Here are our top picks for dinner in Monterey, selected by our editors.
Bistro Moulin
867 Wave Street, Monterey
831.333.1200
If pressed to present a go-to date spot for the Monterey region, this would be it. That’s the level of welcome from Wine Director Colleen Manni and French chef-owner Didier Dutertre and interplay of wine guidance, bang for your buck, seasonal Parisian-leaning food and picture book bistro backdrop. The best options are often simple and classic — escargot, coq au vin, moules frites, confit de canard — and the house signature dish, spinach gnocchi, is a must-do. bistromoulin.com
Estéban Restaurant
As the onsite restaurant for Hotel Casa Munras, Estéban Restaurant serves a blend of Spanish and California cuisine, with plenty of rich seafood dishes and house-crafted cocktails. Eating here is also a chance to taste the local flavors of Monterey — ingredients are sourced locally and ensured to be the freshest possible, giving guests an equally beautiful and delicious meal. hotelcasamunras.com/dining
Cella Restaurant & Bar
525 Polk St., Monterey
831.920.1046
A historic space pairs with two star chefs, a strong wine program and modern mixology slate to give Old Monterey a new favorite. The seasonal items from chef-partner Ben Spungin range from grilled Spanish octopus to market oysters to a cavatelli carbonara to a celebrated burger. Great breads from sister spot Alta next door and smart desserts too. Plus Spungin brought on celebrated exec chef Cal Stamenov to elevate everything further. cellarestaurant.com
The C Restaurant + Bar
750 Cannery Row, Monterey
831.375.4800
The soaring windows give way to the adjacent Pacific, and every table and booth has a great sightline. More eye-popping visions appear on the plate. Executive Chef Matt Bolton has been a star chef in the area for a generation, and assembles the thoughtful sustainable seafood dishes to reflect it — from the Dungeness crab pappardelle to the king salmon in mussel-saffron sauce. Located in the Intercontinental Hotel on Cannery Row. thecrestaurant-monterey.com
Gusto Handcrafted Pizza and Pasta
1901 Fremont Blvd, Seaside
831.899.5825
When I named Gusto best new restaurant of the year back in 2015, it was a bit of a coup. People travel from Seaside to eat in Carmel, not vice versa. But the bedroom community known better for taquerias and noodle bars got a sit-down star specializing in authentic Northern Italian-style pizzas like the diavola and carnivora, handmade pastas with rustic sauces like the bolognese and porcini-marscapone, and other treats like chicken parmigiana and slow-braised short rib. gusto1901.com
Heirloom Pizza Co.
700 Cass Street #102, Monterey
831.717.4363
Some might be surprised to see a pizza place on a list with so many upscale spots, but such is the power of HPC’s deep dish pies. Pizzas like the namesake “Heirloom” with garlic, mushrooms, bacon and spinach can be done with Chicago depth — or thin crust — and without gluten. Combined with elements like a good wine list, local and exotic draft beers, fresh and hearty salads, it was enough to make it one of 10 best new Monterey County restaurants of the last decade. heirloompizzapie.com
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove
831.655.3311
Our favorite seafood restaurant by the bay, Passionfish earned an international following for its leadership around sustainable sourcing. But it’s Chef Ted Walter’s creative treatments, and a wine list notable for its rare finds and rare affordability, that make it a local legend. Some tastes to consider: sea scallops in tomato-truffle butter, Saltspring Island mussels in bacon-fennel broth, and an otherworldly Dungeness crab salad-avocado tower with spicy ginger vinaigrette. passionfish.net
The Sardine Factory
701 Wave Street, Monterey
831.373.3775
The icon that really made Cannery Row a culinary destination continues to be run by the families who founded it, and remains required viewing. The bar lounge area, dining rooms and cellar are as memorable as they come aesthetically, and the Factory has been around so long the food (like the abalone bisque, Pacific sand dabs, filet and lobster tail) are perhaps taken for granted by now. The Wine Spectator-celebrated wine list and double happy hour certainly are not. sardinefactory.com
Stokes Adobe
500 Hartnell St., Monterey
831.264.8775
One of the most storied properties in the region — and home to generations of famous restaurants, from Gallatin’s to Restaurant 1833 — has found fresh expression, and Michelin mention. The welcoming spaces of the historic home and spacious fire-pitted patio set the mood; truffle chicken, kampachi crude and Australian Wagyu bavette steak provide the caloric comfort. facebook.com/stokesadoberestaurant