The food and the service are always impeccable. It is extremely consistent. The atmosphere makes it a #1 choice.

Such a cute restaurant in the Valley. Great (and huge) prime rib...where can you get a $35 amazing steak these days?? Apparently only at Cafe Rustica. Cooked to perfection. Escargots was also the perfect appetizer read more

From the service to the full meal, the ambiance and always seeing someone we know there! We love this place, can't recommend just one thing, there is so much I really love on the menu and the specials read more

Cafe Rustica has been my favorite restaurant for years -- good food, good service, great outdoor patio. Lately, however, it has been a bit of a disappointment and lunch there last week was a huge disappointment. The service was lacking, the pizza was cold and soggy, and no one seemed to care. I'm hoping this was just a hiccup, but will wait a while before I give it another try. read more

My high school friends suggested this place to meet over Memorial Weekend. We are a diverse group and hard to please... usually! Not this Sunday! We all arrived at differ times and were warmly greeted by staff. The sun broke out through the clouds and their patio was very enjoyable. The menu had something for everyone but wasn't like a telephone book. I can have a hard time deciding if there are too many options. Their selection was just right. All of our choices were fantastic and our service was efficient and kind. We spent hours- nobody rushed us along. The food was spectacular and the wine subtly flowed. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone! read more

Cafe Rustica - MHS class of '86!!! - French Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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I didn't actually visit the restaurant but had the pleasure of sampling their fares at Patricia Qualls' Art Gallery. She'd ordered in the grilled shrimp with white beans salad - the shrimp were huge and grilled to the perfect consistency where they feel full with just a hint of charred flavor to accent the bite. I also sampled 2 pizzas - the Vegetarian and I believe a prosciutto pizza. First of all, I loved the crust! Thin enough to easily cut through, but sturdy enough to hold all the flavors together without sagging. Each pizza featured a variety of distinct complementary flavors that blended together into an amazing flavor that all pizzas should aspire to. Next time I'm in Carmel Valley, I'll seek out their restaurant to try their Hungarian Goulash! To hear the full story of my one-woman writing retreat weekend to Carmel Valley and Monterey, check out my blog (in my profile). Full report coming soon! read more

Cafe Rustica - Amazing grilled shrimp salad, veggie pizza and (guessing) prosciutto pizza! Delicious! - French Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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It was a gloomy day at home so we decided to go have lunch in the Village to catch some sun. I have been to Cafe Rustica many times and this visit was disappointing compared to past experiences. First when we arrived (15 min after opening) we were told we would have a wait because we didn't have reservation; didn't think about this because it was a spur of the moment decision for us but okay....also only three tables on the patio were seated and no one else is waiting. After a few minutes we get seated and things just felt a little "off". Our server seemed distracted, didn't take a drink order, didn't mention specials until after we gave him our order, and just was strange energy. So when we placed our order we opted for a soup to try plus Hubs had the seafood pasta special and I had my go-to goulash. We asked for water, which he bought out, but again he didn't ask if we wanted any other drinks. After a few minutes out come our mains, no soup was ever brought out, so we eat our meals. The he starts to drop the check when we are almost finished. We told him I wanted a cafe mocha and we would like to look at the dessert menu. I got the mocha along with the apple tart, however, the mocha was very weak and lukewarm. When we got our updated check we made sure the soup wasn't on it before paying. The food was okay...not as delicious as I have had there before especially because I always get the goulash, overall temperature of food was lukewarm and the service was sorely lacking especially because the restaurant was never full or busy. There are many other casual dining spots in the area so I think my time coming to Cafe Rustica may be at an end. read more

Great food. Beautiful restaurant. Nice staff. Definitely recommend. Usually need a reservation.

Since 2015...our first visit we have come here quite a few times and have always had a fantastic meal. The last two times it was not so good. Their fries which have always been perfect...thin ..crispy and yum The last time tasted like old grease and this time were a bit soggy and not the same. The steak the last two times has been very fatty. I expect a steak to have some fat but this was a lot. The good was the rock cod special and the burger. We aat outside as we always do but this time a bunch of flies and a wasp made it not pleasant. Decided no dessert as we did not want to fight of the wasp anymore. The service was great as that has not changed. read more

Champagne was not chilled, sand in the clams....so disappointing. Service is always good. read more

We ate for the first time at Cafe Rustica- great ambiance; fantastic food - very unique and original and excellent service - wish we didn't live so far away or we would be eating here once a week for certain. We will be coming back here next time we are near Carmel. read more

I really wanted to like this place: quaint, cute setting. Looking for Italian food in Carmel Valley. Service was poor, food was served with vegetables and potatoes that were cold. One meal was not put into the kitchen and was delivered as everyone else was finishing. In addition, I couldn't get the time I wanted for our reservation yet when we showed up there was only one other table being used. Got dirty looks from the employees left at night as they wanted us out so they could go home, yet we were only there for an hour or so. Don't waste your time here. Best to drive into Carmel for Italian food. Giving two stars only because the setting is nice and friends have said they liked it. read more

Best meal on our trip. Many restaurants have staffing issues these days, but our service was impeccable. They answered the phone and took our reservation quickly, seated us promptly on a busy Friday, helped us with our orders, accommodated my quirk of eating appetizers as a meal, and were gracious throughout our meal. (Many kitchens struggle to deliver food in the desired order, and we end up taking turns watching each other dine.) My wife's 1/2 chicken and sides were scrumptious, and my calamari rings were tender and crispy. My artichoke and eggplant stack was the best part of the meal, once I squeezed some lemon on it to compliment the olive oil. (I always like some tartness with rich foods.) The star of the dish was the perfect texture and nice taste of the crispy breaded artichoke. Parking was a challenge here. We found a space on some gravel at the southeast end that fit our compact car. Drivers of large vehicles may end up parking a block or two away at busy times. read more

We love this restaurant but today they seemed a little "off." Called one week in advance for lunch (asking for outside dining) and when we arrived there was plenty of outside seats available yet the hostess seated us at a table in the breezeway. We dined for 90 minutes and not once were the two or three 4-tops occupied, which the hostess told us were reserved. Also, when I made reservations I told the person we were celebrating 33 years of marriage. No one made mention of it during our visit....NO, we didn't expect a free dessert....how about "congratulations on your special day and thank you for dining with us." Yes, we will return hoping for a better experience next time. read more

Cafe Rustica - French Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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Get reservations.small place with great German food.I had the best Jeagerschnitzil since we've gotten to Virginia.The sauerkraut,regular and red ,we authentic and flavorful. We shall return. read more

This place is fantastic! Recommend calling to get a reservation to get a table on the patio. They had some of the best pasta I've ever had, I wish I snagged a picture before I ate it all. Plus, there dessert was AMAZING. I would go back in a heartbeat! I recommend it to everyone going to Carmel Valley. read more

Such a great peaceful environment, an excellent food. There's a slower pace in the valley and this restaurant is completely aligned to the vibe. read more

Thomas was our waiter & he was so attentive and so attentive welcoming. Love the vibe and and will be definitely be coming back with more people. read more

They do have a separate kids menu. Cafe Rustica was recommended to us, and it did not disappoint. After looking at their menu online, I figured my kids would be fine with one of the pizzas, but they were happy to be presented with kids menus-chicken strips and fries will always win with them. Service was attentive and friendly, not intrusive and portions were generous and delicious. read more

Cafe Rustica - Kids Menu - French Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Superb meals and desserts! Excellent service in a laid back setting. Lovely ambiance inside and out. Consistently top-notch fine dining in a comfortable French country setting. Our favorite dinner and dessert restaurant in Carmel Valley Village! Worth the price! read more

This was such a great place for lunch in Carmel! This restaurant is very cute. It has a lot of outdoor seating on a very inviting patio, as well as indoor seating. The patio was such a nice place to sit on a sunny, summer day. My sister had been here before and had to go back. She's quite into food, so if she wants to go, I know it's good! Our server was fantastic. He knew the menu very well and made great suggestions. We got butternut squash ravs., (my sis) BBQ chicken pizza (me) and we shared the Eggplant Napoleon. All were delicious, but my favorites was the Eggplant Napoleon. It was just fantastic and if you love basil and fresh mozzarella, you must try! Some tips: They do take reservations here. They have daily specials and today's all sounded fantastic. They also have an extensive dessert list. We didn't save room, but they also had some dessert specials not on the menu! This place sounds like it's a town fave. It's quite the gem! read more

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We had a fantastic lunch here, and feel it's the best restaurant in Carmel Valley Village. Everything was very fresh and delicious. The service was very good. read more

We celebrated our anniversary here recently. It was wonderful. I'm glad we sat inside - I think the ambience was better, even though they have a lovely patio space. We had the special, au gratin potatoes, and a great salad. Everything was delicious. Good service too. I'd definitely go back if in the area again. read more

I would like to start with an amazing customer service! We were sitting outside at the patio and the waiters were checking on us every 2 minutes. The food each dish like an art and taste very good. read more

Cafe Rustica - French Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

I've been here three times. Once for lunch and twice for dinner. I've never been on a weekend, but the place is always packed. Definitely a place the locals cherish! The food is top notch. I've never had anything I didn't like. I've had the homemade soup, butter leaf lettuce salad, Dynamite Pizza, Vegetarian pizza, & fish special. Everything was served as I ordered. Consistent quality and great service. It is out of the way, but worth the drive! read more

Spent the weekend at Carmel and came across this quaint little restaurant in the valley that's a 5 minute drive away from where we're staying. Unfortunately with no prior warning, we were notified by the host that the day we came was for reservations only (I wish this was stated on Yelp or their website to avoid future confusion or inconvenience). Saddened that we couldn't enjoy wine at the cute heated patio, we ordered to-go instead. We called in our order and it was ready for pick up within the timeframe they gave us, 15-20mins. I ordered the butternut squash ravioli, while my boyfriend enjoyed a rib-eye steak. Both dishes exceeded our expectations, the ravioli came in a decent size portion with the sauce on the side. The sauce was light and creamy but not overwhelming, the crispy texture of the ravioli threw me off a little but it pairs well with the beurre blanc sauce. The rib-eye on the other hand was amazing. The meat was cooked perfectly and melts in your mouth, it also came with the creamy and tasty gratin potatoes. Both dishes were well seasoned and still hot when we got back to where we were staying. Butternut squash ravioli $19 (4/5) Rib-eye steak $37 (5/5) I would say the only downside to our experience was the reservations only, I recommend noting on yelp or on their site to notify guests ahead of time. Also, if you're ordering to-go you have to ask them for utensils, they don't provide utensils unless you ask. read more

Once upon a time this was a good restaurant. Reliable, consistent and good value. Unfortunately,it's taken a wrong turn. On a whim we decided to have a "spur of the moment" meal out in Carmel, but everything was too crowded so we drove out to Carmel Valley to visit an old friend ,"Cafe Rustica". Menu looked pretty good,prices were very good and wine by the glass selection was better than most. The food,however, was disappointing. Roasted chicken was scrawny, overcooked and dry. It tasted like the bird was half cooked earlier,then put on the grill to be warmed up. Sides were fair but the ratatouille was very good. The clue was the dish came out so quickly. Baked rigatoni was a joke. Sauce was ,well, tasting like it had been made with cheap ingredients. Ambience was cozy and nice for a cold night and service was good. The restaurant was very busy so maybe nobody else felt the way we did. Or maybe they had the pizza from a brick oven and we just picked the wrong dish. read more

Very disappointing. The only way to make reservation is by calling and leaving a message. We called and left a message. Nobody responded so we assumed it's all set. Unfortunately we were wrong and at 5 pm on a Wednesday we were returned at the door. No option was offered for later seating or even an policy. Clearly no care about customers - a simple call to let us know would have been the norm. Carmel valley has many other great dining options. Neither the food nor the service are worth being treated this way. read more

In Carmel Valley for a one year anniversary getaway weekend and decided to go to dinner at Cafe Rustica based off of reviews and a solid menu. Not disappointed at all. Great atmosphere both inside and out. We split the fried calamari, cheese and spinach ravioli, bbq chicken pizza, and a crème brûlée. We loved it all. You could tell everything was fresh and had tons of flavor. Portion sizes were good and the price was great considering where you are and the quality of food you're eating. I'll always recommend this place to friends and family coming to visit. read more

The special tomato wedge salad with a light dressing was very good. The lettuce was so fresh one might believe picked right out of the garden to plate. My entree was not particularly impressive. Eating outside works, nice village setting, tables distance okay, staff wear masks. Menu Covid limited. read more

As the name suggests, the restaurant had loads of rustic charm in the decor and ambience. I particularly liked the outfits the waiters wear (white smocks with buttons) and their French accents. Naturally the accents come with a little bit of a high-brow attitude which was cast down when I didn't order my lamb rare or even medium rare, and when I asked for salt. As if ;) But despite my shocking request of medium well, my lamb dish turned out to be delicious. Every bite from the first to the last was scrumptious especially once I added a pinch of salt and pepper. My friend enjoyed his Hungarian paprika egg noodles with beef very much. We were quite cozy under some heat lamps on a back porch covered in striped awning. The desserts sounded tempting, and if the entrees were any indication, I'm sure they are amazing. I have to limit sugar intake for my health, but perhaps another time. read more

Went here for lunch and dined inside. Everything was wonderful and food was nicely prepared and presentation was excellent. Kenji was our waiter and very attentive and knowledgeable. We looked at different places to dine for our first time in Carmel Valley and glad we selected Cafe Rustica. read more

Birthday dinner. The staff was great, the food was fantastic. Fresh Alaska Halibut was perfect and everyone had a fine time. Highly recommended! read more

Quaint Cafe in beautiful Carmel Valley. Sat outside to enjoy the perfect summer weather. Ordered the Veggie Salad and Smoked Salmon Pizza to split for lunch with my daughter. Salad was made up of grilled veggies, greens, Kalamata olives, peanuts, Blue Cheese and raisins tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette and was very very light and just what we were looking for (and a large portion). Smoked Salmon pizza was just like a bagel with cream cheese and salmon only on a very very thin pizza crust. Never thought that anything could beat out a bagel with lox but man I was wrong! Much better this way- huge portion of Salmon, onions, capers. Just wonderful... may have to try this one at home- read more

Cafe Rustica - Smoked salmon pizza on thin crust with capers and onions. Just Incredible- - French Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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Always good service and great food. Very consistent and always look forward to sharing what I have experienced at Cafe Rustica.

Café rustica can be depended upon for a lovely dining experience. Top notch service, excellent food and charming ambience indoors and out are always on the menu. This place is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner with friends as well as a memorable celebration for any event. read more

This five star rating was for their pizza, seriously delicious and fairly priced!! We look forward to going back.

Won't leave hungry. Service is great, the food is delicious and the wine selections are great. I had the butternut squash ravioli, escargot, and all the desserts. Oh my goodness so much food and every single thing was amazing. Go there, you will not be disappointed! read more

This was seriously the best food ive ever had. You can taste how fresh the food is! We got the lamb dish, dynamite pizza, side of potatoes au gratin (), and calamari. The cold brew iced tea and apple galette we got was also incredible. The servers were very attentive. Very homey vibe and all around 11/10! My favorite place in Monterey county read more

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Far and away the best restaurant in Carmel Valley. Friendly and attentive service and a very user-friendly wine list of mostly local wines (and fairly priced, too!). I would not define Cafe Rustica as 'fine dining' but rather lick-your-plate deliciousness (no, I didn't actually lick my plate but I was tempted to!). The Goulash might be the biggest win as a main course. Not something that you see every day on a menu but so good. I also love the escargot. Wonderful al fresco dining as well, as you can almost always count on the weather to be delightful. read more