Max's Grill

Wow this place is amazing! I don't know how I didn't find this place sooner but it has quickly…read morebecome one of my favorite spots on the peninsula. Everything is so fresh and flavorful. The ambiance is perfect for Pacific Grove. It feels like you're visiting family members and getting a home cooked meal. The staff is so friendly and helpful and do a wonderful job. All of that said the food is the star of the show. We went Saturday and Sunday last weekend for breakfast. Saturday I had the Crab Cake Benedict. It is served on a croissant. The crab was so fresh and perfectly seasoned. The hollandaise sauce was addictive. The soft croissant melted in your mouth and the poached egg was cooked perfectly. Normally I don't like country potatoes with breakfast but these potatoes were so good I finished them all. Even the Ketchup tasted better than I'm used to and had a homemade taste. 5 stars! Sunday I had the huevos rancheros special with chorizo. The flavors were bursting in this dish. Everything tasted so fresh. While I'm not the biggest fan of chorizo this chorizo tasted amazing and was not too oily so it didn't hurt my stomach at all. This was truly an amazing dish and I would definitely get it again. My wife had their salmon potato pancake both days. I tasted it and it was delicious and I see why she got it two days in a row. Our daughter got the half order of French toast. The whipped cream on the French toast was homemade perfect. Everything at Red House Cafe is fantastic. If you're looking for an elevated breakfast or lunch this is the place. I highly recommend giving it a try you won't be disappointed.

This is my happy place in Monterey. This little red house puts out the most delicious potato…read morepancakes with lox, in fact I've taken day trips for that item alone. In addition, everything on the menu has been solid, the waffles are cakey and delicious, the potatoes are killer, and the coffee is top notch. Given the admiration for this place, it does get busy but the staff are all on point and they keep the line moving with courteous and professional service. The restaurant is just a short walk away from the ocean so if you're craving a cool salty breeze to the face while you sip on coffee and eat to your hearts content, this is the place for you.

Locally sourced ingredients

Cute washroom, wish it could be kept clean (not by one of the servers or any kitchen workers for sure lol) throughout the day.

Classic country breakfast

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Chorizo Omelette with Fresh Avocado

Passionfish

Food was fabulous!! One on the best meals we've had on the Peninsula. Service was excellent once we…read moregot past the hostess stand (not bad, just not quite the personality needed for this restaurant). The ambiance was straightforward, with simple elegance. Not showy, focused on the food. We will definitely go back.

It takes a lot to lure me away from ordering trout on a menu. It's long been my favorite fish to…read moreconsume for various reasons, the main one of which is flavor. The combination of flakiness and suppleness of the beast makes each bite memorable. So I was all prepared to order trout last night while we were out, when I had to hear the specials, I had had trout for breakfast a few days prior and wasn't sold on having it again so soon. Luckily, they had Arctic Char on the menu, which tastes like a souped-up version of salmon. So I decided to have that instead. Not only was the taste hauntingly good, but it was just as flaky and supple. The spinach was a good complement and was the side salad. I don't often stray from trout but I'm glad I did this time. Also amazingly good was that homemade maple-banana bread pudding with banana ice cream. I almost went my whole life without ever having this and it would've been a sad missed opportunity if I had. The server was excellent. She gave good advice on the food when asked, knew the menu backwatds and forwards, and was just professional with us the whole night. She was a godsend. The ambiance was perfect for this type of place--dim, private, and very active. In fact, the house level was a tad high for my tastes. But that only means you have a popular and active restaurant. Overall, it wasn't too bad and certainly nothing that would deter me from coming here again. As it stands, I don't know when I'll be back but I know that's a promise and not wishful thinking. Meals from this place are why eating well always is a life goal.

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Aliotti's Victorian Corner Restaurant

4.3(825 reviews)

0.1 mi

Locally owned & operated

46 years in business

We have been to Aliotti's Victorian Corner restaurant a few times over the years. I'm not sure what…read morehappened to my review, but I will write another one! It's been around forever! If you ask the locals for a non touristy place to eat, this is it! We've had breakfast and lunch here. You cannot go wrong with any of their menu options. The people working here are down to earth and friendly. We normally will ask them for recommendations. We enjoy their Classic BLT's, the Meatball sandwich, the Hot Pastrami, and the Cobb Salad. As far as breakfast is concerned, we love their chicken fried steak, Denver Omelette, French Toast, and pancakes. Overall, a great local restaurant with years of experience. The food is delicious and the employees make you feel welcomed. We will have to come for dinner next time!

Poor serves. Terrible garlic bread. Medium size dog close by. Redirected to facing toilet instead…read moreof dog. Spoke to owner about issues. He stated that everyone loved the garlic bread! I spoke to server, his wife. She said her dad passed away recently..... reason for poor service. My condolences! David A.

Giving my heart to my latte!

Fresh seasonal fruit cup

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Breakfast menu

Wild Fish

4.2(855 reviews)

0.0 mi

I wanted to add a review for all the gluten free people - I had no idea this place was so great for…read moregluten free food until another bakery recommended it :) We were able to reserve a table with ease, and loved the outdoor seating (the heaters are fantastic on a cold day!). The fish and chips were the obvious standout (delicious!) but we enjoyed everything we tried. The staff was well-informed of gluten allergies, and when the fish and chips came, they mentioned they don't have malt vinegar since it contains gluten. One thing I will note: while many things were labeled gluten free, it was unclear if the entire restaurant was gluten free or not. I think if they could write some kind of blurb at the bottom, or mark items which contain gluten, since the majority of items are gluten free, that would be so helpful! Pacific Grove is always a wonderful place to visit, we'll definitely be back!

Had a really fun enjoyable dinner here after watching the Indy Car race on Sat. We made…read morereservations around 5:30pm thru Yelp. But they couldnt find our reservation. I saw this happen to someone else too! Just make sure u have ur confirmatiom on ur phone. There was no issue getting seated tho. I chose the window nook right at the front and it was cozy and great for people/patio watching outside. It was almost empty when seating but people trickled in quickly and the place was packed by 7pm. We got the oysters, the fish, the bread basket and a spicy marg. Everything was delicious! The fish was tasty u should def get some bread or carb with it, they dont offer side of rice. The bread was fresh! The oysters fresh, and i feel like my waiter made a custom marg drink for me! It was strong but balanced. I would def come here again when im in the area!! It's a short walk down to the beach with beautiful views as well. Service was great!

Inside seating

Popovers

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Bar area

Taste Cafe & Bistro

4.6(507 reviews)

1.1 mi

My family and I would definitely recommend this restaurant. We came to Pacific Grove with our dog…read morefor the second time and we had to eat outside. The owner gave me a blanket and turned on the outdoor heater and made us feel welcome. We weren't very hungry to start, but we ordered the escargot appetizer, the Sea-bass special which included soup or salad and we had the Caesar salad with that. My husband and I had wine and we enjoyed the red blend Behringer and the Pinot from Monterey. Our Apple galette is coming right now and we know it's good because we had it last time. So remember, dog, friendly, and great customer service!

Well dang... I didn't take any pictures! Came here with my cousins, who just moved to Monterey…read more They lived here as kids and then moved back as retirees. It was Labor Day weekend, so we didn't know if get a table. It's family owned with the Mom and the daughters working front of house and Dad and sons the kitchen. Lovely atmosphere. I felt like i was being welcomed to their home. Good food, great prices. We started with a cup of their delicious Artichoke Soup (cup $8). I'm used to the very creamy one at Duarte's in Pescadero, which I love. This was brothier and more herbal and very good!: 4* Then we shared an Organic Red Oak Leaf Salad (Full size $10). it was a great mixture of flavors and texture with crumbled blue cheese, balsamic dressing, sliced pears, and glazed pecans. 4.5* Entrees included: Fresh Salmon Filet ($30) on a bed of spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, Kalamata olives, zucchini, artichokes, baked in parchment paper, served with a basil beurre blanc sauce. Beautiful Provencal type preparation and the salmon was a perfect doneness. 4.5* Roasted Half Chicken marinated in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs, with mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables, caramelized red onion, roasted garlic, and light jus. ($28). This was homey and well prepared, but standard issue. I loved the red onions. 4* Grilled Veal Medallions with mashed potatoes topped with crispy onions, grilled squash, and mushroom marsala sauce. ($31). I asked for medium, because it was veal, but it was overdone and dry. my fault I should have asked for medium rare. The gravy and mashers made up for it though. 4* Marinated Lamb Filets grilled, in a cabernet shallot sauce with sautéed spinach, red peppers, pine nuts, and au gratin potatoes. Probably my fave of the night. The portion was too large, though. Such an interesting combination of elements and a lovely presentation. 4.5* the four of us shared 1 dessert (so full already) Dark & White Chocolate Mousse, Creme anglaise, raspberry sauce. ($11). I liked this, but it was a little too sweet for my tastes. I would have left off the raspberry sauce. 3.5* What a great dinner and unbelievably reasonable prices for the ingredients and the quality! Food: 34/40 service: 18/20 Atmos/intangibles:17/20 Value: 19/20 Overall: 88/100

Coffee

Butterscotch Pudding

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Tuna steak with broccoli and mashed potatoe

Stokes Adobe

4.5(416 reviews)

2.0 mi

We've just returned from dinner at Stokes Adobe and I'm jumping on Yelp immediately to give them a…read morefive star review. We had a party of four, two of whom had dined at Stokes Adobe several times before, and two who hadn't. We sat inside in the main dining room, which had a very pleasant ambience. We ordered cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and dessert. And we lingered. Specifically: Olives, Roasted Potatoes, Duck Liver Toast, and another appetizer with cheese, prosciutto, fig, apple and more. They were all delicious. Three ordered the Scallops entree, and one person ordered the pesto pasta dish with an addition of scallops. The entrees were amazing. The scallops were cooked perfectly. The pesto dish was out-of-this world flavorful. For dessert we ordered the Butterscotch creme something which was very good, and the Panna Cotta which was the best panna cotta we have ever had. We had a small, unusual issue with one dish which was an obvious 1/million anomaly. They handled it PERFECTLY, the way a restaurant of this caliber should, but not all do. So in addition to the amazing food, and our overall fantastic experience, we left Stokes Adobe tonight with a high level of respect for how this restaurant is being run. Thank you to everyone in the front, and to everyone in the back, as well as the management. We had an incredible time and we will be returning soon.

We came to this restaurant to celebrate a birthday and wanted to order something while we waited to…read moresurprise the birthday person with dessert. Unfortunately, the two dishes we ordered were extremely disappointing. The ingredients may have been good quality, but the flavors just weren't good at all. The duck dish was definitely not worth it, and the pasta was especially disappointing and not enjoyable. On the positive side, the atmosphere was very nice and the staff were extremely friendly and welcoming. The best part of our experience was the surprise birthday dessert they brought out. We really appreciated that gesture and would like to thank the staff for making that part of the celebration special.

Inside, you can choose different rooms to sit in

Crispy potatoes

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Duck terrine

The Monarch Pub & Restaurant

3.9(351 reviews)

0.1 mi

As a British ex-pat living in America, I'm hyper critical of British pubs. There's nothing that…read moregrinds my gears more than a "British" pub serving fries with their "fish n chips." I'm from Reno and we don't have any good British pubs so when going out of town I always look to see if there's a good looking one where we will be going. I saw this place on Yelp and the first thing I noticed was how legit the fish and chips looked. Once I saw that you can get sides of mushy peas or curry sauce, I knew we had to check it out (this is how you would order fish n chips in the UK!) Stopped by on a Friday evening, it was definitely busy but we got lucky and got seated right away. The live band outside was a nice touch. Now I will say, the menu here is fairly small, with only a few British items. But the items they do have are very authentic and I was primarily going for the fish n chips anyway. Great big pieces of cod, batter was beautifully fluffy. The chips are perfectly thick cut. My only very very minor complaint is that I do wish the curry sauce was a little thicker and less spicy, more like a traditional chip shop curry sauce but that's just my preference. I still love that it's even offered! My husband had the BBC (bangers, beans and chips) and he loved it. I tried a bit of his banger and it was really good. Nice thick pork sausage. They had a good looking beer selection, I will have to try some on a future visit when I'm not pregnant! I was really really pleased with my meal here. Please add some bangers and mash though! Those bangers are delicious.

We absolutely loved Monarch! It's a short walk from the water and there a plenty of great shops…read morenearby. We were able to sit outside under the umbrellas on a beautiful day. The fish, prawns, and chips were amazing! Great portions and fried to perfection. The French fries were solid also. The fish was fresh and really devious. The prawns were huge and juicy. A great place for outdoor lunch.

Just one of the many beautiful flowers and plants around the restaurant.

Amazing Food!

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Beach House Restaurant + Bar @ Lovers Point

3.7(1.1k reviews)

0.3 mi

First time eating here and all 4 were f us really enjoyed our meals. I ordered the ranch steak…read moresubstituted fries with mashed potatoes. All 4 of us voted my plate was the best. We would definitely come back. Also, I highly recommend trying the fire cracker shrimp appetizer. Nice view! My only suggestion is the waitress could have been more attentive but it was pretty busy so I wouldn't mark the rating down for that. She was nice and smiled just could be a little more attentive is all.

The Beach House restaurant overlooks lovers point with all windows and great views. It's only open…read morefor dinner. They have a great happy hour menu. Their weight staff is on point. I always make a reservation. They have a sunset menu with great choices of fish and meat. A full bar with ample cocktails. This is a great spot to go with friends or an intimate dinner for two.

Beach House Restaurant + Bar @ Lovers Point - Fire & Ice Wedge:
wedge of iceberg lettuce, applewood smoked bacon, grape tomatoes, bleu cheese dressing, FireCracker shrimp

Fire & Ice Wedge: wedge of iceberg lettuce, applewood smoked bacon, grape tomatoes, bleu cheese dressing, FireCracker shrimp

Filet Mignon Beef Stroganoff

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Roasted Airline Chicken Breast

Montrio

4.3(1.6k reviews)

1.9 mi

•$$$$

Locally owned & operated

Vegetarian friendly

What a great place! Food was great.... bar was awesome... staff were all friendly - what more do…read moreyou need? Went for dinner ... ended up sitting at the bar rather than a table and we loved it! We met so many regulars that go for happy hour and the bar staff knew them all - I just love places like this! I had the Olo Ranch Braised Short Ribs : so tender and yummy. Came with mashed potatoes, confit tomatoes, and sautéed spinach. It was the perfect combination and prepared perfectly! My husband had the Roasted Double-Cut Kurobuta Pork Chop "Snake River Farms" : OMG... that was AMAZING! I was a little jealous! I don't quite recall what it came with... but I do remember the braised red cabbage and that was very complimentary to the pork chop! HIGHLY recommend! It is a big place.. so good for groups... but if you like to eat at the bar tops.... this is the place. Limited seats, I think it was about 10, so get there early - especially for Happy Hour! Would I go back? YES, for sure!

The ambience was great! I ordered the catch of the day, and it was an explosion of flavors... it…read morewas the best dish. My husband ordered bbq short ribs and my daughter got pasta and chicken from the kids menu, these plates were just like a regular plate at any other place, nothing outstanding. Service could had been better, there was not much engagement from the waitress to explain the menu or to give suggestions, somehow the service felt a bit rushed. They were great at accommodating us with a toddler and a young child. There was just a thing that was a bit of a controversy... when we stepped in, we noticed a homeless shopping cart parked to the side of the restaurant, but the closer we got to the entrance, a really strong smell welcomed us into the door. Seems like they have offered food to a homeless person and sat her on their exterior seating area. My humanity says it's a kind and a generous act, but at the same time it was very displeasing to be welcomed with that smell right at the door and before having dinner.

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Coastal Kitchen Monterey

4.5(111 reviews)

1.2 mi

•$$$$

Incredible. We came…read morehere for our honeymoon and just came for my birthday. One of my favorite restaurants ever. First, the ambiance and view. At night you can see scuba divers who are brave enough to do a night dive right outside the windows, and during the day, it's a Mecca of otters and seals playing. You can't beat it. The food and the service are stars here. We did a prefix, two different ones, and had such a fun time trying one another's food. Martinis are served cold, and delicious here. Ge

After my experience last year, dining here again was a given on my next trip to the area. I…read moreoriginally booked a reservation for Friday but due to an unforeseen problem at another restaurant, I was able to get a Thursday night reservation for three at 6 pm here. After checking in, we were seated at a window side table facing the bay. After getting our menus, we decided to have the three-course menu, though I did add a supplement for our meals to share. I asked about mocktails and our waitress suggested this, a pomegranate mojito (). For my meal, here's I ordered from the Choice menu: 1st course Tomato and fennel soup, shrimp dumpling, squash blossom, toasted sourdough (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=168&select=PMKIsV5rFcg9C2BGzQFsrA). 2nd course Hokkaido scallops, toasted farro, golden peach, roasted bell pepper broth (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=168&select=qHDBo855HJeKwzlDRE_O9w). 3rd course Baba au rum, local peaches, buttermilk, almond crumble (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=168&select=Fsv7ar1rcCVpKgo0nLf6Eg). Valhrona Manjera chocolate delice, creme anglaise, hazelnut, cherry sorbet (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=168&select=rQqh85ifpAz16wGwpiaF2A). Additions: Oysters on the half shell, cucumber granite (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=192&select=su0wJ3dlLvMxo2vkM92_7w). Bison tenderloin, brioche, horseradish, nasturtium (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=192&select=SAOmEF89-qCErokMR-l0lg). Bonus course Local black cod, okinawa sweet potato, chanterelles, shellfish emulsion (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=192&select=s1IaShShT6IAJiQUztkUtg). Here's a photo of the fish uncovered (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=168&select=PMKIsV5rFcg9C2BGzQFsrA). In addition to this, we received Parker house rolls during the meal (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=192&select=quZoH0f8JnFK5xS4f_xeDQ), macarons after dessert (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=168&select=ZzDIdesx1I28aJv9O7kxXQ), and a gift bag to take home (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=L6WkfHFISvU1tR2fmh65lw). Foodwise, everything was delicious with my two favorites being the local black cod, the Hokkaido scallops, and the chocolate delice. The menu changes by what local produce, seafood, and meats are available during that particular season. The dining room was not very crowded but filled as we ate. Service and atmosphere are consistent with fine dining restaurants in SF, likely even better since they are not emphasizing turning tables. Big thanks to Rachel for guiding us through our meal and thank you to my generous chef friend Michael for crafting our meal. It is a must dine here meal whenever I'm in town.

Lovely table setting

Tomato and fennel soup from the Choice menu

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Coastal Kitchen Course Photo by Anton N

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14 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Bruce S.

123

5 years ago

On a positive note their spinach salad was excellent. But we waited an hour for the main course as the chef was filling take out orders and letting customers at the restaurant tables wait until the take out rush was over. When the sand dabs we ordered finally arrived at our table we were greatly disappointed. The fish was the worst I can ever recall eating anywhere in my life. The fish had the mushy texture of frozen fish that was past its sell by date and then defrosted in a microwave and heated. Zero flavor with the fish. The rest of the "meal" consisted of boiled potatoes that were flavorless and a 3 pieces of vegetable that also were without flavor. I have no idea why a chef in California would be ignorant of spices and herbs and their use for preparing flavorful food. This is the kind of meal I would have gotten in Texas in the 1970's but not at all expected in the present day in Monterey. As I have a wheat gluten allergy the sand dabs or the rack of lamb were the only menu options. All of their pasta is wheat based and the breading, even the tempura, is made using wheat flour. Ten years ago this was to be expected but at this time it shows remarkable ignorance by the owner. If one member of the party is ignored completely then the group will dine elsewhere as a matter of convenience if nothing else. The music is OK if you like 1940's Frank Sinatra but it was not to our taste and went on the entire hour we waited for our dinner. But after we were finally served the music was switched off completely. Music costs a restaurant nothing to provide for their customers and surprising that more consideration in not given as to whether it is provided and the choice of the music by restaurant managers and owners. read more

Melissa L.

3 years ago

Customer service so poor didn't even go to restaurant. Called to make a reservation - the gentleman said they had it available, then asked if I could come in a hour later, I said the earlier would be better. He came back with a snarky remark and I questioned if he had the earlier time available or not and he hung up on me. Safe to say we will not be going there. read more

Esther D.

16 years ago

Had a wonderful dinner last night for a party of five. Everyone really enjoyed their food. My friend always orders calamari wherever he goes and was really impressed with his--so he had a good basis of comparison. The service was excellent---everything was first rate and we will certainly be back soon. Esther Duenkel Salinas, Ca read more

Jon A.

2 years ago

Been a customer since it opened about 20 years ago We're locals. And can tell you without hesitation, best chef and best food in town. Quiet. Never crowded. Many classics on menu. I won't say how many times we've been to Max's, to avoid sounding obsessed. I'll just say we likely put both of the owner's kids through college ;) read more

tom w.

16 years ago

Excellent service and food. Try the scallops-perfectly cooked. Minimal ambience and suffers a bit with the elevator music otherwise would be a 4 star, but a good value nonetheless read more

Richard K.

11 years ago

Wow- amazing food. I really wasn't expecting such a great meal when we stopped here while visiting the area. What a pleasant surprise! And reasonably priced too. read more

Sachiko M.

242

15 years ago

Everything is so good here! Especially the Cioppino, which happens to be my favorite! Like "Max's Grill" on facebook www.facebook.com/maxsgrillrestaurant read more

Cloud W.

20 years ago

We enjoyed a recent dinner there. The food is good and the prices are reasonable (for the area). Give it a try if you're in the area.

D R.

169

15 years ago

Absolutely delicious but should probably be $$$. The Fixed price menu is a great deal.

Paul J.

1 year ago

Sadly Max's has closed permanently. The owners decided to retire. We will miss them.

Christian D.

630

113

14 years ago

Great food and great service! I felt like I was at home!

Hugh W.

100

15 years ago

Great Cioppino. Great service. Good little place.

James R.

15 years ago

Excellent Chiopanno! And great service.

James M.

137

14 years ago

Very good food even better service!

Max's Grill - seafood - Updated November 2026

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Soooo GOOD! The barbecue was delicious (meat falling off…read morethe ribs!), tasty sides and the organic salad bar was perfect! And the service was EXCELLENT!!! Very pleasant and attentive! Highly recommend the Urban Kitchen! We will be back for sure!

Great food, I really like the tri-tip and pastrami tri-tip and it comes with a nice size salad for…read morea good price

Maligne

4.0

(200 reviews)

Maligne deserves no less than 5 stars. From start to finish, it's been several days and I am still…read morethinking about how good the dinner and each plate was. Not only that, they are good humans. We started with small plates. The beef tartare of knights valley wagyu was served on a bone with marrow, with shaved horseradish and cured yolk egg that was so airy and felt like a special light cheese but with above flavors. might have been our favorite. the generous portion and BBQd bread was so perfect the milk bread - you know this is a must when you see them being served. I recommend eating them with the olive oil, but at least saving a few of them to dip in later courses (if you get the Delmonico steak or pork chop). little gem salad - they treated us this one, and it was one of our favorites. bacon, cherry tomato, buttermilk and parmesan don't do it justice for how fresh every component was. it reset the palate but also stood on its own beet salad - beautifully prepared and presented, the smoked beets were a nice connection to the rest of the smoked items on the menu but veg baked oysters - 2 kasha's, guanciale, creamed leaks; no need to say anything else other than adding a caviar supplement for any of the seafood. the mussels also looked divine and generous we, just didn't have enough people power to eat all the menu on our first try --- now the mains the Royale with Cheese - you know a Pulp Fiction reference is going to be awesome. this burger was so cheese, so delicious, and I literally 4 days later can still imagine how good this was. cooked perfectly, with the right ratios of meat and cheese. the frites were also perfectly cooked. Delmonico - 30 oz of knights valley wagyu, jus, little gems on a 45 minute fire; worth everything that it is. cooked perfect, with so much flavor. it's a lot of food, but we took it home with us and made minis teak sandwiches with some of the milk bread. chocolate mousse----one of the best I've ever had with a delicious whip cream the drinks were also amazing: smoky Paloma, magarita, but the top shelf clarified margarita was worth revisiting at least a few times. Lastly, the crew is just awesome. their vibe from chefs to waitstaff. we brought our 2 month old baby for our 4 year wedding anniversary. we will come back without baby, but they treated us like humans instead of us feeling embarrassed when baby needed to take a break. one of the best dinners I've had, and I've had a few.

Honestly, this was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in a while…read more My biggest issue with Maligne is that it feels like a restaurant trying really hard to be cool without having a clear identity. The entire experience felt soulless and lacking in authenticity. The food was inconsistent, the atmosphere was uncomfortable, and nothing really came together in a cohesive way. Atmosphere & Service: When we first arrived, we were seated in a back corner, right next to the heat of the open kitchen, with a speaker practically behind my ear. The music was so loud that I couldn't hear my husband sitting less than a foot away from me. I asked whether they could turn the music down or move us. Our server said he would lower the volume, which he did for about ten seconds before it was blasted again. I was genuinely confused. Eventually, we had to ask to be moved because the original seating was unbearable. The location itself also wasn't particularly appealing to me, and parking was more difficult than expected. The Food: The biggest problem was the lack of consistency. Almost everything we ordered was either excessively salty or noticeably underseasoned. * Milk bread: Nothing special. It was on the dry side and needed more seasoning. * Beet salad: The best way I can describe this dish is bleach in salad form. The smokiness gave it an almost meaty flavor, which was interesting, but the sauce was overpowering and the texture was unpleasant. I appreciated the creativity, but I didn't enjoy eating it. * Branzino: The distribution of bones was surprisingly inconsistent. Some sections had tons of bones while others had none, making it confusing and frustrating for my husband to eat. I personally didn't mind it as much, but it was worth mentioning. * Steak frites: Probably one of the better dishes, but the steak was overwhelmingly salty, and the fries were mediocre. Another small thing: no ice was offered with our water. I understand some restaurants prefer serving water without ice, but I would have appreciated being asked. Overall: I really wanted to like this place. I appreciate restaurants that take creative risks and try to do something different, but creativity needs to be backed by thoughtful execution. Maligne felt more concerned with cultivating a certain aesthetic than delivering a genuinely enjoyable dining experience. There were interesting ideas here, but very little cohesion, consistency, or warmth. I left disappointed and would not recommend it.

Cafe Rustica

4.2

(677 reviews)

The food was so good last time that I decided to come back with my family for my birthday dinner…read more There were eight of us with a 5pm reservation and the hostess kindly seated us a little bit early on the patio. The service at Cafe Rustica is outstanding. We had a waiter who took our orders, another one serving our food, and a third pouring water. All were very friendly and professional. I ordered the chicken apple sausage dish I loved so much last time. Others in the party ordered chicken, pinto bean soup, and I think the salmon. Everyone enjoyed their food. My sister surprised me with a small birthday cake she had purchased earlier from a bakery. The waiter brought us small plates and forks and we all had a piece.

My husband and I had a delightful evening at Cafe Rustica! After spending time in the hustle and…read morescene of CBTS, the vibe of this restaurant and surrounding businesses was just what we were after for a cozy, delicious, dinner. Roman took amazing care of us, efficient and friendly and making sure our plates weren't empty for long. Made great recommendations on the menu. Food was incredible, all seems to be homemade/from scratch, and had great flavors. Grilled shrimp skewers, beet salad, butter lettuce salad, lentil soup, vegetarian pizza, and passion fruit sorbet, finished with a decaf americano... would order it all again in a heartbeat! Memorably good spot for us!

Esteban Restaurant

3.9

(681 reviews)

Dining at Estéban was a real pleasure. My husband and I spontaneously chose to have breakfast…read morethere, and I'm happy we did! I ordered huevos rancheros, which were delicious with all the toppings I wanted. The only small mistake was that I got over-easy eggs instead of the over-medium I requested. Since I don't like runny yolks, that was a minor disappointment, but the other ingredients made up for it. I also enjoyed a perfectly made Bloody Mary. Hubby had coffee and avocado toast--no complaints from that, except maybe having freshly sliced avocados instead of mashed. The outdoor seating was cozy, with a view of the courtyard fireplace. Everyone from the host to the waitress and busboy was friendly and attentive. I'm looking forward to coming back.

Was looking forward to a nice birthday dinner at a new place for us, disappointing! When…read morereservation was made through open table app it was indicated that we choose them to celebrate a birthday. There was NO acknowledgement of this, in fact a message was sent to restaurant asking a question and never received a reply, so a call was placed to get the answer which was answered by hotel front desk . What is the point of offering guests an option to send a message, someone's not checking ? Table was set VERY sparse , napkins and silverware and what I thought were bread plates. In fact no bread was offered, not sure if they do. NO salt and pepper, decorations or lighting on table either, VERY plain. Food was decent and menu was limited in the choices. Tapas are overpriced and not varied in my opinion . The entire salmon dish was very heavy on the butter All in all , an OK and highly disappointed experience. Wait staff ok , food ok , food and the space was visually appealing but the restaurant lacked something that should could make it a memorable experience.

Cafe Fina

4.0

(818 reviews)

The first time we visited Cafe fina was on March 31, 2026, while in town for our son's baseball…read moregame at the local college. We come out to Monterey allot, but this was our first time at Cafe Fina. It looks deceptively small from the outside, but it is nice and cozy inside. It was the owner that sweet talked us in to try it out, we just didn't know it at the time that he was the owner. We were seated right away, with a good view of the water and the rest of the restaurant, our server was there right away to see what we needed. He gave some good recommendations that we both took for both dinner and dessert. I had the a cup of clam chowder and Wild Salmon over a light basil cream and served with veggies and Orzo. My husband had the cup of minestrone soup and the Grilled Sole and finished it off with dessert, their Blood Orange Cheesecake, which was delicious. We loved it so much, 2 months later in May we came back when our daughter came to visit and brought our son who got the chicken Parmesan last time. This time we got seated at the John Madden table, the waiter gave us the story of when Mr. Madden was there, and his jacket sits on the back of one of the chairs. Very cool.

We got the classic clam chowder in sourdough, and I'd give it 4/5. The bread was really big, but…read morethe inside wasn't dug out very much, so there wasn't a lot of soup for the price. There were also a lot of potatoes and I was hoping for more seafood. I did really like how creamy it was, and the cheese on top was a nice touch. We also tried the paella. I've had real paella in Spain and at other restaurants, so I was expecting something more traditional. This one was definitely different from what I expected when I think of paella. It had fresh seafood and tasted good, but it had bell peppers and other vegetables and didn't really look or taste like a traditional paella. The Italian beer was really good! The atmosphere was probably my favorite part. It's a very cozy and romantic spot with ocean views from the windows, and the service was very good. Overall, we had a nice experience, but the food didn't quite exceed my expectations, especially for the price.

The Gig

4.9

(14 reviews)

We ate at The Gig last night, incredible meal. Sat on the deck overlooking the bay with a glass of…read morewine, beautiful evening. Food was great, local seafood and Italian, and we really enjoyed every dish. Wonderful atmosphere and the owners are super friendly. If you're in the Monterey Pacific Grove area, I highly recommend. -- Craig and family

For those of you who have never been here "Go" Our food,…read moreservice, ambience and amazing were phenomenal. We met Mike the owner and his hospitality is the best. We went to two other restaurants that others wanted to try this week and should have gone back here instead. You will not be disappointed.

Char Steakhouse

3.7

(24 reviews)

We tried Char last night before attending a concert at the Sunset. Char's young hostess greeted us…read moreand escorted us to our table. The decor is contemporary and comfortable. Ish was our server. He was friendly and professional. He opened the bottle of wine we brought and took our order for some sparkling wine to start off our evening. I could tell they were expecting a busy night as waiters and support staff were growing in numbers over the course of our early dinner. This is a good sign for a well managed restaurant. To start, we ordered the Caesar Salad (3/5) to share. Ish brought 2 plates and dished up our split Caesar which was a nice touch...in lieu of setting the salad in the middle of the table and making us split the salad. The dressing was very flavorful with lots of croutons and Parmesan shavings. The romaine was served split-in-half and then grilled, which is normally a nice twist. The grilling adds additional great char flavor, that seems appropriate and in alignment of the Char brand. However there must have been something left on the grill previously and the charred romaine had a slight acrid flavor. We grill our romaine at home all the time. The acrid flavor is unusual, so the chef should have burned off and brushed whatever was on the grill previously prior to grilling. For entrees my wife order the petite filet (3/5) and I the NY Strip (4/5). My steak was cooked to the proper medium rare temperature. Unfortunately, my wife's steak was undercooked. She didn't want to send her steak back to finish cooking to the medium temp that she ordered, so she ate around the perimeter and gave me the middle of her steak. Both steaks were seasoned well and was good quality meat. The unexpected highlight of the dinner was our side order of the harissa fries (10/5). The fries were super crispy and had an unusual and delicious seasoning that we've never tasted before...and trust me, we've ate a lot of fries all over the world. Char has a great selection of desserts. We ordered the chocolate toffee mousse with kahlua (4/5). It was a tasty dessert but the flavor and texture implied didn't align with the name of the dessert. Char is a new restaurant (maybe 6 weeks since opening) that still has some QA/QC in the kitchen to work out. We will come back after a few months to see how they are progressing. Overall we had a good experience. I would love to have a great experience our next visit.

My friends and I, a group of seven, decided to give this new restaurant in Carmel a try. The…read moreservice was okay and the staff was attentive, but our server seemed to be lacking some experience. As for the food, the steak was good 8/10. However, the sides need a lot of improvement, especially considering how small the portions are. The pizzas were probably our least favorite. We also noticed they're not made in a wood-fired oven, which was one of the things we always loved about coming here when it was LUCA. After talking about it with everyone in our group, we all agreed that for now, we probably wouldn't come back. Hopefully, they improve some of these things because the location has a lot of potential.

International Cuisine

4.0

(924 reviews)

This is a great restaurant for family dining; we had a party of 8 with ages 3 to 86 and really…read moreenjoyed our experience. Our table sampled the menu from Middle Eastern to European to pizza, and each dish was skillfully prepared and tasty. The service and atmosphere are friendly and unpretentious, which made us feel like we were dining with neighbors. Eating here isn't just about the food but having a fun, relaxing meal out with family.

You pretty much can order from any region at this fun café restaurant…read more It's always a lively cloud. You want Italian? You want French? Do you want Greek? They have it all. They've got a full bar with generous portions Located right on Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove have been going there for 20 years.

Abalonetti Bar and Grill

3.5

(1.1k reviews)

The Food was Amazing Specifically the Fish and Chips ! My New Favorite. The Service is wonderful…read moreand the seating inside is great !

The nice part of being a tourist is playing tourist…read more I couldn't tell you when I last went to the wharf in SF. During my visit last year, I did not make it to this part of the city here. In coming to this area, I have been hunting for a particular local seafood. Walking in a little after noon, the host offered me a choice of outdoor dining or inside and I chose the latter. A large party on the left near the kitchen was finishing their meal as I was seated at the back of the dining room. After studying the menu and knowing a heavy dinner was scheduled, I placed my order. I started with the creamy clam chowder, bowl (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=yvzZfApDSWDk8aktHf2lTg); it was nicely seasoned and a good balance of clams and potatoes besides coming with a basket of bread (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=120&select=_3DT3OTWbBcyPJl82i-vQg). For a lighter meal, I tried the crab Louie (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=uHj68d1auRex_tOe7MxthA); chopped iceberg, crabmeat, tomatoes, hard-boiled egg, thousand island dressing; besides these listed ingredients, the were black olives and shredded lettuce. I liked that the dungeness crab portion is generous and the variety of veggies though was a little disappointed the dressing was thousand island. For my beverage, I had a diet Pepsi with a wedge of lime (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=LqVNn9E6Yxv491TjxjWuLQ). I finished my main meal and brought the bread back to my hotel. There was a steady flow of customers coming into the restaurant with most dining outdoors given the good weather. They have a full bar and the cocktails tempted me. Maybe next time. Big thanks to Alex for tending to my needs and serving my food besides training a new staff member. After finishing several soda refills during my meal, he offered to pack me a cup to go. Very thoughtful. I asked about the abalone on the menu which may be my try on my next visit.

Annie’s House

4.5

(130 reviews)