The BREAKDOWN: My Top 6 Restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Hello from Bri Steel, Broker/Realtor® & Owner of Bixby Realty!
"Eat Like a Local" is the typical advice people give when traveling to a new destination. Well, if you are visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea and want to experience the local flavors and cool spots in the area, then let this local tell you where to go!
I've been around enough to know the best restaurants in the area, but if you need more convincing, check out the feedback online from people all over the world visiting Carmel. Most places have more than 8,000 reviews and four stars on Google and other rating platforms like Tripadvisor and Yelp.
Make your visit to Carmel-by-the-Sea flawless by allowing me to point you in the direction of all the best restaurants while you take care of enjoying yourself!
Stepping into La Bicyclette is like stepping into a French Bistro or an Italian Trattoria; this European-inspired restaurant serves typical European countryside cuisine dishes that are handmade with local and seasonal ingredients, family recipes, and ancient craftsmanship.
While there is a fixed menu, there are plenty of specials on rotation every week depending on what is seasonal, local, and the chef's fancy, as is typical in the European countryside. The weekly specials are written on a chalkboard and displayed for the customers to take a chance on a new creation. Chefs Obdiel Luna and Sous Chef Carlos Reyes and Arturo Cruz come up with hearty and healthy dishes that resemble food from nonna's kitchen that warm your heart and your belly.
You need to make reservations for dinner or call ahead to check if they are busy since this is one of the most popular places in Carmel.
La Bicyclette is the perfect place to be transported to the European countryside restaurants run by the town's favorite Nonna!
Our favorites: Linguine Pescatore, Pepperoni and Campignons Pizza, Trio de Fromages
Most popular: Parisian Gnocci, Salumi Pizza, and Beouf Borginon
Specialty diet: Vegetarian
Special feature: European cafe ambiance and Espresso
Mission Ranch has it all when it comes to panoramic views. From the terrace, you can see the sheep grazing in the meadow, the Santa Lucia Mountains, and Carmel River Beach. In the far distance, you can watch the sun setting on the Pacific Ocean, and if you pay close attention you can hear the crashing waves.
Mission Ranch is 22 acres of green pasture with a cool history. It was one of the first dairy farms in California in the 1800s and was then reformed by former Carmel Mayor Clint Eastwood. The movie star legend saved this landmark resort from developers and renovated the entire property to provide a unique resort experience.
Today, the property features 31 hotel rooms in 10 buildings, an All-American restaurant with a farm-to-table concept, and a venue for weddings, engagements, corporate dinners, family vacations, and more.
This place has it all: history, live piano music, a brunch menu, seating on the patio and inside, helpful staff, open mic days, and wonderful panoramic views!
Our favorites: Baked Goat Cheese, Crab Cakes, Coriander Seasoned King Salmon, and Scampi Linguine
Most popular: Whiskey Marinated Beef Brochette, International Cheese Plate, Arugula And Burrata Salad, and Roasted Rack Of Lamb
Specialty diet: Vegetarian
Special feature: Live piano, sunset view, Sunday brunch
The Treehouse Cafe in picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming restaurant that makes you feel like you are sitting on your own little porch, surrounded by dancing candlelight and climbing vines in your own bubble of happiness.
Owners Fadi Alnimiri and his wife Pam create an intimate ambiance that attracts customers to choose it time and time again as a destination to celebrate life milestones, catch up with friends, have a romantic date, or for quaint dinner plans.
The menu is a fusion of Mediterranean, Greek, and Thai cuisines, which means there's something for everyone, and the wine list has an extensive selection of local and popular wines. The staff is friendly and helpful, especially when giving you wine-pairing suggestions or helping you decide on a meal.
The cafe is open for lunch and dinner, but call ahead or make a reservation since it's limited seating in a trendy area.
Give the Treehouse Cafe a chance to turn you into a happy regular!
Our favorites: Honey & Cheese, Osso Buco, Russian Lamb Stroganoff, Lamb Kebabs, Red Thai Curry, Spanish Paella, Tuna Melt, Seafood Pasta, Grilled Calamari
Most popular: Monterey Bay Clam, Tzatziki Dip, Seafood Pasta, and Grilled Calamari
Specialty diet: Vegetarian
Special feature: Extensive wine collection
Portabella is located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It offers its guests a magnificent ocean atmosphere, fresh seafood and ingredients, live music, and an accommodating staff that will take care of your dining needs and can expertly pair dishes and wines.
You can either be seated inside, where the atmosphere is intimate and cozy or sit outside on the flagstone garden terrace.
Portabella is usually crowded for dinner, so it's better to call and make a reservation. Lunch is a little more flexible if you want to try your chances, but I do suggest calling ahead to ask for the estimated waiting time.
Portabella knows how to turn seafood into delicious dishes. Come and see why locals and tourists alike battle for a table at the restaurant!
Our favorites: Portabella Cream of Mushroom Soup, Grilled Spanish Octopus, Pan-Seared Sea Scallops Prosciutto Di Parma Con Crostini, and Lamb Tenderloin
Most popular: Bread and Olive Oil, Grilled King Salmon, Linguine AI Frutti DI Mare Pasta ALLA Carbonara, Lamb Ossobuco, Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio and Jumbo Lobster Ravioli
Specialty diet: Vegetarian
Special feature: Cute establishment and fine dining approach to cozy garden ambiance
Dametra is a small restaurant on a corner in Carmel-by-the-Sea with all the chaotic and charming Mediterranean vibes.
Owners Faisal Nimri and Bashar Sneeh want their guests to have a true Mediterranean experience and go out of their way to create a welcoming, carefree, and relaxed atmosphere.
The food is fresh, with vibrant flavors and good portions. There's always something going on in the café, with live music, lively conversation, friendly staff, and sometimes, if you are lucky or have had too much wine, dancing!
Come to Dametra and experience the Mediterranean to the fullest!
Our favorites: Dolmas, Greek Style Lamb Shank, Shrimp and Crab Ravioli, Baba Ghanoug, Greek Moussaka, Lasagna Mama Mia
Most popular: Fried Calamari, Greek Style Lamb Shank, Spanakopita of Athens
Grilled Jumbo Prawns, Lamb Shish Kebab
Specialty diet: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free
Special feature: Live music
Pangaea Grill has been open since 2018 in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea and has been prospering ever since, thanks to loyal guests and tourists leaving honest and happy reviews all over the internet and by word of mouth.
The restaurant is a mixture of East and West food in this predominant Mediterranean food corridor. Pangaea Grill brings a chic dining aesthetic with vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients into healthy dishes.
Locals and tourists have raved about Pangaea's bold flavors and ample portions, as well as the vital new voice that Chef-Owner Mira Porges brings to this new venture.
A fun feature is that the menu is literally divided by its East and West world dishes. From the West, you have familiar dishes like Calamari Fritter, Filet Mignon, Rib Eye, and Grilled Salmon, while the East has exotic dishes like Korean Short Ribs and tangy Kim Chi Fried Rice and Dumpling Soup.
They work with reservations or walk in, so I suggest you call ahead and secure a spot, especially during tourist season.
The place where the East meets the West for a vibrant, flavorful result!
Our favorites: Crab Cakes, Coconut Prawns & Scallops, Mushroom Ravioli, Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps, Shrimp & Scallop Alfredo
Most popular: Korean Short Rib (Kal-bi), Kimchee Fried Rice, Sand Dabs
Specialty diet: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Special feature: Sunset dinner package and kimchi fried rice
To summarize…
Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent spot to walk, people-watch and eat. There are all sorts of restaurants and I've explored most of them. I feel qualified to point you to eateries where I had the best time and the best food. I am convinced an establishment needs to have a good atmosphere and food to be enjoyable, and this short list ticks all the boxes!
Now that you know where to go, call to snatch a reservation today!
At Bixby Realty we bring a fresh and innovative “boutique” approach to real estate on the Monterey Peninsula. In the process, we make dreams come true.
Looking to sell? We will make your home SHINE. Listings like ours that are beautifully presented and professionally inspected sell faster and for more money.
Looking to buy? We help our clients write offers that WIN. We are competitors at heart and negotiators at work. We get results.
Call or email us to set up an appointment with our broker and owner, Bri Steel.
Bri Steel
Broker/Realtor® + Owner
Bixby Realty
831.200.6338
bri@bixbyrealty.com
Bri Steel at the Bixby Realty office with her two mini Aussies Kiwi and Fiji.
