Carmel-by-the-Sea Restaurants - Vesuvio & Star Bar

Italian Cuisine seen through the lens of the Pèpe Family, who came from Napoli, stopped in Hoboken, and settled in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

The menu tells their story through food with fantastic wood-burning Neapolitan pizza, classics like Eggplant Parm, and a rotating carte that highlights in-season produce from California farms.

On weekends, Vesuvio erupts. Youths line up beside red velvet ropes, waiting for space at the rooftop Star Bar. At the downstairs bar you'll find something rare in Carmel — folks who actually live here. Mixologist Anthony Vitacca keeps these locals coming back with inventive cocktails like the Momma's Boy, made with Maker's Mark, Cardamaro, peach preserves, and their Pèpe branded limoncello; or maybe it's the award-winning McSuvio burger that's drawing them in. It's hard to pinpoint one thing because it's everything — but the townies are here and they are loving it.

The dining room is more laid-back. Couples chat with neighboring tables and compare notes on what to order from the extensive, ever-evolving menu. If you haven't tried the Truffled Gnocchi, you must. Fried Artichoke Crochette are an insider favorite, as is the grilled heirloom artichoke, from Scattini Farms in Castroville — that is, when you can get it. The rare artichoke varietal that is so popular it's hard to keep in stock. Did we mention the pizza?

Vesuvio is named for the volcano that gates the Amalfi Coast, so it seems fitting you should end the night with Limoncello — whether it's in the form of Limoncello Mouse Cake Pèpe makes himself at his nearby Carmel Bakery, or barman Vitacca's creative Play That Funky Cello Mousse Boy cocktail. Or maybe you should keep it simple with a $5 shot of the house "Pèpecello," pristine enough to earn an I.G.P. designation from the Italian government.

Cin cin!

Dinner 4:00pm-10:00pm; Happy Hour 4:00pm-6:00pm daily; Bar Open until 11pm on Weekends