The Best Restaurants in Carmel & Monterey

French Poodle

Charming and intimate restaurant, selected as one of the top 15 French Restaurants in the United States. Serves classic, light French cuisine prepared with delicate sauces and accompanied by a remarkable wine list. They suggest the Magnet de Canard a... more

Friar Tuck's

Carmel's largest country breakfasts, featuring best-in-the-west omelettes, heavenly eggs benedicts and old-fashioned waffles. The lunch menu features 16 specialty gourmet hamburgers, an all-american hotdog with all the trimmings and a variety of... more

From Scratch Restuarant

For over 30 years, this charming, family owned  restaurant has been serving breakfast and lunch made from the freshest of ingredients lovingly prepared by an expert chef. From Eggs Benedict to made-to-order omelettes to the best Huevos Ranche... more

Giannis Pizza

The year was 1974 and my parents Carl and Ginger Costa, inspired by my grandparents’ hopes of living the American Dream, bought an old Foster’s Freeze to start their own local little pizza shop. The secret to their success was the combina... more

Grasing's

Premier chefs Kurt Grasing and Narsai David invite you to their award-winning Carmel restaurant, where creative coastal cuisine is paired with the best wines from the Central Coast. Winner of the 2008 Wine Spectator Best of Award for Excellence. T... more

Greenwood Restaurant at Sacred Rock Inn

The Mendocino coast is home to many organic farms and is the center of northern California's fishing trade. Greenwood Restaurant draws from the local community for its ingredients and carefully prepares meals that will both nourish and delight you fe... more

Grillin' & Chillin' Alehouse

Eat well…Drink well!  Grillin & Chillin Alehouse is a friendly local establishment that caters to those who enjoy craft beers and local wines.  Sit down, relax and cheers to you! more

Happy Girl

Our cafe and cannery is located just two blocks from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  With a full coffee bar featuring Blue Bottle Coffee, house-made baked goods and delicious organic breakfast and lunch, our cafe is a great place to stop in and rela... more

Hog's Breath Inn

One of Carmel's most famous restaurants and bars, set within in a fabulous courtyard and serving a wide variety of delicious food. The dining room with two cobblestone fireplaces accommodates up to 60 guests. A cozy outdoor patio with fireplaces is a... more

Il Fornaio - Carmel

Il Fornaio means "the Baker" in Italian. Located in downtown Carmel, Il Fornaio offers an authentic and unique Italian dining experience and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2007 wine list. Enjoy wood-fired rotisserie and grilled meats, poultry a... more

Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks

Islands Restaurants was founded in 1982 with a basic philosophy – serve great, fresh food with friendly service in a fun atmosphere. Entrepreneur Tony DeGrazier had a vision of a restaurant that would offer a simple, original menu featuring gou... more

Jack London's Bar & Grill

A favorite place for Carmelites for over 30 years. A lively happy hour, delicious black angus NY steaks, baby back ribs, delicious burgers, mexican dishes, and generous drinks. Late night dining until midnight! Visit their website to see their menus.... more

Jerseys Original Subs

Authenic east coast deli subs. Served on fresh bread baked in our oven daily. Meats and cheeses are sliced right in front of you top with fresh vegetables sprinkled with vinegar, oil, salt pepper and oregano. more

Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse

This wonderful new restaurant has the best steaks, sushi, island cuisine and full bar with a fabulous location on the Monterey Bay at the Sanctuary Beach Resort.  Plenty of great speacials daily to choose from and signature dishes from the maste... more

L'Escargot

An intimate eatery in a Normandy farmhouse, with contemporary French country cuisine and a very extensive wine list. They are well known for their delicious Bouillabaisse, Salmon Mousse and Beef Wellington. Vegetarian treats are also available. W... more

La Dolce Vita

Warm, sunny and colorful, La Dolce Vita is like a family home in the Italian countryside. A special place with special food. The menu features authentic Italian and Mediterranean dishes, including real Italian coffees and desserts, selected from... more

La Fuente Restaurant

A great little place to pick up a taco or enahilada. more

Little Napoli

Enjoy a brief trip to Italy with Italian country cooking and warm hospitality as you remember it. Known by locals as "Carmel's little Italy". Antipasti, regional country-style pastas, cannelloni, osso buco, risotto, crisp-crusted pizzas, local Mont... more

Lugano Swiss Bistro

Lugano Swiss Bistro is a little bit of Switzerland in Carmel. Hand-carved wood and colorful geraniums adorn their Alpine-style heated outdoor dining patio. Chef Andr's culinary magic recreates the unique flavors of Switzerland. Choose from fondues, s... more

Mission Ranch Restaurant

Enjoy spectacular views of sheep-filled pastures and the rocky Carmel coastline. The menu features ranch-style food (BBQ ribs, steaks and prime rib), fresh fish, a variety of salads and pasta dishes and a special children's menu. Their Sunday Jazz... more

Mizu Sushi

A cozy sushi bar featuring Japanese cuisine and seafood specialties. Offers a variety of Sakes, local wines and beer. A unique dining experience, enjoyed by Carmel locals and visitors alike. Open for dinner Tues - Sat 5:00 to 9:00 PM. more

Mulligan's Pub

Newly opened and fast becoming a favorite haunt of locals, this classic English-style pub offers many in-house specials, a nightly 3-course dinner for $12.00 and a Happy Hour featuring soup & salad plus a drink for only $5.00! And there are two T.V.s... more

Mundaka

Mundaka is a beautiful and historic town and famous surf spot located in the province of Biscay, in the Basque Country of northern Spain. Now it is also the new Spanish-style, tapas-centric restaurant in downtown Carmel. The kitchen is headed by... more

Paluca Trattoria

Trattoria is the Italian word for an informal, family-owned restaurant.  These cozy eateries are peppered throughout the countryside of Italy.  Paluca is a combination of names - those of our two cherished boys, Paolo & Luca, who ar... more

Patisserie Boissiere

A combination pastry shop and restaurant, this Carmel classic combines a cheery French feel - antique tables and chairs and ornate wall sconces - with delectable dishes and inspired pastries. Their menu features a quiche maison, pot pies, roasted... more

Pernille Restaurant

Carmel's oldest restaurant, serving locals and visitors since 1864. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a Sunday champagne brunch. Sandwiches, salads, pastas, seafood and Italian specialties. Open daily for breakfast from 7:30 AM. Dinner until... more

Pizza My Heart - Monterey

Even if you hate surfing, the downtown San Jose chapter of this local favorite will make you feel “locals only,” since there’s enough memorabilia on the walls for a mini museum. And the pies are good too. The thin-crust pizza here j... more

Planet Gemini

PLANET GEMINI – MONTEREY’S #1 COMEDY AND DANCE NIGHTSPOT HAS BEEN BRINGING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TO MONTEREY FOR OVER TWO DECADES.  FEATURING NATIONALLY KNOWN HEADLINING COMEDIANS AND MAJOR STARS AS SEEN ON HBO, COMEDY CENTRAL,EVENING A... more

Rio Grill

Rio Grill isn't your typical Carmel bar and grill. With over 29 years experience and multiple best restaurant awards over the past 15 years, Rio Grill's focused on culinary excellence and has become a catering favorite for lo... more

Roy's at Pebble Beach

A trendy, casual and high-energy setting invites you to experience Hawaiian-fusion cuisine inspired by internationally known Chef Roy Yamaguchi. With The Links at Spanish Bay serving as a panoramic backdrop, Roy's also offers an eclectic selection of... more

Sardine Factory

When The Sardine Factory opened on October 2, 1968, Cannery Row was a run-down and forgotten piece of Monterey on the wrong side of the tracks, but owners Ted Balestreri and Bert Cutino saw potential. "Everyone thought we were nuts but it was afforda... more

Schooners Coastal Kitchen

With a bustling open kitchen, oceanfront outdoor patio and high-energy bar, there’s a relaxed and convivial atmosphere at Schooners – making it a Monterey dining favorite of both locals and travelers alike. Cocktail classics take on creat... more

Sea Root

Sea Root highlights Monterey's bounty along with a rich medley of coastal Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as crudo, tuna tartar, and spiced lamb shank with a craft cocktail menu stirred up with a twist, such as cardamom or rose petals. "Hyatt i... more

Smalleys Roundup Restaurant

S.O. Smalley, originally from Alabama, lived in Salinas over 20 years. At age 55 he retired from construction, and on Halloween Day 1975 opened the Roundup out of his boredom "with bein' put out to pasture." About Smalley's secret sauce S.O. said,... more

Steinbeck House

John Steinbeck’s birthplace and boyhood home is a restored Queen Anne style Victorian built in 1897.  The Steinbeck family purchased the home in 1900 and raised their family there.  It was purchased by The Valley Guild in 1973.  ... more

Sugar Reef

Carmel's newest and most colorful restaurant, featuring French Caribbean food in an art-gallery setting (provided by local artist Spill), with intimate adjoining rooms that are perfect for an intimate dinner for two or a group culinary event. The... more

Sushi Heaven

Authentic Japanese cuisine and sushi, with over 150 exquisite sushi creations! Friendly bar and warm, cozy atmosphere. Serves sakes, local wine and beer. Open Mon - Sat: Lunch 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM; Dinner 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Closed Sundays. more

Tarpy's

Tarpy’s serves American comfort food. Handcrafted classics are served with creativity in a beautiful setting of rustic stone, elegant patios and lush gardens. Expect classics like ribs, steak, fresh seafood, wild game, and some of the tastiest... more

Taste Cafe & Bistro

Taste Cafe & Bistro is a European style restaurant where guests can view chef / owner Bill Karaki prepare each dish from scratch. Our European influenced menu features items such as herb-roasted chicken, grilled rabbit, escargots, pastas, organic... more

Thaiwaiian Bistro

Luxuriate in Exotic Savory Flavors from Thailand and the Island of Maui Hawaii! more

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