Restaurants near Big Sur

“We celebrated my birthday dinner at Sur House at Alila and it was an amazing experience. The food was incredible, especially the pork chop — perfectly cooked and full of flavor.

What truly made the night special was our server, Juan. He was warm, attentive, and made the entire dinner feel extra special and memorable. His service really elevated the whole experience.

Beautiful views, fantastic food, and outstanding service. Highly recommend!”

“Nepenthe in Big Sur is renowned for its breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and delicious cuisine. The restaurant perched on the cliffs offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience, making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Big Sur!”

“The food was excellent as well as the service!!! Will be back!!”

“Last minute change of anniversary plans after a huge disappointment at Ventana Sur House. Everything was amazing from the food to the customer service. A very quiet and intimate place and they made our special day even more special. Definitely a place to celebrate special occasions.”

“Nice place to relax and enjoy water creek amazing and facilities bathroom was very clean…”

“Delicious beer place decorated forHalloween, prices were great”

“After touring Big Surf all morning this is a great stop to have a late breakfast and coffee. The parking lot wasn’t busy in late October and we grabbed a nice table with umbrellas and a beautiful view.

The food as good, not great and bit pricey as expected. The staff seem very friendly and fast. Almost a must stop for chilling and the view.”

“A cozy Big Sur gem that feels like stepping back in time. Ripplewood Cottages, with its charming grocery and rustic restaurant, is the perfect stop for anyone traveling along Highway 1. The food is hearty and homemade — the kind that tastes even better after a morning of exploring redwoods or coastal trails. The little grocery is well-stocked with essentials and local favorites, and the setting under towering redwoods adds to the peaceful, nostalgic atmosphere. Whether you’re staying in one of the classic cabins or just stopping for a meal, Ripplewood captures the simple, authentic spirit of Big Sur living.”

“The Village evokes so much “Wow” for the eyes and palette— with amazing, tasty, fresh, local and organic dishes… vegan and gluten-free yummy pastries, and the best oat milk chai I’ve ever had! I wish you so much love and success with your business!❤️”

“Food, service, and atmosphere are all amazing! We had the four course meal. The Grilled Scallop and Oysters Louie are a must try! Loved the fire cooked Pizza! The Skirt Steak was delicious! Went with the smoked Custard, Awesome!”

“Gorgeous spot with top notch service and seriously tasty food and drinks. Can’t recommend it enough”

“Expensive but where in Big Sur isn’t Very nice views and nice accommodations food is good and nice gift shop store”

“I'm very surprised this place has a 3.7, it was really good! My friends and I had a hard time finding a place to eat for dinner while we were driving through Big Sur, and we were extremely hungry and decided to eat at Homestead, and it was such a pleasant surprise! I got the hot chicken sandwich and it was tasty, it was the right level of spice (like a medium, wasn't wanting anything super spicy on a vacation day) and the service was fantastic! It's definitely a bit on the pricier side but it's in a lodge and there's really not many places nearby. I will say the onion rings were very mid, not much flavor at all and not worth the up-charge in my opinion.”

“This has always been the go to spot for me on my way back from Laguna Seca and World Superbike/MotoGP races. I always got the BBQ Chicken, an endless cup coffee and of course the grand finale was a huge piece of delicious carrot cake. No rushing, no problem sitting there hanging out chatting with the help and guests. They recognized me when I would come in year after year on my motorcycle. Great place, can’t beat the view. The food was fantastic, the service impeccable. I would give more than five stars if I could.”

“My husband & I arrived at opening and were greeted and seated right away. Customer service was great and the food was absolutely delicious. My husband and I both ordered Lunch Box specials and shared a J's Maki roll. Food was fresh and our server was attentive, checking in on us every little while to make sure everything was okay. Mika Sushi is definitely a gem in Carmel Valley Village and we'll definitely be back again.”

“Such a cute little spot to eat. First time here the service Was excellent and the food was delicious. I got the chicken salad. With italian dressing. And I got an horchata very good. Thank you must definitely be back again.”

“Lucia Restaurant and Bar pairs elegant ambiance with warm, attentive service that never misses a detail. Every dish is beautifully plated and thoughtfully prepared, making the whole experience feel special yet effortless.”

“Expansive ocean view. Absolutely gorgeous.
Drinks are on the high side but are well-made.
We didn't have food this time but it was good in the past.”

“The baker is on fire! Great treats coming out of the kitchen. The quiche/frittata is always solid. My latest favorite are the oatmeal cookies - they are perfect: Big, soft yet crunchy and carmelized just a little. Nice people.”

“My wife and I enjoyed a relaxed lunch at Cafe Rustica, seated outside on a beautiful day.
We shared a bottle of Justin Cabernet and started with a small loaf of bread served with olive oil and balsamic. For an appetizer, we ordered the Crispy Calamari with chili aioli. The calamari was tender—not chewy—and the chili aioli was an excellent dip.
For our main, we shared a Margherita pizza with a thin crust, traditional sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes. It was well executed and easy to share. For dessert, we split the Fresh Lemon Pudding Cake, which came with sliced strawberries, whipped cream, and a strawberry drizzle. It was very unique and delicious, and a standout way to end the meal.
Service was excellent—Thomas took great care of us—and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Cafe Rustica is a very quaint spot, nestled in Carmel Valley about 12 miles east of Highway 1, and well worth the drive.

After lunch, my wife and I took a leisurely stroll through Carmel Valley, wondering why we hadn’t discovered this area sooner. Our walk formed a relaxed circuit along both sides of Carmel Valley Road, passing numerous wine-tasting rooms, restaurants, and beautiful scenery. We stopped often to take photos of the tasting locations, the mature oak trees, and even a majestic hawk perched on a fence.
The overall setting and atmosphere were wonderful, and it’s easy to imagine returning specifically for wine tasting—or even staying at one of the nearby resorts. Carmel Valley left a strong impression and is well worth spending time exploring.”

“I love the Bonilla family!! They are so amazing and it was a pleasure working for them. The food and dunks are amazing too!!”

“We had a great time wine tasting at Holman Ranch—friendly staff, a relaxing outdoor setting, and a delicious meat and cracker board. The five-wine flight, featuring both reds and whites, was well-presented and thoroughly enjoyable. We especially liked the Three Sisters Pinot Noir.”

“We enjoyed the Mother’s Day picnic box. It was delicious and so easy. The corn chowder was fantastic as was everything else.. There was plenty of food and no clean up. I would definitely do it again next year.”

“My wife and I were searching for wineries in the Carmel Valley and stumbled upon the Corkscrew Cafe, located about 12 miles east of Highway 1 along Carmel Valley Road. While I’m not certain of any formal affiliation, the restaurant serves wines from the neighboring Georis and Cowgirl wineries.

The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and we opted to sit outside to enjoy the beautiful weather (a perfect 69°). We were seated at a table for two next to a small water feature and pond. The atmosphere was excellent—ideal for a late lunch or early dinner. Because we were seated behind the restaurant, traffic noise from Carmel Valley Road was minimal and pleasantly masked by the gentle sound of the water feature.

We ordered a bottle of Georis Cabernet Franc to share. It was an approachable, well-balanced red—full-bodied without being heavy, smooth on the palate, and dry enough to pair nicely with food.

For appetizers, we chose the Calamaretti Fritti and the Bread Service. The calamaretti arrived with both a light tartar sauce and a cocktail sauce.

The bread service was excellent. The bread arrived in two pieces, each roughly four inches square—almost flatbread-like, but thicker—with an open, lacy crumb and a well-burnished crust, each piece approximately an inch thick. It was served with an outstanding olive oil dipping blend of balsamic, chili flakes, parmesan, garlic, and basil—a perfect pairing.

For our main, we shared the Margherita pizza, topped with traditional sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and cherry tomatoes. The pizza had a thin crust and measured about 12 inches in diameter—ideal for sharing. The slightly oven-roasted tomatoes were a standout.

Of course, we had to top off the visit with a shared lave cake and vanilla Gelato.

We were very happy to have found this little gem and will definitely be back. Service was excellent—attentive without being intrusive. Highly recommended.”

“Our group was in town for a wedding and we’re desperately searching for a place we could watch the Browns game Sunday Morning at 10am and Trailside delivered! They not only let us take over the TV and bar area but they provided exceptional service and the food was amazing! Highly recommend the Pesto Chicken and the artichoke app!!”

“What can you say... It is the pizza place in town. Call ahead and it will be ready to take home. Stop by and they will get you your pizza in the time it takes to make one. You can sit and play the claw game or pet the bear rug on the wall.”

“Went to the running iron yesterday for a family brunch and this was my first time coming here. I was very impressed, the atmosphere is very western/country, and the food was great! Definitely would recommend it to others!”

“Great place to sit and have some local beer and wine. Friendly and inviting atmosphere. We will definitely be coming back when we are in Carmel Valley. Complimentary popcorn is even served and appreciated”

“The place is a jewel in the heart of 831 and Carmel Valley. Comparable to an Oasis. Service is excellent and options for beverages and food. Service is excellent and the natural ambience that is set is beyond words to put in perspective unless experienced in person. With friends, family or just to escape the hectic lifestyle by yourself is totally worth it.”

“What a beautiful setting and fantastic wines! It’s a great place to relax with a glass or bottle in the CV sun 🌞. The owners and employees are terrific and so is the music they pipe all over the property. Don’t miss this gem of a tasting room. Cheers!”