🇺🇸 A Foodie’s Guide to Monterey | The Bay Area’s Backyard

This is the final installment of our coastal town dining series! 🏝️ Hope you all have a blast exploring and eating! 🍻 . Monterey Famous for the scenic 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach 🏝️, the educational Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the charmingly retro downtown and Fisherman’s Wharf ⚓️ — it’s a classic stop along Highway 1. Nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea feels like a fairy tale 🏰, with cute cottages and gardens at every turn — arguably the most artistic small town in California! . 🍽️ Food Recommendations 🔸 Old Fisherman’s Grotto A long-standing Italian seafood spot on Monterey’s wharf. Famous for its rich and generous Clam Chowder — seriously huge bowls! Though it’s in a tourist area, prices are fair — crab 🦀 and other seafood are even cheaper than in the Bay. Note: They don’t allow strollers or high chairs and aren’t kid-friendly if your little ones are noisy. 🔸 Montrio Bistro Housed in a historic fire station 🚒, this classic American bistro won’t disappoint. You can’t go wrong with the braised short rib or steak 🥩. 🔸 Sardine Factory That ship 🚢 and sardine can banner on the main street? Not an actual factory — it’s this beautiful restaurant! Decorated in Victorian style with a gorgeous glass conservatory and even a wine cellar 🍷, it’s perfect for weddings or private events. 🔸 Dametra Cafe A beloved Mediterranean restaurant in Carmel — once ranked #12 in the U.S. on Yelp! They’re known for their delicious lavash bread 🫓, hummus, and Greek gyros 🥙, but the real magic is the owner/chef who often sings and plays guitar! The service is warm and generous — if you wait too long, they might offer free pita and hummus. Not sure which wine to choose? They’ll let you sample it first. . Missed our guides to Sausalito or Half Moon Bay & Santa Cruz? Check earlier posts on our page! If you have a free weekend — hit the road! 😆 #California #CaliforniaLife #VisitCalifornia #BayAreaWeekends #BayAreaFood #MontereyEats