Wagon Wheel Restaurant

This family-owned breakfast and lunch joint has been slinging breakfast to hungry weekend visitors for more than 50 years. Located between downtown Carmel and the Carmel Valley wineries, it’s the perfect first stop before a day of wine tasting. The vibe is fun, too: think old-style Wild West saloon with wooden walls cluttered with photographs and knickknacks. Most restaurants in downtown Carmel are pretty swanky, but Wagon Wheel bucks that trend—there’s no pretense, just good, old-fashioned breakfast classics. Stick to that side of the menu: choices like eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, and towering stacks of pancakes will give you ample energy for the busy day ahead.