Best Family Style Restaurants in Monterey

First time here, and loved the outside seating. Service was great, and the food was wonderful! Will definitely return!

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Edwin's in Carmel, and I have to say, it was truly a highlight of our trip! Our kids declared it the best meal we had during our travels, and I couldn’t agree more. We ordered a variety of dishes, including lechon kawali, chili shrimp, salmon, lumpia, and nasi goreng, and each one was a delightful treat! The flavors were vibrant and authentic, making it a feast for our taste buds. One of the things we loved most was the soothing background of Filipino music—it really set a warm and inviting atmosphere. Despite the chef not being able to make it that day, Dexter stepped in and handled everything as the waiter, chef, and bartender. He was absolutely wonderful—his passion for the food and hospitality shone through, making our dining experience even more enjoyable. And let’s not forget dessert! The ube ice cream with turon was the perfect sweet ending to our meal—creamy, delicious, and a great way to finish off such a fantastic experience. We highly recommend Edwin's to anyone looking for a delicious meal in Carmel.

Fantastic meal. Portions were large and exstemely flavorful. Great staff.

We had another wonderful dinner at La Mia Cucina. We started with the Arancini and Crab/Prawn Cakes, then shared a pasta dish, Tortiglioni with Sausage. All three were very tasty. I had the Sandabs as my entree and our guests ordered the Portobello Mushroom Ravioli. I would recommend both highly. Throughout the meal, the owner was gracious and helpful. We brought our own wine that had unfortunately turned bad, so he helped us select a nice replacement. We will be back.

We hadn’t visited the Carmel Mission Inn for several years and knew that it had been refreshed since our last visit. We decided to have dinner at Shearwater Tavern, tucked inside the Carmel Mission Inn and had an absolutely wonderful experiencey. Our outstanding dining experience began with a delicious Caesar Salad paired with their wonderful signature Parker House Rolls—warm, house-baked, and served with local honey butter and a bit of sea salt. These starters set the tone perfectly for the main event: a flawlessly grilled bavette (flank steak), a favorite of ours, topped with a rich green peppercorn sauce and accompanied by crispy shoestring frites. Our steak arrived cooked precisely to our medium-rare preference and request, showcasing the kitchen's attention to detail.