Top 15 Affordable Restaurants in Arcata, CA

Elisa Truong Its so amazing. Their Rare Steak Pho was perfect, and the egg rolls were divine. Everything came out so fast we waited like less than 5 minutes after ordering! Great service, good atmosphere, aside from being hot and stuffy. Prices were very reasonable. Sizes are generous and always kept finding meat even when i thought i was done.

Bryan Glinski Absolutely phenomenal! O Bento is hands-down one of the best culinary gems in Humboldt County. From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed with warm hospitality and a sense that this place really cares about quality — not just in food, but in service and vibe too. The bento boxes are beautifully presented and bursting with flavor — fresh, balanced, and thoughtfully crafted. The karaage chicken is crispy perfection, the salmon is buttery and tender, and the pickled veggies and sauces elevate everything. You can taste the love and precision in every bite. What really sets O Bento apart is the commitment to ingredients. Everything feels clean, wholesome, and nourishing without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. It’s the kind of spot that leaves you satisfied but energized, which is rare. If you’re passing through Humboldt or lucky enough to live nearby, this place is a must-visit. Easily one of my favorite meals in Northern California. Can’t wait to come back.

Scott Irwin Was quite busy here today however, we did not wait to long for a table. The servers were quick with drinks and once we ordered, it food came fast! Quite delicious. The blended margaritas were also very good. I recommend this restaurant. Give them a try!

Gracie Ceja delicious burritos & sushi. getting the food is kind of confusing at first. (idk about the coffee place because I have not gone there). There is a big line that goes past the restaurants & also some shelves that have food & drinks already. You pay at the cashier at the end of the line. At the burrito place, they make it in front of you like at subway. but there are a few preset options to choose from and then you pick the salsa. the potato korroke burger is so delicious. However, it is pricy.

cassie dunn Stopped to have breakfast before the Saturday farmers market and it was absolutely delicious. Add a side salad to your meal, you won’t be disappointed.

Starflower This place consistently has a line from 11:30AM-3PM so bring a sweater if it’s a chilly day because it is 100% worth the wait. My go-to (pictured) is a poke bowl with the sweet-heat tuna, mac salad and kimchee cucumber (my absolute favorite); and today the dude who runs it let me try a scoop of the sweet potato—a new sweet favorite. All over white rice with furikake seasoning. Owner + employees are consistently super nice and generous. Check out this local gem.

Miguel Cruz Delicious food! Loved every dish. The trainwreck burrito was my favorite. It was huge and very filling, made it into two meals. There was an even bigger burrito which Im sure wouldve been huge. The biscuits and gravy were the best Ive ever had, very flavorful. The breakfast sandwich was delicious and light. The cornbeef hash was somewhat bland but paring it with one of their many hot sauces did the trick. The matcha drink was perfect. Lemonade was fresh. The food was made very quickly too. Was was really nice. In the restaurant you pay and then sit. After you get the food the waiter doesnt come much but you can always get their attention. I would definitely come here again and recommend this place.

Jennifer Metz We absolutely love The Carriage House! This little Sunny Brae jewel is elegant, chic, and wonderfully welcoming. It’s such a nice addition to the neighborhood, and we really enjoy the warm, stylish atmosphere every time we go. The menu is a bit of a mishmash of different styles, and we do find ourselves wishing it were just a little more adventurous, but everything we’ve tried has been solid. The short ribs with mashed potatoes are definitely our favorite. Our kids enjoyed their pasta, and my husband really liked his Philly cheesesteak. We haven’t tried the pizzas yet, but plan to next time. The service is friendly, though we’d love to see it feel a touch more polished to match the elegance of the space. They have a cute patio that isn’t open yet — we’re really looking forward to that eventually opening because it will add even more charm. Overall, it’s a beautiful spot with great potential, and we’ll definitely keep coming back to see how it grows!

xx friendly staff who are very welcoming and helpful. food was prepared quickly. meals were satisfactory and went beyond our expectations. very satisfying and filling meal. they give each guest their own salsa dish with complimentary chips :)

Claire Wakeley Came in during evening on Easter. The place was full and we were seated right away. Though it was busy the tables were spread out and it didn’t feel crowded. Lots of beautiful natural light and atmosphere is casual and cool. Attentive server and food came out a lot faster than they predicted. Huge selection of beer on tap 30-40 options and 6-8 different ciders on tap to choose from. Loved that Gluten free pizzas with cauliflower crust are awesome, we got the margherita and the mozzarella was exceptional. Only wished they had gluten free buns for their burgers as well. Hubby loved the fries with the meat on top and the portion was massive. 10/10 recommend and will definitely come back next time we are in the area.

Amy Bohner Wildflower consistently serves the best vegan cuisine around. My go tos are the wicked Thai peanut stir fry and the Wildflower potatoes. Oh and an oat milk mocha. So excited they are on Door Dash now. Today’s delivery driver said he had never been inside but it smelled so good he’s going to go back for himself! Love that!!

Nick Wren The gyros are always reliable, they dont skimp on the meat and veggies, and speaking of the veggies, theyre always very fresh. If you can handle some spice, their homemade hot sauces are excellent. The mango hot sauce pairs perfectly with the tzaziki gyro. Watch out for the "original" flavor hot sauce, its not for beginners. Slow-building long-lasting burn from fresh habaneros (which you can actually taste, they have a lovely sweet fresh fruity flavor). I also cant forget to mention the staff members were very friendly and kind.

Sarah Young If I could give this place 10 stars I would. Hands down best breakfast place I had. I got the Karen potatoes with no cheese. The potatoes where crispy, eggs were perfect, staff was friendly and attentive (even though it was super busy). The ice tea was so good too. Anyone who knows me knows Im picky on ice tea and this one was fantastic. It tasted like maybe a chi tea. Very good. If I lived by here, I would be there every weekend.

Roman Battaglia The food was great, and not too expensive, especially during happy hour. Im always happy to see sushi restaurants offer a variety of vegetarian sushi options. The only thing that could be improved is maybe little markers to indicate vegetarian options, especially for sushi, since it could be a little tricky to decipher.

Megan Hitchcock What a great place! We walked in and felt so comfortable and welcomed. Beautiful people, great music, outstanding food, and an incredible vibe! We will absolutely be back!!