Carmel and Monterey Dining Adventures

No matter what you're in the mood for, there is a restaurant to fit the bill in the Carmel and Monterey Bay area. Ask the helpful staff at the Carmel Mission Inn if you need directions or would like suggestions.

Dining in Carmel California

Casanova Restaurant
5th Avenue & Mission, Carmel CA 93923  (831)625-0501

Casanova is a culinary experience that echoes the South of France & Northern Italy in the center of Carmel, California. The style and ambiance is matched by a standard of excellence in food and service that has brought them worldwide acclaim. The hand-dug wine cellar has received numerous awards for its outstanding selection of wines from all over the world.

Rio Grill
The Crossroads Hwy 1 & Rio Road, Carmel CA 93923  (831)625-5436

The comfortable lounge and full bar, serving their famous "Rio Rita," is lined with colorful caricatures of local faces and celebrities. Bar patrons can also order from the full menu while sitting by the fireplace or at the bar.  Rio Grill's award-winning wine list features more than 160 labels including an extensive selection available by the glass. Rio Grill is truly the place for people of all ages who enjoy great food, a dynamic environment and outstanding service.

Robata Grill and Sake Bar
3658 The Barnyard, Carmel CA  (831)624-2643

This charming restaurant is located in a small shopping center, making diners feel as if they've stepped into a restaurant in Japan. The space is authentically decorated with Japanese decor, including shoji screens, sake drums, Japanese lanterns, fans, and umbrellas. The sushi bar is a fun place to sit, or diners can get cozy in one of the booths.

Forge in the Forest
5th Avenue & Junipero Avenue, Carmel CA 93923  (831)624-2233

The Forge in the Forest offers an extensive menu of American cuisine. Whether you are looking to dine inside or out, there is no shortage of atmosphere for you to choose from. From the brick and stone fire pits, lush gardens and redwood tables on the outside patios to the casual comfort of the copper walled Forge Saloon to the white linen elegance of the Oak Tree Room, there is an atmosphere perfect for everyone at The Forge.

Anton & Michel
Mission Street between Ocean & 7th, Carmel CA (831)624-2406

Anton & Michel is considered the Peninsula's most beautiful and romantic restaurant; a blend of relaxed Old World elegance and modern charm. The distinctive and artistic flair of Creative Continental–California cuisine is guided by Chef Mark Simpson, who combines traditional fare with lighter, flavorful sauces. The graciousness in this service-intensive establishment, along with an award-winning wine list, makes Anton & Michel “...probably the best dining experience in downtown Carmel” (Wine Spectator). OPEN DAILY for Lunch & Dinner.

Merlot! Bistro
Ocean Avenue between Lincoln & Monte Verde, Carmel CA (831)624-5659 

Offering fresh, colorful cuisine of California's wine country, Merlot Bistro has become a popular stop for locals, visitors and families.

Andre's Bouchee Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mission St. between Ocean and 7th, Carmel CA (831)626-7880

Andre's Bouchee is located on Mission Street, two doors south of Ocean Avenue in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Proprietors Andre and Elizabeth Lemaire want to share a Carmel favorite that lures locals and visitors with its chic style and neighborhood charm. Chef Andre Lemaire prepares authentic French Bistro Cuisine with Californian Coastal flair. Our friendly atmosphere buzzes with excitement and energy that makes you feel you’re dining in one of the small neighborhoods inside Paris.

Basil Seasonal Dining
San Carlos between Ocean & 7th ( Paseo Plaza) Carmel CA (831)626-8226 

Located in the heart of charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, Basil offers the freshest local seafood, the finest organic produce, fun and contemporary cocktails as well as the best selection of California wines. Basil Owner and Executive Chef, Michele Cremonese, serves Lunch and Dinner from 11:30am to 12 midnight, Monday thru Saturday.

PortaBella
Ocean Avenue between Lincoln & Monte Verde, Carmel CA (831)624-4395

PortaBella's cuisine features beautiful specialties from Italy, France 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 ambiance is stylish and romantic, the setting historic.

Tommy’s Wok
Mission between Ocean and Seventh, Carmel CA  (831) 624-8518

Phu and Tommy Mao are the brothers behind this tiny, family-run Chinese restaurant tucked behind Wells Fargo, and though the Mao clan is Cantonese, their menu starts in Szechuan territory, and ranges over Mandarin, Hunan and Cantonese ground.

What they do is food. Local produce is combined with meats from the Bay Area and noodles from a famous San Jose noodle maker in hometested recipes, informed by Tommy’s regular trips to the motherland. It’s a surprisingly small and well-hidden op, but the reputation of the food inspires people to search for this. Good food has a way of doing that. 

Dining in Monterey California

Montrio celebrates its 15th birthday this year (and those are restaurant years), yet it has the vibrant health of a dining establishment half its age. The wisdom it has earned is obvious in the expertly crafted cuisine, fine-tuned service and fashionable interior. Less obvious is Chef Tony Baker’s commendable commitment to sustainability and local produce.

Whaling Station
763 Wave Street, Monterey CA 93940  (831)373-3778