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    Big Sur Roadhouse

    4.0 (428 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 2:30 pm

    Big Sur Roadhouse Photos

    BIG SUR ROADHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Deron R.

    Fantastic find in Big Sur! This is one of the best restaurant locations in this whole area. It is a beautifully appointed restaurant order at the counter. They'll bring it to your table but you need to sit outside on the back patio. It has an amazing view of the forest and the river running below birds everywhere. It is just a delight to sit out there and eat. They serve breakfast and lunch only. There's also a front patio that is also nice but to get the true ambience I think you need to sit in the back and you can see the pictures of how beautiful this area is. Great food. Great service!

    More of the menu.
    Harley K.

    Ugh! I hate reviews like this. But... I have to keep it real. The family & I decided to have a little road trip & go to Big Sur. We tried going to Pfeiffer beach but, the parking lot was full so we decided to go get lunch. The hubs decided to go to Big Sur Roadhouse for food. We walked in & you have to place your order at the counter. We looked over the menu & the woman taking our order asked if my daughter wanted fries w/her chicken strips. I said, yes. I then ordered my burger & I was asked if I wanted fries w/my burger. I said, yes. The lady then said, "It's $3.00 extra for the swap." NO WHERE YOU ON THE MENU DOES IT SAY THIS. Also, why ask if you're going to charge extra? Sounds suspish to me. A sneaky way of getting extra $. I said, fine. We were really hungry & just wanted to get our food. Then, she rings up all our drinks. One 8oz Diet Coke is $4.00. What?!?! A bottle of Root beer is $4.50. My husband really liked his turkey sandwich. My daughter ate every bite of her chicken strips & fries. When I ordered my burger I was never asked if I wanted it rare, medium rare or well done. It was served well done. It honestly looked like one of those burger patties that come preformed & you just throw it on the grill. It was on the dry side. The fries were great but not worth the $3.50 (not $3.00 like I was told). I honestly do not think this place is worth the price. Our lunch today was not worth the $102.00 I paid. The setting of the place is gorgeous. The truck outside of it is very cool. But, the food prices are outrageous. The choice is yours but I will not be choosing Big Sur Roadhouse again. Look up the menu prices before going. Wish I had! Update: What?!?! I was looking over my review & I noticed a BIG mistake. The menu states that my burger was $17.00 (before the fries, bacon & cheese added). Now... the receipt states that the price of my burger was $30.50. How?!? $17.00 for the burger + $3.50 for the fries instead of salad = $20.50. Now add $3.50 for the bacon to the $20.50 = $24.00. Now add another $3.50 for the cheese to be added to the burger = $27.50. How did they come up with $30.50. That's a $3.00 difference. What a rip off!! I originally gave this place 3 stars. I am changing it to two. I hope the owner sees this & realizes I was over charged. 1st, nothing on the menu states they charge more for switching a salad to fries & now... I was over charged. Beware.

    Breakfast on the patio!

    My new favorite spot in Big Sur. Charming inside and out, really good food and fantastic service. Love it there

    Huevos Rancheros, granola parfait, handmade oatmilk latte.
    Lorena M.

    We were originally looking into Nepenthe, but they opened at 11:30 and we were too hungry to wait. We stumbled upon Roadhouse and fell in love. The handmade coffee was pretty good (shoutout to the non-dairy drinkers, they have soy, oat, and almond milk) and they came in the cute matching mugs and plates. The huevoes rancheros stole the show. They were so savory, the perfect size with the savory potatoes - they gave my moms recipe a run for their money. The decor is a vibe, the atmosphere is cozy, the food was so good... plus they have free wifi so they get bonus points. Highly recommended for hearty breakfast, great coffee, and overall chill insta-worthy atmosphere.

    Burger & Fries
    Chris A.

    Was seated by the lovely fireplace that really adds a nice touch to this quaint restaurant. The menu has your basic American Restaurant choices. I tried the burger with fries and it was really good. I also tried a Cali Squeeze beer recommend by the server and the beer choice/burger was spot on! The service is perfect here, the server consistently checked on me. This restaurant has a lovely outside patio to eat at well. With a nice river view. Both the inside and the outside is well suited for groups. Casual dining at its best in Big Sur!

    Macchiato and coconut donut
    Nicole S.

    Big Sur Roadhouse is one of my favorite gems I found during my stay in the area. It's located onsite the Glen Oaks Lodge, which is what brought me in the doors. Its mid-mod design and friendly staff brought me back. I came in initially for the complimentary coffee and donut that's included in the stay at Glen Oaks. I realized I probably needed more sustenance than that for a day of hiking, so I ordered the breakfast sandwich and a macchiato. The macchiato was perfect, and I love that they have the proper mugs for this drink. The breakfast sandwich took a while to come out but it was delicious and I was so glad I didn't miss it. The maple butter really elevates it to another level. I also had the glazed coconut donut, which was divine with the coffee. The ambiance here is cozy mountain meets mid century modern. Some of the furniture here had my collectors heart skipping a beat. They renovated 9 years ago and did an excellent job. The tables are original, and I love that they kept this piece of the past that fits so well in the new aesthetic. Come for the vibes. Stay for the most reasonable prices in the area, delicious food, and friendly staff.

    Chicken tacos
    Heather M.

    Stopped here and were ravenous! A cute place. We sat on the back patio which was very nice. Service was friendly and did their best to get around to all the tables. We had great chips (house made) and salsa (ok). The green salad was the surprise hit. Lots of fresh veggies and cheese with a simple dressing. The chicken tacos were good- grilled chicken very simple. The BBQ pizza was also decent. Other places on this road are overrated and LONG waits... here... good food in a beautiful setting.

    Roasted Turkey on Sourdough add Bacon and Avocado. Sourdough is amazing.
    Aaron S.

    Great little spot in Big Sur! Staff is friendly and accommodating. Outdoor patio is mesmerizing. We also thought the food was better than any of the places we ate in Monterey. Only open til 2.

    Breakfast burrito
    Jasmine D.

    This place is a decent choice considering the available dining options in the area. During our stay at the hotel across the street, my fiancé and I decided to give this roadhouse a try. We ordered a breakfast burrito, an egg and bacon dish, along with a couple of coffees. We were treated to complimentary donuts, a nice little bonus for guests from the hotel across the street. The food itself was good, and the service was what you'd expect. The cuisine they offer is American, just like all the other restaurants in the area. I particularly enjoyed the inviting ambiance of the interior, complete with a functional fireplace - a welcome feature, especially since Big Sur's weather can turn chilly. While I can't recall the exact cost of our meal, I do remember that it was on the pricier side, which is the norm in Big Sur so that what to be expected. All in all, this roadhouse offers a decent dining experience that fits well into the context of the area's offerings.

    Unimpressed. Staff ruined our experience. Go elsewhere. Plenty of good food in the area.
    John K.

    Rude staff. Miserable experience. Legit go anywhere else. Big Sur is an awesome area with kind staff and incredible views. Won't find any of that here. Do yourself a favor avoid glen oaks lodge and this restaurant with terrible staff. Office manager on a power trip. The lady was enough to make sure I hopped on here and warned people to stay away. Try literally any other option. This place is all of the things that are bad about nice areas (stuck up) with literally none of the quality you'd expect

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    Excellent stop for lunch. Good quality food, lovely outdoor seating, good service, clean and easy to park

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    Page 1 of 11

    Big Sur Roadhouse Reviews in Other Languages

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    Cafe Kevah - French Toast

    Cafe Kevah

    4.1(271 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    Dont try this place confused with the much busier dining spot to the right and upstairs. Wait time…read morewas about 40 minutes on a Tuesday. We went to the left and downstairs instead and there was no wait time. In fact the majority of the tables were open. Granted their food options are limited as it is a Cafe. But the no wait so that we could get back on our road trip was invaluable. We sat with a beautiful view of the coast. The view is quite majestic. You can move the umbrellas around to give your table shade. Its a first come first sit type place. We ordered their black forest ham panini as well as a chai latte and a hot apple cider. Drinks and food came out quickly. The drinks tasted great. Very hot. It warmed up the soul in this cold February day. They black forst ham panini was really good. Crunchy bread. Good amount of ham. I love the melted cheese inside. It was crunchy, and gooey and tasty all at the same time. The views are just otherworldly. And the food and drinks were really good too. Pricing wasent bad considering its a tourist location. I would definitely recommend stopping by this place to experience the views and try the food as you go on your road trip up the coast.

    Honestly mainly here for the views and the restaurant upstairs was packed, the menu was similar…read moreenough (besides the alcohol). Views were absolutely gorgeous and overlooks Big Sur. You order at the front and then grab a seat, they will call your name and you just raise your hands to to claim it. I got the Classic Reuben sandwhich, thought it tasted great, especially after a long hike, but a bit pricey for what it is. There was a good amount of pastrami and the cheese was nicely melted. It also comes with a basic spring mix salad with a bit of dressing on it.

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    Cafe Kevah - View of cashier from aisle

    View of cashier from aisle

    Cafe Kevah - Cobb Salad

    Cobb Salad

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    Nepenthe - Chicken chicken breast served on a French Roll

    Nepenthe

    3.8(2.9k reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$$

    Nepenthe served as a worthy goal for our "coasting" trip deep into Big Sur to welcome the beginning…read moreof Summer. Coffee in Pacific Grove, Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and lunch at Nepenthe at a table overlooking the coast. The burgers are still competent and overpriced, parking is limited at meal times, and to complain about either is like going to Disneyland and downgrading the experience because the seating on the Matterhorn was cramped. Correct but you missed the point. Enjoy the view, the historic building, and slowly nurse every bite of that $28 cheeseburger in paradise as you soak it all in. (Sorry JimmyB!) Service was cheerful, fast, and friendly. The deck sunny and swarmed by others having an equally excellent day.

    17May2026 Visit…read more Waiter- 4-5 Drinks -3 stars Customer service from the bar -3 Table seating /waiting -0 Food - 4 View -5 ambiance -3/4 When you can't make reservations but yet the waiting and being seated is so unorganized and does not make sense at all! Furthermore, if you choose to get seated when it first becomes available (outdoor vs indoor) but yet the umbrellas from the outdoor seating has been removed and you can get fried from the sun for sitting outside for that long...why remove all the umbrellas that they had before ? When you actually get seated outside, you will notice that there's available table inside for the same party count that you have! Oy vey! Can't come back to eat here. Would just come back for the view I guess which is unfortunate! No wifi under this establishment either, so be present with your party. You would think that this establishment would be more efficient but it's not -disappointed at the least!

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    Nepenthe
    Nepenthe - Grilled Chicken Breast and Salad

    Grilled Chicken Breast and Salad

    Nepenthe - Drinks (the red beer was super satisfying after a hike!)

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    Drinks (the red beer was super satisfying after a hike!)

    The Sur House - Arugula wrapped in eggplant

    The Sur House

    4.1(220 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$$

    The best thing about the restaurant is its ambience. It is located overlooking the Pacific Ocean…read moreinside the Alila Ventana resort. On a warm April weekend, it was a beautiful place for brunch. We started with a few cocktails and mocktails. They were all well made and presented, but the favorites were the Cowboy and the Negroni. Cowboy had a nice presentation and had a smoky taste. Tomatini consommé did not have the flavor of Bloody Mary and tasted alright. Falafel Benedict was a nice idea with two eggs Benedict set on two falafels. It tasted good and falafel were a tasty and healthy replacement for English muffins. California Frittata came in a cast iron pan and was also well done. These two dishes were on the smaller portion size. Ventana breakfast and Margherita pizza were on the larger portion sizes and both tasted good. We tried three dessert and while they were all decent, none of them were impressive - Heirloom Wheat Waffles (shareable with 4 people), Strawberry Tiramisu (on the sour side) and Ricotta Zeppole (the custard was quite generic). The service was excellent, even though things moved at a relaxed pace. We did not mind it with the beautiful setting, weather and the view of the pacific.

    Someone decided it was a good idea for me to become Yelp Elite so naturally I had to ball out on…read morethis trip so my first review as a Yelp Elite SLAPS! JK I booked this on points a year in advance because it was the best way to get the cheapest point redemption at 45k points per night. Sadly this is going away with the devaluation... Ok onto the food, service, and vibes. Food - The breakfast was phenomenal...don't sleep on this place! While the dinners were also great. It's definitely memorable when you think about where you are and how the food is so darn good. It has a farm to table vibe while tasting like fine dining. The standouts to me was the Ventana Breakfast (basic but so goood) and the Branzino (catch of the day) which was cooked to perfection. Service - The breakfast service was sort of a miss on one day where they forgot my avocados to go with my Ventana Breakfast but we had great service at dinner. Our dinner servers on one night was Leo and he was so pleasant and kind of reminded me of Pedro Pascal lol Vibes - Each time we came here the music was exactly what I wanted. From sunset vibes like Tycho to 2000's soft rock....each meal had the right energy. It was relaxing but still upbeat. I found myself smiling and being grateful for being able to experience such a resort and restaurant! Overall I'd give it a 4.5 out of 5. The inconsistency in service was surprising but it wasn't a big deal. I highly recommend staying here at least once! Especially if you need a break from city life but are too bougie for real camping lol

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    The Sur House - Inside

    Inside

    The Sur House - Mussel and Sausage

    Mussel and Sausage

    The Sur House - Artichoke

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    Artichoke

    From Scratch Restaurant - Bowl of Chili with Triple D selection, cheese and cream

    From Scratch Restaurant

    4.3(2.2k reviews)
    20.0 mi
    $$

    My partner & I got into Carmel around 8:30am on a Saturday and had a long list of places to stop at…read morefor breakfast, but ultimately ended up stopping here for the easy parking & delicious looking food. We were seated right away without reservations. The place looks smaller than it is - they have a bunch of outdoor seating. It is a typical diner style establishment. And I'm not sure how accessible it is unless you know exactly where to park - there's a lot of stairs around. But it is a really cute location with lots of nice flowers and landscaping around. I can't remember our servers name - but he was really wonderful & had a great attitude. I ended up going with a custom skillet & my partner chose the biscuits & gravy and brisket chili. My custom skillet was super yummy & I was pleasantly surprised they had vegetarian sausage! It was well seasoned & the mushrooms were thinly sliced & cooked to perfection. I actually really enjoyed this meal. My partner really enjoyed his biscuits & gravy and thought it was one of the best ones he's ever had. He also was starstruck over the brisket chili, so I would definitely say to get a cup of that if that sounds like your thing. I would definitely stop back here on my next visit to Monterey/Carmel. I usually drive out to Carmel when visiting Monterey just because I like the food options more.

    Really tasty breakfast spot in Carmel that definitely gets busy, so expect a wait during peak…read moretimes. The food was worth it though, and everything tasted fresh and homemade like the name suggests. Loved the little store attached to the restaurant too. It was fun to browse after eating. The surrounding shopping area is also really nice to walk around and explore. A highlight for my daughter was the Mickey Mouse pancake! Overall a solid stop if you're visiting Carmel and looking for a good breakfast or brunch spot.

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    From Scratch Restaurant - View of inside seating

    View of inside seating

    From Scratch Restaurant - Hot chocolate

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    Post Ranch Inn - Season fennel salad! Light vinaigrette finish, so yum!

    Post Ranch Inn

    4.3(359 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$$$

    Unfortunately for us, Post Ranch Inn was one of our first stops on an eight-day coastal road trip…read more Unfortunate because they set a standard no other property or restaurant was going to match. I knew that going in. It was still starker than I expected. Start with the property. When that is the view off your deck, why go anywhere else? Stunning doesn't cover it. We hiked much of the grounds and every turn delivered something new. The kind of place that makes you slow down without even trying. Then the restaurant. Everything was perfect -- service, quality, execution. Much of the food sourced on property or from the surrounding community. My wife declared the salad the best she'd ever had. High praise for a salad. High praise, full stop. Special shout out to our server Yasmany and bartender Thomas -- both exceptional. What struck me most was how effortless the entire staff made it look. These are people who deal with guests from around the world, all arriving with high expectations of a high-end experience. And yet nothing felt forced. Nobody appeared to be trying to impress us. It was just perfect service, perfectly delivered. That's the rarest thing in hospitality. Highlight of the trip. Hands down. And I suspect, never to be repeated.

    This review is for Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch. Even if the food wasn't good ( it's…read moreFantastic) people would still take 20 minutes to "oooh and wow" the views of this special spectacular setting and wouldn't care. This is an incredible place. Can you tell I like it? Wine Spectator top Award, with prices to match but frankly , who cares? You're not going there to pinch pennies. Enjoy yourselves and experience everything about the property. We had lunch today with friends celebrating a birthday. If there is a better place on California's coast I don't know where it is-- started with some Chardonnay to get things going. A lovely Roar '21 Rosalia. Devine. We were offered two menu options-one a pre-fixe for $85. App, main, dessert. A really excellent choice given the choices of fresh seafood or meat options and beautiful salad options. Additionally they offered à la carte with similar options but just different enough to entice. Several folks opted for a CA salad and then had the fish of the day put on top --I went for a special burger with a home made brioche bun , amazing fries and a Caesar salad. Haven't had a burger like that in ages. I have menu pics and interior exterior pics displaying options. Easier than me playing Stanley Tucci... I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful and professional the service is at Sierra Mar. Apologies to our server ( lovely young lady with long dark hair and a smile that says, "what can I do for you?" Whose name we did not get---she and the gentleman who helped with the wine were outstanding.

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    Post Ranch Inn - Sierra Mar restaurant

    Sierra Mar restaurant

    Post Ranch Inn
    Post Ranch Inn

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    The Village - Golden latte (tumeric)

    The Village

    4.4(36 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Beautiful beautiful little spot to stop by and grab a matcha and pastry ;) My matcha was…read moreexceptional. One of the best matchas I've had by far and even with trying macadamia milk as a whole milk substitute (which I have never done). I also tried their "mushroom" muffin cake and it was EXCELLENT. Sweetened to perfection by the mushrooms. My only complaint was the service - I was asking questions about the pastries in quest for the right one but the girls seemed rather irritated... the products were so good that I'll still be back!

    Like many others, we miss Big Sur Bakery dearly and were saddened to learn both of the fire that…read moreburned their facilities but also the expected timeline for their potential return (2-3 years). The Village has stepped up to fill the void and is a gorgeous space that serves as an event and wedding venue, dining destination, but most recently, has opened to offer upscale coffee and pastries in the morning hours. The selection is more limited than Big Sur Bakery but includes a solid choice of coffee drinks and pastries before offering some hot kitchen items like a breakfast sandwich starting at 9:30. The vibes of the building and the indoor and outdoor seating space are top notch with manicured lawns, rustic wood tables and open spaces. The Village only Parking is plentiful and its adjacent to the convenient General Store for supplies and the River Inn for lodging. We ordered a sampling of their $9 lattes (Chai and Matcha) and coffee (espresso tonic) as well as several pastries. The highlight were the candy cap (mushroom) muffins and chocolate chip cookie although I also enjoyed the baguette sandwich. Credit cards are accepted and there's plentiful seating inside and outdoor. Judging by the crowds, The Village is a welcome fancier (albeit pricier) option for those who miss Big Sur Bakery.

    Photos
    The Village - Candy Cap Muffin

    Candy Cap Muffin

    The Village
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    Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant - Tri Tip Sandwich

    Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant

    3.0(372 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    We visited Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant around 3PM on a Sunday, so the lunch rush had died…read moredown. We were seated right away on the patio, which had a nice ambiance and plenty of space for our large party. For drinks, I ordered an Arnold Palmer, which was expectedly tasty and refreshing. For food, I shared the Crispy Brussel Sprouts with my friend and got the Beet Salad for myself. Both were solid! I liked the texture of the Brussel Sprouts and the huge dollop of goat cheese on my salad. My friends enjoyed their food as well, including the Tri Tip Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, BBQ Pork Ribs, and Crab Cakes. Service was lukewarm but quick and seamless!

    River Inn Restaurant offers a beautiful Big Sur dining experience with a warm ambience that…read moreperfectly complements the natural surroundings. The setting alone makes it worth visiting if you're in the area. The food was enjoyable overall, and the portions are very generous -- definitely ideal for sharing. The dessert stood out as thoughtfully crafted and delicious. However, some of the main dishes could benefit from more careful attention during cooking to really match the quality expected from such a lovely location. The coffee also arrived little cold, which was a letdown. One positive note was seeing James, the manager, making rounds and checking in with guests. That kind of presence is appreciated and reflects care for the dining experience. I had requested seating with a better view, and accommodating requests like that when possible would go a long way toward creating an even stronger guest impression. Unfortunately, the service felt inconsistent. Our server appeared distracted and not especially attentive, which affected the overall experience. This restaurant has great potential because the atmosphere is wonderful and the foundation is there. With more attentive service and finer attention to food preparation, it could truly stand out as a must-visit Big Sur dining destination.

    Photos
    Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant - Interior

    Interior

    Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant - Beet Salad

    Beet Salad

    Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant - Arnold Palmer

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    Arnold Palmer

    Big Sur Roadhouse - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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