Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro

While the main production facility operates in Monterey, this Carmel outpost – often called the "Stro" by regulars – functions as the brewery’s research and development lab. Tucked into the upper level of Carmel Plaza, the site houses a five-barrel brewhouse dedicated entirely to experimental batches and pilot recipes. It represents a distinct break from the town’s typically quiet, reserved dining landscape; the energy here is loud, the tables are turned over quickly, and the space is frequently packed with families and large groups. The layout spills out from a large indoor dining room onto an expansive courtyard patio, where heaters keep the sixty-plus seats viable even when the coastal fog settles in. You’ll see flights of test-batch hazy IPAs and lagers landing on tables alongside California-style pub food designed to match the drinking. The kitchen pushes out steady rounds of crispy cauliflower, smoked mushroom and artichoke pizzas, and Wagyu smash burgers. Because of the location’s size and casual nature, it draws heavy crowds on weekends. Waiting for a table is common, and snagging street parking nearby usually takes some circling.