Restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea

“The best restaurant we’ve been to since we relocated to the US. I’ve eaten in Michelin restaurants before, Chez Noir is clearly up to the standard. From the beginning to the end, no mistake. We’ve had an amazing gustative time. And the people working here and highly professional and nice.”

“A lovely little place in Carmel. Lovely pizzas. The staff were very kind to inquire regarding our dietary restrictions.

Vegetarian options: They have a few salads and veggie options, and a 'make your own' option where one can select toppings of one's choice.

Dietary restrictions: They have a gluten-free cauliflower-based bread

Parking: The parking lot is across the street and free of cost with plenty of spots.”

“Just a fabulous experience! The service levels were over the top. Never wanted for anything. Ate at the restaurant and had an 8-course tasting menu! To die for!”

“Good meal but a little bit noisy and they are a little bit putting pressure to finish your plate and give your table”

“Beyond amazing. Service ambience and food was impeccable”

“This is one of the most unique and exciting restaurants in Carmel. Amazing cocktails and the food is both creative and authentic. Wine list is great too! Never disappoints.”

“Absolutely fantastic restaurant and a breath of fresh air in the Carmel culinary community. The food was incredible and the service was top notch. The space is refreshingly chic and relaxing. The tables are spaced apart to allow for conversation and there's no rush to finish your meal. You are encouraged to linger and enjoy the best meal in Carmel!”

“Delicious pizza & drinks.”

“One of our favorite places breakfast. We're never disappointed by the food or the staff.”

“There is no better sushi restaurant within 100+ miles of Akaoni. The fish is some of the freshest I've experienced. The rice portion for the nigiri is perfect. The size of the cuts are excellently portioned. The restaurant is clean, just the right size, and walking in feels like stepping into a humble sushi-ya in Osaka. Don't expect an overly friendly staff--they're disciplined, to the point, and direct. If you can put aside a need for a more jovial experience, you'll appreciate that you dined here. I recommend reviewing their current business hours as these can fluctuate based upon the time of year. If at all possible, drive by the restaurant to read the hours posted on the window. It's also good to make a reservation.”

“This place is really cute! We ate at an outdoor table with our dog and it had such a cozy feel, like a little cabin! The fire at the table kept us warm and we decided to do the fondue sample menu. We loved the cheese fondue, nothing was left in the pot. The meat was really good too. My husband is French and we’re used to meat fondue cooked in oil, but this was a nice change. We actually preferred the broth it was served with over oil. It was much tastier! Of course we enjoyed the chocolate also. Overall, a great meal that we truly enjoyed! Super cute ambiance and we will definitely come back when we come back to Carmel!”

“Nice place to have family gatherings..very nice restaurant and foods they serve..”

“Nice little bakery in Carmel. We stopped by because we saw a line and it looked intriguing. We shared a couple items, although it seemed like the main items were taken. The butterscotch blondie was good, although a bit too sweet for us. The oatmeal berry item was definitely the strongest. I wouldn't say anything here was super memorable, but cute nonetheless!”

“Amazing food and service. If you need gluten free options then this is the place! GF garlic bread, pasta, and more. soooo good!”

“The Shrimp Louie salad was one of the BEST I've had in 30 years. It had fresh lettuce from an artisan farm and light dressing. Pickled red onion that has to be homemade with wonderful Italian olives. It wasn't that box baby green salad restaurants throw on plates that gets wilted. My mom had the beet salad and added perfectly cooked steak for an extra $9. Cheesecake was light and strawberry sauce divine. The people are spoiled that live here. It's not a tourist trap. My only complaint: main room and bar entrance needs a better clean to reflect the excellent food.”

“Best food I have had in Carmel. Great service and the music was brilliant.”

“We enjoyed cocktails and wine at Bud’s during our stay at LaPlaya last weekend!”

“Stopped in for a couple of pints this afternoon, and were VERY impressed with the beer! Absolutely delicious. A true small-batch microbrewery, with a very relaxing vibe and friendly service. Brought a 4-pack home to enjoy on the deck, and we'll definitely be stopping by the taproom again.”

“Le Souffle is outstanding! Fabulous food, incredible service, and a charming atmosphere!! We first ate at Le Souffle in December 2023 for dinner and it was superb! This time, I celebrated my 70th birthday for lunch with my husband and friends!
We were all AMAZED! Delicious salad, phenomenal crab souffle, and scrumptuous chocolate souffle. My husband loved his passion fruit souffle. I loved the attention to detail with the special antique serving pieces and the incredibly attentive service. LE SOUFFLE IS THE PLACE TO GO TO IN CARMEL! We LOVE IT!!! It one of those memorable experiences you will not want to miss!”

“We had very nice anniversary dinner at Stationaery. We sat outside, since we still do not feel comfortable for an indoor seating due to pandemic. The evening was cool, but heating lamps made it comfortable for longer and leisure meal. Both food and service were excellent. We highly recommend this friendly restaurant and will be back for sure🤩”

“This place was delicious. We had the classic escargot, the duckling and the lamb. It was so savory. My friend from Tokyo also loved it a lot. Recommend it whole heartedly!”

“Decent burger joint in Carmel. We each had the stro burger, mine was med rare and the other was well done.
Decent portion size and great service but the burger was under seasoned for me specifically. The cherry mule was tasty!”

“We love this place when we’re in carmel! The chips and Ahi pasta are the best. The service is always amazing and every waiter/host makes you feel right at home. The decor is unique and homey. Highly recommend for a visit!”

“Line waiting outside the front door so always a good sign
Seats approx 30 inside but tables seem to refresh quickly.
The lunch menu is a bargain. Meat, rice, noodles, hot and sour soup and a pot of tea for around $11 and it is very filling
Dimsum is nice would recommend the pot stickers
Drinks etc are cheap with coke at $2 for example.
Staff are friendly but clearly in a mindset to get people served in and out quickly which I can't complain about
Would recommend”

“Outstanding food. The potato prosciutto sticks are a must as an appetizer.

As you might expect for a Wagyu beef restaurant, it's not cheap, but it's worth it. And the price is made better by a wine list that has FAR less markup than most fancy restaurants.”

“Hit or miss depending on your server! We’ve been members off and on for the past 4 years now. There’s been almost a 100% rate of staff turnover.
Daniel, the sommelier is incredibly personable. He gives us great service every time, we visit about once or twice a week, even if he’s not our designated server.
Other notable staff are Nick and Pedro. Both are super friendly and genuinely enjoy interacting with customers. We’ve also met Bernie who’s super nice as well.
We’ve had two less than ideal visits. One server I can’t remember and Amir. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s not great at his job, but we had to rope in two other servers to cover his lack of attention to our table. He also didn’t seem to know the wines very well and was reading off of the print out.”

“Highly recommend!! We had a 90th birthday dinner for my mom with 11 people. Everything was superb! Outstanding service, excellent food and drinks. Outside terrace is pretty and even allowed our 2 dogs. Superb! Thank you to Z and the wonderful staff, everything was perfect!!!👍”

“Great piano bar! Awesome lemon drops😃”

“We had a wonderful time here! Toby was exceptionally memorable, as was his knowledge, hospitality, engagement and he certainly didn’t fall short on his cowboy jokes. Fantastic wine and a fantastic experience!!”

“Great time watching the Niners game.”

“Excellent food and great service and good live music.”

“If you're looking for an unforgettable winery experience, De Tierra Vineyards is the place to go! From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and appreciated. The highlight of our experience, however, was the exceptional service provided by Drew. His knowledge of the wines was impressive, and his passion for the craft truly enhanced our tasting experience. Drew took the time to walk us through each wine, explaining the nuances of the flavors and the vineyard’s unique growing practices. He made our visit feel personal, engaging with us in such a warm and inviting way. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or a casual drinker, Drew’s expertise and the beautiful setting make this a must-visit destination. Highly recommend!”

“Happy hour rolled into dinner and both were delicious !”

“Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful service.”

“Easily the best Mexican restaurant I have been to anywhere. Delicious food. Amazing cocktails. Five star service (waiter was Gabriel (?). Owner came by to check on us as well.”

“Loved the happy hour! Great food and drinks!! The service was fantastic!”

“Loved the food, Teo our server was exceptional. Cozy yet romantic. A must to enjoy when in Carmel.”

“The food is very good but overpriced.

Definitely recommend the Lumpia. You don't taste any beef and it's a very small portion, but very tasty. The sauces make the dish.

The soup of the day was Ginger and was too spicey. Excellent soup with prawns otherwise.

The Marinated Duork Pork Belly was very good. A lot of fat on it though resulting in little meat. Vegetables were fresh and very good. Fried rice was basic.

Overall the food is very good but it's just not worth the price to me.

We made reservations, but they weren't needed as we were the only customers eating for the first hour and a half.

Live music was open mic night and he was very good, but too loud.

The staff was friendly and pretty attentive.

It was obvious the bathroom had not been cleaned from the day before.”

“one of the best italian restaurants i’ve been to. biggest reason being they use just enough salt to flavor their dishes. not obnoxious & the food felt light but filling. all three dishes we ordered were splendid! the waitress was also very kind and professional. i usually never leave reviews, but because the food was so delightful, i needed to spread the word! some cons—the dishes took a bit of time to come out. outside patio was ok, some flies were flying around but surprisingly did not swarm our food at all. but the food makes up for this! also, if youre struggling to find a restaurant without a long wait time, i would recommend here because they barely had any wait time (i think it was slightly past 6pm when we went) most likely due to the slightly hidden location. all in all—highly recommend!”

“Stumbled upon this gem when we needed to make a stop in Carmel. I had the caprese sandwich and lavender latte. Husband had the hot pastrami. Both sandwiches were delicious and very large portions. But geez were these sandwiches expensive. Very pricey but delicious. Would recommend maybe splitting a sandwich.”

“Barmel Love Love Love ❤️”

“We hadn’t visited the Carmel Mission Inn for several years and knew that it had been refreshed since our last visit. We decided to have dinner at Shearwater Tavern, tucked inside the Carmel Mission Inn and had an absolutely wonderful experience. Our outstanding dining experience began with a delicious Caesar Salad paired with their wonderful signature Parker House Rolls—warm, house-baked, and served with local honey butter and a bit of sea salt. These starters set the tone perfectly for the main event: a flawlessly grilled bavette (flank steak), a favorite of ours, topped with a rich green peppercorn sauce and accompanied by crispy shoestring frites. Our steak arrived cooked precisely to our medium-rare preference and request, showcasing the kitchen's attention to detail.

The staff was exemplary—friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Our waiter, Leonel, brought warmth and expertise to the table, clearly drawing from his years of experience. John, a talented Manager on site this evening, was equally attentive and informative, making us feel right at home.

The ambiance at Shearwater Tavern is another highlight. The two dining spaces are both casual and tastefully designed, and the lobby’s modern refresh, cozy outdoor firepits, large fun painted cow, and even the attractive restroom wallpaper add to the inviting vibe. With ample parking, visiting or dining there is a breeze. They also have an attractive bar and a happy hour. If you stay here, you will be right across the street from the fabulous Crossroads Shopping Center and near The Barnyard Shopping Center.

This is a place we plan to revisit soon, and their intriguing menu offers even more delightful dishes waiting to be discovered!. Shearwater Tavern at Carmel Mission Inn is a must-visit—highly recommended!

In December 2024, we recently returned to Shearwater Tavern for dinner and had another fantastic experience. The staff, including the wonderfully kind and helpful Angel, made us feel so welcome. We couldn’t resist ordering the flank steak and frites with peppercorns again—it was just as amazing as we remembered. This time, we also tried the delicious sea bass dish, flavorful meatballs, and warm dinner rolls. Everything was absolutely satisfying and delicious. The comfortable ambiance, great service, and ample parking made for a perfect evening. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!”

“Enjoyed an amazing lunch! Delicious and the service was great 😊 👍🏻 Totally recommend this place.”

“Never fails to give great food and service.”

“one of the best in Carmel...”

“Great food, wonderful service and awesome atmosphere!”

“Nice little pub with good fried fish. The fried calamari burger is really good. It's a bit pricey, but typical for Carmel. We weren't handed menus when we first got seated, but it was a busy night.”

“My husband and I love, love their sushi! It’s one of our favorite local restaurants - the food is consistently great and fresh, they have awesome prices and the owner and his wife are very kind. Highly recommended 10/10!”

“We recently visited Carmel to see our team at Carmel River Dentistry. We looked for a place to provide an array of breakfast items for our team and Carmel Bakery came through like a champ! Our entire team was simply amazed and the quality and vast array of options we picked up last minute. Thanks for taking care of our team! #shoplocal”

“Amazing wines and a tasting room that is the best in Carmel!”

“Muy rica comida pero sobre todo la atención y el servicio de primera gracias a Daniel y a Martín por su excelente atención 🙋🏻‍♀️”

“This is the real deal. It’s what a pasta production shop should be. Most of the numerous kinds of pasta are made for restaurants, but all are offered as walk- in gems for sale.

Prices are very fair for fresh pasta. Fresh Pesto and marinara sauces are also available, as is Parmesan cheese.

The owner and his son are very kind, patient and helpful. After your first visit, you’ll be a regular whether local or just visiting.

Pair it up with local Ad Astra sourdough and a bottle of wine from Neilsen Brothers market up the street and you will have created a traditional San Francisco meal. Pure heaven.”

“Good quality food the beans was really good meats tinder will definitely eat here again”

“Super chill right when I walked in, one of the least hassle restaurants I've been to.
Learn from my dumb mistake though and read the happy hour menu all the way to the end, where it says dine in only. I'm out an extra six bucks that honestly I couldn't really afford right now (just for calamari. which i still recommend the hell out of)
Exquisite fried squid and that sauce I never asked about though. I left no crumbs”

“Jeffrey's is the place for brunch in the Monterey Bay. Way better than From Scratch, the same/slightly better than Katie's Place but half the price, better than First Awakenings, better than Bayonet, Crema, Monterey Plaza, Bernardus, even the Lodge at Pebble Beach (although not as decadent). The lobster omelette on the special menu is to die for! Crab cake bene is awesome, really so are all their benes. We live in Aromas and sometimes make the drive just to eat here. We've been eating here for 3 1/2 years and love it!”

“We stayed in the Quail Lodge and tried their breakfast and dinner in Covey Grill. Very good food and nice environment to stay and enjoy. Absolutely a gem in the Carmel valley!”

“Lovely shops in this beautiful town. We visited over 18 years ago, so pleased we came back”

“Loved absolutely everything about this spot!! Not only is the food amazing, the drinks are delicious and the patio is perfect. They are also the most dog friendly spot I have ever experienced. Water bowls and a dog menu are provided for your meal if you bring your dog(s) with you. I had to take advantage and I’m pretty sure the dogs would give it 5+ stars as well. Heidi took care of us, but the whole staff came by and said hello and made myself and the dogs feel so welcome.
100⭐️’s if I could.
Thank you for being so welcoming!

Dietary restrictions: Celiac friendly”

“The Carmel Burger Bar is a great little place in the Carmel Plaza. We came with our kids and everyone got what they wanted between burgers, chicken strips and drinks. Good selection of adult beverages that are unique and great tasting.
I’ll definitely be coming back to the Carmel Burger Bar.”

“Love the BLTA. Need a quick lunch or snack? This is the place. Only reasonable prices in Carmel.”

“We got a Meatloaf sandwich, Chicken Tortilla soup and Potato salad. Went to the beach and picnicked while watching the beautiful waves crash. With great prices and good food, you can’t get much better than that!”

“Conveniently located right on the corner of Rio Rd & Hwy 1 in the Crossroads. Mobile ordering available. Great option for studying, working remotely, meeting a friend for coffee, etc. due to the large seating area & number of tables compared to most Starbucks locally.Only reason for 4 ⭐'s is that this location tends to be incredibly slow in comparison to the one I usually frequent on my way to work out on Hwy 68 near Ryan Ranch or the ones I sometimes visit on Alvarado in downtown Monterey, the one next to Home Depot in Seaside, or out in Sand City across from Target.

Parking: The upside at this location compared to the other local stores is that while parking at all of the others can be pretty difficult, that's never a problem in the Crossroads whatsoever.”

“Very cute coffee shop. We had to wait in line for about 10 minutes but we knew it would be worth it. The staff were friendly and it really felt like a community. They had a variety of drink specials. We bought a couple of hot drinks and some coffee beans to take home.”

“This place was a pleasant surprise. Because a restaurant we were planning on hitting up for bread weird hours, we took a walk and randomly found this place. The waffle was amazing and they served real maple syrup which is a huge deal for how I view a good breakfast place. We’ll be back next time!”

“The best coffee in town, period. This family owned and operated business is just a breathe off fresh air and are the sweetest people with a great selection of pastries, cake, cupcakes, and ice cream. They have a Michelin star chef baking the desserts and they taste AMAZING. This is my favorite spot to go for coffee in the morning and they stay open late which is great for a late night coffee or treat. If you are visiting Carmel, this is a shop you must visit.

Kid-friendliness: Very friendly staff and are always welcoming.”

“I ordered thru App. Buy one footling sandwich, get one free! Great deal!

Wheelchair accessibility: Handicapped parking spaces. Easy entrance.”

“Chef Todd’s menu is awesome here and you can’t go wrong with anything! The BLT is my favorite right now and the beer selection is the best around with many local brews as well as cool things like Pliny on tap! Parker has also put together a really good wine selection from around the world with some killer value offerings!”

“Always amazing. Great food and service. 👏🏼 my favorite”

“Recently visited this charming coffee shop and was thoroughly impressed. The atmosphere was inviting and warm, perfect for a relaxing break. The staff were exceptionally friendly, adding to the overall pleasant experience. I tried the fireside bevvy in a medium, and it was delightful. The flavor was my fav as it was sweet and satisfying. Honestly, I wish I had gone for a larger size! Highly recommend it for anyone looking for great drinks and a cozy spot.”

“Convenient nearby but frankly it's not very good, some items have no taste or are too dry, and it's extremely expensive. Average service in addition, and in addition counter service and a tip of 15 to 25% is requested, which invites me to advise you against this place.”

“Gorgeous!! I came to the ranch for a conference, and will definitely be coming back again. Could not ask for more lovely scenery, more activities (hiking! golf! archery!), or more considerate staff.”

“We were visiting Carmel on Monday forgot the kids foods so we found China Delight. I ordered my foods didn't wait long. I told the waiter that I forgot my kids foods and we saw their restaurant and give a try. The waiter asked me if I wanted utensils and I said Yes, please!. I love how he knw how to take care a customer. I didn't think of asking cuz I were in a hurry to go. So I will give 5 stars to the waiter for his outstanding service.”

“Barmel Love Love Love ❤️”

“First time I finished a burger!!”

“This is an amazing little vietnamese gem of a restaurant. They have great food and ingredients are fresh everyday. The owner is wonderful as well. I highly recommend this place.”

“What an excellent quesadilla and tacos! This place was there for me when Carmel By The Sea had no food for a reasonable price or without feeling like you had to wear a suit to walk in the door. The staff were very kind, the food was great, and the price was right. What a great find!”

“Great light and healthy food❤️”

“They have good coffee here.”

“Incredible food and service! We love Chef Moises at 40 Love Catering!”

“Absolutely fantastic restaurant and a breath of fresh air in the Carmel culinary community. The food was incredible and the service was top notch. The space is refreshingly chic and relaxing. The tables are spaced apart to allow for conversation and there's no rush to finish your meal. You are encouraged to linger and enjoy the best meal in Carmel!”

“Route 1 was closed and I had to return to Carmel from Big Sur and took Freeway 101 instead. So another pasta at Portabella! Always going back for it.”

“Great food service and atmosphere”

“Absolutely fabulous! Servers, including Rodney, outstanding. Food, exquisite deliciousness...one of their Specialties: Lobster Gnocchi. Will return for the same. It was a perfect dining experience. Sorry no photos, was so into the moment ...”

“Nice place to have family gatherings..very nice restaurant and foods they serve..”

“Enjoyed an amazing lunch! Delicious and the service was great 😊 👍🏻 Totally recommend this place.”

“Great food, fantastic service and great atmosphere”

“Never fails to give great food and service.”

“Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful service.”

“We recently visited Carmel to see our team at Carmel River Dentistry. We looked for a place to provide an array of breakfast items for our team and Carmel Bakery came through like a champ! Our entire team was simply amazed and the quality and vast array of options we picked up last minute. Thanks for taking care of our team! #shoplocal”

“We had very nice anniversary dinner at Stationaery. We sat outside, since we still do not feel comfortable for an indoor seating due to pandemic. The evening was cool, but heating lamps made it comfortable for longer and leisure meal. Both food and service were excellent. We highly recommend this friendly restaurant and will be back for sure🤩”

“one of the best in Carmel...”

“Easily the best Mexican restaurant I have been to anywhere. Delicious food. Amazing cocktails. Five star service (waiter was Gabriel (?). Owner came by to check on us as well.”

“We had a great meal last night and wonderful service with Bryan! Our lasagna and pizza were fantastic.”

“Fun sitting at the Sushi Bar! Great team, great service, and of course great food!”

“Loved the happy hour! Great food and drinks!! The service was fantastic!”