94 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2026 montereycountynow.com/bestof Restaurants derful dishes. There really is no limit. Fortunately for Il Vecchio, eggs and flour are on full display right when you walk in, being transformed into delicious pasta. It’s not unlike their own hall of wonders, where shapeshifters—or perhaps called “pasta-shifters”—get the strings, macaroni and more ready for the best Italian dishes in Monterey County. BEST INDIAN Ambrosia India Bistro 565 Abrego St., Monterey (831) 641-0610, monterey.ambrosiaib. com There is no historical record or documented mention of the Father of the Indian Circus Vishnupant Moreshwar Chhatre’s favorite dish. Born in the modern-day state of Maharashtra, he likely enjoyed vada pav, a street food made of a spicy deep-fried potato dumpling locked inside a bread bun. Ambrosia is an award-winning Indian restaurant in downtown Monterey (with locations in other counties, as well). To try a little bit of everything, check out their buffet lunch, which typically includes samosas, chicken tikka masala, chicken tandoori, among other dishes. BEST FRENCH La Bicyclette 377 7th Ave., Carmel (831) 622-9899, labicycletterestaurant. com At La Bicyclette, each dish is perfectly curated, from selecting locally sourced fresh ingredients to adding a French and European charm. Each dish isn’t just a tasty bite; it tells a story built from scratch. Chef Obdiel Luna creates new dishes after learning from the source, visiting restaurants in France and Italy and learning from their chefs. Recent dishes include Steak d’Été, a summer steak, and Gnocchis à la Parisienne (France is where the original form of circus got its start, by the way). The restaurant brings a sense of wonder to its menu, offering at least two new dishes every week and adapting to seasonal changes and produce availability. BEST RESTAURANT - BIG SUR Deetjen’s Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn, 48865 Highway 1, Big Sur (831) 667-2377, deetjens.org The candlelight and classical music set a proper mood. There are fireplaces for charm and trees outside tall enough for a circus diver to plunge into a tub of water. But the attraction here is really the cooking. Seasonal vegetables, freshly caught seafood, beef from a nearby ranch—all prepared just right. And the breakfasts are worthy of an award, as well. BEST RESTAURANT - CANNERY ROW The Fish Hopper 700 Cannery Row, Monterey (831) 372-8543, fishhopper.com When it came to naming the restaurant, The Fish Hopper’s owner had it easy. Of the items on a recent dinner menu, 68 percent involved some kind of seafood. And that figure seems low, considering the crab-stuffed prawn pasta doubles down on shellfish. And it’s not just any seafood, mind you. The Fish Hopper overlooks Monterey Bay and takes full advantage of the fresh daily catch. But the kitchen doesn’t ignore other Monterey County products, as the artichoke ravioli attests. The vegetables are in tune with local harvest, as much as possible. The steaks are certified Angus and the parmesan crusted chicken is a favorite. So when the maitre’d says, “Step right up,” guests are eager to do so. BEST RESTAURANT - CARMEL Anton & Michel 689 Mission St., Carmel (831) 624-2406, antonandmichel.com Performers in couture. Sweeping musical compositions. Cirque du Soleil. Such spectacle can be found in the luxury circus—yes, this is a thing. Its patrons enjoy the finer things in life: the dazzle and the sparkle, the finer foods. Such an experience has been a focus of Anton & Michel, a restaurant that walks the line between fine dining and romantic, cozy fare. One might indulge in their maple leaf duck breast, served with a sun-dried cherry sauce, or perhaps a rack of lamb carved and flambéed tableside. Bon appétit. BEST RESTAURANT – CARMEL VALLEY Café Rustica 10 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley (831) 659-4444, caferusticacv.com The name conjures visions of simple comforts in the countryside. The vibe does not disappoint, and the menu seals the deal. Imagine all the love in your mother’s home cooking—if your mom learned from top chefs. Pastas kissed with sauces steeped in care. Best Mexican, Best Restaurant - Salinas | Villa Azteca
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