PortaBella

Welcome to PortaBella, a Mediterranean, wine bar and Italian restaurant located in the beautiful area of Carmel, CA. This restaurant offers a variety of amenities and services including reservations, delivery, takeout, vegan and vegetarian options, wheelchair accessibility, and even accepts cryptocurrency as payment. With a casual, intimate, and classy atmosphere, PortaBella is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner, a lunch gathering with friends, or a family meal.

PortaBella's menu features a range of delicious dishes from appetizers like Lobster Ravioli and Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio to salads such as Flamb Jumbo Shrimp Salad and Smoked Salmon with Pistachio Herb Goat Cheese. The lunch sandwiches and burgers like Avocado Chicken Sandwich and Blue Cheese Burger are sure to satisfy any craving.

For dinner, PortaBella offers enticing options like Grilled King Salmon, Oven Braised Short Ribs, and Classic Wild Mushroom Risotto. The variety of flavors and fresh ingredients make each dish a standout on its own.

Customer reviews rave about the food and service at PortaBella. Judy Y. enjoyed the salmon salad and linguini frutti di mar, while Sarah H. praised the cozy ambiance and delicious dishes like the mushroom risotto and carbonara. Elizabeth D. mentioned the attentive staff and romantic atmosphere, and Erich L. praised the California cuisine, especially the lobster bisque and sand dabs.

From the best lobster bisque to amazing risotto and impeccable service, PortaBella promises a memorable dining experience. Don't miss out on this gem in Carmel-by-the-Sea!

PortaBella Menu

Location

Address: Ocean Ave & Monte Verde Carmel, CA 93921
Phone: (831) 624-4395

🕓 Work Hours
MON 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
TUE 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
WED 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
THU 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
FRI 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
SAT 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
SUN 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Business info

  • Takes Reservations
    Yes
  • Offers Delivery
    Yes
  • Offers Takeout
    Yes
  • Walk-ins Welcome
    Yes
  • Vegan Options
    Yes
  • Many Vegetarian Options
    Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible
    Yes
  • ADA-compliant main entrance
    Yes
  • steps or stairs
    Yes
  • QR code menus available
    No
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    No
  • Accepts Cryptocurrency
    No
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Casual, Intimate, Romantic, Classy
    Yes
  • Moderate Noise
    Yes
  • Casual Dress
    Yes
  • Good for Groups
    Yes
  • Good For Kids
    Yes
  • Good for Lunch, Dinner
    Yes
  • Street Parking
    Yes
  • Waiter Service
    Yes
  • Free Wi-Fi
    Yes
  • Best nights on Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday
    Yes
  • Happy Hour Specials
    Yes
  • Full Bar
    Yes
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
    Yes
  • Offers Catering
    No
  • Not Good For Dancing
    No
  • Smoking
    No
  • Drive-Thru
    No
  • TV
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes
  • Provides reusable tableware
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: Judy Y.

    09 August 2024

    We decided to stop by Carmel by the Sea for a bite to eat before we went to Big Sur. Good thing we stopped by b/c there was a road closure at the entrance to the mountain side due to a piece of the road crumbling off the side of the mountain! Otherwise we could have been swept off into the ocean as well. We went here since we saw it looked cute and b/c the hostess flagged us down to try it. Good job with getting our attention especially since we were on the look out for a good restaurant. My husband tried the salmon salad with goat cheese and he said it was sooo good. And i got the linguini fruit di mar and it was really good as well. Kinda greasy but that's what makes it so good. We got full off of the bread first so we had to take half of the linguini to the hotel. The server was good and attentive. I loved the vibes inside the restaurant. Very cozy and a lot of people enjoying themselves with a glass of wine. Mind you it was around 3PM so it was an awkward time but still there were people there eating and drinking lol. I went to the bathroom and saw that there was a lot of seating in the back. We had been seated at the front. Once we sat down, I didn't get the best vibes from the hostess and my hubby noticed too. It would be good to try to treat everyone the same with the same friendly attitude no matter who they are. Usually my husband says thank you as we leave the restaurant but i saw him looking at the hostess to say thank you but i didn't hear either of them say anything. When i asked him about it later, he told me that even though he was looking straight her way, she avoided eye contact, even though we heard her say thank you by to every other group that left. Definitely did not like that lol, but it is what it is. I would still stop by to try their other items!

  • Author: Sarah H.

    25 July 2024

    If I could give this place 10 stars I would; and I didn't even get to enjoy my full meal here. We were greeted with some complimentary champagne because we were celebrating our anniversary (which was sooo appreciated!) Unfortunately, right after placing our order, I began experiencing extreme vertigo and had to leave. However, our waiter was so kind and had the kitchen put our bottle of wine and orders in to-go containers for us to enjoy later. Even after heating the food up the next day, it was amazing. (We had the corn and crab soup, the mushroom risotto, and the carbonara.) The inside of this restaurant is so cozy, with a roaring fireplace in the main room, live guitarists serenading guests, and feels like you stepped into a fairytale cottage. My only regret was not being able to enjoy it for longer! If you are in Carmel-by-the-Sea, this is a must-do restaurant. Trust me!

  • Author: Elizabeth D.

    13 July 2024

    What a sweet spot. The food was yummy & the staff was amazingly attentive and friendly. They also had live musical entertainment it was really romantic and intimate

  • Author: Erich L.

    07 July 2024

    Always busy and popular place that does good California cuisine. They have a huge inside seating area. I tried the mushroom soup and the lobster bisque. Both were good I highly recommend the lobster bisque! They give you a fresh ciabatta bread with a delicious pesto sauce. I went with the sand dabs that came with potatoes and vegetables. Everything was cooked perfectly and full of buttery flavors. The shrimp salad was very good too. Very fresh ingredients. I have walked by here many times over the years I'm glad we finally went it's a great choice in Carmel! Service was great. It feels like a European restaurant when you're inside. This place fills up fast so make reservations or get there when they open.