Cultura Comida y Bebida

First and foremost, our server was probably the best server I’ve had in over a decade. He was attentive and just the nicest person ever. Guacamole was absolutely divine and a little spicy served with homemade tortilla chips that I couldn’t stop devouring. House margarita was tasty, not too sweet and perfectly boozy. Three taco plate was abundant, but there was too much oil and too much meat to actually hold the tacos. Would’ve liked an extra side of tortillas to manage the mess. Ordered the chicken, beef and pork and all three were fine, didn’t blow my socks off. The flan was yummy for being vegan. The churros were also good, but a bit gummy and the chocolate dipping sauce was more bitter than sweet - not my jam, but still enjoyed. Walked out insanely full.

Interesting dishes. Lots of vegetarian options. If you want spicy, get the hot sauce on the side since most dishes are mild. The mole sauce is one of the better ones I've had. The complimentary non dairy hot chocolate at the end with a hint of cinnamon is very good!

We were on a tour of California and thought this place was a real find. Authentic Mexican (Wahacan) food, really excellent service from a guy who was passionate about his countries cuisine. We tried the (Tortilla) Chips with Guacamole and Salsa, and deep fried Grasshoppers as a side. Very nice. Mains we tried tacos, the chicken enchiladas and the Pork Cheek Mole. All outstanding and full of flavour. Also a shout out to the cocktails too. We had Blood Orange Margaritas and they were amazing. And for dessert, Churros and chocolate and coconut sauce which were the best we have tried. Very reasonable (for Carmel) and we would come back again for sure !

Regional Southern Mexican centered cuisine with a varied menu. Authentic dishes and listings highlighted by a comprehensive write up of descriptions. The service would be best implemented by enhancing their recommendations on good and traditional food and drink pairings as most dishes have very distinct taste profiles. However, service was prompt and standard. The overall setup of the resto is separated into two sections: one section with wall bar counter and small tables and the main dining area. During dinner service the establishment is dim and cozy. A good choice for group and family meals as there are a number of sharing items on the menu.

Our favorite hidden gem in town! The food is unique, high quality, filling and incredible. Some of the best cocktails I’ve ever eaten. Service and ambience are great. Highly highly recommend

Taco bout a good time! The vibes in Cultura Comida y Bebida were subLIME. Delectable. Romantic. Lively. If you have a nut allergy, don’t eat the mole! lol The tacos were actually so good though. I got carnitas and one (1) Barbacoa. My companion ordered the chicken enchiladas and in my opinion they were worse than the tacos but in her opinion: “they were better than the tacos, they were so good, the tacos were basic.” I respectfully disagree, although I would recommend adding some lime or perhaps citrus juice to the cilantro rice and beans. But what is food and family if not disagreement, finding new connections over a plate of spices and delicious pickled onions, garnishing our relationships with joy and a deeper sense of meaning. I would totally eat here again. Also the staff was super nice! We had a great time.

For appetizers, they had $6 peanuts. Bars give those out for free but they charge $6! Please don’t order it, it’s a waste of money. It was a small dish with just peanuts. I got the Mole vegetarian option- would not recommend. It was $35- and it was a spicy tomato sauce, not the traditional mole. Did try the plantain taco, which was delicious. A little overpriced but expected for this area. Next time I would get the mushroom soup and a taco side.

During our recent road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, we dined at Cultura Comida y Bebida for dinner and had an extraordinary experience. Our party of four was eager to explore the culinary offerings, and we were not disappointed. The overall bill came to $169, which was well worth it for the quality and uniqueness of the meal. We started with two unique beverages: Nochtli 'Prickly Pear & Lemon Balm' Mexican Ale and Pulque Octl 'Conejo' Blanco. These drinks stood out as some of the most interesting beers we’ve ever tasted, adding an adventurous start to our meal. For food, we ordered a variety of dishes that showcased the richness of Mexican cuisine. We enjoyed Chips, Chicken Tinga Tacos, Mushroom Tacos, Plantain Tacos, and a Plato de Tres Tacos. Additionally, we tried the Chile Relleno. Each dish was superbly crafted, bursting with authentic flavors that made this one of the best Mexican meals we've had in the United States. The service was another highlight. The staff was excellent, providing prompt and attentive service throughout our meal. Their professionalism and friendliness added to the overall enjoyment of our dining experience. The ambience of Cultura Comida y Bebida also deserves special mention. The restaurant’s atmosphere was warm and inviting, creating a perfect setting for our dinner. To top off an already delightful evening, we were treated to Mexican hot cocoa “on the house,” which was a wonderful gesture and the perfect end to our meal. Overall, Cultura Comida y Bebida provided us with a memorable dining experience, combining exceptional food, drinks, service, and atmosphere. We highly recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy top-tier Mexican cuisine.

Really enjoyed this restaurant. I'm a big mezcal fan, and they had a great selection. We got the sampler of 3 pours- all good. Started with the chips and 3 dips. The guacamole and green salsa were great- the red was bland. I ordered the pork mole and my boyfriend ordered the mushroom mole. Both were excellent. Portions were generous. A little noisy, but that was partly due to one nearby loud table. Would return next time I'm in the area.

FOR THE VEGANS Best Vegan Mexican food I've ever had! I'm sorry, I'm not going to do my usual fully-detailed review. Cultura certainly doesn't need it, given the number and rating. I'll just say this, my wife and I ordered the vegan bowl, the vegan enchilada plate and two tacos--one mushroom, one black bean. It was $63. It was worth $163. They brought us free chips and guac -- a serious amount of guac -- and a little oat milk Mexican hot chocolate for desert. We live in LA and have tried a lot of vegan Mexican, and nothing compares to this. Sure, you can do something like CENA, which is very good, but not at all healthy. This is healthy vegan and the taste is complex. Short of Gay & Larry's (the best Mexican food in the world, including Mexico, long closed, Rubidoux, SoCal, RIP 1930-1990ish), I've never had ANY better Mexican food, and I've been eating Mexican food for 50 years. I asked to speak to the Chef, but she wasn't on premise. Had she been, I would have praised her mightily. The server advised me she is vegan. May Cultura continue to thrive.

Babygirl says I'm too snobby for reviews.. I don't connect with the common man. Carmel is a stones throw away from the salad bowl of the world, the home of the common man and generations of the H2A. Generations of influence and a passing type of culture that leaves its marks. For the better or its worst. And what I hope was the better. In all its aesthetic pleasures; dark mahogany, floral backdrops and chocolate leather, a failed attempt to even scratch at the proud spirit that is Oaxaca. More so, the bros approach to glorify his years passed. I don't want to be this guy. But for 110.33 for spirit forward cocktails, the queso, tacos and canned escabeche you demand the best of me. - cocktails: come. Because you, the grey man with his basic bish will be reminded of your time in Cabo - The queso: salt forward as Oaxacan cheese is but, way too damn much to get to, to enjoy before it becomes a brick again - Tacos: mushroom: skip. Barbacoa: rightfully named so and NOT birria, underwhelming and off balance. Camaron: it's chow. - Escabeche: undoubtedly, embasa or la castena. Just that. Common. Approachable. And disingenuous. Nothing to write home about.

Very disappointed. Overpriced. Interior of the restaurant is dim, but attractive. I asked to sit by the window in a booth where they had the most light. Service was good, even though the waiter never replenished the ice I'd asked for in my soda. Large chips were good, fresh and crisp, without being too hard. Guacamole was good. Salsas were not to my taste. I can buy better bottled salsas at the supermarket. Queso fundido. The cheese was not melty but had cooled enough to make it somewhat difficult to scoop. The corn tortillas that came with it were all broken as though someone had cut the middle several times with a knife, making it impossible to put anything on them and eat them without dripping I have no qualms about spending money for good food. This simply wasn't it. It was a rip-off financially. Probably they have to charge such high prices because the rent is so high in Carmel. Won't be returning.

Everything was excellent. Food fresh and well prepared. Great service. Good ambiance, totally recommend it!

I'll start off by saying that the service was really good, they were very attentive and checked up on us frequently and I really liked how they gave us mini hot chocolate milks with our check. Now onto the food, we got the Tlayuda with carnitas and the chicken enchiladas. The Tlayuda was big and delicious but the enchiladas only came with two and the dish was quite small and wasn't really anything special. Two enchiladas for $27 wasn't really worth it in my opinion, but that's just me. The chips and salsa are also extra so just beware if you plan on asking for extra salsa for your meal. Outdoor seating also looks better than the inside as the inside is a bit plain and dark. Overall, it's a more upscale Mexican restaurant that's a bit pricey but the food was good.

We had a great meal at this dark and sultry Latin restaurant. We arrived shortly before our 7 pm reservation on a summer Thursday and were seated right away. It took some time before we saw a waiter despite it not being that busy which gave us time to peruse the ample menu of Latin specialties from tacos and enchiladas to moles and more. We ordered some margaritas (I like the blood orange one) and the amazing queso fundito to share. The food and drinks arrived in a flash and the queso was truly unique. There was a large bowl with thick gooey goodness the color of peanut butter and a pile of large house made chips and small stack of house made tortillas. This was an ample appetizer that was almost too much for the three of us but oh so delicious. After such a hearty first course we mainly ordered tacos from the ala carte selection and at $6 each an amazing value given the massive amount of meat piled onto each small tortilla. We tried the Barbadoa, chicken tinga, carnitas and plantain-each was amazing but the barbacoa was my favorite. The pork mole-a diy taco setup with tortillas veggies and a rich pork mole mixture was also a standout. We were just too full for dessert although the tiny cups of Mexican hot chocolate that were provided gratis were a nice touch to finish things off. Given the massive quantities and high quality the bill, around $150 for three adults with drinks felt like a great deal. Highly recommended

Delicious food, very attentive service, very cute ambiance, perfect for a date night. I had the pork mole, and was so rich and flavorful. As someone with gluten and dairy intolerance, it was so nice to have a menu so clearly labeled. Highly recommend! But make sure you have a reservation

Cultura is one of the most amazing Mexican restaurants. I've tried in a long time! Everything from the chili Reno to the basic tortilla chips were unique and excellent.

This place is awful. Disappointing was an understatement. As soon as I took a bite of the chicken engchidlas I knew they were bad. The mole sauce was pretty bad too. My husband's tacos weren't great either. The waiter was pleasant. Ambiance was nice. The chips and salsas were good but the food itself was bad.

Had another awesome dinner at Cultura. We walked in around 5 pm when they opened and got a seat outside. I had told my fiance about this place so I was excited to have him try it. We started with the chapulines (crickets) which are a favorite of his and also the three dip selection. I love how they have these very handmade tasting giant chips and they will bring you extra. I also really enjoyed the cocktail I had - Sergio Leone was the name. The three dips as appetizer is pretty filling, but we also ordered entrees. He had the vegan bowl and I ordered the pork mole which was just amazing. It is a fun place to eat. I could see sitting by the communal fire pit and talking with people. Also the staff are really amazing and helpful!

The food all 4 of us ordered were outstanding and very delicious. We enjoyed chapulines, handmade tortillas, yellow chicken mole, and tacos. The Flight of Mezcal was great. Our waiter was very friendly and happy to share his favorite foods and answered questions. The location had seating outside and inside. We chose inside.

Great experience! The staff was friendly and attentive. We enjoyed such a great dinner! Guacamole and chips were delicious. Chicken Tinga tacos were so flavorful and my husband got the chicken enchiladas and they were amazing! Would definitely come back next time we are in town. With your check you get the cutest little tasty hot chocolates, which my son thought was so neat! (And they were yummy!)

This was our first visit to this restaurant and it was great. We opted for outdoor seating because with a full restaurant the noise level was pretty high. The courtyard was peaceful and quaint with heaters and bougainvillea.

The service at Cultura is always top notch. We have visited this establishment many times over the last couple years. They are consistent in their service, food quality, dish preparation, and pleasant ambiance. They have some quirky menu selections that are worth experimenting with. Try them and broaden your epicurean palate!

I avoid bad reviews but boy, this was a disappointment. I expected a more sophisticated meal, with a bit more creativity in the dishes. But I got what I got... and it was mid. I ordered four tacos, and that was my first mistake. While they're hefty (pricing is actually quite fair at the restaurant), none of the tacos stood out as anything other than "lots of fillings." And the problem is that the taco shells started to deteriorate. I had to eat several tacos with a fork because the shell just couldn't last the five minutes it needed to. The filings themselves were adequate, but I don't go out to restaurants to eat what I can make at home - and there was nothing too difficult about a single dish here. The churros were again very fairly priced, but again, disappointing. It's hard to make gluten-free/dairy-free work well, and I appreciate the attempt to accommodate as many dietary restrictions as possible. But I was bored with dessert. The restaurant tries really hard - ambience, service, location - it's all great. But the food is just average. And you'd want something more.

Beautiful indoor and outdoor court yard and overall space .. offering gourmet Latin cuisine and savage cocktails. To sum it up: definitely and must try .. and likely a spot you'll circulate back to whenever in Carmel. Very dog friendly and just.. well, friendly! The host and all waitstaff were exceptionally accommodating and passionate about the menu. The vibes here will add to an overall great weekend for you!

This was one of the amazing Mexican restaurants around Carmel by the sea area, it looked so upscale and classy for a perfect date or celebration. Ensure you have reservations or be ready to wait 30-60 mins. There is definitely issues with the parking so make sure you park on the side. If you like mezcal, there are amazing cocktails and also plenty of tequila options. Everything in the kitchen is made fresh, their corn tortillas are so soft and delicious, there are plenty of fresh caught seafood options. This is a must visit Mexican restaurant around this area. The less wait time would've got them 5 stars for sure.

Nice cozy, romantic restaurant serving oaxacan cuisine in Carmel by the sea. We started with mango ceviche which tasted more like mango salsa. It was ok. Barbacoa and carnitas tacos were amazing! Black bean taco lacked flavor, I wouldn't repeat. Service was efficient and friendly. I loved the warm hot chocolate that the chef sent for us. Oat milk flan was amazing, super light and flavorful.

Everything we had was excellent! I'd highly recommend the halibut ceviche and the pork mole. Also, I would be happy to die in a bed of their churros and the oat milk Mexican hot chocolate they served. Minus one star because although the tortillas are fresh, they completely fall apart. Nobody at my table was able to use them, but that happens sometimes with corn tortillas! Our server was incredibly nice as well and kept the drinks coming.

On a must eat list I saw, so I made reservations! Glad I did too. Excellent Mexican food, drinks and great service. The place was packed when we walked in so glad we had reservations! Very dark inside! Nice hustle bustle vibe. Seated in a nice booth , we walked past the bar on the way to our seats and it looked great too. We ordered blood orange margaritas and chips and salsa to start, loved the margarita! So fresh and I loved the salted rim. Also get the carafe ! It's a better deal than just a glass especially if your getting the same as someone else. Great drink choice! The chips were nice and big and crunchy, the salsa was also fabulously fresh and slightly spicy. My friend and I both shared the sides of cilantro rice and black beans and we got two tacos each. I got one chicken tinga and one smoked mushroom. She got both chicken tinga. I loved the mushroom one, super tasty, flavorful and packed full in the taco. With onions and lettuce and salsa on top. The chicken, also nicely marinated with salsa verde on top. Juicy chicken, two tacos was the perfect amount. Loved the sides as well. Really enjoyed our time here and they checked in on us regularly....too full for dessert, but they bought us a little sample of spiked hot chocolate to try. Which was nice and boozy! Oaxaca hot chocolate with mezcal, orange brandy and anchos Reyes. Nice little finish to our dinner. Definitely see why it's on the list to try. Cultura was definitely a good time!

One of the best restaurants in Carmel. We love the food, the atmosphere, the team, and service is outstanding. Authentic food, great experience! Do

Great ambiance and good service. I personally did not find the food as flavorful as I had anticipated sadly.

thoroughly disappointed for sure. sadly, i did not enjoy my food much at all. let's jus say this is "carmel mexican food" as some locals told us - super inauthentic and can't even say its a modern twist either. food jus mostly didnt taste good and that's the best way to put it. guacamole is super sour - not that fresh bc it's already premade according to the waiter - so who knows how long its been sitting there, considering they prolly keep adding lime halibut ceviche - am i even eating fish? again suppppper sour. one of the worst ceviche i've tasted. queso fundido - errrh jus cheddar and feels very one dimensional - the bell peppers are added to it but i think it'd be better chopped to smaller pieces steak - only yummy item, it's actually tender, only that the sauce is a bit too salty - the sides are subpar however. tlayuda - imo prolly best item there. the cassava holds it up pretty well and flavor is decent - we got it with chicken - this is contributes to my stars drinks were mediocre as well - i order mezcalrita but barely taste any mezcal so that was a bummer. my friend ordered oaxacan - it tasted like an old fashion we ordered churro but they ran out so they brought us the oak milk flan with a candle since it was my bday - the lady who brought it to as much better than our waiter who is quite clueless and couldn't answer my questions about the food correctly esp the sourness of the guacamole and ceviche. sorry to the establishment that my review seems brutal but i was reallllllllly not liking most of my food - i haven't come across a restaurant this bad with a 4+ review sigh

This was certainly a bit of a hidden gem. When I think Mexican food I automatically expect to see colorful deco. This place had more of an Irish Pub dimmed lighting type of vibe on the bar side. The other side for seating had beautiful and quite elegant cultural paintings. For starters our waiter was awesome. He was accommodating and gave us a bit of history on Oaxaca's culture, food, and drinks. The start off was with a queso fundido and a side of fresh hand made corn tortillas and fresh tortilla chips. The cheese was creamy and the flavor was amazing. It had slices of either bell peppers or some sort of chile. Nonetheless it gave the queso fundido a bit of texture. Whether you wanted to pair it with the tortillas or chips... you can't go wrong with this appetizer. We had the 3 tacos with cilantro rice and black beans. Tacos were chicken tinga, which had a little kick to it. Beef Barbacoa was the favorite! The meat was juicy and the spices in it were all mouth watering. Lastly the carnitas taco was also good, but not too impressed with the flavor. We also ordered the Grilled New York Steak made medium rare. The meat was tender and exquisitely juicy. Perfection! They pair it was pickled carrots and cauliflower, grilled pinions, and black beans. I never finish a meal... I finished this one! For drinks we had Letters to Oaxaca Mezcal and modelo beer. The mezcal refresher was exactly that... a refresher. It was garnished with an edible dried rose bud wish gave it an elegant look. The combination or rosé with mezcal was unexpectedly delicious. Diffuses a bit of the Smokey taste, but in a good way. Another great place to dine in Carmel!

This restaurant is a MUST visit in Carmel if you're looking for the best tacos you've ever tasted in your life (our favorite was the Beef Barbacoa) If a dinner place is only open for 3hr 45min each day, you KNOW the ingredients are the freshest around and it's worth paying top dollar. The service is very welcoming and quick, ambiance is cozy and warm with the outside heaters and fireplace, and the overall experience is unforgettable!

The Server was great. He went over in detail each item we ordered, he made great recommendations including the mezcal flight with worm salt and grilled crickets! The steak was delicious and the ambiance was great. Will be coming back next time we are in town. Must try!

Service was excellent!!! Ambiance was ok. Food did not meet up to all the hype that was shared in reviews. Kind of bland except for the Vegan bowl. It was delicious. Hot Mexican chocolate drink at the end was a nice treat. Overall not worth the money spent.

The food was ok but nothing spectacular. Food portions were small. Oat milk hot chocolate was good but cost $9.

Cultura - I thought you were pretty good. The food was not too spicy, but flavorful. Chips and salsa were really wonderful and I loved the trout dinner. It was everything I wanted. Service was a teeny bit clunky, maybe because we were the only people out on the patio?? But I'd try you again on another visit to Carmel. I love that you're dog friendly too!

Always a wonderful meal, excellent service and creative, delicious food. Good for vegetarians too!

TLDR: drinks, appetizers, and service were solid! Entrees were a miss, unfortunately. We came here on a Friday night before the NYE holiday weekend. We had reservations at 7 and they were turning away walk-ins as they were booked except for the bar. We were seated promptly and ordered the chips with all three dips (two salsas and guacamole). The dips were delicious and we had plenty of chips, and they even offered to get us more chips when we were running low. We also ordered a zucchini appetizer that was different but tasty. We ordered a couple cocktails and they were nicely presented, tasty, and beautiful. Now for the entrees. My partner ordered the yellow mole and unfortunately the chicken was quite dry so it was very tough, and there was frankly not enough mole to help. He swapped his dish for a couple tacos and I had ordered the taco plate myself. I got the chicken tinga, barbacoa, and carnitas tacos. I didn't enjoy any, unfortunately. There was lots of meat in the tacos but they didn't have much flavor and were pretty watery. Our waiter was kind to us and the service was pretty attentive, but the entrees left us feeling a bit meh about the meal.

Food was good although a bit spicy for my liking! I got the tres tacos with chicken, and would probably suggest just sticking to ordering individual tacos- ends up being about $11 extra for a small side of rice and beans so not super worth it. Service was great and so was the outdoor ambiance

Service was lackluster. Food was good, not great. We were on a business trip, hoping for a weeknight dinner to relax. Felt we were a bother to them dining there.

I made a reservation for this place and was super excited to take my wife here! There were 2 stand out items and the rest disappointed us. As I always say, take my review with a grain of salt -- I try to be honest and realistic. I also am not a picky eater and like most things. Ambience: very nice and cool - hip and relaxed. No need to wear anything formal or even business casual. It's one of those dimly lit restaurants that invoke a cozy feel. Service: our server was cool. Not the best service I've ever had but also not the worst. Food comes out at a pretty decent pace - what you'd expect from any restaurant. Food: We got the chips and all three dips (a green salsa, a red salsa, and guacamole)- this was stellar. The salsas were SO good. The guacamole had a kick to it, the green salsa was spicy and garlicky and sour YUM! Red salsa has a real tomato taste .. which is my fav. -we both got the tres tacos plate and it was just okay.. chicken tinga taco was watery and the chipotle seasoning and sauce was not there for me. Maybe I just didn't know what to expect and perhaps it is customary for Oaxacan cuisine - this is why I say take my review with a grain of salt. The Tinga I've had at other places has been saucy and seasoned well. Barbacoa was okay.. bland as well The plantain taco was def the star - cooked right with some bite and the chipotle crema had a kick that complemented it well. Definitely so delicious and the best part. We got the churros and chocolate sauce for dessert and it was not good at all. AGAIN I'm not sure if maybe I just don't understand the cuisine style. There was barely any cinnamon sugar seasoning and the churros were mushy and underdone on the inside. I wouldn't come back... but maybe we got the wrong stuff?

The location of the restaurant can be a bit tricky located in downtown Carmel in small shopping center. Once you walk in the place has a outstanding wooden design. Pictures and drawings about the Mexican culture. This restaurant is based out of Oaxaca, Mexico. I ordered green enchiladas which were good, I give them a 8/10. My partner order the chile Reno, which was a 7.5. We wanted to try the capulinas (grasshoppers) they were salty and crunchy haha. The service was great, are waiter was very informative on the different food options we had, alcohol, the history behind the restaurant and treated us to some hot chocolate! My only issue was the portions and price. But other than that it's a great spot to visit !

The food was poor. The queso was watery and had very little cheese. The enchiladas had no seasoning and did not come with any sides. A total rip off for $28. There are far better places in Carmel.

We love traditional Mexican themed foods and it's nice to find a genuine upscale restaurant offering that. They also offer plant based meals too that are delicious filling and blended unapologetically into their menu (not like vegan food requires a separate menu or special orders). Service and atmosphere is very nice too, the decor is dark and woodsy, feels warm on a cool evening, also a little unique. You can dress up and fit right in or be casual. This is our first choice for a fine dining out experience that won't break the bank.

We met one of the owners, Sarah, at a wine-makers dinner in Monterey and naturally the talk turned to wine and spirits. She mentioned Cultura and since we didn't have dinner plans for the following night, we made a reservation. I loved the location, a little off the beaten path, at the end of a courtyard. There were outside tables, but the weather wasn't good for al fresco dining so we went inside. The bar is beautiful. So warm and inviting. I loved the dining room and it's heavy wood and metal furnishings. Sarah was there to great us and treated us like old friends. Our server Antonio was wonderful. The service was attentive without being hovering or pushy. He clearly knew both the bar menu and the food menu and was able to answer all our questions. Hubby went with a house margarita, it was lovely, not oversweet, the taste of the tequila shining through. I tried one of their low alcohol mocktails made with strawberry kombucha. Very refreshing. We started with a combination appetizer. The guacamole was next level, so fatty and lush. I loved the oversized chips, obviously made in house. The roasted tomato salsa had the prefect levels of heat and smoke. I could have sat in their bar and eaten the spicy peanuts all night. My hubby tried the toasted grasshoppers (I just wasn't feeling adventurous that night) and pronounced them delicious, nutty, with some interesting earthy flavors. For dinner we both ordered the pork mole. This was SO good. The pork cheeks were braised to perfection, and succulent. The mole was dark, gently spicy, and complex. The homemade tortillas were the perfect compliment. Sarah dropped by the table and described a strawberry and corn cake desert that we decided we just had to share. It came with a little mug of hot chocolate. The cake had an interesting texture like a boiled pudding and was dense (in a good way) and not too sweet. Strawberries and whipped cream were the perfect topping. At this point I really was sorry I agreed to share. The hot chocolate was amazing, I could have skipped coffee and ordered an entire mug. I was surprised to learn that the desert and hot chocolate were both vegan. Wow. Complements to the chef for his care in designing amazing vegan food. We had an absolutely lovely evening under the care of Antonio and the Marcy's.

Great Oaxacan food in Carmel! Started out with chips, salsa and guacamole. They were good, there was a hint of spice in I think the guac that added a nice heat. For our mains, I can't remember the name of my mom's dish but it was basically a tostada with beans, meat, avocado and tomatoes. It was really good! The carnitas she got on there were a little salty, but it was really good. We ate it like a pizza. I got a mole which was INCREDIBLE. I really can't say much more other than, you absolutely need to get this if you're a mole person. It wasn't too chocolatey which I feel like some moles are, this was so good. My dad got the enchiladas which were good, but my moles was better (in my opinion). Churros were a big portion and they were crunchy on the outside, light and flaky on inside. Service was great. The restaurant was fairly big, and there's some outside seating too with heaters. I will definitely be coming back here next time I'm in the area.

Food was good-I had the trout. It was perfectly cooked along with roasted vegetables. Very tasty. We sat inside near the bar, it had a nice, lively ambiance.

We tried Cultura as a random pick without reservations, and hoped it would satisfy our craving for Mexican food. It did not disappoint! This is gourmet Mexican and we enjoyed every bite. The margarita was a bit plain but refreshing. The chili relleno was quite unique and nicely done. It was fried, but the chili pepper was fresh with great flavor. The toppings were a delicious addition including some sauces, arugula and pepjtas. We also enjoyed the special flan which has sweetened oatmeal, nuts and raisins. Service was attentive and the atmosphere was hip

Loved all we tried. Service was great. The atmosphere was moody, clean, and welcoming.

This place was an amazing experience! The food was not only soo delicious but very well thought out and great seasoning. The drinks were amazing and the ssrvice was 10/10. Our server was great! The ambiance was truly stunning and made me a regular dine in guest now.

Everything about this place is spot on. We loved the server's recommendations, and the food was made with care and top quality ingredients. Just PHENOMENAL. We will definitely be back to this trendy restaurant.

A lovely, romantic atmosphere with a nice interior and even cuter outdoor seating. Even though we came at prime dinner time on a Saturday, we got seated right away! The waiters were pretty attentive despite the crowd, too. First thing we noticed was that their menu had many gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan items. Some were also marked dairy free too. It's clear they're a very conscious restaurant when it comes to those food preferences which is a plus. We started off with their horchata which was pretty good. We then ordered chapulines (grasshopper) to try something new. It came with many little crunchy critters, but given that I'm not the biggest insect-fanatic, I wouldn't get them again. The flavor was strong and spicy in a way that I didn't prefer. Next we got the popular cultura pork mole. The tortillas were nicely textured and the mole was super flavorful. While it was decently good, I did get a bit tired of it about half way through. I definitely liked the last dish we got best: the plato de tres tacos. We tried the beef barbacoa, chicken tinga, and smoked mushroom. The barbacoa came with SO much meat! While it was dense, the flavor was delicious and pulled apart so well. The chicken was probably the best chicken taco I've had because it was so well seasoned and moist. The smoked mushroom, though. Wow. Incredible. I was amazed at how good mushrooms could taste in taco form. It was so good that we almost ordered another of just the mushroom. Definitely try this one!! At the end of our meal, they also gave us complimentary hot chocolate that was super good. I enjoyed eating here, but I think I'd have to try more of the food to give it a full 5 star rating. 4/5

I really hate to write a bad review, particularly when I see everyone in the place trying to please me, and trying so hard to make the place stand out as something special. But alas I feel compelled, so here we go: AMBIANCE: Naming a Mexican Restaurant "CULTURA" in upscale Carmel upscale Carmel has to squeeze some juices in your brain; it caused me to conjure visions of Pompei and Machu Pichu. In a place like Carmel, extreme elegance would be the expected theme, but although well appointed, the major theme was DARKNESS (we dined at 8PM). THE PLACE WAS TOO DAMN DARK! I knew things were BAD when I couldn't read the menu without the aid of my pocket flashlight. Then, of course, there was the meal - no real pleasure in eating a plate of food that you can't see. And of course, when they handed me the bill, I couldn't read it without my handy dandy pocket flashlight. The message: DARKNESS DOES NOT BESTOW ELEGANCE!! It's a pain in the ass! SERVICE: excellent! But carried a but too far, almost to the point of obsequiousness. FOOD: once again, that fascinating name "CULTURA" somehow raises hopes of 'Haute Cuisine'. I don't that it exists for Mexican food outside of Mexico City. Certainly did not find it in this place. Goat cheese in the Chile Relleno simply didn't work - the cheese was simply too mushy. And then there were the agua frescas. Only 3 were offered: Horchata, Tamarindo, and Guava con Lima. Nothing special, but it was $8 for a small 8 oz glass, filled mostly with ice. Nothing at all like those big tall DELICIOUS glasses you get at your neighborhood taceria. My wife had the Mushroom in Mole. Edible, but I wouldn't give it more than a C+. Even the guacamole was very average (B-). And the chips came unsalted (healthy, but tasteless); you'd think that at least they would put a salt shaker on the table? Please note that this review was severely limited (and may therefore be markedly inaccurate): It was a single visit with only 2 meals consumed (mine and my wife's). On the bright side? Kudos for offering such a variety of interesting looking and inviting vegetarian & vegan dishes!

My favorite place in the whole universe I love it here the bar selection is impeccable amazing there tequila and mezcal selection is unmatched There food is flavorful great spices barbacoa tacos are amazing. There guacamole and chips are always on point one of the best customer service I have ever experienced in a restaurant Bar staff are always the best attentive great recommendation

Excellent food, location, service and atmosphere! Always a pleasure... Highly recommended for dinner or weekend brunch in Carmel!