Taste Cafe & Bistro

I came here with family on a vacation, and I could not be more jealous of the locals. The food here is incredible, the food lovingly prepared and beautifully plated (i couldnt help myself and took a couple bites before i remembered to take a photo. and then did the same with dessert.). I had the butternut squash pasta and the dark and white chocolate mousse with a cappuccino. im typically a light eater, but i couldnt help but finish everything. everything is house made, flavors are stand on their own and textures were phenomenal. absolutely 10/10, i hope they stay in business for a very long time.

Kit Pierce

I came here with family on a vacation, and I could not be more jealous of the locals. The food here is incredible, the food lovingly prepared and beautifully plated (i couldnt help myself and took a couple bites before i remembered to take a photo. and then did the same with dessert.). I had the butternut squash pasta and the dark and white chocolate mousse with a cappuccino. im typically a light eater, but i couldnt help but finish everything. everything is house made, flavors are stand on their own and textures were phenomenal. absolutely 10/10, i hope they stay in business for a very long time.

Greer Oliver

Wonderful little find in Monterey. The food was delicious and well presented. We actually ate at a 5 star restaurant the night before and felt like this was the better meal. We were seated by the wall with all of the family photos and it was cool to see those same faces making the food and engaging with patrons. While we didn’t speak to the owners specifically, our waitress was very sweet and attentive. Would highly recommend trying this place out if you’re looking for a high quality meal that’s more modestly priced.

Renee Miller

If I could give this phenomenal restaurant more stars, I would! The food is extraordinary — not just once— but every time, every dish. The food is fresh, seasonal, meticulously presented, and by far the best tasting on the Monterey Peninsula. It’s a family-owned business and each member of the family is welcoming and extremely skilled. You feel like you’re a family member yourself, while at the same time, you’re eating in a Michelin quality establishment. You miss the cuisine of Monterey, if you miss a meal at this incredible restaurant.

Doris Apt

A wonderful family owned restaurant off the beaten track, where everything was perfect from start to finish: the atmosphere with a nice family touch by the personal decorations and pictures, the menu choices, the quality of the Prosecco and red wine we had and all the dishes. The artichoke lentil soup was just perfect, we enjoyed three vegetarian pasta dishes that were all quite different and very tasty, and the chocolate mousse finish was excellent. Will become our first choice when visiting the Monterey Bay again.

dave nelson

This restaurant was incredible. We ate there 3 nights of our 7 night stay. My favorite dish was the sea bass. It was the best I have ever had. The fish was flaky and very flavorful. It just melted in my mouth. The sauce was amazing, but did not take away from the flavor of the fish. I also had the chicken. The skin was crisp and the meat was tender and moist. The deserts were also fantastic. All homemade. Sue and Bill are fantastic hosts. It felt like family. I will definitely return there on my next vacation.

Nick Hait

Exceptional family owned and passionate about their menu. Had the most exquisite meal for my birthday last year and they even made a little dish for my dog to enjoy because it was a special occasion. We chatted with the matron of the establishment for a long while and were really made to feel like part of the family. Can’t wait to go back!

Elaine Harris

So glad we stopped in! Delightful cuisine! Healthy and delicious! Sue and Bill made us feel so welcome. My husband had the sea bass and I had the salmon; both dinners were melt in your mouth perfection. And be sure to end the perfect evening with a heavenly bite of butterscotch bread pudding, yum! We’ll be back soon to this fabulous place 💜

Aboud Yaqub

Stopped by for the first time today for some coffee and pastries and was delighted by the quality of the food, the beautiful and comfortable atmosphere, and most of all the warm and welcoming hospitality. The zaatar manaeesh, almond croissant, and Karaki Latte were all fantastic. I highly recommend!

Jesse

What an indiscreet restaurant! The outside decor located in a cookie cutter building definitely doesn't do this place justice! The food was AMAZING! The service was a bit backed up BUT we just happened to be seated right before a table of like 20 showed up. It took a while for dinner to come out but boy was it worth the wait! The servers were great, happy and pleasant, the place was nice and artistic inside, and the food was so so good! Definitely don't let the outside looks fool you, this isn't a "pizza joint".

James Colon

Great food for a small local restaurant. Unique menu and food choices. Small family owned feel. Great service! A solid choice when in Carmel area. Located in lackluster commercial setting.

I recently had dinner at Taste for the first time. It was incredible. The lovely owner made us feel so comfortable and valued. The food was delicious (I had the Tortellini), the service was great, and the restaurant was beautiful. The salad was so fresh, the bread was yummy, etc. It is a family run business and I love to support that. My only "complaint" is the limited parking, which is not the fault of the restaurant. I only mention it so customers can be aware! Delightful experience.

We were so Charmed by tastes elegant and congenial atmosphere and healthy exquisitely prepared food that we returned for a second night during our short stay in Pacific Grove. The service was friendly and professional and the owner lavished personal attention on us. The diverse menu included refreshingly healthy offerings at modest prices. Taste would be our first choice for fine dining during any future visit to Pacific Grove

It is a great treat to dine here with our local friends when we visit. Great food, friendly family-run business, relaxing atmosphere and reasonable prices! We highly recommend!

Taste and Bistro Café is hands-down one of the best places in town! The food is always fresh, flavorful, and beautifully made — you can really taste the love and care that goes into every dish. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff make you feel right at home from the moment you walk in! It’s the perfect spot to relax, catch up with friends, or enjoy a nice meal with family. Definitely a five-star experience — can’t wait to come back! Sam Ackley

Lisa Canning

It is a great treat to dine here with our local friends when we visit. Great food, friendly family-run business, relaxing atmosphere and reasonable prices! We highly recommend!

Drew Clinkenbeard

Best meal I've had in memory. Food isn't 0 sum so you can have multiple favorites but this is S tier. The food is beautifully prepared and presented and tastes even better. The service feels like you're at home only without the guilt and obligation. The prices are fair to low for what you're getting. My new favorite restaurant.

SAMUEL ACKLEY

Taste and Bistro Café is hands-down one of the best places in town! The food is always fresh, flavorful, and beautifully made — you can really taste the love and care that goes into every dish. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff make you feel right at home from the moment you walk in! It’s the perfect spot to relax, catch up with friends, or enjoy a nice meal with family. Definitely a five-star experience — can’t wait to come back! Sam Ackley

Alan Smith

We were so Charmed by tastes elegant and congenial atmosphere and healthy exquisitely prepared food that we returned for a second night during our short stay in Pacific Grove. The service was friendly and professional and the owner lavished personal attention on us. The diverse menu included refreshingly healthy offerings at modest prices. Taste would be our first choice for fine dining during any future visit to Pacific Grove

Lisa Bernardi

I recently had dinner at Taste for the first time. It was incredible. The lovely owner made us feel so comfortable and valued. The food was delicious (I had the Tortellini), the service was great, and the restaurant was beautiful. The salad was so fresh, the bread was yummy, etc. It is a family run business and I love to support that. My only "complaint" is the limited parking, which is not the fault of the restaurant. I only mention it so customers can be aware! Delightful experience.

The food and atmosphere were great, but the food took a while even though we were the first ones there. Of course, the quality of the food made the wait not matter. I got the Penne Pesto, and highly recommend it.

Came here on a whim and was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food and presentation. All three of us polished off our plates and were in agreement that the food was very tasty. Service was great and the chefs came out to say hello and to check on the meal - very nice touch. Will be back!

Pretty good! Had the half chicken and the butternut squash ravioli. The chicken was absolutely perfect, well seasoned, tender and juicy, sides were great. The butternut ravioli was underwhelming at first but the more I ate it the better it tasted. Maybe just too hot when it came out and needed to cool more before I started. The family that runs the place is so sweet! Dad, mom, kids run just about everything and they're both personable and pleasant.

John Oh

The food and atmosphere were great, but the food took a while even though we were the first ones there. Of course, the quality of the food made the wait not matter. I got the Penne Pesto, and highly recommend it.

Daniel Yoon

Came here on a whim and was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food and presentation. All three of us polished off our plates and were in agreement that the food was very tasty. Service was great and the chefs came out to say hello and to check on the meal - very nice touch. Will be back!

Aaron S

Pretty good! Had the half chicken and the butternut squash ravioli. The chicken was absolutely perfect, well seasoned, tender and juicy, sides were great. The butternut ravioli was underwhelming at first but the more I ate it the better it tasted. Maybe just too hot when it came out and needed to cool more before I started. The family that runs the place is so sweet! Dad, mom, kids run just about everything and they're both personable and pleasant.

We recently dined at Taste Cafe & Bistro as a group of nine, on the recommendation of a friend who has been coming here for decades. It’s clear why this family-run restaurant has such loyal patrons—the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the service truly makes you feel at home. I especially enjoyed their selection of district 7 point noir and the cozy, inviting setting. My friends all loved the food, and overall the dishes were well prepared and nicely presented. Personally, I wasn’t as fond of the lamb chops and the evening’s special sea bass, as the texture didn’t quite suit my taste. That said, the experience as a whole was delightful, and I can see why this place has been cherished for so many years.

Sunroof W

We recently dined at Taste Cafe & Bistro as a group of nine, on the recommendation of a friend who has been coming here for decades. It’s clear why this family-run restaurant has such loyal patrons—the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the service truly makes you feel at home. I especially enjoyed their selection of district 7 point noir and the cozy, inviting setting. My friends all loved the food, and overall the dishes were well prepared and nicely presented. Personally, I wasn’t as fond of the lamb chops and the evening’s special sea bass, as the texture didn’t quite suit my taste. That said, the experience as a whole was delightful, and I can see why this place has been cherished for so many years.

I absolutely regret dining here. The restaurant was clearly understaffed, leading to slow and inattentive service, but what made it worse was the outright rudeness of the staff. If I hadn’t been too hungry and short on options, I would have left immediately. The environment is very average—nothing special—and the crowd mainly consists of elderly patrons. This is a regular, no-frills spot, not a fine dining experience by any means. If you’re looking for a smooth and enjoyable meal, this place will likely leave you frustrated. Definitely not worth the visit.

T

I absolutely regret dining here. The restaurant was clearly understaffed, leading to slow and inattentive service, but what made it worse was the outright rudeness of the staff. If I hadn’t been too hungry and short on options, I would have left immediately. The environment is very average—nothing special—and the crowd mainly consists of elderly patrons. This is a regular, no-frills spot, not a fine dining experience by any means. If you’re looking for a smooth and enjoyable meal, this place will likely leave you frustrated. Definitely not worth the visit.