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- Aubergine. Exquisite tasting menu and impeccable service have guests dropping French Laundry comparisons at this special occasion destination. A seasonal eight-course meal from superstar chef Justin Cogley features theatrical presentations of local seafood and produce like oysters and caviar packaged like a gift from a high-end boutique.
- Cultura Comida y Bebida. Savor elevated Mexican cuisine and superior mezcals at a cozy restaurant and bar from three Post Ranch Inn vets. You needn’t be Andrew Zimmerman to enjoy a delicious basket of spicy chapulines (grasshoppers), the perfect snack for sampling the noteworthy collection of rare mezcals.
- Valley Kitchen. Take in the views of the hotel and Carmel Valley while dining at this unfussy yet chic restaurant within the hotel lobby. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner feature honey, cheese, salts, eggs, fruits, and vegetables sourced from The Ranch’s organic garden.
- Seventh & Dolores. This Carmel charmer has all the elements for your big night out: fetching interior, lively crowd, and a steakhouse staples menu. Order a martini and pace through a meal of pristine West Coast oysters, Little Gems Caesar, and an aged Niman Ranch porterhouse.
- Akaoni | Serves Dinner. This husband and wife-run sushi bar is beloved by locals and travelers alike. It’s a small spot so you could easily skip past it while exploring Carmel but don’t.
- Aubergine | Serves Dinner. Having earned a Michelin star in 2019, this fine dining restaurant is one of the most talked-about restaurants in town. Located in the heart of Carmel-By-The-Sea at the award winning Relais & Châteaux property, L’Auberge Carmel, this spot defines California’s brand of laidback luxury.
- Brophy’s Tavern | Serves Lunch & Dinner. If you’re looking for a spot to watch the game, you’ll likely end up at Brophy’s Tavern, one of the main sports bars in Carmel-By-The-Sea.
- Carmel Belle | Serves Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Don’t let the tucked-away location in a shopping center deter you; Carmel Belle is hidden but worth the hunt.
- Aubergine Carmel. With its intimate dining room, delicately prepared dishes, and ingredient-driven menu, Aubergine reflects the many reasons why locals and visitors alike love the dining scene in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- La Bicyclette Restaurant. At La Bicyclette guests return time and time again to enjoy creative takes on the classics of European country cuisine. Bright copper pots, high ceilings, well-worn woods, and chalkboard menus give La Bicyclette a distinct bistro feel that pairs perfectly with the restaurant's French-Italian influence.
- Seventh & Delores. Seventh & Delores may be known for its impressive selection of drinks, but the steakhouse has some delicious dishes to boot. Scour the extensive wine list for your perfect bottle, or opt for a custom cocktail.
- Cultura Comida y Bebida. Cultura Comida Y Bebida's bar specializes in seasonal cocktails and features one of the state's largest collections of traditional Mezcal in the state.
- Grab a Beer at Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro. Many of the best places to eat in Carmel-by-the-Sea are of the fancier variety and can cost a pretty penny, so let’s start by talking about one of the best places to go if you want something a bit more casual: Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro.
- Get Donuts at Dutch Door. Is it cheating to call this donut shop one of the best restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea? Maybe, but I don’t care. My partner and I come here every single Sunday to get a donut because they are the best donuts we’ve ever had.
- Pick Up a Meal at Rise + Roam. Part coffee shop, part bakery, and part pizzeria, Rise + Roam does a little bit of everything. And they do it all wonderfully.
- Dine on French-Italian Fusion at La Bicyclette. La Bicyclette is a quaint restaurant in Carmel that’s a perfect spot if you want an unpretentious evening in a cozy atmosphere.
- My Experience with Carmel-by-the-Sea
- La Bicyclette
- Mission Ranch Restaurant
- The Stationæry
- Cantinetta Lucca
- Brophy’s Tavern
- Aubergine
- L’Escargot
- La Balena
- Seventh and Dolores
On my first visit to Carmel, our navigation app was as confused as I was with the lack of street addresses. But once I stopped driving round in circles, I fell in love with Carmel’s storybook cottages, vibrant downtown, and gorgeous white-sand beach. It’s actually pretty hard to pick which restaurant to eat at in Carmel–there are so many high-quali...
A Carmel institution with the best pizza in town. Address: Dolores and 7th St., Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 Contact info: (831) 622-9899 Cuisine: French Best for: Lunch and dinner Don’t miss: Wood fired pizza Reservations: Call for a reservation Menu La Bicyclette is a neighborhood bistro serving classic French cuisine in a rustic setting. The simp...
Spectacular views over fields and the ocean. Address: 26270 Dolores St., Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923 Contact info: (831) 624-6436 Cuisine: American Best for: Brunch, lunch, and dinner Don’t miss: Calamari Reservations: They don’t take reservations, walk-ins only. Menu Clint Eastwood owns Mission Ranch Restaurant, the dairy-turned-hotel and restaura...
Carmel’s hippest brunch spot. Address: San Carlos St., between 5th and 6th Avenues, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921 Contact info: (831) 250-7183 Cuisine: American Best for: Brunch and Lunch Don’t miss: Caviar and Chips Reserve a table here Menu The Stationæry is a new, hip restaurant in Carmel for lunch and brunch, serving American classics with a mode...
An authentic taste of Italy on California’s Central Coast. Address: Dolores St., between Ocean and 7th, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 Contact info: (831) 625-6500; info@cantinettaluca.com Cuisine: Italian Best for: Dinner Don’t miss: Bistecca Alla Fiorentina Reserve a table here Menu Cantinetta Lucca serves traditional Italian dishes, including fabul...
Fun Irish pub for a burger and a beer. Address: 4th Ave. and San Carlos St, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 Contact info: (831) 586-5566 Cuisine: American Best for: Lunch and Dinner Don’t miss: Truffle fries Reservations: They don’t take reservations, walk-ins only. Menu Brophy’s Tavern is an upscale sports bar serving craveable pub food like burgers, ...
Carmel’s elegant Michelin-starred restaurant. Address: Monte Verde at 7th Ave., Carmel-by-the-Sea, 93921 Contact info: (831) 624-8578 Cuisine: Fine dining Best for: Dinner Don’t miss: Theirtasting menu Reserve a table here Menu Aubergine is the go-to restaurant for a special occasion, offering exceptional food in intimate surroundings, and can easi...
Classic French countryside flavors. Address: Mission St., two doors southwest of 4th Ave., Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 Contact info: (831) 620-1942 Cuisine: French Best for: Lunch and dinner Don’t miss: Whatever’s on special Reserve a table here Menu L’Escargot celebrates countryside French cooking, using locally sourced produce and traditional cul...
Rustic Italian fare on a romantic back patio. Address: Junipero between 5th & 6th Ave., Carmel-by-the-Sea, 93921 Contact info: (831) 250-6295 Cuisine: Italian Best for: Dinner Don’t miss: Crispy fried chicken Reservations: They don’t take reservations, walk-ins only. Menu La Balena is a locals’ favorite. It’s hidden away from the main strip but fre...
Carmel’s best steakhouse. Address: SE corner of 7th Ave. and Dolores St., Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA Contact info: (831) 293-7600 Cuisine: Steakhouse Best for: Dinner Don’t miss: Hand-cut rib-eye steak Reserve a table Menu Seventh and Dolores, known to regulars as 7D, serves up the best steak in town. Partnering exclusively with Niman Ranch, their human...
We've gathered up the best places to eat in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Our current favorites are: 1: Chez Noir, 2: Dametra Cafe, 3: Aubergine the restaurant at L'Auberge Carmel, 4: La Bicyclette Restaurant, 5: Foray.
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The best Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurants to open recently is the charming and intimate, Chez Noir. European bistro meets local California ingredients, in this delightful restaurant. Find dishes like pintxos, abalone skewered in bay leaves, fresh Dungeness crab pasta, and more.
