98 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2025-2026 FOOD Petra Cafe Mediterranean A little quick-service restaurant with a few tables offering gyros, shawarma, hummus and other favorites. 435 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 646-2080 Rice & Roots Vietnamese The kitchen is steeped in Vietnamese home cooking, but the team is not bound by tradition. The are bowls and banh mi, smoky meats and sprinkles of herbs. But the flavors also reflect California, with its seafood and produce. 422 Tyler St., Monterey. (831) 2416789, riceandrootsmonterey.com Rockfish Harbor Grill Seafood All manner of seafood dishes are featured here. And the view is outstanding. But there are little innovations that set this place apart. Vegetarian? Try the roasted vegetable tower. 101 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. (831) 3244375, rockfishmonterey.com Rosine’s Restaurant American Rosine’s has elevated American comfort food to an art form. Generous portions, friendly staff and reasonable prices make Rosine’s a favorite choice for Best Restaurant for Families and Best Desserts in the Weekly’s Readers’ Poll with regularity. 434 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 375-1400, rosinesmonterey. com Sandbar & Grill Seafood Suspended a dozen feet above the water beneath the commercial fishing wharf, the Sandbar offers classic seafood dishes in a warm and friendly setting with a lovely view. It’s a locals’ favorite. Municipal Wharf 2, Monterey. (831) 373-2818, sandbarandgrillmonterey.com Sapporo Steak and Sushi Japanese Teppan tableside dining, sushi and Japanese dishes are prepared right before your eyes. Dockside views of the harbor and bay come with every show. Municipal Wharf 2, #3, Monterey. (831) 333-1616, montereysapporo. com Sardine Factory American Overlooking Cannery Row, this landmark restaurant boasts one of the area’s finest wine cellars as well as a reputation for impeccable service, excellently prepared local seafood and quality meats. Superior happy hour bargains, and you can sit in Clint Eastwood’s seat. 701 Wave St., Monterey. (831) 373-3775, sardinefactory.com Schooners Seafood When a restaurant is this close to the bay, the seafood is going to be a focus. There are also steakhouse touches to the menu. All of it comes with a patio and great bay scenery. 400 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 372-2628, schoonersmonterey.com Sea Harvest Seafood Sea Harvest is a choice for fresh ocean catches. Grilled or broiled fish are available from the restaurant, or shop in the market for and cook at home. 598 Foam St., Monterey. (831) 646-0547, seaharvestfishmarketandrestaurant.com Sea Root Mediterranean Sea Root draws from the entire Mediterranean, but with local ingredients and a California flair. The menu changes with the season. An off-the-beaten-path gem, even if it is in a large hotel. 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey. (831) 657-6588, hyatt.com Stokes Adobe Varied Everything about this historic (haunted) structure, inside and out on the patio, is remarkable. So gaze until the food arrives. The chef can present elegant dishes or comfort well-prepared on a menu that changes. 500 Hartnell St., Monterey. (831) 264-8775, stokesadobe.com Sunrise Cafe Diner They can do a lot in this cozy space, from filling breakfast fare to burgers and fries. It’s a friendly, familiar start to a day. 204 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. Sur Burger Burgers It’s all about the beef…actually, that’s not quite true. There’s a vegetarian burger made in house. And the chicken and waffle sandwich is a hit. 409 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 241-6064, surburger.com Sushi Kuma Japanese They don’t call them specialty rolls at Kuma. They are designer rolls. So there’s a fun attitude to go along with the familiar lineup. 414 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 324-4745, kumamonterey.com Tarpy’s Roadhouse American An attractive stone ranch house, built in 1917, is the setting for innovative yet familiar entrées that are hearty and heartfelt. Billed as a steakhouse, Tarpy’s can be homey (meatloaf) and locally inspired (coal-fired artichoke). 2999 Highway 68, Monterey. (831) 647-1444, tarpys.com Taqueria Del Mar Mexican Although it doesn’t look like much from the outside, Taqueria Del Mar concentrates on what’s inside, with an emphasis on seafood. And they use locally caught fish when it’s available. 530 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. (831) 372-7887 Tidewater Eclectic This unique spot is like a picnic on the beach. Grab a spot by a firepit, order from a device and the food arrives—seafood, charcuterie, salads, a burger and a sunset. Open seasonally. 2600 Sand Dunes Drive, Monterey. tidewatermontereybeach.com Toribashi Japanese With a slogan “inspired by Japan, created in California” you know this counter service restaurant is going to bend the ramen rules just a little. 487 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 6439556, toribashi.com Turn 12 Bar & Grill American Think comfort fare—burgers, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs—with a California impression (ahi tuna tower, anyone?). There is also a kids menu. The popular lunch and dinner spot has a classy bar area. 400 Tyler St., Monterey. (831) 372-8876, turn12barandgrill.com Wave Street Cafe Diner The inviting Spanish courtyard vibe comes with a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Sample one of many eggs Benedict. Interesting burgers and sandwiches. Tempting big-bowl salads are aplenty. 550 Wave St., Monterey. (831) 718-8171, wavestreetcafe. com Whaling Station Steakhouse Steakhouse Tender, aged beef—this spot is the perennial winner among Weekly readers for Best Steaks in Monterey County—and seafood dishes are the stars of an innovative-but-accessible menu. Big value bar menu. 763 Wave St., Monterey. (831) 373-3778, whalingstation. com Woody’s at the Airport American American classics in a dining room with a view of take-offs and landings (it’s inside Monterey Regional Airport, but draws local residents). A salad- and sandwich-centric lunch menu gives way at dinner to classics like ribeye, sand dabs and calamari. 200 Fred Kane Drive, Monterey. (831) 373-1232, woodysmontereyairport.com Zab Zab Thai Cuisine Thai The menu spans some of Thailand’s culinary regions, but the instincts behind it are from
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