Maritime Cafe

“What a gem of a restaurant on Highway 1 in the town of Elk! Be prepared to be surprised by the delicious, fresh, seasonal foods. Ended up ordering the fresh oysters, sugar snap pea salad, and Monterey squid. Everything was perfectly prepared and tasted wonderful. A must-stop if you are driving through Elk.”

“Lovely restaurant. The food was so delicious. We ordered 2/3 of the menu and we loved all of them and it wasn’t just the regular neighborhood restaurant good meal - it was creative, and delicately executed. The flavors were bold but well balanced. Everything tasted fresh. And the squid. Damn I will be thinking about that squid every time I think of Elk. We ordered two because it was too good and we honestly could’ve ordered three and still eaten it all. Highly highly recommend.”

“What a find! The food is incredibly fresh and perfectly prepared. We ate there two days in a row. This is a wonderful, charming, small, family owned and run establishment that not only provides fantastic food but also a warmth and unpretentiousness that feeds your soul. I can't say enough so I'll add pics but this is some of the best food on the planet. The fried oysters, Monterrey squid and pork meatballs were fab! They have great salads, rice and bean bowls and pancakes. Go to Elk and be amazed!”

“Stumbled upon this hidden gem in Elk during a road trip, and it turned out to be so much more than just a quick stop for food. Maritime Cafe offers beautifully crafted, creative dishes that feel thoughtful and unique—nothing like the generic meals you might find elsewhere. We tried the California Cured Halibut—fresh, balanced, and the kind of flavor that makes you want to order a glass of white wine on the spot. The Weisswurst was also memorable, though it was the crispy potato cake on the side that truly stole the show. Portions are on the smaller side, and the prices lean high, but the quality and creativity really justify it. The space itself is clean and cozy, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Service was genuinely warm and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Parking is street-side, but easy enough. It’s still under the radar for now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it shows up in travel magazines soon. I’d happily come back again—it feels like a special find.”

“TL;DR: Hands down the best meal we’ve ever had on the West Coast! Incredible flavors, perfect tenderness of ingredients, and amazing atmosphere. We kept ordering more because every dish blew us away. Even the sourdough and ice cream were next-level. Ended the night with a sunset over the ocean—pure magic. Can’t wait to go back! ———————— My partner and I had the best meal on the West Coast in my life! We were driving back from the north on July 4th, starving, when I serendipitously found this place—with walk-ins still available for dinner. There’s limited parking at the state beach lot just across the street. We were seated pretty quickly, and the host was very welcoming. We started with three entrées to share—squid, fish, and chicken—and after tasting them, we just kept ordering more and more. Before each dish arrived, I kept joking, “How good can it be?”—and then my mind was blown. The tenderness of each ingredient was absolute perfection 👌!!! I’ve never had tomatoes, cauliflower, or broccolini cooked so perfectly. The flavoring was just as incredible. We ordered sourdough just to mop up every last bit of the sauce—and even the sourdough was the best I’ve ever had! For dessert, we had a 50/50 hazelnut chocolate and strawberry ice cream—the strawberry was so refreshing and natural. Love, love! Right after we finished our meal, the timing was perfect for sunset. Half the diners ran out to the patio to watch the sun dip into the ocean—lol. What a perfect way to end the day. I didn’t get the chance to thank the chef, but I want to say: your attention to detail, refined palate, and flawless execution shine through in every dish. I could feel the love and professionalism poured into the food, the menu, and the entire atmosphere. I feel so lucky to have discovered this place before it gets too popular. Please keep up the amazing work—I cannot wait to come back!”