Carmel Restaurants
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L'Escargot - Carmel
Price: Moderate•French•4.8(1,282)Nestled in a residential neighborhood on Mission Street, three blocks north of Ocean Avenue lies a slice of “Old Carmel”. Originally founded in 1958 by Yvan Nopert and his family, Chef – Owner Kericos Loutas carries on the traditions of superb Country French Cuisine and personalized friendly service. A local favorite for casual fine dining in a romantic atmosphere, L’Escargot offers visitors an alternative to the “tourist experience”. The menu changes frequently, as do the specials. A three-course prix fixed Bistro Menu is offered nightly.Grasing's
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.7(3,138)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.
Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro
Price: Moderate•Gastro Pub•4.6(110)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.Carmel's Bistro Giovanni
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.7(2,033)An artful, romantic setting with an international wine list and amazing cocktails.
Try some of our specialties: the "Mamma Mia" features mouth-watering meatballs with pasta and southern Mediterranean-spiced sauce, Veal Osso Bucco, Lamb Shank, steaks, and a plethora of seafood including halibut, salmon and sand dabs! For our gluten-free guests, we can also provide gluten free pasta and bread.
*Patio availability depending on weather. We do have plenty of heat lamps but do not have covered tables outdoors. Please understand this when booking.
* For parties of 6 or more and special events we require a credit card to hold your table with a 24 hour cancellation policy, $40 per person will be applied to your credit card for late cancellations and no shows. We will hold your table for 10 minutes.
*We have a $30 corkage fee for a standard size bottle (750 ml.) 2 bottle maximum per table.
Anton & Michel Restaurant
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.7(3,348)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”.Patisserie Boissiere Restaurant
Price: Moderate•French•4.6(455)Walk-ins' are taken starting at 11:30 am. Reservations accepted for dinner only, and walk-ins' accepted when possible.
Fifty eight years ago, Elaine and Pierre Boissiere established their eponymous restaurant at its current location, years before Carmel Plaza shopping center was built around it. They sought to offer the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea a relaxing and comforting venue modeled after a European chateau where tables are thoughtfully spaced and fresh flowers, fireplace, candles and soothing musical notes are integral part of the dining experience. The ambience sets the tone for French country food served with a great deal of care for detail and pastries baked daily on premises. It is a testament to their far sightedness that Patisserie Boissiere Restaurant continues to fulfill their vision to this day.
Nicolas Cocina de Herencia
Price: Expensive•Mexican•4.5(346)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.PortaBella Restaurant
Price: Expensive•French•4.6(1,743)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
Outdoor dining in California Central Coast
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See what locals rave about in Carmel
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- LLisaGreater Boston •3 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoGreat spot! This will be a go to for years to come.More infoNicolas Cocina de HerenciaPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Carmel•4.5
- JJudyVIPPortland / Oregon •12 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoI had the seafood pasta and have to request the recipe for the sauce - it was magnificent! My friend had the halibut special and raved about it. The Yellow Tail appetizer is a must with the beautiful pickled ginger. I'll be back with my husband when we are back in the area together. Thank you for a great dinner.More infoGrasing'sPrice: Expensive• Californian• Carmel•4.7
- DDavidVIPSan Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews5.0Dined 4 days agoAttentive wait staff, good choice of entrees, excellent food.More infoPangaea on Ocean AvePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Carmel•4.4
- CChloeVIPPalm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •1 review5.0Dined 4 days agoLegit one of the best sushi restaurants ive been too! All three speciality rolls were the BEST 😍 12/10 !More infoToroPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Carmel•4.6
- KKarenVIPIndiana •51 reviews5.0Dined 5 days agoHad spanakopita and panna cotta. Both very good. I’d come back here for a meal.More infoDametra CafePrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Carmel•4.7
Restaurant experiences trending in California Central Coast
Discover Carmel
A rising star along the California coast, Carmel-by-the-Sea is quickly making a name for itself on the dining scene. There's a European feel to Carmel, and that ambiance is reflected in the city's large number of French-influenced restaurants. As you nibble French bread and sip a glass of wine, it will be easy to imagine that you've been transported to a genuine Parisian bistro. Fresh seafood is plentiful in Carmel - no surprise given its coastal location. You'll find seafood dishes in Carmel's restaurants that range from European to Mexican in cuisine. You'll also have no trouble finding great seafood in Carmel's All-American steakhouses. The Californian commitment to healthy eating means that dishes lean heavily on produce, and vegetarian options abound in the local restaurants. Even vegans will find dishes to suit their tastes.
Frequently asked questions
Celebrate special occasion at the best restaurants in Carmel. Our customers recommend Anton & Michel Restaurant, Carmel's Bistro Giovanni and Grasing's
As of Apr 27, 2025 there are 40 restaurants in Carmel. Filter by “outdoor dining”, “romantic” or “dog friendly”.
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