Iconic destination celebrates its unique dining experiences
Carmel-By-The-Sea, Calif. – The village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, renowned worldwide for its charm and natural beauty, is dishing up six new restaurants, adding to an already successful culinary roster.
From freshly foraged seafood offerings to hand-packed, grass fed, artisan beef burgers, and from Spanish cuisine to California-fusion, the diverse dining scene in Carmel is thriving. With more than 60 restaurants in one-square-mile and an estimated population of less than 4,000, Carmel-by-the-Sea boasts more restaurants per capita than any other small city in the United States.
Discover these new restaurants in Carmel during your next visit
- Foray will be regarded for its approachable fine dining; the menu will highlight wild products and foraged ingredients from the West Coast like chanterelles, clams and truffles. Chef Michael Chang and his wife, Caroline Singer will leverage their background in culinary hospitality and avid foraging techniques to create dishes that are seasonal and locally sourced. The restaurant is slated to open by the end of September.Â
- Chez Noir will also focus on sourcing from the Central Coast, working closely with hyper-local, micro-seasonal ingredients to create French and Spanish-inspired menu items. Chef Jonny Black and his wife Monique have worked in several of San Francisco's top Michelin-star restaurants, and plan to open the new venture to the public in late September.Â
- Carmel Burger Bar (now open) is centrally located in Carmel Plaza. The eatery will offer grass-fed, artisan beef burgers, all-natural chicken breast, organic bison meats and organic vegetables. The menu will shift seasonally, offering endless options to the patrons that visit.Â
- Nicolás Cocina de Herencia (Coming Soon!) is also located in Carmel Plaza, and is owned and operated by Chef Susana Alvaraz of the beloved Villa Azteca in Oldtown Salinas. Featuring three generations of Michoacán and Mexican recipes, Chef Alvaraz blends classic and contemporary dishes with a modern twist on technique and presentation.Â
- Promesa (now open) is a tapas kitchen, dishing up authentic Spanish cuisine that includes quesos and charcuteria to a chef's selection of tapas, curated wines and inventive cocktails. Guests are swooning over the paella, patatas bravas and the house-made sangria. Â
- Grill on Ocean Ave (now open), offers California-fusion favorites – all of which are kid-friendly – like fresh seafood dishes, classic salads, and small plates to share. The menu boasts an array of options, with dishes such as spicy tandoori shrimp, a surf and turf-style fajita, filet mignon, seafood fettuccine, seasonal soup and salads and more being served daily.Â
No Chains, No Franchises
These new openings join several award-winning eateries, all of which persevered through the COVID-19 pandemic – a time when, unfortunately, so many restaurants across the country were forced to close their doors.
With no chains or franchises, Carmel-by-the-Sea is truly a one-of-a-kind culinary destination, filled with local support and loyalty. The seaside town's restaurant scene offers diverse options for various experiences, from outdoor and dog-friendly options for all to enjoy.
The gastronomy of the village is no doubt enhanced by chefs making good use of fresh produce grown locally in Salinas Valley, the catch of the day from Monterey Bay and award-winning pours from Monterey County vineyards.
In Carmel, culinary creativity is just one more expression of the artistic culture that defines the town.
"Daring, experimental, innovative chefs and tastemakers craft flavors that coincide with, and are born from, Carmel's natural landscape and environment," says Amy Herzog, executive director of Visit Carmel. "With independent owners and operators, each Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurant is an intimate and unique experience."
