The Cremer House
The Cremer House is a restaurant and bar known for its delicious tap selection, artisan eats, and it’s rustic yet refined atmosphere. The Cremer House is a must see location for anyone stopping through downtown Felton. With hardwood floors, dozens of windows, and a wrap around porch, The Cremer House is perfect for afternoon respite from the sun and a cool drink served in a mason jar. Foodies, beer snobs and regular joes alike will be charmed by the picturesque interior and farm-to-table-like meals.
History
Most restaurants don’t have an interesting enough backstory to give a ‘history’ of the place. But The Cremer House is the oldest building in downtown Felton and has a few tales of its own. The Cremer Hotel (as it once was called) was built in 1874 and started its life under the care of an Irish lass, Margaret Toohig and her German born husband, Thomas Cremer. Over the years The Cremer Hotel was witness to all sorts of ‘old west’ style antics.
Once, an infamous bandido, Tiburcio Vásquez, came to visit The Cremer House and shot out all the windows in the restaurant when headstrong Margaret refused to serve him and his men. A stray bullet struck a woman staying at the hotel, but was saved by her extremely tight corset!
Other highlights in the colorful history of the Cremer establishment include a lovesick waitress who attempted to commit suicide (she survived), a kitchen fight that ended in the death of the cook, a few famous Western movie stars making it their favorite place for a drink, and during prohibition the House got around “dry” drinking laws by hiding hooch inside bee hives on the property.
The Cremer House has since passed through many hands and lived a life as a community hall, apartment buildings, and a burger joint. In 2014, after years of preparation, The Cremer House was reopened as a locally-sourced restaurant and alehouse by the owner of the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Company, Emily Thomas.
SCM Staff Picks
If the story of The Cremer House hasn’t charmed you, then the tap selection and the menu sure will. With 24 taps on hand, The Cremer House serves the finest local ales and ciders ranging from San Francisco to Watsonville. Their kitchen serves bountiful organic lunches and hearty dinners inspired by classic American recipes.
Appetizers
With a pint, some of the appetizers are large enough to make a meal out of! I highly recommend their Pretzel with beer mustard.
- SUNFLOUR PRETZEL $8
– porter cheese, beer mustard - FISH & CHIPS $15
– beer battered rock cod, fries
Sandwiches and Burgers
A crispy grilled cheese on griddled challah bread is a delight you won’t soon forget!
- GRILLED CHEESE $11
– blend of cheeses on griddled challah - REUBEN $13
– pastrami or tempeh, sauerkraut, swiss, thousand island on griddled rye
Salads & Soups
Their Kale Cesar is one of my favorites. I appreciate how they take a new twist on a classic recipe. Their daily soup is always good, but I highly recommend their tomato soup!
- KALE CAESAR SALAD $11
– anchovy garlic dressing, parmesan, crumbled pub chips - DAILY SOUP $5/$8
Jars & Boards
Their artisan pickles are especially good. I remember being surprised at how good pickled asparagus is!
- PICKLED VEGETABLES $7
– add hop pickled egg $2 - SMOKED SALMON BOARD $15
– house smoked salmon, lemon caper crema, arugula, pickled red onions, grilled wheat batard - BURRATA $15
– burrata cheese, strawberry carpaccio, mint preserved lemon vinaigrette, strawberry powder, grilled wheat batard
Desserts
- STOUT FLOAT $9
What more can you say? They are all delicious. But a stout float with a scoop of Mission Hill Creamery ice cream is a rare treat.
Location and Hours
The Cremer House is in the heart of downtown Felton, across the street from the Felton Covered Bridge County Park.
Lunch is served from 11:30am to 2:30pm from Tuesday~Sunday. Dinner is served from 5pm to 9pm on Sunday~Thursday, and from 5pm-9:30 for the weekend. They are closed on Mondays.
