August 12,2026 The food is altogether excellent. The best pork empanadas ever. Perfect octopus. Great churros. Good Sangria. We ordered the date night Tuesday paella meal for 2. We had a slight hiccup where the seafood paella had been prepared with excessive chili. As this was a non-traditional paella, it was explained to us that this was the usual heat level. The assistant manager and server were very understanding and made up for it by adjusting our bill accordingly. There is live music and we cannot wait to come back and try the other items on the menu. Pizza looks legit. I would recommend this place to anybody looking for excellent food with reasonable pricing (for Monterey) read more

I haven't heard many people talk about the Sunday $1 oysters, so I wanted to share our experience. The $1 oysters are available Sundays from 4:30-7 PM, and they recommend making a reservation online. We reserved a table for 4:30 and arrived a little early. There was already a small line forming, but once everyone was seated, there were still plenty of open tables. If you're trying to walk in right at 4:30, you'd probably be okay. They also have a happy hour menu during the same time, which was a nice bonus. Our server came over quickly and was super sweet. He let us know there was no limit on the $1 oysters, but warned us that they do tend to sell out. We immediately ordered oysters and some drinks. The oysters took about 20 minutes to arrive, and as soon as they did, we put in a second order. We got our drinks and some tapas while we waited. Our server checked on us several times, and asked if we were missing anything...each time we mentioned that we were still waiting on our second order of oysters. Eventually, the table behind us, who arrived around 4:45, started asking about their oysters too. They were loudly getting frustrated because they had been waiting quite a while. After about 2 rounds of the server checking in on them...Our server eventually told them that the oysters had sold out this was about 545 or 6pm. When he came back to our table, he asked if we were missing anything, and we mentioned to him again that we had put in an order of ousters about 40-45 minutes earlier. We mentioned that we had just overheard they were sold out, and he apologized and confirmed that they were (seemed like he forgot to tell us and only told us because we asked). We completely understand that $1 oysters are going to sell out quickly, and that isn't why I'm giving a lower rating. The frustrating part was the communication. He had asked how things were and if we were missing anything multiple times and we weren't told they had sold out until we overheard it being explained to another table. At that point, we decided to just close out our tab. If you're specifically coming for the Sunday oysters, my advice is to get there at 4:30 and put your full oyster order in immediately. Don't be embarrassed, we watched one guy order 3 dozen as soon as he sat down lol. It seemed like oysters ordered around 5 PM were already too late, which is only about 30 minutes after the special starts. The drinks were good, the tapas were alright, and the patio is really nice on a sunny day (dog friendly too!). I'd probably come back for drinks and appetizers if I wasn't in a rush. The $1 oysters are a fun idea, but for us, they weren't really worth the hassle. Hopefully they can improve the communication around when the oysters sell out because that would have made the experience much better. read more

Esteban Restaurant - Dollar oysters available Sundays 430 to 7pm, but they sell out extremely fast - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

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We were in Monterey on a Tuesday and decided to try Estéban's Date Night special. It was a four-course meal and a great value. I started with a glass of white wine, which was very good. The Caesar salad was fresh and nicely presented, but unfortunately it didn't come out until after our seafood paella had already been served and we were eating. Our waitress explained they had to remake our salads. By then, I really didn't want mine, although my husband ate his. I was a little surprised the salad wasn't taken off the bill since I never ate it. The seafood paella had really good flavor with plenty of seafood. The rice was just a little burnt on the bottom, but not enough to take away from the dish. Dessert was four small, thin churros served with chocolate and caramel dipping sauces. They were crispy and delicious. We also ordered a grilled chicken breast for our dog, Barkley, and he absolutely loved it. The live jazz music was a nice touch and made for a relaxing evening. read more

Esteban Restaurant - Seafood paella - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

Finally made it to Esteban for dinner on our recent trip to Monterrey. The food is wonderful and loved the abundance of seafood in the paella. Our server is attentive and prompt. Outside seating is a plus especially on a nice clear night. read more

Esteban Restaurant - Octopus appetizer - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

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Went here for mother's day. We were able to find parking very fast. I wouldn't come here if you didn't reserve seating. I've seen people get turned away on this day if they didn't have reservations. I ordered the rise and shine from the menu. I got scrambled eggs and smashed avocado. Wasn't anything distinct that caught my taste palette. The ambience is really nice. We reserved a table next to the fireplace. My mom ordered salmon and she had mentioned it tasted good. It was just a little too salty for her taste. My nephew got french toast he says the toast wasn't crunchy. He says he was able to eat it. My niece got avocado toast. The toast was soggy from what she told me. However she said that she was able to eat it. My little nephew got burger and country patoto. He says the burger was delicious. Although the country potatoes wasn't his cup of tea. The food was good. However not sure if it's worth the drive all the way here coming from southern Bay. read more

This is my favorite local happy hour spot that I've been gate keeping until now. If you love oysters, this is the spot. Come on a Sunday and thank me later. The service is top notch, food is exceptional, and the ambiance is stellar. Check out their website for their current offerings. This is a great date night spot if you're feeling like tapas or paella, but also great for just a drink outside by the fire pits. The cherry on top is the chonky friendly cat, who will sometimes visit you in the later evening hours ^. .^ read more

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We celebrated Mother's Day brunch at Esteban Restaurant with a large group. While the service and ambiance were strong, the food left most of us wanting more.The ambiance was really nice and festive, making it a pleasant spot for the holiday. The place was busy (as expected), but we still enjoyed our time there. Parking was convenient. Service was excellent! The staff was attentive, warm, and handled our big group smoothly. Prices were also very reasonable/good value for a Mother's Day brunch. On the food side, my husband really enjoyed his lamb chops and thought they were delicious. However, the rest of the table found the dishes mostly average and not very flavorful. Presentation was bland, and the potatoes were soft (we like them crispy). It was a fun new place to try and a nice way to celebrate our mothers. We'd likely return for the good service, nice ambiance, and solid prices, but we're hoping for better food next time. read more

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We met up for dinner at Esteban restaurants for a Christmas dinner, which was a three course prefix dinner to which a complementary tap was added because we were staying at the hotel. I ordered the prime rib along with the mushroom soup and a chocolate mousse style dessert. Other meals were the beet salad, lobster bisque, and the cheesecake. Our meal was accompanied by a real high wine. Paragraph. While the food portions were generous, food was only moderately warm. While service was polite, it wasn't up to the level one would expect from this restaurant. There was a significant delay between being seated and our order taken. We ordered a tapa and a cocktail, and after some delay our entire meal was delivered at the same time -- tapa, cocktail, bottle of wine, salad/soup, entrees... and then bread. Then, after an additional gap of time, our desserts were finally served. In sum, service seemed disorganized and food was tasty and plentiful, but appeared to have been plated too soon before being served. It seems that the restaurant wasn't prepared for the Christmas crowd. Perhaps if we had just ordered from the tapas menu instead the experience might have been better. read more

Esteban Restaurant - Christmas menu - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

Located inside an old fashioned hotel near downtown monastery. The restaurant has plenty of parking and easy access from the lobby. I went there on Tuesday when they have a Spanish pállela and thee course meal for $80. The combo includes appetizers, Sangria, salad , main dish (Pállela) and Churos for dessert. The service was excellent and attentive. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual. There is plenty of outdoor space seating but it was raining so we stayed indoors. read more

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First and foremost, the food we had for our anniversary was delicious and I wish I could give them 5 stars but unfortunately, I cannot. The staff was basically unprofessional and rude. We made a reservation and arrived early. We were shown our table but we quickly determined it to be way too noisy. We asked if we could sit outside in the shade but we were only offered a table in the sun. Please be aware, most of the tables were not occupied (even after we departed). I asked what types of beer they served, and I was told that they did not have a bartender on duty, so no beer (draft or bottled) was available. I could have ordered a martini or a mimosa but it was too much work to open a bottle. When the manager came around, my wife asked if he could arrange for a beer. He said, "of course, we have a full bar available". He returned to our table 5 minutes later and asked if the wait staff had brought the beer. I said "no" and asked him not to worry about it as I was already finished with my meal. We're locals, not visitors to the area. I'll ensure I put the word out to friends and family: never again. read more

Disappointed...Their advertisement states sangria comes with their Tuesday special, which we ordered, but our tab was closed without serving our sangrias. The server told us they only serve Tuesday sangrias upon request. Such a silly policy to have. On top of that they sat us at a table with a broken umbrella and also told us that they wouldn't be able to provide an outside heater. As evening set and the weather got cold, we noticed they set out a heater for another table???? Not sure what's going here. Food was good, but was over shadowed by the unfortunate experience. read more

Service was horrible. Oysters good. Fried Chicken was just ok. I doubt I would return.

Esteban Restaurant at Casa Munras in Monterey CA -- We've been staying at Casa Munras for years - a historic, hacienda-style multi-room retreat located in Old Town Monterey, for its great location, its fantastic pet friendliness (they have a separate dining menu for fur babies!) -- and of course, Esteban Restaurant. While Loquita in Santa Barbara tries hard to deliver the spectacle and theater of eating Tapas, Esteban unapologetically makes Tapas the star of guests' dining experience - and a delightful one at that: an open fireplace, an open-air patio surrounded by Mediterranean and coastal California plants -- think olive trees, draping bougainvillea, agave -- and scents of lavender and star jasmine. And the artful creations that come out of the open kitchen are superb -- we had the pulpo frito -- a perfect balance of crispy and soft textures, Boquerones -- bright, tangy with a clean vinegar punch, seasonal seafood stew -- that we can't seem to get enough of, pear & Manchego salad -- sweet, savory and creamy, Wagyu meatballs, and stuffed mushrooms to round it out. The cuisine is Spanish-inspired Mediterranean paired with fresh Northern California produce and seafood. The service is impeccable -- we've come to know some of the servers over time, and they us. And the dining experience is never hurried -- you are encouraged to stay, linger over coffee, dessert if you still have room for it -- and meet fellow travelers -- the way Tapas are intended to bring people together. If Loquita is about spectacle and theater, then Esteban delivers something far better: Soul. Nicely done, Esteban! Five Stars. No hesitation. No asterisk. read more

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First, we went there for Thanksgiving dinner which is always a crapshoot. Menu pared back, turkey made by kitchens that don't do it the rest of the year, bare bones staff. I get it. The dinner was fair, as expected. The turkey was OK, stuffing wasn't that great and it's dead easy to make if you stay true to the base recipe. I had the steak, it was nicely prepared. You do get a char from the grill, either you like that or you don't. I thought it was fine. The sauce was a little overpowering, i'd have preferred it on the side. Ambiance was hotel-restaurant nice, we sat in the patio with ample table-side heaters. There was a large party with kids running around, so not exactly a romantic setting but the thing you get on a holiday night like this. My main critiques are small. The restaurant bar advertises some bespoke bourbons, barreled on site: "We sampled Maker's Mark® Cask Strength finished with each of the five stave finishes." But our server knew nothing about them, saying I must be thinking of a one-day event they will have later. Makes me think she didn't work there regularly, and that's unfortunate because the whiskeys would probably have been the most interesting thing to try. Second, like most "Spanish" restaurants, the understanding of Spain does not go deep. There's a couple of tapas on the menu but nothing special and adjusted for local taste. Also non-traditional stuff like pizza is added. The lack of understanding or care to get things right is even in the place's name - Esteban. Anyone literate in Spanish knows there's no accent on the name, but here they've gone out of their way to add one. Reader, you're probably saying 'so what' but as a former Spanish teacher and someone who lived in Spain for a couple of years, it just shows they are posers who would flip the restaurant's "concept" to sushi or Italian or Southern in a heartbeat if it would make more money. They do not know for care about Spain. examples of poncey punctuation: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esteban-restaurant-monterey?select=DnNSBq9DfP2xP70jAppZtw https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esteban-restaurant-monterey?select=xNtuITClg9g3IffAA3ZSKg&tab=outside TL;DR I'm glad they were open on Thanksgiving, we ate. Staff not familiar with the offerings. Expensive for what you got. Wouldn't go back. read more

This restaurant was great. They have daily specials with good prices and excellent food. The burgers are delicious. Friendly staff and nice atmosphere. read more

Must try Spanish Restaurant! The ambience is nice, feels cozy. We had the Happy Hour brussel sprouts, croquets, meatballs, papas bravas and the Paella ( not a HH special) . The food was very good, seasoned well and cooked perfectly. We enjoyed Happy Hour cocktails, which are a great deal for $8. The hostess was nice enough to let us switch tables, to be closer to the firelplace. The bread pudding was absolutely delicious, with a creamy banana icecream. We were here about 12 years ago and it's as good as we remember it being. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Went here for my bday weekend dinner and was seated in their back patio, which was really cute. The weather was mild so it was a great time to be outside enjoying the warm sun. Everything we tried was amazing so I highly recommend the bravas potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and the chicken paella. They also have a veggie paella option so check that out! We also had their red sangrias which was refreshing! Definitely worth checking this place out and the food portions were huge for a tapas food place! The service was prompt and friendly as well! read more

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Visited Esteban on Mother's Day for Dinner. Looked like they had a special brunch for Mother's Day. It wasn't busy for dinner. Enjoyed everything. Would get a paella with seafood next time which would probably have more flavor. We really loved the Brussels and I ate all the crust from my son's pizza. The bread was so good. We found street parking easily on a Sunday night. read more

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Wonderful atmosphere and very attentive service. The back of the restaurant is very nice. The food is very rich with fair sized portions. My family stated that the seafood options were very delicious but unfortunately there's limited vegan/vegetarian options. Overall, I think the chia pudding stood out the most and the lavender honey is such a good addition! read more

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We love this restaurant! We last ate here 4 years ago, the last time we were in Monterey. Coincidentally, our hotel is across the street. We had tapas for dinner. read more

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Limited but good vegan options. We came in for the brunch. We had French Toast, roasted potatoes, and the Mediterranean salad. All flavorful and satisfying. We will probably come back for the tapas as it seems there are more vegan/vegetarian options there. As for the service and ambiance, top notch, professional and courteous. I also enjoyed the Bloody Mary Bar, so many accoutrements I tried all that I dared and was not disappointed. So good. I went with the mezcal and the smoky rim with a little carrot and mostly classic bloody. It was bloody good. We will be back for what is on off read more

Esteban Restaurant - Mediterranean Salad and Bloody Mary' - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

The restaurant is in a hotel and the entrance is very easy to find. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor is very cozy since they have a lot of heaters, we even asked to have ours turned down. The food is great, we stuck to a mostly seafood dinner. My parents also had the red sangria and they said it was "good and strong". I appreciate that they have an N/A beer option as well as local beer in draft. The pulpo and the gruper were by far my favorite. Both seasons very well and cooked to perfection. The chowder under the fish was so good! The lamb was tasty, and the carrots and shrimp (not pictured) were also very good. For dessert we opted for the cheesecake and the fan, both which had great taste. The flan had a more solid consistency than what I'm used to. But the taste was great. One star down only because our server barely checked on us. We saw her a total of 3 times (taking our order, when I asked her for more water, and when she dropped off dessert/check). Speaking of water, it took 3 times of me asking 3 different people and finally my husband getting up and asking again to get a pitcher of water for the table - all hoping to avoid continuing to ask for our glasses to be refilled. 5 to the food running team tho! The two young men who brought our food were super attentive and described the dishes as well as answered any questions and even helped my elderly parents with some salsa requests as well as following up to check how they liked the items they brought to them. Didn't catch their names, but hoping management sees this and gives them their kudos! read more

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We love Wednesday night burger night. My husband says it's the best burger in Monterey County! The deal on Wednesday includes a burger, fries, and an adult libation for $18. This burger on the regular menu by itself is $29. We love the outdoor patio as well. It's welcoming and beautiful. Evonne is the best server too! So friendly and hospitable! read more

Esteban Restaurant - Burger with cheese for $18 burger night - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

Wow! Dined here while staying at Casa Munras Garden Hotel for dinner. We arrived during their happy hour 4:30PM-6:30PM seven days a week. This is a nice surprise considering we were there on a Saturday night! We had the calamari appetizer which was great as it came with artichoke hearts and thinly sliced deep fried lemon as well as calamari, delicious! We also ordered the seafood paella and beet salad to share. Both were really tasty! The paella's rice had a crispy bottom that was delicious! There was a great variety of shrimp, fish, clams, mussels, etc the beet salad was amazing served with a small array of micro greens that really allowed the beets to stand out. I felt the happy hour had some great bargains and sharing the paella and beet salad was plenty for two. We never order dessert but ordered the homemade ice cream which was delicious! Their outdoor seating offer heaters as well as fire pits and music piped in hidden in the landscape. We really had an excellent time. We enjoyed our meal so much that we came back for brunch the next morning. My morning meal was a BLT on a croissant which was sooooo good! It was served with arugula, tomato fluffy eggs, with a jalapeño aioli that I would have purchased had they offered any for sale. Most certainly recommend enjoying a meal here when next visiting beautiful Monterey! read more

Steak was cooked perfectly, nice atmosphere, could have been more carrots on the plate. Ate there four nights, service was good and okay. Perhaps if they added at least one more waiter. I do appreciate the manager stepping up and helping so I didn't have to wait. read more

Esteban Restaurant - Wagyu steak done perfectly to my liking. Could have been some more vegetables than provided. - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

I probably should take some time to gather myself before writing this review but here we go anyway. Made reservations as out of town guests for our anniversary. We ordered the Calamari, Sourdough, Parm fries and Pepperoni pizza. The Calamari was delicious. I'll just say the rest was okay. Not bad, not great. My husband ordered a beer and we had water. We saw the waiter 3 times until we got our check. Once to take our drink order, once to take our food order and he checked in after we had been sitting for a while. Long after finishing our meal. He had been standing in the doorway and also bringing another table their second drinks, so he had ample opportunity to check on us and our drinks. Never got refilled waters until we asked. When we mentioned that my husband would have loved another drink he made it seem our fault that he didn't come at the right time. Also being in the service industry, we know this is the worst response he could have chosen. Even after he knew we were not too happy, he never tried to talk to us or apologize. Just disappointing. Anyway, we have 7 more reservations around Monterey and Carmel for this weekend to maybe make up for tonight's disappointment! read more

We arrived at our reservation time of 4:30 pm for the tapas happy hour and it did not disappoint! We were welcomed with a big smile and seated at an awesome table. We were greeted immediately and brought water and then our server Brenda came to our table and our service was excellent!!! She was very helpful and very polite and friendly. I am so glad we chose to dine here tonight. The oysters were salty and served with a lime juice that was out of this world and they do not serve raw oysters with crackers in this part of the US and this hit the spot. The charcuterie board finished the spot for a meal. The cream brûlée was excellent with cinnamon and orange. The wine was an absolute excellent choice for the whole dining experience. The dining room offers a fir place and an ambiance you cannot find anywhere else and the service staff is on top of your table with everything from water to keep your table clean. We will definitely be back. Thanks for a wonderful evening!! read more

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We had an amazing dinner at Esteban. Lisdel and her service team took great care of us. We ordered almost everything on the menu and each dish was better and better. Will absolutely be coming back soon. 5 stars easily :) read more

this is my third time at Esteban's and every time i enjoy a meal here the food is always consistently delicious. Rebecca has been my service twice now and always provides the best service. she's so kind, and truly makes my dining experience even better! i love sitting outside under their covered patio (with heaters!). it's also pet friendly too! i was so hungry, my stomach ate first -- however, i ordered the breakfast burrito and it was FANTASTIC. it's hearty, there are huge chunks of bacon in it, and the salsa that accompanies it has great flavor! the restaurant is located inside the cutest hotel, Casa Munras. they also offer tapas during dinner service, which is also absolutely delicious. it's also so cute inside with the spanish style decor. parking is easy to find close by in the adjacent lot or on the street. already looking forward to my next meal here when i'm in town again! 10/10 for Esteban Restaurant! read more

Esteban Restaurant - patio - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

I was so blown away by how amazing the good was here. I got the salmon which was perfectly crispy. The calamari was also amazing. All the food was really rich and flavorful. Eating here is definitely special memory. Im salivating just thinking about it! read more

We came here pretty late on a weekend, we were on a hunt for a nice dessert. We were definitely pleasantly surprised by their selection. So glad we got to try the Leche Flan and CC cookies, both were heavenly! Nice outdoor ambience, we sat by the fireplace and it was def the perfect conclusion to our date night Staff was gracious and pleasant. It's already bookmarked! read more

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Came on paella date night. Salad was roughage with little dressing and oatmeal Appetizer was ok with olives pickles almonds chilis Paella had very little flavor and rice was burnt and some seafood over cooked White sangria was ok however the red was very bitter. To finish the churros were just ok. The most challenging part was the service, we had to flag down several employees for each coarse, including our drinks that were clearly waiting at bar. There was maybe 15 people in the entire restaurant, not sure why we were left waiting. All in all I would second guess going back.. Perhaps this was a one off read more

First of all I'd like to mention Lisde and staff provided great table service The Salmon , calamari n bread were amazing our drink Old Fashion was wonderful nice sip drink read more

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Spent the weekend in Carmel/Monterey and stumbled on this cute Peruvian restaurant. Our hostess was super friendly and turnaround with food was quick. My faves were Brussels sprouts Scallops Pork belly Octopus Mussels with clams Unfortunately the Paella did not meet my expectations leaving it at mediocre. Totally would recommend this spot for date night. read more

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Food and ambiance were excellent. Will be coming back to enjoy the patio again soon. We ordered the following and did not have anything bad to say about any of these options. Highly recommend. - oysters - Brussels sprouts - calamari - paella del mar - croquettes read more

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We stopped in just passing by to have a late breakfast and we were so pleased! The breakfast menu is moderately priced with a nice selection of options. I enjoyed the avocado toast, which was probably one of the best I've had. So flavorful and well spiced, with 2 perfectly poached eggs, and on Otto's sourdough. Amazing! My husband had the full breakfast with eggs, potatoes (perfectly seasoned) bacon and again Otto's toast. It was equally delicious! Staff is welcoming and friendly, and the outdoor dining patio provided a beautiful setting. Even the music in the background was perfect. Highly recommend! read more

Rebecca the waiter/manager is full of energy and extremely efficient in helping with food, cocktails and reccommendations for local places. This Spanish hotel has excellent customer service. Everyone is friendly and accomodating. Super dog friendly place. read more

Esteban Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

I used to avoid Monterey because I dislike tourists. Now I go as often as I can. Two reasons besides otters - 1. Wonderful bike trails, and 2. OMG the food at Esteban's. We had a big lunch the day we went but we wanted to end the trip with Paella. Of course we headed right to Esteban. As always, the service was impeccable. We were treated like honored family. Fast service but with the warning of which dishes take a while. You cannot rush Paella. So if you want to order that, do so as soon as you sit down. Order the paella with your beverages. Then order the empanadas. We ordered food to share. Those were our two favorites this time. read more

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While we arrived for an early dinner with friends around 5:30 on a Sat night several months ago, the place was already getting busy. And by the time we left around 8:30, it was really the place to be it seemed. We were 3 couples dining and started with drinks and several appetizers which were all very good. We then all split entries and were very pleasantly surprised when they were brought to the table already split! Who does that proactively? Such a great service addition. All of the food was very good - pic of *half* of the chicken dinner. read more

Esteban Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

Great food and staff! They let us eat inside with our dog too! Will be back for the Paella! read more

Esteban Restaurant - Very dog friendly restaurant. Love! - Spanish Near Me - Monterey, California

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