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Shearwater Tavern, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Shearwater Tavern

4.2
4.2
100 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 3 times today
  • Good for groups
  • Good for business meals
  • Great for happy hour
Located in the idyllic seaside community of Carmel, Shearwater Tavern features breakfast and dinner within the Carmel Mission Inn. Our dinner menu has a selection of smaller plates to share along with some larger individual plates.
We have partnered with a local dairy, coffee roaster, honey purveyor and bakery.
Our Chef Fabian Di Paolo's menu is New American with Influences from his Argentinian, Italian, Floribbean roots. Our cocktail program features beautiful classic and specialty cocktails along with craft beer and California wines. You must try his House made Parker House rolls.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Breakfast, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–10:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 am Dinner Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 624-1841
  • Website
    https://www.shearwatertavern.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Fabian Di Paolo
  • Private party facilities
    Visit https://www.carmelmissioninn.com/special-events/start-planning/ to fill out a request! We have a private dining room as well as other meetings spaces and a lovely patio.
  • Location
    3665 Rio Rd, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923-8609
  • Neighborhood
    Carmel
  • Cross street
    Carmel Mission Inn on Rio Rd.
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Public transit
    Across the street at Crossroads Shopping Village
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Greens

  • Parker House Rolls$10.00

    • Baby Arugula$15.00

      dried cranberries, goat cheese, pepitas, pickled pumpkin, blood orange vinaigrette

      • Classic Caesar$14.00

        chopped romaine, shaved parmesan, creamy garlic dressing, sourdough crouton

        • Protein from the Grill Marinated Chicken Breast$7.00

          • Protein from the Grill Salmon$14.00

            • Prawns$15.00

              Shareables

              • Cured Meats & Cheeses$20.00

                california cheeses, curated salumis pepper jelly, grain mustard, grilled bread

                • Artichoke Dip$12.00

                  toasted baguette

                  • Garlic Hummus$11.00

                    fresh vegetables, grilled bread

                    • French Onion Soup$12.00

                      guyere, sourdough crouton

                      • Crispy Calamari$17.00

                        salsa macha aioli, grilled lemon

                        • Piri Piri Prawns$19.00

                          spicy tomato broth

                          • Lump Crab Cake$22.00

                            mustard aioli, cucumber, capers

                            • Steamed Mussels$18.00

                              smoked tomato espelette broth, bread – add garlic parmesan fries 6

                              • Pacific Pearl Onion Dip$12.00

                                kettle chips

                                • Roasted Shishito Peppers$12.00

                                  lemon, sea salt, tahini

                                  Large Plates

                                  • Tavern Burger$21.00

                                    smoked gouda, caramelized onion, animal sauce – choice of fries or salad

                                    • Fish & Chips$24.00

                                      pacific rockfish, malt vinegar fries, california tartar

                                      • Steak Frites$38.00

                                        grilled bavette, shoestring fries green peppercorn sauce

                                        • Grilled Ancho Eggplant$20.00

                                          pumpkin, garbanzos, oyster mushroom, cotija

                                          SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

                                          • Espresso Martini$17.00

                                            titos, fresh espresso, kahlua, bailey float

                                            • Carmel Breeze$17.00

                                              ketel one, fresh strawberries, lemon juice, sugar rim

                                              • Mission Water$17.00

                                                lalo blanco, pineapple, sparkling mineral water, sugar rim

                                                • Shearwater Mojito$17.00

                                                  silver rum, fresh watermelon, mint, lime

                                                  • East of Eden$17.00

                                                    hendricks gin, cucumber, st. germain elderflower liqueur, lime

                                                    • Monterey Margarita$17.00

                                                      camarena blanco, fresh raspberries, cointreau, salt rim

                                                      THE CLASSICS

                                                      • Delayed Flight$16.00

                                                        titos, grapefruit, aperol, lime

                                                        • Manhattan$16.00

                                                          bulleit rye, sweet vermouth, angostura

                                                          • Lavendar Fields$16.00

                                                            bombay sapphire, lavender honey, lemon

                                                            • Aperol Spritz$16.00

                                                              prosecco, fever tree soda

                                                              DRAFT BEER

                                                              • Other Brothers$10.00

                                                                seasonal ale

                                                                • Alvarado St. Brewing$10.00

                                                                  pilsner

                                                                  • Guiness$10.00

                                                                    stout

                                                                    • Stella Artois

                                                                      pilsner

                                                                      • English Ale Brewery

                                                                        west coast ipa

                                                                        BOTTLES & CANS

                                                                        • Modelo Especial$7.00

                                                                          • Blue Moon Belgian$7.00

                                                                            • Heineken$8.00

                                                                              • Bud Light$6.00

                                                                                • Lagunitas Lil Sumpin' Ale$8.00

                                                                                  • Angry Orchard Hard Cider$7.00

                                                                                    • High Noon Hard Seltzer$7.00

                                                                                      • Miller Lite$6.00

                                                                                        Last updated: November 7, 2024

                                                                                        What 100 people are saying

                                                                                        Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                                        Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                                        4.2
                                                                                        4.2 based on recent ratings
                                                                                        • 4Food
                                                                                        • 4.4Service
                                                                                        • 4Ambience
                                                                                        • 3.8Value

                                                                                        Noise • Moderate

                                                                                        Loved For

                                                                                        • California Central Coast

                                                                                          Good for groups

                                                                                        • Monterey / Carmel

                                                                                          Kid-friendly

                                                                                        • Monterey / Carmel

                                                                                          Innovative

                                                                                        • Monterey / Carmel

                                                                                          Good for groups

                                                                                        Review summary

                                                                                        AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                        Shearwater Tavern offers a diverse menu with standout dishes like "octopus is out of this world good" and "the onion soup was terrific." The service is praised for being "attentive" and "high-end professional." While some diners found prices steep, the restaurant's central location and "ample parking" enhance its appeal.

                                                                                        100 Reviews

                                                                                        1. Ani

                                                                                          San Francisco

                                                                                          4 reviews

                                                                                          4.0

                                                                                          4 reviews

                                                                                          Dined 6 days ago

                                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                          3. Service 4
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          Great place for cozy night out with family, friends, or date night. Food was delicious and a decent selection of options for happy hour too.

                                                                                          Is this helpful?

                                                                                        2. OpenTable Diner

                                                                                          Dallas

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          4.0

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          Dined on November 29, 2024

                                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                          3. Service 4
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          It was a perfectly homey yet sophisticated Thanksgiving dinner service for the travelers. We enjoyed the juicy turkey and pungent butternut squash soup very much. And the dessert- pumpkin fran was the best!!

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                                                                                        3. M.J.

                                                                                          San Francisco

                                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on November 29, 2024

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 3
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 3
                                                                                          Customer service was very good. We had Thanksgiving dinner and felt the food was overdone. The menu notes Parker House rolls, which were only a hodgepodge of dinner rolls. And the “brûlée” sweet potatoes were just mashed. The salad was very sad and wilted.

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                                                                                        4. OpenTable Diner

                                                                                          San Francisco

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          4.0

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          Dined on November 29, 2024

                                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                          3. Service 4
                                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                                          Enjoyed family style Thanksgiving dinner; wait staff was very attentive and personal. Ambience was delightful, with ample space between tables. The bar is particularly attractive, and as locals we will surely frequent the Shearwater Tavern.

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                                                                                        5. Wendy

                                                                                          San Francisco

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          Dined on November 10, 2024

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          We hadn’t visited the Carmel Mission Inn for several years and knew that it had been refreshed since our last visit. We decided to have dinner at Shearwater Tavern, tucked inside the Carmel Mission Inn and had an absolutely wonderful experiencey. Our outstanding dining experience began with a delicious Caesar Salad paired with their wonderful signature Parker House Rolls—warm, house-baked, and served with local honey butter and a bit of sea salt. These starters set the tone perfectly for the main event: a flawlessly grilled bavette (flank steak), a favorite of ours, topped with a rich green peppercorn sauce and accompanied by crispy shoestring frites. Our steak arrived cooked precisely to our medium-rare preference and request, showcasing the kitchen's attention to detail.

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                                                                                        6. Megan

                                                                                          Tahoe

                                                                                          19 reviews

                                                                                          3.0

                                                                                          19 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on November 3, 2024

                                                                                          1. Overall 3
                                                                                          2. Food 2
                                                                                          3. Service 2
                                                                                          4. Ambience 2
                                                                                          Very small dinner menu on a Saturday night. It’s not the menu they post on their website. Service was just ok. Calamari appetizer was way over cooked and tough. Chicken Cesar and the burger were good. Don’t plan to return in the future.

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                                                                                        7. John

                                                                                          VIP

                                                                                          Seattle

                                                                                          5 reviews

                                                                                          1.0

                                                                                          5 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on October 20, 2024

                                                                                          1. Overall 1
                                                                                          2. Food 2
                                                                                          3. Service 1
                                                                                          4. Ambience 1
                                                                                          Hotel restaurant. Dated. Awful service. We walked out.

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                                                                                        8. Sean

                                                                                          San Francisco

                                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                                          4.0

                                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on October 20, 2024

                                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                          3. Service 4
                                                                                          4. Ambience 3
                                                                                          Food as excellent. Ordered a few small plates to share and it turned to be satiating both from a taste and amount perspective. The cocktails were a disappointment. Ordered two different kinds and both seemed as thought the ratio of ingredients were off.

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                                                                                        9. Michael

                                                                                          Los Angeles

                                                                                          9 reviews

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          9 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on October 19, 2024

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                                          First class menu, and the service high-end professional. Quality of food is excellent - local, healthy, fresh. Very interesting menu - and amazing wine list. A little bit noisy for an intimate dinner, but still a beautifully designed/built dining room. Overall - an excellent choice and only 5 min. from Carmel Village.

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                                                                                        10. Linda

                                                                                          Central Coast

                                                                                          6 reviews

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          6 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on October 16, 2024

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                                          Very good appetizers and small bites. The steak was cooked perfectly and the fries delicious. The veggie tempura was perfect with our martinis❣️

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                                                                                        FAQs

                                                                                        Shearwater Tavern offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 624-1841.

                                                                                        Shearwater Tavern is rated 4.2 stars by 100 OpenTable diners.

                                                                                        Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                                        Make a reservation

                                                                                        2 people
                                                                                        8:30 PM
                                                                                        Booked 3 times today

                                                                                        Order delivery or takeout

                                                                                        Google Map for Shearwater Tavern

                                                                                        3665 Rio Rd, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923-8609

                                                                                        Additional information

                                                                                        • Cross street
                                                                                          Carmel Mission Inn on Rio Rd.
                                                                                        • Neighborhood
                                                                                          Carmel
                                                                                        • Hours of operation
                                                                                          Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–10:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 am Dinner Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
                                                                                        • Price
                                                                                          $30 and under
                                                                                        • Cuisines
                                                                                          Contemporary American, Breakfast, Cocktail Bar
                                                                                        • Dining style
                                                                                          Casual Dining
                                                                                        • Dress code
                                                                                          Casual Dress
                                                                                        • Parking details
                                                                                          Hotel Parking
                                                                                        • Public transit
                                                                                          Across the street at Crossroads Shopping Village
                                                                                        • Payment options
                                                                                          AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                        • Executive chef
                                                                                          Fabian Di Paolo
                                                                                        • Additional
                                                                                          Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                                        • Website
                                                                                          https://www.shearwatertavern.com/
                                                                                        • Phone number
                                                                                          (831) 624-1841
                                                                                        • Private party facilities
                                                                                          Visit https://www.carmelmissioninn.com/special-events/start-planning/ to fill out a request! We have a private dining room as well as other meetings spaces and a lovely patio.
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