Monterey Travel Forum

What is the best restaurant(not touristy) to get fresh seafood at a reasonable price? Where do the locals go? :-)

Thanks,
M

On the old pier all the way down on the end on the left is a place called Abolanetti's. Calamari is always the best because it is caught right there. I can not spell bulliabaise. but they have the best. roccof1fan

When I was a local in Monterey I ate at Sea Harvest, on Foam St. (about 6 blocks over and a few blocks up the hill from the Aquarium).

I agree, we go to Sea Harvest frequently. Monterey Fish House is also great, located on Del Monte, next to NPS. FishWife on Sunset Drive near Asilomar is good and is usually quite full so there's often a wait. The other one we go to occasionally (good food, so-so service) is the Sandbar and Grill located on Commercial Wharf. If you're looking for something a little fancier, PassionFish on Lighthouse Ave in Pacific Grove is good.

Have fun on your trip to Monterey. We were socked in with fog most of last week but it's been brightening up the last few days!

Hello

Checkout;
Passion Fish
701 Lighthouse Ave
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 655-3311

Not at all touristy, and favoured by local residents at weekends. Good Food, Good Value and Good Atmosphere!


Best wishes

Well, many locals go to Lattitudes at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, owned by Chef Tene Shake,"America's Chef". There are a Sunset Dinner Specials from 4-6 pm, mon-fri. Remember if a restaurant is open for lunch, the same dishes may be offered at lower prices that are offered at dinner. As mentioned, Fishwife, also in Pacific Grove is a favorite and one of the best. I have both restaurants reviewed on my Pacific Grove pages.

I agree with the positive comments about the Fishwife. Also, if you feel like venturing a little north to the small coastal town of Moss Landing, you should have lunch at Phil's. Moss Landing has seemingly endless sand beaches and several antique stores, as well as a picturesque working harbor.

I have a buddy who is a Monterey County Deputy Sheriff and he told me the locals go to the airport cafe. I have been there twice, but not recently, for lunch and it was very good and very reasonable. If you like to watch the rich and famous land in their private jets the view isn't bad either. My calamari sandwich was 1/2 inch thick.

I only did lunch so not sure how the dinner might be. I think it is called the "Golden Tee."

As you have heard the Fish Wife and the place mentioned above on the commercial fishing pier are good and frequently overlooked by tourists. I beleive there used to be two Fish Wifes one on Cannery Row and one over by Asilimar. The one by Asilimar was supposed to be better.

I would forego anything on the other "tourist" pier, except the Fisherman's Grotto used to be pretty good.

I definately like Phil's in Moss Landing, Sea Harvest near Cannery Row, and Passionfish & Fish Wife in Pacific Grove, but if I had to pick just one locals-only seafood place in town it would be the Monterey Fish House on Del Monte Ave about a 1/2 mile from downtown toward Seaside/Sand City. Not touristy at all since it's not on the Wharf or Cannery Row, always good service, and great seafood at good prices. Grilled oysters are outstanding, and the lunch specials are always good. Your only problem might be parking.

Joe