Gill's By the Bay - Eureka, California

Introduction to Gill’s By the Bay

Gill’s By the Bay is a highly-regarded seafood restaurant located in the coastal town of Eureka, California. Situated at 77 Halibut Ave, Eureka, CA 95503, this establishment has a rich history and a loyal following. It’s an excellent choice for individuals and groups seeking a memorable dining experience, combining classic comfort food with fresh, local ingredients. The restaurant’s commitment to quality and customer service has solidified its position as a beloved fixture in the community for over three decades. It’s truly a place where you can find a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed meal.

Location and Accessibility

Gill’s By the Bay enjoys a prime location overlooking the bay, offering stunning views and a pleasant ambiance. The address, 77 Halibut Ave, Eureka, CA 95503, makes it easily accessible. Guests can easily find the restaurant via GPS or by following the local street signs. The restaurant boasts a range of accessibility features, ensuring that individuals with mobility challenges can enjoy the dining experience. These include wheelchair-accessible car park, wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. The surrounding area offers ample free parking lot and free of charge street parking, further enhancing convenience.

Restaurant Specialties and Menu Highlights

Gill’s By the Bay specializes in serving a diverse menu centered around fresh seafood. It operates as a breakfast restaurant, a lunch restaurant, and caters to various tastes with an array of options. The menu features classic dishes alongside more contemporary creations, all prepared with an emphasis on quality and flavor. Key offerings include a wide selection of seafood, such as crab, fish, and shellfish. The restaurant is particularly known for its crab sandwiches, both hot and cold, which are consistently praised by patrons. Other notable dishes include calamari steak, showcasing the restaurant’s dedication to using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Beyond seafood, diners can also enjoy comfort food, healthy options, quick bites, and small plates. A comprehensive selection of vegetarian options is available to cater to diverse dietary needs. The beverage menu features a curated selection of wine, beer, cocktails, coffee, and tea, including a great tea selection. For those with a sweet tooth, a tempting array of desserts is offered. The counter service allows for a quick and easy meal, while table service provides a more formal dining experience.

Amenities and Services

Gill’s By the Bay provides a complete dining experience with a variety of amenities and services. Guests can choose to dine indoors, outdoors, or take their meal to go with convenient takeaway options. The restaurant offers fast service, ensuring a swift and efficient dining experience. Solo dining is readily accommodated. Reservations are accepted, providing guests with the option to secure a table in advance. Payment options include credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. The restaurant is known for its casual, cosy, and historic atmosphere, appealing to a wide range of visitors. It is particularly popular with families, tourists, and groups. High chairs and a dedicated kids' menu cater to younger diners. Toilet facilities are available.

Customer Feedback and Reputation

Gill’s By the Bay has garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from its customers, as evidenced by its impressive 1034 reviews on Google My Business. The average opinion is a remarkable 4.5/5, reflecting the restaurant’s consistently high standards. Customers frequently praise the restaurant’s cozy local feel, the amazing staff, and the quality of the food. Many highlight the opportunity to enjoy fresh crab during the season, emphasizing the restaurant's commitment to using seasonal ingredients. The outdoor seating is a particularly popular feature, providing a pleasant dining experience with scenic views. The counter service is also appreciated for its speed and convenience.

In essence, Gill’s By the Bay offers a delightful culinary experience with a strong emphasis on quality, service, and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a place where you can indulge in delicious seafood, enjoy a relaxed meal, and create lasting memories. The restaurant’s longevity and positive reputation are a testament to its dedication to providing exceptional dining experiences for its guests.

👍 Reviews of Gill's By the Bay

Kylie M.

5/5

Gill's by the Bay has been here for 35 years for a reason! This restaurant has a very cozy local feel, and the staff is amazing. Plenty of outdoor seating and indoor seating. We were lucky enough to be on vacation at the restaurant while they still had fresh crab in season. We ordered the hot and cold crab sandwiches, and the calamari steak. Everything tasted amazing! I would definitely stop by if you are in the area.

Na T.

5/5

We came from Sacramento for a weekend away to visit some beautiful hikes. A local who used to work here recommended this place.
The crab eggs Benedict was absolutely perfect taste wise, the sauce tasted exactly like it should, although the yolk was a bit too firm, the side salad was really good the lettuce was fresh and crisp.
Husband had crab omelette but he felt like there was not enough crab in his dish and there were barely any bell peppers (they are extra to add).
It is a bit stuffy inside, but still a nice atmosphere. It might be better if some of the windows were cracked open an inch or two.
There was a sign on the patio that only service dogs are allowed.
The staff were friendly and hardworking.
I would come back to try their seafood chowder next.

Susan Y.

4/5

Food was good. We got our soups right away, but didn't get our lunch dishes for over 20 min later! It was busy when we arrived but a number of tables left as we were seated, so we don't understand why it took so long. There was no explanation given either. We arrived at 1ish on a Friday.

Soup of the day gumbo was yummy. Daily special fish tacos had a lot of batter on the fish... I'm used to the fish being less battered. Hubby's fish and chips were less battered than my fish tacos.

Melissa H.

5/5

This was such a find! We went there for breakfast and it did not disappoint! The large mimosa was perfectly mixed. I had the crab Benedict which was the morning special and had a great sauce with plenty of crab! My husband had a perfectly made omelet (and he is an omelet snob). Sitting on the deck is so relaxing. The restaurant, ables, bathrooms and well really everything was very clean. Service was impeccable! Wish we had a breakfast place like this back home!

shyxirl_

3/5

We got there 10:40 and literally sat there until 12:15 only getting our drinks and the side my sister ordered. Our waitress was a complete wench, completely disregarded us for an hour and a half and only brought my sisters side soup she ordered with her main meal, did not update us on our food almost an hour after we ordered and made no effort to acknowledge us or our table. We go to pay for what we got and find out our ticket did not even exist. Main staff and managed inside was much more polite about our issue and apologized but the waitress is who I have an issue with for completely disregarding my mother and sister.

Paul S.

2/5

The food was good but we were not allowed to order breakfast on a Saturday. Also they are not dog friendly. Limited vegetarian options when you can’t order breakfast. If we knew that breakfast wasn’t available and we could not bring our dog on the outside patio then we would have gone somewhere else. It does not tell you these things on their website. We will go somewhere else next time. I guess they don’t care about being upfront or getting repeat business.

Bryce H.

5/5

This was the breakfast we were craving. They have very filling portions, good coffee, and my wife had a perfect mimosa. The patio has a nice quiet view of the bay.
We would be regulars.

Kurt V. D.

5/5

Food was excellent! Our server was the best. She let us know we could customize our breakfast to our liking. She was very friendly and attentive. We sat outside and it was a chilly but beautiful morning.