I first heard about Corkscrew Cafe on "Check Please!" and knew I had to try it when I'm in Carmel. 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! read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Elote pizza, white wine honey mojito, and fountain - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Service was fast and friendly. Ambiance outside was cozy with bistro table on decomposed granite. But while tree canopy was romantic the droppings were frequent. Food and drinks: Michelada 3/5. Tasted watery; didn't finish. Calamari 3/5. Small portion was tender but not warm enough. Cocktail sauce was really good. Lemon prosciutto pizza 3/5. Crust was delicious but needed more prosciutto and parmesan; less arugula. Our hopes were so high but sadly we wouldn't recommend. read more

Delicious lunch at Corkscrew Cafe! The tomato salad was the star of the show. Our server was very attentive and friendly, and provided helpful info regarding the menu options. I appreciated the food pairings as well as with the drinks. read more

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Great food and location. Open all day. The outdoor dining area is fantastic. The interior decor is rustic and tasteful. Service is excellent. The pizzas are incredibly light and takes you to Rome. read more

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Third time's a charm at Corkscrew Cafe. After two failed attempts including our last visit due to an accident that resulted in a traffic backup, we finally got to try their Meyer Lemon Pizza. The more sweet than tart Meyer lemon paired with salty prosciutto, nutty parmesan and spicy arugula works so well together. Add in a starter of roasted garlic and creamy baked goat cheese over grilled bread and an aperol spritz enjoyed in their garden seating, it was worth the wait. However, it is that Meyer Lemon pizza that will bring me back in. read more

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What a delicious little hidden gem in Carmel Valley! Had the smoothest, freshest, creamiest gazpacho... came back twice in 2 days for this. Super light and flavorful heirloom tomato salad. And don't forget their super rich and cheesy French onion soup! read more

Pizzas are delicious- we had the Meyer lemon with prosciutto and everything about it was great/ thin crispy crust with wood fire slightly charcoal had you eating the entire crust. The arugula broke the gooey cheese but the lemons were the star. Will drive out here just for that pizza. Pear salad was a great start, poached pear with melted blue cheese was a nice surprise. Attentive staff in a rustic vibe patio made for a good lunch before heading to the wine tasting rooms. read more

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We really enjoy the corkscrew Café and have visited multiple times. Depending on the day and the season it can be very busy so some forward planning might help. They also serve a trunk gated menu next-door at cowgirl and across the street. Our most recent visit had us enjoying a butternut squash pizza that significantly exceeded expectations, steak frites that hit exactly as expected and a fabulous roasted garlic and goat cheese (not pictured; didn't last for photos). We sat outdoors and the area is very dog friendly, the entire vibe of the place made me feel like I was in Europe. They even served their Bavik with a side of Gouda and celery salt. read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Seat in the garden featuring rose, Bavik and some Gouda with celery salt - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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Casual rustic setting. We shared a salad and a very good mushroom pizza. Had a nice glass of rose champagne. There was a bit of a wait for the service but they were very accommodating . I would go back again if in the area. read more

The Corkscrew Cafe is back! It hadn't literally gone away but since our last visit several years ago, we heard that it had changed considerably for the worst. However, our friend who lives in Carmel said some of his friends suggested that it was like old times. We had a party of six and as requested, they sat us at the table in an inside room that was somewhat secluded but still open to the outside and inside views. Now to the food and the service. Peter, our server was great, though a little busy so unable to spend much time with us. That was a sign of the place being at capacity and once again a place to be for locals and out of towners, like us, another couple and their son. Our Carmel friend was the sixth Person. Food and wine: No one was disappointed. Among the dishes: Calamari and onion rings for apps, fish tacos, Meyer lemon pizza, salad pizza, another main dish (can't remember) and steak frites for the teenager. Among the wines: Cowgirl Rose and Cowgirl Cabernet (plug for the winery and tasting room next door.) Dessert: scoops of chocolate and coconut ice cream - quite tasty. Cannot wait to come back here. I wish we didn't live three and a half hours away! Targeting another trip in the fall. read more

The wood-fired pizza had a delicious, charred flavor that was perfect for a casual dinner. While it was a bit burnt in spots (a common trait of wood-fired pizzas), it added to the charm and didn't detract from the overall taste. The toppings were generous and flavorful, and the crust was crispy and well-cooked. Bonus - you can order pizza to the winery next door! read more

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Amazing food and service. We came up here Labor Day weekend and found this gem of a restaurant. We've been dreaming of the roasted garlic appetizer and crispy fish tacos ever since. Now we returned for Memorial Day weekend and Corkscrew was our first stop. I tried the White wine mojito this time, and it was marvelous. read more

Corkscrew Cafe - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

The food is absolutely amazing, wine is great, service was fantastic and the ambiance is great in the garden. read more

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Came here for lunch between wine tasting in Carmel Valley, recommended by some locals. When we entered there was no one in the restaurant or so we thought. We asked to be seated outside as it was a nice day and the patio was filled with couples, families and large groups. The outdoor patio is rustic, cozy and inviting. Ordered the wedge salad which was their special. There are 3 large romaine wedges with green goddess dressing and cherry tomato halves, bacon and cheese. It's scrumptious! Ordered the grilled whole trout ($16.50) for substance as we would be going to another winery afterwards. The grill was perfect, the lemon and capers really made the trout shine. My husband got the fish tacos and it comes with 3 blue corn tortillas topped with moist and tender fish. So fresh, light and yummy. The portions felt just right too. read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Trout - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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This is a cute cafe with a great casual vibe, inside or outside. They have a large covered outdoor patio that is my preferred setting for eating here. My wife and I had an early dinner, sharing two appetizers and two pizzas. Yeah, we over ordered, but we couldn't decide between two pizzas, so we got both. The service was hit and miss. Servers coming and going. We had 3 different servers over our dining experience. They were all nice, but I kind of felt like we were forgotten, sitting in a front area of the restaurant where nobody else was sitting. The food was really good, and has been on our two previous visits. The wood fired pizzas are a must. We had their Meyer lemon pizza and the sausage with Calabrian chili pizza. My wife loved the Meyer lemon and I really liked the sausage pizza. We started with sharing a cup of french onion soup and the fried calamari. The calamari was light and crispy. The onion soup broth was savory with a heavily toasted crostini crouton and gooey cheese. It was really satisfying. We are new to living in Carmel Valley. I have a feeling the corkscrew cafe will turn into our go to local spot. This is definitely worth a visit. read more

I don't normally leave reviews, but this experience was particularly bad. I ordered the "short rib" which turned out to be a luke warm piece of roast. My son ordered the "steak frites" and the steak wasn't even beef, but it was pork! They covered the meat in a gravy to disguise it. I have avoided this place for years because I've had mediocre meals here before. Nothing has changed. read more

This is such a cute place! We got in for the evening and it was close to our inn. We started with the calamari, and I got the Tri Tip pizza and my husband got the chicken parm. Fantastic. The pizza had tons of flavor. The chicken parm is just the cutlet with arugula on top but don't let that fool you. We both left happy and full! I would recommend for everyone to try this place at least once! I wish I had a pic but we are too fast! read more

Corkscrew Cafe - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

The best pizza, especially the elote (corn)!! So incredibly good & always such great service. Highly Recommend!!

Excellent food, delightful atmosphere. In fact, it's Garden is among the best atmospheres in Monterey County.

Ordered the martini, no martini mix. Ordered a Michelada, no Modelo. This could have been a good place to open a restaurant or bar but instead they opened one of the worst run places I've ever had the misfortune of coming to. read more

Relaxing outdoor setting, where you can sit as tightly with your neighbors as you want, or achieve complete privacy the further back into the garden you go. We opted for the latter, enjoyed the rustling of the leaves I/o eavesdropping on others' conversation, and settled for the beet salad and margherita pizza. Both arrived at the table within a reasonable amount of time, and were flavorful and light enough for a late lunch. The service was excellent, and the recommended sparkling rosé was the perfect selection for the perfect sunny afternoon at the perfect place. read more

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Corkscrew is our favorite spot to order take out when we have been out and about all day. Their pizza and burgers are both good. You can also dine at the restaurant as they offer indoor and out door seating. While we have dined at the restaurant, it has been clutch to have a take out option when traveling with kids for us. Corkscrew provides a quality dining experience whether dining at the restaurant or picking up a to go order. read more

Corkscrew Café is always a fantastic choice--whether you're wrapping up a day of wine tasting or just grabbing a quick, quality bite between stops. We shared the salad pizza, which was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly portioned for two. The café's rustic Mission-style décor and peaceful garden patio made for a relaxing and charming setting. It was the perfect way to end our afternoon in Carmel Valley. Can't wait to come back and explore more of the menu! read more

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I had a business meeting with two people at my home it was past due lunchtime, and we were all thinking of things to eat, and nothing was open except Corkscrew... I believe it was a Monday.. So we looked on the menu and thought we would be safe with pizza looked. There were three of us and that OK we know the pizzas are tiny, but order two pizzas and maybe have a salad requested for three people. I was never so embarrassed in my life having people over business meeting and serving them this lousy dinner that cost me $104. Plus, tax and tip! Two pizzas a handful of salad that was obviously things they picked up on the side of Carmel Valley Road that was drenched and salad dressing. The two pizzas were as hard as cardboard and small as we predicted. I l haven't made a review in years and what pops up when I made 17 years on Corkscrew and it hasn't changed... Really Carmel Valley we can and should do better. How this place continues to get the stars it does is unbelievable in my mind and I'm not picky, but this was crap for $104. Should've gone to Jeromes Deli and had a knockout sandwich. And went home with a lot more money in my pocket. It's not even about the money, but it's about what I got for the money which was crap. Yes they have a beautiful garden area and I guess after a few things of those small wines the food taste good. I don't think I've been there since my last review and I won't be going back... Jerome Deli hands-down winner winner. is your garden beautiful yes do you go back there and have a lot of wine and then when the food comes it's lovely and beautiful... I don't think so. You'd have to be drunk on your butt to think anything good was there. Or do those accents which are real or phony make everything magical... No. I remember the first night they opened that's how far I go back with them. They were comparing themselves to the new French Laundry in CV.... I don't know where they got their comparison because it's way of the mark. Except they both serve exceptionally small servings, but the French Laundry is compliments to the chef. enough wine bars in Carmel Valley... Get some great eating places - how about something like Gayles Bakery in the Santa Cruz area... That is a place would make a killing here. read more

This place is lovely, so I'm giving it 5 stars, but I wanted to share my takeout experience. I ordered the seasonal salad and a side of fries, and while the food was tasty, I found the $32 salad portion extremely small--especially with an additional $8 for only 1-2 oz of chicken, despite the online menu showing chicken included in the price. The seasonal salad had kale, chickpeas, pomegranate seeds, Gorgonzola, sweet potato, and walnuts, but the portions were extremely stingy. Two dressing containers took up about a fourth of the space, making the already small salad even tinier--I've included photos to show this.. When I went back to ask about the price difference from the online menu, the staff was polite but mentioned it was outdated. However, one staff member, a brunette with blue eyes, gave me an intense, unblinking harsh stare that made me feel extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed for even asking haha. Overall, the setting is beautiful, and if ever back in the area I will for sure come back to dine in. Just a suggestion for the chef or owner: if protein is added to the salad, a standard 4 oz serving would better match the cost. read more

Corkscrew Cafe - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

First time here and will definitely be back. We wanted to try the Meyer lemon pizza and it was very good. Great menu, nice atmosphere and good service. read more

Love the grounds. The flowers were in full bloom. What outdoor dining in California should be. read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Meyer Lemon pizza and the wedge salad. Awesome. - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

I haven't been for a while. Took my daughter out to spend some adult time together. Caesar salad was about a 3/4 romaine heart, 3-4 shaves of Parmesan and 3 bread croutons, $20!! Elõte pizza was good flavor with crisp crust, but with no protein except cheese $25, Silvestri Chard $58, with sweet potato fries, tax and tip (great server) $144. Too bad there aren't local prices as we live in CV. read more

Cute place for this area. We ordered the beef short rib and lemon pizza and both were great! We came at an in between time lunch/dinner and service wasn't great. Still enjoyed it but if service was better they'd get 5 stars. read more

On my first night in Carmel Valley, I decided to try the mushroom pizza with sausage and the pear salad for pickup. The pizza was fantastic--just the right balance of ingredients and perfectly crisped. The pear salad was one of the best dishes I've had in a long time. The dressing was unique, and the little poached pear was a delightful complement. Definitely a five-star experience! Wanting to give it another shot on my last day in town, I dined on the charming patio, which featured a beautiful stone fish pond, fruit trees, and pretty flowers. I started with the French onion soup, which was fine but didn't stand out--nothing particularly memorable. I was tempted to order the pear salad again, but instead, I opted for the seasonal salad with trout. The salad was a mix of pomegranate seeds, a small half sweet potato, apples, arugula, and chickpeas. Unfortunately, the flavors didn't come together well; it felt dry, and each ingredient felt disconnected from the rest. I asked for extra dressing, which helped improve it a bit. The trout, served separately, which I thought was a bit odd. Just a fish on a white plate. There was no seasoning--no salt or fat--and it lacked flavor altogether. While the first experience was a five-star delight, this second visit felt more like a three-star meal. However, considering the $60 price tag for a salad and trout that fell short, I'd rate it more like a two-star experience. read more

Excellent location/setting. Pizza was delicious as was the beet salad. Nice folks. Server didn't refill soft drinks or stop by but otherwise was nice. read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Bar area - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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You want Pizza? Real pizza? Go to Corkscrew in Carmel Valley. Can't get into LaBicycelette? Go to Corkscrew. Same family ownership. Wood fired oven turning out thin crust pizzas, assorted specialty dishes like carnitas tacos, fish tacos, great salads and plenty of wine to wash it down it a covered garden setting feeling more like Italy read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Sign saying they are Open Every Day. But they are not! - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Ok I don't usually like pizza but you may have turned me into a fan! We were a large group and we sat out back. Our server was so patient and the food was delicious . Meyer lemon pizza was definitely original . The mushroom pizza delicious. Margarita pizza yummy. Pepperoni a little salty ! Great crust. Onion rings were different n I am not sure I'm a fan of their version. Calamari was good . They catered the next party we attended and corn pizza was different too . I'd come back next time I am in the area read more

Corkscrew Cafe - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Great atmosphere, service, fantastic salads and pizza. The butternut squash pizza was amazing. One of the best meals I've had in a long time! read more

Very nice place we tried the heirloom tomatoes salad and Lemon,arugula,prosciutto pizza was excellent but my favorite was there tiramisu was probably the best I've ever had Our server I didn't get his name but he was very helpful I did watch the guy cooking the pizza which he watched over the pizza kept turning it and made it with no burn spots they were perfect read more

By far, one of the best cheeseburgers we have had in a long time. Their pizzas were also delicious! In such a beautiful area in Carmel, we got to sit outside and really enjoy it! read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Lemon pizza and burger - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

We had mushroom pizza and 2 salads Pear and Caesar. Fresh with delicious dressing. Friendly service Dogs outside, yay. We will return soon. read more

In between wine tasting at Carmel Valley, I will be here at Corkscrew Cafe for lunch. Adorable is this little cottage. Cozy and pretty setting in and out. Especially wonderful was the service this afternoon. A delightful menu influenced by local ingredients. "Meyer Lemon Pizza" is my must. Sweet, tart, savory bites of Meyer lemon, prosciutto, shaved Parmesan, arugula, piled on top of a perfectly charred crust. CHEERS! read more

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Food here is always spot on. Went two times in one week after a few months away. Pizza quality and options yummy. Haystack is amazing. Both indoor and outdoor seating cozy. Service is solid to very good read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Haystack and fresh lemonade - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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Unfortunately, this place wasn't what we expected. First the good, beautiful ambience, kind attentive service. The food was just OK -not awful, but for what they're charging ($22 for the smallest Caesar salad I ever eaten) $7 for mostly ice lemonade. The food has to be better so people don't feel robbed. We went on a rainy day so I don't know if it wasn't the norm, but the place was infested with flies. We spent the entire meal trying to get them away from our food. Like I mentioned, maybe it was the rain that brought them in.. I wouldn't go back to this restaurant mostly because of the value read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Sausage pizza - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California