Chez Noir is a californian fine-dining restaurant in San Carlos Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Editorially verified August 21, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: The $165 prix fixe; bar seats are the walk-in route when the room is booked.
Tip: There is no phone; reservations release a month at a time on OpenTable, and the bar takes walk-ins when the dining room is full.
Address: 5th Ave between San Carlos & Dolores St, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
Seventh & Dolores Steakhouse brings a modern American steakhouse to its namesake Carmel corner, one of the village's few kitchens open until 22:00.
Order: A dry-aged cut from the board, split between two people.
Tip: Book on Tock and ask for the outdoor patio; it is one of the last full-dinner seatings in a village that closes early.
Anton & Michel faces the Court of the Fountains in Carmel with white-tablecloth European dining, open daily for both lunch and dinner services.
Order: A window table over the fountain court matters as much as the menu.
Tip: This is one of the few formal rooms in the village serving a full daily lunch; the fountain courtyard is the seat to request.
Casanova candlelights a Carmel cottage at 5th and Mission for French-Italian dinners, seating guests around the Van Gogh table when it is booked.
Order: Dinner beside the Van Gogh table from the Auberge Ravoux.
Tip: Ask about the Van Gogh table when you book; the restaurant takes inquiries for it by email and that corner of the room fills first.
Aubergine holds two Michelin stars inside L'Auberge Carmel at Monte Verde and 7th, where Justin Cogley cooks an eight-course coastal tasting menu.
Order: The $285 tasting is the only menu; add the wine pairing when you book.
Tip: The room seats a hotel's worth of diners at most; book on Tock well ahead, and budget for the 22% service charge on top.