Where to eat in Pacific Coast Highway, California

Nat Geo

A Big Sur coastal tasting menu

Michelin-starred dining on the clifftops of Big Sur, Carmel and Laguna Beach, with the highway to connect them.

National Geographic Best of the World 2027: California's Pacific Coast Highway is on National Geographic's Best of the World 2027, a ruggedly scenic drive. (CNN-syndicated Nat Geo list (KEYT))

The dish: A Big Sur coastal tasting menu

Farm-driven California cooking served above the Pacific. The best one is at Sierra Mar.

Where to eat in Big Sur, Carmel and Laguna Beach

Lodge · the best a big sur coastal tasting menu

Sierra Mar

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur

Get: The coastal tasting menu with ocean views

A Michelin Green Star for sustainability.

Source: Michelin Guide California 2026 / OpenTable

Restaurant

Aubergine

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Get: The tasting menu

Two Michelin stars, kept in the 2026 guide.

Source: Monterey County Now

Restaurant

Casanova

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Get: Pasta and a bottle on the garden patio

A Michelin Recommended Italian that is easier to book than the stars.

Source: See Monterey, Michelin recognized restaurants

Restaurant

R|O Rebel Omakase

Laguna Beach

Get: The omakase

The Laguna Beach table in the 2026 Michelin Guide.

Source: Michelin Guide ceremony June 2026

When to goFall for clear weather and easier hotel bookings, as winter storms close parts of Highway 1.

Good to knowBook Big Sur dinners weeks ahead; there are few restaurants and no easy alternatives.

Getting thereTell your concierge where you're flying from and we'll plan the eating around it.

Go, and let us handle the food

Book Pacific Coast Highway, California with us and a food concierge comes with it: a call before you go, the hard tables asked for through the restaurant's own line with a backup for each, markets and classes, a what-to-order sheet, and a text line while you're there. A real person writes back within a day; nothing is charged now.

Ask Chef about Big Sur and Carmel

Also on the 2027 lists, nearby

California's Coastal RedwoodsEat: Humboldt Bay oysters

Salish Lodge brunch with honey

Snoqualmie, WashingtonEat: Salish Lodge brunch with honey

Breakfast burrito smothered in Christmas

New Mexico (Santa Fe and Albuquerque)Eat: Breakfast burrito smothered in Christmas

All 46 destinations

Every place was checked open on November 11, 2026, from the source under it. On National Geographic Best of the World 2027. Something changed? Write to hello@chefamazing.com. Tourism board? Post this guide free.

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