Short Sands Long on Mystery
Just a few miles north of the Big Wave Café is the hauntingly beautiful Smugglers Cove and Short Sands beach. The Salem Statesman Journal recently published a piece on the spot’s allure to surfers. However, while the surfing there is widely acknowledged as excellent, the beach makes a fine spot for meditating, picnicking or just […]
Join Us in Celebrating the Fourth of July in Manzanita
Tomorrow Manzanita will bustle with visitors and locals alike as the town celebrates the 2013 Fourth of July in its characteristic American beach town fashion. Start your morning with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Manzanita Fire Hall, located on 5th Street, next to the basketball court. Proceeds will benefit Neahkahnie […]
Recent from Big Wave Cafe
Brianna Moser
01:38 14 Oct 19
My son and I stopped here for dinner. He loved the kids grilled cheese and I had the fresh chinook salmon special which was nicely done. Service was good, albeit a little slow. But my experience went downhill fast during the apple crisp dessert - there were 2 hairs in it. That’s pretty unforgivable and I won’t be back (or recommend either).
Rita Fan
06:02 01 Sep 19
We went on the labor day long weekend. The service was great and the food was very delicious. We had clam chowder, tsunami burgers, and bay shrimp salad. The beef patty for the tsunami burgers was so fresh and juicy. I would love to come back again.
Karl Johnston
03:36 24 Aug 19
Comfortable, clean , fast , service timing was perfect. All Food my wife and I had was.... make you slow down and want to savor and enjoy. Portions were great , price right for the quality of food and service. Family owned and operated.
Were from Portland, I would do a round trip just for dinner.
Mitesh Master
02:34 21 Aug 19
This is a solid seafood restaurant. We had some razor clams, halibut, and clam chowder. We also had the French dip. Everything was good. Nothing screamed amazing. But with so many places failing to do seafood right, it's nice to have a place that does. Portions and prices are what I expect it to be.
Pilar Oun
01:47 19 Aug 19
Great stop for a meal on the coast. Fresh seafood, quality ingredients, reasonably priced, solid service. We would definitely go back again.
Alicia Riley
03:16 08 Aug 19
Stopped in for the first time while I played tour guide with my visiting family. Delicious seafood and amazing marionberry pie. Friendly folks. Loved seeing owners and their son working in the restaurant. I overheard the owner bring out the dinner special for his waitstaff to try. Very sweet man treating his staff right. We will definitely be back!
Corey H
02:45 17 Jul 19
Wow! This place really impresses.
Food: 5/5
Had the special, sesame crusted seared ahi tuna (pictured). Was perfectly cooked and a wonderful presentation. Split that and the standard burger with my wife. The burger was one of the best I’ve had in a long time, and I get a lot of gourmet burgers.
Service: 5/5
The most surprising thing was the great service. They were very attentive. The exec chef Brian came around to ask how meals were and even topped off a few draft beers for a very hospitable touch.
Atmosphere: 5/5
The outside is very unassuming, but the inside shows a close attention to detail. Beautiful woodwork and very clean. It gets a little loud when crowded, but nothing that distracted from the experience.
Overall: 5/5
Richard Shannon
03:22 15 Jul 19
This place is excellent. My family and I just had a big seafood dinner there. It was fairly busy but the service was still good; atmosphere had a nice bustle to it too. Food was all high quality and nicely prepared. Calamari to start was delicious. Kids had fish and chips and chicken strips - all really good. Chicken was actual chicken - not some processed garbage. I had grilled halibut with baked potato and green beans - all were cooked to perfection; the green beans tasted very fresh and were not over cooked. I’m Irish, so I’m big on potatoes and I was very happy. My wife’s halibut fish and chips were good too. The salads were full and fresh and I really like the raspberry vinaigrette. We just wrapped it up with marionberry pie and apple crisp - so yummy! I want to go back to try the clam chowder and crab cakes...
Ronda Burleson
01:21 03 Jul 19
The waiter, Sam, was great. I'm always leery about restaurants with "cafe" in the name. The atmosphere was indeed cafe style, but had a bar, which was nice since I was traveling alone. The clam chowder was very good, I had to add a little salt though. They may go light on salt to accommodate people more. Side salad with bay shrimp was fantastic. Lots of shrimp and only $3 more to add it. I think it was $8. Could've just had that. Ranch dressing had dill in it, which I enjoy. Wine selection was good. I expected super cheap tasting wine.
John Black
23:12 22 Jun 19
Really good Alaska halibut fish and chips. Fast service, very clean. The wait staff was extremely friendly and accurate. The food was a little pricey, but well worth it.
Scott Haney
01:41 20 May 19
ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!!
So many delicious choices, and all of them are amazing.
Great service. The owner blends in with the waitresses.
The best seafood I've had anywhere.
If you live anywhere within a 200 mile radius, definitely worth the drive.
Plus, the road to get here, 101, is one of the most scenic drives in the country.
Will Schleve
04:36 14 May 19
Wonderful dining experience and the food was amazing. The staff was very friendly and the restaurant was nice clean and comfortable. Hadn't seen the owner there in 40 years and he recognized me. The owner Brian & his lovely wife Carol are wonderful people. Highly recommend you go even if it's a little out of the way.
Joy Baum
00:02 13 Feb 18
We had never been before and checked reviews. They seemed good so we stopped in for Sunday lunch. Very cool place. Very clean and a great vibe. Super friendly staff. My order was messed up but they were more than accommodating to fix and quick! Good clam chowder and crab cakes! Would definitely come back and recommend.
Sonya Byars
20:13 11 Feb 18
This place is a must stop! The food is amazing, service is great and the owner is very hands on. Really fresh seafood. Will define back!
April Wright
02:00 08 Feb 18
The service is excellent! Our server Sam was attentive and very good at his job , and the food is amazing! The Wagu tip steak was one of the best I’ve had! The atmosphere is great too! I would highly recommend this place!!
Angie Bitner
05:05 05 Feb 18
It was good food a little spendy. The staff was great he was friendly and helpful.. We had a good lunch and the pie was awesome...
Jennifer Hasting
04:33 16 Jan 18
I visited here recently for the first time. Part of our order was wrong but I'm sure it's just because they were very busy. We didn't want to bother with changing it. I had the halibut fish and chips. It was very good. I was at first very disappointed to see the fish was salted but it was a very small amount that wasn't overpowering. The two people we encountered working were extremely friendly and made it a pleasant experience.