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Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Carmel

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10 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Dametra Cafe restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(257)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Carmel
Booked 41 times today
Dametra Cafe is a hot spot in Carmel due to its vibrant atmosphere and delicious Greek cuisine. Customers rave about the high-quality food, friendly service, and engaging environment. The restaurant is consistently packed with its live music and energetic ambiance. One reviewer even mentioned that the restaurant 'erupts into a middle eastern dance party', making it an unforgettable dining experience.
A photo of Sur at The Barnyard restaurant
4.3
Awesome(532)
Price: Expensive
• American • Carmel Valley
Booked 36 times today
Voted "Best Restaurant in Carmel Valley 2023"!Located in the picturesque Barnyard Shopping Village just off of HWY 1 between Rio Rd and Carmel Valley Rd. Sur at the Barnyard is where foodies, beer lovers and families escape the stresses of their day-to-day lives to enjoy a great meal!If you don't see a reservation available give us a call anytime and we will be happy to assist!Need a reservation for 7 or more? Give us a call at 831-250-7188 or email us any requests at reservations@suratthebarnyard.com
A photo of Old Fisherman's Grotto restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1676)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Monterey
Booked 13 times today
Nestled on the historic Fisherman's Wharf, overlooking the picturesque Monterey Harbor, Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a must-visit dining destination. Renowned worldwide for its exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and charming ambiance, the Grotto offers a culinary experience like no other. Our menu showcases fresh seafood sourced sustainably, USDA prime beef, and an extensive wine selection with over 200 choices recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine. With a commitment to providing an intimate dining atmosphere, we enforce a zero-tolerance policy for excessive noise levels, ensuring a pleasant experience for all our guests. We kindly ask patrons to keep noise levels moderate to respect others' dining experiences.
A photo of Schooners Monterey restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(3044)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Monterey
Booked 53 times today
Schooners, suspended over the waters of Monterey Bay, is a stunning restaurant featuring sustainable seafood and approachable, contemporary American cuisine. The ideal location for celebrating the Central Coast and the spectacular coastal region, the Schooners team commitment to fresh, sustainable seafood is reflected in the creative menu which features a variety of seafood options, both raw and cooked, as well as appetizers, soups, salads and main courses. A creative cocktail menu is served alongside an impressive wine list highlighting Monterey County vintners.
A photo of Sardine Factory restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(5006)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Monterey
Booked 40 times today
Every city has that one can’t miss restaurant, where celebrities feel at home and every other guest feels like a celebrity. Since October 2, 1968, The Sardine Factory’s cachet has made dining in our historic Cannery Row setting a tradition for world leaders, sports heroes and entertainment icons. Our award-winning chefs prepare delectable creations of fresh, sustainable seafood and USDA Prime Aged Beef; winner of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s "Best Wine List in America" award. The Lounge’s live entertainment, Happy Hour and affordable menu are a casual alternative to our other dining rooms. Celebrating over 50 years under the same ownership and management! Voted "Best Restaurant in Monterey" by Monterey County Herald readers.
A photo of Rio Grill restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(2485)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Carmel
Booked 25 times today
Rio Grill, located in the Crossroads in Carmel, has been the place to meet friends, enjoy tasty, flavorful food and relax with a refreshing cocktail or glass of wine for over 38 Years.Chef Luis Osorio creative American dishes are some of the most flavorful, colorful and vibrant on the Monterey Peninsula and celebrate flavor in every mouthwatering bite!In addition to the main dining room, Rio Grill has a comfortable lounge and full bar serving refreshing libations including the restaurant’s famous "Rio Rita.” The bar is lined with colorful caricatures of local faces and celebrities. Rio Grill's award-winning wine list by Wine Director, Gabe de la Vega, features more than 250 labels featuring a ton of local wineries and an extensive selection available by the glass.
A photo of Fish Hopper restaurant
4.5
Awesome(3786)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • Monterey
Booked 83 times today
Experience the beauty of the Pacific Ocean combined with world-class dining on historic Cannery Row, just a short walk from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The newly renovated Fish Hopper, housed in an original sardine cannery building, offers spectacular views of the stunning Monterey Bay from every table, including our heated outdoor patio. The Fish Hopper specializes in fresh, sustainable seafood, certified Angus beef, pastas, and live shellfish. Our seafood is either locally caught or shipped in fresh daily, and our produce is locally grown in the Salinas Valley. Some favorites include fresh Monterey Bay abalone, macadamia-crusted halibut, our famous “Tomahawk Chop” bone-in rib eye, and fresh Dungeness crab. Start your meal with our award-winning clam chowder, and indulge in one of our many exotic cocktail creations or a selection from our extensive wine collection. While enjoying your delicious meal, you can watch sea otters at play and even catch a glimpse of the occasional whale.
A photo of Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(4349)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Pacific Grove
Booked 42 times today
Casual California dining overlooking scenic and historic Lovers Point Beach.
A photo of Domenico's on the Wharf restaurant
4.5
Awesome(1661)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • Monterey
Booked 21 times today
That friendly salutation is an invitation to dine with us and enjoy exceptional bayside ambiance, gracious service and delicious food. Our entire staff here at Domenico's On the Wharf has extended a warm welcome to locals and visitors for more than 35 years, and we proudly present the best seafood in Monterey for your dining pleasure.Our award-winning list of wine features the best from surrounding Monterey County vineyards, and we offer extensive selections from Sonoma, Napa, Italy, and France. The freshest, sustainable, local and Alaskan seafood take center stage in our culinary creations, and we also grill up extraordinary steaks and lovingly prepare in-house pastas and locally grown organic vegetables.Our family style of hospitality continues to win a special place in the hearts of our guests. Let us show you to your table overlooking the beautiful bay waters with a sunny window view of sea lions and pelicans at play.
A photo of El Torito - Monterey restaurant
3.8
Excellent(1231)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Monterey
Booked 73 times today
The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jenel
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    The service and food was top notch! I never had such a flavorful meal that was cooked and prepared to perfection! It was a beautiful experience with the waves crashing below and the warmth from the heating lamps. Our server was very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. It was a great dining experience and we will be returning many more times.
    More info
    Schooners MontereyPrice: Expensive• Californian• Monterey
    4.6
  • KathyVIP
    Los Angeles •11 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Both the food and service were great, especially the sommelier, he was amazing. I loved the ambiance, except that we were seated near the server station, which was a very busy area. At least ten people bumped into my right side during dinner.
    More info
    Sardine FactoryPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Monterey
    4.7
  • Ron and Red
    California Central Coast •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Always a beautiful, delicious, perfect experience every single time. We always choose the Grotto for all our special occasions because we know we won't be disappointed. The food is the best, the service is even better! We had dinner for Valentine's Day. Like always, it was a perfect experience. Our server, Jose, was fantastic! Attentive, kind, and an absolute pleasure. Service is a big deal to us. Bad service is a deal breaker, regardless of the food quality. The Grotto has outstanding service, from the owner greeting you on your way in, to the service you get inside.We both had the calamari, it's our favorite! We also had the clam chowder because, let's be honest, it would be criminal to go to Old Fisherman's Grotto and NOT have the clam chowder. It's literally the best in the world! Even something as simple as French fries is a big deal. I don't know what makes them SOOO good, but they are! Warm sourdough bread and butter at the table is something we also look forward to and appreciate(also to dip in the chowder). The service here is top-notch. Every person who walks through the door is met with kindness by every employee they encounter during their visit. I would dine here because of the service alone, but their food is equally matched. Even when they're crowded, it's still a relaxing, lovely atmosphere. The views and ambiance are romantic. This is a perfect place to have a quiet, romantic dinner or a casual night out. I've been dining here for decades and will continue to enjoy it for years to come. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. They certainly check all the boxes, great food, service, views, ambiance, and overall experience. The lovely rose you're given at the end is the cherry on top. What a perfect Valentine's Day! I'm already looking forward to next time! If you've never been here, you're missing out! They never disappoint. There's a reason why this is my favorite restaurant.
    More info
    Old Fisherman's GrottoPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Monterey
    4.8
  • Miguel
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    My experience was very good honestly the waitress that helped us did a fantastic job of serving us and always checked in on us to see how we were doing and the food was honestly great for a first time going there I really enjoyed it would definitely recommend going there and going back there once again and then on the house special was a 10/10 .
    More info
    Sur at The BarnyardPrice: Expensive• American• Carmel Valley
    4.3
  • Stephanie
    Houston •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    We came here on the first day of our honeymoon and had the best time! Music was amazing, food was phenomenal and service was OUTSTANDING! Will recommend Dametra time and time again! It is a gem in Carmel!
    More info
    Dametra CafePrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Carmel
    4.8

Discover best hot spot restaurants in Carmel

Discover the culinary delights of California's Central Coast with our guide to the hottest dining spots in Carmel, Monterey/Carmel. Renowned for their exceptional service, these restaurants offer a variety of atmospheres from cozy and intimate to vibrant and bustling, catering to all dining preferences. Whether you're craving fresh seafood, authentic Italian, or exquisite French cuisine, you'll find establishments here that boast top-tier menus, expertly crafted by chefs who prioritize quality and authenticity. Each restaurant not only promises delicious meals but also a memorable dining experience, thanks to their commitment to excellence in both food and service. The dining scene in this locale is characterized by its blend of high-quality ingredients, culinary expertise, and inviting atmospheres, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers. Embrace the charm of Carmel and Monterey/Carmel, where each meal is prepared with passion and served with a smile. Whether you're a local or a tourist, these hot spots are guaranteed to provide an exceptional dining experience that will keep you coming back for more.

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