Carmel Restaurants
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Award winning restaurants in California Central Coast
Check out diners' favorite restaurants in Carmel
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Chez Noir
Price: Very Expensive•French•4.9(41)Chez Noir is Jonny and Monique’s love letter to Monterey County, celebrating its finest ingredients. We offer a $165 four-course menu in the dining room and on our patio. Our wine program focuses on independent producers, with an all California wine pairing, and select bottles from the West Coast, Spain and France.
A no-show fee of $165 per person will be charged to parties who cancel less than 48 hours before their reservation. This policy applies to reductions in party size.
Please note that Chez Noir is designed for adults. While we leave the decision to bring children up to the discretion of the parents, it is essential that all guests, no matter how small, be included in the guest count. We do not offer off-menu dishes or high chairs.
We do not have a phone; for more info, please email info@cheznoircarmel.com.L'Escargot - Carmel
Price: Moderate•French•4.8(1,295)Nestled in a residential neighborhood on Mission Street, three blocks north of Ocean Avenue lies a slice of “Old Carmel”. Originally founded in 1958 by Yvan Nopert and his family, Chef – Owner Kericos Loutas carries on the traditions of superb Country French Cuisine and personalized friendly service. A local favorite for casual fine dining in a romantic atmosphere, L’Escargot offers visitors an alternative to the “tourist experience”. The menu changes frequently, as do the specials. A three-course prix fixed Bistro Menu is offered nightly.
Dametra Cafe
Price: Expensive•Mediterranean•4.7(313)Dametra Cafe is a casual Mediterranean restaurant. Here, diners can expect high-quality healthy food delivered quickly in a relaxed atmosphere. The decor and styling of the dining room is distinctly Greek, specifically like one of the many coastal cities that the country is known for. Between that and the hearty portions and prompt service, Dametra Cafe sits nicely between an upscale restaurant and quick-service places.Dametra's Cafe features primarily Greek cuisine, with some Italian and Spanish thrown in for good measure. Appetizers include hummus with pita bread, fried calamari, grilled jumbo prawns and steamed mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce. The meals are split between sandwiches, pasta and entrée offerings and features dishes such as shrimp and crab ravioli, a salmon burger with red onion and tomatoes, lamb shish kebab and a Greek style lamb shank with rice pilaf and fresh vegetables.Il Tegamino
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.7(1,166)Just steps off Ocean Avenue in downtown Carmel, California, Il Tegamino is Carmel's favorite hidden gem. Wander past Carmel's iconic candy shop to find us tucked behind boutiques in a courtyard off the beaten path. We are a tiny restaurant charmingly hidden in Carmel-by-the-Sea's first courtyard. Dine al fresco in our outdoor space within The Court of the Golden Bough courtyard complete with standing heaters and an awning or feel transported to an authentic Italian bistro in our bustling small dining room. We welcome you to come grab a glass of vino in our new wine room. As a local small business, you will often find owner Giuseppe at your table side to welcome you and serve his menu of Italian comfort food inspired by his upbringing in Southern Italy.
Mission Bistro
Price: Expensive•Seafood•4.6(548)Located on Mission Street between Ocean Ave & 7th Ave, in Carmel California. Mission Bistro Restaurant is owned by Shaheen Alnuaimi. Our history-rich location is warm, charming, and above all cozy. We offer brunch, lunch, dinner, local, and import wines. Chef Matt Zimny sources from Monterey and Santa Cruz County farms and ranches with the goal of serving what is fresh and currently available. At Mission Bistro we do Seafood and Steaks right. Cheers!Anton & Michel Restaurant
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.7(3,378)Anton and Michel is now open INDOORS and OUTDOORS at the COURT of the FOUNTAINS.
LUNCH: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM / DINNER: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Reservations are highly recommended.
If you are having any difficulty making reservations online, please call the restaurant directly at 831-624-2406 or send us an email.
Since 1980, Anton and Michel has consistently maintained an award-winning reputation for true excellence in the art of fine dining. A complete interior remodel was recently completed features handset stonework throughout the restaurant. The floor to ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of the Court of the Fountains. Zagat Survey calls it: Carmel’s long-standing paean to graciousness in dining out. Along with updated and contemporary changes to the menus, ultimate table side service flambé desserts remain. As quoted in the Wine Spectator, Anton and Michel is “probably the best dining experience in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea”.
Casanova Restaurant Carmel
Price: Very Expensive•Italian•4.6(2,485)Our current hours are as follows.
Monday - Thursday, Dinner 4:30pm to 9:00pm
Friday- Saturday, Dinner 4:30pm to 9:30pm
Policies: We do require a credit card for reservations. We reserve the right to charge guests who do not show up for their reservations or cancel within a 24 hour notice.
The charge for NO SHOW is $35 per guest. We will hold your table for 15min max, and will automatically allot 2hrs for your dining pleasure.
Parties of 5 or more will need to make special accommodations with the hostess.
Thank you for your continuous support!Carmel's Bistro Giovanni
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.7(2,078)An artful, romantic setting with an international wine list and amazing cocktails.
Try some of our specialties: the "Mamma Mia" features mouth-watering meatballs with pasta and southern Mediterranean-spiced sauce, Veal Osso Bucco, Lamb Shank, steaks, and a plethora of seafood including halibut, salmon and sand dabs! For our gluten-free guests, we can also provide gluten free pasta and bread.
*Patio availability depending on weather. We do have plenty of heat lamps but do not have covered tables outdoors. Please understand this when booking.
* For parties of 6 or more and special events we require a credit card to hold your table with a 24 hour cancellation policy, $40 per person will be applied to your credit card for late cancellations and no shows. We will hold your table for 10 minutes.
*We have a $30 corkage fee for a standard size bottle (750 ml.) 2 bottle maximum per table.
Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro
Price: Moderate•Gastro Pub•4.6(113)Situated in the Carmel Plaza in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, our bistro offers beers from our R&D program crafted on a pilot five barrel brewhouse - the only of its kind in one of the most picturesque and famed coastal towns in the country. Featuring an expansive, 60+ seat outdoor patio and a full bar, along with an ample dining room that can be sectionalized for private events. And the food! The Bistro offers California coastal cuisine with a regional twist, utilizing locally sourced ingredients that vary with the season.Toro
Price: Moderate•Sushi•4.6(735)Toro offers creative Japanese cuisine, and we believe in sourcing high quality ingredients. Our beverage program has a lovely sake and wine collection, as well as some creative sake cocktail creations. Join us soon!
Outdoor dining in California Central Coast
See what locals rave about in Carmel
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- JJamesLos Angeles •19 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoThe crab stuffed chile relleno was delicious with ample chunks of fresh crab and a lovely creamy sauce with pumpkin seeds. My dessert was the cornmeal square with fruit and pinon ice cream, a lovely finish to an excellent meal.More infoNicolas Cocina de HerenciaPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Carmel•4.6
- RRobinSan Francisco Bay Area •10 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoA wonderful evening- the steaks were the best I have ever had. My granddaughter agreed. The wait staff was also very professional and delightfulMore infoGrasing'sPrice: Expensive• Californian• Carmel•4.8
- KKatieVIPOrange County •24 reviews5.0Dined 4 days agoAmazing service and food. Loved the entertainment!!More infoDametra CafePrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Carmel•4.7
- MMichaelSan Francisco Bay Area •10 reviews5.0Dined on Jun 3, 2025Toro never fails to deliver the best sushi in the area!! The seared sushi rolls are outstanding!! The food is always fresh and delicious. A great wine list adds to the attraction of the restaurant. The service is good for the most part. That said, the servers are always friendly and the food always comes to the table promptly. I’ve eaten there a dozen times or more and will continue to always go there for sushi. And at a time when so many restaurants in Carmel are so overpriced, Toro remains very reasonably priced!More infoToroPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Carmel•4.6
- GGeneSan Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews5.0Dined on Jun 3, 2025Enjoyable setting and good food Attentive serviceMore infoPortaBella RestaurantPrice: Expensive• French• Carmel•4.6
Trending dishes in Carmel
Explore dishes that diners are raving about
Restaurant experiences trending in California Central Coast
Discover Carmel
A rising star along the California coast, Carmel-by-the-Sea is quickly making a name for itself on the dining scene. There's a European feel to Carmel, and that ambiance is reflected in the city's large number of French-influenced restaurants. As you nibble French bread and sip a glass of wine, it will be easy to imagine that you've been transported to a genuine Parisian bistro. Fresh seafood is plentiful in Carmel - no surprise given its coastal location. You'll find seafood dishes in Carmel's restaurants that range from European to Mexican in cuisine. You'll also have no trouble finding great seafood in Carmel's All-American steakhouses. The Californian commitment to healthy eating means that dishes lean heavily on produce, and vegetarian options abound in the local restaurants. Even vegans will find dishes to suit their tastes.
Frequently asked questions
Celebrate special occasion at the best restaurants in Carmel. Our customers recommend Anton & Michel Restaurant, Grasing's and Pacific's Edge
As of Jun 14, 2025 there are 36 restaurants in Carmel. Filter by “outdoor dining”, “romantic” or “dog friendly”.
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