Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Restaurants nearby

• Lucia Restaurant & Bar This dining room in the luxe Bernardus Lodge & Spa boasts its own garden, which provides many of the superb ingredients, and is proof of the kitchen’s dedication to local and seasonal food. It might show a talent and focus on vegetables, but highlights from the nightly menu as well as à la carte may include brilliantly tender lamb, served as medallions of deboned ribeye with rosemary jus on a bed of sautéed greens.There is a casual feel to the upscale lodge-like interior, with its large fireplace and muted colors. It's located just off the lobby but draws diners from well beyond mere hotel gue151m
• Aubergine★★ Michelin Easygoing luxury and refinement strike a harmonious note within L’Auberge Carmel, where every element seems designed to delight. Chef Justin Cogley balances classic technique with a sleek, modern aesthetic, and his cooking captures a sense of place that feels wholly his own. Products of spectacular quality are prepared skillfully and painstakingly presented with an artistic eye, as in a surprising "cabbage" taco filled with shallot jam, Madeira-braised treviso, Kaluga queen caviar and cabbage chips. The hits keep coming, like the rice roulade with Dungeness crab finished in a white dashi and b16.4km
• Chez Noir★ Michelin Jonny and Monique Black are the force behind this charming spot, where he acts as Chef and she oversees the service team. While the two have an abundance of fine dining bona fides, here they aim for something more approachable. The inviting, hospitable atmosphere makes perfect sense, given that the second floor of this Craftsman-style residence is where the pair makes their home. The cooking has a broadly Mediterranean sensibility, showcasing the bounty of the California coast with the likes of impeccably prepared abalone and skate. A prix fixe format gives diners a handful of choices, but the16.4km
• MaligneBib The name means “clever” or “cunning,” but you don’t have to be a particularly sharp tool to appreciate the ample charms of this hip, easygoing Seaside gem. The staff is effortlessly hospitable, and the breezy space has a chic loft aesthetic, but it’s the cooking that really makes this place a coup de coeur. The menu draws on Italian-American and French classics (think chicken parm and asparagus with hollandaise), but the feel is thoroughly Californian, with a light, contemporary touch and spectacular local ingredients that make even all-too familiar dishes like Caesar salad memorable—a testame15.0km
• YafaBib This clear hit among locals has even spread to tourists—everyone comes back time and again. The owners bring hospitality to a new level, thanks to a jovial greeting and warm farewells that may involve a hug from the owner. The smell of roasting meats entices passersby with the promise of their excellent kebabs, like deliciously charred yet tender chicken skewered with tomatoes. The Aleppo kafta, combining ground beef and lamb, is richly seasoned and perfectly paired with a side of zippy tzatziki. Be sure to begin any meal with an enormous plate of their mezze, heaped with minty cucumber and to16.2km
• Gusto Handcrafted Pasta & Pizza The surroundings may not be glamorous (Monterey airport is just a skip away), but this family-run establishment is a popular venue for large groups—and the proof is in the pasta. Gauging from the sizable menu of saucy, generously portioned Italian-American staples, no one is likely to leave their table hungry. Delightfully al dente house-made pastas are sure to banish any associations with mushy chain restaurant versions, and even hearty, rustic dishes like eggplant parmigiana get an extra touch of care. The from-scratch approach extends to the mozzarella, which is certainly worth sampling, wh15.3km
• Akaoni Akaoni remains one of the region’s most rewarding sushi counters, even if securing a seat can feel like a minor triumph. With only a handful of seats, limited operating hours and a tiny staff overseeing the entire operation, the atmosphere is resolutely no frills, allowing the focus to remain squarely on the fish. A chef’s choice platter offers a reliable introduction, though regulars know to pay close attention to the daily specials board, where pristine seasonal seafood often shines brightest. Local spot prawns served directly from the tank remain a highlight, while carefully cut nigiri cons16.2km
• La Bicyclette La Bicyclette remains the quintessential neighborhood bistro in the heart of charming Carmel-by-the-Sea. The quirky corner space, filled with petite wooden tables, hanging copper pots and the occasional bicycle, continues to feel warmly lived-in and unmistakably local. The kitchen balances California seasonality with Mediterranean and French influences, alongside wood-fired pizzas and excellent breads from the oven. Classic bistro comforts still shine through in dishes like steak au poivre with peppercorn cognac sauce and pommes frites, while seafood offerings such as pan-seared fresh catch wi16.3km
• Casanova Once owned by Charlie Chaplin’s personal chef, this historic 1920s cottage is marked by a bike parked with lavender flowing from the basket. Before opening in 1987, the family remodeled the building after their Belgian farmhouse, even replicating their wine cellar, which today houses a notable collection. Its setting, just a block off Carmel’s main street, makes dining here seem all the more relaxing and charming. A private room invites 2-8 people to enjoy the chef’s prix-fixe on Vincent Van Gogh’s very own dining table. The rustic French and Italian cooking features deliciously simple dishes,16.3km
• Stationæry This cheery, welcoming little spot has risen to the status of a local brunch favorite thanks to its cleverly California-inflected takes on American classics. A potato pancake served with Korean braised short ribs and kimchi is an illustrative example, as is a photogenic take on avocado toast, adorned with colorful radishes, sprouts, and local seaweed. Not to be overlooked is their lobster roll, served on a perfectly toasted, buttery brioche bun (from celebrated Ad Astra bakery) with sweet lobster meat—topped with caviar to further enhance the splurge, if desired. Dinner, served three nights a 16.3km

Includes Michelin / Black Pearl / guide picks (reference quality, no prices); data from Overture, Michelin Guide and others.