Monterey & Carmel Food Recommendations 🍴🌊

No light trip around the Bay Area is complete without good food! After a stroll along the coast with the sea breeze in your hair, popping into a restaurant to refuel is the perfect way to pause and savor the journey. Let’s continue with some more spots worth mentioning, starting with this one in Monterey～ 📍 Monterey’s Fish House ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5) Tucked away in Monterey’s coastal area, this spot isn’t the most eye-catching from the outside, but step inside and you’ll find a fair share of local diners—likely a go-to casual seafood joint for folks in the neighborhood. The decor leans into laid-back American vibes, with ocean-themed artwork on the walls and occasional glimpses of sparkling water through the windows, making it a cozy enough spot to rest your feet after exploring. ✅ Recommended: Fried Calamari 🦑 is definitely the star here! Served piping hot, it’s coated in a perfectly thin, golden batter that crackles when you bite into it. The squid inside is tender yet springy—no rubbery texture here—with a subtle briny sweetness. Dip it in the accompanying tartar sauce or a squeeze of lemon, and it’s refreshingly non-greasy, easy to keep munching on. Hands down the highlight of the meal! ⚠️ Just Okay: Sicilian Holiday Pasta 🍝 is a bit of a letdown. Expecting rich Sicilian flavors, the sauce feels inconsistent—first a burst of tomato tang, then a puzzling bitter note halfway through, with no clear harmony. The pasta itself is on the softer side, making the whole dish underwhelming. Fresh Oysters arrive on a bed of ice, looking promising, but they’re lacking in plumpness. The flesh is somewhat firm, missing that melt-in-your-mouth sweetness, and there’s a faint overpowering brininess that even lemon or sauce can’t quite mask. Just… average. 📌 Summary: It’s not a must-visit gem, but not a total flop either. If you’re in the area and craving fried calamari, it’s worth a stop—the squid alone makes it worthwhile. But don’t go out of your way for it; overall, it’s just okay, best for those looking to rest their legs without high expectations for the meal～ #Monterey #Carmel