Just the best breakfast in Big Sur!! People and ambience…read more10/10 Would recommend to everyone,

Antique/thrift store setting was kinda charming, and we enjoyed the risotto and paella special…read more Wine and beer only, with a very limited selection for wines by the glass (the only non-sweet white option was also the most expensive). Service was not great. Even though the restaurant was mostly empty when we arrived, we were seating directly across from the staff prep area instead of in one of the cozy rooms. We also had to ask several times for our check, and then our waiter loudly announced that the card declined. My husband tried to explain that you need to tap it since the magnetic strip is worn down, and the waiter got defensive and claimed that's what he did. We ended up using another card, but a call later to the credit card company confirmed that he only swiped it twice and never tapped. I'd still come back here, but next time will request a table in the room on the far right and will ask for the check when our entrees arrive.

The view is absolutely beautiful in the morning and definitely adds to the experience. We ordered…read morethe breakfast burrito, the Reuben, and the kid's quesadilla. The food is a little pricey, but I thought the breakfast burrito was well worth it. It was a generous portion, tasted delicious, and paired with the incredible view, it made for a great breakfast. My husband also really enjoyed the Reuben. The only thing we probably wouldn't order again is the kid's quesadilla. It's just cheese in a tortilla, and there isn't an option to add any protein. Next time, I'd probably just share my breakfast burrito with my little one instead. Overall, I'd highly recommend checking this spot out if you get the chance. Great food, beautiful scenery, and a perfect place to enjoy a relaxing morning meal.

If you are driving the Big Sur highway (?)m Hwy One along the California coast you will experience…read morewide stretches of just beautiful views of ocean and hills. Not a lot of commercial stuff. One of the most popular and well-known eatery is Nepenthe, always crowded and murderous, skimpy parking. A challenge for sure parking and also getting seated. Come early or late, but at prime time your best bet is to walk down the hill to Cafe Kevah, just below the main bar and restaurant. Excellent ocean-side viewing and a decent menu. If you are traveling along the highway, see if you can call ahead for reservations. Kevah serves, meals, pastries and drinks. Put your figurative seat belt on as the prices are California and touristy. Breakfast, granola at $18.50 up to their eggs benedict at $36.50. Until noon. Order at their central counter. Salads from $20.75 - $28.75, Sandwiches serve with mixed greens from $17.75 - $24.50. Kids can get a PB&J or Quesadilla for $9 each. More limited than the full bar and menu uphill at Nepenthe but easy to get seated/not too long of wait for table, less crowded and OK, but not cheap food. It is worth a stop here. If going further south there is another place called Ragged Point, depending on traffic, may be 2 hours more south. Enjoy.

Love the convenience of this restaurant across Glen oaks where we got complimentary donuts and…read morecoffee/tea for being hotel guests. And the beautiful interior giving cabin vibes plus a warm cozy fireplace. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating and clean restrooms. Loved sitting by the big windows looking at the trees. FYI When dining in you have to grab your own utensils and water and condiments. Their breakfast was delicious. I got the veggie scramble with avocado. And an oat latte. It was strong.

Came in for breakfast. Cute little spot to fall upon as the other place we were going to go to was…read moreclosed. They have a small parking area.They have a small menu and they only serve breakfast until 11:20 and then at 11:30 it is lunch. We got in right before breakfast ended and got the roadhouse breakfast. There is seating inside and seating outside. It is very pretty. They have lodging at the same location as well. It was clean and quaint. The food was good, a little on the small side for the price but it was all good. The staff was very nice but very firm on the end and start times of breakfast and lunch. They are only open until 2:30pm.

Our first visit to Nepenthe in Big Sur was an enjoyable experience overall, primarily because of…read morethe incredible location and atmosphere. This is a very casual restaurant perched along the beautiful Big Sur coastline, with spectacular ocean views and a lively energy created by visitors coming from all over the country. From a food perspective, however, I would describe our experience as good rather than exceptional. My wife and son shared the 12-ounce ribeye steak, which was approximately $77. They requested it medium-plus to medium-well, but unfortunately it initially arrived considerably undercooked, almost blue. To their credit, the staff immediately addressed the issue, and once corrected, the steak tasted good. The quality of the beef was decent, but at $77 for a relatively small 12-ounce steak, my expectations were considerably higher. At that price point, you're approaching what established steakhouses such as Mastro's charge for premium cuts, and I didn't feel the quality or preparation was quite at that level. I ordered the famous Ambrosia Burger. The flavor was fine, but the presentation wasn't personally appealing to me. Essentially, the beef and French-style roll arrived with much of the lettuce, tomato, onion, and other accompaniments presented separately on the plate. When I order a burger at a restaurant, I prefer the kitchen to properly assemble and present it according to my request rather than having to construct it myself at the table. For my burger and its presentation, I would give about three stars. For the ribeye, once properly cooked, approximately four stars. Overall, I would rate Nepenthe around four stars, perhaps a four-minus. The spectacular setting and atmosphere are unquestionably the stars of the experience. The food was decent and the staff responded appropriately when there was an issue, but considering the pricing, I would like to see greater attention to preparation, presentation, and overall value. Certainly worth experiencing at least once while visiting Big Sur, particularly for the views and atmosphere. With a little more attention to detail in the kitchen, the food experience could better match this extraordinary location.

Another great experience at Nepenthe! This time we sat…read moreinside which was still an amazing view of the ocean and tree lines. We enjoyed the carajillo cocktail and clam chowder before our halibut and steak frites meals. This will always be our go-to spot while visiting Carmel/Big Sur.

We accidentally found the place because it's right next door to a great massage place. The food was…read morebomb though. We're started with breakfast and it was a ten out of ten. I ordered an omelette with the mezcal margarita. Then we went back for dinner and it was just as good. I had a salad with beets that changed my life! So fresh. So flavorful. For my meal I ordered the short rib and y'all the food was so good!! Just trust me. It's next door Taboo, from the beach, if you're planning to attend there. Breakfast not photographed

What started as a stop to charge my Tesla turned into one of the best side quests of our trip. We…read moreended up at Sur House because it was the closest restaurant to the Tesla Supercharger, and I'm so glad we did. The views are absolutely breathtaking, the restaurant is spotless, and even the restrooms were immaculate. You can tell they take pride in every detail. The service was exceptional. My son is a very picky eater and pretty much only eats salmon and Wendy's nuggets. Even though salmon wasn't on the menu, the staff went above and beyond to make it happen for him, seasoned simply with salt and pepper and cooked extra well done. He loved every bite. That level of customer service is hard to find. The food was outstanding, the staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, and the general manager was genuinely kind. They were even hosting a private event, yet still found a way to make room for us and made us feel completely welcome instead of rushed. This unexpected side quest ended up being one of the highlights of our drive along the coast. Amazing food, incredible service, unforgettable ocean views, and a team that truly cares about its guests. I would absolutely recommend Sur House to anyone in the area, and I'll definitely be back the next time I'm driving through.

Excellent food, but really the standout was our waitress Sarda. Extremely friendly, attentive and…read moreanticipated what we needed before we could even ask, cannot say enough good things!!

Food was fantastic and service was friendly. Sat outside on a beautiful sunny day. The place was…read morepacked so get ready to wait. The wait was really fast tho. Food was delicious and hot. I ordered the corned beef hash and eggs. They give big portions and the corned beef is fresh and cooked to perfection. I enjoy a little crisp on the beef. My partner ordered the huevos rancheros. He devoured the whole dish and enjoyed every flavor. We love to bring our dog with us on our many adventures and this place is very dog friendly. They have a doggie menu and ordered scrambled eggs. Our dog loved them. They give big portions so we were able to take some home. Great place. I'd come back again

Unfortunately for us, Post Ranch Inn was one of our first stops on an eight-day coastal road trip…read more Unfortunate because they set a standard no other property or restaurant was going to match. I knew that going in. It was still starker than I expected. Start with the property. When that is the view off your deck, why go anywhere else? Stunning doesn't cover it. We hiked much of the grounds and every turn delivered something new. The kind of place that makes you slow down without even trying. Then the restaurant. Everything was perfect -- service, quality, execution. Much of the food sourced on property or from the surrounding community. My wife declared the salad the best she'd ever had. High praise for a salad. High praise, full stop. Special shout out to our server Yasmany and bartender Thomas -- both exceptional. What struck me most was how effortless the entire staff made it look. These are people who deal with guests from around the world, all arriving with high expectations of a high-end experience. And yet nothing felt forced. Nobody appeared to be trying to impress us. It was just perfect service, perfectly delivered. That's the rarest thing in hospitality. Highlight of the trip. Hands down. And I suspect, never to be repeated.

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW BEFORE MAKING A RESERVATION -- IT MAY SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS…read more If you are considering booking an ocean-view room at Post Ranch Inn between May, June, July, or August, I strongly encourage you to do extensive research about Big Sur's seasonal coastal fog before spending your money. Based on our experience, I would never book an ocean-view room during these months again. We paid nearly $10,000 for two nights in one of the resort's premium ocean-view accommodations because the breathtaking ocean views shown throughout their website were the main reason we chose this property. Unfortunately, during our entire stay, the ocean view was completely hidden by dense fog. We never saw the spectacular view that was advertised and pictured online. What disappointed us most was the lack of transparency. The website showcases beautiful, clear ocean views but does not adequately prepare guests for the possibility that the view may be completely obstructed for an entire stay during certain times of the year. If guests are paying thousands of dollars specifically for an ocean-view room, they deserve clear information about the seasonal risk of persistent coastal fog so they can make an informed decision. Throughout our stay, we repeatedly asked staff whether the fog would clear. We were consistently told that it would likely clear within a few hours. Unfortunately, that never happened. The fog remained throughout our stay, and we never got to enjoy the ocean view we paid a premium for. What made this even more frustrating was that, after repeatedly being told by multiple staff members that the fog would clear soon, one employee later told us that they were not supposed to tell guests that the weather was expected to remain the same for several days and that these foggy conditions are common during this time of year. According to that employee, this type of weather often persists throughout much of the summer season. I cannot independently verify that statement, but if that information was accurate, it raises serious concerns about transparency. Guests spending thousands of dollars for an ocean-view room deserve honest information about the likelihood of actually seeing the ocean during their stay. The room itself also had maintenance issues. The bar sink was clogged, and the shower valve/faucet was loose and repeatedly fell while being used. We reported both problems, but neither was repaired during our stay. Staff apologized, but no one came to address the issues. For a property charging close to $5,000 per night, I expected much better communication, transparency, maintenance, and overall value. I fully understand that the weather is beyond the hotel's control. However, what is within their control is how honestly they communicate the risk of seasonal fog to potential guests. Had we known there was a realistic possibility of spending our entire stay looking at a wall of fog instead of the Pacific Ocean, we would have chosen different travel dates, a different room category, or a different destination altogether. The property itself is beautiful, but based on our experience, the value did not come close to justifying the cost. If an ocean view is important to you, think very carefully before booking an ocean-view room during the late spring and summer months.

The fam and i were in monterey for the weekend and stumbled upon the village for a quick pit stop…read moreand who would have known we would have found this gem. I walked along the outside glass and saw that they had tito's vodka and liquor 43 so i decided to look @ the menu and boom there it was, a carajillo. For those who don't know it's pretty much the mother or father of the espresso martini and been around forever in latin american countries and throughout Spain, which consists of Liquor 43 x Espresso, shaken up generously and served over ice. I forget the girls names but they were so welcoming and had a bright smile from helping us and whoever else came in during the time we were there. The barista whipped up one the best carajillo i've had stateside which is rare because you can't really find them around here since most places don't carry liquor 43. A true treat. 10//10 would recommend. Mind you it was 9:40am Cheers.

Solid coffee, lovely stop along the coast but their iced lattes are not what they used to be. They…read moreused to be amazing! Not sure what changed, I gave it three goes before this review because I thought it was a fluke but it seems like that is the new norm. Great service though.

Big Sur River Inn is a lovely spot right along the river that invites you to turn lunch into a long…read moreafternoon lounging on the river. Beautiful scenery , must sit outside and enjoy the views, we sat on the little deck facing the grassy area and loved it. Grassy area was perfect for our after lunch frisbee session!! I had the crab cake sandwich and my wife got a burger, we really enjoyed both. Service was good, manager was very friendly!! We were on a long 10 day camp trip from San Rafael- Santa Barbra so stopping in for lunch was a lovely treat and we will definitely stop in next time we are in the area. We didn't do it but loved seeing folks sitting in the river in the adirondack chairs , doesn't get much more relaxing than enjoying your favorite beverage while you lounge with your feet dangling in the Big Sur river!!

Big Sur Inn is a convenient stop if you're driving the Pacific Coast Highway. Everything you need…read moreis within a short walk of each other: a restaurant, gas station, small convenience store for road trip snacks and drinks, and even an ice cream truck. One of the highlights is the peaceful creek behind the restaurant. It's a great place to stretch your legs, dip your feet in the water, and relax for a few minutes before getting back on the road. The biggest downside is the restroom situation. There's only one men's and one women's bathroom shared by everyone using the restaurant and rest stop, so the wait can get pretty long. Parking is also limited during busy days and peak travel hours. Overall, it's a nice place to take a break, refuel yourself and your vehicle, and enjoy a little bit of the area before continuing your journey.

Solstice: A Funky Snapshot of Big Sur's Soul…read more Big Sur is a special place. It is ready to celebrate you when your soul is singing. It will also sit with you when your soul is grieving. Its beauty lies in its simplicity. Come as you are, and the redwoods and beaches and sky and mountains will embrace you. And when you're hungry, check out Solstice, whose food captures Big Sur's spirit. I have been coming to Big Sur for years now with my wife, and we have come to celebrate life's highs and mourn the lows. We recently went to celebrate a special day, and in our online hunt for dining, my wife found Solstice. It looked like a new place--we hadn't seen the name before--but its straightforward menu looked worth trying, so we made a reservation for dinner Sunday night. If we could have made reservations for our entire trip, we would have. Full confession: I am no foodie, despite growing up in San Francisco and having access to some dynamite restaurants. I'm just a regular dude who likes yummy food. When dishes feature foam or a bunch of words I need to Google, I lose interest. I don't want a dictionary to know what I'm eating. So Solstice's simple menu really spoke to me. "Sweet Water Ranch Pork. Summer squash, mint, fermented honey." Cool. I know all those things. I'll cut straight to the most important part: The food was top-notch. My wife and I elected to go a la carte instead of the set menu. She got the salad and salmon; I got the squid/pork belly and pork loin. We shared the bread. The bread was warm and soft, and the crust featured a delightful crunch. I could have crushed a whole loaf. My wife had it with olive oil, I generously slabbed mine with butter. Excellent. My wife was a big fan of the salad, noting its freshness and how the pistachios in particular stood out nicely. The squid was just the right amount of bounce, and the pork belly had a delightful sweetness and meatiness to it. And as for the main course? Solstice hit it out of the park. My wife said the salmon featured an excellent crispiness to the outside while the meat was similar to lox--that delectable, rich salmon flavor. And the pork? Each bite was exquisite: the meat was the perfect moistness, giving you that melt-in-your-mouth feeling that make you want to dance, while the outside had a crust had a satisfying light crunch to it. I'll put it this way: Solstice's pork loin is my benchmark for what pork loin should be now. A lot of places have really delicious food and the restaurant experience is great--but ultimately, I won't remember it after a few months. I am going to remember that pork and will get it again when we come back. (Also, a big shoutout to our waitress, who asked if we had any food allergies or requests--in doing so, my wife got her salmon without the sauce, which made the experience even better.) As for the ambiance, you enter Solstice and you just feel like you're going to have a good time. The music is fun, the layout is inviting and funky, and they have a lounge where you can just chill with a cocktail. Whether you want to go for a date or a night out with your friends, Solstice will provide the good time. As someone who loves Big Sur, I am happy that a place like Solstice has entered the scene--it is much needed. It captures the funky vibe of the California coast so perfectly. I wish them success and can't wait to visit again. Come as you are, and you will leave Solstice happy.

My girlfriend and I randomly stumbled upon Solstice while celebrating our anniversary & 4th of July…read moreup in Big Sur. We were greeted by the head chef & co-owner who made our experience truly magical. Tim & his team have created such an amazing & fun environment and the food absolutely rocks. It's not what you'd expect when coming to Big Sur, but I couldn't recommend it more because they expertly craft the menu day in and day out.