Tidal Coffee

My husband and I's favorite place we ate at during our last Monterey trip…read more We wish we lived nearby to support by going weekly - so stop by for us and enjoy! The staff were incredibly kind and made it feel like we were eating at a friend's house. It was so welcoming and cozy. The food was also delicious - my first time trying dolmades and I haven't found a place that does it like they do since. Perfectly compact and delicious. Their raspberry tea was also just sooooo good. I was happy to take it to go and drink on my walk along the beach. Highly recommend. This is a perfect brunch spot - or a little dessert spot for some delicious baklava- it was so good that it was consumed in seconds. Also wanted to compliment their pristine restroom, which isn't a shock because their restaurant is also pristine. Thanks international cafe - can't wait for my next trip to Monterey!!

We are so glad we found this place during a late lunch !…read more Service was friendly and food was out quick. I felt that the ingredients used were fresh and good quality! Don't skip out if you need a quick and good lunch !

Hummus

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Studio Cafe

4.3(119 reviews)

0.3 mi

Decided to try this place for lunch since they recently expanded their food options. I had the Lox…read moreBagel accompanied by a white needle tea. The bagel was a toasted everything bagel topped with cream cheese, lox salmon, pickled red onions, green onion, and dill. It was crispy, creamy, and oh so tasty. It made for a perfect lighter lunch option. The white needle tea was refreshing and went well with the salmon. They have many specialized, high quality tea options. This cafe is part of Wave Street Studio, which is also a venue that hosts a variety of events. The outdoor seating space is very pleasant, surrounded by plants with background music playing, a bubbling fountain, and offering some games like chess or mini billiards. The employees are very professional accommodating. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

Waffle was nice and crispy, with lots of fruit. Made fresh to order! The gentleman who made my…read morewaffle I would have guessed was the manager/ owner, obviously seasoned knew peoples names..but Coffee was a let down but I don't think it was this places norm the worker told me if was his second day. So ‍ If I was a local I would go back and try again

Pour over Acme Coffee and loose leaf teas at Studios Cafe

Muffin strawberry

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ALTA Bakery & Cafe

4.2(997 reviews)

1.1 mi

Had a sausage roll that was so amazing that I had to leave my first review on yelp. Putting braised…read moreapple and caramelized onions in the sausage was a genius decision, whoever thought of this should get a raise! Will definitely be coming back and recommending to my friends!

My local friends shared suggestions on places to visit the next day as I only had a visit to…read moreFisherman's Wharf on the docket. This is one of the mentioned places. First of all, this is a historic bakery in a landmark building in downtown Monterey. As I approached, there was a short line on a Friday around 11 am. After a short wait, I reached the counter and scanned the pastry selection before picking several, asking the kind lady to pack them in two boxes and I brought a couple items back for a friend. After my purchase, I walked to the back area and noticed an outdoor dining area (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=ykERHL4g-pQklkgNQ0Vrsg) besides the counter area (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=-ieBhqZ5feBuptEl0S_sNw) and a small dining room inside (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=TD9doolFBh0oHc9lES_1eQ) (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=95x2W27l2Ab0PGph3FmdhQ). With meals scheduled for the rest of the day, I didn't start on anything until the next morning with the donut (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=0MJJ8kT57A1DTm3XZQFJXQ) for breakfast. It was interesting with the colorful topping; I did not ask the flavor but guessing it was raspberry. It was okay as I like my donuts a little less cakey. The next item that I tried was the blondie (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=XJNQw54ud1nxci3EZF5DXw); I really enjoyed this for dessert a few days later at home. It's been awhile so I really enjoyed this as there was plenty of chocolate pieces to contrast with the dough flavor. Next, I tried the carrot cake cookie (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=96&select=WYgw9_utf096q83PjynR8g) which I enjoyed as it wasn't overly rich. I was only okay with the almond financier (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=48&select=rC2OVgro1o-vIE2rVCNqtg) as the flavors sounded more interesting than they were. I enjoyed the chocolate buckwheat cookie (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=48&select=P6gb3w4hu0CRRQBOPc46jQ) which was very chocolatey. The line was about six deep when I arrived but it moved quickly. The order taker and cashier are efficient. There is coffee and other beverages available as well as meal items and wine and beer after 11 am (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=144&select=6Utt7H0U46KbXamwZoiwrQ). I will return and perhaps have lunch here on another visit. Nice to see more historic places especially for a bakery aptly named.

Sandwich station

Chocolate strudel

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Mixed berry strudel

Kafe Toribashi

4.5(54 reviews)

0.6 mi

Been here a couple times while roaming the wharf because we love the little outdoor balcony…read moreoverlooking the ocean! Such a calm and beautiful spot to relax for a little. The coffee is delicious. Our latest order was a lavender latte and it's got a great flavor. We haven't tried their pastries yet, but they have some available if you need a snack, as well as Marianne's ice cream. The inside of the cafe is nice too! There's plenty of tables to sit at and they have board games to play. Been here a couple times while roaming the wharf because we love the little outdoor balcony overlooking the ocean! Such a calm and beautiful spot to relax for a little. The coffee is delicious. Our latest order was a lavender latte and it's got a great flavor. We haven't tried their pastries yet, but they have some available if you need a snack, as well as Marianne's ice cream. The inside of the cafe is nice too! There's plenty of tables to sit at and they have board games to play.

The staff seemed super friendly and were able to get my drink out quick despite it being a busy…read moretime. The ambiance was quite interesting. You're hit with the smell of ramen the moment you walk in and it's a bit loud. I ordered to-go so I can't say much about the dine-in experience but it was nice that they had seating both inside and outside. I got the Mango Matcha Latte with soy milk which was great! The purée was sweet but not overly sweet and balanced out the matcha. I'm not a matcha snob so I can't tell you if it's high quality but I loved the color and it tasted rich. My only complaints are that the matcha was a bit bitter and this drink was $10. They charge $1 for soy or almond milk substitution so keep that in mind if you don't drink cow milk! Overall, I think it taste great but I feel like it should be around the $7-8 range instead of $10-11. This is definitely a touristy area so I was expecting higher prices.

Lovely place to stay

Ramen with a view at the patio

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Prepare your own ramen

Cafe Guarani

4.5(284 reviews)

0.6 mi

We love this place. Whenever we're in the area we try to stop by. The pastry is top tier and made…read morewith love. Highly recommend. The service is always with a smile. The vibe is cozy and welcoming and we were able to find parking right out front. If you're in the Monterey area, drive up the street and hit this place up. You won't regret it.

Caught a pre aquarium bite here beforehand and it was perfection…read more Delicious empanadas and easily THE freshest chimichirri in California. Lovely pastries and bonus - Yerba mate lattes!!

Front counter

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Secret garden in the back, so peaceful

Captain + Stoker

4.4(150 reviews)

1.3 mi

Picked up drip coffee with my wife on our way through town. Road tripping is the best when drinking…read morecoffee. This place is a fun shop, great drip and friendly staff. I picked up a "coffee" flag pin. It paired well this a hat purchased later on the road trip

We were in town for a street festival. We wanted to start the day with some coffees…read more This location is right on the main street. So there was a line. The barista s kept the line moving. Good thing I pre read the menu. When I got to the front, the barista said what do you want. Not the most polite greeting. But I truly understand that this was not a normal day. So I quickly explained what we wanted. The coffee was good. A nice smooth roast. Because of the crowds, I didn't get to look around. Is it just me, or has coffee really gotten expensive.

Interior

Barista making coffee with a seasonal menu

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Hot vanilla latte

Parker-Lusseau Pastries

4.6(740 reviews)

1.1 mi

HUGE fan of this place. their croissants are always so delicious, and their coffee is good too. so…read moremany tasty pastries and they're always fresh beautiful location but not very many seating options

My mom said that this bakery has the best almond croissants in Monterey. Sadly when we went there…read morearound 1pm in the afternoon, they were all sold out of almond croissants. I got a strawberry and rhubarb pastry that was good. They do have some nice outside seating, and I saw folks who looked to be enjoying the weather. They had a lot of staff people working the counter despite it being a small shop, so we were served very quickly. Probably if I had gotten this fabled almond croissant, it would have been five stars! I will have to return earlier in the day.

Mushroom & leek quiche

A box of baked goods

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Spinach quiche

Bookworks

4.3(485 reviews)

1.4 mi

Bookworks a perfect coffee shop mixed with an old-school bookstore…read more The bookstore opens at 9:30 and is accessible via the coffee shop or from the street. It had a lovely selection of books along with local artist artwork and postcards that you can purchase. The coffee at Bookworks was solid. I really enjoyed the cappuccino and the iced vanilla latte. The overall aesthetic of the coffee shop feels like a scene from "Friends", I was a fan of the deep and comfy leather couches.

A CAFE AND A BOOKSTORE, ALL IN ONE PLACE?!! I couldn't run fast enough! No, seriously... I was the…read moredorko running to the door. Haha. And then I tasted their banana cream latte (a special), and it was as dreamy as its name! Mm mm good! Walking around the bookstore while waiting for my order and then after my coffee break was a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Bookworks is a 'must visit' in Pacific Grove if you're in town. And if you live in the area, they have a large self seating area where you can easily stay to read, study or work.

Oatmeal cookie, pumpkin bread, macadamia nut latte, lavender honey latte

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Inside seating

Paris Bakery Cafe

3.9(1.1k reviews)

1.0 mi

I don't come here enough. This place is so delicious and the staff is phenomenal! Today I came in…read moreand ordered a bacon/egg croissant and a white mocha. I probably asked too many questions, but they were so sweet and kind and answered everything I asked with a smile. Unfortunately, the wrong customer had taken my drink, and they had to make me another one. I totally didn't mind waiting though. Thank you for being here and hiring excellent staff and always being so tasty. I need to come more often for sure! 10/10 recommend.

This used to be my favorite bakery in Monterey. Their almond croissant was amazing, and they were…read morethe only place around that made a simple ham and cheese sandwich that reminded me of the ones I had in Paris. Something has definitely changed. I don't know if it's new ownership or a change in management, but this visit was incredibly disappointing. I paid $14.95 for a ham and cheese sandwich that had just two slices of ham, two slices of cheese, and what tasted like day old bread. It was dry, underwhelming, and nowhere near the quality I remembered. It's disappointing to see a place I loved go downhill. I really hope they can get back to what made them so special. Very simple but high quality ingredients.

Elegant Pastries

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BLT

Troya

4.0(591 reviews)

0.2 mi

The employees were really kind and offered us a few samples of Turkish delight. They even shared a…read morecute little backstory about the scene in The Chronicles of Narnia where they eat it, which was a cute for the kids and they got to choose which flavor they wanted to try. The store itself is beautiful inside, with lots of unique things to look at and buy besides the candies and baklava. Overall, a cute little place to stop and check out, but definitely on the pricey side!

Wow!! Ok I was on a quick 24hr turn around road trip from…read moreOC up to Monterey, I needed coffee, I love sweets, I have never had Turkish anything. Omg the chocolate and other baked goods were delish!!!! I really felt like I was in Turkey, the decor, the music, the staff.... I think there were all family... once I entered they were so happy nice and willing to share the history behind the baked goods and coffee. One of the lady's there ( I think owner) over heard I ask my wife about coffee in Spanish and she corrected me, have some in-site and left me wondering.... Yes I had the tiny cup of coffee and it was worth it. Strong bitter tasteful, I could have had about 3 Thank you for the experience and knowledge and next time I'm in town I shall stop by and order more pastries!!!!

Back area where coffee is prepared and seating.

What we bought

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Traditional Turkish coffee

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6 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Jennifer G.

Elite 26

157

242

1 year ago

We absolutely loved this place! The vibe is calm, bright, and welcoming -- you can feel that beach-town charm the moment you walk in. The coffee was phenomenal -- smooth, rich, and clearly made with care. The staff were super friendly and made great recommendations, which made the experience even better. It's the kind of spot that makes you want to slow down, sip your drink, and enjoy the ocean breeze. Whether you're grabbing a latte before exploring or just hanging out for a while, Tidal Coffee is a must-visit. I'm already dreaming about going back! read more

Rosabell M.

115

1493

11085

1 year ago

This coffee shop is in such a perfect spot, it's right next to the Monterey Plaza Hotel. There's seating both inside and out, and the outdoor area is especially nice. If you walk just a bit around the corner, you get a beautiful view overlooking the ocean. The shop itself is clean, and the staff is always friendly and welcoming. I had the dirty chai, which was delicious, and my husband ordered a cappuccino that he really enjoyed. Overall, just a great little place to relax and enjoy a good cup of coffee. read more

Mike W.

9 years ago

Nestled neatly on the outskirts of the throne room of God. And the coffee is good, too. And the new upholstry... yes.

Stephen P.

155

3 years ago

Cold brew is bad. Would have preferred to go to the big coffee chain down the street instead instead.

Ian S.

4 years ago

Great place for coffee on any occasion. You can't go wrong with this place, simply amazing. Cheers!

Paul S.

8 years ago

Nitro coffee is incredible, the best in Monterey. Kim was fantastic.

Tidal Coffee - cafes - Updated October 2026

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Studio Cafe

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Super friendly lads behind the bar. We asked if we could see the art work on the other side of the…read morecafe and very kindly welcomed in. We then asked about the wonderful spicy aroma in the air, and were told that was the daily fresh brewed chai. So we ordered a two iced chai with oatmilk, I instantly loved the abundance of cardamon in my drink. My wife and I are going to try and stop by when ever we are in town. On our way out we also had the pleasure of meeting the owner and a regular who had been coming in since the opening of the East Village Cafe. If only we lived closer we'd become regulars too.

I was honestly pretty annoyed with this experience. I ordered a matcha with raspberry syrup, and…read morewhen I got it, my matcha was literally white. I asked the employee about it, and he told me it was because of the raspberry syrup, which honestly made absolutely no sense. I went back to the counter and asked if I could just get an iced coffee instead. Rather than making a new drink, he said he could add more matcha powder to the cup I already had. He did that, and somehow my matcha went from being white to gray. At that point, I was already pretty frustrated. I finally just asked for an iced coffee because I was over it. They handed me a completely black iced coffee. So I essentially paid $6 for them to pour coffee and water over ice. By that point, I was genuinely so irritated hearing the two coworkers make jokes about doing better next time etc that I just walked out. I completely understand that mistakes happen, but the entire situation was handled so poorly. I tried multiple times to resolve the issue, and somehow I still ended up with a drink I didn't want, after wasting both my time and my money. $6 might not seem like a lot, but paying for something you didn't order and then having the situation handled this poorly is incredibly frustrating. Definitely not the experience I expected, and unfortunately, not one I'd want to repeat.

Phoebe's Cafe

3.7

(35 reviews)

Alas, I thought I reviewed this last February 2025 after visiting, but I did not! This is a lovely…read morelittle cafe located in the Asilomar Conference Grounds. The staff is friendly. They serve drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. If you are staying on the grounds, you'll likely make at least one stop here daily. There is a nice view toward the Pacific Ocean as well, but to see it you'll have to get a bit closer to the shore. The staff was nice and helpful. Jovel was always a friendly presence. It's been a year since I stayed at Asilomar for a conference, but this was a welcoming cafe.

Short stroll from the beach, the shop has plenty of food and beverage options…read more Service is quick and friendly. Muffins and latte are excellent!

Kafe Toribashi

4.5

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Carmel Bakery at Portola Hotel

3.9

(39 reviews)

I come here at least once a weekend, or every other weekend. My 2 year old loves their croissants…read moreand their pretzels, the muffins are good and actually their shortbread cookie is amazing. I usually experience the same barista (baristo?) on weekend mornings, not sure of his name but he is incredibly friendly and really nails customer service. Today, I had an experience with another barista and I was a bit disappointed. First, there was no "how are you," or any pleasantries, just taking the order which yes, is the job, but it's the bare minimum. When she told me the total, I was getting my daughter something and then had to get my phone from my pocket, and the woman just stared at me and tapped the machine, as if I didn't know where or how to pay? I just thought this was very rude. I will admit that I am more sensitive in customer service situations, probably because I used to be in customer service - but I felt that this needed to be shared. I look forward to coming in here with my daughter and I know the experience will always be great (except for today) - and that actually was pretty disappointing. Again, no complaints about the food and I always like my drink, but this was disappointing this morning.

A lot of patrons in line ordered the pastries here. However, what drew me here was not only the…read moreconvenience of being located near our hotel but was also for the pretzels. I am bit of a pretzel addict. It was 10am in the morning, who would order a pretzel? They weren't even laid out yet as they were cooling fresh from the oven. The everything pretzel and the salted pretzel were chosen. I would say... these aren't the traditional German pretzels but they are really good for soft fresh pretzels! I preferred the salted pretzel over the everything. The everything pretzel has a lot of seasonings on top so I can see why it isn't cooked crispy compared to the salted one-- as the topping would burn. Overall the pretzels were good and come in a large hefty size. This bakery seems to be the second location of the original Carmel bakery.

Red House Cafe

4.3

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The service was fast and friendly! The smoked salmon on…read morepotatoe pancake was fresh flavorful and an iconic dish. I will be back !

Hard to say about ambiance since I sat outdoors with my dogs. But service was prompt and super…read morehelpful. They were kind enough to refill my dog water bottle. I ordered a chai and they bring out like almost a small soup bowl size of chai latte. Smelled so good. Nice to have on a cold day. Salmon Benedict - so delicous! Piping hot. The potatoes emitted a delicious aroma and is spiced perfectly 2 poached eggs sit atop a layer of salmon atop a croissant Very filling and satisfying. No problems here. Service was good. Would return as it seems quite popular too :)

Wave Street Café

4.3

(1.4k reviews)

Second time eating at Wave Street Cafe, and it definitely won't be our last!…read more Overall, the food was amazing. My husband wasn't a fan of the grilled chicken, but everyone else's meals were delicious. The potatoes were perfectly cooked, the eggs were great, and the thick-cut toast was fresh and so tasty. But the real star of the meal was the Cinnamon BUN Pancakes... WOW. They were absolutely delicious! Soft, flavorful, and honestly some of the best pancakes I've ever had. I couldn't get enough of them. The prices were also very reasonable, especially for being so close to the beach. Great food, great location, and a place we'll continue coming back to. Highly recommend! My picture does not do it justice

Expect up to an hour or more wait when you come here during weekends!…read more Patio is dog-friendly, and we loved seeing all kinds of cute doggos everywhere :) Food: 4/5 We got different kinds of benedicts: crab cake, bay shrimp and avocado, and toluca. Eggs were poached perfectly but didn't think bay shrimp and avocado went well with benedict concept. NY steak and eggs: This was tasty as well and it was wonderful how the steak was a perfect medium rare.

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The three stars are 3/3 for how kind and friendly the staff were! I visited on a Friday evening and…read moreit was not busy but they had two staff members holding down the fort. The coffee was alright. It was not quite strong enough for a latte, tasting quite watered down. I opted for the oat milk and I could tell it was not high quality by the flavor. I did appreciate how clean and quaint the cafe was. They had local artwork in the front and the artist's shop was two doors down, which was spectacularly charming.

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We stopped at this cute lunch spot in a shopping building with lots of local businesses during a…read morestroll through Carmel. The ordering is done at the front counter, and while this may make people turn away, it shouldn't. The menu has sandwiches to full plated meals available for lunch which can fill anyone up depending on how hungry you are. We ordered a variety of dishes, and even though it was a busy Saturday during lunch the cooks and workers were quick to get our food out in a timely manner.

A cute cafe in the middle of a shopping plaza. There's lots of open seating with a steady stream of…read morecustomers. Our food still came out quickly though. We got the macchiato and latte and both were good. The macchiato was quite strong with just one shot so I preferred the latte. 1. Salmon pasta 5/5 The salmon is super tender and they give a decent amount of it. The pasta had a really tasty creamy sauce. I only wish the pasta had a bit more of a bite to it! 2. Philly cheesesteak 4.5/5 Good sized sandwich and the beef is very tender. The sandwich tasted a tad dry. 3. Ham and Brie sandwich 4.5/5 The ham and Brie is inside a very crispy croissant. The center of the croissant was very soft though.

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