We love local.
Whether you’re looking for artisan bakers and skilled baristas, or great food and a local vibe, here’s our partial list of our favorite spots that capture the unique character of the Monterey Peninsula.
Cafés & Pastries
Alta Bakery & Cafe
Alta Bakery & Cafe in Monterey is a delightful gem run by chef/owner Ben Spungin. All of their baked goods, pastries, and menu items are made fresh in house using local ingredients. Friendly and welcoming staff, Alta is a great spot for stopping for coffee, breakfast, a light brunch, or a leisurely lunch.
Parker-Lusseau Pastries
Parker-Lusseau Pastries is a charming bakery in Monterey, renowned for its exquisite handcrafted pastries, artisan breads, and delightful confections and cakes. The bakery also has a selection of sandwiches, soups, and quiches.
Captain + Stoker
This the best of Monterey coffee culture—freshly roasted coffee, some light breakfast items, and a relaxed hipster vibe. Captain + Stoker also have a café in Pacific grove and you’ll find their coffee in local food markets, served at restaurants, hotels and prominent venues in the region.
Sticks at Pebble Beach
After a round of golf or a brisk walk on the beach, STICKS is a great place for drinks, pub food, and watching the big game on their multiple flat-panel TVs. There’s also an outdoor patio with fire pits to sit and enjoy the spectacular views of The Links at Spanish Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Breakfast & Lunch
Rosines’s
Rosine’s is a family restaurant that’s our go-to place for a big breakfast, but it’s also a great choice for lunch or dinner. Great sandwiches, homemade soups, pastas and entrées all served by very friendly staff. If you have a big group and and equally big appetite, this is the place!
Wave Street Café
A great breakfast and lunch spot, Wave Street Café has a lovely covered patio that is just off the bike path near Cannery Row. The extensive menu covers all the bases including a beer and wine list and kid’s menu. This is a great stop before or after a long walk or bike ride.
Sandbar & Grill
Sandbar is where you go if you want to meet the locals over a cocktail and a plate of sand dabs. This old-school seafood restaurant, tucked under the Municipal Pier, has table dining, but if you can snag seats at the bar you’ll be rewarded with a lively crowd and some local gossip. And by the way, the food is good too!
Kona Steak & Seafood
Kona Steak and Seafood, a Hawaiian Asian fusion steakhouse with a laid-back vibe, is run by Bill Quon and his wife, Teresa. Dining features steaks and seafood with an innovative presentation, flavorful sauces, and “an old favorite” from Chef Mario Luevano. For before or after dinner libations, the bartenders at the Zen Den will mix you a classic Pacific island cocktail complete with an umbrella.
Tarpy’s Roadhouse
With serene patios, lush gardens, and cozy rustic dining spaces, Tarpy’s offers an award-winning Monterey dining experience, inside and out. From tender ribs and fresh seafood to wild game and their famous meatloaf, every dish is a handcrafted classic.
Octeria Al Mare
White table cloths, views of the harbour and Cannery Row, and a passionate Italian owner/chef Maurizio Cutrignelli. What’s not to love? While the menu changes to reflect the seasons freshest ingredients, they offer such stables as Fritto Di Calamari, Stinco di Maiale alla Birra (beer braised pork shank) and a wonderful Pan-seared salmon. This is one of our favs!
Mezzaluna Pasteria
At Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar owners Chef Soerke Peters and Amy Stouffer keep this simple and amazing. Fresh pasta, mozzarella, and gelato made fresh daily. Peters sources only the freshest local ingredients. He was awarded the ocean hero award from the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey for his responsible sourcing of seafood and preserving our oceans for generations to come.
Cocktails & Dinner at Pebble Beach
Dining at Pebble Beach
There are several wonderful dining experiences at Pebble Beach resort. Just take your pick and you won’t be disappointed.
Stillwater offer California Coastal cuisine in a contemporary setting and stunning views. The Bench offers a casual yet sophisticated dining experience, overlooking the world-famous 18th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The Terrace Lounge is a relaxing gathering place for friends and family to soak in the world-famous 18th green at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The Tap Room is a wonderful watering hole with a great selection of draft and bottled beers, vintage wines, select scotches and whiskeys and other top quality spirits. It’s also a world-class steakhouse serving up hearty All-American fare, from Kobe burgers to Prime Rib to our 22oz bone-in center cut Prime Delmonico. Hay’s Place is the newest addition to Pebble Beach Resort’s extensive lineup of dining options with its Mexican-inspired menu, craft beverages and sweeping views of Stillwater Cove. Gallery Cafe is a homestyle favorite whether you’re craving a delicious breakfast before your round or a leisurely lunch
Fine Dining
Stokes Adobe
Stokes Adobe is a neighborhood restaurant located at a historic adobe home in downtown Monterey. The house, built in 1833, and its history as a place of community and congregation is the inspiration for the food, service and environment.
Stokes Adobe features an elegant Modern American menu with strong French and Italian influences in a warm and intimate setting. Go for happy hour and enjoy drinks and light appetizers around fire pits on the outdoor patio.
Chart House
Nestled along the coastline close to Cannery Row, Chart House offers not only delicious cuisine but a relaxing ambiance with ocean and bay views. The menu is classic steak and seafood, some irresistible desserts, and an extensive wine list.
Montrio
Ranked among the five greenest restaurants in Monterey, Montrio is Michelin rated and offers an ever-evolving menu of internationally and seasonally inspired small plates and entrées, blending the best of European and American cuisine. It’s inventive, local, and fresh!