Cultura Comida y Bebida — Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Cultura in Carmel is a Oaxacan restaurant that serves Chapulines ( toasted and seasoned GRASSHOPPERS) This is the main reason we went to try something different and out of our comfort zone!.Took me about 10 minutes to stop freaking out about it but once I tasted them....honestly they were pretty good! It has a citrus taste to it and I thought they were pretty tasty. So if you're feeling brave TRY THEM OUT! The menu is heavy on vegetarian plates but everything sounded and looked delicious. They do serve more than vegetarian dishes. The restaurant is very nice, spacious, they also have outdoor seating. Staff was very friendly and attentive. We had the Queso Fundido as our appetizer, a Monterey Jack cheese almost like fondue with poblano and red peppers and shallots. It was served with chips and corn tortilla. It was very delicious and filling! For our main meal I had three tacos and you get to choose what kind you want. I picked the mushroom taco, plantain taco and the barbacoa! It was accompanied with cilantro rice and Oaxacan black beans. All three were delicious BUT THE BARBACOA TACO WAS AWESOME!!! It reminded me of the barbacoa we use to eat in Texas! SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS AND LITERALLY MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH! Must try!!! My husband had the mushroom Mole which was just as delicious. The mole has a little kick to it so if you like your dishes a little spicy...you'll like this one. The veggies were pickled and yummy! They serve a lot so come hungry! At the end of our meal they gave us a small little cup of Oaxacan Hot chocolate which was very, very yummy. We ordered the churro chocolate fondue for dessert. So....this wasn't very tasty to me. The churro was thick, fat and tasted doughy. This was the only thing I didn't like. But everything else was very delicious and I'm glad we tried them out! Be brave and try the...

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...

Came here for a belated birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. First thing of note, the service is excellent. Gilbert was so friendly, funny, and knowledgeable. He really made the experience feel special, and that we were valued.

For food, we had the chips with all three dips. All were good, but the tomatillo salsa was excellent, and the guac was 10/10. For our entrees we got a 3 taco plate and the pork mole. I fell in love with mole at red iguana in SLC, and have been searching for that high ever since. This got me in that headspace. It was super savory and flavorful and the meat was nice and tender. We got chicken, barbacoa, and mushroom tacos which were all tasty, but the mushroom taco really stole the show. Next time I come I'll certainly be trying the mole Amarillo, for a different twist.

The drinks were also excellent. They have a specially curated and unique collection of tequilas and mezcales that you can tell they truly care about the quality. They source directly from Mexico, to get authentic products from Mexican distilleries, avoiding the celebrity brands and mega corps that are damaging the tequila/mezcal scene.

The outdoor seating was great, and we finished with a second drink at the bar inside to check out the vibes. It is super cute and cool. The dishware is all beautiful, with hand crafted pottery and hand blown glass it really makes everything feel next level. Pack all of this into a nice relaxed vibe, where you don't have to put on a show.

I would like to thank Cultural, Gilbert, and the rest of the staff for an excellent meal. I guarantee I will come back here anytime I am in the...