Market$Ocean AvenueMon-Thu 10:00-20:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 10:00-21:00
Cottage of Sweets has candied Ocean Avenue in Carmel since 1959, hand-making fudge in an ivy-covered cottage stocked with imported licorice.
Order: A quarter pound of house fudge, cut from the slab.
Why locals love it: Tourists photograph the ivy-covered cottage without realising the fudge and chocolates are still made by the shop's own confectioners.
Tip: The house fudge and chocolates are made by the shop's own confectioners, and the licorice shelf is imported from around the world.
Market$Ocean AvenueMon-Thu 10:00-20:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 10:00-21:00
Cottage of Sweets has candied Ocean Avenue in Carmel since 1959, hand-making fudge in an ivy-covered cottage stocked with imported licorice.
Order: A quarter pound of house fudge, cut from the slab.
Why locals love it: Tourists photograph the ivy-covered cottage without realising the fudge and chocolates are still made by the shop's own confectioners.
Tip: The house fudge and chocolates are made by the shop's own confectioners, and the licorice shelf is imported from around the world.
Japanese sushi$$$Mission StreetLunch Thu-Sat 11:30-13:00; Dinner Tue-Sat 17:00-20:30
Akaoni serves traditional Japanese cooking and sushi at Mission and 6th in Carmel, a small room listed in the Michelin Guide and booked by phone.
Order: Sushi from the day's fish list, called out at the counter.
Why locals love it: No online booking, minimal signage and a 90-minute lunch window three days a week keep this Michelin Guide-listed counter a local secret.
Tip: Seats are few and hours are short; call ahead, and remember lunch only runs Thursday through Saturday.
