Reviews of Nepenthe (Fish Shop)

Paul Rearden

Food was outstanding, and the service was perfect. The room is cozy and comfortable. We went on a stormy night after dark, so can't comment on the outstanding views

Ana Mendoza

I stopped for lunch on September 9th and for the first time in 30 years I experienced racism from the hostess that was taking reservations at that time. She ignored me and treated me in an abusive manner. If you don't want to serve minorities please state it publicly so we don't waste our time trying to give you our business.

Ashley Brock

GORGEOUS view, great service, delicious food, cool atmosphere. Drinks are a bit expensive ($9 corona) BUT you have to go - and you have to splurge on vacation! View is worth every penny.

Britt Lincoln

Went here for lunch before a hike in Pfeiffer State Park and absolutely loved it! Drink menu had a lot of unique options, the food was great and well priced. Typical lunch fare - sandwiches, salads, etc. - the grilled chicken sandwich was wonderful. The view from the terrace is absolutely incredible, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Definitely ask to sit outside on the terrace if you can!

Ipidie Wallace

Napante is always nice. I've been coming back to it for 50 years. When you walk up and come into the patio area the view is overwhelming. Drinks at the bar are good. And the food is fantastic. They do a good job.

Adam Leija

Great food, views, and you may even see a whale or two while you eat.

Carissa Garletts

Must do stop along the PCH. There is a smaller cafe at the bottom and a restaurant at the top. Both have amazing views of the coast. I ended up getting a coffee and muffin at the cafe and sitting on the patio. Much quieter than the restaurant. Worth it just to stop and look around if you weren’t hungry.

Dawn Exley-Bellerby

truly one of the best restaurants I have been to...not just the food but the view was breath taking...if you are visiting San Francisco make it a point to go to Big Sur and stop and dine here....if I ever get back to San Fran...this will be the first place I go back to

Perry Huang

Long wait for stunningly overpriced, mediocre (at best) burger and sandwiches. Nice ambiance and great vista on a clear day. The staff are friendly and professional.

Kelly

This restaurant has breathtaking views and a wonderful atmosphere. The food was wonderful and the staff is very friendly and courteous. If you are in the area definitely make a stop here!

Rachel Sandhu

Great service! Friendly waiter! Hoise Pinot Noir was perfect! Very romantic

Kathy horselover

Gorgeous spot. Must see.

Jessica Pooley

This place is set in an idyllic place with gorgeous scenery. The staff are fabulous and trust their recommendations. I had the shrimp BLT and oh my lord it was fabulous. A bit pricey but worth it. Its a must

Amruta Nadgouda

The view from the restaurant is awesome and can be considered as one of the view points. The food is delectable but pricey. There may be a short wait time but its worth the wait. Ambiance and service is good. I would recommend this place to enjoy some great food and the view.

Cherri Metzger

Nepenthe is a Big Sur icon with delicious food and a spectacular location. The place is classic California with the indoor-outdoor living / dining experience. The menu is eclectic, but somewhat limited, which is good in some ways because what they do, they do well! The reason I only give it 4 stars is because the service can be a bit less than excellent. My last trip there I observed the head hostess in not the best mood, she seemed to be irritated by the guests and did not smile at anyone the whole time. My waiter was good, but he seemed harried. One of the bartenders, where I sat later on in the day, ignored me for almost 15 minutes until I flagged him down to ask if I could get a latte. Then I asked him for a dessert menu, but he never came back to get my order. Then when I asked him for the bill he rudely said, "it's right there in front of you in the glass". Yikes, sorry for being a less than perfect customer! Still, Nepenthe is worth a visit.

Diana Chaloux - LaCerte

An amazing view! If the restaurant isn't open, check out the cafe. We had the chance to go to both during our time in Big Sur.

Vishal Arhatia

Good view and food. Drive to the place is also amazing.

Sertac Teke

Beautiful breath taking views and great food

Ruiping Gao

This is a little gem tucked into the mountainsides of Highway 1. The food is simple. The staff is great. The views are brilliant. It’s a great place to stop on your way down to LA for an early lunch.

Bob Moltedo

The views are spectacular. The food was a little pricey for what it was. Still, there's no place like it!

Stephen Vertucci

The views are terrific and that is the #1 reason why you would dine here. The ambiance is nice, no complaints about the service, and the layout of the entire place is really interesting. The food was very good, but not great. For the price, I was expecting better, but I also realize the prices are also based upon the secluded location and wonderful views. I am glad I went, but don't think I would return.

jessica chow

So what's weird is that 3 of us ordered a veggie burger and only I liked mine. Ambience was amazing. Fries are good too.

Mike Kvintus

Great food and amazing views of the ocean!

Ruth Timmins-Williams

Excellent food and service in an idyllic setting. Get there early for lunch to be sure of a spot on the terrace and dine while enjoying the magnificent view.

Ela Tamir

A perfect view spot for lunch break! We had wine and cheese plate which was amazing. Also the service was very good. Highly recommended!!

Scott Pittenger

Look - let's be honest - there's nothing I'm going to write that hasn't been written in the numerous other reviews here. This place has a certain magic. I can't even remember if the food is great, good, just okay, or what...and, it doesn't matter. It's the fire pit. The outside lounge area. The interior architecture of the roof. The story. The view...the view...and, the view. Anytime I'm in this part of the world, i go here to eat, without fail. And, I always bring a fresh companion who has never been. Make memories - eat Nepenthe.

martyestkowski .

View is great. Food is good. Be prepared, however, to pay $14 for the a glass of wine with not more than a few sips in the glass. I’ve had more at a tasting. Was very disappointed. I suppose I should have said something but didn’t want to create conflict around others who were enjoying their time there.

Gergana Angelova

Location on top of the hill with views above the clouds. True serenity and at sunset the experience is magical. Fantastic gift shop. The menu for the most part is traditional American, burgers and fries, but some appetizers, like the roasted garlic are worth it. Overpriced just for the location and the view.

Kelly Gallagher

We love this place. The food, the people, the atmosphere, and OMG the views

Dr Fahad Alharbi

Very nice place to rest and have lunch.

Randall

We go here every year while we are in the area and I always enjoy hanging out there. I think that I’m done with the place though. I know that it’s a one of a kind place, but I think that they are having a contest to see how much they can charge for a drink and a sandwich. I guess that with a clientele showing up in Bentleys and Lamborghinis the sky is the limit. But I’m not inclined to return to places where you wait for 90 minutes for a table and then get ripped off $$$$ for very ordinary food and drinks. I suppose that most people think that it’s worth it just to rub shoulders with the beautiful people,but I will find another place to look out over the great blue!

Paul Bedford

Excellent food, try the famous Ambrosia Burger. Good range of beers, and fantastic choice of wines. Not a lot of parking for disabled customers. Great views over looking the Pacific.

ray hinton jr

Great place good ride up Hwy 1 to Big Sur.

Paula Davis

A must see drinking and dining and viewing experience. Fireplace is lovely. Ample seating outside and in.

Colleen MK

Food is good. Lil on the pricey side. Great ocean views, especially if you like whale watching (seasonal).

Jeff Horn

Amazing view, really cool spot to check out.

Darrian Young

Nice relaxing place with great views of the ocean. Price/quality ratio is somewhat skewed.

Joe B.

If I was solely rating the view, I would give this place 5 stars. Who can deny that? However, the food, and the prices for the food, leave much to be desired. I've never been impressed with the lunch or cafe selections here, making me grumpy when it's time to receive the check. Last meal I got was a burger and fries, and man they charred that medium request to well done (except not well done, you know?). But okay, I am distracted by the views, fair enough! Probably won't ever be back to eat, but certainly always glad to swing by for a pit stop and scenery appreciation.

Nusrat Hussain

Very courteous staff and accommodating regards to my special needs child. Food was superb. Fantastic location but fog spoiled the view. Must check out this joint. Highly recommend

Ethan Brizzi

Love this place! Every time we go here, we have great service!! The food is always good, we split the Ambrosia burger and a Shrimp BLT. They used huge prawns for the shrimp sandwich, a very nice surprise as I was expecting rock shrimp. The burger is to die for, and we had their white bean soup which is delicious. Great atmosphere and the views are gorgeous!

Dale Parker

If you haven't visited here on your trips to Big Sur you really need to consider adding lunch here on your next visit. Spectacular views...great staff with super service. Of course, I particularly like the bar staff as they always get my drinks just right. Hippie vibe which I love. Grab a drink, checkout the gift shop and sit on the stone steps while waiting for a table.

Farhana Afrin

Food is overpriced but worth it for the views. We arrived a little bit before 5pm (when dinner starts) and were one of the first ones seated, otherwise there is usually a wait whether you come for lunch or dinner.

Mark Rubenstein

This is a place that we have been to many times in the past. It was always great, especially the fries and sauce. We were surprised and somewhat disappointed when we received the fries and sauce this time. The fries were only so-so, although the sauce was still great. Two other couples who were sitting near us, who also had been there in the past were somewhat disappointed as well.

William Townsend

Unbelievably views - Hands down the most picturesque lunch I’ve ever had! Despite being very very busy, we were given a table fairly quickly and the food was great

Steve Smith

Very busy as it's a popular stop but it is gorgeous and totally worth it. Food was good but expensive for what it is. Our waiter was distracted and missed two of the requests that were made for the orders. Otherwise all good.

Suman Mandal

Fantastic views of pacific sunset. Creat casual vibe. Food is decent.

Danielle Dubow

I've been coming here for over 30 years. The view is unsurpassed and the gift shop is my favorite anywhere!!

Marlena Zaragoza

Sooo glad we went! I was given soo many recommendations to go!! It was sooo worth it! The views are better than I expected!!! Delish food and Wine! We will be back SOON!!!!

Sandra Ludwiniak

You have to wait for tabel 40 minutes in rush time but you can eat amazing lunch salad if You don't have a time. View is stunning!

Cathleen Scott

Best food and views on Highway 1. The shrimp bacon sandwich with house made aioli was superb!!

Chris Hindy

Everything about my experience at Nepenthe was so far beyond my expectations that I'm still in a bit of a daze. The food is simple, but the simplicity is camouflage for how excellently, how soulfully, how lovingly everything is prepared. I simply cannot find one thing wrong at all in the beautiful roast chicken, sage dressing and cranberry sauce that was presented to me. Everything was absolutely perfect, well cooked and delicious. Then there's no comparison to be had on the views from the veranda overlooking the Pacific coast line. And the staff were all fantastic. Strongly recommended. They accept reservations for groups of five or more only.

somkietr rojanasathit

Excellent views of Big Sur Pacific coast, good American food and good service. It is always packed during lunch and dinner.

Simon Blake-Wilson

We always stop when we’re in Big Sur. Tasty food, awesome views, cool vibe. Take the roast chicken and enjoy some comfort food.

Simon Bjergskov

Good food and great views. Worth a visit!

Terry Wilson

Great atmosphere and great food. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Sherri Scott-Berner

Burger was awesome!!! View gorgeous. The bartender was a total sweetheart. They even have wrapped birthday gifts for people celebrating a birthday! Even though it is very busy the service was not affected. Very enjoyable.

Verna Ferguson

We had the excellent shrimp BLT sandwich. We also had the yummy triple berry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and banana cream pie The service was very good too! The ocean views are outstanding too. We definitely hope to return.

Isabel Draves

Oh. My. Gosh. When most people talk about a view at a restaurant, they are not talking about the kind of view you get from this restaurant on a clear day. This is the best view I have ever seen from a restaurant. Food was delicious, I had the fish stew, which was generous and spicy. It could have been way less tasty and still get five stars. Cocktails on the deck at sunset, then sitting by the fire after dark...true peak experience. We went in August and it was not too crowded. Only waited 5-10 minutes for our table at 6:30. Would gladly have waited an hour. Oh that view!

John Crawford

Jaw dropping views and good food - we ate in the cafe which has a good selection of toasted sandwiches and salads. Gets Very busy - we got there around 1130 and had a choice of tables - by the time we left, the carpark was full!

Billy Hannon, Jr.

Beautiful views, great food! Plan for a bit if a wait but the beautiful patio overlooking the ocean is a great place to wait if you have to!

Joseph Aaron

Beautiful and amazing views. The wine list is great.

Joe Florence

Highly overrated, expensive, A tourist trap! A long wait! Limited menu. On the other hand the staff was great at fixing our problems with under cooked foods such as hamburgers that were not rare but almost raw and the view was spectacular! If you want to join the pilgrimage to Nepenthe just be warned , the wait is long , the food is good but really expensive and if you have a special occasion go ahead and go there and join the pilgrimage!

Navi Gill

One of the best views of any meal I've ever had! If you are in the area I would highly recommend stopping by. The food is good(not exceptional) but their burger is delicious and in a reasonable portion so you are not stuffed. I really wish they wouldn't push deserts on people. If people dont ask for desert then please stop pushing it on them. Will go back!!

Ivan Collins

What a wonderful evening. We got there about 8:00pm on a Friday and requested an outdoor seat facing the ocean (best seat). Waited about 30 minutes which isn't bad considering. The menu is well prepared, although not too extensive which makes sense based on location. We enjoyed roasted garlic and goat cheese and smoked salmon apps. We shared a beat salad and halibut. Prices are not cheap, but this is the pinnacle of date night locations. Thanks nepenthe for a perfect night.

Titus Avila

The View! The Architecture/history. Love having a latte on the deck gazing out at the coastline. Breathtaking.

Ron Russo

Beautiful setting, fantastic views, great food and adult beverages, and ambience. A must-go-to when in Big Sur.

Ofir Levi

Great location with terrific view. The service was excellent, the food was good. Little bit pricey.

Daniel Sarmiento

Breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from most seats in the restaurant, beautiful decor inside, and incredible selection of wines and beers. Stopped here on the way up north and was mesmerized by the view outside. We had some drinks and their soup of the day while staring out into the beautiful blue horizon. Will definitely come back here with a date.

David Kastner

Don’t miss! Big Sur’s best burger and fries. Gary’s world wine list is the best: Santa Lucia highland varietals

Kevin Ruffcorn

Wow! Great food. Fantastic scenery. A once in a life time experience.

khash servat

Great Food! Great staff! Great view of the Sur. Mayan was an outstanding waitress will definantly go again. Only complaint is that there is a step out to the veranda that injured one of the party members as she fell. Very unsafe.

Nasser SALIM

Great ambiance & views...food is good but a bit pricey

Nathan English

Views are outstanding. The food is very good for a tourist restaurant. Definitely worth a stop while going down the coast.

Sneha Rao

The 3 stars are just for the views which are unbeatable!! Otherwise the service or the food were just average... Nothing worth raving or recommending ..

GARY CLARK

Great food and view if there is no fog.

Joachim Sacher

Great place for a break while doing the California coastal highway

Connor King

Decent food made better by the spectacular and beautiful views. At times there can be a long wait due to its popularity. If you don’t have time to wait the cafe below is a good option.

Claudia Maldonado

Pricey, and the food was not that good We had a party of 7 people, and needs to split the check into 7 and at first the manager said it could not be done! ( first time I hear this), he said that this time he will pass it and work on the transactions, and will split the check. then food was cold!!!! And two of them came really late, others were almost finish with their meal, and one of the salmon was way undercook, meat was wellll done!!!!!!! When we asked for medium and medium well. By our side we had a big group, easily about 20 people and they had split check! So, finally they came with the check, waitress was very apologetic about all the issue. Atmosphere is good and scenery is awesome, but food not worth it.

Reza Rahimi

You gotta enjoy the ocean serenity at this priceless scenic spot.

Robert Brown

I always stop there when traveling down the coast. Highly recommend.

Patty Charhut

Best location to view the seascape while dining. Fresh fish, salads and wine choices galore. Lots of other spots to explore on that property too while you wait to be seated: a Cafe, a retail store and the pretty grounds tucked into the hill.

Mike S.

Unbeatable views, especially at sunset. Good food. Very good service. Come at the end of lunch (430p?, before dinner starts and the prices go up) and stay for sunset. Try to get a table on the far side of the restaurant, facing sunset to the west. No dogs allowed, but the parking lot was well shaded for pooch to get rest in the car while we ate.

Deanna Corrales

Excellent service and a tasty selection on the menu. But the vista views are absolutely breathtaking!

Benjamin Urness

Great food, a bit on the spendy side but what would you expect for a restaurant in such a beautiful location. NOTE do not feed the birds! It only encourages them to become more aggressive. I recommend the shrimp BLT. Also, you may want to get here a bit early as the crowds tend to increase over time.

John Overstreet

The fog was out. The views were spectacular. The food was very good (as always). This is a great place to enjoy a meal and a view after driving along the amazing California coast on highway one.

Robert Bastey

A place you definitely want to stop have lunch or dinner the view is breathtaking the food is very good service was excellent

julie biersmith

Neatest place ever, food is wonderful. The view's are so fantastic. Very organized with amount of people there and still able to keep up with the pace. I hope you are lucky

Charles Petrie

Just had coffee at the cafe and enjoyed the gift shop below.

Joshua Chang

Breath-taking view of the sunset over the Pacific. Sits atop stunning sea-cliffs that illuminate beautifully during a golden hour dinner. Good food, expensive but worth the price (everything in Big Sur is expensive anyway so if you are going there you should either bring lots of food or be prepared to spend, even at restaurants that are not as nice as Nepenthe's)

Courtney Rothe

The views are stunning, and the food was good as well. Great spot along the Big Sur route.

M Yo

Beautiful cliff-side setting but too jam-packed: menu should shift to a delicious but quick-serve style that encourages diners to move in and out more quickly: seafood bisque, chowder, fish and chips, premium mocktails with CA herbs and juices, etc. Outdoor seating should expand greatly too: 45-minute wait on a Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. is ridiculous/illogical.

Christine Kingsley

The view is amazing and staff friendly. The did choices are limited and not so "health conscious" (it's mostly hamburgers for lunch). Speaking of hamburgers, $18 is pretty pricey for a normal burger (I didn't even taste the special ambrosia sauce).

Matthew Wheatley

Such a cool restaurant and wonderful view. I do not enjoy seafood but many other selections. The burger was delicious; side salad and the fries tasted great. If you like pickles then ask for some on the side - they provide many and are homemade dills, yum. After your meal, take some pictures on the deck of the amazing view and the working telephone booth. Highly recommended.

Ken Kligerman

Amazing location and amazing prices over $20 for a tuna fish sandwich. Would I go there again? Probably. It’s just amazing place. Oh and They’ve got an Outrageous gift shop.

Debbie Ricker

I love going to this restaurant when I'm in the area. I drove two hours each way just to eat there. The food is excellent,and the view is so beautiful and relaxing. The servers were excellent!! I got the veggie burger with fries. It made my palate, and my co-palate very happy!!!!

Heidi Helfand

We had a keto inspired menu. Salad, cheese, steak. Environmental ambiance was wonderful. Cool booths with colorful pillows and mosaic tables. Views were anticipated to be more spectacular than they were. Love the store.

Vinay Pandey

Can't get enough of this restaurant! I first visited here when I was living on the east coast and became am instant fan. Now I live in CA and visit this restaurant every chance I can get. The staff is extremely friendly, and I love the food. The vegetarians like me aren't treated like ugly stepchildren, there are tasty, albeit few options. The best part, however, is to get a glass of your favourite drink and laze on the deck watching the serene Pacific Ocean.

Jeff Kaufenberg

What can I say? It's Big Sur and the people are wonderful.

Exige Khan

Such fantastic views of the ocean. Absolutely amazing, but not enough to overcome the lackluster food. Their drinks however are on point. Expect a que as they open and take great care maneuvering around and parking in their lot, it's very tight.

Aimee Matsumoto

Be aware that in the Big Sur area, things are hard to come by and hard to transport to. Nepenthe is a little secluded so take it as it is. Great view, great food, great service. There is a wait here to be seated without reservations. Location is always packed but worth it.

Ben Wierwill

Awesome place for lunch. Great views and coffee.

Danielle Wilmot

Stopped here for lunch on a beautiful day, loved it. We arrived around 11:45 and were told the wait would be about 45-60 minutes, but got seated in about 25-30, which was just the right amount of time to park the car (their parking lot is a nightmare, so if it’s at all crowded, just find a spot on the street) and browse the Phoenix Shop. We got a gorgeous spot overlooking the water. Outdoor area where we were is mostly umbrella-shaded, which was great on a sunny day. Great wine list, yummy cocktails. Menu is not extensive, mostly salads and sandwiches, but the 2 appetizers and 2 sandwiches we had were great (I had the goat cheese app and tuna sandwich, husband got Brussels sprouts app and crab cake sandwich). Our server (Adrian, I think?) was great - besides excellent service, he also took the time to answer my questions about when and where to see some whales off the coast locally. It’s expensive and doesn’t take reservations for smaller parties so it can be a long wait (we were on the early side so it wasn’t bad), but if you don’t already know that going in then you haven’t done your research. If you’re okay with those things and want a delicious light-ish meal with great drinks and great views, this is definitely worth a stop.

Lisa Au

The food is pretty good but expensive. Went on a cloudy day but the experience is unique and still enjoyable. Indoor and outdoor seating there is nice.

Charles Johnson

Great location. Beautiful views! Good food. The 9am brunch on the lower patio is a great way to start the day.....or try the ambrosia burger for lunch upstairs.

Michael B

Nice view. Great food. On weekends you need to wait like 40 min to get in. Enjoy! Michael B-)

EM FL

Come here for the vista, views and sunsets. The food is excellent, on the pricey side but on par with the rest of Big Sur

Sara Colville

The views are incredible and the staff was very nice. But if you’re looking for a fantastic meal, I wouldn’t come here. My fish was over cooked and the burger was pretty basic. Definitely not worth the prices unless all you’re interested in is the view.

Amy Bendigkeit

Iconic hang out will take you back in time. Tremendous view. Limited, pricey menu. But a must when you get down to Big Sur! Gift shop is worthy as well.

Russell Stambaugh

A delightful and beloved place to enjoy an ambrosia burger, a brew, and a breathtaking view. This delightful location has been a Big Sur draw for over 70 years. The food is good, but the ambiance is unsurpassed. Waits can be long, and parking is often difficult, and handicapped accessibility is out of the question. Dogs are not allowed. Immediately below Nepenthe, but still sharing much of the view, are a cafe and Phoenix, a lovely gift shop with a strong 1960's vibe. These facilities also ban dogs and require steps be negotiated.

Jongbin Jung

The view is exceptional, but it's super crowded with waits as short as an hour. If you're gonna go, I'd suggest getting here first thing, signing up on the wait-list, then driving around for a while.

Heleuma

I've been coming to Nepenthe since the early 90's and I always feel so fortunate to be able to enjoy an amazing meal while taking in one of the best views from any restaurant anywhere. The deck is the best place to have brunch and watching the sunset during dinner from the restaurant is so perfect. If you can avoid weekends it's a little less crowded.

Fabien Curto Millet

Nepenthe is both stunning and friendly. The views are incredible and the wooden decor of the place is gorgeous. We stopped here while on our way down the 1 for some hot drinks and found it very welcoming (unlike some of the other places nearby which can be snooty or reserved for overnight guests). Here the ambiance is relaxed. There is a ping pong table that guests can use in the front area. Both the terrace and indoor dining areas look pleasant and suitably romantic.

Bill Moser

Service was fast & friendly even though they were busy. Burger was as good as homemade. View is spectacular.

Walter Oles

Great spot. Priceless views. Friendly staff. Good food.

Lulo Guerrero

Amazing setting! Good food but not the best for what you are paying, but the views are worth it.

Jonathan Thomas

You go here for the views but the food was really good as well. The fog hindered our view in the evening. The staff were awesome really helpful.

Tom Zins

Incredible vistas. Fun layout with neat inside and outside options. Smoked salmon was very good.

porfirio castillo

First time there and the food is worth the drive out to Big Sur

Carla Christ

Absolute wonderful views from every seat in the restaurant! Great burger, good beer.

Billy Allan

This is quite possibly the most beautiful restaurant I've ever been to or seen on television. We were driving down the 1 doing the coastal tour and saw their sign. We pulled over not knowing what it was and had no cell service to check. We were in the mood for adventure so we climbed up the stairs of this cliff-side retreat and were blown away. It's a semi open air Villa style restaurant with what looks like an amazing menu. We were kicking ourselves for having eaten recently so we just got drinks and a desert each. The drink and desert both were phenomenal and our waiter was very cool. The lack of cell service only adds to the feeling that you are at some secret mountain retreat. If I could change a single thing about my vacation I'd uneat my breakfast to eat a full meal here because location wise, it was one of the most magical places I've ever been.

Alexius Metten

Food was good but a little pricey...you are paying bit more than normal but it was worth it for the view. Indoor and outdoor seating available and great service

Christine Hung

Good food and nice view,you also can play table tennis while you're waiting.

Jules Nuggy

My boyfriend and I came here for a simple drink - just coffee. The hostess and the coffee were nice enough (almond milk latte). However, the bar man was a bit condescending when our credit card seemingly didn't work - he insisted on "educating" us that we should have informed our bank that we'd be travelling abroad because it declined when he tried. We had never had any trouble with this card in the week that we'd been in the US, it is an international Visa which is purposefully orientated to being used abroad, and the next time we paid for an entire dinner with it there was no problem at all. Also, I asked three times if someone could turn on the heat lamp (it was a cold misty afternoon) they never delivered. So the service isn't exactly great, from our experience.

Sam Mullis

Sign says it all. We received a recommendation for this restaurant as we drove the coast. Arrived, parked, climbed a hill to the restaurant, walked past open tables, found the hostess stand, person in front of us was seated, our turn - "our kitchen is now closed until dinner", but its 4:15?, "We'll put you on the list and you can wait for dinner", what time is dinner? "5:30 but there are some tables ahead of you, so I can't guarantee anything". (Keep in mind this place is patio tables umbrellas and benches, we're not talking fine european cuisine). None of us was going to wait over an hour for patio food. No "I'm sorry" or "you could have a drink at the bar", hostess just stared at us. Don't have a sign at the bottom of a hill for a restaurant I have to climb to that says "open from 11:30am" if you close in the middle of the day. Found a better restuarant down the road, I suggest you do the same.

Keerthana Manjunath

I LOVE THIS PLACE!! One of the best restaurants I have visited

Arijeet Ghosh

Go-to pit stop at big sur. Grab a drink and enjoy the views. Food options are limited.

Tom Sko

Nepenthe is overpriced and underperforms. It is the perfect tourist trap. It is not worth the time and effort you spent to drive there (even if you're already at the park or beach). The food tastes mediocre and is expensive. Even if it was a well cooked, gourmet burger it would be expensive. But it wasn't a "well cooked, gourmet burger", thier "special" burger tasted like it was from a grungy corner bar. Yes, you are paying for the view. And if you've come to this area for nice views you've already seen this view 50 times while on route 1. So instead; pack some beers and sandwiches, pull over, and eat on the side of the road. I saved you a hike up a hill, a 30 minute wait, a rude waiter, flat beer, 30 min wait for food, a poor meal, 30 minute wait for the bill, and 60 dollars. You're welcome!

a' Bunadh

I come here for the sheer view of the place it just happened that the food is great as well

Anjana Menon

Very good food with awesome views. The wait time and slow service brings it down a bit

Eric Hyochul Pak

Loved their famouse house burger! The view was nice too.

Penny Fleming

Eclectic and fascinating store. Food was OK but you just have to go here.

Mario Saco

We arrive at 16.20 h. A few people eating burghers, but the waitress tell us that we must to speak until 17.00 . This is not a good service. All this, after be waiting 10 min to be seated. Sorry, but my experience was not that I expected

Jacque D

Very dissatisfied and disappointed for the services. After paying my meals, they lost my card and blamed on me for their own irresponsibility, stared, “it happens and there’s nothing we can do.” Is that the best solution that they can provide? I would they need to increase their awareness and to be more careful. Is not fair for anyone to experience what I had experienced.

Peter Blow

Great place to stop for coffee on the Big Sir, if you can park! Great views over the Pacific.

Sumit Gupta

Very nice Restaurant and location is very romantic.

Sam

Service was quick and efficient and was lucky enough to get a table with a fantastic view. The views are really what make this place. The food was average but hit the spot.

Ron Mansfield

Iconic Big Sur stop. Epic views. Great spot for a sunset drink by the outdoor firepit or a full meal. Gift shop full of unique, pricey items. Friendly, mellow staff who seem to know how lucky they are to live and work in this magical town.

Sophie Janinet

Amazing staff (and view obviously).

Gus Leonard

Always a great burger, and this time a lovely glass of wine. We sat near the rail facing South and it was a treat to watch the fog move in and out along the hillside and hear young families learning about playing chess on the deck. The wait was short and the bartender knew his beverages!

Alice Iaboli

Short version: the food was alright but overpriced, the (supposedly) owner made fun of us without being in the position to do so. Long version: We found ourself quite late in the Big Sur area, as this was the only option for dining past 9 p.m. we decided to stop. We ordered our food with the awareness It was gonna be overpriced, but without any problem about this (even if three soggy Ambrosia burger and a beetroot salad weren't worth the price). However, the fact that the owner made fun on us in a mean way, and only because we didn't accepted to sleep in a lodge owned by a friend of his for $399 dollars per night for 4 people (his comment was that this amount should have been representative of how we valued our time). When we told him that we already made a reservation for that night he warned us with a "pay attention to the road at night" laughing with the waiters and left making pointless sarcastic comments for the rest of the night. It's obvious that this place lives in a bubble that survives only because there are no alternatives, and hopefully you will keep living in this bubble because outside you wouldn't survive a day. In our (extremely) long and diversified road trip this was the only place that was able to upset and disappoint us. So, greatings from King City from those customers that value their time, enjoy diving, but despise arrogance.

Kelsey Lauder

Iconic for a reason. Amazing views, killer atmosphere, prices to coincide with those facts

Leslie Steele

Great food, awesome gift shop, stellar ocean views. Rich with history

Curt Chaffee

Very nice experience and setting. Always busy, for good reason. Prices are getting a bit out of control, in the shop and restaurant.

Cindy Middendorf

My best friend and I had to wait nearly an hour for a table on a Saturday afternoon, but the view and the food were worth it. We had the Shrimp BLT which was totally divine. My BFF said it was literally the best sandwich she's ever had. The view is gorgeous! Looking over the treetops at the coastal hills and the deep blue ocean. I highly recommend it.

Scot Ranney

Super chill spot to enjoy a Big Sur sunset drink and meal. Everyone was friendly and the menu was great, albeit a bit on the pricey side. The store under the restaurant had tons of interesting stuff including jewelry made by locals, and others, including some pieces with local jade. Hey also had a nice book selection with a slant towards new age/native/interesting/unique books, and there is an entirely different section down another flight of stairs wire you can find clothing and more jewelry. Yeah, the place is new age, but it doesn't rub it in your face. A pleasant spot and definitely worth a stop.

Mark Stover

A must for any visit to Big Sur! Not as romantic as Deetjens, but a wonderful place for lunch and the views.

Malika Bally Singh

Another central coast heaven on earth. Delicious foods and great tasting cocktails especially house special body marry

Lesley Pavone

Fantastic Views, Great Service, Food not a Fan, should go with the Specials

C

Came here for a birthday and me and all the guests loved it!! The food is spectacular! The establishment itself is situated in a cozy and beautiful part of Big Sur. We ordered the famous Ambrosia burger, the roasted chicken plate, some appetizers, and their apple and berry pie. Oh my gosh, all of it was a rich feast in your mouth. The meats were so juicy, tender, and flavorful, and the appetizers were mouth-watering. The pies were a perfect finish to the evening.

Amanda Dolinski

The view is enough to give this place 5 stars. The elderflower sparkling wine cocktail is out of this world! I had the duck confit which was spectacular. Pricey, but sooo worth it!

Ellie Hubbard

Nepenthe is always a go-to lunch destination when visiting the Monterey Peninsula. Of course, the Ambrosia Burger is a must have for first timers and die hard carnivores. I always have the beet salad now; golden and red plus beautiful chunks of Pt. Reys Blue. For those wanting a cocktail, the Bloody Mary is beyond delicious. Our server was a magnificent storyteller. With each telling of the specials, he elaborated according to the people he was serving. The food and location are fantastic, but the service makes the experience!

Don Miller

Pricey but well worth it! Surrounded by the scenic Big Sur!

Laura Chestnut

Excellent restaurant choice, so much better than I expected even after the great reviews. Seemed to work for both romantic dates, and the European families with young children. Many different spaces from an open fire pt area, to indoor dining. There are beautiful places looking out over the ocean while you wait for your table. We were fortunate to get the prime place for the sunset. Definitely wait for a place on the outer edge. Our hamburgers were excellent but neighboring diners were sharing more exotic offerings and the portions seemed generous enough for that. Highly recommended for food, views, atmosphere and excellent staff.

John Ames

Tourist trap. Come check out the view and then picnic somewhere else. FOH communication on wait times and seating is awful. Warning: even if you choose to wait for a table outside you may not have a view or be on the sun-baked patio.

Gregor Manukian

Although the ambiance is fantastic (although any place along the PCH is) and the servers are friendly, the food quality does not justify the prices. The quality of the food is at best on par with Outback while charging Ruth's Chris prices. Would not return.

Nikil Rangarajan

Excellent location, decent drinks, ok food that's a little overpriced.

Alaina Griffin

Loved loved loved! Just wished it wasn't on an overcast day! My dreams were partly crushed.But silver lining, this restaurant proved to me today that it is definitely more than just a place to get a spectacular view of the coast. The ambriosburger did not disappoint unlike the weather. Yum!!!

Pia Cristl Morsia

Great place, an experience. A must go If you're nearby.