Locals Swear These Haunted Restaurants In California Serve Spooky Meals Worth Every Bite
California has some seriously strange places to grab dinner. Plenty of restaurants across the state come with more than just good food – they bring ghost stories, mysterious footsteps, and tales that have been whispered for decades.
Locals know these spots serve up incredible meals alongside their spooky reputations, making them perfect for anyone who loves a side of supernatural with their supper.
I’ve always been drawn to places where history lingers in the air, and these twelve restaurants deliver exactly that kind of unforgettable atmosphere.
1. Moss Beach Distillery – Moss Beach (San Mateo Coast)
Perched on wave-battered cliffs with views that steal your breath, this restaurant has earned its reputation for both spectacular seafood and one very famous ghost.
The Blue Lady is said to glide silently between tables, and more than a few diners claim they’ve felt her presence brush past them during their meal.
Order the clam chowder or cioppino and settle in by the fireplace as the sun melts into the Pacific. Weekend evenings fill up fast, so calling ahead is smart.
The combination of crashing waves, flickering candlelight, and that persistent chill makes every visit memorable.
2. Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant – Old Town San Diego
Stepping inside feels like traveling back to 1850, when this building served as a bustling stagecoach stop.
Candlelight flickers across creaky wooden floors, and locals have long traded stories about Ysidora Bandini and other spirits who supposedly never checked out.
I visited on a quiet Tuesday and swear I heard footsteps upstairs when no one else was around. The carne asada is excellent, and their enchiladas pack real flavor.
Brunch draws big crowds on weekends, and you’re right in the heart of Old Town’s historic square, perfect for wandering after your meal.
3. Serẽa at Hotel del Coronado – Coronado (San Diego Bay)
Polished coastal cuisine meets Victorian elegance at this stunning spot where whole fish, oysters, and citrus-herb combinations shine on every plate.
The restaurant sits just steps from where Kate Morgan, the hotel’s most famous spirit, supposedly still wanders the halls after her mysterious story unfolded more than a century ago.
Golden-hour dinner reservations offer the best light, and afterward, you can stroll past those iconic red turrets. The atmosphere balances refinement with coastal ease, making it ideal for special occasions that come with a hint of mystery.
4. Captain’s Anchorage – Big Bear Lake
Tucked into the mountains since 1947, this lodge serves prime rib and steaks in an atmosphere that feels plucked straight from a classic noir film.
Employees have nicknamed their unseen helper George, and more than one server has witnessed glasses moving or doors opening when nobody’s nearby.
Cozy booths and vintage black-and-white photos line the walls, while the bar radiates old-school charm. I once sat near the back and watched a candle flicker wildly despite zero breeze.
The food is hearty, the vibe is warm, and that slight shiver down your spine just adds character.
5. Brookdale Café & Grill (at The Historic Brookdale Lodge) – Brookdale (Santa Cruz Mountains)
A creek once flowed right through the dining room, and according to locals, the spirits never left when the water was redirected.
The lodge’s café and lounge have been freshly revived, offering tri-tip and live music in a setting where old legends about Sarah in the Brook Room still get whispered over dinner.
The combination of natural beauty and eerie history makes this spot unforgettable. You can feel the weight of the past in every corner, but the menu keeps things grounded with solid comfort food and a welcoming vibe that balances spooky with inviting.
6. The Steakhouse at Paso Robles Inn – Paso Robles (Central Coast)
Fireplaces crackle, ranch-country steaks sizzle, and whispers of friendly spirits tied to the inn’s long history drift through this downtown classic.
The hotel’s long history means plenty of stories have accumulated over the decades, though most guests focus on the perfectly cooked ribeye and Central Coast flights.
This is Paso’s go-to date-night table, where the atmosphere blends rustic charm with just enough mystery to keep conversation lively.
I’ve heard more than one server mention strange occurrences in the older wings, but the vibe stays warm and welcoming throughout your meal.
7. Pilothouse Restaurant (aboard the Delta King) – Old Sacramento
An elegant dining room aboard a historic riverboat moored along the Sacramento River serves shrimp cocktails, prime rib, and a side of maritime mystery.
Stories of late-night footsteps echoing across the empty decks have circulated for years, adding an extra layer of intrigue to your evening.
Book dinner, then take a moonlit stroll around Old Sacramento’s cobblestone streets.
The Delta King’s vintage charm and waterfront location make it a standout, and that faint creak of the gangplank or distant sound from below deck keeps you wondering what else might be aboard this beautifully preserved vessel.
8. Union Hotel Restaurant – Occidental (Sonoma County)
Red-checkered tablecloths and family-style Italian platters define this Sonoma County gem that locals quietly call spirited.
Plates piled with pasta, roasted meats, and fresh bread get passed around communal tables, creating a lively, convivial atmosphere where stories flow as freely as the food.
A lingering draft here, a flicker of light there – these little oddities just add to the charm rather than spook anyone away. I visited with friends last fall, and we all noticed how one corner of the dining room stayed inexplicably cold.
Still, the warmth of the meal and company more than made up for any chills.
9. Old Ship Saloon – San Francisco (Barbary Coast/Financial District)
Burgers, fish and chips, and pints get served on the site of the shipwrecked Arkansas, whose hull once formed the actual barroom structure.
The maritime backstory runs deep, and the tragedies tied to this location fuel the bar’s lingering supernatural reputation among regulars and newcomers alike.
San Francisco’s Barbary Coast history is wild, and this saloon preserves that rough-and-tumble spirit.
The casual menu and laid-back vibe make it easy to settle in, though you might find yourself glancing over your shoulder when the old floorboards creak underfoot or shadows shift in unexpected ways.
10. Cold Spring Tavern – Santa Barbara (San Marcos Pass)
An 1860s stagecoach stop tucked deep in the oaks serves weekend tri-tip at the outdoor grill and hearty tavern fare inside, all wrapped in a palpable Old West eeriness.
The property even preserves buildings from a vanished ghost town, and locals have traded stories about unexplained sounds and sightings for generations.
I stopped here on a foggy Sunday morning, and the mist rolling through the trees made the whole place feel suspended in time.
The food is smoky and satisfying, the setting is unforgettable, and that sense of history lingers in every corner.
11. Enzo’s Italian Restaurant (at Glen Tavern Inn) – Santa Paula (Ventura County)
Handmade pastas and chicken marsala arrive in a century-old inn that’s been tied to ghost stories and even paranormal television investigations.
The bar feels like a time capsule, preserving that classic Hollywood country vibe where every corner seems to hold a secret from decades past.
Santa Paula’s quiet charm makes this spot feel like a hidden treasure, and the food delivers real Italian comfort.
Regulars mention unexplained footsteps upstairs and doors that open on their own, but the cozy dining room keeps the focus on the meal while letting the inn’s mysterious reputation add a little extra flavor to the experience.
12. Tivoli Bar & Grill – San Diego (Gaslamp Quarter)
San Diego’s 1880s saloon still slings burgers alongside rumors from its Wyatt Earp era, when the Gaslamp Quarter was a whole lot rougher.
The late-night crowd keeps the stories lively, and more than a few ghost walk tours start or end right here, adding to the bar’s legendary status.
I grabbed a booth one evening before a walking tour, and the bartender casually mentioned they’d all seen glassware move on its own.
The casual atmosphere and central location make it easy to stop in, and those Old West echoes give every visit a little extra edge that keeps you coming back.