The 16 best desserts and snacks in Carmel

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.

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!!!!

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.

Dining at Aubergine in Carmel is like stepping into a quietly luxurious world where every course is composed like a sonnet. With its two Michelin stars, the restaurant delivers on expectation - and then gracefully exceeds it. The meal unfolded like a well-structured symphony, but two dishes stole the show: a kinmedai prepared with a subtle hand that honored the fish’s natural richness with incredible texture, and a scallop course that was so delicate and well balanced it felt like a dream. Both exemplified the kitchen’s ability to balance restraint with imagination, and they were elevated by perfect seasoning and thoughtful accompaniments. Service was warm, intuitive, and never overbearing- precisely what you want at a place of this caliber. The pacing of the meal was relaxed but never languid, and the setting, understated and serene, reflected the food’s own quiet elegance. If there was a miss, it came from the cocktail program. While technically well-executed, the drinks all leaned into a similar taste profile that lacked range or surprise. It didn’t detract from the experience, but it was a noticeable gap in contrast to the creativity of the food. Still, Aubergine easily earns its 9.6/10. For anyone seeking an evening of precision, artistry, and grace by the sea, this is one of California’s most rewarding dining destinations.

Far and away one of the best dining experiences my wife and I have ever had. I've been to French Laundry, Gary Danko, Manresa and others but I have to say, this is the little engine that could (they turn 10 tables a night!!!) Everything was fabulous from the food to the service. We had the sommelier choose a budget friendly wine based on some flavor profiles we gave him and he picked a real winner. The food was absolutely delicious and we loved how the sous chefs came out to describe and finish the dishes with a story or an emulsion. It was fun asking them questions about the many amazing ingredients. Will definitely go back!

Truly wonderful experience! We cannot express enough, how incredible the service, presentation and delicious our dining experience was. If you are fortunate enough to be able to dine here, make it a point to do so. The professionalism, and intimate setting is divine.

Im one of the few lucky people who can confess to booking Aubergine when it was still a one ⭐️. To our surprise, they earned ⭐️⭐️ a few days before our reservation! We booked a reservation for their indoor dining service 1 week after Monterrey car week. What remained are the usual tourists (myself included) in a beautiful and safe downtown for a pleasant walk if you arrive early. The service and food is perfect. In fact, you will get to meet the chef personally as he comes out to serve. He is humble, soft spoken, and grateful for their newest Michelin recognition when asked, “it’s been a long journey”. The food…phenomenal…as to be expected. However, what made this meal memorable is the older Chinese couple in their ~70-80yr (not confirmed) enjoying a date/meal sitting across. Of all the restaurants I’ve visited, I’ve never seen this. It is proof that life is beautiful and a testament to Aubergine’s heritage and reputation to attract people of all ages. My personal favorite was the fish with edible scales. Simply one of the best cooked fish course I’ve had. A close 2nd and arguably first was the scallop. In addition, included in course is a generous caviar serving . Finally, there is NO culinary” foam on any course! What a welcoming relief (I’ll leave it up to your imagination why I find that unpleasant). Highly highly recommended. Also, we did not have the wine pairing and it was still perfect.

This is a 2-Star Michelin restaurant in Carmel. This is properly rated at 2 stars, the food and service are generally excellent and meet the high expectations associated with having 2 Michelin stars. For us it was a fixed priced menu of $285 per person plus service and tax which made it $765 for a party of two, not including drinks. The meal included a tasting menu of eight courses, broken down into an appetizer tray, three seafood dishes, two meat dishes, and two desserts. Our appetizers included a tray of finger food (4*), oyster (5*), Thai inspired fish with rice (4*), scallops (5*), duck (5*), rib eye with sourdough (3*), gelato, and gourmet mixed ice cream (a la Coldstone Creamery). They also top it off with chocolates at the end. One warning to visitors is that when the dishes are served it's not easily discernable what's edible and what isn't in the low light, and the servers don't spell it out. For example I almost ate a spoonful of sand (that the oyster was sitting on) thinking it was a grain dish. All in all, the dishes were very creative and beautifully presented. The taste was very good for most dishes, and the service was great. If I had to complain about something, one is the dishes (the rib eye) was super salty, I don't think the chefs tasted it before sending it out. And for the money I would have expected more sophisticated desserts than gelato and ice cream. But aside from those, everything was great and I support the 2-star rating. It reminded me very much of Commis in Oakland, another 2-star restaurant that is very similar in experience and perhaps slightly better from my experience.

This was my first Michelin star meal since 2021 (morihiro in la). Before that I've been to several starred spots in the greater bay area, in NYC, San Sebastian, Barcelona, London and Paris, either with my partner of the era or my family. Last night was a Mother's day weekend pick that she got from a friend. I knew nothing going in except it has a Michelin star and I had to pre-pay over 500 for the meal, which was a seven course tasting menu where they do not tell you anything in advance. That's a key point, because while my mom and I loved it, my current partner would have made us walk about because she can't stand prix fixe/tasting menus where she can't pick her meal. To be fair they are careful to ask about what you and do not eat and prepare accordingly, but if I was there with my partner and not my mom she wouldn't have eaten half the courses. Service was, as expected, really good. That's really the sine qua non of the Michelin experience. I thought the staff was a little green, particularly in the way they interacted with my 80 year old Mother, but I get it. The dishes were yummy, my mom loved it all which is what matters in the end. I'm not going to ding them for it but the beginning of the meal felt rushed, and it remains unclear how one is supposed to select a wine when you literally aren't told what you are eating. That makes zero sense. We got the wine pairings two courses in and they charged us the full amount which wad probably a mistake but I didn't want to complain over 40 bucks when the meal cost 700. I've attached my photos of the food and the menu, which they only give you at the end.

We came here in the first month after it was awarded its second Michelin star in August 2024. We loved all the seafood dishes- they had super refreshing tastes with unique presentation. However, the meat courses, specifically the duck and steak, were not the best- both the texture and the flavor of the sauces could be improved (especially after dining at San Ho Wan the day before I came here, the comparison was stark). It was a memorable experience overall. We definitely enjoyed the 7 course dinner (but we still thought that Commis in Oakland was the best Michelin 2 star restaurant).

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.

There’s always a long line in front of revival ice cream and I now understand why. Ice cream is flavorful, creamy and you can tell that it is made with great quality ingredients. They also have some unique flavors and their menu changes daily. Their single split scoop is a generous portion and is reasonably priced. I tried the PB&J ice cream and strawberry sherbet. Both were so delicious and I couldn’t believe the PB&J one was vegan! Definitely worth visiting if you’re in the area.

It’s expensive. It’s amazing. They have a ton of unique flavors, but Bees Knees is by far my favorite. The ice cream is firm, yet creamy, which is exactly how I like it! There will likely be a little wait, and you’ll probably be thinking “man, that’s a little pricey” but it’s well worth it!

High quality ice cream store in Monterey downtown. Their Bee's Knees flavour was especially not worthy as it includes a white cream based ice cream with honey and honey comb candy. They make their waffle cones on site so if they are making it fresh, consider getting it as it is quite good. They have a big jug of ice water but no bathrooms. Limited free curb side parking.

What a great ice cream shop in downtown Monterey! Came for an after dinner treat. I got a single split scoop of bees knees and apple pie with a toasted marshmallow on top. My husband got bees knees and chocolate with a waffle bowl. All the ice cream flavors were amazing, with the apple pie being my favorite. Not too sweet. I could’ve done without the marshmallow, it was kind of runny. I gave 4 stars instead of 5, because they need to have more staff working at a time. The line was down the street with only 1 or 2 staff working at a time. One girl said she was going on her 30 min break when the line was down the street, leaving one girl to fend for herself. (I bet that was the first break she got in a while since it was so busy). Staff appropriately!Otherwise it’s an amazing ice cream spot. FYI: They have a “guaranteed” policy where if you don’t like your flavor you get a new one for free.

Organic, delicious and locally sourced ice cream. They have a variety of different flavors that change depending on the season, so there's always something new to try and look forward to. The prices are a little higher, but you get high quality in return, which I am happy to pay for. The last time we were there, we tried every single flavor and will continue to do so whenever we stop by.

This is the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Not overly sweet and it’s smooth. Cheaper than the big guys. Wish we had one in Denver. If you want amazing ice cream then go to Revival ice cream.

We were out on a road trip one of are stops was in Monterey Bay we were walking down a street and spotted revival ice cream shop and had to try there bees knees so delicious 😋 a must if your by a revival ice cream shop.

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.

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)

The service at Café Carmel was excellent and impressively fast compared to most places. Both the breakfast sandwich and burrito were flavorful, and I especially loved the caramel macchiato. Definitely a great spot!

Really nice little cafe on ocean boulevard. Lots of little sandwiches and treats in the coffee is good. We really like this place and we'll go back every time we visit.

This is such a cute place and I loved the otter art! The barista were all super kind and helpful as we were tourist of this area and had several questions. I ordered a peach apple tea that was very good and my siblings got ice cream which they enjoyed. We also ordered a tirimasu. It was okay which is the only reason for the 4 stars

One of the best chai lattes I’ve ever had...no exaggeration. Café Carmel nails the cozy café vibe without feeling pretentious. The fresh-baked goods smell amazing when you walk in, and their breakfast burrito? Total standout. It’s big, flavorful, and will keep you full through an entire morning of exploring. Also love that they’ve got solid salad options if you’re trying to keep things lighter. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in town.

Delicious food made with very fresh and high quality ingredients! 10/10. Perfect if you’re looking for a quick bite.

Best Coffee! It’s funny…I’ve wandered past this shop for years while visiting family. But lousy in room coffee at a local hotel put Cafe Carmel right in my path. I’m so glad that I popped in today and enjoyed the BEST macchiato I’ve had outside of my home. Staff was friendly and fast, and the macchiato was perfect. I will definitely be making this a stop as often as possible when I’m back in town. I can’t wait to try the amazing pastries and the rest of the menu. Thank you so much!

We were first time visitors of Carmel-by-the-Sea and we were brought to this place by the food tour guide. We had the quiche with salad and we were so impressed that we came back on our last day and ordered the quiche and avocado toast. Both were very fresh and tasted amazing. We certainly miss that sort of quality in Illinois. We also came back few hours later for ice cream and cappuccino. Highly recommended place to visit.

Was debating to try this restaurant or Manasiri’s but ended up trying Crepes of Brittany. Tried a couple of crepes, was pretty happy and satisfied about it. Sat outside, weather was nice. Restaurant was packed when we went but we pretty much walked in and out, plenty of seating I will say. There was no bathroom, we had to use the hotel across it bathroom.

Called by here on a Saturday morning and there was a queue but it moved quickly. Two of us had sweet, and two had savoury crepes - all very good. Interesting interior, it's in a pedestrianised area but parking nearby.  Would recommend it.

Conveniently located just outside the Portola hotel and spa, Crepes of Brittany was a quaint and comfortable spot. We loved the relaxing feel of the outdoor seating. They were busy on both our visits, but they did a great job getting through all the orders quickly. The wait for your food was much shorter than what they tell you. Staff were friendly and efficient. The food and coffee were delicious. Highly recommend everything we ordered which were, lemon sugar crepes, strawberry crepe, smoke salmon crepe, quiche, cappuccino & latte. We paid approximately $70-75 with tip for every visit.

I'm breton and picky. Got the complète (ham, egg and cheese) and it was an authentic breton galette (ie. Buckwheat crêpe) and very tasty. Their freshly squeezed orange juice complemented nicely my breakfast to fuely drive to San Francisco airport.

Great food, good service, nice owner/manager. The croissant was fluffy and tasty, and they have GF options for the crepes. Highly recommend.

Had a convenient menu outside for any waits. The staff was very friendly and the food and drinks came out super fast. My iced mocha was full of flavor and my Nutella with strawnana crêpe was packed with ingredients and flavor. Definitely will have to come again

I have been visiting this café over the years whenever I attend a conference in Monterey. I was reminded again this morning of special this place is. My mocha was perfect, ahh the rich flavor of quality ingredients. My brie, onions and egg crepe on gluten-free was delicious. The crepe had a buttery crispness. While I was there, French speaking guests asked to meet the owners. I was pleasantly surprised to see the owner come out in an apron to greet the guests in French. This place is authentic. If you're in the area, treat yourself to a charming and delicious French café experience.

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!

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.

Worth the trip. Yes, you wait a minute for your incredibly fresh, warm, delightful doughnut. Yes, It is worth the wait. Bring a friend so you can each order something different and share. Walk towards the back of the store and you can see how the magic happens.

Located on the upper level of Carmel Plaza are some upper level donuts courtesy of Dutch Door Donuts. Getting here is pretty easy, parking in general in the area is a bit difficult to find so be prepared to walk to the plaza. The exterior is very sleek and inviting, modern but not giving it a corporate feel that we see in a lot of newer donut shops. The inside was very clean, again sleek, and there was a surprisingly good amount of seating. Their menu is smaller, always a good sign in a donut shop to be honest. They focus on donuts but also offer beignets and a diverse option of coffee, again, always a good sign when a donut shop focuses on just donuts and coffee. The donuts on display look very good and the donuts are cooked to order. We ordered the vanilla bean glaze but they offer chocolate glaze, cinnamon sugar, etc. Ordering is quick and you can watch them prep your order upfront which is nice to watch since you can see that they don’t just pull it out of somewhere and warm it up. Since they’re made to order it can take a few minutes but be patient because they’re worth it. Once we got ours and had a chance to eat it we were very impressed. The glaze is sugary but not overly sweet. The donut itself is light and bready, probably because it’s yeast risen. A very well balanced flavor and didn’t leave us feeling like we needed to do an hour of crossfit or ask God to forgive our gluttony afterwards. This place is honestly better than Carmel Plaza, and that’s not a knock on the plaza as a whole but this place is definitely good enough to be on Ocean Ave itself and not hidden on the second floor. If we’re ever back in the area, we will without a doubt be back. We’d also be buying way more than just the vanilla bean glaze, and you should too.

Came for beignets but like the donuts. The coffee here was overpriced and mediocre. The donuts are light and airy. We tried chocolate (which we really liked) and ginger peach. The beignets were ok and standard. It might be better if they are 5 smaller beignets or if they came with sauces.

My husband and I take our donut ranking very seriously, so I do not say this lightly: The spiced peach takes at least a top two spot for us. Maybe even a top spot. We haven’t eaten current number one since 2019, so it’s a difficult comparison really.

Okay, best donuts of my life! Not even a huge donut fan because they can be heavy, cakey, stale etc. but these are everything you'd ever want a donut to be! Made on-the-spot so served hot, fluffy and airy inside, loved the chocolate glaze, fudgy and perfect. Would get this again and all the rest. 5 stars!!!

BEST donuts I’ve ever had! 🍩 They are made fresh upon ordering so they are warm and maintain a good crisp exterior from the fry. The different flavors were delicious- we especially loved the salted brown butter one 😋

Very fresh donuts and beignets. They fry them to order and you can watch them. They tasted pretty good and nice and soft. I tasted the pineapple coconut donut, which tasted good. The service was okay. They definitely seemed like they didn’t want to work there. But i mean, who really does want to work? But yeah, pretty nice place with nice donuts.

Oh my…. Sooooo goooood! This is the type of old-fashioned candy shop that you will want to visit over and over again when you’re in the area. They have everything. Service as well. Conveniently located in the barnyard. We stay at the Carmel Mission Inn across the road a couple of times and always make our way over here for treats. Highly recommended little spot!

Really lovely place. Had a lemon sorbet and got chocolates which we were the 100th person in the store and got an extra chocolate fudge. This place I would highly recommend everyone to go. There is a little seating area in the corner. The woman working in the store was so lovely, really kind person and was very accommodating. Loved this place will definitely go again on my next trip to Carmel.

Small shop but the chocolate smell is so inviting👌 lots of options for chocolate lovers.

Very sweet woman behind the counter:) We were a hundredth customer, meaning free fudge!- which was a very pleasant surprise. Wide selection of sweets to choose from.

Older lady in the front was incredibly rude. My girlfriend and I walked in looking to buy a good amount of sweets. We were waiting for help and she didn’t even look in our direction. She stayed sitting with her hands on her head, rolling her eyes. A man walked in right after and she immediately got up asking, “Is there anything I can help you with sir?” Insanely rude and homophobic place do not come!

This place smells like heaven! Fresh chocolate-bought a variety of chocolate dipped things and they were all fresh and delicious

Stumbled on this shop during lunch hours and had a great time checking out this small chocolate and ice cream shop. Best thing about this place is the nice lady behind the counter and the huge stuffed bear they had around the corner. I haven't tried their chocolate but the "heavenly ice cream" was decent although could be better less sweet. Would definitely come back for the sweet setting as it definitely serves one who has a sweet tooth.

The yogurt was wonderful! One of my favorite places to go for a nice mid day snack! Peanut butter and coconut are fantastic and hit the spot every time!

Doesn't take cards, ice cream is very mediocre for the price and it's not frozen yogurt as you would expect. It's more like the old school TCBY stuff that was never good.

Limited variety, not actually frozen yogurt. We got soft serve ice cream instead. Dirty environment.

Yogurt was okay. Cash-only. Employee wasn't very friendly. She seemed annoyed that we actually wanted to order something.

Extremely overpriced. 2 cups not even large was about $14.00. 2 stars instead of one because the yogurt was good. Price, assanine.

The smoothies are tasty but very expensive. Go for the yogurt in a cup for the best deal.

Not actually frozen yogurt, they were out apparently, but I've cream was OK.