Smoking cigars is not for everyone so I get it... but there are a few places in this world where smoking a cigar just feels right and Carmel is one of them. This little hidden spot has one if the best selections and value for a cigar that you can get. The service is always up front and nice and the vibe is small town and inviting. If you have never treated yourself to a cigar by the beach... it's time. read more

See all

Great spot for cigars and pipes. If you're in the area it's definitely a must!!!!!!!!

The gentleman who worked there gave me advice on the different types of cigars and helped me choose some.

They had a decent variety of tobaccos and some very nice pipes. A little bit higher in price but hey, Carmel!!

1 Star - A Lesson in Misogyny, Not Customer Service If I could give negative stars, I would. My wife and I visited Carmel Pipe Shop expecting a charming, old-school experience. Instead, we got a crash course in condescension and blatant disrespect. The owner--who clearly thinks he invented tobacco and customer service--was not just rude, but downright belittling to my wife. When she asked a simple question, he cut her off, rolled his eyes, and told her she "doesn't know what the hell she's talking about." Seriously? In 2025, we're still talking to women like that? She walked out humiliated and upset. I walked out angry that we gave this man a single dollar of business. There's a line between being opinionated and being a jerk. This guy doesn't just cross it--he tap dances over it with a smug grin. Plenty of other shops out there that treat all customers with basic human decency. I highly recommend finding one. read more

Doug, the co-owner is a great guy; a true gentleman. The shop is a small quaint shop offering different blends of tobaccos, nice curated selection of cigars and many tins of cigarillos. The shop also, has many pipes both new and estate. They have everything a pipe smoker needs. Definitely a gem. Worth while stop if you are visiting Carmel. read more

Very small selection of cigars. I literally have more in my personal collection. For the area this is in they should have better selection and products. Very expensive area and poor selection. I've seen gas station/liquor stores have better selections. Plus their storage of them could be better. Prices on them are overpriced. $30 for a stick you can find for less than $10 online or for like $15 in other physical stores. read more

I have visited and purchased pipe tobacco exclusively from this wonderful iconic pipe shop since 1974 when I was in the Army at Fort Ord, 47 yrs ago. How time flies! Torres pipe tobacco has been consistently GREAT. I don't smoke as much these days, mainly when I have some paperwork to do. The taste is soft,smooth. The vanilla aroma brings back years of amazing memories. I have visited with 2 generations of owners, kind, warm family gentleman. I am just about out of my favorite pipe tobacco today. I do not want to run out, so this evening I am placing an order for more. Whether I finish another tin of Torres or not, I feel the desire to always keep this tobacco and it's wonderful aroma around in my office . Thanks to the Carmel Pipe Shop for 47 wonderfully full years of enjoyment and memories. I hope to visit again soon. Jeff A. read more

Carmel Pipe Shop is a cool little, old fashioned tobacconist right in the heart of town. The proprietor Doug is a great guy and he has a very good selection of pipes, tobacco, cigars and accessories for the size of the shop. The prices are very fair considering the enormous rent he probably pays. Carmel Pipe is well worth a visit. Just look for the fantastic sign or follow your nose to the smoking cigar. read more

See all

I wish i could zero stars. Horrible rude workers awful absolutely awful. Turned away at the door.

Tiny shop, the guy was nice enough to stay open a little later so I could walk down and grab a stick. They sell Padrons that's all I cared about. Lol read more

A great little store with a large selection of pipes, tobaccos, cigars, smoking accessories of all kinds, AND photos of celebrities who have patronized this establishment in the decades past. Humorous, friendly, and knowledgeable service and reasonable prices complete the wonderful experience that this shop provides. I know my husband will enjoy his new pipe for a long time to come. Highly recommended. read more

Very small shop in an area that is not cigar friendly. The person running the store was smoking a pipe in the shop, but wouldn't let me smoke a cigar in the shop. Why buy cigars from this place when there is no place to smoke? Selection was very small. read more

Excellent selection and service. Been shopping here ever since we bought our vacation home years ago. Nothing beats a pipe on the porch at sunset. Doug is a true expert in what's good. My favorite tobacconist in my favorite town! read more

My favorite place, well second to the beach. Always has what I need to complete my visit. Picked up a couple bags of tobacco and another Cobb . If you want to know what Santa's house smells like, step inside the shop read more

I'm not a big cigar smoker.... But if I was, I would totally enjoy this tiny cigar/pipe shop in Carmel. The shop is smaller than my master bathroom and squeezing 5-6 guys in there was interesting. I don't know how much more testosterone you can fit into a small space but we definitely tried. Cigars, pipes, knifes, and other manly stuff... Oh, and 6-7 adult men bonded by a common interest. The owner was quite amusing and ended up giving us a free cutter, lighter, and a cigar. Now, this is a man's shop. It's not pretty and it's not well decorated. But, it's efficient and it gets the job done. read more

I had an incredible experience here. Doug, the gentleman working at the Carmel Cigar Shop, was sweeping the front sidewalk as I walked up to the store (thought to self; very old school and classy). He stopped as I approached, smiled broadly, and welcomed me inside. I explained that while I was not new to the world of nice pipes, it had been some time since I had purchased any "new" pieces, or bought any new tobaccos. Doug listened patiently, asked me a few pertinent questions (i.e., what shapes do you like? what materials? what finishes? what is your budget?), and then gave me a quick overview of everything in the store. He then encouraged me to open up every case, hold every pipe, and really get a feel for what I liked - rather than simply tell me what he likes. His philosophy seems to be; it's going to be your pipe, buy what you like, and then smoke it, blissfully. My budget was somewhere around $150 for a new briar pipe. I was actually a little surprised to find dozens of pipes well within my budget (this is Carmel, after all). They have a bit of everything, from corn-cobs to Dunhill's, and every conceivable and/or desirable tool. After a quick review of the walls and a few cases, I was initially attracted to a few Savinelli and Peterson pipes, but then I noticed a dozen or so hand-made pipes by Randy Wiley (USA). My choice was down to a very nice Savinelli and one of the Randy Wiley's, and that is when Doug pushed me in the right direction. The Wiley is "cooler" we agreed (hand-shaped, oiled-finish), and I decided to buy it. Then the conversation turned to dampers and tobacco. Doug pointed out that Randy Wiley's son (Nolan) makes some excellent dampers, and I added one to my growing pile. Next came tobacco, Doug helped me select a tin of Escudo Navy De Luxe and a tin of Dunhill Flake, two standards (though anything you could imagine is available). Did I blow my budget? Ohhhh heck yeah I did. Did I have a great time, learn a lot, and end up with something much better than I'd expected. YES! Doug is a throw-back to customer service that never really existed (*but you wish it did). He was welcoming, easy-going, funny, articulate, knowledgeable, and he sincerely loves a good pipe (and if you really wanna spark up a conversation, ask him about collectible lighters and old Dunhill's). I think this guy could banter with the best of them, and I'm Irish ;-) I will return to this store time and time again. Maybe to just hang-out in the hope that Doug (or some random passer-through) will tell an hour- long story, while I sit back, listening and occasionally nodding, slowly drawing on my pipe. UPDATE 5/1/12 I've been back many, many, many times. Can't get enough of this place. read more

An aesthetic, pleasurable trip... whether just copping a sniff to remind you of the smell of your grandpa or favourite uncle, or possibly to have a guilty treat while on vacation. This is worth a trip..... especially if you are of the oft reviled tobacco smoker's ilk. It will feel like a respite, to say the least. Classic, fantastic... yay. read more

I'm not a smoker, but I just had to pop in here when I spotted the shop for curiosity purposes - and I'm glad we did! The shop is very small, but well appointed - there is wealth of goods in a tiny space! Cases filled with pipes, a wall covered with cigars, different types of tobaccos - and a proprietor nearby who lets you explore. I was amused to see diffierent brand-name flavors of cigars - even in the classy world of smoke shops, a little tacky must fall. :) The shop offered a fun exploration, and reminded me of my grandpa - open your mind and stop on in! read more

Great little shop. Doug was super friendly and helpful. Answered my wife's questions and had some cool stories about his Navy service. Even got my wife to buy a pipe and give it a try. We will definitely be going back next time we're in town. read more

Wow. Hie thee thither, imbibers of the noxious weed! I'm an occasional (OK, almost-never) pipe smoker; I also enjoy cigars (mainly those given to me by others). It's a wee store, but with all you need. Pop in if you smoke, or even if you don't, and inhale the lovely atmosphere. read more

I'll start this review off by saying this shop is very nice and the owner obviously knows his stuff. The thing that makes his place hard is, as a novice/new smoker, my initial interaction with the staff was not favorable. I attempted to make myself vulnerable and let him know I was new to smoking and needed some guidance. This could have been a beautiful moment for a seasoned smoker to pass on valuable knowledge and tradition to a new generation and instead I was made to feel... Well stupid really. My questions were met with laughs and that sort of elitist attitude that makes you feel small. As our interaction continued, it got better but I left without purchasing anything and would not return. All that to say, a great shop if you know your stuff, if not, tread carefully. This place could turn you off to pipe smoking if you're not careful. read more

Walked in for a tin of tobacco, got just what I wanted and a great conversation to boot.

In the olden days, when I was a pipe smoker, I would order my tobacco by mail from this place. If you are a pipe or cigar smoker, I recommend this place highly, for quality and wide selection. Me, I have been clean for years, so I don't go there anymore, except to look, slowly inhale, and remember. read more

Really love this place! I stop in several times a month to see what cigar boxes they have out front. It's a great little shop and they are always very fair with me. I really appreciate the kind service and friendly attitude of the gentleman behind the counter. Definitely a Carmel treasure! read more

Doug is the best....he knows his business and is so kind and patient to deal with....great little store in Carmel....great selection and and I love going in there and having Doug help me select special gifts for the specials cigar loves in my life....outstanding.... read more

Would've liked to review this shop but it was closed in the middle of the day with no hours posted.... Frustrating as I would've liked to check out the custom cigars... read more

Cute little shop with a reasonable inventory given its size. Twice now I've been surprised at the indifference shown toward their customers. If you know what you want, fine. But if you're looking for a suggestion or opinion, they really don't have the time for you. read more

Almost a year later. The initial pipe and tobacco purchase from Doug has now led to several more pipes and a very nice variety of tobacco. I am now a converted (from cigars) pipe only smoker. I love the wider selection of pipe tobacco the industry offers. Will be in Carmel again next month and will be stopping by Carmel Pipe Shop again. Thanks again Doug! read more

I found this shop when on a holiday to Carmel. It is tiny and wonderful. I found a Savinelli Punto Oro sandblast to purchase, plus a tin of Dunhill's London Mixture. I plan to stop in each time I visit Carmel. The proprietor is friendly and knowledgeable about his products. read more

Came across this place by accident, great small place but has a large selections of pipes. I'm more of a cigar smoker (which this place has), but this place was inspiring to pick up a pipe. read more

I was informed of this shop by some Pipe Forum friends prior to a trip to California and was not disappointed. This is a nice shop that includes a good selection of pipes and tobaccos. The owner, Doug, happened to be there when I visited. He was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about all things pipes. I was lucky enough to score a couple of well aged McClelland tins on my visit so this just added to the excitement. I highly recommend this shop to anyone and wish that it was close to my house. read more

Back in March my wife and I came in, I was very impressed with this shop and its proprietor, he was very helpful in choosing some cigars for me. I am not only a cigar smoker, I am a pipe smoker as well, I noticed he had some pipe stands, but none that I was interested in. After talking Doug stated that he had others, but not in the shop. My wife was going to be back through Carmel in a few days and he would have them then for her to look at. He was excellent and so is the shop! Thanks! read more

i was new to pipe smoking and the person working was nice enough to help me pick a pipe and tobacco that suited me best. i was extremely happy with the purchase and have been back quite a few times to buy more. Their tobacco blends are by far the best around Monterey. A little bit pricey but you get what you pay for. Great service and great products read more