Running Iron

Great salads, pizzas, and fish tacos. The pizzas are…read moreItalian style. The fish taco with fresh cabbage on top are very delicious.. The service is average depend depending on a server. I love the outdoor seating. It's very European and quaint.

I first heard about Corkscrew Cafe on "Check Please!" and knew I had to try it when I'm in Carmel…read more We came here yesterday (4/23/26) and were not disappointed! Initially I wanted a mimosa but they were out of Prosecco. :( Instead I had the white wine honey mojito, which was sweet and not too heavy on the alcohol. We shared the elote (special!) and mushroom pizzas. The pizzas were cooked perfectly and were even better the next day. The elote pizza has a bit of a kick but not super spicy. I also tried a little of the pear blue cheese salad, which was tasty. Waitress was friendly and the food came out quickly. Plenty of indoor and outdoor dining options. We sat outside and it wasn't too chilly or noisy. Would come next I'm in Carmel!

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Rosé

Cafe Rustica

4.2(676 reviews)

0.3 mi

The food was so good last time that I decided to come back with my family for my birthday dinner…read more There were eight of us with a 5pm reservation and the hostess kindly seated us a little bit early on the patio. The service at Cafe Rustica is outstanding. We had a waiter who took our orders, another one serving our food, and a third pouring water. All were very friendly and professional. I ordered the chicken apple sausage dish I loved so much last time. Others in the party ordered chicken, pinto bean soup, and I think the salmon. Everyone enjoyed their food. My sister surprised me with a small birthday cake she had purchased earlier from a bakery. The waiter brought us small plates and forks and we all had a piece.

My husband and I had a delightful evening at Cafe Rustica! After spending time in the hustle and…read morescene of CBTS, the vibe of this restaurant and surrounding businesses was just what we were after for a cozy, delicious, dinner. Roman took amazing care of us, efficient and friendly and making sure our plates weren't empty for long. Made great recommendations on the menu. Food was incredible, all seems to be homemade/from scratch, and had great flavors. Grilled shrimp skewers, beet salad, butter lettuce salad, lentil soup, vegetarian pizza, and passion fruit sorbet, finished with a decaf americano... would order it all again in a heartbeat! Memorably good spot for us!

Kitchen

Calamari

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The Dynamite

Sur at The Barnyard

4.4(2.1k reviews)

10.8 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.

Inside

Signature Beet Salad and Fried Artichokes

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Chocolates

Lucia Restaurant & Bar

4.0(251 reviews)

2.1 mi

The chef tonight was amazing…read more The tomato bisque with butter was so so so good Then we had to try a fun cocktail Cucumber margarita Was very summer festive We felt so special with the attention to service Cary is been one of the best best in the industry for years Always when you plan a dinner at Lucia you know it's top notch

Beautiful Ambience and Setting…read more Decent Service. Our server was a nice guy and helped with the menu selection. Good Food that was beautifully plated. - Bread service - I know it's just bread but damn this bread is a beautiful creation of dough and baked to perfection. - Harvest Vegetable Bisque is fantastic! And completely plant based so don't let the "bisque" in the name scare you away. - Red Abalone appetizer - don't bother as you don't get to taste the abalone. The brioche and sauce overpower the abalone... so all you taste is brioche and butter sauce. - The farm fowl is hearty and comforting. The quail is quite tender. Loved all the veg in the dish too. - Salmon was perfectly prepared... meaty yet tender. Sadly the low points.... outweigh what should have been a lovely dinner out. - We received our wine AFTER we were mostly done with our appetizers. We even waited to start enjoying our appetizers thinking our wine would be out at the same time. Since my soup was getting cold, I could not wait any longer and had 1 bite left when our wine finally showed up. - Our server seemed overtaxed. It appeared he was trying to help literally everyone from what I could tell and disappeared for long stretches of time. - The 1 mom (sitting at the table behind us) constantly telling her toddler to sit down (the toddler was actually quiet, it was the mom that was irritating). - The multi family, multi kid large table that sat in the middle of the patio (while not super noisy) was disruptive with the kids constantly walking around all the tables and going back and forth from the patio to the "outside" down the stairs by our table. Seriously... your kids don't care that you want to sit and drink and hang out... they want to move and play and be kids. Eat and then take them someplace else.

Lobby. Beautiful and full of fresh flowers.

Kids Plate

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BERNARDUS BLOODY MARY

O'Callaghans

4.8(152 reviews)

10.8 mi

This place is a fantastic Irish pub/ hidden gym that only the locals know about. It's also right…read morebehind the Carmel mission Inn and on Highway one so it's easy to get to. It also has one of the best selections for Irish whiskey. It also has outstanding pub food. The hamburger, fried chicken sandwich, and Guinness ribs are my favorite. I think the best times to go there or happy hour and after dinner and you usually are guaranteed to get a spot at the bar. Perfect for groups and party, especially with outdoor seating. Add a chance to meet the owner Brent today and he took me through some of the recent renovations. Super clean all of the staff is very friendly. 6 Stars.

The service was incredible, sincerely top tier. We came…read morehere after a wedding and had the pleasure of listening to Andy as the DJ and had a great dance party. The music had the best vibes and after party aura! Thank you so much for having us and letting us continue to celebrate the newlyweds. Would definitely come back and recommend to all!

Classic Irish Coffee - fabulous with sips already taken before taking this photo - SLAINTE! (October, 2025)

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From Scratch Restaurant

4.3(2.3k reviews)

10.8 mi

Excellent food, but really the standout was our waitress Sarda. Extremely friendly, attentive and…read moreanticipated what we needed before we could even ask, cannot say enough good things!!

Food was fantastic and service was friendly. Sat outside on a beautiful sunny day. The place was…read morepacked so get ready to wait. The wait was really fast tho. Food was delicious and hot. I ordered the corned beef hash and eggs. They give big portions and the corned beef is fresh and cooked to perfection. I enjoy a little crisp on the beef. My partner ordered the huevos rancheros. He devoured the whole dish and enjoyed every flavor. We love to bring our dog with us on our many adventures and this place is very dog friendly. They have a doggie menu and ordered scrambled eggs. Our dog loved them. They give big portions so we were able to take some home. Great place. I'd come back again

View of inside seating

Hot chocolate

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Bloody Mary

Valley Kitchen

3.9(204 reviews)

4.5 mi

The brilliant work of Chef Andrew. It's clear that the chef loves food, has a huge heart, and cooks…read morewith joy and passion. We've been to Valley Kitchen dozens of times and the food gets better and tastier. It's evident that the chef and team explores how to incorporate fresh, local, and fine ingredients and bring to life the best of CVR's and California's identity to its dishes. Our favorites are the smoked salmon sourced from Santa Cruz and smoked at Valley Kitchen, Upside Down Hot Honey Cornbread .. and love how he uses the honey, cheese, and garden ingredients. At one point, we had strict diet restrictions and asked Chef Andrew to cook without sugar and to keep our meals below 5g of carb. Not only did we stick to our strict keto diet while traveling but we also fell in love with every single dish he made. Chef Andrew embraced this opportunity to test and adjust to meet our diet needs AND introduce us to new ingredients to include into our diet. We are forever grateful. On this trip, although we asked for his avocado dessert, he politely recommended Chef Molly's desserts. I love how he puts the entire team at the center of the experience. It's a team effort and the desserts were unique to Carmel -- especially with CVR lavender curd. The people who work at CVR and Valley Kitchen are top notch. They are extremely attentive, respectful, and friendly. Many of the servers have been there for years and it shows that when there is a good work culture that it translates to better customer service. The ambiance brings a combination of natural beauty, warmth and coziness (especially with the fireplace), and Californian modern and sleek. I love the Zafferano Pina lamps that provide an intimate experience and enough light to the table (need to see what we're eating!). Thank you, Chef Andrew and team for letting us experience culinary excellence while we rest and heal at our happy place.

My wife and I ate here for her birthday last year and left thinking we'd found our new "special…read moreoccasion" spot. Big mistake getting attached. We came back for my birthday and it turns out this restaurant runs on a strict one-birthday-per-couple policy. The host wished me a happy birthday on the way in, and that was the last acknowledgment I'd get all night. Our waiter treated the table like a myth he'd heard about but never confirmed existed. Water refills required multiple requests and were still somehow optional. A steak knife did eventually materialize, but only after I asked, meaning I spent a solid chunk of dinner sawing away with a butter knife slicked in butter. And dessert showed up 30+ minutes after we ordered it, at which point it wasn't dessert anymore, it was a surprise second meal. Not once did he apologize or acknowledge anything was off, which honestly might be the most impressive part of the night. Total commitment to the bit. Then the salmon, which we ordered off the dog menu, arrived after my wife and I were basically finished with our meal. The rice felt like it had spent the evening chilling in the walk-in fridge, and the potatoes were still raw enough to plant. We loved this place once. Now, if you're staying at the hotel, do yourself a favor and just order room service.

Valley Kitchen

Hen-House Egg White Burrito

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Apple/berry cobbler

Los Laureles Lodge Restaurant & Saloon

3.9(134 reviews)

1.4 mi

Returned to Carmel Valley last weekend with family to celebrate my birthday. We had four rooms at…read moreLos Laureles Lodge and were happy with our accommodations, although strangely it seemed some rooms had coffeemakers while others did not. It didn't really matter because the eight of us had the continental breakfast in the common room every morning and there was plenty of coffee available there. For breakfast they had coffee cake, fruit, hard boiled eggs, granola, and juices. I brought additional food for everyone, which the staff didn't mind. Everyone liked the continental breakfast. We ate at the restaurant on Friday evening. I made reservations well in advance, which was a good thing because it was quite busy. They set us up in a private dining room with a window. I had the special prime rib because it was so good last time I dined there. I ordered it medium rare and it was delicious again, except for the very center, which was so rare I couldn't cut it. The mashed potatoes and veggies that accompanied it were very good. Others ordered ribs and burgers, and everyone enjoyed their meal. The waitress was quite busy running around to all her tables, but she was as attentive as she could be with so many diners. I love the peace and natural beauty of Los Laureles Lodge and will probably always stay there when in Carmel Valley.

Los Laureles Lodge - Carmel Valley I was hesitant to stay…read morehere because the property looked very rustic, but it was one of the recommended hotels for a wedding at Stonepine Estate and a shuttle stop, so I decided to join the group. Unfortunately, the reservation process was a major issue. Despite multiple calls ahead of time confirming room types and occupancy, several reservations were incorrect upon arrival, leaving guests scrambling to find rooms, adjust arrangements, or pay unexpected additional costs. The property itself is rustic but clean. We did not experience any bugs or critters, and the grounds are actually quite nice to explore. The rooms, however, are very basic and dated, with dark wood paneling, minimal amenities, cramped bathrooms, and inconsistent shower temperatures. Our decorative headboard was not securely attached and fell off the wall, which was unsettling, especially since one of the few outlets was underneath it. The refrigerator worked well, and the front desk provided extra towels when requested. The complimentary breakfast was simple but adequate (coffee, tea, hot cocoa, juice, melon, hard-boiled eggs, and coffee cake). We did not use the restaurant or bar during our stay. The property has a pool and event spaces that looked nice, although they seemed quiet during our summer weekend visit. Bonus: there are two resident cats, one very friendly and one more mangy. The best part of our stay was Colin at the front desk. He was kind, helpful, and went above and beyond,helping with questions, last-minute deliveries, and even assisting with a wedding-related printing request. Overall, I'd rate this as a solid 3-star hotel. It's clean, safe, and has a charming rustic setting, but the rooms and amenities are very basic. I would consider staying again only if the price was reasonable and options were limited.

Hill House Dining Area

Loaded burger

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Pangaea on Ocean Ave

4.5(2.6k reviews)

12.0 mi

Amazing service!! Food was so great and appetizing!!Their delicious freshly baked bread was the…read morecherry on top with my chicken parmesan. Our waiter Darnell gave me and my family such a warm, welcoming experience!!along with great and honest food recommendations!! I'd come back anytime visiting Carmel‼

We ordered a dozen raw oysters, and every one was fresh and delicious. There were a few small shell…read morefragments that may have been left behind during shucking, but it didn't take away from the overall experience. The Fish Tacos were outstanding. The fish was cooked perfectly, the proportions of vegetables and avocado were spot-on, and whatever sauce they use was absolutely out-of-this-world delicious. The Kalbi Short Ribs were another highlight, cooked perfectly and seasoned to perfection. Our server, Jasmine, was one of the best we've had. She was incredibly friendly, attentive, and somehow managed to get our food out to us very quickly without making us feel rushed. The restaurant itself also had a surprisingly great setup, especially considering how small and compact everything can feel in Carmel. Overall, this was a fantastic experience from the food to the service and atmosphere. Definitely a place I'd be happy to visit again!

Inside

Huevos Rancheros ($16)

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Great selection of Hot Sauces ($0)

Mission Bistro

Such a lovely, home away from home experience From the hostess stand to the chef personally…read morebringing out the dessert! Of course the food was impeccable and cooked just to our liking! The whole vibe of a Sunday night was enjoyable and I'll definitely be back for future celebrations and events

Friendly staff! Very nice inside and wasn't busy at all…read more Their soba was phenomenal!! Light yet packed with flavor. We really enjoyed their mocktails and burrata. Didn't care too much for the espresso martini but it's ok. Overall a great experience and would return

Things to do in Carmel Valley

Crab + Pea Risotto

Heirloom Leaf Salad

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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

19 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

MJ P.

9 years ago

This was posted by my cousin the other day.... All Carmel Valley residents and those that frequent the area: Today my mom, Brenda Kovach, my dad, and my brother, Robert A Kovach all got kicked out of The Running Iron permanently. To make a long story short, my mom sent my dad down to The Running Iron last night to order a to-go order. After bringing it home my mom got a call from Danny screaming and yelling at her that they had taken an extra order of chicken that they did not pay for. For those of you that do not know who Danny is, he is the chef and manager of the restaurant. He is notorious for yelling at customers and staff, as well other things that are not my place to bring up. My mom told Danny that it seemed to be a mistake and that she would come down to the restaurant the next day (today) and pay for it. So, my mom goes in to The Running Iron this afternoon for a beer and to catch up with friends. After a bit Danny comes out and starts getting in her face and yelling at her. My mom being my mom, of course does not allow this man to yell at her and she tells him to get out of her face and leave her alone. Things escalate, he takes her beer from her and tells her to get out, she refuses, and he says he'll call the cops, she says "go ahead". My dad and brother come down in the mean time to back my mom up before the cops come. My brother tries to talk to Danny who refuses to even come out of the back. This whole time the new bartender, Marick, does not stand up for my mom at all, allows Danny to scream at her, and even has the nerve to tell my mom it's her fault and she needs to leave. Danny tells both my brother and dad that they are kicked out as well. The cops arrive, and clearly nothing happens. My mom did nothing wrong and the cops tell her just that. They even tell her they know about Danny and the stuff he pulls. The point to all of this is that Danny needs to go. I have watched him scream and harass my mom for years. I have heard stories of him doing the same to others. My family has lived in the valley for years and The Running Iron has always been a part of our lives. It is so unfortunate that a business that is so important to our community employs such a hateful person. What I am asking today is to please take your business elsewhere until Danny is permanently gone from The Running Iron. I have high hopes that they can find someone new there and that everyone can once again know they are giving their money to a business that employs kind people. ...and for those of you wondering, don't worry, my mom got to finish her beer. read more

Lori S.

11 years ago

So I guess I should of read reviews first cause I guess its just a burger joint. Basically I just came into the valley to check it out with my mom and we were both so hungry didnt have time to shop around. Heard the joint was a local favorite so we went. I ordered an app, the fried artichoke hearts, which were bad, then I got the Salmon entree, my mom got a seafood pasta. To make a long story short Both were horrible. My mom ate hers cause she was starving and I could only eat the veggies and rice My Salmon was rare and yucky and even the tomatoe basil soup we got with it was bad and neither of us ate it too. If it wasn't for the bread, side of veggies and rice I would have left starved and still had to pay 20.99 for the entree and like $11 for app. So 30 plus tip and it SUCKED!!!! Worse than fast food. She was unable to give us a discount after calling the owner. 8( bad buisness dude I will never GO Back again. Shoulda just order a burger I guess cause after reading reviews guess they are not bad. Was soo bumbed they couldn't even give us 20% off? I mean if I had eatin it okay no discount but I am sorry I dont eat Salmon Rare. Very disappointed. read more

Carol S.

13 years ago

I love you guys! We always feel welcome and the vibe is always right. The food and drinks always hit the spot no matter what it is. We had the grilled artichoke, prime rib sandwich and ribs tonight! YUM!!! We also love the Carmel Valley Pale Ale! Still trying to find it at a liquor store without any luck, another reason to go back and see you guys soon. You guys have it down, whether for breakfast ( love the pancakes), lunch or dinner. Count on seeing us again, again, and again! The friendliest staff ever making us local regulars feel like super stars! Thanks! read more

Michael C.

16 years ago

If you want to go slug back some beers on a Friday Night or just whenever then this is the place to go. I'd even say go ahead with some of the fried foods but just stick to the simple bar foods people. The menu is humongous and its easy to get distracted and order something that you probably shouldn't at a place like this. Just keep it simple, bar food like wings and mozzarella sticks parlayed with some alcohol and you'll be fine. read more

Tawni C.

6 years ago

Do to the Corona virus the running iron will be open for to go food only open at 4:30 and closed at 8: o'clock pm phone in orders only and cash and cards excepted the Stirupp Cup Pizza will be open 4:30 till 8: o'clock as well . Everyone please bear with us through this uncertain time and we are trying to do the right thing to keep are community fed and safe . Running Iron # 659-4633 / Stirupp Cup # 659-4358 read more

stacy d.

13 years ago

THE RUNNING IRON IS AN INSTITUTION! Carmel Valley is lucky to have such a great place to go...especially after 9-9:30 when everywhere else (including most of Carmel by the Sea)has closed for the evening! Food has gotten better and better now the original management/ownership team has taken it back, over 2 years ago. Wedding Parties galore in the summer! all kinds of different peeps!! Try it! read more

Jay D.

11 years ago

Oh man! My wife and I live in the Valley, and decide to go to the running iron, in the past it was so,so.. But I guess they got a new head chef. I Had the soup of the day, cream of zucchini, and it was amazing! Followed up with some perfectly cook Calamari. This place looks like a county dive bar, but it's putting out 5 star quality food! This place will be a regular stop! read more

brenda l.

15 years ago

This is your basic country kick ass place in Carmel Valley Village, complete with cowboy bar as well as restaurant. Fun place for a beer and a hamburger while you are watching the football game on Saturday afternoon. Price right and nice people. Not for your gourmet needs but the food is pretty decent for this type of place. Diverse clientele. read more

Rachelle L.

212

139

1 year ago

Very hostile environment, whether or not you are local. Absolutely mind blowing that bartenders will openly state they support nazism. In case that isn't enough, no one wants a rude, condescending and straight up mean bartender who makes weak drinks with high fructose corn syrup mixers. Gross vibes, gross drinks, extremely gross people. read more

Brandon G.

9 months ago

the Running Iron , Fly issue's everywhere, something that ruins a meal. Pest control could fix that problem but I guess you don't mess with Carmel wildlife. That's all I have on the Running Iron. Go when it's cold that should help with the flys. read more

Russell J.

14 years ago

The running iron is a classic saloon staple in carmel valley. Its always a great time and great place to grab a burger and beer and have fun in a causal country atmosphere! read more

thomas s.

15 years ago

Fun place. i take the motorcycle out there a couple times a month stop for lunch then go on for a ride. Solid food and service. Nothing fancy just enjoy it. read more

Carl B H.

16 years ago

Good place for a nice drink...though I wouldnt eat here becuase of the noise. Will come back for a nice drink with the guys though

Matthew T.

2 years ago

THIS is a bar. That's the review. That it is all you need to know. If you want to go to the best bar you've ever been to, go here.

Bruce F.

9 years ago

Great for Hindus looking for a fun night out of fasting. Otherwise, don't waste the time and money.

Sara J.

12 years ago

Rude staff. Cold, greasy food, warm beer. Try Wills Fargo, better everything!

Poop L.

14 years ago

jenny the bartender is the bitch from hell

Johnny M.

13 years ago

I love this bar!

Jeff H.

149

160

14 years ago

Home Base

Running Iron - bars - Updated September 2026

Best of Carmel Valley

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Deja Blue

3.7

(109 reviews)

This place could be so good, but the owner is getting in the way of the progress. Get a real bar…read moretender and let the wait staff do their job. Get out of their way. You hire experts but it obvious that something is getting in their way and confusing things. I would love to enjoy the place, but it is clear what tbe issue is and it is someone trying to do too much and doesnt know when to step aside and trust a staff expert to do their jobs. Also, dont Iecture your patrons on who to bring and what to buy to keep your business afloat... we would be there if the tables were clean, the drinks are good and the food is consistent and the staff didnt look confused and put through a ringer. I really want this place to survive...but Mr. Owner you need to get out of your own way!

YALL. This jazz bar is about to turn into a jazz sports bar! :) Darryl is updating his menu and…read moreexpanding his food menu so everyone should get ready to eat, drink, and be merry here. The music is always popping & I can't get enough of the wings here. Good thing on Thursdays they have 80 cent wings available. One of my fave DJs also plays there on Thursday nights as well sooooo let's get her going ! Sea yall there for some good SOUL food like tri tip, ribs, sweet potatoes, Mac and cheese, and more!

Tap Room

4.2

(256 reviews)

We love going to the Tap Room. Great food and service and nice variety of wine, beer and spirits…read more The meatloaf was hearty and good and the sand dabs were also very good. Love that they are open and serve later than most restaurants in the area.

My BIL had eaten at the Tap Room previously and wanted to return. Six of us went for my birthday…read moredinner. The restaurant was dimly lit. The tables were crowded together so it presented challenges to exit from many tables. The waiter was friendly and talkative. He made suggestions for the men in our party but seemed to dismiss the women. He missed one of our side dishes entirely. The food was nothing special. The potato skins were dry and the prime rib reminded me of bacon. The lettuce wedge salad was the best food item. I like the Point Reyes blue cheese made it stand out. I had a half order of baby back ribs. They were crispy. We shared 2 desserts. Bread pudding and coconut cake. The pudding was good. The cake was just cake. Because it was my birthday they brought a 2 inch square of gluten free raspberry cake. We did not order it. I requested a scoop of ice cream which came on the pudding. The raspberry cake was dry. We were charged $6 for the cake. Just because a restruantit is exclusive does not make it worth the cost.

Rio Grill

4.0

(961 reviews)

The rack of lamb were phenomenal, I had rare it and the chef nailed it. The meat were tender,…read moreperfectly grilled smoke. Amazing

Absolutely loved this restaurant! The location is great, and there is plenty of parking, which…read moremakes the whole experience even better. I ordered the Grilled Prawn Penne Pasta, and it was AMAZING--definitely one of the best pasta dishes I've had! You can also order it spicy if you like a little heat, which is a great option for spice lovers. I took my mom here for her birthday, and they surprised us with a dessert. It was such a sweet gesture, and the dessert was SOOOO yummy! Great food, wonderful experience, and the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. We'll definitely be coming back!

Tarpy's

4.0

(1.6k reviews)

What a great place to enjoy a late afternoon! Martinis and a couple of appetizers. We sat outside…read morein the courtyard, we were startled the first time a small private airplane flew right over us! Great service and we will be back soon!

Love, love, love!!! This is the perfect starving little getaway place. The food was delicious,…read morethe martinis were great and our waitress was in top of everything! Anytime we're up in this area, we will be back! Make sure you sit out in the courtyard!

The Glasshouse

4.3

(21 reviews)

We came in under stressful circumstances -- in town for our son's car accident -- and The…read moreGlasshouse was exactly the calm, welcoming spot we needed. The space itself is modern, with a long bar and a separate lounge-like area -- great vibe. Diego was the only one there when we arrived, and he was incredibly friendly and empathetic. He recommended the skirt steak (great call), and my wife loved the homemade flautas. Their food is cooked with beef tallow which is healthier and more flavorful than some seed oils (I bbq and cook so this stood out.) They have a rotating selection on beer and ciders. After hearing why we were in town, he offered us a round on the house before heading out -- we later found out he's actually the owner, though he was way too humble to mention it himself. Kiara took great care of us the rest of the visit -- attentive, warm, and genuinely took time to check in with us during a hard day. Small businesses like this, run by people like Diego, deserve to succeed -- especially when you can tell they're taking care of visitors who aren't even from the area. We'll be back next time we're in Salinas, hopefully under better circumstances!

The husband left dinner plans up to me, so I decided on The Glasshouse. I wanted to try something…read moredifferent and new. We walked in around 9:30 pm and the place felt great--well-lit, lively, music playing, and people chatting. We found a small table tucked in the corner near what I assume was the restroom. A nice gentleman asked if we'd mind him moving the table for us, which actually worked out better for me. We ordered two chimichurri skirt steak sandwiches--mine with fries, his with onion rings--and I got a mouthwatering water melon lime 5% cider. Everything hit the spot. We both got full after half a sandwich and took the rest home. I totally recommend this place. Don't skip the chamoy rim on the drink--the tanginess pairs perfectly with the cider. We'll definitely be back.

Turn 12

3.7

(973 reviews)

I haven't been going out to eat. Saving money for travel. But, got a bug to be at 12 turn. I…read moreexperience the best service here as a solo (not at night. Night manager won't give me a 4 top). Ordered food. But what I want to point out is the generous pour. This photo was taken after a few sips.

What could be improved.... Everything but the cook!…read more Any stars given are to the chef. People that were in line for a table behind us got their food first. There was a family of three that came 15 mins after we did... we barley got one round (no waters, the bus boy served us waters, waiter over worked) they got two rounds plus there food. Mind you there was only two of us. There was a table of 4 that were behind us, they got their food, ate and we still didn't have our food. Worst service I've ever had I am from the Bay Area where we are over populated and use to waiting. It wasn't the wait, it was how disrespectful the wait became. DONT OPEN THE 12 doors just walk away.... Not to mention they didn't even give me my damn truffle fries, didn't even have the heart to ask and wait another hour for them to fix it. Thanks for the strong drink, it was greatly needed!

Coastal Taste Lounge

4.0

(4 reviews)

Waited 20 minutes for a menu, another 20 with no one taking our order. We were a table of three and…read moreonly five other tables in the restaurant... Very poor service, no mention of they'll be right with us, I don't know why this has such good reviews. Would not recommend. (I see a bunch of 5 star reviews - cool, surprised these people were even able to get food.)

Definitely love this place! Came back for lunch and a michelada. Great music and vibe.read more

American Burger

4.1

(558 reviews)