Cafe Rustica

Best Japanese and Korean food in Carmel Valley with warm service, fair prices, and amazing…read moreambiance. We go for the hamachi kama, fresh sashimi, and kimchi jigae but will get a few rolls too, and today's simple vege roll and spicy scallops were perfect even though we always overorder. We had a lovely night at the outdoor patio in the wam embrace of the valley on a quiet Thursday with a nice Sauv blanc from our Arroyo seco AVA. It was like my pressure release button was pushed. Love love love our fav restaurant

Terrible food and service. I won't eat here very agin. I was served a kids dinner box that was 28…read morebucks for adults and it was dry and cold!! Don't eat here! They didn't even take care of me and I've been a big supporter of this place until the last three dinners my wife and I had. Was not a happy diner and am now not coming back here ever!! It's a joke how they try to save money but lose good paying customers like me. I'll go into Carmel and eat at Toto Sushi

Carmel Valley Roll - yellowtail on spicy tuna roll

See all

Sake Wrap Carpaccio - mango, avocado, wrapped in the freshest salmon!

Corkscrew Cafe

3.9(618 reviews)

0.1 mi

Great salads, pizzas, and fish tacos. The pizzas are…read moreItalian style. The fish taco with fresh cabbage on top are very delicious.. The service is average depend depending on a server. I love the outdoor seating. It's very European and quaint.

I first heard about Corkscrew Cafe on "Check Please!" and knew I had to try it when I'm in Carmel…read more We came here yesterday (4/23/26) and were not disappointed! Initially I wanted a mimosa but they were out of Prosecco. :( Instead I had the white wine honey mojito, which was sweet and not too heavy on the alcohol. We shared the elote (special!) and mushroom pizzas. The pizzas were cooked perfectly and were even better the next day. The elote pizza has a bit of a kick but not super spicy. I also tried a little of the pear blue cheese salad, which was tasty. Waitress was friendly and the food came out quickly. Plenty of indoor and outdoor dining options. We sat outside and it wasn't too chilly or noisy. Would come next I'm in Carmel!

See all

Rosé

Thai Village

3.6(136 reviews)

0.0 mi

Excellent meal and service as well! The spice level on all food was perfect. Food came out very…read morequick and they were so kind to us. Great place to unwind and eat well after walking all day.

We finally had lunch today at the Thai Village restaurant. We sat on the patio. Umbrellas provided…read moreshade from the sunshine which was a nice touch. We over-ordered as usual because we wanted to try many dishes. We ordered 5 dishes (for 2 of us): 1) Panang curry chicken with requested spice level 5 of 5. The curry broth was coconut milk forward. Veggies very fresh and a fair amount of chicken. I would have liked it more savory and spicy (3.5/5). 2) Spicy (Level 5) basil beef. Good flavor, fresh properly cooked veggies, tender beef. I wanted more Thai basil and spice (4/5). 3) Crispy garlic shrimp. This was the best dish! Lots of sizable (probably 13-15/lb) light/crispy fried shrimp and fresh jalapeños. Reminded me of Chinese Salt and pepper shrimp. One of the best things I've ate over the last month. Salty, crunchy, and spicy...Amazing! (10/5). 4) Drunken Noodles. Disappointing. Noodles were over boiled and mushy. Not their best work (2/5). 5) Spicy fried rice. Good flavor. Crunchy veggies. (4/5) The hostess/server was super nice and provided great service. My wife loved her Thai iced tea. We'll be back to try more dishes and have TWO orders of their Crispy Garlic Shrimp.

Chicken Satay

See all

Baum & Blume & The Carriage House

4.6(45 reviews)

0.2 mi

I was so intrigued that I came back out to the valley on a day that they were open. Lovely little…read morespot that is obviously frequented by locals in the know. 5ish tables, family run, unique and revolving menu. I enjoyed a ravioli entree and a bowl of their soup of the day. Owner comes out and reads some of her own poetry! I recommend calling before going- their hours vary by additional commitments. I will definitely be back when in the area!

Found this gem by accident today & had the most amazing blueberry cheesecake with a crumbled…read moretopping. Everyone was so friendly. I'll be back for lunch with my husband and our very gentle dog next time we're here!

Typical lunch menu

Ravioli

See all

Tomato and brown rice soup w/ herbs de Provence popover. This was excellent. Really chunky with plenty of vegetables.

Jeju Kitchen

4.0(423 reviews)

11.6 mi

Husband and I were spending a long weekend in Carmel with our dog. We were able to make a…read morereservation ahead of time online- the system only does indoor reservations, so make sure you email them to let them know if you are bringing a pup and need a patio seat! The restaurant is located on the lowest level of the Carmel Plaza, I really loved the location because there are plenty of places to park right around there. Between the two of us, we shared: - Miso cacio e pepe: we came specifically for this! It's one of their most well known dishes, and I highly highly recommend! So creamy and savory, and the mafaldine pasta has such a nice texture, the ruffled edges hold on to sauce perfectly. We also added a bit of gochujang that came with the bibimbap and it was so good with some spice. - Dolsot bibimbap: my husband's favorite Korean dish so of course we had to get it! An excellent variety of veggies, which was nice since we barely got any veg on vacation. The kalbi beef was so juicy and delicious, and not overcooked. - Matcha Tiramisu: absolute must get, so unique. The cake layers were soaked in matcha, and topped off with some fresh fruit. - Grapefruit sake spritz: I was on the fence between this cocktail and the yuzu champagne spritz. Our waitress said that the grapefruit spritz was much less sweet, and I am so glad I decided to go with that option! It was the perfect amount of sweetness, not overwhelming. Overall, my husband and I agreed that the matcha tiramisu was the best bite either of us had all weekend!

En route to a 5k run in san Ramon, we stopped by their kitchen to carb up!…read more This is a quick review: The meat on the smashburgers were tender! We could have used more dressing on salad that came with the jalapeño smshburger. The mushroom tempura was bland, so serving it with the roasted sesame dip was a a good pairing! The Korean Glass Noodles was a good size serving. I felt that it could have used more flavor. Service was good: staff person has already checked on us twice during first half of our meal.

Inside dining area - 1/2/2024

Kalbi: Korean Beef Short Ribs w/ rice, banchan | $40

See all

Korean bbq beef ribs

Los Laureles Lodge Restaurant & Saloon

3.9(134 reviews)

1.2 mi

My wife and I came for dinner and it was one of the best meals we've had in Carmel Valley…read more The owner came over and introduced himself, and Chef Orlando stopped by our table too. Both were genuinely warm and professional -- that kind of hospitality is rare and it set the tone for the whole night. Appetizers were great across the board, but the jalapeño poppers were my favorite. I got the steak marsala and my wife had the garlic butter chicken bites pasta (in picture attached). Both were excellent -- well-seasoned, cooked exactly right, and the portions did not disappoint. Service was attentive without hovering. We never had to ask for anything twice. Beautiful setting, great food, great people. We'll definitely be back. 10/10 -- highly recommend!

Returned to Carmel Valley last weekend with family to celebrate my birthday. We had four rooms at…read moreLos Laureles Lodge and were happy with our accommodations, although strangely it seemed some rooms had coffeemakers while others did not. It didn't really matter because the eight of us had the continental breakfast in the common room every morning and there was plenty of coffee available there. For breakfast they had coffee cake, fruit, hard boiled eggs, granola, and juices. I brought additional food for everyone, which the staff didn't mind. Everyone liked the continental breakfast. We ate at the restaurant on Friday evening. I made reservations well in advance, which was a good thing because it was quite busy. They set us up in a private dining room with a window. I had the special prime rib because it was so good last time I dined there. I ordered it medium rare and it was delicious again, except for the very center, which was so rare I couldn't cut it. The mashed potatoes and veggies that accompanied it were very good. Others ordered ribs and burgers, and everyone enjoyed their meal. The waitress was quite busy running around to all her tables, but she was as attentive as she could be with so many diners. I love the peace and natural beauty of Los Laureles Lodge and will probably always stay there when in Carmel Valley.

Hill House Dining Area

Loaded burger

See all

Trailside Cafe & Beer Garden

3.7(264 reviews)

0.1 mi

Went to the valley for an appointment and stopped at this cute place for a bite to eat…read more Had a rustic feel, beautiful local art for sale on the walls, and it looks like they host music events as well. Food was delicious! I ordered a Three Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Basil soup and it was melty and buttery and it warmed my soul on this rather overcast day. Service was superb! I was able to choose my own table, she always made sure my Sprite was never empty, and she rushed a second sandwich order for me when I still had some soup left over and wanted more to dip. I didn't catch her name, but she was awesome. Thanks for the experience and I'll definitely be recommending this place to folks willing to travel to Carmel Valley. It's worth it!

We had an absolutely lovely time here after a hike one morning. Martin was our server and may be…read moreone of the most delightful humans I've ever met. Just a lovely person. Food was great. I had the Lox Bagel and they were very generous with the lox. My husband had the eggs Benedict which was also tasty. Our pup was very welcome as well. Def a revisit when we're in that area again!

Fish tacos and tater tot nachos

See all

Mmmmm, Hot Tea. I love green tea.

Sur at The Barnyard

4.4(2.1k reviews)

10.5 mi

After multiple failed attempts to find somewhere to eat with our dogs in tow, we arrived at Sur at…read morethe Barnyard hungry, tired, and a little defeated. What a wonderful surprise. It was just me, my two girls, and our two dogs, and from the moment we arrived, we were met with genuinely excellent service. The staff was kind, attentive, and welcoming. The food was absolutely fantastic, fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Sometimes a meal is more than just a meal. After a long day of searching for a place that would work for our little crew, Sur felt like exactly where we were meant to end up. We left happy, full, and already looking forward to coming back. Highly recommend.

We dropped in to SUR today after hiking a bit. We hadn't been there before, and since Scratch was…read moreclosed and this place a great reviews, we decided to check it out - and I'll chalk this up to anther time Yelp did us wrong. TLDR:: Meh.. I wanted something to drink that wasn't sweet, so I tried their raspberry ice tea. They used a sugary syrup to flavor the tea, and that was a strike out. It was sweeter than a soda, so it went back and I swapped it out for a plain unsweetened ice tea. Then we tried the cheesy garlic bread, which we were really looking forward to. Welp, it came out with mozzarella cheese and a ton of corn. No butter. No garlic. We all looked at each other when we tried it. Ok, let's try their brussel sprouts. Those are hard to mess up - but sure enough, they managed to. They deep fried them to the point they were black and charred. There wasn't anything left of the brussel sprout itself, it was mostly crunchy charcoal. At this point, we all ordered something we assumed would be safe for our main. I got the sliders and a side salad. I had the salad but only of the sliders. The cheese on it was queso, like you use to dip chips, so it was ran all over the place and the burger was a grease ball. I won't even get into what everyone else had, but they had similar experiences. Overall, it was pretty disappointing. Maybe there are other things or other times where this place is better, but it was a swing and a miss for us.

Inside

Signature Beet Salad and Fried Artichokes

See all

Chocolates

PortaBella

4.3(1.6k reviews)

11.7 mi

Hands down, the best Fruits de Mer I've ever had. The pasta was loaded with shrimp, calamari, all…read moretossed in a rich, perfectly creamy sauce (not like Alfredo) that was absolutely delicious. Every bite was so flavorful and satisfying. Service was also on par and exceptionally. The restaurant itself has such a beautiful, old-world Carmel charm -- warm, cozy, and perfect for a leisurely meal. Love the upbeat vibes the music was playing in the background. So romantic too. Andy had his bread pudding, which was clearly the highlight of his meal. A beautiful lunch, amazing food, and one more Carmel memory to keep.

I hate giving bad reviews but to hopefully save others from our poor experience here it goes…read more Let's start with the food, we got soups, beef short ribs, seafood pasta and a couple of croque monsieurs. The soups were good but not extraordinary. The beef short ribs were supposed to have a mushroom gravy but it came out with a sauce that was sweet, kind of like a cranberry sauce. The beef was lacking flavor and there was no bone which we found odd. Kind of like something you get from Costco. The two croque monsieurs we got were just barely ok. They were kind of dry and sauce was a bit off putting. The pasta was the biggest offender. The pasta was hard. It was severely undercooked. How can an Italian restaurant not know how to cook pasta! Suffice it to say we didn't finish our food. Left kind of hungry actually. Usually a the service will help a bit but it was poor at best. We sat our table long enough waiting to be acknowledged that I contemplated about just leaving. The wait seemed surprised that we were ready to order by the time he finally came by to get drinks for us. I swear we waited about 15 minutes before he even came by. One might excuse it if they're busy but they weren't. I saw him standing around joking with the other staff. Totally not ok. Hopefully this review saves some people from wasting their time and money on poor food and bad service.

Complimentary bread

See all

Portabella Cream of Mushroom Soup

ROUX

4.0(490 reviews)

0.1 mi

First time to Roux and they didn't disappoint…read more Drink - Glass of sparkling rose each Starter - We shared the roasted Brussel sprouts Mains - My wife had the truffle fettuccine and I had the salmon on a bed of cauliflower risotto Desert - we could not make our mind up so ended up with both the lemon cheesecake and the crème brûlée I've attached pictures of all the dishes (literally) !.. you'll figure that piece out and how much we enjoyed them. I'd read up on the fan fav. French onion soup but was put off as someone said it was filling so skipped it .. After seeing it served at another table I was kicking myself but we will hopefully return for a lunch and will pray that's on the menu. Talking of menus, the only tiny gripe is the website had a menu that is out of date and the 2 dishes I really fancied were no longer available (lobster fettuccine and crab ravioli) .. please please could you update your website or the menu on Yelp or at the least take a photo of the new menu and delete the old ones as they are all 6+yrs old and I forgot to photograph it !. Anyhow, the ambience was great, service was faultless and food devine. Both my wife and I came away (from her birthday dinner) feeling we'd chosen really well with a sincere desire to return !. Thank you to the team for your obvious passion for food, there's lots of choices in the area and Roux stands tall in the valley of giants as a solid recommendation.

Just enjoyed a great meal here! 3/4 of us got the seafood pasta, which was amazing. I had the white…read moresangria, which was sweet and not too heavy on the alcohol. 2 people in our party got the French onion soup. I tried a bit of the cheese and it was out of this world! Maybe I'll get the soup next time with an appetizer because I would have been too full from both the soup and the pasta. The lobster fettuccine and crab ravioli also looked amazing. Easy to make a reservation online and the restaurant wasn't too crowded. There was plenty of outdoor seating. Our waiter was great too. We can't wait to come back!

See more unrecommended reviews

See all

Wine Case in entry

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

44 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Joey C.

124

3 years ago

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Cafe Rustica in Carmel Valley, CA, and I must say it was a delightful experience. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxing meal. The service was attentive and friendly, enhancing the overall dining experience. Firstly, I highly recommend trying their white bean soup. It was a warm and comforting dish, packed with rich flavors and a creamy texture. Each spoonful was a delight, and it left me wanting more. The escargot at Cafe Rustica was a true standout. The preparation was impeccable, with the snails cooked to perfection and served in a delectable garlic and herb butter sauce. The flavors were well-balanced, and the dish offered a unique and indulgent culinary experience. As a seafood lover, I couldn't resist ordering the sea bass caught just hours ago in Monterey. The freshness was evident in every bite. The sea bass was cooked expertly, flaky and moist, complemented by a delicate seasoning that allowed the natural flavors to shine through. It was a true testament to the restaurant's commitment to using high-quality ingredients. Overall, Cafe Rustica delivered an exceptional dining experience. The combination of their delectable white bean soup, perfectly prepared escargot, and fresh sea bass made for a memorable meal. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Carmel Valley. read more

Susan K.

12 years ago

Came to Carmel Valley for a friend's wedding... happen to have time before checking into our room so stopped by the villiage and came across this restaurant. ... First of all, we did not have a reservation... but I can see that the place had plenty of tables available for our party of 4... but we were seated in the corner.. all the way towards the back... and just want to mention the fact that we are Asians..... I was very upset from the time I sat time... we were sitting at the table for about 10 minutes before anyone offered us anything... once we ordered, we were brought our drinks and that was that... I can see other tables getting their bread and butter before their food.. but us... nothing... when the waiter finally came around to bring our dishes... that's when we asked him for bread... which is something you are automatically suppose to get after your drinks... When we did ask for our bread.... he said sure... but where is the freakin BUTTER.... who brings you bread with no butter when everyone else was getting bread and butter... I have to say.... the FOOD was GOOD... but the service... was the worse experience ever... I can see that this restaurant has great reviews... and I am sure they had a great experience here... but if your Asain.... STAY AWAY..... Just a note: the same tables were still empty when I LEFT... read more

Celeste W.

15 years ago

Overpriced. Overhyped. Overrated. My first ever review and sadly it's a poor one. Nothing good to say here. We had dinner here last week and it was one the worst experience at a restaurant in a very long time. The service was awful, from the host who ignored us while on the phone to the ragged busboy to our server who we simply couldn't understand (I speak French and still didn't know what he was saying). Usually a packed house is a good sign but this place is too small and way too loud. I ordered the rib eye, and it was thin and fatty and all together chewy and devoid of taste. My bf had The raviolis, and I have to agree with another reviewer, the portions were small and barely edible.We didn't even bother sticking around for desert. The only positive I saw was a diverse list of wines. Unfortunately, I won't be coming back to try them. Go elsewhere. read more

juan p.

13 years ago

Just an outstanding restaurant and IMO the best restaurant out in the valley. During the summer a great place to sit outside under a heat lamp, and in the winter a very good atmosphere inside including a friendly (but small) bar and plenty of table seating. (and-one prize booth location for a larger party) You should have a reservation during tourist season, but they are extremely friendly and accomodating and will work to fit you in. We have been there many times and have never had a bad meal. My favorites include the calamari appetizers, the salmon pizza on a thin crust, roasted chicken with herbs and the ham hog soup. Prices are very fair, particularly for the high quality of food. read more

Jenny M.

19 years ago

I've been enjoying Cafe Rustica for years. I was there last Friday night and had the sole seafood special. My friend had the swordfish with butternut squash soup. You can't find a dinner like that anywhere else on the peninsula. After I was unable to finish this incredible dinner, I was told that they are going "green" with their to go containers! This is great news and definately worth mentioning. Kudos to the staff and Julian the owner for providing such great service and food. We will be back through the holidays. read more

rashi d.

2 years ago

Darling Nathan at Café Rustica is hands-down the best bartender I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. His wine pouring is unmatched--each drink is perfectly balanced and feels like it's made just for you. Beyond his skills, Nathan's friendly personality and genuine passion for his craft make the whole experience unforgettable. Whether you're looking for a classic or something creative, he'll exceed your expectations every time. Do yourself a favor and sit at the bar--Nathan makes Café Rustica shine! read more

Anita D.

Elite 26

220

387

2 years ago

We tried this restaurant for the first time this weekend and were blown away by their customer service, ambience, and food. The servers were so kind to our large group and accommodated our needs. The courtyard is so beautiful and we appreciated the proximity to wineries in the area. Our group got pizzas, steaks, and fish. Everything was delicious, but it was really the top-notch customer service that put this restaurant over the top. We'll definitely be back! read more

Melissa O.

13 years ago

We have been to Cafe Rustica may times since they opened and have adored it every time! One of our absolute favorites on the entire Monterey Peninsula. If you haven't been yet, put it on your list of things you must do! Some of our favorites are the beet salad, homemade tomato basil soup, the seafood specials with their buerre blanc sauce, raviolis, and my husband loves the lamb fillets. Wonderful wines, comfy, cosy, warm, atmosphere, always love it here. read more

charley w.

14 years ago

Just the best in Carmel Valley. Consistent quality, nice atmosphere, you can sit out in the cute patio on a warm day, and the food is good across the board. We try to get out there every couple of months are are never disappointed. Other restaurants out there come and go with a brief marketing flash, but this one has staying power for all the good reasons. There are a number of seafood pastas and pizzas that are very very fairly priced. read more

Keiki I.

18 years ago

I enjoyed this place. I have been here twice with wonderful food, great warm ambience, and friendly service. Food is simply delish, as I have ordered the tomato salad and pizza. Yes, it doesn't sound too exiciting, but the flavors are absolutely wonderful and the ingredients are so fresh. I found this place to be refreshing and will always look forward to stopping by for lunch when I am in the area. Recommend it! read more

homer a.

15 years ago

This is one fine restaurant. You can sit inside or out, which is a delight on those warm summer evenings out in the valley. Even though the place has passed though several hands over the last couple of years, it has maintained its high standards, and the service is impeccable. Beef short ribs are outstanding although most of the menu focuses on French or Italian items. You won't go wrong here. read more

Rachel F.

11 years ago

I love Café Rustica! It is the best restaurant in Carmel Valley Village and I go every chance I get with my family! I always have the butter leaf salad, eggplant neoploitan and shrimp screwers..my husband always has the pork medallions and my kids always get the pasta and pizza! Yummy Yum Yum! Perfect mix of greatfood and a great kids menu! Go!! read more

adam b.

15 years ago

Delightful food, great outdoor ambience, reasonable (not cheap) food, nice folks. What more could you want in today's world? Sort of a european flavor in Carmel Valley Village. Definitely worth the ride out from Monterey to this lovely area. Popular so make a reservation, particularly on the weekends or tourist season. read more

Nicole V.

192

10 years ago

Best place for dinner in Carmel valley!! Amazing, cozy, and warm atmosphere. Delicious pasta, perfect pizza's, and fresh salads. For a romantic dinner with a loved one, or a gathering of friends this spot is perfect. Make sure to get a reservation on the weekend, it fills up and is very popular. read more

W B.

240

890

11 years ago

Just a great place. Get the special or whatever is the special recommendations. If not salads, pizza and other dishes are great. The best salads you could and will ever enjoy. Nice atmosphere as well. Have a great time as we have. read more

Bill Y.

15 years ago

This is one fine restaurant. Indoor or outdoor seating, nice atmosphere, off the main highway by a block, well prepared food served by happy people. Too bad they're prices aren't just a little lower, or it would be a 5 star. read more

Megan K.

3 years ago

Absolutely delicious food. We had the lamb and swordfish special. Beet salad was so fresh and full of flavor. Escargot was so tender and flavorful. Excellent service and atmosphere was great. Would absolutely eat here again. read more

jesse p.

13 years ago

Back to Rustica for another outstanding meal. Great to report that they are keeping up all of the high standards, while not raising the prices out of sight like so many other restaurants. Great people, food and service. read more

brenda l.

15 years ago

Cute cute cute, with good food and you can eat in or out. Friendly. Too bad the prices are a little on the high side or it would be 4 or 5 stars. read more

Bill H.

15 years ago

Love this place. Sitting on the patio on a warm day is awesome. The salads and desserts are great. As are the entrees. Highly recommended!

Cafe Rustica - french - Updated September 2026

People who viewed Cafe Rustica also viewed

Valley Kitchen

3.9

(203 reviews)

WOW... words can't even begin to describe. I had the best meal of my life and Luis made all the…read moredifference. His smile was contagious and attentiveness was above and beyond. If I didn't already have 6 children and 15 grandchildren I would have adopted him on the spot. Definitely going back just to see Luis!!!re

The brilliant work of Chef Andrew. It's clear that the chef loves food, has a huge heart, and cooks…read morewith joy and passion. We've been to Valley Kitchen dozens of times and the food gets better and tastier. It's evident that the chef and team explores how to incorporate fresh, local, and fine ingredients and bring to life the best of CVR's and California's identity to its dishes. Our favorites are the smoked salmon sourced from Santa Cruz and smoked at Valley Kitchen, Upside Down Hot Honey Cornbread .. and love how he uses the honey, cheese, and garden ingredients. At one point, we had strict diet restrictions and asked Chef Andrew to cook without sugar and to keep our meals below 5g of carb. Not only did we stick to our strict keto diet while traveling but we also fell in love with every single dish he made. Chef Andrew embraced this opportunity to test and adjust to meet our diet needs AND introduce us to new ingredients to include into our diet. We are forever grateful. On this trip, although we asked for his avocado dessert, he politely recommended Chef Molly's desserts. I love how he puts the entire team at the center of the experience. It's a team effort and the desserts were unique to Carmel -- especially with CVR lavender curd. The people who work at CVR and Valley Kitchen are top notch. They are extremely attentive, respectful, and friendly. Many of the servers have been there for years and it shows that when there is a good work culture that it translates to better customer service. The ambiance brings a combination of natural beauty, warmth and coziness (especially with the fireplace), and Californian modern and sleek. I love the Zafferano Pina lamps that provide an intimate experience and enough light to the table (need to see what we're eating!). Thank you, Chef Andrew and team for letting us experience culinary excellence while we rest and heal at our happy place.

Woodys at Del Mesa

4.4

(45 reviews)

Food was good we only had a Caesar salad with shrimp and a clamshowder was one of the best. Lu help…read moreus and recommend a delicious Chardonnay and was very attentive

It was a blast from the past to come by here on Friday night and have dinner. We really love dining…read moreat Woodys's and we've been out of the area for a while so it was great to visit again! One really nice thing after all our travels lately is that the restaurant has not raised its prices. It's the same menu for meals with the addition of pasta and minus a couple of the higher price steaks but they still have specials that are available. We saw one of the friendly servers, Dianne, who remembered us and even remembered the kind of food we like. We ordered the salmon with the Yukon gold potatoes and no brussels sprouts! We were enjoying the crudites with ranch dip and the delicious soft baked bread with wonderful butter when the delectable salmon arrived, sitting atop a mound of the buttery Yukon gold potatoes, with multi colored cauliflower and broccoli. It's a memorable place for the views of Del Mesa, a beautiful assisted living community up on the mesa. We will return here again and again whenever we visit Carmel for a dose of homey nostalgia!

Red House Cafe

4.3

(2.2k reviews)

The food here was so good, and the service was so quick and friendly, would definitely come again!read more

The service was fast and friendly! The smoked salmon on…read morepotatoe pancake was fresh flavorful and an iconic dish. I will be back !

Taste Cafe & Bistro

4.6

(502 reviews)

My family and I would definitely recommend this restaurant. We came to Pacific Grove with our dog…read morefor the second time and we had to eat outside. The owner gave me a blanket and turned on the outdoor heater and made us feel welcome. We weren't very hungry to start, but we ordered the escargot appetizer, the Sea-bass special which included soup or salad and we had the Caesar salad with that. My husband and I had wine and we enjoyed the red blend Behringer and the Pinot from Monterey. Our Apple galette is coming right now and we know it's good because we had it last time. So remember, dog, friendly, and great customer service!

Went to a wedding reception here and the food was incredible, got the salmon dish and loved the…read moresauce, fish and vegetables were so fresh. Crème brûlée was also solid. Interior is beautiful, honestly no complaints and want to come here for dinner now sometime.

Passionfish

4.3

(2.6k reviews)

Fresh, delicious food, and wonderful service!…read more We came to Monterey for a quick getaway vacation and we had a wonderful dinner at Passionfish. Located in Pacific Grove, this restaurant is well known for its sustainable seafood and fresh ingredients. Street parking is available but you may need to drive around to get a spot close to the restaurant. We made a reservation online, and we were notified our table was ready 15 mins prior to our reservation time. When we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the hostess. The restaurant was mid sized, but it felt warm and cozy. The menu was quite simple, but the selections were solid. We had the salmon cervice as appetizer, salad, scallop entree, and halibut entree. The cervice was delicious and we loved the innovative concept. The salad was great with perfect balance of veggie, dressing, and cheese. The scallop entree was very flavorful as well. For desserts, we gad the banana pudding with ice-cream, and it was the perfect way to wrap up our dinner. As for service, our waiters were attentive and friendly. The bill for our meal was around $200, which was very reasonable for the quality of the meal. Highly recommend!

This was our first time going to Passionfish! And it did not disappoint us! The crowd was super…read morenice. We ended up talking to a few people which made it nice. The food was excellent. We had the bread rolls which are absolutely to die for! We had the jicama salad and the halibut. We shared this between two adults, and it was more than enough. And their wine selection is incredible! We will definitely be returning!

Edgar's Restaurant

3.8

(113 reviews)

This is a go- to in Carmel Valley. I love Quail Lodge and if it is sunny anywhere on the Monterey…read morePeninsula, it is here in this part of Carmel Valley. Service Is consistent, as is everything on the menu. Eating outdoors here is the move, overlooking the golf course. The Farmer's Market salad ( add your protein) is my favorite. Happy Hour is a great time to come to Edgar's.

Service was decent. Waitress a bit abrupt. Smash burger with the chimichurri sauce was wayyyy…read moretooo salty! I had the penne bolognese was tasty but too al dente.

Covey Grill

4.3

(23 reviews)

Great service! Tasty food!…read moreLovely dining atmosphere! Our Server was a lovely man who was patient with me as I asked questions and went through my usual indecision and finally landing on Butternut squash soup followed by Branzino. The soup Hit The Spot! Vegetable based (so no cream).... This soup was incredibly satisfying. Of course I love me some soup so this hit all my comfort notes on a cool evening after wine tasting and gallivanting all day. The Branzino was perfectly prepared... Just falling off the skin and melting in my mouth. Hubs enjoyed his steak thoroughly! I got a small bike and thought it was quite good.... tender, meaty, good flavor not over seasoned so you can actually taste the beef... Perfect chew. It had texture and was not mushy. All in all, a wonderful dinner experience that I would go back to again.

This is the restaurant inside the golf club " The Quail " . It opens daily for breakfast from 7 am…read moreto 10:30 am . We ordered latte and cappuccino coffee . It tasted great and the texture was smooth . I enjoyed the pretty ceramic cups and plates . Tables setting were very classic and they seated us on a table by the window. We could over look the pond with a bridge and fountains . There were a group of geese playing around in the morning. Food was great . We had the two eggs omelette with a choice of bacon , ham or sausage . Plating was beautiful. The country potatoes came with red potatoes and brown potatoes. The side salad with vinaigrette dressing was fresh and delicious. We got toasts with butter and jam . So much food and I could not finish . The lobby outside was nicely decorated with decorative details . We enjoyed it very much .

Bear + Flag Roadside

4.2

(153 reviews)

We were on the hunt for a sandwich shop near us as we just moved to the Monterey Peninsula and Bear…read more+ Flag Roadside did not disappoint! We shared the "herb roasted turkey breast" sandwich and added avocado. Delicious and a good portion! We only ordered 1 sandwich and split it and it was perfect! What ever they do to season their shredded lettuce makes it so tasty. My boyfriend kept mentioning how delicious the sandwich bread was, maybe it was a sourdough baguette, as it tasted very fresh. Can't wait to go back and explore other options on their menu as well as explore their large selection of beverages and beers. We enjoyed the sandwich at their outdoor patio and it was a lovely casual spot. There were plenty of picnic tables to choose from under large trees which provided great shade. Highly recommend!

Just happened to be in the area for work and found this place…read more Great specials I had a roast beef sandwich friends had the brisket everything was delicious Service was outstanding great food

Sur at The Barnyard

4.4

(2.1k reviews)

Pèppoli at Pebble Beach

4.4

(177 reviews)