Austin is the homie. Super knowledgeable and kind. Made dinner much better. Great quality food.read more

I've been to Sur at The Barnyard 3 times. The food is consistently good across the board. The…read morecheese bread with corn sounds a little strange, but somehow it totally works -- unique and delicious. The bacon cheeseburger was really good, the Caesar salad was a solid classic, and the fried chicken dinner was hearty and satisfying with two large pieces of chicken plus sides. The banana cream pie has a spin on it. I love the brûléed bananas. What stood out the most, though, was the service. My family is in the restaurant business, so I tend to have pretty high standards when it comes to hospitality and customer service. Our server, Razi, was truly excellent. He had the perfect balance of friendly and professional, made great recommendations, checked in often, and made sure we had everything we needed. At one point, I was feeling a little lightheaded, and he immediately brought me a cold towel and made sure my water glass stayed full so I could stay hydrated. That level of attentiveness really stood out to me. He was fast, efficient, customer-focused, and brought such positive energy to the restaurant. So many restaurants struggle these days with finding employees who seem trained, experienced, and genuinely engaged -- Razi was the complete opposite. He was outstanding. I even made a point to share positive feedback with the owner before leaving because great employees deserve recognition. I honestly could see Razi managing this restaurant -- or another one -- someday. As a fun side note, we also learned he's a singer/rapper, which somehow perfectly matched his great personality and energy. Really memorable experience overall.

Wonderful grill spot in the heart of downtown Carmel by the Sea. The staff was attentive, the…read moreprices aren't cheap but you get what you pay for. I had a nice steak, my wife had the curry, and we were both delighted. Very filling portions and unique flavors. Highly recommended.

Cute spot in the heart of Carmel. We came in with a reservation on a Saturday for dinner on…read moreMother's Day weekend so it was quite busy. Even with a reservation, they had tables waiting. We only waited 10 minutes or so. Our server was very friendly and attentive. My cocktail was probably the best part of our dinner. I ordered the matcha coconut martini as an alternative to an espresso martini. The menu feels all over the place. An attempt at fusion with some east Asian and South Asian influence, but they also have your steak house essentials. I get the concept in theory with Pangea, but it could be more refined and elevated. Nothing different than anything you can get in the Bay Area. We went with steak house essentials rather than some attempt at Asian fusion. I enjoyed my duck breast. The portions were healthy. Skipped dessert and went for a glass of wine with dinner instead.

What a wonderful hidden gem. Tucked away between galleries this restaurant exemplifies fine quality…read moredining and service that leaves you with the feeling of being fed by a loving family. We had the charred broccolini , fig Flatbread and fantastic pasta. Layers of flavors to each bite. Highly recommend

Yes, yes and yes!! Too bad I was only allowed to leave 5 stars. The second you arrive to see a…read morepatio with full tables and great looking food, you know you've made the right choice. Very friendly staff, delicious food and wine at reasonable prices, and warm inviting atmosphere made for a special evening all around. We'll be back for sure. I recommend reservations.

Food was okay. Service started out great, then went downhill…read more Came here over the weekend and the host was kind enough to seat us early and we cozied up in one of the booths. The atmosphere was chill and romantic. Kerry started off so energetic and knowledgeable about the chef and the menu. We ordered bread service, 2 oysters, the vegetarian pasta but added the pacific halibut. I ordered the fowl of the day, which was guinea fowl in like a deconstructed pot pie. Then it starts to go downhill. Our entrees took an unreasonable amount of time and even the floor manager recognized this and stopped by the table to check in. Additionally, we wanted more drinks and also had to flag her down for that. We barely saw him after he took our order. Our food came luke warm, like it was sitting under the warmer for some time. The sauce on my dish was cold and the halibut was overcooked and dryyyyyyyyyyy. Thankfully they removed this from the bill. I could see staying at the hotel and grabbing drinks at the bar. They also had a piano player in the lobby/bar area, so that was a nice touch. But would I come back for dinner? Unfortunately no.

This hotel has two 4-star diamond plaques on their wall so believe the hype. This restaurant is so…read morewell kept and just like the hotel, the food itself is fresh and incredible. The ingredients are grown on the grounds with nice veggie and fruit dishes. I thoroughly loved the classic breakfast plate with buttery crisp hash browns, and two egg Benedicts with a creamy Hollandaise sauce. My wife and son's eggs were cooked perfectly. Their bacon is cooked just right; thick strips and no burnt ends. Even the yolks are orange! My son's apple juice was freshly pressed, my smoothie was full of their fresh berries with no artificial sweeteners, and the cream for our coffee was pure. It's no wonder why this place is on the Michelin guide. The farm to table experience here is spot on. Even their sourdough toast has a nice thickness to it and pairs beautifully with their creamy butter and jam. There's not a single complaint here. The interior decor to the bathroom around this restaurant is just an A+. This is by far one of the best breakfast experiences I've had. I want to stay here next time with my wife and spend quality time because the ambiance is perfect all around. I totally recommend this restaurant and hotel.

Food was amazing and our service by Rudy was excellent. Rudy gave us the best recommendations and…read morewe enjoyed every bite! Finished our meal with a delicious dessert. Warm Bread pudding was perfect with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Ambiance warm and perfect!

The staff was really friendly and accommodating! It was our friend's birthday and one of the…read morewaiters gave us a discount and a free birthday dessert. It was very sweet. They made sure we had everything we wanted without us having to ask from sparkling water to tap water to extra bread to a seafood free menu. The clam chowder was delicious and the oysters were filling. We wished they were a little brinier, but they really hit the spot for us. The flourless chocolate torte for dessert was absolutely amazing--fudgey and rich and made in-house. Would recommend if you stay for dessert so glad we were able to. Even though we were a bigger group they found a table for us right away. We were sat in the alleyway where there were air heaters and it was very cozy and cute such a lovely evening breathing in the beach air while we ate.

I first heard about Corkscrew Cafe on "Check Please!" and knew I had to try it when I'm in Carmel…read more We came here yesterday (4/23/26) and were not disappointed! Initially I wanted a mimosa but they were out of Prosecco. :( Instead I had the white wine honey mojito, which was sweet and not too heavy on the alcohol. We shared the elote (special!) and mushroom pizzas. The pizzas were cooked perfectly and were even better the next day. The elote pizza has a bit of a kick but not super spicy. I also tried a little of the pear blue cheese salad, which was tasty. Waitress was friendly and the food came out quickly. Plenty of indoor and outdoor dining options. We sat outside and it wasn't too chilly or noisy. Would come next I'm in Carmel!

Service was fast and friendly. Ambiance outside was cozy with bistro table on decomposed granite…read more But while tree canopy was romantic the droppings were frequent. Food and drinks: Michelada 3/5. Tasted watery; didn't finish. Calamari 3/5. Small portion was tender but not warm enough. Cocktail sauce was really good. Lemon prosciutto pizza 3/5. Crust was delicious but needed more prosciutto and parmesan; less arugula. Our hopes were so high but sadly we wouldn't recommend.

We had such a wonderful experience at Mission Bistro in Carmel. The restaurant itself is relatively…read moresmall, but that's part of what makes it so special -- it's very cozy, beautifully decorated, and has a really warm, welcoming ambiance that makes you want to sit, relax, and enjoy your meal. Every single dish we ordered was amazing -- you can really tell the kitchen is being led with care and creativity. A special thank you to the new Executive Chef, Jake Behnke. Even though the restaurant was very busy, he still took the time to come out and greet us, which made the evening feel extra special. That kind of hospitality really stands out and meant a lot to us. The wait staff was very friendly and welcoming. Because they were so busy, it did take a little while to get our drink and food order in, but the staff remained attentive and kind throughout the night, and the food was absolutely worth the wait. Overall, a great dining experience and we will definitely be back. Highly recommend!

Had a lovely time at Mission Bistro. The restaurant is clean and the workers are attentive…read more We came as a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The bread and butter that it is served with it is very good. We ordered more, not realizing it was not complimentary. Oops that's another $12. Though pricey for a bread basket, I would order again. The ceaser salad was a good size and very flavorful. It's even topped with fresh sardines. Probably the best one I had 10/10 I ordered the black cod and though it looked burnt, it was just blackened and extremely flaky and juicy. The noodles served with it was good. 8/10 Crab cakes-need more flavor. Would not order again 3/10 Steak frites- 8/10 the sauce used in the steak is yummy and the fries were cooked to perfection. Beef cheek-there is a LOT going on that plate. The beef was good, but I thought it was too many ingredients mixed together 5/10. The meal seemed heavy. The bday girl was treated to a slice of cheesecake. The cheesecake looked good, but, it was pretty dry. 3/10 All in all, I rate this 4 stars.

Absolutely outstanding experience! This seafood restaurant sets the standard for cleanliness,…read moreprofessionalism, and top-tier customer service. From the moment we walked in, everything was spotless tables, floors, and even the smallest details were perfectly maintained, which made us feel confident about the quality of the food right away. The staff was incredibly professional, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. They went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect without ever being intrusive. You can tell they truly care about their guests.they even got my 2 boys coloring books the food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish tasted like it came straight from the ocean to the table. It's rare to find a place that delivers this level of consistency in both quality and service. Hands down one of the best seafood dining experiences I've ever had. Highly recommended!

Wonderful place to reunite with old friends! This place is a fish market that has a some…read moretables--not fancy. It's very chill, and perfect for catching up. I chose the fresh local sea bass after seeing it in the refrigerated display. There is something great about fish grilled perfectly--a little delicate crust giving way to moist flaky fish. My friends enjoyed their favorites--calamari steak and blackened salmon. This has become our go-to place to meet!

We had a fantastic dinner at Valley Kitchen, highlighted by both incredible food and outstanding…read moreservice from Adalberto. The meal featured the Maple Leaf Duck and a perfectly cooked New York Striploin, along with the rich and comforting Five Cheese Orecchiette and a beautifully executed lemon meringue dessert. The atmosphere was relaxed yet upscale, with a warm, inviting ambiance that really elevated the experience. The drinks were just as memorable--my tiki cocktail was vibrant and well-balanced, while my wife's mule was crisp and refreshing. From start to finish, the service, food, and setting all exceeded expectations, and we're already looking forward to coming back.

I had a few meals here and every single time was a special in different ways. My favorite dishes…read morewere the roasted duck and filet mignon. The two dishes were cooked perfectly with great flavors accompany , sweet potato for the duck and mashed potatoes for the filet mignon. Black cod was also cooked perfectly and the fish was so soft, but the flavor for that dish, which was a burnt bitter taste, was not fit for my preference. For appetizers, I'd recommend the crispy shrimp for the amount and also flavor! The ambience of the space was comfortable but classy. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. Worth the long drive for this property!

Fish You Were Here A…read moreJapanese fusion fish-centric restaurant located in Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, it has had the same owners since 1975, when it was FKA "Shabu Shabu" before receiving its current moniker in 1993. The Good: * We loved the location--down a set of stairs into a dimly lit, cozy space. * And speaking of cozy spaces, we love that every table is its own private booth. Nothing is more annoying than having to dine with strangers just inches away, in my opinion. * Service was, uhhh, interesting but passable. We actually liked the dude who was following up behind our server, as he seemed like a really cool guy with definite opinions on the food. * Make sure you order their unique take on chips and salsa! Their fried wonton wrappers paired with a deliciously unique ginger pico de gallo were fantastic. * The Fried Fish Cakes (a daily special, so they might not always be on the menu) were delicious and full of flavor. * We both loved our entrées; my Black Bean Halibut was cooked perfectly--tender and flaky--and I loved the funky fermented black bean sauce. Carissa is still talking about her Almond Sea Bass weeks later, so 'nuff said. * The Warm Tempura Banana Sundae was a bit odd but worked in a weird way. We normally skip dessert unless it's something unique, and this certainly fit the bill! The Meh: * Reservations are handled the old-fashioned way: via telephone. * No outdoor dining. The Ugly: * While being underground is part of their charm, as mentioned above, it is definitely not ADA-compliant. So if you or anyone in your party has difficulty traversing stairs, this probably isn't the place for you. Conclusion: Fantastic date-night spot with great service, ambiance, and food. Highly recommended.

This was another fantastic meal during our short overnight trip. We had reservations for another…read moreplace but we weren't feeling it. So we went here instead. And I'm so glad we did. The décor and ambiance is so cool. Plus since we arrive early, we were pretty much alone for most of our meal. And the service was very good. The food was unique and tasty. The chips and salsa were an interesting take and I'm glad John ordered it. I ordered the almost sea bass and it's a dish that I continued to think about for hours and days afterwards. It was so good and interesting! I tried John's dish but mine was far superior. Another highly recommended restaurant!