What a delightful place! Pluot and pecan salad was amazing. Lots of time to chat with my daughter. We met the owner who is very gracious and comes with a wonderful smile.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Linda Bobbitt
Remarkable dinner tonight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex Lozovsky
Wanted to love this place, but the food was bad. Tomato soup was so salty it was inedible. Sandwiches were mediocre. And serving popcorn as a side? It doesn’t make sense — it’s not local, seasonal, or organic, which is what they claim to be all about. Ambience is nice and staff seem friendly, but that’s not enough to make up for the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Phil Williams
Halibut ceviche was off the hook! Salad was crisp and just the right amount of dressing. Pretzel pesto chix sandwich is a must. Staff was happy and delightful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
sandy mitchell
Fun environment, and a place you won’t want to miss! The food was amazing and the service was friendly. An enjoyable experience!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Lent
The Kitchen Arcata: A Not-So-Hidden Gem Worth the Trip
Mind-blowingly delicious, top-shelf, and creatively inspired—The Kitchen Arcata delivers a world-class dining experience with the heart and soul of a popup cafe. This charming spot has earned a fiercely loyal following, including discerning locals we met like Kevin, who builds tiny houses for low-income families and the unhoused. We were just visiting from Los Angeles and feeling sad to be heading home—until Chef Jason, along with boulanger Matthew made our departure a little more bearable.
From the first bite, Kitchen Arcata fires up the superlatives. As a New Englander, I can honestly say I’ve never had a clam chowder so chockablock with fresh, briny clams. And if you don’t order your sandwich on the amazing pretzel bread, well, that’s a culinary crime in at least three states. The salads? Local sourced, crisp, colorful, and bursting with flavor. And don’t get us started on the gluten-free banana bread—moist, tender, and gone in seconds.
The soul of Kitchen Arcata comes from its team:
Matthew (aka Mattie—who could moonlight as Richie from The Bear), Chef Jason, who also teaches at Cal Poly Humboldt, Jake, the owner, and another gentlemen we didn't get to meet. Together, they bring nearly 80 years of culinary experience, and it shows.
Bonus tip: take their advice and wander through the Arcata Community Forest after your meal. It’s the perfect digestif.
The Kitchen Arcata may just be Humboldt’s best-kept secret—but not for long.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natalie's email
This is hands down the best restaurant in Humboldt! The Kitchen has fresh, locally sourced food that is delicious and soul satisfying. I’ve been let down time and time again as local favorites have cheapened their ingredients and cut corners on the menu as the economy here has softened, but this restaurant did not disappoint! It was a culinary delight and a real experience! Such a pleasant surprise to have found such a high quality restaurant so close to home! And the staff are amazing! Super friendly and accommodating to any dietary requests. Best restaurant in Humboldt, you’ve got to try it for yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lily Alger
Really yummy food with friendly price. Ordered chicken Caesar sandwich and clam chowder. They are sooooo good. The staff is also really friendly. Definitely would come back.
Great surprise. Dropped in based on google review and yes it is great. Caesar salad sandwich and clam chowder were killer. Service was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jed Getman
Outstanding food! as fresh as it gets with local and in house made ingredients, great atmosphere, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brian W
The food is delicious - fresh and good ingredients, prepared expertly. Was very pleasantly surprised, it’s a simple space. Waitstaff was friendly and welcoming - I’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alejandro Nijamkin
Hospitality, warmth, and yummy food, what else can you ask for? Thank you Jacob!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delaney R
The pretzel rolls are UNREAL. Also some of the best clam chowder I've ever had. Friendly folks running the place
Server was drunk and the food wasn't good at all
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
What a delightful place! Pluot and pecan salad was amazing. Lots of time to chat with my daughter. We met the owner who is very gracious and comes with a wonderful smile.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Remarkable dinner tonight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wanted to love this place, but the food was bad. Tomato soup was so salty it was inedible. Sandwiches were mediocre. And serving popcorn as a side? It doesn’t make sense — it’s not local, seasonal, or organic, which is what they claim to be all about. Ambience is nice and staff seem friendly, but that’s not enough to make up for the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Halibut ceviche was off the hook!
Salad was crisp and just the right amount of dressing. Pretzel pesto chix sandwich is a must. Staff was happy and delightful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fun environment, and a place you won’t want to miss! The food was amazing and the service was friendly. An enjoyable experience!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Kitchen Arcata: A Not-So-Hidden Gem Worth the Trip
Mind-blowingly delicious, top-shelf, and creatively inspired—The Kitchen Arcata delivers a world-class dining experience with the heart and soul of a popup cafe. This charming spot has earned a fiercely loyal following, including discerning locals we met like Kevin, who builds tiny houses for low-income families and the unhoused. We were just visiting from Los Angeles and feeling sad to be heading home—until Chef Jason, along with boulanger Matthew made our departure a little more bearable.
From the first bite, Kitchen Arcata fires up the superlatives. As a New Englander, I can honestly say I’ve never had a clam chowder so chockablock with fresh, briny clams. And if you don’t order your sandwich on the amazing pretzel bread, well, that’s a culinary crime in at least three states. The salads? Local sourced, crisp, colorful, and bursting with flavor. And don’t get us started on the gluten-free banana bread—moist, tender, and gone in seconds.
The soul of Kitchen Arcata comes from its team:
Matthew (aka Mattie—who could moonlight as Richie from The Bear), Chef Jason, who also teaches at Cal Poly Humboldt,
Jake, the owner, and another gentlemen we didn't get to meet.
Together, they bring nearly 80 years of culinary experience, and it shows.
Bonus tip: take their advice and wander through the Arcata Community Forest after your meal. It’s the perfect digestif.
The Kitchen Arcata may just be Humboldt’s best-kept secret—but not for long.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is hands down the best restaurant in Humboldt! The Kitchen has fresh, locally sourced food that is delicious and soul satisfying. I’ve been let down time and time again as local favorites have cheapened their ingredients and cut corners on the menu as the economy here has softened, but this restaurant did not disappoint! It was a culinary delight and a real experience! Such a pleasant surprise to have found such a high quality restaurant so close to home! And the staff are amazing! Super friendly and accommodating to any dietary requests. Best restaurant in Humboldt, you’ve got to try it for yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really yummy food with friendly price. Ordered chicken Caesar sandwich and clam chowder. They are sooooo good. The staff is also really friendly. Definitely would come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was great the service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great surprise. Dropped in based on google review and yes it is great. Caesar salad sandwich and clam chowder were killer. Service was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding food! as fresh as it gets with local and in house made ingredients, great atmosphere, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is delicious - fresh and good ingredients, prepared expertly. Was very pleasantly surprised, it’s a simple space. Waitstaff was friendly and welcoming - I’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hospitality, warmth, and yummy food, what else can you ask for? Thank you Jacob!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The pretzel rolls are UNREAL. Also some of the best clam chowder I've ever had. Friendly folks running the place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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