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Eco-friendly Basil was Monterey County's first restaurant to achieve a green-dining certification, recognition of its commitment to using organic, sustainably cultivated ingredients in creative dishes such as black squid linguine with sea urchin sauce, charred octopus, and smoked venison and other house-made charcuterie.
San Carlos St., Carmel, California, 93921, USA
Known For
- Organic ingredients
- Creative cocktails
- Year-round patio dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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The menu here is mostly Mediterranean and southern French, with such dishes as osso buco and paella. The decor follows suit—stone walls and country furniture lend the restaurant the earthy feel of a European farmhouse.
223 17th St., Pacific Grove, California, 93950, USA
Known For
- Wood-fire-grilled rack of lamb, seafood, and beef
- Convivial residential vibe
- Traditional European flavors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.
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Carefully prepared California cuisine is the draw at this airy restaurant, where the rack of lamb is carved at the table, the grilled Halloumi cheese and tomatoes are meticulously stacked and served with basil and Kalamata olive tapenade, and the desserts are set aflame before your eyes. For lighter fare with a worldwide flair, head to the bar, where small plates such as Dungeness crab ravioli and brochette of filet mignon with chimichurri sauce are served.
Mission St. and 7th Ave., Carmel, California, 93921, USA
Known For
- Romantic courtyard with fountain
- Elegant interior with fireplace lounge
- Flambé desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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European country cooking is the focus at this lively roadhouse, where specialties include roasted meats, seafood, pastas, and thin-crust pizzas from the wood-fired oven. It can get noisy inside; for a quieter meal, request a table outside.
10 Delfino Pl., Carmel Valley, California, 93924, USA
Known For
- Tuscan-flavored dishes from Alsace
- Open kitchen with wood-fired oven
- Outdoor patio seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Tues. and Wed., Reservations essential
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Locals love this casual restaurant where seafood predominates, but you can also order burgers, salads, and steaks. Baskets of battered snapper are among the favorites, along with calamari, prawns, seafood kebabs, fish-and-chips, and homemade olallieberry pie. Many items cost less than $14. Come early for lunch or dinner to beat the crowds.
2400 Porter St., Soquel, California, 95073, USA
Known For
- Large portions of healthy comfort food
- Lots of options under $14
- Soup and salad bar
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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This restaurant inspires European-style celebration and romance in an intimate French-country setting. Feast on authentic dishes from southern France and northern Italy—think beef tartare and escargot. Private dining is offered at Van Gogh's Table, a relic from France's Auberge Ravoux, the artist's final residence.
5th Ave., between San Carlos and Mission Sts., Carmel, California, 93921, USA
Known For
- House-made pastas and gnocchi
- Private dining at antique Van Gogh's table
- Romantic candlelight dining room and outdoor patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Farm-fresh food is the specialty of this casual, Old Monterey–style bistro, where the herbs and seasonal produce come from its own organic gardens, the catch of the day comes from local waters, and the meats are hormone-free. Don't miss the collection of corkscrews dating from the 17th century to the present.
55 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley, California, 93924, USA
Known For
- Wood-fired pizzas
- Fantastic regional wine list
- Garden patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Jan.
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Vintage surfboards and local surf photography line the walls, and nearly every table overlooks sand and surf at this restaurant on the Santa Cruz Harbor. For sweeping ocean views and fish tacos, burgers, and other casual fare, head upstairs to the Breakwater Bar & Grill.
2218 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, California, 95062, USA
Known For
- House-smoked salmon and calamari apps
- Crab-cake eggs Benedict and olallieberry pancakes
- On-site market with pizzas, sandwiches, soups, and salads
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Fresh fish with a Latin accent makes this a favorite of locals for lunch or a casual dinner. Standard dishes include the sea garden salads—topped with your choice of fish—and the fried seafood plates.
1996½ Sunset Dr., Pacific Grove, California, 93950, USA
Known For
- Fisherman's bowls with fresh local seafood
- House-made desserts
- Crab cakes and New Zealand mussels
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Local artwork features prominently at this petite, romantic café in a tile-roof cottage. Featuring organic produce from area farms, the seasonal Italian menu might include wild-mushroom risotto; bouillabaisse; marinated chicken with apricots, currants, and olives; and roasted beet salad with wild arugula, goat cheese, and pistachios.
910 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, California, 95060, USA
Known For
- Nearly all produce comes from local organic farmers
- Romantic interior with Moorish arches
- Weekend brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Sun.
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Whether you're in the mood for an orange-olallieberry muffin, a wild rice and chicken salad, or tri-tip on garlic toast, this bakery-deli's varied menu is likely to satisfy. Munch on your lemon meringue tartlet or chocolate brownie on the shady patio, or dig into the daily blue-plate dinner—teriyaki grilled skirt steak with edamame-shiitake sticky rice, perhaps, or roast turkey breast with Chardonnay gravy—amid the whirl of activity inside.
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, California, 95010, USA
Known For
- Prepared meals to go
- On-site bakery and rosticceria
- Deli and espresso bar
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Chef Kurt Grasing draws from fresh Carmel Coast and Central Valley ingredients to whip up contemporary adaptations of European-provincial and American dishes. Longtime menu favorites include fresh farm-raised abalone, a savory sausage and seafood paella, and grilled steaks and chops.
6th Ave. and Mission St., Carmel, California, 93921, USA
Known For
- Artichoke and fontina ravioli
- Grilled steaks
- Bar, patio lounge, and rooftop deck
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Part of a complex that includes art galleries and an events venue, the Haute adds bohemian character to the seafaring village of Moss Landing. The inventive Latin American–inspired dishes include shrimp and black corn enchiladas topped with a citrus cilantro cream sauce, and roasted pasilla chilies stuffed with mashed plantains and caramelized onions.
7902 Moss Landing Rd., Moss Landing, California, 95039, USA
Known For
- Extensive cocktail and wine list
- Many vegan and gluten-free options
- Artsy atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
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Chef-owner Kericos Loutas personally sees to each plate of food served at this romantic, unpretentious French restaurant. Order the pan-roasted duck breast or the pork medallions with wild mushrooms or white wine sauce; or, if you can't decide, choose the three-course prix-fixe dinner.
Mission and 4th Ave., Carmel, California, 93921, USA
Known For
- Authentic French-country dishes
- Prix-fixe dinner option
- Locally sourced ingredients
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations essential
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Casual yet stylish and always packed, this seafood restaurant is removed from the hubbub of the wharf. The bartenders and waitstaff will gladly advise you on the perfect wine to go with your poached, blackened, or oak-grilled seafood.
2114 Del Monte Ave., Monterey, California, 93940, USA
Known For
- Seafood, steaks, house-made pasta
- Festive atmosphere
- Oyster bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Breakfast here gets constant local raves thanks to familiar favorites such as a dozen kinds of omelets and pancakes options that range from blueberry to cinnamon-raisin-pecan. The lunch menu has good soups, salads, and sandwiches.
489 Alvarado St., Monterey, California, 93940, USA
Known For
- Seven types of eggs Benedict
- Upbeat, team-style service
- All meals cooked to order
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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Sophisticated yet unpretentious European-inspired California cooking is the order of the day at this intimate and stylish bistro, whose seasonal menu might include such items as seafood risotto or crispy duck breast in a pomegranate reduction sauce. The creative concoctions poured at the slick marble bar include whiskey mixed with apple and lemon juice or tequila with celery juice and lime.
121 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, California, 95060, USA
Known For
- Excellent burgers and fries
- Crab appetizers
- Dark-chocolate soufflé and other tasty desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
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This cheerful, white-walled storefront serves traditional dishes from Mexico and Latin America, with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Excellent red and green salsas are made throughout the day, and there's a large selection of beers, along with fresh lime margaritas.
170 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove, California, 93950, USA
Known For
- Traditional Latin American dishes
- Fresh lime margaritas
- Daily specials
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch Sun.
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When it's nice out, sun pours through the big windows of this cozy restaurant and across tables on the porch; when fog rolls in, the fireplace is lit. The American menu changes with the seasons, but grilled lamb chops atop mashed potatoes are often on offer for dinner, and a grilled calamari steak might be served for lunch, either in a salad or as part of a sandwich.
662 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, California, 93950, USA
Known For
- Cozy homelike dining areas
- Comfort food
- Stellar breakfast and brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Sun.
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Chef Fabrice Roux, who hails from France, worked at lauded Parisian restaurants for more than a decade before coming to Carmel Valley to wow diners with his contemporary takes on traditional French-Mediterranean cuisine. The eclectic menu, with mostly small and large plates meant for sharing, focuses on local ingredients procured that week—perhaps crispy duck leg confit, tuna tartare, or braised wild-boar bourguignon. Order sandwiches, beignets, and French-style egg dishes for brunch and lunch. Save room for house-made desserts like Meyer lemon cheesecake and crème brûlée.
6 Pilot Rd., Carmel Valley, California, 93924, USA
Known For
- Expert food and wine pairings
- European-style cottage with private room for dining and tastings
- Extensive wine list with more than 400 labels
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch Wed. and Thurs.