Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Monterey / Carmel

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance 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!

36 Degrees North at San Juan Oaks Golf Club

4.9

4.9 (52)

$31 to $50

Californian

Hollister

About the restaurant

The signature restaurant at the newly reimagined San Juan Oaks Golf Club. 36º North brings an upscale ambiance and memorable dining experience through seasonally inspired California cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. With a dramatic olive tree featured as an iconic centerpiece, the scene is set for gourmet dinners and special occasions.

Top review

Irene

Dined 7 days ago

Another excellent meal and the best customer service! Thank you.

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Experience

New Year's Eve

Pizza Heaven

5.0

5 (26)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Carmel

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the charming coastal town of Carmel-by-the Sea, Pizza Heaven entices both locals and tourists with its welcoming atmosphere and delightful menu.

Our delightful restaurant features a dog-friendly heated patio, where four-legged friends are invited to join their owners in indulging in a variety of culinary delights. From specialty pizzas brimming with distinctive flavors to timeless favorites that never disappoint, Pizza Heaven caters to all tastes.

In addition to pizza, the menu offers an enticing selection of options including pastas, salads, and Mediterranean pies, ensuring there's something for everyone. To elevate the dining experience, carefully chosen local and regional wines are available, adding a touch of sophistication to every meal.

Whether you're in search of a laid-back lunch spot or an intimate dinner setting, Pizza Heaven guarantees a taste of culinary delight amidst the coastal allure of Carmel, California.

Top review

Gabriela

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

It was a great experience. Amazing food and desert.

Anton & Michel Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (3262)

$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

Betty

Dined 2 days ago

A gorgeous day in Carmel made even more special by delightful lunch, sitting around a beautiful pool. The service the food was exceptional. Very, very relaxing.

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Popular dish

Classic French Onion Soup

Popular dish

Cherries Jubilee (for two)

Popular dish

GF Black Angus Filet Mignon

Pacific's Edge

4.5

4.5 (3382)

$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

David

Dined 4 days ago

The greens salad was supposed to have crispy sunchokes but they were not included. The fish and chips were delicious, as was the chicken sandwich. The fries were excellent. You pay for the view.

The Lantern Room - Monterey Beach Hotel

4.4

4.4 (18)

$31 to $50

American

Monterey

About the restaurant

Nestled right on the Monterey State Beach, The Lantern Room offers a dining experience like no other, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a menu inspired by the rich offerings of Monterey County. Our dishes celebrate the flavors of the region, each crafted with ingredient sourced from local vendors, ensuring that every bite supports our vibrant community. Complement your meal with a selection of wines and beers exclusively from Monterey County, all while enjoying the calm, nautical ambiance that perfectly frames the ocean’s horizon. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil evening or a memorable meal with a view, The Lantern Room invites you to savor the best of the coast!

Top review

AnneVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

This is a spectacular place to dine with beachfront view of Monterey Bay from every window! It's on the top floor of the Monterey Beach Hotel. The restaurant was recently remodeled with cool decor and very comfortable seating. The wait staff was very attentive. The cuisine was delicious, especially the grilled Ad Astra bread, brussels sprouts and pasta dishes. Great cocktails too. We will return again very soon.

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Experience

Christmas with The Lantern Room

Sardine Factory

4.7

4.7 (4959)

$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

Jim

Dined today

Great service. There were 6 of us and we all had something different. Ribeye, prime rib, sea bass, calamari, octopus and seafood pasta plus 6 different deserts. All the best . Don't skip the abalone bisque.

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Popular dish

Sardine Factory's "Sorbet on Ice Swan"

Popular dish

USDA Prime Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Abalone Bisque

Le Soufflé

5.0

5 (451)

$50 and over

French

Carmel

About the restaurant

**LUNCH ONLY MONDAY-FRIDAY STARTING AT 11:30AM- CLOSED SAT/SUN- (CLOSED 12/23-12/27)**
We are located in CARMEL, CALIFORNIA, USA. Reservations are only available through OpenTable up to 3 weeks in advance. Intimate indoor dining room can accommodate parties up to 4 guests- Menu changes seasonally- see website for current menu.

Le Soufflé is a fine dining restaurant serving a traditional French soufflé lunch menu. Everything is exclusively prepared by our Executive Chef/Co-Owner creating a very unique and finely crafted dining experience. The wine list offers a selection of wines from exquisite boutique producers in France and are all available by the glass or bottle. Our guests can look forward to an elegant escape when they step into our intimate and luxurious dining room. We are located on Dolores Street, just two blocks off Ocean Avenue in the beautiful village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Top review

Jan

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

What a find. It was a wonderful pretty little place for lunch. The Food was absolutely delicious. My husband had the garlic soufflé and I had the mushroom soufflé. The soup, salad and dessert soufflés were also delicious! The best food both of us have eaten! The lovely woman who waited on us and the chef are partners and do everything. There are four tables. It is a very unique experience. We will definitely go back when we’re in Carmel again.

Kona Steak and Seafood

4.8

4.8 (102)

$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 3 days ago

We had another wonderful dinner! Our server, Dayton C, was great as always! We really enjoying our dining experiences here!

Stokes Adobe Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (760)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing experience…staff were incredibly kind and attentive. 10/10 recommend.

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Popular dish

Crispy Potatoes

La Mia Cucina

4.8

4.8 (1013)

$31 to $50

Italian

Pacific Grove

About the restaurant

Stroll along 17th St., between Lighthouse and Laurel and you will find one of the Peninsula’s favorite spots, La Mia Cucina. This little jewel, with its fresh ambiance and tantalizing menu, is popular with everyone. The colorful European advertising posters that enliven the walls, are “originals, not reproductions.” That phrase is accurate in describing La Mia Cucina itself. From the comfortable linen white decor, accented beautifully by those turn-of-the-century posters, to the hand-crafted entrees and desserts, everything about La Mia Cucina says fresh and original. Owner Michael’s specialty, his ravioli dishes, are a renowned local favorite, and for good reason. They are hand made, with all the care that only a lifetime of creative food combining can bring. In addition to pasta, La Mia Cucina is known for it's fresh fish and meat specials. The desserts are made in-house by his wife Paula and daughter Michaela, and the service is personal and inviting.

Top review

Delma

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Another wonderful dinner at Mia Cucina. We both loved the fresh focaccia and the super flavorful olive oil we dipped into! My pasta primavera with chicken was loaded with fresh veggies and the creamy sauce was not too heavy yet coated the linguini perfectly. My companion’s chicken dish was perfectly cooked and seasoned and he especially enjoyed the orzo. The blood orange sorbet topped off the meal!

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