We love this place as a concept, but have had super mixed experiences. The food is always great. Happy hour drinks are not worth the discount- order what you like, and pay 2x the price. It's just better. The bathrooms are not clean- it's appalling. (Just dirty and trash everywhere- how, why?) When I was a server with no hourly wage (well- $2.18/ hr) and earned just tips, I cleaned the bathroom every 30 minutes- that's the job. How is their bathroom covered in trash? The fireplace glass actually exploded while we were there tonight and onto our table. We were fine/ but they promised us covered apps/drinks- our bill arrived with no discounts and I paid full price to not cause a fuss. We watched them clean up glass from all around us for an hour (with a paper bag instead of a broom or vacuum?) again- with the promise of a comped tab. Paid full price and got out of there before further damage was done. I like the potential of this place, but their management, cleanliness and follow through could use a lot of work. Not sure if we will be back anytime soon.
Monica O.
We came here for the first time last weekend and we had a great time! We ordered the truffle pizza, calamari, Gilroy garlic, and the clams and mussels. Everything was delicious and we also thought that the service was solid. The ambience on the rooftop is amazing and they have a lot of little bonfires and heat lamps to keep you warm. It makes for a cute and romantic ambience! The drinks were also tasty! All around we highly recommend!
Ericka Engelman
Love this place. Great happy hour and great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brut Champagne
Kathy S.
Went to the happy hour here and sat at the roof top. Was able to sit by the fire and stayed warm. Good food and drinks. Service was very friendly.
Anna Lankford
Sat on the rooftop and as people filled in the service became somewhat strange; had to ask several times for items and one person in our group had her food taken away without being asked if she wanted a box. ( they didn't tell us; but they boxed a new order of calamari for her to take home). Average age group on roof on a Sunday evening was 30 years ago; only stating this as a point of reference for anyone wanting to decide whether to sit inside or do rooftop dining. For the price range of the food, eating it on a white tablecloth in a more comfortable chair without wind blowing our hair would have made for a better experience overall.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
dawn777888
Great food and service! Only issue was that our cc was charged twice that night a few cents less than our bill to a Christian Legal Aid company. Strange that it was a few cents less than our bill. Not saying it was the restaurant but very strange, check your statements!
Kristin Hunter
Hidden gem. Casual. We really enjoyed the bell peppers and sausage dish on happy hour.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janelle L.
We visited the Star Bar our first night in Carmel and it set the bar so high! The Star Bar is gorgeous, with ambient Edison string lights and seating surrounding multiple fire pits. My family and I ordered a couple pizzas (White Truffle and San Vito), as well as the Fritto Mixto. The White Truffle Pie was INCREDIBLE. We thought about it our entire trip and have continued to think about it since we've been home. It was the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and creamy. The San Vito was good too, but was no comparison to the White Truffle. The Fritto Mixto was also good. I can't wait to plan another trip to Carmel so that I can have the pizza at Star Bar/Vesuvio again. You can order the entire Vesuvio menu upstairs at Star Bar, but just be warned that the hours may not match what's online. When we went, the hours said they were open until 10, we showed up around 8, and they were beginning to close up already since it was a slower night. Luckily they let us enjoy our dinner up there and didn't rush us! We will definitely be back!
Patrick Culver
The waiter took our order and never did anything more. He never came back. Not once. We got our own water a few times, had to ask a server where our food was and asked him to get it from the kitchen and he did, which was commendable. The beer was good, the pizza, not so much (maybe I dont know real Italian pizza), the meatball lollipops were delicious. The rooftop ambiance was cool, the bougainvillea brilliant, and the sun was out. I usually tip 20%. Not this time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Manvir Badyal
The service at his bar was horrible. The waitress we had could not get the drink orders correct. Had to order and same order 4 different times to finally get my drink. Then he never returned to ask if we need anything else. Once he did, placed another order for drink which didn’t come again for 25 minutes. Been a while since I’ve had service this bad.
Loved the roof top seating, the food tasted good. However, the service was lacking. I think o
Nowaiser
I like it , they have a nice Pizz and other dishes as well , I believe it’s one of the best Italian restaurants in the area, Little Napoli is their Partner. The bartenders are amazing and they do have verities of drinks
62HTS
We stopped at Vesuvio's without reservations and ate at a high-top in the bar. The food was delicious; flavorful and plentiful. Began with the best garlic bread we've ever enjoyed, a sprinkle of crispy cheese on top, and served with the most delicious sauce on the side! I ordered a simple salad before lasagna, and it arrived after the lasagna was served, knowing I would not be able to eat both I sent back the salad, though it looked appealing, enough for 2. The lasagna was incredible, the sauce, noodles, cheese, meat, or portion will not disappoint! Also, the eggplant parmesan and ragù alla Genovese were ordered. Everything was divine, as was the service. The only thing to point out is the bill will come with suggested percentages, with tax included in the total.
KeelyStalbans
The rooftop restaurant has a lovely relaxed atmosphere (there are heaters that keep it warm). Food and service were excellent. Would recommend. You can’t book the upstairs rooftop but we arrived at 7pm on a Wednesday and there was plenty of room.
Nasif H.
Food is mid. Service is mid. Vibes are great, actually. Rooftop with the fires at the table is pretty cozy, but you're in Monterey, so you might still need a sweater.
We love this place as a concept, but have had super mixed experiences. The food is always great. Happy hour drinks are not worth the discount- order what you like, and pay 2x the price. It's just better. The bathrooms are not clean- it's appalling. (Just dirty and trash everywhere- how, why?) When I was a server with no hourly wage (well- $2.18/ hr) and earned just tips, I cleaned the bathroom every 30 minutes- that's the job. How is their bathroom covered in trash? The fireplace glass actually exploded while we were there tonight and onto our table. We were fine/ but they promised us covered apps/drinks- our bill arrived with no discounts and I paid full price to not cause a fuss. We watched them clean up glass from all around us for an hour (with a paper bag instead of a broom or vacuum?) again- with the promise of a comped tab. Paid full price and got out of there before further damage was done. I like the potential of this place, but their management, cleanliness and follow through could use a lot of work. Not sure if we will be back anytime soon.
We came here for the first time last weekend and we had a great time! We ordered the truffle pizza, calamari, Gilroy garlic, and the clams and mussels. Everything was delicious and we also thought that the service was solid. The ambience on the rooftop is amazing and they have a lot of little bonfires and heat lamps to keep you warm. It makes for a cute and romantic ambience! The drinks were also tasty! All around we highly recommend!
Love this place. Great happy hour and great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brut Champagne
Went to the happy hour here and sat at the roof top. Was able to sit by the fire and stayed warm. Good food and drinks. Service was very friendly.
Sat on the rooftop and as people filled in the service became somewhat strange; had to ask several times for items and one person in our group had her food taken away without being asked if she wanted a box. ( they didn't tell us; but they boxed a new order of calamari for her to take home). Average age group on roof on a Sunday evening was 30 years ago; only stating this as a point of reference for anyone wanting to decide whether to sit inside or do rooftop dining. For the price range of the food, eating it on a white tablecloth in a more comfortable chair without wind blowing our hair would have made for a better experience overall.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Great food and service! Only issue was that our cc was charged twice that night a few cents less than our bill to a Christian Legal Aid company. Strange that it was a few cents less than our bill. Not saying it was the restaurant but very strange, check your statements!
Hidden gem. Casual. We really enjoyed the bell peppers and sausage dish on happy hour.
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited the Star Bar our first night in Carmel and it set the bar so high! The Star Bar is gorgeous, with ambient Edison string lights and seating surrounding multiple fire pits. My family and I ordered a couple pizzas (White Truffle and San Vito), as well as the Fritto Mixto. The White Truffle Pie was INCREDIBLE. We thought about it our entire trip and have continued to think about it since we've been home. It was the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and creamy. The San Vito was good too, but was no comparison to the White Truffle. The Fritto Mixto was also good. I can't wait to plan another trip to Carmel so that I can have the pizza at Star Bar/Vesuvio again. You can order the entire Vesuvio menu upstairs at Star Bar, but just be warned that the hours may not match what's online. When we went, the hours said they were open until 10, we showed up around 8, and they were beginning to close up already since it was a slower night. Luckily they let us enjoy our dinner up there and didn't rush us! We will definitely be back!
The waiter took our order and never did anything more. He never came back. Not once. We got our own water a few times, had to ask a server where our food was and asked him to get it from the kitchen and he did, which was commendable. The beer was good, the pizza, not so much (maybe I dont know real Italian pizza), the meatball lollipops were delicious. The rooftop ambiance was cool, the bougainvillea brilliant, and the sun was out. I usually tip 20%. Not this time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
The service at his bar was horrible. The waitress we had could not get the drink orders correct. Had to order and same order 4 different times to finally get my drink. Then he never returned to ask if we need anything else. Once he did, placed another order for drink which didn’t come again for 25 minutes. Been a while since I’ve had service this bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved the roof top seating, the food tasted good. However, the service was lacking. I think o
I like it , they have a nice Pizz and other dishes as well , I believe it’s one of the best Italian restaurants in the area, Little Napoli is their Partner. The bartenders are amazing and they do have verities of drinks
We stopped at Vesuvio's without reservations and ate at a high-top in the bar. The food was delicious; flavorful and plentiful. Began with the best garlic bread we've ever enjoyed, a sprinkle of crispy cheese on top, and served with the most delicious sauce on the side! I ordered a simple salad before lasagna, and it arrived after the lasagna was served, knowing I would not be able to eat both I sent back the salad, though it looked appealing, enough for 2. The lasagna was incredible, the sauce, noodles, cheese, meat, or portion will not disappoint! Also, the eggplant parmesan and ragù alla Genovese were ordered. Everything was divine, as was the service. The only thing to point out is the bill will come with suggested percentages, with tax included in the total.
The rooftop restaurant has a lovely relaxed atmosphere (there are heaters that keep it warm). Food and service were excellent. Would recommend. You can’t book the upstairs rooftop but we arrived at 7pm on a Wednesday and there was plenty of room.
Food is mid. Service is mid. Vibes are great, actually. Rooftop with the fires at the table is pretty cozy, but you're in Monterey, so you might still need a sweater.