We started with the Clam Chowder bread bowl, Brussel Sprouts appetizer, and the Dungeness Crab Dip. 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. read more

I don't know if people still say bomb.com but it's def warranted here. 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. read more

I had a mediocre breakfast experience. Although the service from our waitress was satisfactory, I was disappointed with the seating arrangements. I specifically requested a table outside with a waterfront view, but was informed that none were available. After offering to wait, I was told that the lunch service was about to commence, and I acquiesced. Shortly thereafter, the host presented me with an indoor table, claiming that I would still have a view of the ocean through the window. Unfortunately, the view was obstructed by other diners, and I could barely see the ocean. As tables became available, I requested to be seated at one of them, but was denied due to the "lunch service". It was perplexing to see other patrons being seated at those same tables. Given the subpar experience, I opted not to leave a gratuity and because they do not accept cash. read more

I treated myself to dinner here to carb load before the Big Sur marathon and omg, it was everything and more. Service was amazing. I was seated quickly indoors with an ocean view. Waiter came by promptly with a menu and water. I got a drink to treat myself and ordered the gnocchi and burrata. Then treated myself to their cheesecake with coffee and it was just superb. I would absolutely recommend this place for a fancy fine dining experience. read more

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Food was fantastic here for your buck! Staff was a little slow. You get a nice Oceanside view while dinning. read more

Schooners Monterey - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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I love Schooners for lunch/dinner, but got a chance to try out their breakfast. The view and breeze were spectacular as always, a great way to wake up! I ordered an iced vanilla latte (comes from Tidal coffee), breakfast burrito, and a pancake. The breakfast burrito was the star - slightly smoky, balanced, creamy, and the stacking of the components was perfection - and I don't even like burritos. The pancake was good due to the berry compote served on the side. The pancake itself was a little flat and tough. The latte was decent, the vanilla syrup was a little odd and artificial tasting. But overall, a lovely spot for breakfast/brunch! read more

Schooners Monterey - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

They have an amazing breakfast burrito here! The blackened sea bass tacos, wagyu beef burger, and focaccia with olive oil were all delicious. What ruined the experience a bit was the rude hostess. We had a reservation and wanted to be seated under some of the umbrellas since it was super hot, but she kept saying other people reserved those tables and was generally dismissive. Everyone else was very kind and service was otherwise great. read more

Schooners Monterey - Amazing Plaza Breakfast Burrito - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

If you're able to brave the breeze the outdoor dining is a must do! Great food all around. I didn't order it but a lot of the table got the lobster baked potato which looked and smelled amazing! The cioppino was very good but was a huge portion so id almost recommend sharing it! No complaints and will def visit again. read more

Schooners Monterey - Outside patio views! - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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SEA FOOD - with a view! If you're looking for extremely fresh seafood with a beautiful view of the ocean, I highly recommend making a reservation at Schooners! This spot is tucked at the end of Cannery Row in a hotel, making it easy to access from Monterey Bay Aquarium and not too busy. We opted to sit on the outside patio, which is well covered and very clean, protecting the tables from sunlight and sea birds. We ordered the seafood tower, which comes with fresh oysters, snow crab claws, jumbo prawns, and ceviche and chips, and was a very good price for the value and quantity of the seafood. We also ordered the clam chowder bread bowl and seafood cioppino, which was my favorite and generously loaded with shrimp, fish, mussels, clams, scallops, octopus, Dungeness crab meat, and delicious garlic bread. read more

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Stayed at the Plaza Monterey this past weekend and ate at Schooners twice (breakfast and lunch). Roxy was our server both times by chance. She was super nice, kept checking on us and helped us celebrate a birthday. Restaurant is right on the water, very clean and staff is very professional and nice. Their clam chowder (not pictured) was definitely my favorite but the eggs Benedict was at the top! read more

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I'd rate this as 3.5-4 stars. I was a guest at the hotel for a conference and had dinner here on two occasions. The view from the patio dining here is exceptional! But... The night I checked in was a little disappointing since there wasn't anyone at the host stand to assist. A couple servers passed by, made eye contact, and didn't greet me or indicate that someone would be out. I went ahead and opened the main door and still wasn't greeted as 3 servers spoke to each other on my right. Typically I'd walk out, but it was convenient so I headed to the bar. The bar staff was much more welcoming and friendly, and I ordered their poke bowl. I wish I took a photo since I really enjoyed this! A couple nights later I had dinner in the restaurant area, and service was much better. Staff seemed really attentive and helpful! I ordered a cup of clam chowder and the tostada with poke per my servers suggestion. The clam chowder was delicious - creamy and filled with whole clams! The tostada wasn't that great, and I don't have much to say about it. I also had the cheesecake for dessert, which I also didn't care for. read more

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Decent breakfast spot with great waitstaff! We dined here to use up our hotel credit and it covered basically two breakfasts each for the two of us. I requested the crab benedict the first day and the avocado toast the second. The benedict was a little disappointing and tasted liked canned crab instead of fresh. It was a hefty portion though and I liked the cornbread muffin in lieu of an english muffin. The avocado toast was much more flavorful and I added on the poached eggs (2 for $6). The pickled onions packed a punch and the tiny bottles of tabasco added the right amount of heat. I was interested in the juices but was told that it was not freshly squeezed, so decided against it. On a nice day, the patio outdoor seating is lovely! I saw sea otters in the waters as well. read more

Schooners Monterey - Dungeness Crab Benedict - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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A beautiful setting for breakfast, relaxation, and peace. The sound of waves and animals is calming and pleasant. Not to mention our seafood omelet was pleasantly stuffed with big pieces of crab! Most restaurants we've been to, skimp on this and have more fillers, which is always disappointing. Great friendly service too from the servers, to hostess and valet. read more

Schooners Monterey - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Good food, good service. Came on a weekend that had great weather but was unable to get a seat on the patio without waiting. We opted for the bar. Interior is fairly small in comparison to how much seating is offered outside with the bar having about 6 seats. Service was quick. Ordered the plaza lifestyle to drink. It was fine but the non alcoholic selection looked a lot better. To eat I got the clam chowder bread bowl, my friend got the dungeness crab pasta and we shared the garlic fries. The fries were hot and delicious. As for the clam chowder it was alright, little under seasoned. And the staff seemed really confused when I asked for butter for my bread bowl. The pasta was a little oily and had some additional ingredients we were unsure of that weren't listed on the menu. Overall it was good, great view and open dining room with fast service. read more

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We went to Schooners for a Saturday brunch. Getting a reservation for 4 was easy - I requested a table with a view and this place did not disappoint! We got a table with a stunning ocean view. Our server was very friendly and attentive and service was fast. We had the coffee cake, schooners omelet, Dungeness crab Benedict, tidal croissant egg sandwich and the Monterey seafood omelet. All dishes were tasty and we ended up ordering the coffee cake 2 more times There was a small problem with one of our dishes, and when we informed the staff they were very gracious and comped a coffee cake and garlic fries for us. Overall it was a very pleasant experience and we look forward to visiting again. read more

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My husband got a short rib harsh, and it had generous serving of meat, which was super tender. He ordered it with poached eggs, and everything was a perfection. I got a Dungeness crab benedict but my order got mixed up twice but our server Oscar made it all right, so kudos to him. we came here on Tuesday morning, so it was not very crowded; nice relaxing atmosphere. read more

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We tried this place when we first arrived for dinner and it was one of our favorites. Great patio and views even while sitting inside. I'm not a huge fish lover but the scallop dish was amazing that I wish I could be back and order it again. Nick our server was awesome and made it be one our top nights on our whole trip. read more

Schooners Monterey - Hokkaido Scallops and Short Rib Bolognese - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Came here for the view, and honestly, that's what carries this place. We sat right by the water and it's hard to beat that setting. Ocean, breeze, sunset creeping in. Easily a 10/10 on atmosphere alone. It's the kind of spot you'd bring someone when you want the moment to feel a little special. Food, though, didn't quite match the setting. We ordered a mix of dishes including the seafood platter, pasta, and a salad. Presentation was solid, but flavor felt a bit flat across the board. The seafood was fresh enough, but nothing stood out. Pasta leaned oily and heavy, and the salad felt like something you'd expect from a much more casual place. Overall, around a 6/10. Service was decent. Staff were polite and checked in, but it didn't feel particularly attentive or memorable. No major issues, just nothing that elevated the experience either. Around a 7/10. The biggest miss was cleanliness. We found dead flies in our water, which immediately takes you out of the experience. For a place at this price point and location, that's something that simply shouldn't happen. End of the day, this is a place you go for the view, not the food. Great for a drink, maybe an appetizer, and enjoying the ocean. Just keep expectations realistic if you're coming for a full dining experience. read more

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Located at the Monterey plaza hotel. Large menu to try. We were really excited and over ordered. We ordered : Crab dip - 10/10 came with garlic bread. Really good with large chunks of crab. Clam chowder - 10/10. Really tasty, and creamy. Cioppino - 9/10. Packed with seafood and a large garlic bread Seafood salad - 9/10. My husband enjoyed this Chicken strips and fries - for my toddler. He liked the fries a lot. They have high chairs for children and also coloring paper and pencils. The food was amazing and portions were generous. We were honestly full after the crab dip and clam chowder. The menu has so many good items. read more

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Came for lunch today. Fantastic experience. I brought a friend who'd never been here before and she loved it. She said she's going to make her husband bring her back for her birthday. Yay. We had delicious alcohol free drinks that were so fancy and flavorful. Then we both had the Baja bowl followed by sorbeto for dessert. A true splurge. Our servers were so kind and accommodating. A lovely experience. read more

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It's amazing the power of local public television shows. Having planed a trip to the area a few months in advance, I happened to catch an episode featuring restaurant in this area and saw a familiar face. After watching it and seeing a familiar face, I knew a visit here would happen. Having a wonderful dinner the night before, I made reservations earlier to have lunch on a Saturday here with friends who joined me for the rest of my trip. We were greeted by Jesse who also greeted me at Coastal Kitchen the previous evening next door. We were seated in the outdoor patio area with a full view of the bay on an overcast early afternoon. When we sat down to study the menu, one guest mentioned wanting to order the everything but we exercised restraint. Despite the weather being on the cool side, I ordered an iced tea (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=264&select=CUz_XLUX7BIUAblvJa4o1Q) which was fruity and great in quenching my thirst. A few minutes later, the food came, all shared : 1. Schooner seafood tower (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=PbaEpTWN1sRBphz5E9rojg) came to our table, Sea west coast oysters, poached shrimp, chilled crab claws, mussels, local ceviche; this was visually and tastefully impressive with its variety of fresh seafood. The ceviche was especially addictively good and the mignonette for the oysters were spot on. 2. Classic Caesar salad (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=XspeJgks2HJr3nonxDfrIQ), romaine , caesar dressing, parmesan anchovies, garlic crouton; the lettuce was crisp and nicely dressed, topped with generous anchovy slices. A couple of my companions complimented the quality of the anchovies (fresh and flavorful). 3. Crispy Brussels sprouts (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=fZuk1zn5UCBGUnhpyzOmtQ), candied pecans, blueberries, balsamic glaze. A nice side to offset all the other guilty foods we shared. 4. Dungeness crab pasta (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=uB4ImtgOMJ44wxrlR317CA), fettucine, spinach, lemon basil pesto. I didn't have much of this as I was already full when I finally tried this. 5. Monterey cioppino pot (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=QW-mMx8CW5Z396FssiiGgw), Shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, seasonal fish, saffron, dungeness crab broth, baguette. This was the star of the show (besides the seafood tower). The freshness of all of the seafood and the intensity of the broth flavors made this perfect for dipping with the provided bread. Yes, there were actual crab meat pieces in the broth so don't be fooled in thinking that you were only getting the essence. 6. Dungeness crab BLT (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=YHGJndPXykdcU1gqUNv3VA), toasted brioche, tomato aioli, nueske's bacon, butter lettuce, seasoned fries. Like the pasta, I ate a small portion and enjoyed this. The crab is presented in a salad like mixture with celery and, I believe, pimentos that meshed well with the pickled onions and tomato slice. 7. BBQ pulled pork sandwich (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=lPMfzHX4uEjPe4VU5ZenQw), slow roasted heritage pork shoulder, bbq chips, slaw, sweet tangy bbq sauce, seasoned fries; I was stuffed so I only munched on the fries. 8. Strawberry yuzu sorbet (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=lv6gYmTqSWLR-y7dov5YHA); being homemade, this was the perfect ending, refreshing and light, after a heavy meal. Thinking it might be better inside, I was very happy to dine outside as the heat lamps were sufficient to make it comfortable. With the view and the ability to watch as the weather changed while we ate was an experience. Big thanks to all of the staff, from our greeter Jesse to the bus staff and Masha G. (excuse me if misspelled as I pulled this from our receipt) who took our order and helped us throughout our meal. And, of course, bit thanks to Chef Michael for providing us a wonderful meet with an unexpected treat to start. Highly recommend coming here to get a true taste of Monterey, ambiance, the view, and the food. read more

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Before anything else is said, it must be noted: get the Warm Dungeness crab dip. Among all of the great dishes my partner and I sampled this was the standout -- warm, cheesy, garlic-y, and chockfull of a respectable amount of crab meat scooped onto soft, buttery bread -- I would come back to Schooners for this dish alone. Schooners is a cute, waterside restaurant partially hidden inside of a Cannery Row hotel that comes adjourned with heated patio seating and crashing Ocean waves. Nothing we tried was disappointing, whether you're looking for pasta, pork ribs, or ceviche, there is a dish, and a strong drink, for anyone in your party. We had mentioned in our reservation that we were celebrating a 7 year anniversary and the staff was very hospitable, friendly, and even brought out a little brownie dessert on the house. It was a great meal made even better by the care given to the service and presentation of the fantastic food. read more

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Food and the views! Just wow! We got there around 9am on a Friday morning, no wait. We chose to sit outside on the patio closest to the end so we could have some nice views of the bay. It was such a beautiful day too, no clouds in the sky. I had a sweet tooth that morning so I ordered the Belgian waffle with a side of eggs and bacon. You get 4 big slices of bacon and I honestly wanted to eat them all. Great quality bacon! The waffle paired well with the strawberries and cream. I'm a big coffee connoisseur and the coffee served there is also rich and so satisfying I had to ask what they were brewing. Our server was pretty busy but checked on us when he could. Very polite gentleman. read more

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Beautiful view, great service and good food! Salmon was perfectly cooked and had a great sauce. The mussels were spectacular! Monica was very kind and accommodating. read more

Schooners Monterey - Pacific Salmon, no mashed potatoes - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Made reservations for an early dinner at 545p on a weeknight. Got pretty busy after 6p and they are severely understaffed with one waitress covering the whole patio. So service was slow and we didn't finish dinner until after 7! They do a great job of heating the outdoor dining though so you can enjoy the awesome ocean views! Food wise was pretty mediocre for the price. Oysters 3.5/5 These were just ok oysters. Nothing to write home about and the mignonette was just ok. Also had shells in some. Ceviche 3/5 Had bell peppers in it. Made the flavor off and def would've been tastier with lime. Also needed more salt. Cesar salad 3.5/5 Salad was okay as well. Needed more anchovy flavor in the dressing and just no seasoned enough. Grilled octopus 2/5 The octopus was not cooked well leaving it chewy and mealy. The cream sauce clashed with the red sauce. Would not get again. Scallop entree 4/5 Tastiest thing we ate, cooked well and seasoned well. Short rib entree 3.5/5 Short rib was super tender but needed more salt. Bell peppers again were added to this dish and really really clashed with the flavors. Mashed potatoes were nice and buttery. Overall can't put a price on the convenience if you are staying at the hotel but otherwise I'd go explore elsewhere for food. read more

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Treat yourself to the place! I recommend the seafood tostada. If your jonesing for sweets: the gluten free brownie sundae is only gluten free for all the good reasons: it's pure fudge. Topped with vanilla gelato, and swirls of toppings and nuts. You won't regret it. I also love their jasmine tea. read more

Schooners Monterey - Fabulous view - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

We stayed at Monterey Plaza Hotel and decided to have a bite at Schooners while our room was being prepared. It turned out to be a fantastic choice. First impressions:The outdoor dining area was perfect on a beautiful day. We were greeted at the hostess station by friendly staff, and their warmth continued from seating to the bill. Service:From start to finish, the kindness and attentiveness were outstanding. Throughout our stay (and during multiple visits), the service has consistently been excellent. Food:The food was excellent and well-prepared and flavorful. Setting:The scenery and atmosphere were equally impressive, making the overall experience really enjoyable. Overall:You can't go wrong dining here, whether you're a hotel guest or just visiting. The combination of top-notch food and stunning scenery makes Schooners a standout. If you're in Monterey and looking for a dependable, pleasant dining experience with great views, this is a solid pick. read more

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Been staying at Monterey Plaza for 10 years (annually) and we never ate here until now and it was good but nothing extra ordinary. Service was not very good.. sadly, our server left us for quite sometime and didn't check back :( On the plus side, the views are beautiful and the food is good, but yes pricey. Also they are cashless Thai Mussels 10/10 Seafood Pasta 9/10 Ribeye Steak 7/10 Brussel sprouts 7/10 *needed more sauce and didn't like the blueberries mixed in Kids Hamburger 10/10 Kids Calm Chowder 8/10 Kids Grilled Cheese 6/10 *cheese hardly melted read more

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Fantastic location- enjoy the sound of the waves, watch sea lions frolicking and the sea gulls fly over as you eat. Food is great. They accommodate your preferences. I am vegetarian and do not drink alcohol, but they made me virgin drinks and good vegetarian dish. Service is awesome! Our waiter Aurelio was very very pleasant, patient and surprised me with a birthday cake! read more

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This place was absolutely amazing! It was a chance stop just because it happened to be on the beach and we wanted to be as close to the water as possible. We went just before 5 PM so we beat the dinner rush and did not have to wait. The service was absolutely amazing and very quick. We had the shrimp tempura For an appetizer and it was absolutely amazing. So fresh, super hot and extremely filling. I had a bread bowl for dinner as well and can possibly have enough to say about it. I would rate it in the top of the clam chowder that I've ever had. It was absolutely fantastic to sit next to the water. They have outdoor fire heaters that made the temperature just right, even though it was close to the water and the wind. The view was fantastic and couldn't be better. We got to watch the sunset and into the night with the lights gleamed off the water. All in all 10 out of 10 experience and we will definitely be back! **side note! Make sure you elect to valet if you stop here... They will validate your parking when you leave so you don't pay for being on the street read more

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I stopped here for brunch, dinner, and ordered room service from here. The food is extremely fresh and would recommend anything in the menu. I tried their burger, seafood salad, and avocado toast. Their drinks are not bad but I would go for the food! Plus you can't beat the view of the ocean while you're enjoying your meal. read more

Schooners Monterey - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Came here for an early dinner with the family on 4th of July weekend!!! We dined in around 4 to beat the dinner rush and it was a good idea because it got busy! So there was positive things and negative things about our dine in experience here! Let's roll with the positives first! We are outside because it was a great view and it also had heaters to keep everyone warm! The view was awesome because who wouldn't enjoy a meal while looking at the Monterrey coast! Our waitress was really cool, she was friendly and professional! The food! We started off with try truffle fries which were awesome, good flavor and the fries were hot and Crispy! Only drawback, there was a hair in the fries!!!! Our waitress kindly took it back and ordered us another one. My wife ordered the Cioppino and I ordered the wagyu beef burger! My wife enjoyed the cioppino, good flavor with shrimp, crab, fish, clams, and mussels! Only drawback, they need to place garlic bread on the side and not in the cioppino.... It's better to have the bread on the side so the customer can dip when they want too, when the cioppino came, the bread was in the center of if so when you take it out, half of the bread was soggy. My wagyu beef burger was quite good! Good flavor, they cooked it medium which I requested! The fries were good as well! Only drawback, the burger was on the smaller side! Lastly, the biggest mood killer of the evening, the 2 hostess in the front of the restaurant that suppose to greet you and get you situated..... failure.... When you walk into this classy hotel, you expect Greer customer service.... When we approached schooners, you got 2 hostess, 1 standing and 1 sitting.... The one sitting was on her phone and the one standing.... No smile, no energy.... Terrible first impression.... Overall, food was pretty good despite the hair in the fries, customer service.... Hostess- failure, waitress was good..... Would we return, probably not... read more

Schooners Monterey - Truffle fries... good but we got a hair in ours - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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We had a great experience. Although a bit cold (it is right on the water) it was pleasant. Beautiful views and a cold breeze. Lots of outdoor seating with heat lamps and umbrellas. Staff was quick and friendly. The food was very good. Fish and chips were crispy and full of flavor. We ate every bit of that bread bowl. It was delicious. The Brussels sprouts were super crispy and nicely seasoned. Oysters were nice, cold and fresh. Overall a great experience. read more

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5/5 -Service was great! Our server was very attentive and accommodating. When my bourbon of choice wasn't on the bar menu, she inquired about the notes to see if they had a one similar. We were able to find one to my liking. I appreciated that. 4/5 -Ambiance- They offer indoor/outdoor options. We chose to be seated outdoors overlooking the water. Be mindful of outdoor patrons being a bit overzealous about viewing the sea lions, seals and birds. One guy kept bumping and reaching over our table attempting to take pictures and another lady was feeding the birds. I was, lowkey, hoping she'd get caught. 4/5 Food- The food was good. I had the braised short ribs with a side of Brussels sprouts with berries. My daughter had short rib pasta. She didn't like the Brussels sprouts but I did. Overall we enjoyed our meal. read more

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Food was okay. The crab pasta would have been much nicer with limes or something to refresh the palatte after since the crab could be heavy. The wakyu burger and the ceviche were decent. Service was good, our server was very friendly. Ambiance was okay. Will look forward to coming back :) read more

Schooners Monterey - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Located in the Monterey Plaza Hotel. If you enter through the main hotel entrance, continue straight down the stairs and go to the left through the hallway walking straight until you see the hostess station on the right. We came around 1:30pm on a Monday. Sitting outside offers a nice view of the bay. Beware of the flies; they can be pretty pesky. We ordered the Thai style mussels which were really fresh; clam chowder, very delicious; local anchovies on focaccia bread, not that impressive; crab BLT, in which the crab salad was light and not overpowering but the sandwich just okay. Plates are a little dusty and service can be a bit inconsistent. Pricing on bit of the higher end but a filling and satisfying meal overall. read more

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Third Time's the Charm at This Oceanfront Stunner After two failed attempts (no-reservation rejection, then getting turned away with our dog), we finally scored a Wednesday lunch seat for my parents and me during my wedding weekend. Sometimes the best meals require a little persistence. You're literally suspended over Monterey Bay watching sea otters play while you eat. The heated outdoor terrace with those panoramic water views? Chef's kiss perfection. As someone who cares deeply about responsible sourcing, I was drawn here specifically for their Seafood Watch compliance and local focus. The menu clearly shows where everything comes from - exactly what I want to see. The curry mussels were phenomenal - that coconut milk and ginger broth had incredible depth and aromatics. Fish and chips made with local kelp? Brilliant execution and perfectly crispy. However, those local fresh anchovies I was most excited about fell completely flat - overly acidic with barely any anchovy flavor showing through. Oysters at $4 each felt steep, and while the coffee crème brûlée had great flavor, the soggy crust was disappointing for a dessert that should deliver that satisfying crack. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, but the hostess attitude toward non-hotel guests needs work. The "are you staying at the hotel?" question felt unnecessarily gatekeeping. Come for the views and sustainable seafood commitment, order the curry mussels, and don't let the hostess discourage you. This place delivers when it clicks.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

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Came in without a reservation and sat at the bar. Great service from our bartender. I can't remember his name but we found out he plays the violin. The wine and clam chowder hit the spot. Also had soft serve ice cream and it was really good. I'm a soft serve snob. Great views good banter good vibes. I'll go back next time I'm in town. read more

Meh. The view is fabulous and the food is mostly good. We come here most visits to Monterey as we love eating while staring out at the bay, they have online reservations, and they offer a kids menu. Tonight, my daughter and I ordered the kids hamburger with fries (and a pickle! Bonus!), a cup of clam chowder (meh), and the thai-inspired mussels in lime-coconut broth. I usually enjoy the mussels (my go-to here) but tonight the broth was bland, had way too much parsley (not cilantro), and 2 of my mussels were served unopened. I'm not sure how they missed the quality-control check, but I put them aside to be safe. One of the bussers/waitstaff (not my own) noticed and inquired and I shared that since they were unopened, I didn't feel them safe to eat and he concurred. Sadly, no mention of this was referenced by my own server nor was any compensation or replacement offered. I could have pushed it, but I was on vacation and didn't want to. There should have already been a system in place to automatically address this in any restaurant who serves this type of dish regularly. Alas, aside from that, the view was still wonderful, my beer was tasty (Alvarado Street Pilsner) and my server was friendly and prompt. read more

Schooners Monterey - Mussels - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

We stopped by Monterey and my friend really wanted Cioppino so we came for a snack. The patio was fully booked with reservations but we were able to get a table inside. I got clam chowder in a bread bowl and my friends got the cioppino and the harvest salad. You can't really mess up clam chowder in a bread bowl. Other than maybe the bread was a bit stale. My friend really enjoyed her cioppino. Prices were a bit high but that makes sense for the location. Service was solid. Would recommend for a nice meal if you're in Monterey. read more

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