Harbor House Inn - Elk, California

memcnult

We stayed three nights and had an amazing experience. Our “cottage”, Oceansong, was charming with amazing view, multiple comfy seating options, and the fireplace kept us cozy. We had dinner at the restaurant one evening and it was remarkable. I particularly appreciated the non-alcoholic drink pairing that was incredibly thoughtful and unique. We also had the in-room dining option one night and throughly enjoyed it. The staff throughout our stay were lovely, greeted us by name and remembered little details. The pre-trip info & communication was great, we in particular appreciated the detailed hiking options and directions. This was a special occasion splurge, and met all expectations.

Jason R.

Harbor House Inn exceeded all expectations during our anniversary stay. The food was phenomenal—each dish a creative masterpiece highlighting local, seasonal ingredients. The ambiance is serene yet elevated, with the inn perched perfectly to showcase stunning coastal views. Parking is straightforward, though the drive from the Bay Area requires some navigation through winding roads—it’s an adventure worth every mile. The service was impeccable—attentive, thoughtful, and warm. If you’re seeking a luxurious, one-of-a-kind escape with world-class dining and views to match, this is the place.

Olivier C.

Harbor House has been one of the best meals that both my wife and I have had, if not possibly the best. We've both been to multiple 3 Michelin star restaurants, and we definitely felt that the harbor house was up there. In addition the setting is amazing and truly unique.

Jeff V. D. P.

Sometimes, the hype is real. I had learned about Harbor House Inn via the press and social media, and I was a bit tentative about spending so much on a remote adventure. I am so pleased to share that my beloved and I spent three days at HHI recently and even with rainy weather, it was a magical time. The vibe is calm and serene. No TVs and no cell service meant that you were focused on each other and your surroundings. WiFi was solid at the Inn if needed. The property is just like the pictures, both luxurious and unpretentious at the same time. We stayed in the Seaview cottage, and repeatedly got distracted by the incredible views of the cove and the rock formations.

Food: we did in-room dining the first night, and were truly impressed. Serving a multi-course menu all at once is tricky, but the team succeeded except for the last protein course (the pork loin), which was a bit cold and uninteresting by the time we were ready to eat it. Still, a wonderful meal to start the weekend, and I recommend asking the beverage director for an appropriate wine pairing. I splurged a bit, but the result was one of the best Burgundies I've ever enjoyed, and it was perfect with the food.

The breakfasts (also served in-room at the cottages) are glorious. The shirred eggs at first glance seemed undercooked, but were in fact delicious, and the whole meal was warming and filling. We devoured the breakfast each day, and didn't even eat lunch bc we were so satiated.

The tasting menu in the dining room is as legit as Michelin, et al state. Service was professional but also warm and inviting. Definite Japanese influence and seafood-focused, and also truly of the place. It's not the greatest meal I've ever had, but it certainly felt like the most authentic and pleasing.

An extra bonus: after marveling at the remarkable pottery and tableware (there are multiple remarkably crafted items for every course), we ventured up to Albion to visit Cliff Glover's pottery gallery. He was friendly and welcoming, and happily discussed every item. A warm and generous soul, which can be seen in the pieces he makes for the restaurant. Definitely worth a visit.

All this to say: it's not cheap. It's not necessarily easy to get to. Still, it is truly unique, and more than worth the effort. We are already planning our return journey to Harbor House. I adore this place. Please visit and you'll understand.

Jeff D.

Their Michelin stars are well earned! Extremely creative menu and presentation, but did not seem contrived or forced. And most importantly, the food was delicious.
At least 10 different courses, but we did not feel over stuffed at the end. No “throwaway” dishes either. Even the butter with the bread was unique and delicious (with seaweed in it, IIRC). Seafood heavy, which is appropriate given their location on the ocean. And impressive use of local and seasonal ingredients.
Of particularly note was the abalone steamed inside of seaweed cooked inside of a loaf of bread (the dough of which was partially sand and ash? Bread was not served, don’t worry). After revealing this nesting doll table side, they prepared an amazing dish with the abalone in the kitchen. Even without the presentation, the dish stands on its own. But the special cooking method made it all the more unique and enjoyable.
Sommelier provided a great bottle recommendation, which we really enjoyed. We usually do the wine pairings but wanted to try something different. Asked for something specific but vague (a Burgundy with some age) and he gave us several suggestions. While pondering our decision, he came back with an additional suggestion, clearly having been thinking about it after leaving our table. Was a bit more marked up than I would like (albeit the usual restaurant 3x retail) but was thoroughly enjoyable, and paired well (or great) with pretty much everything (save the desert).
The staff was professional but not stuffy, friendly but not overly familiar, and attentive but not doting. Exactly what you would want (and expect) from a restaurant of this caliber.
Would highly recommend and hope to return to in the future. The only thing that would keep me from doing so sooner is the location. Elk is bit of a ways. But I suppose that’s some of the draw, and makes what they’ve built there all the more impressive. Kudos.

Guillermo I.

The Harbor House Inn in California is an absolute gem, blending coastal charm with exceptional hospitality. Nestled in the picturesque town of Elk on the Mendocino coast, this boutique inn offers a serene escape with breathtaking ocean views and a level of tranquility that’s hard to match. Each room has a cozy, elegant design that highlights the natural beauty outside, with large windows framing the dramatic cliffs and Pacific coastline. The attention to detail is remarkable, from high-quality linens to thoughtful, luxurious amenities.

One of the highlights is the inn’s restaurant, which features a Michelin-starred dining experience focused on hyper-local, seasonal ingredients, often sourced directly from the surrounding forests, gardens, and waters. Every dish is meticulously crafted, blending flavors with the scenery to create a truly immersive dining experience.

The staff at Harbor House Inn are exceptionally warm and attentive, providing personalized service that makes guests feel both pampered and at home. The surrounding area offers scenic hiking trails, and the inn’s location is perfect for anyone looking to explore the rugged beauty of Northern California.

Overall, the Harbor House Inn is a top-tier destination for those seeking luxury, privacy, and an intimate connection with nature. It’s perfect for a romantic getaway or a peaceful retreat, leaving guests refreshed and yearning to return.

Courtney R.

I have never, in my life, been so disrespected and disappointed. My husband and I made a reservation, excited to try it all. They make you prepay for the lunch that is around $380, including tip. The reservation was for 12:30 on a Saturday, our last day on our honeymoon. On Friday at 6:45 food poisoning hit my husband and we ended up in the hospital. I called, and called, and emailed, and called. No one would answer or call me back until 10:45 Saturday morning. Clearly, whoever called me back was not the person determining the outcome as she was very apologetic. I get an email an hour later stating the “hope” that they can find someone else to fill our spot to trigger a refund. At 4:00 I wrote them asking if they filled the spot and that this was cruel to do to people who were experiencing turmoil. Our air bnb hosts called them as well to verify the circumstance. They told us no refund would be issued. I finally requested to get the meal that night instead and they said we could get the meal the next day at 12:30. We chose not to get the meal because of our flight time out of San Fran. They also suggested that we should have told our air bnb hosts to take the reservation when I said we couldn’t make it but only as a take out, and we could share, given the circumstances with my husband being so sick, and they said you should have offered the reservation to them. I understand trying to give the best meal, but they are NOT remote, which was their excuse. There are many residents and restaurants in that area. And what is the threshold? You charge someone $380 when they cannot come to the meal when their spouse is in the hospital!! Does death of a child, car accident, or breaking a leg change their policy She told me to get travelers insurance insurance so she wasn’t the “bad guy.” She also told me she believed me that my husband was in the hospital but sorry, we couldn’t fill the spot. It’s immoral, unethical, gross, and horrible to do this to people. Although they take filling your stomach with good food seriously, they could care less about being good humans to other humans. I wouldn’t ever spend a dime here with such horrific policies/common sense on how to treat other people. Another elitist restaurant that doesn’t believe in the human connection that far surpasses taste.

Jake P.

I’ve eaten at a lot of Michelin restaurants, in fact when I ate here I was on my way down the coast trying a bunch of them.

This was by far the most disappointing $500+ lunch for two that I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t have even paid $50 in hindsight. The service was fantastic, but nothing could make up for kale salad with generic green goddess sauce. Sausage was the main course and it was cooked so….mildly?

I ate here back in August of 2024, and recently I found myself back on the coast line, and was reminded of how disappointing this meal was.