50 Best Dog Friendly Restaurants Carmel By The Sea

“Everyone should have the full dinner at least once but once you get the vibe then sit at the bar or the super comfy patio and order a la carte.

Service is absolutely charming and worth the price of admission. The menu changes a lot but if you see the abalone skewers then they are a must have.

Cocktails are approachable and match the vibe perfectly. It's a regular stop for us.“

“The reviews are SPOT ON!! Probably one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had, and I love pizza.

Thin crispy crust, cooked all the way to the center. (This is a must for me!) Toppings were cooked to perfection. The amount of toppings was generous. My tastes buds were extremely happy with the flavor! I had pepperoni and red onions, my bestie had the fig and prosciutto with hot honey, which sounds like an unusual combination, but I tasted it and my taste buds approved this one also.

Service was a 10. We were greeted by the chef in the kitchen, as we walked up! Then by a server, then by the server that would be ours, Casey. He was very personable and took the time to actually visit with us for a short time and get to know us.

We chose to sit outside in the gorgeous weather, so I can’t tell you about the inside, but the outside tables were very clean and the chairs comfy to relax in.“

“Best food I have had in Carmel. Great service and the music was brilliant.“

“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.“

“Amazing wine, incredible service, and an unbeatable tasting room vibe!

We visited De Tierra Vineyards yesterday in Carmel-by-the-Sea and had such a great experience! From the moment we walked in, the tasting room’s cozy, welcoming atmosphere set the perfect tone. It’s stylish yet relaxed, and such a fun place to discover great wines. De Tierra truly captures the unique terroir of Monterey County displaying beautifully balance with distinct character.

What really made our visit special was the personal attention we received from owner Jeff Meacham and his team. They were incredibly welcoming, took the time to share stories about the vineyard’s history, and guided us through the wines with genuine passion. You can really tell they care about creating memorable experiences for every guest.

If you’re in Carmel and love great wine with exceptional experience, De Tierra Vineyards is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be back!“

“Muy rica comida pero sobre todo la atención y el servicio de primera gracias a Daniel y a Martín por su excelente atención 🙋🏻‍♀️“

“Beyond amazing. Service ambience and food was impeccable“

“This is a unique restaurant that make you think you are in Switzerland. The decoration was very Swiss. The food was great. We ordered onion soup, raclette, ham & cheese sandwiches, a Swiss noodle (forgot the name) and chocolate fondue with fruits. Very delicious. The service was great and the ambience was impressive and serene. The price was also reasonable. An excellent dining experience.“

“Our wedding cake from Sweet Reba’s was absolutely perfect! From the very first tasting to the final delivery, Reba and her team were wonderful to work with—kind, attentive, and genuinely passionate about their craft.

The cake itself was not only beautifully decorated but truly a showstopper at our reception. The design matched our wedding theme perfectly—elegant, romantic, and detailed down to every flower and ribbon. Guests couldn’t stop taking photos before we even cut into it!

And the flavor? Incredible. Each layer was moist, rich, and perfectly balanced—not too sweet, just delicious. Our guests are still talking about how good it was (and some even asked for seconds!).

If you want a wedding cake that tastes as amazing as it looks, I can’t recommend Sweet Reba’s Bakery enough. Reba turned our dream cake into reality and made our day even more special.“

“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.“

“one of the best in Carmel...“

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

“We had a dinner in this restaurant during our short stay in Carmel at the end of January; overall - the atmosphere, the service, the wine list were quite authentic French. I love France and French cuisine, I missed the frog legs very much, here they were good but tiny, more like they are in Chinese restaurants; French frog legs should be bigger and have more meat. Classic escargot seemed too spicy for me; the onion soup had a subtle burnt taste, looks like the onion was too fried. I gave my 4* for the overall experience, but there is definitely a lot to improve.“

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

“Amazing food with even more amazing service. Highly recommend for your special night out!“

“Excellent, friendly service 11/10. Good fresh rolls that came out fast. Would eat here again if I return to Carmel. Came here with a family of 6 and we sat outside at 5pm, making happy hour without a reservation. They got us in no problem. Great evening! Thanks Sushi Heaven.“

“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!!!👍“

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

“Lepe Cellars was the highlight of our day of wine tasting. It’s a small bar tucked into a shared space with an art gallery, which adds a unique and relaxing vibe. You’re welcome to wander and enjoy the art between pours. The woman who helped us with our tasting was incredibly kind, friendly, and attentive. Her warm energy and genuine conversation made this stop stand out above all the other tasting rooms we visited. Great wine and even better hospitality.“

“Amazing wine and atmosphere“

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

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

“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🤩“

“Wow, this is probably my favorite tasting room in Carmel by the sea. I’ve tried a half a dozen and this one is the friendliest and the most generous and knowledgeable. I think it’s the first tasting room that was in Carmel by the sea. Janet was behind the counter telling stories and is very knowledgeable about all the wines and the other things to do in the area.“

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

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

“Wow wow WOW. Spectacular food AND service. We tried the weekend special Brisket Burger and it was out of this world! I was obsessed with the salad dressing and the chef was kind enough to share the recipe with me. Erin took amazing care of us.“

“Great food, wonderful service and awesome atmosphere!“

“My boyfriend and I were looking forward to visiting a winery during our time in Carmel. We stumbled upon Dawn’s Dream while around the Downtown area, and cannot be more pleased with our choice.

Every wine was fantastic and unique. The wine palettes were so diverse and each had a wonderful story. Our host Jimmy was so kind and took such good care of us. What made this place so special was not just their delicious wine but the people behind it.“

“Delicious freshly prepared donuts with sn amazing variety of glazes. The also have beignets and an assortment of drinks and beverages.“

“Sometimes, five stars don't do a location justice. This is one of those times.
Exceptional in every respect. The atmosphere is honestly one of those rare finds.
Service was fantastic, sat at the bar and our server was never more than a few steps away.
The spirits selection is something that you rarely see. Their top shelf, is what the words mean.
Everything we had to eat was outstanding. Served fast and almost too hot to eat, except the oysters of course, which were also over the top. I seriously can't give the fish and chips a high enough recommendation!
My only regret is that I don't live nearby. When I'm anywhere near here, I'll go out of my way to visit again!“

“The front courtyard is closed for renovations at the moment (Jan 2026) we sat in the back (where they have wedding receptions) and it was really relaxing and lovely. We easily got a table on a Thursday afternoon. We ordered the “White Witch” and some food. Our server was patient and kind. When he left for the day another server checked up on us frequently. It was a really nice overall experience and we left with some wine and olive oil to take home as gifts from their gift shop ❤️“

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

“Earthbound farms has been a must go to stop every fall for us. There is an amazing farm stand with cafe drinks, snacks, flowers and produce. There are photo op chairs and a kids tent and garden. I love the pumpkin sculptures and the different colors and sizes of pumpkins to pick from. Great family spot!!!“

“Wonderful customer service and the Zin was wonderful!!! 👍🏻“

“We stopped into Shale Canyon Wines for a tasting without knowing what to expect, and Elise completely made the experience. My boyfriend doesn’t even like red wine, so when we realized the tasting was all reds, we were honestly hesitant. But Elise made us feel comfortable, excited, and open to trying everything — and now he’s officially converted.

The wines were incredible. We ended up buying multiple bottles of the Zinfandel and Syrah. Elise explained the philosophy of the winery so well — the accessibility, the sustainability, the purpose behind the wines — and it resonated deeply with both of us. She was kind, easy to talk to, and incredibly knowledgeable. A truly memorable tasting, thanks entirely to her.“

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

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

“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!!“

“This adorable shop in Carmel by the Sea, had room for our party of 8, a friendly hostess and a lot of history of Silvestri, known for music in many many well known films. Locals stopped in to pickup wine for dinner. They have a reasonable wine club and waived fees if you bought some. Oh, and their Pinot is really good!“

“We ate dinner at Catch in Carmel on a friend recommendation on a Wednesday and a finer experience we could not have imagined. As we were seated, a spoonful of caviar and a tiny glass of champagne were set in the middle of the table for each of us to enjoy. We each ordered something different and our food was absolutely outstanding. Our entrees were: lobster tail (2), sand dabs, cioppino, calamari appetizer and crusted halibut. We each raved about our food, noting each plate was ample. The service was second to none which only added to our pleasurable dining experience. There were five of us and we decided that we could come to Catch every week for five nights and enjoy a different entree each time. AND THE PRICES WERE Very palatable, which was a happy surprise. If you're thinking about a restaurant in Carmel, this one is a must!“

“Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful service.“

“This is our second time eating at Il Tegamino, and both times it was absolutely delicious. It is definitely a step up from your basic Italian American cooking. The pacchieri in ragu sauce was the winner, but everyone enjoyed the other items we got. The service is very attentive. Both times we ate outside. But because the terrace is all enclosed and with the space heaters, we were perfectly comfortable, even at the end of January. This place is a hidden gem in a town of frequently overpriced and mediocre restaurants, catering to tourists. “

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

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

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

“First time trying burrata, on the caprese sandwich and it was complimented so well by the balsamic dressing. The bread was tasty and texturally appealing. I really enjoyed the slight crunch on the exterior and the soft inside. It was made to be the perfect vessel. Next time, I think I'll give the turkey a go- I just usually don't eat meat often, i have to be in the mood.

I ate outside, in the fresh air. I watched the birds fly around and the yellow, pink and crimson roses swaying in the breeze. This place is peaceful.

Also found it really neat that they juice their own oranges. There's an assortment of wines and beverages (alcoholic and non alcoholic), coffee from Brazil and Ethiopia- which really caught my eye. The staff is friendly and genuine and I didn't have to wait long. I'll have to bring my mom here sometime.

The inside vibe is modern with an upscale feel, kinda rustic. I imagine the evening lighting to be warm, judging by the panel hues. Glad I stumbled upon this place and got to try it out. It's one of those flavors that you want to savor. Take in the atmosphere then, return to nibble some more. And for lavender enthusiasts, I noted there's a lavender latte on the menu. That's one of my personal favorites.

Last thing I noticed: they don't accept cash payments. Unfortunately, I had to skip the latte this round because I only had cash on me but there was enough incentive to come back.“

“First time I finished a burger!!“

“Great time watching the Niners game.“