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    La Bicyclette

    4.1 (2.7k reviews)
    Open • 8:30 am - 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM - 9:00 pm

    La Bicyclette Photos

    LA BICYCLETTE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - La Bicyclette

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    Basque wood fired pizza
    Jennifer L.

    Haiku: La Bicyclette Cozy atmosphere Classic and fresh comfort meals Attentive service. --- Hands down, my favorite meal of my Monterey trip. I've come a couple of times, and I couldn't wait to bring my family to enjoy this popular family-run neighborhood establishment. They do simple, comforting dishes well. The star piece is their wood-fired oven baking delicious artisanal breads and pizzas. Some dish highlights: - Pains assortis: Assorted wood-fired bread with local butter. - Pan-seared fresh catch - Spaghetti con vongole. Clam pasta - Classic Pepperoni wood-fired pizza I love the vibes and the European bistro feel of petite wooden tables, hanging copper pots, and bicycle decor. This place is cozy and intimate. As popular as this place gets, I did feel cramped at my table. It was hard to get out of my seat without backing into the chairs behind me and shimmying past the tight neighboring tables to use the ladies' room. Service was attentive, friendly, and efficient. I highly recommend making reservations to avoid long wait times.

    Summer truffle pizza
    Mike K.

    7/27/26 Wow what a lovely French Bistro located in the beautiful town of Carmel. We did not have a reservation as we were just walking around enjoying the shops when we came upon La Bicyclette I looked up the revues and could tell immediately why there was a line to get in. When we finally did we were seated at a comfortable table in this charming restaurant. The vibe was busy and the patrons were all enjoying their food, always a good sign. We had just had lunch a few hours prior in San Juan Batista so we decided to just share a pizza. This was not any pizza it was the summer truffle pizza and at $35 it was worth every penny. Loved this restaurant and the artisan style pizza.

    Champignon
    Carson M.

    Really great food that reminded me of Italy. Made a reservation for two a month or so in advance. They do leave room for walk-ins so you can try getting there before they open. Inside is pretty cozy, and you are fairly close to other people but it wasn't that bad. Service was attentive and they gave a large bottle of still water so you can refill your waters as needed. We opted for the mushroom cap as an appetizer, and got the mushroom truffle pizza as main with the 10 piece gnocchi (you can get 5 pieces as well). The mushrooms were great. Imagine escargots with a garlicky and salty rosemary oil sauce, except with mushrooms. It also came with small pieces of bread that had sesame seeds on it, which went amazing with the oil and buttery goodness. Gnocchi had a good texture to it - definitely softer than I thought it'd be. The sauce was creamy, salty, and cheesy. Again there were three pieces of plainer bread that you can use to get all of the sauce in the pan. The truffle pizza was really good as well. Very obvious truffle flavor mixed with the slightly crispy and umami-ness of the mushrooms. What made the pizza even better was drizzling a bit of the gnocchi cream/sauce along with what I think is their house hot oil that they provided. Finishing off with the panna cotta was perfect after heavier mains. It was light but had a good sweetness. The blueberry was a sort of flattened jelly, which is cool instead of being chunks of blueberry. I was already thinking of returning the next day to try some of their other main dishes as they looked good!

    Menu June 2026
    Emily W.

    Made reservations for a Sunday brunch for my party of 4 a few days in advance. Ambiance was great and really had the European vibe. We shared the pains assortis, charcuterie board, gnocchis parisiens, and champignons pizza. The assorted bread felt like pretty standard bread but the butter was good. Charcuterie was good, had a good balance of cheese flavors and meats. I liked the seasonal jam and the cheese topped with honey. Gnocchis parisiens was delicious as it was doused in a creamy thick parmesan sauce. Champignons pizza was fantastic. The mushrooms on top were meaty, juicy, and flavorful. The truffle taste was also apparent and yummy. Overall solid meal.

    Veggie risotto
    Susan S.

    One of the most charming restaurants in Carmel by the sea. Michelin awarded. A delicious French bistro. Terrific mushroom appetizer. Gorgeous wine menu. Terrific service-attention to detail. The best steak, linguini and all entrees are delicious. Bon Appetite!

    Gnocchi
    Bryce S.

    Located on the corner of 7th & Dolores, is La Bicyclette. They asked if we had reservations we didn't but they allowed us to walk in as long as we were out by 12:30. The service is kind of slow. The restaurant is old French/Italian. It was very warm inside the restaurant. The pizza was very blasé. The Gnocchi was probably my best dish I ate at a restaurant in months! Super pillowy and cooked perfectly. The gnocchi just melt in your mouth! The sauce was super rich and so delicious. You could literally drink it. Love that it came with a little bread to dip. I just wish there was even more gnocchi! The mousse was very good, too! Extremely rich, perfectly whipped, chocolate heaven. My Latte seemed weak and watery. *The Gnocchi saved the review from being a 3 star*

    Fish
    Clayton M.

    Very nice spot for a date dinner out in Carmel. We walked right up and were seated right away on a Sunday evening in May. Good spot if you're staying in downtown Carmel. Server was friendly and gave us good recommendations. We ended up splitting the fish, and a pizza with honey drizzle on it. Sooooo good. Both were fantastic. Cool vibe inside. Feels like you're in Europe. Glad we came! Would come again.

    Suzie C.

    Freshly made pizza im Carmel by the sea. They offer great wine and beer choices. They also have a reasonable sized menu items. They allow walk-ins, but they are very busy so you might have to wait. The hostess will ask for your number, then text you when your table is ready. Its in a very nice neighborhood, so you can walk around and explore. Thats way, your wait time would go quicker. Ordered 4 kinds of pizza and enjoyed them all. The truffle pizza was my favorite, but all were seasoned and baked to perfection. Appetizers, pizzas, duck, beer, dessert and espresso, ALL were great!

    Stone fruit salad
    Kimberly C.

    La Bicyclette is a Michelin Guide spot that's definitely worth checking out while in Carmel by the Sea. Street parking was surprisingly easy with plenty of two-hour parking throughout town. We visited on a weekday and were able to get a table without a reservation, though the wait was about an hour. We started with the stone fruit salad, classic pepperoni pizza, and spaghetti con vongole. The salad was incredibly refreshing. The peaches paired perfectly with the peppery arugula, creating a unique combination that tasted vibrant and fresh. The pepperoni pizza was easily the highlight of the meal. It was one of the best-looking pizzas I've had, with a light, thin crust that stayed soft and airy. It was satisfying without leaving you feeling overly full or weighed down. The spaghetti con vongole was packed with clams, and the sauce leaned creamier than the traditional white wine version. It was a different take, but one I actually enjoyed. The only downside was that a few of the clams had bits of sand, which interrupted an otherwise great dish. Service was a bit inconsistent. I wasn't offered a beverage until I had already finished my salad and finally had to ask. The tables are also very small, so things can feel cramped once all the dishes arrive. Overall, the food easily lives up to the Michelin Guide recognition, especially the pizza. With a few improvements to service and a little more attention to detail with the clams, this would have been an easy five-star experience.

    Hailey V.

    My partner and I recently celebrated our anniversary at La Bicyclette, and it was such a wonderful experience. This was my second visit, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. Everything we ordered was delicious. The standout for me was the BBQ oysters--they were absolutely incredible and a must-order. I also loved the gnocchi. It was flavorful, perfectly cooked, and one of my favorite dishes of the meal. The only thing I was curious about was the portion size of the gnocchi. Ours came with only five pieces, but after looking through other guests' photos, I noticed some servings appeared to have 7-10 pieces. I'm not sure if the portions vary by preparation or if the photos were from a different time, but I was curious about the inconsistency. That aside, the food, atmosphere, and service made for a memorable anniversary lunch. I'd happily come back again and would definitely recommend La Bicyclette to anyone visiting Carmel.

    Gnocchi
    Megan D.

    The restaurant was adorable and the menu was simple. Our server was super kind and attentive and gave us many recommendations for what to try. We started with the gnocchi and mushrooms and I would definitely recommend the gnocchi it was delicious and something new. We did family style and tried the pork, lobster pasta, scallop risotto special and the sausage pizza. Everything was so so delicious and no misses. The pizza was thin and crispy and pasta was al dente and flavorful.

    Inside
    Dianna W.

    One of our favorite French restaurants in Carmel . It is nicely decorated and great service . I love it that we got tiny dainty room that fit two small takes for 2 and 3 guests . Class silverware , ceramic plates with matching napkins . They are famous for the wood fired pizzas and mushroom caps with hazelnut/ garlic butter . Will keep you posted for more food items .

    Champignons Provençale
    Amber S.

    A Meal That Felt More Like a Deadline Food was, at best, average. I ordered the Champignons Provençale to start, followed by the Cannelloni Florentine for lunch. The appetizer was overwhelmed with butter--to the point that it masked the mushrooms and herbs that should have been the focus of the dish. The Cannelloni Florentine arrived lukewarm and surprisingly bland. For a restaurant with a Michelin distinction, I expected much more attention to execution, temperature, and flavor. The service was the most disappointing part of the experience. As a solo diner, I was seated immediately next to the kitchen, where staff repeatedly dropped buckets of silverware behind me, creating loud, jarring crashes throughout the meal with seemingly no awareness of how disruptive it was to guests. Throughout the lunch, no one checked on the food or asked how my experience was. Instead, staff seemed focused on clearing plates and repeatedly offered to box my food before I had finished eating. I ordered an appetizer, an entrée, and two separate glasses of wine, yet I still felt rushed from start to finish. I was in and out in less than an hour--not because I wanted to be, but because it felt like the priority was turning the table over as quickly as possible. The only time the service noticeably improved was when it was time to pay the bill. Overall, the experience felt rushed, inattentive, and inconsistent with the standards I'd expect from a Michelin-recognized restaurant. Between the mediocre food, lack of hospitality, disruptive seating, and feeling hurried through the meal, this was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in Carmel. There are many restaurants in the area where your time and money would be better spent.

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    La Bicyclette Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - La Bicyclette

    Do they use French flour when making their croissants?

    Can I order food for pickup?

    Probably not. I suggest calling them.

    Is it dog friendly? As of 2025

    Nope. No outdoor seating. Realistically, the only way they could be dog friendly is if Fido is allowed to sit at the table with you.

    Do they have a children's menu?

    No, I don't think so.

    Do you need to make reservations?

    Highly recommend it, especially for dinner

    Do you accept parties of 1?

    Yes

    Does La Bicyclette still have outdoor seating?

    Nope!

    Is this business dog friendly?

    Yes, they allow dogs on their outdoor parklet

    How to make reservations at this restaurant?

    +1 (831) 622-9899 call and make a reservation. No problem 😁

    Do they have heat lamps for the outdoor seating?

    They did while we were there in February and a tent.

    Is this restaurant open now?

    Yes

    Are you open for dine in currently?

    No.

    Do they do walk in or do we need to make reservations?

    Must must must make reservations, unless you gamble and show up at 4:45 to get a choice of their worst smallest table and/or they tell you the one and only other table they put a time limit on.

    Do they have vegan gluten free options and if they do, what are they?

    Possibly the soup of the day- it varies. They have one salad option that can be customized to be vegan and gluten free.… 

    Do they have creme brulle?

    Their dessert menu changes. They didn't have it when I was there last time. Call and ask.

    View All 25 Questions

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    L'Escargot

    4.4(297 reviews)
    0.3 mi
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    Elegant but cozy bistro off the main strip at Carmel…read more Just a couple blocks north of Ocean Ave hides a cute little bistro tucked away between some houses. Somewhat unassuming from the outside, you might be forgiven for thinking its interior was also rather low key. But upon stepping in, you are hugged with a relaxed but definite vibe that screams French bistro in a cottage. The service was warm, friendly, but forgiveably slow, seemingly apart of its charm. Ah, but the food is worth the wait! What did we get? 1. Potato leek soup. Deliciously done, you can taste the potato a bit while savoring the leeks. Solid starter. 2. Onion soup gratinee. Arguably one of the best French onion soups we've had (we had some in France even), the broth is full of flavor and not at all overpowering. The onions are deliciously sweet and the cheese crusty and salty as desired, with the added gratin being a nice addition. Definitely recommend. 3. Mushroom escargots. If you love garlic butter-cooked snails per the French staple, finding them in mushrooms is definitely next level. The mushrooms are a perfect pair with the snails and buttery goodness, offering a complimentary soft chew. Total recommend. 4. Scallop Risotto. Scallops were perfectly cooked, tender, and not too tough or dry with excellently done carmelization on the grilled crust. Risotto was soft but not mushy and had some nice texture as a result with great savory flavor. The green sauce added a nice sweet touch. Absolute recommend. 5. Rack of lamb. Total recommend, and my favorite of the evening. Lamb was perfect: no gaminess with beautiful savory flavor, well cooked and tender with a nice crust added. 6. Apple tart. Served warm with vanilla ice cream. I'm a sucker for apple anything or pie, so this hit the spot, ending the meal on a high sweet note. Apple was just the right sweet and tart, and the paired ice cream was an excellent march. Recommended. Will we go again? You bet. But don't take my word for it. Give this hidden gem a try when you're in town next.

    This place is such a charming little gem in Carmel. The food is absolutely delicious! Their…read moreescargot is my favorite dish: rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, and very "Carmel." The service has always been kind, attentive, and welcoming, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. I've visited twice already, and both times I preferred sitting outside. The outdoor seating feels lively and relaxing, especially in the evening. Inside is cute too, but for me personally it felt just a little stuffy compared to the patio atmosphere. The only small disappointment was yesterday, during my birthday dinner. I mentioned that I was celebrating my birthday, and I honestly expected at least a small complimentary dessert or gesture, especially considering the level of the restaurant. It didn't ruin the evening at all, I still give this place a five stars review, but it would have made the experience feel even more special. Overall though, this is still one of my favorite spots in Carmel for French food, atmosphere, and a cozy dinner experience. I'll absolutely be back again, mostly for that incredible escargot and crème brûlée.

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    L'Escargot - Vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate cake

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    PortaBella

    PortaBella

    4.3(1.6k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$$

    Stopped by Portabella in Carmel on a whim for lunch and it ended up being such a good choice!…read more Instead of the usual bread and butter, they brought out bread with their house-made pesto, which was light, fresh, and not too strong. I had to stop myself from filling up on that alone lol. We ordered the grilled salmon and oven-braised short rib. The salmon was a huge piece, perfectly crisp on the outside without being overcooked, and not fishy at all. It came with garlicky mashed potatoes and was honestly one of the best salmon dishes I've had. The short rib was also delicious--super fork-tender with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies. Everything was flavorful, and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. Definitely a great lunch find! It's also right by the water, so there are plenty of places to stroll around afterward and walk off the meal haha. Enjoy!

    After checking into our hotel and taking a nice walk along the beach, we stumbled upon this cute…read morelittle restaurant nearby. Portabella is tucked into a quaint little downtown area surrounded by local restaurants and shops, and it was definitely bustling when we arrived. Good thing we made reservations! Street parking was the only option, so we drove around for a bit before finally finding a spot about a block away. Once we arrived, we were greeted at the door with big smiles and immediately shown to our table. We were given the choice of sitting inside or outside, and we opted for the outdoor patio. The fresh sea breeze was perfect, especially since it was a little warm inside. We started with the corn and crab bisque, portobello mushroom cream soup, and grilled prawns. The fresh sourdough bread with pesto butter was SO good--warm, soft, and perfect for dipping. The corn and crab bisque was flavorful and comforting, but the real star for me was the portobello mushroom cream soup. It was warm, velvety, rich, and packed with that deep, savory umami flavor. Definitely a must-try! Dinner arrived not too long after, and my wild mushroom risotto came out smelling absolutely divine. The risotto was creamy and comforting, with tender mushrooms throughout and a delicious savory, nutty truffle flavor that really brought everything together. It was rich without being overly heavy, and the earthy mushroom and truffle flavors made every bite so satisfying. My husband ordered the pan-seared scallops with pea risotto and asparagus, and his dish looked just as delicious. The scallops were beautifully seared with a golden-brown crust, while the creamy pea risotto added a fresh, slightly sweet flavor. The asparagus rounded everything out with a nice crisp, earthy bite. He really enjoyed his dinner too! Of course, we had to finish the night with dessert. We ordered the bread pudding topped with French vanilla ice cream, and it was the perfect ending. Warm, nutty, comforting, and only lightly sweetened, with the cold, creamy ice cream melting over the top. Just the right amount of sweetness after dinner. As the restaurant filled up, the service became a little slower, but everyone remained friendly, welcoming, and attentive. I also loved the cozy atmosphere--the cute cottage-like exterior and the small, intimate feel made it feel like one of those charming neighborhood spots you're happy to discover while traveling. Definitely recommend! I would highly suggest making reservations ahead of time because this little spot gets busy. It's also pet-friendly, with outdoor seating available on both the front and back patios. A cute, cozy find near the beach with delicious soups, memorable risottos, beautifully prepared scallops, and a lovely laid-back atmosphere.

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    Anton & Michel Restaurant - Crab Cakes

    Anton & Michel Restaurant

    4.1(736 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    Came here the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend and had such a great lunch experience. We didn't…read morehave a reservation, but were able to get seated immediately. We sat outside in the courtyard and the ambiance was absolutely perfect with the water fountains, greenery, and live music! Aside from the amazing ambiance, the service was also great. Very friendly and attentive! The weather changed a bit while we were out there, with umbrellas being offered to move when we arrived, and heaters offered to be added as we dined. To eat I got the Sand dabs and my mom the Crab cake. We both liked our meals and would order them again! I did have my eye on a few other things on the menu though, so I would probably try something else next time for a little variety.

    A few highs a couple lows. My husband and I came here for a…read morebirthday dinner and told the host when we checked in. We were seated outside in a lovely courtyard next to a fountain pool. The ambiance was so nice minus the extremely loud family sitting next to us but that's not the restaurants fault... We ordered the crab cake as an appetizer and it was phenomenal! I would come here again just for the crab cake. I ordered the filet mignon and broccolini with a Demi glaze sauce- both of which were delicious and well cooked. My husband ordered rack of lamb with chimichurri, Mac and cheese and potatoes au gratin all of which were VERY tasty. The only things that wasn't good were the fries we ordered as a side. They were described as garlic Parmesan fries but there was no garlic or Parmesan on them at all. Actually completely unseasoned and tasted like any old beer battered fries you could get at a bar. We also saw a woman who got a dessert and birthday song- we did not. They didn't notice until after we left and the host ran up the street after us and apologized for forgetting our birthdays and gave us a mini bottle of wine which was a nice gesture. Overall a good experience

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    Dametra Cafe

    4.5(4.8k reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    I love the vibe of this place! I have gone over the weekends and they have someone that plays a…read moreguitar and drums and people start dancing! It's awesome! So festive. Food is great - they have the flaming cheese, which is exquisite. People are so welcoming when you come to this place - they have 2 other restaurants on Ocean Ave and all 3 of them have incredible food.

    Live music on Saturday night! It's pretty loud for those that might be sound sensitive, and also…read morevery interactive. They really encourage you to get up and dance! For starters, our party of eight shared the fried calamari, dolmas, baba ghanoush, and fried cheese. The fried cheese is fired up table side and is quite a sight to see! It's also very tasty. Loved the extreme smoky flavor on the baba ghanoush too. My fiancé and I split the grilled roasted vegetable salad. We were surprised the spinach was lightly sautéed to a wilt, but actually really enjoyed it. We also ordered the special of the day the veal chops: 3 chops cooked medium rare as requested with au gratin potatoes and a big helping of veggies. I wasn't a fan of the sauce that came with the lamb. I did like the potatoes and the carrots and string beans were fresh and cooked perfectly al dente. The rest of the table got some variation of skewers or salad and the consensus was all the skewers (chicken and beef) were dry. My SIL did say the salmon on the Caesar salad was cooked very well though. The entree portions are very healthy! We didn't have room for dessert, but our server made sure we got a little sampler baklava which was a perfectly sweet way to end the meal. Pricy, but what you'd expect in Carmel. Reservations highly recommended! Tons of parties on the waitlist hanging out outside for a table. Street parking only.

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    Little Napoli

    Little Napoli

    4.0(2.3k reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    This place was delicious! When you walk into the restaurant you just seat yourself and someone will…read morecome and help you. We ordered the crab ravioli and diavola pizza, it was plenty of food for the two of us, we were so full after. The crab ravioli were huge, filled with crab meat and the sauce had a hint of sweetness to it. It got quite filling as we were eating it so pizza to pair with it was perfect. The diavola pizza was also delicious, the crust was perfectly crunchy and bouncy. It had a slight spicy kick to it to balance out the savory. The spicy salami on it was very good too.

    Celebrating my niece's going away to UCLA!…read more I was able to reserve the private library room for our party of 8 with no extra charge. It was nice to have the room all to ourselves. Their apps are the strongpoint at Little Napoli: my niece loved the truffled gnocchi. The garlic bread, calamari and meatballs were good too. I got the lamb osso bucco and my fiancé got the cioppino and added on the spaghetti. The portions here are very healthy. I could barely touch my osso bucco, but thought it was ok. The mashed potatoes were fluffy and creamy. The osso bucco was actually way better leftover two days later when it all melded together. The others thought their entrees were alright too, I didn't try them even though they offered. :) You'll be stuffed, but get the dessert anyways! We got a creme brûlée which was creamy and nicely caramelized, but the big winner here was the Carmel bakery brownie. So rich and decadent! Service was friendly and quick. Street parking only. I'd come back for apps and dessert.

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    4.4(190 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$$$

    Walking in was already a very pleasant experience. The decor was beautiful, the atmosphere was…read moreinviting, and I was immediately excited to try everything. Monique got us seated, gave us a couple of options, and we were very happy with where we ended up. We started with the skewered abalone and beef tartare, which wasn't even part of the regular menu. It was a wonderful initial surprise and absolutely delicious. For the first course, we had the Heirloom Tomato and Vermilion Crudo. The Heirloom Tomato was probably my favorite dish of the night right away. It really highlighted the tomato while complementing it with fish and squid on the side. It was an incredible dish. Next came the Crab Tagliolini and Sweet Corn Tortellini. Both were amazing, with incredible textures and bold, well-developed flavors. Everything about this course was very impressive. For the next course, we had the Squab and Wagyu Steak. The Wagyu was absolutely amazing, but the Squab was truly phenomenal. The preparation really made it stand out, it was incredibly flavorful, had an amazing texture, and was cooked perfectly. Definitely one of the highlights of the entire dinner. We decided to add the raw cheeses as an in-between course before dessert. It was a nice addition, although compared with the other courses, it was probably the least memorable for me. Dessert was the perfect way to finish the evening. The Stone Fruit and Mille-Feuille were both excellent and brought the entire experience together beautifully. A huge shout-out to Chui, Nate, Paige, and Molly for presenting each dish so beautifully and taking the time to explain the details behind everything. Special thanks as well to Executive Chef Johnny Black for putting together such an amazing set of dishes and pairing them so thoughtfully with the wines. Overall, this was an incredible dining experience, creative, beautifully executed, professional, and memorable from beginning to end. Every course felt carefully thought out, and the service made the entire evening even more special.

    We came to Chez Noir having heard from seemingly everyone that it was a must when visiting Carmel,…read moreand it 100% lived up to its reputation. The service, ambience, and especially the flavors were absolutely superb. There is an incredible level of thought and care behind every detail of the experience. Even something as simple as laying a beautifully folded blanket across a hard bench so guests could sit more comfortably spoke to the level of hospitality here--nothing felt overlooked. Every course was brilliant, delivering layers of flavor and nuance while still feeling beautifully balanced. There was a confidence and precision to the cooking that made each dish memorable, and the warmth of the service made an exceptional meal feel equally inviting. Chez Noir manages to be incredibly refined without losing its sense of intimacy and genuine hospitality. Thank you to the entire team for one of the most exceptional dining experiences we've had. Chez Noir absolutely deserves its reputation and will be a must-return whenever we're back in Carmel.

    Photos
    Chez Noir - Ambiance + view of the kitchen

    Ambiance + view of the kitchen

    Chez Noir - Delicata Squash Frito Misto

    Delicata Squash Frito Misto

    Chez Noir - Indoor

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    Indoor

    Lugano Swiss Bistro

    Lugano Swiss Bistro

    4.3(464 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    •$$

    Amazing food. Each dish was perfection and a good amount to share amongst a family of 4. Uniquely…read moredecorated interior with ample seating, no wait time on a Saturday early evening. We were given a complimentary basket of bread and butter to start off with, simple as it sounds, it was still really good. We ordered the Swiss onion soup which was so good that my kids were slurping the remaining soup even, best onion soup I've had (better than other French onion soups I've had before). We also got the schnitzel and fish and chips, both of which tasted great. Finished the meal with creme brûlée which definitely did not disappoint. Not sure if this place would be considered kid friendly, there were no kid utensils given. Maybe it was also because there were no other kids at the quiet restaurant but it felt awkward with our loud kids in there. Despite this, would love to come back for the food.

    Carmel Fondue Institution is a Must Eat…read more Visiting Carmel and want something a bit off the beaten path of the typical tourist? Lugano has been serving fondue for 30 years, and they should be on your list of restos to try while visiting the area. Decked out in Swiss chalet kitsch from floor to ceiling in marvelous wood with everything from bells to beer steins and mechanical clocks, the atmosphere is as warm and inviting as the service and the food. So what did we try? We went for the fondue sampler, and the jaegerschnitzel and pork bratwurst: 1. Fondue Sampler. Overall okay value. But we could skip the broth course. a. Salad. Ranch dressing. Nothing special but a good start! b. Swiss Original. Mixed with 3 cheeses, this has the required gruyer but also emmentaler, making this a delicious trio of slightly salty creamy flavors with a mild and savory bitter finish. Must get. Comes with bread and fruits. Best part of this. Unlike other places, they don't add oil, which makes this super delicious. c. Broth. Chicken and beef. Sadly, not our favorite. It's kind of like hot pot, but the broth is lackluster. And the meats are not good choices because: the beef is too thickly cut; and the chicken gets hard when boiled so not recommended for this. d. Chocolate. Only one choice with no additions possible. Very good chocolate though. 2. Jaegerschnitzel. Dark mushroom sauce with plenty of flavor. Schnitzel was properly breaded and juicy. Buttery spaetzel with nice al dentez Recommend. 3. Bratwurst. Pork was delicious: plump and juicy, full of tasty flavor. Excellent with the sauerkraut and well made mustard. Definite recommend. I thought the German potato hash too salty by itself but perfect paired with sauerkraut or pickled onions. Overall, a delightful experience. We will come again and focus on the cheese and chocolate next time. And the bratwurst!

    Photos
    Lugano Swiss Bistro - So adorable!

    So adorable!

    Lugano Swiss Bistro - Tomato Ticino fondue

    Tomato Ticino fondue

    Lugano Swiss Bistro

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    La Bicyclette - french - Updated September 2026

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