Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Monterey / Carmel

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic 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!

Stokes Adobe Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (700)

$31 to $50

Californian

Monterey

About the restaurant

Stokes Adobe is a new restaurant located in one of Old Monterey’s historic adobe homes. The menu offers chef driven seasonally inspired California cuisine. The bar and cozy outdoor fire pits offer classic cocktails, wines by the glass and local beers.

Top review

Mercer

Dined 3 days ago

absolutely great experience. Service is great probably the best pork chop. I’ve ever had enjoyed everything about it. Highly recommended.

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Anton & Michel Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (3192)

$31 to $50

Californian

Carmel

About the restaurant

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”.

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined 7 days ago

Delicious meal and excellent service. One of my favorite meals that I’ve enjoyed in Carmel.

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Popular dish

Classic French Onion Soup

Popular dish

Cherries Jubilee (for two)

Popular dish

GF Black Angus Filet Mignon

Fandango

4.7

4.7 (3787)

$31 to $50

European

Pacific Grove

About the restaurant

A favorite among Fandango regulars is the succulent Rack of Lamb; other menu items include Fresh Seafood, a variety of pastas, delicious and exotic Mediterranean dishes such as paella and Couscous, and a tempting selection of excellent steaks. Several daily specialties are also available.

Desserts we offer, Souffle, Profiteroles, Chocolate Mousse

Top review

Melanie

Dined 5 days ago

We found the food quite delicious, and there were many good choices in the menu. Service was VERY friendly and attentive. overall, we recommend it highly.

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4.7

4.7 (4875)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Every city has that one can’t miss restaurant, where celebrities feel at home and every other guest feels like a celebrity. Since October 2, 1968, The Sardine Factory’s cachet has made dining in our historic Cannery Row setting a tradition for world leaders, sports heroes and entertainment icons. Our award-winning chefs prepare delectable creations of fresh, sustainable seafood and USDA Prime Aged Beef; winner of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s "Best Wine List in America" award. The Lounge’s live entertainment, Happy Hour and affordable menu are a casual alternative to our other dining rooms. Celebrating over 50 years under the same ownership and management! Voted "Best Restaurant in Monterey" by Monterey County Herald readers.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

The food, service, ambience were amazing! I ordered the prime rib, which is only available on Fridays and Saturdays, and it did not disappoint. That is my favorite entrée to order at the restaurant. I look forward to returning to the restaurant in the future!

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Popular dish

Sardine Factory's "Sorbet on Ice Swan"

Popular dish

USDA Prime Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Abalone Bisque

Old Fisherman's Grotto

4.7

4.7 (1535)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Nestled on the historic Fisherman's Wharf, overlooking the picturesque Monterey Harbor, Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a must-visit dining destination. Renowned worldwide for its exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and charming ambiance, the Grotto offers a culinary experience like no other. Our menu showcases fresh seafood sourced sustainably, USDA prime beef, and an extensive wine selection with over 200 choices recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine. With a commitment to providing an intimate dining atmosphere, we enforce a zero-tolerance policy for excessive noise levels, ensuring a pleasant experience for all our guests. We kindly ask patrons to keep noise levels moderate to respect others' dining experiences.

Top review

Amanda

Dined on Sep 9, 2024

We absolutely love this restaurant and it is our go-to restaurant when we’re in Monterey. Their clam chowder garlic bread bowl with crab is amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant!

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Popular dish

Neptune's Platter

Popular dish

Macadamia Crusted Halibut

Popular dish

Fried Calamari

Coastal Kitchen Monterey

4.7

4.7 (281)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Monterey

About the restaurant

NOW SERVING SUNDAY BRUNCH!!

The Coastal Kitchen Monterey is an idyllic setting to enjoy inspirational fine dining. The culinary efforts are on display in the show kitchen and the service team is poised to offer impassioned explanations.

Chef Michael Rotondo’s multi-coursed tasting menu focuses on sustainability and celebrates the bounty of the Monterey Bay and Central Coast. A wine pairing of thoughtfully curated wines selected by the Sommelier team is available to complement each captivating course.

Additionally, we are also offering our Champagne Brunch on Sundays for 10am to 2pm.

Dinner Menus: Multiple Course Tasting Menu starts at $145 per person (Tuesday to Saturday Evenings)
3 Course Prix Fixe Menu $85 ( Tuesday to Thursday evenings)
Champagne Brunch Prix Fixe Menu: $75 per person (Sundays from 10am to 2pm)
Reservation Cancellation Policy: 24 Hours Prior to Reservation Time
Late Cancellation Fee: $50 per guest cancelation.

Top review

Keri

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

At our table by the windows, with binoculars provided, we were immediately entertained by the harbor seals at dusk, jumping out of the water and barking on their way back to the beach. We had decided ahead of time to order the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Within moments of ordering, we were presented with our amuse bouche accompanied by a delicious sparkling wine from the Loire Valley. I won't go course by course, or sip by sip, but the real stand-outs were the sugar snap pea soup with treasures of crab and prawns and the red wine braised short ribs were decadent. Our dessert wine paired perfectly with a light cheese cake accented by a tart cherry sorbet and raspberry puree. The staff treated us with such kindness from the moment we arrived till we walked back out the door heading to our hotel room. And all we could say for the rest of the evening was, "What an amazing meal!"

Casanova Restaurant Carmel

4.6

4.6 (2280)

$50 and over

Italian

Carmel

About the restaurant

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 $25 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!

Top review

Michaelvip

Dined 2 days ago

It was our 47th Anniversary and the hostess gave us a special room The Van Gogh They treated us with a glass of Champagne They went out of there way to make it special The service was wonderful and the food was delicious We will definitely be back

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4.5

4.5 (3320)

$50 and over

American

Carmel

About the restaurant

Nestled on the craggy bluffs of Carmel Highlands and offering spectacular views of the California coastline, Pacific’s Edge lives up to a well-earned reputation as a destination restaurant. Using ingredients inspired by the local bounty from land and sea, a creative culinary team curates seasonal menus complemented by a storied wine list. Where California casual meets refined dining in a one-of-a-kind location, Pacific’s Edge will surely delight all the senses.

Top review

Tom

Dined 5 days ago

An all-around wonderful experience. Great food, exceptional and friendly service, and one of the world’s most beautiful views.

Chart House Restaurant - Monterey

4.5

4.5 (6739)

$30 and under

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Chart House is a fine dining restaurant serving seafood & steak and famous for their spectacular views. For more than 50 years, Chart House has redefined the ideal dining experience. With 27 waterfront and showcase locations ranging from the historic to the unforgettable, Chart House restaurants specialize in dazzling views, unique cuisine and exceptional service. From fresh fish specialties to slow-roasted prime rib, the renowned chefs of Chart House have tailored a menu that adds a unique touch to local flavors. And the Chart House happy hour is a guest favorite, where guest favor our signature cocktails and delicious bites you are sure to enjoy. Our original Hot Chocolate Lava Cake is the perfect end to a memorable dining experience at Chart House. Chart House offers the ideal setting for your next event. We would be happy to assist you with all the details of your special occasion.

Top review

Leo

Dined today

Amazing!! Everything about our dining experience was top notch. If you are in the area, this place is a must! And be sure to add the awesome salad bar to your meal!

Louie Linguini's

4.5

4.5 (350)

$30 and under

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Louie Linguini's is the finest Italian and Seafood restaurant on historic Cannery Row. We offer a large variety of food from seafood to pastas and pizzas. Louie Linguini's provides a fun and family friend atmosphere that is located directly on the water and has some of the best ocean views in the Monterey area. Come and enjoy great food and great service while you learn about Louie's wonderful life.

Top review

Stacie

Dined on Aug 23, 2024

We had a private table for 2 outside on the balcony with a stunning view! The food was delicious! I had the fried calamari appetizer. It was so very light and crispy, just perfectly cooked! Husband had a simple mixed green salad which was fresh and tasty. Nuts were a nice added crunch to the salad. The spaghetti and meatballs were divine! Better than my mom's meatballs & that's the standard I always use. I rarely find a meatball that compares to my mother's. These actually surpassed my mom's, sorry mom! Loved the spaghetti sauce. Loved how the pasta was plated in a nice large ball, already tossed with the sauce, not just naked pasta topped with a ladle of sauce. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his sausage arrabiatta too. Service was a bit lacking, didn't check on us, left empty appetizer plates on the table until dinner arrived, didn't refill water etc but the food was so phenomenal and the atmosphere so beautiful that I'll overlook that. Prices were very reasonable too.

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