Bayside Cafe - Morro Bay, California

Pamela G.

We stumbled upon an absolute gem in Panama City Beach, and it was love at first bite! This cozy spot combines the charm of a small-town eatery with a delightful resort vibe. Owned by the talented Carolina, a Venezuelan woman with a passion for sharing her culture through food, this restaurant delivers authentic, homemade Venezuelan dishes. Carolina even flies in ingredients from Venezuela every month to ensure every dish tastes just like home.

My boyfriend, a Navy veteran who has traveled to over 20 countries, said, "I've had the pleasure of eating all around the world, and this is hands-down the best place I've ever eaten." And he meant it—not just one dish, but nearly everything we tried blew us away.

We loved it so much that on our way out of town, we stocked up on over six meals to-go! From the Cuban sandwich and the BLT to the empanadas, every bite was an unforgettable flavor explosion. We even chatted with a local who told us this place ranks in the top 3 restaurants in Panama City Beach for locals—and it’s easy to see why.

The customer service was equally incredible. Mariana, who helps Carolina, made us feel right at home with her warmth and hospitality. She even surprised us with complimentary desserts, including a peanut butter chocolate cookie that was out of this world. If you go, do yourself a favor and order it—you won’t regret it.

If you’re ever in Panama City Beach, don’t miss this spot. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience filled with love, authenticity, and unforgettable flavors.

Gretta S.

Ordered the nachos with tri-tip. Great flavor 😋
Restaurant is at State Parks entrance and shares restroom with park.
No choice for breakfast food, which was the only disappointment as I wanted Cafe breakfast foods.

Shelby M.

I was really excited to try this little cafe on our drive up the coast. The atmosphere was amazing and the setting was so perfect. We chose to sit outside even though the weather was a bit chilly. They had heaters and were very accommodating on the porch. I was a bit disappointed with our sandwiches (tri-tip beef sub and beef dip) but the soups were definitely better. We had the tortilla chicken soup and the California chowder (clam chowder mixed with the green chile soup). I think maybe we just ordered wrong, because everything around us looked great.

Elisabeth S.

Found this place to eat while driving through Moro Bay, glad we stopped for the rest and the food! We were seated in just a few minutes even though it was crowded! The cafe sits right off the island strand surrounded by water and a dock for boats! It was foggy this day but it was warm enough to go for a walk after lunch! It’s very picturesque and we enjoyed the food, service and ambience, mostly older folks, and very affordable! We’d love to go back!

Benny S.

Enjoyed a sunset meal on the heated patio. Wonderful food and service. I've been several times, and it's always top-notch. Garrett was our server the last few visits. He is awesome and accurate with his work. I had the seafood pasta for my main course and it was very delicious. Everyone loved their meals, and we can't wait to come back.

Siobhan S.

Stopped here after Kayaking cuz it looked cute but wow the food is delish! Good quality ingredients and lovely place with a nice view of the bay. Fish n chips was legit, and look at the bacon on my BLT! Good quality bacon, and overall good quality ingredients. Great service too. A delightful surprise.

Toni F.

Fabulous lunch. Excellent clam chowder. Decent wine & beer selection. Reasonable prices. Great view. Inside the State Park. We had the daily fish lunch special which was Cortina sea bass with choice of 2 sides.

3 D.

I am not a seafood person so I can't comment on the most likely reason people come to this restaurant but they did serve me a nice chicken dish.
The staff were all very friendly and the environment is pleasant.
By far the most amazing thing though and a reason to come back was the tres leches. It has a zest of orange in it and that took the flavor to a whole new level.