29 Best American Restaurants in Carmel By The Sea

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

“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!“

“The Pocket in Carmel-by-the-Sea serves beautifully prepared seasonal dishes, with standout fresh seafood and inventive small plates that showcase local coastal flavors. The intimate atmosphere is cozy and elegant, making it ideal for a romantic dinner or special celebration, whether you choose the warm indoor seating or charming patio. Service is consistently attentive, warm, and thoughtful from start to finish. The quality of the food, curated wine list, and overall experience make it a true gem in Carmel—absolutely delightful and highly recommended.“

“Love this place. But depending on staff, welL? Signature burger requested as rare. Severed like leather. Gets reserved tables requests wrong most times. Beet salad with two tiny beets? Not good. Still, a strong recommendation.“

“yummy food and great atmosphere my sliders were epic and the wine choices were great,Andrew was really attentive thank you“

“Jeffrey’s has the best food 🥘 and it’s very reasonably priced.“

“Great piano bar! Awesome lemon drops😃“

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

“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!“

“The Quail has gone above and beyond my expectations and I’ve only been here 3 hours!! The service is amazing and the grounds are exquisitely perfect!! The suite is probably the nicest room I’ve ever stayed in. I am in love with this place. Don’t even want to leave to go anywhere else! I highly recommend!!“

“Food and service was amazing! French onion soup and calamari to start. We both had the hanger steak which blew my mind. Cooked perfectly. Dessert was creme brulee and panna cotta both were amazing. Much more affordable and humble than anything in carmel by the sea and equally good if not better. Will definitely return for dinner again.“

“This is a Real Gem a few tables, clean, nicely decorated, the food is always fresh and sources from great places, seasonal, from appetizer to main course Amir and his team are very attentive, friendly and patient. Nice wine list, the home baked bread is so tempting you can't stop eating. The meat and seafood is so fresh and cooked to perfection. A locals secret place always a pleasure to return“

“We had a wonderful experience dining at The Covey. We sat at a window table with a view of their water feature. The staff was extremely attentive and friendly. My husband ordered the Branzino and I had the Chicken Saltimbocca. Both dishes were excellent! Not only were the proteins cooked to perfection but the vegetables and farro that accompanied them were also very good. We look forward to dining here again.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Never fails to give great food and service.“

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

“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🤩“

“Great service and food!! Fast service and cozy atmosphere“

“Great food, wonderful service and awesome atmosphere!“

“We had the most delicious meal today at Hidden Gems. The food was absolutely amazing, very tasteful and clearly made with authentic and high quality ingredients. The owner came by and chatted with us and the server checked on us multiple times. The place is a bit tucked in but many of the best eats in Carmel are. It's a beach town with a lot of history so the buildings may be a bit older but are really unique and quaint and have a lot of character so don't expect a rodeo drive type of set up.

I have read many of the other reviews regarding the service and the length of time it took for food to arrive, but honestly, good food takes time to prepare. When was the last time you went to a good steak house or seafood place and the food came out in less than 30 mins? We loved our experience and enjoyed in the outdoor atmosphere and ambiance as we waited for our food. Yes, it might have taken a bit longer, but was absolutely delicious and worth every minute of waiting. I would highly recommend this place for the food, the environment, as well as the service!
We will definitely be back! ~ John“

“Excellent atmosphere and food“

“Great food, fantastic service and great atmosphere“

“We celebrated our anniversary there and had the BEST time. Faisal always makes you feel like family. The food and music are the best!!!“

“What an incredible anniversary experience at Seventh & Dolores!

From the moment we arrived, we felt so special. Our evening started with a lovely surprise, complimentary champagne, followed by chef’s choice starters that were such a thoughtful touch!

Our waiter, Oscar, was absolutely phenomenal! His attentiveness, warm hospitality, and attention to detail made the entire evening feel effortless and memorable. We also had the pleasure of meeting the General Manager, Nadeem, who kindly stopped by to say hello.

The ambiance was beautiful, the drinks were spot on, and the tomahawk steak was absolutely to die for!

We’ve dined in Carmel many times, but I can honestly say this was the most special we’ve ever felt at a restaurant here. It’s rare to find a place where the food, atmosphere, and service all come together so perfectly.

Thank you to Oscar and the entire Seventh & Dolores team for making our anniversary so memorable. We will absolutely be back!“

“Very good food and excellent service!! It was as a very nice experience !!“

“From farm to fresh right on the plate; try the walnut apple salad and add chicken if you like. The atmosphere by the fire warms one inside and out.“

“Really fun spot and super friendly staff.“

“An unexpected highlight of our recent visit to Carmel! Warm, welcoming, fun vibe, great food. There are places one just doesn't insist on veggie options. 🤫“