A Locals Guide-Where to eat and drink in Monterey, Big Sur, and Carmel California
I often offer suggestions to my photography clients while they are here visiting either for family sessions, elopements, or engagement shoots. I wanted to make those suggestions available to anyone on my site! For those families visiting I have two kids and spend the majority of my time at the beach or river here, I’ll include my favorite fast places!
I always recommend seeing Big Sur and taking a drive on the one, I personally feel a 17-mile drive is not a must-see, It looks very similar to the Monterey and Pacific Grove coastline. It has a famous “lone cypress” but you can go to the Point Lobos cypress grove and see more spectacular views and cypress trees.
Tables of Contents:
BIG SUR:
Nepenthe: Authentic Big Sur, no french influences here. The Ambrosia burger is my favorite after a long day of hiking or shooting. The views, fire pits, raw wood, and lack of cell reception make the atmosphere hard to beat. They do not take reservations and the weekends during the summer have been slammed. Come on a weekday and have a nice Cab on the back patio. I bring my kids here all the time.
River Inn: The best place to stop and stick your toes in the water. Have a mojito and sit in one of their chairs in the river. Kid-friendly (bring their bathing suit). Not a fan of their food.
Tree Bones: I stayed here for my birthday this year and had so much fun! Make a reservation for the 13-course prefixed sushi dinner you won’t regret it. We stayed in Yurt 16 and you could hear the highway during the day but it was completely silent at night. As always in Big Sur bring warm clothes as hot days are few and far between.
Sushi Jawn: Pop up sushi van, still havent tried but I want to!
Big Sur Tap House: Great backyard patio for beer and a board game.
CARMEL:
The Cheese Shop: Do yourself a favor get a baguette, wine, and cheese, and have a picnic at Carmel beach at sunset. This is my daughter’s favorite lunch spot and she loves their Brie!
Dametras Carmel: This place is so fun, they bring out one of their cute older chefs who sing in Greek. The food is flavorful and fresh, I bring friends from NY here! They also own the Treetop Cafe up the street, less greek, and decent.
L’Auberge- Recently given one Michelin star, probably the best restaurant on the Monterey coast. Preset menu, a lackluster environment but amazing food!
La Bicyclette: The menu is seasonal and changes, but generally always good, their mushroom app is incredible. The pizzas are stellar. I often go here after walking my dog on the beach. I ate here before T. Swift lol.
Akioni: The best sushi around for an authentic fresh experience. I haven’t come back since Toro opened.
Toro Sushi: MY FAVORITE! I love this sushi spot, the seared salmon and seared Carmel rolls are my go-tos. Their smoked green tea is amazing on a cold day.
Vesuvio rooftop - The fun atmosphere on the roof of the main Vesuvio restaurant, food, and drinks are decent but the atmosphere is fun, especially for small bites. I really dont go here anymore, but it is a fun stop!
AW. Shucks: Downtown Carmel and my favorite calamari on the coast! Their homemade tarter sauce with sauerkraut is amazing. The oysters change with the season but the ones I’ve had are fresh and flavorful. Kumomoto is my favorite. Always annoyed they won’t take reservations but come leave your name and then go wine tasting. Their credit card machine has been “ broken” for the past year, bring cash!
Chez Nor - Brand new, haven’t been yet but it’s the one restaurant I’m really excited to try. Michelin star husband and wife team from the bay’s restaurant. Modern seafood-centric menu. Tuesday-Saturday 5 pm -9:30 pm
Stationary: Great brunch spot, often REALLY crowded so I tend to avoid it only for that reason. Quality coffee. Carmel Prices
We had my dogs birthday at Cypress Inn, it’s one of my favorite real local places just because of all the dogs and the sweet older servers. Food is good, not incredible but stop in for a quick bite and a drink and pet all the dogs.
Buds: Located within la playa hotel, I have heard nothing but rave reviews and have been meaning to try it!
MONTEREY:
Stokes Adobe: GREAT! newest on the list and right in downtown Monterey. Inside is adorable, with great cocktails, and fresh fish, all apps are wonderful. Skip the desert here. Outside fire pits are really fun to sit with friends. You can walk from here down to Fisherman’s Wharf and stop for ice cream on the way to Revival Ice Cream, the Bee’s Knee’s flavor is the best.
El Charrito- Authentic Mexican food on Alvarado street, handmade tortillas are worth the carbs. The back entrance is for to-go orders and has all the good stuff. Obsessed with their taquitos. Get it to go and have a bonfire at Asilomar beach. I absolutely am obsessed with their nighttime dinner options Alejandros, their bone marrow tacos, ahi tuna tostada, taquitos and shrimp ceviche are memorable.
Alejandros : The front restaurant in partnership with El Charrito for an elevated Mexican fair. They're ahi tuna toastada with a guava Margarita HITS.
Cella- I prefer the other restaurants to this one, steak tartare and the drinks were delicious but menu can be underwhelming.
CARMEL VALLEY:
When most people visit us they don’t think of wine tasting especially not with kids. Although Napa’s wine tends to be better we have great kid-friendly wine-tasting options!
Folktale: I don’t love their wine but their small bites, outdoor area, and kid-friendly activities make it a family favorite.
The Wine House: They have beer too!
Cowgirl Winery: Fun atmosphere, chickens roam around the property very kid-friendly and pizza from Cork Screw can be delivered to your Bocce ball court.
Baja Cantina - Fun family-friendly Mexican food, the TJ taxi is our family favorite.
ROUX: nice outdoor seating very close to Cowgirl winery and the Corkscrew Cafe which I also like. At Roux, I prefer to have lunch over dinner and their fried Oreos are pretty amazing. The corkscrew cafe has great food but their service is slow! Don’t go if you’re in a rush.
PEBBLE BEACH:
The Bench: outdoor seating with fire pits, decent pizza, and a bagpiper at sunset. The Broccolini and Baloon bread are also favorites! I would avoid Stillwater and most other Pebble beach restaurants. I do visit Sticks with my kids and love their cookie in a skillet. A lot of locals will argue with me over Pebble Restaurants but it’s my blog and I don’t like Peppoli.
PACIFIC GROVE :
The Red House Cafe: a staple with my family for breakfast or lunch. Try their artichoke grilled cheese and any of their soups.
Peppers: I love their steak tacos and artichoke enchilada, not a fan of any of their chicken dishes. Make reservations on weekends.
Fandango’s: This restaurant is a classic Pacific Grove staple. I love their sand dabs and surf and turf. Classic French restaurant in a fun building with ocean views.
Micheals Taqueria: The blacked chicken and Shrimp burrito called “ the house” burrito is our family favorite! I crave this ALL the time. The atmosphere is lacking, drive to the beach to eat just down the road. Hole in the wall!
Rudolfos: Great pizza, nice downtown location.
QUICK BITES/ HOLE IN THE WALLS
Captain and Stoker: The best chai around, great avocado toast, friendly and fast service
El Pollo Rey: Hands down my favorite Mexican restaurant, It has a large sign outside saying “ best chicken” and it truly is. I often pick up a whole chicken with tortillas, beans, pink salsa, and pickled onions to go. I’ve passed up reservations at fancy places many times to come here.
Ad Astra Bread Co : obsessed with their olive loaf, just opened a bakery and coffee shop I have yet to try! right across from Alejandros.
Alta Bakery: favorite for almost all things. love the back area on a sunny day.
Rise and Roam: Downtown carmel, solid place for bagels from the bay and matcha.
