Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Monterey / Carmel

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar

4.9

4.9 (1249)

$30 and under

Italian

Pacific Grove

About the restaurant

We are currently open for dine-in and outdoor heated sidewalk/patio.
We are always available for curbside pickup.
Welcome to Mezzaluna Pasteria and Mozzarella Bar. Chef Soerke and Amy invite you in to enjoy daily house made Pasta, Mozzarella and Gelato.
We offer a full bar with specialty cocktails.
Chef’s Specialties include
Buccatini Al’Amatriciana
Linguini alla Vongole
Chicken Sausage Lasagne
Spaghetti Carbonara
Grilled Octopus
Lamb Meatballs
House-made Charcuterie
Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Dolce Sauce & Black Truffle Oil
Little Gem Caesar Salad with Parmigiano Reggiano
Raviloi di Manzo
Pate di Anatra

Top review

Andrea

Dined 3 days ago

2nd visit food was still very good, loved my carbonara! tre mozzarella appetizer is so good and a decaf affogato with their homemade gelato YUM

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Popular dish

Rigatoni alla Buttera

Popular dish

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Popular dish

Ravioli di Spinaci

Dametra Cafe

4.8

4.8 (191)

$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

JasonG

Dined on Aug 15, 2024

Chicken Kabobs were dry and the lamb shank was a bit dry and lacked flavor. This place is one of our favorites so hoping it was just a one time thing.

Kona Steak and Seafood

4.7

4.7 (62)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Monterey

About the restaurant

KONA Steak & Seafood was voted the "Best New Restaurant" winner on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula for 2023. Located in the popular Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey, just minutes from Carmel, Pacific Grove, & all Peninsula cities.
A fabulous menu! Enjoy fresh seafood, lobster, Hawaiian loco moco, fresh ahi tuna, a great bacon cheeseburger, bone-in rib eye, miso-glazed seabass, filet mignon, macadamia nut crusted halibut, entree salads, cioppino, seafood pasta, Maui onion soup, coconut curry soup, and a large host of enticing appetizers. Enjoy KONA's generous portions, good value, & free abundant parking! The house baked desserts are worth a trip on their own..... incredible!! The gorgeous "ZenDen Bar" features full bar & "Tiki Bar" style concoctions curated with house made ingredients, and nightly Happy Hour from 3:00-9:00pm. Local wine list, craft draft beers, kid's menu, dog-friendly lanai/patio dining, continuous lunch & dinner service 7 days a week from 11:00am.

Top review

Bonnievip

Dined 4 days ago

We had a wonderful dinner at Kona tonight! Service was great and we all enjoyed our food very much!

Alvarado On Main - Salinas

4.6

4.6 (76)

$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!

Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro

4.5

4.5 (93)

$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

Charles

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Great atmosphere. We will be back again in the future

Cantinetta Luca

4.4

4.4 (2348)

$31 to $50

Italian

Carmel

About the restaurant

Cantinetta Luca offers an authentic Italian menu inspired by the traditional recipes of various regions of Italy. Chef/Owner Jason Balestrieri makes sure each hand-crafted dish uses the finest Italian products and locally sourced ingredients in a lively, adult atmosphere. A curated wine list with an expansive Italian varietals section attracts both the novice and educated palates. Inventive cocktails and house-made delicacies, such as salumi, fresh pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and house cut steaks, complete the Cantinetta Luca experience.

Top review

Mylesvip

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

Great dinner and service! A little too loud for us!

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Popular dish

Tagliatelle Bolognese

Baja Cantina - Carmel

4.4

4.4 (590)

$30 and under

Mexican / Southwestern

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

Baja Cantina is a fun and energetic place that is known for its exceptional automotive memorabilia collection and excellent food. We have a large outdoor patio that is perfect to sit and relax on a sunny afternoon with one of our award winning margaritas. We have special events all year round, including our famous classic car gatherings, holiday parties, tequila tastings, and sporting events. ****We only accept online reservations during off-peak times. If you can’t find a time you want online, please give us a call.***

Top review

sherylvip

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

Always consistently good Mexican food. It’s a good choice and away from the business of Carmel

Shearwater Tavern

4.3

4.3 (88)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Carmel

About the restaurant

Located in the idyllic seaside community of Carmel, Shearwater Tavern features breakfast and dinner within the Carmel Mission Inn. Our dinner menu has a selection of smaller plates to share along with some larger individual plates.
We have partnered with a local dairy, coffee roaster, honey purveyor and bakery.
Our Chef Fabian Di Paolo's menu is New American with Influences from his Argentinian, Italian, Floribbean roots. Our cocktail program features beautiful classic and specialty cocktails along with craft beer and California wines. You must try his House made Parker House rolls.

Top review

Anita

Dined on Aug 28, 2024

We were seated immediately and pleasantly by someone who I think was the manager, very nice man. Our server Stephanie, could not have been more professional or knowledgeable about the food offerings as well as being pleasant and fun to talk to. Our dinners and appetizer were delicious and well presented. A gem of a restaurant, relaxing and easily accessible from Hwy. 1.

Sur at The Barnyard

4.0

4 (479)

$31 to $50

American

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

Voted "Best Restaurant in Carmel Valley 2023"!

Located in the picturesque Barnyard Shopping Village just off of HWY 1 between Rio Rd and Carmel Valley Rd. Sur at the Barnyard is where foodies, beer lovers and families escape the stresses of their day-to-day lives to enjoy a great meal!

If you don't see a reservation available give us a call anytime and we will be happy to assist!

Need a reservation for 7 or more? Give us a call at 831-250-7188 or email us any requests at reservations@suratthebarnyard.com

Top review

TownDinner

Dined 7 days ago

Fried chicken, miso salmon and chocolate bonbons were great!

El Torito - Monterey

3.8

3.8 (1169)

$30 and under

Mexican

Monterey

About the restaurant

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.