Buyer's GuideCarmelCarmel ValleyMarinaMontereyPacific GrovePebble BeachSeaside August 11, 2026

Where to Eat on the Monterey Peninsula

A Local Restaurant Guide for New Residents

 

New to the Peninsula? Start here. This is not a complete restaurant directory—just a practical shortlist of places worth knowing, organized by what you are looking for.

 

Memorable Dinners

  • Aubergine, Carmel-by-the-Sea

  • Cultura Comida y Bebida, Carmel-by-the-Sea

  • Yafa, Carmel-by-the-Sea

  • Mission Ranch Restaurant, Carmel

  • Cella, Monterey

  • Stokes Adobe, Monterey

  • Maligne, Seaside

Italian, Pasta, and Pizza

  • Casanova, Carmel-by-the-Sea

  • Pèppoli, Pebble Beach

  • Hops & Fog Brewing Company, Pacific Grove

  • Il Vecchio, Pacific Grove

  • Midici, Monterey

  • Tricycle Pizza, Seaside

Mexican

  • Hay’s Place, Pebble Beach

  • Aquino’s Birrieria, Pacific Grove

  • El Cantaro, Monterey

  • El Padrino Oaxaqueña, Seaside

  • Baja Cantina, Carmel Valley

Asian

  • Akaoni, Carmel-by-the-Sea

  • Pacific Thai Cuisine, Pacific Grove

  • Ttobongee Chicken, Korean
  • Chopstix Vietnamese Restaurant, Monterey and Seaside

  • Baan Thai, Seaside

  • Maido Sushi Café, Marina

  • New Korea Restaurant, Marina

  • Indus, Marina

Seafood

  • Passionfish, Pacific Grove

  • Wild Fish, Pacific Grove

  • Fishwife, Pacific Grove

  • Monterey Fish House, Monterey

  • Oystertown, Monterey

Burgers and Casual Favorites

  • Rio Grill, Carmel

  • Rudolfo’s, Pacific Grove

  • Snack Shack, Pacific Grove

  • Lucy’s on Lighthouse, Pacific Grove

  • Other Brother Beer Company, Seaside

Breakfast and Brunch

  • Crema, Pacific Grove

  • Red House Café, Pacific Grove

  • Winston’s, Pacific Grove

  • First Awakenings, Monterey

  • Old Monterey Café, Monterey

Sweet Stops

  • Colette’s Ice Cream, Pacific Grove

  • The Ice Cream Shoppe, Pacific Grove

  • Revival Ice Cream, Monterey

  • Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, Monterey

  • Rosine’s Restaurant, Monterey