hours. Some people might be really put out by that, but we were fine. Despite being overworked, the staff were cheerful and friendly. Prices are similar to what you'd pay at a moderate Bay Area restaurant. Salads and desserts are around $15 and the entrees are about $35-55 each. The fish and the beef bourguignon were $40, which we found to be quite reasonable. One aside: on the morning of our departure, we were picking up breakfast and struck up a conversation with a gentleman who noticed my University of Chicago sweatshirt. Turns out that he is from Chicago as well, and was the executive chef for the weekend, having come up from San Francisco to do a stint here. He said that he was hoping to continue to elevate the dining experience at the Benbow. It does seem like he and his staff are doing quite a good job of this. read more

We love the nostalgia of Benbow inn. We were married there 33 years ago. A lot has changed. We ordered soup, salad, hors d'oeuvres, and Porter steak that was supposed to be 14 ounces but definitely wasn't I really should've took a picture of the steak, but I didn't have my camera because I was enjoying the moment. We were not offered salt or pepper. I had to ask for them. We were allowed to eat outside, but we had to dust our own chairs off because I guess they don't keep up on that. But it was a decent ambience for being outside and the dessert was really nice so was the wedge salad. They don't have a ton of options. The waitress was very crabby and not very happy to be there, it really made for a bad experience at dinner. I also ordered a Shirley Temple and the second one they charged me for even though it was a soda. Apparently if you Order any kind of drink and get a refill even if it is soda they charge you twice because I checked with the manager. I've never heard of that. I've traveled the whole country and ordered Shirley Temples, I've never been charged twice for one. We were staying at the Benbow Inn as well, and told the manager of our experience at dinner, and they compensated us with a nice bottle of wine, which was really nice of them because it truly was a bad experience due to the waitresses attitude. I do believe if we ever ate there again, we will eat inside perhaps that could've changed the experience a little because there were some yellow jackets all of our food and it was a little cold. They have a nice fire pit that we sat by when I ate my dessert. That was a nice touch. They have a lot of heaters they turn on throughout the patio, but we didn't have one by our table which would've been probably helpful as well. read more

Food was good, ambiance on the outdoor patio was delightful, food was good but, overpriced for Benbow/ Garberville location. Maybe be fine in San Francisco or New York but not in cannabis country California. read more

We made it to the hotel just in time for dinner. Skirt steak with potatoes and veggies was prepared perfectly. And the berry cobbler was the grand finale. Make a reservation and try this place. read more

Benbow Inn Restaurant - Appetizer grilled watermelon- unexpectedly tasty - Diners Near Me - Garberville, California

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My husband took me here for Mother's Day. Before Covid, we used to routinely come here. They have totally renovated the lobby, and the lodge is now ADA compliant. The restaurant was slammed and we waited a long time for our food but it was delicious and the manager comped the meal! The waitress brought us fruit, toast, and an extra dessert to keep us happy. Naturally, we left a nice tip! read more

For convenience sake we had booked a reservation for dinner at 7:45 PM upon check in as it was recommended by the desk agent. The location of the Inn and the setup for out door dining is lovely, some of the tables over look the bridge and river. I can only imagine how beautiful it is when we are not in a drought but as is, it was still well maintained and beautiful. The servers were polite and very hospitable, everything was as expected up until we had to wait for our orders. Drinks and appetizers were timely but our entrée took an excessive hour and thirty minutes to be served at our table. At that point, we had exhausted conversation and were too tired to look for another restaurant to eat as we had spent the day hiking at the Red Woods. We were hoping to wash up and start early the next day but we didn't finish dinner until past 10:00 PM because the food took too long. We did have management get involve and they did try to make it right but there is no returning our lost time. read more

This is a lovely historic Inn. It has many charms and historic artifacts to enjoy. The view is just gorgeous with a sweeping bridge as a backdrop. We were nearly the only people there for dinner, and the service was wonderful. Though the food was a bit spendy, it really was delicious. I felt pampered and well fed! Thank you! read more

Great place shitty service lol. We live in a small townand you have to know that when you live in a small town with no surroundings that is "slim pickins". Bar tenders are drunk slow and the host is 16. Food could be good ? whatevs its Benbow read more