We had a very good time with great food on 3/31/24 5pm. Originally we were to be 7 on the reservation, but last minute cancellations left us with only 5. Restaurant didn't bat an eye and treated us well. A bit disappointed they couldn't serve alcohol due to an issue with the license. Starter salads were very tasty and loved the salad dressing too. A seafood hot pot was a huge quite delicious portion shared by 2. The prime rib special had just come out of the oven so my husband was pleased to get the end cut - lovely mix of well done and medium with the right amount of meat & fat. No room for dessert but offerings looked good. First time dining here but won't be the last. The veggie & regular burgers were good but more average. Fries were super!
Janis T.
This came under new ownership this past summer. My partner and I were coming in from up the coast, we were hungry, and we knew we were running out of chances to get a meal in the area on a Sunday night. Their kitchen closes at 8 and I'm pretty sure we pulled up at 7:57. The place was empty but they seated us graciously. We were so grateful that they kept the kitchen open just for us. Our meal was Gorgeous. Soo so good. Like I didn't know how badly I needed my ribeye steak and it was perfect. My partner had the Carolina chicken and it was also totally fantastic. Please come enjoy a meal here, they are still waiting to get their liquor license, I understand that might turn people away but the food and the warm service are 100% worth your time.
Syed Zubair
An absolute gem in the middle of no where. On the way to Russian river from Santa Rosa we stopped by this little cafe. As soon as we entered we were greeted by this lovely lady who served us the entire time we were there. The food is pretty good. all their seafood and produce is fresh. We got the complimentary salad and breadsticks which were one of the best and their shrimp cocktail was out of this world thanks to the sauce they use. We also tried the fish and chips which were bomb but their seafood pasta didn’t impress us like the other dishes. For drinks I would highly recommend the rose tea as it was one of the best teas I’ve ever had and that’s coming from a person who drinks 2-3 cups of tea daily. Just make sure to add cream and sugar to it. Everything is a 5/5 for this little cafe and would be coming back here from now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Patty Melt, Crab Cake Salad, Salmon Crab Cakes Salad, Cake, Fish and Chips, Side Salad, Savannah Banana Waffle
Peter D.
It was one of those days where I knew exactly what I wanted for lunch - a decent burger and fries - and not finding it anywhere, until I spotted the Cape Fear Cafe. I was so fixated on what I wanted, that I never even looked at the menu. Who knew what wonders it offers, as various colorful plates of excellent and creative dishes (without being frou-frou or pretentious) passed me by as I awaited the burger. I should have perhaps perused it as I found that my wireless carrier offered no signal and nor was there any wifi, so I could not bury myself in my phone. (Strangely enough those who had read the menu and ordered from it seemed to have signal, my hungry mind entertained). And then it arrived. Perfectly done to the requested temperature, with excellent fries. Just what the doctor ordered. Next time I plan to read the menu before ordering the burger ...
Aan N.
I wish I could give it more stars because it's a unique restaurant and I had high hopes but service wasn't great and food was just alright. Came for dinner but got the lunch menu with. Two in our party got the BLET and the bacon seemed like it had been left over from breakfast. Two got the fish and chips (wasn't on the menu but they said they could make) and the fish was good!! The fries were barely warm. Everyone else gives good reviews so we shall try again and see if we just caught them on a bad day. It happens!
Richard R.
My partner and I have walked past this place countless times while visiting the shops here in Duncan's Mills. After finding our usual spots closed because of stormy weather we finally decided to check them out. We were NOT disappointed. Despite one waiter (serving and busing tables) and limited kitchen staff, we were more than pleased with the service and the food. Cape Fear Cafe is definitely worthy of your support.
Cabrina R.
We were traveling through on a one day adventure when we happened upon Cape Fear Cafe. The ambiance is eclectic elegance, the food is delicious from the warm focaccia, house salad; wonderful mixed greens with dried cranberry with blue cheese crumbles and candied nuts, drizzled with a lovely vinaigrette to spicy grits with shrimp (they were perfect!). My boyfriend ordered the prime rib special, it was served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The prime rib was seasoned to perfection and very tender. Our server was friendly and kind. We had a lovely time. She was very thoughtful and we truly appreciated her kindness and service. I will definitely recommend and return on any future trips through the area. Thank you for adding to our memories!
Adams-Grigorieff F.
Incredible food that is really well done and unique. You can't go wrong with anything on the breakfast menu Enjoy!
Adeline O
Quaint cafe - tastey omelettes & plum fresh clams. Service was one man & one chef, we were ok to wait. Worth it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Dave Newcastle
Cape Fear was a unexpected surprise. Have driven past Duncan Mill numerous times over the decades and never stopped.Very down to earth feeling, nice people, and excellent food. Truly excellent.Worth a stop for sure if you're out for the day on the coast near Jenner and Bodega. Even if you're not heading up the Russian River it's worth the short detour.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Oyster Sandwich with Salad and Fries, Hangtown Fry, Fried Oyster Poor Boy, Oyster PO'Boy and a Garden Salad
Much improved. I don't know if it's new management or new ownership, but I'd pretty much given up on Cape Fear after trying it for breakfast & lunch a few times while staying at our cabin in nearby Cazadero. Food was meh, and service even more meh. I decided after taking a few years off to give it another shot. Wow, what a difference. Speedy and pleasant service. Great breakfasts. Good coffee and large mimosas. So, nice job. It's back on my Redwoods dining rotation :-)
Marilyn C.
Stopped at Cape Fear on the way to Bodega Bay. I have eaten at Cape Fear many times over the years. I have never had a bad meal always excellent with great service. Love the quirkiness of the place and the varied menu . It never disappoints
Rebecca D.
We came here with our buddy who is a local. Jo was our server and was very friendly and helpful. I liked the French toast, hubby had a Brie, spinach omelette and potatoes (both tasty), and our friend had the hangtown fry with fried oysters. Cute place with reasonable pricing, highly recommended. It's part of a little group of shops and restaurants.
AngelicOne
French toast is delicious!!!! We always get it!!! And the coffee is good too!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brandon Diaz
Sometimes you wonder what it’s like to be in West Virginia. Stuck on a small country road looking for food. Realize that you don’t need to be at all. It’s not terribly hospitable. But if you want your flavor mouth to be filled with joy, do yourself a favor, and take yourself on over to Cape Fear cafe.If you want something that is going to be delicious and generally positive beyond your expectations — basically, the opposite of West Virginia — spend your money at this restaurant.We enjoyed such delights as fried oysters, Fish and Chips and rare delicacy, Clam Chowder. Interesting, my wife and I had had clam chowder from an establishment down the road just the night before. The chowder at Cape Fear cafe proverbially and literally—blew it out of the water.Really liked the food, would spend my clams there again.
We had a very good time with great food on 3/31/24 5pm. Originally we were to be 7 on the reservation, but last minute cancellations left us with only 5. Restaurant didn't bat an eye and treated us well. A bit disappointed they couldn't serve alcohol due to an issue with the license. Starter salads were very tasty and loved the salad dressing too. A seafood hot pot was a huge quite delicious portion shared by 2. The prime rib special had just come out of the oven so my husband was pleased to get the end cut - lovely mix of well done and medium with the right amount of meat & fat. No room for dessert but offerings looked good. First time dining here but won't be the last. The veggie & regular burgers were good but more average. Fries were super!
This came under new ownership this past summer. My partner and I were coming in from up the coast, we were hungry, and we knew we were running out of chances to get a meal in the area on a Sunday night. Their kitchen closes at 8 and I'm pretty sure we pulled up at 7:57. The place was empty but they seated us graciously. We were so grateful that they kept the kitchen open just for us. Our meal was Gorgeous. Soo so good. Like I didn't know how badly I needed my ribeye steak and it was perfect. My partner had the Carolina chicken and it was also totally fantastic. Please come enjoy a meal here, they are still waiting to get their liquor license, I understand that might turn people away but the food and the warm service are 100% worth your time.
An absolute gem in the middle of no where. On the way to Russian river from Santa Rosa we stopped by this little cafe. As soon as we entered we were greeted by this lovely lady who served us the entire time we were there. The food is pretty good. all their seafood and produce is fresh. We got the complimentary salad and breadsticks which were one of the best and their shrimp cocktail was out of this world thanks to the sauce they use. We also tried the fish and chips which were bomb but their seafood pasta didn’t impress us like the other dishes. For drinks I would highly recommend the rose tea as it was one of the best teas I’ve ever had and that’s coming from a person who drinks 2-3 cups of tea daily. Just make sure to add cream and sugar to it. Everything is a 5/5 for this little cafe and would be coming back here from now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Patty Melt, Crab Cake Salad, Salmon Crab Cakes Salad, Cake, Fish and Chips, Side Salad, Savannah Banana Waffle
It was one of those days where I knew exactly what I wanted for lunch - a decent burger and fries - and not finding it anywhere, until I spotted the Cape Fear Cafe. I was so fixated on what I wanted, that I never even looked at the menu. Who knew what wonders it offers, as various colorful plates of excellent and creative dishes (without being frou-frou or pretentious) passed me by as I awaited the burger. I should have perhaps perused it as I found that my wireless carrier offered no signal and nor was there any wifi, so I could not bury myself in my phone. (Strangely enough those who had read the menu and ordered from it seemed to have signal, my hungry mind entertained). And then it arrived. Perfectly done to the requested temperature, with excellent fries. Just what the doctor ordered. Next time I plan to read the menu before ordering the burger ...
I wish I could give it more stars because it's a unique restaurant and I had high hopes but service wasn't great and food was just alright. Came for dinner but got the lunch menu with. Two in our party got the BLET and the bacon seemed like it had been left over from breakfast. Two got the fish and chips (wasn't on the menu but they said they could make) and the fish was good!! The fries were barely warm. Everyone else gives good reviews so we shall try again and see if we just caught them on a bad day. It happens!
My partner and I have walked past this place countless times while visiting the shops here in Duncan's Mills. After finding our usual spots closed because of stormy weather we finally decided to check them out. We were NOT disappointed. Despite one waiter (serving and busing tables) and limited kitchen staff, we were more than pleased with the service and the food. Cape Fear Cafe is definitely worthy of your support.
We were traveling through on a one day adventure when we happened upon Cape Fear Cafe. The ambiance is eclectic elegance, the food is delicious from the warm focaccia, house salad; wonderful mixed greens with dried cranberry with blue cheese crumbles and candied nuts, drizzled with a lovely vinaigrette to spicy grits with shrimp (they were perfect!). My boyfriend ordered the prime rib special, it was served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The prime rib was seasoned to perfection and very tender. Our server was friendly and kind. We had a lovely time. She was very thoughtful and we truly appreciated her kindness and service. I will definitely recommend and return on any future trips through the area. Thank you for adding to our memories!
Incredible food that is really well done and unique. You can't go wrong with anything on the breakfast menu Enjoy!
Quaint cafe - tastey omelettes & plum fresh clams. Service was one man & one chef, we were ok to wait. Worth it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Cape Fear was a unexpected surprise. Have driven past Duncan Mill numerous times over the decades and never stopped.Very down to earth feeling, nice people, and excellent food. Truly excellent.Worth a stop for sure if you're out for the day on the coast near Jenner and Bodega. Even if you're not heading up the Russian River it's worth the short detour.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Oyster Sandwich with Salad and Fries, Hangtown Fry, Fried Oyster Poor Boy, Oyster PO'Boy and a Garden Salad
Restaurantji Recommends
Much improved. I don't know if it's new management or new ownership, but I'd pretty much given up on Cape Fear after trying it for breakfast & lunch a few times while staying at our cabin in nearby Cazadero. Food was meh, and service even more meh. I decided after taking a few years off to give it another shot. Wow, what a difference. Speedy and pleasant service. Great breakfasts. Good coffee and large mimosas. So, nice job. It's back on my Redwoods dining rotation :-)
Stopped at Cape Fear on the way to Bodega Bay. I have eaten at Cape Fear many times over the years. I have never had a bad meal always excellent with great service. Love the quirkiness of the place and the varied menu . It never disappoints
We came here with our buddy who is a local. Jo was our server and was very friendly and helpful. I liked the French toast, hubby had a Brie, spinach omelette and potatoes (both tasty), and our friend had the hangtown fry with fried oysters. Cute place with reasonable pricing, highly recommended. It's part of a little group of shops and restaurants.
French toast is delicious!!!! We always get it!!! And the coffee is good too!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sometimes you wonder what it’s like to be in West Virginia. Stuck on a small country road looking for food. Realize that you don’t need to be at all. It’s not terribly hospitable. But if you want your flavor mouth to be filled with joy, do yourself a favor, and take yourself on over to Cape Fear cafe.If you want something that is going to be delicious and generally positive beyond your expectations — basically, the opposite of West Virginia — spend your money at this restaurant.We enjoyed such delights as fried oysters, Fish and Chips and rare delicacy, Clam Chowder. Interesting, my wife and I had had clam chowder from an establishment down the road just the night before. The chowder at Cape Fear cafe proverbially and literally—blew it out of the water.Really liked the food, would spend my clams there again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5