20 Best Seafood Restaurants in 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 service was 10 stars. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was perfect. The owner was so kind and even ended our night with a complimentary ice cream dessert and said if we’re truly full we will not touch it! ;) We laughed a lot and enjoyed our dinner.“

“Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful service.“

“Great service, great ambiance, great food!“

“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.“

“We came here because two in our party must not eat gluten. One has quite a number of food allergies. This restaurant was impressive. They have a separate gluten free menu and a separate gluten free frier. They also have a separate vegetarian (full) menu. The waitress spent quite some time explaining food prep and how they can make adjustments to the menu for various allergies. In fact, she was soo good (an older lady) that even though the tip was included (due to our large party size) we tipped her above and beyond that amount. The food was also excellent! All of us were happy - regardless of the type of food we ordered - regular, gluten free or vegetarian. We would definetely come here again. Note: The only downside is, like in all of Carmel, parking is hard to find. So if you make reservations - be sure to show up at least a half hour early to spend time looking for parking.“

“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!“

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

“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.“

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

“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!“

“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“

“When I made a reservation at Covey Grill, I did so out of convenience as we were arriving to The Quail lodge late and I thought dinner at the hotel would be best after a long travel day. My family and I arrived to the restaurant at our reserved time and were seated immediately. The hostess even provided us the option to sit inside or outside on the deck. We opted for an indoor window seat. We began with the ahi grade tuna and satsuma starter. It was delcious. The tuna was so fresh. My husband and I each ordered the halibut market fish for the evening. The fish was prepared nicely and served with mashed butternut squash and asparagus. Our boys enjoyed their Shirley Temples, hot dogs and French fries. I must say the French fries were legit. We were impressed by the service provided and the quality of the dishes served. While we were disappointed to find out the restaurant would not be open for the regular menu the remainder of our stay, we were able to try their three course menu night via room service the final night of our stay. Be sure to check the days and times of operation and book a reservation as you will not be disappointed. Covey Grill is not your typical hotel restaurant.“

“Great service and food!! Fast service and cozy atmosphere“

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

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

“This place is gem. Very good food, good quantity. Probably the best veggie dishes Ive had. The prices are remarkably good, especially for this area. Its deceptive in that the decor is very nice so it looks like it would be expensive, but its not. I hesitate to say its a great value because that makes it sound cheap, but it really is great food, atmosphere and service and also price. Of course the takeout is my go to. A super family run place in the Crossroads (Sweet Reba’s, MYO, etc) away from throngs of tourists. Man I love it here!“

“Food was good. Service was sloooooow! We grabbed a table for 5 and they had us wait for a chair and then a random patio chair was brought over. Orders were placed and we brawl sat there for 3 hrs total between waiting, ordering the food, and then getting the food. Do not come here if you are hangry or on a time crunch. Service was inattentive after we received our plates, that was that. We didn’t get checked on or ask if we needed anything else. All the dishes were good though so no complaints on the food. Just know they are very busy and they had two ppl for the whole entire restaurant. Bring your patience“

“Never fails to give great food and service.“

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