Vesuvio Restaurant

Vesuvio runs on two levels, with the main restaurant set downstairs and a rooftop bar tucked above. Entry to the rooftop goes through the restaurant and up a flight of stairs – easy to spot once inside. Up top, the space spreads out around fire pits and heaters, with cushioned chairs grouped for larger parties and smaller tables lining the edges. A long bar faces the street, good for watching the light change or keeping an eye on the comings and goings below. Most of the seating stays flexible, so it’s common to see big groups gathered around the fire or a few people settled along the railing for sunset. The menu sticks to Italian and Mediterranean standards, with wood-fired pizzas as the main draw. The Fangool Pepperoni – hot honey, ranch, mozzarella, tomato sauce – shows up on plenty of tables, but there’s a full dinner menu downstairs for anyone looking for more. Happy hour runs in the early evening, with a handful of specials alongside the regular lineup. The bar upstairs turns out cocktails like the Purple Haze and Mamma’s Boy, along with the usual wine and spirits. Some guests bring in food from other spots nearby, especially if they’re just there for drinks. Heaters and fire pits keep the rooftop comfortable on colder nights, and globe lights stretch overhead. Music plays through the rooftop, but it’s never the main event. The whole setup leans casual – people come and go, some settle in for a while, others just stop for a drink before moving on. The rooftop closes down at 11, so evenings wrap up on the early side. Vesuvio sits right in Carmel-by-the-Sea, with street parking usually close at hand. There’s a park across the way, and the rest of downtown is within a few blocks. Restrooms are inside, off the main restaurant. The place is part of Chef Pepe’s group – locals know it for the rooftop more than anything else. The open-air layout and all the fire pits make it one of the easier spots in town for groups or anyone looking to catch the last bit of daylight.