We were staying in Monterey but wanted to take a scenic drive and visit some vineyards. We found Cafe Rustica online and decided to try it for lunch. It was absolutely fantastic. We shared a grilled artichoke and also a veggie pizza; really loved the food and the service was equally great. They also have a great wine list so... More

If you ever find yourself in Carmel wanting a slight change of pace, drive up the Carmel Valley road and have lunch at Cafe Rustica. Delicious food, good service, fairly reasonable prices for the area. Wineries offer tastings nearby. A nice outing to see that part of Carmel! More

Six of us visited this restaurant. All meals were good, some excellent. The pastas of OK. The pizza we had was excellent More

The lamb dishes created delightful moaning from the hubbies, whereas the fish enthusiasts were equally happy. The steaks are outstanding flavor and done to perfection. A little pricey, but get what you pay for. More

Cafe Rustica has not learned the most basic tenet of business and life. That is, " You only get one chance to make a first impression". We arrived there on a beautiful day and wanted to eat outside. When we asked to be seated, we were denied seating in the front of the outdoor area and were immediately taken to... More

While tasting wine at Boekenoogen Winery in Carmel Valley, I ask Holly if she could recommend a great lunch spot. Without hesitation, she directed us to Cafe Rustica (she said she eats at this place all the time) and we're glad she did. When we travel, we love to eat "local" and a this place is a jewel. Service was... More

After such good reviews on yelp, my family decided to give cafe rustica a try. We had two of our boys with us (ages 5,2) so wanted to make sure it was family friendly. The host was very accommodating and led us to a table in the back patio that was nice and secluded so my boys could enjoy eating... More

This restaurant is a hidden gem within the small village of Carmel Valley. We've been here several times for the ambiance, friendliness of staff and patrons, and excellent food. The inside is great, but my favorite area is outside in the patio where the decor is wonderful and during daylight the views of the hills stunning. If you've ever been... More

In the Carmel Valley village you would be hard pressed to find a higher quality restaurant with consistently good food. Whenever we have guests in town we choose Rustica as a favorite eating establishment--lunch or dinner. Reservations are a must. More