Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Mission Ranch

    3.9 (1.3k reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 10:30 AM, 3:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Mission Ranch Takeout

    Mission Ranch Photos

    MISSION RANCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Classy
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Mission Ranch

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Prime rib
    Keyiona R.

    My colleague retired so we celebrated her with dinner at Mission Ranch Inn. It was my first time and the day was overcast but it was still beautiful and we saw the sheep! It was hustling and bustling and we had to wait about 30 minutes for a party of 7. We ordered the filet mignon, prime rib, bacon wrapped porch chop, fish of the day which was sea bass. For dessert not pictured was the crème burlee, bread pudding, and affogato. Some of us got the same meal. I had the prime rib median well and I wasn't expecting it be so big! It was tender and came with veggies and a baked potato. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the veggies were cooked. I'm not a huge fan of squash but I really enjoyed it. I had left overs because of how big the steak was. We also had a basket of garlic bread which was good. It wasn't the best garlic bread I've had but it was and they gave us a lot. I tried both the bread pudding and affogato which were delicious. All were made in house including the ice cream. Overall, it was a great experience as the ambiance was amazing. It was like three different sections: outside, inside, and closer to the bar area which got really packed. I want to return to experience the Sunday brunch.

    1/2 wedge salad (split with my mom)
    Sara H.

    Wow, we loved our dinner at Mission Ranch! First of all, the prime rib was cooked to perfection... so tender and the fat melts in your mouth. It comes with zucchini and a twice baked potato that are also incredible. The free bread basket has fresh garlic bread and was so delicious too! Their views are unbeatable. And the vibes are great too with live music and singing at the piano in front of the restaurant. Definitely show up early to put your name on the list since there can be a 1-2 hour wait. We were told a 90 min wait, but it ended up only being 1 hour. We hung out in front of the sheep pasture & the drove around Carmel while we waited. It was perfect!

    garlic bread
    Karen N.

    mission ranch was on every single carmel-by-the-sea itinerary that i had come across, so i knew i had to visit at least once! we came around 4 PM for the early grazing/cocktail menu and were seated right away with a front view of the ranch. we mainly came bc we wanted to see the sheep grazing, but we were unfortunately seated behind a giant fireplace and weren't able to see any sheep during our meal... it was also cloudy we went, so the views weren't as nice as i had seen in pics with the sun, but that couldn't be helped ofc! moving onto the food, i'd say that it was overall good but nothing outstanding that would make me come back solely for the food. i think mission ranch is definitely best for the views! - crispy calamari: had a crispy batter, and the calamari was soft with a good chew! - bbq beef ribs: these were really tender and fell off the bone! the sauce was a good sweet & salty balance. - clam chowder: this was okay, but it was missing some depth and clam flavor personally. there were definitely better clam chowders elsewhere in monterey bay and carmel. - garlic bread: good and crispy, but it was just bread LOL it was yummy dipping it into the clam chowder tho! - orange sunrise: this cocktail was kinda expensive for how little alcohol was actually in the drink, and it tasted alright. nothing memorable i'd say. overall, mission ranch was a fun place to visit for the vibes! i think it's a good place to visit at least once during your carmel trip.

    Shrimp cocktail and smoked salmon appetizer
    Julie L.

    Came here for my birthday dinner and it was a very memorable experience. It was a Thursday and the wait was close to 2 hours (walk ins only), but we got a couple drinks and walked around the property which sits on a farm with the cutest sheep's! The view was stunning, we sat on the grass area sheep watching, and we chose to sit inside since it was getting dark by the time we got seated. We ordered a few appetizers to share, and for the main course we got the pork chop and prime rib. Pork chop was juicy and perfectly cooked, however the prime rib seemed like it was reheated since the outer part was well done when we ordered medium rare. There was live music throughout the night which we absolutely loved, the vibes were awesome. And since it was my birthday they gave me a free ice cream sundae with a candle and sang to me as well! It was our first time to Carmel by the Sea but it most definitely won't be our last, and we will be back to Mission Ranch every time when we come up!

    View from the bar
    James S.

    Wow! This place is fantastic! On our last night in town, we ate dinner here. We arrived a little after 5pm and were told it was 60-90 minute wait, which we were fine with. We were able to get seats at the bar and hung out there until our table was ready at about the 90 min mark. The vibe of the building, views, quality of service and food/drinks were all top notch. I had a steak, and my girl, had the bolognese. Both were fantastic. This spot was the highlight of my 3 days trip. The next time I visit the area I'll definitely eat here again. I'd want to stay at the resort as well.

    Samantha B.

    This has to be one of the most memorable, wonderful dining experiences I have ever had!!! and I have traveled to 20+ countries! We absolutely loved our dinner at Mission Ranch. Before dining, we got to print around the property and taking the beautiful views and architecture, admire the sheep, take some gorgeous photos, and we even got to see a proposal!!! The ambiance in the restaurant was something straight out of a Hallmark movie and all of the staff were so wonderful. The food was so amazing and it was so beautiful watching the sun go down at the window while we enjoyed our meal. You absolutely need to stop here for dinner or brunch when you visit Carmel!!!

    Breakfast menu
    James A.

    The Mission Ranch Restaurant in Carmel, California has its history dating back to the 1850s, when the land was used as a dairy farm. It fell into disrepair, and the valuable land was going to be turned into condominiums in 1986. Instead, the mayor of Carmel at the time, Clint Eastwood, purchased the ranch and restored it, changing its use to be a hotel and restaurant, which it is still today. My wife, her mom, and I were staying nearby during our visit to Carmel, and after visiting the basilica, decided to stop in for an early dinner. We found the experience to be memorable. The restaurant has inside seating, and the coveted outdoor patio seating overlooking a 22 acre pasture leading down to the river. The Sunday brunch had ended at 13:30, and the restaurant had reopened at 15:00 for something called early grazing (limited cocktail seating and cold appetizer menu). Dinner starts at 17:00, and reservations are not accepted, so wasn't sure how long the wait would be. We got there by 16:30, parking in the spots for the hotel and walking to the restaurant. There was a line leading into the restaurant, so that gave a clue of where to go. Once we got to the front, put our name down and given a pager. We were given a choice of indoor or outdoor, but since were told the outdoor wait would be 90 minutes, chose indoor instead. We weren't given a wait time, but were told a better idea would be given once dinner service began at 5. There isn't much to see or do, so found some bench seating and waited. A continuous stream of people continued to put their name down. There's definitely a priority/VIP system here, which makes sense, and it seemed like hotel guests were given priority. At 5, there was a longer line that didn't move nearly as fast, and the hostess announced to the line that outdoor seating had a 2 plus hour wait. At 17:11, the pager went off. As we followed the server, she mentioned that they had found us a table outside and that hopefully we didn't mind (we were delighted). The patio was indeed full and our table was at the back, but still did provide some nice scenery. It was quite brisk outside and the heaters were all going pretty good...even then it was good that we had brought sweaters/jackets. The dinner took about 1.5 hours to complete (felt longer, probably because it was a bit chilly). Service was adequate (nothing rude but certainly not warm either), which was fine. Complementary fresh bread was given, and it was delicious. Beverage service items were a Coke ($4), Aspall Cyder ($9) which my wife enjoyed, and Firestone Walker Cali Orange on tap ($10) which was really good. We ordered two appetizers: a bowl of their clam chowder ($10) which was outstanding, with plenty of clams, perfect consistency, and great flavor and a Mixed Green Salad ($10) that we shared. For main courses (came out over an hour after we got seated), my wife got the beef bourguignon ($42) whose flavor she enjoyed (I stole all the pearl onions and shitake mushroom which I adore, and she doesn't like). The beef chunks (said to be prime NY strip and filet mignon...so basically a T-bone?) were very good, though of course, I wish there was more. It sat on top of whipped potatoes. Her mom got the smoked pork ribs ($36): it was plentiful (a full slab) and the steak fries and cole slaw were good. The dish I got (catch of the day ($38), which ended up being Hawaiian Snapper) was my favorite. It was a THICK loin and had been cooked perfectly, pan fried on the outside to produce a nice crisp crust, but moist on the inside. I enjoyed the sauce that came with it, along with the purple potatoes and asparagus. Dessert was offered, but by this time we had hit the 90 minute mark so decided to call it a night. The check was paid at the table and we slowly walked back to the car. It was a really good dining start to our Northern California visit.

    The view from the patio
    Rikki S.

    Such a beautiful place for drinks and appetizers! My husband and i came here in the early evening for cocktails and a couple apps. The food wasn't anything standout but the drinks and service and views are worth it!

    French Toast
    Brandon H.

    The Two Eggs (Any Style) breakfast and the French Toast were both exceptional, delivering the exact kind of comforting, classic execution you want from a traditional morning meal. The hospitality on the patio was incredibly attentive, perfectly complementing a breathtaking atmosphere where clear ocean views meet the charming sight of sheep grazing in the meadow nearby. It proved to be a phenomenal vacation highlight, and a return visit for an evening glass of wine is definitely on the horizon.

    Sheba S.

    Mission ranch can't be missed when visiting Carmel! The atmosphere is so serene - the view of the ranch with the sheep, and the ocean peaking in the background is something really special. I came here fully acknowledging that dinner at Mission Ranch is likely more for the experience than the food itself. I was pleasantly surprised with what we ordered! The fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp and carrot ginger soup being my favorite. We also got creme brûlée at the end and it was 10/10. Can't wait to come back for their cocktail hour!

    Giant eucalyptus on the ranch grounds.
    Codie H.

    We were looking forward to eating at Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch Restaurant. It was a good experience, but not a great one. The restaurant itself is an old farmhouse, and lends itself to the shabby chic. The place is clean and well kept, but certainly not upscale. We ordered the pork ribs and the baked sea scallops. We try to keep reviews as positive as we can, so of the ribs we simply say: choose another option. Like, for instance, the baked sea scallops! Delicious in a wine based broth with bread soaking up the goodness! Well worth ordering! Service was very good, with a staff who are friendly and accurate. Except for a few special occasions, the restaurant does not take reservations, so plan to arrive at least a half hour before you want to eat. The ranch grounds are beautiful and interesting, and worth a quiet walk after dinner. We liked it (mostly), and we think you will as well.

    Buffet style brunch
    Ariana R.

    My mom grew up watching Clint Eastwoods show & has never been to Carmel so it was her first time & I thought why not take her here to his mission ranch. Came on a Sunday for their brunch! We got there 30 minutes early and there was already a long line. Bathrooms are located directly where the line is near the entrance of the restaurant Staff seats guests groups at a time there was 2 ladies seating groups & they asked our preference inside or outside, we chose outside because it was a clear blue sky sunny day. Our waitress was lovely & after she took our orders for drinks water & mimosas we were up and grabbing our food. Inside a man was playing the piano. The view was breathtaking we had front row to the sheep grazing and even caught a few scratching their backs on the tree branches too cute. If you look passed the sheep you can see the beach. Stunning. We started at the dessert station to grab what we knew we could finish Then we made our way to the team of two gentlemen working side by side creating our omelettes, such hard workers and were really quick at taking omelette requests/cooking while keeping the line moving, at the end of the omelette station they're also cutting us our prime rib. Everything was tasty, they also have a fish/salad bar station & I was pretty stuffed but ended up getting a Greek salad at the end of my meal. By the time we left all the dessert was gone but staff was stocking more & there was still a long line outside. We will def be back for Sunday brunch when back in the area!

    Caesar Salad
    Brett M.

    Had a great classic evening dinner here. The ambiance and people watching is terrific-- food takes a back seat to the back drop in my opinion. The service was fine, drinks were ok, and food was good. You have to know what you're getting coming here-- more for the experience than the food. Timeless place!

    The view from our seat on the patio

    See all

    Photo of Bt O.
    0
    16
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jordan M.
    147
    107
    123

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Linnea S.
    12
    88
    13

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob L.
    0
    10
    1

    3 years ago

    Great local spot. Nice view, good food at a reasonable price. Staff is friendly and view is good if you come while the sun is out.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike H.
    68
    24
    10

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robert K.
    7
    136
    20

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Homiarah H.
    22
    275
    663

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Martha T.
    147
    7
    10

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy S.
    1
    53
    8

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ann W.
    0
    25
    13

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Beautiful deck, fun piano bar, and if you sit inside,a table by the window is great! Food was good!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz A.
    198
    21
    3

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz R.
    141
    16
    0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Barbara C.
    179
    238
    193

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of andrew m.
    0
    108
    22

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gina H.
    12
    95
    161

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paul O.
    6
    45
    21

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Valerie L.
    456
    26
    20

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 12 of 33

    Mission Ranch Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mission Ranch

    Is there a brunch menu?

    Yes there is one.

    Will the sheepies be outside if it's raining?

    Yes!

    What time is happy hour?

    5 pm-7pm

    Is the restaurant open to the public?

    Yes of course! You don't need to be a hotel guest to dine here.

    Still not pet friendly?

    not pet friendly...not even outside

    Does the farmhouse have a living room or a kitchen?

    No kitchen. It does have a communal living room though.

    Do you serve lunch?

    Totally!

    Is it pet friendly?

    Unfortunately the Mission Ranch is not pet friendly. There are sheep on property, so they are sheep friendly :)

    Are there vegan options?

    Really not many vegan options, if at all. This is a meat and seafood restaurant and caters to that type of food on the menu.

    Is this child friendly?

    Yes!

    Has anyone stayed at Charlie's cottage?

    Charlie's cottage is typically not toured or listed when booking rooms. It's a one bedroom stand alone room located near the RANCH TRIPLEX at the back of the property. It's a cute little private place :)

    View All 14 Questions

    Review Highlights - Mission Ranch

    We had a wonderful dinner here & enjoyed watching the sheep grazing below the outdoor seating area.

    Mentioned in 43 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Foray - Poached pear

    Foray

    4.7(166 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$$

    This restaurant was amazing. Had the best/most interesting dish ever offered by the chef as a thank…read moreyou/welcome after picking the pre fixe menu and wine pairing- a fresh oyster with lime/cilantro ice shavings! The entire meal was once in a lifetime.

    We were part of a 20-person wedding dinner, and Foray handled it like pros. Group dinners can get…read morechaotic fast, but the timing, pacing, and service were flawless from start to finish. Every dish arrived at temp, plated beautifully, and with the same attention to detail you'd expect at a two-top. Between my partner and me, we shared the Wagyu tartare, seared scallops, 30-day aged bluefin tuna, and the foraged mushroom risotto. Every bite felt intentional. The tartare was silky and perfectly seasoned, the scallops were caramelized and tender, and the bluefin was rich and clean with that perfect melt. The risotto hit all the comfort notes without being heavy, layered with truffle and deep umami. Cocktails were another standout. The Coastal Bloom was bright, crisp, and herbal, while the Foray Old Fashioned brought rich coffee and cacao flavors that tied perfectly into dessert. We ended with the candy cap bread pudding and dark chocolate tres leches, both elegant and balanced, the kind of desserts you remember days later. Foray delivered a wedding dinner that felt personal and polished all at once. Exceptional food, kind staff, and one of the best group dining experiences we've ever had in Carmel.

    Photos
    Foray - Inside the venue

    Inside the venue

    Foray - Black Cod

    Black Cod

    Foray - Short ribs

    See all

    Short ribs

    Carmel’s Hidden Gem - Benedict. Outstanding hollandaise.

    Carmel’s Hidden Gem

    4.0(290 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    When we chose this restaurant, we should've sorted by most recent. Sadly, we had the exact same…read moreexperience as it turns out others have had. When we arrived, restaurant was half full. We were patient, as there was only one person working. Over the next 1/2hr, at least four tables were seated, ordered and received food. We sat there... two black men and myself obviously being treated different. Even the dog, yes the dog at the table next to us was served his bowl of water before us. I had not been back to Carmel for 30 years since I moved out of state. What a nauseating experience, as I was sharing some childhood memories with my son, and my husband. Turns out our complaint to our server was pointless, as she tried to lie her way out of it "we lost your order in the kitchen." Then another gentleman appeared, turns out that this server was the owner. Filled w excuses and honestly, just because he was an immigrant doesn't mean he was a "brown"minority. This place is small and intimate, and they let us sit there, staring, looking, wondering why we are being treated different. No one said a peep until 45 minutes in. I started inquiring where our food was. I would've warned the handful of minorities that had arrived and we're waiting to be seated, but my husband asked me not to, as he said it's pointless and it looks like times haven't changed., especially in Carmel Not that it matters, but the lobster Benedict was mediocre at best, just enough lobster that it wasn't a lie I guess

    Food is Tasty! Service not so great…read more While we were seated quickly (given menus, water and coffee quickly), the rest of our experience was one of waiting and trying to find someone to help us with either more coffee or water or status on our food. I think they are short staffed? It took about 20 minutes to provide our order... and then another 45 minutes before we received our order. And then we were not going to wait another whatever for our check so when we were done, we walked into the restaurant and found someone to pay which took a few minutes at that. The patio is nice if the day is nice because it is not shaded. The inside seems a little stuffy.

    Photos
    Carmel’s Hidden Gem - Inside dining area

    Inside dining area

    Carmel’s Hidden Gem - Juevos Rancheros

    Juevos Rancheros

    Carmel’s Hidden Gem - Bloody Marigold

    See all

    Bloody Marigold

    Sur at The Barnyard - Garlic cheese bread

    Sur at The Barnyard

    4.4(2.1k reviews)
    0.8 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.

    Photos
    Sur at The Barnyard - Inside

    Inside

    Sur at The Barnyard - Signature Beet Salad and Fried Artichokes

    Signature Beet Salad and Fried Artichokes

    Sur at The Barnyard - Chocolates

    See all

    Chocolates

    Aubergine - Duck breast (I think...)

    Aubergine

    4.3(389 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$$

    It's hard to overstate how absolutely spectacular our meal was at Aubergine. I have been lucky…read moreenough to try many Michelin restaurants in my life, and this one stands out as one of the absolute top meals. Every aspect of the meal was perfect; between the service, the ambiance, the drinks, and of course the food, we were hugely, hugely impressed. It's hard to name favorites out of the many dishes, but I would say the scallop dish, as well as the artichoke dips, stood out as truly life-changing dishes. There were _so_ many thoughtful touches to the meal, between the celebratory cake and the additional little dishes thrown in. I'm so grateful to have experienced this meal. I haven't stopped thinking about the meal since! I hope to be lucky enough to return one day soon.

    My wife and I dined at Aubergine on February 21, 2026, while staying at L'Auberge Carmel for her…read morebirthday. Since then, we have eaten at Michelin-starred restaurants throughout California and New York City, including one, two, and three-star restaurants. Aubergine is still our favorite restaurant of all time. Not one of our favorites. Number one. We are not especially picky, but there are definitely ingredients and dishes we normally would not order. Because Aubergine serves a completely surprise tasting menu, I was honestly nervous. Spending this much money without knowing what we would be eating felt like a massive gamble. My god, was I wrong. We genuinely loved everything they served us. This dinner taught me that even if you think you do not like something, you probably have not tried it at a restaurant like Aubergine. Before the food began, I told our waiter that I had no idea what cocktail I wanted. I just knew that I loved gin and spicy cocktails. They came back with something custom that was incredible. My wife told them what she liked, and they created something specifically for her too. From that moment forward, I knew we could stop worrying and completely trust them. The dining room only has a handful of tables and is definitely quiet. That can feel intimidating in your head, especially when you are walking into a prestigious restaurant for a surprise tasting menu. But the staff made us feel completely at home. They carefully explained every dish, and anytime I still had no idea what they were talking about, I just asked. Nobody scoffed, acted too posh, or made us feel like we did not belong there. Some of the dishes were so creative that they almost transcended where we were. One course was a soup that somehow tasted like sour cream and onion chips. It was familiar and comforting while still being unlike anything we had eaten before. Many courses also came with stories about the ingredients and why they were prepared a certain way. Those stories were almost as good as the food itself. Each dish felt like it had a reason for being there, which made us slow down and appreciate everything even more. The plating was immaculate, but this was not food that only looked impressive. We have had tasting menus where a few courses were incredible and others felt like filler. Aubergine somehow avoided that entirely. Then came the dessert. The chef prepared an ice cream tableside with local honeycomb and pumpkin seeds while telling us the story behind it. It was so fucking good. It was not only the best ice cream we have ever had, it might be the best dessert either of us has had in our entire lives. We still dream about it. Staying at L'Auberge Carmel made everything even better. We got dressed in our room, walked downstairs, had the best meal of our lives, and then walked right back to our room afterward. It made the entire night feel like its own private world. This meal is extremely expensive. Obviously. But Aubergine accomplished something no other high-end restaurant we have visited has been able to recreate, and it made us feel at home. Even after visiting New York City and trying countless other restaurants there and throughout California, nothing has topped Aubergine for us. If I could experience one restaurant again for the first time, this would be it.

    Photos
    Aubergine - Table decor

    Table decor

    Aubergine - Amuse Bouche "platter"...yummy little bites!

    Amuse Bouche "platter"...yummy little bites!

    Aubergine - Home made sourdough bread with an amazing house made butter.

    See all

    Home made sourdough bread with an amazing house made butter.

    Brophy's Tavern - @lilybubbletea

    Brophy's Tavern

    4.3(829 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Stopped in on a whim while passing through Carmel and so glad we did. The ambience is fantastic,…read moredimly lit with great music and TVs everywhere, the kind of place I'd love to come back to and watch a game. Service was excellent. Our waitress Rachel was great and took good care of us. We ordered the French dip (added Swiss, onions, and mushrooms) solid sandwich, though it could've used a touch more salt. The real star though, was the fish and chips. Genuinely some of the best I've ever had. Lightly battered, flaky, perfectly cooked. The vibe lands in that sweet spot of upscale casual without crossing into fine dining, comfortable but elevated. Highly recommend if you're passing through Carmel. We'll definitely be back.

    Lunch after a beach walk was just what we were looking for. Walk in and find a seat. Music and…read moreambiance brought a nice vibe the whole time we were here. Food is tops. The fish and chips is the ultimate meal. The burger was savory, soft and creamy just he right amount. It perfectly paired with the Talbott pinot noir they recommended. The only comment is make is the amount of French fries that were served with the burger. The plate was a lot larger looking because a sparse amount of fries was served alongside. Maybe add a little more next time just to balance it off. The servers/bartenders knew their stuff. They provided what they could in terms of what was popular and well liked. They said both items we ordered were the most popular. The fish and chips have won best fish and chips 3 years in a row. I would agree with this since I usually am not wowed with this dish. I couldn't resist ordering a dessert. The applied tart with vanilla ice cream was so satisfying. Overall service, food quality and experience was very good. If return over and over again for this same food and experience. If I could give 10 stars I would. Carmel and Brody's is a new destination.

    Photos
    Brophy's Tavern
    Brophy's Tavern
    Brophy's Tavern - @feedmeimei

    See all

    @feedmeimei

    The Grill On Ocean Ave - Fish N Chips

    The Grill On Ocean Ave

    4.0(131 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Super friendly service inside a smaller but nicely decorated venue. They have an excellent…read moreselection of wines, and the batter on my fish and chips was so good I had everyone I was with try it.

    I should have taken the fact that the restaurant was completely empty as a warning sign…read more This was honestly one of the worst dining experiences my family and I have had in a long time. The fish and chips were inedible--the fish was gray on the inside and didn't look appetizing at all. The chicken sandwich came with wilted, brown lettuce and a tomato that was clearly spoiled. It had a sour taste and a foul odor that immediately ruined the entire sandwich. When we brought it to our server's attention, there wasn't even an apology. Instead of addressing the overall issue, he simply brought out another tomato. The chicken quesadilla was shockingly small, looked like something from a kids' menu, and had almost no flavor. Even the beer tasted off. At that point, it felt like every item that came to the table had a problem. The most surprising part was that the bathroom seemed cleaner and better maintained than the food being served. We spent around $140 and left wondering what exactly we paid for. To make matters worse, several members of my family felt sick after eating here. Between the poor food quality, lack of concern from the staff, and overall experience, I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

    Photos
    The Grill On Ocean Ave - Picture of the an appetizer

    Picture of the an appetizer

    The Grill On Ocean Ave - Chicken & Bacon flatbread

    Chicken & Bacon flatbread

    The Grill On Ocean Ave - Surf & Turf Fajitas

    See all

    Surf & Turf Fajitas

    Mission Ranch - venues - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...