The 7 Best Cafes and Restaurants in Big Sur California: My Top Food Spots in 2026

Big Sur California is for sure one of the best weekend road trips on the California coast that anyone could ever do and that I have ever done, you guys!

I did a huge California road trip where I spent three days in Big Sur, and on top of all the incredible hiking I did, I also made it a priority to try a bunch of the amazing food spots and restaurants along Highway 1.

To help you guys out finding the best lunch and dinner places, I’ve put together my personal list of the best cafes and restaurants in Big Sur that I actually visited (or had on my absolute must-try list) and highly recommend for your next trip.

What are the Best Cafes and Restaurants in Big Sur? My Own Experience

If I’m being honest, I am a huge foodie. I just love to eat good food whenever I can, and wherever I go, I make sure to try as many restaurants as possible. 

However, I really want to emphasize that I am not super big into fine dining. If I can choose between a nice outdoor patio in the sun with a cold beer and some good pub food, I will choose that over a fancy, fine-dining experience every single time! So, most of the food spots I’m recommending here are definitely more casual and down-to-earth.

The very first place we went to was the Big Sur Taphouse, which is exactly that kind of spot I just described. 

We headed there right after finishing a massive, exhausting hike (the Borunda Trail to Timber Top). Naturally, sitting on their outside patio with a cold beer and a great burger felt like absolute heaven. It was amazing, and I would totally go back there right now if I could!

Another thing you might already know about me is that I am a massive coffee lover. I’ll be honest, finding a really high-quality specialty coffee can be a little tricky in the US once you get outside of the major cities. 

Luckily, I found The Village, where they made a fantastic cappuccino that completely sorted out my daily coffee fix. Even better, it was located right next to where we stayed at the Big Sur Campground & Cabins, so yep, I literally went there every single morning!

1. Big Sur Taphouse (My Favorite Restaurant in Big Sur)

Opening Hours: 12pm-10pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

One of my favorite places I had lunch at in Big Sur was for sure the Big Sur Taphouse. It’s a proper beer house with loads of different craft beers on draft, as well as really good food. The place itself is right up my alley because they have a huge outdoor seating area with incredible views over the Big Sur hills.

We actually visited here with a bunch of friends who we had gone hiking with. Since they are locals, they took us straight to the Big Sur Taphouse knowing exactly how good it was. 

It turned out to be the absolute perfect lunch and post-hiking recovery meal. I ordered a burger with curly fries and some type of Belgian beer, I forgot the name of the beer, but it was awesome! 

Our friends ordered the chicken tacos, regular French fries, and onion rings. I snuck a bite of all of them, and they were really, really good.

So, if you are looking for a classic patio experience for lunch, sitting outside in the sun with great pub grub, I highly recommend coming here.

2. The Village (Best Coffee in Big Sur)

Opening Hours: 8am-5pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

As I mentioned, I find it a little difficult sometimes to find really good specialty coffee in the US, especially when I’m outside of the bigger cities. 

I guess people here just love their classic drip filter coffee over a flat white or a latte! Because of that, I was very, very happy when I found The Village. It’s a great little coffee shop located right next to the Big Sur River Inn.

The absolute best part was that we stayed right next door at the Big Sur Campground & Cabins (in a super cute cabin that I still highly recommend!). Every morning, I could literally just roll out of bed and walk right over to get my caffeine fix.

Just a little heads-up, though: the coffee here is definitely on the more expensive side. But when it’s the only quality espresso shop around, beggars can’t be choosers, right?

3. Nepenthe (Top Dining in Big Sur)

Opening Hours: 11:30m-10pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

Very high on my bucket list for places to eat in Big Sur was Nepenthe, which is probably one of the most popular places to eat here in Big Sur. 

They serve classic American food like burgers, sandwiches and so on, and apparently, it’s really good. But the main reason it is so incredibly famous is the location itself. 

The restaurant sits right on top of the cliffs, and has a massive terrace that looks directly over the Big Sur coast and the Pacific Ocean.

I unfortunately didn’t make it there myself to eat, but if you go, definitely let me know how it was! I’ve heard only good things about it so far, so it is absolutely worth checking out. 

Just a heads-up: they operate on a first-come, first-served basis and do not take reservations. Because of this, wait times can get pretty long, especially on nice days, so definitely prepare yourself for a bit of a wait!

4. Café Kevah (My Secret Viewpoint Tip)

Opening Hours: 9am-2:30pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

My little secret tip is that if you want the Nepenthe experience without the hefty price tag or the massive lines, you can head directly to Café Kevah instead. It’s basically in the exact same building, located on an outdoor terrace just below Nepenthe.

That is actually what we ended up doing! We initially wanted to go to Nepenthe, but when we saw the wait, we pivoted down to Café Kevah. 

It also features a huge outdoor patio with those exact same incredible coastal views. We stopped by to grab a coffee and just sit and enjoy the scenery. I didn’t try any of the food here, to be honest, we mostly came just to enjoy the views, but the menu looked really good, and I reckon it is well worth a try!

5. Fernwood Tavern (I loved this one, it was super cozy!)

Opening Hours: 12pm-10pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

I know there are a lot of patio, burger, and French fry places on this list, but I’ll be honest: most spots in Big Sur have that type of vibe, and I just absolutely love it when I’ve been hiking all day. I can’t believe I’m saying it again, but I just love a good patio, okay guys?

Anyway, Fernwood Tavern is another one of my favorites. It’s actually part of the Fernwood Resort and Campground, which was originally my first choice to stay at. Unfortunately, it was completely booked out when we tried to reserve, but I still wanted to pop by and check it out anyway. The resort looks super cute, and I think I’ll definitely try to stay there the next time I’m in Big Sur. 

The tavern itself is a great restaurant regardless, with a really nice outdoor seating area and great food. We actually got the pizza here, and it was awesome!

6. Deetjen’s Restaurant (I Loved Loved the breakfast here!)

Opening Hours: 8am-12pm, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

One of my local friends who lives in Big Sur recommended Deetjen’s Restaurant to us. It’s part of a super cute little lodge that apparently is a really nice place to stay, but my friend specifically recommended it for breakfast.

They told us Deetjen’s is one of those classic, old-school, authentic Big Sur spots to get a proper, hearty breakfast. We’re talking sausages, potatoes, French toast, pancakes, the whole nine yards. 

It has a very rustic, cozy vibe and is apparently one of the oldest places to eat in the entire town.

7. Big Sur River Inn

Opening Hours: 8am-9pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

Lastly on my list is the Big Sur River Inn. Again, this was right next to where we stayed at the Big Sur Campground, so we walked over one afternoon for an early dinner to enjoy being outside. I have to say, I really loved it.

The food was pretty good, I went for their grilled chicken sandwich, which was delicious. But my absolute favorite part about the Big Sur River Inn was that they have wooden Adirondack chairs placed right in the middle of the running river. I was literally sitting there with a cold beer in my hand and my feet in the water. Honestly, it really doesn’t get more Big Sur than that, does it?

FAQs on Where to Eat in Big Sur California

What is the best restaurant in Big Sur California?

For a more upscale, special-occasion experience, Nepenthe is probably the most famous and best restaurant in the area. But if you want something casual, I really, really enjoyed the Big Sur Taphouse. It was the perfect spot for us to grab lunch and chill out after a long morning of hiking.

Where is the best breakfast in Big Sur California?

The best breakfast in Big Sur is for sure at Deetjen’s Restaurant. It’s a super cozy, authentic, and pretty rustic little spot where they make some amazing, classic breakfasts with sausages, hashbrowns, potatoes, and French toast.

Is there a diner in Big Sur?

I’m not sure if there is a traditional diner in Big Sur, but the closest thing to it would be Deetjen’s. They serve very comforting, classic diner-style breakfast food.

Is Big Sur worth visiting?

Absolutely! I loved visiting Big Sur and would go back in a heartbeat. I’m a massive outdoor person, so being able to hike, explore the redwoods, and see the coast was incredible. If you love the outdoors, you’ll definitely want to visit too.

How do I get around in Big Sur?

We had a rental car for our entire time in Big Sur, and I’m telling you, you absolutely need a car. There’s no real public transit or rideshares out here, so having your own wheels is the only way to get here and get around.

Final Thoughts on the Best Big Sur Restaurants

I personally had an amazing time eating my way through Big Sur, but to be completely honest, it’s not really the most amazing foodie destination. 

Big Sur is a fairly small, remote area with a limited number of restaurants, so most menus are pretty much classic, hearty American food. Just don’t come expecting a massive variety of high-end dining, but the casual food we did have was all really good, and eating it in the middle of the redwoods or overlooking the ocean makes it taste even better anyway!

I hope this little guide on the best restaurants in Big Sur, California helps you plan an awesome trip. Happy eating!

Check Out My Other Big Sur Travel Guides

Things to Do in Big Sur California: My Top Activities

Is Big Sur California Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Best Hikes in Big Sur California: The Best Trails for Beginners

Best Cafes & Restaurants in Big Sur: My Top Foodie Spots

3 Day Big Sur California Road Trip: The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary Big Sur

Best Time to Visit Big Sur California: When I Would Go Again

Where to Stay in Big Sur California: My Favorite Hotels & Lodges