Amazing service and amazing food! We absolutely loved our meal at Il Tegamino in Carmel-by-the-Sea…read more I had the gnocchi, and I cannot say enough about how good it was! It was perfectly cooked, so flavorful, and had cheese, cheese, and more cheese in the best possible way. Rich and delicious without being too much. I would absolutely order it again! My niece had the linguine pescatore, which was also delicious. We normally don't like pasta dishes that are too soupy or have so much sauce that the pasta ends up drowning in it, but this one was perfect. The amount of sauce was just right, and all the seafood tasted incredibly fresh. Everything together gave the dish this slightly sweet, fresh seafood flavor that we really loved. And I have to mention that gnocchi one more time because it really was THAT good! Definitely one of the highlights of the meal. Atmosphere was just right.. quiet and cute just like most little restaurants in Carmel by the sea. We finished with the tiramisu, which was another surprise. So delicious, with this wonderful little crunchy topping that added a really nice texture. Great food, wonderful service, and a meal we thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. We will definitely be back!

Such a cozy quiet spot in Carmel! A little hidden, a little dim, a lot of warmth :) Intimate space…read moreboth inside and outside, and even if fully packed I don't think it would interrupt the dining experience. My friend and I made a dinner reservation a couple weeks in advance, and it wasn't too crowded on Mother's Day weekend! Rucolina ($18): Salad to share, perfect amount for 2. Arugula, beets, Gorgonzola, candied walnuts are a classic combo and we polished it. Linguine Alla Pescatora ($45): I thought it was so funny two girls next to us ordered this to share, but my friend ate it all by herself LOL. A huge dish of seafood, they don't skimp! I tried a mussel and the sauce was excellent. Gnocchi (small $22, large $44): I was hesitant about ordering gnocchi because I never like the gnocchi I've ordered at other Italian restaurants. Never thought me a gnocchi snob, but here I am. But other reviews raved about Il Tegamino's gnocchi (our waitress included) so I did it. Ok fine it's the best gnocchi I've ever had. Pillowy soft, straight out of the oven, still sizzling and bubbling when it was placed in front of me. It was cheesy and potatoey without either flavor overpowering the other, and the mushroom truffle sauce is IT. It needs the sauce. I ordered the large and had leftovers to share with my mom, but you bet I could've finished it. I would come back just for this! We picked this place expecting it to be a treat and a bit of a splurge, so we expected the prices. Our server was lovely; my friend loves sweeter white wines but a Moscato wasn't on the menu. She disappeared into the kitchen and came back out with a heavy pour of Moscato and my friend loved it! I first thought it was bold of her to assume she'd want the full glass but she was right :)

As usual the food is great. The service as well. We came back after our kids help us celebrate or…read more50th wedding anniversary here and they did a spectacular job. When we come over from the hot valley always plan to have dinner at this establishment.

Would never return. We chose this restaurant for my bachelorette dinner and the experience was…read moredisappointing from the moment we walked in. Paula, the hostess (and possibly an owner according to all the other reviews here), was dismissive and treated our group with obvious disrespect while warmly interacting with other tables around us. We were the largest group in the restaurant and the only Asian American group. Everyone in our party was Asian except for one white guest, who was the only person Paula spoke happily to and even joked with when he asked where the restroom was. The contrast in how our group was treated was hard to ignore and left us feeling singled out. Our server was nice, but the poor hospitality overshadowed what should have been a special celebration. I left feeling unwelcome and I hope no one else has a similar experience.

We haven't been to Lillians in a couple of years, and the quality has declined. We ordered bread…read morewith tapenade to start. While the tapenade was good, the bread seemed like tough grocery store bread. My husband's chicken was so dry, he had trouble chewing it. I ordered the salmon on risotto special. While the salmon was tasty, the risotto was sitting in a pool of olive oil. We were very disappointed.

The food hit the spot. I had the chicken Parmesan on a bed of rigatoni noodles and marinara. It was…read moredelicious. The service was very friendly. I was seated right away. I thought it was going to be a wait because the place was packed. The table service was very friendly and always timely. She checked backed on me more than just taking the initial order. Since the place was packed it was pretty loud inside. You could still hear the piano music in the background. Next time I am back in town, I will definitely recommend Lillian's for a dinner for the team I work with. I know they will enjoy it as much as I did.

This place was delicious! When you walk into the restaurant you just seat yourself and someone will…read morecome and help you. We ordered the crab ravioli and diavola pizza, it was plenty of food for the two of us, we were so full after. The crab ravioli were huge, filled with crab meat and the sauce had a hint of sweetness to it. It got quite filling as we were eating it so pizza to pair with it was perfect. The diavola pizza was also delicious, the crust was perfectly crunchy and bouncy. It had a slight spicy kick to it to balance out the savory. The spicy salami on it was very good too.

Celebrating my niece's going away to UCLA!…read more I was able to reserve the private library room for our party of 8 with no extra charge. It was nice to have the room all to ourselves. Their apps are the strongpoint at Little Napoli: my niece loved the truffled gnocchi. The garlic bread, calamari and meatballs were good too. I got the lamb osso bucco and my fiancé got the cioppino and added on the spaghetti. The portions here are very healthy. I could barely touch my osso bucco, but thought it was ok. The mashed potatoes were fluffy and creamy. The osso bucco was actually way better leftover two days later when it all melded together. The others thought their entrees were alright too, I didn't try them even though they offered. :) You'll be stuffed, but get the dessert anyways! We got a creme brûlée which was creamy and nicely caramelized, but the big winner here was the Carmel bakery brownie. So rich and decadent! Service was friendly and quick. Street parking only. I'd come back for apps and dessert.

Stopped by Portabella in Carmel on a whim for lunch and it ended up being such a good choice!…read more Instead of the usual bread and butter, they brought out bread with their house-made pesto, which was light, fresh, and not too strong. I had to stop myself from filling up on that alone lol. We ordered the grilled salmon and oven-braised short rib. The salmon was a huge piece, perfectly crisp on the outside without being overcooked, and not fishy at all. It came with garlicky mashed potatoes and was honestly one of the best salmon dishes I've had. The short rib was also delicious--super fork-tender with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies. Everything was flavorful, and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. Definitely a great lunch find! It's also right by the water, so there are plenty of places to stroll around afterward and walk off the meal haha. Enjoy!

After checking into our hotel and taking a nice walk along the beach, we stumbled upon this cute…read morelittle restaurant nearby. Portabella is tucked into a quaint little downtown area surrounded by local restaurants and shops, and it was definitely bustling when we arrived. Good thing we made reservations! Street parking was the only option, so we drove around for a bit before finally finding a spot about a block away. Once we arrived, we were greeted at the door with big smiles and immediately shown to our table. We were given the choice of sitting inside or outside, and we opted for the outdoor patio. The fresh sea breeze was perfect, especially since it was a little warm inside. We started with the corn and crab bisque, portobello mushroom cream soup, and grilled prawns. The fresh sourdough bread with pesto butter was SO good--warm, soft, and perfect for dipping. The corn and crab bisque was flavorful and comforting, but the real star for me was the portobello mushroom cream soup. It was warm, velvety, rich, and packed with that deep, savory umami flavor. Definitely a must-try! Dinner arrived not too long after, and my wild mushroom risotto came out smelling absolutely divine. The risotto was creamy and comforting, with tender mushrooms throughout and a delicious savory, nutty truffle flavor that really brought everything together. It was rich without being overly heavy, and the earthy mushroom and truffle flavors made every bite so satisfying. My husband ordered the pan-seared scallops with pea risotto and asparagus, and his dish looked just as delicious. The scallops were beautifully seared with a golden-brown crust, while the creamy pea risotto added a fresh, slightly sweet flavor. The asparagus rounded everything out with a nice crisp, earthy bite. He really enjoyed his dinner too! Of course, we had to finish the night with dessert. We ordered the bread pudding topped with French vanilla ice cream, and it was the perfect ending. Warm, nutty, comforting, and only lightly sweetened, with the cold, creamy ice cream melting over the top. Just the right amount of sweetness after dinner. As the restaurant filled up, the service became a little slower, but everyone remained friendly, welcoming, and attentive. I also loved the cozy atmosphere--the cute cottage-like exterior and the small, intimate feel made it feel like one of those charming neighborhood spots you're happy to discover while traveling. Definitely recommend! I would highly suggest making reservations ahead of time because this little spot gets busy. It's also pet-friendly, with outdoor seating available on both the front and back patios. A cute, cozy find near the beach with delicious soups, memorable risottos, beautifully prepared scallops, and a lovely laid-back atmosphere.

Everything was great! After seeing the negative reviews I was nervous about eating here. The food…read morewas delicious. We all raved about the meatballs. I had the shrimp scampi and it was so good, I ate the whole thing. The service was excellent. The waitress was very attentive and checked on us often even though it was a Saturday night. This was for a special occasion and it met all of our expectations.

Went with a group of 15 on a Wednesday evening. Seated on patio, with only one other table…read moreseated. We were seated for over half an hour before our server returned for drink orders. They didn't start arriving for quite a while and multiple drinks were incorrect. It was well over an hour before our food order was taken. We were almost two hours in before the food started arriving. The salads that came with meals were good. A number of folks ordered the bisque and after some entrees were already being served to some, our sever said they were out of bisque, but making some more. About a half hour later the bisque came and everyone said it was cold. I'll just describe my meal, but there were issues with others as well. I ordered the halibut ($44). It was served atop mashed potatoes and asparagus. The potatoes were cold. The fish was a very thin filet (was it even halibut?), breaded and grilled. It was so hard and dry I had to use a knife to cut it. It was mostly breading and not much fish. If we were not guests of the dinner coordinator, I would have sent it back.. Our group understands the challenge of serving a big group, but this was beyond unacceptable. Is there any management oversight? Who's training the kitchen? We were seated for over three hours just to get through our meals, with no appetizers or deserts ordered. The restaurant was not busy for inside seating either.

The food was so good last time that I decided to come back with my family for my birthday dinner…read more There were eight of us with a 5pm reservation and the hostess kindly seated us a little bit early on the patio. The service at Cafe Rustica is outstanding. We had a waiter who took our orders, another one serving our food, and a third pouring water. All were very friendly and professional. I ordered the chicken apple sausage dish I loved so much last time. Others in the party ordered chicken, pinto bean soup, and I think the salmon. Everyone enjoyed their food. My sister surprised me with a small birthday cake she had purchased earlier from a bakery. The waiter brought us small plates and forks and we all had a piece.

My husband and I had a delightful evening at Cafe Rustica! After spending time in the hustle and…read morescene of CBTS, the vibe of this restaurant and surrounding businesses was just what we were after for a cozy, delicious, dinner. Roman took amazing care of us, efficient and friendly and making sure our plates weren't empty for long. Made great recommendations on the menu. Food was incredible, all seems to be homemade/from scratch, and had great flavors. Grilled shrimp skewers, beet salad, butter lettuce salad, lentil soup, vegetarian pizza, and passion fruit sorbet, finished with a decaf americano... would order it all again in a heartbeat! Memorably good spot for us!

The Casanova Restaurant is an excellent dining choice when visiting Carmel by the Sea…read more The staff and the food was both exceptional. I recommended trying the Crostata, Gnocchi, Beet Salad, and the Cappelletti. Parking is challenging but be patience.

The food here is surprisingly good, and well worth it. The flavors are comparable to fine dining,…read morewhile portions are filling and satisfying enough for casual cuisine. The Spanish octopus was delightfully tender and paired well with an acidic dressing and greens. The crispy potatoes were well fried, being lightly crunchy while maintaining a fluffy interior. The gnocchi was good, but the least impressive, since it was largely relying on cream for flavor. The spinach didn't really come through. We went with the ribeye, which had a delightful crust yet was still juicy. The mushrooms were a mix of chanterelles, morels, and scored trumpet mushrooms sauted in a lovely wine sauce. Service isn't anything to write home about, but the food is certainly worth turning some heads.

It's yum-yummy. I had the eggplant Parmesan and it was to die for, smothered in the tastiest fresh…read moretomato sauce. Also served with it was a tomato-basil bruschetta, garlic bread, and for dessert the most delicious panna cotta, so silky and smooth. I should have gotten an extra one for later. The servings are large and I even had enough for lunch the next day. I'm looking forward to trying the raviola dish next. I come from an Italian family and I am familiar with Italian food and was raised eating lots of pasta dishes. This little kitchen does not disappoint.

great food I will probably try it again had the spaghetti and garlic bread so the service was very…read moregood and fast

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!