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A classic, wonderful meal, and worth the wait. And oh, the oysters are almost as big as your head! We were warned to line up early, and tho we were only like the a dozen back, we didn't make the first seating, as there was a huge reservation for 15 celebrating something, congrats to them! So the hostess gave us a time later in the evening and we came back. Once you're in, you're family. This is a super casual spot. One medium size room filled in every corner with tables and chatter. There's a bar on one side, and savvy locals I presume, having a beer and dinner. Our four had a table right in the middle of it, and it was wonderful, I got some crab cakes, the rest of the table got seafood pasta in various formats. And a bottle of wine to share among three of us. Oh the oysters? Idk I think I was expecting the little precious ones you get at the fancy oyster bars. So we ordered a half dozen raw AND also a half dozen of the famous smoked ones. But WOW, these were huge, and "rustic" like a good homemade loaf of bread. So 12 of these huge oysters shared among the 4 of us was more than enough!
If I could give 10 stars I would! I can't put this amazing experience into words! We ordered Oak Grilled Oysters, BBQ Artichoke, Cioppino, and Squid Pasta, and every single dish was of outstanding quality. Just like in Italy. No matter what you order, you can't go wrong. It's a little bit far from the beaten path, so I thought it might be a hidden gem, but I was wrong. The place was packed, and when we left, there was a line stretching all the way out the door. I really recommend here!
Always pretty packed here. What we got for dinner was amazing, crab ravioli was perfect. Appetizers came out quick, clam chowder is pretty great and oysters were huge. I'd say the only thing we weren't impressed with was the crème brûlée, not bad but a little bland. Staff was very nice and attentive even though they were busy. Definitely a solid choice for Monterey.
The ambiance and service here is amazing! All of employees are super kind and friendly. Upon sitting, we were given a basket of bread and butter. The bread wasn't toasted so I was skeptical but it was actually very tasty because the outside had toasted sesame seeds on it. We ordered the fish and chips as well as their cioppino. The fish and chips were good! It wasn't the best I've ever had just cause I usually prefer cod but I think they used a different fish. The cioppino though was so delicious. It was extremely flavorful, the broth was not overally seasoned, it was perfect. There was lots of seafood too - such as clams, octopus, squid, mussels, shrimp and fish! I loved dipping the bread in it too.
This place is the BEST! Everything is delicious. Quality fish and ingredients. Reasonable prices for what you get. Service is always friendly and helpful. This is a local favorite and hands down my personal favorite place to get fish on the peninsula. I had their VIP salad for lunch which is one of the best salads I've ever had.
Go before they open to get in line or make reservations. They are super efficient and service was great. It's not a big place, and yet they still have a great ratio of staff to customers. We got there 30 minutes early and got in line about 20 minutes before 5 PM on a Saturday in July. When they opened we were the second party and there were about 30 people after us. Some had reservations and some were walk-ins like us. Once we sat down we got bread and butter and they took our order. Clam chowder was not thick how we like it. My husband was craving the curry snapper. My son had the holiday pasta. I had a special artichoke seafood pasta. We were all happy with our choices.
I was a little worried that this place was gonna be overhyped and not worth the stop but I was so soooo wrong. We ordered the Sicilian calamari and crab ravioli for appetizers. The calamari was so tender it barely required any chewing and the ravioli was stuffed with filling and paired with a sweet, creamy rose shrimp sauce. The crab ravioli also comes in a larger portion as a main and we liked it so much we agreed we'd go big if we were ever back in the area. Pro tip: they provide complimentary bread and we used it to soak up all the yumminess from the calamari sauce and pasta sauce... highlyyy recommend. For our main: we ordered an oak grilled swordfish and upgraded our pasta to linguini with the cream sauce to share. Honestly after apps and a bread basket, I was pretty stuffed and was planning on only taking 1 bite but it was hard to stop (and we still had plenty leftover). Our server also let us know all the different ways they're able to prepare your choice of seafood so if oak grilled with pesto sauce isn't to your liking, you can really customize it to fit your taste and the same goes for the pasta. They also took it upon themselves to go through the trouble of splitting the dish into 2 servings so that it would be easier for us to share and that was so thoughtful! **Special shoutout to Cesar and the other gentleman in the red bussing tables - they truly made our dining experience one to remember.** The only thing to make note of is the waitlist. The hostess writes down your party's info upon arrival and we were given a quote of 1 hour but were ecstatic that we got called in sooner than that. On the other hand, there were some angry individuals who hadn't waited in front of the restaurant and missed their name being called so definitely make sure you stick around.
You Fish An old-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.
I was so not impressed with this place. Maybe things have gone downhill? It started with the ridiculous "specials" list repeated by our server. There was already a specials list menu but there was a crazy long list that he told us about. The list went on and on. The problem is that I have difficulties with auditory comprehension due to a past stroke so I didn't get most of what he said. And the one time I did ask about a specials item, he didn't even really describe and explain. So I just went with an item that was on the regular menu. My salmon looked and tasted frozen which is fine but it was overcooked. The pasta was also well overcooked. The veggies were excellent though. I really enjoyed them. John ordered the New England Clam Chowder which I had to try. It was pretty watery and just okay. The complementary bread was cold and I passed on it. (We had recently dined at a restaurant that gave us incredible focaccia so it's hard to compare.) Once we got past the menu and specials snafu and ordering our food, our server warmed up and did a good job. We definitely won't be back.
This is probably one of those places that you see it on the street and would continue driving by it. It's on a busy street. Building isn't an eye catcher and you'd think a fish house here? Don't make the mistake of driving by and if you do make a U Turn. This place is not to miss. Staff is welcoming, warm and fun. They are very attentive and want you to be taken care of. The inside has an old school family style look to it. Feels like someplace I'd go with my mom and dad on special occasions. Don't come here if you're looking for something modern looking. Very happy with my choice of food. We had the fried calamari which i thought were cooked perfectly. I ordered the special artichoke seafood pasta. Way more seafood and artichoke hearts than pasta. So so good. If you're in Monterey don't get caught up thinking you need to go down to Cannery Row for seafood. Come down here instead.
Love this place for their oak grilled oysters. Would definitely come back just for these. Got crab ravioli and they definitely came with real crab meat inside. Also served with bread on the side. The sauce was good, but I think I would had preferred it a little less salty and more flavor. My partner got the cioppino, which he preferred on the creamier side, but it was still good. I love the fact that it came with such giant clams. Most places only serve tiny clams, but these were giant size like clappers. It also came with fish, mussels, small octopusi, large shrimps, and some bread served on the side. Service here is also amazing. Sat at the bar and our server, Matthew, was friendly, engaging, and very impressive with how he handled the customer. He made sure they were all taken care of, water and bread refilled without needing to make the requests, and checking in on everyone few times throughout their dinner meals. He even helped out assisting with the rest of the restaurant if he ever needed to step in. Huge shoutout to Matthew!
Coffee is $5, yet I had to ask for sugar three times. I recommend the swordfish. It was also a top 5 king salmon for me. Mud pie dessert was filled with chocolate ice cream instead of coffee. The clams in the clam pasta were large and its stock contained capers as well as strips of clam meat, but my husband said the soup could not disguise the chemical taste of tap water.
It's been a while since I last came here, and I was in Monterey, so I needed to go back. When in Monterey, you should try their seafood because it's top-notch. Their calamari is incredible--no words. I love it and find it very addictive; I wanted to bring more home with me. It's served with a cocktail sauce that has a hint of horseradish and tartar sauce. The pastas are very delicious. It's cute that the pasta is served in a big bowl--I felt like I was drinking soup. I had the clam pasta, and it was delicious. The clams are super fresh, and the sauce is flavorful. However, the only letdown was the pasta noodles. They are average, but homemade, which is impressive. The noodles seem to be small and not long. My parents had the Sicilian Holiday Pasta, which was also very tasty. Just be careful with the red sauce--try not to get your shirt messy. The sauces are perfect for dipping your bread. The service is quick, but it's best to come early because it gets packed really fast. Parking is okay, but it fills up quickly due to its popularity, especially after being featured on Triple D.
25 days ago
It was a Monday night in late September, not connected to any big event or holiday, and this place was PACKED the entire time we were there. That alone says something! We arrived at 6:30 without reservations and were greeted by the absolute friendliest host/do-everything young woman. Waited about 20mins then were brought inside to our table. What a quaint, intimate restaurant, filled to the brim with patrons! First off, the service was excellent. Friendly, accommodating, and never once made us feel rushed despite how busy they were. Our server was so upbeat, took great care of us, and checked in just enough. The pacing of our entire meal was perfect. Five stars for service alone. Cheers! Loved the champagne! Complimentary bread was brought over, and it was fresh, soft and good. But then I noticed a nearby table had been brought a plate of "something" to go with their bread. I made the QUIETEST comment to my husband wondering what it was, and next thing I know, our server says with a smile, "I'll take care of you!" Apparently he either heard me or saw me looking because suddenly we had this delicious dipping plate with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pesto and Parmesan. I'm embarrassed to say that plate was wiped clean before our meal even arrived. Those little IYKYK moments are the best, and I'm glad I happened to be sitting near someone who knew! I read another review that said, "Once you're in, you're family," and after our experience, I completely understand what they meant. Hubby ordered the famous smoked oysters and was in absolute heaven. They were bigger than any he's ever had at a restaurant and cooked so perfectly that he declared he now has to learn their technique because his have never turned out that well. I watched him enjoy all six, one by one, slurping up the sauce and drizzled lemon until there was nothing left. I ordered the grilled sole, and it was definitely enough to share. Two massive filets, lightly breaded, perfectly cooked and covered in a light, delicious lemon-caper sauce. I thought the seasoning was exactly what it needed to be. Nothing overpowered the flavor of the fish. Simple, straightforward and really well done. Hubby had the clam pasta, and then we discovered it was HOUSEMADE pasta! At this point, it almost felt like they were showing off. Why is a seafood restaurant bothering to make its pasta from scratch? Apparently because THEY CAN. There were so many clams, the sauce was perfectly seasoned, and there was plenty of everything. He could barely finish it but managed to enjoy every last bite. The food absolutely sealed the deal on a five-star experience. Great food, wonderful service, a cozy atmosphere and those little touches that make you understand why this place was packed on an ordinary Monday night. Easy five stars from us! read more
A classic, wonderful meal, and worth the wait. And oh, the oysters are almost as big as your head! We were warned to line up early, and tho we were only like the a dozen back, we didn't make the first seating, as there was a huge reservation for 15 celebrating something, congrats to them! So the hostess gave us a time later in the evening and we came back. Once you're in, you're family. This is a super casual spot. One medium size room filled in every corner with tables and chatter. There's a bar on one side, and savvy locals I presume, having a beer and dinner. Our four had a table right in the middle of it, and it was wonderful, I got some crab cakes, the rest of the table got seafood pasta in various formats. And a bottle of wine to share among three of us. Oh the oysters? Idk I think I was expecting the little precious ones you get at the fancy oyster bars. So we ordered a half dozen raw AND also a half dozen of the famous smoked ones. But WOW, these were huge, and "rustic" like a good homemade loaf of bread. So 12 of these huge oysters shared among the 4 of us was more than enough! read more
If I could give 10 stars I would! I can't put this amazing experience into words! We ordered Oak Grilled Oysters, BBQ Artichoke, Cioppino, and Squid Pasta, and every single dish was of outstanding quality. Just like in Italy. No matter what you order, you can't go wrong. It's a little bit far from the beaten path, so I thought it might be a hidden gem, but I was wrong. The place was packed, and when we left, there was a line stretching all the way out the door. I really recommend here! read more
Always pretty packed here. What we got for dinner was amazing, crab ravioli was perfect. Appetizers came out quick, clam chowder is pretty great and oysters were huge. I'd say the only thing we weren't impressed with was the crème brûlée, not bad but a little bland. Staff was very nice and attentive even though they were busy. Definitely a solid choice for Monterey. read more
3 months ago
The ambiance and service here is amazing! All of employees are super kind and friendly. Upon sitting, we were given a basket of bread and butter. The bread wasn't toasted so I was skeptical but it was actually very tasty because the outside had toasted sesame seeds on it. We ordered the fish and chips as well as their cioppino. The fish and chips were good! It wasn't the best I've ever had just cause I usually prefer cod but I think they used a different fish. The cioppino though was so delicious. It was extremely flavorful, the broth was not overally seasoned, it was perfect. There was lots of seafood too - such as clams, octopus, squid, mussels, shrimp and fish! I loved dipping the bread in it too. read more
This place is the BEST! Everything is delicious. Quality fish and ingredients. Reasonable prices for what you get. Service is always friendly and helpful. This is a local favorite and hands down my personal favorite place to get fish on the peninsula. I had their VIP salad for lunch which is one of the best salads I've ever had. read more
4 months ago
Go before they open to get in line or make reservations. They are super efficient and service was great. It's not a big place, and yet they still have a great ratio of staff to customers. We got there 30 minutes early and got in line about 20 minutes before 5 PM on a Saturday in July. When they opened we were the second party and there were about 30 people after us. Some had reservations and some were walk-ins like us. Once we sat down we got bread and butter and they took our order. Clam chowder was not thick how we like it. My husband was craving the curry snapper. My son had the holiday pasta. I had a special artichoke seafood pasta. We were all happy with our choices. read more
4 months ago
I was a little worried that this place was gonna be overhyped and not worth the stop but I was so soooo wrong. We ordered the Sicilian calamari and crab ravioli for appetizers. The calamari was so tender it barely required any chewing and the ravioli was stuffed with filling and paired with a sweet, creamy rose shrimp sauce. The crab ravioli also comes in a larger portion as a main and we liked it so much we agreed we'd go big if we were ever back in the area. Pro tip: they provide complimentary bread and we used it to soak up all the yumminess from the calamari sauce and pasta sauce... highlyyy recommend. For our main: we ordered an oak grilled swordfish and upgraded our pasta to linguini with the cream sauce to share. Honestly after apps and a bread basket, I was pretty stuffed and was planning on only taking 1 bite but it was hard to stop (and we still had plenty leftover). Our server also let us know all the different ways they're able to prepare your choice of seafood so if oak grilled with pesto sauce isn't to your liking, you can really customize it to fit your taste and the same goes for the pasta. They also took it upon themselves to go through the trouble of splitting the dish into 2 servings so that it would be easier for us to share and that was so thoughtful! **Special shoutout to Cesar and the other gentleman in the red bussing tables - they truly made our dining experience one to remember.** The only thing to make note of is the waitlist. The hostess writes down your party's info upon arrival and we were given a quote of 1 hour but were ecstatic that we got called in sooner than that. On the other hand, there were some angry individuals who hadn't waited in front of the restaurant and missed their name being called so definitely make sure you stick around. read more
You Fish An old-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. read more
7 months ago
I was so not impressed with this place. Maybe things have gone downhill? It started with the ridiculous "specials" list repeated by our server. There was already a specials list menu but there was a crazy long list that he told us about. The list went on and on. The problem is that I have difficulties with auditory comprehension due to a past stroke so I didn't get most of what he said. And the one time I did ask about a specials item, he didn't even really describe and explain. So I just went with an item that was on the regular menu. My salmon looked and tasted frozen which is fine but it was overcooked. The pasta was also well overcooked. The veggies were excellent though. I really enjoyed them. John ordered the New England Clam Chowder which I had to try. It was pretty watery and just okay. The complementary bread was cold and I passed on it. (We had recently dined at a restaurant that gave us incredible focaccia so it's hard to compare.) Once we got past the menu and specials snafu and ordering our food, our server warmed up and did a good job. We definitely won't be back. read more
19 days ago
This is probably one of those places that you see it on the street and would continue driving by it. It's on a busy street. Building isn't an eye catcher and you'd think a fish house here? Don't make the mistake of driving by and if you do make a U Turn. This place is not to miss. Staff is welcoming, warm and fun. They are very attentive and want you to be taken care of. The inside has an old school family style look to it. Feels like someplace I'd go with my mom and dad on special occasions. Don't come here if you're looking for something modern looking. Very happy with my choice of food. We had the fried calamari which i thought were cooked perfectly. I ordered the special artichoke seafood pasta. Way more seafood and artichoke hearts than pasta. So so good. If you're in Monterey don't get caught up thinking you need to go down to Cannery Row for seafood. Come down here instead. read more
Love this place for their oak grilled oysters. Would definitely come back just for these. Got crab ravioli and they definitely came with real crab meat inside. Also served with bread on the side. The sauce was good, but I think I would had preferred it a little less salty and more flavor. My partner got the cioppino, which he preferred on the creamier side, but it was still good. I love the fact that it came with such giant clams. Most places only serve tiny clams, but these were giant size like clappers. It also came with fish, mussels, small octopusi, large shrimps, and some bread served on the side. Service here is also amazing. Sat at the bar and our server, Matthew, was friendly, engaging, and very impressive with how he handled the customer. He made sure they were all taken care of, water and bread refilled without needing to make the requests, and checking in on everyone few times throughout their dinner meals. He even helped out assisting with the rest of the restaurant if he ever needed to step in. Huge shoutout to Matthew! read more
Coffee is $5, yet I had to ask for sugar three times. I recommend the swordfish. It was also a top 5 king salmon for me. Mud pie dessert was filled with chocolate ice cream instead of coffee. The clams in the clam pasta were large and its stock contained capers as well as strips of clam meat, but my husband said the soup could not disguise the chemical taste of tap water. read more
7 months ago
It's been a while since I last came here, and I was in Monterey, so I needed to go back. When in Monterey, you should try their seafood because it's top-notch. Their calamari is incredible--no words. I love it and find it very addictive; I wanted to bring more home with me. It's served with a cocktail sauce that has a hint of horseradish and tartar sauce. The pastas are very delicious. It's cute that the pasta is served in a big bowl--I felt like I was drinking soup. I had the clam pasta, and it was delicious. The clams are super fresh, and the sauce is flavorful. However, the only letdown was the pasta noodles. They are average, but homemade, which is impressive. The noodles seem to be small and not long. My parents had the Sicilian Holiday Pasta, which was also very tasty. Just be careful with the red sauce--try not to get your shirt messy. The sauces are perfect for dipping your bread. The service is quick, but it's best to come early because it gets packed really fast. Parking is okay, but it fills up quickly due to its popularity, especially after being featured on Triple D. read more
8 months ago
What a bummer! Came here and was deeply disappointed in the food. It's very loud or it was the time we went. It was not a positive ambiance. The best thing were the oysters that were grilled. These were flavorful. Our server was very kind. But geez they had so many specials. The waiter was very patient to describe them all but it was overwhelming to remember them all. I'd recommend just picking a few...(the people next to us commented that there were more specials than actual items that were on the official menu lol). Then came my fish. I ordered the sole. This came with a light batter. Unfortunately it was not seasoned well. We got veggies and pasta on the side. The pasta was cold and the veggies were mixed with soggy and fresh vegetables. The experience was disappointing since the food was unflavorful and unappetizing and the environment was chaos. Would skip and try to go to other restaurants instead. read more
10 months ago
We made a reservation because the restaurant get filled fast. They opened promptly at 5:00. We were first in line. We ordered BBQ Oysters to start with was served with French Bread. OMG! The Oysters were huge and were delicious. They came with Lemon and Horseradish and Cocktail Sauce. Very filling alone, but ours were shared. My Husband ordered the Cioppino. The Broth was Italian herbs and spices made the broth a delicious broth to warm your soul. It came with Fish, Clam in shell, Octopus, Prawns, Mussel in shell. A Bowl of Seafood goodness. read more
19 days ago
1 year ago
Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 We were in Monterey for a friend's wedding over the weekend and stopped by here on our way back to LA. They're famous for their oak grilled oysters (5/5) and it was amazing! I'd go back just for that. It was so juicy, tender, garlicky, and smoky. Then we had the shrimp bisque (3/5) which needed some spice lol, and had our main--the Sicilian Holiday pasta, which was full of seafood and handmade pasta. I asked if they can make it extra spicy for us and it was perfect. It was like a spicy cioppino with pasta. Without us asking, our waiter Aaron made sure each dish was paced with perfect timing. Highly recommend this restaurant and would love to visit again just for the oysters. I'd like 2 dozen next time. Thank you Aaron for a great experience! read more
4 months ago
We arrived there for lunch very early, at 11:30 am. For lunch it is first come first serve and it is a very popular spot. Everything was quite reasonably priced. The waitstaff was awesome! Everybody was so nice. Everything tasted great! The place isn't formal at all, at least not for lunch. All the customers seemed super excited to be there and like they couldn't wait to eat what they ordered. I ordered a cup of clam chowder and the fish and chips special. I asked for one crank of freshly ground pepper, and with the crackers the clam chowder was spectacular! The fish and chips special was so much food... more than I could even eat. If I'm ever back in town, I will definitely go back! read more
4 months ago
This was the last meal of our vacation trip, and it was okay but definitely not my favorite. I love oysters and didn't realize the oak grilled are very large like the size of your hand large. There's a lot of hype around them which drew us to the restaurant, but I was not a fan. The oak grilled oysters were thick and meaty. I prefer smaller. We also ordered the bbq artichoke which was good. We asked them to leave off the caesar dressing it is normally tossed in. For entrees, we both ordered ciappino. It was mediocre. After setting the standard for ciappiano from Phil's Fish Market in Castroville, this didn't steal my heart. It's your local, hometown style no frills restaurant. From appetizers to meal, we waited an hour for our food. The wait staff was friendly; however, The Monterey Fish House just did not hit the spot for us. To each his own though. read more
12 days ago
12 days ago
2 months ago
Been here for years. A nice place when craving fresh seafood. Oak grill oysters is a must. The VIP salad is exquisite, and the artichoke seafood pasta is a classic. Our servant Arron is very nice and friendly. The vibe of this place: always in a nice order even when it's busy. read more
Overall the experience was mediocre to okay, but with how much hype that this venue has it felt disappointing for what I was expecting. We had a reservation which was a MUST because the line out the door was at least 5-6 parties at all times and the restaurant was packed. While they have many pasta dishes, their main fish consisted of 4-5 choices of fish with different ways of making it: grilled, pesto, lemon crusted etc. while it was prepared fine, it was not the level of fish I would have expected in Monterey. The pasta was overcooked but the vegetables were quite good. Prices overall was not too far out there. Dessert was very good however so kudos to them for that. The vibe feels very busy with many different servers and bussers walking around, many tables in a small area and due to the line felt like constantly trying to turn tables. During lockdown, they had shut down their parking lot and had outside seating which would have been nice to make it feel less cramped. Not a bad experience, but if I'm looking for a nice dinner on a trip I would likely go somewhere else read more
2 months ago
Had dinner here today for the first time and it was amazing! This is the oyster appetizer- comes with 6 huge pieces and lemons and some cocktail sauce, you can ask for some hot sauce also! Moscato wine was delicious and sweet. For the main plate I got the Prawn Pasta and it was so delicious, homemade noodles with scallions, tomatoes, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, and 6 huge shrimp and some white sauce! By far the best pasta I have had. My fiancé even said it was the best he has had also. He got the ribeye steak and it needed more seasoning or salt but it was still good! Portion sizes were pretty good for the price. Grabbed their crème brûlée for desert and it was also delicious, sugar wasn't too burnt or too crunchy. The cream was soft, and semisweet - definitely not overpowering. I would 100% come here again! Not from the area but will absolutely be on our list to come again. Staff was incredibly kind and friendly, we loved our server and was funny! The hostess was also very kind and welcoming. A little small and crowded but vibes were great! Place, service, and food 10/10! read more
2 months ago
Found a gem! In for the weekend and stumbled across Monterey's Fish House! Not a bad thing to say. Wine was very good and food was delicious. read more
I used to come here years ago with my family and I always order the clam pasta. I think the recipe changed because it tasted different than how I remembered but it was still great. My friend got the burger and asked for medium but it came out dry. On a Sunday night it was busy right at opening but they were able to get us a table and they were as quick as they can be. I loved the decor and everything inside. read more
We came here tonight for dinner. Last time we were here was about 8 years ago and I remembered how much we loved it. When we arrived the line was out the door, and they had just opened. The line moved quick and the kind hostess seated us quickly. Our waiter Cesar was so sweet and took excellent care of us. We ordered a cup of shrimp bisque and split a house salad with shrimp. Both came out fast. The soup was very good and the salad was nice and refreshing. For our entrees my husband ordered the artichoke seafood pasta. Their pasta is made fresh daily. He loved it. I ordered the lobster special. Their pasta special was supposed to be cut up lobster with a spicy marinara over pasta. I didn't want spicy sauce. Cesar let me know they can make it scampi style and I said that would be great. For some reason it took our main dishes over 35 minutes to arrive which seemed a bit long. Finally our food arrived and my lobster dish was flavorless and watery. My dish was supposed to be just lobster but there were shrimp in there too, and not much lobster. So that special was very misleading. I got Cesar's attention and explained that the dish was not good and didn't taste anything like a shrimp scampi. It was so watery. I've made scampi many times and this was bad. I asked if the chef could make a creamy sauce with cream and Parmesan to add to the dish. He said yes and the dish was brought back to me. It tasted much better than before. I would never order this again. I do appreciate Cesar doing all he could to make the dish better. Another problem was the acoustics inside. It was packed to the max inside and it was so loud. We couldn't hear each other talk. The noise just echoed off the walls. Both our main dishes were $40 each. We both thought that was way overpriced for what we got. I was so disappointed with my main dish because our last experience was so good. I'm not sure when or if we will be coming back. read more
2 months ago
Amazing food and service! Our waiter (I believe his name was Tony) had amazing menu knowledge and was very helpful and kind! Just what me and my partner were looking for! read more
1 year ago
Came here during my getaway from the City, and was surprised on how similar the cuisine was compared to others was. I arrived around 7PM and had to wait a good 45 minutes before getting a seat. They call you out by name so you gotta be at the spot, without an option to leave a phone number or anything. The place is pretty small but still able to sit large parties of up to 6 or 8 people I believe. I ordered a Sicilian Holiday Pasta, Oak Grilled Oysters, and BBQ Baby Octopus. We started with the oak grilled oysters, which were pretty big and really good. You can taste the wood aroma in the oysters; they were cooked but still a little raw. Definitely order this one! The Sicilian Holiday Pasta was pretty bland, and was basically a cioppino. The amount of seafood was decent, but I felt like I had to add a ton of salt to my broth since it was so bland. The BBQ Baby Octopus was also a favorite according to my waiter. It came with a lot of octopus, and was yummy. Would recommend ordering, only if you love octopus. No complaints on service, but I do wish the bread was more fresh. The bread appetizer was cold and a little tough to chew, so I wish they would've toasted it or warmed it up. Solid place overall, especially for out of towners who want to get their hands on some fresh seafood. Otherwise, for people well versed in seafood along the pacific coast, there isn't anything really worth coming for. read more
5 months ago
A perfect lunch ! The service was beyond par, the meal was superb, and the complementary bread was fresh and hot. Aaron was the best, please ask for him when you go, you will not be disappointed. He was very attentive and made sure all our needs were met. We've been going here yearly, for over twenty years, and this restaurant only keeps getting better. If you only have one chance to eat in Monterey then the Monterey's Fish House is the one place you have go to. read more
We came in for an early lunch on a weekend. We were seated right away as we arrived right before the rush. The oysters came out pretty quickly but the main dishes took almost 40 mins to arrive. Prices are on the higher side but ingredients tasted fresh and of high quality. Restaurant was clean. Oysters- 5/5 Delicious and fresh. Calamari steak with pasta-4/5 Calamari was cooked perfectly, tender and seasoned well. The pasta was just okay. Sole Sandwich 5/5 Fish was fresh and cooked perfectly. read more
1 year ago
We had a very nice dinner at Monterey's Fish house. We started with a fried calamari appetizer, which was very good and came out quickly. I got the artichoke seafood pasta, which was excellent. The portion was generous (I had 2/3 and my friend had 1/3), the homemade pasta had a very nice texture, flavor, and the seafood was nicely cooked (not overcooked). This is not on the menu but I saw another person have it and it looked really good. I also ordered the clam chowder. It was bland. I would not order it again. My partner ordered the grilled pork. It was a good size. It came with a piece of white meat, which was a little dry but the dark meat was very good. Our waiter was very friendly, helpful and really helped to make our dinner experience a good one. They had a reasonably priced wine list. Overall, a really good dinner and would definitely come back. Tip 1: Reservations are essential as the restaurant is very small and popular. Tip 2: Since the restaurant opens at 5 PM, either make your reservation for 5 PM or 6:30 PM, not 6 PM because it's unlikely the previous party will finish their dinner in one hour (especially if you have a large party eg. 4+ people). We had a reservation for 6 PM. We ended up having to wait until 6:30pm to get seated. There is no indoor waiting area. read more
6 months ago
I don't even know where to start.... This looks relatively small from the outside, but more spacious once you get inside. It's clean, and it was a little busy when we went. However the service was great, we were seated as soon as we walked in, handed menus, and our server was attentive all throughout. The food... holy moly. the food was amazing!! This place was recommended to us and since we were in the Monterey area we decided to visit for dinner on our last night there. We ordered the prawn pasta and the scallops pasta. Both were out of this world. The pasta itself tased fresh, just made. and the sauces were divine. if I could recommend the one place you have to go to if you happen to be in the area, it would be this. Seriously ... I'm still thinking about this place lol. 10/10 hands down the best seafood pasta dish I have ever had!! read more
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More info about Monterey's Fish House
2114 Del Monte Ave
Monterey, CA 93940
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(831) 373-4647
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https://montereyfishhouse.com
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Ask the Community - Monterey's Fish House
Do they have any gluten-free pasta dishes?
I don't really know. Their menu is on line.
How does one make a reservation? They do not answer the phone!!!
They don't do reservation. It's first comes first serve. Go early if you can. It's a hot spot.
Do they offer gluten-free pasta?
Do we need to reserve?
I would make a reservation as there are times there is a long line for walk ins.
Are they still in the same small venue?
Yes. 2114 Del Monte Ave. It is the same as when I first visited years ago.
Is there a lunch offering menu and/or daily specials? Or is the attached menu the same for both sessions (lunch + dinner)? Planning on visiting during lunch hours.
They have daily specials that change everyday, but they're super pricey
Do they still have outdoor dining as of today 4/1/23?
When we visited a couple months ago, they did not have outdoor dining. When dining inside, it gets busy, and they may seat you with other customers. It's ok if you don't mind meeting new friends.
Anyone know how to contact the restaurant? The phone just rings & rings. Do they take reservations?
I have used the phone number listed on Yelp. They take dinners reservations starting at 5 pm which I would recommend to be in the first seating. I usually call at 1130 am when they open for lunch to make dinner reservations.
Do they have gluten free pasta Options?
Not on the menu. I haven't asked though.
Will I be allowed to bring my small dog while dining outside?
Yes, I had my pug with me! Dogs are welcome.
Are reservations still being recommended or is it first come first serve?
They take reservations now (as of 11/6/2021)
Is there a kids menu?
I don't remember a kids menu, but people sitting by us had a fish and chips plate split for their two kids. Another couple had a burger meal split for theirs. The staff is really good
Their health score is 59 out of 100 according to Yelp. Is that correct?
Yelp gets this data from HDScores, which collects public data from your local health department. Because your local health department does not provide inspection scores, HDScores calculates its own score based on past inspection results of this busin
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