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    Le Souffle

    4.8 (122 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndFrench
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm

    Le Souffle Photos

    LE SOUFFLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Dressy

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    Recommended Reviews - Le Souffle

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    Tareq B.

    A quaint restaurant staffed by folks who are doing it for the love of it. The service is very personal. They are friendly and the food is amazing. We had the prefix menu for $78 PP which came with a freshly made salad. It was sliced sugar peas with carrots and herbs. The sauce was buttermilk style ranch , but herbs were amazing. For main course we had the crab savory soufflé. The desert was amazing. We both had the Grand Marnier. All in all it was amazing.

    Baguette with house-made butter
    Bella S.

    A very small and quaint French restaurant. They only serve 4 tables each day during their limited lunch hours of 11:30am-2pm by reservations only ($50/person). They have a relatively simple menu where you choose from a starter course, main entree course, and a dessert course; each person is $78. Service was very friendly and the food came out a good pace. All courses are shuffle based of course. 1. Lafayette Baguette with House-made Butter (3/5) The baguette was crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. Minus 1 star because it was not sliced all the way through, which made pulling each slice apart a pain. Also, we felt their house-made butter was nothing special. It tasted like regular store-bough butter decorated on top with salt and dill. 2. Frisee Salad with Caramelized Pear and Hazelnuts (5/5) A very light and refreshing appetizer. The dressing was subtly tart, but not rich or heavy. The caramelized pears were super soft, delicious and not too sweet. The hazelnuts added a very nice crunch. 3. Alsatian Style Mushroom Soufflé with Mushroom Riesling Sauce (5/5) The souffle itself was nice and fluffy. It's so fragile and cute. The sauce had a good mushroom taste, but is not overwhelming. Creamy and airy = excellent 2. Roquefort Souffle (5/5) It's basically made of clue cheese, so you either love it or don't. I am a cheese lover, so this was perfect for me. The top had a very fragrant and crispy baked cheese while the inside was soft, airy blue cheese. It did not stink like stinky feet as I would expect, so that was a pleasant surprise. I have to say, the main entree course was large in portion and was very filling. 3. Chocolate Soufflé with house-made Vanilla Bean Ice cream (5/5) The souffle was again light and airy, but had a very nice chocolatey taste. Paired with their real vanilla ice cream, it is heavenly. The ice cream was not waxy, overly sweet and had a very nice vanilla flavor to it. This is how vanilla ice creams should be. 4. Grand Marnier Souffle (5/5) A buttery and slightly eggy soufflé that is paired with their sauce that had a subtle brandy flavor that was not overpowering or sweet. A very pleasant souffle per my partner. Overall, a fantastic experience that left us with smiles and a full stomach. Well worth it!

    Ian L.

    I made a Yelp account just to review this restaurant. Truly one of the best dining experiences I've had in California, and not something can easily be found elsewhere. The soufflés were cooked perfectly, and the taste of every single one of them was to die for. The service was great, and the restaurant felt cozy yet refined. I will absolutely go again next time I'm in Carmel, even if that means taking a day off of work.

    Mushroom sauce
    Ellen S.

    Found this gem from reviews for a special meal while in Carmel. It does not disappoint. It's very intimate ... 5 total tables so I'm assuming seatings are on the 15 min mark (11:30, 11:45, 12, etc) so that they can manage the flow of the meal as the entree and dessert are souffles and those are delicate and take time. The woman who greets you is warm and friendly and very helpful. The person making the dishes is the owner and chef and does everything else. The menu is straightforward - first, second and third course with 3-4 items per category to select from. When ordering with someone else, try different things so you get the most of the meal. Started with the grilled nectarine salad which was amazing. Loved the charred / smokey/ grilled flavor the nectarine gives off and the dressing is a tangy, cheesy, tart wonderful bite. My hubby ordered the chilled corn soup which is refreshing and light, especially as it's been a warm week in CA. I also ordered the bread and butter (which is the third option on the First course) and there is an add'l cost for it, but it is SO, SO, SO WORTH it. The chef makes the butter himself. It's dense, creamy, rich and sprinkled with sea salt. The bread is warm out of the oven with a crusty/crunchy exterior and pillowy soft inside. It's vacation so ok to splurge. I had the lobster sauce and my husband had the mushroom sauce for our entree. The souffles are identical (at least I think they are) and it's the sauce that makes all the difference. The lobster sauce reminded me of the lobster bisque that The Sardine Factory had been famous for. Generous amounts of nice sized lobster bites in a buttery, creamy sauce. To die for. The mushroom sauce is packed with mushrooms and that earthy, meaty mouth feel and taste. If you are a mushroom fan, order this! Finally for dessert my husband ordered the seasonal special which is raspberry souffle. It comes out light with a whipped mousse texture bursting with fresh, tart, sweet raspberries. A must order if you love fresh raspberries. I ordered the chocolate souffle which was lovely ... bittersweet chocolate so not overly sweet but just the right amount of cocoa to let you know what your enjoying. Both came with their delicious homemade vanilla ice cream which was so dense (custard like) consistency and flavorful. If there is a special occasion or you want to splurge (as you deserve it) make reservations and come here. It's well worth it!

    Grilled nectarine salad
    Denise L.

    We arrived early for our reservation, but we were taken right on time. Don't go without a reservation. They don't always take you as a walk in. The restaurant is quiet with calming music and just a few tables. The food was wonderful. We tried the salads and two of the entrees and two of the desserts. Everything was wonderful!

    Garlic soufflé with Dungeness crab sauce
    Christopher A.

    The afternoon menu at Le Soufflé is so delectable! I recommend the garlic soufflé with crab sauce.

    Dinner menu 5/28/23
    Julie S.

    Those rave reviews are really worth it. Le Souffle is a small intimate restaurant and you definitely need to make a reservation ahead of time. Though it didn't seem overly busy when we were there on a Sunday night, I couldn't get a similar table on a Friday or Saturday. The service was very hospitable and I felt like the waitresses who served us seemed to enjoy working there and enjoy the food - which helps if you ask for a recommendation and they are actually familiar with the choices! I started with the spring salad and my friend got the pate as her starter. I ordered the garlic souffle with crab sauce - and the crab sauce was full of luscious crab meat. I also had the chocolate souffle for dessert and it was really perfect, not too sweet with a good chocolate taste. My friend got the cheese souffle for her dessert and I ended up eating the leftovers from it the next day and it was great. I think this restaurant is the epitome of "doing a small menu really well." I would definitely come back and see what other dishes they offer in different seasons!

    Peter L.

    Returned to this hidden gem souffle restaurant. The winter menu differred from the previous fall menu, but the food and service are still fantastic. Bread was still served piping hot with butter. Salads are light & refreshing. We got the 2-course meal this time. The souffles were rich & airy. The mushroom souffle had good umami esp with the mushroom sauce. Duck l'orange souffle was a new experience. The sauce was rich & thick and slightly gamey, with shredded duck meat to boot. I simply poured the mixture onto the souffle. I sorely missed the strawberry souffle and the pinot noir that were the previous fall menu. As always rsvp is a must for one of the 6 coveted tables. I have attached a video link below for my dining experience. https://youtu.be/LPdwjL3KZOE

    French onion soup was packed with caramelized onions and not too cheesy
    Leonard S.

    Everything we were hoping for! We were able to book on a Thursday and were warmly greeted. Hot French tread with fresh butter to start. My wife ordered the fennel and cara cara orange and pecan salad and the mushroom Souffle. I ordered the French onion soup, garlic and Dungeness crab souffle, and grand Marnier souffle for dessert. All were outstanding, served without a glitch or any of fhe three soufflés falling. A very nice glass of rose champagne to round out the celebration. Pretty and elegant decor with lots of windows to view the setting sun and trees. Service was friendly and excellent. And reasonably priced for a very filling meal (we took home some leftovers). Will be back!

    Loved the simple and comfortable chairs
    Suzette C.

    It was our first time having any kind of souffle. Their menu changes as the season does. For $93 a person you each get a starter course, entree course, and dessert. The fare presented exhibited quality and quantity in satisfying our hunger. There is plenty of nearby street parking. We were greeted with a warm gesture. Their service continued to be so throughout the entire night. For a place that others would see as "fancy," they are far from the typical snobbery mannerism. They are very thoughtful and attentive when engaging with customers. They are open for dinner service Thursday- Sunday from beginning at 5 pm. Reservations are done online https://lesoufflecarmel.com/ and are required to experience this wonderful meal. Borscht was such a comforting soup. I wanted to bring a bowel back to the hotel. We both loved the bouillabaisse. Seafood wasn't over cooked at all. The flavorful garlic souffle impressed my husband! The seasonal fall entree Morrocan dish was one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had. It was cooked all the way through while still being moist. I sincerely enjoyed each bite! The souffle desserts were the cherry on top to our evening. Not overwhelmingly sweet at all. There is a reason for all the superb reviews! Come and see for yourself to appreciate this humble place called the Le Souffle.

    Strawberry Soufflé with Strawberry ice cream.
    Jennifer H.

    What a special dining experience! I showed up for a leisurely lunch, and was greeted by the co-owner who welcomed me to my table by the window (hint: all the tables are by the window). She assured me that all the items on the menu were incredibly prepared by the chef (the other co-owner). And she was right! I enjoyed the salmon with citrus, the garlic soufflé with lobster sauce, and the strawberry soufflé with homemade ice cream. Her wine recommendations were perfect. I understand this is a popular place for locals. And I understand why! I truly felt like I was a guest dining in her home. The lunch was beautiful!

    Seasonal Apple soufflé with caramel ice cream

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    What a great place. Food, service and setting were amazing. Very friendly and food was delicious.

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    Ask the Community - Le Souffle

    Does anyone know whether their soufflés are gluten free? I’ve read that soufflés may or may not contain gluten (wheat flour).

    They do not advertise their soufflés as gluten free, thus strongly suspect they likely are not since naturally a souffle would have gluten

    Are they child friendly?

    I believe they are, but a noisy child would ruin the experience for others. A $400 meal in a very small place that only serves 2 tables at a time should not include shouting and crying. Well-behaved kids are probably welcome almost anywhere.

    Can you come here and just have dessert?

    As far as I know, they only serve two- or three-course dinners. It's a small restaurant with reservations required; not a drop-in place.

    Is this business dog friendly?

    No, it is not a place to bring a dog.

    View All 5 Questions

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    PortaBella

    PortaBella

    4.3
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    Took a day trip to Carmel and popped in to PortaBella on a Sunday for lunch…read more Touristy spots can be hit or miss so I was a bit worried, but the food here was phenomenal! I had the Linguini Ai Frutti Di Mare and it was perfect. The house-made noodles were the star-- chewy and thick-- plus the lobster cream sauce was decadent. The ambiance was nice and service pretty good as well. I would like to come back to have their pasta again!

    The number of reviews and ratings might be deceiving, or maybe we just got unlucky with a busy…read morefather's day weekend. Either way, it started good with a nice cheese board, but went downhill fast. Service was rushed, didn't ask if we wanted sparkling/bottled water, forgot the straw for a cocktail, nearly forgot to come back to order main course and take the menus out of the way in an already busy table. What threw us off though were the mains, the mushroom risotto for my wife and the scallops for me. The risotto was just bad, and not because I am a picky Italian. I'd suggest the chef to cut drastically on that cream, it makes it heavy and not creamy at all. Use butter and grated parmesan with cooking water instead but keep it very light, you want to taste those mushrooms! While at it, chop the mushrooms in smaller chunks. Go lighter on the truffle oil, which otherwise overpowers the mushrooms flavors. No shaved cheap parmesan on top; instead get some actual parmigiano and grate it at the table if wanted. Finally, cut the portion size, nobody is going to eat half a pound of it; an actual portion size should be like the one that comes with the scallops Ah I forgot, one of the scallops was sandy and you don't need to drawn them in butter; focus on quality rather than quantity.

    Photos
    PortaBella
    Smoked Salmon with Pistachio Herb Goat Cheese Salad
    Smoked Salmon with Pistachio Herb Goat Cheese Salad
    Ambiance

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    Ambiance
    Casanova

    Casanova

    3.8
    (2k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    Very charming French Country farmhouse electric menu…read more Incredible menu with varied entrees. We ordered stuffed mushrooms and Gnocchi for appetizers. The Mussels were delicious so was the Cannelloni. Authentic artisanal flavors food made from scratch. Enjoyable atmosphere very relaxed and very pleasant. The service was incredible..

    I've been coming here the same time every year for the past 3 years, the dinner before my Monterey…read moreHalf Marathon. It's always been such a treat to myself. For Father's Day, I decided to take my husband for the 1st time for Father's Day. I asked for a spicy margarita and the waiter said, "The kitchen has not peppers." I asked, "If instead of the sides that come with my steak, could I just get a naked simple salad... just a bunch of leaves?" He said, "They do not do substitutions." I told him that they've done it before. I told him I was just there last November. I asked the waitress. She said she'd ask the chef. When she came back, she said it's one of their normal salads that are premade and if that was ok. I said, "yes. Thank you." There was no charge. The waitress made me feel like she wanted to help and actually did. Our waiter last night said that if I want a salad, I'd have to order salad for the regular salad price. Then, he said they found peppers in the kitchen and could make my margarita spicy. Admittedly, initially, I was shocked the kitchen didn't have any peppers, a Michelin Guide restaurant. This waiter was terrible and acted like he did not want to help. I ordered brocollini instead bc it was cheaper than having to order an additional salad. The waiter apologized and asked if I read the no substitution rule on the menu... Really? The waiter said we have never done substitutions before. This surprised me bc they did for me last November. My toddler is sitting next to me. I don't have the luxury or want to read an entire menu. He said the chef would come out to talk to me. I was find with that in fact wanted that to happen. The chef never came out to talk to us. I will never come back to this restaurant. I'm sad bc I run the Monterey Half every year and this was a treat to myself. But never again. Sad to want to share a nice place to my husband for Father's Day and to have a terrible waiter and experience in what was supposed be magical as every time I've been here before.

    Photos
    Part of the indoor seating
    Part of the indoor seating
    ESCARGOT DE BOURGOGNE: GARLIC BUTTER, BAGUETTE.
    ESCARGOT DE BOURGOGNE: GARLIC BUTTER, BAGUETTE.
    Cannelloni

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    Cannelloni
    Little Napoli

    Little Napoli

    3.9
    (2.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    We were visiting Monterey and Carmel for our one year anniversary and decided to try out Little…read moreNapoli - and it did not disappoint! I made a reservation for my husband and I online the week of our trip (the website and online reservation was super easy to use) and I was able to select outdoor seating since we were bringing our dog with us. Bonus: they are dog friendly! When we arrived we were able to find street parking right away (there is lots of street parking in the area). We were greeted by a very warm and friendly hostess. Our waitress was equally as amazing very attentive to us, refilling our drinks when needed (including the dog's water bowl) and checking in with us. The food was so yummy and delicious. We got the garlic bread to start and it was so light and airy. I was worried the bread was going to be heave and dense and that I would get full from it, but it was the opposite. The garlic and cheese added so much flavor to the bread. My husband got the Fangool pizza which he said was absolutely delicious and finished the whole thing. I got the cheese ravioli and it was also delicious, the cheese in the ravioli was so good and the pasta was cooked perfectly. It is a very cute place to eat and we actually enjoyed sitting in the patio with the cute decor it made you feel like you were eating in Italy. We will definitely be coming back here next time we're in the area.

    Every trip to Carmel deserves a dining experience at Little Napoli. If you are a lover of Italian…read morefood...THIS IS YOUR PLACE!!! Nestled in the heart of downtown Carmel, once you are parked, walk into this vintage rustic restaurant with nods to Frank Sinatra. They have seating indoor and out as well as a beautiful fireplace on those colder days. Our server was witty, engaging, and exceptional! We ordered truffle gnocchi, garlic bread, pear & Gorgonzola salad, and margarita pizza. Their portions are perfectly sized to share...which we did. We always leave here happy and satisfied and know you will too! Bravo Little Napoli!

    Photos
    Outside the restaurant
    Outside the restaurant
    Asparagus with bread crumbs
    Asparagus with bread crumbs
    Doc Pepe Old Fashioned

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    Doc Pepe Old Fashioned
    Foray

    Foray

    4.7
    (164 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$$

    Foray completely delivered, the food felt thoughtful and intentional without trying too hard. Each…read moredish was balanced and beautifully executed. You can tell the chef is pushing to become the best. Nothing was over complicated, just clean flavors done at a very high level. It's rare to leave a restaurant feeling genuinely impressed by the cooking itself, but that was the case here. Major credit to the chef, the ambition and attention to detail are obvious. We are excited to dine at Foray again!

    Beautiful experience from start to finish. The ambiance is stunning. Lighting is well adjusted and…read morecustomizable to your preference. Service was prompt, professional and engaging. Every dish felt personal. We chose to dabble in the 3 course menu in hopes to maximize our experience and it delivered! Chef Michael is truly a visionary and brought us an experience we will not forget. The tide tumbled oysters with pomegranate granita is the best I've ever had. The texture and flavor were pinnacle to anything else I've had thus far. My other half does not even like oysters and was proud to be able to enjoy them, and that was just the beginning... please do yourself a favor and indulge here. You will love everything that comes to your table AND pairings are expertly done. Each pairing that we had elevated every dish to an extraordinary level. Between chef Michael's cuisine, and pairings from Jose Gutierrez you will leave completely satiated and happy.

    Photos
    Inside the venue
    Inside the venue
    Black Cod
    Black Cod
    Short ribs

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    Short ribs

    Le Souffle - french - Updated June 2026

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