El Bistro By The Sea Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to El Bistro By The Sea, a culinary gem located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA. This vibrant eatery brings together a delightful fusion of burgers, breakfast, brunch, and Mexican flavors, all curated to tantalize your taste buds.
The menu is a highlight, featuring mouthwatering items like the House Charcuterie Board and the deliciously crispy Fish and Chips. Breakfast lovers will swoon over the variety of unique French toasts, including Carlota De Limoncello and Tiramisu French Toast, each soaked in brioche and topped with heavenly creams and fresh berries.
Vegetarians will find plenty to enjoy, while omnivores can indulge in hearty plates, all served in a casual yet classy atmosphere. Whether you choose to dine outside or utilize their delivery and takeout options, El Bistro By The Sea promises a memorable meal by the ocean.
Appetizers
House Charcuterie Board
House selection of 3 cheeses, cured meats, goodies and house bread.
Los Tres Puerquitos
3 x BBQ carnitas mini bolillos with habanero or garlic coleslaw.
Loaded Cheese Fries
Your choice of meat, Monterey cheese, sour cream, garlic aioli, spicy aioli, pico de gallo, avocado.
Fish and Chips
Breaded pollock fish with French fries and house aioli. House aioli: ranch, garlic, chipotle, habanero, spicy aioli.
Pancho Cazuela
Spicy cheesy beans and chips.
Picnic charcuterie board
Charcuterie board for two.
Carlota De Limoncello French Toast
Soaked brioche, lemoncello cream, whipped cream and galleta maría.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast
Soaked brioche, cream sugar glaze, whipped cream and berries.
Mazapan French Toast
Soaked brioche, cream peanut mazapán, with cream, fresh berries and side of tres leches.
Tiramisu French Toast
Soaked brioche, tiramisu cream, and fresh berries.
Cream Brûlée French Toast
Soaked brioche, crème brûlée cream, whipped cream and fresh berries.
Nutella French Toast
Soaked brioche, nutella, berries compota, vanilla ice cream, with cream and fresh berries.
Tres Leches French Toast
Soaked brioche, fresh fruit, whipped cream and side of tres leches.
Dulce De Leche French Toast
Soaked brioche, dulce de leche cream, whipped cream, and berries.
Fresas Con Crema French Toast
Soaked brioche, fresas con crema and whipped cream.
French Toast
Pancakes and Waffles
Chula Pancakes
3 stack pancakes, nutella, dulce leche, strawberries, vanilla ice cream, with cream.
Butter Pancakes
3 stack pancakes, butter, and whipped cream.
Caramel Waffle
Caramel, fresh fruit, and whipped cream.
French Toast Bacon Sandwich
Two eggs, ham, bacon and melted cheese.
Waffle Sandwich
Scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, avocado and melted cheese.
Croissant Sandwich
Scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, avocado and melted cheese.
Americano Clásico
2 eggs, roasted potatoes, fresh fruit, bacon or dice ham. Choose waffle / pancakes / French toast / sourdough.
Sweet Savory
Four Eggs Omelettes
By the Sea Omelette
Gluten-free. Shrimp, pico de gallo, Monterey cheese, avocado and salsa on the side.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Monterey Omelette
Gluten-free. Avocado, ham, bacon, tomato, spinach, red onion and Monterey cheese.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Veggie Omelette
Gluten-free, vegetarian. Mushrooms, diced onion, tomato, cilantro, spinach and Monterey cheese.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Chorizo Omelette
Gluten-free. Chorizo, red onion, queso fresco. Salsa and sour cream.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Carnitas Omelette
Gluten-free. Carnitas, Monterey cheese, red onion and cilantro.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Birria Omelette
Gluten-free. Birria, Monterey cheese, red onion, and cilantro, side of birria consomé.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Chile Relleno Omelette
Homemade chile relleno stuffed with Monterey cheese, cilantro, red onion, and sour cream.
Caprese
Focaccia bread, grilled chicken, pesto, spinach, fresh mozzarella, tomato, balsamic glaze.
Toast
By - The - Sea
Fish Tacos
Two handmade corn tortillas, breaded pollock fish, cabbage, pico de gallo, spicy aioli and avocado.
Shrimp Tacos
Two handmade corn tortillas, grilled shrimp, cabbage, pico de gallo, spicy aioli and avocado.
Surf Burrito
Shrimp, rice, beans, onion, cilantro, salsa, Monterey jack, sour cream, avocado and grilled cheese outside.
Surf and Turf Burrito
Your choice of meat, shrimp, rice, beans, onion, cilantro, salsa, Monterey jack, sour cream, avocado and grilled cheese outside.
Pizza Birria
Three flour tortillas, layered with Monterey jack, birria, onion and cilantro. Served with salsa and consommé.
Pambazo
Guajillo salsa-dunked telera sandwich, filled with spicy chorizo and potatoes, with lettuce, sour cream, queso fresco and green salsa on the side.
Queso Fundido
Monterey melted cheese with bed of refried beans, your choice of protein, two handmade corn tortillas in a skillet, grilled onion and jalapeño.
Quesabirrias
Gluten-free. Two handmade corn tortilla, melted monterey cheese, onion, cilantro, salsa and consommé.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Quesa Tacos
Gluten-free. Two handmade tortillas, your choice of protein, and Monterey melted cheese, onion, cilantro and salsa.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Classic Tacos
Gluten-free. Two handmade tortillas, your choice of protein, onion, cilantro and salsa.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Turf Burrito
Flour tortilla, choice of protein, Monterey cheese, sour cream, avocado, onion, cilantro and grilled cheese outside.
California Burrito
Flour tortilla, fries, choice of protein, Monterey cheese, two special aiolis, pico de gallo, and avocado. Grilled cheese outside.
Sopecito and Chile Relleno
Chile relleno stuffed with Monterey cheese with green or red salsa, picadita with your choice of meat, refried beans, lettuce, sour cream, queso fresco and salsa.
Flautas Ahogadas (Wet)
Order of 4. chicken or potato flautas wet, with green or red sauce, sour cream, and queso fresco.
Flautas Rice and beans
Order of 4. chicken or potato flautas, sour cream, queso fresco and green salsa, rice and beans.
Burrito Bowl
Choice of protein, rice, beans, Monterey jack, sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, yellow corn, avocado and salsa on the side.
Tostada Bowl
Flour tortilla bowl, choice of protein, rice, beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, Monterey jack, sour cream, salsa and avocado.
Mex-I-Can
Mexi - Brunch
Chilaquiles
Red or green sauce, bed of refried beans, choice of protein, queso fresco, sour cream, red onion, two eggs and avocado. Suizos style for an additional charge.
Enchilada Skillet
Two red or green enchiladas, choice of protein, roasted potatoes, sour cream, cheese, two eggs and avocado.
Huevos Rancheros Skillet
Salsa ranchera, with two egg, bed of refried beans, queso fresco, avocado, 2 handmade tortillas.
Good Morning Tacos (2)
Bed of refried beans, pork chorizo, roasted potato, egg, avocado salsa and handmade tortilla.
Hash Skillet
Roasted potatoes, melted cheese, your choice of protein, two eggs, avocado, salsa with handmade tortilla or bread.
Mollete
Open-faced telera sandwich, topped with refried beans, chorizo, melted Monterey jack cheese, pico de gallo, green salsa and two eggs on top and roasted potatoes or salad.
Birria Burger
Certified 1/2 angus beef, birria, Americano, Swiss, Monterey cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, house spread and side of consomé.
Chorizo Burger
Certified 1/2 angus beef, chorizo, Americano, Swiss, Monterey cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and house spread.
By the Sea Burger
Certified 1/2 angus beef, shrimp, Americano, Swiss, Monterey cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and house spread.
BBQ Chicken Burger
Chicken breast BBQ, Americano, Swiss, Monterey cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and house spread.
Carnitas BBQ Burger
Certified 1/2 angus beef, BBQ carnitas, Americano, Swiss, Monterey cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, house spread.
BLT - A
Sourdough bread, bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and melted cheese.
Carnitas Pulled Pork Torta
BBQ carnitas, telera bread and habanero or garlic coleslaw.
Sandwich Club & Burgers
Salads
Mexi Spring
Mixed greens with grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, yellow corn, purple onion, queso fresco, whole beans, avocado, crispy tortilla chips with chipotle ranch. Shrimp or salmon for an additional charge. Choose your dressing: ranch, chipotle ranch, balsamic, Italian or honey mustard.
Jardín Fraise
Gluten-free. Mixed greens, grilled chicken, queso fresco, walnut, red onion, strawberry. Shrimp or salmon for an additional charge. Choose your dressing: ranch, chipotle ranch, balsamic, Italian or honey mustard.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Fall Cobb
Mixed greens, grilled chicken, queso fresco, cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado, bacon, pumpkin seeds and hard boil egg. Shrimp or salmon for an additional charge. Choose your dressing: ranch, chipotle ranch, balsamic, Italian or honey mustard.
Spring Caesar
Gluten-free. Mixed greens, grilled chicken, parmesan, house croutons and Caesar dressing. Shrimp or salmon for an additional charge. We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Keto Costra Taco
Gluten-free. Two cheese shell tortillas, with choice of meat, onion, cilantro, salsa, and avocado.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Protein Bowl
Gluten-free. Sautéed vegetables, choice of meat, lettuce, pico de gallo, Monterey jack, sour cream, avocado and salsa on the side.We have bakery. May cause cross-contamination to a food that is intended to be gluten-free.
Lettuce Wrap
Choice of protein, with cilantro, onion, tomato, cabbage, salsa and avocado.
Keto
Kids'
Kids' Breakfast
Kids' breakfast typically includes one scrambled egg, a piece of bacon or sausage, and toast, often accompanied by hash browns or home fries. No modifications allowed.
Quesataco Kids
Choice of meat.
Drip Coffee
Add milk for an additional charge.
Espresso
Add milk for an additional charge.
Double Espresso
Add milk for an additional charge.
Cafe Bombòn
Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Affogato
Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Americano
Add milk for an additional charge.
Cappuccino - hot 12 oz
Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Latte - hot 12 oz
Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Latte - Iced 16 oz
16 oz. Substitute milk, cold foam for an additional charge.
Cold Brew - Iced 16 oz
16 oz. Add milk, cold foam for an additional charge.
Dirty Chai - hot 12 oz
Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Dirty Chai - Iced 16 oz
16 oz. Substitute milk, cold foam for an additional charge.
Iced Shaken Espresso - 16 oz
Specialty coffee. Add milk for an additional charge.
Café Mazapán- hot 12 oz
Specialty coffee. Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Café Mazapán - Iced 16 oz
Specialty coffee 16 oz. Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Horchata Latte - Iced 16 oz
Specialty coffee 16 oz. No milk substitution.
Chocolate Abuelita - Hot 12 oz
Specialty coffee. Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Chocolate Abuelita - Iced 16 oz
Specialty coffee 16 oz. Substitute milk, cold foam for an additional charge.
Chocolate Abuelita Mocha- hot 12 oz
Specialty coffee. Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Chocolate Abuelita Mocha - Iced 16 oz
Specialty coffee 16 oz. Substitute milk, cold foam for an additional charge.
Dulce De Leche Latte- hot 12 oz
Specialty coffee. Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Dulce De Leche Latte - Iced 16 oz
Specialty coffee 16 oz. Substitute milk, cold foam for an additional charge.
Matcha Tea Latte - hot 12 oz
Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Matcha Tea Latte - Iced 16 oz
16 oz. Substitute milk, cold foam for an additional charge.
Chai Tea Latte -hot 12 oz
Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Chai Tea Latte - Iced 16 oz
16 oz. Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Steamer - hot 12 oz
Add milk for an additional charge.
Lavender Cream Earl- hot 12 oz
Milk sweet teas.
Lavender Cream Earl - Iced 16 oz
Milk sweet teas. Add cold foam for an additional charge.
Earl Gray tea - Hot 12 oz
Milk sweet teas.
Earl Gray tea- Iced 16 oz
Milk sweet teas. Add cold foam for an additional charge.
Peaceful Ginger Peach tea - hot 12 oz
Milk sweet teas.
Peaceful Ginger Peach tea- Iced 16 oz
Milk sweet teas. Add cold foam for an additional charge.
Blue Lu tea - hot 12 oz
Milk sweet teas.
Blue Lu tea- Iced 16 oz
Milk sweet teas. Add cold foam for an additional charge.
Creamy Berry Berry tea - hot 12 oz
Milk sweet teas.
Creamy Berry Berry tea - Iced 16 oz
Milk sweet teas. Add cold foam for an additional charge.
Peppermint Cream Milk sweet tea - hot 12 oz
Milk sweet teas.
Peppermint Cream milk sweet tea Iced - 16 oz
Milk sweet teas. Add cold foam for an additional charge.
Milky Vanilla tea - hot 12 oz
Milk sweet teas. Substitute milk for an additional charge.
Milky Vanilla tea- Iced 16 oz
Milk sweet teas. Substitute milk, cold foam for an additional charge.
Mango Matcha - Iced 16 oz
Organic mango puree in the bottom, matcha and creamy mango foam on top . Iced - 16 oz. *Mango foam contains dairy!
Camomile tea -hot 12 oz
Milk sweet teas.
Matcha Horchata
Horchata agua fresca with matcha.
Camomile tea - Iced 16 oz
Milk sweet teas. Add cold foam for an additional charge.
Japan Green Tea - hot 12 oz
Milk sweet teas.
Japan Green Tea - Iced 16 oz
Milk sweet teas. Add cold foam for an additional charge.
Coffee
No Alcohol Drink
Spicy Watermelon
Spicy.
Lemonade
Regular, strawberry or peach.