The 23 best cake shops and cake bakeries in Monterey

Overall: ⭐️☆☆☆☆ Food: Horrific Avoid this place if you have any sense of taste whatsoever. The words Paris and Bakery should not be used in the name of this shop. There is genuinely nothing at all authentic or good to report here. They serve the poor people of Monterey bland, limp excuses for croissants in the misguided belief customers have no taste and will just put up with it. If you want a croissant which is light, crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside with layers of flaky pastry served with a little butter and jam as it should be do not go here. Let’s not even start about their interpretation of a baguette. It’s a total disservice to the local community and disrespect to the French. No wonder it was easy to walk straight into as opposed to other local places which had lines. They may have been here a while but I can tell you their days are numbered. People are wiser and standards have been raised. This place is shockingly bad and I really, sincerely mean that. As readers know, I always give credit where it’s due. I wonder if the owners can stand up with hand on heart and look their customers in the eye whilst telling them they are being served delicious, carefully made, authentic French baked goods. I doubt it very much. What I liked: • Absolutely nothing What I didn’t like: • Dirty • Over priced • Not authentic • The ‘croissant’ • Cheap watery coffee Do I recommend going? NO Will I go again? NO Was it good value? NO Price Point: $

What a gem! This spot is a must-visit for anyone craving delicious pastries and a satisfying lunch. Their Croque Monsieur and French onion soup are absolute winners for a quick and tasty meal. I also really appreciate the recent updates with the new tables and cash registers – it makes for an even better experience!

Corner neighborhood bakery, with some nice looking pastry cases. There was a 2 person line when I arrived, but it took a while for it to move. Unfortunately they were sold out of breakfast sandwiches at 10:30, so I got an Almond Croissant which was served warm and a bit greasier than I was expecting.

This is a cute little bakery/cafe, very enjoyable to be in with a great variety of baked goods to try. The food is good, but surprisingly underwhelming -- closer to what you'd expect from a spudnut shop than a fancy French bakery. The croissant is soft and quite buttery, more of an American style. The croque monsieur was a bit forgettable. The capuccino was very nice though, mellow in flavor with a well-bodied foam. I'd definitely like to try their bread and quiches next.

The best quiche I have ever tasted, and a heavenly chocolate almond croissant. Highly recommend.

Been a regular here for over 10 years. The quality and consistency is on point. Easily one of the most iconic breakfast spots in Monterey, and a must stop spot for any friends or family that comes to town!

You can feel the European authenticity…. Wide variety, flavorful options…. A great place to start your day!!!!

We've been here a few times and had a different server each time. We've only tried the cakes and pies so far, so this review is mainly about that. The staff are generally very nice. The cakes and pies are delicious and some pieces could even replace a whole meal, they are so rich. We can highly recommend the carrot cake and the (very rich) peanut butter cake. We will definitely be back to try all the different cakes and pies and are already looking forward to their new creations.

I came to Rosine’s for brunch with my mom and aunt, and we absolutely loved it! The food was absolutely delicious, everything tasted so fresh and flavorful, and the portions were generous. The service was excellent too friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxing weekend brunch. We’ll definitely be coming back again soon! Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great food and great service.

We absolutely love the food everytime we come here. My favorite is the loaded potato appetizer. I have been here more than 3 times and have never been disappointed, this is our go to spot for lunch whenever we visit Monterey or Big Sur. Most recently we tried their cream cheese chocolate cake for my brother’s birthday and it was amazing. The waiters were so sweet and came together to sing a birthday song and it made my brother’s day.

We had come here before and couldn’t get in because they were packed and had 45 min wait so we had left. We came back to Monterey and wanted to see why it was so popular. The moment you walk in, you have the most gorgeous pies and cakes greeting you. The hosts are quick to answer questions and to sit you or change your seating if you prefer (we wanted a booth). The place has a diner feel, but extra fancy and classy at a super fair price. There’s so many diverse families, couples and even groups that are tourists. I highly recommend their food and desserts. I’m so thrilled to say that their snickers cake wins. We did a sampler and I can’t get enough of it! It’s like eating the actual chocolate bar, but turned into this smooth mousse that you can crunch on! Please order milk or coffee with it, you won’t regret it! It’s a must for anyone in Monterey!

This place was Fantastic the Atmosphere was refreshing and vibrant the food and lasagna was fabulous and Soo delicious and service was reasonably timed well..drinks appetizers and then the hot piping food was out the steak was delicious as well. I grew up in New Port Beach and have tried several different restaurants but this was absolutely Wonderful. 💛🌹

Breakfast Bliss at Rosine’s in Monterey Rosine’s delivered exactly what we needed—a hearty, flavorful breakfast in a warm and welcoming setting. The place is clean and fresh and bright with a lively, comfortable vibe that makes you want to settle in and savor the morning. I went with the Eggs Benedict and added spinach—great decision. The eggs were perfectly runny, and the hollandaise was smooth and buttery without being too heavy. The Avocado Toast was bright, fresh, and satisfying with a nice citrus punch that cut through the richness. Another standout was the Biscuits with Sausage Gravy, served alongside eggs. The biscuits were soft and flaky, and the gravy was just the right amount of peppery and creamy—comfort food at its best. We also shared the Waffles topped with bananas and strawberries, which were golden and crisp on the outside, soft inside, and loaded with fresh fruit. The service was upbeat and genuine, and our coffee cups were always full. You can tell the staff takes pride in what they do. Before we left, we couldn’t help but stare at the dessert display—massive cakes and pastries that looked like they belonged in a bakery window in Europe. We’re already planning our return trip just to try one (or three) of them. Rosine’s knows how to do breakfast right. Friendly faces, great food, and a menu that makes it hard to choose. Five stars all the way.

This is nice little restaurant open in 1980. The food is good and flavorful. I had to try their minestrone soup and it did t disappoint. It’s a must try. I had the steak and eggs and my wife had an omelette. Both were very tasty. Nice area for shopping and the weather was great as well. This was my first time in Monterey California. Everything seems nice.

Cannot believe I didn't review this amazing restaurant yet! Everyone loved their food but what was most amazing was the service and how dog friendly this restaurant was. Our very well behaved newly adopted mini poodle loved our server Ramsay. I'll take a photo next time of her sitting at the table. Standouts are the chips and salsa, scallops, and the tower. Worth every penny and will very happily visit this amazing establishment again.

I got the Shrimp Tempura entree and loved it. The rest is the group got the Yin-Yan Salmon and and Grilled Salmon. I only got photos of the appetizers but everything was amazing. The Shrimp Curry soup is my favorite item on the menu so far. Such a unique recipe. The Nikumaki beef roll was also very unique and delicious. The Artichoke with wasabi aioli was also very unique and delicious. The Hot fudge sundae for desert was a hit.

Went for date night and split 3 apps and a stone pot with seafood and veggies. Ordered the pan fried oysters which were unfortunately not my favorite item because I found them to be a bit bland. We also ordered the shrimp tempura with veggies which was delicious. The last app was the coconut curry soup (not pictured) which was my favorite of the 3 apps. It was slightly spicy and very tasty. The stone pot was delicious and we ate the whole thing. The clams and mussels were just a bit overcooked. Service was very good.

Every time I’m in Carmel, Flying Fish Grill is a non-negotiable stop. I absolutely love this place. The food is consistently incredible, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the service is top-notch. It’s the kind of spot that sticks with you long after the meal is over. I always recommend Flying Fish to friends, family, and anyone heading to Carmel. It’s just that good. If you haven’t been, do yourself a favor and make a reservation. You won’t be disappointed!

Five stars isn’t enough to rate the quality of the food, the delightfulness of the staff, or the ambiance at the Flying Fish Grill. We’re visiting the area primarily for golf, and our caddie told us that the Flying Fish Grill is his favorite restaurant in the area. We completely understand why! SO many “WOWs” in this meal from start to finish. We had the chips and ginger salsa, Calamari, Crab Tower, Salad, Sea Bass, and hot fudge sundae. Every. Single. Bite was amazing. And the service was the best we’ve experienced in the Monterey area. That’s saying a lot as we’re staying at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. From the very first contact on the phone, to the last bite of dessert we felt like family. Absolutely fantastic experience in every possible way!

Flying Fish totally lives up to its reputation as a longtime local favorite. The food was absolutely delicious from start to finish. We ordered the local Abalone to share and wow - everyone at the table agreed it was the best abalone we've had in ages. Perfectly prepared and so tender. The service was wonderful - personable and friendly, which made the whole experience even better. And whatever you do, don't skip Marianne's sorbet for dessert! This place has been around for a reason... they know what they're doing and they do it well. Definitely a must-visit when you're in Carmel!

First of all, the blonde lady server was nice to our party. However, the food was AWFUL. Specifically the seafood pasta and the scallop and prawn fettuccine. Both dishes were very FISHY and severely lacked seasoning. We took the food to-go with the intention of seasoning at home. But some pasta sauce leaked inside my car. It made my car smell nauseatingly fishy. Terrible experience. We expected a lot more given that this place has great reviews. Definitely not worth the $35+ price tag per dish.

The negative reviews were surprising to us because we had a fantastic experience. Our food came out quickly and was delicious. We ordered two pizzas and a burrata and heirloom tomato appetizer that were fantastic. We would definitely go back again.

If you can, take a seat at the bar facing the kitchen where you can see everyone working, it’s just a gratifying experience to see the people hard at work making those seriously delicious Italian fares - it makes you appreciate the labor, the discipline, and the creativity that goes into making your meal. The food itself was amazing, the gulf prawns on the bed of chickpeas was just grilled to perfection. The fungi pizza was straight from the wood fired oven in front of me and it was so hearty and comforting. The carbonara was as good as it can get. Overall excellent, we will come back again and also try to sit at the same place.

This was a lovely find in Carmel by the sea. We arrived last minute and weren’t able to book some of the more popular restaurants so we expected very little. However our server was friendly, helpful and very available to assist us. We were also surprised by the quality of the food, my pork chop was cooked perfectly and the flavour combinations with it were surprisingly tasty (I’m talking grilled peaches, kale and mushrooms). I will say that the focaccia we ordered as a starter would have been nicer with some herb seasoning but otherwise dinner and dessert were fab. Our cannolis were the best we’ve had in America so far so I’d definitely recommend that one in particular. My boyfriend kept taking bites out of my tiramisu also! We were seated quite close to another couple but they turned out to be quite friendly too so that was okay. I can imagine some people preferring more privacy though. All in all I would come back.

What an amazing experience! Top notch service from all staff members, the food was even better than my experiences in Italy, great wine, and the deserts were so good. I can't wait to go back and try their pasta, pizza, and lamb. Cheers

Disappointing. Rigatoni with Spicy vodka sauce forgettable. Spaghetti carbonara too rich, thick sauce, too much cheese. Tiramisu good. Salad ok. Pricey for disappointing meal. Eggplant appetizer tasty. Better places in town like Anton and Michel or Treehouse Cafe

The food wasn't bad and it was a lot less busy than other restaurants on a busy night in Carmel. However their service was really bad when I went, the waitress was nice at first but after finding out I wasn't going to order more than a single dish and a drink she was unpleasant the rest of the night. She even sneared when I said I wasn't going to have dessert. Would not recommend, especially when there are so many good Italian restaurants in Carmel with better food.

This restaurant had the gall to charge me 3% for the priviledge of using my credit card. My wife and I ordered a lot of food and wine, all of which was good. The service too was good. But I must say that I was shocked to be charged at a fine restaurant for using a credit card. Next thing you know, they're going to charge you for using their dishes.

A relatively small shop that was decently busy, probably because of its location. We spent just over $10 for a chocolate chip cookie and an eclair. The cookie was moist, not in the sense of being a good, soft cookie, but rather in the sense that it absorbed moisture while sitting there. It was still good, however. The eclair was not much to rave about. The filling was light, with a good amount of sweetness. The shell was stale as opposed to crisp and delicate, and the chocolate glaze was tasteless.

Best coffee and bakery in town. My husband tried 3 in one day and we came back here a few times! Line goes by fast! Worth the wait. Lobster tail was my favorite pastry!

Carmel classic finally gave it a try! Every time I’ve been to Carmel (even way back when I was a teen!), there’s always a line outside Carmel Bakery. So this trip, we finally decided to see what the hype was about. The display case looked tasty. Giant pretzels, colorful macarons, tons of pastries, and gelato that totally grabs your attention. I’m a pistachio lover, so I went straight for the pistachio gelato affogato and a pistachio cannoli. Both looked exciting, but the flavor was a little more artificial than I expected. I was hoping for that fresh, nutty, homemade pistachio vibe. Still, I appreciated how nicely presented everything was and how many options they had. I’d definitely come back to try something different next time. Maybe one of their famous everything pretzels or an eclair. The spot itself is iconic, and the staff were friendly even with the line out the door. Overall worth another stop on.

It’s got some good sweet treats but I honestly don’t know what all the fuss is about. Maybe I need to come back and try a breakfast burrito in the morning. I’d come back but it’s not THAT good that I’d wait in a super long line for like we’ve seen before. Small little shop so not really any place to sit. The staff was fine although I sensed a little annoyance from the guy taking our order. He was shoving food in his mouth while taking our order and was rolling his eyes when we asked for stuff they were out of.

There is always a long line here. We decided to wait in the line this time and we were pleasantly surprised with the pastries. Almond Horns are our favorite. The pistachio mousse cannoli is very delicious.

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ Food: Coffee & Pastries Pretty much another bog standard Carmel coffee shop. They all seem the same. It wouldn’t be fair to call this a bakery as it’s not in the traditional sense. Yes, you can buy pastries and a good selection too, but no bread. Staff are friendly and the coffee decent. The pastries are nothing to write home about though but were good sized for the price. Not sure why there are such long queues either. Hey ho! What I liked: • Large pastry selection • Decent coffee • Friendly service What I didn’t like: • Unnecessarily long queues • Could have arranged the seating better • The pastries whilst ok could have been made much, much better. Do I recommend going? YES Will I go again? YES Was it good value? Relatively Price Point: $

Delightful little stop, there was a long lineup to order but the line moves pretty quickly. We got the mango gelato, walnut pastry & shortbread cookie - everything was absolutely delicious. This place is California’s oldest bakery and running for over 120 years.

The French onion soup was about the best we’ve had. The beet salad was delicious too. But the Coquille Saint Jacques (Wild scallops and shrimp, bechamel sauce, baby carrots, basmati rice) was phenomenal. Steak frites were good. Loved the crème brûlée and pear tart. Wish my soda was filled quicker but that’s my only complaint. We’ll be coming back here.

I have yet to get a meal here that wasn't FANTASTIC. My go to is the French Onion Soup and it is always satisfying. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, and the staff have great personalities and very helpful. Boissiere is my first stop every time I come to Carmel.

TLDR: Food sucked and wait staff were rude I’ve never sent back food before… We sent back the beef bourguignon. It was terribly cooked, super dry and the pasta was stale. The chef came out to the other side of the room and glared at my husband for sending it back without talking to us. Then a different waiter came over and lectured us on that’s how “it’s supposed to taste.” No, I’ve had military dining facility beef better than that. I’m not an expert and I’ve never made beef that bad. The middle of my chicken pot pie was frozen. So I asked them to heat it more. This was after we were asked 2x if we had a reservation (they only had 3 tables total the entire time we were there so I’m not sure why that mattered) and I had to call after the waitress because she didn’t even take my drink order. She asked my husband what he wanted and then left us. We had to push to put in our dinner order too. As if we were such an inconvenience and they were about to get 50 guests. After I was finished with the re-heated pot pie, they did send over a complimentary piece of cake. If they weren’t so rude that would’ve been a nice gesture but the beef was objectively terrible and I don’t appreciate being lectured that I’m wrong about it. It was also too warm in the restaurant.

Our expectations might have been too high due to the great reviews. Too many mistakes made for a less than enjoyable anniversary dinner, even though the food was pretty good. First, we were served wine, my husband tasted it and it was very good. Unfortunately, it was not the wine on the wine list. We didn’t notice until we drank half the bottle. It would’ve been absolutely fine if they told us that that particular wine was not available and asked us if they can substitute. But that is not what happened. But, we did enjoy the wine. Second, We ordered the charcuterie and was told that it was no longer available. We then changed to the baked brie and truffle pate for my appetizer. We started eating the baked brie but noticed there was no pate. We called the waitress and let her know. Her response was “there is no pate?“ I am not quite sure how the waitress who brought us the appetizer could not have noticed that half the appetizer was missing. She did bring over a separate plate of pate, but it was obvious that it was not a truffle pate, but just plain liver pate. Once again, the pate was not bad, just not what was represented on the menu. The table next to us had to call their waiter back also. The special that they ordered was a chicken breast dish. He told the waiter he has a chicken thigh and a leg on his plate instead of a breast that was the special and asked what had happened. The waiter shrugged and no real explanation was given. The gentleman was not very happy. If a restaurant asks the table, if they are OK with the substitution beforehand, that would be acceptable to a point. We didn’t like that they left things out or substituted without even asking the diner first. Even the wine. The food tasted perfectly good, but we left feeling a little scammed .

Good food, great desserts! They made sure food is all served at the same time 😎 the interior is really cute but a bit stuffy.

A lovely experience great sandwiches and onion soup! It is quiet and the servers and owner are so friendly.

We asked for a table for two + our husky. They were able to sit us all down in welcoming and separate area. All staff were gracious and patient and polite. The French cuisine was quite delicious and both the brunch and regular menu were easy to navigate and order from. Served a full water for the table and some bread to get us started. Full flavors in the chicken pot pie and eggs Benedict were phenomenal. Check this place out.

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe is a charming spot with a cozy atmosphere and an incredible selection of freshly baked bread and pastries. Their coffee is delicious, and I love that they offer gluten-free pastry options as well. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, making every visit a pleasant experience. Plus, there’s plenty of parking, which is a huge bonus. Highly recommend stopping by for a treat!

Lafayette Bakery in The Barnyard shopping center is an absolute must-stop if you’re in Carmel Valley and craving a true French bakery experience. We visited in the morning and were instantly greeted by the heavenly scent of fresh-baked bread, buttery pastry, and espresso in the air. We ordered a round of pastries and couldn’t stop smiling with every bite. The butter croissant was textbook perfect—golden, flaky layers with a tender, airy center that practically melted in our mouths. The ham and cheese croissant was equally delicious, with a gooey, savory filling wrapped in that same delicate pastry—comforting and indulgent without being heavy. The standout for me, though, was the lemon-filled pastry. Bright, tangy, and smooth, the lemon curd filling was tucked inside the softest pastry shell and topped with just a dusting of powdered sugar. It struck the perfect balance between sweet and zesty. We paired our pastries with lattes from the coffee bar, which serves rich, well-pulled espresso drinks that make a perfect match for anything in the pastry case. Sitting out on the patio surrounded by blooming flowers and happy customers felt like a little escape to a French village. Whether you’re craving a buttery classic, something sweet and citrusy, or a savory breakfast bite, Lafayette hits every note. They also have a variety of sandwiches made to go. Don’t miss it if you’re in Carmel—you’ll be thinking about that croissant long after your visit. Grab some to go to!

Love their croissant and salmon/spinach quiche! I have yet to try to lemon meringue tart but I'm pretty sure it'll be yummy, too!!! It's a small bakery but they have quality food!!! Ambiance is cozy and cashier was very pleasant!

Ordered the Ham and Swiss croissant, chocolate almond croissant, palmier, and a latte — all excellent quality and beautifully made. Beyond the great pastries, I was happy to support this bakery because they stand for something meaningful and proudly support LGBT+ and Black lives.

Delicious pastries and very friendly people. Hot beverages only but also very tasty! A must stop when in the area.

Ordered a vanilla macchiato, and it was honestly disgusting. It was almost entirely over-aerated foam, more like an extremely dry cappuccino than a macchiato. They also shorted me about an inch of milk, and the espresso tasted burnt, so bad I tossed it after two sips. My husband ordered two pastries — an almond croissant and a blueberry brioche — and both were stale, like they’d been sitting out for days. The photo shows the so-called “macchiato” just seconds after getting to the car. I should’ve gone back in for a refund, but the two female employees working that morning couldn’t have cared less. Save your money and your time.

Stopped in for some baked goods and hot coffee. The bakery is abundant in selections, from sweet baked goods to savory delights and sandwiches. Their breads are quite fantastic and the mini baguette into which they fill with ham and cheese (for example) to make a sandwich is beautifully chewy in texture. Their croissants are a class on laminated dough and their various tarts are on just crisp tart crusts where the fillings are not overly sweet and full of the innate flavors of the fruit filling. One stand out that I discovered (ordered 1 to try, went home with 14) was the bacon and cheese puff! Beautifully gougeres (savory choux pastry) that is airy, eggy, and cheesy... Chunks of bacon dotted through out, and a lovely crispy cheesy skirt that surrounds each puff! Don't miss these awesome puffs! (See photo of x-section)

UPDATE: I’ve gone back to this bakery once more and we tried the apple pizza, the passion fruit white chocolate mini cake, and one more pastry and we were once again blown away with the balanced sweetness of the fruit and soft pastry. We have tried multiple bakeries around this area, multiple times, and I will say this is THE BEST bakery in Monterey. Some bakeries may have a long line out the store, but don’t get fooled. This will be the best one you taste in town. We went here during our stay in the morning (right before a line formed) we shared a table with a local who lives in the area. He stated this was his favorite place in the state. We got three different pastries, cherry and peach croissant, a regular croissant, and a lemon tart. We also got a chai latte and a regular coffee. We absolutely loved it. The tart was our favorite, the atmosphere is lovely and the pastries made fresh taste amazing.

Once upon a time, a love affair began with almond croissants. Specifically Parker’s almond croissants, and you’ll understand once you sample those, but— things moved forward past small pastries in our relationship. We elevated to birthday cake last year (The Experience) and this year “The Tropique”. We’re at a celebration point where I feel that if I were to get cake from another place for my Aunt’s birthday, we’d have some unhappy people (myself included). Also, try their quiche. Roasted tomato goat cheese is superb.

Friendly customer service despite how busy it was. The quiches were amazing, got the mushroom and spinach ones. Noticed some of the sandwiches weren’t made in house but delivered from somewhere else. Their almond croissants 🥐 and morning roll was pretty tasty. I just wish the inside was fluffier and not so dense. Overall a small clean ambience inside and about 4 tables to eat outside. I noticed everyone was grabbing and going the entire morning..

We ordered our lemon raspberry wedding cake with buttercream frosting from Parker-Lusseau Pastries, and it was everything we dreamed of — absolutely delicious and beautifully made! From the start, working with Anne was a wonderful experience. She was extremely responsive via email and made sure all of our requests were fulfilled. The team was so accommodating and ensured our cake would be ready and perfect for our special day, which gave us such peace of mind. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how good the cake tasted — light, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweetness. Side note: Their almond croissants are incredible — we’re obsessed. We’ve already decided to come back on our one-year anniversary to pick up a mini version of our wedding cake and relive the magic of that day. Huge thanks to Anne and the whole Parker-Lusseau team for making our celebration so special!

Very cute pastry and bread shop in a historic building. Friendly staff. Outside sitting. We had a brioche, a croissant and a peach and blackberry tart, and a latte with oat milk. All tasted vey good.

OMG....the almond croissant was to die for. It rivals those that I've tried in France...hell, this one is probably better than most I've tried in France. Yummy yummy in my tummy!!!! Enjoy!!

Hands down the best pastries I've ever had till now. Surprisingly amazing latte too. We tried a lot of french pastries and loved all of them - both savory and sweet ones. One pastry with puff layers and vanilla cream filling, I forget the name - it was so delicious, it blew my mind. You can get the limited seating if you arrive early. During long weekends, holidays, it's hard to get any seating at all. Definitely a must visit.

Their manager named Leonard keeps canceling my prepared food orders. I guess they don't want my money anymore. The last time I was there picking up a big catering order, Leonard told me that he would help me load it into y car but he doesn't want to break his back. I thought he was joking because each tray waited no more than 15 lb, I should have returned my catering order to the store right then and there

The salad bar and the hot food bar are just awful. It seems like the people who prepare the food never even taste it. The sesame chicken cole slaw today was terrible! About ten years ago their food was good. Now, it tastes like they pay minimum wage to the chef, who then gets their revenge by making disgusting food. Update...their reply is meaningless. I have been telling them for years that the food is bad. They do not care.

We love our Whole Foods. Fantastic customer service.. I'm blessed to have such a high-end store with top shelf products that is matched by truly exceptional customer service.

The produce is the best in Monterey. I can’t shop there for everything but that is ok. I looked for another contact on website and could not find one so my only criticism of the experience at this store is associates on floor never greet you. All the checkers are great except my experiences with Matt who seems to hate his job. Lat visit I said hi hoping to someday get a friendly response. As usual this last visit I asked if he was having a good day and he said no. Not saying he could be going through stuff but for the last three years?

Clean, well stocked, friendly staff. Hard to find a Whole Foods that is not quality shopping. This one doesnt disappoint and decent parking options.

I don't usually right reviews but I wanted to point out how unprofessional supervisor Leonard was when I was trying to talk to him about my issues with prepared foods department. He was more paying attention to my daughter who didn't even say a word.... As if I wasn't even there. I know she's Young and pretty but u makes it too obvious .

Good quality products. Fairly quick checkout. Our 1st choice for organic fruits for our kids. Seafood and meat products are high quality. I also love their deli products, often get turkey and roast beef for delicious sandwiches.

Patisserie Bechler provided exactly what we were hoping for our wedding! The team there coordinated between the head baker and staff to review inspirational photographs and worked with us to provide a beautiful cake and petit fours dessert bar for guests. Not only was the cake beautiful and exactly what we hoped for, but was also delicious, one of the best lemon cakes we’ve ever had. Their team coordinated with the venue/day of coordinator and delivered everything at the perfect time to allow for setup. Everything looked beautiful for the cake cutting and guests loved the petit fours! We will be back to enjoy their pastries the next time we are in town!

Such a good little place ! We had a light and easy lunch- I got the grilled cheese with turkey and it was so good (avocado, lettuce, turkey, cheese, tomato). And I got a vanilla iced latte and it was pretty tasty! Overall great little place.

This place is a GO-TO BAKERY! Lunch was very good and the tomato spinach-feta quiche was very soft. The quesadillas were impressive coming from a French restaurant. But the BAKERY!! All of the sweets here are just amazing. Triple chocolate mousse-amazing. Tiramisu-amazing. Just make sure to reserve sweets because they usually run out very quickly. Overall this place is a go-to bakery for locals and tourists! 5/5

First time visiting the area. I was brought here to grab a coffee and a pastry. Variety of pastries to choose from. The seating area has a home garden appeal surrounded by succulent plants. I ordered the blueberry muffin and every single bite was heaven. The crisp top melts on your mouth of deliciousness.Right when I was about to finish - endless amounts of blueberries for the grand finally. The best blueberry muffin I had.

Loved this place & the delicious croissants! Markus who commented below w/ a 2 star rating, and prefers croissants from Costco, has very bad taste. I am glad our paths will not cross when I pick up another batch of croissants from Patisserie Bechler in the future :)

The absolute best bakery in town! My family absolutely loves the pastries and desserts at Patisserie Bechler. Chef Gerard is very talented and puts so much time and effort into making such unique pastries. I have requested several custom orders and the service is always impeccable! I recently ordered two cakes—Black Forest and a Passionfruit Mousse—for my daughters baby shower. The cakes were stunning and delicious, and everyone asked where they were from! We also absolutely love the mini mushroom and broccoli quiches, the mini eclairs and fruit tarts, the Napoleons, and the lunch sandwiches. Everything about this bakery is perfect!

Amazing, delicious French pastries. The Artichoke soup and quiche were very good!

This place has to be one of the worst places me and my fiancé have been to and we will never be back! Made a reservation 2 months in advance in preparation for Valentine’s Day made a phone call in advanced that we were bringing our dog and at this time there was no mention of any type of menu change or problems. Day of turns out the they changed the menu to a pre fix menu for today only which everyone had to order and they have removed everything else including their dog menu. We didn’t make a big deal about this as it was already too late to change last minute plans. The whole night the service was horrible. It took 20 minuties to bring out our drinks in which she never brought our water even when requested once in the beginning and once during course 3 again in which water never came. Took 25+ minutes to receive course 1 salad as well. This would make more sense if the place was extremely busy but keep in mind although it wasn’t very quiet the tables were about 3/4 filled. What really got me was that they added a 20% automatic tip which I don’t mind paying normally but with such a crap service I needed to speak my mind. These servers know that they will get an automatic tip so don’t need to try to even offer decent service. Anyways to end this long review, the food was mid and the night was very disappointing ended up paying $240.

I loved this place the first time I went (big group diversity of ppl) the food is great but then I came back only with my Mexican friend and like 30 min after serving us the food the waitress was already asking us if we wanted a box while the place was almost empty, not to mention they placed us far from the main area and the waitress constantly came to check on us but made me feel more rushed than actually her checking if everything was ok. Kinda disappointed tbh.

You can’t beat the ambience here. Javier’s skillet was my choice this morning, my travel companion chose the granola with yogurt and berries. Both were extremely delicious.

Nice place conveniently close to the hotel/conference I'm attending. Atmosphere is very welcoming, calm and classy but still casual. The bar area has TVs, a sitting area with a very fire place to enjoy some chats and eats/drinks. The atrium area gives you an outdoor feel while being indoors. They had a good selection of spirits and beer on tap as well as a fun looking cocktail list. I enjoyed the salmon plate, good all around taste, very satisfying. They otherwise had a wide variety of appetizers, salads, meat plates, pizzas and desserts.

When we looked up this restaurant we didn’t know that it was inside the hotel. But we found it. 🤣🤣 It was really nice inside but we were looking for more of a romantic place. Also the menu we seen on the reviews was not the menu we received, it was like half the options we seen online. The waiter we had was really nice and got everything we asked for. Our food was really good too. In the end we had a really nice time. It was more of us just celebrating of anniversary together. O and the sweet potato tater tots were amazing.

This is our in-laws favorite place to go so we join them when in town & are never disappointed. It’s located in the plaza of the Portola Hotel. The service is fast and friendly. We love the calamari and garlic fries. Last time we came they had cheesy skillet with dinner rolls as an appetizer that were AMAZING! We were so sad to see they are no longer on the menu. We got the bread boule instead but it wasn’t as good. It taste fine but the cheese is hard and dry and it’s difficult to pull apart and eat. BRING BACK the other appetizer!! Other than that we love the atmosphere.

It's always a hopeful sign when vegan (V) and gluten free (GF) are clearly identified. That's the reason I chose Jacks at the Portola Hotel in Old Monterey. There were more than one item I can order. We selected a salad, The Sesame Ginger Bowl without the hoisin sauce, a side of fried tofu for protein, and the Turkey Pot Pie. Both items were delicious. The server forgot about the fried tofu, but when it finally came, it was oil soaked and not very enjoyable. The salad was enjoyable. The Turkey Pot Pie came with a spoon because it was kind of soupy inside, but enough turkey and very delicious. The hotel interior was nicely designed by the ambience at our table was not as nice because it felt like a low end sports bar. If we came back to Monterey or Pacific Grove again, we would definitely dine here.

Good selection of sandwiches and pastries and drinks. Yummy food and deserts. Spacious and beautiful outdoor seating. Cons: no spoon and forks available. Even though I asked for them, they didn’t fill up the canisters and just gave me two. watermelon drink was so sweet.

Absolutely loved everything we tried here! We got a scone, a pastry and two different toasts. The smoked salmon toast was the winner. The avocado toast was good too. Highly recommend! We got here at 8am on a holiday weekend and hardly had to wait in line, but by the time we left there was a line down the block.

Was actually trying to go to Ad Astra this morning but they had a sign said that deep cleaning in progress so they were unexpectedly closed. Walked down to Alta instead and got 6 different croissants, a few sweet pastries and a small loaf of bread with tomatoes, cheeses and herbs. 2 chai lattes both with double espressos added to them. We ended up eating a few of the croissants and sipping coffee in the courtyard in the back. Plenty of space and tables, even dog friendly Sure all of that was fairly expensive but did we enjoy everything we got? Hell ya. Would come back again.

Beautiful cafe! The small indoor area opens to a much bigger outdoor space with beautiful trees and flowers! Can't believe that it is right in a downtown area. The food is amazing too! I got Reuben croissant which is rich but balanced with sauerkraut. It is packed with the sliced cured meat as well. Very enjoyable experience!

It is worth the long line that might occur on the weekends. They got fresh bakery items. The sandwiches are well presented and are appealing. I had avocado toast that was fresh and beautifully presented with more fresh items like radish and even edible flowers. The latte was well prepared using high quality coffee beans. Don't forget to check out the very interesting coffee machine.

Found this place on Instagram and it was awesome! I’d recommend going early on the weekend as the line can easily line around the building. We went with our dog and found a table outside easily. The only negative was that the outside was dusty

My husband and I came on a little trip and stumbled upon your place — and it was love at first bite! The food, the service, and the atmosphere were absolutely amazing. We came back every day to try something new, and each time we left happy because everything was incredibly delicious. Thank you for making our vacation so tasty!

Not surprised they are going out of business. I'm all for gouging tourists during car week but a $60 cover is insane for locals. When we went a few weeks back for a few drinks they were below average and the staff was over it. Which I get since attracting new employees when you are probably closing is tough. Instead of a 1 I'll give a 2 because I get it's hard to find people right now and it would be a 3 if not for the ridiculous cover.

We absolutely love Barmel! We've come by for drinks before, and we had our wedding afterparty there. It was a blast, exactly the party we wanted for everyone to let loose after the big day! Carlos was a ton of fun to work with, he was very responsive and had very helpful guidance for us when we weren't sure about something. All of the staff working our event were very friendly and helpful, and they made some fantastic drinks and bites! The bartenders even remembered the bride and groom's specially requested drinks at the end of the night. Barmel was very accommodating to make the event what we wanted, we really felt at home. We were able to have our friend DJ, bring in foggers and lasers, and set up a temporary tattoo station! We definitely recommend Barmel for an event or a fun night out!

Disappointed by the treatment at the entrance. The staff spoke in a dismissive, almost confrontational tone and insisted on bottle service for entry, despite the venue being nearly empty. The approach felt unnecessarily aggressive and selectively enforced, raising concerns about how different guests are treated. I hope management looks into this and ensures fair, respectful service for all.

Worst experience I've ever had with a doorman, I think his name was Carlos, and I've met a lot of doorman.... it was my wedding weekend and the first night about 12 of us went to Barmel and inside so many people were complaining about the doorman being rude and in a bad mood, and although I didn't experience it myself the impression he had on others was memorable to say the least. The next day after a beautiful day-long wedding, my newly wed wife and I, just the two of us, went to Barmel with three friends already inside, no line or wait at the front. Carlos the doorman, immediately without a hello or smile, and in the most unwelcoming and distasteful way tells us we have too many in our party and he can't let us in but he can if we buy bottle service... I told him maybe four are coming but they can go somewhere else, just my wife and I would like to go in, but instead he tries relentlessly to sell my wife and I bottle service after we repeatedly said we don't want bottle service.... It was amazing how he had no regard for us being newlywed and still in our wedding clothes, and he thought with a rude approach we'd happily buy a table - i mean if he was even nice about it maybe i would've considered but it felt like someone was trying to scheme the living heck out of me. I thought this place had a bit more class, consideration, and well mannered employees but obviously not with horrible doorman ruining many people's experience on multiple nights before they even enter the place.... The approach at the front door needs a 180 degree adjustment.

We went at 7:30 pm on a Friday. They were blasting old music for seemingly no reason. The bar was mostly people sitting and eating plus a few standing talking in small groups. The vibe was a laid back conversational environment. The loud music added nothing but made it uncomfortable and very hard to hear who you were talking to. We ordered a Manhattan and a negroni - both staples we've had plenty of places without issue. Both were the worst we've had, to the point they weren't worth finishing. For $16 before tip, it was a pretty underwhelming experience. It was our first time there, so maybe we just got unlucky, but we aren't very tempted to go back.

Best late night spot in Carmel. They have late night food and a full bar. The bartenders know their stuff and have great cocktail options. The mezcal margarita is probably the best mezcal drink I’ve had but there is a sweet and spicy note. It turns into a little dance club at night too.

Love Barmel. It's got eclectic charm, fun atmosphere and great service. Carlos (who runs the place) is such a good guy. He cares. I've used Barmel for numerous after parties as well They are the best!

I always get so excited when I find out that one of my couples went to Layers to get their wedding cake or cupcakes. I have photographed a few weddings where the dessert was from Layers and always heard wonderful things about flavor and texture. I even tend to enjoy some dessert myself here and there, and always LOVE the sweets!

Hilary and the Layers team went above and beyond with our wedding cake! 6-inch chocolate cake with fresh strawberries in the middle and the perfect amount of fluffy buttercream. We debated how much we should save for our one-year...and ended up eating the whole thing now and saving a few bites for later. It was that good. If you're looking for a wedding cake baker, look no further!

We worked with Layers for our wedding and we absolutely loved how our cake turned out. Not only was the flavor spot on, but so was the decor! I gave them my inspiration photo and they 1000% delivered! :) We aged the top layer in our freezer to enjoy a year later (today was the day) and the cake tasted JUST as good and as the day of the wedding. We can see why this bakery is on the preferred vendors list for our venue. Thank you to Hilary & team!

Their older employees are always so rude I went in today for some pastries and as I was ordering the most simple cookies the employee told me to slow down in a rude tone… could have said “ can you repeat that again” not “ slow down” … I worked in customer service she needs some more training makes me not wanna come in anymore!!

Our wedding cake was absolutely phenomenal. We went with german chocolate and the carrot cake flavor— the guests still comment how good the cake was. They delivered to our venue with absolutely no problems. Super easy to work with throughout the process. The only downside is that the wedding cake turns out so much better than the cake samples that they provide you, so I wouldn’t judge what your wedding cake will actually taste like from the samples. Would absolutely recommend for your wedding in the local area! Thank you again!

Layers Cakes are Awesomely Delicious!!!! 🍰 The staff is quick and friendly 😁. My family's favorite cupcakes are the lemon baby-cup cakes and the recess-piecess cupcakes. The place is always clean and welcoming. The cakes are freshly made. The variety of flavors in both cupcakes and regular cakes is great! The only downside is that they are close on Sundays which is my cheat day 😂

We ordered our small wedding cake here. It was a destination wedding so everything was done through email. The email correspondence was nice and easy. Everything was clearly explained. We emailed inspiration pictures was was then given a quote. When we picked up the cake I was stunned. It was absolutely perfect and looked better than the pictures I had sent. I brought in my own flowers and they bakers placed them on the cake for me. The cake was so beautiful we were afraid to eat it, but eat it we did. It was a princess vanilla cake with raspberry filling and buttercream frosting in a stucco style design. It was the most delicious cake I've ever had. Moist and soft and sweet. We also ordered a few cupcakes while we were there and they were just as good as the cake. On top of the great cakes we received very friendly and helpful service while we were there. I don't know their names but the two ladies who helped is could not have been nicer. They answered all our questions and alleviated any concerns with a smile. I cannot recommend Layers enough.

The place looked nice inside - there was not too much space inside to consume the coffee but there were tables outside and also a large seating area mainly for eating food. The peanut butter cookie was fine but nothing exceptional at all. The coffee was bad unfortunately - even the iced latte tasted very bitter and cappuccino neither looked nor tasted well. I don’t recommend this place for coffee but they have ice cream, maybe that is better

😮‍💨🍪🥐🔥 I mean C’Mon!!!!!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼 so good!!!! I don’t even know what I got…it was some berry pastry that was lit! I wish I remembered the staff members name that helped me, but she described it as amazing…and I was like…”sure, fine, I’ll try it” 😳😳😳 it was so damn good! Then my wife got their gluten free carrot muffin…10/10. A lot of bakeries have terrible g-free items…well R+R nailed this one. Moist and tasty 🤙🏼 I was bummed that they didn’t have the chip cookie , but I went with the standard chocolate chip cookie and it was legit, 10/10. Do yourself a favor and head to this spot. If I lived close by I’d be about 15lbs heavier and it would be worth it. 🫡🙏🏼🫵🏼🔥

Great little bakery. They had some unique pastries and breakfast items. We wound up getting the Sausage Breakfast Burrito and the Avocado Tartine with hot tea and a Double Espresso. The ladies behind the counter were great; warm and friendly. If you’re looking for a quick bite to go, I highly recommend this place. Wound up coming back for breakfast again. Grabbed the Salmon Tartine and a Gruyère,leek and onion Danish this time. Both were fantastic!

Gr8 food and coffee, especially for those looking for GF baking. Vanilla latte was excellent, americano was mid at best (sour). Longish wait during car week, about 15min on a Saturday afternoon, no biggie if its good. And believe me, it was good. Actually was the best almond croissant I have ever had, largely because the healthy amount of filling. Be warned, very pricey. GF blueberry muffin ($7.5), GF brownie ($8), almond croissant ($6.5). All 3 were delicious but, 2 coffees and 3 pastries came out to +$35 USD+tip, crazy Carmel prices lol.

Stopped by for breakfast and it was delightful. Coffee is coffee, pretty good but not amazing 7/10. The pastry case looked really good. Croissant was 10/10. Crispy on the outside but not dry and not too hollow. The brioche buns looked super soft and pillowy too! Breakfast pizzas was so super good! Egg yolk was perfectly just set but still golden yellow. Lots of seating inside and outside for a chill morning. Would definitely come back.

this is the best bakery in carmel by far! I love the variety of different pastries and the quality of ingredients💕 I also appreciate the gf muffin option:) The coffee is okay BUT do NOT get the matcha.

I had pretty high expectations for the pizza here but I was quite underwhelmed. The Roam pizza I ordered was covered, in the driest, bitter, flavorless broccoli that I found myself trying to avoid every bite. It was also strangely cold when it got to me, even though it came out quite quickly. The sauce had potential but it was just spread way too thin. I can understand being conservative to give the crust room to rise, but this was such a stingy layer of sauce it was dry and flaking by the time I ate it. I definitely enjoyed the crust though, it had that perfect chewy bite and mildly charred flavor I really like in a pizza crust like this. Honestly I think my biggest mistake was ordering the Roam pizza instead of, say, the Tarte D'alsace. Having seen it on someone else's table, now *there's* a pizza that sounds (and looks) good. But to have the namesake pizza be this disappointing is kind of sad. The croissant was quite nice. It had an intensely rich flavor and a decent flakiness to the outside. Maybe a tad too greasy for my liking but hey, that's where the taste comes from. Unfortunately I had to go back and ask for it because the person I ordered it from forgot to bring it out. She was kind and apologetic though, so no biggie.

If you are looking for a cute café while you are in Pacific Grove, this is a great spot to stop. My daughter and I split the two pairings in the picture and it was perfect having the savory and sweet combination.

Everything here is delicious and homemade! Their chicken salad is by far the best..whether it is in a sandwich or a tortilla. One of the best hidden gems. We also love their quiche and bread pudding. Service is fast and the portions are generous

HIGHLY RECOMMEND this bakery!!! 🥰 We just ordered an angel food cake with a layer of pastry cream in the middle and topped with fresh strawberries 🍓 and whipped cream for my in-laws 60th Wedding Anniversary surprise dinner. It was not only as delicious as it sounds, it was beautiful! In fact, guests, and the bride and groom of course, lol, wanted to take some home if there was any left over slices at the end of the night! Our family and guests made wonderful comments about how beautiful the cake was and equally delicious! Susan, the owner, did a wonderful job with this cake and it was spectacular! In addition, I, myself, have had many other baked goods and breakfast items in this bakery and have never been disappointed! Everything is so fresh and divinely delicious I just had to write this review to let everyone out there know what a great bakery this is. From her specialty of key lime pie (which I normally don’t like, but I’m addicted to this one), to cheesecake, cinnamon buns, macaroons, banana bread, to crème brûlée, breakfast items and much, much more, this bakery aims to please and tantalize the taste buds! Like I said, I HIGHLY recommend The Perfect Crumb and I hope if you’re ever in the area you make the well-worth-it trip to stop by and see for yourself how good the food is at this bakery! Bring a friend, bring the family or just yourself to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee with your baked goods before going to enjoy all Pacific Grove and Monterey have to offer! It’s the best way to start your day!!!! 🥰

Macchiato made the traditional correct way (not like Starbucks). Breakfast sandwich is to die for. My husband and i split one and were full. We also ordered a breakfast burrito and cinnamon roll. Both look and smell amazing but we are too full. Service was friendly and amazing. Very cute little cafe, comfy and bright.

Visited this cute bakery before heading down to the 17 mile and boy was it worth it. Pictured here is their quiche which was huge and filled with so many great toppings. The staff here were super sweet and lovely. Definitely check this place out for a quick bite to eat and drink before heading to the beaches to see some incredible views

Delicious baked goods ranging from muffins and scones to quiche and croissants. Hot coffee and cute decor complete this great spot for breakfast or a quick sweet treat. It can be hard to find baked goods that actually contain gluten and real sugar and butter etc.. esp in California, so we were thrilled to find The Perfect Crumb Bakery.

The Perfect Crumb.. Is a MUST when visiting Monterey. It really does live up to it's name. From the freshly brewed Peet's coffee, FANTASTIC German chocolate cake, Freshly baked morning quiche, to the Coffee cake that taste so delicious. It's all perfect and feels like home when coming into here. Thank you Susan for the Perfect Birthday Cake and making the birthday even more special. Aside from Fantastic Cakes, the Perfect crumb offers freshly made Breakfast burritos and Fresh Breakfast Biscuit Sandwhiches! On Saturdays the perfect crumb is open for dessert night where you can get your sweet tooth on after dinner!

Best cupcake place ever. Always have to stop by here when I'm in Monterey. Passionfruit one is my favorite but you really can't go wrong with any of them. We also got a salted chocolate caramel (it's called something fancy than this) and red velvet for later.

Kara's is one of the best cupcake places I've ever tried. They are moist, packed with amazing fillings and decadent light and airy frosting. I tried a few of their classics; coconut chocolate, meyer lemony spectacular-ness amd passion fruit. The seasonal S'mores flavor was by far the best cupcake to ever grace my lips, the frosting was a lightly toasted, fluffy marshmallow that just melted in my mouth. The cake was moist and perfect the pièce de résistance was the graham cracker crust made the whole cupcake a masterpiece. Please go here just for the S'mores you wont regret it!

Love the cupcakes here!! The staff is always friendly too.

We happened to be walking by and decided to try some of their cupcakes. They had a special deal of 6 mini cupcakes for 15 dollars. The cupcakes were delicious and flavors were unique ( My favorite was the Meyer Lemon) however price was a little bit on the high side. Would I spend that much again? Not sure.

I went here with my mom and purchased two passion fruit cupcakes. I ate mine later and as soon as I bit into it I noticed something was off. The frosting had ABSOLUTELY no flavor. Not sweet, not vanilla tasting, not really anything. I tried it by itself and I realized it was pretty much just butter, and not even like buttercream. I asked my mom to try it because I thought I was crazy but she agreed, and we're pretty annoyed that we spent $7 for two cupcakes and got butter as frosting. It must have been a mistake, maybe someone measured the recipe wrong. Besides that, the cake part and the passion fruit filling were good.

The cupcakes were perfection. The frosting on the red velvet was incredible. The mini double chocolate had perfect frosting to cake ratio! High price but definitely worth it!

Just bought 2 cookies for $7.00 and let me tell you they are hard as a rock. I was told it was chocolate but it taste like dark chocolate. I never write reviews but since the person working there (3/22 @ 5:15ish) was bit attitudy I am sharing my experience.

Great staff and fast service! John and Antonia are quick to give you service with a smile. If you get there early enough on a Tuesday, you can get their prime rib! Finish it off with the delicious Toffee butter cake 😋 10/10 recommend

Pretty cool inside. We stopped by for dinner. Husband always has fish and chips. It was my first time. I had salmon with veggies and rice. The sauce on the salmon was so good!

This place is so cool. It's a bar and diner. So, totally laid back atmosphere. The food is great, especially the fish & chips. For dessert, YOU MUST HAVE the Butter Toffee Cake. OMG it smells like Disneyland and tastes like a sweet-ish pancake. THAT is by far, the best dessert I've had in years!

Good bar for happy hour, fun events for fight night and Super Bowl. Their bartenders are great, especially Chelsea, she remembers my drink order and is always super fast and friendly.

2024: One of the few places my whole family enjoyed the food. My son is very picky so for him to get hyped about their Mac and cheese is high praise. Drinks are always on point here. I love that they don't play the music so loud that you have to yell. Really awesome place. 2025 Update: Food has changed.... Not as good anymore. Mac and cheese keeps coming out weird. We had one incident where it was land and another where we found chunks of what we guessed was cauliflower in it. Now my son doesn't really look forward to eating there anymore. Multiple times they took so long bringing our food out it ended up being cold. Chicken wings are meh.

Located centrally inside the Naval Postgraduate School this location can feel too much like an officers club at times. After events it is more lively and fun for all as families and friends escorted on base can enjoy the environment.

Hidden gem… great place for a drink, food, or both. The mugs for sale make great souvenirs.

OVERALL: Decent tourist experience for Carmel. Will not be returning and do not recommend dining at Em Le. We used a groupon and went for an early dinner on Sunday evening and were gently let down. Service was quick... because we were the only customers in the restaurant until about 5:45p. The house salad was fresh and crisp, the clam chowder was oddly sweet. Immediately after receiving our first course, the microwave was used. If each course (salmon & ahi tuna) is listed at $18, then I would expect not to hear a microwave. We believe the ahi tuna filet was frozen, defrosted, then grilled. It was nicely cooked, but the center was water logged. Nothing was particularly disappointing, we just expected a better experience in a cottage restaurant in downtown Carmel.

Last year I had breakfast here. I think it is the best breakfast available in Carmel By The Sea. The owner was working and very friendly. The food was delicious and the prices very reasonable. I would recommend this cozy restaurant to my friends. I hear that Clint Eastwood comes in once and a while to dine.

Pretty good. I got NY steak with the bleu cheese. It was good, but had a lot of gristle. Wife said her meal was really good. She got the lamb shank.

Best breakfasts is Carmel! Great food in a cozy atmosphere of a cottage house. I especially recommend Eggs Benedict.

Had dinner here. Food was better than we expected, given the diner look. Bathroom is separate and not great. Service was a little lacking.

Coffee was bad, wrong cheese on the omelet. Love the small room, charming.

Great Ruben sandwich! Very good experience. Be patient, service is a little slow.

We were so happy with the cupcakes from Freedom for our wedding! The tasting box was helpful in nailing down some initial flavors (note for vegetarians: most flavors in the box have mousse, which is not vegetarian - they were very helpful with sorting through all that), and then they graciously gave us a dozen cupcakes later due to a mix-up with picking up our box, where we got a variety of other frosting flavors as well. Every single one looked beautiful and was easy to pick up and drive over to our venue two blocks away. Tania was super easy to work with. The only difficult part of the whole process was deciding on flavors!!! (We ended up with salted caramel, cinnamon chocolate, red velvet, caramel frappe, and raspberry lemon, if you're wondering, but there were plenty more to choose from!)

Freedom Bakery made our wedding cake and it was beautiful and delicious. After sampling other places it was clear they had the best tasting cake. They were able to make our cake exactly as we wanted it and delivered it on time with no issues.

Ordered two cakes on short notice for a retirement and graduation event. They did a great job customizing and getting everything done online. Excellent carrot cake and chocolate mousse cake. Perfect job!

The dream cake was absolutely divine! Super fluffy and a great chocolate flavor, light and airy frosting too!

Paul made the tasting process for our wedding cake incredibly straightforward. They were incredibly accommodating to meet our needs and what we were looking for. All of the cakes we tasted were unbelievable which made choosing the flavor a bit challenging but Paul really helped us to finally settle on our decision of raspberry amaretto. The cake received high praise the day of our wedding and my husband and I ended up eating the top layer for the whole following week. We wanted a simple elegant cake with just textured icing and fresh flowers and it truly turned out beautiful and delicious! We definitely plan on getting cakes from them in the future.

This review is long overdue! My wife and I were married last November in Monterey. After finding our venue, we had exactly 28 days to plan our wedding. As you might imagine, finding a bakery that was available to do our cake on such short notice was going to be a challenge. Luckily for us, Freedom Bakery came to our rescue! They were able to produce an absolutely amazing piece of art that our friends and family rave about to this day. And, it was deeeelicious! So many bakeries seem to place the priority on the appearance of a cake rather than the taste. And, after all, it is meant to be consumed, so shouldn't it taste good, too? Well, they certainly think so at Freedom Bakery. And, as a final hurrah: we saved the cake top for our anniversary. And, it was even better than we remembered. Soooo yummy. I ate cake all weekend. Freedom Bakery, we can't thank you enough.

Our cake turned out EXACTLY what we wanted. Taste and look! I couldn’t have asked for a better cake at such a reasonable price! I would recommend them to everyone!

We had a great breakfast experience at this cafe. Professional, friendly staff. They brought ice for the kids' tea, which was great, even though we didn't ask for it. The place is comfortable, fresh flowers on every table, clean and atmospheric. It was the most delicious latte we've had in America, the presentation is very original. Affordable prices - $10-20 per person.

Delicious and plentiful vegan options! I had the mushroom breakfast burrito and it was great. Also, I appreciate that Wild Plum uses high quality oatmilk for their lattes (Minor Figures).

Great restaurant, I went on a Monday morning around lunch time and they were busy but still so kind and attentive. I ordered the chicken chipotle salad and I was a little afraid that it would be spicy but it was so delicious, the salad was fresh and flavorful. I also ordered a chamomile tea and it was really good quality chamomile. Will definitely come again.

I get the idea people normally have a better experience here than we did, so maybe it was just a fluke. I ordered a dish that came with bacon, so when the server asked if I wanted meat I said just bacon, and they charged me to add extra bacon... Also husband ordered no dairy/cheese on his sandwich which they honored but then they put cheese on his side salad... The atmosphere was cute. My food was yummy. Mixed feelings about this place I guess and not a great experience while on vacation in the area.

Staff was very nice!! Food was amazing!! We gotten whole grain waffles with a side of potatoes 🔥👌 I recommend stopping by here for a great place to eat!!

Their avocado toast is excellent! Mine was served with soft boiled eggs and escarole salad. Service was kind and prompt. Outdoor seating was comfortable.

My husband & I were in Monterey over the weekend and were looking for a lowkey cozy cafe near our hotel to walk to in the morning and Wild Plum 100% delivered. I had a delicious mocha served in the cutest bowl mug situation. For breakfast I had the whole grain waffle, a side of sausage and my husband got the biscuits and gravy (not pictured lol). Everything was perfect, amazing and spectacular from the service to the food. Wild Plum will forever be a mandatory stop during our visits to Monterey. ♡♡♡

Absolutely delicious ice cream! I had the salted caramel and the Oreo in a waffle cone. Both were great but the salted caramel really stood out!✨ The service was great too! Quick and friendly customer service😄 Also, a friend of mine has said they always come here for food when they visit so I know I'll try some the next time I come for sure!

If you need a caffeine boost when enjoying your day at Cannery Row then this place is perfect for you. The service was quick. The macaroons were tasty and the atmosphere was pleasant. They have all types of drinks and desserts. Overall we were pleasantly satisfied with this stop!!

Very good food on cannery row at a decent price. We ate breakfast there and had coffee and it was nice. That breakfast burrito filled me up, and it tasted great. We'll go back again and recommend for everyone in the area.

Best Philly cheesesteak I’ve ever had! We weren’t sure where to eat lunch, so we walked around downtown and found Austino’s, interested by the hot sandwiches (pregnant, so cold sandwiches are a no-go). Philly was amazing! I wouldn’t order with fries again, as those were pretty plain. My husband loved the chowder. We got boba tea to go with our meals (yum)! Everything came out hot and ready to eat! We sat outside at their tables and enjoyed people watching!

Food wasn't to good the burger was bland my son ordered pancakes they weren't good cheese pizza was a 5 out of 10. All in all the food isnt to good especially for the price. Server was extremely nice.

8 seats inside and maybe 8 outside. Clam chowder is good and creamy. There's a good variety of lunch options if in a pickle. A lot of sandwiches. No too many low carb options. Ice cream, Boba, Coffee, all the necessities. Super friendly staff.

The Hot Pastrami on Rye was delicious. Perfect blend of sauerkraut, sauce, and Pastrami! The fries were perfectly cooked and salted, though shoestring is not my favorite style of cut. Service was fast. But there is some need to improve cleanliness...the ketchup packets were all sticky. But the food is definitely worth the trip!

We stoped by here for a cinnamon bun just from smelling it down the street. It was $9, now I don’t mind paying that much for a cinnamon bun but the size of it is very small. They just throw it in the microwave in front of you, so who knows how fresh they are. We were hungry for a sweet treat so we ate it, but if you’re looking for a good cinnamon bun this ain’t it. Also water here is like $4 bucks and the store next door sells it for $1

Nice people but the cinnamon rolls are ten bucks each and microwaved to warm. Far too sweet and rolls taste dry despite all the glaze

$9 for an apple cinnamon roll is highway robbery, but I rationalized that it was ok in a tourist trap like Cannery Row where common sense about money goes out the door. It turned it into a bank heist when I added a cup of coffee making the total $16. The attendant microwaved the roll. I thought it was already sweet, she poured more white liquid frosting on top. I bought an apple cinnamon roll expecting to taste tart chunks of apples but instead got a doughy ball surrounded by a moat of liquid frosting. Someone bring me some insulin quick, because I’m not sure my body can produce enough to absorb all the glucose from this sugary baked mess. Worst of all I’m not diabetic…yet.

Very disappointed. For $7.20 for frosted cinnamon roll, It tasted and appeared to be a day old. It was borderline stale. However, The employee was very friendly. While, I was sitting inside there was probably two or three people that walked in looked at the prices and walked out. However, as a business owner, I can sympathize with the cost of doing business in California the $7.20. Might’ve been worth it, if the cinnamon roll was Fresh.

Ok for a quick snack, but the apple cinnamon roll has a lot of bread and dome frosting, not so much apple or cinnamon. It's a tourist spot so I guess rentals are high.

Owners, please consider hiring staff who truly care about your customers and your business. Using a microwave to heat up cinnamon rolls is unacceptable—especially in a beautiful and clean place like Monterey. It completely ruins the quality and freshness of the product. This place could have so much potential, but the lack of care and attention to cleanliness makes it a disappointment. Monterey deserves better—please step up your game and offer cleaner, higher-quality service instead of serving microwave-radiated cinnamon rolls.

Sugar High! This is a place that has a little bit of everything. We stopped here for the gluten free items. They have sweet and savory items here. We specifically got the gluten free cinnamon rolls. You have the option to get any of their cinnamon rolls without icing. The seating is minimal, so it's not a place to plan to sit and sip unless you are lucky and get one of the few seats available.