Carmel-by-the-Sea is having a real culinary moment, one that feels both exciting and deeply connected to the community that has long defined the village. With the return of full access along Highway 1, a new direct flight route from Chicago into Monterey, and a wave of highly anticipated restaurant openings, it feels like a natural time to revisit this beloved coastal destination. The journey itself is part of the story again, with travelers winding through Big Sur before arriving into a one-square-mile village where food, wine, and community are shaping a compelling new chapter.
The Village’s Culinary Renaissance
- Carmel-by-the-Sea has long had strong culinary bones, but what’s happening now feels like a true passing of the torch. A new generation of chefs, makers, and restaurateurs are shaping a more modern, design-forward food culture while still holding onto the intimacy and charm that has always defined the village. Standouts span both legacy institutions and newer arrivals, from Michelin-recognized destinations like Aubergine and Chez Noir to beloved local anchors like La Bicyclette, Foray and Stationæry.
- At the center of that momentum, Chef Justin Cogley and his partner Janet are set to open Corner Market in the former Forge in the Forest space, bringing a more casual, ingredient-driven expression of his Michelin-recognized perspective. Elsewhere in the village, Bashar Sneeh, known for concepts like Dametra, Portabella, and Catch, is expanding his footprint with a new steakhouse, Char,alongside a cocktail-driven concept in the former Sade’s space. Anthony and Alissa Carnazzo, the husband-and-wife team behind Stationæry, are also building on their success with two new concepts that speak to Carmel’s evolving identity: Mammone, an upscale Italian restaurant tucked into a hidden courtyard, and Mama’s Boy, a takeaway deli rooted in southern Italian flavors with a more casual, day-to-day appeal. Together, all of these openings reflect a broader shift toward more personal, chef-driven concepts that feel both elevated and deeply connected to Carmel’s culinary story.
Carmel Culinary Week, A Reflection of the Moment
- Running June 5-13, Carmel Culinary Week is not just a series of events, but a reflection of this broader evolution. The week brings together the chefs, winemakers, and creative voices shaping the region today, with programming that ranges from immersive tasting experiences and winemaker dinners to larger-scale community moments like La Dolce Vita, Soirée by the Sea, and Boho Bites & Beats.
- Beyond the scheduled events, the entire village comes alive throughout the week, with restaurants and wine tasting rooms extending the experience into the streets, creating a celebratory, walkable atmosphere that feels both elevated and deeply local. Many of the participants are owner-operators, husband and wife teams, or first-time restaurateurs who are deeply embedded in the community, giving the week an intimacy and sense of collaboration that sets it apart from more traditional food festivals.
A One-Square-Mile Food & Wine Destination
- What makes Carmel-by-the-Sea so compelling is its scale. The village boasts more restaurants per capita than any other U.S. city, alongside 20+ wine tasting rooms, all within a one-square-mile, walkable setting. Within a few blocks, visitors can move from Michelin-starred dining to a tucked-away tasting room or a casual, ingredient-driven lunch, all against the backdrop of white-sand beaches, a rich bohemian heritage, and a thriving art scene. It’s a destination that rewards curiosity and exploration, where the experience feels layered yet effortless, and where food and wine are central to how travelers engage with the destination.
As more travelers gravitate toward destinations that feel immersive, design-forward, and rooted in community, Carmel-by-the-Sea stands out as a place that offers both a sense of history and a clear point of view on where its culinary scene is headed next.
