The ambiance is very cute. I got the escargot and duck a l'orange. The escargot was meh. I love escargot but this one just tasted like blue cheese. It was a little too overpowering. I don't recommend. The duck, however, was amazing. It was cooked to perfection. The polenta and asparagus were nice too. The orange slice was a nice touch to the duck. The staff were very friendly. The food did take a while to come out. read more

Blue Moon Over Avila - Duck a l'orange - French Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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Blue Moon Over Avila is in an unbeatable location, just a short walk from the beach with plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the ocean atmosphere. We ended up sitting inside to avoid the evening breeze, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. The dining room was quaint, cozy, and relatively quiet, making it easy for the six of us to have great conversation throughout dinner. We started with the ratatouille, which absolutely blew us away, the bubbling brie, which was rich, gooey, and beyond delicious, and an order of frites that were crispy and satisfying. For our entrees, our table ordered the duck à l'orange, scallops (which I ordered and they were spectacular), a burger, mushroom ravioli, a house garden salad, and a Caesar salad. The mushroom ravioli was incredible, the garden salad was much larger than expected and very fresh, and the Caesar salad was crisp and flavorful. Every dish was beautifully prepared, and the quality of the food really stood out. The only downsides were that the burger was served plain, even though lettuce and onion had been requested, and the service was a bit slower than expected. We had a 6:15 p.m. reservation, so we arrived before the dinner rush and anticipated a quicker pace. Overall, the outstanding food, charming atmosphere, and prime location made for a wonderful dining experience. We'd definitely return the next time we're in Avila Beach. read more

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If you want a spot on California's Central Coast, Blue Moon Over Avila is exactly where you want to be. Located right on Front Street, the outdoor patio has 180-degree ocean views. While the view is stunning, the food mostly holds its own. I had the Croque Monsieur which was delicious although a bit greasy. The Clam Chowder was the star attraction- creamy, hearty, and packed with flavor. It is on the pricier side, and service can slow down slightly when the patio fills up. However, for a high-quality lunch it is easily one of the best dining experiences in Avila Beach. read more

I have eaten here three times in 10 days. It has been hit or miss with the food. I ordered the Salmon which arrived overcooked and dry. Then I tried the duck which was excellent. Next was Beef Bourguignon which was very good. The waiters and hostess are overwhelmed. They use to have a sommelier, I don't know what happened to him. The service is slow because not enough help. When it is a beautiful night everyone wants to eat there and look at the view. read more

So service was great! Cute atmosphere by the beach with calm relaxing vibes and quaint. I can't complain about anything here! The food was good as well, but it just wasn't as good as other French restaurants I've been too. They didn't serve bread (except with my escargot), and usually bread is a staple with French dining (no worries). My duck was good but a little heavy in the "à l'orange" side, and the salmon regrettably was a bit dry. Almost as if it was sitting in a heat lamp for a little ‍. Had a good experience all in all but don't see myself coming back! read more

Relaxed and refreshing ambience, quality food and drinks, looking forward to next visit. read more

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Our favorite place at Avila Beach. Service is amazing. Wine list is so good, French wines. We love to get the lobster roll and sit across from the beach and soak it all in! The bread is so good (warm) and the butter is French style with crunch salt flakes. Go here if at Avila. read more

Blue Moon Over Avila - Vibes! - French Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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Best sourdough bread and I had the salmon dish and everything was delicious and fresh! The ambiance was light and elegant yet slightly casual all at the same time and views of the pier and ocean were wonderful! read more

I was really looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner here at Blue Moon over Avila, and enjoying its wonderful food, wine list and sea view. Sadly, the experience was a less than pleasant one because of poor service. We arrived on time and were shown to a nice table on the patio as we had requested. We were given water by the host and then waited 25 minutes to get menus and have our drink orders taken. We then waited another 20 minutes to have yet another server come with our beverages and then waited 10 more minutes until a different server came to tell us the menu options. My husband chose the short rib dinner and I chose the turkey. We both got Caesar salad and then chose the pumpkin pie for dessert. Again, each course came out with about a 20 minute wait in between each one each time with a different waiter. The other tables that were drinking much more wine were getting a lot more attention and I felt like we had kind of been shuttled over to the side for our celebration meal. I haven't really had that feeling anywhere else before so it was a new one for me. I'll be looking at this is more of a wine bar from now on. I can get a light lunch and enjoy an hors d'oeuvre by the sea, but I sure won't come on a busy day and I won't choose it for a special event read more

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Excellent service, great food and lovely atmosphere. There was an accordion player in the front which was charming.

Stopped by for a glass of wine during Happy Hour on a Sunday afternoon. The staff were very welcoming and attentive. The Pinot Noir was delicious. It was so nice just to sit people watch and enjoy the view! read more

Blue Moon Over Avila - French Near Me - Avila Beach, California

We went there with a group of 12. The service was impeccable (thanks Bella) ànd each dish ordered was a savory delight. We had a private dining area in the rear which only added to the most delightful ambiance. All I can say is that this venue is a little gem. read more

We've been there three times, always lunch dining outside. Good wine and beer selections too. And the food is worth a stop. We each had a bowl of French onion soup and we shared a decent sized lobster roll. Try it, you'll like it read more

Fantastic experience. Wine advice was great. Super friendly...Gilles is wonderful. Highly recommend!!! read more

Blue Moon Over Avila - French Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Love the view, love the staff. Fun wine tasing menu! Highly recommend dinner here watching the sunset.

Fantastic food, ambiance, and excellwnt service. Worth the $. Beautiful view of ocean. Best option of all ocean freont Avila restarants. Service was the best we have experienced in a long time, anywhere. Live music outside, very nice. We had the scollops, a burger, soup saldi sandwhich trio and beef dish and everthing was great! Will go there again. Flourless chocolate cake was also excellent. read more

We had a wonderful lunch here the other day we decide to come back for dinner this evening. Unfortunately our experience was not as pleasant as previously. We walked up to host stand, there was one couple in front of us. They got seated immediately on the patio. We had 3 different waitress tell us the host would be with us shortly. We said no worries. Eventually one of the waitresses came and said she'd get us sat. We asked for the patio, which had numerous empty tables, and were told we couldn't be sat there because they were waiting on some reservations. Okay - no worries can we have a table inside? Seemingly begrudgingly she said yes and sat us in the smallest table inside the corner of an empty restaurant. We got told yet again someone would be right with us which they were not. We were growing increasingly frustrated and felt like we were not welcome or some type of burden while the gals cleaned glasses and talked about Harry styles concert. After about 10 minutes we went ahead and left without ordering anything. No one seemed concerned or bothered that we left. Sad way to end our honeymoon to say the least. read more

We enjoyed a fantastic charcuterie board and a drink at Blue Moon last night. It was a beautiful evening to sit out and enjoy the ocean view. Our server was super nice and although it was busy and they were short staffed she was still attentive. We weren't very hungry so we didn't order anything else but other peoples food looked really good. We will be back next time we're in town read more

This was our second time here. We haven't been in several years but remembered the food to be quite good and of course it was beautifully located. We were excited to revisit this year. They felt severely understaffed probably because of the holidays. Took a while before someone was able to seat us. They can really use a dedicated hostess. Maybe they had time off? However, once we sat down everything was perfect. The food was delicious but honestly it was our amazing waiter who made the evening (and meal taste) even better. He was super attentive and his kindness felt sincere. You know when someone is putting on an act vs someone who is genuinely lovely. He even comped our dessert. The duck à l'orange was perfectly cooked. The boeuf bourguignon was hearty and paired well with a side of veggies. The escargot was so delicious even the kids enjoyed eating "snails" Would definitely come back! read more

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Blue Moon over Avila is a laid-back beachside restaurant on Avilla Pier serving French cuisine. I ordered mushroom ravioli with a Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso. I 100% recommend everyone gets the mushroom ravioli with chicken and the Paso Cab since the earthiness of the mushrooms pairs well with the full body and balanced acidity of the wine. Service was really good and everything went pretty well. read more

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We've been coming to Blue Moon for years. The service is generally pretty good., not great. Today our experience was 0/10. Long wait to be seated when 60% of the place is empty. Finally got seated, then forever to order a drink, never got the opportunity to order food. Our waitress was absent. We've been coming for about a decade and I don't believe we will return. read more

Great food and drinks, kind service and wonderful location! Everyone around us seemed happy with their food also read more

Friendly service, great location and delicious food and drinks. Highly recommend the Nicoise Salad, bread and butter, and a glass of wine on a sunny day! read more

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There is a specific, salt-sprayed magic to Avila Beach, and Blue Moon Over Avila occupies its most coveted front-row seat. To sit here is to be seduced by the Pacific's rhythmic pulse, a panoramic distraction that almost--almost--masks the architectural and emotional exhaustion of the room. The décor suggests a space in transition, or perhaps an identity crisis. It bears the unmistakable look of a "palimpsest"--a new design hastily layered over the ghost of a previous one, creating an aesthetic friction that feels more like a temporary stage set than a permanent sanctuary. This weariness extends to the staff, who navigate the floor with a palpable, heavy-lidded misery, as if the sheer beauty of the coastline has become a burden they are no longer interested in carrying. The kitchen, however, still possesses moments of genuine, startling clarity. I opted for the "Trio," a format that usually promises variety but often delivers compromise. Not so here. The sandwich was a minor triumph of construction and flavor, a high-water mark for a casual lunch. It was flanked by a clam chowder of remarkable depth--creamy without being cloying, and singing with the brine of the sea. Yet, the meal is not without its turbulence. The accompanying salad arrived drowning, a casualty of an over-zealous hand with the dressing that rendered the greens more of a soup than a side. And then there is the matter of the French Onion soup. To encounter a $9 upcharge for a bowl of onions and melted Gruyère is to experience a moment of pure, capitalistic vertigo. It is a price point that suggests a level of luxury the service and the "layered" décor simply haven't earned. As for the amenities, the state of the restrooms remains a mystery--a rare blind spot in an otherwise exhaustive afternoon. Blue Moon Over Avila remains a destination for the eyes, and intermittently, for the palate. If you can ignore the visible gloom of the service and the audacity of the surcharges, the view alone is worth the price of admission. Just perhaps stick to the chowder and leave the French Onion to the high rollers. read more

Not my cup of tea, as all of the French food was a little too heavy for my liking we finally ended up ordering a hamburger as everything else was too caloric. I'm sure other people would like this. The ambience and the service were fine. read more

Delicious food. I had the beef bourguinon, and the beef was absolutely lean and tender and savory. The homemade lemonade was tart and delicious. The bread was addictive. I love the vibe. My only complaint is that the chairs are super narrow and uncomfortable. I'm not large, but the chairs still squeezed my hips. Otherwise, five stars. read more

Blue Moon Over Avila - Outside of the restaurant. They have a small indoor section and a large patio section. - French Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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Sat & waited for service for at least 20 minutes before I walked out. Everyone around me was being attended to. Disappointing.

Superb. Food was really good, better than that really. But What struck us most is the people. Professional, accommodating, serious about what they're doing. We had a really "top shelf" experience today. We'll definitely return to this gem of a spot when we're in the area again. read more

Stopped by Blue Moon with my wife and had a really nice time. We ordered the wine flight with the cheese and charcuterie board--everything was solid. Got lucky with a great seat, and even though there were a lot people walking by the beach, it still felt quiet and relaxed. Our waiter was super nice and chill. The view, the vibe, the food--no complaints. Definitely a spot I'd come back to. read more

Blue Moon Over Avila - View from our table. - French Near Me - Avila Beach, California

We had reservations for two for 7:45 on a Saturday night (May 9). We arrived before 7:50 pm and were promptly seated and provided with menus, water glasses and a bottle of water. That was the extent of the attention we received ... despite having waitresses walk by our table several times. None of the staff bothered to come by and say anything like "We'll be with you shortly." or "Sorry we're a bit short-handed." or "Day before Mother's Day, you know how it is." After 20 minutes of being ignored we walked out. As we left, we walked by three of your female servers happily chatting near the reservation/greeting desk. They seemingly didn't notice and we certainly didn't look back. It's a beautiful restaurant in a perfect location and we've had many happy lunches there. But we won't be back for dinner. read more

Beautiful vista delicious food and fun flights! French onion soup was fire! Our server was knowledgeable and friendly- service was not rushed but very timely. read more

Blue Moon Over Avila - French onion soup - French Near Me - Avila Beach, California

I hate to leave a bad review but... I have been coming to Blue Moon for many years and the service tonight was terrible. 20 minutes from being seated to the wait staff coming over. Ordered two bottles of wine and they took at least 15 minutes to arrive a solid 10 minutes after the appetizer was delivered. We didn't order dinner for close to 40 minutes after being seated. Ultimately we had to get up and ask for the check which was delivered with an attitude. Pretty bummed to pay a premium for location and have such terrible service. Food was decent but overall a bad night read more

Reflecting back that either right before or during my first year in College I thought I'd possibly pursue being a restaurant critic in New York City dreaming of how amazing that would be eating such a variety of food and then commenting on it all! So here goes: Love and frequented Avila for the past 15+ years . I've seen the many changes and turns in many of the local restaurants in the entire surrounding area. This recent visit, I explored and noticed the multi entranced Blue Moon Over Avila. And while exploring I met the manager, Jason. He made a wonderful first impression - very professional/friendly/knowledgeable. I immediately made reservations for the one night that there was an opening in our dinner schedule to try something new. All the other nights were booked in advance at different places. Jason was kind enough to let us in last minute for a Friday night (of all times) with a party of seven to boot! During our brief talk that day that I made the reservation, Jason expressed how their French onion soup, their escargot, and their beignets are pretty much the talk of the town. We arrived on time and had our table reserved right where Jason said it would be. Our waitress Emma was wonderful; bubbly, cheerful, friendly, outgoing, on point, - she did everything that a top notch server should do. She checked in after the food was served, she noticed we loved the bread and butter, so asked if we wanted a refill, after devouring the second round of bread, she asked if we wanted more I spoke for the table who didn't want any more bread and said leave the butter. I'm the kind of person who likes butter even better than bread and she laughed with a big smile. When it came time for dessert, she acknowledged my son-in-law's birthday. She was even our bartender. The French onion soup was out of this world delicious (thank you Jason for the tip) - I don't even like French onion soup, but whatever they do there is an extreme tasty flavor compared to no other. I I regret not ordering Jason's acknowledgment of their escargot because for most people especially my family wouldn't have been happy to watch me consume those.. So I unfortunately ordered their small scallop entrée. Not worth the price. The beignets were excellent , they are served with three different dipping sweet sauces!!! If you are in Avila area and you would like quality food with exquisite ambience inside or beachfront outside dining - this is the place for you! If you dare to order the scallops - do not make the same mistake I did, either ask Jason OR your server if the scallops of that day and time are worthy of you ordering them since scallops are pretty much hit and miss. I ended up eating them even though Gordon Ramsay would've threw them across the kitchen. But then again they were so small they would've flown right into the ocean. Overall would strongly recommend and would absolutely return !!!!! read more

Blue Moon Over Avila - French Near Me - Avila Beach, California

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We made a reservation for 7pm. Arrived early (6:50). The table they reserved for us was probably the worst spot outside (middle of the patio towards the building). While the couple that came in after us was a walk in, got the best view upfront in the patio. So I would not recommend making reservations just walk in and wait if you want a certain spot. We ordered our first round of drinks and Brie for an App, which arrived promptly but delivered by other staff. Didn't see a waiter for the next 20-30 minutes. No second round of drinks, no food order. Stood up and walked to the front where our waiter met me as he walked out from inside. We asked if they forgot about us and got a nonchalant response that they were busy. At which point I just asked for the check and said we would just go somewhere else. He handed me his payment tablet and looked away. 40$ for two beers and cold Brie sprinkled in with some wasted time. No offer to comp the bill, get a manager, or keep us there. So we paid and moved onto another establishment. read more

Started our night really excited to try this spot, we've walked by it numerous times and decided to finally try it for my wife's birthday dinner. Imagine how we feel arriving 5 minutes early for our reservation, was seated quickly and then forgotten about for 45 minutes. Staff refusing to even acknowledge we were there, a server never came to check on us while a whole family was seated after us, promptly had their order taken and even food came out all before anyone even thought about us. Got up and left passing yet another server on the way out who again, did not even attempt to reach out as we left. Went to custom house next door and had food ordered within 5 minutes after that. Will not be returning to blue moon over Avila anytime soon. Very disappointed, would not recommend if you value your time and money. read more

Best Al fresco Mother's Day brunch ever. The food presentation , quality and flavors were extraordinary. Attentive, relaxing and unhurried service. Great service by Ryan our server and the rest of the staff. Made our special day even more special. read more

Blue Moon Over Avila - French Near Me - Avila Beach, California

Had our anniversary dinner here. One server working as another called in sick. Everthing took a while but we didn't mind as it was a pretty location & we were not in a hurry. Hubby ordered the French onion soup & the duck l'orange. He really enjoyed his dinner, especially the polenta. The soup, according to him, was good but not exceptional as so many other reviews indicated. The sauce was the right balance of tangy & sweetness. I ordered the Cesar salad with salmon. Salmon was cooked perfectly but a bit of seasoning would've made it better as it was bland & a bit fishy. We got the beignets for dessert which came with three dipping sauces. They were good but not sure if I'd order them again. The beignets were not light & fluffy as they should be; the chocolate sauce was a bit too sweet yet bitter; the strawberry sauce was too sour; & the custard-like sauce was decent. Bella was our server - the server all the tables the night we went. She did a good job, smiling & friendly, although she must have been stressed working all the tables by herself. Kudos to Bella & the other male who was helping Bella. read more

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We visited Blue Moon Over Avila for lunch during the July 4th weekend, and it really surprised us since we didn't expect anything. We randomly picked this place while we were walking in the Avila Beach area and got a table right away inside; we were the only people sitting indoors, which was very nice. I loved their furnishings and decor, which include beautiful lighting, tables/chairs, and paintings--simple and elegant! The food was great! We ordered the lobster roll ($33), which was delicious, and it came with a very refreshing salad, a pleasant surprise since we usually don't get salad when ordering a lobster roll elsewhere. The escargots ($18) were excellent as our appetizer. The Trio Combo ($24) was delicious; it's a great combination with the Croque Monsieur Sandwich, Green Salad, and Clam Chowder. For desserts, the Ile Flottante ($14) was very special and yummy; I don't think I've ever had anything like it before. The Citrus and Ginger Creme Brulee ($14) was also excellent! The service was excellent! The host and server were very friendly and attentive. The prices are fair. We had a great time at Blue Moon Over Avila and will definitely recommend it to our friends! read more

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Had such a great experience at Blue Moon Over Avila. The view alone is amazing, and the Italian music playing in the background makes it even better. Our server, Jazz, was fantastic, super attentive, friendly, and really made sure we were taken care of. The food was delicious and everything tasted fresh. And if you're lucky, you might even spot dolphins swimming by! read more

From start to finish this place was awful. We were staying in Avila for my birthday weekend and I thought it would be nice to have something nicer than bar food so we picked the only other option Blue Moon Over Avila. After the hostess sat us. We waited for over 30 minutes before our server ever came to greet us at our table. It was not busy. Only 7 tables with couples at them. Her blasé attitude was unprofessional. Even as she walked away she said "oh, did you want bread or are you just good?" Then didn't bring the bread till the food was coming out. We ended up sending back the salmon and extra veggies we order because the fish was "fishy" tasting and the vegetables were so overcooked that they were mush. Then when she brought the check she said "I comped the salmon and veggies" like she was doing us a favor. We should've stuck with bar food. We had to get up twice and find her because she never checked on us. Once for a heater and the other to take the food back to the kitchen. On the menu there was a lovely write up on the owner. I think she would be appalled with how bad everything was, clearly she is out of touch with her own restaurant. There is more but I'll leave it at this. read more