4. Restaurants

Dametra Cafe

Corner of Ocean & Lincoln, Carmel, CA, 93921
  • (831) 622-7766
  • Store is closed

Dametra Cafe Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Carmel for healthy meals suggestion.

Carmel Belle ( Doud Craft Studios )

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  • Lolly G.

    I am absolutely amazed at the reviews for this restaurant. I want to be up front while I write this review. I am from the east coast, so maybe I judge food differently? I'm not really sure. I do know that I eat out constantly, and this was completely sub par. This came up as a top choice on trip adviser. I love greek food, so I was excited to try. When we walked up, it was a friday night so there was a wait of about 30 minutes. The girl at the door seem very overwhelmed. She was taking down names while we decided to check out of there was room at the bar. It turns out there was 2 spots at the bar left open. The bartender was a middle aged woman who was dressed the part (middle eastern style clothing.) She took our drink order with not much of a smile. This is a small place, but it was filled. At one point, two men started singing and performing which was great. It filled the room with a fun, nice energy. We started off with the hummus. It came out on a plate, with zero presentation and some store bought pitas on the side. It was absolutely tasteless. We both commented to each other that we've had better hummus from the grocery store, but did eat it as we were both starving. I decided the key was to find out what this place did well. We asked the bartender/server what she liked and suggested. I suppose that should have been the warning sign. She simply looked down at the menu and read off of it. Clearly we could have done this ourselves. She didn't really add much into the description just read the menu of some of her favorites. She wasn't passionate about any option. If you eat at a really good place, the servers will highly recommend something. You can tell they like the food. It was quite apparent that this woman knew what we were about to; nothing is worth bragging about. We decided to order the halibut ($30.) We waited and waited. At one point I wasn't sure if she had even entered it into the computer, but didn't want to say anything. Finally after what seemed like forever, I asked very politely if our dinner was coming. She looked around the restaurant and said "its really busy and I don't know your ticket number." She then went back to moving things around behind the bar. Mind you, she was only serving a total of 6 people at the bar. Two minutes later she walks back to the kitchen and serves us with our dinner. Just as I thought, she totally forgot it was sitting back there. By the time it came to us it was cold. This was literally a piece of fish on a bed of over steamed spinach with a side of what looked like instant rice. Presentation truly isn't everything, so despite the fact it was cold I cut a piece and tried it. I almost wish I could put a meal through the computer so that people could taste this. Absolutely the most bland, tasteless meal I have ever had. Both of us looked at each other like "seriously?" I didn't even finish the whole thing, which says a lot because I was really hungry. Don't get me wrong it wasn't BAD, and I don't mind paying $30 for a good piece of fish anywhere. This however, was below average. At the end of the meal, she gave us a complementary desert which was a nice touch. This is standard for all guests. However, I'm still so confused as why people rave about this place. I second the reviewer that says she feels sorry for the people of Carmel if they associate this place with such good food. Carmel is a great city, and I was only there for a short time. I'm hoping there are some other GOOD places. Even scrolling threw the pictures, you can see how completely unappetizing this place is. Don't be like me and try this place because of the rave reviews. If you are familiar with Greek cuisine, you will be sorely disappointed.

    (2)

  • Lucia C.

    This place is the reason I moved from Miami to Carmel, simple as that! ;)

    (5)

  • Mike K.

    Awesome place! They truly have some of the most reasonable prices in Carmel...if they accidentally overcharge you $1...hire a lawyer...or get over it...but please don't "punish" the staff by leaving $1 less tip :)

    (5)

  • Laura J.

    One word - disappointing. This was a wonderful restaurant when they first opened and we stumbled upon it when wandering Ocean Avenue. They recently expanded into a second storefront. When we first walked in this month I was delighted that the restaurant appeared to have maintained integrity and charm despite the growth. Wrong, the menu should have had accompanying pictures as in "I'll have the #9." The hostess and manager (owner?) appeared uncomfortably hectic, pacing and eyes darting, as if wondering how they could flip enough tables to accommodate the clamoring tourists. We had two separate servers stop by the table and it felt like they wanted us to just get it over with and order so they could move on. I could not clearly identify our waiter. This is not a relationship building restaurant. We got the large combination appetizer and the dolmas were very good, but I was wondering what the pastry was used for the spanikopita as it was not traditional Filo, it was just okay. I had the Gyro platter and enjoyed the salty meat unfortunately it topped uninspired rice, yellow does not equal flavor. Despite the lackluster beginning, we were still feeling positive. My husband and a table-mate cut into their beautiful lamb chops (a previous favorite at Dametra) to expose raw meat. If you don't know how to cook a thick chop, don't serve them. The chops had been ordered medium-rare and when we told the waiter they were raw he took one plate back to the kitchen, it eventually reappeared toward the end of the meal. My husband had a decent first chop, very rare but not raw. The second was sushi-worthy raw. The owner came over harried and clearly annoyed that we were not going with the flow. He then committed what I consider to be the worst customer service error - he told us we were wrong. Never, ever, ever should this happen. If he wanted to roll his eyes when passing off the offending plate to the chef, so be it, but he argued. The purple meat quivering like Jello on the plate he insisted was exactly as medium rare should appear. Exasperated he took my husbands plate. The chop returned with a new heaping of overcooked broccoli. Yippee Music is a part of the experience. The highlight was a patron who played impromteu classical Spanish guitar. We then clapped and hooted along with the boisterous music, which is always fun. A cook came out of the kitchen to sing. I suspect he prefers entertaining to cooking lamb chops. The final insult to the evening was when one of the parade of many-servers brought the check. He handed it to us explaining that the second bottle of wine had not been included, then snatched it back and mysteriously disappeared. Initially we were appreciative that our host had removed the cost as an apology for the undercooked and expensive lamb. Eventually a different server returned to say that an error had been made and the second bottle had not been included and they would be back with the correct bill. The adjusted check arrived and the CPA and banker at our table did a quick scan to assure accuracy, just in case they had charged us for the extra broccoli. Walking home we concluded that the success of this restaurant has made the owners indifferent to the customer. Watch out Dametra Cafe, Yafa's has taken your place in preparing delicious Greek/ Mediterranean food. More importantly the service at Yafa's is excellent. Unless Dametra changes ownership we won't be back.

    (1)

  • S P.

    Excellent Service. Food was awesome.. Loved the ambience. Liked how the owner mingled very well with the customers as if they were long time buddies.. definitely a must visit.

    (5)

  • Ben G.

    Don't get me wrong Dametra, we actually mostly enjoyed our lunch here, but considering all the raving 5 star reviews that you have, I was kind of guilty of expecting to be blown away. Clearly, I wasn't. Maybe it's the San Francisco living high-standards for food, but I was somewhat disappointed with my meal for a few reasons: 1. The restaurant wasn't full when we arrived. It got full afterwards (at around 2:30pm, a bit later maybe). This leads me to #2. 2. We ordered TWO salads. It took 30 minutes for us to get our SALADS. I'm sorry, were you busy making the cheese from scratch in the back? Milking that goat a little too long perhaps? Harvesting the leaves for the greens one by one? 3. Which reminds me, several of my greens were wilted/not fresh. SAD. 4. Oh, and that cheese was missing from one of the salads. Minor fail there. 5. You charged $14 for a salad? Are you friggin' kiddin' me? There was a $4-5 UPCHARGE for adding chicken? Is it free range? Hopefully it led a good life, because that's a DAMN expensive chicken addition to a SALAD, just sayin'! Other than that, the bread to start out was DELICIOUS. The olive oil was okay. The service was friendly (maybe we got there too late for the music/celebratory spirit that I read about in the other reviewers' comments) and mostly attentive. Maybe I should've mentioned I wasn't entirely happy with my meal. I eyed the other people's dishes and the wraps looked delicious, as did the hummus, but we were in a bit of a hurry to get somewhere, and needed the fresh greens after a few heavy meals from the previous day. A rating of 2.5 would be accurate, but my girlfriend really loved your baklava (which I thought was on the dry side, pardon me for liking a softer, more honey-infused form of it). So you get a "PASS". One thing I will say though, is that this was one of our two meals in Carmel, and both times we were NOT impressed with either restaurant. Maybe we'll come back. Maybe we won't.

    (3)

  • Guy N.

    Long lines to get in, but I don't get it. I've had a lot of Greek food, including in Greece. This was totally average. It told me a lot when the waiter said that the lamb was pre cooked at another facility and brought in and warmed there before serving. With so much better food to be had in Carmel, why is this so popular?

    (3)

  • Corrie P.

    This place is a lot of fun! There will be a wait if you are a walk-in patron, so just be prepared for that, but it is well worth the wait. They do take reservations by phone. The place is also very small, so you should be someone that is ok with sitting very close to other tables. My husband and I shared the gyro, hummus and greek salad. Everything was so good! We got an extra treat because towards the end of our meal, a couple of the gentleman from the kitchen came out and played guitar and sang for the restaurant - so cool!

    (5)

  • Ricardo C.

    Fabulous food and great service in the beautiful Carmel by the sea!!!

    (5)

  • Kirill B.

    Warm family atmosphere, live singing, great food!

    (5)

  • Ashok K.

    Went there based on yelps reviews. AWESOME. Great service, great food, generous portions. I ordered the falafel (9 out of 10 imho which is saying something because I've had a LOT of falafel). Would order that again. We also ordered the greek sampler (would order that again!). We're going back there for lunch or dinner next time we go. It was a wonderful experience.

    (5)

  • Doc R.

    This is the heart of the Ocean Ave. dining scene. Quaint and packed every night but always willing to fit you in and give personal attention. They make you feel at home and provide fantastic entertainment, music and service in a fun environ. Oh, and the food is great too. Get a reservation ASAP or be patient. They love what they do and do it well. I have been here for belly dancing and also been the last one out of the restaurant. Great hosts for a memorable evening.

    (5)

  • Dennis R.

    Wonderful experience - great food - great people! Don't miss this one.

    (5)

  • Avtar S.

    Really really good food and very nice servers!! You get treated like a family member here. A must try and affordable! The owner is very friendly as courteous as well :)

    (5)

  • A L.

    This is definitely a restaurant you don't want to miss! The service was excellent, the food was delicious and the ambiance was welcoming! One of the highlights of our meal was when the chef came out from the kitchen and serenaded the guests while the owner played the mandolin. There is no stuffy vibe about this place whatsoever, the prices are totally reasonable and the portions are good size. :) Go, go, and go!!! :)

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Everything was amazing from the food to the service to the ambiance! We will definitely be coming back!

    (5)

  • Micah A.

    I don't want to overstate this. This may be the greatest restaurant in the world. Let's review this thing with Dr. Seuss subtitles: Thing 1 We walked up to the door to check out the menu. It was crowded inside. This older couple came up came up behind us, and right as they walked up, the host came out and asked them if they'd like to be put on the list for a table. They said they would and the host said "Great! I would say, come back in about 15 to 25 minutes." They smiled and walked away. He turned to us and said "would you two like a table?" We said we would, and he looked inside and said "Okay! Come back in about 10 to 15 minutes." Then when we looked confused he smiled and said "I saw you two got here first." Thing 2 10 minutes passed. We get back to take our table. Before we walk inside, the entire staff decided to start singing some song in Italian, and everyone in this little restaurant starts clapping along with it. It was not for someone's birthday. It was not a band. The people that work there simply enjoy breaking out into song every once in a while. Norval the Fish When the song is over we get our table. We are fed bread, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. "It was good" said my tired companion that is a master at words. They also had free water. FREE! It was amazing. Easily the best water this side of the Pacific Ocean in the Carmel area limited to this block subject to sample size issues. Mount Crumpit The food here was Spectacular, with a capital S. What we ordered: - Spanakopita of Athens - Pizza Mediterraneo - Artichoke Ravioli The food here was so good that other foods should be ashamed of themselves for failing to live up to the standards of this meal. Nazzim of Bazzim Service here was perfection. They took our orders, they were friendly, they checked to make sure we were doing well, and they otherwise left us alone. Literally my favorite type of service. There were also plenty of apparent regulars that they knew by name, and with those regulars they would chat up about things that interested them and even hug them goodbye. Ruffle-Necked Sala-ma-goox While we were there they broke out into song again. This one sounded like Arabic. They then picked up all of the pretty ladies and some of the less pretty ladies that wish they were pretty ladies and tied coin adorned belly dancer belts around them and danced with them. It was a little embarrassing, but not embarrassing enough to ruin the moment, and my friend thought it was a lot of fun. Tufted Mazurka Other assorted items of worth included: - The price here is nothing short of phenomenal. For this experience, and for the quality of this food, I can honestly say this place is underpriced. I should have had to pay more. So instead I tripled tip and called it a day. The price of this food is less than or equal to Olive Garden. Ridiculous. - Someone at another table dropped a plate. It shattered on the ground. Groups of regulars that were interspersed throughout the restaurant immediately shouted "OPA!" in unison. - We were so full after the meal that when they asked us if we'd like dessert, we turned it down. 5 minutes later they brought us Baklava slices on the house. As an added bonus, this place is about 5 minutes from Carmel beach, which is impressive in its own right. This should be bookmarked by everyone. Hands down the best place in the nation.

    (5)

  • Rose D.

    Excellent Greek cuisine! I absolutely loved this restaurant. It lived up to all of the previous 5-star yelp reviews. Shortly after sitting down, my husband and I were greeted by the owner himself. Then during the meal, the owner and a kitchen cook came out and serenaded the guests - it was lovely! In addition to the wonderful ambiance, the food was also amazing. I ordered the herb crusted halibut and it was delicious. After we finished eating, the staff gave us free baklava. I do not live in Carmel, but the next time I visit I will definitely be returning to Dametra's! Tip: Call for a reservation. We had to wait 20 minutes, which was on the good side of their wait time. It is always packed so better call ahead.

    (5)

  • Karen Z.

    Try their mussel appetizer! Their lamb kebab is juicy and tasty as well. Oh, I love the fact that they offered complimentary dessert for every customer. Good place to try in Carmel!

    (4)

  • Matty T.

    I just came here for the first time with 3 friends at lunch time on a Monday. The restaurant is small, maybe 10 tables along a narrow room and there is always a wait, but we probably did not wait longer than 10 minutes. I'm not sure what it would be on a weekend. However, I would wait whatever it is! The food was very good, I would stick with the Mediterranean as well. I had a falafel wrap, the falafels were crispy, not greasy and flavorful. There was lots of falafel in every bite and very little filler and it came with a little Greek salad, a little heavy on the cheese but the dressing was delicious. My friends also had the Chicken Shawarma and some other type of wrap, everything was delicious! We had the dolmas and calamari appetizer. While it was true there were no legs, the body pieces were well cooked, not rubbery, lightly breaded and well seasoned. Everyone seemed to be drinking some sort of mint tea, I'm not sure what it was, but it looked good! We were not offered the baklava dessert, but we really didn't need it! Last but not least what really puts this place over the top is the service!!! The manager? Owner? was at the door when we arrived and smiled and shook all of our hands and told us it would be 5-10 minutes until someone got up. It it was true, we were seated pretty quickly. Everyone from the bus boys, the water guy, the server, EVERYONE was very kind, and attentive. I think its a recipe for success! I would definitely come here again next time I'm in Carmel. I almost want to keep it a secret for myself. I wish they would buy both stores nearby and expand the restaurant though! Also during lunch, for no real reason that I can see, one of the cooks (?) came out and sang a beautiful song in Spanish I think in acapella! And then everyone clapped and went back to their food. It was amazing, everyone was smiling, maybe a tear or two as well. You just don't get this type of service anymore!

    (5)

  • Lia P.

    great ambiance, very friendly staff! food is pretty good too.

    (4)

  • Christine S.

    I enjoyed my EXPERIENCE here. I wouldn't necessarily come back for the food alone. The family who owns and runs Demetra Cafe really know how to make their customers feel valued. Myself and some friends went on a Thursday, around noonish, and only had to wait for a few minutes for a table(be forewarned that there is no room to wait inside and it can be quite cold if the wind is onshore) This place is SMALL, the pictures don't really give you a feeling of how small it is. The tables are small too, and it can get a bit hectic with all the plates, cups, and bread baskets. The intimate setting took a little getting used to, I don't usually enjoy eating out in general, and if I hadn't been with friends I might not have even went in. After we were seated the owner and one of the cooks sang a great song, got the whole room clapping and singing along. I had to get over my grumpy, hungry self ,relax, and just enjoy it. Once I let go a little bit I was really able to enjoy the (to be honest) forced intimacy. Maybe it's a cultural thing? The waitress was very helpful and answered all my questions regarding ingredients. We ordered a hummus appetizer, that came with bread, which I was told contained dairy. I was feeling pretty left out at this point, when the server came up with a plate of sliced cucumbers just for me! I was soooo moved by her thoughtfulness. I totally enjoyed my cucumbers and hummus, which was really fresh and light. The hummus was a great serving size and I will definitely get it again. I thought it was really mild and not overly spiced. I got a falafal wrap, minus the wrap and taziki sauce, the thahini is Vegan. The server, being super thoughtful again, brought me some delicious balsamic to go with the lettuce and veggies that are usually in the wrap. The falafals were light and crispy on the outside, soft and moist inside. I like them a lot, but then again they are deep fried so no wonder. I was told the Baklava was Vegan minus the whip cream, and got a super special treat when they brought some out on the house! Crazy! It was a sugary slice of heaven. The prices are pretty reasonable, not outrageous, the food is fulfilling, the experience is fun. I'm happy to have found something in Carmel that is fairly priced for a sit down restaurant. I can't wait to have a full day of surfing followed up by delicious falafal! Editing to add: I just found out that most Baklava has honey in it, I don't know if Demetra's does. I had no idea. So I guess it isn't Vegan after all. :(

    (4)

  • Shiho F.

    Finally got to dine-in and had a lovely dinner for two for $30! That's like free in Carmel. I ordered the Gyro and their Taziki Sauce is superb. My friend ordered the Greek Salad and their endless Pita and Hummus - so good! Shared a little split of bubbly and enjoyed their fabulous customer service and warm cozy ambiance. Great wallet-friendly dinner spot. To be honest these guys are brilliant (family owns a few local restaurants) they capitalize on great customer service so even if the just mediocre to good they do great. Smart that they offer all kinds of food including burger and fries (initially thought it was strange) which appeals to tourists and those that aren't into trying "ethnic" foods... which is sad to me... biggest pet peeve is to see people not try different kinds of food, stubborn and their palates won't ever reach their potential.

    (4)

  • Vijay R.

    Very friendly staff. Yummy Chicken shawarma roll!

    (4)

  • Steve D.

    I can say without a doubt that this is my all time favorite restaurant hands down. EVERYTHING is amazing. The food is excellent, the owners are awesome, the music/singing is great. Everyone i have sent here loves it. This place deserves 10 stars! You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Arash M.

    Alright. I have just come back from this heaven and haven't even changed yet! I just have to write these guys the review they deserve. So, first of all, I'm giving them 5 stars, and I'm going to nudge all other reviews I've even written down by one star! Well, I may not do that, but what I mean is that if the service, the food, and the experience I had at this place is 5 star, then nothing else I've had so far is! Dead serious! Ok, so these guys working here are from all over Middle East: Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and this guy who I fell in love with (in no gay way!) Gabriel from Spain and Saudi Arabia. And it really looks like they know what they are doing. We had a fabulous and warm welcome into the restaurant, and no it was not empty when we arrived! It was, in fact, packed! Now when these guys were shaking my hand and welcoming me into the restaurant, I was trying to remember when was the last time I received any such warm welcome to any other place I have been. I still can't think of another place. And this was not limited to one person, or only to the beginning of our service. Gabriel, Bashar (the Syrian guy) and the Jordanian guy stopped by every once in a while to genuinely make sure everything was alright. And everything really was alright. We got two glasses of their Salmon Creek Merlot. I'm no wine expert, so I will only say that I liked the wine. But one thing I can certainly vouch for is the size of the glasses and the amount of wine they had poured--easily twice as much as you'd normally get in any other restaurant, for the same price. Then mom and I decided to go for some of the Greek appetizer, Spankopita as well as some Greek Salad. Understanding we were sharing, they brought our salad in two plates and it was fantastic and huge. The olives in the salad were amazing, and there was a very tasty sauce on the salad that gave it such a unique taste. The Greek appetizer, Spankopita was great and huge too. We were almost completely full by the time we finished our salad and appetizer. Quite uncharacteristically, I couldn't even finish the bread, olive oil and vinegar that we had on the table! For our main course, we shared Lamb Chops, which actually wasn't on the menu and Gabriel had pitched it to us as one of their special entrees of the night. The lamb tasted great and was cooked perfectly. Needless to mention, the portion was HUGE! I have never been as impressed with a restaurant and the quality of their food and service as I was with Dametra. I was told that this place is family owned and operated, and like almost everybody else has mentioned in their reviews, you will have a splendid and homey experience here at Dametra. I couldn't believe Gabriel would shake hands and hug and chat and spend time with EVERY SINGLE GUEST who came in tonight. Especially with kids, he would knee down right by their chairs and talk with them for a good couple of minutes. Another wonderful thing about this place was the timing of their service. Everything was timed to arrive at our table perfectly. You are certainly not rushed through your appetizer and meal. Quite the contrary, you feel like you have to kick back and slow down and enjoy every bit of everything they bring for you. We even got a free Baklava "for the road" as we headed out. Ah, I can keep writing about Dametra, but you won't know until you actually go there and experience it for yourself. Certainly recommended if you are close to Carmel. Attention Ladies! I will take my date to this place :D hehe :P

    (5)

  • Anastasia E.

    This place is AMAZING! I was told by my brother that Demetra Cafe is a must when in Carmel. Boy was he right! This place is as cute as can be. It only holds 15 tables which makes it nice and cozy and intimate. When you walk up to this place at night, there are groups of people waiting outside for their turn to sit and eat this scrumptious food. While waiting outside, the owner comes out and greets each group and chats with them for a while. He is very nice and even checks on you while you are having your meal. Everyone who works in this place is so friendly, even the cook who comes out to sing for us while the owner plays an instrument. My mom and I stayed in Carmel for two days and during those days, we ate at Demetra cafe three times. Each table is given piping hot bread. This bread is very good. Crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. The waitress even pours oil and vinegar for you to dip the bread into. The first night we ordered the fried calamari. I bit into a piece and said Holy Shit! That calamari is hands down the best I've ever had. It is so tender and the dipping sauces are wonderful. For dinner the first night I had the greek combo plate and mom had the moussaka. My plate was delicious. The gyro meat and tzatziki sauce is like none other, the greek salad is yummy with the salty olives and creamy feta, the pita bread is nice and soft and perfect with the hummus, the chicken kabob was very tasty and the addition of perfectly cooked rice was very nice. Mom's moussaka was delicious also. She was given a large portion that is very filling yet addictive. The next day we went for lunch. I had the great greek salad and mom and the gyro. Again we had the scrumptious bread. I can't remember if we had the calamari for lunch too, but I wouldn't be surprised considering how amazing it is. Moms gyro was delicious. I'm telling you, the gyro meat is to die for. My salad came with a generous helping of gyro meat along with triangles of pita bread and tzatziki sauce, creamy feta and yummy dressing. For dinner that night, we each got an appetizer and shared the spaghetti with bolognese sauce. I, of course had to have the fried calamari, and mom had the spanakopita. The spanakopita was wonder and the fried calamari was just as I remembered it. Now on to the spaghetti with bolognese sauce. I have never ever in my life had such a complex tasting, amazing bolognese sauce. It is almost indescribable. We finished every last morsel of that delicious dish. I forgot to mention that each table gets a serving of baklava after their meals. For lunch the second day, we were lucky enough to have the tiramisu. It was the best I've ever had. I can go on and on about this place but it is a must when visiting Carmel. The owner is the nicest man ever and couldn't be more gracious. We will definitely be returning to this restaurant next time we are in California.

    (5)

  • Zee G.

    Great expereince. We could not be seated at our appointed time so they offered us a complimentary half glass of wine while we waited. They seated us as soon as they could and our orders were taken without delay, Service was impressive. The hummus and eggplant salad were tasty. I had the house special the seafood spaghetti. Broth was fragrant clams and mussels and fish were fresh but the spaghetti was ordinary. MY friends had the shish and the meatballs and they were good. The middle-eastern music and dancing was fun and added another dimension to the experience. Altogether a fun night out.

    (4)

  • Dolores B.

    I love Dametra Cafe in Carmel. It is my usual stop for a Sunday afternoon late lunch. The staff are the friendliest I have ever encountered in a restaurant. They are truly thankful to you for visiting their establishment. Sunday afternoons are usually filled with music and dancing, good food and wonderful staff. To those who rated this restaurant poorly I say please don't come back. This is mostly a locals retaurant and those who cannot see Dametra Cafe for the wonderful place it is shouldn't bother. I love this place and will continue to enjoy it.

    (5)

  • Ni N.

    Excellent and friendly service to match my perfect post-race meal. Wish I could live in Carmel for this. ...

    (5)

  • Gail E.

    Died & woke up in Spaghetti Heaven. Husband has always said, "Judge Italian restaurants by their Bolognese"...this Mediterranean Carmel hot-spot does it ALL w/big taste AND flare. Kitchen staff came out to sing while the owner played the Ould. Order the Moroccan Tea w/dessert after :)

    (5)

  • Matt H.

    What a night and story! My wife, 5-yr old and I were staying at Quail Lodge in Carmel for a quick weekend get away. Where to go for Friday dinner? My wife checked Yelp (where else?) and searched for family restaurant near our hotel. Two top results were Mediterranean. One (Demetra) had 1000 reviews and 4.5 stars so we figured it was a winner. Boy was it. We get seated and the restaurant has a nice, fun, Mediterranean decor. We order a veggie combo plate and a regular combo plate to share amongst the three of us plus a glass of Cab for me (my wife rarely orders wine but liberally shares mine). The waiter was really friendly and casual. The busboy who brought bread, poured olive oil and balsamic vinegar was nice too. While we were waiting for our meals, another youngish man came over and kneeled down to talk to Stevie (5). He was really funny and engaging. This went on for several minutes. So I asked him if it was his restaurant and he said yes. My wife volunteered that she found his place on Yelp and he lit up. He said he just got a call from Yelp an hour ago and learned that he had been named #6 in Yelp's Top 100 restaurants in the US!! #6! He was giddy about it so I shared that I worked for Yelp and he expressed such appreciation for Yelp and said it had really helped him grow his business. Cut away to food coming. The spanakopita was my favorite. Flaky crust and big pieces of cheese mixed with the spinach. Really like a great spinach pie. Hummus was creamy. Falafel was a tad dry for my taste but also tasty. My wife's chicken kabab and grilled onions were tasty too. But back to the story. The owner came back again and I asked him about "his story". He came from Syria 9 years ago without speaking English nor much money. He worked at a gas station, then as a room server at the Inn at Spanish Bay, then worked up to management, managed some other restaurants before opening Demetra (Dam for Damascus, etra for Petra - his partner is Jordanian) 5 1/2 years ago. So from nothing to a 4.5 star, 1000 review restaurant. Great testament to his perseverance. But the evening isn't over. Half way through our meal, we hear an oud (musical instrument a bit like a guitar) and drums and it's the restaurant owner and a partner playing and singing. Within 1 minute, they had a dozen people up from their meals and dancing to the music. We all had smiles on our faces and it felt a bit like a family wedding! The Dametra experience definitely combines food and music (so plan for this going in). Finally, we had baklava which was super yummy (and little Stevie's first experience with it). At the end of the meal, we took pictures with the owner, both of us happy with our Yelp coincidence. We can't wait to return next time we're in Carmel and wish Dametra nothing but success. We hope you enjoy this as well.

    (5)

  • H E.

    Excellent food. Appetizer for 4 is generous. This was our third time, all for lunch. Dinners have been too full to get a reservation. Recommend highly.

    (5)

  • Natnaree U.

    I was very excited to try out Carmel's #1 restaurant while visiting. We had about a 10-15 minute wait before we could get seated which was fine - we simply walked around a bit. We ordered lasagna and a Dametra Pasta along with Clam Chowder. We got our bread almost immediately and it was very good. I LOVED the decor, it was beautiful - very Mediterranean - even the restrooms were beautiful and I really enjoyed looking around. Our order seemed to have been forgotten because I noticed everyone around us (who were seated after us) getting their orders. We only saw salads and sandwiches so we thought our main courses must obviously be taking longer. But what about our clam chowder?? After I was starting to get annoyed (because OBVIOUSLY we were sitting there just staring at eachother because we were tired and hungry and there was no food in front of us, no one had asked us if we were doing ok if our order came, etc.) I asked if they could check our order...then in like 5 minute our clam chowder arrived...ok, they forgot. But they didn't acklowedge that they forgot or sorry for the delay but got a reply that 'it's on it's way'. After another 15 minutes I asked again 'it's on it's way?' 'How much longer? Cos I've been waiting for like 35 minutes and the table next to us had already seated another couple who had already finished their meal...'five more minutes'. Ok...then we saw a table which was probably seated 10 minutes prior get their pasta. Well, obviously if you forget someone's order, their order should go to the top so it seems ours didn't. I literally almost left the cafe but if it weren't for my fiance telling me to stay - because we would waste more time and energy finding a new place, ordering and waiting for the food to arrive. Great, my food FINALLY comes out after that 5 minutes - I have no idea how long I waited, because I've been hiking all day, tired and worn out but no one really apologized. Lasagna was good but the pasta was very average. By then I obviously lost my appetite cos I was suppressing my hunger drinking water. As I was paying which I debated leaving a tip, and I even almost took out my pen to write on the back of the receipt of my complaint but then I decided not to because it didn't seem like anyone cared anyway and it was a waste of my time and energy. We suddenly got a 'complimentary' dessert which was VERY good and it changed my mind and I left a tip. My fiance later tells me it seems that the dessert was complimentary to everyone - it wasn't for us because we were forgotten. Oh great, cos if I noticed that I wouldn't have left a tip.

    (2)

  • Mango T.

    I made a reservation for 5:00 PM and when I sat down, I received the lunch menu. Keep in mind that if your menu does not have sandwiches on it, you have the dinner menu and be aware that some items may be more expensive than what's listed on the lunch menu. What we ordered: Shrimp and Crab Ravioli and Chicken Shawarma Sandwich 1) Shrimp and Crab Ravioli - What exactly is the appeal of having to pay $15.95 for 8 ravioli's stuffed with shrimp and crab paste? It's not even stuffed with meat but PASTE! I've had better from a chain restaurant. 2) Chicken Shawarma Sandwich - I actually liked this sandwich way more than the shrimp and crab ravioli. It was very flavorful and the portions are decent, unlike the ravioli. My biggest problem with this restaurant was the attitude of the woman who worked there. I ordered off the lunch menu, which was provided to me when I sat down, and I ordered the shrimp and crab ravioli for $15.95. When I got the bill, the ravioli was for $16.95 and I asked her why it was a dollar more expensive and she pointed to the menu and said "See, it's $16.95." I pointed to the menu on-line and she told me that the one listed on-line was 'outdated.' That was a COMPLETE LIE! So, I did my own investigation and sought out the lunch menu. As I looked at that menu, I saw that sandwiches were on the menu but on the dinner menu, sandwiches were absent. I called the woman back over and asked her HOW in the world did I order a sandwich when I supposedly ordered off the dinner menu? Caught in deceit, she finally admitted that I might have ordered off the lunch menu and said she'd take a $1 off my bill. She knew from the very beginning that I didn't order off the dinner menu because my other dish was a sandwich but STILL, she had the guts to tell me I had ordered off the dinner menu. When I caught the mistake, I had already had them swipe my card so that she wasn't able to take the dollar off my bill. So, in the end, I tipped them a dollar less and essentially the servers and the cooks got screwed for HER mistake.

    (2)

  • Hakim K.

    The owner is a rare diamond in the restaurant world. He cares about each table and each customer. It was a pleasant experience to stop by for dinner. The lamp was amazing! My wife ordered the lamp shank and I had the sheesh kabab...both were the best lamp dishes I had ever.... The best part was the music and the Italian song by the chef...it was a blast..the chef should have ten stars..five for his food and five for his performance. Can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • Elysia C.

    I am SO glad I found this place!! All thanks to you Yelp! During a mini girls' getaway, we were looking for a highly-rated place with amazing food, some gluten-free options & a price tag that wouldn't give me palpitations. We called but couldn't get in our first night so made reservations for the next night. Well I had looked at so many places online my brain refused to hold onto the correct name of the restaurant. I was completely convinced it was La B... I was so certain that at the time of our res we happily walked into the La place & announced that we had reservations. Well of course they didn't have us down, but tables available. I looked at the menu & thought, oh god this is not what I want to eat! So we hurriedly called Dametra to see if they were indeed the restaurant we had reservations with & sure enough they were! And the manager was kind enough to hold our place even though we were quite late. It was actually perfect that we were late because we only had to wait for a few minutes :-) Yes this is a tiny place and the tables are smushed together, but I really didn't mind at all because it felt like family. We made fast friends with the couple squished in to our left. The people & atmosphere was lively & warm & friendly. The staff was attentive & caring even though they were jam packed. And no one gave me a dirty look when I asked about gluten-free options! Woohoo! A woman was there with her family and the manager & staff & cooks came out playing instruments and sang happy birthday, & the whole restaurant joined in! A little while later they came back out and played another song. As for the food... You MUST get the clam chowder. I don't often use acronyms but OMFG! Another BIG thank you to you Yelpies for this recommendation. Having grown up in Santa Cruz & spent numerous summers in Maine, I've had my fair share of clam chowder, which is why I almost never order it. Because it's so often disappointing! But this... this was seriously scrumptious! The flavor is amazeballs (ya, I said it!) & the clams were perfectly fresh & tender. We also ordered the Grilled Jumbo Prawns and Steamed Mussels & Clams. Both were on the Starter menu but the portions were huge! Seafood was very high quality, fresh & flavorful. Prawns were a little heavy on the garlic for my tastes, but still tasty. We also split a salad and were so stuffed we didn't order a dessert but they brought us a complimentary baklava, which was heaven! The wine was also delish. The waiter was sweet enough to bring me 4 different ones to taste (w/o me asking). Can't wait to go back!!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth H.

    Probably one of, if not THE, highlight of a fabulous mother-daughter get-a-way to Carmel. We stayed at the delightful Wayside Inn which was luxurious and then headed to this restaurant. My daughter and her family had been here before and raved about it. Wisely, she had made reservations ahead of time. We were there on a Wednesday evening and it was packed! We walked in and there was music and singing. The Dametra Cafe is like a trip to the Med as a personal guest of a King. You will not only receive sincere charming attention, your taste buds will scream happiness as you taste each delightful dish. As a vegetarian often I have to settle for plain salads but not here! I had the vegetarian plate and it was incredible! The spanakopitas were so delicate and flaky. The falafel's were like none I've ever tried before....I love falafels so I buy them everywhere. These falafels are worth another 2 hour drive just to have them. They had doubled the number of tables since my daughter's last visit and still people had to wait. THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL.....DO NOT MISS IT!

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    My boyfriend and I came here last night to celebrate his birthday, and this dinner was undoubtedly one of my favorite meals ever! I made a reservation for 6:30 on a Saturday night, so we were seated as soon as we walked through the door. From the beginning, our waiter Gabriel made us feel right at home. He shook our hands and welcomed us to his restaurant. We ordered some wine while we perused the menu, and Gabriel made sure to let my boyfriend sample his wine before he got a whole class, since Retsina is an acquired taste (very piney and unusual). Our glasses of wine were very generously poured. We ordered the spanikopita to start, and oh my gosh - it was mouth-watering. I've liked Greek food in the past, but I've never craved it; spanikopita for me has been just OK. However, so many people recommended it here on Yelp that I thought we should try it. Thank you for the recommendations! It was phenomenal - fresh, warm, very flavorful, served with delicious tzatziki sauce. We ordered two entrees to split - the moussaka and the lamb shish kebab. Both were fantastic, but that lamb - SO delicious. It was cooked perfectly and came with grilled onions and tomatoes that just made it so succulent. It also came with rice and a Greek salad with the best fresh feta cheese I've ever had. The waiters periodically came out to sing and dance, and everyone was really into it - old people and young got up to dance in the narrow aisle. We got up to twirl and laugh a bit. They brought some delicious tiramisu after singing to my boyfriend for his birthday. A girl at the table next to us arranged with the waiter for them to make an announcement that her husband was being deployed overseas soon, so they played a CD she brought in while she sang to him. Everyone in the restaurant watched and loved it. People talked to each other from different tables and gave food recommendations. To date, I've been very fortunate to eat at some amazing places - kneeling in old, traditional Japanese ryokans, on a sunny patio across from Roman ruins, barefoot at sunset under a shaded gazebo in Thailand - and this is on par with my favorites. This place feels like family, and the entire experience - food, service, lighting, music - was nothing short of perfection for me. I can't even express how pleased we were with our evening there. Thank you, Dametra!

    (5)

  • Rubi G.

    Definitely a religious experience. If you're a fan of pesto, have the shimp and crab ravioli, it'll make you a better person.

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    We're so glad we decided to try this place after glowing recommendations from friends and online reviewers! The food was beyond compare. We started our meal with complimentary bread that was so fresh and delicious, and also ordered the Dolmas(stuffed grape leaves). Perfection! The portions were generous and the wine list had options for every budget. We ordered a cheaper red wine that turned out ot be a fantastic choice. The chef came out and performed a song for the diners, which was a really nice touch and added to the intimate atomosphere. Definitely make a reservation as this place is tiny! It's worth it even if you have to wait for a table. You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Scott C.

    Another great meal at Dametra's for my wife's 40th birthday. Faisel and the staff couldn't have made it any nicer.

    (5)

  • Nicole B.

    Best Greek food and super fun. Make reservations otherwise you'll be waiting outside. A must when you're visiting Carmel.

    (5)

  • Karen D.

    Second time here and LOVE LOVE LOVED it....okay...great food great wine and loved the flash mob birthday celebrations....only come here if you want to have a great dinner and good time!! So welcoming warm and generous staff. Thanks all!!

    (5)

  • Mimi F.

    Amazing food! We had lunch on a Saturday and came early enough to sit right down. Gyro and chicken schwarma quite good. Portions very generous. Wish the chicken had a bit more flavor, but the aioli sauce made up for everything!

    (5)

  • Stacey G.

    Amazing little gem! This place came recommended from a lady who served us at A Taste of Monterey.(Wine shop) We originally had other lunch plans but when those fell thru we decided to head to Dametra. The place was packed at 3:30 but the host took my name and said he would call when a table was available. 15 mins later my phone rang, great because I was told at least 30 mins. Upon seating we were suddenly overcome by the ENTIRE staff signing,dancing and playing instruments for another guest birthday!! It was quite a show and the whole restaurant participated. Very fun. Now to the food, hands down pretty darn amazing! The yogurt dip with pita was great. My chicken sandwich was juicy and delicious and the gyro my husband ordered was excellent! Delicious delicious delicious!!!!

    (5)

  • Kristin M.

    Great reliable food! Chicken kebob platter w/ shrimp, pita,yogurt sauce,rice & salad. My husband had the beef kebab platter. The owner and manager were so nice and played music. Make sure you make reservations-very popular place

    (5)

  • Oneone L.

    Waited for almost 90min to get a seat for 4. Ambiance and service was great. They were singing and live music for birthday party. Food was ok overall-nothing spectacular for the rating that it has. I guess we got spoiled by Bay Area food, any thing not matching to that taste don't get appreciate . This not a full fledge meditrarion restaurant. It has a mix of Italian, French and Greece to the menu. Service was spotty- too much crowd?

    (3)

  • Patrick A.

    Terrible service; full of people who do NOT care about you or your meal. The food was even worse, way over salted and did NOT taste authentic at all; maybe Greek food with an American spin? THIS PLACE IS OVER HYPED, more of a tourist spot than anything else

    (1)

  • Ahmad A.

    This is a fantastic Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of the elegant city of Carmel. The food is awesome. The service is the best. Location and atmosphere are amazing. I and my friend tried mosaka and falafel. They were great. The bread is so freshly baked and so tasty. Of course these are a lot better with their olive oil and vinegar. If you're in Carmel, definitely you should check it out. Coming back for sure.

    (4)

  • Lara B.

    Loved everything about this experience. The food is outstanding and the service is top notch. We ordered the spanakopita, artichoke ravioli (amazing), Greek chicken with Greek salad and the lamb kebab. Every bite was better than the last. Plus everyone on staff is so nice and accommodating. I'm so so so happy we popped into this beautiful establishment and highly recommend it to all. If you're lucky enough to see them perform a song, it's a real treat.

    (5)

  • Cara R.

    Came in for lunch on the weekend before it got to crowded (yes, this is a place you need to make reservations at for dinner) and thoroughly enjoyed it! I got the falafel wrap while BF got the chicken schwarma sandwich (actually a wrap as well). They were a good size, with a delicious Greek salad in the side. The falafel in mine was a tad dry, but the dipping sauce helped. Similar note on the chicken schwarma, the meat wasn't super flavorful, but the sauce helped. Would like to cone back to try their dinner sometime!

    (4)

  • Christine B.

    WONDERFUL RESTAURANT. Great atmosphere, delicious food. The hospitality is unmatched! I highly recommend this restaurant! Our favorite spot in Carmel!!!!!

    (5)

  • Josselin A.

    Okay, this place is what a good business is all about. I sat their thinking I would love to own a place like that. We stumbled here on a last minute, late-night trip to Carmel. This was one of the few restaurants open past 10pm. The host told us it would be about an hour wait but assured us it'd be worth it...and it sure was! While waiting outside, we saw that some of their workers/owner came out and started playing some Spanish ballads. It was so much fun and it got all the diners going. When we were finally seated, they came out again and played for a couple and a birthday girl. I want to have my birthday here! Clam chowder- certainly one of the better ones I've had. So rich and creamy. I am almost positive they add some special ingredient to give it a very subtle Mediterranean kick at the end.. maybe some sort of leaf or spice? Fan of it! Istabul Kebab- tender, tasty and yummy!! I loved it and would get it again. The side salad was scrumptious and fresh. The rice pilaf was good but a tad cold. I would like to try it again since you can tell it's fluffy and well-cooked but maybe warmer next time. Lamb Shish Kebab- delicious, meat just fell off the bones! Sides were the same as the Istabul Kebab. Calamari- lovely and not super fried and breaded like most other places. Their slices are pretty big too. The Dametra combo appetizer plate had an assortment of dips, a few dolmas, spanakopitas, and pita. I liked it but I would probably want to try something new next time. Their dolmas were yummy and definitely not as bitter as some other places. Their house humus is a classic hit as well. The owner was out on the floor interacting with everyone and making sure everyone was happy. It was just so lovely to see such good vibes all around. It's definitely a lively place to bring friends, family, and significant other for a good time.

    (5)

  • JoHanna W.

    Hands down the best dolmas I have ever had in my life. Amazing servers. You normally need a reservation. I Will Be back.

    (5)

  • S T.

    One of the best Mediterranean restaurants I've had in a long time! I had their Greek style lamb shank with potatoe gratin and veggies - veggies were perfectly cooked, lamb was melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful! Potatoes were delish! We were stuffed but otherwise would have tried their pan a cotta - someone seated next to us ordered it and it looked like the perfect end to the meal. Would definitely go back there again. Would recommend making reservations. We went over Labor Day weekend and wait was long.

    (5)

  • Joel N.

    The best food the best service just a perfect restaurant ! A 10 ! Coming back tonight for round 2

    (5)

  • Kevin M.

    One of the best dinner experiences we've had! The wait was long, the room was tight, but once we tasted the food and experienced the night, it was totally worth it! The food is authentic, as the restaurant is owned and run by guys from Syria. The owners walked around all night, greeted people, served food, and even played some live, rowdy music at one point in celebration of a marriage and an anniversary! This is a MUST EAT for anyone near the area! Make sure to call ahead for reservations otherwise you'll be waiting a while. But even if you have to wait, WAIT! It's worth it!

    (5)

  • Michelle K.

    My new husband and I were fortunate enough to stumble upon this wonderful restaurant the first night of our honeymoon stay in Carmel! Upon entering we were quickly seated (must have been our timing, 10 minutes later there was a line outside so I would recommend a reservation) by the very friendly staff. Not only was the food delicious but the ambiance and decor is wonderful! I fell in LOVE with the gorgeous hanging light fixtures! We were even treated to a live musical performance from the owner and staff as they celebrated the birthdays and anniversaries of other customers. The owner was visible throughout most of our meal and came by our table twice to check in on us. To top things off we received a plate of Baklava compliments of the restaurant, what a surprise! We will be back, if not to celebrate our one year anniversary then possibly sooner to the share the experience with family!

    (5)

  • Paullette T.

    The minute you walk in till the mixture You leave you have their full attention, their food is amazing, their service was even more amazing, the chef pops out once in a while to say hello or sing a song lol. Very warm and kind environment

    (5)

  • Kaycee M.

    Awesome food and an all around fun dinner experience. It was busy when we came on a Tuesday night, so we sat at the bar top instead of waiting for a table. Not a bad choice if you don't mind the bar stool seating. About halfway thru our dinner a couple of the employees started playing a guitar and drum, and singing what I can only assume is a traditional Greek song. So much fun. The whole restaurant starts clapping and people start dancing. Dinner and a show! I had the grilled salmon and my friend had the Greek Combo Platter. Both were delicious! The salmon was perfectly cooked, very tender and moist. I was having salad envy looking at my friends Greek Salad so I ended up ordering one on the side. Fresh and delicious! We also really liked the Tzaziki with Pita bread appetizer and the Baklava dessert.

    (5)

  • Doug C.

    Istanbul combo and house salad. House salad little too sweet tasted sweeter than balsamic vineger and oil maybe w addrd sugar istanbul salad cucumber olives ranch style dressing. Meat kebabs good Large portion sizes reflected in entree prices

    (3)

  • Joleen Q.

    For such a touristy area, we were treated like regulars at this place. We got a pizza loaded with veggies, dolmas which were tasty, and a kebab plate. The beef was cooked perfectly and was tender on top of delicious rice. The salad was tasty as well. The place is beautifully decorated with lovely lamps. was a nice touch to be around the live music and the wine bar!

    (5)

  • Veronica I.

    Oh my, what a find. We are staying in Monterey but wanted to dine in Carmel. We searched yelp, looking for something other than seafood and saw this. At first they were booked with reservations but walk ins do get seated if you're lucky(we were). The atmosphere is joyful, the decor is amazing and the food beyond compare. We started with the hummus which was fabulous, I had the Greek platter, my hubby had the special, lamb chops and our daughter(13) had the 4 cheese ravioli. It is not often that the 3 of us are absolutely thrilled with our meal and the restaurant, but this was definitely one of those times. One of if not the best dining experience on this trip!

    (5)

  • Ricky L.

    if you are CRAVING authentic Mediterranean food, this is the place to go! The atmosphere is more on the elegant side, but not TOO fancy to the point of where you'd have to dress up to go. It's definitely lively though (HINT: GO DURING DINNER BECAUSE THE STAFF SINGS TO YOU!!) I came here on a Friday morning before heading down the 17-mile drive. Came a little too early so they weren't open yet; good thing they have a beach with a BEAUTIFUL view of Carmel if you have some down time. What caught my attention here the most is the service. It's phenomenal. Once you walk in the door, you are greeted with such a warm welcome. It was a little more on the expensive side for each dish but trust me, it's definitely worth it for the schwarma! Portions were more than enough to fulfill me and my girlfriend! Complimentary FRESH baked bread to go with vinegar and olive oil. Kept us alive while we were starvingggg for the entrees to come :)

    (4)

  • Julie W.

    We picked Dametra for our first dinner spot (based on Yelp rating) during our recent mini vacation in Carmel. The place was jam packed on a Thursday evening ; we were told the wait could be 45 minutes. They took our numbers down, we got the call 20 minutes later. Service was very warm and friendly, one can feel the high energy in the air upon entering. During dinner, the very Greek looking manager (?) serenading with a guitar to a couple celebrating anniversary, they certainly do a great job putting everyone in a jolly mood. I'd give 5 stars for service and ambiance. For the two of us, we ordered grilled prawns, clam chowder, combination mezza plate, a Greek salad with gyro meat and wine by the glass. The food didn't quite measure up IMHO; the best dish was the grilled prawn appetizer hands down all other dishes were just OK. We were offered complimentary Baklava with our coffee, the generous pour of wine definitely worth mentioning. Perhaps we didn't order the right dishes or our expectation was too high; I'd still consider Mametra a nice choice for a meal in downtown Carmel, my rating is 3.5 stars.

    (3)

  • Matthew H.

    Phenomenal meal and location. The decor and the staff's responsiveness was as good as the calamari, margarita pizza, and Greek salad that we had. If I lived in Carmel this would be a weekly visit for me!

    (5)

  • Jackie H.

    5 stars. Just a really fun place. Well decorated. Live music. Owner came out with an instrument. Cook also came out and sang. So original! We ordered calamari and Greek salad. Perfection.

    (5)

  • Shiv S.

    Awesome customer service - I mistakenly order a dish and asked for the new one and they did seamlessly. Must try salmon grill with potatoes!!!!!

    (5)

  • Robin E.

    Love this place! Go there every time I'm in town to visit my Dad. Great food fun ambience and great staff!

    (5)

  • Derek K.

    Been here a few times, and always a great experience. Excellent food, excellent service, fun atmosphere with some entertainment. Always our go-to spot when in CBTS.

    (5)

  • Emelina L.

    The family and I had dinner here this past weekend and fell in love with the atmosphere. It's a tiny place and so cute. The staff is great and very attentive. Now on to the food...hummus and pita was a great start, very tasty, the falafel was DELICIOUS!!!!!! According to my 6 yr old even the kids cheese pizza was very tasty. During dinner the place was serenaded. We loved it here and will for sure come again whenever we are in the area.

    (4)

  • Cathy D.

    This is a fun place to eat! I love the ambiance, and the food . The service is excellent too! Go early if you are hungry because the place is always packed and there are always customers waiting in line. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Lynsey H.

    We visited this restaurant based on yelp reviews & it did not disappoint! The food was excellent, I had the Greek chicken kebab, which was a great portion size & full of flavor. My hubby had the meat salad & found it very nice, although would have liked more olives! The atmosphere was lively, with staff singing & entertaining, but not too overpowering. The staff were really friendly & I think it was the manager that also came over to see how we were finding things & ask where we were from, we were made to feel very welcome. We finished the evening with baklava, which was amazing & plenty to share as you get a generous portion. All round great value & I would return if visiting Carmel again & would definitely recommend to others.

    (5)

  • Silvana P.

    This Jordanian middile eastern place serves as an outlet for entertainment as well, especially if it's your birthday! The entire staff will drop their routine and perform on an oud guitar and dombeks and transform the fun ambiance of the restaurant into a chill evening with friends in the mediterranean (although Jordan is inland, look it up, very ancient country). The food is decent but a bit pricey and yet not the priciest for Carmel. I am defenetly going back.

    (4)

  • Kristen L.

    First time in Carmel, and we were recommended this spot. We had a long wait but it was all worth it. Small gem in the middle of Carmel. The ambiance was perfect (romantic) and the food was to die for, definitely recommended!

    (5)

  • Chulin G.

    This place is overrated from my experience. Maybe because we went for lunch. We got the appetizer and enter platters. The portions were relatively small and the food tasted average. We went for dinner the night before and they were fully booked with a long line outside. They don't take reservations for lunch - you have to go early. We got there around 11:20 (they open at 11:00) the place was almost full. The place is cozy and nicely decorated. Great ambiance - they had someone singing a song during lunch when all tables were filled. Overall overrated though.

    (3)

  • Ted R.

    There's not much to say beyond what others have mentioned... this is a great place! The food is delicious and fresh! Great tzatziki, delicious kebabs, and good pilaf... and generous portions. And, just like many people mention, the staff are very friendly- playing music, greeting people by name, and, yes, even a pat on the back or a hug when leaving. Will definitely return here on my next visit. It was packed and for good reason- what a great place!

    (5)

  • Jim F.

    What a great experience I just had here! They closed the whole restaurant for our private wedding reception and I've never seen such wonderful food, a warm friendly staff, fun entertainment and a great atmosphere all in one night! Highly recommend this place, I'll be back

    (5)

  • Michael H.

    OK ... now THAT was a night to remember! We have 'dinner out' all the time - but rarely do I walk out having had an absolute blast! ! Great food, impeccable service - but mostly FUN! Such an awesome atmosphere, right in the heart of Carmel by the Sea.

    (5)

  • Lindsay K.

    Best part of our meal was the complimentary Baklava. The rest of the food was alright. Nothing special, really. In no way was it bad, but it was not very memorable. The service was a little off; it took us a while to get waters and menus. It wasn't until we asked to see menus (after already being seated) that we received them. When we ate at Dametra it was a busy lunch hour during labor day weekend, so the service was understandably on the slow side. Our server didn't offer any drinks or recommend any dishes either. All in all, I was not impressed.

    (3)

  • Stas G.

    I've head Mediterranean food in many different places in the world. Food in Dametra has exceptional quality and taste. It is the best I've ever had. It's not just a good food place, Dametra is must to come place if you are dining in Carmel

    (5)

  • tam s.

    The BEST TIME I've ever had in a restaurant! The staff are so welcoming that everyone comes in with a smile, sensing that they are going to experience more than just an extraordinary meal. And boy did we! The food and service are amazing, but the big surprise is when your sweet ( innocent?) host suddenly enters the small dining area with a guitar accompanied by his not so innocent singing chef! There's more, but I don't want to spoil your surprise! Just go there, enjoy some fabulous food and be sure to make friends with your neighbors. We sure did! My son and I had a wonderful time!

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    I wanted to give it 5 stars. The food was good. The cook coming out from the kitchen to sing was worth a full star but the service was just ok. I found out there was a special after I ordered when the guy at the table next to me got his food. I ordered a cup of soup that never came. Then we waited a long time for a check and having the table cleared. They had the bartender serving us and she may have been more preoccupied with the people at the bar. Anyway, more like 3.5 stars but I'd like to give it another try because the atmosphere and food was good.

    (4)

  • Esther B.

    The food here was great! My two friends and I shared two plates. We had the prawn pasta a la creme, and the combination platter. Considering the place was packed, we got our food in a timely manner. The portion sizes were huge, so I'm glad we decided to share the two plates. The chicken on the combination platter was amazing! The tzaziki sauce was a bit bland and runny for my tastes, and the lamb/beef gyro meat was really moist, yet a little on the saltier side. The pasta was so good! Creamy and hot with prawns and tomato. Overall the food was great.

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    If there was a sixth star on yelp I would give it to dametra! I think this might be my favorite restaurant. Ever. Everything was amazing. You MUST eat here if in Carmel, even if that means waiting 45 minutes. After our meal the waiter asked how our meal was and I told him I gave it a five out of five on yelp. The check came and with it, a complimentary plate of baklava. Amazing! The service was wonderful, delightful, a little rushed because of the long wait at 4 in the afternoon on a Monday, but nonetheless an amazing dining experience!!

    (5)

  • John B.

    "Like nowhere else" reads their card and, having lived, wined and dined in this area for 15 years, I would agree. "Food, service, atmosphere, value; pick any two" is often the caveat for many places to dine down here and Dametra, in a seemingly effortless way that must have taken much hard work, detail and talent, manages to offer all four! The location is inviting and right on Ocean Ave with a bright and spotlessly-clean dining room that in open yet intimate. Terracotta painted walls with accent paintings for drapes give a feeling of exotic comfort that welcomes you in from both the fog and the street crowds. The menu has offerings from local appetizer favorites like calamari and muscles to more standard Mediterranean dishes like humus. Believe me when I say there is something for everyone here and a young girl dining on a huge burger with fries gave me a big thumbs up when I asked if it was good. The wraps are delicious, bargain priced and all the presentations are almost too artistic to disturb. Didn't stop us from having the steamed clams/muscles, Jerusalem wrap and baklava so fresh, we slapped it before we devoured it along with a Turkish coffee. The wine prices can't be beat and we had a bottle of Cline zinfandel that was less than the cost to wash the glasses. Speaking of which, my sweetheart noticed the cobalt blue water goblets that add to the many nice subtle touches of this jewel of a place. Its former resident, an old Italian standby, always seemed very dark and obscure. The owners are no amateurs and actually recognized me from their International Market on Lighthouse Ave. in Monterey. They also have one of the most popular food booths at the Tuesday Alvarado Farmer's Market. A more friendly and gracious team you will be hard-pressed to find. Although every seat was filled, we received just the right amount of attention which was very professional, friendly and generous. I am a creature of habit and Dametra could be my latest...we had barely tasted our food when we were already planning a return visit with our next out-of-town guests. I doubt that I'll wait that long, since this is a place where both locals and visitors will find delightful. In a month, they will find it by the line out the door. So go now, this minute...you cannot go wrong.

    (5)

  • M D.

    So salty

    (2)

  • Bob W.

    Everything that has been said about this restaurant is true...the food is excellent, the staff is friendly, the musical serenade is beautiful. We were able to get squeezed in early in the evening (although it looked like he had a pretty full book later), and had a great experience. Our food came quickly, and looked wonderful (interestingly enough, the couple in the table next to us ordered the exact same things we did). I had the lasagna, and the meat was perfectly seasoned, and the generous amount of mozzarella really made it kick. My wife got the gyro, and said that it was the best she'd ever had, by a long shot. The prices are reasonable for what you get (good portions, great quality) and the atmosphere is cozy, friendly, and family-oriented. If you have an opportunity to go here, don't miss it! We will be returning there for lunch by the end of the week.

    (5)

  • Ralph T.

    Love this place!!!! Should I say more? Sure, why not. The owners are so friendly and make you feel very welcome in their small restaurant. The menu is extensive. From a hamburger to Italian, Greek and other wonderful Mediterranean dishes too many to name. We started with the Baba Ghanoug with pita bread. Good flavors melded together. I had the lamb shish kebab. Very tender lamb with veggies and rice. The proportions were great. Great flavors mixed together-wonderful. My wife had the Greek Combo plate. It had everything, I tried the chicken-oh wow. Very flavorful a wonder combination of spices and cooking style. We had an Argentinean malbec. Pretty good at a reasonable price. They served fresh french bread with olive oil and vinegar. Service was very attentive and friendly. This place is wonderful . When you are on the peninsula you need to make a reservation and try this place.

    (5)

  • marcos j.

    Wow......the place is great. The clam chowder was amazing to start. Had the Greek combo plate. Simply amazing. Top notch service with an owner that is attuned to the costumer. The music was great! An amazing experience.

    (5)

  • Astha S.

    Hummas & kababs are yummmm.. lamb chops were great. Very busy place.

    (4)

  • H C.

    Love this place! Such a treat! Great atmosphere, service and food! Best place to go for a special occasion! Right on Ocean Avenue - can't beat it!

    (4)

  • Alice K.

    If you ever go to Carmel and you like Mediterranean food, you definitely got to try this place out. We decided to stop by Carmel for a late lunch after being on HWY 1 for many hours. We came to this place based on rave yelp reviews. Since there were no address, it took as a while to find it (it not at the corner, it's one door down from the corner). A friendly local offered her help to us knowing we are lost and looking at the wrong corner. It turned out to be this really small and charming restaurant on Ocean. Even though we got there around 2:00pm, the restaurant was still full of people. The ambient was very warm and inviting; people seems to enjoy themselves there. Then out of surprise, all of sudden we hear singing, then dancing in this tiny restaurant. I guess the owner and the wait staffs decided to give all of us an impromtu party. :-) It was really fun! It feel like I walked into a warm family party. Not only the staffs are dancing; the patrons too. The wait staffs were great! She apologized for her slight delay in taking our order because she was helping with the show. :) So now come to the food. Everything I said above could be just the "touristy" thing right? We we so delightly surprised how great the food was! You can tell the chef really put a lot of heart to it. We started with Spanakopita. So yummy and flaky; it was truly memorable! Then instead of Gyro which I normally ordered for lunch; I ordered Lamb shish kabob (medium); my husband ordered Greek Combo (just so we can really try out this restaurant). Both of them were fantastic. Everything tasted so fresh and you can tell the ingredients they use are of good quality. My husband and I both agreed the Lamb Shish kabob is definitely better than the Chicken one as white meat chicken do tend to get a little bit dry after grilling. However, the flavor were wonderful! Also, the salad, the creamy yogurt dressing, the rice, and hummus are all wonderfully flavored. What a great meal! We truly didn't expect it from a tourist town. As a special touch, the owner gave us Baklava with freshly whipped cream and honey for dessert to try. Since I'm not a dessert person and don't like sweet that much, I was expecting to just take a bite for the taste and that's it. But, wow! was I surprised. OK, it was sweet, but not sugarly sweet! Actually, we tasted honey sweet. It seems like it was cooked with honey and not sugar. The whip cream perfectly complemented the Baklava. I ended up finished the whole thing. :-) The bottomline, we came away so satisfied and instantly becoming their fan; both for their food and the special friendly atmosphere they created for us.

    (5)

  • Randy C.

    Looking for the old cafe Napoli (they've moved) I stumbled across this place in the old location. We walked by on a Friday night, when all the other spots were pretty much empty. They were packed and appeared to be hopping. So we gave it a try. They are open untill 11pm so they are a good late night option. The menu plays between Italian and Greek, with hardly a nod to the owners middle eastern roots (the Israeli Kafta, Turkish Kebab or chicken shawarma is about it). This is a shame, because I'm sure he could do much better focusing on that side of the mediteranian. The wine list is fairly lacking. Service is good and they have turkish coffee. Worth a trip as a good late night option if you roll into town late and hungry. They are pretty new - so the kinks should work out soon. I wish them luck.

    (3)

  • Travers G.

    Best atmosphere, great food. Open late, small, always full. Staff goes the extra mile.

    (5)

  • b s.

    Dametra is a remarkable restaurant with a remarkable owner who clearly loves his business and appreciates his customers even if they are there for the very first time. All the staff are attentive and efficient and gracious, which is a very rare circumstance. The menu is Middle Eastern and among the four of use we had the ciopino, the halibut, the moussaka, and the lamb shanks. The lamb shanks were the best I have eaten anywhere. The ciopino also drew a big thumbs up as did the moussaka. The halibut was average. There is a good wine list with a wide range of reds and whites and many California and Monterey/Santa Cruz wines to choose from. We had the Estancia pinot noir which at $27 a bottle was reasonably priced - quite refreshing for the Monterey and Carmel area where most restaurants have a 300% or higher markup on wine. During the meal the owner played what looked like a tamboura while one of his workers played a tsimbourleki and the women were encouraged to dance which about ten proceeded to do. Very positive energy in this restaurant and a great dining experience overall. We had reservations and at the scheduled time we were promptly seated with no waiting on our part even though the restaurant was packed. There is a bar of sorts next door if you come early and want to wait indoors. Parking is on the street but if you are there in the evening it is not too difficult to find a spot within a few short blocks of the restaurant. It is a small restaurant (you could say intimate) and it is great for couples or groups of four but anything larger would be a very tight fit and I would advise going elsewhere. It would be a perfect way to start a romantic evening for a couple. It is a very clean restaurant and I have managed food service operations and am as a result more likely to notice any problems in this area. Everything was spotless throughout the meal. This is as well managed a restaurant as I have had the pleasure to eat at anywhere, add in friendly and efficient staff, excellent food, and the great overall atmosphere created by the owner who is actually there working, and you have a rare dining experience and one we hope to repeat in the very near future.

    (5)

  • Mateo C.

    I decided to go here because of the Yelp reviews, and I have to say I wasn't disappointed. The parking was tough to find and the city was crowded, but it was worth it. The place was very small and cramped but for some reason it fit the atmosphere. The menu had pasta and pizza as well as some Greek dishes. I ordered the lamb because I love lamb, and it was excellent. I also ordered pita bread and tzatziki sauce. They brought out bread with olive oil and vinegar, which was good. The Pita bread was fresh baked, soft and excellent. The Tzatziki sauce was slightly on the tangy side, but it was great. The lamb was some of the best lamb I have had; very soft, tender, and flavorful. The meal its self was great, but then while we were eating, the staff bust out with some Italian (or Spanish, I couldn't tell) because it was someone's birthday. I definitely recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Y K.

    After symphony we walked over near closing time for a much-awaited double date dinner. We ordered the usual hummus and babaganoush with pita bread, the Dametra insalate, the greek salad, clam chowder, and some steamed mussels and clams (as the kitchen was nearly closed they limited us to appetizers, salad, and soups). The guy was so gracious, inviting us in when the door was closed, and said "I'm glad you came here, my friend" and called our guys "brothers" repeatedly. He gave us recommendations, made sure we had absolutely everything we needed and treated us like family in his own home. The food, as always, is totally incredible. The guy said "our clam chowder is incredible" when I asked him about it and I will tell you it is quite incredible. The salads were really good, too - Dametra Insalate is so awesome, with tart sweetness of the cherry vinaigrette and bright, red apple slices and salty, toasted walnuts. I particularly love the mussels and claims in the tomato-garlic broth here with their soft and slightly crusty, dense and fluffy house focaccia. Everything is piping hot and seasoned/cooked to perfection, and there is a certain degree of simplicity that is undeniably beautiful about their food here. There is so much care put into preparation, and everything from the olive oil and bread to the hummus (which is made with the beans peeled, obviously) is so decadent and delicate at the same time. Since we were all musicians, we egged the guy on to play on his oud (a guitar-like instrument) and we got our violins out and jammed with him for a bit. We ordered the Moscato at the beginning of the meal which was just sweet enough but refreshing and crisp; he sent us home with an additional bottle on the house. Towards the end of the meal/jam sesh/conversational experience he asked if we cared for dessert. When we declined he said, "how about a little something on the house, huh?" and sent us two traditional turkish gold carafes of dark, rich, spicy turkish coffee and individual slices of baklava. When we got our check we made sure we left a hefty tip. This had to have been one of the most amazing meals of my life.

    (5)

  • Varun G.

    This place deserves 5+ stars, a true blow away the rating scale restaurant. The chief chef and also the owner is an amazing person, very friendly and humble and extremely hospitable. No wonder people stand queued for an hour or more for a chance to dine here. We could only get a reservation for 10 pm on a long weekend Saturday night and even then it took us about 20 mins to get seated, but while waiting the owner served all of us a glass of wine on the house and later when we checked the menu the same wine was $10 by glass! The ambience of this single aisle restaurant is transported directly from a Greek or southern Italian village with their menu covering items covering an array of regions around that part of the globe. Our appetizer of Hummus and Baba Ghanoush came with warm and soft Pita bread. We ordered wine by the glass and this was probably the most wine I have been served in one glass outside of home and still priced under $10 a glass. Our Entrées were timed well from our appetizer and really delicious. We had baklava as desert which was presented with a dressing of caramel sauce and whip cream. They also have a collection of instruments that they take up many times during the evening, during our couple of hours there they played multiple times to wish a couple on their engagement and some folks on their birthday and all restaurant employees took part in the singing. It is a little Mediterranean gem in Caramel downtown that has managed to stay away from the pricey tags of most of its neighbors and topped it with great hospitality unseen at any other restaurant around Monterey or bay area.

    (5)

  • Getafix O.

    Good food and great service at a great price. very nice falafel wraps and their babaghanoush was also amazing. Ask for their pepper sauce as a side with the wraps.. you will not regret it.

    (4)

  • Lindsay P.

    Food was yummy, owner and staff very attentive and welcoming! Small hole in the wall place, we had a reservation and walked right by it the first time. DH and I shared the smoked salmon appetizer which was paired deliciously with feta, capers, and some type of cheesy bread. We had the Greek combination platter with the hummus, pita bread, kabob, gyros, and Greek salad. Very good! Baklava is to die for!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth R.

    After scanning yelp for a recommendation my friends and I ended up at Dametra Cafe. We were not disappointed. It was absolutely delicious!! I had to give this restaurant a 4 not a 5 because of the bathroom situation, You have to wait in the kitchen to use the restroom which is really awkward! Other than that, highly recommended!

    (4)

  • Marilyn C.

    Amazing food, good prices, cute decor, and exceptional service. We were treated to a live song by the owner and a cook. The owner was playing a traditional Greek style guitar (not sure of the name). The entire restaurant joined in clapping along and singing to the music. It was like a scene out of a movie....sort of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" meets a Tuscan Vineyard restaurant. Very fun. The restaurant is well adorned with authentic Mediterranean details. It is very small (as most places in Carmel are), which adds to the cozy ambiance. Hopefully you don't get annoying people sitting at the next table over like we did who stared at us intently like starving children while we ate, asked us about our food repeatedly, then made loud noises of pleasure while eating and kept repeating cheesy phrases like "simply amazing" or "superb" and "exquisite" between groans of food pleasure...only to end their meal by complaining to the owner about an ant in their food that I am pretty sure did not exist and they were hoping to get a free meal because of. The wait staff was kind, attentive, and very gracious. The owner, who is also the head chef, greets all patrons at the door and seats them personally. He then walks around the entire restaurant to check on you during the meal. My husband and I shared and appetizer and entree and were very full. We ordered a Greek beer that was pricey and not entirely worth it, but was interesting and thus we didn't mind since we enjoy trying new beers at least once. The bread and the pita are absolutely to DIE for. It was seriously like eating a cloud. The humus was excellent and the spinach and filo appetizer was amazing. Our entry was delicious, flavorful, and filling. We were very pleased with our meal, one of the best dinners I have had in a long long time at a very reasonable price (cheap for Carmel!). The entire experience was almost magical. To top off the perfect meal, the owner brought us a free desert of his baklava. It was the best baklava either of us had ever eaten. I left feeling full, happy, and like I got more than my money worth. Walked out of there spending less than $35 with tip for a beer, appetizer, entree, and free desert.. WOW. Would HIGHLY recommend to anyone.

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    Best restaurant we dined at in Carmel. My family made a reservation for the evening and arrived about 10 minutes early. The space is very small, so we had to wait next to the door while our table was prepared. I didn't mind; this was to be expected by our early arrival. The owner did not like the fact that we had to wait, so he greeted us with a warm welcome and provided glasses of wine for our whole party on the house. Excellent food at extremely fair prices. The space they have is very small, but no one seemed to mind; people will even line up outside if there are tables unavailable. The owner and wait staff played an anniversary and birthday song on a lute while we dined which was really cool. The environment was very friendly; I would absolutely dine there again.

    (5)

  • Kent T.

    Great environment, very popular. MAKE RESERVATIONS and don't listen to promises made on the spot. Superb meals. Loved Lamb shank & Lamb kabob, Greek salad. My friends from Reno raved about their meals.

    (5)

  • Tyler L.

    Well done, Dametra. I'm typically a bit dubious about places with a near 5 star rating, but I figured 500+ yelpers couldn't all be fake, so I let the wifey talk me into it. We were meandering around the central coast for our honeymoon, and our journeys brought us to Carmel. Unfortunately, the city was packed for a car show, I was hungry, and a 20 minute wait had me a little snappy. I like classic cars as much as the next guy, but I also hate pretentious idiots, and this city seems to be full of em. And they kept bumping into me. I tell you this not because it has anything to do with the food, but because it sets the stage for how amazing the restaurant had to be to get 5 stars with me in this mood. I was about ready to hightail it out of this town when we were seated. Dametra began to work its magic. The staff here is as charming as the decor, and we ordered morrocan mint tea, grilled prawns, and dolmas to start. The cilantro aioli that came with the prawns was superb, and it came in handy later for the fries I had with the lamb shank. Fries with lamb shank? At an upscale establishment? Worry not, intrepid diner. It was a substitution... wheat and dairy intolerance precludes both the potatoes au gratin and the rice pilaf which would typically accompany this fine dish. Anyways, the main dish arrived with a pleasant musical interlude - The chef came "all the way from the kitchen" to serenade the patrons. And the lamb shank came with a steak knife, which seemed par for the course for a sizable hunk of meat. It wasn't until I took my first bite that I realized the steak knife was superfluous... the lamb flaked with a fork and dissolved in my mouth. No, seriously. It was perfect in every way... well seasoned, tender, and utterly delicious. It came with broccoli, which was steamed and buttery but still crispy enough to need a knife... which is good when you're talking about broccoli. I guess that's what the knife was for. Not superfluous after all, just not necessary for its obvious purpose. Delicious! On the way out, the owner asked me how my meal was and shook my hand. Little stuff like that goes a long way to locking down a 5 star review. When we're up here again, this place will definitely be on our itinerary. And if you're up there all the time... well, I envy you.

    (5)

  • Mattheus K.

    Wow. Just wow. Possibly the best thing to happen to Carmel in a long time! We always stop here at least once when we're in the area and we have yet to be disappointed. Dametra is one of the few places worth eating at in Carmel, even if it comes with a long wait. They take reservations so make sure to call ahead. They're packed every night and the staff makes it a point to make you feel like the guest of honor and are well taken care of. The portions for the entrees are quite big, so unless we have other people with us we tend to order a few appetizers instead of a full entree so we can try out more dishes.

    (5)

  • Howard S.

    Good vibes the minute we entered. While waiting for our table, the staff played music and sang and got some patrons up to dance. My wife got the Halibut and loved it. I chose to get Greek Salad, Babaganoush (huge portion) and Spanikopita. Took half home. Tight fit for many tables, but contributed to cozy taverna feel. Would definitely return when visiting Carmel.

    (5)

  • Alex N.

    Big portions, tasty, great atmosphere. Would be great if they had cocktails, but only wine and beer were on the menu. Extra plus for live music and awesome people.

    (5)

  • Jorge R.

    I would have left 5 stars, but I need to go back and try some other dishes (*) My wife and I went for dinner celebrating our first anniversary and for our fortune we made a reservation. Despite the reservation we where on hold for more than 30 minutes, although Faisal (one of the owners) greeted us with some local wine and we kind of had a wine tasting experience while waiting. Definitely make a reservation, since is a small place and extremely popular. The people working there was just amazing! Everyone was super warm and welcoming. A bit after we finally got our table, Faisal and the crew started a whole mediterranean/middle-eastern music show, inviting people to join them. It was surprisingly good and we really enjoyed it. The menu covers some greek, italian and lebanese food (mainly) and since we were craving italian, we gave a shot to some italian dishes, although starting with the most amazing humus we have ever had. (*) Here's why not 5 stars: We ordered pasta... my wife a creamy pasta with shrimp and I had their Dametra pasta. I am allergic to shrimp and when I told the girl helping us she made sure to put a word regarding my order not to be in touch with shrimp (incredibly thoughtful). But the pasta was definitely overcooked and that is criminal, although the mix of flavors and ingredients was sensational, but the pasta has to be al dente. That's why we need to go back and try other things. It wasn't uneatable at all, is just a matter of pasta principles. We got a complimentary dessert since our anniversary, completely unexpected! It was a Tiramisu cake that was amazing. Definitely a must if you go to Carmel. Make a reservation and if you need to wait you can always go to the wine bar next door meanwhile. We would go back daily... really fun place, incredible humus and we have pending trying other dishes (that I'm sure it will lead to 5 stars). The wine selection by the glass could be better... the bottle selection was definitely better than the by-the-glass one (One glass of very good wine is likely to lead to the whole bottle).

    (4)

  • Haresh P.

    Great food and awesome service...with singing

    (5)

  • Tony R.

    My wife and I were in Carmel for a quick get away and wanted a nice place to have dinner for our last night in town. Our server at the Tuck Box (very nice for tea, lunch) suggested that we go to the Demetra Cafe in Carmel for wonderful Greek/Middle-Eastern food. After a day at Point Lobos and the Monterey Aquarium, our friendly GPS guided us back to downtown Carmel and the Demetra Cafe. We walked past several other restaurants that were virtually empty, to arrive at Demetra, which was packed; Thursday evening in December at 6:15pm. We squeezed in through the front door an hardly waited at all before Gabriel came striding up to us from the back, greeting us like the locals (we're from Seattle), as if we came every week. I exclaimed that I didn't know him, but no matter, he said his name was Gabriel and what was mine? Even though we had no reservations, he was able to seat us at the last available table. near the door.As it turned out, we were lucky to get there when we did, because many other people either had to wait, went away to return later, etc. Gabriel recommended a wonderful Italian wine and we had their brochette to start, along with a fresh crunchy peasant bread, olive oil and balsamic. WONDERFUL. He recommended the lamb chops which were their special for the night. My wife had moussaka. The lamb was superb and my wife declared the moussaka to be the best she'd ever had. We finished off the bottle of wine, ordered two Turkish coffees and had baklava. The food, the atmosphere, the wine, the entertainment and the hospitality was an experience that neither of us will soon forget. The bread was so good that I asked for a loaf to be added to our tab. All in all, a wonderful evening and a huge THANKS to Paul at the Tuck Box for the recommendation. Even though the food was superb, the genuine warmth of the staff was truly the highlight of the evening. Thanks, Gabriel!

    (5)

  • Shwetha R.

    Super duper good. Very nice selection of small plates..theur Bruschetta & babaganoush were out of the world. very good hummous and Falaffel wrap as well. they brought us dessert on the house...a most wonderful baklava, the taste still lingers! Will definitely be back. Service was very efficient & friendly. They managed to do this despite the steady stream of diners coming in non stop. A good idea is to put your name and walk around some, and come back to be seated.

    (5)

  • Mario L.

    If I could enter a zero stars I would. The owner Biska had us wait in his sitting area which is the the building next door for 90 minutes without warning it would take that long. When we arrived, we told him it was our anniversary and he said he would take care of us. Well, he sure did, he had us waiting for 90 minutes. What was frustrating about the evening, he escorted at least 5 other groups who arrived after us to their dining table as we sat there. He comes across as a nice guy and the locals love him, perhaps we should have asked a one of the locals to join our party to be treated better. We left and headed over to Casanova although they were packed as well, the hostess sat us as soon as we arrived and we enjoyed a delicious anniversary dinner. Non locals avoid the Dametra Cafe black hole waiting area.

    (1)

  • Don M.

    One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Period.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    Hands down my most enjoyable dining experience! Food was great and the hosts were even better. Don't go if you're in a rush or have a tight schedule. You'll want to savor as much of the experience as you possibly can.

    (5)

  • E D.

    Spec Tac U Lar Lamb, bread, spanikopita and tzatiki.

    (5)

  • Teresa W.

    Food was great, service was top notch along with a show! The best baklava ever!!!

    (5)

  • David S.

    Delicious Mediterranean food in the middle of Carmel. Not your typical gyros joint. I could have done with the anniversary serenade at the table next to us but that's OK. Hint to the thrifty: don't order desert - we got a baklava to share anyway. Tzatziki was delicious and the bread that came before it with dipping olive oil and balsamic vinegar (which was left on the table - props!) was delicious. I would definitely go back especially since they handled the 15 minute wait with such aplomb: called us on our cell when the table was ready.

    (4)

  • Keola C.

    As you can see from my profile, I don't write a lot of reviews. It really takes a lot to make me write one...both good and bad! Ok, so we were enjoying the day in Carmel and decided to stay for dinner. We didn't have any reservations and didn't feel like driving to some of our favorite places in Carmel Valley. So, out comes the IPhone and Yelp app! Search restaurants, nearby, currently open....boom! 4+ stars...400+ reviews.... I thought, "Wow, you don't see a lot of 4+ stars with that many reviews." This really intrigued me and made me a little suspicious. Seriously, could it be that good? Now I really had to see for myself. As it was two blocks down from where we were, we didn't call ahead we just stopped in and put our names down on the list. First, it was already packed by 6pm. So, I would say making reservations even on a Sunday is a good idea. Second, even thought there was a line we were greeted very warmly...like old friends. To be honest, it was a little surprising. This day and age you don't get that kind of welcome anywhere. So we put our names down and left our number. They said they would call when they had a table available. "Ok", I thought..."Let's see if they really do call.." Boo on me for doubting them...they did call about 30 minutes later...which was what they told us to expect so no complaints there. We were seated and as other mentioned it's a very intimate/cozy/packed place. The waiter was just as welcoming and friendly as the host and the service through the entire meal was the most attentive I have had in a long, long time...read better than "fine dining"...not only that but the service was sincere. Ok, then the entertainment began...yes there were two birthdays...so the music and singing started and it was great. No, it wasn't the SF opera or anything but it was a pure delight to see people putting their heart into it. Very talented, good stuff...Bravo! The food? Oh, right we were there to eat. I will say the soup of the day (chicken and rice) was a touch salty, but I'm pretty sensitive to that so that could be just a personal preference. But it was delicious none the less. The great greek salad, lamb shank, and moussaka were ordered and served promptly at the appropriate temperatures. The salad was good. Veggies were fresh and crisp with just the right amount of dressing. Then the lamb and moussaka were brought out. The portions were large. I would argue that this place is one of the best values in Carmel. The lamb was very tender, moist, flavorful and the texture was just right. It brought back some wonderful memories of my grandmothers cooking! The accompanying potatoes were very good. They were tender, but still firm with just the right amount of crispiness. The moussaka tasted great. It wasn't too heavy, and the combination of the flavors balanced and complemented each-other. Great food, excellent service...they've got another believer!

    (5)

  • Geoffrey G.

    The food was excellent, the owner was enthusiastic and excited with every customer who came in, and the ambiance was very nice...not too loud, but not some quiet "romantic" restaurant. I had the combination platter, which was MORE than enough for one person (though I finished it all...I was hungry...). The only "issue" I would have would be the prices, but they are no more extravagant than any other restaurant in town...I guess I'm just usually accustomed to spending less for Greek food. $40 got me an entree, glass of wine, dessert and espresso. Not so bad! And the owner remembered my name from the reservation list from hours before.

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    This place completely exceeded my expectations!! My husband and I had traveled down from Lake Tahoe and decided to stop at Carmel Beach to get some rest before completing our journey. We were immediately greeted by a gracious host and had our names put on a list. There was a crowd of people waiting to be seated. Though we would usually decide not to wait, we stuck to our instincts and waited even though we were so very hungry. Can I tell you... We were so happy that we did!! Not only is the service amazing!! The food was delicious and they surprised us with a mini "show". A "band" appeared and dedicated a beautiful song to a couple who were completing 50 years of marriage. There was such a good vibe as if we were all family for that short while. I ordered the chicken kabob and that was incredible! The hummus & pita bread was so fresh!! If ever we travel this way in the future we will be sure to eat here again and I'm sure we will have the same delightful experience!

    (5)

  • Iris Y.

    This restaurant has one of the worst Mediterranean/Missle Eastern food ever. It is not clear what kind of food it is? Lebanese? Greek? Italian? Mediterranean or Middle Eastern? The hummus is terrible. The dolmas are terrible. The sandwiches are the worst. The service was not impressive as well. We were greatly disappointed and will never go again

    (1)

  • Ashur Y.

    The appetizer sampler was the Best! Very tasty! We had the kabob sandwiches, chicken shawarma sandwich, & falafel sandwich which were all Excellent! The service was very good & welcoming!

    (5)

  • Natalie G.

    This place had us in the door way. We walked to look at the menu in the doorway and the nicest man opened the door and welcomed us in like his own friends or family. He told us if we didn't love our meal he'd buy it. Too bad for my wallet it was the most amazing food, wine and atmosphere. Everyone that works there takes care of all the tables but it's not awkward it's fluid and you really feel taken care of. Also about halfway through the meal we had singing music and dancing. I can't speak highly enough my date and I literally left like we'd just experienced some magical place.

    (5)

  • Gabe R.

    All around excellent! Great atmosphere, the cook came out and sang a ballad, and the wait was much shorter than expected!

    (5)

  • Barb B.

    Maybe this place seemed EXTRA GREAT after a the snotty treatment around the corner from the manager at Cantinetta Luca. Small, quaint, great food and GREAT service! Maybe they can teach a thing or two to that other place that I will never be going to after the rude treatment. This place however......We will be back --definitely!!!!

    (5)

  • Sha F.

    This place is great. Everything from the food to the staff is authentic. Perfect, low-key atmosphere. If you're lucky, you'll catch the cook who comes out to sing, dance, and entertain. Indeed a man who can sauté and hit the high notes. Bonus. Food is delicious, reasonably priced, and overall quite an experience in the least. Go!

    (5)

  • Cindy B.

    This is a MUST stop in Carmel. The food, atmosphere and staff are exceptional. The restaurant is expanding which should help with all those waiting to get in to see what the buzz is about! Reservations a must in advance if you're going during any of the busy times, such as Pebble Beach Concours week or AT&T golf week.

    (5)

  • Andy K.

    Excellent food and amazing atmosphere! Don't go here!! I don't want too many people finding out about this gem

    (5)

  • Carmen D.

    You better go eraly for lunch or dinner. This place is always packed. I had the grapes leaves and gyro for lunch. excellent greek wines to wash everything down

    (5)

  • Bekah W.

    Delicious food and awesome atmosphere is all you need to know about Dametra Cafe! We were in Carmel for two days and still managed to squeeze in both a lunch and dinner at this great spot. Reservations are highly recommended by me, but if you can eat at an off time, say a 9:15 dinner like we did, you may be able to get same day reservations.

    (5)

  • Kishor K.

    Holy crap. The food here was just amazing. The meat was so tender that it feels like it is melting in your mouth. Service is great and they even had inhouse chef sing a song during our brunch. A Great spot to grab some tasty food

    (5)

  • Annalise F.

    Prior to leaving on our getaway weekend- we read some rave reviews about Dametra. We tried to book a table for a Sunday night (it was a 3 day weekend) but they were full. Thus, we decided to stop by for lunch on Monday before we took off to return to SF. The wait staff at Dametra are delightful. From the moment you arrive you are treated like family. We put our names on the waitlist and walked around Carmel for a half an hour. Although our wait was closer to 40 minutes, the staff kept us updated and made us feel important. Props to you! We were greeted with a complimentary glass of white wine. The small little cafe is lively and quaint. You'll get to know your neighbors- because its a tight squeeze! We ordered: Greek Salad- the boyfriend claims this was really good. I'm not a big Greek salad gal, so I can't comment. Grilled Shrimp- Delightful and delectable. Grilled to perfection. Gyro- This was delicious! Succulent, moist, and flavorful! Chicken Pesto Pizza- I could eat this every day. Served on flat bread rather than regular pizza crust. Upon paying our bill we both received little pieces of Baklava. Such a nice touch! I highly recommend Dametra to those of you who will be in the area! We'll DEFINITELY be back on our next trip!

    (4)

  • nick g.

    Came here for a birthday dinner with my gf. I must say, this place is delicious. I don't know the prices (again, birthday) and it has a nice raucous atmosphere. The dancing and singing that happens makes the place lively, and the tables are really close together - we could have picked food off of our neighbor's plate. don't come here for an intimate date night, but do come here if you're a fan of energy and a lively atmosphere. Inside OR Outside voices allowed, haha i don't need to say much about the food, just order it, it won't let you down.

    (5)

  • Mihir M.

    As noted by others, this place has very friendly & intimate service & is vegetarian friendly. They called their bakery to find out if the bread had eggs. Decorations had a MidEast/Mediterranean flair. It is a small establishment. The food was very very good, but we ordered too much. The falafel wrap was really 2 falafel wraps in one order - but good - the bread was grilled so warm. We did not even get to the Greek salad. Note that the falafel wrap comes with some salad. The complimentary bread is incredibly good with the olive oil & vinegar. We also asked for some spicy sauce on the side which was also good.

    (5)

  • C W.

    Dametra is a very fine cafe with a Mediterranean flair. The staff is very friendly and the service is first rate. The food is quite good and compares favorably to the Greek and other med countries genre. The wine list is priced very fairly. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals and experience.

    (5)

  • A A.

    Wonderful food, staff is excellent!! I have at least three new "Brothers" of different mothers. Were fortunate to be squeezed in just before the authentic happy bday floorshow began.

    (5)

  • Courtney G.

    Wonderful experience! My mom and I were visiting Carmel for Christmas and stopped by for lunch. The food was amazing, we had the humus plate and greek salads! The service was wonderful too. They made us feel like we were part of their family. At one point one of the employes brought out a guitar and another sang a beautiful song. It was a special treat. Definitely worth going back to again.

    (5)

  • Sara B.

    In pricey Carmel, this cafe is a jewel. The owners will treat you like a VIP. They treat everyone with the same level of respect, whether wealthy in appearance or not. This was my second visit to Dametra and the quality of the food and the great customer service was on par with my first visit. I live in the midwest and the prices here are comparable to that of an average chain restaurant. The only difference is the food is fresh, excellent, and as a vegetarian, I appreciate the huge selection of vegetarian friendly foods on the menu. The portions are generous, especially given the price point. It is cozy for sure, but that just adds to the experience. Just make sure you have a reservation well in advance. The night I went, (off season, in January), Ocean Avenue was empty and quiet . . except for the huge line of people waiting to get in!

    (5)

  • Debbie Chiou S.

    i can't figure out how this place got 4.5 stars. the food was fine. i had the greek salad and it tasted good, but was doused with a little too much dressing. the host and waiters were very friendly though... maybe that's why everybody likes it so much.

    (3)

  • Chelsea H.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Carmel! I always make reservations to eat here. The atmosphere is fun, charming, and you feel as if you are in a quaint cafe in the Mediterranean. From fresh foods perfectly prepared, a great wine menu, and live entertainment performed with the whole staff singing and playing instruments. Every special occasion is celebrated. It's enjoyable to see co-owner Bashar Sneeh come out and greet each guest as if they were his own family and perform music to get the whole restaurant clapping and singing together. My recommendations to everyone is to make reservations ahead of time because this place gets booked and to try the fresh hummus.

    (5)

  • Swapna P.

    We were walking by this place in the village and could smell the delicious aroma permeating the street. We made a reservation and were seated in 45 minutes. The place looks cozy, warm and welcoming( I'm a big fan of tasteful ambience). My first impression of the menu was that the dishes seemed over priced. We were first served complimentary bread. It was warm and soft. We ordered 4 dishes: hummus platter, Dametra Pasta, Lamb kabob and Fisherman's Cioppino ( and ate family style). All of them were carefully crafted and presented. The flavours blended well and could tell that they were using fresh and quality ingredients. My favourite was the Fisherman's Cioppino. I would rate the food 4 on 5. The 5 star rating is however for the dining experience. The staff gave 2 live performances and got the diners involved as well. They seemed genuinely thrilled that we were there to eat their food. The dinner ended with complimentary dessert which was like an icing on the top. Definitely worth every penny spent.

    (5)

  • Lindsey H.

    Great food and entertainment! But if you want a quiet meal to catch up with a friend, this is not the place to dine.

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    Awesome! Why did we wait 6 years to eat here? Ok, it is always busy and you need to get reservations way in advance. Plus I thought it was just the new trendy place in town. However, one word, awesome! Good food, excellent service but the added attention from the proprietor makes you feel like family or an old friend. The bonus was when they broke out the instruments and played, sang and danced. The whole place was one big celebration. Don't wait to go to this place. It is truly a wonderful experience.

    (5)

  • Charles J.

    I will make this short and sweet. During the Porsche Club of America national Parade we had a party of 8 there on a Thursday night. We were treated very well by the owner/manager. He came out to the sidewalk and was reassuring people that they would be attended to soon. This proved to be true and it is nice when someone tells you you haven't been forgotten or passed over. Food was excellent and plentiful. I had the Frutti di Mare and asked for half portion of the pasta and still could not finish the dish. Wine list is lengthy and reasonable. When the staff came out and started playing instruments and singing it was terrific. Even though I am from Orange County, I will be back.

    (5)

  • Ocean P.

    Hummus appertizer tasted like homemade, gyros is a bit on the dry side, chicken schwarma was good but pricey for a sandwich. Good service.

    (4)

  • Morence L.

    We were in Carmel for a Bachelorette Party and started our day famished. I was glad that we had arrived at Dametra Cafe before the lunch rush and were able to secure a table for six. They kindly fed us glasses of wine and appetizers while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. Afterward, it was nothing but prompt and wonderful service. They even had the chef come out from the back and serenade the dining room with a Spanish song, accompanied by a live guitar. What a lovely way to start out a girl's weekend! We ended the lunch time with baklava, compliments of the chef!

    (5)

  • Peggy K.

    Best dining experience ever. Not like this place needs more shouts out, but damn! I had lamb chops with rosemary reduction, broccoli and potatoes au gratin. The lamb was so tender and flavorful. Husband has artichoke raviolis. Loved them. He ate my potatoes because I was too full. The best ever. I topped it off with Moroccan Tea. Delicious. Husband found room for baklava. Again.....the best he'd ever had. If that were not enough, the service and ambiance exceeded the meal. We have a new favorite restaurant. Lucky people who live on the Monterey Peninsula. Go early or call for a reservation. They were packed by 6 on a Monday night.

    (5)

  • Mikaila R.

    GO! GO! GO! GO! This is BY FAR the BEST place in Carmel (and I'm a downtown-local, living 2 blocks from Ocean)!!!! I can't begin to explain how WONDERFUL this place is: everything from their food, to the service, to the entertainment (yes!), to their wine selection, to the atmosphere, PLUS they're open LATE NIGHT which is impossible to find in Carmel. EVERYTHING ABOUT DAMETRA IS FANTASTIC!!!! Everything on their menu is DELISH but my TOP 10 (in no particular order) are as follows: 1. Greek Combo Platter (perfect for 1 [w/leftovers] or for 2!! I'm a repeat offender/orderer) 2. Spanakopita (the BEST I've ever had) 3. Calamari appetizer (not greasy or over done..BIG pieces) 4. Chicken Shawarma (perfect for lunch!) 5. Gyros (also perfect for lunch!) 6. Prawn Pasta alla Creme (rich, heavenly, decadent) 7. Soup of the Day (its always just what you wanted, but didn't know you wanted) 8. Greek Salad (perfect as a side -ask for a 1/2- or as a light lunch) 9. Great Greek Salad (the gyro meat puts this salad over the top!) 10. Tiramisu & Turkish Coffee (the way a meal *should* end!..their baklava (sp?) is also to-die-for) Cheers :)

    (5)

  • Kelly S.

    After hearing the great reviews of Dametra from friends and family, we couldn't wait to try. Last night we got to and... Wow! We had such an incredible dining experience there. The food was delectable, the atmosphere was remarkable, the service was the best I've experienced, and then there was entertainment too with great music and singing. Even though we live in town it felt like we were on vacation. It feels like you're being welcomed to join someone's family. Food, hospitality, and service at its best here. Another big key here is that whatever way you felt when you walked in, be it happy, sad, tired, exhausted, anything...when you leave not just because of the amazing food and service, but because of the family/welcoming environment...you leave feeling at least 10 times better than when you walked in. Cannot wait to return with friends/family!!

    (5)

  • Greg G.

    Definitely a family run business and very, very friendly. I came here with my parents and we had a good time. The Gryo's were awesome and the portions were so large you could split. They were slammed for lunch so it was about a 30 minute wait but the owner was very accommodating and put us up in the next room and served us hot tea. At the end of the meal as we were leaving the owner gave us a hug (in a sincere way) and thanked us for coming. It's rare you get this kind of service.

    (5)

  • Carrie G.

    Worth the wait and the squish!!!!! Caution: this is a very small establishment, and is crowded, so it is best to make a reservation, expect to wait, and if you are claustraphobic, believe me the food is worth the squish in the dining area. I love mediterranean food, but finding authentic, good mediterranean food is difficult to come by. Dametra Cafe buries all of the mediterranean food I have tried thus far in the US. I had the gyro platter...I cannot tell you about the burst of flavor that encopassed my palate, but it was an amazing experience. I tried a bit of my husband's lamb kebob, and was equally impressed by the perfectly seasoned and cooked lamb, that was juicy and flavorful. The sides were equally impressionable....nice moist, flavorful rice, crisp, fresh vegetables, a delicious and flavorful dressing on the salad. They even brought me a free piece of baklava, with some delicious honey and cream. As if the food weren't enough of a draw to come here, they serenade you accompanied by an electric bouzouki....it is lovely and homey. If you are looking for a lovely experience and the best food, Dametra Cafe is the place for you. Dont go anywhere else....GO HERE!

    (5)

  • Marianne M.

    the food is bad, the place isn't clean (olive oil plate was dirty), the wine is cheap and they serve you a full glass filled to the top. I would rather wait a little longer for some real food than be served this processed tasteless food after a too short wait (to me it just means food is pre made). I would rather a half full glass of a good wine than a full one of grape juice. and yes the service is pleasant and the dining room is painted in warm tones which creates a nice atmosphere. but let's remember this is a restaurant...it should focus on food first and foremost...

    (2)

  • Tiffany L.

    Good prices. Had the falafel wrap which was a-ok but definitely no Oasis Grill in SF.

    (2)

  • Mike H.

    Wonderful hosts with delicious, large portions. The waiters spontaneously burst into song and dance!

    (4)

  • Jeff W.

    Great food and ambiance. Had the tuscan pizza and dametra pasta. Pasta was awesome. 5 stars no kidding. Great people and service. Even some singing and guitar. What a great lunch experience!

    (5)

  • Erin L.

    So glad we stopped in here! No wonder they are rated so highly! We were treated promptly and thanked right away for coming. The entire staff was friendly, wonderful, and cheery. The food was to die for. We wished we could have ate more so we could have tried more on the menu. I guess we will HAVE to come back :) Fun live music and dancing too! You could also tell the workers were liked and known by the locals too as they treated their returning friends. Check this place out and you will not be disappointed... Rated highly for several reasons!

    (5)

  • Joshua H.

    I took my girlfriend here on our one year anniversary after a trip down from San Francisco. I had made reservations for 7:30 and assumed that it wouldn't be a challenge to kill two hours in Carmel once we got there. I was wrong, as the shops began closing and the sun went down at 5. Went to Demetra and asked humbly if it was possible to move the reservation up. The place was wall to wall so I didn't think there was a snowball's chance in hell that we'd get it. The owner, Fiasal, helped us get a seat despite the crush. After a genial chat with Fiasal, and a warm congratulations on the anniversary, we ordered the Hummus, the Spanakopita, the mousaka, and the lamb shank. The hummus was fresh, the spanakopita was great and the lamb shank melted off the bone. The lamb shank might be the best I've ever had. While we were waiting for the entrees, Faisal, with lute in hand, walked up to our table with an older gentleman from the back of the house and began singing a traditional Spanish love song. Serious treat. Great atmosphere. I can't believe how warm Faisal and the staff at Demetra is. They made me and my girlfriend feel very special and along with the awesome food, created the most memorable dining experience I've had in a long time. Five star food, ambiance, service for a three star price.

    (5)

  • Hannah D.

    No words. Okay okay I'll give you a few, but that's it: cozy, warm, welcoming, friendly, great food, wine, dancing, music playing, baklava and one of my favorite restaurants of all time.

    (5)

  • Jennie D.

    Great spot for lunch or dinner! It can be busy particularly on a weekend, but if you can get a reservation, it's well worth it. Lots of good Mediterranean choices, and we have been there four times without a mediocre dish yet. Serving portions are generous and the staff is upbeat and friendly. When you have the clam chowder, it is full of big chunks of fresh clam-what a treat compared to some of the pretend seafood places near Fisherman's Wharf. This is the real Mediterranean experience here, not warmed over.

    (4)

  • Claire M.

    After a long hiatus from Yelp, I've returned to boast about Dametra Cafe. My girlfriend and I happen to stumble upon this place. I noticed the crowd outside and the gf took notice of the falafel wrap. She went inside to put our name on the list, and after three or so minutes, the door opens with someone calling my name. I assume he's one of the owners, really personable guy. He took our number down and suggested take a stroll. We walked down the street, popped in a few shops, and after 30-minutes, we get a call stating our table was ready. The great customer service continues upon our return. We are greeted by our first names and welcomed in as though we're family. We ordered the baba ghounag, falafel wrap, and artichoke ravioli. All the dishes were great! At the conclusion of our dinner, we were given complimentary baklava (tasty) and mint-honey tea. On a side note, two ladies were celebrating their birthdays. They played some music and had the ladies dance a little jig. My gf even braved it and shook her money maker for a few seconds. The only thing I could "complain" about is the place is a little small. We were only inches from the neighboring table. However, I didn't mind at all. We were able to strike up a conversation with two ladies next to us and got a couple restaurant recommendations. However, if you tend to get claustrophobic, you've been forewarned. :) All in all, stupendous customer service, lively ambiance (somewhat loud, but romantic), and delicious food.

    (5)

  • Heidi P.

    Wow, what a great place for dinner!!! The food was good, but the atmosphere was great!! We were greated with smiles and laughter. All the servers worked together and took care of us. One individual sat us down, another served us wine, someone else brought out out app, and dinner was placed in front of us by the first guy. The place was packed, but the servers maintaind happiness and big smiles the entire time. The owner sang multiple songs, and even brought out his chef from the back to assist him on one occasion. On the way out our primary server and the owner gave us big hugs. he took the time to say thank you for coming in and they can't wait to see us again. I have recommended this place to all our friends, and i can't wait to go back!!

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    Great place and an awesome ambience. It is a small place with a big heart. We were there for dinner and loved everything about it. We started off with some wine ,calamaris and smoked salmon. The calamaris where okay but really liked the salmon. For main course we had an awesome moussaka and chicken kabab. It was absolutely tasty. Ended with baklava and Turkish coffee. The best part of the evening was the owner, entertaining the crowd with his splendid performance. It was a superb evening.

    (5)

  • A K.

    Myself, being of middle eastern decent and knowing the food really well, I have to say the shish kebab here is about as good as it gets in California. I personally HATE when people take me to middle eastern restaurants anywhere in this state (or country for that matter) because it simply is not good and when I saw shish kebab was on the menu here, I cringed. So I went with the lamb shank but my wife got the shish kebab and I HAD to try it because she wouldn't shut up about it. So as a middle eastern I must say, Dametra offers the closest thing to real, good, authentic shish kebab the way we had it back "home". This place is the real deal folks. Oh and I've never received such amazing service and met so mnay friendly people.

    (5)

  • Linda W.

    Unforgettable food and staff! A true dining experience!

    (5)

  • Cathy G.

    Really sad. I've been to this restaurant several times in the past and it has been very good. About 4 months ago I raved about it to my 2 girlfriends, we went and it was quite disappointing. Embarrassing actually. Service, food, everything was bad. Then this weekend I was in Carmel with my husband and he wanted to try it again for lunch. We did. BIG mistake. What happened to the restaurant we loved? My Greek Salad was small, very few cucumbers (3), tomatoes???, olives a few more, and horribly over dressed with way too much saturated feta. Did they use Green Goddess? My husband had the Greek Platter with a strange meat, most likely lamb, the chicken kabob was fine, a bit of hummus, pita bread and tzaziki sauce. Service again was lack luster. What has happened? Did the owner leave? It's perplexing why this restaurant has taken such a dive. It's off our list and we would not recommend it. Sorry.

    (1)

  • Mohammad G.

    Went here by recommendation of my friend who works at Pebble Beach so we went twice during the US Open. Both times it was excellent. The staff knows how to take care of people and make sure everyone has a good time. You seriously cannot be in a bad mood when your here, the food is very good for the price point and is really the best value in what I find to be an overpriced restaurant scene in carmel. This spot reminded me of a little neighborhood secret in north beach san francisco. Gabriel and family were very kind to and even squeezed us in without reservations the last night we were in. Even though it was SUPER busy our food didn't take long and there were no hiccups in the sequence of service. Awesome spot.

    (5)

  • Dani S.

    Wait staff is fantastic! Friendly and spot on with service! Food is authentic and done right! Restaurant is clean and beautiful with live music and owner is present. Owner is kind helpful and active within the restaurant with the staff and it's patrons! I will be retuning I am officially a fan of Dametra Cafe!

    (5)

  • Allen H.

    Nice restaurant! Good severice and foods especially Crab&Shrimo pasta is so delicious.

    (5)

  • Ahmet A.

    It's not like there aren't a few other choices in Carmel (over 126 others according to co-owner and front of house manager Bashar). After unsuccessfully trying to drop in for dinner the night before (there was an hour wait) we decided not to leave Carmel without giving Demetra another try. Bashar recognized us from the previous evening, told us it would be a short wait and got us seated within 10 minutes. The menu is "pan-Mediterranean," with dishes from Italy, Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. We chose to split an artichoke ravioli dish for an appetizer. It came out reasonably quickly, already split into two small plates. The pasta was delicate, fresh and perfectly cooked. The ravioli were filled with a mild, flavorful artichoke and cheese filling and floating in a garlic/herb broth topped with shaved fresh parmesan cheese. A few minutes later a piping hot basket of crusty bread was served with olive oil/balsamic vinegar. During our wait Bashar pulled out an oud (a string instrument reminiscent of a lute) and started to play while announcing the arrival of one of his kitchen staff who sang to a couple celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary. The warm, bright and cozy restaurant erupted to laughs and cheers for the singer, the musician and the happy couple. Minutes later our main course arrived: lamb shank for my lovely wife and lamb shish kebab for me. The lamb was cooked to perfection in both dishes: falling off the bone and with a rosy pink center. The accompaniments included scalloped potatoes and freshly pan seared broccoli with the shank and thick, flavorful yogurt with cucmber/mint, rice and zesty Greek salad with kalamata olives and feta cheese with the kebabs. Everything was prepared without a heavy hand: no excessive salt, butter, oil or spices to mask the delicate flavors of the fresh ingredients. The unhurried, beautifully cooked meal was topped with delicious, rich Turkish coffee brought to the table steaming hot with in a traditional cezve (a long handle pot in which the coffee is "cooked"). The warmth of the entire staff, the natural hospitality of everyone at Demetra was apparent from beginning to end. We'll be back soon!

    (5)

  • John D.

    Come on people, are you serious? The staff is wonderfully friendly and charming, I must credit them for that, but I was not impressed by the food, which in my opinion was too salty. I've had better from street vendors. If you want song-and-dance entertainment, then amuse yourself here. I really like these guys, but I'm not so impressed by the food.

    (3)

  • Kriss S.

    The hospitality and service was great and the food was out of this world. I would highly recommend the Calamari and the lamb shank it falls off the bone and full of flavor. I would definitely go back they know how to make sure your visit is pleasurable.

    (5)

  • Rick C.

    If you like Authentic Mediterranean food, then this is the place! Cozy, friendly, and tasty! Had our kids (teens) and even they enjoyed it. One of our daughters is a vegetarian and she was so stoked about the Falaffel! Highly recommend it but it is a small place so you may have to wait if you are going during prime lunch or dinner hours. Dinner recommendations highly recommended. Gabriel and the Chef - Faisal Nimri - were both friendly and just full of life. They obviously love what they do and it shows!

    (5)

  • Keeza S.

    I'm a huge fan of this restaurant. They are consistent, affordable, diverse and entertaining. I work in downtown Carmel and when I craving a greek salad or their chicken shwarma sandwich, there is no stopping me. Although they are not a huge restaurant, they make it easy to relax and enjoy yourself. They make you feel like family. I love when the cook comes out of the kitchen to serenade the couple celebrating there anniversary or when they give you a restaurant-wide "Happy Birthday" song with live instruments and dancing! So much fun. Their Pinot Grigio is delightful!

    (5)

  • Truman P.

    The wait for a table was worth it. Great place. Small inside but nice atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Amanda S.

    3 stars for the food being just OK--- nothing special, not worth the $$. The veggie sandwich was tasty, but just too much grilled oiliness... and the bread was not very good. The Mediterranean pizza was reportedly about the same--- OK, but way too heavy and with too much cheese (this, from someone who loves butter...). The spanakopita appetizer was very good, as were the dolmas, although could have been purchased out-of-house and reheated (who knows). They did provide complementary baklava at the end (for a party of 8), and were extraordinarily friendly. The owner (I think) also played a stringed instrument and an older man sang a beautiful song, and later on people were dancing--- a very lively, friendly, and pleasant place to eat dinner, not too noisy, but the food wasn't shockingly great, or worth the $$ (more the ambiance was what you are paying for, I guess).

    (3)

  • Rachel C.

    same review as everyone I guess but I have to say it really is as good as anyone says. I work for a local inn and we send guests here all the time. Each and everyone comes back with great reviews. I had the combo platter and it was wonderful!

    (5)

  • Nareg K.

    My wife and I love Damtras! In a town that invented cozy restaurants, Dametra brings a whole new element. In true Mediterranean style, Demetra's brings a great culinary experience. Greek/Arabic Food-close to home. If you are lucky to get a table. Jump at it because there is always a line forming outside of this place. Talk about life. The owners break out the bouzouki and sing traditional and lively songs with the staff thumping on traditional drums. Oh and the service is excellent. In May I brought my wife here and they sang us a great 1 year happy anniversary song. Last night, they did so for another couple. Very thoughtful staff. Will always come back to Demetra's when in town.

    (5)

  • Jen D.

    Mom and I came across this place wandering around Carmel. The menu sounded good, so we went in - and totally lucked out with an amazing experience. The host/owner(?) greeted us, and checked up on us a few times. The complimentary bread was delciious, and I got the hummus and pita because it always tastes so much better when its authentic. We were both loving the main lunch too. Mom had the mozzerella/basil sandwich, and I had the chicken wrap. Hers of course tasted better due to cheese, but both were excellent. (If I went again, I would have asked for all aoili in the chicken wrap on the side -- just a bit too much for me, so controlling the amount would have been preferable). And their ice tea is delicious too. We lucked out also because there was a birthday, so the host/owner(?) played mandolin while a guy from the kitchen sang. It was oddly touching and beautiful - that guy sang with all his heart. Then everyone in the place sang happy birthday to a very embarrassed chick at the next table. Anyway, a warm and friendly little place with great food at a good price -- can't beat it. Line up to get in at 3pm too, not surprising at all!

    (5)

  • Alvin G.

    Wow! The food was really tasty. I had the Grilled Veggie Salad, Tiramisu, and their Morroccan tea and they all didn't disappoint.

    (5)

  • Maher L.

    One of the best clam chowder I've had thus far. I taste Clam Chowder at the Clam Chowder Cook off in Santa Cruz every year and I have been searching for the best clam chowder for more than 10 years. The atmosphere is extremely family oriented and my family loved the place & the location is perfect. The owner's introduced himself and he sit down with us and he talk to us exactly like he is a long time family member. We are from the same country...that's why. Anyways...we noticed & mentioned that they forgot to charge us for dessert, they insisted it's on the house, we felt so humble for this. Then as we walk out he insist to give us a bottle of red wine...which impressed us, it was too nice of him, and so sweet ...unbelievable. This is the first time we eat at this place...and he treated us sooo good. Really! The food was delicious and the place is immaculately clean. The service was fast and our waiter was so humble and nice. Recommend this place to everyone....it's that good!

    (5)

  • Serena L.

    I love the raviolis here. everytime I'm in the area I try to stop by for a meal. the foods very good and the service is great. I guess I have this soft spot for business owners who actually take the time to talk to their customers. this place is nicely decorated and small so I'm sure they get pretty busy at times. there were a couple things that I had noticed, the table clothes werent clean, so my utensiles were a little grimy, and there were little flies throughout the restaurant, posted on the walls and even in the kitchen area. so that was kinda gross, but overall I love the food and the service.

    (4)

  • Karen J.

    The staff, as other reviewers have mentioned, were extremely warm and friendly -- we definitely give five stars on the service. The food was good, with a couple of small negatives -- our salad (the Dametra) only had four small apple slices, all of which were a little brown (i.e., not freshly sliced) and the shrimp in my frutti di mare were overcooked. These were easily outweighed by the positives -- the mussels, clams and salmon in my dish were all very fresh, and very plentiful. And my husband loved his sandwich (the chicken shawarma). This place would be a solid four stars, but as a previous reviewer noticed, there were flies -- specifically, fruit flies, not flies coming in from outside. Again, the seafood and meat seemed very fresh, and the kitchen is in somewhat open view and didn't seem dirty at all -- but I couldn't help seeing it as sign of something amiss in the back, likely just some old fruit sitting out, I hope.

    (3)

  • Deb B.

    MAKE A RESERVATION! Even on a weeknight, you should plan ahead about a week and call. This place is always full for good reason! I enjoyed my meal of a greek style meatloaf on a stick. Wish I could remember what it was called! The atmosphere is second to none. You will be serenaded by the host and even the chef from the kitchen. Everyone is treated like family.

    (5)

  • Melissa H.

    I love this place. My first time there, I was greeted like a family member. Everyone knows everyone and everyone is glad you came. My fiance and I consider this "our place" but it wouldn't surprise me if everyone else does too.

    (5)

  • Jay D.

    Love this place. I'm a local and I always bring my out-of-town guests to Dametra because I know we'll have a good time. Bashar is the ultimate host and makes everyone feel welcomed.

    (5)

  • An O.

    Gold. Fisel is truly a terrific person and any business could model their success after theirs. Food, music, laughter, and kindness. Fun!

    (5)

  • Dave B.

    Fabulous! Fun time. Went back twice...this place is a must!!

    (4)

  • Conor P.

    Dametra Cafe is Carmel's hidden treasure. The small entrance leads into a tiny, quaint eating area. But, where space is small food is huge. They've made terrific use of the square-footage and the diner feels as though they are part of a larger family banquet. The atmosphere is untouchable with a pleasant surprise, permitting you're there for an hour. They offer a wonderfully diverse menu. Steaks are top-notch and hummus ought to be bottomless. On any given night the diner can enjoy the best of Greece, Iran, or Italy. Hint: Try the pecan pie. The wine list is well-apportioned and very reasonably priced. Try the Bernardus Marinus as a house red wine. The staff is friendly; often remembering your name and face by the second visit.

    (5)

  • Martha H.

    OUTSTANDING! I visited last night with friends. The bread served before the meal was an excellent way to start! Rustic loaf, soft, steamy, so good. We ordered the hummus as an appetizer, super creamy and great pitas to dip! I ordered the Fuiti di Mare which was lovely. My husband enjoyed his lamp shank, our friends drooled over their shrimp and crap ravioli and gyro salad. I think of them all, I should've order the gyro salad... but I try not to have regrets. They gave us complementary baklava to end our time, such a treat! Their atmosphere is lovely, small, quaint and intentional. It feels familial. All the staff is very friendly and the live music is great fun... I avoided the audience participation. Overall, a very , very good experience. ...It was an experience, not just dinner. I *highly* recommend going - Just ensure you have reservations first.

    (5)

  • Justin G.

    This place was so amazing that I had to write my first Yelp review. My wife and I were visiting Carmel from the east coast and stumbled upon Dametra Cafe. The host/owner was the highlight of our evening. He was incredibly inviting and generous. We enjoyed not one, but two great songs where he played the guitar and sung for a birthday guest. It was a great time with the entire restaurant joining in song. I almost overlooked the food in this review because the hospitality was so memorable. But the food...as fantastic as the service. We even enjoyed a gift on the house of baklava. Even the prices were very reasonable. This was the best dining experience my wife and I have had in years. Great food, great atmosphere, great fun!

    (5)

  • Zach H.

    I have been to this restaurant countless times and never once have I been disappointed. The atmosphere is cozy and all the staff are extremely friendly and kind. It will only take going there two or three times and they will greet you like friends they have known their whole life. Anybody who criticizes them for long waits is ridiculous, obviously a restaurant that has such good reviews will have lots of people, and considering the small size of the restaurant, the wait will be long if you don't have a reservation, use common sense people. I promise you if you go to this restaurant you will not be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Jon D.

    Great food and very friendly service. We even had one of the cooks sing to us! Intimate setting, can feel a little cramped.

    (4)

  • James M.

    An excellent choice! The food was great, the ambience was awesome but it was the friendlyness of the workers that makes this an awesome restaurant. They make you feel like family and treat you so well. Gabriel was our our server and treated us like we were his regular customers who has been going there for years. This place is a must if you are in Carmel.

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    I came in here again, and this time I had the lamb kabobs. SO GOOD. They are very generous pouring their wine. My glass probably had 8 oz. Everyone who works here was incredibly friendly, even though the place was packed.

    (5)

  • Shantelle T.

    Out of this world - literally! You feel like you just walked into greece/turkey. The owners/managers are super friendly and make you feel like part of the family. They even played live music and had customers dance like belly dancers through the restaurant. It was really fun! Oh and the food is SUPERB. The tzatziki sauce is the best I've ever had. The chicken shwarma sandwich is incredible and so are all the salads - salmon, gyro and falafel. The dressing is amazing. Just watch out - you will smell like garlic for the rest of the night. Oh yeah, and the hummus is fantastic and the baklava too! You definitely have to visit this place. it's phenomenal but you better make a reservation because there's a line outside the door on most nights.

    (5)

  • Forrest D.

    Another recommendation by a friend, who outdid himself with the Village Fish House offering so we couldn't wait to try this mediterranean/italian hybrid. Memorial Day and it was quite busy, but the wait was only about 15 minutes so we put our name in and waited in the cold. I'd say that I've probably eaten in thousand of restaurants in my lifetime, and the owner here was without a doubt one of the top five hosts I've had the pleasure of meeting. Faisal, the owner, constantly made sure we were happy, held our baby who loved him too, catered to the surrounding tables and kept the waiting customers as happy as everyone else. Some people just have personality, and he has it in spades. Not sure how to explain it, but you'll feel at home and as comfortable as you possibly can. They seem to have been open for a little less than a year, but it feels like they've been there forever. Hopefully they will be because the food is every bit as good as the service. We started with local calamari and spanakopita which is a bread and spinach appetizer. The calamari was lightly breaded and fresh, while the spanakopita was light but tasty. I can't stand spinach, but I loved this every bite of it. Next came the Jerusalem Kafta sandwich, very similar to a gyro but with a different type of bread. Again, flat out amazing. Finally we finished off with a pecan tart. Again, not a fan of pecans but this was so perfect I didn't even really notice there were pecans in it. I've never been a huge fan of mediterranean food, but my wife loves it so we eat it quite often. This was hands down, without a doubt, miles ahead of the competition the best mediterranean food I have ever had. And it's not even close. I hope this place lasts for a lifetime, because while I found Carmel to be rather boring I would seriously drive here just to eat here again. Food - A+ Ambience - A- Service - A+ Value - A+

    (5)

  • Farina B.

    Celebrated my mother's 50th Bday here. We all had an amazing time, food, and wine. They were very accomodating and quite entertaining!

    (5)

  • Chris H.

    We stopped in for lunch this week. The Greek salad and warm bread was nothing short of amazing. My partner had the lasagna and she enjoyed it. I had the Falafel wrap and thought it fell short. The falafels stuffed inside a huge wrap were heavy, dense and not crispy, with very little tomato, cucumber, etc. I would not order this again. I would, however, love to revisit and try other dishes. Everything looked great at other tables. Service was very prompt and friendly.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Wow! We stopped in for the first time a few nights ago without reservations and were lucky enough to get seated just before the place filled up. Even though the tables are a little close, the atmosphere is pleasant. The waitstaff were prompt and took care of us as if we had been regulars for years. The owner came out and took the time to stop at each table and see how things were. I was more impressed when a couple two tables away had an issue with their table rocking a bit, he took responsibility on the spot then swiftly moved them to the next open table and made sure they were satisfied. He then fixed the problem before the next patrons were seated. When we placed our order, I asked for the Moroccan Mint tea. I offered some to my girlfriend who decided she too would like some. The waitress was very busy, but as she passed by, was able understand my strange version of hand signals asking for an extra cup. On her next pass, she brought one to us. From our appetizer to our meals, the food was warm and tasted awesome. I was stuffed. Then just as we were deciding what to get for dessert, they brought out a complimentary serving of Baklava! Yeah! Our whole experience there was off the hook. From the moment we walked in, to the owner coming by and introducing himself, to meeting his cousin who was also a server who also took the time to introduce himself and ensure we were treated well. We plan on making Dametra one of our regular haunts.

    (5)

  • Melanie S.

    This place was fabulous! The gentleman in the picture was actually my server Gabriel, my son's name so I was already pleased :-) Dametra was recommended by a sweet elderly couple but was way too busy last night. I love Med. food so I tried again today. Wine perfect, food outstanding, service impeccable. I was dining alone, not always the most comfortable of situations but Gabriel welcomed me and service again from him and all others was amazing. I will def. Return next time I visit!

    (5)

  • Lee S.

    Perfect moussaka. A terrific lunchtime dining experience.

    (5)

  • Samantha A.

    Ever since I got a Yelp account, I've been wanting to write a review about this charming Mediterranean restaurant in Carmel. Ironically, my friends and I found this place through Yelp because we didn't know where to eat. I'm glad we did because our lunch at Dametra Cafe was one of the memorable highlights of our Carmel-Monterey trip. The food was delicious. The portions were generous. I ordered the Istanbul Kabab, and I loved it. Overall, I think the dining experience just blew me away. The service was fantastic, the whole interior felt like I was on vacation somewhere in the Mediterranean. It looked and felt incredibly authentic and beautiful. One of the cooks (?) even went out of the kitchen and serenaded the diners as we ate. It felt very heartwarming and comfortable, like I was in one big family dinner. Dametra is one of those places that brings a smile to my face everytime I remember being there. It's one of those places that one has to try at least once while in Carmel.

    (5)

  • Arman C.

    I was on a day trip in Carmel with my sister and father and we all were starved and stumbled upon this traditional rustic European restaurant. All of us ordered gyros and we all agreed that it was the best we'd ever had. After our meal the waiter gave us complimentary baklava which topped everything off. If you're looking to eat somewhere inexpensive and delicious than this cafe is the place to go

    (5)

  • Jill B.

    LOVE THIS PLACE! It was recommended in the guest book at my favorite hotel (also reviewed) Tickle Pink Inn. The food here was great.. I had the Chicken Shwarma (spellling??) and a couple glasses of wine ~ yah! The service was excellent. One of the guys in the kitchen (not sure who, but he had an apron on!) came out and sang, while another guy played an interesting instrument (similar to a guitar). It was amazing! I let the waitress know that it was my man's birthday and they later came out and sang again (not "Happy Birthday", but something in their language). It was great! One of the gals gave me a little thing to tie around my hips (a colorful, decorated wrap thing) and encouraged me to get up and dance (which I did!). A couple other lady patrons did too! It was so fun :) My man was loving it. Definitely a highlight of our Carmel trip! The people eating there were very friendly as well... yah!

    (5)

  • Rod B.

    Visiting Monterey and went to Dametra on the basis of other Yelp reviews... we were not disappointed. My wife had the Dametra Insalate to start and I had the Great Greek Salad (with meat). They were both excellent. For entrees, my wife had the halibut special and I had the cioppino. Both were exceptionally good. We had too much for dessert but I had have a cup of moroccan mint tea which was home made from fresh mint. The people were wonderful, the service was great and the food was very enjoyable. Thanks to all you yelpers for the great recommendation. We had a very enjoyable meal and would return in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • P C.

    We had been hearing raves about this place but couldn't secure a dinner reservation, so we settled for lunch. The best gyro I have ever had! Excellent hummus and very warm service.

    (5)

  • Mack D.

    Along with Peppers, my favorite restaurant on the peninsula. Just be ready to wait for a table.

    (5)

  • Vincent C.

    Stopped here on my way up to a media even at Apple in Cupertino, CA and OMG this place was wonderful. Food and service was top notch. Almost made me want to stay for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lamb shish kabob meal is a must. I never clean my plate and this place had me do it. If I could give this place any negative it'd be they way undercharge for the wonderful food they serve. This is a must if you're in Carmel or just cruising by and seeing the sites on your way through California.

    (5)

  • Kimchee B.

    This place is simply magical. Possibly the best dining experience of my life and I live in New York City and consider myself hard to please. It's rare that you can rate a place 5-stars across the board but this time I sure can: Ambiance - warm, charming, lively Service - absolutely impeccable, above and beyond Entertainment (who even knew?) - delightful Food - totally amazing I came across this restaurant completely by accident during a roadtrip. I hadn't planned on staying overnight in Carmel and by the time I finally found a place to sleep the lady at the front desk told me there was no place to get food except Albertson's. Thank God I didn't listen! I drove down to Ocean on a hunch and sure enough every place was just closing up (at 9PM!!). I just happened to walk past Dametra Cafe on my way back to my car. At first I thought there was a private party because everyone looked like they were old friends having the time of their lives. I took a chance anyway and was welcomed like one of the family. Usually eating alone in a restaurant is kind of awkward, especially in a place so small. But the (cute) waiters and the owner were so attentive I was almost never alone. They came and chatted with me, smiled at me when they walked by...I felt totally at ease. Because it was late and I wasn't super hungry I wasn't sure what to order. I just wanted something light. No problem. "You like lamb?" Yes I like lamb! "You like wine?" Yes I like wine! "Ok, I take care of you". And boy did they...a few minutes later after pouring nearly half a bottle of wine in my glass my waiter brought back a half order (brilliant!) of the most perfect lamb kabob I have ever eaten atop a heavenly little bed of rice with a salad and some hefty chunks of feta on the side. YUM!! I ate it so slowly that after a while he told me it was ok if I didn't finish. I told him I simply didn't want it to end. And the bill? $16!!!! For the first time ever I left more than a 100% tip. After dinner (which btw included a beautiful acoustic guitar/ballad by one of the kitchen staff) the owner brought me tea and baklava and sat with me for half an hour talking about our lives and our travels and how much he loved his business. It really shows. If you're anywhere near Carmel please go here as often as possible because it breaks my heart that I can't.

    (5)

  • Cori S.

    So delicious and good prices! Service is friendly, cozy atmosphere and fabulous eats. Will definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Maaike V.

    Great place to go in Carmel. It is small, but that adds to the atmosphere. We didn't mind waiting for a view moments on the sidewalk. It gave us time to check the menu and have a chat with the host. Really friendly staff and great food. It made me feel like eating at the Mediterranean sea again. The frutti di mare spaghetti was fresh and full of flavour and the garlic bread was for soaking the delicious sauce. The Chardonnay from Salmon Creek was tasteful. The lamb sish kebab was very tender with a good 'grill taste'. And I'm gonna try to reproduce the Greek salad dressing at home. Fresh oregano and feta cheese are a very good combination.

    (5)

  • H C.

    Cute place and super friendly staff! We just stopped by once for a small mid-afternoon snack, so I can only comment on the bruschetta and clam chowder. Bruschetta was very tasty (lots of tomatoes) and softer bread, BUT only 2 pieces plus some greens, so be aware. And the clam chowder was delicious! It was actually rather thin (which is unusual for clam chowder) but it was still VERY creamy... not sure how they managed that, but it was really great clam chowder regardless. I definitely think it's worth stopping in here if you're looking for tasty food in Carmel :)

    (5)

  • Panchito P.

    I just went there with my wife. It was amazing environment, great service, the people was sincerely friendly, the food was great, and the prices were reasonable. This is the first time of my live I can say this. We were traveling from LA to San Francisco, and have being eating in many restaurants which were completely overpriced, average service and average food. But Dametra made us happy. All of them were great, great. Try the hallibut if you go there, is amazing.

    (5)

  • Nate T.

    Went here during our "engagement celebration weekend". Headed down Ocean Ave to the beach in Carmel and randomly stopped in to this quaint little Mediterranean Restaurant. Not an expert on this type of food, but have since had a hard time finding a place that compares. The food and service was top notch. Not the fastest, but no need to hurry while on vacation. We notified them of our recent engagement, so they brought an older gentleman from the kitchen to sing us a love song. Everyone sang, clapped and played some type of stringed instrument. Very NICE! Also, gave us desert on the house. Every time I visit the area I will make a point of going back. The run their business the way it should be.

    (5)

  • Andrew B.

    Great food, great service, fun atmosphere (the waiters played music and had diners dancing!). We love this place. Make reservations.

    (5)

  • Michelle S.

    We had to wait about 45 mins to be seated on a Sunday afternoon but it was worth the wait! The service was very good. They are very friendly. The food was yummy and portions were large. My husband and I should have split an entree and gotten an appetizer instead of two entrees. Everything people were eating around us looked so good!

    (4)

  • Tobin A.

    I would give Dametra six stars if possible. Our dinner this past week was one of the most nicest experiences our family has ever had at a restaurant. Dametra has the friendliest owners around and the ambience is really special. We had a 20-25 minute wait but the owner who took our name told us it would be "worth the wait". It was. The place is small. Maybe seats 40 at the most in one long narrow room but that lends itself to the intimacy which is Dametra's appeal. The wait staff and owners were efficient and extremely friendly. The food is reasonably priced. We enjoyed the falafel, kabob, pizza, and seafood which was prepared quickly and tastefully. Twice during our dinner, the owner brought out a mandolin and had Senor Antonio from the kitchen serenade couples on their anniversaries. The entire restaurant joined in making it a very special evening. I look forward to making it back to Carmel just to have another dinner at this place.

    (5)

  • Mark G.

    we were fortunate to find dametra cafe before it became very popular. the owner and staff always treat us as though they're happy to see us, and the owner remembers our names sometimes. everything on the menu is great, and the prices are decent. we have been forturnate enough to be part of the serenades several times, and we have seen some friends there (yes, i have some) and a movie star or two. i would give dametra cafe five or more stars if i didn't have to wait 30 minutes to get in, and if the noise level was lower. we love the food, the music, and the royal treatment.

    (4)

  • Allie M.

    This is seriously the best place in carmel. The owner knows his shit. He knows how to run a restaurant and make his customers feel good. If he really means it or not.....does it really matter? I mean you are paying for food, service, ambiance, etc.......as well as a good attitude from all the employees, right? Seriously though, had a lot of fun there. The owner will bust out his musical instrument and play some jams while eating, and it is very interactive, and it is just so much fun.... He also was our host and our server......not that he is the only one there, but he is just that involved... Oh, and the food is pretty damn good too...and at a decent price.... Most of the places in carmel are expensive for literally shitty food........this place is not like that.....

    (5)

  • Heather C.

    Adorable little place with GREAT food. Probably the best Greek salad of my life! Even gave us homemade baklava on the house. Definitely busy at all times but worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Bennet H.

    Dametra, and it's staff, has CONSISTENTLY blown us away. Dametra came as a recommendation from a couple we are friends with. They spoke of a unique homey atmosphere, an owner and staff that remembered their faces/names, and food that was always incredible. We found EVERY WORD TO BE TRUE. Last night, we ate at Dametra after a nearly 6 month haitus, and were very pleased to have our faces recognized, and business appreciated. However one of the things that MOST IMPRESSES ME!: The staff and owner treat EVERY CUSTOMER with the same level of gratitude. THIS IS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN CARMEL. QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY PENINSULA. Make Reservations. It's small, and fills quick!

    (5)

  • Rami R.

    The owners seem to have decided that touching and hugging total strangers with extreme unctuousness is easier than keeping an eye on the kitchen or the service. Indifferent food and terrible service. I am truly puzzled by the 4-5 stars.

    (1)

  • Carole C.

    Definitely a woohoo!!! I was meeting an old friend from Miami and wanted a fun place for lunch. I got MORE than I bargained for! Food and wine were fabulous and reasonably priced, service was terrif. Most of all, the ambiance and friendly welcoming staff made us feel like family. There were several birthdays in this small (20 table) restaurant celebrating at lunchtime. The owner and his cousin came out to play music on ethnic guitar and drum, a Spanish speaking singer appeared from the kitchen and the diners clapped, sang, and even danced in the aisles!! My dining companion and I ordered another glass of wine to keep the party going. I ended up dancing with the "coin scarf" around my derriere shakin' it up. And this was lunch! Can't wait to go back for dinner...dancin' on the tables????

    (5)

  • Mindee P.

    A-MA-ZING. This is a sure thing in Carmel for a decent price. All we got was a Greek Salad with chicken and wow was it fresh, good, refreshing from the yucky touristy food we had eaten in Monterey. Good vibe, they will play a live song every now and then and it makes the meal uplifting. The oregano dressing was one of the best greek dressings I've ever had. I want to try and make it! Hummus was pretty good too.

    (5)

  • Amber W.

    Amazing place! Food was STELLAR! Had the combination plate and my husband had the lamb. The gyro was SOOOO good... and the hummus... oh the hummus!!! I ordered the hot tea to drink, which I was told was their moroccan tea (I think?). It was minty and sweetened, which I'm not normally a fan of... but holy moly was it good! They gave us a complimentary piece of baklava for dessert to which my husband devoured- I had to skip it due to my walnut allergy :( Service was also wonderful. Very quick, attentive, and not intrusive. Can't wait to come back again, and also can't wait to try their to-go place in Del Monte Center! Very small and busy though- definitely need a reservation- but well worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Lindsay H.

    Excellent food and wonderful service! The chef even came out to sing a song for everyone while we ate. We'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Brandon C.

    We had a great dinner on a busy Saturday night. I had the chicken shawarma sandwich and Steve had the Greek platter/plate. My sandwich was excellent. Filled with delish marinated chicken wrapped in a grilled warm, chewy flatbread. I ditched the aioli in favor of the yogurt dip that came with the Greek plate. It came with a side Greek salad. I ate the whole thing. The Greek plate had lamb, beef and chicken kabob with hummus, pita bread and rice. All of it was excellent. Service was genuinely friendly and we were treated to a birthday song of Besame Mucho for another patron as well as a traditional song a few minutes later. The whole restaurant was into it. I will definitely be back. Be sure to make a reservation.

    (4)

  • tim h.

    Had so much fun, they they are awesome you must eat here. lunch or dinner very entertaining fun place.

    (5)

  • Bill M.

    Updating this. . Good bread and the baklava was a nice touch. I will be back. Good place to eat.

    (4)

  • Linda R.

    My good friend and I have been having our Carmel lunch dates here for many years. The staff is incredibly friendly, and always makes us feel welcome. The food is delicious and they poor a great glass of wine. It truly is a wonderful escape in the heart of Carmel.

    (5)

  • Kristine G.

    Had such a fun time here. Sitting at the bar. Great bartender. Knew his wines. Then the singing started. Opera and then the two owners took out their instruments and played for a full house. Bongos and a mandolin?? Got the crowd singing. The food was very good. I had a vegetarian Greek sampler platter. My husband had artichoke ravioli. Baklava for dessert. All wonderful. Lovely painted walls. Nice atmosphere all around.

    (5)

  • Evs K.

    I really wanted to like this place. : ( I had a reservation made for a Sunday at 9:30PM. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the host and owner, which I expected after reading all the reviews. They apologized and said that they were running a little late and that all the tables were full, but that we would be next. Not a problem. We waited outside. (The place is small and there was not much space inside to stand and wait.) At 9:50PM, a car rolls up and parks in front of the restaurant. A family comes out and a man goes in to talk to the owner. Not too long after, the owner comes out and tells us that this family has waited in their car for a long time already so he was going to seat them next, but that he would throw in a free appetizer for us for being so patient. That was a problem. But we continued to wait outside cause nothing else was open on Ocean at this hour. While we were waiting outside, the owner starts singing and playing music. Obviously, no one was going to leave any time soon. I felt like Ebeneezer Scrooge from The Christmas Carol standing in the cold, looking through Tiny Tim's window, and watching the family feast. 10:15PM, two tables get up to leave. As the waiters were cleaning up, two guys walked in to put their name down. They waited inside. Shortly after, they were seated. I got sooo upset. I told the owner that I had a reservation. The family and the two guys didn't. Yet, they were seated before us. The owner apologized profusely. He said if there was only one table open, he would gladly tell the two guys to get up for us, but since there were two tables open, he couldn't do anything about it. He apologized many times and threw in the appetizer he promised. He even asked for forgiveness. I tried to let it go because I was on vacation with my family and I wanted it to be a good time. After we got our food, I noticed that we were being treated differently. Other tables were getting checked up on and getting their waters filled. Nobody checked up on us or filled our waters. When the bill came, other tables had their leftovers boxed up for them and they received complimentary baklava. We did not get baklava. The waitress gave us the bill and left us boxes for us to pack the leftovers on our own. Service was particular and it did not leave me or my family a good feeling. Definitely killed it for me. Nevertheless, I still want to rate the food separately: -SPANAKOPITA OF ATHENS - (Four pieces.) Phyllo dough was perfectly flaky. Not too greasy, not too dry. Filling was ok. Wished there was a little more spinach and a little less cheese. -CHICKEN SHAWARMA SANDWICH - Dipping sauce was good. Chicken was on the dry side so the dip definitely saved the dish. Their Greek salad was super fresh. Leftovers are still good the next day. -FRUTTI DI MARE - Plenty of seafood. Seafood was a tad bit tough but still better than average. Sauce was a little too light. Wish it had more flavor. The garlic ciabatta bread on the side had way too much flavor so it made the pasta taste bland. -GYROS PLATE - Lamb and beef gyros meat was soft and tender. Rice pilaf was flavorful. Chicken kebab was a bit dry. Greek salad was super fresh. Pita bread could've been softer and warmer. Hummus was excellent.

    (1)

  • Bev M.

    We had a wonderful dinner at Dametra. The food was excellent and the prices were very reasonable. We even split our entre, chicken kabobs, and it was more than enough food. Delicious ! The best part was the atmosphere and the service. The staff and owner regularly stopped by to say hello and make sure we had everything we wanted. .. And they serenade the guests by singing and playing string music. I highly recommend you find this place ,right in the village, when you're in Carmel!

    (5)

  • JoAnne R.

    A very lovely evening from a sincere welcome at the door to a gracious goodbye and wishes for a return visit. The food was delicious and the service was good. The prices are very reasonable and we'll definitely be back again!!

    (5)

  • Sanaz M.

    This place is good but it did not live up to the reviews on yelp. I thought service was good and the food was good but nothing exceptional. We had a good time and its a cute lunch place. Very cozy.

    (3)

  • Christian S.

    Tried to go have dinner at this place last night in Carmel. It seemed to be one of the few places off Ocean that was busy. The host said they were booked but for me to leave my number and he'd call me if anyone cancelled. After about half an hour I got a call back from him saying he was really sorry but nobody cancelled and he wanted to just let me know. Very few places would take the time to actually follow up. We ended up eating somewhere else but look forward to trying the Dametra next time I'm in Carmel.

    (4)

  • Michael A.

    It's been over a year since my visit to Dametra, and I still remember how outstanding their service was. The two charismatic and hospitable owners definitely make this place a true Carmel gem. The owners are very attentive and helpful, and best of all, they bring out their Middle Eastern instruments to play Arabic music during the evening. It's a lot of fun, and you can't beat the ambiance anywhere in Carmel. The food was great as well, and the wine selection is great too. Service... impeccable. Looking forward to go back on the next visit to Carmel.

    (5)

  • Rich H.

    Simply put...best mediterranean I've ever had. Fast and friendly service. Warm, fresh pita bread and amazing atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Steve N.

    Great food! Great wine! Great hospitality! What more is there to say? 5 stars all around!

    (5)

  • Nancy L.

    This place ROCKS Carmel! Or more accurately, forty Chinese relatives from 4 to 80, two Arabic Greeks (?), and a Hispanic cook had strangers jamming the door to videotape the ruckus on a recent Saturday afternoon. A family member negotiated to buy out the restaurant, sight unseen, for a surprise party. Once the price was settled, Bashar basically let everyone order whatever they wanted, didn't keep track of all the kids' Shirley Temples, served up our own wine (gave us special cheese to go with it) and cake, then led a sing-along that blew the roof off. Thanks Bashar and Faisal for being the perfect hosts and bonding with our family, but just 4 stars from me since the food wasn't on par with the experience.

    (4)

  • Shell M.

    Great Medeteranian restaurant, friendly family atmosphere and when you have an opportunity to experience the elder Uncle sing, great experience. Food is very good, onoutstanding medeteraian salads, very good Gyro's and kabobs. On one visit however I was underwhelmed with the Seafood Cioppino, hopefully a one time thing. Don't be fooled by the small seating area, they will work you in and make a short wait worth your while. Thank you again for the wine!

    (4)

  • Sunaina b.

    Fav in Carmel!! Everything is great..the food, service and ambience. The clam chowder was delish and so was the Greek combo platter.

    (5)

  • John D.

    From the moment my wife and I walked in, we were greeted as long lost friends by Bashar, Dexter and staff. We're from L.A. and love great food. This place exceeded all our expectations. Simply said: the food is sublime. As mix of cultures: Greece, Italy, Spain et al creates some of the most exciting food we've experienced in a very long time. Here are some favorites: Dolmas are the best ever. They arrive warm and are out of this world. Hummus and Pita bread amazing The Dametra pasta rivals anything we've had in L.A. or Rome. (A must have dish!) Try the sampler plate! Kabobs are amazing as is the lamb. Salads fresh and delicious The Lasagna and Souvlaki killer! Desert is special try the chocolate cake that Dexter gets weekly from his friend in Dan Fran. The food is superb but the service is better! The staff remembers your name after the first introductions. We were never ignored even though the place was packed. Last but not least is the fact that Bashar and staff sing and play some wonderful songs from all countries. Truly, this is what Carmel needed. A vibrant, lively, unique and spectacular restaurant. We can't say enough. We will drive back there just for the warmth of the staff and the amazing quality of food. Have Dexter suggest the wine! And please say hello to Bashar from John and Lola!!

    (5)

  • Nathan P.

    Everything about this place is great. Food, service, and atmosphere. Highly recommend it!

    (5)

  • Scotty D.

    the dametra cafe has become the place to dine out when visiting carmel. the food is incredible and the staff are some of the friendliest people i have ever had the chance to meet. with so many good choices in carmel this has got to be one of the most underrated places but i'm sure it will soon be the biggest hit in all of carmel. the spankopita appetizer is one of the best i have ever had. it is so fresh and creamy it just melts in your mouth. it's full of spinach and feta cheese in a very flaky phyllo dough. they give you 4 large pieces and it's served with a tasty tzaziki sauce for $7.95. i have had the new york steak and i can tell you it's delicious! it's a huge charbroiled cut topped with a chianti reduction, gorgonzola, shallots and a creamy potato au gratin. at $21.95 this is a fantastic dish for all of the meat lovers out there. i cannot wait to try this place out the next time i'm in carmel. the best part are the hugs i got when i was leaving from the owners. when i mentioned i was hoping to hear yanni as a joke the owner told me he would go get his instrument and play something for me. he was serious! they really take care of you here and make you feel like a huge part of the family. adopt me please!

    (5)

  • Alissa B.

    OH MY GOSH! I love this place!!! We went here based on a recommendation, and it was well worth the short 10 minute wait. While we were waiting, the owner of the restaurant came over to chat with us and make us feel welcome. We made it inside and got seated just in time for a special treat: the owner and the waitstaff had gotten wind that some patrons were celebrating their 13th anniversary, so they brought out all sorts of musical instruments and played a (Mediterranean?) song. None of that cheesy "happy birthday to you" crap that you get elsewhere... we really felt like we'd been transported to another country! That was just the beginning of a great dining experience. We started off with an appetizer of hummus. The plate that came out was HUGE. We ran out of our 1st basket of pita and hadn't even finished half the hummus. Next they brought out the bread... it was piping hot & clearly had just come out of the oven. Delicious! We ordered 4 entrees, which ended up being too much for our late lunch because the portions were really large. I shared the Jerusalem Beef Kabob wrap and Chicken Shwarma Sandwich (also a wrap). They were both delicious, although my preference was for the kabob wrap. It came with a great tzatziki sauce for dipping, and a small salad on the side with a heavenly dressing. Mmm mmm mmmm I need to find where I can get this outside of Carmel! After our meal (I was stuffed and only finished half of it) the waitress asked us if we wanted any dessert. We ordered 1 serving of baklava, and she brought out 2 servings and the owner came by our table to tell us that dessert was on him. Needless to say, we were in love! My only warning is that the restaurant is very small, so try to go at an offtime or have a bit of patience. It's 100% worth it! The owner certainly knows how to make sure that his customers have a fantastic time, and I will continue to recommend this place to anyone visiting Carmel.

    (5)

  • Yori C.

    Very tiny setting, so get there early or make a reservation, otherwise you'll be stuck in a long line once the lunch/dinner rush starts. Excellent service. Delicious breadbasket provided. The bread is amazingly good. Crispy and crunchy on the outside, warm moist and tender on the inside. You're allowed to ask for seconds :) Food was typical Mediterranean fare. Decent selections and lots of different plates. You have to try the Moroccan Mint tea.

    (5)

  • Shan H.

    The food here is absolutely amazing! I highly recommend the chicken kabobs and the hummus and pita. In addition to delicious food, Dametra Cafe also has a cozy, warm atmosphere. Both times I have been here there was wonderful live music and singing. The small restaurant is always busy during lunch and dinner but definitely worth the wait. The staff are very friendly, and the service is great -- we even got free dessert to make up for the wait. I have aready been here twice and will definitely be returning!

    (5)

  • Richard A.

    These guys are over the top in atmosphere and quality of food. Their mixtures are inventive and delicious. The wine list is excellent, and even though in Carmel, the prices are good. Lunch? Dinner? Never a bad experience, and we've been coming here for 5 years. Very cozy. You literally feel you've walked into a Greek Taverna run by an old friend. It is the only restaurant that my wife and I eat at several times when there, every time. Bashear & Faisal really know how to make you feel good. And their chef's make it perfectly.

    (5)

  • larry d.

    If you've been to Paris and understand that kind of small venue, you won't be surprised how tight it is. Unlike Paris no ones' smoking Gallois. Aside from the tightness some people might find unpleasant, it's a very relaxed and enjoyable place. We've been 2 times and the food is an excellent value, interesting and tasty. Wine is very reasonable and you get a lot of it. Lamb kabob is extraordinary. Will be back again, as it's the kind of place you really want to try as many things on the menu as you can. Also be prepared to spend more time than you are used to settling the bill if it's crowded, as it has been when we've gone. All the other reviews cover everything else well.

    (5)

  • Tony H.

    This is a great restaurant! We made reservations after reading all of the stellar reviews on Yelp and we see where the raving reviews come from. The ambiance is nice and cozy with a solid staff that is really there to help and make sure you are having a good time. I had the Istanbul kabob, it was delicious and the dressing on the Greek salad really added a unique flavor twist to a salad that I'm not typically inspired by. My wife ordered the chicken kabob and she was equally impressed and found the rice to be very tasty as well. We had a chance to speak with one of the staff of the restaurant and he was very nice, it added a personal touch to an already wonderful experience. Okay, they also threw in an order of baklava which was awesome!

    (5)

  • Kate R.

    So glad we came here. We were greeted and taken care of like family. The entire restaurant was serenaded by the owner and chef. While we were waiting for our food we overheard chat at other tables, people exclaiming how good the clam chowder was, and talking about other menu items as well (I couldn't always hear what they were talking about. I really wasn't trying to be nosy.) Anyway, my partner and I got pretty excited. I had the salmon burger and some of my partner's combo platter. I've never had a salmon burger that tasted so good. They have delicious pita and the mint tea with baklava was outstanding! Even the one piece of vandalism I found (on the "Please wash your hands" bathroom sign) talked about how much they loved this place. Thanks for the lovely experience! We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Arnold C.

    We decided to eat here based on reviews that we read and we were definitely not disappointed. On top of a delicious gyro and shish kebab platter, we were entertained by the very warm service provided by our waitress, Claudia, and the owners/chefs who made the restaurant so festive and personalized by visiting each table and then performing a musical number with guitar, tambourine, and singing. It was totally unexpected.

    (5)

  • cindy i.

    Great little restaurant with huge personality! Strolled in at around 9pm on a Tuesday night and the place was packed...and continued to be this way for two more hours! I had two VERY generous pours of the Greek red wine, and my husband and I shared clam chowder, bruchetta, and the Greek combination plate with lamb kabobs...all were soooo delicious! But the best part was when the entire staff, including the chef, broke out into beautiful Greek music and serenaded the entire restaurant. So fun and full of life!

    (5)

  • Will L.

    We called ahead for a Sunday lunch rush-hour and got to be seated right away. Even with a completely full restaurant the service was timely, attentive, and pleasant. We split a half-size starter sample platter and a side of falafel. The falafel was terrific; crispy but not oily, moist and flavorful. Some of the best I've had in California. The lamb in the Gyro was packed with flavor . We detoured down to Carmel from Pacific Grove specifically to come here for lunch and were so happy we did. Looking forward to coming back soon for dinner and try some entrees.

    (5)

  • Chuck A.

    Disappointed today. In the past this place has been a standard stop, but today it was not up to par. Waited more than 45 minutes for our food, without any apology or update. Very strange, and left us questioning our loyalty.

    (2)

  • W. T.

    We came here for lunch on the recommendation of a young girl in a Tshirts shop. First good sign: a line outsid the door. Second good sign: STILL got seated right away. We had hummus, grape leaves, pesto chicken pizza and cheese ravioli. All dishes were fantastic. We had a bunch left over so we took it home for dinner too. Service was spot on. Everyone was very nice and attentive

    (5)

  • Linda N.

    The customer service is excellent and the food was delightful. We had the Greek Combination platter, which was good and had a lot of variety. We also had the Steamed Mussels and Clams-- SO good! It's a small, cozy place but that definitely contributes to the welcoming experience. You'll notice all around you that the staff has gotten to know their customers over the years. It's very endearing actually.

    (5)

  • Rita Y.

    Adorable place with equally adorable staff. They make you feel so welcome and the place is always packed. I didn't order the right food 'tho. Stick with the Mediterranean food. Hubby and I tried: 1. Fried Calamari, $11.95 appetizer. Don't order this. The batter isn't crunchy and anemic looking. It was all slices of calamari, no legs. Was bland, came with marinara and tartar sauces. 2. Caesar Salad, $12.95. The plate is huge, croutons, cheese all came with it. No anchovies. The dressing was good but not the way I like my Caesar salad. 3. Cup of Clam Chowder, $4.95. Tasted good, too salty. Good amt clams in it. 4. Hubby had the Istanbul Kebab, $18.95. It came with pilaf, a salad. The portions are large and you should skip the appetizers if you're planning to order an entree. We declined dessert but they comp us with 2 pieces of baklava anyways, served with whipped cream. What a nice bunch of people! 5. The Salmon Creek Merlot, $8.50 was a generous pour and tasted really good. I plan to come back to try the Mediterranean food next time we're here in Carmel again. There was a couple celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary and the chef came out to sing to them while one of the other workers played an instrument. The place gets really crowded and hot inside. You leave the place feeling happy.

    (4)

  • Mist C.

    After reading so many hyped reviews we decided to try this cafe. Luckily we did not have to wait much. We were seated in less than 5 mins. We had combination of veg and non-veg food. veg falafal wrap was to die for. Deserts.. yummiest Tiramisu i ever had. Surely visit this place whenever i am around.

    (5)

  • Dmitriy V.

    Carmel is home to many delicious restaurants, but in terms of quality AND value it really doesn't get better than Dametra. Some of the excellent qualities include the service, the food - some of the best Greek dining (i have tried the lamb, calamari, the salads and the chicken), the staff, the bar next door where you could "comfortably" wait for a table rather than waiting in the foggy weather outside. They also have a cool selection of beers and wines. Lastly, and really the difference between Dametra and other places are the prices, $30 dollars can get you a decent lunch here and $40 a dinner. One of the downsides is the wait.. but really all excellent restaurants in the area will have a 30 mins or more wait at prime lunch or dinner time.

    (5)

  • Alexa M.

    Wow. This place was incredible. The service was amazing. They were so friendly and we were so well taken care of. The restaurant is very clean and the decorations are wonderful. The food was so good. We had a Mediterranean salad and the gyro (which was to die for). We got lucky and witnessed an impromptu sing-a-long from the chef and owner (who played the oud/guitar) due to a recent engagement of one of their customers. All in all, it was such a wonderful experience and the food was amazing. I cannot wait to go back.

    (5)

  • D M.

    AMAZING!!!! We were looking for a healthy lunch bite and saw the great reviews for Dametra and decided to give it a shot. We got the chicken shawarma and hummus appetizer and we were in heaven. The little bread basket they bring you to start has some of the softest freshest bread that just melts in your mount, I could have made lunch out of just that. We were in a hurry so we asked for the check and the waitress asked if she could bring us dessert now or to-go (we did not order dessert). When I looked confused, she said, it's on the house, and sent us off with two very tasty bites of baklava. Mmmm...I can't wait to visit Carmel again.

    (5)

  • Viviana R.

    *Review on the staff, not food* This happened last summer 2012. Upon arrival we were greeted by one of the hosts/owners who gave my husband a handshake like they were buddies from high school! He told us that there was a 30 minute wait to get a table so he wrote our names down and told us to wait next door at the wine bar (for a second we thought we were going to get a complimentary drink or something, lol) So at the wine bar they started trying to push all these wine samples on us (not free) but we were hungry not thirsty so we declined. We left the wine bar after 30 minutes and went next door again to see if something had become available. This is the funny part: The same host comes out and says hello to us like he had NEVER seen us before and tells us that there's a waiting list of 30 mins so he can write our names down. We told him that our names were already on the list and he said that it was going take a little longer and that if we wanted he could give us a call when a table became available. After 1.5 hrs the host called. At this point my husband and I had found the other restaurant in Carmel that was open that night (all the test were closed). A cute little Asian restaurant a few blocks away ;)

    (2)

  • Lorraine C.

    Love this place! Appetizers were delicious. I had the the halibut with pan-crusted almonds!!!! I highly recommend trying this place out. Great location and the service was awesome. They even had a performance from the staff members with live music which made the night even more special! Great place to try but make sure to make reservations for the evening. They get booked fast!

    (5)

  • Allen L.

    Great place, were able to find a table for us on Saturday and the food and service was excellent. Highly recommended

    (5)

  • John B.

    This restaurant is fast becoming our favorite ever! I love the way they treat you like family and their customer service is over the top! Fun is the best word to describe it. Oh yes, did I mention the food is the BEST!

    (5)

  • Liz C.

    A fantastic place, small enough to feel intimate, yet large enough to generate a lively atmostphere. The two men who mostly run the place are musicians too and play two Middle Eastern instruments at various times throughout the dinner period, inviting dinners to get up and dance between tables. Totally fun place. Love the food. A group of 7 of us had various items and all were delicious. Warm (meaning freshly prepared) dolmas, best humus I've ever tasted, great red pepper soup, and salad were our chosen appetizers. There were various pastas, LARGE NY steak with a sauce I could put on lima beans (I hate them) and would eat them. Plenty of variety for entrees without overdoing it. Friendly, attentive, and personal service. Food comes out of the kitchen in a timely manner. When one of us had to request further cooking on a steak, they were quite apologetic and sent her a gratis plate of dolmas to enjoy while they fired her a new steak. Very generous wine pourings ($10-$14 per glass) and great selection of varietals. Some good beers offerings. Small comfy four seat "bar" in back, but the place is so popular that even on a weeknight for dinner the bar is somewere guests sit to eat. They brought us two plates of complimentary baklava to end the meal, very nice surprise. I LOVED this spot and will return. But don't count on a seat without reservations! Place is smallish, but it adds to the intimate and fun atmosphere. Not a place for a "romantic" date though...too lively for that. Go here for FUN and terrific food.

    (5)

  • Jen E.

    My husband and I came to Carmel, where we got married, for our 10th wedding anniversary. We planned two dinners, one at Roy's (the "fancy" dinner) and one at Dametra Cafe, for a more casual, intimate dinner in the village. I cannot say enough about the experience. We made a reservation, and although we mixed up and arrived early, they told us we could go next door to the wine bar to wait and they would get us in when they could. We chose to walk around a bit instead and came back at 6:40 for our 7pm reservation. We went back into the wine bar and waited for a bit before being shown to our table around 7. Shortly after we sat down, the music and dancing started up. So much fun! They pulled a couple of ladies up from their tables to dance as the owner and a few employees began playing traditional instruments. I'm sure if you're not a "group experience" kind of person, this would make you uncomfortable, but we found it to be delightful. We ordered the smoked salmon appetizer which was delicious. It went well with the wine that was recommended by our waitress. I had the Istanbul kebabs (kind of like kefta), which came with lavash and rice, along with a tzatziki. My husband had the lamb kebabs, which were delicious as well. They sang to us for our anniversary (there was another couple in there celebrating 46 years!), and brought us some baklava on the house. The owner is an absolute gem, the food was delicious and we will certainly make an effort to eat here whenever we're back in Carmel (but will make a reservation first!).

    (5)

  • Sandi S.

    Cute place! Decent Mediterranean/Greek food with reasonable price. Very popular in the local area. The only complain I have is that we had to wait for almost 30 minutes for the food to be served.

    (4)

  • David E.

    Tonight was a great experience. Started with a friendly greeting. The entire staff is your waiter, everyone had contact with use including one of the cooks who sang a beautiful song accompanied by many of the staff. The pasta was the best by the sea. The Moroccan tea and baclava finished off a perfect evening. So good I did something I have never done before, made another reservation. For Saturday. Great job by all.

    (5)

  • Kathryn L.

    When you see a patron park their ferrari out front and locals on a kiss-kiss basis with the owner and staff, you know the place is good. Because of all the yelp fanfare (and because there are approx 25 chairs in the entire place) I made reservations a week ahead for husband's birthday. Even with our reservations, we still had to wait 15 minutes to get seated. Did Dametra live up to its yelp fame & you tube premiere? You betcha. The place was packed! Surprisingly unpretentious atmosphere & prices...btw 10-20 per entree. It's also delicious, flavorful, and largely portioned. We were served warm bread, and ordered Margarita Del Sol pizza to start (roasted peppers, eggplant, artichoke hearts, zucchini, goat cheese). The pizza had tons of fresh veggies and perfect for 2. Husband ordered the Dametra Pasta & I ordered Frutti di Mare, both of which were super tasty. The Fruitti di Mare pasta was loaded with mussels, clams, salmon, & shrimp. Owner, Faisal, was warm & welcoming. For our two little ones, they gave us the only 2 high chairs in the place, which was nice. When I told Faisal it was husband's birthday, he delayed getting our check to us to have a slice of tiramisu brought out on the house while Antonio (old mexican cook) serenaded him in spanish for his birthday while the Faisal played a greek guitar. Absolutely lovely, memorable experience.

    (5)

  • Susan H.

    Wonderful place...the food was delicious - had the Big Greek Salad for lunch & it was so tasty. The atmosphere is very warm & friendly & the service was impeccable. The waiters were very attentive, but not overbearing at all. The owner came by and chatted like we were old friends, then checked on us again while we were eating to see if we needed anything. The music and singing was a lot of fun, a nice welcome to Carmel.

    (5)

  • Mohamed D.

    Great food, atmosphere and people! The live singing adds to a great experience. Don't leave Carmel before you eat here!

    (5)

  • Lacy H.

    I feel like I'm in another country! Amazing atmosphere. Small but quaint with fresh foods and good wine. The chef played an instrument to wish a guest happy birthday and personally greeted us during lunch!

    (5)

  • Dan L.

    We went for lunch in Nov 2013 during the middle of the week. Despite it being a very slow time of year for Carmel, the place was crowded and we had to wait! The staff was very nice to encourage us to shop the nearby boutiques and called us on our cell phone when our table was ready. The gyros and greek salad were good. We had turkish coffee for the first time, wow powerful stuff. Friendly and helpful staff. Waiter-musicians periodically playing live cultural music. Great place to stop when shopping downtown Carmel.

    (3)

  • Al D.

    Had a reservation for dinner at 7:00pm on a Thursday night. Arrived and found a line out the door but we were seated within about 10 mins. Even without a reservation, this place is worth the wait. I had the lamb shish kebab and it was phenomenal, the best I've ever had, even compared to my trip to Greece. My daugher had the gyro and that too was the best I ever tasted. Everything we had was amazing! They were even able to do a kids portion of the shrimp and crab ravioli and discounted it appropriately. One of the best surprises was the staff busted out a guitar like instrument and drum and started playing/singing some mediterranean type song, got the customers up and dancing and everyone involved. The staff were all very pleasant and the service was top notch. We are already planning another trip down just to eat here again. I highly recommend eating at Dametra Cafe if you are ever in the area. It doesn't get any better than this if looking for outstanding mediterranean food.

    (5)

  • Brittney B.

    Seriously the best place ever. Great food and company. Also, the owner brought out this great Mediterranean instrument and started a gypsy like revelry that was totally awesome. Y'all should totally go

    (5)

  • Roxy S.

    Beautiful settings, breathtaking artwork on the wall and gorgeous decoration. Food was amazing and well worth the cost. Live music was a great bonus. The service was excellent with super friendly and appreciative owner. The wait was long since we came during peak hours; however, we were well served. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    Greek salad and hummus a must! We went right at 11:30 when they opened and they packed up quick! The chef came and sang for us which was a plus. Cute decor. Nice change of atmosphere for us!

    (4)

  • Paul D.

    Great food! Great service! My wife and I were very pleased! My wife loved the chicken shawarma wrap and I really enjoyed the Jerusalem Kabob wrap!

    (5)

  • Brian K.

    An absolute treat when in Carmel. At Dametra Cafe,t he food is outstanding, and the family team that runs the restaurant is second to none! They are wonderful people who are fun, festive, and truly care about their customers and their happiness dining there, more than just turning a profit. We love coming to Dametra Cafe every time we visit Carmel, and we are never disappointed by the meal and the wonderful service!

    (5)

  • Rifle H.

    Perhaps the most welcoming restaurant ever. No exaggeration. You will be greeted and cared for like a long-lost family member. There are plenty of spot on reviews here about Dametras. I just want to add my love for this place. The food is good, but the experience and warmth are great. Call early.

    (5)

  • Aaron S.

    Amazing!! This was one of the best dinning experiences we have ever had. Food was GREAT and the service was fantastic.. I cant say enough about this place.. We will eat here every trip to Carmel.

    (5)

  • Niko Z.

    Perfect. Service, food, ambiance - it made for a most memorable visit. We'll certainly be back.

    (5)

  • Rashika B.

    This place is excellent! My boyfriend and I are here from Fremont for a small vacation and figured to stop by with the reviews being so good and it was definitely worth it. Recommend making reservations in case you don't want to wait because the owners here are so personal with their guests no one wants to leave. Bashar and meena and their other brother, I didn't get the name, were very welcoming and meena made sure we didn't feel neglected because we were walk ins and waited about 48 minutes. It's worth the wait! They even did a great musical performance that the whole place was dancing by the end. We will be coming to monterey again next year and we are forsure coming back here in Carmel to say hello to our friends

    (5)

  • Olivia L.

    It's always exciting when you find a place that you can give 5 stars, and if there were more stars to give, Dametra Cafe, you guys would get the highest amount possible and then some more. I couldn't wait to get on yelp to rave about how ravishing the entire experience was. Located in the Carmel Area, it's a beautiful place to spend your day. The Ping and I arrived just before the dinner rush, around 4:30. They have these amazing vinegar and oil bottles. Hand painted decor that is a Mediterranean mix. The staff is amazing because their attention to detail and customer service. The food that we ordered was impeccable, and being in this restaurant, you know that they know what they are doing. Each dish I had absolutely no complaints about. For example, the Fried Calamari had the perfect amount of batter, sauce, breading, and was fried to a delightful crispiness that wasn't over bearing. We also got a side of Falafel which is perfectly paired with Aioli sauce. My friend got the gyros sandwich was which huge, and I got the Moussaka to fulfill my eggplant craving. Both were large portions meant to be shared, and delightful as leftovers. I want to keep raving about this place, but honestly, everything is so awesome, you just have to get yourself in there to try it yourself. I can not wait to come back and dine here again. PS. Pass on dessert because they give you complimentary Bakklava at the end, and there are plenty of other places to try around the area.

    (5)

  • Laura C T.

    Simply excellent. Yelp helped is find this place and we were extremely pleased with the food quality, service and atmosphere. Its a small place with only about 30 seats. Its like you walk into another world with Greek, And Italian influences i lived the detail, the artwork and the juxtaposition of scarves on the wall with painted drapes. We called ahead (highly recommended) about a half hour before we decided to go. The owner is your host and was super friendly with us and everyone. The menu is a mix of Italian, Greek and Turkish food. The dishes are fairly typical of the cuisine but a nice change from the American type cuisines in the area. The servers also introduced themselves to us and make some non evasive conversation. With about 5 servers including the owner to about 12 tables, things are attentive and move quickly. I was impressed when I asked for a side of hummus (which I wasn't charged for +) and the owner saw I wasn't brought it, it was given to me ASAP. We got an appetiser - DOLMA , grapeseed leaves stuffed with rice and other good stuff and tzaziki on the side. It was very good. For mains my boyfriend got the chicken skewers, really tender and flavourful. I got the beef kebob infused with Turkish spices. Both came with the best Greek salad I've ever had and rice. We didn't want dessert (too full) but we were pleasantly surprised with small pieces of baklava on the house. Another surprise was the rendition of Turkish songs with tamborine and bongo and some girls who were voluntold to put on belly dancing chains, performed by the owner. He also came our a 2nd time with one of the chefs singing a Spanish song. Overall this was excellent and open for lunch and dinner, highly recommended for both. Our total bill without tips and taxes was 55 including 2 glasses of wine

    (5)

  • Drew P.

    A great stop after visiting the Mission. Food is excellent, friendly and attentive service.

    (5)

  • Lm M.

    It is a three star for food and NO stars for service. I had lunch l there with my daughter recently. We were greeted and seated warmly,and the the order for drinks and food was taken promptly. Food was served promptly also. That is about service. The olive oil and vinegar was poured, but no salt and pepper.were offered We could not see our waitress anywhere, so we had to ask another waiter/ server who happened to be serving a nearby table. One of the drinks came with the food and the other one never came even after food was served. I could see our waitress walking casually chatting with the host, but she wasn't paying any attention. We reminded the person who brought the food about the missing drink and also asked for a glass of water. He brought the drink, but no water. So I reminded him again. He looked at us rather uninterested, went away and never came back. Still no water and can't see our waitress anywhere..... for a long time. So I had enough. I walked up to the host/ reception desk. No one there. So, I walked to the back of the restaurant. The two waitresses were casually standing there behind the curtains and talking. Obviously, I complained and asked for water. So she asked " How many water" as if water is rationed. So I got my "one glass" of water. I didn't dare to ask for another in the interest of saving my peace of mind. The poor service that we experienced can't be an accident. Their service/ pattern seems rather bizarre. It doesn't seem like any server is responsible for any particular table. There are several servers, and, it seems, for them service means taking orders and just putting it on the table.

    (2)

  • Sam V.

    I was a little concerned that the reviews were skewed because this place is in such a tourist location but it everything was delish!!! Ohh...and the baklavah, it was amazing.

    (5)

  • Conrad M.

    This place was awesome! Operated by Tarek and his uncle, Tarek plays a sitar as part of the house entertainment along with his galant Mexican associate - an older gentleman who sang "Solamente una vez" in celebration of one the regular's birthday right next to us that was unforgettable. The food was fresh, bursting with complex flavors and presented beautifully. Everyone made us feel like family; they not only treated us well but they treated each other well, which says a lot about any group of people. I would give this place seven stars if it were possible. And yes there was a line from beginning to end over our three plus hour visit in the area but, again, the highlight of our time spent in Northern California.

    (5)

  • Rachael M.

    Everything was delicious and the service was great. The meal started with warm bread and oil/vinegar and ended with complimentary baclava. We had the calamari for an appetizer - it was wonderful - lightly breaded and not at all chewy. I had the salmon burger which was delicious and fresh. My husbands gyro was enormous and he enjoyed it.

    (5)

  • Abdulla V.

    best Mediterranean restaurant @ carmel

    (5)

  • Michael I.

    First time to Carmel and friends recommended this place. It was amazing! We ate lunch there and had the calamari, clam chowder (yes it is the best), and the gyro. We ended the meal with the Baklava which was delicious. Service was also extremely good. We will be eating lunch here again tomorrow.

    (5)

  • Paul H.

    Great little place in Carmel. Service is excellent and the place was jammed. We were lucky to walk in at 5 o'clock at get a table at the window without a lengthy wait. We ordered the Gyros and Kebob. Tasty! We decided to skip desert and when we asked for the check the waiter brought some baklava with whipped cream on the house! When we left the Maitre d' started to play on a guitar. I am giving it 4 stars for the atmosphere and service. The food was good, especially the greek salad, however the gyros, although tasty, was a bit processed for my taste. In Europe they still serve gyros carved from a huge vertical meat roll spinning next to a grill. I miss that in the States.

    (4)

  • Morgane M.

    Absolutely delicious! My hubby, parents and I came here for my birthday. I made reservations of course since this place is ALWAYS packed. We came before the restaurant expanded into the space next door. We were seated right on time and towards the back of the restaurant (I enjoy a little more privacy during my meals), so the back was a perfect spot for me. We were treated like family and served like royalty. The food was amazing and the atmosphere felt like home. If you are in the Carmel area I would highly suggest this restaurant, authentic food and great company. Can't ask for anything better.

    (5)

  • Nicki G.

    EXCELLENT!!!!! Service-EXCELLENT Food-EXCELLENT Atmosphere- GREAT Everything was so good we can't wait to come back!!! Now I understand why they have such great ratings!!! The Conceirge in our hotel said that they are the best restaurant in carmel! I highly recommend making reservations. We tried making reservations but they were fully committed. We decided to walk in and get on the wait list. We got there at 6:45 Friday night. It was packed and we were on the second page of the wait list. While we were waiting for a seat by the bar all of the sudden many tables became empty and we were lucky enough to get seated immediately. We had the soup of the day, bell pepper, which was incredible!! We also had the veggie entree which was also very good. Greek salad, rice pilaf, and spangkoki were all amazing!!!! And we also had the dameatras pasta without the chicken and that also was very good! Best baklavah ever. It was our first time here and with all the great reviews we decided to try it and we are so glad that we did!! The owner came to our table to say hello and see how we were doing. They played music and had the chef come out. I would definitely recommend this place and will be coming back next time we are in carmel.

    (5)

  • Val B.

    Not ever in a restaurant that I ate at did I feel like I was in the actual country... until Dametras. The atmosphere is wonderful, despite the kind of small restaurant but the ambience, food, and everything is wonderful. The tables are VERY close together but that didnt bother me too much. I loved that the owner went around and greeted everyone. He even sang for us and gave my group free dessert. A MUST GO!

    (4)

  • Kelly R.

    One of the most fun dining experiences you can have. We recommend this restaurant to everyone. It's tiny, so you need reservations... and probably at least a week in advance for the weekend. The food was delicious, standard Mediterranean fare. We were delighting in our food and wine when the chef came out to sing while the owners played the tompak and oud. A little intermission occurred before they were at it again and everyone was up dancing. So fun and delicious. Worth it for the food, and more than worth it for the experience. These guys know what they are doing, and they are even doing it at a reasonable price.

    (5)

  • K G.

    Quite possibly, one of the most delicious and best dining experiences I've had in a long long while. Hummus: outstanding. Creamy and flavorful. My dining companion and I shared a shmorgishborg of falafel, hummus, chicken and beef. The potato gratin might be the most delicious thing I've ever put into my mouth. Don't pass up this side! Intense wine selection of course. Great live music and entertainment to boot.

    (5)

  • Tom L.

    What a great little restaurant. We arrived without a reservation, which I don't recommend, it is a busy place. They were very accommodating, their bar was full so they said they would call us when they had a table..... Perfect. When we came back they had our table ready, it's a little crowded, but that is because it is such a great place. Now I'm not from Carmel, so this was my only visit, but the owners and staff were so welcoming. We tried a couple of items off the menu, very good food, well presented, lots of flavour. Service is good as well. When we were there it was some customers birthday, the show they put on for this is not to be missed. The entire restaurant gets into it, everyone standing clapping to the music, it is such a fun place. If you are in Carmel, stop in, you won't be disappointed. Please say hi to Mina for me.... Great guy! Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Thom T.

    Everything is sooo good. Owner is really friendly. The best of the best here is piña cotta, it's a must!! I tried pina cotta from many place but at this restaurant is different and couldnt find one good like this!!

    (5)

  • Igor J.

    This was great! I highly recommend morrocan tea, best tea I ever tried! We also go a free baklava! The main dish was also amazing

    (5)

  • Leah L.

    Can't say enough about this place. Everything we ate was amazing (gyros, falafel, Greek salad, and clam chowder)...just perfect. Service was excellent. A little bit of a wait, so I would recommend putting your name down, take a walk around the neighborhood and they will call you when your table is ready. Definitely worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Vi N.

    I found this place on yelp, came here with the gf. The wait wasn't too bad. The service was friendly and the server was checking up on how we're doing. I had the dametra pasta and she had the gyro platter. Both were superb!! Will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Heidi S.

    The very best Mediterranean Food in Carmel. And the friendliest owner and staff. We are always very satisfied with the delicious meals and welcoming environment.

    (5)

  • Gary J.

    Another great visit to Dametra for good food, fun and excellent service. One of the top five on the Penninsula. Grumpy ole farts stay away; because this place is just plain entertaining. Highly recommend you call for a reservation; the wait can be over an hour. Not to worry, there is a wine bar right next door happy to accomodate your wait. The people working here want your business and make you feel like kings and queens. These people really understand service.

    (5)

  • Donald D.

    Wow, very friendly staff. I had the salmon. So light and perfectly cooked. And Jerry had a wonderful moussaka. The Calamari appetizer was so light and tender. And we had a wonderful tiramisu with a side of wonderful baklava. And the staff sang Happy birthday to me after singing a wonderful Greek song. Really great experience.

    (5)

  • Gina J.

    I give this place 3-1/2 stars, I had to take away 1-1/2 stars because the portions were chintzy. Seriously people, they are slight for what you pay. We got there as soon as they opened, 1st customers. Within 25 minutes every table was full. Very popular place. No one seemed to have to wait long for their food. The food is quality for sure, but I hate to see skimping on portions and blandness in composition. I WANT MY MONEY'S WORTH!!!!!!! Redeeming qualities: The service is excellent and the house-made bread will rock your world!!! We had a gyro and a Great Greek Salad. The gyro was full of meat and it was delicious, but at $10.95 there was not any side dish and it could have had some marinated cucumbers or some small, fresh thing. Should have been $8.95. The Great Greek Salad was actually $4 MORE than the gyro - $14.95 - and very simple, plain even. I can't understand the price difference at all. When I order a $15 lunch salad I am expecting something I can share with my meal partner, and we had planned to do just that, but there was only enough there for 1. Sadly. I would say it was worth $8.95.The gyro meat in the salad was plentiful and wonderful, the dressing was fabulous and fresh, but overall the title "Great" and the price left me bewildered. Romaine lettuce, kalamata olives, a few chunks of cucumber, meat, dressing, 1 small piece of pita bread. That was it. Underwhelming presentation, boring composition, but still great flavors. Would I eat there again??? Myehhhhh...

    (4)

  • Claytonian C.

    Had lunch here and it was excellent all around. Great hummus, baba ganouj and salads. The family that owns it also seems to really care about the guest experience as they were walking around, talking to diners and making sure the food was good and things were going well (this simple gesture is overlooked by a lot of restaurants!). Prices are reasonable.

    (5)

  • Debbie D D.

    Spanakopita- you have to try it, delicious. Greek Salad, Lamb shish Kebab, Moussaka! all delicious..wonderful atmosphere- all a 5..I'm coming back to bring friends and family to experiance this wonderful restaurant.

    (5)

  • Eric S.

    Wow, I can't think of a single thing to complain about. The prices were very reasonable and everyone loved their meals. The place is small and you should get reservations. You will feel that the building is at max capacity and that makes it a tight fit, but it has such a good vibe that most people won't care. I can personally say that the lamb shank and gyros are amazing. I had high expectations after reading the reviews and they were met. Another thing that really stuck out was how friendly the owner was with every customer that came in, including me. If I evercome back to the monterey area I will make sure to get into this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Mary M.

    This is the second time I have been here. I liked it so much the first time when I happened across it (love that fact) that when my bf and I went to Monterey, I knew that we were going here. It was pretty packed for the middle of the afternoon (4pm), but luckily we got a table. We had a late breakfast, so we weren't super hungry, but wanted to have a little snicky-snack. We were greeted by warm bread accompanied w/ olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Anytime a restaurant gives me warm bread, that is a + because it shows me they care. I ordered the hummus and a green salad. The pita bread was also warm, which you can figure I was happy about! He ordered the clam chowder and the giant prawns appetizer. We both had some kind of Lebanese beer (he picked it out) and it was very light and refreshing. Everything was very, very good. So, what was really kind of a fun sup rise was when one of the owners started walking up and down the narrow restaurant playing what looked like a guitar and another worker had some drums. There was a live show!!! Some of the waitresses pulled up customers and one of them tied a scarf w/ dangley coins onto the customer. What appeared to be her dad then got up and grabbed the tambourine. It was pretty fun. Oh and to top it off...we ordered baklava for dessert and it ended up being on the house.

    (5)

  • Big t.

    I ordered the Chicken Kebob and the Kebob was by far the best I have had. The service was perfect and very friendly. The appetizers and dessert were incredible as well. This place is the only place to eat in town.

    (5)

  • Julie A.

    Really nice staff very very average food. Don't bother I feel like the reviews are terribly deceptive.

    (2)

  • Vipin M.

    Very good food and plating. Friendly environment. 100% suggested for any meal time! The decorations were spot on, and the gyro was delicious and full of flavor.

    (5)

  • Bobby G.

    Went here based on the rave reviews and left full but disappointed. Extremely slow, disorganized and inattentive service. The food was ok, but not memorable. We constantly had to swat away flies as we were eating.

    (1)

  • Rebecca M.

    I will give this 2 stars only because the Staff was charming. Food very average - not quite worth the 2 1/2 hours it took to complete this dining ordeal. Do not believe the wait time that you are given....

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 11

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Dametra Cafe

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