Stopped by Portabella in Carmel on a whim for lunch and it ended up being such a good choice! 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! read more

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7 of us came by for a meal: steamed mussel $22 prosciutto $19 beef carpaccio $19 caesar $17 jumbo shrimp salad $23 beet salad $18 dog patty $10 braised short rib $38 linguine $39 sandabs $34 bolognese $35 pasta alla carbonara $37 daou paso robles $50 Service was a bit of a miss. Dog friendly outside. I personally ate majority of the bolognese, and unfortunately, the pasta was overcooked. Parking is super tough in the area. read more

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After checking into our hotel and taking a nice walk along the beach, we stumbled upon this cute little 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. read more

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In the heart of Carmel, this spot looks like it was pulled out of a fairytale book. It has a beautiful cottage exterior and the inside has whimsy dimmed lighting really giving it a beautiful romantic vibe. We opted to sit outside to enjoy the weather and it was gorgeous. Our waiter quickly greeted us and made some great suggestions. I was on the chilly side so I started off with Portabella cream of mushroom soup. It was very creamy and yummy. The truffle oil did enhance the mushroom flavor. Hit the spot. We also got the prosciutto di parma con crostini to share and it was great. Simple dish. For entree we got the pappardelle alla bolognese. The flavor was good and had a good amount of meat on the sauce. I did feel it was a little heavy on the amount sauce. As the evening went on, they had live music inside which was nice. Overall a great spot for some delicious food in Carmel read more

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Food was really good! We got the corn crab bisque, beef carpaccio, and lobster ravioli. Coming from someone who has worked in both upscale and casual restaurants- Service was okay, I think the bussers and food runners checked on us more than our own server. Seemed a bit busy to just have one host as well. I'd like to give this place another chance to try some more items on the menu. Ravioli was a great portion size however came out lukewarm, carpaccio could use more truffle flavor since it's advertised to have it, and the soup was very hot and delicious. read more

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I hate giving bad reviews but to hopefully save others from our poor experience here it goes. Let's start with the food, we got soups, beef short ribs, seafood pasta and a couple of croque monsieurs. The soups were good but not extraordinary. The beef short ribs were supposed to have a mushroom gravy but it came out with a sauce that was sweet, kind of like a cranberry sauce. The beef was lacking flavor and there was no bone which we found odd. Kind of like something you get from Costco. The two croque monsieurs we got were just barely ok. They were kind of dry and sauce was a bit off putting. The pasta was the biggest offender. The pasta was hard. It was severely undercooked. How can an Italian restaurant not know how to cook pasta! Suffice it to say we didn't finish our food. Left kind of hungry actually. Usually a the service will help a bit but it was poor at best. We sat our table long enough waiting to be acknowledged that I contemplated about just leaving. The wait seemed surprised that we were ready to order by the time he finally came by to get drinks for us. I swear we waited about 15 minutes before he even came by. One might excuse it if they're busy but they weren't. I saw him standing around joking with the other staff. Totally not ok. Hopefully this review saves some people from wasting their time and money on poor food and bad service. read more

Very cute, homey, and woodsy interior perfect for escaping a cloudy chilly day in Carmel Seafood linguine was pretty tasty and sauce did have seafood flavor infused into the sauce! read more

PortaBella - Linguine Ai Frutti Di Mare - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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We had dinner tonight and everything was just okay. The Caesar salad was below okay - the dressing was bland and a good portion of the lettuce was inedible. Service was good and the restaurant is quaint but it missed the mark for us. read more

PortaBella - Scallops - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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Okay place, nothing memorable. Food was decent but I would eat elsewhere next time. Service was great and ambiance is dated okay. I would put this one sentence : "food wasn't made with love but it was made professionally' read more

PortaBella - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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Hands down, the best Fruits de Mer I've ever had. The pasta was loaded with shrimp, calamari, all tossed in a rich, perfectly creamy sauce (not like Alfredo) that was absolutely delicious. Every bite was so flavorful and satisfying. Service was also on par and exceptionally. The restaurant itself has such a beautiful, old-world Carmel charm -- warm, cozy, and perfect for a leisurely meal. Love the upbeat vibes the music was playing in the background. So romantic too. Andy had his bread pudding, which was clearly the highlight of his meal. A beautiful lunch, amazing food, and one more Carmel memory to keep. read more

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We just got married and went here for our first dinner together to decompress after all the festivities. The host was very happy to seat us and gave us each a free glass of champagne in celebration! We've been here a few times previous anniversaries and once again, this place did not disappoint. Every single food item we ordered was delicious. The service staff was continuously checking on us throughout our meal and the romantic ambiance was amazing per usual. This place is definitely pricey but if you want amazing quality food and a romantic experience, I would come here 10/10 times! read more

PortaBella - Pasta Alla Carbonara - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

Took a day trip to Carmel and popped in to PortaBella on a Sunday for lunch. Touristy spots can be hit or miss so I was a bit worried, but the food here was phenomenal! I had the Linguini Ai Frutti Di Mare and it was perfect. The house-made noodles were the star-- chewy and thick-- plus the lobster cream sauce was decadent. The ambiance was nice and service pretty good as well. I would like to come back to have their pasta again! read more

PortaBella - Linguine Ai Frutti Di Mare - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

Portabella delivers where it matters most: the food. The linguine and seafood risotto were outstanding. Both dishes were rich, thick, and creamy without feeling overly heavy. The seafood tasted fresh, and the seasoning was balanced enough to let the ingredients shine. Those two dishes alone are worth coming back for. The beet salad and the bread dipping sauce, however, were underwhelming. They weren't bad, just forgettable compared to the pastas. Unfortunately, the service was the biggest letdown of the evening. When we first arrived, we asked about seating and were simply told, "Go talk to the host then." After waiting for the host to arrive, we were asked how many were in our party and then pointed toward a table. We waited about 10 minutes before anyone came to take our order. Throughout the meal, no one checked on us, offered water refills, or asked if we needed anything else. When we were ready to leave, we had to ask a busser for the check. After waiting again, we walked to the host stand to pay, only to be told we had to pay our server instead. When I asked who our server was, I genuinely didn't know. Eventually, he appeared from across the restaurant and motioned with his finger for us to come over to him to complete the payment. I've dined at a lot of restaurants, and I've never experienced an ending to a meal quite like that. The kitchen is clearly doing an excellent job. If the front-of-house service matched the quality of the food, this would easily be a five-star experience. I'd absolutely come back for the linguine and risotto. Next time, though, I might just order takeout and enjoy it outside with the seagulls. read more

PortaBella - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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Visited again after 8 months, the food is still good as usual. I visited on saturday 2pm, no wait. I had the popular short ribs, it's really juicy and tender with the red wine merlot. Truffle risotto and corn crab bisque were great as the last visit, this time the complimentary bread really amazed me, it's served warm, crunchy crust and soft fluffy inside, pair with the pesto olive dip, it's really superb, way better than the previous visit. read more

This absolutely adorable restaurant had me at their entrance. Once inside, you feel like you are whisked far away. Somewhere on your South of France/Amalfi Coast Bucket list. All of the staff is professional and the service was impeccable. Although I only stopped in for an appetizer and a glass of wine, I can tell you that the food was delicious. I can tell you this because no less than 13 people in our group were very happy with their experience. Nestor and staff made sure their dining experience was Top Tier. I look forward to returning for dinner in the near future. read more

PortaBella - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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We had a fantastic dinner at PortaBella's. They sat us as soon as we arrived. Highly recommend making a reservation. They sat us in the front room that was quaint and provided a European vibe. Their special menu for Culinary week was Nicely put together and a good value. The beet salad was tasty and colorful. We appreciated them substituting the beet salad with a Caesar salad because my husband doesn't like Roquefort cheese. The pesto crema served with fresh bread was fantastic. We couldn't get enough of it! The rack of lamb was cooked to perfection and the jumbo lobster raviolis were light, cream and silky smooth. The Chocolate Sacher Mousse cake was very decadent. Loved wrapping up our meal with a cup of coffee and complimentary glass of port. read more

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Date of visit: 1/25/2026 This was my second visit to Portabella located at the heart of Carmel by the Sea. This is a Mediterranean and Italian restaurant opened back in 2016. The restaurant is cozy and cute, which is right next to the famous Cottage of Sweets. Aperol Spritz $18 My husband ordered the Aperol Spritz, which was quite refreshing. Chocolate Martini $18 I ordered the chocolate martini, made with Tito's handmade vodka, chocolate liquor, and baileys. The side of the glass was covered in chocolate. Steamed Mussels Au Vin Blanc $22 I got the steamed mussels with garlic confit, shallots, parsley, thyme, and butter served with garlic breads. The mussels were very fresh and juicy. Linguine Ai Frutti Di Mare $39 Husband ordered the linguine with jumbo prawns, mussels, local calamari, tomatoes, lobster cream broth, and basil. read more

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Super dog friendly place with heated outdoor seating in the front along with seating in the back both of which are dog friendly. They're so dog friendly that they even have a designated dog menu. Food was good but the pasta was too Al dente for my taste. I let the waiter know and he immediately replaced it and had them remake the whole dish with a longer cook on the pasta. Prices are a little steep but given the area, the fresh seafood and the service I think it's worth visiting. read more

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Cute ambiance inside. There was love music when we arrived, playing directly to a table. After the one song we heard they didn't return for the rest of the dinner. Staff was very friendly. Corn and crab bisque was delicious as was the cream of mushroom soup. Really hit the spot. The table bread was just okay, although the pesto spread was a unique touch. Our main courses and mocktail were also good. Not amazing but as you'd expect. Good portions. The only major miss was the coffee. For an upscale restaurant I'd expect there to be thought out into all dishes. The coffee however tastes like an after thought. Not much better than standard diner coffee. I'd be shocked if it was made to order. Likely a giant pot of drip coffee that stayed heated far too long. read more

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This spot grants attentive service despite it being very busy. It's a little dark in here, so you may have trouble reading your menu, but it does depend where you are seated. Some tips: Try to get seated inside if it is the evening to be warm! Make reservations like a day early or the morning of when you plan to come here. Food was amazing! I enjoyed my Mai Tai, but my bf and I felt that the Expresso Martini was off-balanced with the alcohol. read more

PortaBella - Pappardelle Alla Bolognese - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

Overall I am happy with my meal, everything was delicious and food came quickly. We didn't have to wait long to be seated and everyone seems courteous. There is a small outdoor seating area at the front of restaurant. The inside was much bigger , but tables were placed a little too close to each other. I really like the seafood pasta, the corn lobster soup is good too but probably the least of my favor amongst all. One thing I noticed this time when dining in the Monterey area is that many restaurant charge 3-4% credit card fee. So what you seeing in menu was actually cash price. I totally did not see the small fine print at the bottom of the menu mention of this. I think they should make this more obvious so customer can be ware of this ahead of time. read more

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Ordered Jumbo shrimpe and they are not jumbo at all. They should change their menu. However the manager agreed that their Shrimps were not Jumbo. The skewers were on this house just unfair to charge customers for false advertisement. Amazing ambience, service was great read more

Amazing food and perfect customer service. Thank you so much for being nice. and serve us a delicious food

This place was highly recommended by a local who works at the local pet boutique across the street. Definitely a cute spot both inside and out. It looks like one of those cute homes you see from the hobbit or Ireland. Dog friendly place and cute small patio to sit. Our server brought us warm bread and basil dip to start. I'm used to just getting bread and butter to start, but the basil dip was creative and delicious. My husband got a burger with mushrooms and I got mushroom soup and mushroom risotto. I'm a big fan of the mushroom soup. The soup had the perfect balance of soup and cream, plus the truffle was a nice touch. The mushroom risotto was delicious, but if I get it next time, I'd make it shareable since it was such a large dish. read more

PortaBella - Bread with pesto sauce - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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Delicious pasta and amazing corn soup! Service was great here and we had a nice dinner in the back part of the restaurant. Both pastas were well made with the seafood pasta being better than the pappardelle, but I'd recommend checking this place out! read more

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Outside seating was amazing, Food was tasty, wine was yummy (folktale rose). Service tho? Not so much. Asked repeatedly for water (four or five times), forgot one meal, no refills on bread or iced tea offered, nor received when asked. Lordy! And apparently, recommended tip amounts are on taxes as well? Never gonna happen. We did leave 15% (pre-tax) because the food was yummy but lordy! read more

Food was good. Beautiful environment, Nice service. Mushroom soup was delicious, bread with pesto also delicious. Carbonara was not a carbonara, it was a parpadelle with Alfredo sauce, mushroom and some greasy meat, unfortunately in my second bite was too heavy and fatty. Shot ribs was delicious! read more

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8.5/10 Dinner was excellent overall. We ordered the Classic Wild Mushroom Risotto, Oven Braised Short Ribs, and for dessert the Apple Tarte Tatin. Starting with the Oven Braised Short Ribs, the meat was cooked perfectly. It was incredibly tender and practically fell apart with each bite. The ribs were seasoned very well and had deep, rich flavor throughout. The vegetables alongside the dish were also cooked perfectly, not too soft and not too firm, and added great color and balance to the plate while being nicely seasoned themselves. My only small critique is that I wish there had been a bit more meat served. The mashed potatoes were surprisingly good as well. I'm usually not the biggest mashed potato fan, but these were extremely smooth, creamy, and flavorful. The Classic Wild Mushroom Risotto was the highlight of the meal and a must-order. It featured a great variety of mushrooms that added depth and earthiness to the dish. The risotto itself was cooked perfectly, creamy with the rice at the ideal texture. The cheese was balanced nicely and didn't overpower the dish. If I had to describe it, it felt similar to a white sauce pasta in terms of comfort and creaminess, but much lighter and more refined. For dessert, we had the Apple Tarte Tatin. It was good, but nothing particularly memorable. The pastry itself was warm, flaky, and baked nicely, but the overall flavor reminded me a bit of a funnel cake style dessert. The highlight of the plate was definitely the ice cream, which was excellent and paired well with the warm pastry. Service was fast and very attentive throughout the meal. The ambiance had a nice upscale feel, clean, polished, and perfect for a nicer dinner outing. read more

PortaBella - Classic Wild Mushroom Risotto and Oven Braised Short Ribs - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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Charming and yummy! FOOD: I had the lobster pasta which was very tasty but very rich. I would get it again but share it with someone as an app vs entree. My husband always gets the boolegnase and loves it. Even the kids wanted to eat is pizza. I must mention the lovely pesto dipping sauce that is amazing!!! SERVICE: Everyone was kind and cheerful. I was a little nervous about bringing kids but they were sweet and accommodating to them. They even had a kids menu! AMBIANCE: This place is top tier Carmel charm. The resurtrant has to be in the cutest cottage in all of downtown Carmel. The first time I ever came I sat outside and could not get over how special it felt. Overall, will I be back? Yes! This is another one on my Carmel must visit list! read more

PortaBella - Jumbo Lobster Ravioli Dinner - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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The number of reviews and ratings might be deceiving, or maybe we just got unlucky with a busy father's day weekend. Either way, it started good with a nice cheese board, but went downhill fast. Service was rushed, didn't ask if we wanted sparkling/bottled water, forgot the straw for a cocktail, nearly forgot to come back to order main course and take the menus out of the way in an already busy table. What threw us off though were the mains, the mushroom risotto for my wife and the scallops for me. The risotto was just bad, and not because I am a picky Italian. I'd suggest the chef to cut drastically on that cream, it makes it heavy and not creamy at all. Use butter and grated parmesan with cooking water instead but keep it very light, you want to taste those mushrooms! While at it, chop the mushrooms in smaller chunks. Go lighter on the truffle oil, which otherwise overpowers the mushrooms flavors. No shaved cheap parmesan on top; instead get some actual parmigiano and grate it at the table if wanted. Finally, cut the portion size, nobody is going to eat half a pound of it; an actual portion size should be like the one that comes with the scallops Ah I forgot, one of the scallops was sandy and you don't need to drawn them in butter; focus on quality rather than quantity. read more

We had such an amazing time at this restaurant last night. We left happy and full! The vibe was just right, kind of romantic but still relaxed. The staff were very friendly and inviting about the fact we had our dog with us. We sat outside on the patio, enjoyed live music throughout the evening, corn and clam chowder with lobster ravioli, mushroom pasta, Ceaser salad, chicken, cheese place, mushroom and peas risotto ordered on the side. Bread with a whipped pesto delicious. And lastly the mussels and clams. Mussels and clams was the only dish I didn't enjoy. The sauce was great but the clams were too big for me. The mashed Potato's with the chicken may have been the best mashed potato's I've ever had. All in all a wonderful dining experience. Also they had a dog menu and we were able to get an organic, grass fed patty for the pup!! read more

PortaBella - Side of risotto and cheese plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

What a find! Carmel has so many options for dinner, but PottaBella was not only able to cater to a large group of people at the last minute, but also had delicious food! Their pesto dip with the bread was so yummy! Everyone in our group loved their meals, including the pappardelle bolognese, pappardelle with veggies and marinara, braised short ribs, salmon, and a local fish. The staff was all wonderful, from the front of the house to the waiting staff. If you're in the mood for good Italian food, stop here! read more

PortaBella - Braided short ribs - Mediterranean Near Me - Carmel, California

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This is one of my favorite restaurants in Carmel. We made a reservation for 7 on Friday. They had a man playing the guitar and singing in the front of the restaurant but we were seated in the back where it was quieter. I thought the restaurant itself was so cute and had a romantic atmosphere with dim lighting. They start you off with a basket of fresh warm bread and some kind of pesto dipping sauce that was delicious. For our entree we got the bolognese and the carbonara. It was served with plenty of meat and sauce. I finished the whole thing. For dessert we shared the crème brûlée. The service was great and our waiter was attentive. I'll come back anytime I'm in the area read more

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We had a great experience at Portabella Restaurant. The Italian food here is absolutely delicious. I ordered the salmon and linguine, and both were cooked perfectly--fresh, flavorful, and very satisfying. The bread served with pesto sauce was a nice touch--simple but really tasty. You can tell they pay attention to quality ingredients. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxing meal in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Service was also very good--friendly and attentive without being overwhelming. Definitely a place worth visiting if you're in the area! read more

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A Long-Overdue Rave for PortaBella! This review is embarrassingly overdue, but my fantastic experience at PortaBella has been on my mind since the moment I left. This place is the definition of quaint and charming, a true gem that feels both cozy and special from the moment you walk in. Our meal was, in a word, spectacular. We started with the mussels appetizer, which were plump, flavorful, and bathed in a delicious broth that we couldn't get enough of. Following that, we had the Caesar salad, and I was thrilled they offer it with real anchovies--it gave the dressing that perfect, classic, savory kick. For the main courses, the seared scallops were cooked to absolute perfection, with a beautiful crust on the outside while remaining tender and sweet inside. We also ordered the mixed seafood entree, which was a delightful tour of the ocean's best. Every single ingredient, from the scallops to the fish and shrimp, tasted incredibly fresh, and the chef has a real talent for melding flavors together in a way that is both exciting and harmonious. I would come back to PortaBella in a heartbeat. It was a truly memorable meal, and I can't recommend it highly enough for anyone looking for fantastic food in a charming setting. read more

This place is so impressive! Cute cottage style with a nice setup. Nice little bar area, they have outdoor seating but inside also feels like you're eating outside. Service is excellent! Not just the server attends to you but the other servers also come check on you. Everyone was polite and professional! The food is absolutely amazing! The King Salmon is huge and cooked perfectly! Presentation and flavors definitely 10/10. The Pasta Alla Carbonara full of flavor made with fresh pappardelle, it was amazing! Portabella Cream of Mushroom Soup was delicious creamy but not thick and heavy. They also give complimentary bread and pesto and that pesto sauce was incredible, you can taste the freshness of the herbs. Had a great experience here left very satisfied and impressed! read more

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This is a cute place with a lot of charm. But it felt very cramped. While they were able to accommodate our party of 3 , the tables are placed really close to each other and you are literally bumping elbows with people at the next table. The food was okay but nothing memorable. The service wasn't the best, even though we were seated in the middle of the chaos we didn't get checked on unless we asked. Worth a visit for the aesthetic but be prepared for a tight space. Also if you are sitting in the back there are only 2 bathrooms and there usually is a queue that forms so be weary if you're in the back, there may be people hovering nearby. read more

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Adorable! Porta Bella was the perfect Carmel lunch spot to eat outdoors in the front courtyard patio with a heat lamp during the typical cold coastal temps. The food was delicious, the portions was huge, and the service was great! We loved sitting off the Main Street for fun people-watching in the cutest town in California. The only slight negative was we sat behind the swinging door, and customers (not the staff) kept walking in and out without care in the world if the door slammed into us. We tried not to let that ruin our experience. Oh, and the free bread and pesto dip was to-die-for! I am still thinking about it! read more

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Excellent food and service. The restaurant staff are great. The store seems small from the outside but it's surprisingly big with seating out front and Sven more seating towards the back. We were greeted with warm bread and Theo house made pesto sauce - very creamy and delicious. We ordered the cheese board, chicken sandwich, and short ribs. Our food was served hot and fresh. Very tasty. I recommend giving this place a try. read more

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Service was incredible from the moment we walked in the door. The restaurant was beautiful, super cozy and cute. The food was delicious, the best thing we had was the risotto!! We loved our experience and the food, will definitely be back! read more