Restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea

“We ate one of the best meals of our lives here a year ago on our honeymoon. So remarkable I’m leaving this review a year later! I remember being greeted so warmly by the woman I believe is the owner. We were given complementary dessert and a champagne toast, too. This is a restaurant that lives up to its Michelin star(s)?”

“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”

“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🤩”

“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!”

“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.”

“Beyond amazing. Service ambience and food was impeccable”

“Delicious pizza & drinks.”

“Amazing food, fresh, delicious, good presentation - everything was great. The place itself looks very basic and unassuming, but the food surely exceeded our expectations. Service was good, but I can see how some reviewers could describe it as “stoic” or “authentic Japanese”, anyway to me it was a part of the charm of this place. Highly recommended overall.”

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

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

“Three of us stopped by this charming restaurant and our server was attentive and able to tell us the history of the restaurant when we asked. It was a pleasure to be waited on by someone who enjoys working there! I see why. The service from the kitchen was timed perfectly.
After our appetizers we were served our piping hot, delicious meals we're presented. I had Geschnetzeltes, and the others ordered Schnitzel and Jager Schnitzel. All three were plum full of flavor. We were served enough to take home to enioy the next day. Such a yummy treat.

I highly recommend this restaurant if you're in the mood to visit Switzerland! It was a fun evening!”

“Amazing food. We tried the pasta plate, and the shrimp curry soup, and the aha tuna. Everything was perfect. The customer service was amazing. They are very friendly and welcoming.”

“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!”

“Words cannot express how much i appreciate Le Soufflé . The food, service and ambience were 5++ stars. The sugar pea salad was delightfully light , followed by the crab soufflé and finished by a passion fruit/mango soufflé. Wowwwww !
And I am very hard to please.”

“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.”

“Lovely! Highlights were the Dover sole and French onion soup. Steak frites are a good one to skip- very tough and not enjoyable. As long as you order correctly, fantastic dinner and ambiance.”

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

“Our dining experience was wonderful. Our calamari appetizer, beer, and wine were a great start to a great meal. My wife enjoyed her halibut whereas I opted for a delicious pizza. Our friends, who arrived late due to traffic, were warmly accommodated at our table by the friendly, efficient waitress.”

“We love Woody's. Liked the airport location but Del Mesa is more upscale, GREAT service (thanks !) and super good food. For the locals !”

“Thanks Tommy for healthy Asian cuisine at a great price. We love the pupu platter, Mushu Chicken , Broccoli Chicken and Veggies Deluxe. So glad we found you guys during our stay at Carmel.”

“I'm writing this review only to highlight the outstanding service we received from Camillo. He was the only server we saw on the floor, attentively taking care of every table—all while maintaining a genuine smile. His dedication and positive attitude truly made our night.”

“I love this place! Also love that Synchronicity Holistic Dispensary is right next door! My favorite thing ever was the buffalo chicken dip, they only make it randomly but holy moly. Also they half flatbread and salad makes the perfect meal. Even if you don't like beer they have really great options of sours, ciders, and wine that are constantly changing. Love it!!!!!!!”

“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!!!👍”

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

“Absolutely delightful atmosphere, tucked away from the busy shops in a little back street hideaway. Flavorful selection of all of Carmel valley’s best varietals. Has several Bordeaux blends, a Super Tuscan, and many single varietal bottles. Each wine is a prime example of a California terroir spin on the classics. The tasting was $35 for 5 heavy pour tastes. Highly recommend!”

“Great piano bar! Awesome lemon drops😃”

“Amazing food with first class service. In a word.... WOW!!!”

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

“We had such a wonderful experience at De Tierra Tasting Room! The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming from the moment we walked in. The wine was delicious, and we loved that it’s a dog-friendly spot!

I also accidentally left my purse behind, and Jeff went above and beyond to make sure I got it back. He was so kind and helpful, and I’m incredibly grateful for his effort. This kind of customer service is rare and truly appreciated. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area! 🍷🐾”

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

“Stopped in for dinner while visiting my parents who live in the Carmel area. Even though it’s not on the main drag, this is a great place to eat for good good, a chill mid century vibe, and friendly staff (thanks Tiffany!). We had the calamari (A+), hangar steak (cooked to perfection), house hummus and veggies, crab cake, and the Caesar salad with grilled prawns (YUM). Kid friendly as well. Def stop in here - breakfast and dinner.”

“Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful service.”

“Best Italian in Carmel - made by an Italian chef with Italian pasta flour and ingredients. Tastes like Italy! The ragu, lasagna and zucchini parm are out of this world, and the lava cake? One of the best desserts I've ever had - and I've been to Italy - a bunch. Book here!”

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

“The food was quite good, the service was great and the atmosphere was nice but i thought it was overpriced. I know it’s Carmel but i cant justify the price for having the same sides for 3 dishes that we ordered (all carrots and rice). There was little variety and even the sauces were common for the fish and pork. And for desert - we got ube ice cream with costco cookies. The food is good but dont think it’s worth the price.

The people were nice though and there was a live band going. Worth to try just be ready to pay more”

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

“As a solo guest I had a wonderful time! The vineyard is beautiful with beautiful landscaping. I did not go on the tour, but I was able to enjoy the flatbread pizza and reserve wine flight. The pizza was delicious! It's definitely a mist try. I had the BBQ chicken. Lots of flavor, the crust cooked to perfection and the fresh cilantro was a great finishing touch. The flights were great! Such a big pour for the flights, I honestly couldn't finish it😅. Excellent customer service! The ladies were accommodating, I needed lots of sun. There is an outdoor veranda that's nicely shaded and several umbrellas. I really enjoyed the live music, food and relaxing!”

“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!!”

“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.”

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

“one of the best in Carmel...”

“Great food, wonderful service and awesome atmosphere!”

“There are varieties of delicious breads that you can try and all very fresh”

“Fantastic seafood dishes and cocktails.
We really enjoyed our meal and time sitting at the bar. The staff is friendly and efficient. Really great value too!”

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

“Overall very good sushi spot. Plenty of rolls and other items to choose from. I will be back. The it’s a little off ocean ave and the inside looks a little dated in my opinion. The walls are covered in pictures which makes it look cluttered. I’m sure that’s a local thing. The service was pretty good although a little slow due to it being a little busy in there. I need to come back during their happy hour- three rolls for $20!”

“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.”

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

“First time I finished a burger!!”

“I try to order delivery once a week. The food is delicious, well prepared and prompt delivery. Ordering online is very easy and reliable. I try to go there occasionally, but really enjoy having it delivered. The people at the restaurant are very pleasant. I would definitely recommend this sushi place.”

“Great time watching the Niners game.”

“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!”

“For hotel breakfast places, this is one of the best I've been too. Preparation is like a standalone restaurant than hotel dining. Portions are med/large, and coffee is dark brewed. View of the small pond adds to the dining experience. Highly recommend eating here, prices are fairly reasonable.”

“Wonderful cappuccino. I had a lovely drink this Saturday morning and a banana latte today. I will most certainly stop by again with my family this weekend. Absolutely recommend! ☕️🙂 Beautiful area and good seating options.”

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

“Picked up food to go last year and it was really good. So happy that we found this place again! Ordered garlic parm and spicy fried chicken wing plates, lemongrass chicken and beef meatball pho. Also ordered strawberry and melon boba milk tea and Vietnamese coffee with egg cream. Food and drinks came out quickly. Customer service was great. It was so good that we ate and drank everything! We will definitely come here again when we’re in the area.”

“Amazing wine and atmosphere”

“The menu features a range of (real) Mexican favorites and delivers beautifully with an emphasis on the delicious, well-balanced sauces that make each dish. The service was professional and kind but with long gaps where empty glasses were left on the table and nobody checking in. (The restaurant was not busy at the time.) This is definitely an area for improvement to match the price point and food quality.”

“They serve Aurum coffee now! Locally roasted and yum!
Wow! Just had one of their beignets and these are amazing! This is definitely my best Bakery for Carmel
Austin is the best coffee barista in town!! This is our go to for our favorite coffee in Carmel. Amazing latte and cannoli.”

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

“There are many kinds of fish in their market and they serve several types in the dining area as well. The clam chowder is supposed to be the best around! I did not have it but those in my party said it was great!”

“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!”

“Counter service ordering, sit down and wait style. Large food portions. Burrito was good but nothing to write home about. Unremarkable. No salsa bar, chips were served as a side. Server was friendly and helped bus our table.”

“Barmel Love Love Love ❤️”

“We always always come here whenever we're in town, and everything is always delicious. Sandwiches, duck fat donuts, coffee; we have never had anything bad. Do not miss out!”

“Great food service and atmosphere”

“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. 🤫”

“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 beautiful place to sit in the sun and enjoy a great coffee and some breakfast. I had a blueberry scone which was delicious and a cold latte which was great. The girl smiled and was very good in her customer service.”

“Never fails to give great food and service.”

“I love the food it’s always cooked with so much flavor. Customer service is excellent and very attentive. I stop here as often as I can after my hikes or runs with my doggie 🐶♥️”

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

Wheelchair accessibility: Handicapped parking spaces. Easy entrance.”

“As a born and bred NYer I know good bagels when I taste them and these are very good.I don't buy any sandwiches so have no opinion on that-just give me the really good fresh bagels and let me buy the Acme Lox from Costco and I'm a happy guy.”

“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.”

“They have good coffee here.”

“They have good coffee here.”

“Friendlier and quiter than most starbucks I've been to. Have also noticed that this one seems to be more dog friendly. As long as your dog is behaved. Outside seating. Charging outlets still, plus in my book since I'm a traveler”

“I showed up in the middle of the afternoon on a Sunday. Nobody there except my server who was very kind. I hung out for a bit waiting for my pizza and what followed was me wishing I had paid more for it! Holy smokes. I got it to go but took a bite when I got to my car. This is a work of art and a delicious pie! Muchas gracias! I will be back sooner than later!”

“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.”

“Charming small café, recommended by my ChatGPT! Lovely service. I sat outside and had the eggs benedict. No cappuchino etc., regular coffee only but served in cute mugs. Cash only!”

“Mini combo was Yummy!”

“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!”

“Great food service and atmosphere”

“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.”

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

“Through no fault of Flaherty's...it was so loud! (There were 3 people at the bar having a very good time. We were seated right behind them.) Next time we'll request outside seating. Salmon & artichoke pasta was good, just needed some salt. The fish & chips were excellent.”

“Great food, fantastic service and great atmosphere”

“There are varieties of delicious breads that you can try and all very fresh”

“Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful service.”

“Never fails to give great food and service.”

“one of the best in Carmel...”

“Best Italian in Carmel - made by an Italian chef with Italian pasta flour and ingredients. Tastes like Italy! The ragu, lasagna and zucchini parm are out of this world, and the lava cake? One of the best desserts I've ever had - and I've been to Italy - a bunch. Book here!”

“Great Customer Service. And the food was Great”

“Had an amazing experience at Cantinetta Luca! The food was absolutely divine – every dish was bursting with authentic Italian flavors. The environment was so vibey, with a warm and inviting atmosphere that made the whole meal feel extra special. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience!”

“The menu features a range of (real) Mexican favorites and delivers beautifully with an emphasis on the delicious, well-balanced sauces that make each dish. The service was professional and kind but with long gaps where empty glasses were left on the table and nobody checking in. (The restaurant was not busy at the time.) This is definitely an area for improvement to match the price point and food quality.”

“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!”