Little Napoli
Dolores and 7th, Carmel, (831) 626‑6335, chefpepe.com/restaurants/little‑napoli
In a town defined by classy restaurants, it’s not easy to stand out from the competition. Little Napoli does, however, due to its old‑school ambiance – one can almost see John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts huddled over plates of spaghetti – and its elevated take on Italian. Even the appetizers shine with their garlic bread good enough to serve as a meal. But don’t fill up on bread and run the risk of missing out on dishes like the white truffle pizza pie, lamb osso buco, or some of their homemade ravioli. Hint: The burger is pretty good, too.