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Diners' Choice: Healthy restaurants in Monterey / Carmel

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OpenTable
Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall healthy cuisine in Monterey / Carmel? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Schooners Monterey restaurant
4.6
4.6 (3035)
$31 to $50
Californian
Monterey
About the restaurant
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.
Top review
PamelaC
Dined 2 days ago
We had the crabcakes and the scallops. It was all delicious, and we enjoyed it very much. Our server was very nice and we received our food in a timely manner., and we were very pleased with the whole experience.
A photo of Rio Grill restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2472)
$30 and under
Californian
Carmel
About the restaurant
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.

Top review
Jennifer
Dined on 25 Dec 2024
Christmas Eve dinner was beyond our expectations! The food and service amazing. Each drink, plate and entree were masterfully prepared and presented. Thank you Rio Grill!!
A photo of Treehouse Cafe restaurant
4.6
4.6 (271)
$31 to $50
Global, International
Carmel
About the restaurant
Treehouse Cafe offers global fare in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Top review
Jenny
Dined today
Great dinner with my boyfriend and our dog for a birthday eve dinner!
A photo of Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro restaurant
4.6
4.6 (103)
$30 and under
Gastro Pub
Carmel
About the restaurant
Situated in the Carmel Plaza in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, our bistro offers beers from our R&D program crafted on a pilot five barrel brewhouse - the only of its kind in one of the most picturesque and famed coastal towns in the country. Featuring an expansive, 60+ seat outdoor patio and a full bar, along with an ample dining room that can be sectionalized for private events. And the food! The Bistro offers California coastal cuisine with a regional twist, utilizing locally sourced ingredients that vary with the season.
Top review
Richard
Dined on 4 Dec 2024
The smashburger was excellent. Crisp fries and other sides were great too.
A photo of Il Fornaio - Carmel restaurant
4.5
4.5 (2279)
$30 and under
Italian
Carmel
About the restaurant
Il Fornaio means the Baker in Italian. Located in downtown Carmel, Il Fornaio offers an authentic and unique Italian dining experience and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list. Enjoy wood-fired rotisserie and grilled meats, poultry and game; house made and imported pastas; pizzas from an oak wood burning oven; fresh salads and house made soups; antipasti and a wide variety of desserts made daily from scratch.
Top review
Scott
Dined 1 day ago
Nice family dinner in Carmel. Food was spot on. Little pricey but that’s to be expected in Carmel. Waiter was very polite but he was busy so it took a while between drink refills. Food came out on time and presentation was well done. Pesto chicken pasta dish was excellent.
A photo of Basil Seasonal Dining restaurant
4.5
4.5 (918)
$31 to $50
Italian
Carmel
About the restaurant
Creative and modern Californian/Mediterranean dining located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Our seasonal menu is inspired by the freshest sustainable seafood the Monterey Bay has to offer and the finest organic produce from our local farmers. Compliment your experience with fun and contemporary cocktails as well as an excellent selection of California"s most sophisticated wines. Our menu includes a generous selection of vegetarian dishes as well as gluten free options. We offer outdoor seating that is dog friendly.
Top review
KaraVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Excellent service, delicious food and our waiter was a delight !
A photo of Enzo Ristorante Italiano restaurant
4.5
4.5 (452)
$31 to $50
Italian
Carmel
About the restaurant
If a Western Mediterranean version of life exists, you will find it nestled between Ocean ave and Seventh st on San Carlos Street in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The European style village nestled above a picturesque white sandy beach is the perfect backdrop to "ENZO". At Enzo, you will be beckoned by the rustically charming patios surrounded by draping bougainvillea on a sundrenched day or the cozy and simplistic interior warmed by the fireplace when the cool fog blankets the coast.

Calabria is a southern region in Italy where the owner, Enzo, comes from. Calabria is a place where life is still slow.

It's the beauty, the passion, the family, the love...

this is what you will find at Enzo...simplicity, love, comfort, family!


Top review
Tomas
Dined on 21 Dec 2024
Small italian restaurant, cozy with excellent food
A photo of Yafa restaurant
4.4
4.4 (522)
$30 and under
Mediterranean
Carmel
About the restaurant
Yafa Restaurant is a casual corner cafe serving delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes in a warm and homey environment.
Top review
Cindy
Dined on 14 Dec 2024
This was a great ‘find’ for us…great service and accommodation of several special requests and the food was awesome! Will definitely plan another meal here
A photo of Estéban Restaurant at Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa restaurant
4.2
4.2 (873)
$31 to $50
Spanish
Monterey
About the restaurant
Estéban Restaurant: Spanish-inspired California cuisine.
This local favorite offers indoor & outdoor patio (pet-friendly) dining

Up-to-date hours:
Open for Breakfast
Mon. – Fri. 7:00am–10:00am
Open for Dinner
Sun. – Thurs., 4:30pm–8:30pm
Fri. & Sat., 4:30pm–9:00pm
Tapas Happy Hour daily 4:30pm–6:00pm
Open for Brunch
Sat. & Sun. 9:00am–1:30pm

Estéban Restaurant, the 2024 Diners' Choice award winner, carries on the Munras family tradition of culinary hospitality and excellence. It offers authentic Monterey dining in the historic Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa. Enjoy a unique culinary experience featuring traditional Spanish-inspired California cuisine with a pinch of adventure. Choose from shared plates and classic selections.

Gift Certificates available

Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/EstebanRestaurant and Instagram at instagram.com/estebanrestaurant/

Top review
BruceVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Lovely food, great wine …. Another great meal. We will return soon.
A photo of Flaherty's Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar restaurant
4.2
4.2 (1463)
$30 and under
Seafood
Carmel
About the restaurant
We know good seafood, we know how to buy it and we know how to prepare it. Unlike most restaurants (even the best of them) where fish is often a secondary item on the menu. at Flaherty's it's all about seafood.
Top review
FredVIP
Dined on 25 Dec 2024
Best place in the Monterey Bay for oysters. Terrific cioppino and great seafood pasta plus classic grilled and fried seafood, all served by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. It's a small place so be sure to book ahead.
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