Amazing service! Food was good! Large portions! Cute little spot. Very cozy and family friendly. We also had clam chowder but forgot to get a photo of that. Tasty clam chowder. We should have gotten the bread bowl. Next time! Will come back again when we're back in town! read more

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Was in town. As we were leaving we decided to get some food. I felt like some clam chowder. I found this place on Yelp, and the reviews looked good. They only have street parking. We were able to find a spot down the street. We had to wait for outside seating,we had the dogs. We ended up just ordering appetizers. Clam chowder, garlic cheese bread, and calamari. The waiter was very helpful. He let us know that a half order would be plenty of bread. He also suggested that we get the calamari first,it tastes better hot and it would cool down quickly outside He even brought out a bowl of water for my dogs The food was good,not anything I would make a special trip to get again. But for me personally, good customer service gets my repeat business. read more

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3.5/5 Got the garlic cheese clam chowder bread bowl and the fried calamari. A review here said not many tentacles in the calamari. That sadly wasn't the case for us. We had six tentacles. They weren't fully coated. It was overcooked and rubbery. The clam chowder was decent but not amazing. It's a big portion and a lot of bread thanks to the garlic cheese topper. Service is good. The waiters are attentive, quick, and friendly. I wouldn't go back. But I don't regret it either. read more

When in the area, one should experience neighborhood staples that people near a far rave about. On a recent trip to Monterey, curiosity landed me at Vivolo's -- a favorite of the locals for nearly four decades. Highly recommend their signature calm chowder - it's everything you expect in a chowder that has been slow cooking for hours. Rich, savory, creamy -- and with hints of celery (?) and potatoes. Not sure of their secret sauce but it was certainly a hit for me! Add some black pepper and tobasco to make it an even bigger hit. The oysters on a half shell were good but not my favorite -- probably not the right type of oysters to serve raw. Other than that, service was great. The restaurant is spacious and inviting. Would definitely return! read more

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Came for the sand dab tacos and was pretty disappointed. I'd really wanted sand dabs while in CA. They seemed to had fried the fish with some of the skin on, which I'm not sure was on purpose but biting into your taco and seeing black, not great! Plus the weird artichoke salsa didn't work, was like a sautéed veg sauce. The spicy sauce had a weird consistency, and was too spicy and I enjoy spicy. If they had just made them typical baja style they could have been great. Got the clam chowder and that was good. Restaurant was fairly empty for a weekday lunch during Spring break season. read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Super good food! Came in on a Monday after golf - the restaurant was pretty empty and smelled a little fishy so we were concerned. We got sat at a table really close to the other people in the restaurant the the host seemed concerned when we asked for some space since the whole restaurant was empty. We were worried we chose the wrong place but the food literally blew us away. The clam chowder in a bowl was soo good. I got the small bite special with chowder, salad and bread. My husband got the seafood Rueben which was deceivingly good. We also super enjoyed the calamari (note that it's rings only, no tentacles) Service and ambiance were nothing to write home about but food was fantastic! read more

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It had been a number of years since I'd been to Vivolo's Chowder House and I remembered it was really good back then, but this recent visit was a bit of a disapointment. There were four of us and we decided to dine family style. We ordered the fried calamari, a bowl of clam chowder, the pan seared rock cod with lemon butter sauce, and the linguine pescatori. The clam chowder was really good and the rock cod was pretty good, but the calamari was a bit too chewy and the linguine pescatori lacked flavor; just didn't seem to have the richness in the marinara sauce to give it that good homemade taste. In fact, the marinara seemed watered down. While half the meal was a disappointment, the service was still really good. Extra lemon was brought to the table quickly when I requested it and our water glasses were refilled when necessary. I would definitely return for a bowl of chowder if I was in the area, but I'm not sure I would order a complete meal again. When we left, there was a long line waiting for tables, so maybe they were just having an off night! read more

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Road trip to Monterey and wanted clam chowder. Stopped by Vivolo's to get some warm chowder. There are plenty of street parking right in front. Ordered calamari, fries, clam chowder and the linguine with claims in garlic butter sauce. Everything was really good and service was friendly. Will come back again soon. read more

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Always a delicious stop when I want chowder and yummy bread. I usually take it to-go and eat it at home, and it's absolutely divine! No bacon in the chowder which is nice. I know many places add it in. Their garlic bread is perfect to dip in my soup. Great fast service, I'm usually in and out with my order in 10 or less minutes. I will continue to go here. 10/10 recommend! read more

Great Calamari Piccata! Wife had it. I have seafood stew. Amazing. Going back in June.

A spot in Monterey... street parking. It was busy around holiday lunch time but luckily didn't have to wait long. Came for the chowder. I think my first time having a bread bowl?? It is a lot of bread.... so makes it very filling even if you have a little bit. I liked it. Probably on the more pricey side, but wasn't expecting Monterey to be cheap. read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Bread bowl $18, Nov 2025 - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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We decided to find some food after exploring the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the surrounding area. There was no wait when we arrived. The inside is nicely decorated. I ordered the rock cod which came with pasta, chowder, veggies (chard?), mashed sweet potatoes(?). Fish was perfectly cooked, all the sides were delicious. I did not wind up finishing my meal and took the rest home. My partner had the house specialty pasta which he greatly enjoyed. We loved the vibes and would come back. read more

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How does Yelp help for road trips? Well, when you know your travel companions favorite dishes, this is a helpful tool when you've never been someplace... I mean, like ever. In traveling to the Monterey peninsula for the 1st team (me, that is), I put the two names of their favorite dishes and searched before finding this low key restaurant. Not being familiar with the area, I was surprised to learn that it was only about six blocks from the hotel where I stayed. To start, I also ordered a drink, the guava juice (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=mWAZCI1TrtSvKrBxq3tBHg) which was a generous glass and not overly sweet. Here is what we had for our meals: 1. Fried Monterey calamari (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=iUBFENyWxDJeT17qxW4e9A), shared - Tartar and cocktail sauce. 2. Fried artichoke hearts, shared (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=4C-IvRChXAGvgV52zOMtMg) - Garlic aioli sauce, ranch. 3. Quick bite (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=x_pLMA89od_fNPPJRFBxoA). (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=a3H0crBS_sNvcUez5UlexA), shared - Cup of clam chowder, garlic bread, side salad. This was a meal in itself given the salad portion. The chowder was good but my expectations were likely too heightened by their signage. 4. Steamed clams (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=tBRH-pVNB37C5XQIxHou4w), shared - White wine sauce. I tried a bite only and it was fine. Mains 5. Linguini calamari and clams, garlic butter sauce (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=2ejcowCN86kFiVAHuo9Rmg) - I generally lean towards red sauce for this and I didn't want to repeat another diner's order of this with Alfredo sauce. I enjoyed this but, sauce wise, I would likely order the Alfredo sauce when here again. A friend who ordered the chicken Marsala entree (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=wbFprhkXRl-_W1sg9eFN3Q), chicken breast sauteed with fresh mushrooms and Marsala wine sauce; this came with pasta (ordered plain) and vegetables (kale and butternut squash). Another friend let me try her linguini calamari and clams with Alfredo sauce (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=gAIVwQccBkkkXH_bWk1j-w) which I enjoyed a little more than mine due to the creaminess as mentioned above here. Our waiter was a bit cold when we started but warmed to us as the meal progressed. The dining room was only 1/4 full, odd for a Saturday evening. The waiter and bus staff were efficient in removing empty plates and bowls, refilling water glasses, and packing our leftovers to go. Epilogue: How good was that Marsala? I was one of three guests who returned the next day after lunch to bring a takeout order. One fail was the restaurant mistakenly gave us the House pasta instead of the requested linguini calamari and clams with Alfredo sauce as the diner does not particularly enjoy fish. Will be back to dine in, and who knows, perhaps bring meals home again. read more

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Get ya a big bowl of clam chowder it's very good. Very friendly people. Also ate a crab sandwich and I enjoyed

This was one of our favorite spots on our trip! Very solid clam chowder, fish and chips, and oysters rock a feller. It was so well priced and the service was friendly as well. read more

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Nice family restaurant with really good clam chowder. It's my go to spot when I travel with my family.

I came here on a Saturday morning and it was not as busy as I expected, which was a nice surprise. Parking in this area is definitely not the most fun, so that is something to keep in mind if you are planning to stop by during peak times. The ambiance inside is very basic. Just tables and chairs, nothing fancy, and things are a little on the squished side. Not uncomfortably tight, but close enough that you definitely notice the surrounding tables. I started with a cup of chowder, which was solid. It reminded me a bit of the wharf style chowders around here. Good flavor, creamy, enjoyable, but nothing I would say you have to rush over for. For my meal, I ordered the breaded sand dabs with the buttery sauce option. I am pretty sure sides could be chosen, though I did not dig too deep into it. My plate came with a steamed sweet baked potato, some very salty but tasty greens, and a side of pasta. The pasta was actually really good and had a similar vibe to the pasta you get at Monterey's Fish House, which was a nice surprise. Overall, a good meal, simple atmosphere, and just be ready for the parking situation. read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Cozy restaurant and very family friendly. We needed 2 high chairs and they were quick to get our table set up. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. We ordered their pasta with calamari and clams, a bowl of clam chowder, cod with vegetables as well as a starter of fried artichoke hearts and a basket of fries (toddler friendly). House wine was a great add on. Food was hot, delicious, and fairly priced. Would absolutely come back. We didn't have reservations and were seated immediately, even with what felt like a full house. They turn tables fast which is a plus. read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Fried Artichoke Hearts and Basket French Fries - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Really enjoyed my lunch here. Tried the Reuben and the shrimp sandwich with clam chowder. Everything was delicious and all at a good price. Clam chowder wasn't super thin but not super thick either. All great flavor. read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Bay Shrimp Sandwich and Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Stopped by Monterey for lunch while on a road trip. For my first clam chowder experience, this was great! We ordered a side salad with tomato vinaigrette and the clam chowder bread bowl + the cheese/garlic bread top. Creamy, rich, savory chowder paired nicely with the sweet, acidic salad. Overall, a satisfying lunch after a long day of driving. Service was top notch; kind and attentive. We sat outside in a make-shift patio area since it was a nice day. read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Clam Chowder bread bowl with lid - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Presentation wise the food looked great. Already off the bat had a bad first impression when I walked in, the waited stalled and asked can I help you like I was lost instead of asking how many wanted to eat. They brought us out little plates for bread and didnt bring us bread at all. Taste wise it was bland and not worth the price. The seafood bisque soup had like no meat in it. I also noticed in just about every picture or a soup bread bowl they take time to toast it. My bread was stale untoasted and cold. The fish and chips were also bland and soggy. Will not be returning here for any reason. Earned that zero tip, thanks guys. read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Fish and chips. Bland and soggy. Fries unseasoned. - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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My BF and I were looking for a nice bowl of hot soup on a cold foggy day in Monterey, so what is better than Vivolo's Chowder House? After being immediately seated, we ordered 2 soups: a bowl of clam chowder (of course, it's what they are famous for) and our favorite, the seafood cioppino! We also ordered 2 glasses of wine. The cioppino came with a selection of either pasta or rice. We chose rice. This is where it started to go so downhill... The chowder arrived luke warm, not hot. It was as if the lid of where it was scooped from had been left opened. To sip creamy soup that isn't hot is unappetizing. Knowing chowder is made with lots and lots of butter and cream, it needs to be made fresh and kept hot. It was also a little salty, so both my boyfriend and I didn't add crackers or pepper (and the server didn't ask if we wanted fresh pepper either). The wine came in these petite miniature cups. I'd much rather have full-size wine glasses with a small pour than tiny thin glasses that are hard to hold and hard to drink. It didn't feel elegant, and it felt cheap. The cioppino saved the meal. It was delicious. Too bad the size was sooooo utterly tiny for the high price. The rice was, no joke, about 2 tablespoons, so it didn't seem to be meant for the cioppino. We still enjoyed eating it nonetheless and jokes that had we chosen pasta, instead of rice, we would have gotten 2 strands of spaghetti - haha. The biggest reason for docking off the stars is how they messed up the dessert. We ordered a slice of cheesecake. And upon taking one bite, I could taste the graham cracker crust was especially crunchy! While I kept chewing it, I realized that may not be graham cracker! I call over the server and ask him if there are nuts in the cheesecake, even though it did not state nuts in it (see my photo). His lighthearted response: "I think there is some kind of nuts!" He returns and confirms it's the kind I'm allergic to, so we now pay and rush out before I have an allergic reaction. I am fuming this is not noted on the menu. [Note to management: If a top allergen, like nuts, is in a dish that's not in the name, then you need to list it in the description or call it out on the menu.] read more

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I was pleasantly surprised when our party of 15 was led to dine in the private back room since we had three kiddos with us. The apps were very good: - Prawn cocktail: My boss' twins couldn't get enough and ordered seconds! - Fried calamari: Fried perfectly. The kids were intimidated by the tentacles but one taste of the ring and they kept coming back for more. - Oysters Rockefeller: Good, but I honestly didn't taste any oyster it was so filled with other stuff. The star of the show: the clam chowder was so salty, we didn't even finish the small cup between the two of us. What a bummer. My fiancé got the calamari steak which was very good. I got the sand dabs and asked if I could get a little bit of lemon butter sauce and a little of the artichoke avocado salsa and I was shut down. I opted for the lemon butter and it was ok. I gave most of it away. The entrees are generous and very well rounded with a starch and veggies. Props for the good amount of fresh veggies! The service could have been better. Maybe because we were the last table of the night (7pm reservations), our server either was abrupt, seemed disinterested, or both. Reservations were easy via the phone and they were flexible with our changing number of guests on a Friday night. 3.5 stars overall, rounded to 4. read more

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We were in Monterey and yk what that means... clam chowder obvs. We did some quick searching online and many people said this was the best spot in town, so we came. I quickly made a reservation online and showed up just in time bc people did have to start waiting as we got closer to 7pm. The inside seating is quite limited, but we chose to sit outside for vibes. It was a bit chilly (as Monterey is) but they had heaters, but I'd hope you'd be wearing a jacket at dinner time in Monterey anyway! The chowder was actually so good. SO worth the price, but as other reviewers said you just have to splurge on the garlic cheese lid. I feel like it adds more to the meal so that you don't get tired of your chowder. Great portions and great bread! Service: lovely Parking: lots of street parking Reservations: would recommend just because they do have limited seating read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Clam Chowder bread bowl with lid - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

My fiance and I had stopped by randomly at this place to give it a try, we were in town and wanted to try something new. The restaurant is a small cozy place and it felt really family oriented. We opt to sit outside because the weather was super nice. We were sat down immediately and they returned us with some water with lemon. My fiancé got Marks Venison Burger and I got the Chicken Marsala, we also ordered a clam chowder (why wouldn't we were at a clam chowder house). I enjoyed my chicken, it wasn't dry and cooked with flavor. I was absolutely obsessed with the sides which I believe to be the butter sauce, it tasted like puréed squash and the sautéed veggies. The penne pasta just tasted like regular pasta but overall the meal was great. This spots a little on the expensive side but it was a great experience. read more

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Great service and delightful portions! Really can't say much was inadequate here because the food was fresh and brought out in a timely manner. Ordered the calamari for the table, was wowed by the thick chowder cup, and was so full by the time the fish and chips came out. My brother really enjoyed the seasonal sole fish dish, and they can accommodate large families. My one complaint would be to increase the number of bathrooms, as the line outside was a few minutes long with only a single stall. The price was quite affordable for the area as well read more

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Husband and I placed a take out order here last night. We placed it online through their website; no problem. Order was ready in about 20 minutes; they sent a text when the order was ready for pick up. Parallel parking on the main road was the best way to park, but it was challenging to find a spot around 7:30pm on a Monday night. No big deal. The restaurant has a cozy, quaint atmosphere. The music was not too loud; seems like you would be able to converse with your dinner partners without a problem. So I'm going to start with the bad part of our experience, and then I'll end with the good part. We ordered 1 "whole shrimp salad sandwich" with the side salad & dressing ($19) and 1 "chowder bread bowl with a garlic cheese lid" ($21). We didn't check our food until we arrived back to our destination in Marina (about 20+ minutes away). I guess that's our fault, but we were tired after a long day of hiking and beach touring, and were ready to get back to our room and eat dinner. Here's the bad part... We open the box that has the shrimp salad sandwich and greens salad. While the salad looked appetizing and had a good serving size, and the toasted bread for the shrimp salad sandwich was perfectly toasted and seasoned, the amount of shrimp salad was severely lacking. The sandwich was cut in half...one half had only 6 little bay shrimp, and the other half had maybe 10 or 12 shrimps. It looked to be about 3 level tablespoons worth smeared on the bread. There was a lot of bread space visible inside the sandwich. Poor presentation on the inside and a meager amount. My husband was starving, and he chose to eat the side with the smaller amount while I went back to the car for a bag. So I didn't get a picture of the extra meek side, but I did get one of the other side. We feel as if they would've served a better portion if we had ordered in at the restaurant rather than taking it to go. I can't imagine any restaurant proudly serving such a small amount...especially not for the price of the sandwich. It tasted great (what little there was to taste), but the portion was VERY disappointing. Now for the good part... The chowder and bread bowl looked great; we received a quart of chowder served in a plastic container, and the bread was wrapped in plastic wrap separately. They included oyster crackers (the good brand from New England). As a native New Englander, born and raised there, on the coast, the first 20 years of my life...and now a resident of California for the last 20 years, who frequents the central coast several times each year...I consider myself a New England clam chowder aficionado. Vivolo's chowder, hands down, is THE ABSOLUTE EFFING BEST chowder I have ever had. And the way they prepared the sourdough bowl was superb! In summary, all of the food tasted amazing. The serving amount of shrimp salad in the sandwich was very disappointing and sad. Going forward, we'll only order the chowder the next time we pass through Monterey. Definitely go there for the chowdah! This will not disappoint. read more

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Setting/Service: Classy-feeling interior with a friendly staff. We felt well taken care of Food: Excellent clam chowder. Nicely balanced flavor, can definitely taste the clam! We also ordered fries and calamari. The fries in particular were a standout for us, some of the best we've had Overall: A must-try chowder in Monterey! read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Clam Chowder cup - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

I was on the hunt for clam chowder after visiting the Monterey Bay aquarium and let me say, "DO NOT SKIP THIS SPOT!" Cool little location in an awesome community with outdoor and indoor seating. The service was awesome, they explained the menu and the clam chowder was delicious! Hands down one of the best I've had and the bread bowl tasted fresh and delicious. I'll be back for more!! read more

Stopped in after a long walk on the beach in pacific grove. The place is nice and clean with a great server named Andrew. The food is above average and surprisingly delicious. I will return to try everything on the menu each time I pass through this nice area. read more

Amazing clam chowder and great service. Very peaceful atmosphere. Could not have asked for a better place to enjoy dinner

Customer service was outstanding, wife had fish and chips which were fresh and cooked perfectly. I had the special which was halibut covered in a cream sauce today which was served with chowder. Definitely will return. read more

Great service and the steam clams and the clam chowder were superb! The cheese bread soaked up the broth from the clams so well and it was so flavorful! read more

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Spent 4 days in Monterey for Sea Otter Classic, and this was by far the best meal here. The flavors of the chowders and the pan bisque were out of this world. We also had the steamed clams and the house special cream sauce pasta and those were also hard to beat. Super thrilled to have found this place. read more

The food was great! The service was good. The ambience was nice. The background music kept taking my Mom down memory lane (Elvin Bisop, The Steve Miller Band, etc.) It was our first time here. We came based on the reviews and pricing compared to other restaurants in the area. We ordered the fried Monterey calamari (4/5), 2 clam chowder bread bowls with garlic cheese lid (5/5), a pan roast bread bowl with garlic cheese lid (5/5), and fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp (5/5). Everything was delicious! The Alfredo sauce was creamy and flavorful. The clam chowder was exceptional and for a reasonable price! read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Clam Chowder bread bowl with lid - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Let me start by saying that the service crew was very friendly and accommodating and that's the main reason I'm even giving this rating at all. Unfortunately, the food was disappointing across the board. Our order took about 30 minutes to come out, which we initially assumed meant everything was being made fresh. However, the quality didn't justify the wait. Cheesy Bread: Oily and burnt on top. The texture was off, and the flavor didn't make up for it. 2/5 Fish Tacos: These were especially underwhelming. The fish portion was small, unseasoned, and lacked flavor. I even deconstructed it to figure out whether the issue was with the fish or the breading--and it turns out both were bland. 1/5 Clam Chowder: The most decent dish we ordered, but even then, the clams were overcooked and super chewy. 3/5 Given the overall experience, I'm genuinely confused about where all the 5-star ratings are coming from. I really wanted to like this place, especially with how kind the staff was, but the food just didn't live up to expectations. read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Fish tacos - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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The clam chowder was very good!!! They aren't super expensive. It's priced very well for having high quality food. I ordered the guava juice and you can taste its freshness!! It was only $3.75. I also got the clam chowder bowl with garlic & cheese lid, it was sooo good. FYI: portions are large! No complaints here. Staff was nice, lady at the front who helped us to our seat was nice!! Waiter was nice as well. Friendly staff & wonderful ambience :)) 10/10 read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Clam Chowder bread bowl with lid, Garlic Chicken Sandwich, Clam Chowder cup, Basket French Fries, Quick Bite - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Ordered: - Bay Shrimp Salad Grilled Sandwich (5/5): We got the half sandwich combo with chowder and salad. The shrimp was super generous and juicy and the avocado made the sandwich feel very creamy. The chowder was a bit more watery than I usually prefer but the taste was perfect. My gf loved the chowder and how it wasn't overly heavy but still warming and filling - Fish and chips (4/5): While the fry and the breading of the fish was perfect, unfortunately they gave fries - not chips, what we were expecting. Still, the flavors paired with the provided sauces (we liked vinegar) and the portion size were good and the coleslaw was a welcome bonus. Overall (4/5): Not perfect but overall pretty solid lunch spot that exceeded my expectations. The establishment wasn't the newest but the food was great and so was the location, which was walking distance from the Monterey aquarium. We beat the lunch rush so we were quickly seated and served. Vibe was pretty quiet and service wasn't the friendliest but it was very efficient. read more

Vivolo's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Had to get clam chowder one more time before we left Monterey and this place did not disappoint! Everything was fresh and delicious. We also ordered the rock cod plate and the fish was so fresh even when it was fried. Service was friendly attentive and we had enough space inside for our stroller and it was baby friendly. Would come back for another fix of clam chowder next time we visit! read more

Nice quick bite place, good food, service is slow but friendly. They have inside and outside seats, 10 minutes walking distance away from aquarium. read more

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