Small Pacific flatfish, floured and pan-fried whole with lemon butter, an old Monterey coast grill order that Carmel's seafood houses still honour.

Pacific sanddabs school on the sandy bottom of Monterey Bay, and for over a century they were the workaday fish of the California coast grill: too small and delicate to travel well, so they stayed a regional treat. The classic treatment survives almost unchanged, lightly breaded, pan-fried and finished with a lemon butter. At Flaherty's in Carmel they arrive dusted in sourdough crumbs under a lemon tarragon beurre blanc, one of the village's most local plates.

Where to eat Sand dabs in Carmel-by-the-Sea

1 editor pick for Sand dabs in Carmel-by-the-Sea, ranked by editorial score. All Carmel-by-the-Sea signature dishes · Sand dabs across every city.

Book food experiences in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Thai Cooking Class in Monterey★ 5.0 (65)

Viator · 1.5 h

Thai Cooking Class in Monterey

The ONLY Thai cooking class in Monterey! Fun & Tasty Party + Memorable Experience Plan your special holidays, surprise date night, birthday, bachelorette parties, comp...

fromUSD 135 Check dates

See all 130 food experiences in Carmel-by-the-Sea

More places to eat in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Not on this list, but among the highest we score in this city. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.

Make it at home

Serves Serves 220 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 4 to 6 sand dab fillets, or whole dressed sand dabs
  • 60g plain flour
  • Sea salt and black pepper
  • 60g butter, divided
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley or tarragon

Method

  1. Pat the fish dry, season and dredge lightly in flour.
  2. Heat half the butter with the oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat.
  3. Fry the fish 2 minutes on the first side and 1 to 2 on the second, until just opaque.
  4. Move the fish to warm plates and wipe the pan.
  5. Melt the remaining butter until it smells nutty, add lemon juice and herbs, and pour over the fish at once.

Editor tip. If you can only find whole sand dabs, cook them on the bone and eat like a small sole; the fillets lift clean once cooked.

Common allergens: Fish, Gluten, Dairy.