The Village, Big Sur — Restaurant in Monterey

Like many others, we miss Big Sur Bakery dearly and were saddened to learn both of the fire that burned their facilities but also the expected timeline for their potential return (2-3 years).

The Village has stepped up to fill the void and is a gorgeous space that serves as an event and wedding venue, dining destination, but most recently, has opened to offer upscale coffee and pastries in the morning hours.

The selection is more limited than Big Sur Bakery but includes a solid choice of coffee drinks and pastries before offering some hot kitchen items like a breakfast sandwich starting at 9:30.

The vibes of the building and the indoor and outdoor seating space are top notch with manicured lawns, rustic wood tables and open spaces.

The Village only Parking is plentiful and its adjacent to the convenient General Store for supplies and the River Inn for lodging.

We ordered a sampling of their $9 lattes (Chai and Matcha) and coffee (espresso tonic) as well as several pastries. The highlight were the candy cap (mushroom) muffins and chocolate chip cookie although I also enjoyed the baguette sandwich.

Credit cards are accepted and there’s plentiful seating inside and outdoor. Judging by the crowds, The Village is a welcome fancier (albeit pricier) option for those who miss...

The Village, previously a vegetarian restaurant according to reviews, reopened in July 2024 as a polished — yet not pretentious — restaurant serving haute California cuisine. There is a $100 prix fixe or you can order a la carte. We stumbled upon it after days of camping (and minutes after swimming in the Big Sur River), and were totally transported. The warm space is dreamily lit with the light of the wood-fueled cook fire dancing off a disco ball, and the servers were warm and welcoming (despite our grungy appearance). The cocktails were beautiful (and strong). Our favorite was the Anais Nin with gin, anise, cantaloupe and mint. The food was incredibly delicious. The mussel salad with Parker House roll croutons, a dish of cherry tomatoes with some sort of creamy basil sauce, the house-baked sourdough, and the trout wrapped in hoja santa were our favorites. One quibble—the $38 squash dish, while beautiful and delicious, could have used a second (or even third) ring of squash to fill the plate. But overall a really...

Reviewing The Village as a wedding venue - a much anticipated addition to the Big Sur area! As a Big Sur wedding and elopement photographer, I was so excited to hear when this new venue was opening up in 2024. It is the place to go - whether it's getting coffee and pastries in the morning, grabbing brunch on a Sunday, sitting down for a 4-course dinner, or even taking a yoga class. Better yet, The Village also serves as a private event venue, offering both ceremony and reception options with menus curated with care that highlight local farms and seasonal produce. This beautifully designed space is centered around its hearth, a focal point that reflects its heart for community gatherings, but walk around and you'll also be charmed by its rustic wood panel walls, industrial garage doors, and romantic string lights that light the patio at night. If you're looking for a place with good vibes, The Village is definitely one of my favorite wedding venues - you can tell that it was crafted and...