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    Esteban Restaurant

    3.9 (662 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 10:00 AM, 4:30 pm - 8:30 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Esteban Restaurant Photos

    ESTEBAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Esteban Restaurant

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    Wine and oysters. Also dog friendly.
    Ramy H.

    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 ^. .^

    Christmas menu
    Craig F.

    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.

    Seafood pállela
    Tareq B.

    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.

    Menu 12/2025
    Kathy C.

    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!

    La Granja Paella
    Neil V.

    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!

    Cupping pepperoni- bread was so good
    Christina C.

    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.

    Alex R.

    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!

    Baked to order Bread Pudding
    Bob B.

    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.

    Mediterranean Salad and Bloody Mary'
    Dawn S.

    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

    Grilled lamb
    Ata M.

    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!

    Wagyu steak done perfectly to my liking. Could have been some more vegetables than provided.
    Jason D.

    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.

    Menu
    Dee T.

    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!!

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    Page 4 of 17

    Ask the Community - Esteban Restaurant

    I need someone to make paella for my reception in Monterey ? Nov 6

    Hi Jackie, please contact the restaurant directly at 831-375-0176 with your request and provide them with your phone number and they will assist you.… Read more

    Considering coming here on my anniversary. Any vegan gluten free options? TIA.

    Good afternoon Jenny! Thank you for your interest in coming to Esteban Restaurant for your anniversary. We have a variety of dishes that are vegan gluten-free. The Harvest… Read more

    What is your corkage policy?

    I apologize for the delay. We charge a corkeage fee of $20 per bottle. Thank you!

    Do you still have happy hour?

    Good morning Kelly! Yes, we offered Tapas Hour (Happy Hour) nightly currently from 4pm-6pm. In addition our Easter Dinner menu will have an all-night Tapas at a special price as well as a Dinner menu offering. We look forward to having you here with… Read more

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    We went here for our anniversary dinner, and it was amazing! We saw recommendations of this place…read moreon TikTok and in several guides when planning our trip to Carmel, and it definitely exceeded our expectations. We ordered the seafood pasta and lasagna, both of which were amazing and packed full of flavor. We paired it with a lovely Chardonnay as recommended by our waitress. The ambiance of the place is very old-world Italian villa vibes, and it is in a great location tucked away from the main street of Carmel. Would definitely come back here for a lovely local date night dinner!

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    Casanova - Part of the indoor seating

    Part of the indoor seating

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    ESCARGOT DE BOURGOGNE: GARLIC BUTTER, BAGUETTE.

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    4.5(4.8k reviews)
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    This is my first visit to this Turkish/ Mediterranean restaurant. I am very impressed. It is highly…read morerecommended by friends . At the front entrance there was many awards from the Monterey county and The Carmel Pine Cone . The ambience is full of vibrant colors and pretty roof decorations and lamps . Bright yellow table clothed with light blue embroidery. Great serve with the waiter and the manager lady checked on every table during lunch. We were seated promptly with our reservation. Tried their Turkish coffee which was full of aroma of the spices and very rich . I absolutely love it ! The Gyro was filled with lots of meta with cream cheese and salad . It tastes excellent. Price wa $20.95 . We also ordered the Istanbul kabab with charcoal boiled ground beef skewers , served over rice pilaf with lavash bread . It was seasoned with tomato and Turkish spices with a side salad . Portion was big and we got a to go box for the left over. Food was absolutely delicious. We were too full to order the dessert and the manager gave us dessert on the house . Highly recommended this restaurant and would like to comeback to try their lamb shank and paella . The bar counter lights up in an old world mysterious way , filled with their many wine collections .

    Dametra Cafe is a Mediterranean restaurant in Carmel-By-The-Sea. There's street parking nearby and…read moreplenty of indoor seating. The ambiance inside is eclectic, charming, and comfortable, good for small groups of 2-4 people or a family. The service was a bit slow, but our waiter was kind. They brought out the bread first, which paired well with the oil/balsamic mixture. Then, we ordered the Dametra Royal Combination, the Greek Combination platter, and the chicken shawarma sandwich. The Royal combination platter was good for sharing and gave me the chance to try all the appetizers that I was craving. The tzatziki and hummus were my favorite thing on the table overall. However, the dolmas were a bit too salty and the spanakopita was a bit soggy. The combination platter had well cooked lamb and a salad with hummus and pita. The lamb was a bit bland, but had a tender texture and was a sizable portion. The chicken shawarma sandwich was also a bit bland and difficult to eat since the outside was too hard. However, the waiters gave us free baklava when they saw we didn't really finish our meals. Overall, the prices were expensive, but the portions and ambiance were good. If you're looking for a Mediterranean meal while at Carmel-By-the-Sea, Dametra is a good option.

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    Dametra Cafe - Inside

    Inside

    Dametra Cafe - Istanbul Kabab $36.95 .skewed charbroiled ground beef mixed with tomato and seasoned with Turkish spices . Greek salad

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    The Spotted Duck

    4.8(164 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    The restaurant was about 80% full on a Friday night, yet it still felt intimate and comfortable…read more With a capacity of only 49 people, there isn't a bad seat in the house. The fun artwork and paintings throughout the restaurant added so much personality and made the space even more enjoyable. We started with the duck pâté and bread. The pâté was silky smooth with just a hint of sweetness, paired perfectly with the toasted bread. It literally melted in your mouth. The octopus with bean and honey sauce was another standout. The sauce complemented the octopus beautifully. The octopus itself was incredibly tender and soft -- not chewy at all -- and honestly reminded me of some amazing octopus I had while visiting Portugal. The mussels came in a very generous portion, and the tomato sauce was so good you could drink it by itself. For our mains, we had the sea scallops and the seared tuna, and both dishes were excellent. Everything tasted fresh, thoughtful, and well executed. The coffee and tea cups were the Bodum brand, great quality, double-lined, and they kept the drinks warm while still being comfortable to hold. Definitely a memorable dinner in Pacific Grove, and I'd gladly come back again.

    The spotted duck is a very cute restaurant here in Pacific Grove. This is a sleepy neighborhood…read moreand there is parking available in front. We enjoyed both the service and ambiance, very attentive and clean inside. What works here? The duck liver pate was excellent, so creamy and all that fat along with it. The mussels, yum also very good! We also enjoyed the recommended seafood bolognese, very flavorful! What didn't we care for? Unfortunately, the duck breast which was dry, and on the small side. We do eat probably wayyy too much duck so we are somewhat critical when we come across it. Definitely would return, always root for small businesses!

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    The Spotted Duck
    The Spotted Duck - Duck Liver Pate

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