Pebble Beach is a small, unincorporated community in Monterey County, California. Consisting mainly of luxurious single-family homes, Pebble Beach is both a residential community and an international destination for golf. This California coastal community is home to Cypress Point Club, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Just southeast of Pebble Beach is Carmel-by-the-Sea (or simply Carmel), a city with its own tradition of luxury living and coastal comfort. Unlike Pebble Beach, Carmel is an incorporated city, known for being a hub for artists, celebrities, and elite golfers. Carmel has numerous hotels, shops, and restaurants—and is a great jumping-off point to see the rest of California’s central coastline.
If you’re interested in relocating to Pebble Beach or Carmel, you shouldn’t research homes or neighborhoods on an empty stomach. Below are some of the best places to grab a burger and mull over your options.
R.G Burgers
R.G Burgers is a contemporary spot with specialty burgers, sweet potato fries, and milkshakes. The R.G in R.G. Burgers stands for “Real Good” and that is exactly what you can expect from this Carmel burger joint.
R.G. Burgers uses local, fresh ingredients to prepare their mouth-watering bites. Their beef patties are fresh and hand-formed and have impressed customers for 30 years. The menu at R.G. Burgers is diverse, featuring grilled ground beef, chicken breast, ground turkey, and vegetarian falafel burgers. In addition to burgers, R.G. Burgers offers hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, and fresh soups. Don’t pass up the opportunity to try one of their twenty-five flavors of milkshakes.
R.G. Burgers’ hours of operation are 11 AM to 8:30 PM, Mondays through Fridays.
Address: 201 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Village Corner California Bistro
Village Corner California Bistro features an eclectic menu, with burgers being their specialty. According to locals, this bistro has some of the best burgers in California. Village Corner California Bistro is considered the hidden gem of Carmel, with a popular burger called the Village Burger.
Their hours of operation are 8 AM to 3 PM Mondays through Thursdays, 8 AM to 8 PM Fridays and Saturdays, and 8 AM to 4 PM on Sundays.
Address: Sixth Ave. &, Dolores St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Hog’s Breath Inn
With Clint Eastwood-inspired decor, Hog’s Breath Inn specializes in American comfort food and cocktails. Clint Eastwood once owned this restaurant, and it was sold to a family friend who was sure to honor Eastwood with decor inspired by him.
Hog’s Breath Inn’s menu is health-conscious, as the restaurant’s motto is “you are what you eat.” This includes all-natural and hormone-free USDA PRIME beef, free-range organic chicken, sustainable and wild seafood, and fresh, local produce. Their desserts, dressings, and sauces are all made in-house from organically-grown ingredients. One of the most popular burgers is the Dirty Harry Burger, made from New York Strip, with garlic mashed potatoes, chef veggies, mushrooms, and whole grain mustard sauce.
Their hours of operation are 11 AM to 9 PM, Mondays through Fridays.
Address: San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Brophy’s Tavern
Brophy’s Tavern is a cozy two-story Irish pub, with comfort food, craft beer, and local wines. “Sports, stories, and sustenance” is the restaurant’s tagline—and they live up to it. This tavern features seven large-screen televisions for sports, and their menu has the best true pub fare in town. On top of great burgers, Brophy’s Tavern also offers handcrafted beer, wine, and cocktails.
Their hours of operation are 11 AM to 10 PM, Mondays through Fridays.
Address: San Carlos St &, 4th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
Forge in the Forest
Known as one of Carmel’s many dog-friendly establishments, Forge in the Forest is an American fare restaurant with heated patio seating, fire pits, and lush gardens. The burgers at Forge in the Forest are delicious, and the atmosphere is cozy. This restaurant is a great place to spend a weekend evening with the whole family, including your canine friend.
Their hours of operation are 12 PM to 9 PM on Thursdays and Sundays, and 12 PM to 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: Junipero Street & SQ Corner of 5th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
Grasings
With an award-winning menu, Grasings is a dog-friendly, locally-sourced California restaurant with an outdoor patio, cocktails, and wine. The warmth and contemporary vibe of this restaurant make it a local favorite. Combine that with a great menu, and you have a first-rate place to grab a bite.
Grasing’s offers the finest coastal cuisine, paired with an award-winning wine list, featuring some of the best California wines. The restaurant also makes a fantastic vegan burger, the Western Black Bean Burger, which features a patty made from black beans and roasted walnuts!
Their hours of operation are 12 PM to 9 PM Mondays through Fridays, and 10:30 AM to 9 PM Saturdays and Sundays.
Address: NW Corner of Mission and 6th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
Mission Ranch Restaurant
Yet another Clint Eastwood-inspired restaurant is Mission Ranch Restaurant. Mission Ranch specializes in American comfort food and features gorgeous pastoral views. The food at Mission Ranch is top quality, as is the service and the atmosphere. The restaurant is well-maintained and has beautiful grounds you can explore while waiting for a table.
Their hours of operation are built around a midday break, running 7 AM to 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM to 9 PM Mondays through Fridays, 10 AM to 2:00 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Address: 26270 Dolores St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
The Bench
The Bench is an upscale New American spot, at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. The Bench has a patio and views of the iconic 18th hole. The menu is eclectic, inspired by international styles and methods, and uses the innovative technique of wood-roasting and open-flame cooking. There is also a variety of wines on tap, as well as premium draft beers.
It’s known for being casual but with a sophisticated feel. The atmosphere is open-air, with an expansive dining room that surrounds a lively bar and a glass-enclosed conservatory. This restaurant is definitely a great place to go to if you want something a little fancier near Pebble Beach. But of course, they still have great burgers. The Bench Burger features a half-pound patty with smoked cheddar, house sauce, with salt and pepper fries.
The Bench’s hours of operation are 11 AM to 9 PM, Mondays through Fridays.
Address: 1700 17 Mile Dr., Pebble Beach, CA 93953
La Bicyclette Restaurant
La Bicyclette Restaurant is an established bistro that offers French-Italian fare on a weekly-changing menu. While their main focus is French and Italian food, there are great burgers to be had at La Bicyclette, too. Just keep in mind that because they feature a revolving menu, so at times there may not be a burger featured on the menu. But when the burgers are on, they’re delicious. Some even say the best burgers in Carmel are from La Bicyclette.
Their hours of operation are 11 AM to 9 PM Mondays through Thursdays and 8:30 AM to 9 PM Fridays through Sundays.
Address: Dolores St &, 7th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Shopping homes for sale in Monterey County?
If you’re interested in buying a luxury home in Carmel, Pebble Beach, or anywhere on California’s beautiful central coast real estate—contact Canning Properties Group for local expertise and unbeatable customer service.
*Header Image credit: R.G Burgers
