20 Best Seafood Restaurants in Carmel By The Sea

“What an exceptional dining experience. The creativity of the menu was a highlight, along with the locally sourced ingredients. Throughout, the ambience and service were cozy, elegant, and charming. Chez Noir is a restaurant with a clear perspective and warm authenticity, which makes it feel profoundly special. One of my all-time favorite restaurants, and I can well understand why it has garnered such acclaim! This was the perfect spot to celebrate our 20th anni.“

“Amazing place.

Service was exceptional, really friendly and welcoming.

Food was amazing. Really recommend the chips and salsa. The hose special sea bass was fantastic, as was the banana sundae. Worth every calorie.

We were lucky enough to get a table as walk-ins but would probably book as they were full on a Wednesday evening.“

“Great service, great ambiance, great food!“

“Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful service.“

“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“

“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!!!“

“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.“

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

“I came here for the first time today and wow!!! What a unique atmosphere and energy. Diego the host originally greeted us and Rowena was our bartender/server. Only thing that upset me was we don't have this place back home! There clam chowder was amazing!“

“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“

“We had a wonderful experience dining at The Covey. We sat at a window table with a view of their water feature. The staff was extremely attentive and friendly. My husband ordered the Branzino and I had the Chicken Saltimbocca. Both dishes were excellent! Not only were the proteins cooked to perfection but the vegetables and farro that accompanied them were also very good. We look forward to dining here again.“

“Never fails to give great food and service.“

“This place is YUMMY!

We got beef and broccoli, lemon chicken, chow mein, and some egg rolls. I thought the food was delicious, but I particularly enjoyed the beef and broccoli. Their sauces are well balanced and I didn’t feel like anything was over sauced and/or overpowering. The chow mein was a little on the onion heavy side which could either be a downside or upside to your taste buds. I enjoyed it, my toddler was less excited about all the onions.

I wish they used egg roll wrappers instead of spring roll wrappers. The egg rolls were still very good, and I know this is very American of me, but I just love the chewy warty hog filled egg rolls. I secretly like to eat them cold with hot mustard.

Am I gonna eat here again though? Heck to the yes I am. You should eat here too.

The staff here seems really kind and attentive too. Definitely is a bonus on top of the delightful food.“

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

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

“We had the most delicious meal today at Hidden Gems. The food was absolutely amazing, very tasteful and clearly made with authentic and high quality ingredients. The owner came by and chatted with us and the server checked on us multiple times. The place is a bit tucked in but many of the best eats in Carmel are. It's a beach town with a lot of history so the buildings may be a bit older but are really unique and quaint and have a lot of character so don't expect a rodeo drive type of set up.

I have read many of the other reviews regarding the service and the length of time it took for food to arrive, but honestly, good food takes time to prepare. When was the last time you went to a good steak house or seafood place and the food came out in less than 30 mins? We loved our experience and enjoyed in the outdoor atmosphere and ambiance as we waited for our food. Yes, it might have taken a bit longer, but was absolutely delicious and worth every minute of waiting. I would highly recommend this place for the food, the environment, as well as the service!
We will definitely be back! ~ John“

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