Pier Place
Oceanfront seafood restaurant and event venue at Point Arena Cove, built around a hand-carved 1800s Bavarian bar.
- Mon 12:00 – 8:00 PM
- Tue 12:00 – 8:00 PM
- Wed Closed · Today
- Thu Closed
- Fri 12:00 – 8:00 PM
- Sat 12:00 – 8:00 PM
- Sun 12:00 – 8:00 PM
Along Highway 1
Leg times are driving estimates along Highway 1.
South to north along Highway 1: Stewarts Point Store, then ~5 min to Sea Ranch Lodge, then ~15 min to Gualala Downtown, then ~25 min to Point Arena Downtown. Pier Place is the venue on this page.
Nearby
Within a short walk
Cove Coffee · Point Arena Pizza
A short drive
- The Record 1.0 mi E
- Sign of the Whale 1.0 mi SE
- Franny's Cup & Saucer 1.0 mi E
- Little Green Bean Roastery 1.0 mi E
Restaurant
Pier Place occupies the space that once housed the long-dormant Pier Chowder House at Arena Cove, now serving California coastal cuisine with panoramic views over the water from the dining hall and Sunset Deck. Expect a laid-back, order-at-the-counter setup with a dog-friendly outdoor patio, plus a dining hall that doubles as an event space (it hosted the local high school prom shortly after opening).
Pier Place markets itself as much as a wedding/event venue as a restaurant — packages run from 10 to 75 guests, covering a Sunset Deck ceremony, bar and dining-hall reception, and customizable on-site catering. It's adjacent to two lodging properties, including Station 314, which the owners position as a built-in convenience for out-of-town wedding parties.
Bar
The bar is hand-carved from 1800s Bavaria and was shipped over by sea — a distinctive detail for a small coastal restaurant — and pours Pliny the Elder on tap, notable for a restaurant this size in a town this small.
What to Order
Dedicated critic coverage doesn't exist yet, and the restaurant's own menu page is a JS-rendered widget that isn't readable by search — so treat this as "what's on the menu," not a ranked pick:
- Fried calamari, fish tacos, and fish & chips — the core seafood lineup
- Ceviche — the lighter option alongside the fried items
- Oysters, salads, and clam chowder — round out the coastal menu
- Chicken and Italian-style beef sandwiches — non-seafood options
No source reports current prices or a standout dish — check the menu directly before you go.
Before You Go
- Historically closed Wednesday and Thursday — confirm current hours before the trip
- Order at the counter — this isn't full table service
- The venue books weddings and private events (10–75 guests); a large walk-in group could collide with a private party
- Dog-friendly patio seating
- The attached Market & Deli keeps its own separate hours from the restaurant
- Free parking, both lot and street
What visitors say
- Fish & chips and the fish tacos are the consensus orders — "Unreal fish & chips with excellent garlic or regular fries" (Google review); the homemade corn tortillas on the fish and prawn tacos get singled out
- Portions are generous where other coastal spots skimp — "Other places seem serving lesser and lesser fish. This had a good portion and yummy" (Google review)
- The cove setting carries the experience — "Spectacular setting and ocean view in a lovely location and building" (Google review); multiple reviewers call it a hidden gem worth the short detour off Highway 1
- Counter service moves faster than expected — "They brought out foods very fast" (Google review), with staff checking tables after; a few earlier reviewers knocked the order-at-the-counter setup, and recent visitors push back on that directly
- Longtime locals call it the best tenant this space has had — "We've seen many iterations of restaurants in this location over the last 20+ years, and this is by far the best one!" (Google review)