Perched on a cliff just off Highway 1, a restaurant and cafe offers incredible views of Big Sur to visitors. Called Nepenthe, it sits over 800 feet above sea level, with spacious deck space for dinners. The restaurant also features a casual cafe and a shop filled with unique goods. Just off Highway 1, the property is a popular stop for people exploring the coast, from hikers to sightseers coming down from Carmel. The restaurant started as a secluded retreat, built by the Trail Club in 1925. It was originally named The Log House. In 1947, a young couple, Bill and Lolly Fassett, bought the cabin, turning it into what it is today.
The Fassetts moved their family of 7 into the log cabin and began working on what is now Nepenthe. The couple envisioned a restaurant with an open-air pavilion and a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. “We never wanted a place where a maitre’d in a starched shirt would look down his nose at you, like he was better than you. We wanted a place you could relax,” said Bill Fassett.
The property also has some interesting ties to Hollywood history, with Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles buying the secluded property in 1944. The couple sold the property shortly after, but that wasn’t the end of Nepenthe’s involvement in Hollywood. In 1963, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton filmed romance movie The Sandpiper in Big Sur, and filmed a folk dancing scene at the Nepenthe. Kaffe Fassett, Lolly and Bill’s son, even choreographed the dance for the film.
Today, Nepenthe regularly welcomes locals and travelers from around the world. The dinner menu features classic dishes like steak frites, an Alaskan halibut, scallops, and their famous burger. The restaurant also serves lunch, with an array of sandwiches on the menu. If you just want to make a quick stop at the property, we recommend checking out Cafe Kevah, which has an outdoor terrace below Nepenthe and serves breakfast and lunch, along with an array of baked goods.
Over the years, many merchants and artists stopped by the restaurant, prompting Lolly to open the charming Phoenix Shop, which sells a variety of goods from artists and creators. You can find candles, soaps, artwork, and more at the shop, and it features plenty of gorgeous views.
Nepenthe is open 7 days a week and offers full-service dining from 11:30 am to 10 pm. The property is located right off Highway 1 and is 29 miles south of Carmel.