Café Carmel

Ocean Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, United States
+1 831-624-3870
$$$ Cafe
(525 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Café Carmel, a quaint gem nestled in the picturesque town of Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA. Located along Ocean Avenue, this delightful café invites you to indulge in a culinary experience that is both comforting and innovative. The charming ambiance radiates warmth, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring the scenic beauty of the coast.

The café offers a thoughtfully curated menu that beautifully showcases seasonal ingredients and a passion for flavor. Guests rave about the Quiche of the Day, which is artfully combined with a refreshing Baby Bibb Lettuce Salad, crisp Persian Cucumbers, and vibrant Heirloom Tomatoes, all drizzled with a fragrant Herb Vinaigrette for just $16.00. For salad lovers, the standout Roasted Beet Salad entices with a harmonious blend of Arugula, luscious Blackberries, and rich Laura Chenel Goat Cheese, topped with a Black Mission Fig Vinaigrette and crunchy Toasted Walnuts for $16.00. Each dish bursts with freshness, ensuring that your palate will dance with delight at every bite.

But the allure of Café Carmel doesn't stop with the food. As noted by many visitors, the café serves an exceptional variety of hot beverages, showcasing their dedication to fine coffee. The Cappuccino, made with Illy coffee, is a frothy delight that beckons both morning and evening patronage at $5.25, while the Chai Latte offers a spicy and creamy embrace, perfect for any time of day at $5.50. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the fresh-baked goods that fill the air with an inviting aroma as you step inside!

Café Carmel’s charm is only enhanced by its dedicated staff, who consistently deliver excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere. Patrons, like Juana Saldana and Shannon Arner, express their appreciation for the friendly, attentive service and rave about standout menu items, such as the breakfast burrito and delicious caramel macchiato. The café balances a cozy vibe without pretentiousness—ideal for locals and tourists alike. Whitney Nelson captures the spirit of the café by highlighting the delightful otter art on the walls, while Emma Stephens and Douglas Carey emphasize the fresh ingredients and tasty treats that make repeat visits a must.

If you're seeking a delightful café experience with high-quality food, delightful staff, and a cozy atmosphere, look no further than Café Carmel. With each visit, you’re sure to uncover a new favorite dish, all while enjoying the charming ambiance that the café so lovingly fosters.

To connect with Café Carmel, call them at +1 831-624-3870 and prepare yourself for a deliciously memorable experience!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
No wheelchair-accessible car park
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

7:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Tuesday

7:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Wednesday

7:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Thursday

7:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Friday

7:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Saturday

7:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Sunday

7:30 AM - 7:00 PM

525 Reviews
Juana Saldana

16 Sep 2025

The service at Café Carmel was excellent and impressively fast compared to most places. Both the breakfast sandwich and burrito were flavorful, and I especially loved the caramel macchiato. Definitely a great spot!

Shannon Arner

11 Sep 2025

One of the best chai lattes I’ve ever had...no exaggeration. Café Carmel nails the cozy café vibe without feeling pretentious. The fresh-baked goods smell amazing when you walk in, and their breakfast burrito? Total standout. It’s big, flavorful, and will keep you full through an entire morning of exploring. Also love that they’ve got solid salad options if you’re trying to keep things lighter. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in town.

Sigitas Armonas

29 Aug 2025

We were first time visitors of Carmel-by-the-Sea and we were brought to this place by the food tour guide. We had the quiche with salad and we were so impressed that we came back on our last day and ordered the quiche and avocado toast. Both were very fresh and tasted amazing. We certainly miss that sort of quality in Illinois. We also came back few hours later for ice cream and cappuccino. Highly recommended place to visit.

Whitney Nelson

15 Aug 2025

This is such a cute place and I loved the otter art! The barista were all super kind and helpful as we were tourist of this area and had several questions. I ordered a peach apple tea that was very good and my siblings got ice cream which they enjoyed. We also ordered a tirimasu. It was okay which is the only reason for the 4 stars

Emma Stephens

13 Aug 2025

Delicious food made with very fresh and high quality ingredients! 10/10. Perfect if you’re looking for a quick bite.

Douglas Carey

31 Jul 2025

Really nice little cafe on ocean boulevard. Lots of little sandwiches and treats in the coffee is good. We really like this place and we'll go back every time we visit.

Hillary

04 Jul 2025

We visited Carmel by the Sea with friends in December 2024. My husband surprised me and ordered a fabulous birthday cake for my 70th birthday, from Sarah, who is terrific, and the owner of Cafe Carmel. It was sooooo wonderful! Huge, beautiful, and incredibly delicious! I am a connoisseur when it comes to desserts and I can attest to the fact that this cake was exceptional!!!! Five layers of scrumptious chocolate mousse in between the moistest chocolate cake covered with chocolate ganache! Wow! The photos do not do this cake justice- it was huge! Definitely visit Cafe Carmel for any celebration- their cakes are out of this world!!!

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