The Places · United States
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Made By profiles 5 places in Carmel-by-the-Sea, spanning contemporary californian fine dining, french-italian bistro with wood-fired pizzas, hotel — each tied to the people and producers behind it.
01.Contemporary Californian Fine Dining
Aubergine Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States
Aubergine at L'Auberge Carmel holds two Michelin stars in 2025 and a La Liste score of 88 points, placing it among the most decorated fine-dining rooms on the California Central Coast. Chef Justin Cogley runs an eight-course tasting menu built around Monterey-sourced ingredients in a nine-table dining room that books at least a month ahead. Smart business casual dress is required; reservations open Wednesday through Sunday evenings.
● 1 artisanView →
02.Modern French Coastal Bistro
Chez Noir
Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States
A Michelin-starred counter on Carmel's 5th Avenue where French bistro technique meets the California coast's seafood abundance. Chez Noir operates from the ground floor of a Craftsman residence, the Blacks live upstairs, which shapes everything from the scale of the room to the warmth of service. Ranked #472 in Opinionated About Dining's 2025 North America list and named one of Esquire's Best New Restaurants in 2023.
● 1 artisanView →
03.Hotel
L’Auberge Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States
A 20-room inn at the corner of Monte Verde and Seventh, L'Auberge Carmel has held its position at the top of Carmel's small-hotel tier since 1929. The property earned 2 Michelin Stars in 2025 through its Aubergine restaurant and a 5-point Gault & Millau Exceptional Hotel designation, with rates from US$668 per night placing it firmly in the California coastal luxury bracket.
● 1 artisanView →
04.French-Italian Bistro with Wood-Fired Pizzas
La Bicyclette Restaurant
Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States
A Michelin Plate recipient in both 2024 and 2025, La Bicyclette brings a Californian-French sensibility to Carmel-by-the-Sea's Dolores Street, where European village dining traditions meet the produce rhythms of the Central Coast. Under Chef Obdiel Luna, the kitchen earns consistent recognition from Opinionated About Dining alongside its Michelin credentials, placing it firmly in the serious-but-accessible tier of the town's dining scene.
● 1 artisanView →
05.Modern Fusion
The Pocket
Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States
The Pocket in Carmel-by-the-Sea sits at the intersection of California coastal cooking and a serious wine program, with 370 selections across 4,000 bottles and a Pearl-recognized kitchen delivering farm-to-table dinners priced at the upper end of the village's dining tier. With a 4.5 Google rating across 245 reviews, it holds its own alongside Carmel's most established dinner destinations.
● 1 artisanView →