Great views. Gets really busy! We got there 10 minutes before opening on a weekday and it was booked already but fortunately there were lots of seats and we got an outside table. Food was decent. You're here for the views! We just got some salad and salmon opener. A little pricey but satisfying and quick to prepare. Parking can be a hassle as the complex has a cafe and gift shop as well. You can also park on the street if necessary. read more

Nepenthe - Smoked Salmon - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Payed for the view! The overlook of the mountains and Pacific Ocean is gorgeous but the food is so underwhelming especially with how much you pay. The ambrosia burger was so bland. It's $27 and doesn't even come with fries. No onions or tomatoes come with it either and you have to assemble the burger yourself. It comes on a flat oily looking French roll. I would really expect more. Fries are $15 which off the bat is outrageous. Iced tea is $7.50 for a simple glass. These prices are ridiculous and the food does not justify any of this. It's just so boring. They throw random raw ingredients like raw beets, plain lettuce and other items into the dish that serve no purpose other than just a side piece to whatever the main course on your plate is. The waitress was disrespectful and stuck up and never came back to check up on our food or offer anything. Waste of time, waste of money, I'm very disappointed and unimpressed. I expected more. $250 down the drain. read more

Nepenthe - Patio - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

17May2026 Visit Waiter- 4-5 Drinks -3 stars Customer service from the bar -3 Table seating /waiting -0 Food - 4 View -5 ambiance -3/4 When you can't make reservations but yet the waiting and being seated is so unorganized and does not make sense at all! Furthermore, if you choose to get seated when it first becomes available (outdoor vs indoor) but yet the umbrellas from the outdoor seating has been removed and you can get fried from the sun for sitting outside for that long...why remove all the umbrellas that they had before ? When you actually get seated outside, you will notice that there's available table inside for the same party count that you have! Oy vey! Can't come back to eat here. Would just come back for the view I guess which is unfortunate! No wifi under this establishment either, so be present with your party. You would think that this establishment would be more efficient but it's not -disappointed at the least! read more

Big Sur is the perfect getaway, and driving Highway 1 is a true California jewel! Hungry from the drive, we stopped at Nepenthe. The parking lot is small, challenge on weekends. Luckily, we only waited a short time before being seated outside. The view was simply fantastic (we even had a friendly bird land right on our table). While the staff were decent and the food was average, the breathtaking view completely steals the show. Tip: visit on a weekday to beat the parking hassle, and keep in mind that no animals are allowed inside or outside. read more

Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Nepenthe served as a worthy goal for our "coasting" trip deep into Big Sur to welcome the beginning of Summer. Coffee in Pacific Grove, Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and lunch at Nepenthe at a table overlooking the coast. The burgers are still competent and overpriced, parking is limited at meal times, and to complain about either is like going to Disneyland and downgrading the experience because the seating on the Matterhorn was cramped. Correct but you missed the point. Enjoy the view, the historic building, and slowly nurse every bite of that $28 cheeseburger in paradise as you soak it all in. (Sorry JimmyB!) Service was cheerful, fast, and friendly. The deck sunny and swarmed by others having an equally excellent day. read more

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This restaurant has been on my bucket list for a Big Sur visit for years and it was definitely worth the wait for us!! We arrived right before 3pm yesterday after a morning of hiking in the area. We were starved and ready to have a drink too. Parking was a struggle, but I got off the car to get our name on the wait list while my husband found parking down the road. It's truly a magical place and quite big. There are three levels, gift shop, cafe and the restaurant on top. I was able to get my name on the list and was told it was a 45 min to an hour wait, so I walked around until my hubby joined me upstairs. Once he did, we headed to the bar to order a couple drinks. We ordered the Monterey beer on tap and I ordered mine as a Michelada (bloody beer), which was delicious with their homemade mix! We headed to find a seat in the back overlooking the ocean while we wait. The views are spectacular of course! We only ended up waiting for like 30 mins or so when our table was ready. We were seated in the back where we were, which in my opinion has the best views in the restaurant! I ordered their turkey sandwich special and I was torn between the coleslaw or kidney bean/garbanzo salad as my side. The waitress said she can do a half and half which was so nice of them! My hubby ordered the French dip sandwich with coleslaw and a half order of fries (which was alot). Now any order of fries are a separate charge, but they are good fries! Everything we ordered was pretty good. We had another round of beers, took pictures and enjoyed the views. The food is overpriced, BUT keep in mind you are paying for the views and the wonderful ambiance!! The service for us was also amazing and totally worth a visit at least once. read more

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The vibes and views are absolutely amazing. The service is so friendly, drinks are good. You cannot beat the seating at the edge overlooking the views with fire pits. We tried the scallop dish with polenta cakes and had a basket of fries. The food was a letdown especially at $70 a plate! I would only go here for drinks and small bites. read more

This place is BEAUTIFUL. If u can park, u can join the very large waiting list and linger around the restaurant enjoying the cliffside views! They do have big concrete steps you and can sit on and sip a nice drink while you wait, as well as a large bench around the back. The bartender that served me was the kindest person. I felt bad kinda being in the way a little bit just trying to get a drink because it was so busy. let's just say the pull here is really the location. Food was ok but very pricy. I liked the bean! read more

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The view: 5 The food: 4 The service: 5 Tip: You can order fries as side w/o extra when you order sandwiches though it's not listed in the menu read more

Nepenthe - Famous Ambrosia Burger - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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We were in Big Sur for vacation recently and were recommended Nepenthe by our hotel concierge as a great spot to check out for dinner. The restaurant doesn't take dinner reservations but you can go to the Phoenix shop on site (before 6 pm when they close) while you're waiting on your table to be prepared. We waited maybe about 20 minutes for our table and were seated on the outdoor patio overlooking the ocean with beautiful sunset views. We even saw a whale or two in the distance it was super cool! The server came by a few minutes after we were seated and brought menus and offered to answer any questions we had. They have beer, wine, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options. We loved their extensive wine list including a number of Pinot's that were local from the area. Wine started around $50 for a full bottle. We ordered the pork chop special of the night which came with fresh veggies and homemade mashed potatoes, and all entrees come with a small side salad. We also ordered the banana cream pie (special of the day) and all desserts are made daily in house. All food was fresh and very tasty and service was outstanding! read more

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Visited Nepenthe for a post-hike meal after exploring Big Sur. My friend and I were extremely hungry and unfortunately left unsatisfied with both of our meals. The views are beautiful and honestly the best thing this restaurant has to offer. Beyond that, the food felt overpriced, and unfortunately the quality did not match the cost. I ordered the vegetable burger ($27) - the wheat bun was hard and oversized compared to how small the actual patty was. The fries were an additional $15, which felt excessive for what was served and had zero flavor. My friend ordered the famous Ambrosia Burger ($26) and commented, "I don't know what's so famous about it." I imagine this restaurant stays busy because it's one of the few dining options in Big Sur. We had no phone service to look up alternatives and were so hungry after hiking that we decided to give it a try. Overall, overpriced for mediocre food - beautiful setting, but the food lacked flavor and did not live up to expectations. read more

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Really good food and drinks. The view is amazing. Everyone was so friendly. There's a wait but it's so beautiful up there who cares read more

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The view is awesome. The food is just average. The service is not good. The price is very high. There is no WiFi. The bathroom is extremely small, when you sit on the toilet, your head will bang on the door. read more

Came here on a Wednesday. This review of the place as a whole, no hype for social media, or followers. This spot gets a lot of people from all over. Parking is a nightmare, I was able to get a front row parking with a little patience and maneuver, others were frustrated, there is no guidance when it comes to parking so good luck. The wait was an hour to hour and half. The restaurant has some great views, a nice fireplace, and cozy bar area. The staff is a mixture of happy people and some that are annoyed but give that fake hello. The food is ok, I ordered a chicken club, it came with a small salad. I also ordered a cup of mushroom purée soup. Everything is way overpriced but I was willing to try since it was recommended. I would come again but just know bring your patience and wallet. read more

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Delicious food with an amazing view of the ocean. We got the steak frites and beet salad. The staff is friendly. We loved our experience at Nepenthe. There is a charming shop on the first floor. We got some souvenirs before eating at this beautiful restaurant. read more

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Very nice experience. Beautiful scenery along the drive there and even once you get there. Great food

We were driving along Highway 1 in Big Sur when after stopping at a couple of parks to admire the redwood trees we decided to have lunch at Nepenthe. As you climb the stairs to the restaurant you're immediately greeted by breathtaking views. We arrived just before they opened for lunch which gave us extra time to soak in the magnificent scenery while we waited. Stepping inside the restaurant feels warm and inviting. The staff greeted us kindly and seated us near a window so we could continue enjoying the views. We started our meal with the goat cheese appetizer, which was outstanding. For our entrées we chose the Ambrosia burger and the shrimp BLT. Although I felt that the Ambrosia burger was missing a little something, it was juicy and the bread was perfect. The shrimp BLT was delicious. While the prices are a bit on the higher end, you're not just paying for the food but for the entire experience. Our visit was truly magical. read more

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I am so filled with shame and guilt. I am a 52 year old man who has been coming to this "mecca" my entire life and I have yet to write a review. Hands down, this is my FAVORITE PLACE ON EARTH. My wife has said so eloquently that this is more than just a restaurant; it is a life changing experience. Having never until very recently been a spiritual person (thank you 12 step program), I never saw the signs that our Higher Power has been trying to show me for years. Inclement weather in Carmel/Monterey? No problem; it's always sunny in Philadelphia...wait, no, it's always sunny at Nepenthe. I don't get it. Seriously, always. The world ending? Nepenthe is untouchable and has remained unchanged for years. Fires in the area...many times....landslides and road closures and Covid, oh my...no problem....Nepenthe goes on and on. Well, Nepenthe is mostly unchanged. My folks would tell you that the prices of the amazing Ambrosia Burger have changed...from like $4 in the Mesozoic Era to $19.75 when I started writing this review to $26 now!!! But remember, you are paying for the experience and the views. Speaking of that burger which I almost always order (unless I happen to be staying overnight in the Big Sur area and hit Nepenthe for lunch and dinner which I've done on more than one occasion), it is a fine, fine beautifully simple burger. On a French roll with Ambrosia sauce which is their version of Thousand Island and is delicious. You gotta get it with cheddar for $1.50 more (really, guys?). Lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle are served on the side along with what you must always get and is wonderful: garbanzo-kidney salad which is absolutely phenomenal; fresh with herbs...it is a family favorite. Other choices are coleslaw or side salad but GET THE BEAN SALAD. And share a 1/2 basket of fries for $7.50; it is massive already and fine for a party of 4. We always sit at the far back patio that is through the restaurant past the artfully hand painted bathrooms. You can sit on the edge of the world out there on the bar or at a handful of other tables. Other seating options are inside the beautiful wooden/treehouse lodge and out front at tables or along another "edge of the world" bar. In the evenings, they light a big bonfire on the front patio and a fire inside the tree house. The bar is lovely, too. Really anything you get here is fantastic and obviously ambiance is amazing and service is always exceptional. Don't miss the giftshop just off the parking lot at the base of the complex; lots of neat things with a title towards the hippy and some nice clothes downstairs. We arrive just before opening time at 11:30am to ensure easy parking and our favorite spot up top, out back. Otherwise, parking and seating can be harder, especially on weekends. HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND for a life changing experience. And don't forget to check out the lovely and quickly accessible McWay Falls to the south and Pfeiffer Beach just to the north, a pretty short and narrow drive off Hwy 1. read more

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What a wonderful place. The staff was top shelf - the care and attention to detail from the bartender and our server made the experience even more memorable. You could tell that they've perfected their craft. The ambiance of this place is superbly unique. Cozy corners, fire pits, big windows - all surrounded by the beauty of Big Sur. The quality and flavor of the food matched the magic of the venue. Well worth the wait for this special experience. read more

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Saw so many great reviews to try this place when in Big Sur but we were sadly disappointed. Love the location, I do have to say that. It ended up being really foggy and coke when we went to eat lunch but luckily they had heaters because a lot of us had to eat outside. We waited about 45 min, not too bad after all the hiking we did but the food is where this place lost me. The menu does not have a lot of variety and it's overpriced for what you get in my opinion. I ordered the Ambrosia Burger I think it was and it was ground steak (although tasty) on some bread with a salad. Nothing outstanding and definitely something I could have gotten at a diner for cheaper but I guess it's the ambiance of overlooking the scenery. I mean it's still cool to check out but if you don't have to stop and eat here I probably wouldn't. They do have a gift shop downstairs as well if you want some cool souvenirs. read more

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Ambiance is beyond amazing the views are worth it and just every seat is a great view. The food is delicious matching the amazing view. We ordered the burger and basket of fries. The fries and nice and thin. Go with half basket because a whole order is VERY big. The burger and sauce on it complimented it well and savory. Cooked to perfection. Service is where I dock a star. Although everything is amazing. You can tell and hear how staff is overworked and overwhelmed with how many tables they have. It was to the point it ruined the dining experience. Hopefully management considers employee perspective, because we definitely got an ear off of it and it showed. read more

Believe the hype - Nepenthe deserves it all! The original family that owned and started Nepenthe believed that the view was too magical to keep it all to themselves, and so, Nepenthe the restaurant was born. The origin story of this beautiful space (designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright) along with the mythological story of the name is in the menu - a fascinating read. We were trying to catch the sunset at another property but had to quickly alter our plans when we learned that the other venue required a $185 per person prix fixe menu commitment. We had dinner reservations at another space, so we didn't want to commit to another dinner, especially at that price. After a friend recommended Nepenthe, we figured we'd call to see if we could get in at the last minute. When I called Nepenthe 5 minutes before they closed between lunch and dinner, the staff member who answered the phone was SO NICE. Incredibly warm, welcoming, and just kind. Everything that feels right about Big Sur. They let us know that Nepenthe doesn't take reservations, and to walk in any time. Totally different than the other spot we were trying to go to! We arrived around 4:45, when they're technically not serving (Yelp says they close from 4:30-5, and then reopen from 5-10pm), but there were seats at the bar and the friendly bartender was more than happy to have us. We ordered a drink, sat at the bar for a few minutes, then headed outside with the rest of the crowd to watch the sun sink into the sea. There were some clouds on the day we came, but they certainly didn't diminish the experience. Instead, they diffused all of the colors of the sunset across the entire view. From the sky to the sea, everything was awash in pink, purple, and orange. We didn't end up ordering any food as we had to leave for our other dinner reservation, but everything we saw on the tables looked delicious. We did pop into the Phoenix, the gift shop, on the way out. This shop was surprisingly large and incredibly well stocked - there's something for everyone in here. Lots of fun gift ideas for those "hard to figure out what to buy for" friends in your life. If you have the time, or if you're waiting for a table, make sure to stop in and check it out! Nepenthe is a must see in Big Sur! read more

Nepenthe - A Big Sur sunset at Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

I can't review the food but I loved the coffee/tea service and the views. I was referred to this location by a family member and stopped by on a coastal CA road trip. The parking is easy and free. - There are art sculptures and flora leading up to the building. There is a ton of outdoor seating and the ambiance is casual. We did not need a reservation. - The views are immaculate. Big Sur looks so special from Nepenthe. Stop by even if just for a beverage. read more

Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Nepenthe has one of the best dinner views I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. We were given a buzzer and were recommended to grab a drink and look out at the view in the back. The view is incredible especially during sunset and I especially loved watching all of the deer. The food was a bit underwhelming compared to the incredible view and ambiance! We got the goat cheese starter and it was the perfect way to start the meal. It was herby and the roasted garlic was so good. They gave the perfect amount of every ingredient. For our main we got the roast chicken, which sounded so good, like thanksgiving on a plate! The chicken was good, but everything else on the plate was inedible. The stuffing was absolute mush and tasted like glue in my mouth! Service was excellent and don't forget to take a matchbox on your way out! I definitely recommend coming to this spot at least once because the experience was truly unforgettable. read more

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Been a minute as they say these days, been a few ten years maybe but feels like a minute...Yes so highway one "the Cabrillo Highway" is open once again! What roadtrip on highway One wouldn't be complete without a lunch stop here at Nepenthe. Timing was perfect as we showed up about three, after lunch and before dinner. There are closed between 4 and 5:30. Parking was easy today and up the stairs we climbed, not too bad. Ah...we'd like a spot on the wall in the shade please. Fifteen, twenty minutes, fine we'll be at the bar. There were sears at the bar, go figure. Before we could order our table pager called out to us, great. Seated at "the perfect spot" we were greeted by Laura our server today. We reviewed the menu, seemed like more offerings than I remembered but that's what happens when you always order the Ambrosia Burger. Not today this is a roadtrip meal! M went with the Lentil soup and a caprese salad, I went out on the limb with the Shrimp BLT, coleslaw and a small "boat" of fries. yea the "basket of fries" at $15 was for sharing and just to much. It wasn't long and Laura brought out lunch, perfect. Looked great tasted better, four large maybe 10-12 wild Mexican shrimp, two strips of good bacon and the LT too. Delicious. M's Lentil soup was very good, great flavor and plenty of the floating bits. That finished it was time for dessert and we dove in, Apple pie ala mode. giddy up that was the checkered flag and we were very contented. "Elegant Sufficiently , thank you" to quote my dad. Foodguy-martin read more

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Enjoyed a lovely leisurely lunch at this beautiful spot! After waiting only 15 minutes on a busy Saturday afternoon we were seated outside with a beautiful view. Our waiter Adrian came over right a way to check in with us and tell us the specials. We wanted to order some champagne for our anniversary and Adrian gave us an amazing suggestion of a half bottle of a Laurent Perrier blend! We shared the albacore tuna special sandwich and it was delicious! Highly recommend. Don't be in a hurry, just sit and enjoy the food and view! read more

Unbeatable views, delicious food, generous drinks. This was a lovely stop on our busy day of hikes and vistas and a welcome rest to refill our tummies and refresh our spirits. We ordered drinks from the bar while we waited for a table and found a spot in the shade overlooking the ocean. When our table was ready we sat on tbe patio and had umbrellas to shade us. Our party enjoyed 2 beet salads, soup of the day (cream of artichoke), and the burger. Everyone enjoyed what we ordered. I had the beet salad and thought it was excellent. The veggies were crisp and so fresh. I ate every bite on the plate! We stopped off in the gift shop which has an eclectic and vibrant selection. It was a great place to stop on highway 1. read more

Nepenthe - Gorgeous views and tasty drinks - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

We went yesterday and were told there was about a one hour wait, which sounds pretty typical for this place. Let's start with parking, because it's rough. Be prepared for street parking. The restaurant sits up on a hill, so no matter what, you're making the walk up. The farther down the road you park, the worse that hike gets. We planned on dining but decided not to wait that long. Instead, we grabbed a spot at the bar and ordered two beers at $13 each, which felt a little pricey in my opinion, especially for local beer. That said, the bartenders were friendly, knew the locals, and the overall vibe at the bar was good. They said we couldn't order food or drinks at the bar which wasn't great because we starved after our time on the trails nearby. The views are where Nepenthe really shines. Easily the best restaurant views I've ever experienced. The coastline is visible from most seats, and it's honestly hard to beat. Even just sitting at the bar, the scenery alone makes you understand why this place is so popular and why people are willing to wait. Between the iconic location, the atmosphere, and the views, Nepenthe feels more like an experience than just a restaurant. Even though we didn't eat, it was still worth the stop. Maybe next time we can try the food. read more

Vibe and views here are really nice. There's a cafe and a souvenir shop on the same grounds. Parking is difficult - look fore street or lot. Service - mediocre, where we were seated was near the waiting area, id try going for somewhere near edge so you can have a view if you're outside or the back area. Anything inside is decent. Food - not good, pretty average. Felt like i was eating pre-packaged food. The bran sagas was good though. read more

Nepenthe - French dip - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

What a beautiful place to dine... Wow the views all around are breathtaking. If you get lucky enough to seat outdoors while eating here then you will enjoy the views. The indoor space is not appealing at all. The service here is ok and the food average. Prices are high but you are paying for the location of this place. We didn't have reservations so we just walked in on a Sunday around 12 pm, the hostess said 20 minutes to be seated which was good for a Sunday. We ordered the Ambrosia burger that came with a bit of salad for $27 ... the four of us spent around $150 for lunch. Im happy I got to see this place while in Big Sur but I won't eat here again. I'll probably stop by to check out the store downstairs and enjoy the views and drive on. ... Overall it's a great place to add to your Must See places in California. ..... read more

Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

Been meaning to go for years lovely! Once the sunset lookie loos cleared out it was even better! read more

I had seen this place suggested in many TikTok videos related to Big Sur. I don't think there's a whole lot to eat on Highway one and this place seemed like a good stop over point especially because of the view so we decided to stop by. When we went, there was a huge waitlist of people waiting to get sat. To a point where I was actually pretty tough to find a parking spot however, I think we were sat 40 minutes or so after we came in. Certainly a bit longer than we wanted to wait, but we were pretty tired and hungry and didn't really feel like looking for another place to eat. thankfully, a lot of our time was killed by getting a drink and just exploring and looking at the views. The food was extremely expensive for what seemed like a very basic menu. It was honestly pretty tough to even figure out what to eat because the menu was really short and nothing really stood out however, I just got a basic grilled chicken sandwich. A few of us got salads, nothing too crazy. The servers were really nice! One of them even gave a print out recipe of the house ranch because my sister-in-law really liked it. that was a fun memorable moment. Overall, I think it's a beautiful spot to maybe get a drink and take a break from all the driving. But I did not enjoy having to overpay for very basic food. So much so that I realized I didn't even take any pictures of the food. I wish they would make their menu a little bit more exciting. Vibes were incredible, food was meh. read more

Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

Hair on the food is my last straw. Thank god I caught it before taking a bite.It was literally melted with the cheese... Definitely don't recommend the food. More for views And a drink. read more

Nepenthe - Food - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

We arrived around 4:30 PM, they're open for dinner starting at 5 PM. We were seated within a 30 mins. During our wait, we grab a few drinks at the bar to enjoy the Big Sur cliffside view and sunset. They do not offer Wi-Fi here so you may not get any signal. Perfect timing to leave the phones aside and talk to each other. The servers and busser(s) were so friendly and assertive. 800 feet above the ocean, we had the following: Soup of the day ($9): creamy pureee potato with califlower with bacon. This soup was delicious, similar to a clam chowder. The Famous Ambrosiaburger ($26) Our version of a ground steak sandwich, served on a French roll with our Famous Ambrosia Sauce. May add Swiss or cheddar for +$1.5 Ribeye Steak ($71) 12 oz. Ribeye steak medium-rare, topped with Chimichurri sauce, grape tomato and fresh herb salad and garlic mashed potatoes. Their steak comes from premium naturally raised beef. Steak was cooked to perfection. All Entrees are served with a tossed green salad and choice of dressing. read more

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It's been three years since we've been back, but the Ambrosia Burger and Lollys Chicken Dinner have always stuck with us because they were that good. We had drinks and apps at the bar while we waited for our table. The goat cheese and garlic was really good. The caprese salad was just okay, and the drinks were solid. At the table we had the artichoke special, which was good, and the cauliflower soup, which was just alright. The Ambrosia Burger came out and thankfully still delivered. It's still one of the best. But the Lollys Chicken Dinner, which my wife had literally been dreaming about, was a total letdown. The chicken and gravy were flavorless, the stuffing was dry, and the whole thing just fell flat. She didn't say anything because our son's steak was an even bigger issue. He ordered it medium rare and it came out well done. We sent it back, and the second time it was undercooked. The third attempt was closer, but still not quite right. Not sure if something has changed in the kitchen or if it was just an off night, but for what we spent--apps, mains, dessert, a bottle, more drinks--the experience did not match the price. Since the prices here are on the higher side, we expected the food to be more consistent. Our server was great. But the manager who handled the food issue honestly made it worse. No apology, no real care, just whatever. Cannot believe that is who they have running the place. We have had great memories here and always loved the views and a few standout dishes. Just sad to walk away this time feeling like it was not worth it. Hope it was just a fluke. read more

This was a delicious dinner with a view! You don't necessarily need to buy anything to enjoy the deck and view but the wine was great, the food was delicious, and the cozy fire place inside kept us warm. The service was phenomenal and if you want a nice, fancier dinner, this is a great spot around sunset. Just arrive early as it is fist come first serve! read more

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What a gem! We arrived on a very busy afternoon hoping to get a table at Nepenthe. We were seated right away inside with the most spectacular view. We ordered several beers along with burgers , salads and fries. Our waitress was really kind and attentive. We did ask for a few extra things and she brought it all out very quickly. The food was hot and fresh and it was all very good. We had the best time. Thank you to Nepenthe for a wonderful afternoon. read more

Food was NOT good and options were very limited. The views are gorgeous of course but maybe go to just grab a drink or something. NOT worth it and WAY overpriced read more

Nepenthe is famous in Big Sur for stunning views and delicious food. We were recommended to come here by multiple sources. We had a great experience. We walked in for a late lunch after a big hike. It was about 3pm and the restaurant was busy! They were still able to seat us right away with a nice view of the mountains. What we ordered: -French fries: perfectly salty and hot -Burrata caprese salad: very fresh! Had a lot of cucumbers which was unique. -Beet salad: Incredibly fresh and a huge portion! It was so good, I ate the whole thing. But it could definitely be split between two people. -French dip burger: Jake loved it. It came with a bean salad. The prices are definitely tourist prices. It was a very expensive lunch! But we knew we were paying partially for the views. While the prices were steep, we ultimately had a great meal with a lovely view. I would recommend coming here. The service was good, too! read more

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Yes yes yes. Hour and half wait was worth the view! We rode to McWay waterfall while we waited. Came back in under an hour. The waitstaff were all so friendly. Ambrosia burger & beer was a nice treat by the fire for a late afternoon lunch on a cool misty day. So nice and cozy. read more

Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California