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    Paluca Trattoria

    4.0 (772 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Seafood
    Closed Closed
    Updated a few days ago

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    PALUCA TRATTORIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Paluca Trattoria

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    Reviews With Photos

    Kristina P.

    Great Italian food on Fisherman's Wharf. We got to the area later in the afternoon, so we didn't want to fill up on too much food before dinner. We ordered the calamari, the spaghetti with meatballs and gamberoni. Everything was delicious. Service was super friendly and very attentive. Would visit again!

    View from our seat
    Andrea H.

    We stopped in Monterey on our way home from San Francisco. We decided to wonder around Old Fishermen's Wharf and came across Paluca Trattoria. If you're in the mood some of the most delicious Italian food and a beautiful view this is the restaurant for you.

    This was the cold clam chowder soup that we asked to get it reheated.
    Liz P.

    The food was really disappointing and disgusting. We ordered the clam chowder and it wasn't even hot, we asked for it to get reheated. Our next appetizer was the clams in butter cream sauce. The sauce tasted like spoiled milk and we realized because one of the clams was old and rotten. We told our waiter and he didn't even apologize. The clams stunk so bad like spoiled rotten egg. We don't even know how and why they didn't notice the smell before they served it to us. Lastly, the lobster ravioli was disappointing. It was sweet and barely had any lobster. All our dishes were too saucy and it was NOTA good. We're definitely not going back. I wish I could a full refund back.

    Sicilian Meatballs (good, but small for the price)
    Steve G.

    After 4 hours of Whale Watching, we're always hungry. Over many years of visiting the Monterey Peninsula, we've pretty much tried every restaurant on the wharf, but somehow missed Paluca. The outdoor seating overlooking the marina is very nice. As is required, we started with the Clam Chowder. There are no bad renditions of chowder on the wharf, and Paluca's was no different. It's amazing to see how different each restaurant's versions are, but yet all be delicious. We were keeping it light, so we just had the Sicilian Meatballs. They were very good with clear flavors of basil, and maybe even fennel, but the dish only included 3 somewhat small meatballs. Not what we expected for $26. They chunky marinara that accompanied the dish was good. We'll need to come back to try other dishes.

    Clam chowder.

    This restaurant was such a lovely experience. We were able to eat outdoors and take in the beautiful views, and there is always so much to see and enjoy when hanging out on Fisherman's Wharf. The food was honestly a lot better than I expected for a touristy spot, which kind of adds to the charm. Still, quality matters, and Paluca Trattoria definitely delivered. We ordered the Creamy Pesto Pappardelle and added a grilled rosemary chicken breast for some additional protein. The pasta was outstanding. It tasted fresh with basil, had that pesto-style cream sauce with parmesan and just a hint of lemon zest. Super flavorful without feeling heavy. It was perfect. We also got the Short Rib Ravioli and wow, also outstanding. The pasta tasted homemade and was filled with braised short rib, asiago, and herbs, all covered in a creamy garlic mushroom sauce. Oh yeah, we also had a bowl of clam chowder, and everything we tried was delicious. Service was great too. The only downside is we were so full we couldn't even attempt dessert, which just means we will have to come back. We will definitely be back.

    Marie M.

    Nice casual place with outdoor sitting on the wharf. Recommended by a local friend for dinner as we normally avoid this touristy spot. Good: Calabrian prawns as a starter was good, and so were the Seafood pasta (linguini) and freshly-made meatballs with linguini which we had for entrees. Fun: A seal was playing and splashing nearby! Just a few feet away in the water. Nice interaction with the owner's sons - Paul (waiter) and Luca (who kept trying to light our patio heater . Chef owner came over and determined it was out of propane- fixed!) Recommended: Get a reservation as they may stop seating for dinner after 7pm for walk-ins as they get busy or may have large parties.

    Clam bowder bowl
    Fanny C.

    It was a colder Friday evening and we needed a place to eat that had outdoor seating as we had our dogs with us from our day of adventure. We were able to be seated right away in the outdoor patio. Our server was able to take our orders and gave us the specials of the evening, which was the seafood pasta. It sounded good with what was is in entree. We also ordered the calamari as appetizers and the clam chowder. We asked the waiter about the portions and he said that the portions are pretty big so my husband and I decided to share the entree since we didnt want to bring back seafood to the hotel. Calamari was good. The clam chowder was really hardy and creamy, perfect for the cold winter weather. Hit the spot with the bread that it came out with. The special seafood pasta, which just had clams, shrimp, and a piece of cod was ok. The sauce and flavor was lacking esp after the clam chowder. And the portion was decent but definitely was NOT Special enough for the $45 price tag. We should've just ordered another pasta dish or the meatball sandwich that my husband wanted. It wouldve been enough and not with that hefty price tag. They definitely should tell you the price of a dish if its a special...

    Salvatore P.

    We decided to try Paluca Trattoria in Monterey and unfortunately, it was not a good experience. The food itself was just okay--nothing that stood out or made me want to come back. For the price and location, I expected more flavor and quality, but it was very average. The biggest disappointment was the service. From the moment we sat down, things felt disorganized. People who arrived after us received their food before we did, which was frustrating and hard to overlook. On top of that, I had to ask my waiter three separate times for bread, and each time he either forgot or didn't bring it until much later. Something that simple should not be so difficult, and it set the tone for the whole meal. Normally, I'm a very generous tipper because I understand how hard restaurant work can be. But in this case, I didn't feel the service deserved one at all. Being ignored and forgotten multiple times is not acceptable, especially when we were polite and patient. The only reason this review is 2 stars instead of 1 is because of the host. She was welcoming, kind, and friendly when we walked in, and that was the one bright spot in an otherwise disappointing evening. Sadly, the rest of the experience did not match her level of hospitality. Overall, Paluca Trattoria just didn't deliver. Between the mediocre food, the long waits, and the inattentive service, it's not a place I'd return to. There are too many great restaurants in Monterey to waste time and money on one that can't get the basics right. I would highly reccomend going to canary row they have way better restaurant its worth the extra walk.

    Gnocchi
    Monty H.

    I agree with the overall 4 star rating. It's a nice place, little pricey. It's hard to find gnocchi even around the Italian areas but this place has it so I tried it out after a whale watch. The gnocchi itself is pretty good, pesto sauce was excellent and the potato dumplings were alright. Great view as well.

    Salmon Linguini
    Arren C.

    Was craving pasta during Monterey Car week and I called up the restaurant if they do all day pasta since the previous place we went to didn't have it around brunch time. This place was very nice, delicious and we were sat right on the dock next to the water. There were umbrella shades so it wasn't too hot. I did think the calamari could've had more flavoring, but it was still good (just expected a bit more) Waitresses were very accommodating and attentive, so we do plan on coming back!

    Meatball sandwich
    Stacey S.

    Took some out of town clients here for lunch today. My first time here and it was fabulous! Paul and Luca are the best ! The Sicilian food is amazing! Fresh and delicious! Service was excellent! The limoncello spritzer was a hit !! I will definitely be back soon! Patio dining was so nice on the water , very relaxing!

    Outdoor patio overlooks the bay

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    25 days ago

    Food was...it's hard not to be negative about it. The host was great. We sat outside with heat lamp next to us.

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    4 months ago

    I went two times in one month! That's how wonderful it is. Great service. Amazing good. Ambiance on point.

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    Paluca Trattoria Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Paluca Trattoria

    What do they have for kids and vegetarians?

    Hi Wendy. Here's a link to the menu: https://palucatrattoria.com/menu

    Hi- I made a reservation online but it didn't specify if it's outdoor or indoor. How can I check?

    Hi Allie. We messaged you back and confirmed your reservation is for outdoor seating.

    Do you have seating at the bar?

    Hi Steffie. Thank you for your inquiry. We do not have a bar in our establishment.

    Do you make your own pasta?

    Hi Tatiana. Could you clarify your question? I'm unsure if you are asking if we make fresh pasta sheets or if we make our pasta dishes to order.

    We have a party of 6 that will be visiting in late Sept, I see on your website it only takes up to 5 people...will you accommodate 6?

    Hi Lisa. Thank you for your inquiry. Our reservations page on our website specifies that parties of 5+ people may send the contact form with your request details up to 2 weeks before your requested date. Please click here for more details:… Read more

    Is your outdoor patio dog friendly?

    Yes, we have a dog-friendly patio for well-behaved pups. Please no pets on chairs or tables.

    Do you have gluten free pasta as an option?

    Hi Priscilla. We do not have gluten-free pasta however we have a couple of gluten-free options such as our Calabrian Prawns, Salads & Pan Seared Seafood.

    We love your restaurant. When do you plan on reopening?

    Hi Judith! We're reopening in late May and will post the date soon. We look forward to seeing you!

    Are they still closed? I've been wanting to come here forever and we will finally be in town for our honeymoon

    Hi Mel. Thank you for your inquiry. We are temporarily closed due to the weather conditions. We hope to see you during a future visit!

    Is there a capacity for parties of 8 or 9?

    They have tables that can accommodate a party of about 8-10 people. Calling ahead and reserving is a good idea. We overheard the server telling another customer that a section they were asking to sit in was reserved for a larger party (the table… Read more

    Do you have a locals deal during the week?

    Hi Jon. Thank you for your inquiry. While we do not have a separate locals menu, our menu is priced such that we offer the finest quality food & wine at a fair price for everyone year round. If you are looking for something on the lighter side, I… Read more

    Is there a separate room that could be reserved?

    Hi Sarah. We do not have a separate room that may be reserved however we do allow guests to reserve out the entire restaurant for private parties. We have select dates where that option is available. If you'd like more information, please email… Read more

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    Sea Harvest - Fish & Chips

    Sea Harvest

    4.0(2.5k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Sea Harvest - Interior

    Interior

    Sea Harvest - Combination plate w/ shrimp, fish, and calamari

    Combination plate w/ shrimp, fish, and calamari

    Sea Harvest - Calamari and chips...my favorite!

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    Calamari and chips...my favorite!

    Monterey's Fish House

    Monterey's Fish House

    4.0(3.4k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$$

    This is probably one of those places that you see it on the street and would continue driving by…read moreit. 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.

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

    Photos
    Monterey's Fish House
    Monterey's Fish House - Complimentary Stale Bread ($0)

    Complimentary Stale Bread ($0)

    Monterey's Fish House - Complimentary Chilled Water ($0)

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    Complimentary Chilled Water ($0)

    Sandbar & Grill - Crème Brûlée

    Sandbar & Grill

    4.0(1.6k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Came in on Friday afternoon, before the dinner rush. We had been driving for four hours and we came…read moreto the restaurant hungry and on the tired side, looking forward to a good dinner in the afternoon. The restaurant is small, but not THAT small. We sat down and ordered drinks (Mojito and an iced tea) and sat down in a small table that was composed of two smaller tables. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer and started to enjoy our drinks. Before we got comfortable munching on calamari, when the young guy who had sat us down, came to us and told us he was going to take half of our table away because some other people had come in and needed more space. He didn't ask us, he just started to move thing around in our table, didn't offer to move us to another table (there were tables available toward the back), just started to remove the smaller table and told me that i had to move so that the staff would be able to serve the other people. This pissed me off! We said no. There were other people on similar table configuration than us, why did he ask US to move. He was pushy and said 'well, we're a small restaurant and we just need you to move'. He didn't ask, he didn't apologize, he didn't offer another table, just expect us to comply. We got upset and told the waiter that we're just going to pay for what we ate (the drinks and the calamari) and to cancel our order. The waiter was a very nice guy who apparently has been working in that restaurant a long time, and said, no problem, what if we move you to another table. He helped us move, get settled and was very nice about it. He apologized and said the young guy was relatively new and didn't really know how to ask things nicely to the customer. We eventually settled and tried to enjoy our dinner, even though this pushy treatment left a bad taste in our mouths. Wife had the special, a fresh piece of sea bass on a creamy tomato sauce, prawns and risotto base with asparagus ($48). It was very good. I had fish and chips, and it was also very good. ($28?). For the food, I'd give this place 5 stars. For the way we felt we were treated, we'd give this place 1 star. However, in all fairness, our waiter was very kind, and he deserves better than that.

    This is my favorite spot in Monterey, located on (or shall I say under) the commercial wharf #2…read more Sometimes you can catch some great scenes of the sea lions swimming around just outside the window. If they are busy, you can usually find a spot at the bar without having to wait long. The Sand dabs and calamari steak are my favorite meals here and this place has the best bread pudding I've ever had.

    Photos
    Sandbar & Grill - Hot chocolate with a view.

    Hot chocolate with a view.

    Sandbar & Grill - Sobremesa

    Sobremesa

    Sandbar & Grill - Views of the harbor come free with every meal

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    Views of the harbor come free with every meal

    Schooners Monterey

    Schooners Monterey

    4.0(2.1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    We started with the Clam Chowder bread bowl, Brussel Sprouts appetizer, and the Dungeness Crab Dip…read more All 3 were excellent. I love Brussel Sprouts and order it anytime I see it in a menu. This was one of the best I've had. I like that it was more on the shredded side so it could cook evenly. (I hate when places halve the sprouts, but then don't bake it through. These were cooked to perfection here.) The crab dip was amazing...it's the morning after as I'm typing this and my daughter is still raving about the crab dip. We all agreed that it was worthy of the price tag bc there was a good amount of real crab in it. We really enjoyed the taste and texture. We wished there were more of the garlic bread for dipping! We waited for the clam chowder bread bowl to arrive, and tore into it so we could use that to dip! For our meal, we ordered the Harvest Salad, Organic Half Chicken, Honey BBQ Ribs, Wagyu Burger, and took a mandarin coconut sherbet to go. We were all very happy with what we ordered.

    I don't know if people still say bomb.com but it's def warranted here…read more It would be a shame to order a burger when in Monterey so I made sure I ordered something from the ocean on the other side of the glass of the seat next to us. I got the Cioppino, wife got the Crab Pasta and the kids got Fish N Chips + Chicken Tenders. I was very surprised to see a generous amount of crab in my soup. At some places, you get a claw and check that box off but not here. In addition to the real crab, there was a few giant shrimp, mussels, clams, fish, and calamari. Man...everything was very fresh and delicious. I would even have to probably say the best I've ever had! The soup was seasoned to perfection and not too tart. My wife's crab pasta was also very good! I shared mine with her and we swapped for a bit just to sample other dishes here. The kids plates were also high quality as expected from this nice restaurant inside the Monterey Plaza Hotel. To make my bday weekend even better I was able to score a spot right in front of the hotel which isn't easy since it was a non-raining Saturday. This is definitely a "come back and eat" place the next time we're in Monterey.

    Photos
    Schooners Monterey
    Schooners Monterey
    Schooners Monterey - View from the restaurant.. Get here early and watch the sunrise.

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    View from the restaurant.. Get here early and watch the sunrise.

    Paluca Trattoria - italian - Updated May 2026

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