Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    PortaBella

    4.3 (1.5k reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order PortaBella Takeout or Delivery

    PortaBella Photos

    PORTABELLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - PortaBella

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    View
    Meerim M.

    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!

    Michael K.

    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!

    Michelle H.

    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.

    Peter X.

    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.

    Pappardelle Alla Bolognese
    Claudia A.

    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.

    Oven Braised Short Ribs
    Kat Y.

    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.

    Classic Wild Mushroom Risotto and Oven Braised Short Ribs
    Devin M.

    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.

    Braided short ribs
    Alexis H.

    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!

    Bread with pesto sauce
    Faye I.

    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.

    Our perfect table right next to the host stand.
    Tina T.

    My boyfriend and I came here for our anniversary. I just want to say Richard made my entire night! He is the best host ever. They had live music, the musician serenading the room. The food was good, you can tell they used fresh ingredients. We will be back.

    King Salmon
    Sohrob H.

    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.

    Mariana B.

    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!

    Jumbo Lobster Ravioli Dinner
    Nicole J.

    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!

    Fantastic Bread Pudding

    See all

    1 month ago

    Good food and service. The ambiance is very nice and comfortable. Every time I go to Carmel I eat at PortaBella

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    27 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Meerim M.
    4
    102
    283

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 days ago

    Food was priced high and didn't wow with the flavor. Service was nice and ambiance was good, but not worth the amount paid.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Faye I.
    344
    451
    1685

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tina T.
    0
    48
    18

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sal B.
    104
    75
    367

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Perfect view! Who would not love it! Food was fabulous! Highly recommend for food, drinks, and relaxing!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T. S.
    0
    156
    46

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A V.
    0
    39
    10

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 39

    PortaBella Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - PortaBella

    Do they have a kids menu?

    Yes

    Is the restaurant toddler friendly with high chairs?

    Yes! My toddler sat in one of the high chairs. My only suggestion is to bring your own wipes to wipe down the high chair.

    Hi there. I'm wondering if you have a private room for dining? Celebrating my wife's 50th with a party of 8-10 persons. Thanks

    What are the lunch hours?

    Hello there! I hope you are having a good day . So our lunch hours are from 11:30-4:30.

    Are you guys open this weekend?

    Yes dear

    Is it outdoor dining or indoor?

    We do have outdoor and closed patio indoor

    Is this restaurant open now?

    Yes! At least they were last weekend.

    Is this restaurant dog friendly?

    Yes, but there's not a whole lot of space for large dogs. Patio area is small with tables close to each other.

    How do I call you? The phone number posted is not working. Hoping to make a reservation for this Friday

    Hi. Is there a question I can help you with? The food is good here! 😁

    Are you able to post or share the lunch menu as your website isn't working?

    Sorry about. Here is the temporary website Www.m39551.wixsite.com/portabella

    I'm vegan and my husband is vegetarian. Would this restaurant be ideal for our wedding anniversary dinner date?

    I think so- check out their menu, and I'm sure they can accommodate you for a special occasion. They are great people and I'm sure they will make you happy!

    View All 17 Questions

    You might also consider

    Caraccioli Cellars - 2020 Brut Cuvée

    Caraccioli Cellars

    4.5(279 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    5 Stars - A Truly Wonderful Tasting Room and Incredible Community Partners!…read moreWe had the pleasure of visiting Caraccioli Cellars in charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, and it quickly became one of our favorite stops. The tasting room is absolutely wonderful--intimate, cozy, and beautifully designed with a sleek, modern cellar vibe. The striking Perota wood bar, warm ambient lighting, and inviting seating options make you feel right at home while sipping on their elegant sparkling wines and exceptional Pinot Noirs. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate, turning every tasting into a memorable experience. Whether you're a bubbly lover or exploring their still wines, the quality shines through with every pour. It's the perfect sophisticated yet relaxed spot right in the heart of downtown Carmel. What truly stood out to us was how generously Caraccioli Cellars supported our Signature Day Spa during our recent ribbon-cutting celebration for the stunning new location in Carmel Plaza. They went above and beyond to help make the event so special and successful--what an amazing community partner! The turnout was incredible, and their involvement added that extra touch of elegance and warmth. Thank you so much, Caraccioli Cellars team! We can't recommend your tasting room highly enough, and we're so grateful for your kindness and support. We'll be back soon for more of those delicious wines--and maybe a spa day paired with a bottle to take home. Cheers! -- Tonya & the Signature Day Spa Team

    Found this place from Reddit and wanted to check it out since we would be in the area and it's…read moredog-friendly. I made a reservation for a tasting and they were able to accommodate us. Server was friendly and they were generous with pours. I ended up buying a wine membership as the wines were good and not too expensive for what you get. I also like how you have the option to do a pick-up instead of getting a shipment and how you only need to purchase twice a year.

    Photos
    Caraccioli Cellars - Great wine tasting! Rose Brut

    Great wine tasting! Rose Brut

    Caraccioli Cellars - Best bubbles!!

    Best bubbles!!

    Caraccioli Cellars - Pinot

    See all

    Pinot

    Albatross Ridge Tasting Room - Carmel by the Sea - "Sean Connery" Johnathan nick name for this guy! It's a good penny $$ but taste great and smooth!

    Albatross Ridge Tasting Room - Carmel by the Sea

    4.7(389 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    GF loves her beer and wine! While strolling in Carmel we decided to stop in this place. I'm not…read moremuch of a wine drinker still learning. My GF decided to do a tasting and I usually just take a sip off her tasting. My pallet seems to like the more expensive wine. Not by choice I just like smooth alcohol. We must have tried over 10 different wine and Johnathan made it so enjoyable and even gave names to some wine. So 10 tasting later my GF walked out with a membership and 6 bottles of wine. My GF like the one Johnathan called Sean Connery so much! I purchased that for her as late birthday gift. Come all and try this place out and give Johnathan a holler! Nice tasting room knowledge guy and plenty of room.

    Albatross winery One of the 19 wine tasting rooms in…read moredowntown Carmel had a nice vibe. Highlights: - Jonathan was fun and gave us great local recommendations - 3 different tastings to choose from or can get by the glass - Nice white open tasting space with a long bar and comfy stools and a few tables - Mostly Chardonnays and Pinots which are varietals we prefer but also few others as well - Zinfandel: was my fave got a splash of then bought a few bottles of Midlights: - Weren't blown away by any of the wines - Higher price point for what they are Lowlights - Need to get 3 bottles to cover 1 tasting and they comp the cheapest one

    Photos
    Albatross Ridge Tasting Room - Carmel by the Sea - Bar seating

    Bar seating

    Albatross Ridge Tasting Room - Carmel by the Sea - Albatross cubvee beaudry chardonnay

    Albatross cubvee beaudry chardonnay

    Albatross Ridge Tasting Room - Carmel by the Sea - Interior seating

    See all

    Interior seating

    Galante Vineyards Tasting Room - Petite Sirah

    Galante Vineyards Tasting Room

    4.2(171 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Had the best time at Galante Vineyards yesterday. I was visiting with my bestie Maria, who is…read moreactive military, and we were so touched by their generous 50% military discount. It made our afternoon extra special! Our server, Patrick, was the highlight of the tasting. He is incredibly knowledgeable and shared so many interesting details about the different notes and the winemaking process. He mentioned he's aspiring to be a professional sommelier, and his passion really shines through. He was so attentive and warm to everyone there. Highly recommend the wines, but definitely come for the top-tier service!

    This hidden gem is tucked away in one of carmels enchanted secret-like courtyards cul-de-sac. The…read morecharm is definitely on, yet you walk into a rustic western style tasting room. However, winning me over by how cute this place was nestled in between the charming restaurants and stores around it, the wine!! OH my. I'm a huge port/late harvest wine SNOB. They have hands down one of the best ones I have tasted. "It's not quite a port or a late harvest" said the very informative wine specialist we had. I had a red wine flight and was really impressed with the selection. I thought it's all cute-on trend vibe was it, but the wine absolutely shined and I took bottles home! I wish I lived closer. I'd be a member in a heart beat. The guy who poured the flight for me has mentioned you could rent the above suite for your stay in Carmel. We didn't grab details but we are very much interested for our next visit! I highly recommend this tasting room! We didn't get a chance to see the wives place down the street but will have it on the agenda for next time?

    Photos
    Galante Vineyards Tasting Room
    Galante Vineyards Tasting Room - Nice relaxing kid and dog friendly patio

    Nice relaxing kid and dog friendly patio

    Galante Vineyards Tasting Room

    See all

    Talbott Vineyards

    Talbott Vineyards

    4.2(136 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    We were super excited to try vineyards in the Monterey/Carmel area because so many people had told…read moreus it's a hidden gem, especially compared to how much attention Napa gets. We went in with pretty high hopes but ended up feeling underwhelmed by the offerings. A lot of the wines tasted watered down, mild, and somewhat similar to one another. This was true for both the reds and the whites. The charcuterie and cheese pairing was also disappointing, especially when compared to Napa, where tastings often feature thoughtfully curated cheeses and meats paired with each wine. That said, the staff were very kind and informative. They explained each wine carefully and in an engaging way, which definitely helped make the experience enjoyable overall. Ultimately, though, the wines themselves were underwhelming and none of them really WOW'd us. They also felt a bit overpriced per bottle (~75$) especially considering you can easily find excellent wines at Napa vineyards for a better value.

    Revisited the tasting room and was again delighted with the ambiance, the service and the wine…read morequality. That said, I was shocked and disappointed to learn that the tasting room will be closing in March and apparently the Talbot wine production facility on River Road has already been shuttered. All of this is due to the acquisition of the brand by Gallo wines, coupled with a down turn in the wine industry. As a consumer, this really pisses me off. Yet another example of a larger business buying and closing down the competition, thereby taking away another option for the consumer as well as eliminating the experience and enjoyment of a quality wine. I HATE GALLO FOR THIS!!

    Photos
    Talbott Vineyards
    Talbott Vineyards
    Talbott Vineyards

    See all

    Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room

    Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room

    4.6(180 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    The space is nice. Lots of windows allowing natural light. A little more than a handful of tables…read morebut I believer there is also a back room for larger parties. We did not have a reservation and were just wandering around Carmel looking for a place that looked interesting when we wandered into the tasting room. The staff were nice and the wine was solid but it just felt like we were constantly being slightly forgotten. The wine tasting flight took a long time with decent waits with empty glasses. It was crowded at first which we understood but it continued even after it cleared up. Maybe try to sit right at the bar for quicker service. May come back but with the many options in Carmel I would prob try one or two other tasting rooms first.

    Great wine and service but having no bathroom is a real issue…read more We had a great time at Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room. It's a cute, cozy spot with fast, friendly, and informative service. The wines were so good that we ended up purchasing multiple bottles and had them shipped home (and looking forward to having them). However, the big drawback was that there's no bathroom on-site, which is a surprising and inconvenient issue for a place that serves alcohol. Having to hunt down a restroom elsewhere really took away from the otherwise relaxed experience. Still, if you're prepared for that hiccup, it's a lovely spot to enjoy some truly great wine.

    Photos
    Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room
    Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room - Chardonnay

    Chardonnay

    Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room

    See all

    PortaBella - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...