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Tree House Cafe

4.3 (1.4k reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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TREE HOUSE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Romantic
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Tree House Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

Osso Buco
Julie W.

We came by at 11:15 am on Sunday. There were two tables with customers outside and one inside. A few more were seated while we had brunch/lunch. They said everything was good. I asked about the fish and they recommended the grilled sea bass, which was on a bed of mashed potatoes and spinach, with a caper cream lemon sauce. It was the sauce that made it work, with mashed potatoes that were a bit lumpy, and it sat on a handful of wilted spinach. I can't complain but it did remind me the of the frozen sea bass from Costco. The Osso buco was good too, a braised lamb shank, veggies, red wine sauce, mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach. It reminded me of the lamb shank from Costco too. Don't get me wrong. Both were good. My mother always tells me I shouldn't order food that I make myself and now I know why. Tree House Cafe is a cute rustic place, has nice employees, and is a comfortable place for brunch with a satisfying big plate of food.

Erly G.

We came in on a Saturday night in August of 2025 with a reservation. Tree House Cafe has been on our radar for the longest time already but they are so in demand that it's a bit hard to get a reservation sometimes. Parking can be difficult as they are located in downtown Carmel. Came in a bit early to try to be seated earlier but they were fully booked so we waited for our designated reservation time. They always serve you with complimentary bread service of focaccia in garlic infused olive oil & balsamic vinegar. We had grilled calamari and crispy garlic fries for starters. Our main dishes were Seafood pasta, Gyros Platter, Prawn Pasta, Osso Buco and Steak of the Day - 16 oz sirloin in peppercorn sauce. Dessert was cookie butter banana pie and complimentary baklava. Tree House cafe is a cozy rooftop restaurant with shaded outdoor seating as well as indoor seating located in the heart of Carmel. They're a mixture of Mediterranean, Greek and Thai flavors. Reasonably priced, friendly atmosphere, pet friendly and good food. What more can you ask for. Definitely a must try when in this side of town. June 2026

Chocolate cake
Nancy F.

We visited Carmel CA this afternoon and were lucky to find this amazing restaurant! It specializes in Mediterranean, Italian and Thai food! Our 3 appetizers of gyro, Caesar salad and roasted garlic were perfect for our party of 5 adults 2 kiddos. Our food came out and were so plentiful. Each dish was delicious! The 2 desserts of chocolate cake ( was like the best chocolate fudge with a little cake) and the key lime pie was perfect! So glad we found this gem of a restaurant on our trip out to the west coast..

Grilled Calamari (fried)
Matt V.

Treehouse Café has the kind of cozy, tucked away charm that fits Carmel perfectly. The indoor and outdoor seating is beautiful, the atmosphere is inviting, and the staff was genuinely friendly from start to finish. The first thing they brought out was bread with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette and, no joke, that ended up being my favorite bite of the meal. I was still thinking about the bread while eating everything else, which probably says more than I intended. The clam chowder was good and comforting, but if you've had chowder in Monterey, you know the bar is pretty high. The calamari was the bigger disappointment. It was chewy instead of tender and didn't have that light, crispy crunch that makes calamari worth ordering in the first place. By the time we finished the chowder and calamari we were full, but we still looked through the menu to see if anything tempted us. Honestly, nothing really stood out. The pasta prices felt steep, and there wasn't a dish that made us say, "Okay, we have to come back and try that." The only thing that really took away from the experience was how close the tables were. I could hear the people next to us whispering and accidentally became invested in a conversation I was never invited to. Overall, it's a cute place with great service and a nice ambiance that's worth checking out if you're visiting Carmel. I don't regret going, but I also don't see myself going back. On the bright side, at least the bread gave me something to remember. Someone in that kitchen deserves a raise for that basket alone.

Calena A.

Got seated quickly around dinner time. The outdoor patio has beautiful views and they have outdoor heat lamps to keep people comfortable. The seafood pasta was delicious and paired excellently with the side bread.

Cioppino
Michelle K.

This spot is very cute for a date or to bring family. Everything we ordered was very tasty. We got the cioppino, the asparagus risotto, and a fettuccine Alfredo dish for our kid. It's really cute as you go upstairs and it almost is like you're sitting in a treehouse! This was fairly fast for how busy they were they were not that many waiters but I think with regard to service, they did a fine job

Sally B.

This place is so amazing. First, I'm disabled and could't walk the steps to get to the front door. They had a lift elevator so I could get to the main floor From the moment we entered the restaurant I was pleasantly surprised with the casual atmosphere. The staff were so friendly and made sure I was comfortable at our reserved table. Now the food, WOW just WOW! Everything was delicious down to the wine we drank with our food. The Steak of the day (Prime Rib) was massive and cooked to perfection. The Osso Bucho (Lamb) was so tender and juicy. The Dolmas were so good I could have ate several more. My husband brought me here for my birthday and I couldn't have been more pleased with his choice. We definitely will come back to enjoy another dinner.

Douglas Y.

First bite if this trip went to Tree House Cafe. The terrace is pretty cozy and nice to relax. Food and service is extremely fast. Our order was ready in minutes despite the place being busy. We kept things light as we just wanted something to tide us over to dinner. The Tree House burger and fried cauliflower were good but on the smaller side for big eaters. The wine pour was very generous.

Grilled Sea Bass
PeiJen C.

Delicious calamari steak and grilled sea bass with lemon buttery sauce. Patio available. Friendly service.

Jessica D.

We got seated on the outdoor patio on a beautiful evening & love that they have heat lamps! The vibe is really cute and cozy. They started us off with some bread and olive oil, which was a nice touch. We shared the chicken pesto pasta and the paella. Both were great, but the paella was our favorite. So flavorful!

complimentary Baklava
Arnel E.

We had a reservation at 8 pm for a party of 5 on a Saturday last August of 2025. We tried to sneak in earlier but they were full, so we strolled along Carmel's night sights which wasn't a bad idea at all. This dinner started with complimentary bread service (foccacia) in garlic infused olive oil & balsamic vinegar. We shared crispy and thick-cut garlic fries and grilled calamari after. Our main dishes were the Gyros Platter, Osso Buco, Seafood Pasta, Prawn Pasta and Steak of the Day (16 oz sirloin in peppercorn sauce). Dessert was the Cookie Butter Banana Pie and (another) complimentary Baklava. We had a discriminating group of diners and we all loved our selections of eclectic dishes. On top of the wonderful food, the staff were excellent. Very friendly and helpful and made sure we had everything we needed. We never felt rushed either. The one all-gender restroom near the host's station had a wait though. Checked this off our Carmel restaurants-to-eat list.

Kumar V.

There's nothing too bad that comes up with this place. The ambience is good, it's dog friendly, it has good indoor and outdoor setting. The food is also pretty fresh and taste great. The only reason for giving it a 4 star is given the place is expensive, I would expect somewhat better portion size. Yes the taste and quality is great but I can't justify the price given the portion sizes. I personally tried the Mushroom Ravioli and I highly recommend it.

Caprese Salad
Matthew R.

This was our first visit to Treehouse Café, and we were impressed from the moment we arrived. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the outdoor patio was the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the Carmel atmosphere. We started with the Caprese salad, which was the perfect size for sharing between two people. To drink, I ordered a glass of Merlot while my partner enjoyed a sangria. The pours were generous and definitely appreciated! For our entrées, we ordered the shrimp Thai curry and the Gyro platter, both of which were flavorful, well-prepared, and satisfying. I debated a few dishes until the server let me know that the owner is from Thailand and this was her own recipe. It was amazing! The service was also exceptional throughout the entire course of the meal. We had several different team members checking on us, and each one was attentive, friendly, and made us feel well taken care of. Going back to the wine pours...we closed our tab but because of the holiday pour we stayed for another round of drinks for dessert! Unfortunately, we didn't have room or time for dessert ( because we had wine for dessert ;) , but after hearing great things about it, the key lime pie is already at the top of our list for next time. This place feels like a hidden gem, and if we find ourselves back in Carmel, we'll absolutely be returning.

Kalamata Olives Roasted Garlic Baba Ghanuge sampler appetizer

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9 months ago

Such a love place! I was on my own and exploring, what a cute place! The food is delicious and the ambience charming.

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Tree House Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Tree House Cafe

Is this place kid friendly?

I don't think it to be very kid friendly. But it is awesome.

Is there an elevator for disabled folks?

Yes

Is this restaurant still open? When I call it just says call failed.

It's open! I was just there on a Monday 6/19.

Is your restaurant dog friendly?

Yes ,on our patio

I am trying to make a reservation for my wife and I'd 10yr anniversary but unable to on open table, how do I go about making one?

Just call the restaurant

Do you have to have a reservation to eat here?

No, but it's preferred

Are you guys open this coming Friday? Thanks

Yes we are ..looking forward to have you here

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Little Napoli

Little Napoli

4.0(2.3k reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

This place was delicious! When you walk into the restaurant you just seat yourself and someone will…read morecome and help you. We ordered the crab ravioli and diavola pizza, it was plenty of food for the two of us, we were so full after. The crab ravioli were huge, filled with crab meat and the sauce had a hint of sweetness to it. It got quite filling as we were eating it so pizza to pair with it was perfect. The diavola pizza was also delicious, the crust was perfectly crunchy and bouncy. It had a slight spicy kick to it to balance out the savory. The spicy salami on it was very good too.

Celebrating my niece's going away to UCLA!…read more I was able to reserve the private library room for our party of 8 with no extra charge. It was nice to have the room all to ourselves. Their apps are the strongpoint at Little Napoli: my niece loved the truffled gnocchi. The garlic bread, calamari and meatballs were good too. I got the lamb osso bucco and my fiancé got the cioppino and added on the spaghetti. The portions here are very healthy. I could barely touch my osso bucco, but thought it was ok. The mashed potatoes were fluffy and creamy. The osso bucco was actually way better leftover two days later when it all melded together. The others thought their entrees were alright too, I didn't try them even though they offered. :) You'll be stuffed, but get the dessert anyways! We got a creme brûlée which was creamy and nicely caramelized, but the big winner here was the Carmel bakery brownie. So rich and decadent! Service was friendly and quick. Street parking only. I'd come back for apps and dessert.

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Little Napoli - Outside the restaurant

Outside the restaurant

Little Napoli - Asparagus with bread crumbs

Asparagus with bread crumbs

Little Napoli - Doc Pepe Old Fashioned

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Doc Pepe Old Fashioned

IL Tegamino - gnocchi sorrentina

IL Tegamino

4.3(707 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$$

Amazing service and amazing food! We absolutely loved our meal at Il Tegamino in Carmel-by-the-Sea…read more I had the gnocchi, and I cannot say enough about how good it was! It was perfectly cooked, so flavorful, and had cheese, cheese, and more cheese in the best possible way. Rich and delicious without being too much. I would absolutely order it again! My niece had the linguine pescatore, which was also delicious. We normally don't like pasta dishes that are too soupy or have so much sauce that the pasta ends up drowning in it, but this one was perfect. The amount of sauce was just right, and all the seafood tasted incredibly fresh. Everything together gave the dish this slightly sweet, fresh seafood flavor that we really loved. And I have to mention that gnocchi one more time because it really was THAT good! Definitely one of the highlights of the meal. Atmosphere was just right.. quiet and cute just like most little restaurants in Carmel by the sea. We finished with the tiramisu, which was another surprise. So delicious, with this wonderful little crunchy topping that added a really nice texture. Great food, wonderful service, and a meal we thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. We will definitely be back!

Such a cozy quiet spot in Carmel! A little hidden, a little dim, a lot of warmth :) Intimate space…read moreboth inside and outside, and even if fully packed I don't think it would interrupt the dining experience. My friend and I made a dinner reservation a couple weeks in advance, and it wasn't too crowded on Mother's Day weekend! Rucolina ($18): Salad to share, perfect amount for 2. Arugula, beets, Gorgonzola, candied walnuts are a classic combo and we polished it. Linguine Alla Pescatora ($45): I thought it was so funny two girls next to us ordered this to share, but my friend ate it all by herself LOL. A huge dish of seafood, they don't skimp! I tried a mussel and the sauce was excellent. Gnocchi (small $22, large $44): I was hesitant about ordering gnocchi because I never like the gnocchi I've ordered at other Italian restaurants. Never thought me a gnocchi snob, but here I am. But other reviews raved about Il Tegamino's gnocchi (our waitress included) so I did it. Ok fine it's the best gnocchi I've ever had. Pillowy soft, straight out of the oven, still sizzling and bubbling when it was placed in front of me. It was cheesy and potatoey without either flavor overpowering the other, and the mushroom truffle sauce is IT. It needs the sauce. I ordered the large and had leftovers to share with my mom, but you bet I could've finished it. I would come back just for this! We picked this place expecting it to be a treat and a bit of a splurge, so we expected the prices. Our server was lovely; my friend loves sweeter white wines but a Moscato wasn't on the menu. She disappeared into the kitchen and came back out with a heavy pour of Moscato and my friend loved it! I first thought it was bold of her to assume she'd want the full glass but she was right :)

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IL Tegamino - Indoors

Indoors

IL Tegamino
IL Tegamino

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Vesuvio - Apple Pie 'Pan Dowdy'

Vesuvio

3.8(954 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

Comfy. Homey. Good hospitality…read more I recently treated my mom to a spa getaway in Carmel-by-the-Sea for her birthday. We needed a good place to eat the night we arrived, and Yelp led us to Vesuvio. We were among the last diners close to their closing time, but you couldn't tell by the service. They helped us feel right at home, even taking family photos of us and tolerating my Dad's silly poses. He especially loved the eclectic decor. He liked his spaghetti & meatball dish less, but Mom and I really enjoyed our braised lamb "osso buco" specials. I'd definitely visit again for a hearty meal when I'm able to splurge. And I hear there's a patio!

The ambiance was nice and the service was pretty good. The food was very tasty, but I got food…read morepoisoning from it and had a horrible night (thankfully, I was the only one in my party who did). But the most disappointing realization what that the restrooms are not ADA compliant. We had a member of our party in a wheelchair and their (newly remodeled) restroom was so poorly designed that no wheelchair would fit inside any of the stalls, and when we left the wheelchair anywhere in front of a stall it would either block people from accessing the sink, the entry door, or the other stalls. One of the stalls was an ambulatory stall and had some grab bars, but would not fit a wheelchair or a helper inside with the handicapped person. Management did not know that the restrooms were not wheelchair accessible. They probably got a variance allowing them to pass inspection without an ADA accessible restroom because they are across the street from a public restroom. Which sounds delightful, having to go across the street in the rain, just to be able to use a public restroom.

Photos
Vesuvio - No wheelchair accessible restroom stall

No wheelchair accessible restroom stall

Vesuvio - San Vito wood-fired pizza. Mild flavor but good, sort of sweet from the peppers. Crust was the standout.

San Vito wood-fired pizza. Mild flavor but good, sort of sweet from the peppers. Crust was the standout.

Vesuvio - Rooftop dining

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Rooftop dining

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni - Cannelloni

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni

4.3(664 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$$

This is a great spot if you like good food! Reasonable prices! Interesting wine selection! Nice…read morepeople!! We were recommended this place and my first instinct was....no, no, no. We had been to several Carmel over the years and my impression has been too pricey for what is offered. Not so here.. we shared a salad (not the best or biggest), we had a bottle of wine (recognizable winery reasonably priced) but the coup de grâce was the Seafood Pescatore and the Seafood Paella!! Outstanding!! Fairly quiet and quick service.....a very enjoyable evening!!

Our compliments to the chef! What an excellent early…read moredinner! I highly recommend this restaurant. The decor is giving cozy Italian restaurant vibes, which is exactly what it is. We couldn't decide what to order, so we ate family-style, and they graciously brought extra plates for everyone. We ordered: Meatball appetizer (great texture and flavor, came with tomato sauce) Small Caesar salad- cold, crispy lettuce with silky dressing, just a hint of anchovy Garlic bread, crispy cheese on top with marinara sauce, so good Lobster ravioli- I haven't had a chance to try it; by the time I was looking for it, it was gone Braised beef ravioli- divine, creamy sauce, not too much filling, perfect texture. 10/10 Osso bucco- the best I've ever had; so flavorful but not overwhelming. The side veggies were great; they helped balance the tasty risotto and the tender beef. And veal marsala - again 10/10 And of course we could not leave without dessert, so we had: Chocolate mousse - perfection! The chocolate flavor is deep and velvety, with a hint of whipped cream. My daughter was afraid that she would not have enough whipped cream, but there was a small amount on the bottom of the cup; I mean, only a mousse lover would understand this level of attention to detail Crispy apple tart- the apples were amazing, enough cinnamon, not too sweet; my only complaint would be that it is maybe too crispy from the caramel (hard on the teeth) and not enough almond slices. Coffee cream brulee - another smooth operator! Amazing balance of sweetness and bitterness. Oh, one more thing: I also had the virgin elderberry flower smash, and I wish it had a little more flower essence, but I might be spoiled because my Mom used to make syrup from scratch. I don't know if I'll ever revisit this place, but again, I highly recommend eating here. Also, everyone was super friendly and kind, and the service wasn't overbearing but very attentive.

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Carmel's Bistro Giovanni - Inside wall mural

Inside wall mural

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni - Scampi

Scampi

Carmel's Bistro Giovanni - Alley outside seating

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Alley outside seating

Il Fornaio

Il Fornaio

3.4(769 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

I've always been curious about Il Fornaio, but for whatever reason, I never actually made it here…read more So when we happened to stop by Carmel-by-the-Sea for dinner and saw an opening for a reservation, I took it. And honestly, I'm glad I finally did. We were seated right away at a nice spot, and our server Sergio greeted us warmly and walked us through the menu. He was great throughout the entire meal--friendly, attentive, and professional, especially considering the night didn't exactly go perfectly from the kitchen's side. To start, we ordered the assorted bruschetta with caponata, roasted cherry tomatoes, basil pesto and stracciatella, along with the Caprese. For dinner, we went with the Linguini Mare Chiaro and the Tomahawk steak, which comes with a 45-minute preparation time. We ordered the steak right away so we could enjoy our appetizers while it cooked. Well... we definitely waited. Our drinks were always taken care of, but the appetizers were taking a while, so we checked in with Sergio. He immediately followed up with the kitchen and kept us updated. Then, before our bruschetta or Caprese even arrived, out comes the Tomahawk! The carver came over and started cutting into it, and after the first cut, he pressed on the steak, looked at us and asked, "You guys ordered rare?" We definitely did not--we ordered medium rare. He took it back to the kitchen to get it sorted out. Then Sergio arrived with our bruschetta and linguini. At this point, we had been asking about the Caprese because we wanted it to come out first, so we eventually asked to cancel it. Sergio came back shortly after... with the Caprese anyway, and told us it was on the house. Honestly, great recovery. And that Caprese was GOOD. The tomatoes were fresh, crisp and flavorful, and the basil olive oil brought everything together. I couldn't get enough of it. The bruschetta was also worth the wait. The toppings were fresh and flavorful, while the bread was still perfectly crisp. The Linguini Mare Chiaro was another highlight. They did NOT hold back on the seafood. The Manila clams were delicious, and those huge scallops were cooked perfectly. My aunt prefers her pasta well done, while I'm more of an al dente person, but since she ordered it, we went with her preference--and the kitchen nailed it. Soft without being mushy or sticky. Just right. Then came the Tomahawk, round two. The carver came back with a "let's try this again," and this time the steak was beautifully pink inside. It came with golden potatoes and roasted vegetables, both of which were delicious. And that steak? Melt-in-your-mouth good. Definitely worth the wait. I honestly wish I had ordered a glass of wine to go with it, but unfortunately, I still had to drive afterward. Maybe next time. Overall, the food was excellent, and while the timing and flow of the meal were definitely a little chaotic, I'm chalking it up to one of those nights when the kitchen just wasn't completely in sync. What made the difference was Sergio. He handled everything professionally, kept checking on us, and made sure we were taken care of without ever making the situation feel uncomfortable. So, was the experience perfect? No. But was the food good enough to make me understand the hype? Absolutely. I'm glad that random reservation finally gave me an excuse to try Il Fornaio. Good food, great service, and definitely a place I'd come back to.

Il Fornaio is such a cozy Italian spot nestled right in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The…read moreambiance was one of my favorite parts of our visit, especially the separate bar area with its warm brickwork and old-world feel -- it gives you a little taste of Italy without leaving Carmel. We came for a big family dinner with 8 adults and 4 kids under the age of 3, which is not exactly the quietest dinner party , but the staff could not have been more polite or patient with us. That alone made the evening so much more enjoyable. The kids happily shared the Margherita pizza, while the adults went for the fresh pasta. We tried the tagliatelle bolognese and pappardelle alla norcina, and everything was flavorful, comforting, and delicious. Exactly the kind of meal you want when you're tucked into a cozy Italian restaurant. And perhaps the best part about having a heavy Italian dinner in Carmel? You can walk right out the door and stroll through the beautiful surrounding streets afterward, browse the shops, and convince yourself you're burning off at least some of those pasta calories. Great food, beautiful atmosphere, and wonderfully accommodating for our very large, very young family crew.

Photos
Il Fornaio
Il Fornaio
Il Fornaio

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Enzo

Enzo

3.7(684 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

We found Enzo on Yelp while on holiday in the area. Our dog's name is "Enzo" so of course we had…read moreto enjoy lunch on their patio. We started with delicious bread (and olive oil, no balsamic vinegar). My fiancé had absolutely delicious PROSCIUTTO E BURRATA pizza and I thoroughly enjoyed PAESANO (Italian sausage, bell peppers, cheese in ciabatta bread). Both dishes came with a side-salad that we both loved. Yum. Our entire meal tasted like something you would enjoy in a Trattoria in Italy. Why only 4 stars? The older waiter (likely about my own age) was not terribly friendly and didn't seem to want to be working. Perhaps it is his own restaurant? We recommended the restaurant to friends who happened to be in Carmel 2 weeks later. When they went over there, two servers were angrily yelling at each other in Italian outside the building. They went somewhere else and have decided never to return to Enzo. YMMV -- but we enjoyed it.

One of the most disappointing restaurant experiences I've had in Carmel-by-the-Sea…read more We were a group of 7, including a baby, celebrating my birthday, and unfortunately chose Enzo after another Italian restaurant nearby had a long wait. Looking back, I completely understand why Enzo was almost empty on a Sunday around 2 PM. From the moment we arrived, the service was extremely mediocre. Our server had a very unpleasant and arrogant attitude throughout the entire meal. It felt like every time we tried to ask for something, we were bothering him. At one point, we asked for cheese for the pizza, and instead of simply explaining whether it was available or offering an alternative, he laughed, told us that pizza isn't eaten with cheese, and walked away. It was such an unnecessary and unprofessional interaction. The overall service was uncomfortable from beginning to end, and there was absolutely no sense of hospitality. To make matters worse, the service charge was already included, so there really wasn't even an opportunity to reflect the poor service in the tip. We were celebrating my birthday, so we didn't want to make a bigger issue out of it at the time, but after spending over $400, the experience was absolutely not worth it. For a restaurant located in a tourist destination like Carmel, we expected much more. Do yourself a favor and wait for a table somewhere else. Definitely not an experience I would repeat or recommend.

Photos
Enzo - Backyard outdoor dining and indoor dining

Backyard outdoor dining and indoor dining

Enzo - Calamari

Calamari

Enzo - Osso Bucco with a glass of Pinot Noir!

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Osso Bucco with a glass of Pinot Noir!

Tree House Cafe - mediterranean - Updated October 2026

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