Recommended 12 Dinner Spots Near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

MARY ALLAG Brophy’s Tavern absolutely blew me away, especially considering we visited on Thanksgiving Day. Devin and Asia were running the entire bar and floor by themselves, and you would never know it — they were in perfect sync. No one waited to be greeted, sat, served, or poured. The whole room had this energized, effortless flow that you only get from people who are really good at what they do. The food was unbelievably delicious; we got the Reuben calzone and the filet mignon sliders. Whoever was making the food behind the scenes was truly on it. Devin made me the “Ted on the Water,” and Asia told us the best story about Ted, and Jaws, we just had to take home the shark cup! As someone who works in the industry, I would’ve assumed they needed at least one more person… but these two handled it flawlessly. They’re rockstars, and Brophy’s is lucky to have them.

Henry Ting Cash Only. There are 2 MUST REVISIT places every time that I come here: one is Patisserie Boissiere for their French onion soup and salad combo, and the second is Katys Place for breakfast. They have over 15 variations of Eggs Benedict, everything from a more traditional style to a lobster eggs Benedict. They can also do the same dozen styles but in an omelet. The 2 of us shared the corned beef eggs Benedict and pancakes short stack. My favorite must-have is their huge, fluffy buttermilk pancakes with a side of Canadian maple syrup. OMG. Our 2 pancakes were big enough for the 4 of us to share. One the best. Great service. But CASH ONLY.

Southern Pearl Love the Greek foods here. We had the roasted vegetable salad, dametra royal combination, Greek combination platter, Greek salad, and the grilled jumbo prawns. Well definitely return for more. The entertainment was a bonus. Lots of fun.

Carly Klein This place is no secret - but the recognition and kudos are beyond warranted. Wow! The atmosphere is quaint and charming but also high end. You feel like you are in Europe. The service was top tier (shout out to Nicole and to the somms) who went above and beyond to ensure a perfect service for us. The food was 10/10. Don’t sleep on the curried fish or the gnocchi. Can’t recommend enough for a romantic dinner in Carmel.

Casey Lauer Great food, chill atmosphere, and wonderful service. What more could you ask for!? Made an impromptu trip to Flaherty’s after a spectacular round of golf at Pebble Beach. I got the Seafood Louie salad and my wife got the Seafood Cioppino soup, along with a dozen oysters on the half shell for an appetizer. The oysters were amazing, the soup had a ton of seafood in it and was flavorful and well-cooked. My salad was fresh, well-seasoned, and packed with shrimp and crab. I would definitely recommend stopping by Flaherty’s if you’re in the area. You won’t be disappointed! Flaherty’s is a must-visit if you’re in the area! The food is delicious, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the service is top-notch. After a great round of golf at Pebble Beach, I decided to treat myself and my wife to a meal at Flaherty’s. We started with a dozen oysters on the half shell, which were absolutely amazing. The Seafood Cioppino soup was also delicious, packed with seafood and flavorful. My salad was fresh, well-seasoned, and full of shrimp and crab. I highly recommend Flaherty’s if you’re looking for a great place to eat. You won’t be disappointed!

M S What a delightful restaurant. We had reservations and were greeted warmly from the get go. The restaurant has a cozy and pleasant vibe. The food is so good, as the wine choices. The staff are helpful and knowledgeable. We definitely will come again when in Carmel.

Sanved Tapkeer One is the best Italian places Ive never had the chance to have food at. Absolutely loved the flavors and the offerings. I had the pink sauce pasta with rigatoni and I highly recommend it. The chicken parm was very tasty as well. They also accept dogs. Would definitely visit again.

Robert Ballantyne Went there on a Monday night with 3 other friends. We had reservations and we were seated right away. We had two dogs with us and were seated on the outside patio. There were heaters and it was very comfortable. They have a nice selection of wine by the glass and found a red and white we liked. Wonderful fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar was brought out. Then we started off with the Caesar Salad. A nice generous portion with the usual ingredients. And I had a cup of the chowder. Very tasty, thick chowder full of clams. Our mains were Veggie Pasta which was light and flavorful with fresh basil and olives, Lamb Stroganoff, with very tender lamb over pasta noodles in a nice sour cream sauce, and two specials (from a separate menu). The Seafood Cioppino and Lobster Ravioli. Both were very good. The Cioppino was served in a bowl with assorted local seafood in a wonderful broth. The Ravioli had a subtle lobster flavor in a nice creamy tomato sauce. It was a birthday celebration so we were served two wonderful deserts, a decadent gluten free chocolate protein and a cookie butter banana pie. Both were quickly eaten! On top of the wonderful food, the staff was excellent. Very friendly and helpful and made sure we had everything we needed. We never felt rushed either. We had such a good time that we returned the next day for lunch! Wondeful burgers and fries (only served til 4pm). And the same wonderful and helpful staff! If I lived in Carmel I would certainly be a regular. Well worth a visit!

Lucy Hog’s was highly recommended to us. The outdoor patio is beautiful with both regular tables and high tops, and the big tree in the center reminded me of a restaurant I once visited in Mexico. It was a quiet Thursday night, and we chose a spot near a heat lamp since it was a bit chilly. It took the staff a little while to figure out who would be taking our order, and they ended up mixing up my friend’s dish without following up. I ordered the Mediterranean salad, which was good. The fresh sourdough bread was excellent, and they offer a variety of flavors. There appears to be an indoor dining room and a separate bar as well. The Clint Eastwood movie posters are displayed since the restaurant used to belong to him before he sold it.

Matthew C Came here early Saturday morning with a group of friends and was seated right away with no wait time. The restaurant provided indoor and outdoor seating. The food was delicious. My friends enjoyed their meals. I had ordered the cinnamon roll pancake and the carmel omelette. The pancake was crispy tasting the cinnamon per bite. Couldn’t finish the pancake and saved it for two days, pancake had its texture if you toast it for a few minutes. The omelette was really good paired with the fruit cup. Overall it was a good relaxing sit back vibe at this breakfast spot. Will be back when I’m in Carmel again.

Nilesh Kumud My recent visit to Pangaea Grill on Ocean Avenue in Carmel was an absolute delight. The ambiance is beautiful, with tasteful music that sets the perfect mood for a relaxing meal. I started with the crab cakes appetizer, which was packed with flavor and paired beautifully with their signature sauce. For my main course, I chose the sand dab—lightly breaded and pan-fried to perfection, accompanied by fresh, seasonal vegetables that showcased the kitchen’s attention to quality and detail. A special shoutout to our server, Johnnie, whose pleasant, professional manner truly elevated our evening. Johnnie’s attentive service and warm personality made the experience more enjoyable from start to finish. The she makes you feel valued and welcome, creating a genuinely inviting atmosphere. Pangaea Grill is a gem in Carmel, perfectly blending great food, warm hospitality, and wonderful ambiance. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience in town.

Stephanie Hawthorne Great oysters and lunch menu. We also dived unto lunch martinis and we deeply impressed. Until next time!!