We came in on a Saturday night in August of 2025 with a reservation. Tree House Cafe has been on our radar for the longest time already but they are so in demand that it's a bit hard to get a reservation sometimes. Parking can be difficult as they are located in downtown Carmel. Came in a bit early to try to be seated earlier but they were fully booked so we waited for our designated reservation time. They always serve you with complimentary bread service of focaccia in garlic infused olive oil & balsamic vinegar. We had grilled calamari and crispy garlic fries for starters. Our main dishes were Seafood pasta, Gyros Platter, Prawn Pasta, Osso Buco and Steak of the Day - 16 oz sirloin in peppercorn sauce. Dessert was cookie butter banana pie and complimentary baklava. Tree House cafe is a cozy rooftop restaurant with shaded outdoor seating as well as indoor seating located in the heart of Carmel. They're a mixture of Mediterranean, Greek and Thai flavors. Reasonably priced, friendly atmosphere, pet friendly and good food. What more can you ask for. Definitely a must try when in this side of town. June 2026 read more

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Treehouse Café has the kind of cozy, tucked away charm that fits Carmel perfectly. The indoor and outdoor seating is beautiful, the atmosphere is inviting, and the staff was genuinely friendly from start to finish. The first thing they brought out was bread with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette and, no joke, that ended up being my favorite bite of the meal. I was still thinking about the bread while eating everything else, which probably says more than I intended. The clam chowder was good and comforting, but if you've had chowder in Monterey, you know the bar is pretty high. The calamari was the bigger disappointment. It was chewy instead of tender and didn't have that light, crispy crunch that makes calamari worth ordering in the first place. By the time we finished the chowder and calamari we were full, but we still looked through the menu to see if anything tempted us. Honestly, nothing really stood out. The pasta prices felt steep, and there wasn't a dish that made us say, "Okay, we have to come back and try that." The only thing that really took away from the experience was how close the tables were. I could hear the people next to us whispering and accidentally became invested in a conversation I was never invited to. Overall, it's a cute place with great service and a nice ambiance that's worth checking out if you're visiting Carmel. I don't regret going, but I also don't see myself going back. On the bright side, at least the bread gave me something to remember. Someone in that kitchen deserves a raise for that basket alone. read more

Tree House Cafe - Grilled Calamari (fried) - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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This was our first visit to Treehouse Café, and we were impressed from the moment we arrived. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the outdoor patio was the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the Carmel atmosphere. We started with the Caprese salad, which was the perfect size for sharing between two people. To drink, I ordered a glass of Merlot while my partner enjoyed a sangria. The pours were generous and definitely appreciated! For our entrées, we ordered the shrimp Thai curry and the Gyro platter, both of which were flavorful, well-prepared, and satisfying. I debated a few dishes until the server let me know that the owner is from Thailand and this was her own recipe. It was amazing! The service was also exceptional throughout the entire course of the meal. We had several different team members checking on us, and each one was attentive, friendly, and made us feel well taken care of. Going back to the wine pours...we closed our tab but because of the holiday pour we stayed for another round of drinks for dessert! Unfortunately, we didn't have room or time for dessert ( because we had wine for dessert ;) , but after hearing great things about it, the key lime pie is already at the top of our list for next time. This place feels like a hidden gem, and if we find ourselves back in Carmel, we'll absolutely be returning. read more

Tree House Cafe - Caprese Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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I came here with the family on a Friday night. We were seated right away by very friendly and attentive waitstaff. I had the ribeye steak which was a special. I don't typically order steaks at restaurants because I cook them all the time at home but the waiter recommended it so figured I'd give it a try. Steak was cooked perfectly and the peppercorn sauce was amazing! One of the best steaks I've ever had. I also tried the cioppino which was excellent. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Tree House Cafe - Ribeye steak cooked to a perfect medium rare. - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

Delicious calamari steak and grilled sea bass with lemon buttery sauce. Patio available. Friendly service. read more

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This place is so amazing. First, I'm disabled and could't walk the steps to get to the front door. They had a lift elevator so I could get to the main floor From the moment we entered the restaurant I was pleasantly surprised with the casual atmosphere. The staff were so friendly and made sure I was comfortable at our reserved table. Now the food, WOW just WOW! Everything was delicious down to the wine we drank with our food. The Steak of the day (Prime Rib) was massive and cooked to perfection. The Osso Bucho (Lamb) was so tender and juicy. The Dolmas were so good I could have ate several more. My husband brought me here for my birthday and I couldn't have been more pleased with his choice. We definitely will come back to enjoy another dinner. read more

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First bite if this trip went to Tree House Cafe. The terrace is pretty cozy and nice to relax. Food and service is extremely fast. Our order was ready in minutes despite the place being busy. We kept things light as we just wanted something to tide us over to dinner. The Tree House burger and fried cauliflower were good but on the smaller side for big eaters. The wine pour was very generous. read more

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Too expensive especially the Rib Eye Steak However good service and ambiance . Cost of entree should have been transparent. Was soo blindsided with the $75 steak which is disappointing as it is not real tender for a ribeye read more

We got seated on the outdoor patio on a beautiful evening & love that they have heat lamps! The vibe is really cute and cozy. They started us off with some bread and olive oil, which was a nice touch. We shared the chicken pesto pasta and the paella. Both were great, but the paella was our favorite. So flavorful! read more

Tree House Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

We had a reservation at 8 pm for a party of 5 on a Saturday last August of 2025. We tried to sneak in earlier but they were full, so we strolled along Carmel's night sights which wasn't a bad idea at all. This dinner started with complimentary bread service (foccacia) in garlic infused olive oil & balsamic vinegar. We shared crispy and thick-cut garlic fries and grilled calamari after. Our main dishes were the Gyros Platter, Osso Buco, Seafood Pasta, Prawn Pasta and Steak of the Day (16 oz sirloin in peppercorn sauce). Dessert was the Cookie Butter Banana Pie and (another) complimentary Baklava. We had a discriminating group of diners and we all loved our selections of eclectic dishes. On top of the wonderful food, the staff were excellent. Very friendly and helpful and made sure we had everything we needed. We never felt rushed either. The one all-gender restroom near the host's station had a wait though. Checked this off our Carmel restaurants-to-eat list. read more

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There's nothing too bad that comes up with this place. The ambience is good, it's dog friendly, it has good indoor and outdoor setting. The food is also pretty fresh and taste great. The only reason for giving it a 4 star is given the place is expensive, I would expect somewhat better portion size. Yes the taste and quality is great but I can't justify the price given the portion sizes. I personally tried the Mushroom Ravioli and I highly recommend it. read more

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What a cozy ,casual spot. It's a tight small restaurant with a lot of appeal. Set up above the street with an outdoor eating area and a view of the town. The food was great. We had the fisherman's pasta filled with plenty of mussels, shrimp, clams, salmon just great. We started out with the calamari and a pear salad. All of it was worth a return trip. Of course being in Carmel makes it even better. You won't be disappointed. Oh, make reservations because you won't get in. read more

Still had the same experience coming here again! Starting off with their complimentary bread which was light and airy along with their olive oil and vinegar. Next was the appetizer which we got the baba ganoush, garlic and the olives that came with pita bread. Wow! Great samplers! Each sampler stood on their own. I loved combining all of them together to eat with the pita bread. I didn't expect it to be that good and it was! Had their ribeye special this time and it was very delicious! Didn't think I could have finished it but I did. I couldn't put my utensils down. Each bite was so good. Their ribeye has so much flavor and it was very tender and Smokey at the same time. Love their mashed potatoes and spinach to pair along with it. Service was amazing and they were very accommodating! I love how they are still the same as before. Even their decor is still beautiful! read more

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We always sit on the outside patio and like it whether it's sunny or cloudy. It is a tiny but very cozy cafe. Good service and food. You can enjoy nice wine or a coffee. Food options are pretty varied. read more

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Crowded, very crowded for a party of 4. Food was average, nothing special. You have to squeeze through other tables to sit read more

Cute restaurant but very overpriced for the quality of their food. Perhaps they cater to tourists so all of the food we ordered was quite bland, we had 2 different pasta dishes at our table, 2 falafel wraps, and a lamb kabob dish - we all seasoned the food with salt, pepper, chili flakes and hot sauce to make it flavorful. They also added a 20% gratuity to the bill - typically it's added for 6 or more in a party and we were a total of 5. Quite disappointing. read more

Good food, priced exactly how you think it a was. Visiting Carmel with my partner. Found this "cafe" on Google maps. It is not a cafe nor brunch location. it is an above average priced restaurant. Cramped, loud and impersonal. Waiter didn't introduce himself, nor checked on us out two-touched our table. Couldn't even get his attention until we were already ready for the check. Got served a water glass with a chip in it. No photo, but i don't recommend this restaurant. I would rather check out a different restaurant than try this "expensive for no reason" restaurant. read more

Tree House Cafe - appetizer. burrata cheese. (would have been perfect with jam) - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

Highs: Ambiance, burger, service Lows: Needed more fries, presentation on the plate needs improvement. read more

I was extremely pleased with my experience here from start to finish. When I first saw the menu I was surprised by the wide variety of cuisines they offer here, yet somehow I felt like the executed every dish well. I came with 3 friends and we all split the following - Gyros Platter, Chicken Pesto Pasta, and the Thai Yellow Curry. Truly, I would order every one of them again but hands down my favorite was the gyros platte. I was impressed with the size, all it included and the flavor on the grilled meats with the fresh feta was delicious! We also loved the fresh bread that they offer. Very yummy. The ambiance was also very fun. We sat on the outdoor patio, surrounded by fresh flowers and it was very charming. We came on a Saturday evening and did book a reservation. We were able to book it the week of, but we definitely need one. There wasn't an empty seat. Would recommend grabbing a spot before coming. A great little spot in Carmel, would highly recommend! read more

Tree House Cafe - Chicken Pesto Pasta - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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We had a good late lunch experience at Tree House today. We walked into a cute, but very cold restaurant. The restaurant must've had a problem with their heat as it was truly 60 degrees. All the servers had coats on. We ate lunch with our coats on. We ordered the gyro meat appetizer (5/5) which consisted of a generous helping of gyro meat, a fluffy warmed pita cut into quarters, and some taziki sauce. The gyro meat was juicy and flavorful. After adding a little salt, it was one of the best tasting gyro meat we've ever had. Their taziki was also flavorful and well balanced. What a great start. We also shared the red curry with chicken (3.5/5) and the grilled chicken kabob plate (4/5). The red curry had nice spice to it, but had too much fish sauce in it for my liking. Veggies had some texture which was nice. The chicken kabobs had a flavorful marinade but also needed salt. The portion was very generous, probably the equivalent of two small breasts. It was served with a saffron rice and a small Greek salad dressed with olive oil and herbs. The service was friendly and attentive. The server brought us a two small squares of baklava on the house with our bill. It was a very tasty and nice gesture to complete our meal. We will be back here in the future for lunch when craving gyros...hopefully they get their heat fixed. read more

Another great visit to Tree house cafe! Fettuccine Alfredo was spot on! Wife had the yellow curry with salmon and devoured it! Staff always friendly and attentive. Clean environment with pleasant music playing In the background. read more

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The most delicious ribeye steak, paella, dessert, and friendly patrons. We're so happy with our experience. Thank you to our waiter Jaciel and the entire team. We loved the ribeye, treehouse vibe, and wine selection. We will absolutely be back! read more

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This is one of the few restaurants we could find a fit a huge party of 13. But it was super nice because we had our own private room. All along the walls were aligned with bottles of wine. The atmosphere at the treehouse Café is very nice. Lots of wood as you would guess from the name. Some cute little decorations outside. Food comes pretty quickly. I think the main thing for me giving it one less star for food is the steak was supposed to be medium rare and it came in medium to medium well. When we spoke up about it later, they just kind of looked at us and said they were sorry. OK. As far as food choices, just take a look at the photos; easier than describing in text. read more

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I do really appreciate Treehouse is dog-friendly and they were kind to provide a water bowl for my pup. The patio ambiance is very nice, but other than that, the food was so basic and mediocre with not a lot of taste. I don't understand why this cafe is on so many vegetarian guides when the veggie options are actually kind of limited (hummus, lentil soup, etc.) and not very good. I don't understand the hype. Seems like other restaurants in Carmel have way more interesting and tasty vegetarian options. read more

If you haven't been then you're missing out. Go NOW! There isnt one thing on the menu that isnt great! And the staff is so darn friendly and ready to take care of, its a great place to relax and enjoy yourself. read more

This place was one of the highlights of our trip! Recommended by friends and Yelp, we stopped by for lunch and didn't experience any wait and were able to sit outside on the patio/tree house area. They have heat lamps for when it gets breezy and string lights, lanterns, and lots of ambiance! We shared the gyro appetizer and it was delicious! The pita was soft and warm, the meat so tender and flavorful, and the tzatziki so fresh. My boyfriend got the chicken alfredo pasta, and it was a great portion with lots of chicken. I ordered a chicken pesto sandwich with fries. The pesto was so fresh and basil-y, and I appreciated that it wasn't mayo heavy like some sandwiches. The next day we returned for more gyros and got the whole sandwich with fries and tried the house made sangria! Everything was amazing and I wish it was closer to home. read more

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Charming spot in downtown Carmel with a lovely patio where we enjoyed dinner with our dog. The tables were a little close together, which at first made me feel a bit anxious, but after we settled in, I was totally fine. They thoughtfully offer a doggy menu, which was absolutely so cute, and as dog owners, we love to see that! They started us off with a plate of bread and olive oil. I seriously love when restaurants give free bread, that's an automatic good review from me! I ordered the gyro platter, and my fiancé chose the lamb shank. We started with a bowl of clam chowder and paired our meal with a glass of Coastal Vines Cabernet; both were exceptional. By the way, it was a HUGE glass of wine. The manager personally checked in on us, which I always appreciate! It shows he cares about his restaurant and really added to the attentive and welcoming atmosphere. My gyro plate featured meat that was seriously THICC, very filling and tasty. The accompanying salad was well dressed, though a bit oily, yet still balanced nicely. The rice complemented the meal perfectly. The fiancé loved the lamb shank. It was ginormous and very tender! For dessert, we indulged in the chocolate cake, which was rich and decadent, a perfect way to end the meal. Overall, Tree House Cafe offers a refined yet warm dining experience, especially accommodating to those with canine companions. A delightful find in Carmel. read more

Tree House Cafe - Osso Buco - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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This is a cute little place in Carmel - where you can sit on the balcony in a cozy setting (the tables are close to each other). They have an incredible selection of wines from Caymus to Daou to Joseph Phelps. The food choices are 'multi' cuisine - we had a clam chowder- very creamy and tasty. Roasted garlic was yum! And a gyros wrap. I was tempted to eat the Thai red curry too - but got stuffed. The staff was very efficient and managed the guests very politely. They have food for fur babies and a kids menu. Have to come back and try other dishes - maybe for dinner. read more

Tree House Cafe - Vibe - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

Treehouse Café has a great vibe and a really charming atmosphere. The food we tried were well made and tasted good, and the place itself is cozy and inviting once you're inside. That said, I'm deducting one star for two reasons. First, when we called ahead to check on availability, the response wasn't very warm or inviting, which set the wrong tone initially. Second, while the quality was good, the serving sizes were quite small for the price, which felt a bit disappointing. Overall, it's a nice place worth visiting for the ambiance and flavors, but a warmer first interaction and better portion-to-price balance would make it a much stronger experience. read more

Tree House Cafe - Yellow Thai Curry - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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Service, food, vibes, atmosphere were all immaculate! I got the yellow curry with chicken and it was incredible! My fiancé got the salmon and subbed the spinach for veggies and he loved it! This is also a DOG friendly restaurant which I LOVE! They also have a little dog menu so cute! The decor in there is also very cute! We sat in their rooftop patio (gorgeous!) - they had an extensive wine menu but I didn't get any alcohol this go but it looked nice! DEFINITELY would recommend this place! read more

Tree House Cafe - Decor - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

Cute ambience. However, food quality is lacking (especially for the price). $49 for their braised rib special. Braised ribs were overly fatty, thick bands of gristle. Not tender and couldn't be cut with a knife. Staff failed to address the issue even though it was brought to their attention. read more

Tree House Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

What a beautiful place. Staff are friendly, the food and service were amazing, and I loved how peaceful it was there. 10/10 would recommend.

We found this place for brunch before our hike and enjoyed it so much that we came back for dinner the same day. The service was great, prices were reasonable, and the food was delicious. The steak was cooked exactly how I like it, perfectly done, not overcooked or undercooked. We also ordered the clam chowder, which was just as delicious. The ambiance was really nice and added to the overall experience. We also appreciated that when we asked for hot water with lemon and honey, they happily provided it. The only downside is that there's just one restroom. Also, I thought the truffle fries could have used a bit more truffle oil. I'd still give this place 5 stars. Overall, a great spot that we'd definitely return to read more

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The customer service here was so unbelievably rude and unprofessional that I feel obligated to warn others. I saw the sign stating reservations were required, so I went online and made one for what I believed was that evening. When I arrived, the man at the counter told me my reservation was actually for the following day. I immediately apologized for the mistake, but instead of showing even basic courtesy, he was extremely rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was an inconvenience for simply misunderstanding a date. What happened next was even more frustrating. Within minutes of leaving, I received an email at 6:18 PM stating that my reservation for the following day had been canceled -- a reservation I never asked to cancel. They just decided for me. Then at 6:23 PM, the restaurant called asking if I wanted to keep or cancel the reservation. Why would you cancel someone's reservation first and ask questions later? It shows a complete lack of organization and respect for customers. And honestly, why would I even want to call back and go through the trouble of having the restaurant fix or remake a reservation for the following day or time, when I had already taken the time to do that myself in the first place? It felt like I was expected to jump through hoops just to maybe be allowed to dine there. As a person of color, the message I received was loud and clear: I was not welcome. Whether intentional or not, the tone, the treatment, and the assumptions made on my behalf created an incredibly uncomfortable and alienating experience. The entire interaction came off as pretentious, snobby, and unwelcoming. Mistakes happen -- and I owned mine and apologized -- but the way I was treated was completely unnecessary and frankly unacceptable. There are plenty of restaurants that require reservations and still manage to treat people with basic kindness and respect. This place clearly thinks very highly of itself, but the customer service does not match the attitude. Not worth the inhumane treatment. read more

Tree House Cafe - Reservation canceled by restaurant without my request - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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Lovely place. Great ambience. Food is great. Service was also soo good. Very nice aesthetic place for a date

This is still one of our favorite places to eat in Carmel, but tonight, the service was s-l-o-w. They were doing their best, but they were really slammed. Our food was delicious as usual, but we had to wait a long time for dessert and for the check. The server took the dessert off the bill, which we appreciated. They allow dogs on the patio, as do many restaurants that have outdoor spaces. But the patio seating is so tight that the dog from the next table was almost in my lap. (I do like animals but I also like a bit of elbow room). So next time, I would not choose a busy Saturday evening. Still a good spot. read more

Tree House Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

I was very pleasantly surprised! My wife and I were in the area for the Monterey Jazz Festival and made plans to meet a friend for lunch. The place we originally intended to go to did not open in time for us to go there, so he suggested this spot. Aptly named... when you go up the stairs and sit in the patio, you do kind of feel like you're in a treehouse. Kitchen has Mediterranean leadings, which are always great with us. My wife had a gyro salad that she thought was fantastic. Our friend had the clam chowder, which must've been good because it was one of those "bowl tilting" moments. :) I don't know why, but for some reason, the Thai red curry caught my eye, and I had that, with chicken. It was one of the best curries I've ever had, including the time I have spent teaching and performing in Thailand. Not what I was expecting here, but a very pleasant surprise. We will absolutely be back next time we're in the area. read more

Not very Italian at all. Good food. ONE restroom ... ONE! Always a line. Definitely a bummer

My gf and I came here on a cold and rainy day. This was our first time at Carmel, and we are walking around looking for a good place to eat. We climbed up these little stairs and found this place. When we got in, we were greeted by the workers and were seated very quickly. I ordered the seafood pasta, my GF ordered a vegetable pasta and we shared the roasted garlic appetizer. Everything was pretty tasty. My GF really loved the roasted garlic; we could've had just a full plate of garlic and we would've been fine. She did say that her pasta was a little oily but her plate was still clean at the end of the day. I thought my pasta was delicious. Nothing was overcooked, and there was no skimping out on the seafood. The place is a lot bigger than we thought. There is a very small outside area and a dining area to the right of the restaurant when you first walk in. We were seated on their left side of the restaurant. We gave this place four stars because the staff was super friendly and the place was clean. I recommend this spot for couples who'd want a quiet place to enjoy a great meal! read more

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Fairly pricey but we enjoyed our experience, tried the burgers and they were great. Wine was a nice full glass, they didn't skimp on the portion. Indoor seating was nicely designed but wish we could've snagged a patio seat, we were too hungry to wait for the table out there though. read more

Tree House Cafe - Greek Burger - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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