Dinner with a disco flare. Stopped in with an appetite and left happy. Got the Brokow cold smoke avocado, Santa Barbara Lobster, aged duck and candied Big Sur apple dessert with popcorn ice cream. I honestly wasn’t sure about the duck but after some convincing from the server I got it. Unfortunately it actually came out way too rare for me, so they offered to refire it and even replated my food. The experience was wonderful and the cool night air coming in through the window while I enjoyed my seat next to the fire just added the cherry on top for the night. Can’t wait to come back here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley Spinelli
Surprising for Big Sur: the quality to value is really excellent. $120 for a four course pre fixe that was very inventive. Extremely millennial coded decor in and out; lovely spot.
The little cafe next door, The Village, is also nice. Expect to pay more because you are in Big Sur.
Anne Marley
One of the best meals I’ve ever had! Every dish and drink was a 10/10. Staff were knowledgeable and super friendly! I also had complete confidence in their help providing dishes that were allergy safe for me (I’m allergic to seafood).
They may not have a Michelin star yet, but I recommend going now before they do and bookings get much harder to acquire :)
10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Bowman
This place is so refreshing. My wife and I have been everywhere in Big Sur and payed way too much just to eat mediocre food at a great location. This place absolutely shines when it comes to the location, atmosphere, and especially ESPECIALLY the quality and care put into the food and drinks. The founders are in the restaurant putting in the work and you can tell it’s an absolute passion project for them and it is reflected in every detail. I can’t wait to come back. I just don’t understand how this place isn’t packed out the doors every night. It’s really a cool experience even if you get a slice of bread and a cocktail you’re guaranteed to leave happy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
SeeTheWorld
We went here for the first time and it was wonderful. The dishes were very creative. We each had the 4 course Prix Fixe. For the first course, I had Brokaw Avocado and my husband had Halibut Crudo. The avocado was amazing, I've never had anything like it. The smoke with the avocado was perfect and the tomato miso was excellent. The halibut was also very good. It was a delicate dish with a touch of citrus. Next, I had the heirloom rice and my husband had abalone. The rice was good, I loved the crunchy bits. The abalone was baked in the shell with seaweed which added flavor. For mains, I had chicken and my husband had trout. The chicken was moist and flavorful. The sweet potato and roasted peppers were excellent compliments. The trout was an Asian preparation with a dashi sauce and very crispy skin. We both had chocolate thunder cake for dessert. We thought the cake was a tad dry, but the creamy filling and corn ganache paired well. The ganache was tangy, like cream cheese. The huckleberry meringue was also good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Trombo Server
Stopped in on the way back from the falls, expected a lot given the reviews and the price and decor but food tasted like the chef got all his spices mixed up. Service was very slow and it just seemed like it was everyone’s first day.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Erini Kanevski
Wow. Impressed by pretty much everything here - the food and presentation, thoughtful service, and beautiful space. Highly recommend. It’s not only an excellent addition to the area, it’s a destination in itself. A MUST!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Asher Kaplan
We had a truly lovely experience at Solstice - each dish was interesting and approachable, and the presentation was creative without feeling forced. The cooking was skillful while allowing clearly high-quality ingredients to do their thing. Desserts, particularly, were not an after-thought or straight indulgence, but really another course that played with familiar forms to surprise and delight. You can tell that there is real respect for craft, and for guests, at this restaurant. It’s unusual to visit a restaurant operating at this level and price point that doesn’t leave you feeling a little disappointed in one way or another, but Solstice hit it out of the park. I hope they can keep up this level of quality and service when they inevitably start getting some major well-deserved attention!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nathan Schultz
A gem comes to Big Sur.
If you live in the area, you live with a shortage of good restaurants. You cook a lot!
But thanks to Solstice, we have a new gem in the neighborhood. First off the building just fits, and the decor is modern bohemian. Love it!
The food is excellent. We had a large party and did the 4 course tasting menu, so we ate just about everything on the menu including the chilled oysters, which are elegantly dressed (not hiding the oyster as some do). The black cod was perfectly cook, the lamb was not embarrassed by it's natural gaminess and the mushrooms that accompanied it were wonderful.
With Coast closed, the Big Sur Bakery gone, thank you Solstice for coming into the community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Joshua Rider
Solstice was superb! The atmosphere is chic and casual, the staff inviting and laid back, and the food was excellent. I enjoyed watching the kitchen calmly work too. We each got the four course and combined tasted the yellowtail crudo, heirloom rice, dungeoness crab, lamb, black cod, dark chocolate mint, and grilled peaches. Everything was so thoughtful in flavors and fresh. The olallieberries added to the lamb were a surprise but perfect. Oh, the bourbon sage cocktail was balanced and delicious. The food was worth the price and definitely a top five all-time dining experience for us.
The ambiance, service and food were delightful. Depth of flavor and interesting combinations. A real gem. We are vegetarians so it's often hard to find gastronomical fare but this blew us away. The lentils were surprisingly rich and the gnocchi just light pillows. The desserts dreamy. We will be back. Well done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Sonner
An environment that pays homage to historical Big Sur but accents it with good design elements that make it feel as cool as anything happening in NY, Austin, LA. Menu was totally dialed in - exceptional, creative flavor profiles.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott Vestal
It doesn't get better than this! We had an amazing dinner here. Everything was top-notch, from the drinks, to the beautiful rooms and patio, to the outstanding service, and the star of the show, the food. The menu was innovative and fun. I've never tried so many new ideas in one meal before. Don't miss out on this gem. Many thanks to the entire staff for making it such a memorable night. Update: We were lucky enough to eat here again, on 5/1, the season's opening night. They haven't lost a beat. If anything, they were even better! We had friends join us this time. All ordered the prix fixe meals, and we added oysters and bread. I'm still blown away by the quality and innovation of each plate, as well as the outstanding service. Thank you for another awesome night!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isa
Amazing food and amazing service! So surprised this spot isn’t posted about more on TikTok or other socials. Inside is stunning and such a vibe and the food was insanely delicious. Worth the visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Zuercher
Solstice was everything I look for in a restaurant. From a relaxing and unique atmosphere, to friendly and knowledgeable service from Big Sur locals, to food and drink with flavors and textures that were new and excellent. The chef goes foraging every morning, I mean come on! As a person with food allergies (gluten, dairy, eggs) I was able to have a 4 course meal off the menu without edits. 😱 that’s a rare find for me. Would highly recommend Solstice to anyone!
Dinner with a disco flare. Stopped in with an appetite and left happy. Got the Brokow cold smoke avocado, Santa Barbara Lobster, aged duck and candied Big Sur apple dessert with popcorn ice cream. I honestly wasn’t sure about the duck but after some convincing from the server I got it. Unfortunately it actually came out way too rare for me, so they offered to refire it and even replated my food. The experience was wonderful and the cool night air coming in through the window while I enjoyed my seat next to the fire just added the cherry on top for the night. Can’t wait to come back here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Surprising for Big Sur: the quality to value is really excellent. $120 for a four course pre fixe that was very inventive. Extremely millennial coded decor in and out; lovely spot.
The little cafe next door, The Village, is also nice. Expect to pay more because you are in Big Sur.
One of the best meals I’ve ever had!
Every dish and drink was a 10/10. Staff were knowledgeable and super friendly! I also had complete confidence in their help providing dishes that were allergy safe for me (I’m allergic to seafood).
They may not have a Michelin star yet, but I recommend going now before they do and bookings get much harder to acquire :)
10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is so refreshing. My wife and I have been everywhere in Big Sur and payed way too much just to eat mediocre food at a great location. This place absolutely shines when it comes to the location, atmosphere, and especially ESPECIALLY the quality and care put into the food and drinks. The founders are in the restaurant putting in the work and you can tell it’s an absolute passion project for them and it is reflected in every detail. I can’t wait to come back. I just don’t understand how this place isn’t packed out the doors every night. It’s really a cool experience even if you get a slice of bread and a cocktail you’re guaranteed to leave happy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went here for the first time and it was wonderful. The dishes were very creative. We each had the 4 course Prix Fixe. For the first course, I had Brokaw Avocado and my husband had Halibut Crudo. The avocado was amazing, I've never had anything like it. The smoke with the avocado was perfect and the tomato miso was excellent. The halibut was also very good. It was a delicate dish with a touch of citrus. Next, I had the heirloom rice and my husband had abalone. The rice was good, I loved the crunchy bits. The abalone was baked in the shell with seaweed which added flavor. For mains, I had chicken and my husband had trout. The chicken was moist and flavorful. The sweet potato and roasted peppers were excellent compliments. The trout was an Asian preparation with a dashi sauce and very crispy skin. We both had chocolate thunder cake for dessert. We thought the cake was a tad dry, but the creamy filling and corn ganache paired well. The ganache was tangy, like cream cheese. The huckleberry meringue was also good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped in on the way back from the falls, expected a lot given the reviews and the price and decor but food tasted like the chef got all his spices mixed up. Service was very slow and it just seemed like it was everyone’s first day.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Wow. Impressed by pretty much everything here - the food and presentation, thoughtful service, and beautiful space. Highly recommend. It’s not only an excellent addition to the area, it’s a destination in itself. A MUST!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a truly lovely experience at Solstice - each dish was interesting and approachable, and the presentation was creative without feeling forced. The cooking was skillful while allowing clearly high-quality ingredients to do their thing. Desserts, particularly, were not an after-thought or straight indulgence, but really another course that played with familiar forms to surprise and delight. You can tell that there is real respect for craft, and for guests, at this restaurant. It’s unusual to visit a restaurant operating at this level and price point that doesn’t leave you feeling a little disappointed in one way or another, but Solstice hit it out of the park. I hope they can keep up this level of quality and service when they inevitably start getting some major well-deserved attention!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A gem comes to Big Sur.
If you live in the area, you live with a shortage of good restaurants. You cook a lot!
But thanks to Solstice, we have a new gem in the neighborhood. First off the building just fits, and the decor is modern bohemian. Love it!
The food is excellent. We had a large party and did the 4 course tasting menu, so we ate just about everything on the menu including the chilled oysters, which are elegantly dressed (not hiding the oyster as some do). The black cod was perfectly cook, the lamb was not embarrassed by it's natural gaminess and the mushrooms that accompanied it were wonderful.
With Coast closed, the Big Sur Bakery gone, thank you Solstice for coming into the community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Solstice was superb! The atmosphere is chic and casual, the staff inviting and laid back, and the food was excellent. I enjoyed watching the kitchen calmly work too. We each got the four course and combined tasted the yellowtail crudo, heirloom rice, dungeoness crab, lamb, black cod, dark chocolate mint, and grilled peaches. Everything was so thoughtful in flavors and fresh. The olallieberries added to the lamb were a surprise but perfect. Oh, the bourbon sage cocktail was balanced and delicious. The food was worth the price and definitely a top five all-time dining experience for us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The ambiance, service and food were delightful. Depth of flavor and interesting combinations. A real gem.
We are vegetarians so it's often hard to find gastronomical fare but this blew us away. The lentils were surprisingly rich and the gnocchi just light pillows. The desserts dreamy. We will be back. Well done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An environment that pays homage to historical Big Sur but accents it with good design elements that make it feel as cool as anything happening in NY, Austin, LA. Menu was totally dialed in - exceptional, creative flavor profiles.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It doesn't get better than this! We had an amazing dinner here. Everything was top-notch, from the drinks, to the beautiful rooms and patio, to the outstanding service, and the star of the show, the food. The menu was innovative and fun. I've never tried so many new ideas in one meal before. Don't miss out on this gem.
Many thanks to the entire staff for making it such a memorable night.
Update:
We were lucky enough to eat here again, on 5/1, the season's opening night. They haven't lost a beat. If anything, they were even better! We had friends join us this time. All ordered the prix fixe meals, and we added oysters and bread. I'm still blown away by the quality and innovation of each plate, as well as the outstanding service.
Thank you for another awesome night!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and amazing service! So surprised this spot isn’t posted about more on TikTok or other socials. Inside is stunning and such a vibe and the food was insanely delicious. Worth the visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Solstice was everything I look for in a restaurant. From a relaxing and unique atmosphere, to friendly and knowledgeable service from Big Sur locals, to food and drink with flavors and textures that were new and excellent. The chef goes foraging every morning, I mean come on!
As a person with food allergies (gluten, dairy, eggs) I was able to have a 4 course meal off the menu without edits. 😱 that’s a rare find for me.
Would highly recommend Solstice to anyone!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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