Excellent food and service. All star place in carmel Valley. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin Kyle Bradley
If you are visiting the area, this is a must stop place. It is my favorite restaurant in the county. Every ingredient in every dish is intentionally used, there are no lazily picked side dishes here. The small restaurant is very charming and half of their seating is outside, well covered and heated nicely. Make sure to make a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Calamari with Our Special Chili Aioli, Butterscotch Pudding
Jacky Parker
Charming dining spot in Carmel
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad on Red Leaf Lettuce with Feta Cheese Toasted Pine Nuts and a Curry Vinaigrette
Cathy Johnson
Saturday, February 24th was our first visit to Cafe Rustica. Why have we never been before? It is a gem. The weather was spectacular, which only added to our perfect experience and day. We were a party of 6, celebrating two birthdays. The special of the day was Sand Dabs. 5 of the 6 of us ordered the Sand Dabs. Perfectly prepared (with a side of German Potato salad). They were delicious. Butterscotch pudding and a root beer float was dessert. Believe me, there was hardly any room for more! Our server was Derek, who was very accommodating, friendly while being very professional. High marks all around. And your dogs will be very welcome, along with treats supplied by Derek! Don't wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeremiah Robker
I could eat here everyday. Fresh, flavorful, great portions, great service. Loved it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad
Christoph Schneeberger
Perfect!! Wine, food, service. Highly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Korstanje
This was a pickup. Normally not a favorite for the kitchen when very busy. However, when not busy, the quality of take out is excellent. Tonight the pizza smoked salmon needs an award!Thank you!
Food: 5
Service: 3
Amanda B.
We came for a birthday dinner, it was loud and we sat at a bistro table. We got bread delivered to the table and it tasted like something like they got at Safeway, not even heated, it was terrible. My friend ordered the salmon and she loved it. I ordered the Dynamite Pizza that came to the table luke warm, it was terrible. It might be a good place for lunch but not for dinner.
Mark Knudsen
Everything was perfect! Great selection and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tom Lang
We visited on a chilly, rainy day and were disappointed we had to sit outside because inside was full, however it was very well sheltered from the elements and the heat lamps were working.The staff was extremely friendly, attentive, and service was prompt. My wife had Hungarian goulash and gave it a thumbs up. I had the Chile Verde special and it was excellent, just the right amount of spicy. Prices reasonable for the area.
The service was fantastic, the food was even better.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Serita Colette
Salmon, gelato, wine, ambiance and service. Love this little spot tucked away in Carmel Valley.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stinger GT2 tv
Cafe Rustica in Carmel Valley is a delightful experience! ? The service is exceptional, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The food not only tantalizes the taste buds but is also presented beautifully, adding an artistic touch to the dining experience. Highly recommend for a memorable culinary journey! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patti C.
Such a great peaceful environment, an excellent food. There's a slower pace in the valley and this restaurant is completely aligned to the vibe.
Limda G.
Cafe Rustica has been a favorite of ours for years. We stopped by for lunch and was seated immediately. Hostess is very friendly and nice. Our server came by he was an older gentleman with gray hair and an accent. I couldn't understand him and asked him nicely to repeat what he just said. Then he got an attitude from there on out. He took our orders and when I ordered a glass of Chardonnay he mumbled " the Pinot noir" under his breath left before I could correct him. I figured I would just drink the Pinot and relax. Well the Pinot was not good. I flagged him down because he wouldn't even look our way. When I asked for a different wine he said "there are only two, I'll bring the menu and you can pick something else" After several minutes he dropped off the menu but never came back. Our salads which were very good were delivered promptly by another staff member. We finished our salads and sat for another 10 minutes before our pizzas were put on the counter to be delivered. We watched him go up to them then turn and start chatting with another server, then pick another table's appetizer that was put up on the counter after our pizzas. Then finally after the pizzas were cold he brought them over. No offer for grated cheese, he did bring a bottle of red pepper flakes. My dynamite pizza was supposed to have pepperoni, Italian sausage and Black Forest ham. It had one pepperoni slice on each slice , a couple of random crumbs of sausage and literally one 1/4 inch tidbit of ham, buried under a mountain of fresh basil. I always ordered this and love it and this was not it. Our waiter never asked how everything was. I don't like to be that customer that send the food back so I just ate it. When we asked for a box for the leftovers he grabbed our pizzas and plunked them down on a counter in the hallway outside the bathroom. I only know this because I got up to use the restroom and saw them sitting there and looked over at out waiter who was up at the kitchen chatting with another waiter. I told him I would box them up myself to which he replied "no I'll do it" and walked away without doing it. Probably wouldn't have bothered to write this review if it was just the wrong wine or the half made cold pizza but this waiter needs to be called out for his rude and incompetent service. Do better Cafe Rustica!
Excellent food and service. All star place in carmel Valley. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you are visiting the area, this is a must stop place. It is my favorite restaurant in the county. Every ingredient in every dish is intentionally used, there are no lazily picked side dishes here. The small restaurant is very charming and half of their seating is outside, well covered and heated nicely. Make sure to make a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Calamari with Our Special Chili Aioli, Butterscotch Pudding
Charming dining spot in Carmel
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad on Red Leaf Lettuce with Feta Cheese Toasted Pine Nuts and a Curry Vinaigrette
Saturday, February 24th was our first visit to Cafe Rustica. Why have we never been before? It is a gem. The weather was spectacular, which only added to our perfect experience and day. We were a party of 6, celebrating two birthdays. The special of the day was Sand Dabs. 5 of the 6 of us ordered the Sand Dabs. Perfectly prepared (with a side of German Potato salad). They were delicious. Butterscotch pudding and a root beer float was dessert. Believe me, there was hardly any room for more! Our server was Derek, who was very accommodating, friendly while being very professional. High marks all around. And your dogs will be very welcome, along with treats supplied by Derek! Don't wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I could eat here everyday. Fresh, flavorful, great portions, great service. Loved it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad
Perfect!! Wine, food, service. Highly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was a pickup. Normally not a favorite for the kitchen when very busy. However, when not busy, the quality of take out is excellent. Tonight the pizza smoked salmon needs an award!Thank you!
Food: 5
Service: 3
We came for a birthday dinner, it was loud and we sat at a bistro table. We got bread delivered to the table and it tasted like something like they got at Safeway, not even heated, it was terrible. My friend ordered the salmon and she loved it. I ordered the Dynamite Pizza that came to the table luke warm, it was terrible. It might be a good place for lunch but not for dinner.
Everything was perfect! Great selection and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited on a chilly, rainy day and were disappointed we had to sit outside because inside was full, however it was very well sheltered from the elements and the heat lamps were working.The staff was extremely friendly, attentive, and service was prompt. My wife had Hungarian goulash and gave it a thumbs up. I had the Chile Verde special and it was excellent, just the right amount of spicy. Prices reasonable for the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goulash
Restaurantji Recommends
The service was fantastic, the food was even better.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Salmon, gelato, wine, ambiance and service. Love this little spot tucked away in Carmel Valley.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cafe Rustica in Carmel Valley is a delightful experience! ? The service is exceptional, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The food not only tantalizes the taste buds but is also presented beautifully, adding an artistic touch to the dining experience. Highly recommend for a memorable culinary journey! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a great peaceful environment, an excellent food. There's a slower pace in the valley and this restaurant is completely aligned to the vibe.
Cafe Rustica has been a favorite of ours for years. We stopped by for lunch and was seated immediately. Hostess is very friendly and nice. Our server came by he was an older gentleman with gray hair and an accent. I couldn't understand him and asked him nicely to repeat what he just said. Then he got an attitude from there on out. He took our orders and when I ordered a glass of Chardonnay he mumbled " the Pinot noir" under his breath left before I could correct him. I figured I would just drink the Pinot and relax. Well the Pinot was not good. I flagged him down because he wouldn't even look our way. When I asked for a different wine he said "there are only two, I'll bring the menu and you can pick something else" After several minutes he dropped off the menu but never came back. Our salads which were very good were delivered promptly by another staff member. We finished our salads and sat for another 10 minutes before our pizzas were put on the counter to be delivered. We watched him go up to them then turn and start chatting with another server, then pick another table's appetizer that was put up on the counter after our pizzas. Then finally after the pizzas were cold he brought them over. No offer for grated cheese, he did bring a bottle of red pepper flakes. My dynamite pizza was supposed to have pepperoni, Italian sausage and Black Forest ham. It had one pepperoni slice on each slice , a couple of random crumbs of sausage and literally one 1/4 inch tidbit of ham, buried under a mountain of fresh basil. I always ordered this and love it and this was not it. Our waiter never asked how everything was. I don't like to be that customer that send the food back so I just ate it. When we asked for a box for the leftovers he grabbed our pizzas and plunked them down on a counter in the hallway outside the bathroom. I only know this because I got up to use the restroom and saw them sitting there and looked over at out waiter who was up at the kitchen chatting with another waiter. I told him I would box them up myself to which he replied "no I'll do it" and walked away without doing it. Probably wouldn't have bothered to write this review if it was just the wrong wine or the half made cold pizza but this waiter needs to be called out for his rude and incompetent service. Do better Cafe Rustica!