I had the famous ambosia burger and it was heavenly! I cannot wait to go back. Drinks were amazing, super service and friendly people!

Will never come back here again. Parking is few, 1 hr wait for lunch, then another 1 hr wait before the food arrived, very few list of food in the menu, steak is small and not good food. Waste of my time. read more

Must stop while visiting Big Sur. This is such a cute cliff side restaurant to sit and enjoy Big Sur and all the beauty it has to offer. There aren't a lot of restaurants in Big Sur so this place definitely gets packed quick. Best tip is to come right when they open, even 5-10 minutes earlier if you can to ensure you have the best seats to enjoy your food to. Food is pretty simple but I didn't mind that. I'm not looking for elaborate meals honestly just something to fill up to keep exploring Big Sur. Most of the menu consisted of salads and sandwiches. There's steak frites as well if you're feeling more fancy. I got the shrimp BLT and it was delicious. 10/10. Odd pairing when I first saw it on the menu but was definitely surprised with how tasty it was. Shrimp was cooked well, deliciously seasoned and paired well with the bacon. Basil aioli is SO GOOD. Must get in my opinion. Best seats are definitely outdoor seating with the Oceanside views. You will also see plenty of whale activity as they love to hang out right outside the restaurant. Bonus points because they also have a gift shop for souvenirs. Such a cute stop all together. read more

Nepenthe - Shrimp BLT - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

My wife and I decided stop by here before checking in to our campsite a couple of miles down the road. Unfortunately the day we went it was extremely cloudy so we didn't have a clear view, but we saw enough and it was absolutely astonishing. Parking is free, but is limited. The drinks were good, nothing special. The customer service was incredible. Everyone was so happy, friendly attentive to us. Made the experience even better. The food is good, but wasn't great. I wasn't really impressed by the quality. Prices are high, but you're paying for an incredible view. I'd absolutely come back here but probably just do drinks and small appetizers. read more

Nepenthe - View from the front entrance patio. - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

The view was amazing, the steak frites was delicious, and the service was a 10/10. Everyone is super friendly. The wine list was also so thoughtfully crafted. We took amazing wine recommendations from William (he knows his stuff) read more

The views are unbelievable. We had a great time here. Service was very good and our meal was delicious!

I'm not disappointed I went, but I wouldn't go back. The view is obviously what you come for, and the view was great. But we couldn't actually see the view. For some reason, they will only serve food indoors, or at just a small amount of the outdoor tables with a view. All of the other tables and patio area was only for bar drinks. It was afternoon, and no one was getting bar drinks, this section was mostly empty except for some people waiting for tables. Because at like 1:45pm in the afternoon, you had to wait a while for a table because they wouldn't serve food at the many tables available. This was at first confusing (being told there was a wait when we were surrounded by empty tables was like, huh?), and then annoying. So we waited about 15 minutes and then were seated indoors next to the bar. We couldn't see the view from our table really. There was a house-made veggie burger, so I got that. It was completely tasteless and weird and not filling. The second-worst veggie burger I've ever had, and as a vegetarian, I've had many. My spouse got a sandwich, and we split an artichoke. The bill for this small amount of food, which didn't really fill us up, was ludicrous -- $100. We drank only water due to the prices. The food was slow to come out. Which would have been nice if we'd had a view. Our server was good. The view was good while we waited for a table outside. They gave a buzzer so you could go downstairs to the gift shop. For these reasons 2 stars instead of 1. read more

If you come here not hungry with the mindset that you are paying mostly for the view then you won't be disappointed. The restaurant setting is beautiful with lots of seating indoor and outdoor. There's some outdoor seating that faces the coastline but those seats were full so we sat inside facing the window with coastline views. So the ambience gets 5 stars as well as the service. The hostess was very patient and accommodating as we switched tables twice to take advantage of the view. Since we came for a late lunch around 2 it wasn't too crowded. Now about the food. . . We ordered the Ambrosia burger and the artichoke with lemon garlic aioli, which was one of the specials. The burger was a bit on the tough side and tasted mediocre. We got it with a side of the bean salad which was also average. The artichoke was definitely not worth it. I love artichokes but not this one. I don't know if it's the way they cooked it or the quality of the artichoke but it was a little on the undercooked side. The aioli made it edible but could barely taste the lemon garlic flavor. I would rate the food 2 stars - not worth the price. You're really paying for the ambience so that makes this worth it. Anyway, my advice is to come here for a drink and/or a snack to enjoy the views. read more

We ALWAYS stop here on our way up the coast....you just can't beat that view, and we've always had great food and service. I usually don't buy anything in the gift shop there, but this time this piece caught my eye when we went in a few days ago and I had to have it. I named it "Mr. Nepenthe" read more

Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

Go for the view but not the service. We stopped in for a late lunch around 2pm on a weekday. There was a handful of people there. It took 35 minutes to get a glass of wine and a cocktail! I would have loved to get another to try but we had to wait so long to get the first, I dared not order another. We got the smoked salmon plate and the shrimp BLT. We really enjoyed the food. Especially the shrimp BLT. It had nice big pieces of shrimp and the bacon was thick and crispy. However, it took almost an hour to get it. I asked for the check and it took another long wait to get it. I don't know if our waitress was more interested in talking with her friends and people she knew instead of helping us. It was unfortunate. I really loved the view, but a one hour lunch turned into two with a lot of waiting. Hats off to the water guy who was on top of helping us. Too bad our waitress was nonexistent. read more

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Beautiful view, great food and service. Got there sort of early and got immediate outdoor seating on a nice sunny day.

this was recommended by a friend to stop in while driving to Big Sur (this is the only place to eat in the area along highway 1). downstairs is a cafe that has similar view as the restaurant above but simpler/cheaper menu items and outdoor patio seatings only. we arrived a few minutes before they open and got seated inside as outside has no shade and kind of chilly for us. the view inside was just as good. we ordered soup, artichoke and their specialty steak meat burger to share. all the dishes were okay. the soup bowl was very large that we couldn't finish between the 2 of us. artichoke dip was on the tangy side which after 1/2 order was too much for me as well. I don't usually eat hamburgers so I thought the meat patty was juicy and fresh, but hubby thinks it's the usual. service was good, price was on the higher end as burger was $26+$1 for adding cheese. read more

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Is the wait long? Yes. Does the parking suck? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. The staff is kind and attentive - surprising for the volume of customers they serve. The food matches the vibes: it's mid-century modern food done right. The Ambrosiaburger and French dip were simple, but you can taste the quality of the meat in every bite. And, OF COURSE, you can't beat those beautiful coastal views! Pro tip: grab a bottle of wine while you wait in this beautiful venue read more

Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

What can I say about this epic cliffside eatery? Come before dinner and the prices are affordable! We sat overlooking the Pacific and had burgers, fries and berry pie. Warm and competent service as well. read more

Nepenthe - Berry crumble made in-house - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Ambiance was perfect. Nepenthe Steak was cooked perfectly with an under ripened demi-glace ... as the blue cheese polenta was a perfect combo. Extra crusty banana cream pie for dessert. Next time.... I wanna try the apple pie... Service was great 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

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

From the moment we walked up to speak with the hostess, we were already blown away by the incredible views. While waiting to be seated, we wandered around the property and soaked in the scenery from every direction--absolutely stunning. It's not just a restaurant, it's an experience. Once seated, we had a perfect spot next to the large windows with panoramic views that made the whole meal magical. The food was delicious and matched the vibe perfectly. Every bite and every sip felt intentional and elevated. The drinks were also top-notch. Honestly, everything from start to finish was a 10/10. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a beautiful atmosphere, great service, and amazing food. read more

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After a long morning of hiking and exploring the beautiful California coast we went to this restaurant per recommendations. Upon arrival we waited for over an hour, and the service was genuinely the worst I've experienced. There was little attention to our party and the server continued to forget about ordered items. On top of that the food was overpriced and lackluster at best. The view is the best part and is free with the journey to the top. Best case scenario you grab a drink at the top and take some pictures. read more

A must stop! Jaw dropping views with delicious cocktails & a meal if you want ! Sit outside on the back patio or along the seats on the edge . Just beautiful!! read more

Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

One of the best restaurants with a great view! Staff members were highly knowledgeable in giving us great options to choose from. Will be back! read more

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After a full morning of hiking, my friends and I stopped at Nepenthe Restaurant around 12:50 PM, hoping to refuel before a couple more adventures and our long drive back to Sacramento. We knew going in that this spot doesn't take reservations, so we pulled up, had one friend jump out to put our name in, and were quoted a 40-minute wait. Parking was already packed, so we were lucky to circle around and find a spot while waiting. The entrance is a little confusing if you're not familiar with it, and the property layout isn't the most intuitive. We passed the time by exploring--walking around, enjoying the beautiful flowers and view, and taking photos. One friend even wandered across the street to check out the art gallery nearby. There's also a boutique gift shop downstairs with nice items, though everything is pretty pricey. When it was time to be seated, they initially tried to seat us inside, but we noticed some empty outdoor tables and asked if one of those was available--thankfully, it was. The view outside is gorgeous and probably one of the best things about the place. Unfortunately, the table was wobbly, and we had to adjust it ourselves until another server kindly helped us fix it. Now, the service? Easily the worst part of the experience. We sat there for 20-25 minutes without being greeted or acknowledged by anyone. I had to stop a random staff member to ask for a server, and only then did someone finally come over. He seemed rushed, barely made eye contact, and mumbled so fast it was hard to catch what he was saying. We ordered right away since we were on a time crunch and had been waiting so long. Drinks were confusing too--iced tea came with refills, but sodas and other drinks cost extra for each refill. We ordered a basket of fries ($15--yes, really), and they brought out a big bowl of ranch right away. But after that, we waited another 30 minutes or more for our food, even though tables that ordered after us were being served. For the food: * I had a deconstructed chicken sandwich (no bread) with a side salad -- $31 * A side of fries -- $15 * Iced tea -- $7.50 * Friends ordered two steak frites -- $44 each The food was okay, but not remotely worth the price, especially considering the poor service. No one checked in to see how our meals were or if we needed anything else. When it was finally time to pay--around 3 PM and we still had more stops before heading home--we told our server we'd be splitting the bill between cash and two cards. He didn't guide the process at all and basically told us to write everything out ourselves. Then, instead of processing it, he handed it off to someone else, which felt careless since he had my card in hand. I get that this place is busy and the location is beautiful, but good service goes a long way in justifying high prices. Sadly, Nepenthe missed the mark for us. Between the disorganized seating, inattentive service, and overpriced, underwhelming food, it's not somewhere I'd return--or recommend. read more

Nepenthe - Deconstructed Chicken Sandwich w/ Side Salad - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

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First of all, I should have posted this sooner. It is from July 30th and I'm looking at my photos, still astounded by the beautiful view here. Not only did the view surpass my expectations, so did the food. We arrived around 12:30 and only waited a few minutes for a table with THE BEST VIEW! All the employees were so friendly and helpful. I will definitely return! read more

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Visited Big Sur over the weekend and stoped by Nepenthe for lunch. The establishment views were stunning! They are a walk in restaurant only no reservations. We waited about an 1hr to be seated our waitress was very friendly and informative. The menu was very simple I ordered the Ambrosia burger which was really good but you're definitely paying for the experience not the quality. Also, the restaurant and the cafe are not dog friendly and are not allowed on the top level unless they're a service animal. Overall the food was not impressive but the views made up for it. read more

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Amazing spot in Big Sur! Loved the veg burger, tomato soup, and cappuccino delicious food after a long day of exploring. The view is absolutely breathtaking, perfect for watching the sunset. Highly recommend! read more

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Best view, best food(Ambrosia Burger i've been getting since 1977)...Alex took good care of us.. a good up and comer...we will ask for him again! and always have a glass of the Lucia Pinot... we motorcycle there every mth for lunch at 343 miles!!! read more

Rated high just for inconsistency w their Pet policy of no dogs allowed! I have a Small service dog and was not allowed while a chocolate Poddle was dining with their owners! Really disappointed! Wish its fair for all good dogs! NOT RECOMMENDABLE!!! read more

We had a wonderful time eating here. The food was excellent, the service was beyond compare, and it's a really nice place to eat while looking at the ocean. The food is very good, and you were not going to extra mile to come here. read more

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Clearly this is where to go for the view, it's amazing. The food though, so delicious!! We started with the Caprese salad, oh wow, terrific!! Entrees were also delectable. Our server was personable, knowledgeable, and great at knowing when we might need something. Overall, a great experience!! Hope to go back one day. read more

Nepenthe is honestly such a beautiful spot. The views are unreal -- you can literally just sit there and take it all in. The staff was super friendly, and I loved that they spoke Spanish. It made me feel right at home. The espresso was amazing too, strong and smooth, just how it should be. Definitely one of those places you remember and want to come back to. read more

Nepenthe - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

Unparalleled views, amazing service, delicious food with a great wine selection. We stopped by on a sat afternoon after completing an 8 mile hike and were warmly greeted and seated within 15 mins! We enjoyed a bottle of chenin blanc, shared the filet dinner with garlic truffle mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus, and finished with apple pie a la mode. Chefs kiss!! Will definitely come back when I'm up here. read more

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I was traveling solo and stopped here on a Tuesday for lunch at 2pm. I was able to get a seat inside right away so I took that. The server was friendly and the food delicious, I got the French dip sandwich. It wasn't the clearest day but it's still a beautiful spot and a must stop while you're traveling along highway 1. read more

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Nepenthe is an iconic place to stop if you are driving through Big Sir, or are staying in Carmel. You come here for the view... period. You are above the sea, and on top of the the world. The bar is very cozy and feels like a place that James Bond would go on a date. The food is also good, and there is a range of dishes. If you are dining and drinking I would expect a tab around $100 per person. But it's an easy place to come and grab a drink and walk around too. No reservations necessary, but if you are dining in or a group larger than 4 then I would call in read more

So confused on all the recommendations for this place. Yes the location is nice, the view is pretty but there are much nicer views along the drive. The food is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive and is the WORST food i've ever had in California by FAR. I've honestly had better food at military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Service is decent too if that even matters. Genuinely the worst food ever I cannot stress enough read more

You're not going there for haute cuisine, it's a restaurant in a spectacular and amazing natural setting. The restaurant itself is rustic but interestingly and well designed. There are special views from almost every table, we ate outside, but inside seemed more fun. It's very clean, including the bathroom, the kitchen is in plain sight and is also very clean and organized. We were early for lunch, so was able to hear the manager brief the staff. Respectful, polite and positive. Sure enough, service was excellent. The food is simple and well executed. I had a "special" turkey sandwich. I don't like gelatinous processed deli meat, so I asked and was pleased to hear that it was from a local organic farmer/processor. On a multi grain roll, it was delicious. A spotless jar of Dijon mustard is on every table. We shared a basket of perfect fries. One of us had the shrimp blt and another had the burger, we were all very happy. I was impressed by how well run this restaurant is with a professional staff, pretty far from any center of population. Will definitely be back. All around special experience. . read more

Took a drive to Big Sur on a whim, due to the fact that Highway 1 finally opened back up. No plan, no destination; just a drive to see where we ended up. Pure spontaneity, and found this gem. Life is good. This restaurant is a beautiful place to stop. A definite must for the views alone... it is unassuming and nestled into the hillside, overlooking the ocean below. We sat outdoors due to the beautiful sunny day, but indoors also appeared quite lovely with the bay windows to take in the views. Nice menu, and outstanding wine list. A bit pricey, but you are also paying for the prime real estate that yours eyes are taking in. Very worth it in my opinion. Timing was not quite right for a full meal, but we opted to share a few bites. Everything was delicious from the goat cheese appetizer down to the banana cream pie that was the special dessert of the day. Very welcoming atmosphere upon arrival, and excellent service provided by Cassidy. We were sat right away at a beautiful bar top on the outside patio. Found this place simply by stopping at chance, and now adding to our favorites. Cannot wait to return. I disagree with the tourist trap statements of others, but we also visited at an in between meal time. read more

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Beautiful location, the food choices were limited but everything tasted good. Little disappointed that they did not have clam chowder.

Come for the drinks and have a bite that you're going to pay a more for the setting and view! No reservations, and that's not Bourdain but their way. Weekends in the summer are surely busy and we waited over 30-45 minutes with a pager for a late lunch on Sat around 2. Downstairs is a cafe but we're glad to have seating, shaded areas, and the upstairs view. Service was excellent and friendly (thanks Laura!). We sat along the edge in a bar countertop outside. Watch for the birds who are scoping out the free fries! They're fast!! Compared to other reviews ... here's my take. Ambrosia burger ($26) with cheese was neither great nor bad and the bread not bun was nice. Add your condiments (poupon and ketchups table side). Fries had a nice crisp! I can see why the blue birds are on the hunt. Caprese ($20) had more cucumbers than tomatoes and good fresh mozzarella with balsamic. Add a beer ($13) and mule ($~20) that was superb I was told. All said, we could just hang out there! Expect to pay the price or just stop for a drink and move on...your call. Don't complain about the overpriced food and drinks, this isn't Michelin star but what did you expect at the side of natural beauty. Everything takes longer to get here, us included. Enjoy! read more

Nepenthe - Ambrosia burgers and caprese salad - New American Near Me - Big Sur, California

We originally arrived at 3:30pm and was told by the hostess that the wait was an hour and a half. We asked if we could sit at the bar but she said they wouldn't serve us food there. After driving about 5 hours just to come to this restaurant we were very disappointed and left. We came back later at around 6pm and were told that the wait was still an hour and a half. Since we had already eaten we decided to go sit at the bar for drink. Our bartender Henry completely changed the experience for us. He was very friendly and even offered us food (which we were previously told we wouldn't be able to order at the bar). We ordered fries and two drinks. Everything was great and he even recommended dinner places in Monterey before we left. Had it not been for Henry I would have given this place one star due to the hostess. The views of the restaurant were nice but staff need to be a little friendlier like Henry. read more

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Nepenthe is certainly an iconic restaurant in Big Sur but we were left less than impressed by the views, ambiance and food. We stopped by for a late lunch around 1:45pm on a Thursday hoping that the lunch crowd would have lessened by then and were lucky to be seated right away. For food we got the ambrosiaburger and prime rib french dip sandwiches. Food came out quickly and while the sandwiches were good, they both really needed sauce to add flavor. The burger was nice and juicy but lacked salt and we ended up using the au jus that came with the french dip for both sandwiches to add flavor. And of course, the view and ambiance - the atmosphere is very casual and if you're sitting outside on the patio, there are spots where there aren't umbrellas for shade. The views to be honest are just ok and the trees around the patio block much of the mountains. As we were staying at a resort in Big Sur with much better views we were disappointed by the promise of Nepenthe. Overall we paid over $60 for just 2 sandwiches and very average views and dining setting. Big Sur is pricey all around but I definitely wouldn't wait for a table here and we likely won't be coming back. Perhaps sunset is a better time to come but midday on a hot afternoon was not worth it. read more

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