Sierra Mar

This last visit, I went with my parents and a neighbor of theirs who just lost her husband. We met on a weekend for brunch. The ocean views from the dining room are as much of the meal as the food. Eggs Benedict had a silky hollandaise and fresh herbs. It was peaceful and pretty, but I kind of wished the portions were heartier for the price.

TO DIE FOR One of the best meals my bf and I have shared — and we have shared some incredible meals! What a treat. Everything top notch from beginning to end. Highly recommend for foodies. And the 180 degree cliffside ocean view didn’t hurt 😆

Jeff Tomasich

Best lunch in Big Sur. Excellent food and incredible service. A truly magical experience at Sierra Mar. If you are in Big Sur, you have to stop here. The views are unmatched, but the food actually lives up to the scenery. The Highlights: The Food: We had the burger and the steak—both were 10/10. The presentation is beautiful. The Service: Ask for Roman! He provided top-tier service and made the lunch feel super special. The Drink: Do the wine pairing. It matched perfectly with the courses. For a high-end location, the lunch felt reasonably priced given the quality and the atmosphere. It’s rare to find a place that nails the view, the food, and the service all at once. We will definitely be back.

Shyla Robinson

We normally make Nepenthe our go-to when we’re in town, but after a friend’s recommendation we decided to try this hidden gem for lunch. We were lucky enough to snag a last-minute reservation and couldn’t have been happier. The views were breathtaking, the service was exceptional, and the experience was unforgettable. We will absolutely be back!

H NH

Wow! What a meal! And the view of the sunset was equal to the delicious food. The service throughout the meal was top level. My husband started with some sort of squash salad followed by a King Salmon. Both were amazing. I got the tasting menu which did not disappoint. Each small, beautiful bite was bursting with unique flavor. The abalone ssam was uniquely extraordinary. I highly recommend for a special evening.

Jacob Marshall

This is one of my all time favorite restaurants on planet earth. There is nothing like it. The combination of quality service and culinary wizardry, set in a God-tier cinematic location is beyond comparison.

H D

The view at Sierra Mar was awesome and we went on a cloudy day. It would have been that much more amazing on a sunny day. We saw some condors flying around during our lunch. The staff were very attentive. If you’re in the Big Sur area, be sure to stop by. The signs to the parking are weren’t great but maybe it was partially because we were running late. Be warned there is essentially no cell service so plan accordingly.

Ivonne Macias Brady

This place has an unbelievable view and incredible food options. This was a pretty special dining experience.

Avery Johnson

This last visit, I went with my parents and a neighbor of theirs who just lost her husband. We met on a weekend for brunch. The ocean views from the dining room are as much of the meal as the food. Eggs Benedict had a silky hollandaise and fresh herbs. It was peaceful and pretty, but I kind of wished the portions were heartier for the price.

Ross Bennett

The food was amazing, especially loved the sea food course we had, the vibes were impeccable and the service was amazing thanks to Hector, we mentioned a item from the seafood course we liked then he brought us out an extra later on the meal

Jags Krishnamurthy

An exceptional place to celebrate with a chef tasting menu that is inventive especially for vegetarians. Their initial platter of greens salad and pita bread with zaalouk were super refreshing. Then we had a nice and flavorful gazpacho. The vegan burgers served with roasted asparagus and potatoes along with lion's mane mushrooms roast were super good. Go here very hungry or you will have to carry some food back. It took a solid 2-3 hours for our lunch. The service is super attentive and caring. Especially with our dietary restrictions. Oh I didn't mention the place and the views. From the time you leave the car, the visual treat you're in for as you walk to the restaurant is incredible. Our seating by the window looked out to the ocean with beautiful vistas you'll never forget. There is also outside seating but the weather here can be moody even on a perfect sunny day. This place is an expensive experience but totally worth it.

N T

I have so many good things to say about this place, and not only the restaurant but also the hotel and their staff, even though we weren’t staying there. We had an amazing lunch on the patio. It was a little foggy but kind of cool in its own right as it felt like we were dining in the clouds. The food and service was excellent. However I want to highlight a couple of other amazing things that the staff did too. Often we only remember to review places when we have bad experiences so I want to make sure the staff and administration at the Post Ranch Inn know how appreciative we are of you. First off, upon finishing our lunch and getting our car back from the valet, we realized we incurred a flat tire on our drive through Big Sur. Instead of having us wait hours for the tow truck to get up there, the valet staff wasted NO time in changing our tire for us so that we could drive the car to the rental place to switch our rental car. However it doesn’t end there. Upon getting back to Carmel, I realized I had forgotten my bag with my passport at the restaurant. The staff were so accommodating and attentive to make sure they kept it safe overnight so we could safely drive up the next morning. Upon coming back, the valet had the bag in their hand ready to give to me. Overall I had 2 situations that could have gone much worse if it wasn’t for the staff here. If you’re thinking of coming here to stay or even just for lunch, do it. You won’t regret it! Thank you Post Ranch Inn and Sierra Mar staff for your help and amazing food and service. We will be back, and not just to retrieve our lost items!

Mayra Zendejas

Had an amazing experience! My husband booked us a table a couple of months in advance, and on 5/27, we finally had the pleasure of dining there. Our reservation was at 7:15 PM, but we arrived early to ensure we found the place without any issues. Fortunately, finding the restaurant was no problem at all. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted warmly and made to feel very welcome. The service exceeded our expectations—our servers were attentive, always on hand, and prepared for each course. Whenever we got up to take pictures, they kindly offered to take photos of us together, which was a thoughtful touch. The views were stunning, and no picture can truly capture their beauty. The ambiance and service were outstanding, making our evening truly memorable. Although the food was average, the overall experience was so enjoyable that we will definitely be returning. Thank you for providing such an exceptional experience!

Laura Wiencek

Delicious food and wonderful service from Hector. He had some wonderful local recommendations as well. It wasn’t busy so it had a nice calm atmosphere.

Lilly M

TO DIE FOR One of the best meals my bf and I have shared — and we have shared some incredible meals! What a treat. Everything top notch from beginning to end. Highly recommend for foodies. And the 180 degree cliffside ocean view didn’t hurt 😆

Johanna Gallo, Hollister Realtor

The most incredible restaurant I’ve ever been to! Easily best restaurants in California! The view is incredible, drinks were great, service was fast, and food is exquisite! We had a set menu which I loved because I tried food I would never pick! I loved everything we tried. It was also my birthday dinner and the menu had a “happy birthday” stamp on it. Such a sweet touch. The best time to go is about an hour till sunset so that you can enjoy your drink while you watch the sunset and have it be a bit darker for dinner but not too dark! I can’t wait to go again, such an amazing experience.

I went to Sierra Mar for Brunch and dinner while I staying at the Post Ranch Inn and it was incredible!! Dining high above the Pacific felt surreal. The views alone are unforgettable, but the experience goes far beyond that. Every dish was thoughtfully created. The service was impeccable. Everything flowed naturally, allowing us to fully take in the flavors, vibe and views. This was such a memorable experience that I absolutely cannot wait to experience again! 🤩

Dominique C

I went to Sierra Mar for Brunch and dinner while I staying at the Post Ranch Inn and it was incredible!! Dining high above the Pacific felt surreal. The views alone are unforgettable, but the experience goes far beyond that. Every dish was thoughtfully created. The service was impeccable. Everything flowed naturally, allowing us to fully take in the flavors, vibe and views. This was such a memorable experience that I absolutely cannot wait to experience again! 🤩

The views were breathtaking! The wait staff were super friendly and attentive! The drinks were excellent! The food was prepared very well, except for some overcooked steak that was ordered medium rare, but cooked well done. If you have the chance to go, I would do the dinner instead of lunch due to the limited menu. And don't forget to check the specials before you commit.

MJ J

The views were breathtaking! The wait staff were super friendly and attentive! The drinks were excellent! The food was prepared very well, except for some overcooked steak that was ordered medium rare, but cooked well done. If you have the chance to go, I would do the dinner instead of lunch due to the limited menu. And don't forget to check the specials before you commit.

We were really looking forward to dining at Sierra Mar, but the experience fell short of expectations. The restaurant is clearly designed around its spectacular view, yet in the winter months when dinner starts after sunset, that view simply isn’t part of the experience. Without it, the atmosphere feels a bit flat. There was no wine pairing offered, which was surprising for a restaurant of this level, and the service felt unenthusiastic, polite, but not particularly warm or knowledgeable about the dishes. The food itself wasn’t bad, but it lacked inspiration or excitement. I was a bit put off by one course, a small cup of hen consommé, because it felt more like a placeholder than part of a fine dining menu. We’ve been fortunate to dine at some truly exceptional restaurants around the world, and while Sierra Mar wasn’t terrible, it didn’t live up to its reputation. Overall, it was an underwhelming evening at a place that seems to rely a bit too heavily on its view. Though I’m sure it is spectacular when visible…

Nicholas Rosenfeld, MD

We were really looking forward to dining at Sierra Mar, but the experience fell short of expectations. The restaurant is clearly designed around its spectacular view, yet in the winter months when dinner starts after sunset, that view simply isn’t part of the experience. Without it, the atmosphere feels a bit flat. There was no wine pairing offered, which was surprising for a restaurant of this level, and the service felt unenthusiastic, polite, but not particularly warm or knowledgeable about the dishes. The food itself wasn’t bad, but it lacked inspiration or excitement. I was a bit put off by one course, a small cup of hen consommé, because it felt more like a placeholder than part of a fine dining menu. We’ve been fortunate to dine at some truly exceptional restaurants around the world, and while Sierra Mar wasn’t terrible, it didn’t live up to its reputation. Overall, it was an underwhelming evening at a place that seems to rely a bit too heavily on its view. Though I’m sure it is spectacular when visible…

The setting at Sierra Mar is truly spectacular: the dramatic ocean views from the cliffside perch and the elegant space make it a memorable location. The staff were friendly and made us feel welcome throughout the meal. Sadly, the food didn’t match the beauty of the surroundings. The menu felt surprisingly basic, more like standard diner-style dishes than the refined, seasonal cuisine I’d hoped for in such a special spot. Ingredients seemed lacking in quality, and the overall execution was uninspired for the price point. This was a genuine let down. The breathtaking location and good service deserve a kitchen that matches their ambition. Having traveled extensively, Sierra Mar ranks well below comparable venues (in Japan, France, Portugal, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand etc…) that successfully pair extraordinary views and/or settings with truly memorable food. After our meal at Sierra Mar we went for a stroll in what they call the “chef’s garden” which is a collection of sorry flowers and weeds. This isn’t a garden that is professionally looked after and I doubt it produces anything that can be used in the kitchen. While the views and service are outstanding and worth experiencing, I left very disappointed by the meal.

Beautiful views, which is what one is really paying for during this dinning experience. Menu is underwhelming, quality of food is sub par. Burger meat was below Costco quality, dessert so hardened (must’ve been old), felt I should be wearing hockey gear to cut it. Whilst I understand the cost of the location, etc., would have loved a reason to go back.

Niki Green

Over a decade ago I had one of the best dinners here. Things have definitely gone downhill. I brought my wife here for an anniversary lunch. The views are still stunning but man the food and service have gone downhill. We had their prix fixe with a glass of wine each. The starters were a Mediterranean salad that had way too much flavorless dressing and a garlic hummus with pickled vegetables. The pita with the hummus was greasy. For our mains we had salmon and bavette steak with roasted vegetables. They put chimichurri on the steak that was completely unnecessary. Dessert was a panna cotta that left my stomach in knots because all the dairy. We arrived at 1pm and the place was not crowded yet the service was slow. The time between courses felt a little too long. Overall the meal was completely overpriced for what was served and nothing was outstanding as one would hope for a $300 lunch. I get the cache of Post Ranch Inn but truly the food could have been much better. Sometimes simple, local ingredients just don't need the sauces and the dressings.

I visited the restaurant at Post Ranch Inn for lunch on November 15, 2025. The view should be good if it's sunny and the food was okay.Unfortunately, the way the restaurant handled payment completely ruined the experience for me. Because of a power outage, the staff said they could not use the POS terminal. Instead, they asked me to write my full name, full credit card number and CVV on the back of a receipt so they could process the charge later. I specifically asked if this was safe, and was told it was, so I reluctantly did it. After I left, I received a voicemail from the restaurant manager and messages through OpenTable saying they “still need your credit card information” and asking me to call back and leave my card details with the hostess. The wording and tone made me feel as if I had not paid or was trying to avoid paying, even though I had already written down my full card number and CVV for them. I was traveling and on a flight, so I couldn’t respond immediately, but when I landed I called back, provided the expiration date, and also expressed how uncomfortable and upset I felt about the whole situation. The manager hang up the phone immediately and didn’t even let me complete my sentence. I fully understand that the restaurant should be paid for the meal. My issue is how my card information was collected and how I was treated afterwards. Writing full card details (including CVV) on the back of a receipt and then repeatedly calling and messaging for more “credit card information” feels extremely unsafe and unprofessional, especially for a property at this level. Because of this, I cannot recommend this restaurant. ———updated after restaurant replied in google—— Thank you for your reply. I would like to clarify one important point. In your response you mention that “forms were provided” and that it was my “preference to provide [my] information on the back of [my] receipt.” This is not accurate. And I didn’t get any apologies from the restaurant during the calls. Don’t make it sound that you were sorry at that moment and you didn’t provide any other payment method and you asked me to write down the information not at my preferences. During my visit, I was only offered the back of the receipt as a way to provide my card details. No separate secure form or alternative method was shown or mentioned to me. When I specifically asked whether writing my full card number and CVV on the back of a receipt was safe, I was told that it was. Under time pressure and given no other option, I complied. In addition, the follow-up phone call was very upsetting. When I tried to explain what had happened and why I was concerned about the way my card information was handled, the tone I received was dismissive, and the call was ended while I was still speaking. Being treated this way, after I had already provided all the information requested, made me feel as if I was being blamed for a process I did not choose. My concern has always been about data security and how my card information was handled, not about paying for the meal. I appreciate the apology for the outage, but I also hope the public record reflects the facts accurately and that the restaurant will review both its payment procedures and staff communication so that guests are not asked to handwrite full card numbers and CVV on a receipt, nor made to feel at fault, in the future.

What can I say! I love the view and the average, but it could be better. Me and friend booked a table at 7:45pm for a dinner and we came early around 7:10pm. However, we had to wait until 8:30pm for my table to be ready which was 45m past my reservation. Not even an apologize from the receptionist, we were just waiting and hopelessly waiting outside and it's getting cold and colder. Finally got our table at 8:30pm and they put us in a right next to the door when people walking in and out the balcony to check the view. Feeling we were in a Zoo not a fancy restaurant lol 2.5 hours from where we live to get there, the experience was the worse than I ever had. Food came out around 9:15pm and we just wanted to finish it and drove back as soon as possible (which took me another 2.5 hours) $185/ person plus tax and tips. Food was average. Service at the table was okay If you're thinking about looking this place for a special occasion, please save your money, time and energy for better options out there. We left and barely enjoyed the dinner, both of us felt stressed after the long wait of times.

Xiaobei Wu

I visited the restaurant at Post Ranch Inn for lunch on November 15, 2025. The view should be good if it's sunny and the food was okay.Unfortunately, the way the restaurant handled payment completely ruined the experience for me. Because of a power outage, the staff said they could not use the POS terminal. Instead, they asked me to write my full name, full credit card number and CVV on the back of a receipt so they could process the charge later. I specifically asked if this was safe, and was told it was, so I reluctantly did it. After I left, I received a voicemail from the restaurant manager and messages through OpenTable saying they “still need your credit card information” and asking me to call back and leave my card details with the hostess. The wording and tone made me feel as if I had not paid or was trying to avoid paying, even though I had already written down my full card number and CVV for them. I was traveling and on a flight, so I couldn’t respond immediately, but when I landed I called back, provided the expiration date, and also expressed how uncomfortable and upset I felt about the whole situation. The manager hang up the phone immediately and didn’t even let me complete my sentence. I fully understand that the restaurant should be paid for the meal. My issue is how my card information was collected and how I was treated afterwards. Writing full card details (including CVV) on the back of a receipt and then repeatedly calling and messaging for more “credit card information” feels extremely unsafe and unprofessional, especially for a property at this level. Because of this, I cannot recommend this restaurant. ———updated after restaurant replied in google—— Thank you for your reply. I would like to clarify one important point. In your response you mention that “forms were provided” and that it was my “preference to provide [my] information on the back of [my] receipt.” This is not accurate. And I didn’t get any apologies from the restaurant during the calls. Don’t make it sound that you were sorry at that moment and you didn’t provide any other payment method and you asked me to write down the information not at my preferences. During my visit, I was only offered the back of the receipt as a way to provide my card details. No separate secure form or alternative method was shown or mentioned to me. When I specifically asked whether writing my full card number and CVV on the back of a receipt was safe, I was told that it was. Under time pressure and given no other option, I complied. In addition, the follow-up phone call was very upsetting. When I tried to explain what had happened and why I was concerned about the way my card information was handled, the tone I received was dismissive, and the call was ended while I was still speaking. Being treated this way, after I had already provided all the information requested, made me feel as if I was being blamed for a process I did not choose. My concern has always been about data security and how my card information was handled, not about paying for the meal. I appreciate the apology for the outage, but I also hope the public record reflects the facts accurately and that the restaurant will review both its payment procedures and staff communication so that guests are not asked to handwrite full card numbers and CVV on a receipt, nor made to feel at fault, in the future.

Evon Tran

What can I say! I love the view and the average, but it could be better. Me and friend booked a table at 7:45pm for a dinner and we came early around 7:10pm. However, we had to wait until 8:30pm for my table to be ready which was 45m past my reservation. Not even an apologize from the receptionist, we were just waiting and hopelessly waiting outside and it's getting cold and colder. Finally got our table at 8:30pm and they put us in a right next to the door when people walking in and out the balcony to check the view. Feeling we were in a Zoo not a fancy restaurant lol 2.5 hours from where we live to get there, the experience was the worse than I ever had. Food came out around 9:15pm and we just wanted to finish it and drove back as soon as possible (which took me another 2.5 hours) $185/ person plus tax and tips. Food was average. Service at the table was okay If you're thinking about looking this place for a special occasion, please save your money, time and energy for better options out there. We left and barely enjoyed the dinner, both of us felt stressed after the long wait of times.

I recently visited Serra Mar at Post Ranch Inn for drinks and dinner. The ocean view is absolutely stunning and is easily the best part of the experience. The food was fine, but not exceptional. What is unacceptable is what happened at the end of the meal. After first presenting our original itemized bill and taking my card, our server, Tommy, added an additional 26% gratuity without disclosing it. He then brought back a non itemized receipt and verbally told me that tip was not included. That is intentionally misleading. When I reviewed the total and confronted him, he became visibly nervous and tried to move the conversation outside (so other guest didn't hear) instead of explaining the charge clearly in the restaurant. This is not a misunderstanding. It felt deliberate. I cannot help but wonder how many other guests this has happened to who did not carefully review their bill. At a property as expensive and well regarded as Post Ranch Inn, this kind of behavior is completely unacceptable. Transparency with billing is the bare minimum, especially when guests are already paying premium prices.