The present invention provides a method for producing an aromatic nitrile compound, the method comprising a dehydration reaction wherein a desired compound can be selectively obtained with high yield while suppressing the generation of by-products during the regeneration of an aromatic amide compound into the corresponding aromatic nitrile compound. In addition, the present invention realizes a method for efficiently producing a carbonate ester by applying the abovementioned production method to a method for producing a carbonate ester. The above are achieved by means of a method for producing an aromatic nitrile compound involving a dehydration reaction wherein an aromatic amide compound is dehydrated, the method having a contact step for bringing the aromatic amide compound into contact with a catalyst in a gas phase during the dehydration reaction.