Anton & Michel

Snack on lobster spring rolls or Maryland crab cakes.... More

Art Café and Bakery

Don’t miss the curried chicken sandwich.... More

Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant

Pick up coffee and freshly made jelly doughnuts before hitting Pfeiffer State Beach, three miles... More

Bistro Laurent

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

Black Cat

Head down the coast for a nice dinner here. ... More

Bouchée Restaurant and Wine Bar

Stop for moules frites on a sunny day. ... More

Café Fina

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

Casablanca, Santa Cruz

The bland façade may look quiet and unassuming, but inside, executive chef Scott Cater turns... More

Casanova

The Italian restaurant features a large live tree inside. ... More

cellar door cafe

Center Street Grill

The perfect place for salads, pastas, made-from-scratch hollandaise sauce, ahi tuna, and freshly squeezed lemonade... More

Cielo, Big Sur

Citronelle

Dine at Michel Richard’s Citronelle, at the Carmel Valley Ranch resort—and be sure to order... More

Deetjen's Big Sur Inn

Order dinner of rack of lamb or duck breast with a cherry-port reduction at the... More

El Palomar

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

Let's Be Frank

This seriously ambitious hot-dog stand is run by Berkeley-based Chez Panisse veteran Sue Moore, who... More

Marinus at Bernardus Lodge

This indoor-outdoor restaurant is surrounded by vineyards. Try the organic carrot soup, served in a... More

Nepenthe

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

Old Monterey Café

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

Old Mountain Inn

Stop in for a pre-hike breakfast. ... More