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  5. Carmel
PortaBella Restaurant, Carmel, CA
PortaBella Restaurant, Carmel, CA
PortaBella Restaurant, Carmel, CA
PortaBella Restaurant, Carmel, CA
PortaBella Restaurant, Carmel, CA

PortaBella Restaurant

4.5
4.5
1391 Reviews
$31 to $50
French
Our cuisine features beautiful specialties from France, Italy and Spain. The dishes are rich in color and flavor.
PortaBella is picturesque: awarded First Prize for Beautiful Flowerscaping from the Carmel Garden Club.

The ambience is stylish and romantic, the setting historic

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 40 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    French, European
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 624-4395
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

What 1,391 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Romantic

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Most Booked

1,391 Reviews
  1. emeryparent

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great menu, friendly professional service and beautiful ambience. We highly recommend the Lamb Shank, Short Ribs and Pappardelle. Lovely after dinner drink options include port, digestifs and limoncello. This is now our favorite place for dinner in Carmel. If you’re traveling solo, it’s a nice place to have dinner at the small bar in the backroom.

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  2. Natalie

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was great and really enjoyed ... the only criticism, which I thought of later was the fact no water was offered or served. Otherwise 5 star rating.

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  3. RichardB

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good selection of menu items, great and accommodating service!

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  4. michele

    Houston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great location, attentive service, very good food. We will definitely eat here again.

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  5. NancyTX

    San Francisco

    87 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    87 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service & decadent food! Forget the diet for a night and enjoy some wonderful European cuisine. Patio & inside dining room all very charming.

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  6. AlexS

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience2
    I put my reservation in a month in advance on the online service. On that reservation, I requested outdoor seating. We got there 10 min early, the hostess found my reservation, and told us we could choose from 2 booth tables that were inside. I asked if the wait for outside dining was long because I was expecting to be seated somewhere outside since that’s what I requested in advance. So the hostess asked me if I had put that in my reservation, and I said I was pretty sure I did. Then she told me she would double check and let me know, even though I could see in my email that I had in fact requested it. Nonetheless, she never said anything about that situation again. Didn’t come back to say she checked, didn’t apologize for the mixup, nothing. I came to Carmel and this restaurant specifically because I enjoyed the last time I went, mostly because I was sitting outside in the nice weather and night air, since I live in the valley. I enjoyed the ambiance that time and that’s why I’d desired to sit outside once again. But instead we were seated inside, right next to where the servers get the silverware. It was so loud and distracting, and not the romantic setting I’d hoped for and expected when I thought I would’ve gotten seated outside.

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  7. KenB

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Get the Carbonara. You will not be disappointed. Good service. Friendly staff and ownership. We will be back!

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  8. RudyB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The restaurant was very nicely decorated. We liked the ambience. The food was delicious. We had the classic wild mushroom risotto and the lemon dijon garlic chicken. They both exceeded our expectations. Jesus was a wonderful server. He was very attentive to our needs, and had a great wine recommendation. They were all very friendly and welcoming. We will surely come back to this restaurant.

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  9. DavidK

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great ambience. Wonderful food and great service. I’ve walked by so many times in my life , this was my first time experiencing this amazing/magical restaurant. Look forward to enjoying this amazing restaurant.

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  10. SusanT

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service! Food was delicious! I highly recommend.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely, lovely, lovely…a Carmel must! Exceptional food, and best ambiance in town. We will return again and again!

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  12. Sciman

    Central Coast

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My friend and I had a reservation for three and a dog. One person and the dog couldn’t make it so my friend and I asked for a cozier spot by a heater (we were outside). We were immediately accommodated with no fuss and no impatience with us for asking. My friend and I we’re catching up on old times and each other’s families so didn’t order right away — again kindness and accommodation from the staff. I would definitely go there again. Thank you.

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  13. Mimi

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely delicious dinner. Short ribs were tender and flavorful. Chicken was cooked perfectly and topped with a yummy sauce. The corn & crab bisque was wonderful !!! Hot fresh bread was great. We will definitely return to this lovely restaurant.

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    6 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    overall2food1service2ambience3
    The price was high for the quality of the dinner. The restaurant structure was charming but the competition close by is miles ahead. I could not recommend this restaurant.

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  15. Cliff

    San Francisco

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The tricolor beet salad was wonderful and the Lamb shank was perfectly served. We always eat as least once here every time we come back to Carmel. Never disappointed. Wine selection was broad and fairly priced. Excellent service.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience5
    Honestly disappointing. Beautiful location. Great service! Kitchen is slow! Restaurant is overcrowded with too many tables. Maybe my expectations were high, but I eat out at equivalent restaurants and this did not hold up. Appetizers were a 10!! Mussels were huge and delicious! Grilled octopus was the highlight of the entire meal. Then we waited 40min for salmon. Overcooked!!! With overcooked greens and unseasoned mashed potatoes. My partner got linguine with mussels prawns, and invisible calamari. The Pasta was spectacular!!! Then dessert. They severed a cold, dry LAVA cake!!! And a cold crème brûlée! Seemed store bought. With the cake we got ice cream served in a caramel almond cup that was amazing! Take away a few tables!!! Make food to order including dessert! Location and reputation! 4/10

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  17. AGEE

    Central Coast

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    Maybe it was very busy when we were there for dinner that night, waitor took a while to take our order. Food was good especially the mushroom soup.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Portabella is a lovely restaurant in a quaint building, right in the heart of Carmel. The food is excellent, with choices to appeal to both the seafood and non-seafood eater. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, even on the patio, which has heaters and blankets. It’s a must!

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience3
    Food was a total disappointment, historical scenery.

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  20. Ziggy

    Los Angeles

    36 reviews

    5.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Was great. Lamb was especially good. Highly recommend

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  21. PaulHB

    Palm Springs

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best anchovies on Caesar salad, loved the pesto dip. Lam with huckelberries outstanding

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  22. LynF

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was my first dinner ar your restaurant. Every detail was quite exceptional!

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  23. MichaelS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 28, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Overall really great, but waiter kept constantly asking us if we were ready to order dinner. Then, once we did, he suddenly stopped coming around to ask if we wanted any more drinks. Felt sort of rushed to turn the table and I hate that.

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    The table wait staffs were great and courteous. The hostess seemed like she was in a bad mood. Ambience was pleasant but on a weekend there were too many tourist walking by…. The food was underwhelming

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  25. Wow27

    Dallas

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Never disappoints. Always one of the best meals we have in Carmel. Attentive service, old world charm, wonderful dishes at their prices.

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  26. DanM

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed our dinner thanks to helpful advice from our server. The beet salad was excellent and my husband enjoyed the proscuitto salad. We both had the special osso buco which is a speciality . We would go back again.

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  27. SteveL

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    The Fruti De Mare had calamari that was so bad I had to spit it out

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  28. HauteCuisine

    Dallas

    1008 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    1008 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food, service, and ambience were all fantastic. The services provided by the professional management and staff are the main reasons that we keep coming back. The old world elegance is a rare thing, and we value their focus to make sure that everything about the dining experience is excellent. I highly recomend this restaurant.

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  29. localgypsy

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had the Bolognese and the Pomodoro and both were superb! Lovely ambience and wonderful meal - first time in Carmel. Wow!

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    It is advertise a French restaurant, but it’s more Italian.

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  31. alwayshungry1952

    Las Vegas

    7 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience5
    Have the crab and corn chowder! Nice relaxing meal.

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  32. Cord

    Tahoe

    88 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    88 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Amazing food. Prepared perfectly and excellent service. Will return

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  33. HauteCuisine

    Dallas

    1008 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    1008 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food, service, and ambience were all fantastic. The services provided by the professional management and staff are the main reasons that we keep coming back. The old world elegance is a rare thing, and we value their focus to make sure that everything about the dining experience is excellent. I highly recomend this restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  34. HauteCuisine

    Dallas

    1008 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    1008 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food, service, and ambience were all fantastic. The services provided by the professional management and staff are the main reasons that we keep coming back. The old world elegance is a rare thing, and we value their focus to make sure that everything about the dining experience is excellent. I highly recomend this restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  35. HauteCuisine

    Dallas

    1008 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    1008 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food, service, and ambience were all fantastic. The services provided by the professional management and staff are the main reasons that we keep coming back. The old world elegance is a rare thing, and we value their focus to make sure that everything about the dining experience is excellent. I highly recomend this restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  36. HauteCuisine

    Dallas

    1008 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    1008 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food, service, and ambience were all fantastic. The services provided by the professional management and staff are the main reasons that we keep coming back. The old world elegance is a rare thing, and we value their focus to make sure that everything about the dining experience is excellent. I highly recomend this restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  37. AudiDooty

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great, smaller restaurant in "cuter-than-a-bug's-ear" Carmel. Excellent service and food!

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  38. TrishU

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    Sat at the table for ages with no water or anything. My martini was terrible. My short ribs were tasteless and half of that was all fat! Very expensive and not a pleasant experience.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall3food2service1ambience3
    Our Waiter nim was rude! food was cold, no steak as was told there would be. Food was just ok.

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful experience!!! Excellent service! Delicious appetizers, entrees, dessert! Exceptional wine list! Welcoming and warm environment with gracious staff, guitar music, and ambience. Thank you for a lovely evening.

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FAQs

PortaBella Restaurant does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. PortaBella Restaurant also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 624-4395.

PortaBella Restaurant is rated 4.5 stars by 1391 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 40 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for PortaBella Restaurant

Ocean Ave and Monte Verde, Carmel, CA 93921

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Carmel
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:30 pm
  • Cuisines
    French, European
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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