Cantinetta Luca - Carmel By the Sea

In Carmel it is near impossible to get a bad meal. Cantinetta Luca is by far one of the best in town. We were here a year ago for the wife's birthday and this year was no different. I wanted to give 5 stars for atmosphere but the restaurant was very loud. There's a large table on the left as you walk in and the patrons were absurdly loud....

If you can, take a seat at the bar facing the kitchen where you can see everyone working, it’s just a gratifying experience to see the people hard at work making those seriously delicious Italian fares it makes you appreciate the labor, the discipline, and the creativity that goes into making your meal. The food itself was amazing, the gulf prawns on the bed of chickpeas was just grilled to perfection. The fungi pizza was straight from the wood fired oven in front of me and it was so hearty and comforting. The carbonara was as good as it can get. Overall excellent, we will come back again and also try to sit at the same place.

I can say a million great things about this place but nothing compares to the great hefty prices for those who can afford it. I was treated and will never come back based on just the prices alone. Now for my Review, staff was perfect, accommodating and very humane. From the moment we went in, I even saw the cheef come and ask how the stakes where...... Great to be honest but again to feed 3 should not be 400. Dollars. Thank u though. 5 stars just not actual stars

Simply the best experience I’ve ever had. We got reminders of our reservation and even a phone call to check on us since we driving for 7 hours the day before. When we got there, everyone was super friendly, amazing, and the food was out of this world. I’ve never had pumpkin ravioli and it was everything you thought it would be and more. They made my best friends night by bringing her some ice cream for her birthday! I cannot express how accommodating this place is, how friendly the staff is, and how the food was the best Italian I’ve ever had in California! I made a promise to them that we would visit again this year and I intend to hold that promise.

Very tasty and authentic Italian food. Craft cocktails were also very delicious. A table for two was a little cramped, but still worth it.