Il Fornaio - Carmel

Il Fornaio - Carmel reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. P

   Patricia A. VIP

   San Francisco61 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Butternut squash ravioli and their filet are so so good. Our server Cathryn was excellent. Great experience. We visit often and it is never a disappointment
   

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2. D

   Debbie VIP

   Orange County7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Amazing service. Everyone was so kind and the food was amazing. Thank you for a great birthday dinner.
   

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3. J

   Jennifer VIP

   Houston8 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It was amazing! We really enjoyed the veal piccata, calamari, and for dessert the lava cake and bread pudding. The venue is charming and the view to the water at sunset was spectacular!
   

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4. L

   Larry VIP

   San Francisco79 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   We have eaten at several Il Fornaio locations, and the food has always been reliably good. Their Carmel restaurant has a great patio with beautiful sunset views. It also allows dogs. We had a good meal and excellent service. The price relative to other Carmel restaurants is good value.
   

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5. P

   Porter VIP

   Washington DC82 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 1, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Nice venue, great service and great food. I look forward to my next meal there outside on their deck. Should be fun.
   

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6. C

   Coree

   Denver1 review

   5.0

   Dined on February 28, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Second time visiting this restaurant and I was a lovely experience. Our waiter, Francisco was so kind and personable. He made the experience even better!
   

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7. F

   Frank

   Sacramento2 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on February 23, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   The pasta was mid — watery, and the bolognese sauce was devoid of spices. Terribly overpriced and not worth your time. It’s past its prime by twenty years. Avoid.
   

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8. T

   Todd

   Central Coast6 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 23, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A great birthday meal with the wife and friends. Nice selection of food and drink. Outstanding food and beverage taste. Ample portions. Fast and friendly service. Fair price
   

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9. R

   Renaye

   Central Coast4 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on February 23, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   Even though I had a reservation, we waited almost 10 minutes. Our server was awful, our table was way too dark (had to use our phone flashlights to read the menu), and the food was basic (butternut squash ravioli was BAD). I did see better lit tables, and much better servers around us....so I think unfortunately we just got unlucky. (We did get a complimentary dessert for my birthday, so that was sweet.)
   

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10. T

    Tony VIP

    San Francisco13 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3

    I have been to many Italian restaurants and have had some great food all around the country. I was take aback by this place. $30 for five little raviolis? I can understand this if I were in Beverly Hills, but this is Carmel! I was further in awe when I said, "Excuse me, but I think you forgot the bread," which was followed by, "We now charge for bread..." It was a ludicrous experience. Next time, I will just stick with Dametra Cafe or Casanova's the next time I am in Carmel.
    

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