We had a great dinner here! We went on a Thursday night and they were running a Thirsty Thursday 50% off wine bottles promotion which was fantastic. The tacos were great, the burger I would say was ok but nothing exceptional, hence the 4 stars. We saw some pizzas that looked great but we didn't try any. It's a little expensive, but so is everything in the are. Service was fantastic, they were so attentive and kind. Great ambiance as well. Would go back to try the pizzas and have more delicious wine! read more

Recommended by many of my friends to enjoy a sunny day on their eclectic patio. Ran out to the Carmel Village with the hubby and did just this and was impressed by this place. Excellent wine menu! I ordered the chicken salad with papaya and avocado. The presentation was stunning. The hubby ordered the gyro plate which was good. The meat wasn't the best I've ever had, but the home made pita bread made up for that 5 fold! The service was excellent. They had a very interesting list of home made pizzas which I intend on trying next time. I will definitely recommend this place to enjoy a sunny Carmel afternoon. read more

I usually yelp before I try a new place but I was driving with a friend who is a wine lover. We were passing by and the wine signs were enough for us to check out the place. We ended up getting salad and shishito, which was to die for. I absolutely enjoyed both with our wine. I would come back and try more things. We got our food within few minutes. Service was also good. Shishito could have had more flavor or I would give my experience a five star. read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Shishito! - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Have eaten here a couple of times while in the area--this is a nice little place to eat with a good menu and friendly service; the kind of place that is good for both casual dining and 'Date Night'. Will definitely return again. read more

We were so lucky to find Corkscrew. Not only did they accommodate such a large group of people with their dogs but the service and food were also amazing!! The staff was very attentive and friendly. Sitting outside on such a perfect day was the way to go. With 18 of us it can be a challenge to keep up with drink orders, food etc. If they were having a hard time I didn't notice, they were on top of it and provided excellent service. I had the BLT and it was SO good. Other items around me that got rave reviews were the burger & Chicken salad. If you're in the area I would recommend it for sure and I will be back for sure. =) read more

Felt a bit nickel and dimed, most places the charge over than 26 dollars an plate do not charge 7 dollars for bread. The corkage fee is also ridiculous since the place is named after a wine opener, 20 dollars for the first bottle then 30 for every bottle after that, translates to buy your wine from us. The pizzas also run expensive at 17 to 20 per. The lamb and spar rib were nice but the couscous with the lamb was a bit off. If you go here you can get a flight of wine from the winery that shares the garden. read more

I very rarely give 5 stars but this establishment justifies the phrase patience is a virtue because the wait is worth it. While waiting for the perfect mussels starter, fig or pepperoni pizza and stupendous berry pie, listen to pink Floyd or led zeppelin, savor the local Pinot , take a deep breath and soak on the views from the front of the restaurant. A Californian gem . read more

We've been here twice, once in the spring on a very quiet evening (only 6 people in the restaurant), again on a Thursday this August with early reservations. The location and atmosphere is pleasant, but the service was inexplicably slow both times- even though we went early and the dining room was empty and on the second visit, the garden area only half full. Even easy things like bringing your bread when your meal was delayed did not happen, although there was a great deal of running around. We ordered pizzas figuring that couldn't take too long, but we were wrong - waited almost an hour after ordering and repeated requests on progress. (We were told emphatically at one point "only 3 minutes, I promise you". That turned into 20+ minutes. (Meanwhile the dining room remained completely empty and the garden area half full). The food was okay but the pizzas in this case terrible, slightly burnt, crust poor, and the cheese and fig were not distributed over the pizza, there was just a large lump of each cooked in on top of it. Easily the most ineptly made pizza I have ever eaten in my life, and no explanations or apologies for it either. Wait staff very pleasant but appear very inefficient. Also in the end the tab was very pricey for the small meal we ordered. Would not go back. read more

I've never actually eaten inside this restaurant, despite having had their food several times. We like to order some dishes to be delivered to the next door patio of the Talbott tasting room. The staff are always super friendly and accommodating. The food is delicious (we usually get the calamari aswell as a severity plate or flat bread pizza). The inside looks cozy and upscale. Parking can be an issue on a busy day, but if you get there early you can grab a spot! read more

I loved the ambience of this restaurant. Delicious food and very good wines. We enjoyed every minute sitting in their lovely patio by a beautiful garden. The staff was really welcoming and friendly. I'm in love with this place, super recommend! read more

Lovely scenery and a very warm staff. Amazing food that doesn't disappoint. Dog friendly with places to sit in the sun and shade. Definitely worth stopping by. read more

This place has excellent service. The food and wine were really fantastic however, from my background of cooking I could only suggest that the shishito peppers have more seasoning. We ordered the caprese salad which was fantastic and shishito peppers paired along with "Cowgirl Blush" rosé wine. The wine was really good, it had the taste I was looking for and the servers were really good about telling me what I should get. The environment is very relaxing and I would definitely come again! read more

Corkscrew Cafe - All gone. - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Burger was decent, the service was terrible. Took almost 45 minutes for two burgers to come out...

Went here for a quick lunch last Saturday. We didn't get any wine, since we wanted to take a little break in between winery tastings. I ordered the mushroom pizza with black truffle oil, while my hubby got the burger. The pizza was very good, though I prefer the crust to be a little more charred and crunchy. Probably a touch more truffle oil or using white truffle oil instead would probably be a little better. The burger was huge and very tasty, I thought it was better than the pizza. The servers were friendly, if not exceptional, but this is a casual place so I'm not expecting super-attentive service anyway. At least they left a carafe of water so we can refill our own glasses if needed. The portions are huge (the pizza can probably feed 2 people for a lighter lunch). Would recommend this for lunch in Carmel Valley if you're visiting the surrounding wineries. read more

Corkscrew is an absolute must-try when you are visiting Carmel Valley! It's a great place to grab lunch before some wine tasting, or for dinner, after some wine tasting ;) Either way, you are in for a TREAT. I have gone for both lunch and dinner, and personally prefer lunch because of the adorable outdoor seating area. The patio is so peaceful, colorful and sets the perfect ambience for a great meal. They have a beautiful menu from appetizers to desserts (even the menu itself is pretty!). My friend and I shared a pear-gorgonzola salad (to die for!!). They bake the pear with the gorgonzola, so it has a delicious sweet-salty flavor, with mixed greens and a light vinaigrette. We then went on to share one of their famous wood-fired pizzas (sausage, caramelized onions and walnut pesto... i know right? AMAZING!) and a burger with gorgonzola, bacon and avocado. Although we were SO full at the end and talked about how we couldn't move, we still asked for the dessert menu. Eder, our server, recommended their new chocolate dessert. It was similar to a sponge cake or mousse with hazelnut/chocolate crumbs and milk ice-cream....WOW!! It was the best way to end the meal. On top of everything we had the best service EVER!!! Eder was so friendly, attentive and knowledgable of the menu. We will definitely be coming back soon! read more

I must have driven past this place a hundred times. A hidden outside dining area in the rear. Great breads. Very friendly wait-staff. read more

Wonderful Saturday experience, take a vacation in the heart of Carmel valley. We felt like we were on vacation in the outdoor patio. The mushroom pizza was wonderful. The kale salad with crispy duck was fantastic and wood plank salmon awesome. Wer cannot wait to return. read more

Corkscrew Cafe - Sunshine, garden, lazy lunch - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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We live nearby. Have refused to go here after having a series of miserable experiences. Staff are miserable and appear to hate their jobs. We ordered a bread appetizer and it was burned black. Told the waitress she couldn't have cared less. Go somewhere else. read more

The service was friendly, attentive and personalized. The roasted garlic appetizer was very good. The server recommend the Meyer lemon and prosciutto pizza. It was amazing. Great place to come for fresh and flavorful food. Made you feel welcomed. read more

Corkscrew Cafe - American Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Made a reservation on short notice. The staff was courteous and accommodating. It was Thursday night which meant 50% off on wine. We had a central coast Pinot noir that was excellent. Salads were good but the pizzas were short on toppings with the crusts a little burned. A good place for a quick bite but not for gourmet. read more

We came an hour before closing, and host Henry and the rest of the waitstaff and crew made sure we still had an excellent dining experience! The outdoor seating in back was delightful and private, the wine was great, and the Meyer lemon pizza was absolutely fantastic! My only regret is that we couldn't spend more time enjoying the lovely atmosphere. Will definitely come back once we visit Carmel Valley again! read more

I met my friend who lives in Carmel Valley for lunch last Thursday. It was sunny and pleasant in the courtyard with partial shade if you want it. We shared a pile of delicious onion rings to start. I got the Salmon Nicoise salad and she got the pear salad. A number of locals showed up who we knew or recognized including composer and winemaker Alan Silvestri and family, my doctor and her pals and some other friends we knew. I really liked their brewed iced tea but was a little disappointed with the lack of check-backs from our server. I needed refills! Otherwise everything was fantastic. This is a sweet little place to meet friends or go for a romantic lunch date. It is adjacent to the Georis Winery and it's gift shop and courtyard. I'll be going back soon. read more

Featuring wood fired pizzas, fresh baked breads, & gourmet desserts in a lovely garden setting, Executive Chef Anna Marie Bayonito has concocted an incredible California menu inspired by seasonal ingredients. Here's my breakdown: Ambiance: 4/5 A chic restaurant equipped with a unique display for the wood fired pizza oven- if you're lucky you can see the chefs preparing the pizza in action! The decor was rustic and clean with quirky accents (showcased corkscrews, etc.) Perfect for a date night or nice dinner with family. Wine Menu: 4/5 Georis Pinot Grigio? The perfect white to accompany the mussels & frites. I also love that they have so many local wines on their wine list. Food: Pear Salad: 5/5 Decorated to perfection, every ingredient tasted fresh. The pear was juicy and flavorful, the cheese was sharp and tangy, the lettuce was fresh and saturated, and the dressing was a delicate balance of vinegar and honey. Mussels & Frites: 4/5 The fries were sub par- I would have preferred a unique seasoning or sweet potato. The mussels, on the other hand, were perfectly seasoned in a flavorful broth! Heavy on tomato and a little spicy, the broth was a wonderful contrast to the shellfish. Lemon Pie: 5/5 Bold, yet not overpowering. The crust was excellent, clearly handmade. The meringue was expertly whipped. The Meyer lemon was a unique balance of sweet and tart. The perfect finish to a wonderful meal. Thanks Corkscrew! read more

Delicious and fun lunch with friends The outside dining area was absolutely perfect with a small fountain surrounded by small tables under umbrellas and charming decor. As for the food, it was delicious, with a mix of traditional and inventive. We had the Coal Roasted Beets which didn't really taste roasted but were balanced and tasty. The Mussels were wonderful and as we were sharing, we asked for a ladle and glasses or mugs so we could drink every last bit of the broth. The Natural Burger was recommended by the waitress but I was less impressed. Avoid the Farm Pickles, these were almost too hard to eat and the taste was just ok. The desserts are tiny and fanciful - a bit pricey for the size but fun if you like tasting new things! Service was friendly and mostly good - it could have been improved by providing three utensils when we were sharing instead of having to ask each time - not a deal breaker. Will definitely be coming back again! read more

Food was delicious, scenery was great, servers were fantastic! If I lived here I would definitely be a regular! Try the Elote Pizza it's fantastic! read more

So it was a while ago that my friends and I went here. I'd say 2-3 yrs. why make a review so late? It was the most uncomfortable experience at a restaurant I've ever had. We had planned a trip, a total of 4 of us & had found this place online prior to our vacation. We planned on coming here the night of one of my friends birthday, for a nice dinner. Some nice things are, there seems to be plenty of parking & the ambience both inside and outside is great. When we first walked in, we were greeted by the most rude hostess. Her attitude was absolutely uncalled for. & it was my friends birthday which made her sourness even more upsetting. She proceeded to sit us down & asked what drinks we wanted. We ordered a couple sodas and waters. As we were planning on drinking after dinner not during. The woman grabbed all four wine glasses that were on the table and whipped them off, completely angry. She made us feel so bad for not ordering any wine. We looked at the menu, & everything on it looked great. But we never tried anything on it. The lady came back with our drinks and slammed them on the table with a snotty mean attitude. I then told her that we were just going to leave. My husband asked for the check for the sodas and the girl said "you can just go." She was so happy to get us out of there. All four of us got in the car and were horrified by the way we were treated there. We ended up having a lovely dinner at a different, very welcoming place, unlike this one. I can't say I would ever go back to this place. If I did, I would expect that they hired more welcoming employees as the employees are a big part of what makes a business. read more

A friend suggested this place for lunch before I headed off to Refuge down the road for some relaxation. I am so glad I took his suggestion! Liked the cute patio and atmosphere. The food was delicious and the service was great. I tried the pulled pork sliders and my friend had the trout, which was fresh, not frozen. We got there right at opening at 11:30, and it started filling up quickly not too much later. I will return for sure, so I can try more items on the menu! read more

WOW!! Not sure how else to put it. The hostess was not the most chipper, but that is the only thing I can say that is even remotely negative. Wait staff was AMAZING! We started with a soup (tomato basil) EASILY the best I have ever had. Wine was reasonable priced and tasted wonderful. I had a sausage pesto pizza that was as close to perfect as a thin crust pizza can be. The other diner with me had the rib eye which I sampled. I blew away places we have eaten that cost 20-50% more in places where we expected them to be phenomenal. We found this place reading yelp reviews and were not disappointed. I think we will be back before the end of our vacation!! read more

Arrived at 4pm and had 2 glasses of Georgis Pinot, not quite enough body but great fruity notes. The kitchen was closed but they were able to whip up a fresh pizza w/ thin lemon slices, prosciutto, and arugula...very good. The service was extremely friendly and we found out this is also a locals spot. We had a wonderful conversation about terriers who owned a ranch so Woot! The next pear gorgonzola salad was perfect to pair with the pizza, it had a different taste with a sweet honey dressing, 3/5 for this one. The ambiance is perfect for couples or groups. Overall I will come back and enjoy a glass of wine under the beautiful Carmel Valley sky. read more

If you have not been to Corkscrew, you should, as soon as possible. You can tell in the photos you feel like your in Italy. We have eaten here several times over the years and the food and service are always great. The pizzas are really good. The dough is thin but a little more hearty than a Neapolitan style. We had the wild mushroom and thyme pizza. Can't remember what kind of salad we had but it was insanely flavorful. Our server Eder was a great young man and provided great service. Corkscrew is part of the Geories/Casanova Restaurant group. Advice: Hire a private car & driver, head to the Valley for the day, eat great food and drink great wines. You'll smile, I promise! read more

First time visiting and pleasantly surprised. Had a delicious rib eye steak with a merlot. They also make great pizzas in their traditional oven. Ask to sit in the outside patio. Highly recommended! read more

We're longtime customers of the Corkscrew. We've done takeout from the Corkscrew twice now during shelter-in-place. They offer contactless curbside service (parking lot service) - call, order your food from the to-go menu at corkscrewcafecarmel.com, pay over the phone, then they bring it out to your car. My wife and I love the crispy fish tacos - they travel well, and taste great! An oasis of tastiness during these troubled times. Thank you Corkscrew! read more

Not fond of this place at all. You pay and tip at the front before finding a table. I ordered a salad that listed several ingredients, chicken, tomatoes, corn, etc. Salad came, had two slices of one (1) grape tomato and three (3) kernels of corn. Very little chicken. Simply lettuce. Waiter never returned so I could not ask for more of anything. I tipped 18% in advance for a very poor dish and poor service. Get real. read more

On a special trip to Carmel Valley with friends, we had lunch at The Corkscrew Cafe. We were able to make a reservation, and our table was ready in an adorable area of the outside courtyard when we arrived. We were just far enough away from other diners to make us feel like we were having a party but close enough to enjoy the playful atmosphere. The music was mood-setting and fun. I had a very nice Greek salad with grilled chicken. It was delicious and just enough. The people who worked there made our lunch extra special. I highly recommend this cafe, and I won't hesitate to take friends and family in the future. read more

We have enjoyed meals here in the past a thought it would be a good choice to meet my sister-in-law and her husband on a sunny evening. Service was slow and food was cold when it arrived. Then after the meal we were asked to vacate the table because they had another reservation for that table. Normally service is much better. read more

Sitting in the back takes you to another magical world, all the food is phenomenal here as well as the wine!

This place not only has incredible food and wine, but an incredible atmosphere that is as relaxing and nice as it gets in the valley. Great service, super nice staff, and about as relaxing, flexible, and sociable of a staff as you will find. If you are visiting the peninsula, and are interested in a good meal, and some wine tasting, visit the corkscrew cafe!!! read more

Honestly, just eh. We came here on a gift card from my grandparents and were ready for a good meal. The staff was friendly and knowledgable about a good wine selection, but the food was sub-par. I ordered the steak, which didn't have much flavor, and my husband had the salmon, which he was pretty disappointed in. Even though we didn't have it, the pizzas looked really good and may try them again for a good take out pizza, but I don't think its worth the cost to sit for a medium to upper priced meal. read more

My boyfriend and I visited this cute little cafe for lunch in early February and it was delicious! We ordered the beat salad and fish tacos. Their coffee was also very good. I recommend this place for a quick bite. They have a cute little patio outside on the coffee shop side. If I lived closer to Carmel, I would get my morning coffee here everyday. read more

Five stars for the service...our server was great. Four stars for the pizza which was overall very good. Three stars for the seafood stew and one star as they charge five bucks for sub par bread and we had five orders of bread for our table of 14. The bread thing is a real killer as none of it stood out. Tune tarter was good but not much kick. If I was to return it would be all pizza and water. Pizza is really good..the rest I can pass on. read more