50 Best Dog Friendly Restaurants Carmel By The Sea

“Fabulous food and terrific service and hospitality from a friendly and professional staff. My wife and I both took the wine pairing and the selection and quality of the wines were flawless. Unlike another high-end restaurant where we had dinner a few months ago, there was nothing stingy about the pours at Chez Noir. It's a pricey meal to be sure, but we both thought it was worth it and will definitely re-visit.“

“Top 3 pizzas of our lives (including Rome and Florence). They make the ingredients in-house and you can tell.

You can also tell how happy their staff must be because it shows in the service and how they interact with you with warmth and affection.

Get their burrata pizza. You can taste the freakin milk.“

“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! 😊“

“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.“

“The Jäger Schnitzel was perfect! The mushroom gravy was just right, reminiscent of Bavaria, and the cutlet was tender and juicy. Great price for a .5 liter of good Köning Pilsner. Service was outstanding. I’d say this place is a must-visit if you want a fantastic meal! Everything was served at the perfect temperature, so extra points.“

“I absolutely loved the wine here! The staff were amazing and super knowledgeable — I learned a lot during our visit. I especially appreciated De Tierra’s commitment to sustainable winemaking practices. Overall, it was such a wonderful experience and definitely worth the visit!“

“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“

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

“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.“

“I ordered the Haifa and it was super delicious! The cafe is tucked away, making it a nice peaceful place to take a break on our road trip. We loved the coffee and the atmosphere. The mural is beautiful and there’s even books by Palestinian authors that you can read while enjoying your coffee. 10/10 spot, will definitely be back“

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

“one of the best in Carmel...“

“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. 🍻“

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

“Great food, wonderful service and awesome atmosphere!“

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

“We came in expecting a simple sushi spot, but this place completely surprised us.

The presentation is absolutely beautiful — every dish is decorated with so much care, and all the little details make the food feel even more special and delicious.

The courtyard is also cozy and has such a unique atmosphere — it honestly feels like you’ve stepped somewhere far away from the city for a while. We truly loved this place and left impressed. Definitely worth visiting.“

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

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

“Amazing wine and atmosphere“

“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!!!👍“

“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.“

“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.“

“Felt right at home as soon as we walked into this place. Both the manager and the gentleman who helped us were wonderful. They expanded our horizons from our typical palette. Ended up leaving with a bottle of their sparkling rose which we normally don’t lean towards at all! It was so refreshing yet dry and definitely hit the spot during the warm day. The bar was spacious and the outdoor dining area had a nice cool breeze. Good ambience is key and this place definitely has it. We will be back when visiting the area again🍷“

“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.“

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

“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 requested a quiet table, perfect. Our waiter was extremely polite,efficient and knowledgeable. The mussels with chirozo appetizer was delicious, French onion soup was perfect, rich and flavorful. Our waiter suggested the rack of lamb, memorable, my wife enjoyed the Petrale sole , perfect preparation.“

“We love Alvarado beers but this was our first time having Mai Tai on tap. True nectar of the hop gods. Staff was very friendly and professional. We had the veg pizza and salad with a beer flight of our choosing. Very dog friendly. The outdoor seating space was in a mall type courtyard and was huge. I was surprised by the polished vibe since I like a more thrashed, worn brew pub vibe but hey I’m not complaining since the food and beer were 10/10. This is a must visit right in the Carmel downtown.“

“OMG!!! For 7 years that I have live in Downtown Carmel-by-the-sea by the sea and I have never experienced A.W Shucks so guess what! ... new Place Unlocked from now on every Monday ill be here, the rest of my week is booked, but!! But the service, the Bartender make me the best Cocktail ever. And WAIT!! Does get Better. Have You EVER seen the Cleannest bathroom i have ever Been. I walked into and I feel Heaven! 10/10 I wanna have my own seat on this bathroom, I'm very happy
Get a drink and go to the Bathroom!!!!!!“

“I cannot recommend both Shale Canyon wine tasting room and Nora’s Carmel enough. While celebrating a birthday last weekend, we stopped in the tasting room before dinner and were greeted with the warmest welcome by Janice. She, along with the staff at Noras, made our experience 5 stars through and through. Both establishments are a must while you’re in Carmel.“

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

“We had the most amazing time at a beautiful winery in Carmel Valley! We were staying at Carmel Valley Ranch and wanted to find a near by winery/vineyard that is kid friendly. Folktale is THE place! The service is beyond what we were expecting and the wines were amazing. Let me start off with Nick ,our server. He is the epitome of hospitality and so knowledgeable in Folktale’s wines selection. Started off with the Rose Brut which I thought was something you would have from Provence. Then enjoyed multiple of their reds including their Messenger wine. This is a wine I would highly suggest for someone who enjoys wine pairings with anything. Did not expect a Tuscan type wine like this. Well blended Sangiovese/Cab. Enjoyed their Pinot Noir Estate and The Hound as well. All in all this is great option for anyone visiting Carmel Valley and a must if you are staying at Carmel Valley Ranch. Thank you Folktale Winery and Vineyards for an enjoyable experience.“

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

“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!!!“

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

“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!“

“Great service, great ambiance, great food!“

“My wife and I had a wonderful time during a day-trip last Sunday, 4/12/26. Our server did a great job of attending to our every whim and request! The ambience was fantastic and even though it rained a little, moving into the bar area was another experience in itself. We can't thank em enough for giving us such a memorable experience!“

“This is a Real Gem a few tables, clean, nicely decorated, the food is always fresh and sources from great places, seasonal, from appetizer to main course Amir and his team are very attentive, friendly and patient. Nice wine list, the home baked bread is so tempting you can't stop eating. The meat and seafood is so fresh and cooked to perfection. A locals secret place always a pleasure to return“

“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.“

“Kind of had a weird experience here. We were leaving Monterey and wanted to get some fresh fish one last time. Because we weren’t too hungry, we decided to share a meal. I realize that doesn’t make us a very profitable table, but the place wasn’t busy at all. Maybe 2 other tables occupied. The food was great and the service was pleasant but not overly attentive. However, when it came to paying for the meal, the server said that the ”machine was broken” and we could only pay cash. Didn’t bring us a check, I finally went to the counter to pay. Luckily we had cash but what if we didn’t? It was all very weird. Didn’t see other tables paying with cash. Not sure I’d come back.“

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

“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.“

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