We honeymooned at Highlands Inn 10 years ago and had indulged in the Tasting menu with wine pairings at Pacific's Edge. Thus, when we returned this past weekend to celebrate our 10th anniversary, we decided we'd eat at Pacific's Edge again. Frankly, I can't remember much from that first dinner 10 years ago, but I know it was delicious and the ample pours on the wine pairings made the rest of the details fuzzy. We made reservations for 6 pm, right when the restaurant opened and noted our anniversary in the hopes of securing a coveted window seat. Success! It was absolutely mesmerizing to watch the ocean and the sunset on a clear sunny day. Usually, we stay clear of any restaurants with a view but I was pleasantly surprised how good the food was at Pacific's Edge. Truly--it can stand up to most other gourmet restaurants without the view, but it is still priced higher as a "destination" restaurant. This time around, we chose individual appetizers and entrees. I started with the fois gras duo and the clam chowder while my husband ordered the lobster special and abalone appetizer. For the main course, I had the rack of lamb and he had the scallops. The stars of the meal were the fois gras duo (guilty pleasure, I know, but it's being outlawed in California in mere weeks so I had to have it one last time), the clam chowder (even better than Hog Island Oyster Bar SF's version, which was my favorite), and my husband's scallop. Service was great, but for the sommelier, who didn't come over until we were nearly done with our meal. I suspect he saw that we had cocktails in hand (we started at the bar as they weren't quite ready for us when we first arrived). Still, I would expect that he would introduce himself nonetheless to check. Also, the sommelier charged the neighboring table's $90 bottle of wine to our tab. It could have been easily missed, as my husband signed the check (to charge to our room) and didn't notice it. Thankfully, I peeked over to check the total and caught the mistake. George, our waiter, was attentive but not intrusive. He checked on us a few times and was around when needed. I think he only had 4 tables to serve, which meant he wasn't overwhelmed. I will say I was surprised we didn't get an offer of some small dessert, as most restaurants do something special for an anniversary/birthday. Alas, we were probably too full to have it anyway, but something to note since so many go here to celebrate their anniversaries and other special occasions (the table next to us was also there for their anniversary). Nonetheless, the meal at Pacific's Edge was a wonderful way to celebrate 10 blissful years of marriage and the primary highlight of an otherwise disappointing stay at the Highlands Inn (see my review). read more

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Amazing experience with beautiful ambience and great service! Will be back! The duck was a great choice highly recommend. read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

The best part about this place is the view. You can see the mountains, the water, and people swimming/sun bathing at the hotel below. It's a great place to go when its a clear day out. There's free parking up the hill. The food is pretty good too- we got calamari, fish tacos, and ahi tuna salad. Since we didn't make reservations we had a 20 minute wait and the bar is not really meant to hang out by. It can hold 2 patrons (barely) and has all the supplies that the staff uses. :/ The Bloody Mary that was made for me was very subpar. read more

Best kept secret around! Dine in the sunset lounge and get the views of Pacific's Edge! My guy had the steak and pommes frites. His entree came with an arugula Parmesan salad. I wasn't hungry, so I had the Caesar salad. We cleaned our plates! I had the scorpion-brandy, light rum, dark rum, lime juice, orange juice, orgeat syrup & bitters! Yummy! We r waiting for the chocolate croissant bread pudding-sea salt, olive oil emulsion, nut praline, balsamic caramel ice cream. Decadent!! I was going to take a pic but we ate it! Now for some after dinner drinks! Ninito makes the best coffee drinks!! read more

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We made a reservation here for dinner to celebrate both of our birthdays during the July 4th. The view at this restaurant is amazing as it's part of the highland resort. A great place to enjoy the view and sunset. A bit pricey but you are paying for good food and the view. The ambience of the place is nice. We order the rib eye and duck. Both dishes was yummy and so was our dessert. Had a really great experience due to the service we received. Our little 5 years old also enjoyed his dinner. Will come back here again when we are back in the area. read more

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Delicious food, an amazing view and a coupon? I'm in! California Market takes gift certificates from www.restaurant.com. We saved $25 at breakfast. Love that! The service was perfect, the food (especially the Eggs Benedict) was delicious. The view of the ocean was outstanding. Yes, the prices were high, but I guess that is to be expected. Even when I'm not staying at the Highlands Inn, I definitely want to stop at California Market for a meal! read more

An outstanding view, great service and very very friendly people in all positions from hostess, waiter and wine steward and very very good menu! We enjoyed ourselves and wished we had such a good option back home. I know there are recent reviews that were not the best - we did not have any of those issues. Ask for Tim. He was great. When my wife dropped her glasses he dropped to the floor to find them. He was helpful in making menu choices. read more

Definitely a mixed bag. Came for wine, views and a snack and the grilled cheese bacon sandwich and fries were really tasty. Service was good and the views were amazing. Returned for breakfast and was so excited to try the eggs benedict with crab and spinach. It was disappointing though as the crab tasted like canned and the potatoes were stone cold. If I was staying here I would return for lunch but not for breakfast. As for prices, I don't mind paying $18 bucks if it's great food. Unfortunately it wasn't great or even hot.... but certainly don't charge me $5 bucks for coffee on top of that. It just feels wrong. read more

I was so very impressed with the exclusive views and attention I received here. You're first greeted by a host, then a bartender who just takes care of your drinks and then your server. Each made me feel very special and VIP. The deck is super super small but I like that because it seems vacationey and exclusive. I probably wouldn't come here to eat inside - it definitely is a place to soak in the beauty of the ocean atop the perched deck. I had a Seared Ahi Salad and a mimosa - both were the prepared and presented very well and my ahi tasted super fresh. Self parking is super super limited. Will most definitely come again. read more

Great scenery! Food is delicious. My only critique is the prices are expensive. You won't be disappointed. This is a an awesome place to dine--very classy! Exceptional view! read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - The view! - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

The view was absolutely amazing and the food and cocktails were delicious. Most of all, the wait staff were exceptional.

AMAZING!! The view was incredible and the food was heavenly. My fiance and I shared the brussel sprouts as a starter; yum! They were warm and savory with delicious bacon pieces throughout. The grapes in there were a little weird. Never had hot grapes before, let alone with brussel sprouts (I just moved them to the side). I had the filet mignon and my fiance had the rack of lamb. Both were excellent dishes! My filet was so tender and flavorful. I had a bite of the lamb and it was also melt-in-your-mouth good. We shared a side of the Au Gratin potatoes... to die for! Needless to say, I was ooh-ing and ahh-ing with every bite. Even the bread was the best!! All topped off with a cute half bottle of yummy Zin. (p.s. A half bottle got us about 3 glasses, total). This restaurant is like cloud 9. Very romantic and very memorable experience. I would highly recommend it. read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - The view from our table. Amazing!! - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

2 star for slow service and rotten spoiled goat cheese...5 star view! Complimentary parking and great view; worth the inconvenience. read more

Very good service and beautiful views from the restaurant and bar. All of the food was good but they could expand the menu a little to add a larger selection of choices for all guests. read more

Excellent, go with the chefs menu You really have to appreciate the care and thought put into the overall meal, outstanding, service was perfect. and since it was our 25 th anniversary they even made a desert for us, with a special message, highly recommend. read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

Many of the reviews comment on the small portions, but i promise that you will not leave hungry. I can only assume that those yelpers are not accustomed to fine cuisine. Sure, you can go to dennys and order a giant ribeye for less than $20.... but you wont be able to watch a pacific sunset from the top on Big Sur perched high above PCH while enjoying it. The waitstaff was knowledgable and attentive. The food was fantastic. Dont let the negative reviews sway you! read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

I had a fantastic lunch with relatives a few month's ago at Pacific's Edge but have not reviewed till today. The blackened halibut sandwich was grilled to perfection and the service was excellent. And the seating, as always, was breathtaking. Great interior corner seating with an expansive ocean view. Before we left, the chef came out and he gave us advice on how best to grill blackened fish. I would recommend to anyone wanting a memorable meal. read more

This restaurant has magnificent views but average food and good service. I will go back knowing that. read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - Pacific Edge Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

Amazing breakfast at California Market at Pacific's Edge and dinner at the Pacific's Edge Restaurant this weekend. The view was mesmerizing and the food outstanding. For breakfast I had their huervos rancheros in a skillet and my husband had dungeness crab benedict. Both out of this world ! For dinner best abalone and tender octopus for appetizer and then sea bass.... delicious! Now off to hike at Point Lobos State Reserve.... :D read more

A group of four of us visited here last night for my birthday. We sat out on the patio for a beautiful sunset over the ocean and then went inside and sat at a window table for dinner. Our server Nelson was very friendly and professional. He knew a lot about the menu and the sustainability/ ethical qualities of all their food as well as proper table etiquette. I got the lamb which was beautifully tender and delicious! We chased dinner with a Rose champagne and local Pinot Noir from McIntyre winery. We finished dinner with an amazing Tahitian vanilla Creme brûlée which I highly recommend! Great experience overall! read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

Its hard not to like a restaurant with as stunning views of the California coastline as those that one enjoys while dining at Pacific's Edge. As part of the Hyatt Carmel Highlands resort and sitting at the very edge of the rocky coast, you can have an amazing experience mostly because of how breathtaking the views are, especially during sunset. This is a spot where you'll want to break out the almanac in order to capture that precise moment and make it really special. Arrive early to give yourself some time to get acquianted with the space and everything it has to offer. We parked ourselves at the bar and enjoyed a couple of nice glasses of wine (after perusing through the massive wine list - it is literally over 50 pages long). At the time, I was a pretty big fan of Chardonnay and particularly enjoyed the Sleepy Hollow Vineyard from Talbott. The decor is quite fancy; most patrons were wearing business casual or above. The space itself was quite large and can be dizzying at first to navigate through. I remember there were a number of large groups as well. Obviously, the best tables are the ones next to the windows where you'll be able to gaze out into the Pacific and when darkness falls, spotlights shine through the trees. You might even catch a bat or two flying about. I had the filet mignon with bernaise sauce - medium rare and cooked to perfection, it was very juicy and tender, full of flavor and well-seasoned. Each bite basically melted in my mouth. I also tried the California white sea bass served with roasted butternut squash, brussel sprouts, applewood smoked bacon, parsnip puree, and truffle jus. This restaurant is clearly a place where you would save for a special occasion and cherish every moment you have while you're there. read more

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We had dinner at pacific edge restaurant. The food was delicious, my wife had the clam chowder with bacon. She loved it and said it was one of the best she ever had. Her main course was Monterey salmon which was tender and flavorful. I ordered Kansas City steak which was full of flavor and very juicy. Now the service was excellent, at every hyatt restaurant you can expect the best. The view is to kill for. We were seated next to the window and we were mesmerized. We stayed at the hyatt highlands and have the same view in our room! Great location all around. If you want to reserve a table at restaurant go to open table, FYI. read more

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This review is based on one lunch and one dinner following the changes they've made to incorporate the California Marketplace with the main restaurant, Pacific Edge. We dined frequently at California Marketplace and were very happy with the location and the food. That is no longer the case. Location is still great. The view is absolutely gorgeous. Other than Rocky Point, no other restaurant has such a wonderful view. The service is still always wonderful. For dinner the food is very, very expensive compared to other restaurants along the coast, and the food is generally mediocre. I could have made it better at home and I'm not a gourmet chef. Lunch was more of the same; high prices (although more in line with some of the other high-end lunch locations) and mediocre food. I would still recommend going to this restaurant, but be forewarned about the quality of the dishes. We have always enjoyed the fish tacos from the lunch menu and those are still good. The clam chowder is very good, but the portions now are cup-size when you order a bowl (very disappointing) and you don't get the yummy bread they used to serve at the Marketplace. An alternate option is to just get appetizers at the bar/lounge area, which still has a great view, but seating with a view is limited (and usually there are kids running about and adults lounging for very long periods of time). When we were there for a Friday evening, there was live music in the lounge area, which was very entertaining, and there is plenty of seating in that area of the lounge. It was comfortable to sit and enjoy the music in the beautiful, spacious room and people also were dancing (I don't know if that's the norm since I've only had dinner there once). I really wanted this to be a nice place to eat as traffic closer to Big Sur is a nightmare these days, which makes going to Rocky Point impossible, but unfortunately they fell very short. Still... the location is great. read more

Insiders tip: if you see that the marine layer has pulled back over the water come here in the morning for breakfast! Yes, you will spend $3 or so above average for a breakfast entree but the view totally makes up for it! Also the food is very good too! I highly recommend the corn beef hash. One random thing made makes this place even better is the flatware they use. It seems very high quality and fits the setting perfectly! I also recommend visiting the lounge next door in the evening for happy hour as well. You don't need to be a hotel guest to eat here and it's a quick drive from downtown Carmel. Parking has never been a problem mid-week but I'm guessing it can get a little crazy on the weekends so plan accordingly. Also be prepared for hills and steps between where you park and the actual restaurant. read more

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No longer Pacific's edge- more family casual- It's not changing for better. Really like some people there, but feels quality and service, food, drinks are sinking. The place is in most spectacular setting, but I preferred decor ten years ago much more. It is, August, soon September, but have to ask for fireplace to be lit- foggy cool night. But sometimes- they don't now. Used to always be lit. Miss Joe's piano- classical, and early show tunes- 4 nights on piano. Miss the old lighting and simple furniture- now funky textiles. read more

Took wifey here for her birthday lunch. The view, weather, service and food were all exceptional and I honestly couldn't fault a thing. We'll definitely come back again and would highly recommend to anyone. Suggest a lunch so you can bask in the view from the outside heated patio which is a real gobsmacker ! read more

Pretty good food, really good atmosphere. Couldn't understand the waiter not because of anything other than it was a bit loud outside.

One of the most fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean you will ever have from a restaurant. Service is friendly and excellent. You don't need a window seat to have a great view. As to quality French cuisine, it is hardly identifiable as "French". Go for the view. It is worth it if you are cash heavy. read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - Robert - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

One of the best places in the área, thanks to the manager Gabriel wonderful experience ,great wines and the chocolate croissant is to died for ,in general everything is wonderful...you have to be there yourself.. read more

Delicious food, spectacular views -- a beautiful, special occasion restaurant (quite pricey). read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - View from dining room - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

I don't write reviews often, but I feel compelled to write this one after our experience visiting the California Market restaurant at Hyatt Carmel Highlands. The meal was good (nothing mind blowing), but the views were spectacular. However, there were a few issues we encountered and I'm hoping the hotel & restaurant will take action. My husband is in a wheelchair and there was no accessible parking near the entrance. Second, once inside the doors, the ramp into the restaurant was used for storage and there were several items blocking the path. Third, the landing at the top of the ramp wasn't ADA compliant in that it didn't have the required 5'x5' landing. As a result, my husband was unable to turn his wheelchair and safely enter/exist the ramp. Do better Hyatt! read more

The view is still excellent, but the food and service is disappointing. It used to be so special: a great menu and top-flight service set against one of the most beautiful coasts in the world. The coast is still there, but the menu has become rather pedestrian, the flavors bland and the preparation odd (the ceviche was four thin slides of shrimp in an orange sauce). But the service level was well below expectations for a place like this. Our server had the charm of a used car salesman -- glib and arrogant and not very attentive when attention was needed. My wife reasoned that it might be the influence of Hyatt's ownership of this once-great property. Which is ironic: We love the Highlands and stayed there to be closer to the restaurant; now we might as well stay closer to downtown. read more

Very disappointed with our experience. Here for our wedding week and the only good thing about the hotel we their Bellman Ta'u; extremely nice and went above and beyond. The front desk experience was awful, and Diego didn't help anything. My fiancé called twice before, once days ahead, for an early check in, and not only was the room not ready for us early, it was late. Aside from being arrogant and rude, Diego also never text us letting us know when the room was ready. We then got some drinks at the bar, and our bartender was less than enthusiastic to be there. We decided to give it one more change with dinner, and again we were disappointed. I had the short rib which was tough and flavorless, and although I only had one bite, Tim didn't seem to catch on and ask if everything was ok. Sadly won't be coming here again even though the hotel itself was beautiful. read more

Stopped by here on the way to camp at Big Sur (what a nice way to start the weekend. I got the grilled cheese sandwich and my wife got the grilled chicken club. Both were quite good (and both had bacon--coincidence? I think not). They were a little pricey at $17 a piece, but the restaurant was very nice with beautiful view (and attached to an upscale hotel), so this is about right. read more

We came here for my mom's birthday on a beautiful day. Staff was pleasant and very attentive, they provided excellent service. The food was very good. We came on a Saturday and it was a brunch menu. The reason for 4 stars comes from the fact that there was probably only 3-4 entrees to select from for lunch. We didn't realize they didn't have a full lunch menu as it was not clear on the website. They only have dinner menus posted. However, three of us ended up ordering Benedicts, while my boyfriend got fish tacos and Stepdad got steak and eggs. Everyone really enjoyed their food. The view from the outside deck is unbeatable on a sunny day. Overall a very good experience and would love to try dinner sometime. read more

Pacific's Edge Restaurant - The view from the outside deck during lunch. - Seafood Near Me - Carmel, California

We loved our dinner experience here! So many times restaurants rely on their good views and lack on food quality, but this restaurant had both. The food was incredible (get the calamari, short rib, and halibut) and the service was fantastic. Riva served us, who was the best waiter we've ever had! He had wonderful food/drink recommendations, and was so friendly and personable, he made us feel right at home. It was a real treat to eat here, the highlight of our stay. read more

Wonderful meal and exceptional service from Riva and Alejandro. My husband nearly cried at terrific flavors of beef short ribs, sauce outrageously good even before tasting the meat. read more

Very unimpressive. My husband and I came in for breakfast & were given a window seat with a nice view. That was the extent of anything special. The menu had very few options. He ordered pancakes with a side of bacon & eggs. I ordered an egg white omelette. We didn't wait too long for our food, but I was given the wrong omelette--nothing I asked for except the eggs themselves lol. It was a few minutes before the waiter came back to check on us, so I told him at that point. He offered to have a new one made. I'm the meantime, my husband sat there eating alone. I picked off his plate too, and by the time my correct omelette came, I was full and didn't even want it. The waiter walked by and even stopped a couple times at our table, yet our glasses stayed empty until I finally asked for a refill. It's not that I mind asking, but I also expect an offer when the glasses are clearly empty. Our bill was brought with no pen, so we waited a few minutes to try to flag someone down but nobody came by. My husband finally got up and found a pen at an empty register. Anyway, the one redeeming thing about this place is that I wasn't charged at all for my breakfast. I can't recommend this place at all. I'm sure there are far better places in the area to spend your money. read more

Had a memorable birthday dinner celebration with our 95 year old father. Rack of lamb was perfect. Husband enjoyed his New York steak. Relaxing and enjoying the scenic view luckily included spotting whales. Very cool. We'll be back. Service was professional and friendly. read more

Excellent view, great service, Rosemary, our server, was very friendly and helpful, so was the man sitting at the desk just inside the front door. Very expensive, but good quality bar and restaurant. read more