Nepenthe

Did a road trip through the coast and decided to stop here with a friend to try out this restaurant. Waited over an hour to be seated as it was a holiday weekend, we didn’t mind. There’s a souvenir shop nearby or outdoor seating where one could wait. Gorgeous views!
Ordered a cheese plate with jam for our appetizer, not bad, all local vendors btw. Salad was soggy as he**, seriously dont they ice the leaves to keep it friggin crispy… Food took awhile to be served. I ordered the sirloin, it came with a mushroom, I believe it was steamed and cut up for presentation purposes and a side of mashed potatoes.
So dissapointed in the sirloin, I swear it was the blandest most rubbery piece of meat I’ve ever tasted in my entire life. The mushroom was just flavorless and bland, I swear nursing homes make better food. And what pissed me off was the price @ over $ 50, goodness gracious. Better off making this at home. A friggin tourist trap, with ridiculously high prices.
The view was just breathtaking, as the restaurant is right above a hill overlooking the beautiful coastline, so dreamy. The bland food and the high prices were major turnoffs, and no the views dont make up for the terrible food. Never coming back to this establishment!!!

Amazing views and decent lunch menu, but that spooky extraterrestrial figure on their roof freaked us out!

We were in our way home from Big Sur and stopped by.
Incredible view. Only shared and appetizer but I cannot wait to go back for a full dinner!!!

Went here for dinner over the weekend. It’s a beautiful view of the mountains, built on one of the many coastal cliffs. I could be redundant and state how picturesque everything was, but that’s not exactly unique within Nepenthe, Big Sur or any other mountainside restaurant. If you want the short version here it is: decent food with a great view amidst a pseudo-​authentic chill, Cali mountain vibe. If you’re going at night, be sure to bring a jacket and wear long pants. I got bitten by bugs several times once the sun set.
What did we order? For an appetizer, my wonderful date convinced me that a basket of french fries was not a good idea, so we opted for the Laura Chenel Goat Cheese and Roasted Whole Garlic Olive and crostini plate. It was quite lovely for $ 13.50 and went wonderfully with their pinot noir (the only one they had by the glass, which shared some earthy undertones with the goat cheese). The house rosé was a bit sweet for my liking but otherwise, decent. We would later learn that Nepenthe is a culprit of one of my biggest restaurant pet peeves: their appetizers are NOT an indicator the quality of subsequent courses.
Then came dinner. We were told it would’ve been an hour+ wait but it was probably 30 minutes tops. At first we were thrilled! However, the heated sconce that was supposed to illuminate and heat our table wouldn’t work and the waiter never returned with a working one, hence why there are no pictures, so I spent the duration of the meal squinting at glazed duck. Which leads me to a pet peeve: when I like several entrees but none of them have enjoyable sides. I settled on the Roasted Half Maple Leaf duck (3.8÷5) and while the vegetarian egg roll wasn’t BAD, it certainly wasn’t great. My date got the Ambrosia Burger and while he said it was tasty, we didn’t think it was worthy of its title. As for the fries, I’m so glad he talked me out of getting a BASKET of them. They resembled McDonald’s fries in both taste, texture, size, etc., leaving only price to differentiate them.
I had a wonderful time with my date. However, especially after the sun went down, it was his company that made the dinner wonderful, not the atmosphere nor the food.

Quite possibly one of the best views that i’ve ever seen! We stopped here during our drive down the Northern CA coast and it was worth every minute. They have an adorable gift shop, ironically called «Phoenix» with so many fun things to look at. They also have a café, along with the full restaurant called Nepenthe. I love that you feel like you are ‘in the woods’ but also staring into the ocean. The best of both worlds!
The restaurant atmosphere was bright, open, and relaxing. I loved every bit of it! Their menu had great options, but a little on the pricey side! We’re talking, $ 19 for a turkey sandwich. Crazy! Since we were saving our appetites for a big dinner that evening, we settled on their goat cheese and roasted garlic appetizer that was absolutely fantastic. I also had a glass of dry riesling to go along with it. The service was fast and friendly and we had seats right along then rim of their back patio with the most gorgeous views imaginable. If you are in Big Sur, this is an absolute must see! Even if you don’t eat here, it is worth taking photos, shopping in their gift shop, and simply enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

Awesome views in a great environment.
It was our first time out in the Big Sur so decided to have dinner here.
We ordered
— goat cheese with whole roasted garlic app (3.5÷5). Probably the best tasting thing we had that night but there was something missing, slightly bland.
— the famous ambrosiaburger (2.5÷5). Nothing about this burger should make it famous. Very basic, meat wasn’t extraordinarily flavorful at all. Nothing special about it but one of the cheaper dinner options.
— the ribeye steak (2.5÷5). Definitely not worth the price. Could make a comparable steak at home. The seasonings was nothing spectacular.
Overall the food was mediocre but the views and ambiance is what you pay for.
Would suggest doing drinks and appetizer here to enjoy the picturesque beauty of big sur. Worth it for the view but if you’re looking for good food, look elsewhere.

«Try their Ambrosia Burger, it’s world famous» said no-​one ever.
Unbelievable views and a great place to stop for a beer and a drink, but absurdly high prices for absurdly terrible food. The salad was de-​thawed and limp, the burger patty thin and improperly cooked, and they make bizarre menu decisions like flying (and then driving) in Alaskan Salmon instead of buying *local* California King. The Nepenthe of Henry Miller and artisans engaged in late-​night tête-​à-​têtes is long gone, replaced with little more than a tourist trap.
You’re better off bringing your own food and doing a backpacking trip up one of the ridges for a better view and even better food.
But if that’s not your thing, the view is great.

It’s all about the atmosphere. This is the spot. Picturesque views, friendly staff and tasty cocktails. They have interesting art along their entrance way. This place gets really crowded. So come early and be prepared to find parking.
They don’t have a very diverse menu but seriously, are your really there for the meal? Food is pretty solid, what they do make, they do well. Loved their burgers!
This is a great spot to visit when your visiting the area.

The highlight of the drive up through majestic and noble Big Sur is the expensive but delicious Nepenthe restaurant. It serves a number of signature items including the Ambrosia Burger snd the shrimp and bacon sandwich. The fries are served separately for extra. The food is sort of upscale California café. They serve an extensive collection of wines and spirits and the view is stunning.
As long as you can afford it I recommend the place if you are heading through Big Sur. I have eaten there numerous times and never had a bad meal. Expect to wait if you come during a holiday weekend. My friend and I came the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and waited for about 40 minutes and the place was packed. The staff is very good and the service is friendly and professional.

When we first stumbled upon Nepenthe after a day of driving around Big Sur, I was amazed at the size of the operation they have here. Parking and space in general are usually in short supply in Big Sur and Nepenthe has both; this place is a compound. Anywho, just pull in and park and walk your way up the steps.
You can stop in at the at the Phoenix Shop and peruse their eclectic inventory on your way up, but definitely do make it up to Nepenthe.
Walking in to Nepenthe you are greeted with (along with a Phoenix statue), in my opinion one of the top 5 best views in Big Sur, so definitely take a picture. The expansive, elevated veranda offers a great view of the woody, misty, and rugged coastline below. We had dinner plans, but just grabbing a pint and soaking in the scenery for a few minutes was just what we needed and is a nice «stop to smell the roses» moment for any vacation.
We would later find out that we probably erred in not having dinner at Nepenthe as some travelers we met come down from the Bay Area once a year to do just that. So next time, we will hit up Nepenthe for dinner. Either way, be it for dinner, a drink, or just passing through, stop and take in one of the best views of Big Sur, at Nepenthe.

Came here for lunch last week and had a wonderful time. This isn’t the 1^st time I’ve been here, so I wasn’t surprised that it was once again very busy. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long for a table and were sat outside with incredible views of the ocean.
Our server was quite busy, so we did have a little wait before we were able to order– but she was very friendly and we didn’t mind the wait with the beautiful scenery.
The food was good– not mind blowing or anything, just really good. We kept it simple and ordered tomato soup, French fries (beware, this is a huge order), the artichoke and a French dip sandwich– all great. But again, the view is what you come for and we hope to be back again. :)

Environment: Incredibly stunning view, and they orient the majority of the tables to soak it in. The rest of the restaurant and premises were also attractive and intentionally designed. The whole place sweeps you into the ambiance they work hard to foster.
Service: Stellar for everyone including the server, the bar tender, the hostess, and the rest of the service staff. Everyone was pleasant and no one missed a beat in meeting our needs before we realized we had them.
Food and drinks: Excellent. The Bellini Martini and the banana cream pie were particularly notable.
I have no negatives to add. We knew the cost going in, so the price was not unexpected. If anything, because of the price I arrived skeptical. But my expectations were blown away. Any future trip to Big Sur will include a meal (or two) at Nepenthe.

Good (but pricey) food, classy but chill atmosphere, nice weather and gorgeous views… definitely a great place to chill on the patio in the sun and grab some lunch. Apparently this is the only restaurant in the Big Sur area so there’s always a wait. The wait isn’t too bad as you can enjoy a cocktail, check out the view and take some pictures. I got the ambrosia sandwich with a huge basket of fries for lunch. The fries were really good — thin and crispy on the outside just how I like it. The sandwich was good as well, but for that price, it could have been a little more amazing.
Overall, I would come back for the gorgeous view and to just hang out a little bit as break if you’re road tripping up or down the coast.

— An Affair to Remember —
It was our first wedding anniversary, and I had planned a romantic evening for us.
We drove down from Monterey, and stopped at this secluded spot in Big Sur to enjoy a few drinks and watch the sunset.
We parked down the road, at the Henry Miller Library; where later in the evening we were attending a showing of of the 1965 film, The Sandpiper, which stars Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and NEPENTHE!
The movie is terrible but the scenery isn’t. Much of it was filmed in and around the Big Sur
When we arrived it was quite busy, and since we weren’t having dinner, the seating was limited to certain areas. There was no wait time.
The restaurant was all wood, windows, and spectacular views.
Once seated, we ordered some French fries that were super expensive for basic fries. You’re paying for the view. This is a special place.
Our server was very charismatic. He quickly replenished my empty glass of Rosé as needed.
He and fellow staff members were also attending the film at the HML later.
The menu didn’t seem modern or representative of the earthy environment. It was mostly meat, which is not what comes to mind when I think of Big Sur.
We met a young lady while dining; who was sitting next to us, and had a lengthy conversation that became more passionate with each glass of wine. I think other patrons were annoyed, but we were having a good time.
After the sunset, we walked back down the road to watch the film underneath the stars, surrounded by giant redwoods.

Come between 5 – 5:45. The day crowd has petered out and the dinner crowd hasn’t quite arrived yet. We showed up at 5:15 on a Friday and were seated in a perfect seat on the patio immediately.
The wine list is fantastic and very reasonably priced.
You can opt to skip The goat cheese roasted garlic appetizer. It was fine but the hard thick crackers weren’t pleasing.
Any beef dish here is WELL worth it. Fiancé got a filet which was amazinnggg.
The burger appeared flaccid and boring when it landed on the table. I was disappointed. But it may have been the best burger I’ve had. The meat cheese to soft French roll ratio was perfect.
The fries pwn in and outs and any other establishment you can name.
Be prepared to spend money.
We got 1 half bottle of wine, 1 full bottle (which we drank half of and brought the rest back to our campsite), the burger, the filet, side of fries, and an appetizer for $ 165

To reiterate what most visitors say, the views on a clear day ARE gorgeous. I’m glad it was clearing up when we got there. I like how the restaurant and patio seating faces the ocean. Totally a big draw for this place.
Waiting for our table didn’t seem long. The panoramic views and refreshing drinks did help make the waiting pleasurable. As soon as we were seated, Adrian took great care of us.
Food-wise…the Ambrosia burger was more well done than medium. Taste was good, but I expected better. We didn’t get the huge basket of fries. It was way too much for two people. So we asked if we can get the burger with fries, instead of the salad that it comes with. Glad we were able to substitute because the fries looked pretty damn good at the next table. And yes, the fries were very damn good!
Their Roasted Brussel Sprouts were served with lots of pine nuts and LARDONS! I felt like the sprouts could’ve been more roasted. But the flavor was on par though. Those lardons really stole the show.
I wouldn’t mind coming back to try other menu items and, of course, to enjoy a drink and the breathtaking views. Perfect place for a rest stop when driving along the central Pacific coast.

You can’t beat the view. We had outdoor seating that overlooked the ocean. The trees that hung close also had woodpeckers and black crows as visitors. So as you wait for your meal you can take in the finest of scenery and nature. Now on to the food… We had the Ambrosia burger, a side of the garbanzo/​kidney bean salad and basket of fries. It was good and filling. It’s a bit pricey but you’re paying for the ambience more than anything. It’s Big Sur — what more can you ask for?!?
It’s definitely worth the stop. Service is good, food filling. Next time I’ll try the beet salad. The man next to me ordered it and it looked delicious! I kept eyeing his plate.

Loved every minute that I spent at Nepenthe! First off, amazing location. Located at the top of a hill, giving guests a spectacular view of the Big Sur coastline. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and if the weather is nice be sure to take an outdoor spot. We were lucky enough to sit along the edge, overlooking the valley.
We waited about 30 minutes to get a table, but in the meantime grabbed a couple Bloody Marys from the bar and sat outside and enjoyed the scenery. They have more than enough seating for guests that are waiting to get a table.
Once we were shown to our table our waiter was super friendly and gave us enough space to enjoy our meal. We ordered the shrimp BLT (amazing) and the pork sandwich as well as a basket of fries. It was all delicious and I didn’t want to leave. I would definitely recommend Nepenthe to anyone driving the Big Sur coastline.

We were driving along highway 1 and were starving. It was dark out but we could see the lights from nepenthe off in the distance. Pulling up in the parking lot with no cell phone service we didn’t really know what we were in for. I usually don’t go to a restaurant without Unilocaling it first. We walk up the stairs and see the cute little restaurant was very busy at 6pm on Sunday night. We decided to wait at the bar while they were putting together a table for us.
We got the best table in the house! Right in front of the fire. It was so cozy!
The prices were pretty steep for the food, I think a bowl of soup was $ 9? I had the filet and it really was excellent, at around $ 42. It came with a nice fresh salad too. One the best parts of our time at Nepenthe was chatting with our waitress. She was so sweet. I wish I could remember her name. My Moscow Mules were nice and strong which is alway good especially when you aren’t driving.
I’m glad we stumbled on nepenthe and enjoyed a great meal. Next time I would want to go in the day time, they have a killer view!

Admit it. Practically the entire Big Sur coastline is littered with spots where you could stop with a picnic lunch and have a view not wholly different than that you get from Nepenthe. But spotting the coast-​side perch where Nepenthe is situated a gravitational pull tugs at you and causes you to utter the words: «I want to go there».
So, damn the picnic, but if you’re the type who’s going to complain about Nepenthe’s prices then know it’s your own fault. You simply couldn’t resist that gravitational pull.
Nepenthe is, for the location alone, an experience worth having. If I had to wait hours for an outside seat along the south facing railing I’d probably be less forgiving of the lunch offerings but that didn’t happen. Mid-​week, on a gorgeously warm January afternoon I didn’t have to wait even 1 minute for a seat in such a spot and that made for one marvelous 5-​star experience.
You cannot sit in the same spot as me, on a day such as that one, and fail to be wowed by the beauty of nature and the wonders of life. You literally sit, staring at the money shot, for the entirety of your meal.
So why not drag it out?
Beer and wine to start. Then a beet salad and the Famous Ambrosiaburger with its 3-​bean salad accompaniment. Next a slice of Triple Berry Pie baked on site that morning. Finally, a coffee cocktail. Was any of it memorable? Not really, the view is what you’ll remember but the food and cocktails were fine, just not noteworthy when compared to the view.
Many Unilocalers have complained about the price of the food here but I think the price is an asset. You’re always going to pay extra at a place with such a view and they keep prices reasonable by offering simple fare. The burger and the entrée salad were about $ 17 each, the coffee cocktail was $ 12, and the view was worth $ 1,000,000; it all averages out.
Maybe next time I’ll opt for a picnic on the shore but this time? I’m glad I succumbed to the gravitational pull and finally made it to Nepenthe. What a beautiful spot.

ein schöner Ort zum dasein. Mein T-​Shirt mit dem Nepenthe-​Aufdruck erinnert mich gerne an diesen Ort. Essen und Trinken muss man hier nicht unbedingt (darum 1 Punkt abzug) ein Spaziergang lohnt die Herfahrt aber allemal.

Ein verwunschener Ort, inmitten des Big Sur, am Abhang zwischen Highway Number 1 und dem kalten Pazifik. Wären da nicht die vielen Touristen.
Dessen ungeachtet: Allein die Visitenkarte spielt mit den Erwartungen; außen türkis mit schönem Schriftzug, innen altweiß, stehen hier Preise, die an längst vergangene Zeiten erinnern. Zeiten, in denen berühmte Schauspieler in der exklusiven und felsig-​schönen Einsamkeit des Big Sur Zuflucht fanden — nicht von ungefähr steht Nepenthe (gr.) für Vergessenheit.
Fährt man den Big Sur entlang, so sollte man diese Einsamkeit genießen, denn das Nepenthe erfreut sich mittlerweile aufgrund seines Kultstatus großer Beliebtheit.
Ob tagsüber oder zu einem romantischen Abendessen — ein Besuch lohnt allemal.
Wir kommen im letzten Sonnenlicht an, den Pazifik unter uns stellenweise noch in Sicht.
Während die Kolibris sich an den Wassertränken laben, wogen die Nebelschwaden des Pazifik allerdings schon den Hang hinauf, fast bis zur Balkonterrasse, so daß man sich fühlt wie auf dem Olymp — unter sich ein Wolkenmeer.
Dazu der berühmte Ambrosia-​Burger, eine erträgliche Weinauswahl und proaktive bis vorlaute Kellner und Kellnerinnen — ein Abendessen der besonderen Art.
Hier erwartet einen bei Bestellung eines Burgers allerdings mitnichten Fast Food; das Fleisch beispielsweise könnte zarter nicht sein.
Die Speisekarte enthält neben klassischen amerikanischen Fleisch– und Fischgerichten auch europäisch angehauchte Gerichte — feinere saisonale Küche eben. Und die Tagesgerichte werden einem mitsamt ihren langen Namen, durchsetzt von vielen französichen oder italienischen Begriffen, aufs genaueste erörtert und jeweils sehr empfohlen.
Die Preise sind für die Qualität der Speisen an solch exponiertem und exklusivem Ort angemessen. Der 4. Stern ist für die romantische Lage und dem Gefühl bei Ankunft auf der Terasse, was sich auf englisch vielleicht mit «awe» übersetzen läßt.
Ein Besuch lohnt sich allemal.