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    Trillium Cafe & Inn

    4.3 (1k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Trillium Cafe & Inn Photos

    TRILLIUM CAFE & INN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Trillium Cafe & Inn

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    Louis M.

    Although I was initially reluctant to attend, my wife encouraged me to go, and I found the experience to be quite rewarding. Service: Adrienne, thank you for your professionalism, proactive management, and commitment to ensuring our order was delivered on schedule. Atmosphere: The facility was well-maintained, comfortable, and expansive. While the table sizes were somewhat compact, they remained functional for our dining needs. I would recommend utilizing the patio seating, weather permitting, as it offers a superior and more spacious environment. One thing I would recommend, is to call for reservations. Food: The restaurant featured an outstanding selection of fine cuisine. We began our meal with an order of sautéed wild scallops accompanied by Meyer lemon marmalade; the quality was such that we promptly ordered a second serving, which proved to be an excellent value. Additionally, the pepper lemon soup was exceptionally well-prepared. Selecting a main course proved challenging due to the quality of the options, such as the flat iron steak, but I ultimately chose the catch of the day, rock cod. The dish was expertly seasoned, presented with artistic care, and served in a generous portion. My wife selected the grilled pork chop, served with grilled baby carrots, cauliflower, and wild rice. She noted that the dish offered a sophisticated balance of sweet and savory notes, specifically commending the tenderness and high quality of the pork. For dessert, we enjoyed the honeycomb sundae, an exceptional offering topped with syrup, chocolate cookies, and whipped cream. Should you have room for dessert, I highly recommend their house-made specialty selections crafted by their own pastry chef. Location: The proximity to the venue allowed us to explore Mendocino's local culture and numerous independent shops on foot. The combination of pleasant weather and the coastal breeze defined the unique character of this town, leaving us with a strong impression of going back to old West. Spirits/ Wine Selection: The selection was exceptionally comprehensive and featured an extensive array of local wines. Guests have the flexibility to purchase beverages by the glass, half-bottle, or full bottle.

    Lamb chop special
    Suzanne M.

    We like coming here on our annual visit. Outside has been redone. I was skeptical about how I would feel because I liked the tent but I have to say it is a bit more classy. The gardens are still beautiful. Our server was pleasant although could have been a bit more attentive. Our food took forever to come out. We were fine with that because we were enjoying ourselves.We shared the blue cheese salad. It was light and fresh. I had the lamb chops. Tasty but way too much broccolini. It's like they were trying to get rid of what they had in the kitchen. My husband had the prawns and risotto. They were large prawns and he was happy. We wanted to catch the sunset so we had to forgo dessert to run out. Next time.

    Fish special of the day
    Carmen O.

    Came in for dinner on a trip to Mendocino on Labor Day weekend. What a delightful experience! The ambience is quaint inside, with multiple small dining areas. There is a beautiful outdoor patio seating that is heated, with use of the water. Service was prompt, friendly, eligible and unintrusive. We started with the scallop appetizer which was served with some fennel and greens, and was delicious. The scallops might have been seared a little bit more. We also had a fig salad which was very refreshing and delightful. For entrées we split the fish of the day which was cod served with scalloped potatoes and snap peas. We also had the wild prawns which were served with polenta and beautiful purple cauliflower and broccolini. Both were absolutely delicious. Our dinner we had the Dubai bar which was insane! . Highly recommend Trillium if you are in the area

    Christine C.

    A wonderful place when you crave Italian cuisine in Mendocino! Simple but flavorful food bring out the real taste of the ingredients. Love the service from the host to the servers. Will revisit again next time in town!

    Dining interior
    Tom B.

    I ate a lunch in the courtyard and a dinner in the dining room, both very pleasant experiences. The ambiance is relaxed and casual with an extremely friendly and engaging staff. The look is very much a country cafe vibe, yet somewhat upscale too. The lunch outside was so enjoyable. The space and garden is delightful. Seating is far enough apart so you don't feel cramped. I started with the soup of the day which was wonderful. Then I chose the Rock Fish Tacos and oh my goodness, some of the best tacos ever. I liked that they didn't automatically fall apart when you picked it up. Plus the flavor and tenderness of the fish was spot on perfect. For dinner during a subsequent visit sitting inside at a cozy table was equally enjoyable. Four of us had a tough time choosing entrees as everything on the menu looked appealing. We started and shared the cheese board which was fabulous. Local cheeses were the highlight and ever so good. For my entree I chose the Gnochi with vegetagles. I very much enjoyed the overall dish but the gnochi were somewhat sparse and not that good in texture. Surprisingly that didn't impact the overall impression as everything else in the dish was satisfyingly delicious. It was an adequate portion and the price point good for the quality. We went through two bottles of wine, one suggested by the server. It was spot on. This is a delightful restaurant and if you're in the area definitely make it a stop for either lunch, when available, or especially dinner.

    Hamburger and salad
    Thor M.

    We sat outside in the beautiful garden area. The service was fantastic and they checked on us often. I ordered the Hamburger, which was very good. The only downside was the bun. Which was fresh and great tasting, but a bit too much bread for me. I had a side salad with a fantastic home made dressing. My wife ordered the Chicken panini and potatoes. It was also very good. The special of the day was the Red lentil Carrot coconut soup. Again, it was fantastic. For desert we had the Hokey Pokey sundae. The hot fudge tasted homemade also and I really enjoyed the honeycomb ice cream.

    Sunil R.

    Trillium Cafe & Inn in Mendocino has a beautiful setting and the food really delivers...well-prepared dishes in a charming, relaxed atmosphere right in the village. We enjoyed the meal overall, but the service felt a bit uneven. It seemed like our waitress may have been new and wasn't fully familiar with the menu or options, which made things a little slow and unclear at times. Still, the quality of the food and the setting make it a strong 4-star experience and a place we'd happily return to.

    Scallops $23
    Clara C.

    This review is for dinner. Hours are 5-8:30 PM, but we stayed until at least 9:30 or 10 PM. We were not the last to leave. They had local ceramics on sale next to the entrance. The fireplace inside was burning and warmed the dining room. I liked that there was no strong smoke smell. Reservations are highly recommended. The space is small, so there will be a wait without a reservation. Reviews were good, but my experience was not the same. I was surprised that the service was stiff and not hospitable. Also the food was just ok. -Soup of the day: fish chowder $8 for a bowl. Shareable for four. Server should have brought out bowls without us asking. -Grilled artichoke: $17. Server refused/did not know how to explain how to eat it -Scallops: $23. Menu should say how many scallops are in one order. Server did offer to ask the chef to include one scallop per person. -Sable fish: $43. Fair - menu warned about bones and there were plenty. Black rice needed seasoning or salt. -Flat iron steak: $50. Prettiest dish. -Pork medallions: $45. Not memorable. Could pass on this. -Rock cod: $43. Smallest portion size of the four. The only thing our server could say about the dessert was, "it's made by a pastry chef". Giving pretentious. Anyway I liked the COCONUT ALMOND CAKE because of the banana ice cream and the toffee sauce. I thought this was a great way to end the meal. It will be the only thing memorable about Trillium Cafe for me. The roasted strawberry tart was the worst. Too much cream and not enough strawberry. I would rather go back to Cafe Beaujolais to see our sweet farmer server again.

    Ilyssa R.

    Our favorite restaurant in Mendocino. Beautiful outdoor eating, wonderful food for both meat-eaters and vegetarians (like me!) alike. We adore the brussels sprouts, the croquettes, gnocchi, bison burger... everything is fabulous. We always come back here.

    Menu - Rose & Red Blend
    Ernest G.

    Best option for fresh cuisine in Mendocino. Great attentive staff - down to the busboy! We were really impressed with the distinct flavors each dish offered. We started the night with Scallops - Followed by Gnocchi's and Flat Iron Steak. Perfect trifecta! (Paired it all with a Red Mendocino Blend). Lastly we finished the night with a Strawberry Tart. Not to sweet and just enough to share. When in Mendocino - don't miss out on Trillium!!

    Pork Medallions
    Sharan N.

    Best restaurant in downtown Mendocino. Located walking distance from the majestic coastline. The indoor dining reminds of classic inn style dining. The outdoors is spacious with beautiful landscaping and coastal views. Noticed outdoor guests are provided blankets for comfort. Our hostess Jen made us feel at home and the birthday dinner truly special. The special Morel Mushrooms appetizer with Polenta patty and asparagus sauce was exceptional. Loved the local farm fresh greens served with all dishes especially with the seared scallops and goat cheese croquettes. Warm coconut almond cake with Banana ice cream and dessert wine was the perfect finish. Will definitely come back here in the future :)

    Dan B.

    Food was amazing. Fresh seafood and pork medallions Roasted tomato bisque and blue cheese salad were wonderful. Finished off with a fruity sorbet. Service was friendly and attentive. A warm and friendly atmosphere which made us feel like locals. Highly recommend.

    Cheese board
    Hazel B.

    The staff are very friendly and the food tasted amazing. My parents and I came here during lunch time (they have separate menus for lunch and dinner) and they have both inside and outside seating. The day was so nice so a lot of people were outside and they could only take us inside which was fine with us. They offer tap or sparkling water to start you off. What we ordered: cheese board, Strawberry margarita, strawberry spritz, strawberry salad, and panini chicken sandwich with potato wedges split in two (my dad and I split the panini because they described it as big enough). The cheese board was probably one of the best cheese boards I've had. Absolutely lovely. The main dishes, although tasted great, took an unusually long time to be made. That felt odd to us since all we ordered was a salad and a panini. That's the only reason for docking it one star, otherwise it's great!

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    1 month ago

    I had black cod. It was cook perfectly. My overall meal was outstanding and service was awesome.

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    Great food, great service, friendly staff, beautiful out door eating area. Would highly recommend. Will be back forsure.

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    Trillium Cafe & Inn Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Trillium Cafe & Inn

    Noticed gluten free options on their menu. How are they good about avoiding cross-contamination?

    We have flour in our kitchen, so there isn’t a guarantee our gluten free options don’t have flour particles. However, all our pastries are made in the morning, and at a designated table, where as our salads and appetizers have another station. Our… 

    What about the Inn? Everything I see is all the Café, can't find one link anywhere about the Inn, or reservations or photos for it?

    Click on Home and scroll to lodging or the selection of rooms. https://trilliummendocino.com/lodging/

    Who are the owners of the restaurant business?

    Saul & Sandra McElroy

    View All 4 Questions

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    Frankie's - Mushroom cap 5/5. Best thing ever .

    Frankie's

    4.0(482 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Frankie's serves ice cream from Cowlicks, and it's absolutely worth a stop. The staff is incredibly…read morefriendly, and the ice cream is delicious. On our first visit, we ordered strawberry and root beer float cones. We enjoyed them on the deck after the dinner rush, relaxing while watching the ravens across the street. On our second visit, I tried the affogato with Candy Cap Mushroom ice cream. The earthy, nutty sweetness of the ice cream added an unexpected depth of flavor to the espresso, making for a unique and memorable treat. If you decide to linger, the cozy upstairs seating is a hidden gem. A small window lets in the cool ocean breeze, making it the perfect spot to slow down and enjoy your treat. If you're in town, Frankie's is definitely worth a visit..

    On a North Coast vacation, we were in Mendocino for the day. On our list to try was Frankie's, as…read morethey serve Cowlick's ice cream from Fort Bragg, which we have long been fans of. We were fortunate to come by when there was hardly any line, a good start. With all the buzz about Candy Cap Mushroom ice cream I just had to try it. My wife chose the Hokey Pokey (described as honeycomb candy ice cream with lots of honeycomb candy pieces). We grabbed our ice cream and found a number of inside tables to relax in and enjoy our sweets. There are also upstairs and outside tables. My wife loved her Hokey Pokey, and I tried it as well and agreed - a unique concoction and delicious! I found my Candy Cap Mushroom OK, but not a favorite. Certainly points for originality (where else can you find one?) but my tastebuds like something a little sweeter. For me it was a little too like vanilla, my least liked flavor. But I won't ding them for a personal preference, as there was nothing wrong with the quality. Great location for Mendocino ice cream - although maybe next time it's the Hokey Pokey for me.

    Photos
    Frankie's - Some of seating area

    Some of seating area

    Frankie's
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    GoodLife Cafe & Bakery - Jalapeno Bagel with herb cream cheese, cucumbers and sprouts

    GoodLife Cafe & Bakery

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Four of us stopped by for breakfast last week while on vacation. Even though it was packed, our…read morewait for a table was very short. We loved all the local art on the walls. It was all very nice. Our server was really good until it was time to pay. I think either his shift ended or he was on a break. No problem though. Another server immediately assisted us once we asked. The food was all really good. During the trip I had a bagel with salmon twice. The one at GoodLife was substantially better than the other one. I never realized the same breakfast dish could be so different in quality. Everyone in our party enjoyed our breakfast and we actually tried to rework our schedule to have lunch there. Unfortunately, we weren't able to make that happen. If we ever get back to the area we will absolutely stop here.

    This place was recommended by locals in Mendocino, and there was a long line out the door…read more Personally, the items we ordered didn't stand out very much and felt like things we could make at home. Maybe we didn't order correctly -- we also didn't get any of the fresh bakery items, which looked really good. We had café items instead: one was a turkey sandwich, and the other was a breakfast sandwich. The breakfast sandwich seemed like an omelet inside two pieces of sourdough bread, and there wasn't much more to it -- I would have liked a bit more texture and flavor. The avocado in the turkey sandwich was too hard and hadn't been cut before being put into the sandwich. The lettuce didn't feel super fresh, and the turkey didn't stand out either. Great staff and such a lively place, though -- I think we may have just chosen incorrectly.

    Photos
    GoodLife Cafe & Bakery - Original art for sale

    Original art for sale

    GoodLife Cafe & Bakery - Meat lovers omelette - @rayz

    Meat lovers omelette - @rayz

    GoodLife Cafe & Bakery - Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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    Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Trillium Cafe & Inn - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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