Delicious food, awesome ambiance, and great service. I had the wonderful halibut with couscous. My friend enjoyed the salmon. The bread basket with garlic butter was addictive. Worth the price! read more

Service - 2.5/5: waitress was nice enough but couldn't talk about the food much and seemed indifferent at times. Service overall was lacking for what's passing as an upscale restaurant - we were left with no serving utensils at times or they took plates away to refresh but they were never replaced until asked. Food - 1/5: overall, drinks were okay and food was lackluster. Main dish was undercooked - we got blue steak and asked for medium rare. Our octopus appetizer was also cold and it came out questionably fast. Accompaniments were all over salted and everything else we got was just so-so. Nothing particularly good or memorable. Ambiance - 2/5: nothing really special indoors. Decor is a bit plain and outdated. I was quite disappointed we passed on our go-to restaurant to try this spot after the meal concluded. I would not come back. read more

The Pocket - Ribeye - New American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Nice patio spot for a midday drink and snack off the main street. Food: 4 Atmosphere: 4 Service: 4 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: no, but via their website (via Tock) Return worthiness: sure Highlights: - Patio: nice elevated area you take stairs up to and one part covered - Gnocchi: wonderfully soft texture and was like a French onion soup with short rib chunks. Fun double cheese topper with a crisp flat circle of cheese plus a dollop of gruyere espuma on top. Only drawbacks were it was spendy at $37 and not much meat to be found. 4 stars - Cocktails: we're fine. I got a grapefruity spritz and hub a piggyback old fashioned. 3.5 stars - Service: was friendly though odd swaparoo of people helping is in between - Was able to walk in on a Saturday late afternoon Lowlights: - Heard their flatbreads are great and one was on the menu outside of the restaurant, but not on the menu we were provided read more

Been a while and happy to report a good night at The Pocket. Outside seating is very nice and despite cloudy night very pleasant outside comforted by blazing heaters. Cocktails generous and perfection. Food choices interesting and tasty. I'll go back. You should too. read more

See all

Still one of the better places in the area, however, several years ago, ownership changed, and the menu changed. I was so disappointed when they took the carbonara off the menu, and it became heavier steak menu. I think the menu changed again since then, but bring back the carbonara!! read more

Amazing atmosphere and even better food! Highly recommend the miso cod and their wine selection is top notch too! Looking forward to my next visit here soon. read more

We came to The Pocket for their Happy Hour 3:30 to 5:00. Greeted with smile's immediately and gave us our choice of seating in the sun or shaded. Sun was hot so we picked shade. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor patio. Decent happy hour drink menu but the food options are a bit limited. We were a bit disappointed in that the website menu did not match the menu we were given. We saw images of a charcuterie board which was enticing and octopus as well but sadly both these were no longer available. So we just ordered drinks. The Pocket Potion and Aperol Spritz. Happy to say their drinks are very generous and quite tasty. Their dinner menu looked good. read more

See all

Meal of the year! Fantastic food, excellent service and a vibey atmosphere. The Carmel Apple salad was unbelievable along with the fresh baked rolls. My Jerk Spiced Duck was amazing as was my wife's scallops with Asian rice noodles. We could not have had better service. Melissa and her team are friendly and provide exceptional service!! read more

The Pocket - Duck with Jerk Spices - New American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

See all

We went to The Pocket on our last night in Carmel Beach. It was a beautiful evening outside with fire lamps and a large fire pit creating such a cozy atmosphere. The setting actually reminded me of restaurants in Naples, Florida. The restaurant filled up quickly around dinner time, which added a lively energy to the night. The food was good, but I was a little disappointed about the vegan options. I had called ahead to ask what could be made vegan and was told that several dishes could be adjusted by removing certain ingredients. When we arrived, our waitress shared a different set of limitations, which made the ordering process a bit challenging. I still found something to enjoy, but I wish the information had been more consistent. Overall, we had a lovely experience at The Pocket. The ambiance is wonderful, the service was kind, and the location makes it a nice spot for a relaxed evening in Carmel Beach. I would consider returning, especially if the plant based options become more clear and consistent. read more

See all

Really friendly service in a good location in Carmel. The patio is tightly packed in so I felt a bit claustrophobic but I appreciated the dog friendly patio seating option. We ordered a number of items to share. Nothing was particularly bad (other than the insanely salty strawberry salad!!) but nothing was particularly great either. The best item was the pork chop - giant size and actually quite good - highly recommend this item. The rest of the items weren't that memorable taste wise but weren't bad either. It was just ok. The service however is on point with plate/utensil changes and water refills. The service was quite attentive from the team and we really appreciated the birthday dessert. Not sure we would make special trips to return here but it's a solid dining option in Carmel. read more

See all

Great food, nice atmosphere, and price fair, for what you get in return! Would recommend this place as it is off the beaten path, and therefore a rest from other touristy destinations. read more

Blueberry salad had about a cup of blueberries....and was super overdressed. Sliders had no flavor...service is fantastic and quick....but food is just okay.... read more

We LOVED this spot in Carmel. The food was delicious! Wait staff was also great. Will definitely eat here again!

Wonderful restaurant! We had a lovely dinner here to celebrate my birthday. Got the seared scallops to start (incredible), shared the blueberry salad, and for entrees-half duck & halibut. Everything was delicious, beautifully presented, and perfect. Service was impeccable! Will absolutely return next time we're in Carmel! read more

The Pocket - $40 corkage, but worth it to bring in your own wine - New American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

See all

Fresh food. Wonderful service! Made us feel so welcome. Unique space with some cool people photographs.

One our favorite Carmel restaurants over the last few years...this visit though just didn't hit the mark. The food was solid, but didn't have that seasoning pop (esp. the salads) as in the past. We were charged $12 for a kids pasta with red sauce (fine) but $28 for the grilled chicken that was added. Server did not mention this exorbitant price for a side of grilled chicken breast for a toddler! WHen I inquired afterwards, was just told that was the way it was. Had to ask for dog water bowls and tap water. Patio lovely as usual. Yes the fine dining restaurants in Carmel are pricey, but we used to think this was worth it..... read more

Possibly the best dining experience I have ever had! This team knows how to deliver hospitality. From the host stand, to your server, bussers, managers, and the kitchen magic...nothing disappoints. Thankfully dined in with five friends so we were able to enjoy dishes family style. We ordered all of the dishes at once, and our server informed us that she would be coursing them for us. Everything was delivered perfectly with several rounds of fresh plates and silverware. Our server Janet was friendly and attentive. She knew the answer to every one of our questions regarding sauces and ingredients on dishes. Amazing wine, spirits, and cocktail selection. Do not skip dessert! I highly recommend ordering something that you wouldn't typically lean towards, you never know and will be surprised that you loved it! read more

See all

My wife accidentally made the reservation thru open table which connected us with the pocket in San Diego, a Mexican restaurant. Unaware we showed up and were told that we didn't have a reservation for six. The restaurant manager , Sunny, quickly made arrangements at chefs table and saved the day!! This was not our first time here. We have been here multiple times with friends. In fact we died there last Sunday. We talk so much about it that our other son and her fiancé wanted to experience it so we took them there. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. It has one of the best bars in Carmel. read more

See all

This place was awesome !!!! We went for our 1 year Anniversary dinner. Jeanette took care of us, we loved her. The food was sooooo good, the drinks were perfect, and the surprise dessert was divine. Will definitely be back. read more

See all

We were in Carmel for a few days and ate at some great restaurants. The Pocket was my favorite restaurant for dinner! We ordered the following: Meatballs $22 - it was just mid. Don't order this. The meatballs were rather dry. Burrata $22 - ORDER THIS! This was so delicious. Served with olive tapenade! I would come back and order this all for myself Spicy crab noodles $37 - perfectly cooked noodles nested in a bowl with chunks of dungeness crab. This is so delicious, but it is *spicy*. Do not order if you have low tolerance for spicy food. Striped bass $42 - my husband's entree. He enjoyed it! English Pea Risotto $29 - this had a great balance of puréed peas and Arborio rice. It had a cheese crisp that added great flavor to the dish. While it's a savory dish, it had a touch of sweetness from the peas. The interior was stunning! Service was impeccable! Great spot for a special dinner! . read more

See all

Our first time there. We moved to Carmel Valley about 5 months ago and have slowly been trying out local Peninsula restaurants. We have walked by Pocket a few times and finally had dinner there. Fantastic experience! The chef makes seasonal changes to the menu and the dishes we ordered were outstanding, fresh, beautifully presented and delicious. The setting and interiors are also really tastefully done and service was spot on. Our server was Nadeem and he gave us great advice and his views of the dishes. He was really knowledgeable on the dish ingredients and how each entree was prepared. He was attentive and always seemed to check on us at the appropriate time. We will certainly be going back to this local gem. read more

Location is stunning, you can see the ocean sunset from your table. Decor is somewhat outdated ( like an old steakhouse) . Server was attentive , and service was decent . But that's about where it ends . Food: Absolutely awful . I got the black cod, it was forgetful. Not awful but not good . My wife ordered the crab tagliatelle. It smelled fishy , noodles were overcooked mushy, it was inedible. She sent it back and ordered the bolognese. The penne was dry , the sauce was flavorless (for sure canned ) just bad, came with little bits of beef. My 12 year old could have whipped up a better pasta . This place is a fraud , it looks fancy , but they have no clue how to make food. I don't believe there is a trained chef in that kitchen . I'm shocked at so many positive reviews. Should have sent the second dish back as well. Save your money, find somewhere else to eat! read more

The Pocket - Bolognese - New American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

This review is long overdue, so details have escaped me on this place. I will it is extremely hard to spot from the street, so beware. It's in a little condo development/inn thing. We drove around the block repeatedly. My stomach was not having a good day, so I went kinda light (except for an excellent Tanquaray martini to start.). I had a delicious celery root soup of the day $10. we split the grilled octopus, $25 -tasty, but a tad overdone and the spicy crab noodles, $35- not too spicy, which is what I like. It could have had more crab. Our server was good, even though it was crowded. Tables are very close together and it can get loud. It's really a 3.25-3.5, prices seemed high, though read more

Food was mighty tasty. I came with friends and we ordered up just about everything in the menu and every bite was as delicious as the next. Atmosphere was wonderful and service was excellent. Great spot for a small group or date night. Don't eat for a few hours before and be prepared for good sized portions of delicious. read more

See all

We heard great things through a Reddit review. We're celebrating our honeymoon and had to give it a try. The Pocket did not disappoint. I don't typically leave reviews but when food is that excellent I have to. Mikey was our server and was wonderful. He guided us through the menu and advised us appropriately. We ended up starting with the Scallops. We typically don't order fishy dishes but this was devine. My husband doesn't like mustard and loved the dish. Next up was the squash fritters. Crispy little pieces of heaven. We ended up deciding on the famous Curry Chicken. Apparently this is a menu staple, and I can see why. GET THE CURRY CHICKEN. Pro tip... ask for extra sauce. You can't over indulge in that curry sauce. My husband ordered the braised beef ribs. Okay guys,.... When my man says how amazing a dish is ..every ....single ...bite, AND the next day. You know that meal was wonderful. He continued to express his appreciation for the demi glaze. We'll 100% be back. Not just for the food, but Mikey too! Cheers to the chef! Sir, you are doing things right. read more

The Pocket - Raised been short rib. - New American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

See all

Had a great dinner at The Pocket. Lissette was an amazing server. She explained everything and was the perfectly attentive. The food was delicious and surprising. We'll definitely be back again. read more

I should've known this was going to be a miss when we weren't greeted for nearly 30 minutes after being seated. Eventually the manager stepped in as our server, which only added to the confusion. Our appetizers were mediocre at best, the burrata was solid in the center and ice-cold. Then the entrees arrived and things got even worse. Three out of four dishes were completely inedible. The pasta had no flavor whatsoever, and the shrimp was so overcooked it was rubbery and shriveled. Only one of us could finish our food, and we left hungry. On my birthday, no less. The service throughout the night was disorganized, disjointed, and frankly unprofessional. For the prices they charge, the basics should be executed well, quality food and attentive service. Unfortunately, this was one of the worst dining experiences I've had in a long time. Would not recommend. read more

Amazing food to savor and devour! Had the grilled octopus, my husband couldn't stop eating it- he said it was so good! The beet salad was so tasty- it's served with aged prosciutto- very yummy indeed! Then had the special, oxtail rigatoni, all I can say is WOW- very flavorful. Only disappointment was the carrot cake- not traditional cake that I was used to but they have their own style I suppose. I definitely would revisit this establishment again while in beautiful Carmel. read more

See all

everything was good. The service was good. The food was good; everything was served at a perfect temperature. Hot food was hot and salad was nicely chilled. The problem was, nothing was great. What I ate: -Butternut squash soup with brioche croutons (a little salty but didn't mind since i like salt) - carrot salad (tasty but not what i was expecting, i thought it would have been much more carrot forward) - spicy crab noodles (lots of crab but something was missing... flavor was good but it just fell short) I am glad I tried it out but I will likely not return. I sat outside on a chilly night but they had ample space heaters and a very peaceful setting. read more

See all

I would give zero stars if I could! I came here around 6:50pm on 1/18/26. The hostess was telling us it would be an hour wait... However, online there were reservations available for 7:00pm, 7:30pm, and 7:45pm. That's why we didn't make the reservation first since we expected it would be available. We even saw there were more than 5-6 empty tables! We went back to tell her that there was space online and that we will make the 7:00pm res. She goes "ummm 7:00pm is a very busy time and we are tight" "7:45 would be better". This is so unprofessional. You are telling me to come at YOUR convenience when you have open tables AND there is space online. If you don't have space then don't put online that there is. They even took our number down and never called or texted us that hour later... Honestly so many better restaurants around to have to go through this. Horrible experience.. don't ruin your trip. read more

In my opinion, it is the best or one of the best restaurants in Carmel. I liked the modern style of the dining hall, quiet location, attentive service, but most of all - food and wines. It was an amazing experience starting from Za'atar cauliflower and an unbeatable apple caramel salad, to entrees - I had pork cheeks and my husband ordered lobster ravioli (the sauce was delicious and unusual - we asked our waiter to reveal the recipe). I like that their chef uses new interesting combinations of flavours and spices. Bravo. We will definitely come back. read more

The Pocket is hands-down one of my favorite spots in Carmel. I've been coming here about once a month for the past few months, and every time, I'm reminded why I keep coming back. First and foremost, the staff is incredible. Chris is my absolute favorite--he's warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Sonny and Jose are also amazing and always make the experience even more enjoyable. You can tell they all care about the guests and the energy of the place. I had the pleasure of meeting the chef recently, and I continue to be blown away by his palate and creativity. The menu is always evolving--never boring or stagnant. They keep the best staples while rotating in new, unique dishes that are full of flavor and beautifully presented. The pricing is also very fair for Carmel, especially considering the quality and inventiveness of the food. The cocktails are another highlight--so unique, balanced, and delicious. I've yet to have a single dish or drink I didn't like, and honestly, I don't think I ever will. You really can't go wrong with this place. Highly recommend. read more

Came for dinner during the week & the restaurant was half full. We sat inside, however I would have loved to catch the sunset & enjoy a firepit outside if the weather was warmer! Service was on point. Our favorite item was the burrata/focaccia/olive starter - get it if you are a fellow bread lover. I am typically not a fan of olives, but this plate proved otherwise! We also got a salad, the short rib, crab noodles & a few glasses of wine. For dessert, we finished with the gingerbread cake, which was delightful. read more

The Pocket - burrata x focaccia starter - New American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

The food was very good and flavorful. Great presentation. The service was prompt. The manager was very knowledgeable about the wine selection. read more

The Pocket - Wild boar - New American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

We came here for our anniversary and I unfortunately have been having gallbladder issues so I am on a strict diet of no fatty/fried foods. I let our server know and he immediately accommodated us. Helped me look for a meal that I could eat and talked to the chef and he helped as well. Chicken was great and veggies also so great. My husband loved his food as well. It was a really pretty place, we sat outside and enjoyed the feel. Definitely would recommend!! read more

The Pocket - Angus beef tenderloin - New American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

See all

Always such great service, from the entire staff! Lisette was our server tonight and she was awesome. A great restaurant with a great atmosphere. The food selections are delicious as well. read more

We could not have had a better experience than the Pocket. We were able to snag a reservation for last night and arrived a little early, so we grabbed a seat at the bar for a round of cocktails before dinner. I had a paper plane, the husband had their piggyback old fashion and I couldn't tell you which one I loved more. Uncle had a Grey Goose lemon drop that was so good he had to order a second one. Aunt had a glass of her favorite tequila, she was so excited they had it for her. The hostess came to take us to our table, and we got to enjoy the wonderful service from Nicholas. Our appetizers were the brioche, the burrata, and the scallops. I'm not usually a scallop girl, but they melted like butter in our mouths. Husband loved the burrata, served with focaccia. And the brioche? Amazing. Dinner time was much anticipated. Husband ordered the seared ahi, I had the halibut (my personal fave fish ever), aunt ordered the pickle pesto ravioli and uncle had the tenderloin and I don't even know which ended up being the table favorite. I can definitely say there were no leftovers. The halibut was amazing, the ahi was cooked to perfection (pink peppercorn crust? Yes, please). The tenderloin was melt-in-your-mouth perfect medium cook. The raviolis? Beautiful. Of course we had to round out the evening with cocktails and dessert. Another table ordered espresso martinis so we asked for a round for me and my uncle, and our wonderful and witty server offered up a carajillo, which I took him up on. Oh boy, he was right. It was so good I ordered a second one. The espresso martini? Full body coffee flavor. But that carajillo oh my goodness. I can't even begin to say what my favorite part of the evening was. The hostess was warm and welcoming, our bartenders were quick and so talented, our cocktails there were perfect. Our dinner and service were just what we needed. Nicholas was quick witted, funny, helpful and so kind. Manager Sonny was warm and welcoming, making sure everyone had a wonderful time. Already planning a trip to go back, there's so much more we want to try, and the menu changes pretty regularly, so there's always a chance we get to try new things. read more

See all

Save your money and dont eat here. The service was very slow it took over an hour to get our main meal after being seated, over 20 minures to get a second drink. There was only 4 tables filled in the whole restaurant so couldn't use busy as an excuse. I ordered the crab tagliatelle it was incredibly fishy with overcooked crab it seemed like canned crab meat. It was supposed to come with garden peas and they served it with edamame. The offer make me a new one but the first one was so bad I declined....they still charged me the $42 but comped me a $16 dessert, how generous, Not!!! We also ordered the double cut pork chop that was a special it was also overcooked and came with undercooked potatoes. Overall this was a disappointing birthday dinner with underwhelming food and service! Save your money and go ANYWHERE else! read more

The food was very good, the service was nice and the patio was very warm and welcoming. read more

The Pocket - New American Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

See all

Great vibe! Beautifully appointed property with real friendly staff. I felt like family. And the food? Well, I can't wait to dine again. What a gem. read more