Jennifer Miller

My mom and I enjoyed our meal. We had a lovely view of the water during our lunch. We started off with the Calamari which was lightly breaded. I got the Lazy Man’s Cioppino and she got the Grilled Combination Plate. Both were delicious!

Katherine Howell

With how touristy the area is, I was very surprised with the food quality and service. Tara was our server and she was one step ahead of us! She was great and the food was so fresh and delicious. Highly recommend

+3

Food and service are great. Their calamari, shrimp and crab cake sampler was delicious. The crab ravioli as well as the ultimate seafood rissoto which has salmon, shrimp, scallops and lobster was good especially the scallops. Shrimp was a little bland but over all good. The clam chowder was good. Not out of this world as you might expect since theyve been known for it for years. I wouldn't recommend their mixed drinks. Lastly they bring a rose to your significant other so thats a big plus for anyone thinking of going for their anniversary.

hangnath64 hangnath64

Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a great place with lot of options on the menu. They are famous for theirs clam chowder so I took that. The presentation of the dish is very cool and fancy. You can have it in a bread bowl or in a clam shaped bowl. They only have inside sitting and in booths of 4 persons on the second floor. I recommend to reserve a table if you do not want to wait in line on rush hours.

The best clam chowder ever! Great fish and chips light and fluffy with crispy firs. you get four large pieces of the best fish and chips which will melt in your mouth, enough to share if you had clam chowder too. Best place to eat on Old Fisherman’s Warf in Monterey!

ami dhaliwal

Soooo good!! We stumbled across this while walking the pier and it was the best decision! We got a table next the water and luckily dropped in while they had a 25% of bottles of wine happy hour. For starters, ordered the “Monterey-style” clam chowder and calamari. It was the best chowder we’ve had and the calamari was extremely fresh. We could tell the squid was cut in house. We ordered two pastas that were phenomenal with the crab ravioli being our favorite. They surprised us with a free dessert!! Everything is reasonably priced. We highly recommend this place

Gillian P

This place is absolutely delicious. We came to dinner here on our vacation and this was definitely the best food we had in Monterey. The waitstaff are excellent and the ambiance feels very upscale. The oysters and Black Forest cake were especially good. The waiter also brings out a rose for the women at the table before you leave. We had a great dinner here and will definitely be back during our next Monterey trip!

Maribel Lopez

My family came here for a Christmas Eve dinner, and it was exceptional. I made reservations online a few days before. My party of four was seated in a beautiful booth that overlooked the water. The restaurant had twinkle lights and garland strung about, which made the restaurant feel jolly and festive. Our server Iman, was so attentive and warm - he made us feel like old friends. We started with warm bread and good butter, their fried calamari, and a house salad with fresh carrots and beets - so fresh! The owner came by our table and greeted us, and that felt like such a special touch. My daughters and I ordered the chicken parm -one of the best chicken Parmesan and pasta dishes ever! My husband enjoyed a soy maple steak. Of course, I stole a bite, and it was perfectly cooked and came with the creamiest potatoes I've ever had. We finished our meal with one of the yummiest and most beautifully decorated crème brûlée desserts ever. Oh, and did I mention my daughters and I each received long-stem roses - so sweet! We will definitely come back the next time we are in Monterey.

Johnny Auyoung

Came here for a birthday dinner on a Monday evening, with a wait of approx 30-40 mins for a party of two. Food is a little pricey but it's kinda to be expected with seafood, and we had a great experience. It was a cold night so the best thing I got was a mug of hot water haha, that was comforting. Oysters were very fresh, no sand or crunch! The Chowder is popular and definitely very good. The seafood sampler had some delicious crab cake topped with sweet mango. The Captain's plate was a fair portion with one tender peeled lobster tail. The plate of Cioppino was larger than expected and this is what she was craving for!--only to eat maybe 30% of it before we got full and decided to take it home. Everyone, especially our server, was very nice. Angel was knowledgeable with recs, and attentive with regular check-ins without being over the top. His service was quick, clean, and genuine. Ambiance was dimly lit for date night or other occasions. And ladies can leave with a complimentary rose!

Travis Dillard

The most amazing restaurant in history - from a foodie who's been to 49 states and many countries. I have been coming to The Grotto for over 10 years and have brought at least 20 guests - all of whom were enamored. The food is amazing and consistently delicious. The wait staff is friendly and operates as a well-oiled machine. They are so efficient and understand the proper cadence of fine-dining. The menu is thoughtfully constructed and affordable. Chris and his family are very kind and welcoming and are always lovely to see. The dining environment is classy and very cozy and the staff works hard to ensure everyone can enjoy a relaxing experience. We are so lucky to have such an incredible experience in Monterey.

Last December 29, after a whale-watching trip with our family, we stopped by the famous Old Fisherman’s Grotto for lunch — and it was a perfect choice. The waterfront views were beautiful, the seafood was delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly. We left tired but happy, with most of us dozing off on the ride home. About ten days later, my daughter realized her Sony camera was missing. It had been a gift for her 16th birthday and held countless cherished memories, so she was understandably devastated. After reviewing photos from our phones, we suspected it was lost at the restaurant. We contacted them, but initially, no camera had been reported. Just as we were losing hope, The restaurant Supervisor Maria Cabrera called to let us know they had found it. Because it was valuable, they had stored it separately — a level of care that truly impressed us. When we returned to Monterey to pick it up, Maria instantly recognized my wife’s voice and warmly said, “Follow me — let’s get your camera!” That moment meant everything to our family. We celebrated with a second wonderful meal at the restaurant, this time served by Esteban M, and left knowing we’ll be back many more times! If you’re visiting Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a must — not just for the food and views, but for the genuine kindness of the people who work there. Thank you again, Maria Cabrera! It was so nice to have met you!

+2

My daughters were each given a rose, and they were absolutely overwhelmed with emotion. After such a lovely meal overlooking the beach and a glass of wine, it truly felt magical. This place is an absolute must for a special 🌹 occasion or just because you only live once on this earth!

+3

Sanjay Kar

A must visit for seafood lovers. They had good variety of options and almost each item tastes really good. We visited this place twice already and looking forward to many more. Their clam chowder is one of the best. The salmon, calamari and crab meat was amazing. They have a good amount of waiting time. We waited for around 40 minutes both times we visited. But it is totally worth it once you start tasting their seafood.

+5

If you're visiting Monterey Fisherman's Wharf, Old Fisherman's Grotto is more than just a restaurant — it’s a local landmark. I’ve visited many spots on the wharf, but their hospitality elevates the experience to a new level. **The Service:** From the moment we arrived, the warmth was obvious. Special thanks to Chris, the owner, and Umar Sheikh, the manager. Their hands-on, welcoming approach is rare and made us feel like VIPs. Their attention to detail is reflected in the excellent service from start to finish. **The Food (and Insider Tips!):** The food is outstanding, with fresh seafood and genuine flavors. Here are two insider tips that make this place truly special: 1. **The "To-Go" Hack:** If you're short on time, visit the dedicated Clam Chowder stand outside to grab a bread bowl of their famous chowder. It makes for a great quick lunch while walking the pier. 2. **The Cafe Extension:** They also have a charming cafe across from the restaurant, perfect for coffee or dessert after dining, allowing you to extend the experience with a change of scenery. **Verdict:** Whether for a romantic dinner, a family outing, or just a quick to-go chowder, this restaurant sets the standard in Monterey. Thanks to Chris and Umar for a memorable experience — we’ll definitely return!

+3

Oh my gosh, what a find! We were recommended this place from a colleague and we can't thank her enough! It's a little hard to find parking because it's right at the wharf, but if you can, which we did, you are very lucky and it's convenient. This was our first time here, and walking down the wharf was really great. We made a reservation easily, although you need to leave a credit card, but we were escorted into the door right away and greeted by the host. He was amazing! The family-owned restaurant and from the outside it looks small, but when you walk inside it's huge! We were taken to our table which was right along the window looking out to the water. Perfection. Our server with cell and he is fantastic. Super attentive and really friendly. I can't say enough good things about the service, the Ambiance, the food... everything was perfection. I have the clam chowder in the bread bowl and it was the best I've ever had. No exaggeration. One of us have a shrimp scampi and she raved on and on about it. One of us had the risotto and she said it was absolutely delicious. We were lucky enough to have been gifted and appetizer of calamari and artichoke hearts and they were excellent. I would highly recommend anybody to get those as appetizers. The night ended with us getting a single red rose for each of us, which really made our night! It topped off an already perfect meal. I highly recommend this place to everyone.

+6

This was the BEST dinner out ever!! My husband and I had the dinner for two with the Tomahawk, corn baked potatoes and broccoli. It was beyond delicious! 🤤 So so good!! We had cocktails to celebrate my birthday; I had the Grotto Pineapple; definitely recommend; and my husband had the Zombie. Our waiter was incredible! Very nice and helpful but I forgot his name. He always checked to make sure we were good and if we needed anything. They brought a slice of cheesecake out for my birthday and gave me a single long stem red rose. We can’t wait to come back to eat here again. The experience was just amazing! Definitely recommend; you will not be disappointed. Also with a nice view over the water.

+6

Dinner was amazing. Ruben was awesome and had the best recommendations throughout the night. Old school charm with the best dinner menu on the wharf. Extremely impressed. Reso recommended. For sure will be back!!!

+1

We had a fantastic meal at this restaurant. The fried calamari is slightly different that the norm (in a good way) they top the fried calamari with raw onion...we didn't eat it, but the flavor permeates the calamari and it was delightful! Their clam chowder is top notch. Fish and chips, is breaded and the best breaded fish and chips we'd ever had. Fish of the day as fish tacos was fantastic Pastas we're good. Meatballs were very herbaceous.

+4

Beautiful experience from the warf welcome to the finished meal. Every entree was an excellent chef experience. And the wait servers are all fantastically friendly and caring. They go above and beyond to give you a wonderful meal.

They have the best claim chowder we have ever had anywhere on this planet and we drive hours to get some. We always bring a couple gallons home and freeze it for later. They always have the best service and the food is fantastic.

+1

Definitely date night place. Didn't realize they have no kids menu. They do have a shrimp & chips or a hamburger kids can get. Sal was our sever. Very nice! Garlic Clam chowder bowl, only the top is a garlic bread, not the bowl. Restroom is very nice and clean.

We love the food! The gentleman in a beautiful suit at the front desk was the kindest with a wonderful smile. We found out he is Indian Italian. We are Sicilians and love everything about this place! ❤️ Get a booth and enjoy the view, the food and a great place!

I was very pleased with our experience here on Valentine’s Day evening, where the staff were attentive and friendly. The entire experience was seamless and I felt like I was enjoying a special night without any worry. We did not have to ask for more beverage because they were on it! They refilled our drinks and checked in with us. Timing was great in the service. The ambiance was perfect for the holiday. The food was delicious and the little touches were greatly appreciated. At our table, we had the heart-shaped flower vase with pink/red carnations. At the end of our meal, our server gave me a long-stem red rose for the Valentine’s Day patrons.

Amazing service, Iasais our server was definitely polite and had manners like no other. Helped with some of the recommendations. We ended up getting the seafood platter appetizer which came with calamari 2 prawns & a delicious crab cake! Shared an entree: the seafood 🦞 linguine which had clams, salmon 🐟 and a 4 oz lobster. The sauce was spot on. The clam chowder was to die for!!! Best I've had in a very long time. The flavors of the clam chowder were so delicious. Dipped our bread in it since they don't offer crackers... Understandable. The view & decor is amazing! Love the window seat. They do have an upstairs as well. Came here for Valentine's weekend and was the highlight for food in Monterey. When you initially show up, they provide a beeper and allow you to walk around the pier while you're waiting, great idea! We ended up doing that and taking pictures around the pier, beautiful views! Knocked it off the bucket list and is now one of my favorite restaurants to visit!

+6

The very best meal we ate in Monterey!!!! Every dish at our table was decadent, perfectly balanced, and memorable. Beautiful atmosphere! Attentive service. This place was the whole package. I was a little leery at first because the area seemed to be very touristy, which can foster an inauthentic experience, or low quality. We were happily surprised by this meal/experience. And yes, it was the best clam chowder we’ve ever had and we’ve been to Oregon, and Maine!

Flat out amazing everything here is good and love their policy on kids!!! Wish more places did this!! Service amazing!! Ambiance fantastic Frank Sinatra tunes welcomed us to a relaxed quiet environment and the food was cooked to perfection if you are in the area go.

This place was a little higher price range than I normally look for. But it was a special occasion. It was very nice inside and the staff were very helpful. I ordered the roasted salmon and it was very tasty! I really enjoyed the green beans it came with. They have a wide variety of desserts and we tried the strawberry shortcake.

+6

Best clam chowder. I ate it three days in a row.

+1

Lovely and timesless restaurant on the water, great food and views of the seals on the water. Our group ordered the chowder, salmon sandwich and Asian chicken salad. Everything was delicious.

I recently dined at an exquisite seafood restaurant located right on the wharf in Monterey, and it was nothing short of an exceptional experience. The setting is absolutely stunning, with mesmerizing views of the ocean that perfectly complement the delightful seafood offerings. The highlight of my meal was the seafood paella was simply amazing! Another noteworthy aspect was the portion sizes. The quantity of food was almost too much, providing incredible value for money. It's definitely a place where you come with a big appetite and leave fully satisfied. The service was commendable, with attentive staff who ensured that everything was to our liking. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it an ideal spot for both casual dining and special occasions. Overall, this restaurant offers a great experience combining delicious food, a breathtaking location, and excellent service. It’s a must-visit spot for anyone visiting Monterey or for locals looking to enjoy a superior seafood dining experience.

+1

Our server Brad was amazing. So helpful with the menu options and also things for us tourists to see in the area. The chowder was delicious. The main courses were all great!

I have spent many years in New England, home of the New England Clam chowder, and only recently moved to California. I just have to give this place its props and say that this is the BEST chowder I have ever had in my life. The sourdough bread bowl is genius. I am not over exaggerating when I say a bowl of this chowder will make your entire day and you will be thinking about it in the days to come. Also the restaurant is on the water with beautiful views.

We were given a 10% discount coupon after taking the whale watching trip. I presented it and they couldn't wait to tell me that it was good only if I dine in? Dumb. I quickly handed it to a couple that were walking in so they could take advantage of it. After charging an arm and a leg for everything and also having a gentleman try to shuffle you in as you walk by, they then try to get every penny out of you? Silly but whatever. Had to point it out as we couldn't stop laughing as we hate that hustle feeling. Like we were hustled instead of truly being taken care of. Anyways the food was absolutely amazing. Clam chowder was not the best I have had but definitely in the conversation. The lobster roll was my favorite but it was only a few bites and again for $27 was kind of a bummer. I will just know to buy two next time lol. Haven't had a ton of oysters in my life but these bad boys were amazing! Raw, fresh and large. Checking all the boxes! Also ordered some of their advertised best clam chowder (everywhere down in this area claim to have the best clam chowder.) Will be back for their oysters for sure.

+2

Amazing food, beautiful views, and even better service! We got the Tomahawk meal for 2 and added a half crab, highly recommend! An extra thank you to Pablo for his excellent service and the management and owner for ensuring our experience was nothing but amazing!

Wow! Our experience at Old Fisherman’s Grotto was absolutely incredible for Father’s day. The service was exceptional and all of our food came out unbelievably fast. The staff was also very kind and accommodating (our amazing server was Ricardo). Every single person was very impressed with their dish- from the goat cheese salad, to the clam chowder (which was totally something to write home about), the linguine, the chef’s seafood special. We were blown away! At the end of our meal, they brought my father a complimentary embroidered father’s day hat which was spectacular quality, all of the women at our table got a beautiful red rose, and the owner personally came to ask about our dining experience. We intend to make it a point to come here every time we are in town. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!

High quality food at the most convenient place on the wharf. The slightly heated oyster with lemon butter is a GREAT start. I had ultimate seafood pasta while my partner had ultimate seafood risotto. Lobster and salmon are so tender that I devoured them. Spinach pasta and risotto tastes very special too. We don’t think much of the chowder. The restaurant gives all female customers a rose at the very end. Thanks to our waiter Ruben, we had a great time!

Good food and high customer service, really recommend if you wanna enjoy grilled seafood the nice Ocean view.

First time in Monterey, I asked a buddy where to get the best clam chowder on earth. He said old fisherman‘s grotto. And he was not wrong. The environment, music, view, food, service, was all perfect. Can’t recommend this place enough!

I asked around employees at different shops at the warf and they all recommended this place to have my birthday dinner. the sea food pasta was so good the salmon and lobster has so much flavor. and the waiter surprised me with a birthday cake. Love the entire experience

Wonderful Alaska cod! Atmosphere was lovely, the smells and the fresh yummy treats all around! Go explore, enjoy some shopping!

+6

There are a lot of seafood places in Monterey , None do it better than the Groto ! Most professional waiters on the dock , excellent wine list and the food is amazing. Save room for deserts really over the top. Make time for this place.

It was a quick stop in the area for me and a friend recommended Old Fishermans Grotto. Great food and friendly service. Well deserving of five stars.

+1

We came here on a Sunday afternoon. We had no reservation, but the wait was only 15 minutes. There's so much to see in the area to help pass the time. So it was not a big deal. I was walked to our table by Austin, who introduced himself after our brief but pleasant conversion. I told him that my hubby and friends frequented this place when they're in town, coming from the east coast. I agree that the food is delicious here! We were provided a complimentary appetizer before we even ordered! That was the first surprise. Ruben, our server, was also very attentive. We ordered the dungeness crab, ciopino, the seafood sampler, and cannoli & olallie berry pie for dessert. We wanted to try as much as we could while in town. At the end of dinner, Ruben brought me a rose - the second surprise! How lovely and unexpected! I can attest that the service and a complimentary fresh rose to top our dining experience cemented our perception of this restaurant. We'll definitely come again! Perhaps they'll open a restaurant in Destin, FL! 😉 Thank you for a great dining experience!

We came for the apparently legendary Monterey chowder that’s served here. We had an absolutely wonderful server, Giovanny. He took care of us constantly and made sure our every need was met, he recommended wines for us and was extremely knowledgeable. The food we ordered was absolutely incredible, we got the cheeseburger and paella with cups of clam chowder on the side. The serving sizes were absolutely incredible, and the food, it was delicious. It happened to be my girlfriend’s birthday so they brought a complimentary slice of cheesecake for her. Which don’t get me started on how close to perfect the cheesecake was. If you’re contemplating going, absolutely do it. There’s something for everyone, and if you don’t go for the food, go for these service and ambiance.

Special dish: Ablone! Harvested from pier 1! Talk about fresh! Amazing dish. Might not have tried it but my waiter, Brad W. Made the recommendation and I thank him for that. The artichoke roasted with balsamic was wonderful as well.

Hands down the best clam chowder I've ever had! We stopped by this restaurant last night and were blown away by the flavors. The crab ravioli was also a highlight - highly recommend! But what really made our experience stand out was our waitress, Tara, who was attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. The entire staff was top-notch, providing exceptional service with a smile. And the cherry on top was when Tara surprised me with a beautiful rose at the end of our meal - such a thoughtful and lovely gesture! If you're a seafood lover like me, you owe it to yourself to try this place. Can't wait to come back!

We had the pleasure of being seated by the owners son. This restaurant ambience was so welcoming we had to stay and feast. Our waiter Giovanni was amazing so polite with plenty of personality. We ordered appetizers Fried Shrimp, Oysters on the half shell and Crab Cakes. For our entree we ordered the Grilled Combination Platter, Fish & Chips, Jambalaya and Penne Pasta Alfredo with Grilled Chicken. The food was served pipping hot, fresh and well seasoned with lots of flavor. Hats off to the Head Chef & Sous Chefs We will return when we're in the area. Thanks for sharing such an enjoyable experience.

+6

Excellent clam chowder in the bread bowls, the best in Monterey. Service was excellent and they even gave all the ladies a rose at the end of the meal 🌹 we also watched 3 sea otters in the water from our table

Went after hiking Point Lobos, and it hit the spot. We got a clam chowder in sourdough, the signature ($35 w/ a bit of everything, reference photo), and the Grotto’s pasta ($26). My favorite was the clam chowder and the pasta; I didn’t think the signature was worth the price. Overall, good food, fresh but expensive. I also thought the house Cabernet was sour, but I’m not very knowledgeable w/ wine so take that w/ a grain of salt :)

Food is super tasty. Personal is very friendly. Interior is nice and view is awesome. If I could give 6/5 - I would :) Highly recommend!

It was by far the best experience I have ever had, I went both Friday and Saturday I Met The Father and Son Owners, I Tried A Lot Of Different Types Of Food, I Spent Over $200.00 Both Nights That's How Good The Food Was!!!! It Is My Go To Spot Every Time I Come To Town From Now On!!!!!!

+4

I found this restaurant on Google Maps, and based on the reviews, my husband and I decided to eat here. When we arrived, there was an extra 20 minute wait because we wanted to be seated by the window. If you come to this restaurant you must sit by the window. The views are beautiful. Everything that we ordered was delicious, but you must order the claim chowder. This was the BEST claim chowder that I've ever had, and I've had a lot! It was so good that we purchased some to take home. Our server was also amazing. I highly recommend it!

Nice environment from the bartender who made us exactly what we wanted to Austin who greeted, walked and sat us down with great customer service giving us a little history and comfort along with relaxation with a great view of the water on 2nd floor

+3

Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a must-visit on Monterey’s Cannery Row! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with beautiful waterfront views and a cozy, upscale feel. The clam chowder is hands-down the best I’ve ever had—rich, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. Every dish we tried was fresh and flavorful, especially the seafood pasta and grilled salmon. Service was top-notch; our server was attentive, friendly, and made great recommendations. The menu offers something for everyone, and the quality is consistently excellent. It’s a bit pricier, but absolutely worth it for the experience. I can’t wait to return—highly recommended for any seafood lover!

+1

Seafood of amazing quality and taste, a great wine list, and super welcoming staff. Cheers to Brad for the excellent wine recommendation and funny stories.

+1

The clam chowder here alone gives Old Fisherman's Grotto a 5 star. I would highly recommend the Clam Chowder with the garlic bread bowl (it's the best clam chowder I've ever had).The other food is ok and it can be a bit salty at times. The servers can be a bit inattentive when trying to catch their attention.

We’ve dined at this restaurant twice during our visits to Monterey, and both times have been great experiences. The food is consistently delicious, but this time the standout dish was the goat cheese and beet salad, it was absolutely phenomenal! The service was excellent, friendly and attentive. Plus, the views added to the overall charm of the experience. Overall, it’s a consistently great spot that we look forward to returning to!

+6

My family and I came across this place through yelp… of course we had to come try seafood when in Monterey! The crab was so juicy and fresh, the pastas were delicious, the steak was good as well. There is a waiting area and was able to find lot parking. We also got to enjoy the walk down the pier!

Upon arriving we had a large group and were told we’d have a 25 minute wait but about 10 minutes into waiting we were seated. The view from our booth was great and the food was even better. Our waiter brought out two calamari and shrimp appetizers on the house from the waiter and it was fantastic. I had the skirt steak and it was perfectly marinated and tasty.

We found Old Fisherman’s Grotto on a Google search of best restaurants in Monterey. We read the reviews and that helped with our decision to dine here. We also love to visit old, historic places still doing well. We had an exceptional experience! The food and service were amazing. We even received a complimentary slice of cheesecake for our anniversary.

We had a phenomenal dinner here! High quality food and service. Our server Brad was great. We ordered shrimp scampi and surf and turf. Don’t skip the clam chowder! The food was perfect and great value for what we paid! I enjoyed the view of the bay and watching otters and seals swimming around. Amazing!!

After a day of whale watching, what better place to come! What a great restaurant to come to when you are in the Monterey area. My family and myself have been coming here for many years and it never disappoints. We love the dessert selection at the end of the meal, where you can choose from a variety of Desserts.

+1

My husband and I had a wonderful wedding anniversary dinner. The service and hospitality was amazing! The Maître D Austin was so welcoming, his greeting felt special and personal. Our waiter, Pablo was excellent, his service and food/wine recommendations were perfect! We ordered the Seafood Special for two, everything cooked to perfection! So delicious!! We had a lovely dinner and delicious cheesecake dessert with a rose to celebrate. Really an awesome treat! They definitely know how to make you feel special!

This place was great! The clam chowder and fried calamari was amazing and the service was outstanding. I’m so glad I decided to hang around Monterey for the day instead of driving back home immediately. I visit here often so The Old Fisherman’s Grotto will definitely be added to my list of favorites.

Very good food and service. On the pricey side but well worth it. Loved the seafood and chowder.

Although many restaurants in this area serve the same type of food, for roughly the same price, they are NOT the same in terms of quality, service, and ambiance. I’ve had fine meals all over the world, and this is one of the finest I have ever experienced anywhere. The waitstaff were efficient, their timing impeccable. We did not feel rushed, nor did we feel like we were waiting too long on our order. We had the Oysters on the half shell, amazing! The crab meat tower tasted incredible the ingredients all fresh and well sourced. The clam bake (like clam chowder but with extra ingredients served in a sour dough bowl), was among the best I have ever had. I also had a main dish that was a sampler of Swordfish, Salmon and Shrimp. It tasted great, the purple sweet potatoes were a nice touch. For desert I went with the blueberry bread pudding. It was delicious as well. Given the quality of the meal and the service my wife and I were surprised at how relatively inexpensive our bill was in comparison to many of the high end and not so high end restaurants we have visited, not to mention how much better the food tasted. We will definitely be back!

Amazing dinner with excellent service! The atmosphere is very romantic and pleasant. Absolutely recommended!

The best clam chatter I’ve ever had! My main dish was the linguine Isabella pasta, and it was absolutely amazing! The warm fresh sourdough bread paired with everything! The weight was well worth it!

What a wonderful restaurant on the beach/ocean. The view is amazing. The food was so fresh and delicious. Truly wonderful. If you love seafood and steak. This is your place. The service was amazing.

Robert Smilansky

First time there but it won't be my last. The service, food and atmosphere were exceptional. Iman waiter could not have been any more professional. An unexpected twist was both women at the table. Received a single Rose after dinner. Very memorable.

Ms D

We stopped by here for lunch today, as we’ve heard great things about the clam chowder. It most certainly did not disappoint! The head bowl with garlic butter is especially delicious and incredibly well toasted. Prices are high but it is the wharf, so it comes with the territory. Will return.

Maria Lee

Tara was out server and took really good care of us. The food was amazing. It's pricier than what it used to be but well worth it. The weather was amazing. We got so we seals frolicking in the cove from our window table.

+7

Old Fisherman's Grotto - A Classic Monterey Experience\n\nFrom the moment we arrived at Old Fisherman's Grotto, we were blown away by the service. It truly felt like stepping back in time--every staf…

Second time on Yelp. Everything was GREAT! The food and staff was wonderful, Julius was an excellent server and Mr. Shake, the owner, personally stopped by our table to say hello. We will be coming b…

Second time on Yelp. Everything was GREAT! The food and staff was wonderful, Julius was an excellent server and Mr. Shake, the owner, personally stopped by our table to say hello. We will be coming…

Second time on Yelp. Everything was GREAT! The food and staff was wonderful, Julius was an excellent server and Mr. Shake, the owner, personally stopped by our table to say hello. We will be comi…

Friendly reception. Excellent service from professional and courteous waiter/bus staff. Food was delicious and perfectly presented!

Friendly reception. Excellent service from professional and courteous waiter/bus staff. food was delicious and perfectly presented!

Friendly reception. Excellent service from professional and courteous waiter/bus staff. Food was delicious and perfectly presented!

A true classic. Clam bake was amazing, and the service was fast. My table had a great view, also I loved their music choice. Overall a great experience!

A true classic. Clam bake was amazing, and the service was fast. My table had a great view, also I loved their music choice. Overall a great experience!

A true classic. Clam bake was amazing, and the service was fast. My table had a great view, also I loved their music choice. Overall a great experience!

Delicious food and friendly staff. Service was excellent. Try the clam chowder... it's an old family recipe and it's delicious. They even sell it in cans to make at home. The restaurant itself is…

Delicious food and friendly staff. Service was excellent. Try the clam chowder... it's an old family recipe and it's delicious. They even sell it in cans to make at home. The restaurant itself is w…

The service at Old Fishermans' Grotto is absolutely impeccable every time we dive here. The attention to details, friendliness of the staff, plus the good and drinks. It is always worth the drive. …

I was actually at the Grotto again yesterday . Took my granddaughter who was visiting from out of town for late lunch. Again, the service, the ambiance & the food were fantastic. We thoroughly enjo…

This place is the perfect spot if you are in monterey and looking for a bread bowl! The clam chowder was not too salty which I appreciated a lot. My boyfriend got the chicken penne and he said the …

Service is exceptional. Good ambiance!\nSeafood risotto is really good! Best clam chowder!

This is such a classy place and never disappoints! Delicious food, great wine menu, superb service, and simply lovely ambiance. This is our go-to place with visitors on the Wharf.

Amazing! Food was delicious and service was phenomenal! The view was the cherry on top! I will go back!

Excellent service. Great food. The decor is spectacular. We love the chowder. The bread is very good. One of our favorite places.

The BEST clam chowder, I've ever had! Went today, it was a nice cloudy day and heard amazing things about the Garlic bread Bowl Clam Chowder. From the very first spoonful, I was completely blown aw…

What a charming restaurant :) It is right on the water on Monterey Fisherman wharf and the decor is classy and historic.\n\nThe FOOD - omg, the portions are humongous and yes it's expensive, but fr…

Very delicious! Would definitely return. Everything was such an amazing experience. Our waiter was very nice and attentive.

Very delicious! Would definitely return. Everything was such an amazing experience. Our waiter was very nice and attentive.

Fantastic restaurant on all levels — delicious food, varied menu, superb service, simply lovely ambiance. Consistently excellent. Our Go-to place in the Wharf!

Fantastic restaurant on all levels — delicious food, varied menu, superb service, simply lovely ambiance. Consistently excellent. Our Go-to place in the Wharf!

Fantastic restaurant on all levels — delicious food, varied menu, superb service, simply lovely ambiance. Consistently excellent. Our Go-to place in the Wharf!

Fantastic restaurant on all levels — delicious food, varied menu, superb service, simply lovely ambiance. Consistently excellent. Our Go-to place in the Wharf!

Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a long time favorite of ours for celebrations. The halibut, sole and crab dishes we ordered were all excellently prepared. Isaias and other staff make sure that you will e…

Old Fisherman’s Grotto is a long time favorite of ours for celebrations. The halibut, sole and crab dishes we ordered were all excellently prepared. Isaias and other staff make sure that you will e…

Our son took us here for my birthday lunch today and from the time we walked in until the time we left it was five star. Our waiter Miguel, was spot on and our food was the best seafood we’…

Our son took us here for my birthday lunch today and from the time we walked in until the time we left it was five star. Our waiter Miguel, was spot on and our food was the best seafood we’ve had…

The calamari at this restaurant is the best I have ever tasted. Their clam chowder is award-winning and truly deserves the recognition; it’s creamy and packed with clams and potatoes. We all sh…

Very nice seafood restaurant. Great views, service and food. They gave a long stem rose to each lady at the conclusion of dinner.

My husband and I enjoyed our dinner here during our trip to Monterey and Old Fisherman’s Wharf. My husband enjoyed the delicious crab ravioli and I found the Clam Chowder Bread Bowl to be one …

My husband and I enjoyed our dinner here during our trip to Monterey and Old Fisherman’s Wharf. My husband enjoyed the delicious Crab Ravioli and I found the Clam Chowder bread Bowl to be one of…

Spent a pleasant dinner relaxing and enjoying the view of Monterey Bay. The calimari appetizer was perfect. Our grandson enjoyed the dungeness crab; my wife enjoyed the salmon and I loved the sea…

Spent a pleasant dinner relaxing and enjoying the view of Monterey Bay. The calimari appetizer was perfect. Our grandson enjoyed the Dungeness crab; my wife enjoyed the salmon and I loved the seafo…

This is the best place to eat in Monterey! The service was absolutely outstanding the food was excellent and reasonably priced, and the ambience was superb. Our waiter was Pablo, and he deserves an…

The Monterey wharf offers various restaurants. By far and strongly recommended is the Old Fisherman’s Grotto. The interior and ambience is classic and refined. We sat at an upstairs window booth o…

Dan Wong

Srarted on the wrong foot getting upcharged $9 for a $1.50 bottle of Aqua Penna bottled water instead of regular iced water. The artichoke appetizer was nice. Crab Louie Salad was colorful; w great crab (the papaya was sourced from Mexico & tasteless to the point that we had to ask what it was). My rock cod parmasean special that was good; fish & veggies were cooked to perfection, but only had 2 lemon capers in the sauce.

Hertz Fernandez

They clearly told my wife before we got seated "no kids crying!?" Dude my son was the loudest! 🤣😅 everywhere we go out my kids get loudest!? Thankfully the gave us a view. Theme atmosphere is like we dine in the 50s and very well kept. I have there local Coronado ipa beer and the appetizer crab meat tower. I highly recommend this 2 items. The grab meat tower is very delicious and the beer works w/ it together. Wife had fish&chips and I tried there fish it was pure quality. My daughter had clam chowder w/ bread bowl and my son didn't like his clam chowder w/ out bread bowl because of the reds stuff on it. So me and my wife ate it didnt notice any difference.

+3

This place is cute with great views, seating was super fast and everyone was friendly. This place boasted the best clam chowder and while it was good, it was not the best I’ve had unfortunately. The bread was great and soft and I appreciate that they’re conserving water with not automatically giving water to the tables. I ordered the scallops with veggies and scalloped potatoes. The scallops were perfectly done, the veggies were meh, and the scalloped potatoes were good but rich and so a little too much for me. Overall I’d give it a 4 and might come back to try something else but It didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.

Good food, bit overpriced but fair for being in the wharf. A bit bland but just add your own salt its perfect lol. Too dark tho even for a "fancy" restaurant. Best clamchowder. BEST Clam chowder Signs were NOT misleading! The fake desserts at the front is weird lol

Old decor and not too many people for weekdays lunch compared last time when we came to this spot during a weekend dinner with people crowding the pier and we chose not to dine there. Services are also very old fashioned and attentive. Food is better than expectation for a tourist destination. Chowder soup is a little on the too heavy side. That is the only complaint. Over all it is a tourist spot but if you like to eat at the bay, you’ll still be satisfied at the Grotto.

On are road trip had heard about this place that had good reviews on their clamp chowder got a 16oz cup and that was their small it was nice and creamy and delicious a place to try some good clamp chowder.

+2

Great clam chowder but the crab on the Clam Bake was overcooked. The black cod tacos were not good but they do fill the tortillas to the brim. Our server was not the greatest (didn’t catch his name but he had a face tattoo) I didn’t appreciate his “for you, I recommend the specials menu” comment. not sure what that was supposed to mean. Maybe because my partner & I showed up in casual wear? Don’t know. Also, their tap water was undrinkable but the sourdough bread they give you once you sit down was great!

Clam Chowder in Sourdough bread is a must try, so good! However the sandwiches and Burger weren’t that good, the sandwich would be good if you dip it with the Clam Chowder, but the Burger Patty wasn’t good around all! Grilled with an oil that isn’t good at all!! It tasted really bad, not recommended As to the Clam Chowder in sourdough bread, it is also served next door by the same Restaurant but to go, and is 7$ cheaper than going inside the restaurant

+6

The clam chowder was delicious. We ordered 2 rib eye steaks the twice baked potatoes were simple yet perfect and delicious. We also had one slice of lemon cake 😋 😋 and two cocktails. Our bill was 225 plus we left 15% tip for a total of 255 plus .. this was my 2nd time here I loved it. Next time I'll just make sure and ask for prices on items marked @ "Market price" such as our Rib Eye steak dinners. The view was fabulous, service fantastic, atmosphere delightful, and the single rose 🌹 they gave us was a sweet touch to a beautiful evening out with my honey. Next time I will ask for Market price on items like our rib eye dinners to stay within our budget. Other than that it's a great place to dine for casual or special and romantic occasions.

Salmon sandwich/fríes + cup of chowder. Complimentary bread. All delicious. Chowder was excellent. Service was top-class.

Classic pier food! Food was good, but nothing so special as to go out of my way for. I’d stop by if in the area. The ribeye was delicious and I recommend swapping the baked potatoes for the scalloped potatoes. The world famous clam chowder was great and lived up to the hype. Food/prices met expectations. Dessert menu looked good so save space for it.

I had the clam chowder at Old Fisherman’s Grotto in Monterey. It was tasty and well-seasoned, definitely one of the better ones I’ve tried. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the service was quick. The atmosphere was a bit dark for my taste, but still comfortable overall. A solid place for seafood on Cannery Row, worth a visit if you’re nearby.

Really good restaurant overall I got the world famous clam chowder, which was very delicious and came out hot. I also was greeted with some bread on my arrival to being seated and was told about the 25% off wine deal which I definitely took advantage of! The prices are a little high for my liking, but I guess that’s what you get in a touristy area. The food overall was very good. I felt like the crabcakes had way too much sauce on them. But overall, the flavor was very delicious. Not sure if I would return but overall was a good meal.

Loved our short visit to Fisherman’s Grotto. We kicked things off with the fried calamari—fresh, but the oil tasted off, which put me off from ordering more. That said, the ambience was lovely, with our booth offering a beautiful view of the bay. Though there was a 30-minute wait, the process was smooth—they hand out buzzers, and ours went off in just 20

why was this the best clam chowder i've had in my life...?\n\ncame here for an anniversary dinner & they decorated the table so nicely with roses! they even gave us a complimentary cheesecake at th…

We were driving up north and couldn't not stop here for a quick brunch. We ordered the fresh catch of the day, Alaskan halibut, macadamia crusted and two coconut prawns and the ultimate seafood p…

Came for a quick lunch while walking the wharf. The staff welcomed and sat us quickly and answered questions we had. The views from the booths by the window are beautiful, looking out on the water.…

I selected this place for a business meal as it was right on the water and had very high ratings. It did not disappoint. The views were spectacular, and the food was also excellent. The wine select…

We had lunch here before doing the whale watching tour. We ate crab cakes and garlic bread washed down with beer and a mimosa. No complaints, the food was well cooked and was very tasty. We didn’t …

First we will say, we got recommended this place. We were excited to come and try there fresh calamari (and it was fresh and good) The prices for the dishes are in the high end mark for what they are. The food lacked flavor to be honest. The waiters are nice and friendly, but they offer things as if it comes with a meal: for example when I was ordering my dish they asked if I would like clam chowder as my side for that. I said yes, because as in many restaurants, you can have different sides etc. well it’s an extra $8, and neither my husband nor I got actual clam. I will say we enjoyed our drinks. The whole time we felt like it was high end prices for mediocre food. If you have tasted good seafood pasta before this won’t come close to that. Our whole meal before tip was $100+

Not bad just not what I expected. We had a good experience just was expecting more. A bit commercial. My risotto was dry dry dry. The paella was really good. The chowder was tasty but a bit too…

We were recommended by our hotel, it’s at the Pier, it looks it has a lot good reviews, the service was great but the food was ok, the Garlig bread was the best , very tasty.

We have been here couple of years ago and decided to revisit this time. Sad to find the food quality has gone down so much. The king salmon was on the special menu but the seasoning was just disappointing. Tasted like the orange chicken sauce from trader joes. It was placed on a piece of wood more for presentation as it had no aroma at all. As a seafood paella lover, I’ve tried different versions of it across many cities along the west coast. This one is definitely the worst that I’ve had in years. Overcooked fish, clams with meat falling out (another indication of overcooking), extremely dry and hard sausage…on top of that, spiciness was overdone to the point that it covers up the true flavours of the seafood.

I always come here and have a good time. I drive from Sonoma county just to come here…. The food and the waiters are amazing. Unfortunately today I didn’t have a great experience. I spent roughly $120 and tipped our waiter $60. So what went wrong? The power went out and I understand this was out of their control. The problem was that it took so long for us to get our bill. I have to drive 2hr and 30 minutes back home so I was expecting to leave much earlier. Out of courtesy, I expected to have a drink, appetizer or something off my bill for eating in dark and have our bill take forever to come. Like I said, I’ve come here multiple times and money is never an issue. It just seemed awful to be waiting for so long and still be billed for that experience. I almost forgot to mentioned this but there was also a mid length black hair on my salmon. My husband has long curly hair and I was wearing a hat so it wasn’t from us. I just removed it and didn’t say anything because I don’t think much of it. I simply remove and the area around. This overall experience was just not it today.

Intentionally deceitful. We were offered water, only in the form of still or sparkling. We saw the bottles were $9 each upon paying. This is a ridiculous price to pay for water of any kind. The server claimed that he offered us tap water which was not true: we would not have ordered bottled water if tap was available because tap water is safe in California. I told him I would not pay $18 for two bottles of still water and he told me I should have “read the sign on the table.” He then walked me back to our table to show me a tiny placard— hidden behind a Christmas tree decoration— that said that water is precious (no mention of a price anywhere). He then left us to pay without offering us a rose. I’m deeply upset at the service we were given. Be warned that this is a tourist scam and they will steal from you in any way possible.