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

Shearwater Tavern

4.6
4.6
113 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for brunch
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 113 people are saying

                                                                                        Overall ratings and reviews

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

                                                                                        4.6
                                                                                        4.6 based on recent ratings
                                                                                        • 4.4Food
                                                                                        • 4.6Service
                                                                                        • 4.4Ambience
                                                                                        • 4.4Value

                                                                                        Noise • Moderate

                                                                                        Loved For

                                                                                        • California Central Coast

                                                                                          Great for brunch

                                                                                        • California Central Coast

                                                                                          Good for groups

                                                                                        • Monterey / Carmel

                                                                                          Great for brunch

                                                                                        • Monterey / Carmel

                                                                                          Good for groups

                                                                                        • Monterey / Carmel

                                                                                          Hot spot

                                                                                        • Monterey / Carmel

                                                                                          Lively

                                                                                        Review summary

                                                                                        AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                        Shearwater Tavern offers an "exceptional" breakfast/brunch experience with remarkable music and ambiance. Guests praise the "wonderful" dining experience, highlighting expertly cooked steak and "attentive" service. The Sunday Jazz Brunch is a must-visit. The ambiance is "delightful," and the restaurant is perfect for cozy gatherings. Enjoy "amazing" food and the "friendliest" service.

                                                                                        113 Reviews

                                                                                        1. Marc

                                                                                          Denver

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          Dined 4 days ago

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          Our breakfast was excellent and the server was great as well. 8:30 am is a quiet time in the restaurant, so it was quiet. The eggs were cooked perfectly, the potatoes delicious and the coffee was good - could have been a bit stronger.

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                                                                                        2. Geoffrey

                                                                                          VIP

                                                                                          San Francisco

                                                                                          15 reviews

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          15 reviews

                                                                                          Dined 5 days ago

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          Best clam chowder ever! And our server, Angel was fantastic!

                                                                                          Is this helpful?

                                                                                        3. Jazz Music

                                                                                          Los Angeles

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          1 review

                                                                                          Dined on February 16, 2025

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          Great Sunday live jazz Sunday Brunch. A hidden jewel of live music in Carmel, California.

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                                                                                        4. Lauren

                                                                                          Greater Boston

                                                                                          4 reviews

                                                                                          4.0

                                                                                          4 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on February 16, 2025

                                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                                          It was a nice atmosphere and fairly quiet, very relaxing. I could see that it could get crowded and could get loud, but we dined about 7:15pm on a Saturday and it was fairly slow. Wait staff was super nice. I would go back!

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                                                                                        5. Celeste

                                                                                          San Francisco

                                                                                          4 reviews

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          4 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on February 15, 2025

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          Wonderful evening with beautiful , great tasting food. Service was lovely and would definitely recommend Shearwatet to anyone that visits Carmel!

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                                                                                        6. Jaime

                                                                                          VIP

                                                                                          Central Coast

                                                                                          32 reviews

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          32 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on February 14, 2025

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          This was a great breakfast experience! The food was amazing and so was the staff! Looking forward to going back for dinner and maybe an event in the future!

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                                                                                        7. Burt

                                                                                          VIP

                                                                                          San Francisco

                                                                                          107 reviews

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          107 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on February 1, 2025

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          Not a lot of variety in the menu, but what there is is very good. Ambiance is great and the noise level is fantastic. This place is under-appreciated, we’ll be back more often. As locals we appreciate the good food and relaxed atmosphere. The service was fantastic, our waiter was perfect.

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                                                                                        8. Marilyn

                                                                                          VIP

                                                                                          San Francisco

                                                                                          17 reviews

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          17 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on January 31, 2025

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          Food has been consistently good the three times we’ve been here. Service is fast and efficient. Prices are reasonable for the food quality. Great selection from salads to bar food to seafood.

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                                                                                        9. Esra

                                                                                          New York City

                                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on January 19, 2025

                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                          The breakfast/brunch food, the music, and the ambience were all exceptional. If you are ever at Carmel-by-the Sea you have to go here for the Jazz Sunday Brunch!

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                                                                                        10. Don

                                                                                          VIP

                                                                                          Dallas

                                                                                          138 reviews

                                                                                          4.0

                                                                                          138 reviews

                                                                                          Dined on January 8, 2025

                                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                                          Friendly place to have dinner. The food is good and service is attentive. The brevet steak I had was tasty and cooked to a nice medium. French fries were crispy good. The hamburger my date had was very good and was thoroughly enjoyed. Nice place with nice people.

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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 4.6 stars by 113 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                                                        Make a reservation

                                                                                        2 people
                                                                                        7:00 PM

                                                                                        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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