Restaurants in Big Sur + Monterey Bay

This mainstay restaurant in downtown Carmel first opened in 1980 and may be best experienced in warmer weather, when people fill the umbrella-clad tab

Don’t miss the curried chicken sandwich.

Feast on braised veal cheeks at Bistro Laurent, housed in a park-side, 19th-century brick building.

Stop for moules frites on a sunny day.

Dive into Italian seafood—shrimp scampi, and salmon fettuccine—at the waterfront, touristy-but-fun restaurant.

The bland façade may look quiet and unassuming, but inside, executive chef Scott Cater turns out some smart New American cuisine. His special Colorado

The Italian restaurant features a large live tree inside.

The perfect place for salads, pastas, made-from-scratch hollandaise sauce, ahi tuna, and freshly squeezed lemonade and orange juice on the outdoor pat

Order dinner of rack of lamb or duck breast with a cherry-port reduction at the restaurant in the classic 1930 Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn.

The kitchen delivers fancy but family-friendly Mexican: the shrimp burrito is a favorite.

Enjoy an “Ambrosiaburger” on the terrace of a house reputedly once owned by Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth.

Fill up on morning blueberry pancakes or cinnamon raisin French toast at this local breakfast haunt.

Stop in for a pre-hike breakfast.

Begin the day with lobster eggs Benedict at this downtown joint.

Hang out on the patio with a burger and microbrew.

The view: Diners gaze out on the Pacific Ocean and rocky headlands from the Post Ranch Inn

Catch a spectacular sunset at The Sea Chest Oyster Bar and Restaurant, reminiscent of a New England cottage, while feasting on fresh oysters and garli

Start your day with “Mike’s Mess”—a mountain of eggs scrambled with potatoes, mushrooms, and bacon, topped with cheese and sour cream—at this local fa