best places to eat in monterey
best places to eat in monterey
Monterey is a city in California well known for its beautiful beaches and scenic views. Located on the coast of Monterey Bay and nestled between the Pacific Ocean, mountains and canyons is an ideal place for both tourists and locals alike to enjoy over 80 food options. This article will focus on the best restaurants in town along with brief descriptions of each establishment. Monterey is a historic, scenic coastal town 48 miles from San Jose, California. While many tourists flock to Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row to catch some of the finest cuisine the area has to offer, locals know that there are some fantastic restaurants in Monterey, too. Whether you’re searching for California-inspired cuisine or traditional American food, these Monterey restaurants are guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds and your wallet.
Monterey is a beautiful city with a rich history and thriving nightlife. The best places to eat in Monterey are known for their delicious food and friendly service, which are sure to make your trip that much more memorable.
The first place on our list is [restaurant name]. This restaurant has been serving up delicious meals since it opened in the 1950s. With an extensive menu and friendly staff, this is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner.
Another great option for dining out in Monterey is [restaurant name]. This restaurant offers some of the finest seafood dishes around, as well as other traditional favorites like pasta dishes and steaks. The atmosphere at this establishment is casual but elegant, so you can feel comfortable dressing up or coming in casual attire.
If you’re looking for something more upscale while visiting Monterey, then consider checking out [restaurant name]. This fine dining option has been serving up delicious cuisine since it opened its doors back in 1856! They have an extensive wine list featuring some of the best bottles from around the world as well as an excellent selection of beers on tap or by the bottle if preferred instead; however nothing comes
Monterey is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture. If you’re looking for some of the best restaurants in the area, look no further than these top five spots:
- The Fish House: This restaurant is known for its fresh seafood and incredible views. Their menu includes everything from crab cakes to lobster bisque, so you won’t be disappointed.
- Alvarado Street Grill: This restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisine that will make you feel like you’re right in Mexico! The menu has something for everyone, including salads, tacos, enchiladas, and more.
- Café Brioche: This French bakery offers breakfast all day long! If you’re looking for an authentic European experience without having to travel too far from home, this is a great choice for you!
- The Fish Hopper: If you’re craving sushi but don’t want to pay high prices at a fancy restaurant then this place might be just what you need! They offer delicious rolls at great prices every day of the week from 11am-2pm (and again from 4pm-6pm).
- Twist: Located just steps away from the beach in Pacific Grove (which is also worth checking out), this
famous restaurants in monterey
1. Compagno’s Market & Deli
Compagno’s Market & Deli is a neighborhood deli offering classic sandwiches and chips.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Don’t discount the humble aesthetic of this local deli as it’s still one of the top Monterey restaurants.
You can even take them to go and eat them while exploring around town.
What to Eat
Go for either the Torpedo or Italian Sausage sandwich.
The Coast Guard Special is also a great choice.
2. Montrio Bistro
Montrio Bistro is an upscale New American restaurant offering creative dishes and fine wine in a converted firehouse.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Experience fine dining at the heart of town when you eat a meal in this beautiful storefront bistro.
Its spacious, dimly-lit space whose walls are filled with huge artwork and floors littered with white-clothed tables create a modern, fancy atmosphere, perfect for dinner dates.
3. Bistro Moulin
Bistro Moulin is a local upscale bistro serving French cuisine and wine.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
This French cafe is one of the most popular restaurants to try in town for its minimalist but elegant ambiance, and really good French food.
Its cozy, intimate space and clean, bright look make it an awesome location for lunch dates and catch-ups with friends.
What to Eat
Enjoy some Gnocchi Aux Expinards and a bowl of Gratinee A L’oignon for your appetizers.v
4. Esteban Restaurant
Esteban Restaurant is a refined restaurant in Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa offering Spanish and Mediterranean fare.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Enjoy a warm, resort-style meal when you dine in this place, a top vote for the best restaurants downtown.
Its dining room is designed with creams, beiges, and wood details which really sell a welcoming atmosphere.
You could also choose to dine out and sit on the light-wood garden sets under the warm sun.
What to Eat
Start with the Crispy Pulpo and share the Traditional Patatas Bravas with your table.
For your main entree, go for the El Rancho Paella and a glass of Siesta Thyme.
top eats in monterey
Ground lamb pies at Beijing Pie House
Beijing Pie House is a staple San Gabriel Valley restaurant, known famously for its puck-sized xian bing meat pies. The Monterey Park location is a corner strip mall affair tucked under a glowing red neon sign; inside the colorful focus is on the ordering counter, where eager fans wait impatiently for plates full of pies. The most famous are the lamb and green onion/beef and green onion combos, though there are vegetarian options, steamed dumplings, noodles, and appetizers to boot. Save the money for those burnished brown dough disks stuffed with meat, though, because they’re truly the star of the show and among the best single bites one can find in Monterey Park. 846 E. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park. —Farley Elliott
Sweet silken tofu at V.P. Tofu
Silken tofu served warm and sweet is a soothing dessert with endless appeal. While you can find this Chinese delicacy at just about any restaurant serving dim sum, V.P. Tofu in Monterey Park makes the best version around. With its smooth texture and clean, mild taste, tofu can take on flavors like few ingredients can. Try it with a ginger syrup that’s as sweet as it is spicy. There’s also a pandan version that’s minty green in color and topped with creamy coconut milk. The pandan’s unmistakable fragrance transports taste buds straight to Southeast Asia. 237 South Garfield Ave., Monterey Park. —Cathy Chaplin
Pork crab dumplings at Mama Lu’s Dumpling House
As one of Southern California’s most recognizable and smile-worthy names, Mama Lu’s Dumpling House is an institution that produces solid Chinese food. With two typically packed locations in Monterey Park, the kitchen cranks out favorites like salted fish and chicken fried rice, ginger and scallion with lamb, and saucy beef wraps all day long. But it’s called Mama Lu’s Dumpling House for a reason, and the dumplings are the restaurant’s showstopper. If ordering the crab and pork dumplings for the first time, sit back and marvel at these perfectly shaped little discs. The Mama Lu’s team spent years creating flavorful dumplings with incredible texture. They’re compact and filled with piping hot liquid, with pan-fried options that have a crispy outer layer. The crab lends a soft, salty, and slightly sweet layer to the dumpling. But don’t bite in too quickly. One false move, and broth is suddenly on clothing or dripping down chins. This could be unpleasant, so prepare by giving them a few moments to cool, using a spoon to break the dough or just endure the pain. 153 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park. —Mona Holmes
Fried chicken at Tokyo Fried Chicken
It’s entirely possible that, even within the broad spectrum of greater Los Angeles, the best fried chicken can be found in Monterey Park. More than a few folks have come away from a meal at Tokyo Fried Chicken convinced that its bird is the juiciest, shatteringly crispiest kind to be found, thanks to a proprietary batter and process that results, as the late Jonathan Gold said, in chicken that is “well-marinated, triple-fried, with brittle, almost translucent skin.” Lines still queue up early for the simple multi-piece meals, offered with house-made ponzu sauces on the side, as well as side dishes like coleslaw, cold tofu, or curry creamed corn. Meals scale up easily for larger groups, with the price still hovering around $15 per person. 122 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park. —Farley Elliott
Pineapple buns at Delicious Food Corner
There’s something for every mood and occasion at Delicious Food Corner, Monterey Park’s decade-old Hong Kong-style cafe. Breakfast-goers can’t resist huge bowls of porridge brimming with pork and preserved eggs, and freshly steamed rice rolls in a puddle of sesame and soy. Lunch-goers tuck into minced pork served over rice and simple sautéed greens, while the dinner crowd shares platters of fried squid and grilled steaks with black pepper sauce. Perfect anytime of day are the pineapple buns, served two to an order, split through the center, and tucked with a luscious pat of salted butter. The warm buns melt the butter just so, making each bite supremely sweet and rich. 2329 S. Garfield Ave., Monterey Park. —Cathy Chaplin
Carne asada torta at Cook’s Tortas
Monterey Park sandwich staple Cook’s Tortas is much more than just a place for meat and bread. For starters, the menu inside the small restaurant is massive, hovering around 25 sandwiches only plus another dozen or more sides, salads, desserts, and drinks like daily agua frescas. There are classic Mexican-style sandwiches like the carne asada, shown here, as well as achiote-rubbed cochinita pork and classic breaded cutlets for milanesas. It’s easy to see the place’s direct appeal to a maximum amount of customers, which is precisely why the family-owned restaurant has just signed up to franchise with new locations across the country. More and more, it’s looking like the next decade could be a big one for this Monterey Park original. 1944 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park. —Farley Elliott
