Penny’s guidebook to Carmel
Food scene
Amazing food. Need reservations. Ask for table kitchen. Good for lunch or dinner
15 personas locales recomiendan
La Balena
Junipero StreetAmazing food. Need reservations. Ask for table kitchen. Good for lunch or dinner
Great place for breakfast. No reservations are taken, expect a wait. Cash only
27 personas locales recomiendan
Katy's Place
Mission StreetGreat place for breakfast. No reservations are taken, expect a wait. Cash only
Indoor and outdoor seating. Quintessential Carmel. Great food and wine selection. Romantic. Best for couples
8 personas locales recomiendan
Il Tegamino
Indoor and outdoor seating. Quintessential Carmel. Great food and wine selection. Romantic. Best for couples
Great Northern Italian food. I prefer to sit at the bar. They make many of their own smoked meats for their charcuterie. Great wine list.
13 personas locales recomiendan
Cantinetta Luca
Dolores StreetGreat Northern Italian food. I prefer to sit at the bar. They make many of their own smoked meats for their charcuterie. Great wine list.
Great bread, pizza's, salads and they have their own wine line. They also own Corkscrew in Carmel Valley. Great for couples
59 personas locales recomiendan
La Bicyclette Restaurant
7th AvenueGreat bread, pizza's, salads and they have their own wine line. They also own Corkscrew in Carmel Valley. Great for couples
A MUST do. Lines start at 5. You can make reservations. People keep coming back, years after they have left the Monterey area. Local favorite. Oak grilled fresh seafood. They do offer some non seafood options
60 personas locales recomiendan
Monterey's Fish House
2114 Del Monte AveA MUST do. Lines start at 5. You can make reservations. People keep coming back, years after they have left the Monterey area. Local favorite. Oak grilled fresh seafood. They do offer some non seafood options
If you want a great margarita this is the place. Best fish taco's. My favorite Mexican restaurant.
26 personas locales recomiendan
Peppers Mexicali Cafe
170 Forest AveIf you want a great margarita this is the place. Best fish taco's. My favorite Mexican restaurant.
Fresh fish is amazing, made the way you want. It's not fancy, since it's also a place to buy fresh fish, but food is really good
16 personas locales recomiendan
Sea Harvest
100 Crossroads BlvdFresh fish is amazing, made the way you want. It's not fancy, since it's also a place to buy fresh fish, but food is really good
If you want a more upscale dining experience, this is it. Great wine list, amazing food. It's pricey
68 personas locales recomiendan
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse AveIf you want a more upscale dining experience, this is it. Great wine list, amazing food. It's pricey
If you want a steak, this is the place. Reservations suggested. If it's just two of you, sit at the bar
23 personas locales recomiendan
Seventh & Dolores
Dolores StreetIf you want a steak, this is the place. Reservations suggested. If it's just two of you, sit at the bar
Best breakfast, local favorite. Cash only. Nothing here is bad. Only open for breakfast and lunch. Expect a line
21 personas locales recomiendan
Wagon Wheel Restaurant
7156 Carmel Valley RdBest breakfast, local favorite. Cash only. Nothing here is bad. Only open for breakfast and lunch. Expect a line
Fifi's Bistro Cafe
1188 Forest AveAmazing food and cocktails. A must do
Sightseeing
Great for lunch before or after wine tasting. Amazing outdoor area and bread is to die for
54 personas locales recomiendan
Corkscrew Cafe
55 W Carmel Valley RdGreat for lunch before or after wine tasting. Amazing outdoor area and bread is to die for
One of several restaurants owned. Must get Truffled Gnocchi Has an amazing upstairs, outdoor bar. Great Happy Hour
68 personas locales recomiendan
Vesuvio Restaurant
Junipero StreetOne of several restaurants owned. Must get Truffled Gnocchi Has an amazing upstairs, outdoor bar. Great Happy Hour
Really great spaghetti and meatballs and traditional Italian offerings. Garlic bread a must. Good for families but you need reservations
26 personas locales recomiendan
Little Napoli
Dolores StreetReally great spaghetti and meatballs and traditional Italian offerings. Garlic bread a must. Good for families but you need reservations
Both restaurants area amazing. Farm to table fresh offereings, great views. The spa is very good and you get to use the pool while you wait
22 personas locales recomiendan
Carmel Valley Ranch
1 Old Ranch RdBoth restaurants area amazing. Farm to table fresh offereings, great views. The spa is very good and you get to use the pool while you wait
My favorite is breakfast and you can bring your dog. But their lunch and dinners are great.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Village Corner California Bistro
6th AvenueMy favorite is breakfast and you can bring your dog. But their lunch and dinners are great.
If you want to dance and here music, this is one of the only nightscenes.
38 personas locales recomiendan
Barmel
Carmel WayIf you want to dance and here music, this is one of the only nightscenes.
Great for cocktails and lunch or dinner. They have music on the weekends, AMAZING views.
Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Overlooking Big Sur Coast & Highlands Inn, A Hyatt Residence Club
120 Highlands DriveGreat for cocktails and lunch or dinner. They have music on the weekends, AMAZING views.
Consejos para la ciudad
Reserva antes de ir
Make reservations prior to coming.
All the best restaurants fill up quickly. They are also small for a tourist destination.
Qué empacar
Pack warm clothes
For those who are not from Cali, it gets cold in the evenings, because the coastal fog sets in. Bring a jacket, close toe shoes, socks and a sweatshirt for beach.
Viajar con niños
Make Reservations for the Monterey Bay Aquarium
This is probably one of the best aquarium's in the world. Lot's for kids to do and interact with but you need reservations.
Viajar con niños
Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey
Great place for kids to get some energy out. It's been around since I was a kid and there are paddle boats you can rent
Cómo moverse
Walk when possible
Carmel has limited parking, so walk if possible.
No te lo pierdas
17 Mile Drive
Its touristy, but it's so beautiful.
No te lo pierdas
Sunset at Inn at Spanish Bay
They have amazingly large firepit, and face the setting sun. To top it off, they have a bagpipe player
Reserva antes de ir
There is no need for AC 99% of time
It is very cool at night, so AC is not present in most places
No te lo pierdas
Go Wine Tasting
Downtown and Carmel Valley have some world class wineries.