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Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in Monterey / Carmel

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OpenTable
Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in Monterey / Carmel? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of 36 Degrees North at San Juan Oaks Golf Club restaurant
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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A photo of New Year's Eve of a restaurant
Experience
New Year's Eve
A photo of Cella restaurant
Cella
4.8
4.8 (213)
$50 and over
Californian
Monterey
About the restaurant
Discover CELLA Restaurant + Bar at Cooper Molera Adobe in Downtown Monterey. Step into a sleek, historic venue with a heated pergola and stunning local woodwork. General Manager Bernabe DeLuna leads an exceptional wine program with a remarkable staff. Savor seasonal cocktails and mocktails crafted by Barkeep Joshua Perry. Chef Ben Spungin & Chef Cal Stamenov create an ever-changing menu inspired by the bountiful central coast. Join us and experience the neighborhood's culinary gem!
Top review
marc
Dined 3 days ago
A great experience as always. Cella gives you a dining experience, not just food. You are never rushed - a rare experience in itself, and the staff is attentive. Be warned - the fresh bread and salads are easy to split, and the burger is monstrous. There are many great places to eat on the peninsula- this is not one to miss.
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A photo of New Year's Eve Dinner at Cella Restaurant & Bar! of a restaurant
Experience
New Year's Eve Dinner at Cella Restaurant & Bar!
A photo of Sunday Supper - Fried Chicken Dinner of a restaurant
Experience
Sunday Supper - Fried Chicken Dinner
A photo of Family-Style Mezze Experience of a restaurant
Experience
Family-Style Mezze Experience
A photo of Stokes Adobe Restaurant restaurant
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
Citlali
Dined 2 days ago
Wonderful salads! Great drinks. Beautiful location and strong service.
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A photo of Crispy Potatoes of a restaurant
Popular dish
Crispy Potatoes
A photo of Anton & Michel Restaurant restaurant
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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A photo of Classic French Onion Soup of a restaurant
Popular dish
Classic French Onion Soup
A photo of Cherries Jubilee (for two) of a restaurant
Popular dish
Cherries Jubilee (for two)
A photo of GF Black Angus Filet Mignon of a restaurant
Popular dish
GF Black Angus Filet Mignon
A photo of Grasing's restaurant
Grasing's
4.6
4.6 (3064)
$31 to $50
Californian
Carmel
About the restaurant
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.
Top review
SuzyVIP
Dined 2 days ago
It was our first time dining here and from beginning to end was amazing!! The host seated us right away and our server Allen was excellent. We are excited to return!!
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A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant
Popular dish
Filet Mignon
A photo of Seafood Pasta of a restaurant
Popular dish
Seafood Pasta
A photo of Grasing's Crab Cakes of a restaurant
Popular dish
Grasing's Crab Cakes
A photo of Rio Grill restaurant
Rio Grill
4.6
4.6 (2467)
$30 and under
Californian
Carmel
About the restaurant
Rio Grill, located in the Crossroads in Carmel, has been the place to meet friends, enjoy tasty, flavorful food and relax with a refreshing cocktail or glass of wine for over 38 Years.
Chef Luis Osorio creative American dishes are some of the most flavorful, colorful and vibrant on the Monterey Peninsula and celebrate flavor in every mouthwatering bite!
In addition to the main dining room, Rio Grill has a comfortable lounge and full bar serving refreshing libations including the restaurant’s famous "Rio Rita.” The bar is lined with colorful caricatures of local faces and celebrities. Rio Grill's award-winning wine list by Wine Director, Gabe de la Vega, features more than 250 labels featuring a ton of local wineries and an extensive selection available by the glass.
Top review
JULIA
Dined on Dec 12, 2024
Lovely waitress. Great food . Beautiful,Christmas tree
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A photo of Soy Marinated Skirt Steak of a restaurant
Popular dish
Soy Marinated Skirt Steak
A photo of Montrio restaurant
Montrio
4.6
4.6 (4213)
$31 to $50
Californian
Monterey
About the restaurant
Located in the heart of downtown Monterey, Montrio offers a comfortable yet classic dining experience, featuring fine European inspired-American cuisine. For the past 25 years, Montrio has worked to showcase sustainable seafood, fine quality meat, and Monterey County’s best produce in all of its dishes has made this renovated 1910 firehouse a local favorite.


We feature a variety of appetizers, award-winning small bites, enticing entrees, and indulgent seasonal desserts made by our in house pastry chef. Choose from Montrio's extensive wine list, or try one of our signature cocktails. Come see what everyone is talking about!

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined today
Server was friendly, Bridget, if I recall, and on top of it. Husband’s birthday. They brought not only the birthday desert, but a nice taste of the strawberry gelato and blood orange sorbet — because she heard how we wanted to taste it. Husband had the filet perfectly cooked. I had the short rib very tasty, but maybe a bit too much salt. The ambiance was warmly inviting. Just the right amount of light added to a feeling that we were welcomed.
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A photo of Onion Soup Gratinée of a restaurant
Popular dish
Onion Soup Gratinée
A photo of Miso Glazed Pork Belly of a restaurant
Popular dish
Miso Glazed Pork Belly
A photo of Beet Salad 'Montrio Style' of a restaurant
Popular dish
Beet Salad 'Montrio Style'
A photo of Schooners Monterey restaurant
Schooners Monterey
4.5
4.5 (3029)
$31 to $50
Californian
Monterey
About the restaurant
Schooners, suspended over the waters of Monterey Bay, is a stunning restaurant featuring sustainable seafood and approachable, contemporary American cuisine. The ideal location for celebrating the Central Coast and the spectacular coastal region, the Schooners team commitment to fresh, sustainable seafood is reflected in the creative menu which features a variety of seafood options, both raw and cooked, as well as appetizers, soups, salads and main courses. A creative cocktail menu is served alongside an impressive wine list highlighting Monterey County vintners.
Top review
Shaheen
Dined 5 days ago
I found this place in the magazine and turned out to be a fantastic restaurant by the water ! Easy to find and there are plenty of street parking! The staff were wonderful and amazing services ! I will visit this place again soon ! There are many shopping places near by as well!
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A photo of Monterey Cioppino Pot of a restaurant
Popular dish
Monterey Cioppino Pot
A photo of Coastal Clam Chowder Bread Bowl of a restaurant
Popular dish
Coastal Clam Chowder Bread Bowl
A photo of Schooners Seafood Pasta of a restaurant
Popular dish
Schooners Seafood Pasta
A photo of Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point restaurant
Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point
4.6
4.6 (4298)
$30 and under
Californian
Pacific Grove
About the restaurant
Casual California dining overlooking scenic and historic Lovers Point Beach.
Top review
Boni
Dined 3 days ago
Took my bride to Lovers Point for her 70th birthday. Beach House was fabulous. Great service, (Jony?) was terrific and whole staff made us feel welcome. The food was fantastic. Most importantly, my wife was very happy.
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A photo of Lobster Ravioli of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lobster Ravioli
A photo of Pacific Coast Clam Chowder of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pacific Coast Clam Chowder
A photo of Grilled Salmon Filet of a restaurant
Popular dish
Grilled Salmon Filet
A photo of Covey Grill restaurant
Covey Grill
4.3
4.3 (317)
$31 to $50
Californian
Carmel
About the restaurant
Taste the fresh ingredients harvested from local organic farms that are hand selected by Executive Chef Goran Basarov and exquisitely prepared by his culinary team into the savory dishes available on our new menus. Covey Grill features a casual elegance with its indoor and outdoor dining located alongside the natural backdrop of Quail's sparkling pond and lush gardens. Our Carmel, CA restaurant is proudly guided in the principles of sustainability by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch and focuses on local farm to table options.

We offer a variety of menus throughout the week between our two restaurants, Covey Grill and Edgar's Restaurant.
Wednesday Dinners Chef Goran exquisitely curates our Love Thy Neighbor menu each week, a unique three-course dinner for $59++. 5PM-9PM every Wednesday.
We offer our Sunday Dinners from Edgar's Restaurant with a unique menu curated with our Quail Lodge Golf Members favorite items from 5PM-9PM every Sunday.

Top review
EricVIP
Dined 2 days ago
What an epicurean adventure you will have on a Wednesday night at the Covey. Chef Goran creates the most exquisitely delicious,varied and artfully prepared food imaginable.Waitstaff are incredible. We are so lucky to have this gem in Carmel Valley.
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