Carmel-by-the-Sea Restaurants - Dametra Café

Bask in Authentic Mediterranean Flavors & Atmosphere at Dametra Café

By welcoming everyone that enters as if they were part of a long-lost family, owner Bashar Sneeh has made Dametra Cafe an integral part of Carmel culture. "We wanted to have a second home, so we made Dametra a place where we consider our customers to be family and friends whom we've invited over for the evening," says Sneeh. Music and dancing break out spontaneously here—a real treat is to be present to hear Antonio the singing dishwasher's rich tenor voice, accompanied by Bashar on the oud. The ambiance is reminiscent of a far-off land, surrounding diners in décor with some Middle Eastern elements and the colors of a Mediterranean sunset.

The word "Dametra" is a combination of Damascus and Petra, reflecting the owners' Syrian background. The menu offerings stress the flavors of Mediterranean locales such as Greece, Italy, the middle east and northern Africa with an emphasis on the healthful ingredients used in those cuisines. Lamb dishes are highly popular as is the veggie combination platter. "We have a large menu with a wide variety of choices," Bashar says. Bashar is nearly always on hand to welcome diners and offer his unique brand of hospitality.

Hours: 11AM to 11PM daily