
Cultura Comida y Bebida
An upscale bistro offering authentic Oaxacan cuisine, adventurous snacks like chapulines, and an extensive mezcal collection in an elegant setting.

Highlights
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Cultura Comida y Bebida

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An upscale bistro offering authentic Oaxacan cuisine, adventurous snacks like chapulines, and an extensive mezcal collection in an elegant setting.
"This is real Mexican food and real Mezcal."
Don't Miss the Mole!
The mole sauce is highly recommended and considered one of the best.
Spice Level Control
Most dishes are mild; request hot sauce on the side for extra heat.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mexican
Price
$$$
Phone
(831) 250-7005
Address
Dolores Street, between 5th ave. & 6th ave Su Vecino Courtyard, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA
Website
culturacarmel.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Oaxacan Flavors
Savor the true taste of Southern Mexico with dishes like mole, chapulines, and authentic tacos. Experience Oaxacan culture.

Exceptional Mezcal Selection
Explore one of California's largest collections of rare Oaxacan mezcals. Perfect for tequila and mezcal enthusiasts.

Adventurous Snacks & Unique Desserts
Dare to try the famed chapulines (grasshoppers) or indulge in unique vegan flan and churros with chocolate fondue.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Don't Miss the Mole!
The mole sauce is highly recommended and considered one of the best.
Spice Level Control
Most dishes are mild; request hot sauce on the side for extra heat.
Taco Topping Tip
Consider extra tortillas for tacos to manage excess oil and meat.
Mezcal & Tequila Heaven
Explore the diverse and impressive selection of mezcal and tequila.
Tips
from all over the internet
Don't Miss the Mole!
The mole sauce is highly recommended and considered one of the best.
Spice Level Control
Most dishes are mild; request hot sauce on the side for extra heat.
Taco Topping Tip
Consider extra tortillas for tacos to manage excess oil and meat.
Mezcal & Tequila Heaven
Explore the diverse and impressive selection of mezcal and tequila.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Cultura Comida y Bebida is lauded for its authentic Oaxacan cuisine, featuring standout dishes like mole and chapulines. Diners praise the extensive mezcal and tequila selection and the cozy ambiance, particularly the option to dine outdoors. While the food is generally exceptional, some reviews note potential inconsistency in drinks.
"From the moment we walked in, this restaurant felt like a genuine slice of Mexico. The staff were incredibly friendly and made our dining experience truly enjoyable by helping us choose a wonderful combination of dishes to share. The salsa was a definite highlight – one of the best I've ever tasted. And the carnitas with pineapple and habanero? Simply divine. Finally, tequila lovers will be impressed by their diverse selection."
Claes Sandahl
"Love this place. The churros are great and they make some of the best mezcal drinks. The hot chocolate is also a must! Drinks can be a little inconsistent, but usually very good. Also nice that you can sit outside."
Lisa Stone
"Well this is my 2nd Michelin rated restaurant and it was absolutely delicious. First of all the food menu is very nice with me being from the Southwest and spending time by the Mexico Border. The mezcal and tequila menu left me feeling extremely content but sad that I could not possibly ever try them all. I selected a still strength Fortaleza and boy let me tell you. I am now officially a fan of Blanco Tequila!! Well Still strength at least. The Chapolines……hahahaha when I see something like this in a menu I have to try it. I got my entire table to eat them……the chile lime flavor from a grasshopper is pretty unique and a memorable Moment I will have forever. My wife and I were merely in the area only for one evening and we walked into a slice of Home away from home and Heaven at the same time. The service was perfect…..duh they have the Michelin sign out front;) the atmosphere was perfect. If I am ever in the area again I will most definitely be going back to try more tequilas……one shot at a time, save the salt for someone else ;) oh and the chocolate drink at the night for night cap was absolutely delicious and reminded me of hot coco that my grandmother would make for me."
Ernest Lopez
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Signature dishes include authentic Oaxacan mole, chapulines (toasted grasshoppers), and a variety of tacos. Don't miss the vegan flan and churros for dessert.
Yes, the restaurant offers a diverse menu with many vegetarian and vegan options, including vegan tacos and vegan flan.
Cultura boasts one of the largest collections of traditional Mezcal in California and offers expertly crafted cocktails, including popular margaritas.
The restaurant has a cozy and elegant ambiance, described as dimly lit and suitable for groups. Outdoor seating around fire pits is also available and highly recommended.
While not explicitly stated, given its popularity and upscale nature, reservations are generally recommended, especially for group meals or during peak times.
The chapulines are typically seasoned with chile and lime, offering a unique flavor. For spicy dishes, it's advised to request hot sauce on the side.
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Savor elevated Mexican cuisine and superior mezcals at Cultura Comida y Bebida, a cozy restaurant and bar from three Post Ranch Inn vets. You needn’t be Andrew Zimmerman to enjoy a delicious basket of spicy chapulines (grasshoppers), the perfect snack for sampling the noteworthy collection of rare mezcals. Follow it with enchiladas, steak tacos, and the excellent Cultura vegan bowl in the dimly-lit dining room or outdoors around warming fire pits.
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Start with some toasted chapulines, and any mezcal-based cocktail (they have one of the largest collections of the smoky spirit in California). Then, move on to bigger options like the pork cheek mole and enchiladas with salsa verde. The ambiance is upscale and lively, so it works equally well for a date as it does for a night out with friends.
1 … Best Steakhouse Restaurants near Pebble Beach, Del … Stillwater Bar & Grill Pebble Beach Resorts WebBest Mexican in Pebble Beach, Del Monte Forest, CA - Hay's Place, Cultura, Michael's Grill & Taqueria, Sur at The Barnyard, El Cantaro, Aquino’s Birrieria, La Bahia Mexican American Restaurant, Peppers Mexicali Cafe, Los Amigos, Big Sur Taco WebNov 28, 2016 · Pebble Beach Resorts is home to over a dozen restaurants and venues, in addition to many private dining and banquet facilities. When it comes to satisfying even the most discerning culinary … another word for exchange services Pebble Beach MICHELIN Restaurants - the MICHELIN Guide USA WebChart House is a fine dining restaurant serving seafood & steak and famous for their spectacular views. For more than 50 years, Chart House has redefined the ideal dining … another word for exchange money WebMonterey County Pebble Beach Pebble Beach Restaurants Restaurants in Pebble Beach View map Sort by: Highest Rating We found great results, but some are outside Pebble Beach.
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Carmel’s Cultura comida y bebida has opened a mercantile selling curated selections from Oaxacan artisans, while la Balena offers Italian pantry selections for purchase. Gabe Georis (owner of Pescadero and Barmel) and Brandon Miller (previously executive chef for the now-shuttered il Grillo) went all in with the launch of a new subscription service—The Chef’s Stash—earlier this year to provide home cooks with curated grocery boxes featuring the same quality products chefs use in their restaurants.
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Lauded as Carmel-by-the-Sea’s best Mexican restaurant, Cultura Comida y Bebida brings the soul of Oaxaca to this charming oceanside town. Many of the ingredients used across both the cocktails and culinary creations hail from family-owned businesses and farms in Oaxaca, maintaining a connection to the restaurant's roots. The moody space features red accents, stained glass decor and a cozy tiled fireplace, setting the backdrop for a mezcal flight or beef barbacoa tacos on homemade masa tortillas.
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Michelle Estigoy from Carmel’s Cultura Comida y Bebida represented the local culinary crew with a spicy tamarind Wagyu asada taco, plus all the traditional fixin’s like chapulines (crispy crickets), ants, sal de gusano (worm salt), and spicy housemade salsas. And chef Tyler Malek from Salt & Straw provided a sweet finish with his take on “Choco Tacos” with cauliflower and green fennel ice cream in a waffle taco shell covered with white chocolate and meticulously adorned with flower petals.
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A few other standouts include Cultura Comida y Bebida, where Oaxacan dishes like smoked pork mole and chapulines (toasted grasshoppers seasoned with lime and salt) are best paired with one of 39 mezcals, and La Bicyclette, where the vibe is pure French bistro. Early June is a particularly good time to experience it all, as it brings the weeklong Carmel-by-the-Sea Culinary Week, which offers tasting events, curated menus, and special offers at more than 30 participating restaurants.
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22 Cultura Comida y Bebida: It is technically a restaurant — with everything from $5 chapulines (or fried grasshoppers) to $150 Siberian caviar and a deliciously esoteric wine list. But the identity is more mezcal-driven than anything else, with rare Oaxacan spirits and drinks like the Despiertate ( “Wake Up”) with mezcal, brandy, Acme Coffee cold brew, spicy mole sugar and cream. 5 p.m.-midnight Monday-Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-after midnight, closed Wednesday.
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Cultura Comida Y Bebida's bar specializes in seasonal cocktails and features one of the state's largest collections of traditional Mezcal in the state. Romantic lighting, dark woods, and green velvet cultivate a cozy atmosphere perfect for an intimate date night or catching up with friends over a drink. The menu is shaped by the culinary culture of Oaxaca, Mexico, with specialties like mole, enchiladas, and tacos serving as pillars of each meal.
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With our major love for Mexico, it’s no surprise that we always search for quality Mexican food wherever we travel in California. For legit food focused on the Mexican state of Oaxaca (where mole and mezcal reign), head to Cultura Comida Y Bebida. The menu includes street taco hits like Chicken Tinga, carnitas, barbacoa, and Oaxacan staples like mole, chapulines (toasted grasshoppers), and Oaxaca cantina-style peanuts.
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If you are in the mood for some Mexican food, we have the place for you. Cultura Comida y Bebida is a Oaxacan-inspired restaurant that, like most places in Monterey County, sources much of its food from locals, but takes it one step further. Some of Cultura’s many mezcals are sourced directly from small producers in Oaxaca and are served complete with grasshoppers (as is the tradition in Oaxaca), orange slices, and worm salt.
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Cultura stands out among the Mexican restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea for its sophistication, beauty, ambience, and masterful cooking. This love-filled ode to the culture and flavors of Oaxaca transports diners on an incredible culinary journey. Moles are one of the hallmarks of Oaxacan cuisine, and Chef Michelle Estigoy’s Pork Mole is a showstopper, and the tacos and enchiladas are all delectable as well.
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Lively modern Mexican restaurant, mezcalería, and agave bar Cultura will make you feel welcome with Oaxacan-inspired design and outdoor fire pits. Since its tempting to taste from the extensive list of cocktails and mezcals, soak it up with street tacos, chapulines with chili and lime, and rich entrees such as smoked pork cheeks in housemade mole. // Dolores St. & 5th St., culturacarmel.com
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Il Tegamino is recommended for Italian comfort food and pasta in a hidden courtyard along with Flaherty’s Seafood Grill and Cultura Comida y Bebida for Mexican specialities from Oaxaca. Aubergine at the L’Auberge Carmel is a lovely fine dining spot. In 2016 and 2015 they were nominated for a James Beard Foundation award including Best Chef, West and Outstanding Service.
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Carmel’s dining scene typically revolves around seafood and European fare. Cultura, however, brings the vibrant flavors of Mexico to the table, drawing inspiration from the culinary traditions of Oaxaca. You’ll find traditional street tacos, but also unexpected treasures like tres leches French toast topped with fresh berries, anise whipped cream, and maple syrup.
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Between the cool and artsy atmosphere and the Oaxacan-inspired menu, Cultura Comida y Bebida is hands down one of the best restaurants in Carmel you can’t miss. Every time I’ve stopped by here, it’s always packed, which speaks volumes. They have both indoor and outdoor seating depending on the vibe you are going for, but you can’t go wrong with either.
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For incredible Oaxacan cuisine and mezcal cocktails, Cultura Comida y Bebida is a can’t-miss dinner spot. Their dimly lit industrial space provides a hip setting to enjoy favorites like tlayudas loaded with Oaxacan cheese, complex mole negro with chicken, and crispy grasshoppers. Psst– Ciultura is also recocnized by the Michelin Guide .
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Cultura comida y bebida - After seafood, Mexican is a very close second on my list of favorite foods + this spot did not disappoint. Amazing margarita selection that can be ordered by the carafe (because who wants just one!?) and delicious tacos. The service was a bit slow, but it was well worth the wait!
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Start with Cultura, where you can cozy up all year on the outdoor patio with fire pits and heated seats. This popular bar and restaurant is known for its authentic Mexican fare, from the tame (street tacos) to the innovative (toasted grasshoppers, anyone?). Grab a draft beer for $5 or a margarita for $8.
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This vibrant restaurant celebrates the culinary traditions of Spain and Latin America. Indulge in tapas, paella, and an extensive selection of Latin American wines and cocktails. Cultura Comida y Bebida offers a lively atmosphere and a unique dining experience in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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You guys – make us a promise now that you will not leave Carmel without visiting Cultura!. This unreal restaurant serves Mexican (specifically Oaxacan) cuisine. On weekdays they open at 5:30PM, so this is definitely a dinner spot, but they do have brunch on the weekends.
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Cultura Comida y Bebida focuses on the cuisine of Oaxaca, Mexico, while capitalizing on the bounty of ingredients available on California’s Central Coast. Both indoor and outdoor dining are offered. We suggest starting with the street tacos, for their burst of flavors.
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We were craving something sweet but torn between having dessert at La Bicyclette or having churros at Cultura, both highly recommended. It ended up, Cultura was the perfect warm and cozy end to our evening. If only we left room to try their street tacos.
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For elevated cuisine with Oaxacan flare, Cultura serves everything from a Mezcal tasting to lovely house-made salsas. One dish to not pass on is their grilled squash and Oaxacan Farm cheese in a tortilla — the best modern version of a quesadilla.
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Cultura Comida y Bebida place is good at best but frankly unenjoyable at worst. If you only have a couple of nights to enjoy Carmel-by-the-Sea, there are other amazing options (like the two above) that will leave you much happier.
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If you can’t pronounce it don’t worry; just know that Cultura Comida y Bebida (Delores, between 5th & 6th) has Taco Tuesdays ($3 tacos, $5 beer, $8 margaritas) and half-off wine bottles on Wednesdays.
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I decided to make a reservation at Cultura – as Colin’s friend had recommended in personally, and the reviews just seemed great (not to mention I was craving a marg after all that exercise!)
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Despite being a small town, Carmel notably has several Michelin-rated restaurants, including Seventh & Dolores, an upscale steakhouse, and Cultura, a Mexican eatery.
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Cultura comida y bebida specializes in fresh coastal cuisine inspired by the flavors of Oaxaca, Mexico. If you’re feeling adventurous, taste the Chapulines:
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Casual dining with modern Mexican flair and creative cocktails. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Cultura – comida y bebida (@culturacarmel)
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At Cultura Comida y Bebida, traditional Oaxacan cuisine takes center stage, with dishes that celebrate the profound cultural heritage of the region.
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Cultura serves fresh and colorful flavors inspired by Oaxaca. They boast a full bar and serve traditional mezcal among other unique cocktails.
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