This review honestly pains me to write, because I've been here many times and usually love this place -- especially the Los Angeles location, which has always been amazing. I came in this past Saturday for lunch and had one of the strangest service experiences I've ever had here. There was only one waiter working, and he looked completely overwhelmed. While I understand things get busy, we had to flag him down multiple times just to get our drinks. Meanwhile, the table behind us (a party of six) seemed to get all the attention and was quickly helped with anything they needed. The real issue, though, was the food. I ordered my steak medium rare and received it well done. No problem -- I understand mistakes happen. But when the replacement came out, it looked exactly the same. Still well done. The waiter apologized, but it took a long time for the plate to be cleared, and again, most of his attention went to the larger table behind us. What made this more frustrating was seeing how quickly the larger party was taken care of when something wasn't to their liking. It felt like we were being completely overlooked. I've never had an experience like this here before, so I'm hoping this was just an off day. But it was definitely disappointing -- especially given how much I've enjoyed dining here in the past. read more

3/5 due to service. The food and ambiance are great. We ordered the bread starter and butter. When asked for the homemade jam on the side we were told it only comes with the charcuterie board. Sorry to inconvenience you. Following our check, we were asked to leave the table for the next reservation. Bad manners. Rude not because you need the table, because you could have prepared your guests for the amount of time available to them before settling on this establishment. read more

La Bicyclette - French Near Me - Carmel, California

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Third visit to La Bicyclette and it was not up to par. The service was pretty slow and the pizza's we got were just ok, nothing special. The salad I ordered was very good though. My real problem was with the $45. corkage fee. Why I understand the concept of a corkage fee and will gladly pay a reasonable one I think $45. is very steep. At the very least the server should have alerted me to that cost because their menu stated a $30. charge. Pretty disappointed. read more

I decided to treat myself to a nice dinner at La Bicyclette, based on a friend's recommendation. I was able to be seated immediately without a reservation. The host and waiter were welcoming. The restaurant is cozy and definitely has its own personality. I tried the gnocchis, the swordfish and the apple tarte. My personal favorite was the gnocchis, their Parmesan cream sauce was so good I could have licked the pot clean (I didn't because I was public g). Thank you for nice birthday dinner read more

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The questionable ratings here have no leg to stand on because every single item we had here was INCREDIBLE. My friend and I made reservations at La Bicyclette literally 3-4 months in advance because we KNEW we had to go on our Labor Day weekend trip. FYI you do have to call for resys but we were able to snag one thankfully. It was completely booked up otherwise so fair warning! We are a group of gluttons so we opted to get every app minus the cauliflower, 3 pizzas, 1 spaghetti, and 1 lamb. Oh and can't forget the 3 desserts :P The salads were fresh, delicious, perfectly seasoned; and the standout dishes were the mushrooms in garlic small plate and the gnocchi which just melted in your mouth. Pizza wise, the mushroom pizza once again won with its truffle and caramelized onion sauce. This place knows how to treat mushrooms 5sure. The other two pizzas, margherita and salumi, were stellar as well. My husband essentially downed the lamb in one go and my friend's husband adored the pasta. All in all, there wasn't a single bite that we disliked and the drinks kept up with the food without issue. Dessert wise we had a tiramisu, the crockpot of mousse for 2, and the apple tart with ice cream. All of them were insane and our friend felt like this was one of the best tiramisus he had ever had. Prices are so fair for the caliber and quality of the food and I would recommend this place to everyone and their families. Service incredibly kind and the interior is so darn cozy and cute. Loved the details like the hanging pans and interesting lights. This should be on your must try list in Carmel for sure. read more

My favorite restaurant in Carmel. It's small but the food is so good. We went for dinner one night and back for lunch the next day. read more

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My go to spot in Carmel is and has always been La Bicyclette for many reasons. Let's start with the food, all local sourced amazing ingredients to make authentic European flavors. Second the location and ambiance are utterly amazing, down in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The service is exactly what you would expect from a place of this caliber. 10/10 amazing spot. read more

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Let me start out with we were sat near the pizza oven and boy was that terrible - I have never been so hot in my entire life sitting in this restaurant. Just awful. Particularly since we were celebrating our wedding anniversary ugh! Thankfully we had wonderful service. Food wise, we got the chicken and the fish. I don't really recommend the chicken - it wasn't that good. But the fish was phenomenal. read more

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Very cute place and also very popular. Our service was top-notch and we had a great lunch. We started with the soup of the day which was an asparagus-carrot purée, very good! The gnocchi which also pleasing! The escargot was decent but not the star. The oven pizza was gangbusters so much flavor and grease love it! read more

La Bicyclette - Asparagus carrot purée - French Near Me - Carmel, California

Shocked by the service!! Although our waitress was very pleasant and professional the hostess was unbelievable!! She just asked me to vacate my table, immediately after we payed because "the next reservation was waiting" What!? I was waiting for my husband to bring the car around , it took him under 5 minutes , it was 6:45 pm and cold and damp outside. Rude!!! After spending 125 dollars and then rushed ... not acceptable! First time for everything. read more

Had an amazing experience here! The soup of the day -- mushroom -- was unbelievable. Super rich, flavorful, and easily one of the best soups I've had in a long time. The margarita pizza was fresh with the perfect crisp, and the pesto lasagna was something I've never tried before -- unique, super flavorful, and absolutely delicious. I also appreciated how the wine specialist took the time to explain the wines in detail. I ended up getting a cider from France, and it tasted amazing -- super smooth and refreshing, a perfect pairing with the meal. Great food, great wine recommendations, and great service. Highly recommend La Bicyclette! read more

La Bicyclette - Pesto Lasagna - French Near Me - Carmel, California

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Possibly the best gnocchi I've ever had. Ten pieces doesn't sound like a lot for the full order, but each piece was quite large for gnocchi, and delicious. The parmesan sauce and sourdough went very well with the dish. Perhaps not as popular of an order as their pizza but I haven't been able to find gnocchi where I'm from and this was a wonderful surprise. The seating is charming, I didn't have a reservation so I sat on the side with the pizza oven which is nice and airy, but the other side of the restaurant is definitely very cute and uniquely designed. Didn't have to wait long even though it was a full house, this was a treat. read more

La Bicyclette - Gnocchi - French Near Me - Carmel, California

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Perfect spot for a date night!! Interior was snug but it is very gorgeous. The food was DELICIOUS. Definitely need to get the gnocchi. Service was great, highly recommend making a reservation! read more

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I am torn on La Bicyclette - The food is great, the inside of the restaurant is creative and if you can get in, once you get in the staff is friendly. The only reason I was able to eat here was persistence and checking in over and over again. The staff out front is a bit snobby and getting in if it's a busy weekend is not fun. The way the waitlist staff acts, the restaurant probably doesn't need your business. Now on to when you actually get it: There is unique seating, my wife and I sat in a mini hut/house inside of the restaurant which was awesome!! It provided an intimate experience and when you get into the restaurant the staff is kind and friendly. I am Italian and I don't normally love to Eat Italian out because grandma normally does it better. The restaurant has a Sommelier and we opted to pair our food with a bottle of Syrah wine. The wine was delicious and reasonably affordable. We had wood fired mushrooms, pasta and a pizza. Everything was great and I would return here. I would book far in advance if possible so I didn't have to deal with the staff out front again. read more

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Pros: Ambience, Food, Service, Prices are reasonable. Breathe the same air as Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce (Go Eagles!), Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadad, lol. This quaint French-style bistro is a great place to have a light Sunday brunch. Everything was pretty great. Fancy wine selection, if that's your thing. Also, forgot to take pic of our Affogato, it's a must-get. We might order one as an appetizer next time, and another for dessert. Reservations recommended. read more

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La Bicyclette feels like the kind of spot you plan a trip around. Make sure to call ahead for reservations. The cozy-chic ambiance, tucked right in the heart of Carmel, makes it perfect for a date night or just treating yourself. We started with the gnocchi, and it was pillowy soft, rich, and beautifully balanced. Definitely one of those dishes you don't want to share. The mushroom pizza was earthy and decadent with that perfect crisp yet chewy crust that shows they take their dough seriously. For the main event, the steak was cooked perfectly, juicy and flavorful, paired with a delicious peppercorn sauce. Service was warm and attentive without being overbearing, and the wine list fit the Carmel vibe--elevated but approachable. Prices are definitely on the higher side, but the quality and experience made it worth it. If you're in Carmel and want a meal that feels like a treat, Bicyclette should be at the top of your list. read more

I love how high quality this place is for the price. It's expensive but very worth the price. My favorite dish was the fish with potato cake. I had never had anything like it before and it was life changing. The service was amazing. Our waitress was so helpful with suggestions and I really liked the vibe of the restaurant too. Felt like I was in a small French town. read more

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I visited this restaurant along with my friends during a day trip to Carmel after seeing so many online reviews for this place. We ordered the lamb tagine, gnocchi and mushroom pizza. I liked the pizza a lot. And honestly that was the only thing I liked. The gnocchi texture was off. It was breaking off easily and not holding shape. Lamb tagine was a disappointment too. The couscous was over cooked and the meat wasn't up to the mark and was very less in quantity. I wouldn't come back to visit this restaurant again. read more

This is a cute popular restaurant in Carmel. We particularly loved the pizza, which had unique toppings and flavors. Our favorite was the champignons pizza. read more

La Bicyclette - French Near Me - Carmel, California

Delicious Valentines lunch. This place gets busy so either make a reservation or get there early to be put on the wait list. The restaurant is cute and rustic with 2 dining rooms. Tables are packed closely together, however there is plenty of table space for ordering and sharing multiple dishes. My husband and I shared the soup(cauliflower coconut milk curry), the pains du jour(bread basket), large gnocchi, and squash and speck pizza. FYI speck is bacon! I had never heard of it and assumed it was some sort of herb or vegetable, we had to get ours remade without the meat. The soup was creamy and had a little kick to it. The gnocchi was as good as everyone raves about. The sauce is lick off the pan worthy, it's a thick creamy parmesan sauce. The pizza was average, the crust wasn't fluffy and got soggy from the ingredients. Downsides, we received dirty glasses, both our water glasses and my wine glass had debris floating on top. We let our server know ahead of time we'd be sharing everything, which usually means things would come out split. We received one large bowl of soup which we passed back and forth with each other. The bread basket is honestly sad and not worth $14. Prices are a little too high in my opinion for what you get and the lack of attention to detail. There is also only one single restroom which can gather a little line when it gets busy. read more

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This place is good coming from a foodie! Warning not all places with a plethora of reviews are good in Carmel. BUT this spot is LEGIT. We were here for brunch. The most memorable bite was the mushroom pizza. Topping was so savory with mushroom umami while the crust was just perfect, a bit of toasty crunch with the dreamy chewiness. Sublime! All the other dishes were elegant. The only drawback is that you must call for a reservation. Walk-ins welcomed but waiting a long time is not my thing. // To owner: work out a deal with opentable to manage reservations! It'll be worth it! Your patrons will thank you!! read more

Excellent service and delicious food. We loved the margarita pizza. The one with sausage was ok, we wouldn't get that again. We got the citrus salad and it was perfectly tossed with dressing, not to heavy but not too light. For dessert, we got the beignet with ice cream and poached pear. The candied almonds on top gave the ice cream such a nice texture. My daughter loved the poached pear. The only disappointment was the beignet. I think it would have been a 5 star dessert had the beignet been fresh. We got the affogato and that was delicious as well. Would definitely come back. read more

La Bicyclette - Beignet with ice cream and poached pear- salted caramel on the side thankfully! - French Near Me - Carmel, California

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Came to Carmel for the weekend and had this restaurant on our list of places we wanted to eat. This place is very popular. I'm sure it's only gotten more popular since Taylor and Travis visited last year. We called almost 2 weeks in advance and couldn't get a dinner reservation so we booked for lunch instead. You check in with the hostess in the front and you're led to your table. We were seated next to the windows so we had a great spot for people watching. We ordered the special (I forgot what it was called) and their famous gnocchi. You can get the appetizer size which is about 6 pieces or the entree which is 12 pieces. I ordered the entree and was full by the end of it. It was fresh and cheesy. They make their own bread so it's fresh. We were too full for dessert but I ordered a jasmine tea. It's served with 2 lemon wedges and honey. I honestly think 1 lemon wedge was enough because 2 overpowered the tea The service was good. The restaurant itself is divided into 2 sections and has a kitchen type feel to it. Next time I'll definitely order the margherita pizza. It looked so good and they cook it in a huge pizza oven. We could see them tossing the dough from our table. Will definitely return next time I'm in the area read more

Cozy restaurant, great service, and very tasty food. The pizzas were thin and crisp and had a really nice dough texture. Clean and flavorful ingredients, personally, my favorite was the mushroom pizza. We also tried the gnocchi which was really good. It had such a soft and pillow-y texture without being gummy. It was the perfect vessel for the delicious, creamy sauce it came in. Also enjoyed the cheese and chilli oil toppings with the pizza. Cute restaurant and a nice stop while in the area. read more

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We managed to get a table at La Bicyclette, even though friends and reviews said it can be tricky. Luckily, we were seated in about 20 minutes, and our waitress was warm and helpful with recommendations. We ordered the mushroom pizza, gnocchi, a salad, and the chef's seasonal selection dessert. Everything was good, but the salad & dessert were the true standout: fresh, flavorful, and surprisingly memorable. The cozy atmosphere and charming aesthetic made the experience even better, and the service was excellent from start to finish. I'd definitely return to try more dishes. read more

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Our party of 3 walked up at 11:15 AM on President's Day and got lucky with seating at a table they just needed clear by 12:30. Unless you show up around opening though, I would recommend reservations because it is popular. Ambiance-- Charming, rustic, albeit a little tight on space between tables. They seem to have expanded by combining 2 dining areas/venues at some point. For an establishment of its size, more than 1 restroom would come in clutch because the wait gets long (especially if you're behind a group of 5 kids who need to be individually reminded to wash their hands). Service-- Attentive, friendly, and fast Food-- The beet salad was a great balance of earthiness, bitterness from the radicchio and endives, and a hint of sweetness from the candied hazelnuts. The champignon pizza had a good crust and meaty slices of oyster mushrooms but I wouldn't have minded a stronger presence of the caramelized onion purée flavor. The real showstopper was the gnocchi--so pillowy and served with the most deliciously rich Parmesan cream sauce. We mopped that sauce up with everything--the pieces of bread that came with the gnocchi and our pizza dough. I do wish that the gnocchi bottoms didn't all get stuck on the skillet they're served in though. Value-- 3/5 Prices are quite high for the amount of food you get. The gnocchi, though *chef's kiss* was $32 for 10 tater tot sized pieces (a half order of 5 would be $20). Our 3 year old would happily eat an entire order to himself. Our 2 h'ors d'oeuvres and 1 pizza came out to be ~$100 lunch and we definitely could've ordered more. read more

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Add this restaurant to your Carmel itinerary! The ambiance, food, and service were fantastic. Ive shared this place with many friends and they all loved it :) I recommend booking a reservation as this place is packed for a good reason. We ordered the gnocchi and champignon pizza. Both were amazing and something we'd order again the next time we visit. I was a little weary that the truffle on the pizza would be strong but it was the perfect amount! Gnocchi was pillowy and in a rich cheesey sauce. Im a big gnocchi fan in general and this gnocchi dish is one of my top favorites. read more

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The portion sizes are fine. It's not that small of a place. The prices coincide with a restaurant of this stature (it's Carmel by the way). The food will knock your socks off. I hate beets and loved the beets starter. What more do you want? read more

La Bicyclette - Beets - French Near Me - Carmel, California

We were here for our son's birthday and at the same time a car week event was going on around downtown. It's our first time to eat here and was not disappointed. All the food we ordered were absolutely spectacular. Service was not rushed. I would come back here in a heartbeat. read more

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Food - amazing Service - none better Ambiance - charming Gnocchi- a must try Mushrooms- a must try Pizza - rivals Italy Add a glass of vino to complement the meal. A perfect Thursday afternoon lunch in Carmel read more

La Bicyclette - Half Salumi/Margarita Pizza - French Near Me - Carmel, California

Their Andrew molera pizza was amazing - it had two types of cheese, one goat, pesto, pumpkin seeds, saba which is a deep flavorful syrup that is a variation on balsamic, artichokes and more. Absolutely fantastic quality. For salad, I had the ensalata- it was a flavorful upscale version of Caesar salad. it was delish but I do wish they had more salad options with the ability to add protein. read more

Food - Honestly expected more especially with the michelin award posted by the front door. This place was highly recommended on TikTok and we had high hopes but were met with great disappointment. We ordered the gnocchi, salumi pizza, linguine pasta, and bread for the table. The gnocchi was the only thing that was good, very soft and pillowy. The linguine pasta around $60 tasted like almost nothing with a very subtle after taste of fish. For that you get half a lobster and 2 pieces of shrimp, with a bland/watery sauce to go with the pasta noodles. That item being recommended by our server and it tasting MID was a downer. Dessert - Ordered creme brulee and it was by far the worst I have ever had. I would give the creme brulee a 1/5 because even I can make it better at home. It was incredibly grainy, the sugar crust on top was not hardened, and overall so watery. Such a disappointment. Service/Ambiance - It is very cute inside, comforting, and warm. I loved the decor and the service was good. At times it was hard to reach our server but nothing terrible. Overall disappointing experience, Carmel has so many delicious and beautiful restaurants. You won't be missing out eating somewhere else. read more

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pizza was delicious. very flavorful and crust was thin and crispy which was delicious. the gnocchi was soft like a pillowy texture. it was good but nothing special. it was worth trying once though. service was friendly and quick. it was very crowded and busy in the evening time but luckily we were seated right away. inside is a bit tight but has lots of seating. overall, this was a good experience and would come back again. read more

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I absolutely love this beautiful restaurant. I had been wanting to come here for a while and I finally got a reservation (about a month in advance)! The chicken and steak were both phenomenal. We also had a delicious fall salad to start. The fries and the sauce they come with are insanely good. I will be back to try more! read more

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Another wonderful lunch! We had an appetizer, rouge salad & pepperoni pizza with fresh basil. Everything was wonderful again. read more

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Great cozy space. Great service. Food was savory and well presented. The fish was amazing. Didn't have room in my stomach for pizza but wanted to try it. Lively and comfortable vibe. read more

3:45 pm is when walk-ins start My family stood in a line that formed before and got a seat immediately! ( 5/5 ) Gnocchi Parisians - soft comforting pillows! ( 4/5 ) Mushroom Pizza ( Champignons ) - I personally think it could use a bit more mushrooms and seasoning Cute interior, felt a bit warm at first Overall tasty but not super mind blowing for the price read more

La Bicyclette - Gnocchi Parisians - French Near Me - Carmel, California

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Was excited to finally be able to try La Bicyclette! We had heard the pizza was great, so we split an order of the margherita pizza and a small gnocchi, which was a perfect amount of food to split. The gnocchi was really well cooked, and had a perfect texture. The pizza was similarly delicious, with perfectly marbled mozzarella, and a delicious homemade chili oil. I would have loved if there were more non-alcohol drink options (the only options they had were cans of San Pellegrino). Was it the best meal I've ever had? No, but definitely a solid meal! read more

La Bicyclette - Parisian Gnocchi - French Near Me - Carmel, California

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I wasn't sure what to expect from a place named the bicycle but man this was good! A place with great ambiance and great food! I would definitely come here again! read more

We made reservations for dinner here and were glad we did. They were very busy in a Thursday evening! We were seated promptly at our reservation time, the restaurant has a warm, inviting feel and the service was excellent. We had the gnocchi and mushroom pizza. Both were excellent, very flavorful and cooked perfectly. Food came out pretty quickly, they also have a nice wine list. read more