RESTAURANTS BEST KOREAN Jeju Kitchen Carmel Plaza, Junipero between Ocean and 7th, Carmel (831) 574-8693, jejukitchencarmel.com Believe it or not, the Best Korean restaurant began life as a burger joint. And the lineup of burgers remains on the menu, along with some appealing fusion dishes, such as kimchi mac and cheese or miso cacio e pepe. But the heart of the menu is Korean—jajangmyeon noodles, bibimbap, bulgogi and other favorites, all prepared with a home-style flair. Burgers, fusion, Korean? Unlike the Milton Bradley game, this is not a problem to be solved, but rather a reward for playing. There is no way to lose. BEST JAPANESE/SUSHI Crystal Fish 514 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 649-3474, crystalfish-monterey.com Blackboards small, local establishments are usually settings for ill-fated bar games. Luckily, the blackboard at Crystal Fish lists the specials and their prices, and though they serve Japanese beers and sakes, nothing seedy is going on at this consistently delicious and winning sushi spot. Like a good video game, there are levels to Japanese dining and sushi. A lunch bento box comes with various options like salmon teriyaki, hand rolls and more. But experts know that where Crystal Fish truly shines is the way they blend fusion rolls and traditional nigiris and sashimis. Cherry blossoms and dragon rolls can be enjoyed side by side with uni from Santa Barbara and steamed monkfish liver (ankimo). Enjoy leveling up. BEST ITALIAN Il Vecchio 110 Central Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 243-6066, ilvecchiorestaurant.com Bocce ball takes skill and sleight of hand to become a champion. A glass of wine in your other hand doesn’t hurt, either. But those with the skills and sleight of hand of a master bocce baller are found in the kitchen of Il Vecchio. Staff there are shaping pastas and braising sauces for the perfection of flavor. With dishes like these, even an ancient Roman emperor would keep coming back for more. Even though the SPQR is long gone, Old World traditions aren’t since Chef Stefen Shatto returned to the helm of the restaurant last year. Dine in and then you can work those carbs off for the next frame. BEST INDIAN Ambrosia India Bistro 565 Abrego St., Monterey (831) 641-0610, monterey.ambrosiaib. com Ambrosia was founded downtown Monterey in 2007, and since then expanded to Aptos and Scotts Valley. That says a lot about the restaurant’s appeal. That readers have voted Ambrosia as Best Indian just confirms its popularity. It is a reliable source of Indian comfort food—kormas, vindaloos, masalas, curries, biryanis and tandoori options. Let’s not forget about a variety of naans, a lovely mango lassi and—if you have a sweet tooth and space in your tummy—gulab jamun and kheer. BEST FRENCH La Bicyclette Dolores and 7th, Carmel (831) 622-9899, labicycletterestaurant. com Stepping into La Bicyclette is a bit like entering an immersive, virtual reality world—one that whisks you away from the streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea to the pastoral European countryside. Tightly packed wooden tables and vintage décor cement the experience. As you take a bite of your steak au poivre or wood-fired pizza nera, you all but expect to look out the window and see rolling hills, a shepherd walking down cobbled streets and maybe the day’s laundry hung out to dry. Order dessert and let your imagination run wild. BEST CHINESE Tommy’s Wok Mission between Ocean and 7th, Carmel (831) 624-8518, tommyswokcarmel.com Dumplings are one of those happy foods that seemingly every culture has adopted. The team at Tommy’s Wok has perfected them, making them from scratch, creating one of the most popular items on the menu. Of course, 92 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2025 montereycountynow.com/bestof Best Restaurant - Carmel | 7th & Dolores
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