With this sunny and laid back destination, come for the wine, stay for the food.
Carmel Valley, a rustic and rural inland retreat just over two hours south of San Francisco, is often confused with its better known neighbor, the European-style, seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. But the valley, with its rolling hills lined with grapevines and endless sunshine, is a picturesque destination deserving of its own visit. Best known for its award-winning wineries, Carmel Valley packs in more than 20 tasting rooms in just 11 miles spanning from Highway 1 to Carmel Valley Village.
While the wine will draw you in—especially the world-class cabernet sauvignon and merlot—it's the fresh and surprising dining scene, reflective of the community's warmth and agrarian nature, that will leave you smitten. The area has a deep history rooted in ranches, farms, orchards, and dairies, so it's no surprise it was one of the first regions to embrace the farm-to-table mindset, long before it became the end-all catchphrase it is now. Today, the restaurant scene continues to thrive as area chefs innovate with organic and seasonal produce.
From farm stands to tasting menus, tacos to truffles, classics to newcomers, hit the road and explore the exciting California cuisine being whipped up in Carmel Valley.
Cheap Eats
Inside are all the smoothies and fresh juices you could hope for.
(Courtesy of Earthbound Farm Organic)
Earthbound Farm Stand
For Earthbound Farm Organic, one best known organic produce companies in the country, it all started in Carmel Valley back in the 1980s. The company has maintained acreage in the area ever since, along with a cute year-round Farm Stand where visitors can stop for a bite to eat at the organic cafe, which offers sandwiches, breakfast items, fresh juices and smoothies, as well as a bountiful salad bar. While you're there, be sure to snag some fresh produce or head into the fields to pick your own herbs. // 7250 Carmel Valley Road, earthboundfarm.com
Kathy's Little Kitchen
Carmel Valley has developed a reputation for its luxurious inns, spas, and restaurants, but it's also managed to maintain its more humble roots, and family-run Kathy's Little Kitchen is a perfect example. Tucked away in the heart of Carmel Valley Village, this tiny spot serves up home-cooked Mexican fare perfect for satisfying your taco craving in the midst of a full day of wine tasting. Our top picks at this locale: the chili verde burrito or the steak tacos (so tender!)—and don't pass up the chips, they're served freshly fried and paired with homemade salsa. // 13 W Carmel Valley Road
Carmel Valley Farmers Market
For a region with so much locally grown produce, it's not a shocker that the farmers market game is strong. Stop by the weekly market, held Sundays from 10am-3pm, for a one-stop sampling of what makes Carmel Valley so special—its local food vendors. Taste and buy fresh fruits and vegetables, organic coffee, farm-fresh eggs, wine by the glass or bottle, honey and more. Local chefs also offer up food on site, including well-known Chef Fabrice Roux, who whips up a different paella each week. // 77 W Carmel Valley Road, wcfma.org
Baum & Blume and the Carriage House
Every city has its quirky hidden gems, and for Carmel Valley, this is it. This family run establishment—part eclectic gift shop, part restaurant—has an ever-changing menu that never fails to surprise or delight. The fact that it's so unpredictable is part of the fun: will you find empanadas, a seasonal soup, oysters, or (a favorite) blondie sundae on the menu? You never know. No matter what you choose to order, make sure to enjoy it out back in the biergarten if the weather's nice, and chances are, it will be. // 4 El Caminito Road, baumandblume.com
Mid-range Morsels
Corkscrew Cafe
Billed as "new California comfort food," this restaurant is nestled in the heart of the village and has been a favorite among locals and visitors since it opened in 2000. An expansive patio (dogs allowed) is a perfect spot to soak in the sun and enjoy a glass of wine, while you choose from an elevated menu that reflects what produce is available from their large gardens. Wood-fired pizza is a favorite item here; other options include bright salads and seasonal entrees like carrot risotto or wood fire salmon. Hot tip: splurge on the sirloin with truffle butter, and you won't regret it. // 55 W Carmel Valley Road, corkscrewcafe.com
Cafe Rustica
Charming, rustic, and very Carmel Valley, Cafe Rustica is set in a house at the end of a cobblestone walkway and surrounded by a lush patio. If you're looking for somewhere to indulge in a hearty yet affordable meal after a long day of wine tasting, this is an excellent option. The kitchen, centering around a stone pizza oven, offers cuisine inspired by the flavors of Alsace and Tuscany, including favorites like the Hungarian goulash, lamb filets, and butternut squash ravioli. // 10 Del Fino Place, caferusticavillage.com
Plaza Linda Restaurant
Another favorite family-run Mexican restaurant in the village, this spot is a bit more formal than Kathy's and offers a comfortable sit-down environment that's great for large groups. On the menu you'll find go-to dishes like fajitas, quesadillas, pupusas, and other classics— breakfast is also extremely popular here (hello, breakfast burrito!) And if you're needing a break from all that wine, don't miss their extensive tequila selection. // 27 E Carmel Valley Road, plazalindarestaurant.com
Fancy Fare
Lucia Restaurant and Bar
Located in the luxurious Bernardus Lodge and Spa, Lucia is a must-do culinary experience in Carmel Valley. This contemporary yet rustic restaurant—set among lavender fields, olive orchards, and vineyards with views of the Santa Lucia mountain range—is headed by chef Cal Stamenov, who has worked under culinary titans like Alain Ducasse and Pierre Gagnaire and is known to source from local farmers, foragers and fish mongers to create an ever-evolving menu. Dishes-of-the-moment include fresh pacific oysters, seared foie gras, a mushroom tarte with prosciutto and black truffle, and an alder smoked Sonoma duck breast. // 15 W Carmel Valley Road, bernarduslodge.com
Roux
Chef Fabric Roux, originally from Laon, France, has cooked throughout Paris and the United States, and with his namesake restaurant Roux, he elegantly pairs his classical French technique with a creative use of fresh Carmel Valley ingredients. The result is a modern European menu comprising of various small plates like truffled deviled eggs and Dungeness crab cakes, as well as curated entrees like a pan-roasted pork tenderloin with rosemary jus or his classic surf and turf Spanish paella. Whatever you do, don't miss his beloved beignets, which sell out nearly every morning. // 6 Pilot Road, rouxcarmel.com
Valley Kitchen
Located in the upscale Carmel Valley Ranch, this trendy restaurant strikes a balance between modern and rustic, complete with a lively ambiance and vineyard views. The menu, which goes for a shared plate and communal experience, changes monthly and always pulls from local gardens and vendors. Chef Tim Wood cooks vibrant dishes that range from California caviar, to tuna poke with jalapeno and citrus olive oil, to a classic free range chicken entree that's served with cracked corn polenta. // 1 Old Ranch Road, carmelvalleyranch.com
