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Schooners Monterey

4.0 (2.1k reviews)
Open • 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Schooners Monterey Photos

SCHOONERS MONTEREY ATMOSPHERE

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

Recommended Reviews - Schooners Monterey

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Reviews With Photos

Cake
Sriharsha A.

Came here on a Saturday night for a date because we wanted a nice seafood dinner with an ocean view. We made a reservation the day before and got a table outside on the pier right by the water during sunset. We started with the half dozen oysters and the coastal clam chowder bread bowl. The oysters were some of the freshest I've had and tasted really clean. The clam chowder was New England style without bacon, which I liked, and it was buttery with plenty of clams. The bread bowl had a nice crunch and paired really well with the soup. I got the grilled chicken piccata for my main. The chicken was too dry, but the piccata sauce was really good. It came with mashed potatoes and vegetables, and both were flavorful and cooked well. I also got the China Cove Mai Tai. It was nice and strong. For dessert we got a chocolate cake with ice cream. The cake itself tasted good, but the ice cream was flat, not very flavorful, and too crumbly. The view from the pier during sunset was hard to beat, and the staff was really kind, took pictures for us, and let us stay well past closing without making us feel rushed.

Monterey Seafood Omelet
Cindy C.

This was my second time coming here, and it definitely reminded me why I wanted to come back. We made a reservation for 10:30am and were seated immediately, which was a great start to the morning. The waterfront views are absolutely beautiful and make for such a relaxing breakfast. I did expect it to be a little breezy being right by the water, but it actually got pretty warm while we were sitting outside. Thankfully, the staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure we were taken care of throughout our meal. We ordered both The Plaza Omelet and the Monterey Seafood Omelet, and I would happily order either one again. The Plaza Omelet was packed It was full of flavor, perfectly cooked, and really brought everything together. The Monterey Seafood Omelet was just as good it was rich without being too heavy, and the seafood tasted fresh. Both omelets came with crispy breakfast potatoes that paired perfectly with the meal. Between the delicious food, quick service, and spectacular waterfront views, this is easily one of my favorite breakfast spots in Monterey, and I'd definitely recommend giving it a try!

Christian E.

This place has gorgeous views and is the perfect spot to enjoy a drink on a beautiful day! The cocktails took quite a while to come out, but they were tasty once they arrived. The bread we got was also very good. We didn't have a meal since we were just stopping in for cocktails before dinner, so I can't comment on the food. The only major downside was the scent inside the hotel. It was extremely strong and overly floral, and unfortunately it gave me a headache. If you're sensitive to fragrances, it's something to be aware of.

Brandon Y.

Came down to Monterey on a weekend with the family and saw that Schooner's had pretty good reviews for lunch, so we made a reservation for an earlier lunch. I didn't know that Schooner's was in the Monterey Plaza Hotel, so I did have to ask some directions as to how to get downstairs to the restaurant. Arriving a bit early, we did have to wait until our reservation time to order lunch instead of breakfast, but the hotel was quite nice, and we were able to sit on a bench overlooking Monterey Bay. When we were seated, we opted outside to get a nice view, and they do have heating lamps (that were even a little bit too warm) so don't worry about the breeze. I ended up getting the fish and chips, my wife got cioppino, and the little one got some buttered pasta off the kids menu. The fish and chips was amazing...so fluffy and flaky but also had a nice crisp on the outside - probably some of the best fish n chips that I've had! Our little one also enjoyed the pasta, which was basically spaghetti noodles with butter, and we were appreciative that she was given some crayons to entertain herself. Service was excellent as well. Overall, it was a rather fancy, but very nice lunch for the three of us, and I enjoyed being a little bit away from the busy wharf/Cannery Row to enjoy ourselves before the crowded aquarium. Highly recommend!

John H.

Schooners Monterey was a wonderful experience for us! We came here last month to celebrate and decided to try the restaurant in the hotel we were staying at. First off, service was amazing here. We felt VERY well- taken care of. Staff was polite and very attentive. Ambiance was beautiful. We got the lucky seat at the back. A seagull joined us lol. We could see the ocean and the beautiful site as you can see in the photos. We ordered a bunch of food. The veggie omelette, breakfast burrito and pancake was delicious. The food quality was high from what I remember. We do plan on returning since the experience here was that memorable!

Menu
Cynthia P.

We made a reservation for this restaurant for my boyfriend's birthday lunch. This is located inside of the Monterey hotel and plaza. Service was great. We asked for an ocean view table and were happy that they had one available. We ordered raw oysters, focaccia, ceviche, and Monterey cioppino pot. I wish the menu stated that there was cheese on the focaccia since I don't eat cheese. Oysters were fresh. Our favorite was definitely the Monterey cioppino pot. It was incredibly flavorful and a good amount of seafood. Our least favorite was the ceviche. The sauce/juice just didn't match our tastebuds. The chips that came with it were delicious though! Overall, it was a pleasant experience. I would come back!

Spicy Margarita
Jennifer W.

Went there today while waiting for my room to be ready. Had a tasty spicy margarita and an amazing panzanella salad with peaches, plums, cucumbers and tomatoes. Sat on the patio with a beautiful ocean view. Service was excellent too.

Julia C.

Schooners never disappoints!, we came here again after having an incredible experience our last time. We got a bit early before our reservation, and we sat at the bar for a couple drinks before dinner. There was plenty of room and bartenders were super attentive. After relaxing for a bit, we joined the dining room for our reservation. We got a beautiful spot right on the water. Our waiter Hannah promptly came to check on us and get a drink order started. My partner continued to have some very cold coors light like which he appreciated. I switched it up from Prosecco to having a Hugo spritz, which felt very refreshing. We started with truffle fries and a Caesar salad. My partner rated the Caesar salad and the fries assault eight out of 10 on both both very flavorful dressing was fantastic on the salad lettuce was very cold. Good sign of freshness. Moving onto our entrées he had the seafood pasta and I had the cioppino pot. Both very hearty in their portions. I was shown in Photos that cioppino pot I had was overflowing with different proteins from rock fresh to shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab. It was extremely flavorful, definitely one of the best cioppino I've had. My partner thought his seafood pasta was cooked perfectly also had plenty of protein to satisfy him. Only room for improvement was that it seemed our server got pretty busy with some other tables getting all set at once. Along with the fact that they had forgotten to bring me a spoon for my soup and it took a minute to wave someone down. And an honorable mention was us being able to see in otter finishing his own dinner while we were having ours very cute super fun evening for us.

The Schooner Tower and Harvest Salad
Jenny J.

First of all, Schooners is located inside the Monterey Plaza Hotel (I didn't know so I struggled to find it lol). We were able to find street parking easily but there is also a public parking lot nearby. As for the restaurant, the ambiance is amazing; it's right next to the water so the view is great! Try to sit outside if you can, but the inside is not bad either if you're by the window! Service was great, everyone was nice! For food we ordered the Schooners Tower, Dungeness Crab Pasta, Monterey Cioppino Pot, and the kids chicken tenders and fries. Honestly the food wasn't amazing/just okay, but this is the type of place you come for the atmosphere and views to take photos lol. Overall I would return again just for the vibes.

Seafood tostadas
Rei R.

Food review for just clam chowder, it was great, seasoned well, lots of clams, good texture, not too thin or thick. Although I've never had bell peppers in my chowder, I didn't taste it. One of the best clam chowders I've had. Seafood tostadas was bigger than expected, tostada was crispy, I have a salty palette so it was a little bland for me.

Albert M.

This is what you expect when you come to the coast. A restaurant overlooking the ocean with waves and sea breeze. The wait staff were very attentive and 4 people checked on us. We came for breakfast. The Dungeness crab egg Benedict had soft runny eggs, a generous amount of crab meet, over a delicious corn bread. Very well done. My kid's seafood omelet were very good too. I will come back to dinner one day.

Amrita C.

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!

Amazing Plaza Breakfast Burrito
Michael K.

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.

Seafood tower

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Schooners Monterey Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Schooners Monterey

What is the dress code and is it kid friendly?

It is casual, although we saw some people more dressed others were in shorts. Kids are welcome as well.

Are dogs allowed?

No. Nor should they be. Allowing animals in food service establishments violates more than a few public and environmental health laws. Animal owners need to educate themselves; realize dragging your animals wherever you go will severely limit… 

Do you have any tvs and if so how many?

Schooners has one small tv.

Is this restaurant wheel chair accessible?

There is an elevator which would accommodate a wheel chair.

Is this restaurant child friendly? Is there a children's menu?

Yes

What are the chances they would let an adult order chicken strips? Asking for a friend...

well, for sit down or take out? if take how, how will they know you do or dont have a child? if sit down, I would give it a shot....if they look at you funny, order wine or a drink so the server at least gets something out of it

Does this place have vegan gluten free option?

Their menu is available online.

Is there indoor dining?

Very limited but can request when booking on open table. First come first serve basis even with a reservation.

Do we have to make reservations on a Saturday dinner time? Or do they take walk ins?

They are taking walk ins, but I waited about an hour. I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance

Are dogs allowed for outdoor dining?

When a service dog is marked as such, no further info is required. Unfortunately, tourists think that their pets are emotional service dogs (not covered by ADA) & verbally abuse staff. It is unfortunate, for staff & people with service dogs because… 

There is any happy hour oyster?

We have reservations for a birthday dinner there. Wondering if we are able to bring our own birthday cake to have served at the table during dessert?

Call them.

Are dogs allowed in the outside patio?

Service animals only

Does this place offer vegan gluten free options aside from the impossible burger (vegan)?

Is there a dress code or can a guy get by with shorts and a polo?

Totally! It's Cali!

Do I need to make reservations for Saturday night dinner?

Yes, I would think so.

Is there a corkage fee?

$20 or $25

Can someone tell me what kind of almonds they have at the bar? I need to buy them by the bagful.

The almonds we use are from Steward and Jaspers. And they are available through the Steward and Jasper store located off the main entrance to the hotel as well as from street side. Just let them know you want the ones from Schooners and they… 

What is the corkage fee?

Corkage fee for Schooners is $25. Limited to two bottles per party. Thank you for your inquiry!

Is restaurant pet friendly?

No. It’s indoors to get to the patio.

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Vivolo's Chowder House

Vivolo's Chowder House

4.0
(2.4k reviews)
0.5 mi
•$$

still my favorite clam chowder spot! got the same as last time and a 1/2 order of the garlic bread…read more Service was friendly and the staff were nice. one comment, I think they could benefit from a second restroom b/c I waited a good 15-20 minutes till I got inside and who knows how long it was occupied before I got there.

When in a small coastal town, clam chowder is a must…read more Vivolo's popped up on the Yelp app and we headed straight there. The vibe in here is cozy and the the staff was super helpful when it came to ordering. My wife and each ordered a cup of clam chowder, fried calamari for the table and I ordered the Cajun salad and with chicken. Real talk, the salad was better than the chowder, but that doesn't mean the chowder was bad, the salad just had more flavor. The chowder needed needed some salt and a touch of heat. I added hot sauce and that did help with the flavor. My wife felt the same way about the chowder, it was a little bland. The calamari was delicious, my kids absolutely loved it. The salad is basically a huge chef salad is loaded with flavor bombs like peppercinis, spicy chicken, greens, avocado, blue cheese, bacon, hard boiled eggs, and garlic bread. I swapped out the blue cheese for feta and it was sooo good! They also have a great selection of wines and local beers. Kind of bummer their chowder was a little mid, but I'd come back just for that salad.

Photos
Vivolo's Chowder House
Garlic and cheese bread
Garlic and cheese bread
If it's called a chowder house, they should have much better clam chowder!

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If it's called a chowder house, they should have much better clam chowder!
Lalla Grill Oceanside

Lalla Grill Oceanside

3.6
(1.3k reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

Lala Grill in Monterey is the place to be if you want to turn a meal into a memorable fiesta! We…read morerolled in with a crew of 25 hungry folks, and let me tell you, we made quite the entrance. I wish I'd taken more pictures, but I was too busy trying to keep my eyes off the delicious food that was about to land on our table. Now, let's talk about the wait for our food--it felt like watching paint dry, but in the best way possible. Seriously, our stomachs were growling louder than a rock concert! But if the long wait had a soundtrack, it was the sound of our group "Dugging" (yes, you read that right!). Everyone was so excited that we could have been mistaken for a bunch of starving lions ready to pounce on a buffet. And when the food finally arrived? Oh boy, it was like the heavens opened up and dropped down a feast fit for royalty! High-fives all around! The flavors were so good, I almost forgot my name. The cioppino Flawless. The steak A masterpiece. I think I even saw some of my friends weeping tears of joy between bites. In conclusion, if you're in Monterey and want to experience a meal that will leave your taste buds dancing, head over to Lala Grill. Just be prepared to wait a bit--because good things come to those who wait, and trust me, this is worth every second. Bravo, Lala Grill! You've earned yourself a standing ovation!

Breathtaking ocean view while dining, we went there on July 14 around 6 pm, friendly staff at the…read moredoor. The problem stared with the male server with a long face, he has an attitude. Asked him the origin of their raw oysters, he answered impatiently that they came from California. The blackened Sandabs and salmon tasted good, but not the mash potatoes which taste like bleach, or the yellowish rotten looking asparagus. Won't go there again

Photos
Lalla Grill Oceanside
Lalla Grill Oceanside
Lalla Grill Oceanside

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Chart House

Chart House

3.8
(1.9k reviews)
0.0 mi
•$$$

Whenever I am by the ocean at a fancy restaurant, I'll order fish because I typically don't eat it…read moreand want to but can't stand the fishy taste! I ordered the mac nut halibut and wow it was amazing; it was flakey, cooked perfectly and not at all fishy! He ordered the swordfish and he said it was delicious! We started with the meatballs and they weren't as remarkable as our entrees. The lava cake is over rated. I mean it was edible but it was dense without any lava! Always had light, fluffy lava cakes in other places. View: amazing! Service: excellent

I rarely leave negative reviews, but after dining at Chart House in Monterey on Sunday, I felt…read morecompelled to share our experience. When we arrived, I asked our waiter about the calamari. He recommended it and said it was one of their popular appetizers. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the worst calamari dishes I've ever had. The plate was filled with fried batter crumbs, soggy strips of vegetables, and a few fried carrot pieces, with very little actual calamari. What calamari was there was extremely chewy--so much so that my daughter actually choked on a piece. It also wasn't properly coated. It looked like everything had simply been dumped into one large bowl of batter, causing all the pieces to stick together before being thrown into the fryer. I've worked in the seafood industry for over 20 years, and this was honestly some of the worst calamari I've ever been served. The prime rib sandwich was equally disappointing. It resembled thin-sliced deli roast beef rather than freshly carved prime rib. The bread tasted stale even after being toasted, the onions were burnt, and the fries were golden brown but soggy, almost as if they had been refried. The fish tacos were another letdown. My wife only managed to eat one. The fish appeared to be a low-quality, sustainable white fish that looked and tasted like tilapia. For a restaurant sitting on the Pacific Ocean, I expected fresh local seafood--not something that tasted frozen and generic. The seasoning was little more than paprika and coarse black pepper, while the salsa consisted of chopped tomatoes and onions with almost no flavor. The cabbage garnish also tasted old and wilted. The avocado toast initially looked promising, but even that was disappointing because the thin multigrain bread tasted stale before it was toasted. What surprised me just as much as the food was the service. Throughout our meal, no one stopped by to ask how everything was or whether we were enjoying our food. I understand restaurants can be short-staffed, and our waiter was also tending the bar, but checking on guests is a basic part of dining service. When he finally returned, it wasn't to ask about our meal--it was to hand us the bill and tell us about the rewards program. I then had to track him down at the bar just to pay. The building itself is beautiful, and the waterfront location is hard to beat. Unfortunately, the food simply doesn't match the setting. From the seafood to the meat, nearly everything we ordered was below expectations. In my opinion, this restaurant survives largely because of its location and the steady stream of tourists. There are much better places to eat in Monterey. I left extremely disappointed and will be sharing my experience on other review platforms as well.

Photos
Herb Roasted Prime Rib
Herb Roasted Prime Rib
Butterfly Effect- Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Combier Orange Liqueur, butterfly pea flower brew
Butterfly Effect- Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Combier Orange Liqueur, butterfly pea flower brew
Shrimp, Crab, Avocado & Mango Stack

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Shrimp, Crab, Avocado & Mango Stack

Schooners Monterey - seafood - Updated July 2026

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