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Best Lunch Restaurants in Carmel

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45 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Le Soufflé restaurant
1. Le Soufflé
5.0
Exceptional(451)
Price: Very Expensive
• French • Carmel
Booked 4 times today
**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.
A photo of Anton & Michel Restaurant restaurant
2. Anton & Michel Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(3263)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Carmel
Booked 15 times today
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”.
A photo of PortaBella Restaurant restaurant
3. PortaBella Restaurant
4.5
Awesome(1677)
Price: Expensive
• French • Carmel
Booked 34 times today
Our cuisine features beautiful specialties from France, Italy and Spain. The dishes are rich in color and flavor.PortaBella is picturesque: awarded First Prize for Beautiful Flowerscaping from the Carmel Garden Club.The ambience is stylish and romantic, the setting historic
A photo of Mission Bistro restaurant
4. Mission Bistro
4.6
Exceptional(491)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Carmel
Booked 18 times today
Located on Mission Street between Ocean Ave & 7th Ave, in Carmel California. Mission Bistro Restaurant is owned by Shaheen Alnuaimi. Our history-rich location is warm, charming, and above all cozy. We offer brunch, lunch, dinner, local, and import wines. Chef Matt Zimny sources from Monterey and Santa Cruz County farms and ranches with the goal of serving what is fresh and currently available. At Mission Bistro we do Seafood and Steaks right. Cheers!
A photo of Grasing's restaurant
5. Grasing's
4.6
Exceptional(3066)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Carmel
Booked 16 times today
DINING UPDATE: Please call restaurant if desired reservation is not available online.Grasing's is open for indoor dining and limited outdoor dining (weather permitting). Please note if stairs are an issue for any guest. Please continue to visit our website a https://grasings.com for menu updates, holiday offerings and special events. Grasing’s, located in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, lies along the Pacific Coast in Central California in Monterey County. Celebrity chef partners, Kurt Grasing and Narsai David, truly created a gem. From friendly and professional service, an award winning wine list and seasonally inspired cocktails to the fresh and sustainable local ingredients.Please contact the restaurant to request dog friendly patio seating.
A photo of Nicolas Cocina de Herencia restaurant
6. Nicolas Cocina de Herencia
4.7
Exceptional(282)
Price: Expensive
• Mexican • Carmel
Booked 8 times today
Reservations are not needed but are recommended, Walk ins are Welcome.The newest creation from the owners of the beloved Villa Azteca in Downtown Salinas (Salinas City Center), the eatery honoring the Alvarez family patriarch will open Summer 2023 in Carmel Plaza. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant will have indoor dining, bar seating and a small outdoor space, serving specialty Michoacán dishes as well as other Mexican favorites, incorporating three generations of family recipes.
A photo of Catch restaurant
7. Catch
4.4
Awesome(515)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • Carmel
Booked 7 times today
Welcome to Catch!.............................................
A photo of Pangaea on Ocean Ave restaurant
8. Pangaea on Ocean Ave
4.4
Awesome(176)
Price: Moderate
• Asian • Carmel
Booked 25 times today
Pangaea Grill is a Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurant that offers a unique dining experience. The restaurant's menu features a variety of Asian fusion dishes, as well as classic comfort foods. Pangaea Grill is known for its bold flavors, ample portions, and cozy atmosphere. The restaurant is located on Ocean Avenue in Carmel, California. Pangaea Grill is open for lunch and dinner, and also offers a happy hour menu. The restaurant is a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
A photo of The Hog's Breath Inn - Carmel restaurant
9. The Hog's Breath Inn - Carmel
4.3
Awesome(1033)
Price: Moderate
• American • Carmel
Booked 8 times today
Welcome to the famous Hog's Breath Inn, Carmel.Formerly owned by Clint Eastwood, and sold to a good family friend, Kaiser Morcus,a seasoned restaurateur, hotelier, grocer, butcher and entrepreneur.​PATIO DINING, LUNCH & DINNER, OPEN 11 AMOur belief is that you are what you eat.
A photo of Dametra Cafe restaurant
10. Dametra Cafe
4.7
Exceptional(229)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Carmel
Booked 32 times today
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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Mary
    California Central Coast •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    The food was extremely delicious. The staff were very attentive and kind
    More info
    Grasing'sPrice: Expensive• Californian• Carmel
    •
    4.6
  • DanelleVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •73 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    We had not been to Porta Bella in all our years coming to Carmel. We are glad we finally did. The salmon was fresh and delicious. Our server was quite competent. The atmosphere was cozy. It is a short walk to our hotel, La Playa.
    More info
    PortaBella RestaurantPrice: Expensive• French• Carmel
    •
    4.5
  • Betty
    California Central Coast •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 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.
    More info
    Anton & Michel RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Californian• Carmel
    •
    4.7
  • GaryVIP
    Hawaii •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 17, 2024
    Really a great place. Not a large menu which I like because they focus on what they do best. Food is locally grown and sourced. A lot of organic and real foods, although they don’t want to fall into that farm to table cliché. I was talking to I think the owner and he was very humble about not marketing his restaurant that way but just have good food that is healthy for all to enjoy. I thought it was great and will be back! Aloha from Hawaii.
    More info
    Mission BistroPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Carmel
    •
    4.6
  • Jan
    San Francisco Bay Area •27 reviews
    5.0
    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.
    More info
    Le SouffléPrice: Very Expensive• French• Carmel
    •
    5

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