Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Monterey / Carmel

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Monterey / Carmel? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Turn 12 Bar And Grill

4.8

4.8 (381)

$30 and under

American

Monterey

About the restaurant

Due to limited seating during this time we are only accepting phone in reservations.
Our outdoor patio is open and we are doing take-out.

Turn 12 Bar and Grill waved the green flag on October 1, 2013. The modern and sporty decor surround a spectacular 50 foot custom zinc bar top with tire tread inlay. Vintage motorcycles, historic racing artwork, and multiple televisions capture your attention upon entering. With a menu that serves a little of everything, from steaks and pasta, to pizza, burgers and salads Turn 12 is a casual American Bar and Grill with something for everyone.

The name Turn 12 is related to the famous Laguna Seca Raceway that has 11 turns and meant to invite guests to visit us at the corner of Tyler and Franklin as the last turn of the day.

Top review

Nancy

Dined on Sep 15, 2024

Got the special. Panko fried red snapper over homemade lobster ravioli with a luscious sauce on top. Yummy.

the C restaurant + bar

4.7

4.7 (1205)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Our family-friendly Monterey Bay restaurant is close to the Aquarium, situated over sapphire waters and immersed in the natural beauty of the California coast. The C restaurant features only seafood endorsed by Seafood Watch of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The delicious Arctic Char featured on Executive Chef Matt Bolton's menus is similar to salmon in taste, texture and color, but is available year-round, and is rated a "best choice" by Seafood Watch.

Located at the upscale InterContinental The Clement Monterey hotel on Monterey Bay. Every table at the C restaurant has a view of the pristine and scenic Monterey Bay. Marine life sightings abound, including dolphins, whales, harbor seals and sea otters. Enjoy the parade of sea creatures and shore birds as you savor the finest in California regional cuisine.

Top review

Kathleenvip

Dined on Sep 24, 2024

Love eating here everytime we stay at this hotel.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Dametra Cafe

4.7

4.7 (202)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Monterey

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 4 days ago

This place was great! We got a sweet window table. The service was good, the food was fresh and delicious and the intermittent live music was so fun. Oh and the baklava! Oh my!

Rosine's Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (545)

$30 and under

American

Monterey

About the restaurant

Rosine's Restaurant turns traditional American comfort food into an art form. This local family-owned and operated casual dining restaurant has been open for 43+ years. The Culcasi family, owners of Rosine's, have received a bit of national fame as it has appeared on Guy Fieri's show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". Rosine's offers indoor and outdoor (pet friendly) dining serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, beer wine and signature craft cocktails. Breakfast offers include Eggs Benedicts, Omelets and a variety of other breakfast specialities. As for lunch and dinner, there is a mix of American and Italian dishes. Some of the most popular dishes on the menu include their Beef Minestrone soup, Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna. Scrumptious sandwiches, fresh salads and burgers are also elevated. They are known world wide for their award-winning house made desserts. A consistent winner with the locals for Best Comfort Food, Best Family Restaurant, Best Desserts + more.

Top review

Lesvip

Dined today

Rosine's is one of my regular, weekly favorites. :)

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Popular dish

Hearty Homemade Beef Minestrone Soup

Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro

4.6

4.6 (94)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Carmel

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

My wife and I wanted a light meal and found this restaurant. We had the Grilled Peaches and Beets salad and the Old Town Pizza (had hot honey) and both were very tasty. Service (server was Houston) was very good. Very happy with our choice.

Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette

4.5

4.5 (1270)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Marina

About the restaurant

Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette is an award-winning upscale seafood restaurant in Marina, CA. Indulge in a culinary experience like no other with a live show kitchen, tantalizing oyster bar, and perfectly cooked steaks. Join us for daily happy hour and enjoy our carefully crafted cocktail and wine program. Savor weekend brunch while relaxing on our pet-friendly patio. Whether you're planning a wedding, memorial, or business dinner, our private dining spaces are available to create a memorable event. Come and discover why our seafood restaurant is a top choice for those seeking exceptional cuisine and unforgettable dining experiences in Marina, CA. Open Monday - Friday from 2 PM- 9:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10AM - 9:30PM.

Top review

Carole

Dined today

Welcoming greeting from manager to an outstanding server. Birthday celebration was met with complementary champagne, ordered Sunset drinks and appetizers and then to delightful oysters and seafood for dinner and finished with complementary birthday dessert. Staff met every dining need without asking for ANYTHING...Menu has really expanded since our last visit which is wonderful and looking forward to our next visit!

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Popular dish

Grilled Oysters

Experience

Annual Thanksgiving Buffet

Edwin's Kaona Carmel

4.4

4.4 (166)

$30 and under

Asian

Carmel

About the restaurant

Edwin's Carmel is a South East Asian Fusion Restaurant located in the heart of Carmel by the Sea, CA.

Top review

Harriet

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

The food at Edwin’s was a wonderful burst of flavors. The menu had an amazing fusion of southeast Asian food. Service was delightful and all the staff were super friendly, especially Dexter. He made our visit really fantastic!

Alvarado On Main - Salinas

4.3

4.3 (78)

$31 to $50

American

Monterey

About the restaurant

Alvarado on Main is an art deco styled restaurant will revitalize the elegant feel of the 1930s in the center of beautiful Oldtown Salinas. Within its walls, a modern sense of craft beer will be combined with a concentration on fresh and local cuisine that speaks to the Salinas Valley.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 28, 2024

First time I’ve ever been here where it was less than half full. It can get so loud inside when it’s busy, but this was perfect around noon on Sunday. Fantastic pizza, as usual. Friendly service. Will definitely be back!

Flaherty's Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar

4.1

4.1 (1451)

$30 and under

Seafood

Carmel

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Garyvip

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

Our server Sandra is outstanding. Great recommendations for food. The Seafood Curry is off the charts awesome.

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Popular dish

English Fish and Chips

Popular dish

English Fish & Chips

Yafa

3.9

3.9 (509)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Carmel

About the restaurant

Yafa Restaurant is a casual corner cafe serving delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes in a warm and homey environment.

Top review

Alfredvip

Dined on Sep 27, 2024

We come to Yafa every year when we visit Carmel in September. We like the dog friendly support and Mediterranean menu. The vegan cauliflower steak was wonderfully spiced but the lamb shank was tender but uninspired in terms of spice or flavor. It's not a good sign when I had to ask for salt and pepper.

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Popular dish

Mishmish Chicken

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