Carmel | My Go-To Italian Spot 🍝 Still Obsessed After 100 Visits

I’ve been to Carmel countless times, and I still come back for this pasta! Though this town is packed with Italian restaurants, this one serves what I call “pasta of my life” 😭 🍝 Portabella 📍 Ocean Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921 🅿️ Street parking 💰 $55 per person The restaurant looks like a fairy-tale cottage 🏡—super dreamy! Better to reserve ahead for outdoor seating, but the indoor vibe is also cozy and stylish. Today I tried the Pasta alla Carbonara (staff recommended) — first bite = mind blown! 🤯 The wide noodles hold the creamy sauce perfectly, loaded with bacon and mushroom goodness. Rich and satisfying (gets a tiny bit heavy later, so sharing is ideal!). If you love Italian food, don’t skip this place! Great value + quality. Check the menu in the last slide 👀 #CarmelEats #CaliforniaTravel #HiddenGem #ItalianFood #PastaLover #MontereyBay #CoastalVibes #FoodieGuide #CaramelByTheSea