Nepenthe
- from USD 27
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Menu & prices
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Why go
- The Ambrosiaburger: ground steak on a French roll with Ambrosia Sauce.
- A panoramic coastal terrace about 800 feet above the Pacific.
- Architecture by Rowan Maiden, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright.
- Edmund Kara’s bronze Phoenix sculpture, made from a coastal live oak trunk that died in the 1970s.
Opening hours
Today11:30 – 22:00Show all
Good to know
Dishes to try
- Vegetarian burger: house-made grilled tofu and vegetable patty with lettuce, tomato and Ambrosia Sauce.
- Shrimp BLT: wild Mexican shrimp, smoked bacon, tomato jam and basil aioli on a French roll.
- French dip: roasted prime top sirloin and Havarti on a baguette, served au jus.
- California beet salad: butter lettuce, Point Reyes blue cheese, orange, fennel and candied walnuts.
- Smoked wild Alaskan Sockeye salmon with herbed cream cheese, capers, red onion and flatbread crisps.
- California artisanal cheese plate with quince jam, apple chutney, seasonal fruit and flatbread crisps.
- Laura Chenel goat cheese with roasted Gilroy garlic and flatbread crisps.
- Seasonal caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and buffalo mozzarella.
- Seasonal Brussels sprouts with pancetta, pine nuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano and citrus vinaigrette.
- Ribeye with Chimichurri sauce, grape tomato, herbs and garlic mashed potatoes.
- Nepenthe steak: filet mignon with Cabernet demi-glace, Point Reyes blue cheese crouton, portabella and mashed potatoes.
- Pan-seared diver scallops with polenta cakes, asparagus and tomato shrimp sauce.
- Pan-seared Alaskan halibut with red pepper risotto, broccolini and lemon caper butter.
- Lolly’s roast chicken dinner: half a Jidori chicken with sage stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce.
- Steak frites: New York steak with shallot mustard butter and French fries.
- Homemade desserts.
Atmosphere
- The large terrace was designed for dining and dancing.
- A fire pit and built-in bleachers shape the outdoor gathering area.
Good for
- Families with young children Highchairs are available.
- Literary interest Nepenthe has regularly hosted readings by writers.
Dietary options
- Vegetarian Some options; see the dishes above.
Shorts
History
In the early 1940s, writer and journalist Lynda Sargent lived in the cabin and temporarily hosted Henry Miller. Nepenthe later became a gathering place for artists and writers; Miller became a regular visitor and close friend of Bill Fassett. The Fassett family opened Nepenthe and continues to preserve and manage its legacy. The restaurant’s name comes from a drink in Greek mythology said to bring forgetfulness.
- 1925Carpenter Sam Trotter built a three-storey log house for the Coastland Trails Club.
- May 1944Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth bought the cabin as a romantic getaway but never returned.
- 1947Bill and Madelaine “Lolly” Fassett bought the cabin and surrounding 12 acres.
- 1949The Fassetts built the restaurant around the existing cabin; Nepenthe opened on 24 April.
- 1964The Phoenix Shop opened, selling gifts and local artists’ wares.
Show all
- 1965Nepenthe’s terrace is associated with a dance scene in The Sandpiper.
- 1992Café Kevah, a casual walk-up café, opened on the property.
- 2026Nepenthe closed in August because of the Timber Fire.
How to get there
- Car48510 Highway 1, Big Sur, California, about 47 km south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Parking is available.
Accessibility
- Access requirements Step-free entry, lift access, accessible toilets and accessible parking are unconfirmed. Contact (831) 667-2345 to discuss access requirements.
Sources: Nepenthe (restaurant) - Wikipedia · Nepenthe · Nepenthe Menu — Nepenthe · Wine List — Nepenthe · Café Kevah Menu — Nepenthe · Nepenthe - Wikipedia · checked 29 Sep 2026
- Website
- nepenthe.com/
- Phone
- (831) 667-2345
Questions and answers
Can I visit Nepenthe now?
Nepenthe closed in August 2026 because of the Timber Fire. Its regular hours are daily, 11:30–22:00; confirm reopening before travelling.
Where can I check Nepenthe’s menu and prices?
Consult the restaurant’s online menu: https://www.phoenixshopbigsur.com/menu.
What service does Nepenthe offer?
Its regular format is table-service lunch and dinner, with a full bar.
Can I pay by card at Nepenthe?
Yes. Credit cards are accepted.
Who previously owned Nepenthe’s cabin?
Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth bought it as a romantic getaway but never returned.
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