78 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2024-2025 food Nepenthe American People come for the scenery and fall in love with the food, drinks and charismatic staff. For 75 years, Nepenthe has been cooking up all-American favorites like steak, seafood and burgers; it also boasts one of the world’s best south-facing views of the Pacific. 48510 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2345, nepenthe.com Restaurant at River Inn American Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be served inside. But there’s that deck seemingly part of the forest itself, and the plates—meat, chicken, fish, salads—can be brought outdoors. 46800 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2700, bigsurriverinn.com Sierra Mar American Wine Spectator Grand Award. Caviar. Wagyu— all of that speaks to the level of this much-honored destination. There is a prix fixe menu of four courses and offerings change, often daily. The quality does not. Reservations required for dinner. 47900 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2800, postranchinn.com The Sur House Global Organic, seasonal produce harvested from Ventana’s gardens allows for cooking and presentation with an upscale flair, though without being stuffy. The dishes are on the level with the patio’s Pacific-facing views. Alila Ventana Big Sur, 48123 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 6674242, ventanabigsur.com Delis, Markets and Shops Big Sur Deli This place has been around for three decades. They serve the expected range of deli sandwiches (loaded), as well as some nice breaks from the usual. 47520 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2225 Carmel Aabha Indian Cuisine Indian Aabha’s kitchen makes tikka masala a specialty. You say tikka masala is not uniquely Indian? Well, the tikka is—and it is free-range chicken. They also prepare butter chicken, rogan josh, curries, vindaloos, biryanis, tandoori dishes and more. 3690 The Barnyard, Carmel. (831) 250-5940, aabhaindian.com Akaoni Japanese Sashimi and other dishes are wonders. The tofu can be memorable. There’s an elegance— and then there are the new items scribbled on the board. Amberjack gill, perhaps. Or steamed monkfish liver. This is not your typical American sushi place. Mission and 6th, Carmel. (831) 620-1516 Allegro Gourmet Pizzeria Pizza, Italian A longtime institution for pizza, pasta and salads that marry Old World Italian recipes with a 21st-century California vibe. Allegro was the first parlor in the area to treat pizza as gourmet, yet the vibe is low-key, and the prices are family friendly. 3770 The Barnyard, Carmel. (831) 626-5454, allegropizzeria.com Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro Pub This ASB outpost opened late in 2018 to a rather heady response. Their array of sour beers drew one crowd, but the unexpectedly elevated pub fare appealed to a different sort. And yet it all works. Mission between Ocean and 7th (in Carmel Plaza), Carmel. (831) 2938621, asb.beer Anton & Michel Global Anton & Michel is classic, right down to the gracious service. It’s the type of place you expect to find duck breast, rainbow trout or New York steak, but also spring rolls with a fine dining touch. Indoor or patio seating. Mission between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. (831) 624-2406, antonandmichel.com Aubergine Global With the Central Coast’s longest-running Michelin star, this is a 12-table gem of orchestrated excellence, along with a cellar which features a 3,500-bottle wine collection. The eight-course menu changes daily, based on the finest ingredients. L’Auberge Carmel, Monte Verde and 7th, Carmel. (831) 6248578, auberginecarmel.com Basil Seasonal Dining Italian The first certified green restaurant in the area wins with sustainable sourcing and practices, an impressive wine list, charming ambiance and a menu of pasta dishes and flatbreads. San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. (831) 626-8226, basilcarmel.com Bistro Giovanni European The bar is central, with a wrap-around counter of mustard-hued cement where customers can drink, dine and chat. The food is California bistro style, with wine-country accents and Mediterranean influences. San Carlos between 5th and 6th, Carmel. (831) 6266003, threecarmelrestaurants.com Brophy’s Tavern Pub Beer—note the wall of empties—fish and chips, burgers, fries. This is a neighborhood-style pub in the heart of Carmel. And the bartenders aren’t bad at classic cocktails, either. 4th and San Carlos, Carmel. (831) 586-5566, brophystavern.com C.U. Sushi Japanese The popular spot offers items you look for, such as sashimi, bento boxes and specialty rolls. The place also serves bowls that venture further, as well as a few twists (deep-fried rolls, for instance. 173 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. (831) 582-8942 Cafe Luna Cafe Luna owes its popularity to an eclectic menu. It’s part coffee house, part bakery (don’t miss traditional Mediterranean cookies), but it also specializes in ramen and Mediterranean street fare. Ocean and Mission (in Carmel Plaza), Carmel. (831) 250-7815 Cantinetta Luca Italian, Pizza Cantinetta Luca offers rustic Italian dishes prepared with fine dining style. And why not? It draws an appreciative crowd. The kitchen also serves impressive and authentic pizzas. Dolores between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. (831) 625-6500, cantinettaluca.com Carmel Belle American Belle’s motto is “Slow down, say no to fast food!” Chalkboards are crammed with listings built around sourced meats, artisanal cheeses and regional produce, arranged in creative dishes as if to prove counter service can be artisanal, too. San Carlos between Ocean and 7th (in Doud Craft Studios), Carmel. (831) 6241600, carmelbelle.com Carmel’s Hidden Gem Restaurant Global Everyone is looking for a hidden gem, right? The restaurant features fresh, local flavors and a menu that treads easily between fine dining and familiar comfort. A good spot for family breakfast and date night dinner. Mission between 4th and 5th, Carmel. (831) 250-7811, carmelshiddengem.com Casanova European A much-loved cottage that is French and Italian, right down to its Dover sole meuniere and mushroom ravioli. But at lunch one can find a cheeseburger—on brioche, with pomme frites. 5th between Mission and San Carlos, Carmel. (831) 216-3811, casanovacarmel.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==