The Best Restaurants in Carmel-By-The-Sea

A.W. Shucks

Light dinners in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. One-of-a-kind seafood and oyster bar, featuring assorted oysters, delicious ciopino, assorted chowders, crabcakes, seafood appetizers and a cozy bar. They provide a hitching post for dogs in front of their... more

Andre's Bouchee

French Cuisine. A Carmel favorite that lures locals and visitors with its chic style and neighborhood charm. Chef Andre Lemaire prepares authentic French Bistro Cuisine with a Californian Coastal flair. Our friendly atmosphere buzzes with excitement... more

Anton & Michel

Classic table-side service specialties (including flambé desserts) and elegance still prevail. Known for attentive and customized planning, Anton & Michel is a favorite for special events such as private parties and wedding rehearsals. more

Aubergine

The restaurant offers sophisticated modern California cuisine by Chef de Cuisine Justin Cogley. Chef de Cuisine Justin Cogley’s and Executive Pastry Chef Ron Mendoza’s cooking philosophy is built first and foremost on spontaneity. With ac... more

Bistro 211

We at Bistro 211 believe that it is our mission to serve healthy, tasteful meals and it is our purpose to make it a joyful experience for both our customers and staff. We strive to offer the best locally grown, wholesome foods possible in a ple... more

Bistro Giovanni

A great Mediterranean restaurant open for dinner daily seven nights a week.  They feature a nice selection of dishes that are unique and authentic.   One of the best restaurants that has a bistro style and with a family atmosphere... more

Cafe Carmel

Café Carmel is a European style coffee house serving breakfast sandwiches and an assortment of deli products, cheeses , antipasti, soup and salads, fresh baked pastries, ice cream, smoothies, and milk shakes. We cater, too. more

Cantinetta Luca

Cantinetta Luca offers casual, informal dining, featuring menu items such as delicious pizza, baked in an authentic, Italian, no gas, wood-burning pizza oven. Luca also specializes in antipasti, a dozen or so varieties of salume and handmade pasta. W... more

Carmel Belle

Recently established as one of Carmel's 'Most popular' breakfast spots now and quick becoming the lunch crowd's hang out as well.  This eatery has become the spot for new visitors and locals alike to eat their wonderfully fresh farm product eggs... more

Carmel Bistro

The essence of a true bistro - elegant and sophisticated, yet causal and friendly. An exquisite menu as appealing to the wallet as it is to the palate. The savory items on their menu lend themselves to everyday dining as well as special occasions. more

Carmel Bistro Giovanni

A fantastic restaurant with a selection of international cuisine featuring California fresh fish, Mediterranean, Italian, Exquisite French Bistro-style, salads, pastas and antipastos with daily specials.  Fine wine and great service make this a... more

Carmel Cafe and Cocoa Bar

Charming European coffeehouse with a truly decadent cocoa menu, fresh baked cakes and cookies, quiche, sandwiches and caual bistro patio seating where well-behaved dogs are welcome. more

Carmel Food Company

We wanted to let you know that our new restaurant, the Carmel Food Company, is very dog friendly: Enjoy a fabulous lunch or dinner on our heated garden patio with your four-legged friend. We don't just tolerate dogs, we encourage you to bring y... more

Casanova

Featuring Country French and Italian cuisine and often called "Carmel's most romantic restaurant", their style and ambiance is matched by a standard of excellence in food and service that has brought them worldwide acclaim. Their hand-dug Wine Cellar... more

Club Jalapeno

Intimate and cozy, here you can discover a diverse yet faithful selection of traditional Oaxacan recipes, time-honored favorites and a wide selection of vegetarian specialities. Features a full bar with an extensive selection of tequilas and importe... more

Cottage Restaurant

Delicous variety of light, healthy meals for the entire family, with two dining rooms for privacy and space. Hand-made crepes, cottage pizzas, and desserts; dinner specials every night. Select California wines and specialty coffees. An extensive and... more

da Giovanni Ristorante Mediterraneo

A small and intimate hidden treasure, nestled amongst the pines with filtered views of the ocean and the spectacular sunsets. A memorable dining adventure, featuring fresh fish, succulent steaks that are certified angus prime, rack of lamb, fresh pa... more

Em Le's

Homestyle breakfast, lunch and dinner in a cozy and casual atmosphere. Specialties include salmon filet, cornish game hen and rack of lamb. For a leisurely breakfast, try their world-famous waffles, fresh berry pancakes, or Eggs Benedict. Carmel's... more

Flaherty's

In a bright and lively atmosphere, Flaherty's offers fresh regional and specialty fishes including local sand dabs, Monterey Bay spot prawns, live oysters and live whole cracked dungeness crab, as well as homemade pastas, meat and poultry and award-w... more

Flaherty's Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar

We Know Seafood... We know good seafood, we know how to buy it and we know how to prepare it. Unlike most restaurants (even the best of them) where fish is often a secondary item on the menu… at Flaherty’s it’s all about seafood.... more

Flying Fish Grill

An intimate seafood grill that fuses Japanese, Asian and California influences with delicious results. House favorites include a savory rare peppered ahi, blackened and served with mustard and sesame-soy vinaigrette and angel-hair pasta and a pan-fri... more

Forge in the Forest

One of Carmel's oldest restaurants, open since 1944. Extensive menu of American cuisine featuring tantalizing appetizers and entree selections that run the gamut from vegetarian to ribs, burgers to filet mignon, pizzas to pasta, tacos to stir fry and... more

Fourth Avenue Pasta House

Traditional Italian cuisine including scampi, lasagne, salads, steaks and seafood. Delicious variety of fresh homemade sauces. Three course dinners or a la carte and meat as well as vegetarian dishes. Early bird dinner for $9.95 includes soup & salad... more

French Poodle

Charming and intimate restaurant, selected as one of the top 15 French Restaurants in the United States. Serves classic, light French cuisine prepared with delicate sauces and accompanied by a remarkable wine list. They suggest the Magnet de Canard a... more

Friar Tuck's

Carmel's largest country breakfasts, featuring best-in-the-west omelettes, heavenly eggs benedicts and old-fashioned waffles. The lunch menu features 16 specialty gourmet hamburgers, an all-american hotdog with all the trimmings and a variety of... more

From Scratch Restuarant

For over 30 years, this charming, family owned  restaurant has been serving breakfast and lunch made from the freshest of ingredients lovingly prepared by an expert chef. From Eggs Benedict to made-to-order omelettes to the best Huevos Ranche... more

Grasing's

Premier chefs Kurt Grasing and Narsai David invite you to their award-winning Carmel restaurant, where creative coastal cuisine is paired with the best wines from the Central Coast. Winner of the 2008 Wine Spectator Best of Award for Excellence. T... more

Hog's Breath Inn

One of Carmel's most famous restaurants and bars, set within in a fabulous courtyard and serving a wide variety of delicious food. The dining room with two cobblestone fireplaces accommodates up to 60 guests. A cozy outdoor patio with fireplaces is a... more

Il Fornaio - Carmel

Il Fornaio means "the Baker" in Italian. Located in downtown Carmel, Il Fornaio offers an authentic and unique Italian dining experience and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2007 wine list. Enjoy wood-fired rotisserie and grilled meats, poultry a... more

Jack London's Bar & Grill

A favorite place for Carmelites for over 30 years. A lively happy hour, delicious black angus NY steaks, baby back ribs, delicious burgers, mexican dishes, and generous drinks. Late night dining until midnight! Visit their website to see their menus.... more

L'Escargot

An intimate eatery in a Normandy farmhouse, with contemporary French country cuisine and a very extensive wine list. They are well known for their delicious Bouillabaisse, Salmon Mousse and Beef Wellington. Vegetarian treats are also available. W... more

La Dolce Vita

Warm, sunny and colorful, La Dolce Vita is like a family home in the Italian countryside. A special place with special food. The menu features authentic Italian and Mediterranean dishes, including real Italian coffees and desserts, selected from... more

Little Napoli

Enjoy a brief trip to Italy with Italian country cooking and warm hospitality as you remember it. Known by locals as "Carmel's little Italy". Antipasti, regional country-style pastas, cannelloni, osso buco, risotto, crisp-crusted pizzas, local Mont... more

Lugano Swiss Bistro

Lugano Swiss Bistro is a little bit of Switzerland in Carmel. Hand-carved wood and colorful geraniums adorn their Alpine-style heated outdoor dining patio. Chef Andr's culinary magic recreates the unique flavors of Switzerland. Choose from fondues, s... more

Mission Ranch Restaurant

Enjoy spectacular views of sheep-filled pastures and the rocky Carmel coastline. The menu features ranch-style food (BBQ ribs, steaks and prime rib), fresh fish, a variety of salads and pasta dishes and a special children's menu. Their Sunday Jazz... more

Mizu Sushi

A cozy sushi bar featuring Japanese cuisine and seafood specialties. Offers a variety of Sakes, local wines and beer. A unique dining experience, enjoyed by Carmel locals and visitors alike. Open for dinner Tues - Sat 5:00 to 9:00 PM. more

Mulligan's Pub

Newly opened and fast becoming a favorite haunt of locals, this classic English-style pub offers many in-house specials, a nightly 3-course dinner for $12.00 and a Happy Hour featuring soup & salad plus a drink for only $5.00! And there are two T.V.s... more

Mundaka

Mundaka is a beautiful and historic town and famous surf spot located in the province of Biscay, in the Basque Country of northern Spain. Now it is also the new Spanish-style, tapas-centric restaurant in downtown Carmel. The kitchen is headed by... more

Patisserie Boissiere

A combination pastry shop and restaurant, this Carmel classic combines a cheery French feel - antique tables and chairs and ornate wall sconces - with delectable dishes and inspired pastries. Their menu features a quiche maison, pot pies, roasted... more

Pernille Restaurant

Carmel's oldest restaurant, serving locals and visitors since 1864. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a Sunday champagne brunch. Sandwiches, salads, pastas, seafood and Italian specialties. Open daily for breakfast from 7:30 AM. Dinner until... more

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