There is a wide variety of incredible eateries on the Monterey peninsula! Seth and Naomi (Alex's parents) created the list below of a few of their favorite restaurants in the area. Bon appétit!


P.S. If you are flying out of Monterey, check-out Woody’s Restaurant & Bar, voted the best airport restaurant in the country! (p.s. It used to be called “The Golden Tee,” and Alex played on their softball team, so we would go there for free post-game ice cream cones. Thanks for allowing us this bit of nostalgia… 😂) -- Seth and Naomi Pollack

Cultura, Comida y Bebida
Probably our most recent fave in Carmel; featuring Oaxacan food; a sweet spot, and reasonably priced (for Carmel).

Stationæry
https://www.thestationaery.com/
Quaint breakfast spot, on the higher end of prices.

Butter House
Hawaiian/filipino food but make it breakfast.

Basil
Wonderful Italian food; good wine; very (golf) friendly staff.

Forge in the Forest
Fun outdoor patio (also seating indoors) and reasonably priced (for Carmel), big chocolate chip cookie dessert in a cast iron skillet is legendary.

Dametra Cafe
Mediterranean food, spirited vibe and if you’re lucky, belly dancing and oud playing.

Rio Grill
A local fave, always love going here; never a bad meal; great artichokes, calamari, and salmon. Good wine list too 🙂


Sea Harvest Market & Restaurant
Best and freshest seafood in town; if you don’t mind a restaurant in a fish market.


Bar Napoli / Little Napoli
If you’re not too hungry, Bar Napoli happy hour serves some fun small bites (meatball lollipops are yum); dinner at Little Napoli is a bit more pricey.


Star Bar at Vesuvio’s
Another happy hour Italian spot (same owner as Bar Napoli -direct from Italy via Hoboken, NJ), but this one is rooftop; dinner is a bit more pricey.


Pizza Heaven
The newest pizza place in town; people love it.


Tommy’s Wok
A Carmel institution for Chinese; would be great for take-out.

Cafe Guarani
More casual with great empanadas!


Corkscrew

Great pizza, yummy fries and mussels and a wonderful outdoor patio. The owners are well-known local winemakers.

Café Rustica

A bit more pricey; always delicious and fresh

Alejandro’s 
A recent discovery, delicious (a bit upscale) Mexican food 


Mon Trio
An established local eatery. We haven’t been there in a few years, but used to enjoy eating at the bar :) 

First Awakenings
Local favorite breakfast spot. It’s incredible!

Esteban (located in Casa Munras Hotel)
Fun and tasty tapas and small plates; everything is delicious; was our fave during COVID


Lala Grill (two locations; Del Monte shopping center or Cannery Row)
Nothing fancy. The one at Del Monte used to be our family fave local diner.


Papa Chano’s
Alex & Luis’ fave Monterey burrito (for every meal) for take out. 


Alvarado Street Brewery (two locations: Alvarado Street in Monterey, and Carmel Plaza
Seth’s fave spot for a beer and a burger. Naomi likes the Med salad. 


Ad Astra Bread Co.
Our fave bakery with great pastries and lunch sandwiches. Good coffee too!


Field Work/Chipotle
Picnic tables outside for great beer; bring in any of your own fave food -Chipotle is next door.


Osteria Al Mare
Seth’s ocean view fave; excellent northern Italian food, with even more excellent ocean viewing from the Coast Guard pier.

Passionfish

Last but very much not least; this is a wonderful, sustainable, award-winning fish-featuring restaurant; a definite fave.