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Akaoni Japanese & Sushi
Mission St north of 6th Ave
(831) 620-1516
Excellent sushi, tempura and Japanese fare. Make a reservation!
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Andre's Bouchee Restaurant
Mission St Between Ocean & 7th Aves
http://www.andresbouchee.com
(831) 626-7880
Proprietors Andre and Elizabeth Lemaire want to share a Carmel favorite that lures locals and visitors with its chic style and neighborhood charm. Chef Andre Lemaire prepares authentic French Bistro Cuisine with a Californian Coastal flair. Their friendly atmosphere buzzes with excitement and energy that makes you feel your dining in one of the small neighborhoods inside Paris.
Diners at the Bistro have a special advantage with the Bouchée wine shop. Because of it, the restaurant can offer a much greater selection of bottles on its wine list and there is a tremendous flexibility in creating wine flights for the chef’s menu items.
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Casanova Restaurant
5th Ave between Mission and San Carlos Aves
http://www.casanovarestaurant.com
(831) 625-0501
Their focus is on the rustic, regional cuisine of France and Italy.
Chef revisits traditional fare of those regions of Europe that are influenced by the healthy and Mediterranean diet. Because of their Belgian background they also include tasty traditional dishes such as "moules frites", "perciatelle carbonara" and great Belgian desserts.
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Christopher's on Lincoln
Lincoln St between 6th and 5th Aves
http://christophersrestaurantcarmel.com
(831) 626-8000
Christopher's on Lincoln is one of Carmel's most exciting dining experiences. Award winning chef/owner Christopher J. Caul has transformed one of the village's oldest restaurant locations into a modern, fun, and friendly dinner house. Dress is Carmel casual and the attitude is laid back and contemporary...guests feel comfortable in everything from shorts to suits. Charming and affable, Christopher's cuisine is sublime. Christopher's more than 30 years of experience, as well as his three former restaurants, have culminated in a menu that showcases the finest, freshest, seasonal ingredients the Central Coast has to offer. Christopher's wine list features mostly Monterey County wines, as well as his favorites from around the state. Christopher's also features a full bar with some of the finest handcrafted spirits available.
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Dametra Cafe
Ocean Ave at Lincoln St
http://www.dametracafe.com
(831)622-7766
Join the on-going party at Dametra Cafe for great Mediterranean fare, featuring food of Greece, Italy and the near Middle East.
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Flaherty's Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar
6th Ave between Dolores and San Carlos Sts
http://www.flahertysseafood.com
(831) 624-0311
We know good seafood, we know how to buy it and we know how to prepare it. Unlike most restaurants in Monterey (even the best of them) where fish is often a secondary item on the menu… at Flaherty’s it’s all about seafood.
It’s About Fresh...
At Flaherty’s all of our fish is fresh, most is caught wild (not grown in farms) and of the highest quality. Fresh fish is delivered daily… sometimes twice or even three times a day. Are you aware that the majority of fish served at other Monterey restaurants is frozen? We probably do not need to remind you (but we will) about the taste and nutritional value of fresh fish versus the frozen variety.
It’s About Wild and Free...
Our fish is caught wild, not grown in crowded, stressful confines of man-made pens. Fresh fish consume natural foods (not chemical pellets), swim free in the oceans and lakes and mature at a natural healthy rate. Like “free range” poultry, fresh fish just simply tastes better.
It’s About Sustainability...
Flaherty’s is the original “Sustainability Restaurant”.
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Flying Fish Grill in Carmel Plaza
Mission St Between Ocean & 7th Aves
http://www.restauranteur.com/flyingfishgrill
(831) 625-1962
A longtime favorite of locals and visitors alike, the Flying Fish Grill is small and intimate and filled with mouth-watering aromas. There's a cozy, Japanese feel to the decor with vividly colorful flying fish created by Kenny in papier-mache that float from the ceiling and artwork by local artists that add to the visual pleasure. You may be greeted at the door by Tina, Kenny's wife, or by Kenny himself, who spends time checking on the guests when he's not in the kitchen.
The Flying fish Grill is about family, loyalty, conviviality and loving what you do. Delicious food is only one of the attractions.
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The Forge in the Forest
Junipero St at 5th Ave
http://www.forgeintheforest.com
(831) 624-2233
The Forge in the Forest offers an extensive menu of American cuisine featuring tantalizing appetizers and entrée selections that run the gamut from vegetarian to ribs, burgers to fillet mignon, pizzas to pasta, tacos to stir fry and seafood to salads. The Forge in the Forest's wine list features California only appellations, from Santa Barbara to Sonoma with a strong emphasis on our local wineries. The Forge also boasts a wide selection of spirits from our full service bar. Whether you're not sure what you want, or everyone in your group wants something different, there is something for everyone at The Forge.
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The Grill on Ocean Ave
Ocean Ave between Dolores and Lincoln Sts
http://www.carmelsbest.com/thegrill
(831) 624-2569
The atmosphere at The Grill on Ocean Avenue is warm and relaxing — open, bright, modern and airy, tastefully trimmed in oak and linen around a large Carmel stone fireplace.
The Grill on Ocean Avenue is one of the Monterey Peninsula's 10 best restaurants, as named by Epicurean Rendezvous Restaurant Guide and the Monterey County Critics Choice list. The cuisine is lyrical, clearly California in its freshness and lightness with Pacific Rim influence.
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Harumi Sushi
1760 Fremont Blvd, Seaside, CA
http://sushiharumi.com/Home.html
(831) 899-9988
Authentic Japanese Cuisine
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Il Fornaio
Monte Verde St at Ocean Ave
http://www.ilfornaio.com/?page=138&restaurant_id=3145
(831) 622-5100
Authentic Italian Restaurant and Bakery
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La Bicyclette
Dolores St at 7th Ave
http://www.labicycletterestaurant.com
(831) 622-9899
The café in European culture has always been more than just a place to eat and drink. Cafés are social hubs, places for discussion, thought, relaxation, and time with friends. The café is where people from all walks of life, whether they are artists and writers, or business people and politicians, can come and interact freely. People can laugh, share stories, share ideas, and debate in a casual atmosphere that is comfortable and stress free. Because of this, cafés are bustling with activity and there is a sense that everyone belongs. Great ideas and dialogue go hand in hand with great food and wine. We find inspiration in the aliments(ingredients) that nourish our bodies and our minds. The cafés of Europe have spawned many a great idea and many a great meal. We hope that La Bicyclette follows in the same tradition.
A votre santé.
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Lalla Grill in Del Monte Center
1400 Del Monte Shopping Center Monterey , CA
http://www.lallagrill.com
(831) 324-4632
LALLAgrill’s concept revolves around the meaning of the word “fresh” and fresh ideas can be found in every aspect of this restaurant —from its architectural and interior design to its fresh, organic and housemade menu items.
LALLAgrill offers casual, California cuisine in a contemporary garden setting. Lunch, dinner, and spirits will be served from 11am to 11pm.
LALLAgrill’s menu features the best of California with an healthy assortment of both small plates and hearty entrees. Ingredients are fresh, never frozen. Local, organic fruits and vegetables, as well as herbs picked from the restaurant’s garden wall will be used in LALLAgrill recipes. All breads and desserts will be house-made on the premises.
LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE CENTURY THEATERS!
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Le St. Tropez Cuisine of the Sun
Dolores St between Ocean and 7th Aves
http://www.lesttropez.com
(831) 624-8977
Live the warmth of the French Riviera and taste the “Cuisine of the Sun”.
Enjoy modern and classic French savories featuring Tableside Carving & Flambé.
Gluten Free Options Available!
House made Desserts • Specialty Coffee & Tea
Full Premium Bar
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Lugano Swiss Bistro
3670 The Barnyard, Santa Rosa Barn, Lower Level, Carmel, CA
http://swissbistro.com
(831) 626-3779
Escape to a little bit of Switzerland at
The Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel!
The cozy interior of Lugano Swiss Bistro, with its wood paneled walls adorned with Swiss decorations, whimsical mural and checkered tablecloths, transports the diner into a chalet high in the alps. Chef André Lengacher’s culinary magic completes the picture with the unique and robust flavors of his native country.
Outdoor, the illusion continues with an Alpine-style heated patio where well-behaved canines are welcome.
Authentic Swiss cuisine is only a yodel away at Lugano Swiss Bistro!
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Merlot Bistro
Ocean Ave between Monte Verde and Lincoln Sts
http://www.carmelsbest.com/merlot
(831) 624-5659
Merlot Bistro, Located in the heart of beautiful Carmel by the Sea, California, offers fresh fabulous new cuisine that complements our California world famous wines.
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Monterey's Fish House
2114 Del Monte Ave Monterey, CA
http://www.yelp.com/biz/montereys-fish-house-monterey-2
(831) 373-4647
Local fish lovers flock here. Located in a former home, the restaurant is a little off the beaten track but not hard to find. The dining rooms fill up fast, and you may have to wait. Must-try dishes include barbecued oysters, grilled artichokes, calamari steak, and the area's most reasonably priced rack of lamb. Pastas with a decidedly Italian slant abound. Family-owned and operated with a locally driven wine list and friendly service.
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Mundaka Spanish Tapas
San Carlos St between Ocean and 7th Aves
http://www.mundakacarmel.com
(831) 624-7400
Mundaka is a Spanish style tapas restaurant in downtown Carmel, CA. It is the result of great friendships, a love of food and wine and music, and a long term romance with Spain and its culture. Open in March 2009, Mundaka continues to evolve daily with the creations of our chef Brandon Miller, and the musical musings of all our talented contributors. Mundaka aspires to be the hub for all that is tasty, fun, artistic, creative, and cultural in Carmel-by-the-sea. We look forward to seeing you soon.
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Little Napoli Bistro Italiano
Dolores St at 7th Ave
http://pepemag.com/category/little-napoli
(831) 626-6335
The cuisine at Little Napoli features the flavors of Southern Italy, from Rome and Napoli, all the way down to Sicily…with a little bit of New Jersey thrown in, as chef/owner Rich Pèpe was raised in Hoboken before coming out to California.
Antipasti, Pizza, Pasta and Risotto are prepared perfectly with the handed down Pèpe family signature recipes. Little Napoli is located just a few blocks up from the beach in Carmel, so it is no surprise that seafood is one of the specialties here.
Meyer Ranch, an all-natural hormone-free mid-west beef company, provides all the meat for the menu items. Rich Pepe is a baker by trade and grew up working in a family bakery in New Jersey & also owns Carmel Bakery. Breads and desserts here are all made in house.
The award-winning wine list is mostly Italian, with some local producers rounding out the list. Pepe’s own wine from Atlas Peak in Napa, aptly named Pèpe Winery is also featured.
Rich Pèpe is partners with the famed Italian winemaker Piero Antinori at Peppoli at Pebble Beach, and has an amazing collection of multiple vintages of the finest Italian wines, yet all at reasonable prices.
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Nepenthe Restaurant
48510 Highway One, Big Sur, CA
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com
(831) 667-2345
In 1947, Lolly and Bill Fassett moved with their five children into the Log House in Big Sur. Once a get away for the Trail Club of Jolon, the cabin is perched on a hillside overlooking the south coast of Monterey County.
Big Sur, with yellow genesta popping in August heat; purple lupine tangling with sage on mountains shrouded in fog, was a wild sanctuary. Bill and Lolly imagined an open-air pavilion with good food and wine and dancing under the stars. It would be a place where people from up and down the coast would come and forget their cares.
Working with Rowan Maiden, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, they sketched out their vision. Legendary Big Sur builders, Frank and Walter Trotter built the structure using native materials; redwood, hewn from the canyons and adobe bricks, which Lolly made with her own hands.
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Rio Grill in Crossroads Shopping Center
101 Crossroads Blvd
http://www.riogrill.com
(831) 625-5436
Menu highlights include entrees from the wood-burning grill and oak wood smoker, as well as the chef's daily creations featuring fresh fish and pasta.
Creative American dishes such as fire-roasted artichoke with balsamic vinaigrette, house-smoked chicken with chile
butter and the ever popular ice cream sandwich, are combined with impeccable service to form the cornerstones of
Rio Grill's continuing success.
The comfortable lounge and full bar serving our famous "Rio Rita," is lined with colorful caricatures of local faces and
celebrities. Bar patrons can also order from the full menu while sitting by the fireplace or at the bar. Rio Grill's
award-winning wine list features more than 160 labels including an extensive selection available by the glass. Rio Grill is truly the place for people of all ages who enjoy great food, a dynamic environment and outstanding service.
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Sushi Heaven
Dolores St between 7th and 8th Aves
(831) 625-2067
Authentic Japanese cuisine and sushi, with over 150 exquisite sushi creations! Friendly bar and warm, cozy atmosphere. Serves sakes, local wine and beer.
Open Mon - Sat: Lunch 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM; Dinner 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Closed Sundays.
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Tommy's Wok
Mission St Between Ocean & 7th Aves
http://www.restauranteur.com/tommyswok
(831) 624-8518
Tommy's Wok is a small, out-of-the-way place tucked inside the Redwood Court with all the charm of Carmel. Szechuan, Hunan and Mandarin cuisine is served fresh and natural. Everything on the menu is homemade - no worry here about MSG and other artificial ingredients! Tommy Mao (Chef) and sisters, Van and Joanne, have had two other successful restaurant ventures in Sausalito and Oakhurst. Tasting is believing at Tommy's Wok!
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Village Fish House
19 East Carmel Valley Road Carmel Valley, CA
http://www.villagefishhouse.com
(831) 659-4671
The Village Fish House is conveniently located in the center of Carmel Valley Village. Originally built and operated as a dairy, the restaurant remains much the charm of its early California heritage. Popular with out-of-towners looking for a quiet romantic dinning experience as well as locals. The food is delicious and theyare well known for their oak-fired cooking. Stop by and say hello some time!
Fish House is wonderful. The menu is quite large and if you can't decide, then Rosie will make you half of this and half of that. Rosie makes you feel like a local and she takes hospitality to a new level. Did I mention that the food is incredible? The prices are very reasonable too.