Nepenthe

Nepenthe, a Big Sur classic since 1949

Nepenthe is a restaurant located in Big Sur, California, that opened its doors on April 24, 1949. The establishment sits 808 feet above the Pacific Ocean, on a plot of land surrounded by native oaks and old log cabins that once belonged to Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth. The property, described by its owners as a place frequented by poets, artists, travelers and bohemians, offers views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and the southern coast of Monterey County.

The Nepenthe complex is made up of three spaces: the Nepenthe restaurant, Café Kevah and The Phoenix Shop. The company presents itself as a family business that serves visitors from around the world and takes part in the local community.

Nepenthe: cuisine and hours

Nepenthe restaurant is open daily from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm. Lunch service runs from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm and dinner from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. On Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day it closes at 5:00 pm. Its offerings include the Ambrosia Burger, homemade desserts and a wine list. The terrace is one of the venue's iconic spaces.

Café Kevah: breakfast and lunch

Café Kevah is open daily, weather permitting. It serves breakfast from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, lunch from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm and beverages and baked goods from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The café also has its own menu and recipes.

The Phoenix Shop: store and gallery

The Phoenix Shop is open daily from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm, closing at 5:00 pm on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The shop offers books and works of art, including titles such as My Nepenthe: Bohemian Tales of Food, Family and Big Sur ($30.00), Jane Gallatin Powers - A California Modernist ($75.00), Color Duets ($35.00), Drinking From A Cold Spring ($15.95), Kaffe Fassett in the Studio ($40.00) and Recipes for Surviving in Big Sur ($25.00). The shop also sells limited edition prints by artist Erin Lee Gafill and has a section to meet the artists it exhibits.

History and artistic ties

Nepenthe's history dates back to 1949, when it was founded by the Fassett family. The book My Nepenthe, written by Romney Steele, granddaughter of the owners, tells the story of the restaurant, its relationship with the area's bohemian and artistic community and its evolution over seven decades. The publication includes 85 recipes from the Fassett family, the restaurant and the café, as well as archival and contemporary photographs by Sara Remington. It also documents the filming of the movie The Sandpiper (1965), which shot scenes on the Nepenthe terrace, and the restaurant's relationship with the Pisoni family, wine producers.

Erin Lee Gafill, great-granddaughter of Jane Gallatin Powers and connected to the owning family, is an artist and writer. She has published several of the books sold at The Phoenix Shop and co-founded the Big Sur Arts Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to arts education. In 2001 she was selected as the first American artist-in-residence at the Hamada International Children's Museum of Art in Hamada, Japan.

Fire and closure updates

The company's website includes a section with updates on the Timber Fire. According to the information published, on September 3, 2026 at 6:00 am the northern closure of Highway 1 (MM 56.0 to MM 45.0) was fully lifted and evacuation orders for the area were downgraded to a warning. Nepenthe, Café Kevah and The Phoenix Shop reopened after the closure. The page also provides links to local organizations for donations and support, such as Big Sur Fire, Community Association of Big Sur, Monterey County Relief Fund, Big Sur Health Center, The Big Share, Mid Coast Fire Brigade and Ventana Wildlife Society.

Publications and resources

Nepenthe's website offers sections dedicated to reservations and hours, restaurant and café menus, wine list, favorite recipes, stories and folktales, gift certificates, information about The Phoenix Shop, artists, shipping and returns, live weather cam, FAQ's, articles and press, community investment, newsletters, contact, employment and a portal for current employees. It also includes a photos section and a media section.