The Forge in the Forest - Updated 2024, American Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
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The Forge in the Forest

3.6
3.6
99 Reviews
$30 and under
American
The Forge in the Forest welcomes you to this charming 8,000 square foot Carmel landmark, featuring a wide variety of American cuisine. Voted "Best Outdoor Dining" every year since 1992! The Forge's award winning garden patios, featuring hand-laid bricks and rustic redwood tables are nestled under a lush canopy of oaks and pines in beautiful downtown Carmel and made comfortable year-round with stone fireplaces, heaters and large patio umbrellas.
Prefer to sit inside? Choose from two unique indoor dining atmospheres including the casual copper walled Forge Saloon with its antique hand carved mahogany back bar and blacksmith fire pit or the more formal feel of the Oak Tree Room. Groups of two to 200 enjoy private dining in the uniquely themed adjacent dining areas, whether it be The Wine Cellar, the Vinoteck Room, the Oak Tree Room, or the Oak Tree Patio (where dogs are welcomed and shown their own "Dog Pound" menus!)

Rain or shine, a locals' favorite for over 30 years.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch: Sunday: 11:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Saturday: 11:30am - 4:00pm; Dinner: Daily: 4:00pm - 10:00pm; Brunch: Sunday: 11:00am - 2:30pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 624-2233
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Chef Gene Moana
  • Private party facilities
    Groups of two to 200 enjoy private dining in the four uniquely themed adjacent dining areas. Filled with Old World ambiance, the Wine Cellar's round table sits under an iron chandelier hung from a domed ceiling of painted clouds and seats 8 to 13 surrounded by an over-sized wine bottle collection and hand-painted art. The Oak Tree Room, bathed in French bistro ambiance with mirrored walls and enclosed with French doors, seats 30 guests. The Vinoteck Banquet Room offers glass and iron double doors opening up to art work and wine bottles from some of our favorite local wineries. This upscale white linen style dining area seats 50. The Oak Tree Patio completes the lower half of the property, offering a 50 foot Oak Tree in the center, lit up and surrounded by a garden setting, 6 heating lamps, hand painted murals and a corner fire pit. When joined with The Vinoteck and/or the Oak Tree Room, seating is available for 80 to 110 guests and stand-up receptions for up to 150.
  • Private party contact
    Deborah Karas: (831) 624-7787
  • Neighborhood
    Carmel
  • Cross street
    5th Avenue
  • Parking details
    No lot available; Off street parking available adjacent to the restaurant and a public lot is available 2 blocks from restaurant on SE corner of Junipero and 3rd. Ave.
  • Public transit
    MST stops on Junipero Ave, half block from restaurant
  • Entertainment
    The Forge features live music from 6pm-9pm on select evenings. Weather permitting, various local acoustic artists offer light jazz, folk and contemporary favorites while playing outdoors under the stars next to heat lamps and a large fire pit on our award winning garden patio.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 99 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

3.6
3.6 based on all time ratings
  • 3.6Food
  • 3.6Service
  • 3.8Ambience

NoiseModerate

99 Reviews
  1. SKEIN1

    Central Coast

    47 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    47 reviews

    Reviewed on November 25, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    This is a Great Dog-Friendly place, good food & good ambiance.

    Is this helpful?

  2. CarmelJ

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on October 29, 2019

    1. Overall 1
    We went in for a drink at the bar and walked in and walked right out. Very strange atmosphere.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Hiprice

    San Francisco

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Reviewed on October 14, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    Fantastic place - a hidden gem in Carmel. Great food and setting!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Smoot

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Reviewed on September 6, 2019

    1. Overall 4
    Casual with great food. Outside seating with heaters. Great bar and fire inside

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 3, 2011

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Disappointing to say the least. Atmosphere was great, food so so and service not very warm and friendly.

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2011

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    While that patio is enjoyable we found the quality of food to be overpriced and average at best.

    1 person found this helpful

  7. SF2DCDiner

    San Francisco

    37 reviews

    4.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2011

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This is a Carmel gem offering good value for your dollar in terms of quantity and quality of food. The menu is ambitious in its range of offerings, but the kitchen has consistently delivered tasty meals over the five years that I have eaten there. Ask for a table with Annie who is upbeat and efficient but don't despair if you don't get her as all the staff are cordial and caring.

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 25, 2011

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Chicken on my pizza was dry and chewy. Just an ordinary restaurant. Not impressed at all. Won't go again for sure.

    Is this helpful?

  9. melvie

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    2.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2011

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    poor service and overcooked food...very disappointing. we would have sent our food back but the server only came back once after we ordered. the dog patio is nice if it had the same level of service and the other patio received

    Is this helpful?

  10. Maxxie

    Central Coast

    18 reviews

    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2011

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    our fondue sour dough bread bowl was microwaved not oven baked. after 5minutes got brick hard. my bun on my sanddabs sandwich had the same problem.

    1 person found this helpful

FAQs

The Forge in the Forest offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 624-2233.

The Forge in the Forest is rated 3.6 stars by 99 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Forge in the Forest

SW Corner of 5th Avenue & Junipero Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

Additional information

  • Cross street
    5th Avenue
  • Neighborhood
    Carmel
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch: Sunday: 11:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Saturday: 11:30am - 4:00pm; Dinner: Daily: 4:00pm - 10:00pm; Brunch: Sunday: 11:00am - 2:30pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    No lot available; Off street parking available adjacent to the restaurant and a public lot is available 2 blocks from restaurant on SE corner of Junipero and 3rd. Ave.
  • Public transit
    MST stops on Junipero Ave, half block from restaurant
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chef Gene Moana
  • Entertainment
    The Forge features live music from 6pm-9pm on select evenings. Weather permitting, various local acoustic artists offer light jazz, folk and contemporary favorites while playing outdoors under the stars next to heat lamps and a large fire pit on our award winning garden patio.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (831) 624-2233
  • Private party facilities
    Groups of two to 200 enjoy private dining in the four uniquely themed adjacent dining areas. Filled with Old World ambiance, the Wine Cellar's round table sits under an iron chandelier hung from a domed ceiling of painted clouds and seats 8 to 13 surrounded by an over-sized wine bottle collection and hand-painted art. The Oak Tree Room, bathed in French bistro ambiance with mirrored walls and enclosed with French doors, seats 30 guests. The Vinoteck Banquet Room offers glass and iron double doors opening up to art work and wine bottles from some of our favorite local wineries. This upscale white linen style dining area seats 50. The Oak Tree Patio completes the lower half of the property, offering a 50 foot Oak Tree in the center, lit up and surrounded by a garden setting, 6 heating lamps, hand painted murals and a corner fire pit. When joined with The Vinoteck and/or the Oak Tree Room, seating is available for 80 to 110 guests and stand-up receptions for up to 150.
  • Private party contact
    Deborah Karas: (831) 624-7787
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