Nepenthe restaurant?
 

Ok, hope I spelled the name of the restaurant correctly. Anyway, is it worth a lunch? I've read from some reviewers that it's overpriced. However, every guide book seems to praise it for one of the nicest views. Is it worth simply just getting some coffee and a desert? Thanks in advance!

Any clue where the restaurant may be located ?

Hwy. 1, 2 1/2 mi south of Big Sur Station, Big Sur, CA

Havent been in years -- food was ok, but view was worth it.

Food is so-so in my opinion and you are paying for the view, but the views are spectacular--so it is definitely worth a stop for first time visitors.

We stopped and thought the food was fine. I got a salad and DH a burger. Definitely worth a stop IMO.

It's good for exactly what you are looking for - THE VIEW, coffee and dessert. We don't have a desert here, on the coast. :S- Don't bring a dog, they won't even allow them on the deck. Burns me up....[-X If you've ever been to Carmel, you'd know how crazy we are about our doggies.

That's one of my favorite restaurants.

Ambience & views are A++++. Food is C- (fries are great - the Ambrosia burger is fine, Lolly's roast chicken is OK). We've been going there for 40 years - really.

Stu Dudley

If its foggy when you arrive, don't bother to stay. Food is not great, price is rather high, so if no view, its not worth it. Try Ventana which is in the same general vicinity. Great view, high up on a hill. Can't remember much about the food, however. It had a lovely outside seating area tho....

I live in Ohio. When I was a senior in high school (1990) my parents took my brother and I to CA (started in SF, drove down the coast, flew out of SD). I remember the view and the amazing feeling I got from this restaurant to this day. I had a salad, it was good, but the VIEW OH THE VIEW.

Just seeing the name of it in your title gave me chills. Go.

The view is spectacular and the food was good too. It's a for sure stop if you've never been!

My wife and I love the view as well.

They have a great cam as well.

http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/images/weather-cam.html

If you really want a nice view in amazing surroundings that is off the tourist trail, have lunch or snacks or dessert at Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn. It is the opposite of what Nepenthe is.

I ate there this past December -- in the upstairs area, which has a big bar in the middle. Very very casual place (on Christmas afternoon, most people were in polarfleece and jeans).

Excellent view, "ambrosiaburger" and dessert very good but not in themselves anything to write home about. The burger was about $12 (check the menu online), which I thought was not at all overpriced -- you'd pay the same for that burger at many, many restaurants in SF or DC or Chicago, without the glorious view.

I must echo snowrooster's experience. We happened upon the sign for Nepenthe heading north on Hwy 1 in the early evening and on a whim took the winding drive up to the restaurant. We settled in on benches facing the cliffs and nibbled on our cheese platter and sipped our wine. As the sun grew lower we began to glimpse not one but two rainbows over the cliffs. The sun's reflection deepened to a brilliant gold, outlined in a double rainbow. It remains, to this day, one of the most awesome natural sights we have ever seen. Even the jaded regulars and waitstaff crowded outside with gasps of amazement. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

I agree that Nepenthe is well worth a stop, and not just because of the views. I love the ambience of the interior--the fireplace if it's chilly, the wood panelling, the bar, the laid-back staff. It just speaks of how cool that old CA hippie aesthetic still is.

And anyone who says it's over priced is nuts, prices are the same there as at any other comparable restaurant in the area. We had soups, salads and sandwiches that we thought were very good, with organic ingredients and home-baked bread to boot.

Do check out the gift shop--interesting mix of books, jewelry, ceramics, candles, etc.

Oh what memories this brings back. I was recently looking at photos of me there. What a spectacular location. I loved it

Great suggestion by Iamq, my wife and I will be there in early October.

we stopped at Nepenthe and looked in the gift shop and enjoyed the view but had our lunch at the Post Ranch Inn. the lunch was really good and yes it was expensive but compared to the room prices of the Post Ranch it was a bargain. Plus they treated us like we were hotel guests and not just stopping in for lunch, it was some of the nicest service ever and the most incredible view.