The Running Iron Restaurant & Saloon is a Carmel Valley icon, for tourists and locals alike. A few decades ago, this spot was an old time cowboy hub, a bar called the ‘Stirrup Cup’ with a reputation for rowdiness. In 1980, with a dinning room added on, it changed from a bar to a restaurant and chose the name Running Iron. These days it’s a family-style restaurant and local favorite with a Saloon still in place for folks who just want to enjoy a drink.

Come visit this wonderful piece of Carmel Valley history. The atmosphere is inviting, the food is delicious, and the fare includes something for everyone. The lunch and dinner menu is heavy on steaks, ribs and chicken, with seafood, pasta and salads for a lighter meal. There’s a whole host of luscious burgers and sandwiches, plus some Mexican favorites. From the sunny outdoor (dog-friendly) patio to the cozy family-style seating indoors you’ll have plenty old West style décor to take in. As much as you’ll enjoy just being here, it’s the food that’ll bring you back again.