Monterey:
Café Trieste – 409 Alvarado, Monterey
831-241-6064
$ Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch & Bargain Dinner
This espresso bar and cafe makes excellent Italian style coffee drinks and has surprisingly tasty and reasonable food options all day long. Breakfast selections are tasty, and the chicken fettucini alfredo is a steal at about $10.
*Paris Bakery – 271 Bonifacio Place, Monterey
831-646-1620
$ Coffee, Baked Goods & Lunch
Paris Bakery is a phenomenal baker of beautiful tarts, perfectly soft croissants both savory and sweet, and fresh loaves of all sorts. Located in Old Monterey.
East Villiage Coffee Lounge – 498 Washington St, Monterey
831-373-5601
$ Coffee, Pastries Beer & Wine
This stone walls of this social café’s several rooms are covered with local art and photography. It’s on a small plaza with outdoor seating and has a selection of sandwiches, pastries and desserts. The café hosts music and poetry by night. Belgian beers sold by the bottle. Located in Old Monterey.
Big Sur:
Big Sur Bakery – 47540 Highway 1
(831) 667-0520
$$ Coffee, Pastries, Lunch & Dinner
Using acclaimed Acme coffee roasted in Monterey, Big Sur Bakery’s baristas churn out spectacular espresso drinks. Quality is in the baked goods too. This converted small house among the redwoods has comfortable grounds to stretch the legs after a long drive and takes pride in the quality of wood fired pizzas and local game entrées.
Pacific Grove:
Bright Coffee – 281 Lighthouse Ave
Happy Girl Kitchen Co – 173 Central Ave
(831) 373-4475
Carmel:
Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co – Ocean Ave at Lincoln
(831) 626-2913
$ Coffee & Pastries
Typical local coffee bar, offering strong locally roasted coffee, hot and cold espresso drinks, bagels and pastries.
nick's guide 