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    Toro

    4.0 (548 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 8:30 PM

    Order Toro Takeout or Delivery

    Toro Photos

    TORO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Toro

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    Reviews With Photos

    Ikura shooter (they were out of Uni:-()
    Anthony M.

    Tasty and fresh sushi! The temaki was just okay (soggy nori and it looked thrown together) but all the other fish and dishes were excellent. The service was good. The wine list was good too. We'll be back for more for sure!

    sake braises beef short rib...
    Kartika H.

    first time here. nice place and service is ok. for foods: * sake braised beef short rib: taste is mediocre for me. the mashed potatoes is great but need to put a bit more of the beef sauce. the steamed broccolini and asparagus are ok * hamachi kama: mediocre, without the sauce on the side, the taste will be plain. suggest to put a bit salt and pepper on top for a bit flavor * wagyu shishito peppers: thought that will get small slice of wagyu inside but it turned out ground beef. expect to get five of them, like written on the menu, instead of just four. suggest to give a bit salt for flavor instead of just togarashi overall, will say it is just ok. i will say this restaurant is more of japanese fusion instead of authentic. overall, a bit pricey but may be because in tourist area. three stars at this moment...

    CHIRASHI
    Diane L.

    The ambiance was nice but the freshness of some of the fish wasn't great. We had the chirashi bowl, tempura, carpaccio, beef and reed roll, and crispy rice the yellow tail was a bit fishier than we were used to, but overall the freshness of the scallops, and other fish wasn't great quite nice. The crispy rice was good, but was drowned in the sweet and sour sauce and it was hard to taste the fish it was topped with. The beef and reef roll was nice, without the wagyu on top. The way the wagyu was cut and charred was just a strange texture and had an overall burnt taste to it. The tempura was very good tho, and I would recommend that.

    Bill
    Krissy R.

    Service was great. Our server Kristen was very friendly and accommodating to our dog. Food quality was missing. The rolls were decent but came in small portions. Geisha- cucumber was refreshing Carmel-too much sauce, didn't get to taste the spicy tuna My partner who loves sushi ordered a poke bowl and that was one of the worst bowls ever she had. The fish wasn't fresh at all, it tasted like it came from a freezer and thawed. The rice was cooked well and the bowl ended up looking mushy. We don't mind paying for high quality sushi but this wasn't it. The price is above average but failed to deliver.

    Mandana B.

    Toro is an absolute gem in Carmel. The moment you walk in, you're met with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a stylish, modern vibe that immediately sets the tone for a great meal. It's intimate without feeling crowded and has that perfect Carmel charm. The food is outstanding--fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Whether you're ordering sushi, small plates, or one of their signature dishes, everything feels thoughtfully prepared and balanced. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients, and the menu offers just the right mix of creativity and comfort. The service is another highlight. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive in all the right ways. They're happy to offer recommendations and make you feel genuinely taken care of throughout your meal. Overall, Toro delivers a memorable dining experience from start to finish. It's the perfect spot for a relaxed dinner, a date night, or a special evening out. Highly recommended if you're in Carmel and want something delicious and elevated without being pretentious.

    Laila K.

    I've been to this spot a few times and it's quite a hit! Great selection of delicious Japanese food and often with a modern twist. The sashimi is my favorite and is extremely tasty. The tempura had a good vegetable variety and I enjoyed the dipping sauce it came with. The crispy rice with salmon was a lot more intricate than I was expecting and took the enjoyment out of it for me unfortunately. The servers are great - knowledgeable, friendly, and so attentive! There's indoor seating or a nice upstairs outdoor patio for larger groups. Will be back next time I'm in the area :)

    NIGIRI SUSHI 8 PC
    Mary N.

    The place was cute and service was good. The food itself was subpar. 8 piece Nigiri combo was bland and some of the fish was dry. Definitely did not taste fresh or high quality. Tasted like grocery store pre made sushi at best. I was quite surprised given that the place had an overall 4 star Yelp rating.

    Outdoor seating pets allowed.  Yay
    Tina N.

    First time visiting here and decided to try it for our 16th wedding anniversary. Carmel was where I wanted to "locally" go (it was about an hour drive). I was craving for sushi and unfortunately against all the good sounding reviews, this place did not fulfill my itch. Appetizer: 1. shishito peppers and calamari (The dipping sauce didn't hit. It was a little muted. Decent but nothing memorable. ) 2. Hampshire Carpaccio (The presentation did not allow for each piece of Hamachi to stand alone and perform. I didn't like the rose petal layout.) Drinks: Shi: this had egg white and blackberry among a few other ingredients. (They had me at egg white. ) It was a pretty drink. Meal: Nigiri Sushi - standard. Nothing exciting. Our server was attentive and sweet. We had a good day in Carmel *my first time visiting*. (I did appreciate they had outside seating and allowed pets. )

    Saki and Sapporo...
    Suzanne S.

    Cute sushi place in the heart of Carmel By The Sea. We stored by since my husband was craving sushi- good choice for us because the sushi was fresh and delicious. I can't remember the names of the sushi that we had- probably had too much sale at that time,lol but overall, good food and service. Not too pretentious or over the top. I would eat here again

    Lily N.

    I came here for lunch with friends, and we decided to sit outside since the server told us it would be an hour wait for indoor seating. That was totally fine with us because the weather was nice. Unfortunately, the service really missed the mark. It took a while for our server to greet us and bring water, and when we finally got it, one of the glasses had a piece of hair in it. We couldn't even let her know right away because she didn't come back to check on us, we had to flag down a different server to get a clean glass. Then, when our food finally came out, one of the dishes, the Sake Braised Short Ribs was missing the mashed potatoes, which it normally comes with. The server casually mentioned there weren't any mashed potatoes after bringing the plate out, instead of giving us a heads-up so we could choose something else. My boyfriend was especially disappointed since he was really looking forward to them. Overall, our server seemed uninterested and like she didn't want to be there at all. The service was honestly pretty bad, and it really affected our experience. I don't think I'll be coming back.

    Avocado roll, tofu skin, veggies hand roll
    Jasmine E.

    Visited Toro in Carmel with a group of friends during our weekend getaway--and even though I'm not typically a seafood fan, this spot totally won me over! I stuck to their non-seafood dishes, and wow--every bite was full of flavor and beautifully presented. Seriously impressive. I couldn't resist trying a tiny piece of their fried salmon roll ( not sure what it had but it had spicy mayo and tempura inside) after hearing all the buzz--one bite, and I was convinced. The salmon was high-grade, fresh, and perfectly cooked. I never thought I'd say this, but I might officially be a sushi lover now! The ambiance was warm and inviting, and the service was friendly and attentive--without being over the top. I left full, happy, and already planning my return visit. Would definitely recommend - whether you're a seafood skeptic like me or a sushi aficionado, you'll leave satisfied. I know I'll be back next time I'm in town! They have teriyaki chicken bowl options too! I def will try next time!!

    Front menu cover
    Michael S.

    Toro was "omg." Uni was "woaaaaah." Every single bite at this gem was "supercalifragil..." well, you get it. In 2 words - Simply AMAZING! Felt as if we were eating at a Michelin recognized restaurant, like a Bib Gourmand! Parking is typically at Carmel downtown - find whatever spot nearby is available and walk from there. This restaurant was surprisingly right next to Carmel's Secret Garden that we couldn't find! How lucky is that?! Hidden gem for sure. Ample seating both inside and outside with heaters to keep you warm (gets cold and windy at Carmel by the Sea, as I'm sure you're aware), excellent service and friendly staff, ambience perfect for all occasions, and savory bites from start to finish! We had the Sashimi Moriawase, Toro nigiri, Uni nigiri, and Hawaiian Pokémon Bowl with salmon (for our 2 girls - well more than enough to split between a 3 and 4 or old). Toro and Uni? Prestige quality and Bib Gourmand worthy! My wife and I split the Sashimi Moriawase - was such a delicacy of top quality fish variety that we were practically in sushi heaven! It comes with 2 bowls of sushi rice and 2 miso soups so don't fret about that. Highly recommended to stop by this gem and will absolutely be a pit stop every time we visit Carmel by the Sea!

    Ladies and gentlemen, introducing $15 Philly roll, featuring hard grains of rice and poorly packed... And a long wait
    Bryan Y.

    Came here for dinner and ordered the $125 moriawase, which was described as featuring "premium fish."(with belly and toro) Unfortunately, the fish quality did not match that description. Most of the selections were fairly standard, and the only item that truly stood out was the beef. We weren't really full afterwards, so we ordered a Philly roll ($15), which is typically a $8-10 item elsewhere. Some of the rice was actually hard, which is something I've never experienced at a sushi restaurant before and is unacceptable at this price point. It's clear you're paying mostly for location and atmosphere. The bayfront setting is nice, and many diners seem willing to eat outside even in drizzle, but if you're looking for sushi quality that matches the pricing, this place is very overpriced and overrated. Might be fine for vibes, but not for serious sushi.

    Beef and Beef specialty roll and Chefs  special

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    Business owner information

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    It's small, but great. I always make time to eat here whenever I'm in the area. Personable service and a great setting.

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    Ask the Community - Toro

    Is this restaurant dog friendly on the outside patio?

    Yes! Brought my pup. They're very dog friendly, brought him water, and have a dog menu. Simple, just rice and chicken, but much appreciated

    Any vegan gluten free options?

    Yes! We are happy to make custom vegan or vegetarian rolls from the sushi bar. Other vegetarian items include: edamame & vegetable gyoza, edamame, house salad, sunomono, seaweed salad, futomaki roll.

    Is this restaurant kid/baby friendly for dinner?

    Absolutely! (:

    View All 4 Questions

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    Looked like cool ambiance initially, but I was under the impression this was more like laid back,…read moreold school, not pretentious and kinda stuffy? We sat at the bar, the hostess was very nice and helpful, but once we took our seats it took forever for the bartenders to say anything to us or even acknowledge us, which I found very rude. Cocktails were good but bartenders seemed annoyed, not solely at us, but just their overall vibe.. it was very strange. I'd expect this type of service in a NYC, popular-scene, swanky bar but this attitude seems out of place. Even asking the bartender about a drink we saw him make, because it looked good and we were about to order, he responded like we were bothering him. It was totally uncalled for. There is nothing wrong with questions or small talk, and a good bartender should know this. We were there Saturday evening around 7pm if you all want to retrain your staff. I wouldn't go again, but fine to try once.

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    Lunch after a beach walk was just what we were looking for. Walk in and find a seat. Music and…read moreambiance brought a nice vibe the whole time we were here. Food is tops. The fish and chips is the ultimate meal. The burger was savory, soft and creamy just he right amount. It perfectly paired with the Talbott pinot noir they recommended. The only comment is make is the amount of French fries that were served with the burger. The plate was a lot larger looking because a sparse amount of fries was served alongside. Maybe add a little more next time just to balance it off. The servers/bartenders knew their stuff. They provided what they could in terms of what was popular and well liked. They said both items we ordered were the most popular. The fish and chips have won best fish and chips 3 years in a row. I would agree with this since I usually am not wowed with this dish. I couldn't resist ordering a dessert. The applied tart with vanilla ice cream was so satisfying. Overall service, food quality and experience was very good. If return over and over again for this same food and experience. If I could give 10 stars I would. Carmel and Brody's is a new destination.

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    Terry's Restaurant + Lounge - Calamari

    Terry's Restaurant + Lounge

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    My husband is a huge Doris Day fan. On the bucket list was to visit the hotel and Terry's…read more We had to stop in for a cocktail. Sat at the bar with our dog. Jacob was our bartender. Husband had the espresso martini. Described as "awesome and very good ". I had the Mai tai. Perhaps the best I have had on the mainland. This one and perhaps one other compared to the Islands. The ambience of the lounge is definitely Doris Day era. Ceilings painted to appear like drapes. Every other song or so was a Doris.

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    Grasing's - Fresh seafood special with paired wine

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    4.0(1.1k reviews)
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    Fine dining
    Locally owned & operated

    Grasings is a very good fine meal option for Carmel with great menu that doesn't remain static. It…read moreshines as a singular Carmel restaurant when the town is moving towards too many restaurants owned by two groups that have turned into tourist food traps serving less than average food. However, the differentiator at Grasings is the bar and that differentiator's name is Kevin. If not for Kevin, we would still frequent from time to time but with Kevin we go in at least once weekly. Kevin and servers like Kevin are solid gold in Carmel and ensure 5 star ratings for atmosphere and service. When you find them you never have a bad experience in fact you are guaranteed a great experience. The menu caters to all, carnivores, seafood, steaks and vegetarians - love the veggie burger! Great place to meet locals and tourists, especially if Kevin is working. We admit that when we walk to Grasings and find that Kevin isn't working, we find another venue. That isn't a knock on Grasings but rather a nod to Kevin.

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    Toro - sushi - Updated June 2026

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