Good Eats
Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach have a bustling food scene. October can be a busy time in this area so we highly recommend making reservations in advance. Below are some of the places we've really enjoyed!
Coffee and Breakfast
Carmel Coffee House
Carmel Belle
Stationæry
This picturesque little café packs in fresh small batches, roasted on premise coffee, and a plethora of breakfast and lunch items available at the counter. Usually has a short line. It's good for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.
Carmel Belle proudly sources its ingredients from farmers and purveyors that practice sustainability, and provide honest, high-quality products that taste really good. It's a great place for quick meals, smoothies, coffee and juices.
Stationæry is a neighborhood restaurant tucked between San Carlos and Mission Streets in the San Carlos Square, an intimate haven for locals. Offering breakfast, lunch, specialty coffee, and natural wines, they celebrate comforting flavors with elegant presentation. Make a reservation as the wait for a table can easily climb over an hour.
Dutch Door Doughnuts
Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co
Spyglass Hill Grill
Quite possibly the best donuts on the peninsula and Central Coast of California. The goal of the owners was to make a cup of coffee and donut that locals, and visitors to peninsula will be raving about long after finishing the cup. Their freshly fried and brewed offerings deliver!
Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co. has been operating in Carmel, California for over 25 years. Their process is old-school as they rely on sight, sound and smell to roast their beans with a simple philosophy: Never over roast.
Informal dining right next to the 9th green at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The breakfast sandwiches and burritos are worth the stop whether you're playing golf or not.
Lunch or Dinner
Le Souffle
Stillwater Bar & Grill
A.W. Shucks Oyster Bar
Le Soufflé is a fine dining traditional French soufflé restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea that strives to emulate the refined comfort one envisions when planning a special night out. Reservations recommended as this is a smaller venue.
Overlooking the world famous 18th hole at Pebble Beach and stunning Stillwater Cove, the scenery sets the stage for a memorable meal. Enjoy a thoughtfully crafted seasonal California Coastal cuisine menu featuring fresh and flavorful sustainable seafood that is paired with local organic produce. The Bench at The Lodge offers similar views with more traditional American fare.
A seafood pub specializing in fresh oysters (Abby's favorite food) - plus a full menu of classics like New England and Manhattan chowders along with burgers, chili and sandwiches. Best for a light meal or pre-dinner appetizers and drinks, their bar stocks 135 Scotches, 50 vodkas, 80 bourbons and whiskeys, 36 gins, 23 brands of rum and 65 tequilas.
La Bicyclette
Village Gem
Porta Bella
La Bicyclette features European Country Cuisine, hand-crafted using local ingredients and old world artistry. Their menu is updated weekly, featuring food that is simple and spontaneous, blending flavors and cooking techniques in a way that is rooted in tradition yet creative.
A delicious and hidden "gem" in one of Carmel's many plazas, Village Gem offers delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. They source fresh ingredients from local farmers' markets. No matter what time of year, you can be sure you're eating the best of the season.
Fresh Italian cuisine, with a charming, elegant, and romantic atmosphere. If you're not lured in by the lively atmosphere of the patio, the smells wafting out the front door should do the trick. As a bonus, it's next door to the Cottage of Sweets, an old school chocolatier and candy shop.
The Pocket
Hay's Place
Peppoli
The Pocket strives to provide the perfect pairing of cuisine, culture, fine wine and cocktails. Inside or out, your party will find a warm, inviting al fresco atmosphere. Enjoy delicious food paired with the perfect wine or cocktail and don't be too nervous to follow your server's suggestions.
The newest addition to Pebble Beach's restaurant lineup, Hay's Place offers Mexican-inspired fare overlooking the newly redesigned par 3 course. Choose from a wide range of cocktails at their indoor/outdoor bar and kick back on the large patio with fire pits and  fire-side tables.
Italy’s rich traditions, culture and cuisine join together at Pèppoli at Pebble Beach, where for 20 years authentic Tuscan-style dishes have been paired with the widest selection of Antinori wines outside of Tuscany. One of Adam's dad's favorites.