Unfortunately for us, Post Ranch Inn was one of our first stops on an eight-day coastal road trip…read more Unfortunate because they set a standard no other property or restaurant was going to match. I knew that going in. It was still starker than I expected. Start with the property. When that is the view off your deck, why go anywhere else? Stunning doesn't cover it. We hiked much of the grounds and every turn delivered something new. The kind of place that makes you slow down without even trying. Then the restaurant. Everything was perfect -- service, quality, execution. Much of the food sourced on property or from the surrounding community. My wife declared the salad the best she'd ever had. High praise for a salad. High praise, full stop. Special shout out to our server Yasmany and bartender Thomas -- both exceptional. What struck me most was how effortless the entire staff made it look. These are people who deal with guests from around the world, all arriving with high expectations of a high-end experience. And yet nothing felt forced. Nobody appeared to be trying to impress us. It was just perfect service, perfectly delivered. That's the rarest thing in hospitality. Highlight of the trip. Hands down. And I suspect, never to be repeated.

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW BEFORE MAKING A RESERVATION -- IT MAY SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS…read more If you are considering booking an ocean-view room at Post Ranch Inn between May, June, July, or August, I strongly encourage you to do extensive research about Big Sur's seasonal coastal fog before spending your money. Based on our experience, I would never book an ocean-view room during these months again. We paid nearly $10,000 for two nights in one of the resort's premium ocean-view accommodations because the breathtaking ocean views shown throughout their website were the main reason we chose this property. Unfortunately, during our entire stay, the ocean view was completely hidden by dense fog. We never saw the spectacular view that was advertised and pictured online. What disappointed us most was the lack of transparency. The website showcases beautiful, clear ocean views but does not adequately prepare guests for the possibility that the view may be completely obstructed for an entire stay during certain times of the year. If guests are paying thousands of dollars specifically for an ocean-view room, they deserve clear information about the seasonal risk of persistent coastal fog so they can make an informed decision. Throughout our stay, we repeatedly asked staff whether the fog would clear. We were consistently told that it would likely clear within a few hours. Unfortunately, that never happened. The fog remained throughout our stay, and we never got to enjoy the ocean view we paid a premium for. What made this even more frustrating was that, after repeatedly being told by multiple staff members that the fog would clear soon, one employee later told us that they were not supposed to tell guests that the weather was expected to remain the same for several days and that these foggy conditions are common during this time of year. According to that employee, this type of weather often persists throughout much of the summer season. I cannot independently verify that statement, but if that information was accurate, it raises serious concerns about transparency. Guests spending thousands of dollars for an ocean-view room deserve honest information about the likelihood of actually seeing the ocean during their stay. The room itself also had maintenance issues. The bar sink was clogged, and the shower valve/faucet was loose and repeatedly fell while being used. We reported both problems, but neither was repaired during our stay. Staff apologized, but no one came to address the issues. For a property charging close to $5,000 per night, I expected much better communication, transparency, maintenance, and overall value. I fully understand that the weather is beyond the hotel's control. However, what is within their control is how honestly they communicate the risk of seasonal fog to potential guests. Had we known there was a realistic possibility of spending our entire stay looking at a wall of fog instead of the Pacific Ocean, we would have chosen different travel dates, a different room category, or a different destination altogether. The property itself is beautiful, but based on our experience, the value did not come close to justifying the cost. If an ocean view is important to you, think very carefully before booking an ocean-view room during the late spring and summer months.

I've been coming to Deetjen's for breakfast for years and it just keeps getting better and better…read more Never been for dinner though, not sure why but that's now on my to do list. The absolute best eggs benedict in the world (I'll fight over this!). I've stayed in San Simeon or Cambria and driven up to Deetjen's just for breakfast, it's that good. Now that Highway 1 is open again, I'll be doing that more often again. The only downside is parking can be difficult at times, but that comes with the territory and the gorgeous location.

Went here and were very excited to come as we have been planning this trip. Never want to go back…read morehere. The pig tailed punky bruster waitress was extremely rude. I thanked her for seating us, no response. I then thanked her for coffee and not even a smile or response. She was rude. Not to the men or her local friends that showed up. You come for an experience and reality met with some rude waitress. To top it off the other waitress worn short greasy hair was too busy flirting with the guy at the bar. And had zero awareness. Asked the man "who'd you Fu** last night"? Which he replied no one.... So glad that stretch of the highway is free from STD for one night. Pass on this place. It's cute but horrible staff.

I guess you can say that I am as much of a regular as I can be, considering I live 2 1/2 hours…read moreaway. I can't get enough of this restaurant! Between the amazing people who have become friends over the years to great home cooked meals and atmosphere (the ocean is practically across the road), I cannot get enough of this place! This trip I took a longtime friend with me and although it's been two days since we were there, she's still saying how impressed she was. She was absolutely floored that they use real butter and the portions were huge. In fact the portions were so big that I couldn't even finish half of my food! And I was HUNGRY! LOL Maura and her brother (which I apologize I can't remember his name) both helped us. Maura sat us and we spoke for a quick minute, and her amazing brother served us. I can't believe it don't recall his name! But everyone there is AWESOME! I was tempted to get the super fresh salad, but decided instead on the clam chowder (as did Alicia), and the salmon was perfectly cooked. The veggies were so fresh and flavorful and the rice was exceptionally fluffy and seasoned perfectly. Not to mention the garlic toast was next level. I can't wait to get back over there! Their blueberry pancakes are calling my name! Trust me, if you want a good old fashioned stick to your bones diner, this place right here checks all the boxes! Plus it's pet friendly, if you choose to sit on the patio!

Love the convenience of this restaurant across Glen oaks where we got complimentary donuts and…read morecoffee/tea for being hotel guests. And the beautiful interior giving cabin vibes plus a warm cozy fireplace. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating and clean restrooms. Loved sitting by the big windows looking at the trees. FYI When dining in you have to grab your own utensils and water and condiments. Their breakfast was delicious. I got the veggie scramble with avocado. And an oat latte. It was strong.

I have come to this great place since I was a youngster growing up in SLO. Hwy 1 is now reopened…read moreand if you have the opportunity to drive up the CA coast...this is a highly recommended stop when you hit Big Sur. They also have the Kiva Cafe but I highly recommend putting your name in and planning to wait for a seat at Nepenthe's. This wonderful place sits high up on the bluffs of the California coast and the views are spectacular. There is always a wait, no matter the time of day so please plan on sitting, walking around the place to see the views and visit their Phoenix Shop which is full of all kinds of local art, books, etc. It's a great gift shop! Be sure to read the story about the Phoenix Bird, which was actually carved from an old oak tree. Nepenthe's is always the same and my childhood memories flood back when sitting in one of the patio tables. Their food is fresh, scratch made, and they are known for their renowned Ambrosia Burger as well as their famous garbanzo-kidney bean salad. Also love their Beet Salad, which is served with both red and yellow beets, lettuce, blue cheese, oranges, walnuts and the most fantastic Citrus Vinaigrette. I also had the soup this visit, which was a chicken soup...lots of veggies and savory broth. Their fries are the best, cooked to perfection and you get a huge basket per serving (tip: you can request a half-basket of fries). This day they also offered a banana cream pie which our server, Tessa, highly recommended! What a great way to end a terrific meal...the pie was full of bananas and it was not overly sweet! Daughter had the vegetarian burger, which she said was moist and flavorful. We will be back!!!

We visited on Sunday July 5 around 6 pm. Lovely restaurant with a gorgeous view but I can't say the…read moresame about the food or service. The hostess at the front was quite rude, the first thing she said was "Do you want to be added to the 1 hour waitlist?", no greeting, not even a smile. We all looked at each other but agreed as we didn't mind enjoying the view while we waited. She set down a clip board that looked like a waiting list so my sister took it to write our names. She then rudely grabs it from her and says "that's not how it works! Just tell me your name!" She was obviously overwhelmed and not enjoying her job but we just brushed it off. Didn't get her name but she wore a green lace shirt with jacket and sunglasses on her head the entire time...dressed rather sloppily and not professional like a host should represent a restaurant with such steep prices. After more than an hour, they finally seat us...,by an open door that had cold wind blowing through it so hard that it kept blowing wax from the lit candle onto us and all over our plates. The candle kept getting blown out so a waitress finally closed one of the doors but it was still so cold and uncomfortable. The food was terrible for the astronomical prices they charge and the presentation was just horrible. The prices and presentation are insulting.

Phenomenal dining experience…read more Eating here is an integral experience of staying at Alila. They serve a brunch menu (for breakfast and lunch) as well as dinner. All food and non-alcoholic drinks are included with your stay (with a 1 entree limit for dinner). Over the course of our stay here, we tried the majority of the menu. Most of the food was top notch with the highlights being: *Moroccan Shakshuka - Comes out pipping hot in a mini cast iron pan. The spicy kick is infused within the eggs and peppers. Pairs perfectly with the toasted pita *Porchetta Sandwich - The pork was so rich and juicy and the crusty roll soaked up all the juices *Smoked San Marzano Bisque - The tomato flavor is very concentrated and infused with a pleasant smoke. A touch of creme makes it perfect. *Salt Spring Mussels - The fresh mussels were very tender and paired well with their spicy, smokey sausage. *La Bistecca - Medium-rare filet with roasted onions and chimichurri. Can't go wrong here. Areas for improvement: Their pizza crust is a tad thick and too floury for my taste. Their squid ink pasta is also too thick and chewy. A note about service: On the first night, I ordered their signature Marine Layer drink which has a bubble with Lavender smoke in it. Their machine malfunctioned, resulting in no smoke. I spoke to the manager about it and he personally rectified the issue for the second night and provided two complimentary drinks. This is an example of stellar service. Kudos to the staff for their commitment to a quality experience. Ambiance: The view is simply unbeatable. Ask for a table on the far edge near the water. You get a landscape view of the ocean and the adjacent hills. At sunset, the view is bathed in orange. PSA: The dinner reservations for the good times fill up rather quickly. Ask the concierge to book for you as soon as your book the hotel!

POV: you wanted a romantic date night in Big Sur…read more From Alila hotel entrance, you drive all the way to the top of the hill, and park in front of the Sur House. We got lucky and seated at the terrace on this misty weekday evening. There's a NY strip off menu which was perfect. It had chimichurri, trumpet mushrooms, whole grilled onions, and mushroom sauce. My husband doesn't even like mushrooms but he enjoyed this entree. The halibut was so delicious. The flavors and texture was everything. High quality fresh ingredients. The citrus butte black was incredible. Even the guy seated at another table behind me said that he was doing everything not to lick the plate. I assume he was talking about this dish. Lol. The view was good but foggy, the food was great, although I would have loved if the restaurant provided something special or any little thing to make it memorable for celebrating our milestone here.

SO GOOD. Get the potato gratin, it was delicious. We went here for breakfast and there was only one…read moreserver during this time and he was very friendly and patient. The other waitress was helping with drinks and water. I had the eggs Benedict and my hubby had an omelette and it was huge. The food is really delicious and high quality.

Stopped for breakfast on our way out, lovely little cafe with an attached store and the kindest…read morepeople.

Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and absolutely delicious--each course felt intentional,…read morebeautifully presented, and full of flavor. The menu showcased a perfect balance of creativity and refinement, with ingredients that tasted incredibly fresh and well-paired. You can really tell how much care goes into every detail, from the composition of the dishes to the pacing of the meal. Beyond the food, the setting is just as remarkable. The views are stunning and elevate the entire experience, making it feel both special and serene. Overall, it was a truly memorable meal, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience in Big Sur.

Wanted a nice meal that would be a contrast to the hiking shoes and forest roadside diner. The view…read morewas amazing, our day was filled with the marine layer/clouds so it felt like we were dining above the clouds. Prefix lunch was plenty enough to eat without the additional appetizer. The drinks are nice and all the food is served family style. Between the salmon, lion's mane mushroom, and steak, my favorite was the mushroom. The steak was a bit more cooked than the medium rare requested. There's indoor and outdoor dining. The weather was nice enough to eat outside too. If you wanted, there are shades that can be pulled down to cover the floor to ceiling windows. You can also walk out into their small balconies to enjoy the view. The staff is very friendly and made us feel welcomed. Valet is complimentary, but there's quite a few stairs to climb from the valet to the restaurant. There are electric vehicle charging as well. If needed, I think individuals can be driven up to accommodate mobility issues.

If you haven't yet experienced Solstice at The Village in Big Sur, make a note now to put this…read morerestaurant front and center on your dining itinerary next time you are in the area. You won't regret it. Solstice is the newest restaurant on the Hwy 1 "block" and is well on its way to becoming a classic Big Sur dining experience. My expectations last week, when I first sat down to experience Solstice with a group of friends, were high but soon surpassed after my first sip of a unique, crafted cocktail (the Naked Local) and a first course of smoked Brokaw avocado with caviar, cultured cream, and pickles. It got even better from there. After a superb second course of Koda Farms Heirloom rice plus Monterey squid tagliatelle, we were served our respective main courses which my friends generously shared. I have to admit I was less generous with my fantastic duck with morels, nettles and gnocchi. From there, we all sailed into a fantastic sampling of unique and delicious desserts. Wine was amazing, thanks to the deep expertise of one of the owners, Matthew Peterson, and the food - well, I can't say enough about Chef Tim Eelman and his talented crew. Service was also amazing. A final note on the environment: What drives a great dining experience is, of course, the food and memorable service, but Solstice has also created a uniquely beautiful dining environment of beautiful surfaces, interesting art, evocative lighting and an overall ambience that wrapped our dining experience in a glamorous cocoon. Hyperbole? Maybe, but I'm rarely moved to write reviews. Solstice was different, and I'll return in a flat second at the first opportunity to repeat what my friends and I experienced as a unique and terrific evening at Solstice.

Excellent! Great food, excellent service, wonderful ambience. The food was not only tasty but…read moreelevated with unique plating, textures, special ingredients. You must try the smoked avocado. I think we had everything on the menu except for 1 item. Just amazing.

The fam and i were in monterey for the weekend and stumbled upon the village for a quick pit stop…read moreand who would have known we would have found this gem. I walked along the outside glass and saw that they had tito's vodka and liquor 43 so i decided to look @ the menu and boom there it was, a carajillo. For those who don't know it's pretty much the mother or father of the espresso martini and been around forever in latin american countries and throughout Spain, which consists of Liquor 43 x Espresso, shaken up generously and served over ice. I forget the girls names but they were so welcoming and had a bright smile from helping us and whoever else came in during the time we were there. The barista whipped up one the best carajillo i've had stateside which is rare because you can't really find them around here since most places don't carry liquor 43. A true treat. 10//10 would recommend. Mind you it was 9:40am Cheers.

I wish I could give a high rating because the pastries were excellent, especially the fig danish,…read morewhich was so good that I came back the very next day. Unfortunately, my second visit left me feeling violated and unwelcome. I ordered an apricot danish and a cappuccino with oat milk. The coffee didn't taste quite right to me, so I politely asked the barista if I could have a little more oat milk added. I was told that I would have to be charged for a latte because adding more milk would change the drink ratio. I explained that I only wanted a small amount, not enough to turn it into a latte, but the request was still refused. What bothered me most was the next interaction with the same barista. I saw the self-service milk containers at the condiment station and mentioned that I would just add some myself, but they were empty. The barista said: "It's the same thing, I will have to charge you." When I asked what those complimentary milk condiments were for, the barista responded, "Those are for other people." As a paying customer (coffee and pastries), hearing that felt upsetting and dismissive. I left feeling embarrassed, singled-out and unwelcome over what should have been a simple customer service interaction for such a small request. I wish the owners would rectify the situation. The pastries were wonderful, but the customer service experience unfortunately overshadowed the visit. I would NEVER recommend this place to any of my friends nor family.

Open late! Grabbed a…read morebeer and burgers after a long day exploring Big Sur. Plenty of patio seating in the back or seat yourself indoors. Burgers were plenty large and priced right and came with fries or chips.

Nice pub to grab some food and beer. The back patio is nice and big!…read more My gripe is that the food took really long to come out. 40 minutes. And had we known it would take that long we would have just grabbed food at the deli that's connected to the tap house. I wish the guy told us how long it would take. But I will say we came right at lunchtime so maybe the kitchen was overwhelmed. But it was a Monday, not the weekend! My curly fries were served cold but I had no time to send it back, I was so hungry. Also my wife got sick and vomited all night from the chicken quesadilla.