Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Pacific Grove

11 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Schooners Monterey restaurant

1. Schooners Monterey

4.6

Exceptional(3036)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Monterey

Booked 33 times today

Schooners, suspended over the waters of Monterey Bay, is a stunning restaurant featuring sustainable seafood and approachable, contemporary American cuisine. The ideal location for celebrating the Central Coast and the spectacular coastal region, the Schooners team commitment to fresh, sustainable seafood is reflected in the creative menu which features a variety of seafood options, both raw and cooked, as well as appetizers, soups, salads and main courses. A creative cocktail menu is served alongside an impressive wine list highlighting Monterey County vintners.

2. Sardine Factory

4.7

Exceptional(4980)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Monterey

Booked 49 times today

Every city has that one can’t miss restaurant, where celebrities feel at home and every other guest feels like a celebrity. Since October 2, 1968, The Sardine Factory’s cachet has made dining in our historic Cannery Row setting a tradition for world leaders, sports heroes and entertainment icons. Our award-winning chefs prepare delectable creations of fresh, sustainable seafood and USDA Prime Aged Beef; winner of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s "Best Wine List in America" award. The Lounge’s live entertainment, Happy Hour and affordable menu are a casual alternative to our other dining rooms. Celebrating over 50 years under the same ownership and management! Voted "Best Restaurant in Monterey" by Monterey County Herald readers.

A photo of Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point restaurant

3. Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point

4.6

Exceptional(4321)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Pacific Grove

Booked 23 times today

Casual California dining overlooking scenic and historic Lovers Point Beach.

4. Fish Hopper

4.5

Awesome(3768)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Monterey

Booked 19 times today

Experience the beauty of the Pacific Ocean combined with world-class dining on historic Cannery Row, just a short walk from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The newly renovated Fish Hopper, housed in an original sardine cannery building, offers spectacular views of the stunning Monterey Bay from every table, including our heated outdoor patio. The Fish Hopper specializes in fresh, sustainable seafood, certified Angus beef, pastas, and live shellfish. Our seafood is either locally caught or shipped in fresh daily, and our produce is locally grown in the Salinas Valley. Some favorites include fresh Monterey Bay abalone, macadamia-crusted halibut, our famous “Tomahawk Chop” bone-in rib eye, and fresh Dungeness crab. Start your meal with our award-winning clam chowder, and indulge in one of our many exotic cocktail creations or a selection from our extensive wine collection. While enjoying your delicious meal, you can watch sea otters at play and even catch a glimpse of the occasional whale.

A photo of Old Fisherman's Grotto restaurant

5. Old Fisherman's Grotto

4.8

Exceptional(1646)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Monterey

Booked 25 times today

Nestled on the historic Fisherman's Wharf, overlooking the picturesque Monterey Harbor, Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a must-visit dining destination. Renowned worldwide for its exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and charming ambiance, the Grotto offers a culinary experience like no other. Our menu showcases fresh seafood sourced sustainably, USDA prime beef, and an extensive wine selection with over 200 choices recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine. With a commitment to providing an intimate dining atmosphere, we enforce a zero-tolerance policy for excessive noise levels, ensuring a pleasant experience for all our guests. We kindly ask patrons to keep noise levels moderate to respect others' dining experiences.

A photo of The Whaling Station Steakhouse restaurant

6. The Whaling Station Steakhouse

4.6

Exceptional(2440)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Monterey

Booked 25 times today

The internationally acclaimed Whaling Station Steakhouse, perched just above Steinbeck’s Cannery Row has been Monterey County’s #1 Steak House for over 50 years, The Whaling Station takes the term “Steakhouse” seriously...Select your USDA Prime cut of the USA’s finest beef from a silver tray or enjoy our slow-roasted USDA Prime, Prime Rib. An award-winning wine list and full spirits bar compliment your dining experience. Serving Dinner and cocktails from 4:30pm daily. The Bar at The Whaling Station Steakhouse has its own menu and its own local following, with drink specials and lively conversation served nightly. Parking in our private lot. A private, 50-seat banquet room is also available.

A photo of El Torito - Monterey restaurant

7. El Torito - Monterey

3.9

Excellent(1216)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Monterey

Booked 15 times today

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

8. Dametra Cafe

4.7

Exceptional(243)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Carmel

Booked 28 times today

Dametra Cafe is a hot spot in Carmel due to its vibrant atmosphere and delicious Greek cuisine. Customers rave about the high-quality food, friendly service, and engaging environment. The restaurant is consistently packed with its live music and energetic ambiance. One reviewer even mentioned that the restaurant 'erupts into a middle eastern dance party', making it an unforgettable dining experience.

A photo of Il Fornaio - Carmel restaurant

9. Il Fornaio - Carmel

4.5

Awesome(2279)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Carmel

Booked 19 times today

Il Fornaio - Carmel is a hotspot due to its authentic Italian cuisine and excellent service. Reviewers rave about the 'fabulous food and service', 'delicious food', 'excellent service and great food', and 'real authentic Italian cuisine'. The restaurant also boasts a 'Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list' and a menu that includes 'wood-fired rotisserie and grilled meats', 'pizzas from an oak wood burning oven', and 'fresh salads and house made soups'. The ambiance and atmosphere of the restaurant are also highly praised, making it a favorite among locals and visitors.

A photo of Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette restaurant

10. Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette

4.6

Exceptional(1294)

Price: Moderate

• Unspecified • Marina

Booked 18 times today

Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette is a highly-rated upscale seafood restaurant in Marina, CA. Reviewers rave about the 'delicious food and cocktails', 'excellent service', and 'great atmosphere'. The live show kitchen and oyster bar are definite crowd-pleasers. The 'beautiful' setting and 'outstanding' food are mentioned frequently. It's clear this place is a top choice for seafood lovers seeking an exceptional dining experience.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
Steve
California Central Coast •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We have been coming to the Fish Hopper Restaurant for many years. We love the locals menu. It is a great value without sacrificing quality. The macadamia crusted local halibut is also a favorite. Thank you Sabu!
More info
Fish HopperPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Monterey
•
4.5
D
Dennis
California Central Coast •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Hands down, there is no finer restaurant on Fishermans Wharf in Monterey, CA. From our appetizer to our dessert, our dinner was exquisite! Our server, Tara, was fantastic in every way. She was friendly and made menu recommendations for us to consider based on what guests at her other tables were raving about earlier in the evening. We were treated as if we were the only diners in the restaurant. The food she delivered to our table was artfully arranged and worthy of taking numerous photos to remember this most perfect dining experience.
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Old Fisherman's GrottoPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Monterey
•
4.8
K
kateVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •81 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
An absolutely beautifully designed restaurant. You are on the waterfront and the lights are glowing. Well fed,beautifully served,all is well.
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Beach House Restaurant at Lovers PointPrice: Moderate• Californian• Pacific Grove
•
4.6
G
Gina
Sacramento / Sacramento Valley •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
First time to Schooners and we all enjoyed it so much! Great view, good service and excellent food. We went in for a late lunch. Enjoyed the focaccia and seafood tostada for starters. Crab pasta, crab blt and cioppino were all delicious! Will definitely return.
More info
Schooners MontereyPrice: Expensive• Californian• Monterey
•
4.6
B
BruceVIP
California Central Coast •73 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 2, 2025
Fabulous service Delicious wine Superb meal A wonderful evening
More info
Sardine FactoryPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Monterey
•
4.7

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Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Pacific Grove

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11 restaurants available nearby

1. Schooners Monterey

2. Sardine Factory

3. Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point

4. Fish Hopper

5. Old Fisherman's Grotto

6. The Whaling Station Steakhouse

7. El Torito - Monterey

8. Dametra Cafe

9. Il Fornaio - Carmel

10. Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette

See what locals rave about

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