Casanova

European restaurant · Carmel-by-the-Sea

Casanova

European restaurant · Carmel-by-the-Sea

2

5th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

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Highlights

French & Italian cuisine, romantic ambiance, Van Gogh's table  

Featured on Michelin
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5th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921 Get directions

casanovacarmel.com
@casanova_carmel

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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5th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921 Get directions

+1 831 574 8376
casanovacarmel.com
@casanova_carmel

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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reservations required

Last updated

Aug 22, 2025

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@michelinguide

"This historic 1920s cottage—once owned by Charlie Chaplin’s personal chef—is marked by a bike parked out front with lavender flowing from the basket. Before opening in 1987, the family remodeled the building after their Belgian farmhouse and even dug down to replicate their wine cellar, which today houses a notable collection. Its setting, just a block off quaint Carmel’s main drag, makes dining here seem all the more relaxing and charming. A private room invites 2-8 people to enjoy the chef’s prix-fixe on Vincent Van Gogh’s very own dining table.The rustic French and Italian cooking features deliciously simple dishes, ranging from the likes of hearty cannelloni to a peak-season grilled peach topped with pickled onion, toasted almonds and torn basil." - Michelin Inspector

https://guide.michelin.com/en/california/carmel-by-the-sea/restaurant/casanova
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@michelinguide

MICHELIN Inspector Field Notes: September 2019

"Always look forward to the seasonal starters at Casanova - like this bright, late-summer heirloom tomato salad." - Aaron Hutcherson

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/features/michelin-inspector-restaurant-notes-september-2019
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Bjorn Beijens

Google
The staff were very friendly and very attentive ! I would highly recommend this place for an anniversary dinner. It pricy ! But food was delicious . If you are into art. There is a room you can dine in where the famous Picasso use to dine . We had some escargots, stone salad , fish and Wayho steak and finished off with a rich chocolate mouse !

Henry Ting

Google
It was our first time here. Loved it. I loved the atmosphere and the service. Our waiter was accommodating: Allow the 4 of us to have 2 separate bills. Some waiters at other restaurants will frown upon our request, but Casanova did it ungrundringly. We sat in the outdoor covered patio. Very charming. The martinis and starter bread were very good, but I was disappointed in the escargot (shell on.) They did not have the pesto, garlicky-oil that I was longing for. I long to dip my bread into the escargot sauces. It was dry and tasteless. Main Entrees: My friend's meat cannaloni dish with truffles, did not have any hint of truffle. But it was still tasty. The short rib dish was beautiful but good for someone with a small appetite. But our table's favorite was the seafood linguine. It was big, hearty pasta dish. Though my wife and I shared this, I could've ate it all. Desserts: We had the Basque ("burnt") cheesecake and lime tart. Good, but small portions. No, the cheesecake was not burnt. "Basque cheesecake, also known as burnt Basque cheesecake or San Sebastian cheesecake, is a Spanish dessert that originated in the Basque region." I will come back.

Carrie Nicole

Google
Wonderful experience. Beautiful atmosphere. Amazing food. My only complaint is that the busser came and grabbed my plate with 3/4 of my meal, I thought he was perhaps packaging it to go but it must of ended up in the trash. I’m sure it wouldn’t have been the same heated up anyways.

Rachel Coffin

Google
Lovely ambience and service. I like the simple menu with dishes that have been perfected. Favorite part of the night was going to see the tiny private room in the back with a table that Van Gogh ate at.

Bryan

Google
One of the best date night restaurants I've even been to. The service and ambiance here are absolutely the best. The food is unique and extremely good. The wine Bible is quite amazing. Most our of our price range but they have something for everyone. I can't say enough about the atmosphere. It's quite special. Highly recommend if you are in the area

neyu

Google
We decided to celebrate my and my boyfriend’s birthdays at Casanova tonight but were met with very underwhelming service and food. We were seated immediately due to having reservations which was very nice, but it went downhill from there. I asked one of the employees (middle aged white man) what the stone fruit salad appetizer had and he was so judgey (my fault for not knowing I guess) and it took SO long for the main course to arrive after we finished appetizers. A few times after finishing appetizers the waiters would make direct eye contact with us but wouldn’t clear the table ??? For the main course I ordered the linguine which was decent but a bit salty; however, the shrimp, clams, and mussels were well cooked and juicy! My boyfriend ordered the halibut and it was so….tasteless and dry. I felt so bad so I spooned him some of my pasta sauce to help. I noticed around me that some of the other tables had slightly better service (?) waiters would check up on them and explain the wine options which never happened with us. We had no idea who our designated server was because no one introduced themselves to us. We asked an older waiter for the bill and he just replied “Oh!” and never got back to us until another waitress (she was the only nice employee we encountered) handed us the bill a while after (again, there was a long wait for pretty much everything except getting seated.) I’m not sure if it’s because we’re a younger Asian-American couple but a lot of the waiters gave racist vibes and the service was poor. We decided to leave before getting dessert because the vibes were not it. Overall the food and service do NOT reflect the high prices of this establishment and I do not recommend coming here to celebrate a special milestone or birthday.

S

Google
Whoever the saucier is, give them a raise because they are single handedly CARRYING the food. This had to have been one of the most disappointing meals of my life, considering how much I was looking forward to this meal. We ordered the gnocchi, escargot, linguine, and duck confit. All dishes were consistent; dry and/or insultingly overcooked. The best thing was probably the gnocchi, but even that was below average. The gnocchi had no body because of how overcooked it was. It disintegrated into my mouth with the consistency of wet sand. The escargot was underwhelming as well. The mains, however, were just flat out bad. Firstly, the linguine. Everything was overcooked. Soft mushy pasta, rubbery overcooked shrimp, and sad, shriveled-up mussels. Shockingly, the linguine wasn't even the worst thing we ordered, which would be the terrible duck confit. Once again, dry, grey, and overcooked duck on top of a bed of the single worst beans I've ever eaten at any restaurant. The beans were shockingly bad. Weirdly enough, the beans seemed undercooked. They were rock hard and difficult to even smash under a fork (see the video). If you did manage to smash a bean, you were met with a dry, depressing, undercooked mess that had the texture of sandpaper. It's as if the beans came straight out soaking with no cooking whatsoever. The only redeeming quality in the food was the sauce. All four dishes had a great sauce, which did its best to mask the horribly cooked food underneath. Again, give the saucier a raise for that alone, because it was the only good thing I ate. Aside from the sauce, the atmosphere was definitely a 5/5. That being said, if you only care about ambiance but have zero standards for the food you're putting into your mouth, you might enjoy this place. Our bill came out to $120 per person, including drinks and dessert. Will not be coming back or recommending to anyone.

Britta Cox

Google
Great little hidden spot for rustic Italian food. Great bread and the service was excellent. The building has a good story too. One of the oldest in the town.
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Erin D.

Yelp
Casanova has always held a special place in my heart, which is why we chose to dine there on December 21, just before Christmas. I booked our reservation three weeks in advance for our family of seven, specifically requesting the unique dining room with the famous Van Gogh table. Upon arrival, however, we were seated at a random table near the reserved room. When I inquired about this, I was told the reserved room couldn't accommodate seven people--something that was never mentioned during booking or in the two confirmations I made to ensure we had the correct room. The manager stepped in, listened to my concerns, and assured me he would resolve the issue. Within 10 minutes, we were seated in the room we had reserved, which I truly appreciated. For most of the family, this was their first experience at Casanova, and while the initial hiccup wasn't ideal, the ambiance and history of the room helped salvage the evening. That said, I don't recommend the gnocchi as a main dish. My eldest daughter ordered it and, upon seeing everyone else's meals, asked if she'd been served an appetizer. The portion was disappointingly small, and so we ended up sharing some of our food with her. Overall, while the dining experience wasn't flawless, I still cherish the charm of Casanova. I just hope future visits run more smoothly.
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Nicole M.

Yelp
Love this place. The food is amazing and completely worth the trip down to Carmel. The service is amazing, and the staff is extremely attentive. The place is nicely decorated with a warm and homely atmosphere.
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Osula L.

Yelp
Holy smokes! This place was shockingly good! I came here on a Saturday evening in late December 2024 via car. I had made reservations the day before and they still had openings at 7:30pm. I checked in 15 minutes early and they were able to seat me on the patio right away. My hotel was on the edge of town and I wanted to get there early to find parking. I was able to find 2-hour parking a couple of streets over. It was my first time in Carmel and had no idea they didn't have street lights - I was initially planning to walk there from my hotel. I picked this place because they welcomed dogs and I had my dog with me. I was seated right next to a heat lamp thankfully. The meal was excellent and exceeded my expectations. I ordered the burrata, mango mojito cocktail, bread, and sweet potato gnocchi. All were incredibly tasty and each had something special to it. Skip the bread if you get full easily (extra $12). The burrata was to-die-for - the orange sauce was sweet, tangy, and crunchy. The sweet potato gnocchi each had a tiny piece of picked onion stuck to it - it was so interesting! Both of these dishes were divine! Definitely worth trying this place if you're around.
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Jasmine V.

Yelp
I was visiting from out of town and heard great things about this place. It's a really cute restaurant and the ambiance is super romantic. The service here was impeccable. Our waters were always filled, they were quick to take away empty plates to make room for the next plate, and they were quick to wipe up even the slightest of crumbs on the table between courses. I got the escargot, the gnocchi, and the cannelloni. The escargot was okay. It lacked flavor for me personally, but was still decent . The gnocchi, however, was amazing. It was pillowy soft and the sauce was so good I wanted to lick it off the plate. I think this was the best gnocchi I've ever had. The cannelloni was also fantastic. The beef was fall apart tender and it flavored the sauce nicely. If I lived in the area, I would come here again and again for the cannelloni and gnocchi.
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Mona A.

Yelp
Everyone told me to try Casanova so I figured why not on my last night in Carmel and it was so good. The vibe is cozy with the perfect mix of French-Italian charm. The spinach gnocchi au gratin was creamy and delicious. The cannelloni with braised beef mozzarella and just a touch of truffle felt like elevated comfort food. Avery our waitress deboned the Dover sole right at the table and it was perfect. The warm Brussels sprouts were simple but exactly what I wanted. Joseph the sommelier was super knowledgeable and you can tell the staff genuinely love what they do. The area is great for a little post-din walk. So glad I stopped in.. I'll definitely be back.
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Vy T.

Yelp
I absolutely adore this restaurant. The outside and inside makes you feel like you've transported to Europe. The decor gives the restaurant the warmness of a homey/childhood feeling. We were sat in the covered garden patio under an old tree, surrounded with string lights and everything felt perfect. The staff was very accommodating since we had a reservation for a later time, but showed up an hour early and was seated immediately. They were also attentive and our food came out in a timely manner. We started off with the Salad Verte which looked like a simple salad, but it was covered in parmesan with a dill dressing that was delicious and addictive. Linguini: Light with a creamy white wine sauce. The clams, mussels, and shrimps added a nice flavor and scent to the pasta. The linguini, itself, was perfectly done. Denver Steak: Some pieces were cooked inconsistently to medium rare or medium. Regardless, the meat was juicy and tender. Underneath, there were mushrooms sautéed in an umami sauce and creamy sweet corn kernels. Chocolate Mousse: Extremely smooth and decadent topped with white chocolate shavings. My boyfriend ordered the Nova Lemonade mocktail and it was refreshing and delightful. I had a glass of the 2018 cowgirl red blend which paired well with the steak. Overall, we had a pleasant experience and would come back if we're in town again.
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Jane C.

Yelp
Got last minute 4:30pm reservations- adorable location and ambiance, had their version of a dirty martini-generous size which I love! Food was creative and delicious but with Carmel style prices!
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Joey M.

Yelp
Booked this restaurant but had friends and people we met in Carmel highly endorsers this restaurant which made us very excited to try. Casanova definitely far exceeded our expectations. The restaurant vibes were amazing with great indoor and outdoor seating. we sat in their covered patio area which was equipped with heating. All the staff was super amazing and friendly. We got the bread service, gnocchi, and escargot to start and all of this was amazing. Everyone says the gnocchi is a must order and it truly is but escargot was our favorite out of the apps. For entrees we had the steak which I thought was going to be a classic steak dish but the flavors were so unique that it made us wanting more. we also got the seafood linguine which did not disappoint one bit. All the seafood in the dish was super fresh and big. The salty seafood balanced very well with the pasta. Can't wait to come back!
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Ewa U.

Yelp
Lovely ambiance, staff & service. The food ain't bad either! Enjoyed all our dishes - especially the cannelloni, gnocci and burrata. The beer selection is good and comes with bits of cheese - a lovely apéritif surprise! Do yall make your pasta in house? Also thanks to the lovely hostess who gave us an even better table despite the dinner rush.
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Shaun B.

Yelp
Wow! This charming, delicious, and local restaurant, was a must visit (according to local Tik Toks) when visiting Carmel by the Sea! We started our meal with the bread service and gnocchi cassanova. These gnocchi were so soft and pillowy which some type of cream sauce. Perfect portion to start. Our meals were even better. The hubs opted for the canolelle--which was like a savory cannoli filled with braised beef, and cheese, etc. it was really flavorful. I opted for the Dover sole menuiere. I've never had this fish, but our waitress convinced me. It was served in this delicious brown butter sauce, fresh lemon, and was perfectly cooked and seasoned. I was getting so full but had to keep eating. Our waitress (shoot I forgot her name), was very kind and did a great job in explaining the menu--which was very helpful. She did a great job. Word of advice: don't trust the menus online or via open table; our waitress let us know that they change pretty frequently. We took some desserts home to-go. I opted for the burnt cheesecake, which was okay in my opinion compared to the stellar meal we had. Would highly recommend this place. The food, staff, and ambiance were amazing!!!
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Rebecca T.

Yelp
Casanova is an institution is Carmel-by-the-Sea, with its French-Italian cuisine and Michelin-recommended status. We had a 5pm reservation and were seated promptly; within half an hour, all the other tables were taken, probably by other reservations-- definitely recommend reserving in advance! Service was nice, but not overly friendly; our server was helpful in recommending plates to us, though. We started with the gnocchi Casanova, a popular choice: it was served au gratin, with plenty of cheese and cream. The gnocchi itself tasted homemade (made from spinach?) and extremely soft, but too mushy for my taste; I would've liked to have had more of a bite to the dish. I opted for the seafood linguine, which was served on a large, wok-like plate. Presentation was lovely, but the linguine was bland and the seafood (mussels, clams, prawns) weren't anything to write home about. It's a shame, as it cost $55 and it wasn't worth it. I also had a taste of my partner's and her mom's plates-- ricotta ravioli and sole meunière, respectively-- and they were a lot better than my dish, although they didn't blow me away (the sole meunière was solid, though). What was worth it, however, was the chocolate mousse for dessert: light and airy, yet rich in chocolate flavor, the mousse was honestly the highlight of the meal. We also got a rice pudding (riz au lait), which was decent. But man, I would just go back for that chocolate mousse-- it was heavenly! Overall, I think the dishes at Casanova were just-okay, bar that delicious chocolate mousse. The food just didn't stand out for me and didn't quite justify the hefty price tag. But for the European-esque experience of dining in a historic tavern, it's not bad!
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Karisa A.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant for a special dinner in Carmel! Ambiance & Service: The interior is stunning! Ask to sit in the courtyard with beautiful lighting and a tree growing in the middle. Service could be improved--we waited despite having a reservation, and the sommelier rushed us a bit. Food: - Bread Service: The bread was good, but the fresh butter made this dish! - Burrata: Absolutely divine! The fresh peaches perfectly complemented the creamy burrata. - Gnocchi Casanova: Perfect to share or have as an entree. The gnocchi are super soft and pillowy, nestled in a rich, savory cream sauce. TL;DR - Service could be improved, but the courtyard is gorgeous and the food is nice! Recommend the Burrata and Gnocchi Casanova!
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G D.

Yelp
The Dover sole is incredible. The cannelloni was so good as well, lots of good meat inside. And the deserts were incredible - we had the pear tart and the Paris brest. The appetizers did not blow us away but the rest of the food made up for it. Our server was really good and the food came quickly. Nice atmosphere. Would love to come back!
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Robert C.

Yelp
Absolutely impeccable service and extremely adorable dining ambiance. We sat outside on their patio facing the street. It was perfect. The servers were adorable. Extremely attentive and wanting to make it an especially special evening for my hubby's birthday. We were blown away by the caliber of the steak tartar and escargot. No joke, we could come back for those two things alone alongside a nice glass of wine. Maybe that's what we'll do next time!
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Catherine C.

Yelp
I cannot come to Carmel without coming to Casanova for the gnocchi. Not your average gnocchi! Baked like a cannelloni, comes out bubbling hot and the gnocchi literally melt in your mouth. They have them as an appetizer but you can order a full size. The appetizer size is perfect for one. We shared the broccolini which was delicious. The bread and cultured butter is a must have as well. Their wine list is literally a binder to choose from. I highly recommend and hope to get back soon.
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Tucker L.

Yelp
The ambience, drinks, and food were second to none. While the setting is small and intimate, the food is bold and will absolutely keep me coming back every time I come to Carmel. The wine selection was extensive and our waiter (Joseph) made some excellent recommendations for our entrees. One word of advice: get the gnocchi. My wife's family is Italian and she said it's the best she's ever had!
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Meghan M.

Yelp
Casanova in Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming culinary gem that truly lives up to its reputation. From the moment we arrived, the experience was elevated by the hostess, whose warmth and attention to detail set the tone for the evening. Her friendly demeanor and genuine hospitality made us feel right at home, ensuring every detail of our visit was flawless. The ambiance is cozy and romantic, blending rustic charm with sophistication. The Dover sole was perfectly cooked, the sauces rich and balanced, and the wine selection impeccable. Don't skip out on the chocolate mousse! The hostess's attentive care didn't go unnoticed throughout the evening, adding personal touches that made the experience memorable. Casanova is not just a restaurant; it's a destination for those who value exceptional food, service, and atmosphere. We can't wait to return!
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Zed A.

Yelp
We were a party of 4 for a birthday dinner. Sat on patio as we also had a pet friend. Weather was beautiful but heaters available which was very comfortable once the sun set. Overall, the food, service and ambiance were really nice. Our waitress, servers, and sommelier were patient and came back many times to ask about our meal. The food was very good and basically what I expected. We had crudo, halibut, amazing pasta and a few other tasty items. Price was definitely high at $600 for 4: 2 glasses of wine each, a main dish each, a shared dessert and tip. But you've got to add a minimum 20% just for being in Carmel. So overall a very nice evening. We may be back for another special evening but certainly not a go-to every time we're back in town.
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Alex L.

Yelp
So for my birthday my wife took me to Carmel, and found this amazing restaurant. She made reservations for us since it was a Friday night, and we knew they would be busy. First off the place is what you expect a restaurant in Carmel to be. It used to be a house that was made as a restaurant and it's so amazing inside and out. The restaurant is small, but does have lots of seating inside or outside. Service was amazing, it was pretty cool too that they have a bench outside with a basket of blankets (they know it gets COLD here lol). Food...the food was def 5 stars. We got to try some bread beforehand which was fresh and tasty. I had the Chicken Breast with broccoli. I have no idea what sauce was on it, looked like chimichurri but didn't taste like it. Can't explain it, but it was amazing. My wife had the Lamb shank I believe, or lamb chop not sure. But she loved it, was cooked to perfection. Food is reasonably portioned, as my wife and I like to eat a little bit of everything it was perfect, we didn't get full right away. We even tried a Burnt Cheescake, OMG...the best. Highly recommend, and I got it for free as it was my birthday. :) Def recommend, place is awesome, clean and has this home feel. Food is good, pricier, but expect that.
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Peter R.

Yelp
This is one of our favorite places in Carmel - homey yet elegant. Delicious food. Great service. Simple as that.
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Caitlin A.

Yelp
Make sure you make a reservation at Casanova next time you are in Carmel. The restaurant looks like a small house with most of the seating outdoors. However they have heaters so you will not be uncomfortable. The wine list is extensive and a bit overwhelming. Started off with the gnocchi and it literally melts in your mouth, so soft and pillowy. For entrees we ordered the corn ravioli (seasonal) and the cannelloni. Both entrees were delicious and had great flavor. The pasta & wine were so good we had no room for dessert.
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Dan S.

Yelp
Where do I begin; We were sat and rushed to order; greeted by multiple servers and back waiters who had very bad attitudes. We decided to order the Verte salad - water, bread, and a Diet Coke. All of which costed us 66$ excluding a tip. First of all, we were charged $8.00 for what it seemed water from the tap in a clear flower vase. 18$ each for a salad that tasted like chemicals. Maybe 6 romaine leaves in each. These romaine leaves were not properly washed. Tasted horribly. We both couldn't finish our salads. The water was more expensive than a Diet Coke? Oddly the Diet Coke was $5. Lastly, the customer service was awful. Looked over to the back waiter standing outside to have him and one of the hostesses looking at his phone on shift below the bar and laughing at us at our table. Probably should do that in the back. Don't recommend, won't be returning.
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Dom B.

Yelp
We can't wait to come back!! This was our first time dining here, and I cannot rave enough about how amazing the whole experience was. I got the AirLine Chicken, and I highly recommend it! The chicken was so juicy, and the sauce that comes with it was superb! I'm not someone who can EVER finish their plate of food, and I didn't leave a single crumb behind! Plus our server couldn't have been more helpful and attentive with the few questions we had! 10/10 cannot wait to come back again!
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Mark C.

Yelp
Truly a classic dining experience. Carmel is our favorite place to recharge and Casanova's takes you to another level of calm and pleasure. Do not miss this!!!!
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Nick M.

Yelp
Nice atmosphere, all the food was excellent and pro tip the cocktails are stiff (the way I like them).
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Charles W.

Yelp
Situated in the low-key, but bougie area known as Carmel, Casanova provides a half step below a fine dining experience to all the wealthy locals and visiting tourists. While the food was decent, the small portion sizes and expensive prices makes this more of a special occasion experience. We ordered: * Escargot - 6/10: while we would have preferred the smaller snails, these had great buttery garlic flavor; there wasn't enough bread to soak up all the sauce though * Gnocchi - 9/10: surprisingly solid "appetizer" with a layer of delicious cheese with chewy gnocchi * Artichoke Risotto - 7/10: very flavorful risotto with delicious artichokes, though the portion size was so small The service was a bit frustrating at times, especially when waiting to order and asking for our check, but overall it was an OK experience. The food was mostly great, though I wouldn't say it was worth the price.
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Sophia C.

Yelp
Boyfie and I decided to go on a weekend trip to Monterey/Carmel. I saw this restaurant on Tiktok and was super interested because of its history! The French/Italian restaurant itself is pretty small, but it's really romantic and reminds me of the smaller trattorias in Italy. The spinach gnocchi was excellent, we highly recommend it. The top was crisp and the gnocchi were pillowy and soft. The artisan bread and butter wasn't anything special. I think you could save your money and buy another spinach gnocchi. I ordered the seafood linguine which was incredible. There was a lot of seafood and the pasta was al dente. My boyfriend had the duck confit. He says that the texture of the duck was good but he found it pretty gamey and wasn't the biggest fan.

mark s.

Yelp
Food and service was good. Been coming here for probably 26 years. Bill came and everything I ordered was at a higher price than the menu. Unfortunately didn't realize until after I left but this is beyond shady. Check your bill before you sign. I'm afraid this is all too common here as I told a friend who said it happened to her as well. CHECK YOUR BILL PLEASE!!!!
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Mike S.

Yelp
I want to first start off by saying the food is good, but my fish had to be sent back because it was undercooked. Came here during car week and they were able to sneak us in for dinner, super grateful! The rating reflects 1 interaction, but the food is a solid 4 star! Our server was friendly and attentive, at times I felt bad because of requests: salt, pepper, extra spoon, etc. We sat outside in the back which is like an enclosed patio which was super cute! Here is my issue... we were seated and the sommelier came over and before asking what we were drinking, he saw 2 bottles of wine that we had brought in and said, " We only open one, but i will open 2, but just to be fair to the others, next time I can only do one." While I respect the rules and was grateful for the accommodation, his condescending nature and done was a real turn off. Note that the other tables that ordered wine from him, he was super friendly and helpful... I guess he works on how many bottles he can sell in a night. Super disappointing and would think about not coming back because of this encounter, but again, the food and other servers are so wonderful. UPDATE: Please check your bill.... They overcharged me $100 for the tip, but when I called they were super friendly and helpful... still waiting to see the credit, but please triple check your receipt.
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Buzz H.

Yelp
Wife and I were visiting the area and went here on our anniversary. The restaurant feels like you're walking into your Italian grandmother's for the best meal of your life. And the bar never went down from there. Their wine list was solid, but we were feeling cocktails (mocktail for the wife) and they were excellent. I had the Van Fashioned and it was one of the better ones I've had, not to mention it was a heavy pour. We started with the focaccia and French cultured butter was a highlight. I know it's weird to say that about bread, but my wife is a baker and snobby about her bread and butter. If you find yourself in that camp, this is it. We also shared the Gnocchi starter which was so creamy and cheesy, they definitely hit the mark. We then shared the beef cannelloni which was nice and hearty. Not a huge portion but my wife and I planned to split many items so that wasn't a problem. The beef was tender and the tomato based sauce was perfectly simple, the way it should be. We finished with the basque cheesecake which included fresh blueberries. Wow. I'm not a big cheesecake guy, but it's my wife's all time favorite so you know how that goes. No need for graham cracker crust when it's this good. Service was perfect, not in your face, very pleasant, attentive and knowledgable of all menu items. We sat on the back patio under a heat lamp and it was perfect. There isn't a bad seat in the house though, so ambiance gets an A+ as well. This will be on the short list each time we return to the area. You won't be disappointed.

Michelle M.

Yelp
The food was absolutely fantastic! Even their salad with the dill dressing I'm still thinking about it. Can't wait to go back to Carmel just to come eat here. The servers were amazing were so friendly to my dog
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Ann N.

Yelp
What a cute, romantic, charming, shabby chic, perfect ambience dinner restaurant in the cutest town EVER! We have been to Carmel a few times but recently we were recommended Casanova and from the pics on Yelp alone, I HAD to go. We were in town for one night and made an 8:30pm reservation. It was raining and Carmel is pretty dark but when the Lyft driver stopped in front of the restaurant, I was in love :) Lighting was perfect, with cozy wooden tables. Ambience was just warm. We were walked to our table in the middle area and were sat in their atrium next to the big tree. It was raining and kinda cold but the heat lamp warmed us up and the wet tree was such a vibe with sound of the rain. Waitress was on point. Sommelier recommended the person wine for our dinner. Food was good but definitely everything else stated above made it great. We ended up being the next to last couple to leave and they did not rush. Although I did see some workers leaving, the waiter said to take our time. We ended the night with some tea and coffee and their rice pudding. Topper: I see the workers trying clean up inside and out of the restaurant. As we were waiting for our rideshare and standing outside in chilly raining weather, a few told us to go inside and wait. Not just one worker but a few. We appreciated that very much. Now that's a great end to an amazing dinner at a charming restaurant. If it was not raining so badly and we're not soo late in our reservation, I would have loved to see their wine cellar. I'll definitely come back and hope they will accommodate me on this.

Abbeygail F.

Yelp
I rarely post reviews but this one is worth the experience. The ambiance, food, and service is 5/5. Everything was so good. Luckily, I was able to book for dinner around 5:15 PM on Saturday night. I made sure to book them since they are closed on Sundays. We ordered the escargot for appetizer, denver steak and linguini for entree. I think they change their menu depending on the season. Now I know all about the hype on this place. We wanted to go back again here. It's worth it! :)
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Emily O.

Yelp
All around beautiful. My mom and I stopped by for lunch and an unexpected escape. Casanova is a block or two outside of the chaos that typically overtakes Carmel on summer weekends, and is far better quality than a lot of the tourist traps nearby. The design, decor, and music will make you feel like you're on vacation in Europe. Service was wonderful and the food was amazing all around. We had the Crudo special, bread, and a summer salad to start. And the seafood fettuccine and mushroom ravioli as our main. My favorite out of everything was probably the seafood fettuccine, but it was all phenomenal. Can't wait to come back!
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Sanders B.

Yelp
Terrible service. Limited menu. Didn't have duck dish or melon appitizer. Waited a long time for just water.

Avi L.

Yelp
Food has completely diminished in quality Service is very poor I've been coming to Casanova for 32 years Everything has gone down after Covid 19 We won't be coming back anytime soon So disappointing
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Yun C.

Yelp
Such a beautiful restaurant and the inside transform you to another country! The restaurant seems small on the outside but actually has a lot of space inside! We had a party of 10 people and the table we got was spacious and gorgeous. The food also did not disappoint. The oysters were so refreshing. I got the pea risotto (seasonal item) and it was delicious. Most people know risottos are hard to make so having a good one was a sign the chef can make good food! We also tried the seafood linguini which was tasty. The French onion soup was very flavorful as if it was cooked for a long time. One of the most concentrated French onion soup I've has but in a good way. I must say the dishes were on the salty side but wasn't too bad. My friends told me the cocktails are pretty good too and strong. The desserts were delicious too and the rice pudding was my favorite. The toasted hazelnuts on top was an amazing combination. The cheesecake was good. The service was wonderful and friendly. We all enjoyed our dinner very much!

S C.

Yelp
Came here for a special anniversary dinner, and the ambiance is very nice, but we were truly disappointed by the food. We ordered the gnocchi, risotto, ravioli, bread, and wine. None of it was particularly good. The back patio is lovely but I wish we'd tried some where else with better food.
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Tyna B.

Yelp
Food was soooo good. Gnocchi was to die for salad was great atmosphere was cool. It was our anniversary so we sat at the table with a view and was greeted with a splash of Prosecco which was very kind

Briana B.

Yelp
Fantastic food, service , drinks, and atmosphere!! Every part of our experience was fantastic! Our server was attentive and provided feedback when asked about the menu and was very kind to our children.
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Erikac C.

Yelp
We came in for dinner based on the recommendations from locals. We started with the chamignon mushrooms in garlic it was delicious they have a extensive wine list and I enjoyed the Georgis Chardonnay. I made reservations for inside and made the mistake of sitting outside. The table next to us was very loud with 9 gentlemen talking and drinking so it took the intimate dining experience away which I regret, I would recommend eating inside if it's a date night.The service was pleasant and attentive. I ordered the braised beef cannelloni, it was a little salty but tasty. My husband ordered the Duck Leg Confit with lentils and it was delicious.
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Avivi W.

Yelp
SOOOOO GOOD! Every single dish was made with so much love and care here! Every single dish was amazing! We ordered the linguini, gnocchi, salad, oysters, hamachi sashimi, and also the bread & butter! Their butter seems to be home made and was soo good! The photos don't do the food justice at all, they look much yummier in person! The environment feels like you are literally in Italy! The service was amazing! They forgot to put in our mocktail orders so they ended up giving them to us for free! 10/10 recommend coming here!
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Carmen R.

Yelp
Service was good as well as the food. The ambiance was lovely and the staff made room for our large party.
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Christian B.

Yelp
During my time in Monterey. tried an apparently tik tok famous spot "Casanova" in the small town Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is a French & Italian restaurant that was frequented by Van Gogh. The experience was amazing. It was a busy Saturday night, close to their closing time and was so surprised by their attentiveness and hospitality despite a busy restaurant. Everything from the service to the interior to the food and even the bathrooms! They even put some flowers out for my girl and I celebrating a special day (by request). I do recommend reservations! Overall amazing experience and will be back for more spinach gnocchi (top menu item!) Artisanal bread and butter, lavender lemon drop, spinach gnocchi, duck confit and seafood linguini.
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Kaneesia Kamil C.

Yelp
They close at 2pm but still takes reservations at that time. I think it's cool cause there's not a lot of people at this point which makes the whole place feel intimate. Our server, Carlos was very nice. It was my birthday and he went above and beyond with some fake petals lol He was also very apologetic as he would have to kick us out by 3:30pm but that gives us ample time if we had our reservation at 2pm. Food: Canneloni - super great. Can't go wrong with this if you like red sauce pasta Mussels and Frites - mussels were huge! Super great flavor with the sauce as well Bread Service - $9 -- not worth but butter was good Gnocchi- one of my faves, very soft and flavorful

Andy P.

Yelp
Wonderful little restaurant by the ocean. Love the history of the building. Food was incredible. Every bite better than the one before. So glad we decided go step in!
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Bill R.

Yelp
We went to Casanova for our 51st anniversary with friends. Everything was outstanding. The food, the service, the atmosphere, all just wonderful. Absolutely my favorite restaurant in Carmel.
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Sarah P.

Yelp
This is my current favorite restaurant in Carmel although there are some other great ones too but Casanova was amazing. Great food, fresh, small menu, extensive wine list and cute ambiance like a European cafe & the service was excellent. Highly recommend!!
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Japmeet S.

Yelp
Casanova is such a nice little spot for dinner! The restaurant has an extensive wine list with a sommelier to help. The food is delicious! Everything we got was good but my favorite was the gnocchi!