Monterey Food Guide

Monterey’s food scene is anchored by the obvious — fresh seafood on the waterfront — and elevated by a handful of independent restaurants in Pacific Grove and Carmel that operate at a level well above the typical tourist-wharf baseline.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Old Fisherman’s Grotto (39 Fisherman’s Wharf) is the most established restaurant on the Wharf — clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, Dungeness crab, sand dabs, and Pacific seafood in a multi-story building overlooking the harbor. The clam chowder is the entry point; the local seafood preparations are the main draws. Mains approximately $22-$44 as of 2026.

Wharf Marketplace and the various stalls along the Wharf are the most casual options — crab cocktails, fish and chips, and chowder to-go while walking.

Pacific Grove

Passionfish (701 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove) is the most consistently cited restaurant on the Monterey Peninsula for sustainable seafood — Chef Ted Walter’s menu changes with the daily catch and market availability. The restaurant holds a James Beard recognition for sustainable practices. The wine list is annotated with the environmental credentials of each producer. Mains approximately $28-$48. Reservations essential for weekends.

Fandango (223 17th St, Pacific Grove) is a European restaurant covering French, Spanish, and Italian traditions in a warm, fireplace-lit room. One of the more atmospheric dining experiences in the area; paella, bouillabaisse, and soufflés are the signature dishes. Mains approximately $24-$42.

Cannery Row

Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar (400 Cannery Row, in the Monterey Plaza Hotel) — seafood and coastal American with an outdoor deck and the best waterfront seating on the Row. Mains approximately $24-$44.

Dust Box Brewing (74 Cannery Row) — the primary craft brewery on the Row; a useful stop between aquarium and dinner.

Cannery Row Brewing (95 Prescott Ave, adjacent to the Row) — a larger brewpub with a wide selection and full kitchen; one of the better lunch options in the area. Mains approximately $14-$24.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Cultura Comida y Bebida (Dolores between 5th and 6th, Carmel) — contemporary Mexican cooking with natural wines and a mezcal program. One of the most food-forward restaurants in the Monterey Peninsula area. Mains approximately $18-$32.

Mundaka (San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel) — Spanish tapas and paella in a courtyard setting. Reservations recommended. Tapas approximately $8-$18; paella approximately $28-$38 for two.

Carmel Bakery (Ocean Ave and Lincoln) — the most reliable grab-and-go option in Carmel for morning pastries and coffee.

Il Tegamino (4th Ave and Dolores, Carmel) — Italian trattoria with handmade pasta; one of the better value options in otherwise expensive Carmel. Mains approximately $18-$32.

Downtown Monterey and Old Fisherman’s Grotto Area

Beyond the Wharf, downtown Monterey’s Alvarado Street has several options that bridge the tourist-facing and local restaurant tiers.

Rosine’s Restaurant (434 Alvarado St) is a longstanding local institution for breakfast and lunch — enormous portions of American diner food, popular with Monterey residents. Mains approximately $14-$22. Cash-friendly and unpretentious.

East Village Coffee Lounge (498 Washington St) is the neighborhood coffee shop for locals; better beans and a quieter atmosphere than the Wharf-area cafes.

Peter B’s Brewpub (2 Portola Plaza, inside the Monterey Marriott) is the most practical mid-range option for a weekday lunch downtown — house beers and a standard pub menu. Mains approximately $16-$26.

What to Order

The Monterey Peninsula is one of the best places in the US to eat fresh Pacific seafood, and a few specific items are worth seeking out regardless of where you sit down: Dungeness crab (in season November-June), sand dabs (a small Pacific flatfish rarely found outside Northern California restaurants), and local squid, which is the backbone of the Monterey Bay fishing industry. Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl is the tourist default but also genuinely good at the right establishments.

Abalone was historically the prestige item of the Monterey coast but is now under protected status; farmed abalone appears occasionally on better menus. The local Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program informs many of the region’s better restaurants — Passionfish’s annotated menu is the most explicit expression of this ethos.

Practical Notes

The Fisherman’s Wharf options are tourist-oriented and priced accordingly; Passionfish and Fandango in Pacific Grove represent significantly better value for the quality. Carmel dining runs expensive — the concentration of affluent second-home owners in the area inflates baseline pricing. Reservations at the better restaurants are advisable year-round and essential in summer. The Pebble Beach Concours weekend (mid-August) is the highest demand period in the area — all restaurants fill and prices are at maximum. Parking near Passionfish and Fandango in Pacific Grove is on-street and generally easy; Carmel’s small grid means walking is practical from most accommodations.