The restaurant is a treat. The food is well prepared and presented. We had a relaxing lunch outside in a comfortable booth surrounded by flower gardens with an unobstructed view out to the ocean. The service was also excellent and the meal was reasonably priced. We've traveled to Big Sur often and this is definitely the best restaurant experience.

The Restaurant at Ventana Inn is far friendly and jovial compared to its neighbor. The service is good, the atmosphere is cozy and the food is delicious. The location is the best of all. Do not miss if you are in the area!

Maybe someday I'll open up my wallet and stay there, but a good compromise was to stay at Deetjen's down the road and have dinner there. Everything was superb: the food, the service, the views.

We happened upon the sign while looking for lunch and were glad we did! The fireplace was very welcoming on a cold and blustery day. Food was presented well, but more importantly was very good. Excellent atmosphere, right down to the gorgeous wood and slate in the restrooms.

The whole experience was a complete flop. We wanted a quick break from the long road trip. Having read the positive review, we were quite enthusiastic about the prospects for our snack. We were wrong. Full stop. The interior is unwelcoming and service is the worst, we've experienced by far. First of all, the tables were dirty! We had to... More

Ok, so overall the food was good, and they clearly take pride in their culinary prowess. That said, I would eat at Big Sur Bakery for dinner any night of the week over dropping way more money at Ventana where you will get their minute portions which show more gourmet flair. I ordered their carrot cake for dessert and it... More

We stayed across the street at Post Ranch Inn, and went to Ventana restaurant somewhat grudgingly, due to time constraints, as its ratings were good but not the best in the Carmel vicinity. But we were told by locals on the ground in the area its very good and were not at all disappointed. The food was very fresh, perfectly... More

Knowing the view was not the highlight of this restaurant (based on other reviews) I more or less knew what to expect. The area is still very beautiful and the patio is great (too bad it was a cool evening, but it must be wonderful on a summer afternoon!) The food was delicious. The meal started with a halibut ceviche... More

We had a short lunch at Ventana restaurant. The outdoor terrace is nice and provides a great ocean view. Service is good and the food is good too. Prices are actually reasonable and worth going for. Landscaping can be improved upon but the kay out is very nice and inviting.