First Awakenings
A reliably hearty breakfast before the aquarium or an early Point Lobos start.
Best for: Breakfast, Monterey
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Restaurants in Monterey
Good meals are easier to enjoy when they belong to the day you already have planned. These Monterey restaurants are grouped by area, so lunch and dinner do not send you across town for no reason.
Where to eat in Monterey
Use the area notes to keep meals close to the parts of Monterey you will already be exploring. The destination guide can help you shape the rest of the day around them.
Old Fisherman's Wharf and Downtown
Crema
A small downtown coffee and breakfast stop when you want pastry and espresso rather than a big meal.
Best for: Breakfast, Monterey
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
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Sandbar & Grill
An easy wharf lunch after a boat trip or downtown harbor walk.
Best for: Lunch, Monterey
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Compagno's Market & Deli
Compagno's Market & Deli is a sandwich pickup for a trailhead, scenic drive, or beach picnic day.
Best for: Lunch, Monterey
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Loulou's Griddle in the Middle
A harborfront diner-style lunch for visitors who want the wharf atmosphere without a formal meal.
Best for: Lunch, Monterey
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Montrio Bistro
Montrio Bistro is a downtown dinner in a former firehouse that feels like a real evening plan.
Best for: Dinner, Monterey
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
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Cella Restaurant
A calm Italian-leaning downtown splurge for one long dinner.
Best for: Dinner, Monterey
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
restaurant$$$Reserve ahead
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Whaling Station Steakhouse
A classic steakhouse choice for a group dinner near the harbor.
Best for: Dinner, Monterey
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
restaurant$$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site Cannery Row and Aquarium District
Wave Street Cafe
Wave Street Cafe is a Cannery Row breakfast choice that keeps an aquarium morning easy.
Best for: Breakfast, Monterey
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Hula's Island Grill
A casual Cannery Row lunch with enough menu range for groups.
Best for: Lunch, Monterey
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The Sardine Factory
An old-school Cannery Row dinner with more atmosphere than subtlety. Go for the room and occasion.
Best for: Dinner, Monterey
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
restaurant$$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site Pacific Grove and Asilomar
Red House Cafe
A Pacific Grove breakfast worth using before Lovers Point.
Best for: Breakfast, Monterey
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restaurant$$
Visit official site Carmel and Point Lobos
Carmel Belle
A light Carmel breakfast that keeps a beach afternoon from starting too heavy.
Best for: Breakfast, Monterey
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Katy's Place
The classic Carmel breakfast play when pancakes and a familiar start sound more fitting than optimization.
Best for: Breakfast, Monterey
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Dametra Fresh Mediterranean
A Carmel lunch with more flavor and more fitting pacing than another quick waterfront stop.
Best for: Lunch, Monterey
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Casanova
A character-rich Carmel dinner for travelers who want the meal to feel like a keepsake.
Best for: Dinner, Monterey
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
restaurant$$$Reserve ahead
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Mission Ranch Restaurant
A Carmel dinner with pasture-and-bay views worth timing for late light.
Best for: Dinner, Monterey
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
restaurant$$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site Pebble Beach and 17-Mile Drive
The Bench
A Pebble Beach lunch stop for the day you are already on 17-Mile Drive.
Best for: Lunch, Monterey
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
restaurant$$
Visit official site Plan the rest of your Monterey trip
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Menus, opening days, and reservation policies change. Check the restaurant directly before making plans. Last destination review: 2026-08-13.