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    Barba Azul

    4.6 (145 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Seafood
    Closed Closed

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    BARBA AZUL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Barba Azul

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    Gobernador and Baja Fish Taco
    Ernesto U.

    I was delightfully surprised with my tostada de ceviche. Not sure how it comes in person, but to go it was nicely packed in a container that allowed me to spread out the goodness over two meals. I most appreciated how fresh the fish tasted. I did not appreciate that the guacamole doesn't come with chips and even though it was good, I had to go out of my way to the store to truly enjoy it. Phone can be hard to get through midday, but if you're persistent someone will eventually answer. Ordering online may be the way to go for takeout, my order was ready by the time they said and I was in and out of the parking in no time. Outdoor patio was cute and inviting and would give this place another in person try!

    Taco combo
    Denise L.

    Local taco spot that a friend recommended and it was really great! We ordered by phone to do a pickup and it was ready in time. I had the Baja fish taco and it was so good! There was a bit too much cilantro for my taste and next time I will note for no cilantro. Fish was perfectly fried and tender. I also ordered the shrimp enchilado and loved how cheesy it was. However, the shrimp was in a much spicier sauce than I had expected but it was still really tasty. We also ordered a taco plate and the side of rice was a bit too salty for our taste. Very reasonably priced as well.

    Seafood
    Cici C.

    Cute place with good seafood and friendly service. There is a lot of outdoor seating and they also offer beer, margaritas and soft drinks I love tacos so I had the 3 taco plate with 2 rockfish tacos and 1 specialty shrimp taco. It came with rice and salad. Delicious! The selection of tacos is nice. I liked their tri colored chips and salsa also. Basically it is a Sinaloa style seafood shack. The music is fun too.

    Kevin S.

    Do you love generously portioned fresh seafood? Do you love exquisitely prepared authentic Mexican cuisine? How bout top notch gourmet fish tacos on the peninsula? Barba Azul offers both! The staff are friendly and attentive, the patio is spacious and welcoming, and the open kitchen is complimented by a handful of modest tables for indoor seating. Barba Azul es muy delicioso!!

    Sorry (again) for the occupational hazard.  I bit into the BAJA FISH TACO before taking the picture. A MUST!
    Lizzie L.

    Clap! Clap! Clap! To Grillmaster Alan who makes the best frickin' Baja fish tacos in California. Just the best! He said the recipe is from Tijuana. Alan said, "mejor" and yes, it is thumbs up the best! Seriously, with the first bite, your mouth is in food heaven. It's hot, crispy, meaty, flavorful and it's so easy just to gobble it up like a pig. It's okay to make a pig of yourself. It's so worth it. I inhaled my first Baja fish taco like there's no tomorrow. Then I savored my second one because I wanted to appreciate all the flavors and textures that I was eating. Finally, I ended my meal with a shrimp and octopus tostada that was good, but I wish I had ordered 3 Baja fish tacos. To top our meal off, Stephanie was our server. She was so nice and pleasant. Together Alan and Stephanie made our late lunch/early dinner (would that be called lunner?) absolutely the best golf trip to Monterey. For those yelpers that are looking for Baja fish tacos - go directly to Barba Azul and enjoy! Ole!

    Classic michelada
    Devon D.

    First time trying this place & it was delicious! Left very satisfied! Can't wait to come back & try more

    Caldo 7 Mares
    Guy C.

    Another trip and another 2 new dishes tried, this time I had the Caldo 7 Mares. ... (Seafood stew) and the boss had Salmon tacos.... Both were fantastic, team was as wonderful as they have been each of our previous visits.. sounds corny but being there just makes us feel like we are on holiday which is such a pleasure... we will be back for sure !

    Baja fish and consentido
    Brandon M.

    Server was great. Brought chips and salsa right away and was very helpful and attentive. He gave us recommendations that were delicious too! Baja fish and consentido tacos, and shrimp ceviche tostada. Pops says the margaritas were great too. Will be back soon!

    4x tacos $30

    Not as advertised I ordered the surf and turf tacos, one taco just had three fried shrimp and the others were Asada no fish overpriced for the quality / amount you get and not good. I wouldn't recommend. $30 for 4 tacos is crazyyy!! I really thought they were gonna be super good for that price not worth it!!

    Painted Octopus
    Amanda G.

    Amazing food! The service was a little slow, but it was extremely busy and there was only one waitress so we were very understanding. The waitress was very friendly even though she was swamped. The inside of the restaurant is small, but there is patio seating which is lovely on a warm day. The food was so good. I had never had shrimp albondigas before and can't wait to go back to have more!

    2 baja tacos and 1 consentido (shrimp) taco

    The fish tacos and the ceviche were really good! The service was also great. Very clean and welcoming place.

    Arroz marinero

    Mejor experiencia, la comida riquísima. Brindan un muy buen servicio, lugar muy limpio.

    Breakfast menu
    Alexander T.

    Barba Azul (blue beard) was a delicious Mexican place specializing in seafood dishes. Basically all their dishes had seafood except the kids menu. We came for dinner Thursday night and we were the only ones. They put mint in their water and chips & salsa come complimentary to dine-in. I had the campechana especial and my girl had taco plate with gobernador de Canadon, Baja fish taco, and a taco enchilado. I wouldn't recommend the taco platter itself. Instead, just order the tacos individually. You're only saving money if you order 3 taco enchilados. Also, the rice was lackluster and the salad was nothing special. HOWEVER, the tacos were very good. My favorite was the taco enchilado since I'm a laborer of spice, and my girl's favorite was the gobernador de camarón, since it had a melty cheese layer inside. My dish was a heaping cup full of fresh seafood, with 3 tostadas on the side. The cup had plenty of shirmp, tuna, scallop and maybe some more seafood. I honestly didn't know what to expect when ordering the dish but I was very impressed with both the flavors and the serving size. I can eat a lot and I was good with that portion of food. The seafood did not make me sick either so that's always a plus! They have limited indoor seating and some outdoor seating as well, with tables with 4 chairs. Service was just alright by the way, so also expect that. They have a parking lot but it comes up in a quick turn so be ready for that. For their specialization in seafood as a Mexican restaurant and for the taste of their dishes, I'll give them a 5 star. I would definitely return.

    Barbara Azul sign with local law firm billboard in the background

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    3 months ago

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    6 days ago

    Good. The tostadas are a great deal. Fried fish taco ok. Got somw melted cheese taco. It was good.

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    19 days ago

    So fresh, so well spiced. Beyond delicious. Grilled and Baja fish tacos. The rice. The salsa. I can now end my life happy.

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Pulpi taco was so good! The salmon taco slaps also. We will come back soon! It was a hot day and the modelo was also delicious.

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    8 months ago

    Tried giving this place a chance -- big mistake. Service is nowhere to be found, and the food isn't worth the wait. Won't be back.

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    8 months ago

    Wicked friendly customer service. Good portions in tacos. Great taste!! Will definitely come back!

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    5 months ago

    Drinks were good ! Service was good ! Seafood was a little to over cooked for my preference

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    Monterey's Fish House

    Monterey's Fish House

    (3.4k reviews)

    $$$

    We had reservations at 7:30 but due to overbooking, we didn't get seated until 8:15. The hostess…read morewas weary of the fact that we've been waiting for quite sometime and did whatever she could to get us a table. We ordered the fried calamari and crab cakes to start and were given complimentary oysters as well for the wait we had to endure. The ciopinno seemed to be a staple for them as many people ordered it. A few in our group ordered as well. For me, I ordered the crab ravioli and it was amazing. The service was amazing and aside from the wait, it was a fantastic experience.

    You Fish An…read moreold-school, no-frills fish house that's been in operation for over thirty years (ca. 1994) in the same spot. Not only are they a local and Yelper-favorite restaurant, but they were also listed in the exclusive Michelin Guide as recently as 2019. The Good: * Located away from the wharf and Cannery Row, so you don't have to deal with all the nonsense those two come with. * Private parking lot, as well as street parking. * Prices aren't too shabby considering the location. * Service was a bit odd, but friendly enough. * Their house-made linguini was very good and worth the extra $6 upgrade. * Veggies were cooked and seasoned perfectly. * Beers on tap and in bottles, as well as wine. * I liked the flavor from the oak grill. The Meh: * Hard to complain about free bread, but just watch me. The bread was stale and not fresh at all. Even the pats of butter weren't enough to save it. * The Diablo sauce was all gas and no brakes. It needed a little sweetness and acid to complement the spice. * Carissa's penne pasta was waaayyyyyy overcooked. And so was her salmon. The Ugly: * WTF is this second menu they have? I shit you not, the poor waiter had to recite what must have been over twenty off-menu items. It was mildly amusing at first, but then you realize you're supposed to actually absorb all of this? It's got to be some kind of inside joke with the staff. No way it's real. * The clam chowder was watery and not thick at all. Not to mention, the flavor just wasn't good, and there weren't many clams. * My tuna steak was just not good. It didn't taste very fresh and had an off texture. I thought for sure I was going to get food poisoning from it, but luckily that didn't happen. Conclusion: I hate shitting on an institution like this, but it is what it is. It appears their better days are behind them, as there's probably a good reason they lost their Michelin recommendation.

    Sea Harvest - Fish & Chips

    Sea Harvest

    (2.5k reviews)

    $$

    We went back to Sea Harvest after many years. Food quality seems to have gone up and now they have…read moreseating outside in a back patio. They have a small lot with parking, which is fine if you get there early. You pick up a menu from the counter and order, then grab a table and wait for the buzzer to go off. The space is casual and stuff is served on paper plates, so this is not a date night place! It's really cute with all of their nautical themed decorations. They also have a bunch of merchandise and food related gift items, if you're looking for the perfect souvenir. Employees were friendly and helpful. We ordered these items: Fish and Chips - highly recommended! They're fresh and have that classic flavor you're craving. We saw a lot of folks getting this one. Not a surprise! You get 4 hearty pieces, hot and crisp. The "chips" had a bit of batter and were crisp on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. Perfect! Comes with a tiny scoop of coleslaw. Sablefish with butter - the person at the counter said it just came in today. It was super fresh and cooked just perfectly. Sablefish isn't super fatty nor dry, it's just perfect. Veggies were fresh and cooked throughly with just a touch of crunch. Rice pilaf is quite flavorful and delicious, just a touch greasy, but in a good way! Sand Dabs - DH noticed this special after we already ordered, but he couldn't resist. Cost was based on weight + $8 for cooking. They were lightly battered and absolutely delicious. Clam Chowder (smallest size) - surprisingly good too. They must've improved their recipe since the last time we ate here. It's very thick and hearty with delicious, sweet, small pieces of clam. Overall, a fun place for a fresh, casual meal. You'll need to bus your own table after eating. Bathrooms are outside in the back. It's not as crowded as the fancier restaurants. Kids loved the food. We'll be back!

    Good place to stop by for a fresh seafood lunch - just be aware that you need to grab a table first…read morebefore you can order food for dine-in or otherwise you can do take out. You order up at the counter - be sure to check out their daily specials. I had the grilled prawns and salmon patty special which came with rice and vegetables. The prawns had a delicious garlic butter sauce on them and the salmon patties were pretty good. My husband had the fried rockfish sandwich which came with fries and coleslaw. Tasty lunch overall!

    Grotto Fish Market

    Grotto Fish Market

    (885 reviews)

    $$

    We were lucky to get one of the two tables facing the sea- it was a good view…read more The menu has good seafood options. We tried the pan fried snapper, the Baja fish taco and the lemonade. Both the tacos and fish came with a side of rice and mango salad. The fish was well grilled and the sauce was delicious. The tacos had a good spice. We also tried clam chowder and it went really well with the warm bread . Overall Good food, service and view.

    Grotto Fish Market and Old Fisherman's Grotto are owned by the same people. Not too sure what the…read moredifference is.... We opted for Grotto Fish Market for the smaller restaurant vibe. Upon walking in, the staff didn't pay attention to us, but we just felt laidback that night. One of them, a younger gentleman, turned around and saw us and his expression was one of both apology and surprise. And he quickly seated us and brought us water and also bread and butter after. Then, our server came and took our order. We basically only ordered one thing plus a chowder, and he didn't hassle us to order more or to order drinks. I asked if it would be enough for us and he said, yes. So here's what we got: Fisherman's Wharf Cioppino - $48 (Added a cup of chowder, which is $6 vs. à la carte at $12) And here's what we thought: Clam Chowder: Thick (maybe even thiccccc) and creamy and plenty of clams in it; it's legit! Cioppino: Wow! Plenty of flavor and also plenty of seafood in it - shrimp, fish filet (there was salmon and white fish), clams, mussels and crab. We asked for more bread to soak up all the sauce, and without hesitation, they brought it to us without charging us. Nowadays, most places don't give you free bread so when a place does, sometimes, the second round might be a charge. But no, free. Yay! We were quite full after. So no dessert. They offered more water for us and noticing I had a water bottle, my server actually filled it up for me. Given it was seafood and with tax and tip, it was $70 for two people. Sure, a little pricey but given how much stuff we got and the great service, we felt it was worth it and a good value!

    Sandbar & Grill - Crème Brûlée

    Sandbar & Grill

    (1.6k reviews)

    $$

    April 27, 2026 and we stopped by for an early dinner…read more We got lucky as Happy Hour starts at 4pm. Can never go wrong with the bloody mary and had the calamari appetizer too. That was followed by the lemon caper calamari steak with their delicious scalloped potatoes. Once again, well worth the 1.75 hour drive there and we look forward to returning (thankfully the drive home was "just" 1.25 hours). Bartender Mike K., thanks for sharing some laughs and and making the diet coke a double!!

    Was up in Monterey for the annual Sea Otter Classic cycling festival and dined at Sandbar & Grill…read moreon the recommendation of a close friend. Attached to the Municipal Pier like an adorable, nautical-themed barnacle, the Sandbar & Grill immediately felt like a locals-only safe harbor from the hustle and bustle of the tourist-focused Old Fisherman's Wharf on the other side of the docks. The wait for our table wasn't long but long enough to imagine Steinbeck working through a draft over a beer at the bar or a modern day VC bro becoming inspired by an elevated fast-casual seafood dining concept that's anchored between Long John Silver's and Red Lobster. Once we were seated the service was attentive but not pushy and a delightful meal with a trio of longtime friends and colleagues was had. However, little did a buddy and I know we were eating our way to the darkest depths of Davy Jones' Locker when we ordered the calamari. Or, it could have been the tartar sauce that came with the calamari. Either way, we both woke up in the wee hours of the following morning with a stomach-churning sea-sickness that we wouldn't wish upon the saltiest sailor. It struck me first at 2 am when I was awoken from my slumber by a desperate need for the contents of my cargo hold to escape via the top hatch. Then a couple hours later my buddy had a violent rupture in his black water tank that sent a horrible mess coming out of his bilge valve. We were able to trade turns in our shared bathroom for a few rounds without issue but by 7 am, I was faced with a choice no person should ever have to make: should I try to barf between a friend's legs while he's pumping out the kind of horrific mess that would make the Exxon Valdez disaster look like a tiny spill, or should I sprint out the front door of the VRBO we've stayed at for the past three years and greet the morning by violently vomiting in my skivvies? Actually, now that I write it out... it wasn't much of a choice. Despite knowing my friend for close to 20 years, I found a nice bush in the front yard to evacuate my stomach. What made it weird was the German mountain bike legend who was staying with us was awoken by all the commotion and came out to check to see if everything was OK. I've been in some surreal moments in my life but talking to a German mere seconds after barfing in a bush at sunrise is suddenly at the top of the list. From this moment forward, the next 24 hours for us were a hallucination of pain and the expulsion of more chunks and fluids than you'd ever imagine a person could have in their body. It's been exactly one week and my throat remains a little jagged and my abs still have a twinge of pain from how violent the dozen-plus eruptions were. Granted, I'm not the kind of person who does stomach crunches for fun but tearing an ab muscle shouldn't be the least worst side effect of a bad dining experience. If you made it this far, maybe just stick to the Sandbar for drinks and maybe some fries if you feel like living on the edge.

    Barba Azul - mexican - Updated May 2026

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