Restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea

“An excellent dining experience, from start to finish. You can taste the quality of the ingredients and the flavor combinations blew our minds. The attention to detail in each dish clearly showed the tremendous passion of the staff in the kitchen. Truly an incredible 4 course meal and I highly recommend it for any special occasion. What a visit!”

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

“Stopped in for lunch on our visit to Carmel. Absolutely loved the crispy crust of our all meat pizza. The chocolate cake was our favorite dessert we had during our stay in town. The service was excellent, and we even had an awesome chat with the owner. Would definitely come again!”

“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!”

“Just wow. I wasn't expecting more than a filling meal and what I got was the best Orange Chicken I've ever had. Highly, highly recommend. It's worth the wait. Everything was delicious but the orange chicken was something special.”

“Great foods and great friends !”

“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”

“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!”

“had a great experience here. The sushi was incredibly fresh, well presented, and everything came out quickly. What really made the visit stand out, though, was Oshan. He was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect. It's rare to receive service that's both professional and personable. Thanks to Oshan, this was one of the best dining experiences I've had. I'll definitely be coming back and would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for excellent sushi and outstanding customer service”

“Delicious pizza & drinks.”

“We love De Tierra Vineyards! The wines are amazing. The Tasting Room is in an adorable cottage that is so appropriate for enjoying wine in Carmel. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable about the wines. They even host live music on Sundays. We love being a part of the De Tierra Wine Club!”

“one of the best in Carmel...”

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

“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🤩”

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

“The service is always great and the food is so good and fresh. We’ve been there multiple times to listen to music and it’s been really good. Enjoyed Ryan Sesma last night. Highly recommend! 😊”

“Food was excellent and service was good. The restaurant was decorated like a French bistro. Unfortunately there's major construction across the street so the noise level was high at times.”

“The food was delicious and well cooked and the staff were very polite, welcoming and kind. Inside the restaurant are tons of cute little cows and it is very nice. It was very fancy and nice. I recommend this restaurant. It is very mooving.(Lots of cows )”

“Great service, great ambiance, great food!”

“My wife and I were just looking for a quick grab-and-go coffee in the area and stumbled upon this place. Wow—we were so impressed! The coffee was excellent and the service was outstanding. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the neighborhood!”

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

“This restaurant is so magical. The food is phenomenal. Everything we’ve ever ordered has tasted so so good. I highly recommend the yin-yan salmon and grilled salmon filet. The service is stellar and the people who work there are super nice. The prices are totally reasonable, especially for the food quality and taste and the service. I would expect to pay double for the food quality and service. And the ambiance is really nice - it’s cozy, romantic, and very cute. Excited to come back soon!”

“Wow. Truly excellent beers. We tried four different styles and every single one was on point — clean, well-balanced, and full of character. It’s always impressive when a brewery shows this level of consistency across styles. We also had the chance to meet the owner, who is also the brewer, and that made the experience even better. Super friendly, passionate, and clearly dedicated to the craft. You can really taste the care behind each beer. Great atmosphere, welcoming vibe, and top-quality pours. This is exactly the kind of place you hope to find when you’re out exploring — outstanding beer and genuinely great people. This place is a true gem. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it. Definitely worth the stop — we’ll absolutely be back. 🍻”

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

“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!!!👍”

“Easily one of the best restaurants on the west coast. Food, service and atmosphere were all top notch. The owner Greg runs an amazing restaurant and spectacular winery.”

“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.”

“Super cool spot with a lot of local shops! Food, spa, coffee, wine, everything!”

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

“Just a gem of a restaurant. It's all about the food... everything we had was top tier, especially the crab cakes and beef Wellington. Our second visit, even better than the first.”

“Visited on a slow Monday with my wife for lunch and had a great time. Wonderful view of the vines, great service (thank you, Arjun), and solid red blends. The kitchen was off that day, but the charcuterie board hit the spot alongside The Hound. We will be returning on our regular Carmel trips.

Pictured: the sparkling rose.”

“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.”

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

“We came back for a second visit, and it confirmed why we wanted to return. The food was just as good as the first time fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. It’s hard to find a place that’s this consistent, but Alvarado Street Brewery definitely delivers.

A special shoutout to our server, James. He was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. His great attitude and excellent service made an already great experience even better.

If you’re in Monterey and looking for great food, excellent service, and a relaxed atmosphere, I highly recommend stopping by. Two visits in, and they’ve definitely earned a repeat customer. We’ll absolutely be back again!”

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

“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!!”

“Delicious! Went with a friend after a hike and it really hit the spot. He got the Wagyu Banh Mi sandwich and I got the Wagyu Burnt Ends, we shared some fries. Super tasty, but pricey.”

“Really fun spot and super friendly staff.”

“We sat outside with our pup. The server promptly brought him a dog bed and a bowl of water. Our server kept our glasses full and was very attentive. The food was good, we left happy.”

“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.”

“food is always excellent quality and taste. Great salads for starters. Varied main course choices - fish, pork, beef. For the area, proce is very reasonable. Covey's is our go to place, we are locals..”

“My boyfriend and I came here for his birthday dinner, and we had such a wonderful experience! The food was absolutely delicious, and every dish was full of flavor. The staff was incredibly lovely, welcoming, and attentive, making us feel so well taken care of throughout the evening. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. We left happy, full, and already looking forward to coming back. Highly recommend!”

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

“Great food, wonderful service and awesome atmosphere!”

“Great BBQ with tasty food and generous portions. The meat was flavorful and cooked well, and the staff was friendly. Nice atmosphere and good value. I would definitely come back!”

“If I had to pick one place in Carmel to always eat at, this would be it. Right on Ocean Blvd so easy to get to. This place is on the small side as are so many places in Carmel, but it feels more intimate than cramped. The food and service have always been excellent and it’s good value for the price. The bar has a very high quality selection of spirits, brews, and wines. Their bloody Mary is a favorite. If you hit the place at an off hour and sit at the bar the bartenders are always engaging. We love their oysters but there are so many good choices on the menu we always like to try something new. It's one of the few coastal places that serves red clam chowder, which I love. Like every other time we've been to Carmel in recent years we dropped into A.W. Shucks at least once on each day of our trip. This week we had the benefit of Tommy serving us at our table and also tending bar for us once where he made some great recommendations for oysters. We also loved Rebecca's bubbly enthusiasm as our waitress. And tonight we had the benefit of Rowena serving us at the bar. This restaurant has such a great team, which speaks highly of the management.”

“We had a great time at Galante Vineyards Tasting Room! It was our first ever wine tasting experience, and we greatly benefitted from the great service of the tasting room - we were fortunate to have the place to ourselves for much of the evening, and were guided through our tasting by Patrick, who was very helpful, friendly, and an enjoyable guide to talk to about wine, the history of the town, or just about anything. He gave us insight into the history, growing conditions, and flavors in each wine, and we were able to try a good variety of a few whites, some reds, and even a delicious dessert wine. We do not have much wine-drinking experience, but we thought all the wines were great, very drinkable, and some truly stood out, like the chardonnay, the dessert wine, and the Blackjack Cabernet Sauvignon, so we had to get a few bottles as well. This combination made the wine tasting a true experience, and very worthwhile even for a few wine amateurs.”

“The Carmel Drop: Chopsticks, Contraband, and Butterflies at CU Sushi
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a suspiciously perfect enclave—all storybook stone cottages, manicured cypress trees, and wealth so quiet it whispers. It is the kind of picturesque coastal postcard that makes a cynical operator immediately look for the exit routes.
But today, we had business. Under the cover of a cool coastal afternoon, the miniature anarchist and I took a table on the sleek gray patio of CU Sushi. She had officially suspended her campaign for high-grade French pastries, demanding raw fish, heavy unagi, and hot green tea instead.
Here is the surveillance report from our table.
The Desk Setup
The table was arranged with a clinical, modern aesthetic. Matte black plates and deep soy sauce saucers sat on the gray surface like tactical targets. At the center stood a heavy, square glass decanter of soy sauce, rigged with a silver pour spout that dispensed its dark, concentrated salt with smooth, high-precision control.
But the real mystery was the hot green tea. It arrived in a white ceramic mug covered in a flurry of pink and blue butterflies, bearing the cheerful slogan “Be the change.” It sat on our gray, austere table looking like a piece of bright civilian propaganda—a glaring, hilarious compromise to our hardboiled cover. Nearby, an empty white ceramic dish shaped like a sleek bamboo-print boat sat waiting at the dock, ready for a quick maritime getaway.
The Cold Assets
When the cold assets arrived, they did not disappoint. A long, heavy white rectangular platter carried a flawless, high-contrast linear parade of nigiri. Bright orange salmon, pale translucent yellowtail, deep-red maguro tuna, and pink-striped cooked shrimp were pressed onto tight, surgical pillows of seasoned rice. They were lined up in perfect pairs, looking less like lunch and more like precious, raw ingots ready to be smuggled out.
For a deeper dive, a pristine white bowl arrived packed to the brim with thick, ruby-red slabs of tuna. Nestled alongside the fish was a vibrant green heap of seaweed salad and a handful of rakkyo—pickled Chinese pearl onions that looked like smooth, pearlescent globes of polished gravel surrendering to the soy sauce.
The Heavy Artillery
The specialty rolls were constructed with absolute structural integrity, designed for maximum impact:
The Tempura Blitz: A roll entirely blanketed under a golden dune of shattered tempura flakes, drizzled with sweet soy reduction and capped with bright orange masago. Every chopstick pinch was a volatile operation, showering the plate with crispy debris.
The Velvet Dragon: A rich, high-caliber roll draped in caramelized, dark cuts of BBQ eel and perfectly sliced avocado. Lacquered in a rich, sweet unagi sauce and crowned with a dense dusting of orange roe, it looked like a row of miniature explosive charges.
The Clean Getaway: A pristine, white-on-white California roll packed with crab mix and avocado, served with a sharp pile of ginger and a green sphere of wasabi. It was standard-issue, but executed with zero technical errors.
The Verdict
CU Sushi is running an exceptionally tight, highly disciplined operation in Carmel. While the storybook streets outside and the cheerful butterfly mug threatened to soften our edge, the razor-sharp wasabi, pristine cuts of fish, and rich, dark unagi quickly brought us back to reality. It is a premium, top-tier setup that earns every bit of its keep.
We paid our tax, cleared the plates, and slipped back into the coastal fog before the local authorities—or the tourists—could note our presence.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars.”

“Great piano bar! Awesome lemon drops😃”

“They make the best Homemade pasta noodles. You can go there and buy fresh homemade pasta noodles take them home and cook them. They are absolutely delicious and would definitely go back next time we go to Carmel By The sea.”

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

“Best coffee in the West”

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

“Really good sandwiches! Tiny store and we had to wait outside because it was too crowded. Parking was nearly impossible. Definitely worth the walk and the wait. Will definitely be back next time I'm in the area. We got the meatball marinera, vegetarian, and bacon turkey sandwich.”

“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!”

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

“Eric is always the best! We’ve been here multiple times over the last few years and the drinks plus artichoke (and arancini) crochets are amazing as well as the service . Thanks so much!”

“I just wanted to write a review because my family had a really good experience with an employee here, Jenna. Jenna was super helpful when my family came here. She refilled a toppings container for us and was very nice to us. In addition, when another family came in and made a bit of a mess she was really quick to take over cleaning it up. She was just a standout there overall.”

“Such a wonderful family-owned coffee shop! Great coffee, delicious pastries, and warm, welcoming service. You can feel the care and pride they put into their business. We’ll definitely be back!”

“I experienced a very relaxing happy hour visit at the Sunset lounge. Our server (Cassi) was so helpful and attentive our every request. Live music started in the lounge which topped off a perfect time spent at the Highlands Inn.”

“Amazing wine and atmosphere”

“Delicious pizza & drinks.”

“I happened upon this place at 7:30am and it was the best decision. The staff were so attentive. I never had to ask for anything because it was already there. The waffles were perfectly fluffy and crisp. The butter plus the real maple syrup *Chefs kiss. I ate everything so quick, so you'll have to take my word for it.”

“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.”

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

“Best coffee in the West”

“First time I finished a burger!!”

“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.”

“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. 🤫”

“Absolutely wonderful, small quaint. Fish market and restaurant all in one whoever is cooking the food they are on it it is so amazing so tasty I was so satisfied The server she was dealing with every single table in the whole place inside and out killing it hustling unbelievable so satisfied”

“Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful service.”

“Went to a live jazz performance here. Great small venue, relaxed vibe, and knowledgeable staff. Great wines, too! The space was clean, well maintained, and with a modern, but almost retro-60's feel. The wines are classic Monterey - Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Salinas Valley and SLH. But Sabrine Rodems, the winemaker (a very busy girl in these parts, making wines for many of the local labels), also does varietals from other nearby AVAs, like Paso Robles. Recommend.”

“Really good spot to have good Mexican food.
I love the Mexican salad , shrimp tacos, and grilled chicken. They have really large portions so believe the reviews.”

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

“Great food service and atmosphere”

“The shrimp bone marrow starter was the BEST thing I've ever put in my mouth. It was amazingggg. That was a year ago and I still think about it. The service was meh, but the place was beautiful, nice ambiance. Drinks were good. Need to come back soonn”

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

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

“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.”

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

Wheelchair accessibility: Handicapped parking spaces. Easy entrance.”

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

“Barmel Love Love Love ❤️”

“Always love the bagel bakery. Good bagels and great service.”

“The owners were incredibly friendly. The service here is exceptionally fast. We didn’t have to wait long. Everything is great. The egg roll appetizers are always delicious. My favorite dishes are Hunan Beef and Chow Fun.”

“Consistently clean, friendly and quick. The male manager is great 👍 He seems to have a good rapport with the employees and customers. Pleasant atmosphere! Nice selection of yummy coffee, oatmeal etc. My Husband and I are regulars 😋”

“They have good coffee here.”

“Mini combo was Yummy!”

“They have good coffee here.”

“Barmel Love Love Love ❤️”

“Excellent atmosphere and food”

“Best coffee in the West”

“Great foods and great friends !”

“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!”

“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.”

“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”

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

“Wonderful dining experience. Food was fabulous. We shared the calamari appetizer which was delicious. Then we shared the Paella oh my goodness was it wonderful. More than enough for two. This is a favorite restaurant of ours when we come to Carmel and it never disappoints.”

“Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful service.”

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

“Great food, fantastic service and great atmosphere”

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

“Never fails to give great food and service.”

“Great piano bar! Awesome lemon drops😃”

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

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

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

“Great Customer Service. And the food was Great”

“Lovely setting, excellent service, food was delicious and best coffee I’ve ever tasted! I know you use Lavazza but how do you make it?? When we make it to Carmel again we’ll definitely come back!”