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Our second visit, and it did not disappoint! The views, staff, atmosphere, and food were all 10/10. Everything we ordered was phenomenal. We chose to sit inside because it was an especially warm day and the patio isn't covered, but we still had an amazing view.
I absolutely adore this little spot and make it a point to come whenever I'm in the area. Last time I came I sat at the bar and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the evening crowd over my martinis. Best time to come is right before sunset
Like the majority of visitors, we took a pit stop at The Bench mid 17-Mile Drive (bonus: they deduct the entry fee off your bill!) We were given the option of a communal fire pit or a private table and opted for the latter - the wait was around 30 minutes, which I think was well worth it for own space. We just perused the visitor center while we waited and then headed over once we got the text. They have varying options for lunch and dinner. For lunch, we were told the Korean brisket sandwich is "by far the best", second to the fried chicken sandwich. While the Korean brisket sandwich was surprisingly flavorful, it seemed to just be a really flavorful sandwich rather than "Korean" inspired. It contained marinated brisket, shredded carrot, cilantro, and bell pepper in a baguette which was somewhat reminiscent of a banh mi; and it came with a side of "Togarashi" fries, a Japanese spice that sneaks up on you the more you eat. The service was a bit underwhelming as we were left without napkins/silverware until we managed to flag down our waiter mid-meal (which we found ourselves having to do a second time to get the bill), but the view was nice and the food was solid.
My cousin recommended this place for brunch during our 17-mile drive, and she was right--it was the perfect stop! The views alone are worth the visit. The scenery is beautiful, and we enjoyed taking it all in while having brunch. Service was friendly, attentive, and the staff was very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was delicious! We ordered: Humboldt Fog & Beet - Fresh, light, and refreshing. Cauliflower Shawarma Sandwich - Packed with veggies with a nice tangy flavor and great texture. The only miss for me was the Bloody Mary--it just wasn't quite what I was hoping for. Overall, this place is definitely worth the stop. Bonus: the entrance fee can be applied toward your meal, which makes it even better!
Recommended by a friend and worth it. Love the view facing ocean n golf course in outdoor setting with fire. I ordered Margheritta flatbread, falafel platter and carrot cake with gelato. Everything tasted awesome love the vibe. Server was prompt and courteseous as well
Beautiful view of the beach with great food - definitely a nice place for lunch (or even romantic spot for dinner to see the sunset!) From the wine to balloon bread appetizer, mushroom fries and entrees, and even dessert, everything was delightful. Restaurant was a bit difficult to find since there are other neighboring restaurants inside, but that was no issue. Server was attentive and we were frequently checked in on. I would definitely come again.
With the entry fee only $12.25, why did it take me over 20 years to go on the 17 mile drive again. November is perfectly pleasant as it is quiet, the weather is mild (was high 60s in early November) and there is a good chance of sunny days, even if it is the beginning of rainy season. If you do want your entry fee reimbursed, just spend $35 at a Pebble Beach Resort restaurant like this lunch of Lasagna Rotolo and Korean Style Brisket Sandwich at the Bench inside the Lodge at Pebble Beach. It is a popular spot even during slow season that the wait time for outdoor seating was an hour even mid-afternoon. We ended up eating at the bar which still had a beautiful view, just from a distance.
The Bench restaurant is located inside of the Lodge at Pebble Beach. There is three parts of the restaurant you can eat in, near the bar, canopy room, or outside. We were in the canopy room, a very well lit open space with natural light and a cool breeze. The service was excellent, no issues and we didn't expect to run into any to be honest. The food was also very good with the mussels and shrimp shining. The Korean brisket was also excellent, and just the right amount of salt in the daily soup. This place is a winner all the way around.
We had the best time at The Bench! We sat at the bar while waiting for an outdoor table - about 45 minutes on a Thursday, early evening. Service at the bar and tableside was great. Outside, they offered blankets had we had a fire at our table. We all enjoyed Lemon Drops and the Roasted Shrimp appetizer. My Beet Salad and steak were delicious, and they were so nice to comp our desserts, as 3 of the 4 of us were celebrating birthdays.
I kept trying to find a reason to just give our evening 4 stars... but I couldn't. Everything was great! We were early for our reservation and we spent some time at the bar. Our server was fun, knowledgeable and attentive. Drinks and reorders came quickly. A seamless transfer to our table, overlooking the 18th green at Pebble Beach. Our server spent time greeting us and reviewing the menu. I ordered the Schnitzel snd he even took a moment to explain how it was presented, in case I was expecting something more traditional, which I understood and appreciated. Food came promptly and we all enjoyed our meals. An upscale restaurant with great views, food and a knowledgeable staff. I couldn't have asked for a better evening!
What a venue!! If you haven't done the 17 Mile Drive yet, make sure to stop by here and plan for a couple hours to walk the grounds, browse the shops, take in the golf course overlooking the water, and end it with a meal at The Bench. Pro tip: spend $35+ at any Pebble Beach restaurant and they'll deduct the 17 Mile Drive entrance fee from your bill. We came to celebrate my birthday and reserved an outdoor fire pit table, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. Just be warned -- we were told we had a private table reserved outside and ended up at a communal fire pit instead, which was a bit of a letdown. Our waitress was sweet and apologetic about it, which helped. The other thing nobody warns you about -- if it's a sunny day, that outdoor seating is in direct sun with zero umbrellas. We were all getting burned at 78 degrees by the end of the meal! I actually had to escape inside to the bar to enjoy my complimentary birthday dessert, which was a lovely gesture from the staff. With the unexpected warm weather, I wish we came for a dinner instead. Despite the hiccups, the overall experience is amaaazing and one we'll absolutely return for. The best: - Bread Balloon: A must-order. A GIANT Middle Eastern-style inflated bread heavily covered with za'atar (one of my favorite spices) served with hummus and tahini was incredible. Only note for the kitchen... ease up on the olive oil as it made the bottom soggy. - Carrot Cake -- One of the best desserts I've had in a while. Four generous bites of nut-heavy carrot cake with a big scoop of rich, perfectly sweet cream cheese frosting, topped with candied walnuts and served with salted caramel ice cream. Absolutely crazy good. Do not skip this. The good: - Brussels Sprouts: We love crispy brussels and these weren't that -- more boiled and sautéed. The sauce and pork belly were delicious but the texture was a slight miss for me. - Pepperoni Flatbread -- My fiancée loved it, I thought it was just okay. The bottom was quite soggy from the excess oil. But I was impressed with how charred the bottom was. - Chopped Salad with Steak: A light, delicate, oil-based dressing, and the steak was perfectly medium rare and literally melted in your mouth. Maybe one of the best bites of steak I've had.... Now I need to come back just to try more of their steak dishes. I do wish the dressing was more flavorful because I really just tasted oil. Skip: - Espresso Martini -- Didn't love this one. Way too boozy -- the alcohol bite was overwhelming and made it really hard to drink. Skip.
this was my first time here and i loved it! we sat 4 people inside and were sat immediately, outside had an hour long wait so we passed, but it looked gorgeous and id definitely want outside seating in the future. we shared a lot of drinks but my favorite was the lemon drop! we also got a ton of food, i loved the beet salad for something light and refreshing. the duck fat potatoes were okay i wish they were crispy & the balloon bread in my head was cool but not worth the price point. i really enjoyed my brisket sandwich! it had good flavor and was soft and tender. the fries were crispy but soft which i really enjoyed. the service was okay, our waiter didn't check on us much and he either came back because he kept forgetting our order or bringing us the wrong items. for the price point i do wish he was a little more attentive but in all i still enjoyed my time
We were sat at the communal table in the back like a peasant bc we didnt have a reservation but i think we could have easily waited for a table while sitting in the back. We just didn't know. Even while sitting in the back with barely any view, it felt very calm, luxurious, and enjoyable for some reason. Maybe just the environment being so close to the ocean on a golf course. The food was pretty good. The chickpea soup, shishito peppers i saw also cooked in the big wood fire oven they have (had alot of coarse salt on top), the shrimp was probably the most tasty. I liked my mocktail. The bolognese was solid. It was tastier reheated the next day for some reason. I liked the brownie ice cream dessert. Next time we will def wait for a table outside or inside as the views are spectacular and the ambiance was calming/rejuvenating.
We had a wonderful lunch at The Bench. Overlooking the 18th hole at Pebble Beach our table was front and center. Cool day, no wind, and a fire pit table. Truly we were expecting it to be about the view, but the food was right up there competing. Korean style brisket sandwich with fabulous fries, and the Butter Chicken Flatbread. Parmesan, and cotija cheese, cashew nuts, mint, cilantro and Thai chilis! Sounds dangerous but it was great. Spicy in a good way. Don't think this is another tourist trap but think of it as good food in an incredible setting. Plus...its prices are not out of line for the area! read more
6 years ago
The location is our favorite in California. We love fine dine and I have not experienced better service in California than here. Thanks to Bryan who was extremely friendly and connected with you because of Bryan we actually returned to the bench to celebrate my partners birthday and we were so glad to be served by him again. We always remember our experience and share it with our family and friends and always recommend this place which is a top on our list. We are vegetarian and absolutely love their vegetarian options on the menu, it's safe to say we've tried everything on there and loved it all. The Mexican corn is mother watering and we crave it all the time! Green Machine Flatbread Pizza read more
3 years ago
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5 years ago
Spicy Pepperoni Flatbread, the spicy oil can be a little spicy but overall the flatbread is flavorful with a woodfired crust taste. Roasted Shrimp with lemon was so good too. Love the location and service. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
I have heard so much about this place Bench located inside of 17mile drive. Seems like restaurant is located inside the golf club house. Very fancy and high class dining. I love the ambiance and kind of make in feel VIP.. I really didn't like the food since it was too salty for me. All the meals were salty but I guess this is standard for them. However, I highly credit their customer service. I have mentioned my food was too salty but server was willing to remake the food. But since I didn't wanted to wait, I asked for bread or rice instead. This restaurant doesn't serve rice but I was surprise to see the rice my server brought. I don't know how he did it but I was impressed with the service. I would give 5 stars to my server. read more
6 years ago
This place never disappoints! the quality of the food is excellent and the view is phenomenal and the prices are really good for being a five-star resort in pebble beach. Everyone that works there is welcoming and goes beyond for every little detail and all of the guests. My best friend and I had an amazing lunch there and the waiter Nick went above and beyond to be so nice to us and so helpful it is rare that you were going to find people in the service industry they go so far above and beyond to please their guests. Every single time I have come here I have been amazed at the high quality of the food, the ambience irregardless of covid they have made it so nice and the way that the staff treats people is incredible. This is one of my favorite places to be! read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
Our absolute favorite restaurant to visit when we are in the Monterey/Pebble Beach area! The pasta is off the hook! My boyfriend loves the burgers and the MAC & CHEESE WITH BACON IS THE BEST EVER!!!! the kids pizza is enough for the family and delicious! All of the tables are perfect, with a view of the golf course, & the fire pits are so fun to sit with the family! Full bar with great alcohol selection and wonderful drinks ;) all of the servers have the best personalities! Such a fun place! read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
Truly, the bench is a boon to idlers. Whoever first came up with the idea is a genius: free public resting places where you can take time out from the bustle and brouhaha of the city, and simply sit and watch and reflect -- Tom Hodgkinson Time passes in moments ... moments which, rushing past define the path of a life just as surely as they lead towards its end. How rarely do we stop to examine that path, to see the reasons why all things happen, to consider whether the path we take in life is our own making or simply one into which we drift with eyes closed? --Dana Scully Sidney Writes a Monterey Restaurant Review Part II My beautiful, talented, funny and flipping genius Yelp friend Nicole D (you know she suggested I do both Stan's Donuts and Honey Berry Chocolate Butter Roti Buns on my upcoming birthday. That's flipping genius!) wrote the definitive review of The Bench so I'm not going to even try. Now, in an amazing coincidence, I had the exact same food that ND had. Kinda spooky, I think Mulder and Scully need to investigate. Duck fat Fries: Best rendition I have ever had of this increasingly common appetizer. Read Nicole's review for a more professional description. Charred broccolini: Lovely citrus flavors. Again, Nicole nails it perfectly. Read her review. Margerhita Pizza: A solid version, not great, but one that I would be happy to eat again. Yep, Nicole's prose is far superior. Croque Madam: I'm not a Croque expert although I do know one or two French citizens. But Nicole was not impressed per her review so there. Brownie Dessert: Why are you still reading my review? Click over to you know who's take. Wine list was thoughtful but be prepared for resort pricing. Full bar can be creative with drinks and will mix to your preferences. View is absolutely stunning and I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed the food. Highly recommended!!! P.S. If not staying at the resorts, but eating at restaurant, they will reimburse you for 17 Mile Drive fee. That way after lunch you can stroll the grounds or drive around Pebble Beach admiring all of the beautiful views. read more
6 years ago
Reservations are a most. Recommend to make one for the very first one of the day so you can sit in the best tables and not the ones in the grass. Staff is hit or miss. Hostess was nice waiter was ehh. Can definitely see the difference of treatment between white and any other races. Soup of the day in this particular day was tomato and it was outstanding, order the BLT salad and it was quite delicious the bacon had to much fat so it was a passed. Views are amazing overall worth trying and than deciding if worth returning, I wouldn't just because of treatment differences but that's just me. read more
5 years ago
Obviously you can't beat the atmosphere... The views are simply unmatched. We had the brussels sprouts and they were fantastic; just the perfect amount of spice too. The margarita flatbread was good but not great. Nice crust but the cheese was average and there was barely any basil included. We finished with the arugula salad (added chicken) and it was wonderful. Service was great; no complaints. We will be back. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
The berkshire pork tastes great. The meat is juicy, cooked nicely, and has a great aroma. I think the red cabbage is good, but I think it is overpowering. The red cabbage overwhelms the main character of the dish, which is the pork. The pork supposed to shine out, but instead, the taste is heavily influenced by the red cabbage. read more
6 years ago
Its hard to rate perfection. The food, the cocktails, the location, the service, ambiance....nothing to add. Everyone should have an experience here at least once in their lifetime. I've been blessed with several and today's was just as expected...perfection! read more
There's a few dining options to chose from at the lodge at pebble beach. We chose this one as it was the most "casual" but still with the amazing view of the coast and 18th hole. Love the decor of the restaurant and the brick oven in the center. We chose to sit outdoors to admire the view. It's a must. We came for lunch and was not disappointed. We had the burrata salad, duck fat potatoes and the margherita pizza. All were delicious. Would def come here again if we do the 17 mile drive. Also note that $10 is subtracted from your tab for the toll entrance fee at the beginning of the 17 mile drive. read more
5 years ago
Good food and views but mixed staff. Loved the outdoor dining and the bread balloon. Our server was pretty rude and careless, and he took his time. read more
5 years ago
We had our 2nd wedding anniversary dinner at The Bench a few days ago and it was perfect! From the welcoming host who gave us the best table to the delicious dessert they spoiled us with for our special occasion we couldn't ask for anything better!! The Caraccioli bubbles, PB Manhattan & Passion Paloma were yummy! The Fire Roasted Beets, Blistered Shishito Peppers, Bread Balloon, Sweet Gem Lettuce salad & Oak Grilled Ora King Salmon all were delicious too!! The best part of our dinner however wasn't the view, drinks or food... it was our spectacular service from Brian. Despite a busy night at the restaurant he made us feel like we were the only ones there and simply couldn't have made us feel more welcome, celebrated or appreciated. We can't wait to go back to The Bench soon! Good thing we're lucky enough to live here. :) read more
6 years ago
6 years ago
My husband made reservations here for my birthday. We had a late lunch 1:45. We showed up 10-15 minutes early but they weren't ready. No problem; we walked around the 18th course. We were seated on the patio in the comfy chairs at a fire pit, not a table, but it was cozy. Great view! The staff were really good about cleaning tables & high touch points. They also have lots of social distancing signs on property, even. In the bathroom they've taken precautions. We ordered cocktails: lavender lemon drop & southern hospitality. We got the duck fat potatoes appetizer. For lunch I got the burger in a gluten free bun and added bacon. It was prepared perfectly! My husband got the fried chicken sandwich. I really wanted to get the s'mores skillet dessert but it's not gluten free Great service & really yummy food! I'd like to come back for a gluten free flatbread! read more
6 years ago
5 years ago
Love this place and the food. Balloon bread, flat bread and the roasted strawberry dessert should not be missed! read more
6 years ago
7 years ago
If you are in the area this is a great choice. Well no need to mention That Outstanding VIEW!! The atmosphere is so charming. A bit smaller then the other restaurant option. However you have the full experience of Pebble Beach The food did not disappoint. We had the brussles sprouts and one of the flatbreads. I would order them both again read more
3 years ago
8 years ago
My husband and I came here for lunch and it was gorgeous. You have a great view outside of the golf course and coast and the food was also great. We split the chopped salad and margarita pizza. The salad was good, but I didn't love the chicken that we ordered on top. The pizza was great. It was made in a brick oven so it had that thin crust and the sauce and cheese were very tasty. I would definitely recommend. read more
5 years ago
Great view and service . Enough variety to please a family of 6. Good selection of local brews . read more
3 years ago
Everything about the bench is very beautiful. You sit on the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Gold course with the option to sit inside or outside with a fire pit. Very cool spot to take friends or a significant other! Food is AMAZING read more
6 years ago
Came here for the views and light fare. Actually had a great time here overall but the review is for the hosts Madison & Jordan who were unfriendly and rude. Service is such a big part of the experience at Pebble beach - I'm surprised the restaurant employed these two ladies at the front desk. Everything else was amazing (our food, our actual server, and amenities) thus 2 stars off, 1 for each unpleasant front desk host we had to deal with. If you read other reviews (see Lauren's from recently) you see the experience is common. The hosts were just so rude, put a dent in our experience otherwise. read more
6 years ago
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Ask the Community - The Bench
Do I need to make reservation or do they allow walk in?
They allow walk ins but this place can get busy so it's better to make a reservation ahead of time or call in on your way to make sure there's available tables.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, dogs are allowed in all outdoor areas in Pebble Beach. The Bench has wonderful outdoor seating.
How's the wait / openness for walkins? Since there's a gate fee, didn't want to try if they'll turn walkins away. Thanks!
Whenever we have done a walk-in at The Bench, they usually seat us right away. You can also call Reservations to put your name down just in case.
Do they take reservations for lunch?
Yes they take reservations for lunch but outdoor tables are not reservable
What about wearing regular blue jeans for dinner?
It is super casual so that should be fine! Our dog even came and she wasn't wearing any pants :)
Can you wear white jeans to dinner?
Yes. It's very casual. Rattan furniture. Not Club 19 anymore.... too bad. But nice atmosphere for a casual meal. Not fancy.
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The Bench - newamerican - Updated October 2026
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