Places to Eat
The Monterey Bay has a plethora of dining options available to suit every taste.
Photo by Lucyna Jodlowska, MBA 2011
Dining in Monterey
Whether you are a fan of traditional Japanese Cuisine, prefer American fare, or are looking for some tasty vegetarian options you can find a good representation of restaurants in the area below. If you don't see your favorite place to eat on this page email us at student.services@miis.edu and let us know what we've missed!
Restaurants are organized by location, i.e, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Seaside & Marina, and Big Sur.
You can also check out Yelp or the See Monterey website for more suggestions on fun dining options!
Monterey
Ambrosia Indian Bistro
565 Abrego St., Monterey
831-641-0610
Website
(Best local Indian food, great lunch buffet until 2pm daily. Nice outdoor patio)
Amir's Kabob House
794 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey
831-642-0231
Website
(Afghani)
The Bagel Bakery
452 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-372-5242
Britannia Arms Pub & Restaurant
444 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-656-9543
(Trivia night & karaoke every week)
Cafe Fina
47 Fishermans Wharf, Monterey
831-372-5200
Website
(Seafood)
Cafe Lumiere
365 Calle Principal, Monterey
831-920-2451
Website
(Located inside the Osio Movie Theatre. Great coffee, popular MIIS student study space, and awesome lunch specials.)
California Pizza Kitchen
1100 Del Monte Center, Monterey
831-375-4975
Website
(restaurant chain serving creative pizzas)
Captain Bullwacker's Restaurant & Patio Pub
653 Cannery Row, Monterey
831-373-1353
Chef Lee's Mandarin House
2031 Fremont, Monterey
831-375-9551
(Chinese)
Chipotle Mexican Grill
500 Del Monte Center, Monterey
831-641-9353
Website
(restaurant chain, fresh Mexican fast food)
Chong's Szechwan Restaurant
485 Tyler St, Monterey
831-373-5153
Cibo Ristorante Italiano
301 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-649-8151
Website
(jazz bands some evenings)
The Crown & Anchor
150 W. Franklin St, Monterey
831-646-6496
Website
(Pub)
Duffy's Tavern & Family Restaurant
282 High St, Monterey
831-644-9811
East Village Coffee Lounge
498 Washington St, Monterey
831-373-5601
Website
(Open mic & live music nights. Outdoor seating available.)
El Torito Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
600 Cannery Row, Monterey
831-373-0611
Website
(happy hours with half price food)
Epsilon Fine Greek Restaurant
422 Tyler St, Monterey
831-655-8108
Website
(elegant, generous portions)
Esteban Restaurant
700 Munras Ave, Monterey
831-375-0176
Website
(Spanish/Basque tapas)
Full Moon Mandarin Cuisine
429 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-333-1288
Website
Gianni's Pizza
725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey
831-649-1500
Website
(great gelatos, huge calzones)
Indian Summer
220 Oliver St, Monterey
831-372-4744
Website
(Full bar, hookah, and dancing)
International Market & Deli
580 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey
831-375-9451
Koko's Cafe
419 Alvarado St., Monterey
831-375-3777
Website
(Mediterranean food. Offers 10% discount for MIIS students.)
La Sala's Bi-Rite Market & Deli
250 Casa Verde Way, Monterey
831-372-6824
Lallapalooza Restaurant
474 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-645-9036
Website
(great martinis)
Maha's Lebanese Cuisine
470 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-372-8999
Monterey's Fish House
2114 Del Monte Ave, Monterey
831-373-4647
The Mucky Duck
479 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-655-3031
Website
(Bar & music venue)
Ocean Sushi Deli
165 Webster St, Monterey
831-645-9876
Website
Old Fisherman's Grotto
39 Fishermans Wharf, Monterey
831-375-4604
Website
(try the clam chowder in a sourdough bowl)
Old Monterey Cafe
489 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-646-1021
Website
(small, popular, friendly atmosphere)
P.F. Chang's China Bistro
1200 Del Monte Center, Monterey
831-375-0143
Website
(restaurant chain)
Papa Chano's
462 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-646-9587
(Mexican fast food)
Paris Bakery Cafe
271 Bonifacio Pl, Monterey
831-646-1620
Website
Parker-Lusseau Pastries
539 Hartnell St, Monterey
831-641-9188
731 Munras Ave #C, Monterey
831-643-0300
Pelican Pizza
522 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey
831-649-4040
Persian Grill
675 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey
831-372-3720
Peter B's Brewpub & Restaurant
2 Portola Plaza, Monterey
831-649-2699
Website
Petra Cafe
435 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-646-2080
Pizza My Heart
660 Del Monte Center, Monterey
831-656-9400
Website
Plumes Coffee House
400 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-373-4526
Rosine's Restaurant
434 Alvarado St, Monterey
831-375-1400
Website
(popular with locals, great desserts!)
Sandbar & Grill
9 Fishermans Wharf (Municipal Wharf #2), Monterey
831-373-2818
Website
(good prices)
Santa Lucia Cafe
484 Washington St, Monterey
831-333-1111
Website
(German and Italian)
Siamese Bay Restaurant
131 Webster St, Monterey
831-373-1550
Website
Starbucks
316 Alvarado Street, Monterey
831-646-1182
711 Cannery Row, Monterey
831-656-9531
492 Del Monte Ctr, Monterey
831-642-0736
Subway Sandwiches & Salads
195 W. Franklin St, Monterey
831-655-2613
791 Foam St, Monterey
831-655-1141
2440 Fremont St, Monterey
831-655-2613
640 Del Monte Center, Monterey
831-655-1720
296 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey
831-333-1629
Taqueria del Mar
530 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey
831-372-7887
Taqueria del Mar
530 Lighthouse, Monterey, 372-7887
Tarpy's Roadhouse
2999 Salinas Hwy #1 (Highway 68 at Canyon Del Rey), Monterey
831-647-1444
Website
(California cuisine: fancy salads, sandwiches, pasta, catering, banquets, etc.)
Trailside Cafe & Coffee House
550 Wave St, Monterey
831-649-8600
Website
Troia's Market
350 Pacific St, Monterey
831-375-9810
(Freshly made sandwiches, meats, and cheeses. Also sells some Japanese snacks)
Turtle Bay Taqueria
431 Tyler St, Monterey
831-333-1500
Website
(try the bowls!)
17th Street Grill
617 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove
831-373-5474
(wraps, hamburgers, and milkshakes)
Crystal Fish
514 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey
831-649-3474
Website
(sushi bar & restaurant)
Fifi's Bistro Café
1188 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, 372-5325 (mainly French cuisine)
First Awakenings
125 Ocean View Blvd #105, Pacific Grove, 372-1125 (unique brunch entrees)
The Fishwife
789 Trinity, Seaside, 394-2027; 1996 Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove, 375-7107
Joe Rombi's La Mia Cucina
208 17th, Pacific Grove, 373-2416
Matteo's Deli Café
1180 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, 333-1035
Michael's Grill & Taqueria
197 Country Club Gate, Pacific Grove, 647-8654; 265 Reservation Rd., Marina, 884-2568; 1800 NOche Buena Street, Seaside, 394-7910
Pacific Thai Cuisine
663 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, 646-8424 (Located downtown PG. Authentic Thai food, delicious!)
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, 655-3311 (seafood/California cuisine)
Peppers Mexicali Cafe
170 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, 373-6892 (Mexican, Latin American)
Petra Restaurant
477 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove
831-649-2530
Pizza My Way
1157 Forest Ave. #D, Pacific Grove, 643-1111
Red House Cafe
662 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, 643-1060 (Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located in a historic Victorian house in the heart of down town PG.)
Takara Sushi
218 17th, Pacific Grove, 655-2730
Thai Bistro II
159 Central, Pacific Grove, 372-8700
Toasties
Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, 373-7543 (great breakfast!)
Vivoli's Chowder House
127 Central, Pacific Grove, 372-5414
The Works
667 Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, 372-2242
Zócalo
162 Fountain Avenue, Pacific Grove, 373-7911
Em Le's Old Carmel Restaurant
Dolores between 5th & 6th, Carmel, 325-6780 (Second oldest restaurant in Carmel. Known as the "Jewel of Carmel")
The Forge in the Forest
Junipero Avenue and 5th, Carmel, 624-2233 (Nice outdoor pet-friendly seating, they even have a special menu for dogs!)
Jack London's Bar & Grill
Dolores St and 5th, Carmel, 624-2336
Lugano Swiss Cafe
3670 The Barnyard, Carmel, 626-3779 (great atmosphere and fondue)
Rio Grill
101 The Crossroads (Hwy 1 & Rio Rd), Carmel, 625-5436 (Pricey but popular)
Robata Grill and Sake Bar
3658 The Barnyard, Carmel, 624-2643 (pricey, but good Japanese food
Tommy's Wok
Mission Street & Ocean Ave, Carmel, 624-8518 (Tiny restaurant, but amazing food!)
Baan Thai
1760 Freemont, Seaside, 394-2996
The Breakfast Club
1130 Fremont Ave, Seaside, 394-3238 (giant, hearty breakfasts)
El Migueleño
1066 Broadway Ave, Seaside, 899-2199
Ferdi's Creole Restaurant
740 Broadway, Seaside, 394-2244 - (Creole Cajun cuisine)
Ichi-Riki Japanese Restaurant
1603 Del Monte, Seaside, 394-7733
Noodle Bar Restaurant
1944 Fremont St, Seaside, 392-0210
Pho King
1153 Fremont, Seaside, 899-1424 (Vietnamese)
Starbucks
2370 Fremont St, Seaside
831-372-9344
1504 Canyon del Rey Blvd, Seaside
831-393-1835
2160 California Ave, Sand City
831-394-1236
441 Canyon del Rey Blvd, Del Rey Oaks
831-392-1109
Nepenthe
48510 Highway 1, 29 miles south of Carmel in Big Sur, 667-2345 (Breath taking views, great for outdoor seating)
