76 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2025-2026 BIG SUR Big Sur Roadhouse American A mandatory stop along your travels down the coast for breakfast or lunch, the Big Sur Roadhouse offers outdoor patios with fire pits to enjoy the day. 47080 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2370, glenoaksbigsur.com Big Sur Taphouse American Beyond the great (and constantly changing) selection of beers on tap, there’s a robust menu of pub food to keep you happy, from sandwiches and wings to tacos. There are vegetarian options, too. 47520 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2197, bigsurtaphouse.com Deetjen’s Restaurant Varied Big Sur favorites have a habit of sticking around for awhile. Maybe it’s the setting, maybe it’s the home-style cooking paired with a carefully curated wine list. Candlelit dining rooms don’t hurt the mood. 48865 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2378, deetjens.com Fernwood Tavern Pub Dine under the redwoods on the spacious back deck or pick a table inside. It’s a relaxed space with an equally comfortable menu of tacos, pizza, salads and the always popular tavern burger. 47200 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2129, fernwoodbigsur.com Aubergine holds two Michelin stars. Chez Noir has one. A few other kitchens border on—or probably deserve—similar stature. For a series of small communities, the range of dining options is equally impressive. From taquerias to steakhouses, eclectic chef-driven establishments to simple diners, vegan spots and more, there are remarkable restaurants to choose from. And while it may be tempting to get out and around, many of the area’s hotel establishments rank among the best. FOOD Domenico’s on the Wharf BIG SUR 76 CARMEL 78 CARMEL VALLEY 86 MARINA 89 MONTEREY 91 NORTH COUNTY 102 PACIFIC GROVE 103 PEBBLE BEACH 106 SALINAS 109 SEASIDE/SAND CITY 112 SOUTH COUNTY 116 SANTA CRUZ 116
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