Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Monterey / Carmel

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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 (54)

$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

Cindy

Dined 5 days ago

Loved everything. I got the chicken Marsala it was absolutely delicious. My cocktail & dessert didn’t disappoint either. Loved the ambiance of the restaurant. The staff was nothing but friendly & attentive. Will definitely go back!!

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Experience

New Year's Eve

Passionfish

4.8

4.8 (7234)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Pacific Grove

About the restaurant

Passionfish offers a unique California dining experience with serious food and realistically priced wine in a fun and casual atmosphere. The ever-changing menu features the freshest, sustainable seafood, slow-cooked meats, organic greens, and delectable desserts, all complemented by an award-winning wine list priced nearly to retail. Passionfish is proudly owned and operated by Chef Meral Alpay and her son, Berk Guvenc. As pioneers in sustainable dining, Passionfish became the first restaurant in Monterey County to earn official ‘Green’ certification, reflecting their strong commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable seafood education.

Top review

ChrisVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Best restaurant on the California Central Coast! Go there!

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Maple-Banana Bread Pudding

Cella

4.8

4.8 (216)

$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

Robert

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely stellar meal. Magnificent preparation and lovely service. We will definitely return.

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Experience

New Year's Eve Dinner at Cella Restaurant & Bar!

Experience

Sunday Supper - Fried Chicken Dinner

Experience

Family-Style Mezze Experience

Nicolas Cocina de Herencia

4.7

4.7 (282)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Carmel

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

BrookVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Six of us had a fantastic family dinner at this fabulous restaurant and everyone was delighted by the experience. This is a true gem!

Turn 12 Bar And Grill

4.6

4.6 (390)

$30 and under

American

Monterey

About the restaurant

Due to limited seating during this time we are only accepting phone in reservations.
Our outdoor patio is open and we are doing take-out.

Turn 12 Bar and Grill waved the green flag on October 1, 2013. The modern and sporty decor surround a spectacular 50 foot custom zinc bar top with tire tread inlay. Vintage motorcycles, historic racing artwork, and multiple televisions capture your attention upon entering. With a menu that serves a little of everything, from steaks and pasta, to pizza, burgers and salads Turn 12 is a casual American Bar and Grill with something for everyone.

The name Turn 12 is related to the famous Laguna Seca Raceway that has 11 turns and meant to invite guests to visit us at the corner of Tyler and Franklin as the last turn of the day.

Top review

Allyson

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Food was 5/5, highly recommend the corkscrew burger. Service was 5/5, the server was attentive and friendly. The drinks were 2/5. A margarita is not complicated to make, yet this one seemed to be missing both the flavor of the lime juice and the tequila. There was a sour taste to it. It was a birthday celebration not sure if anything special is done but it wasn’t acknowledged. Other than that, I do recommend coming to eat here but hold off at the cocktails.

Coastal Kitchen Monterey

4.6

4.6 (310)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Monterey

About the restaurant

NOW SERVING SUNDAY BRUNCH!!

The Coastal Kitchen Monterey is an idyllic setting to enjoy inspirational fine dining. The culinary efforts are on display in the show kitchen and the service team is poised to offer impassioned explanations.

Chef Michael Rotondo’s multi-coursed tasting menu focuses on sustainability and celebrates the bounty of the Monterey Bay and Central Coast. A wine pairing of thoughtfully curated wines selected by the Sommelier team is available to complement each captivating course.

Additionally, we are also offering our Champagne Brunch on Sundays for 10am to 2pm.

Dinner Menus: Multiple Course Tasting Menu starts at $145 per person (Tuesday to Saturday Evenings)
3 Course Prix Fixe Menu $85 ( Tuesday to Thursday evenings)
Champagne Brunch Prix Fixe Menu: $75 per person (Sundays from 10am to 2pm)
Reservation Cancellation Policy: 24 Hours Prior to Reservation Time
Late Cancellation Fee: $50 per guest cancelation.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

What is a 3 star Michelin Restaurant? According to the Michelin guide: A three-star restaurant is one that offers “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.” My wife and I travel over 2500 miles each year to celebrate our wedding anniversary at nowhere else other than the Coastal Kitchen with Chef Michael Rotondo and his wonderful staff. From the initial warm and friendly greeting from Conrad the Maitre D’ Hotel and Sommelier you will be experiencing a 5 course tasting delight never to be experienced anywhere else on the Monterey Peninsula! Chef Michael makes it a point to welcome each guest table before dinner service to ensure they are ready for culinary experience like no other and ensures there are no allergens to affect their tasting experience. For an additional charge, each course will be paired with an exceptional wine to highlight the nuisances of every dish. Rachel our wine server had extensive knowledge of each wine served and made the pairing so much more enjoyable. Jesus and Eli our food servers were always on point and added to the attentiveness of the entire staff! We truly appreciated the attention to detail and the quality of the food served at every course. The Basque cheese cake was off the chart! The French Laundry was an icon of the Napa Valley in its day but the new rising icon of the Monterey Peninsula is the Coastal Kitchen! Thank You Chef Michael and the Monterey Plaza Hotel for a wonderful 3 star Michelin dining experience! The Coastal Kitchen truly offers exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey!

Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette

4.5

4.5 (1288)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Marina

About the restaurant

Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette is an award-winning upscale seafood restaurant in Marina, CA. Indulge in a culinary experience like no other with a live show kitchen, tantalizing oyster bar, and perfectly cooked steaks. Join us for daily happy hour and enjoy our carefully crafted cocktail and wine program. Savor weekend brunch while relaxing on our pet-friendly patio. Whether you're planning a wedding, memorial, or business dinner, our private dining spaces are available to create a memorable event. Come and discover why our seafood restaurant is a top choice for those seeking exceptional cuisine and unforgettable dining experiences in Marina, CA. Open Monday - Friday from 2 PM- 9:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10AM - 9:30PM.

Top review

AllisonVIP

Dined on Dec 19, 2024

Amazing service from start to finish beginning at the hostess stand. We never had to worry about whether our server was coming back to check on us, he also had an assistant server who cleared plates and checked in on us as well. (The check in’s were not overbearing). Food was phenomenal, we had the 14h NY strip, clams, oysters, olive bread & sea salt and a bottle of Daou Cab. Great ambiance, cool setting - there is even a display of oysters on the wall with rocks behind a metal bar caging. The bathroom also had a unique approach to soap- used an essential oil infused salt! Highly recommended and will definitely return on our next trip to Monterey!

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Popular dish

Grilled Oysters

The Lantern Room - Monterey Beach Hotel

4.4

4.4 (19)

$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

mavisVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had great service. The location was stunning. The $115 prix fixe menu was good but not exceptional.

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Experience

New Year's Eve with The Lantern Room

Rockfish Harbor Grill

4.2

4.2 (158)

$30 and under

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

We are excited to transform Monterey Bay's best location into the newest, freshest, seafood restaurant. Enjoy an all-new ambiance, waterfront tables, and exciting menu items!

For more than one hundred years, fishing has been a vital part of Monterey’s economy. Monterey’s historic Fisherman’s Wharf with its colorful shops, seafood markets, and flavorful restaurants, is a reflection of that history. Rockfish celebrates Monterey’s fishing tradition and enjoys the Wharf’s most expansive, panoramic views of the working harbor.

Stop by and enjoy a cocktail and our stunning views at the restaurant’s bar and lounge. Our ambiance is casual California and it’s suitable for visitors of all ages. Come see for yourself. You’ll be glad you did!

Top review

DianaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Even though this restaurant is in a touristy area, somehow they still manage to serve amazing food with a down to earth attitude. The ambiance and service are both great, we never feel rushed. We love the calamari steak sandwich and abalone so much that we keep coming back.

Shearwater Tavern

4.2

4.2 (100)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Carmel

About the restaurant

Located in the idyllic seaside community of Carmel, Shearwater Tavern features breakfast and dinner within the Carmel Mission Inn. Our dinner menu has a selection of smaller plates to share along with some larger individual plates.
We have partnered with a local dairy, coffee roaster, honey purveyor and bakery.
Our Chef Fabian Di Paolo's menu is New American with Influences from his Argentinian, Italian, Floribbean roots. Our cocktail program features beautiful classic and specialty cocktails along with craft beer and California wines. You must try his House made Parker House rolls.

Top review

Ani

Dined 6 days ago

Great place for cozy night out with family, friends, or date night. Food was delicious and a decent selection of options for happy hour too.

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