Anton and Michel has been a fixture in Carmel since 1980, and after a full interior renovation in 2013, it still delivers what made it worth returning to for over four decades. The restaurant focuses on California cuisine with serious attention to ingredients and technique, backed by an award-winning wine list that actually makes sense with what’s on your plate.

What matters for you and your dog: they have a dog-friendly outdoor seating area where your dog can sit with you during your meal. It’s a real option, not an afterthought. Carmel’s weather cooperates most of the time, so eating outside while your dog settles nearby is genuinely pleasant rather than a compromise.

The menu changes seasonally but leans into what the Central Coast does well—fresh seafood, locally raised meat, vegetables that taste like something. If you’re not in a seafood mood, they handle steak and vegetarian plates with equal care. The wine program isn’t pretentious about it; the list is substantial and the staff can actually help you find something that works for what you’re eating and what you want to spend.

Carmel as a town is already set up for dogs. You’re near the beach, walking distance to shops and galleries, and the whole place has that small-town vibe where people expect to see dogs around. After dinner you can wander toward the water or through the residential streets without feeling rushed.

The main thing to know is that this isn’t a casual burger-and-fries situation. It’s a proper dinner, the kind where you linger over wine and conversation. Your dog needs to be okay with that—comfortable lying down for a couple hours, not anxious or reactive. Call ahead to confirm they’re seating dogs that day and let them know you’re coming; it helps them plan your table location and makes sure there are no surprises when you arrive.