We sat on the balcony to take in the harbour view and watch the sealions, the food was very tasty and plentiful. Great friendly service.

+1

Outstanding, will be back. Got the Sand dab, bass and cannoli.

Amazing place to hang out with the family and eat an outstanding meal. Best clam chowder I've ever eaten hands down. The wait is a little long but the is totally worth it.

The food is soooo good! Very tasty. And the service was great too! They’re all very attentive. And there is parking on site!

Wow! What an amzing restaurant!! We were treated like the royal couple! Every dish was perfectly made! Fresh, tasty and good looking (; We especially loved the pears salad and the pear ravioli (specials) I must add that maurizio and all the crew were super nice and proffessional! Thanks a lot ! 🙏🙏🙏

Wonderful Italian meal with great service by a charming Italian waiter. Great puttanesca and cannoli. The calamari and wine were wonderful...not to mention the great view. Husband said he felt like he was back eating pranzo in Italy. Will definitely return.

Absolutely delicious house special scallops and mushroom cheese ravioli. My friend ordered Ravioli al Ragu also 5stars. Awesome view, great service. I definitely recommend.

+1

Early valentines dinner with a view. Husband ordered Ravioli Al Ragu and I ordered Fettuccine Crema e Pollo. Both meals excited our taste buds, we are hooked. We shared a bowl of clam chowder full of delicious clams. Our wonderful server suggested a Chianti that hit the spot. We sat outside enjoyed the weather and the music playing. Very attentive staff and I enjoyed every second of it. We will be back.

One of my favorite spots to go in Monterey and would venture to say it’s the best Italian spot in the area. The owner/his family are wonderful and the food is to die for. I had one of the best meals today that I have had in a long time. The lasagna rollatini and the sun dried tomato chicken pasta were unreal. Not to mention, the poached pear salad. No doubt, we will be back.

The location was perfect 😍 so romantic to sit outside and see the ocean and the sea lions while enjoying a real good Italian dish all the staff are so good and the food was tasty and amazing I really recommend if you want to try a real Italian food ❤️

Food was absolutely amazing! And the staff was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. The ravioli (which is not pictured, because we ate it too quickly) was divine. Highly recommend!

Great experience. Very tasty food. Friendly staff, ask them about Italy and get some travel recommendations. Owner was very engaged and great to talk with. Recommend going and taking in the experience and taking to the staff.

We walked in on a Saturday evening and were given a nice table with a view! Phillipe our server was exceptional and attended to us throughout the night. He went above and beyond. The rest of the staff was also very friendly. Food was excellent.

Authentic Italian restaurant. Tried their Bruschetta classica, Spaghettini Al pomodoro, green salad, and tiramisu—everything was delicious! The tiramisu is a must-try!

+1

Came here after scuba diving with Monterey Bay Scuba. The entrance was difficult to find however, once inside, atmosphere was pleasant and casual. I had the mushroom truffle fettuccine and it has got to be one of the best pastas I have ever tasted. The other pasta we had was good too, the tagliatelle with sausage. It would definitely come here again when I visit Monterey again.

Great food, great drinks, and our server Michael was fantastic! We'd go back just for the impepata di vongole.

The experience was delicious. I had pasta with red sauce with clams, octopus, muscles and calamari. The sauce was spicy with just the right heat and the dish was amazing. Had a dirty martini that hit the spot. The staff were very nice and respectful. Really enjoyed spending time here. I will be back!

We had the best seafood dishes ever in Osteria al Mare. Everything was fresh and tasty. The ravioli was delicious. The claim chowder was perfect after a long day walking around, not too salty 👌. The linguine al pescatore so tasty . Calamari was fresh and light. We had tiramisu and the best expresso as well. But the best part of this place are their amazing italian servers and staff . We really enjoyed talking in italian with Biagio. He is very nice and helpful 👍 with a great attitude. Bravo Biagio, sei il migliore .

+1

Visiting this place on May 31, I would have to say that the food here is very delicious. I would also have to argue that this is some of the best Italian cuisine I have ever had in my entire life. The polenta in particular is very delicious and the sauce that came with it is just immaculate. I also enjoyed the chicken alfredo fettuccine, fried calamari, and bruschetta. I would highly recommend this fabulous restaurant to anybody who is visiting the area.

We walked through the door to be greeted like we were old friends. We were seated in the corner with panoramic views of the bay. The specials were too alluring to pass up. I can't describe it well enough to do it justice, but I ordered essentially what was a deconstructed lasagna with layers of basil prosciutto and cheese rolled up and sliced resting on a thin bed of cheesy tomato sauce with layers of flavors that I can't describe. This wasn't just a meal the staff and atmosphere made it an experience.

great food! The cod special was extremely delicious with buttery melt-in-your-mouth cod with crispy skin on top. Gnocchi was very flavorful. Calamari was very soft. Overall pretty great!

+1

Everything about this restaurant is fantastic. The atmosphere is incredible, service was amazing and the food was spectacular! They really make their customers feel like family and friends. We stayed a week in Monterey and we ate at this place 4 times, we never do that, we usually like to try different restaurants in areas we visit but the first time we went there we knew we found a hidden gem. Have Ricky make you an espresso martini!

If you want to capture the essence of Monterey in one evening then this is the place for you. The location is unique with a private view of the bay and marina that makes you forget you are in a tourist destination, the ingredients are wonderfully fresh. You can taste flavor in every bite, every dish is perfectly sculpted by someone that has passion for the art of culinary excellence. Treat yourself, go splurge on a meal that will turn into a wonderful memory.

Easy location right across from the Coast Guard station. Plenty of parking and great view of the bay. We were seated right away without reservation on a Friday evening. Would recommend trying out their daily specials. Fresh oysters from Washington state were one of the special served as appetizer. Burrata cheese was delicious. Tasty dishes and great service.

+2

We came to Monterey to celebrate our anniversary. We came here for lunch with our 13 month old and Yorkie. Service, food and ambiance were excellent! We came hungry! We ordered a bottle of Italian wine, calamari, two specials (mussels and sea bass), clam chowder, and tiramisu. Everything was very yummy. Even our child was making "mmmm" and "yummmyyy" sounds We were nervous about bringing our child because she's loud and has a big personality. Everyone made us feel comfortable and even reassured us. I think they could tell we were stressed/uncomfortable . Will definitely come back here when visiting Monterey!!

Food is excellent and service staff is attentive and overall I would grade this as a 5 stars overall. We had Oysters, clam cowder, La Pera, Vongole in white wine , Fettuccine Al Pestoresca, 2 special - scallop with mushroom ravioli and black cod w shell pasta in cauliflower... And we end w tiramisu w adequate rum layers. 😋 Please do come by for excellent italian seafood!

+4

Great view by the water, awesome and authentic Italian food, attentive service! The Sea Bass with mushroom ravioli special was delicious!

+2

We booked this place while stopping over in Monterey for a night on our travels and it was the best decision we made! The food was absolutely amazing, the pasta and seafood is so fresh. The service matches the food and Michael provided outstanding service to us. You will not regret coming here!

I wanted to come here so bad, long ago and never happened, then I got in , I have an amazing lunch with my MOM, and our delicious food was beyond good. Definitely recommended, and our server Giuseppe was Fenomenal and charismatic

Went to Osteria to celebrate my birthday. It was perfect! Francesco, our server, was phenomenal. The food was fantastic. And, the views are the bonus. The owner Mauricio does all this with love!

+1

Great food and great service. Delicious mix of seafood and Italian dishes, with a good wine list (both Italian and domestic), along with pre-dinner cocktails. Tip: don't pay for parking; there are about eight spots reserved for diners right in front of the restaurant.

Drove through Monterey and just out of pure hunger we browsed TikTok and this place appeared as a foodie destination. Highly recommend! The food was absolutely amazing! Everything was fresh and super flavorful. Try the fettuccine with mushrooms, calamari and tiramisu!

I've had lots of Italian food in my life and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at this restaurant. I got the fettuccine pollo something and it was absolutely incredible. The chicken was dry and overcooked but it was easy to forgive that because the flavor of the dish along with the sun-dried tomatoes and the hot and fresh bread served on the side to dip into the sauce was just absolutely wonderful. It could be because I was drinking some whiskey but I would go back here many times over and get the same meal if I could again. The views and atmosphere make the experience very nice. The short ribs were unquestionably cooked well. They were not too dry but instead made to perfection. The tiramisu was also authentic. The lady fingers had been completely soaked in Kahlua, instead of made into some Americanized dry cake thing. Most places just do not know how to get authentic tiramisu correct, but this place knocked it out of the park. Lastly, this place is not quite as expensive as other seafood places around it, so it makes going here all the more worthwhile.

+5

Wonderful Place and great selection of wine! Amazing staff, a big thank you to Francesco for the warm welcome! Highly recommend!

Took the family here to celebrate my Wife's birthday, and the food did not disappoint. The service and atmosphere were amazing. I did take off one star because we went to try their tiramisu and they didn't have any tiramisu that day... The prices were somewhat reasonable for Monterey, but the kids spaghetti was $12 which seemed a little expensive. It was nice they did do an ice cream treat for her birthday. Definitely worth a visit (grab a reservation) but it maybe call ahead to confirm if they have tiramisu!

+6

a lovely italian restaurant by the water. loves the ambience at night and the service was very quick. overall, the ranking for the 4 dishes we had is, seasonal special seabass risotto > salad > calamari > mussel pasta (the pasta was not bad at all, it was just ordinary compared to the other 3). the calamari tasted very fresh even when breaded and i loved the red sauce that went with it. everything in the salad came together very well, overall a sweet profile. and the seabass risotto with veggies was delicious on every level!

+3

Our first time in Monterey. Someone recommended a different restaurant but it wasn’t open on Tuesdays. We settled on this place and OH MY GOSH. So glad we did. The oysters were fresh and cold. They were the best oysters EVER! The Ono special over truffle ravioli was delightful, the Bistecca Di Mandi was great as well. The steak was cooked perfectly just a bit under seasoned. The vegetables were cooked perfectly. Our server, Raul was amazing!

A little slice of heaven. Seaside views, perfectly cooked pasta, fresh seafood, and Italian hospitality amidst the cries of the many sea lions outside.

My group and I had a fantastic time at Osteria Al Mare. The entire experience was phenomenal, from booking the event all the way to leaving the restaurant. I felt we were all taken care of. The staff was very attentive and great conversationalist. The food was fantastic, the oysters that were given were really fresh! Couldn't get a picture of them since I was too busy eating them. Highly recommend 👌🏽

This is the most authentic Italian restaurant my wife and I have found in Monterey after moving here from Italy this year.

We had the most delicious anniversary dinner here tonight. The food was outstanding and the waiter helped with wine recommendations. The service was very very quick but we just asked for more time and that was fine. We would definitely recommend trying here!

+2

While everyone is crowding at canary row… we enjoyed delicious authentic Italian food with an incredible view.

All the dishes both looked and tasted delicious. This place is off the beaten path so no wait to be seated. I got the clam chowder and the cod special. Both were great. The views were great and the service was very friendly. My only complaint was the service was pretty slow, but we weren't in a hurry.

+3

Wonderful visit. We drank great wine and had clams while watching sea otters eat. Get a table outside overlooking the marina if you can. Our server was fantastic. We shared the cheese ravioli and they were great as well. Truly enjoyed our experience here.

This is a wonderful restaurant featuring both Italian and seafood. It’s a small cozy place so I would recommend getting reservations. The staff was very friendly though with how busy it was they struggled a bit to keep up. But the quality of the food and drink was excellent. The views are amazing as well even if you aren’t seated at a window.

Some meals are good. Some meals are memorable. This one made me angry—because I realized I can’t eat here every single day. We walked in on December 26th without a reservation, fully expecting to be turned away. Instead, the staff calmly played table Tetris and seated us anyway—along with two other walk-in groups. That tone carried through the entire night: unpretentious, warm, and genuinely welcoming. The atmosphere hits the sweet spot for a date night without trying to be Michelin-stiff. Clean, proper, and relaxed. Business-casual energy where running shoes don’t feel out of place, kids are welcome, and the room still feels special—helped by a beautiful view of the bay, even after sunset. The service deserves real praise. Everyone was soft-spoken, friendly, and genuinely human—no scripts, no forced enthusiasm. It felt less like being waited on and more like being taken care of. The owner himself was on the floor all evening, greeting guests, refilling drinks, and managing reservations, and that presence shows in every detail. Now the food. I started with oysters on the half shell—six of them, pristine and briny, served with lemon and a fresh jalapeño-tomatillo style dressing that was bright and citrusy, not spicy. Clean, sharp, and perfectly balanced. My entrée was a swordfish special, and this is where the night crossed into something else entirely. Perfect crosshatch grill marks, fork-tender fish that melted without becoming mushy, and impeccably crisp skin that ended up being my favorite bite. It was served with ravioli (stuffed with eggplant), arugula, slivered almonds, Parmigiano Reggiano, and a touch of lemon. The first bite made me put my fork down. There’s a moment in Ratatouille when the critic takes a bite of the dish and is instantly pulled back into a vivid childhood memory—home, comfort, something pure he’d forgotten. That pause, that stunned silence before he dives back in, is exactly what happened here. Not because the food reminded me of a specific moment from my own past, but because it carried that same emotional weight. The ravioli was tender and flavorful without being heavy. The almonds added a subtle nuttiness, the Parmigiano brought just the right salty umami, and the lemon tied everything together. When combined with the swordfish and arugula, it was light, buttery, citrusy, and deeply savory all at once. It was the kind of dish that makes you stop, recalibrate, and then eat the rest with purpose. I cleaned my plate without hesitation. Across the table, the fettuccine crema e pollo delivered the same reaction. What we expected to be a standard Alfredo turned out to be house-made fettuccine in a rich but balanced cream sauce with garlic, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmigiano. The chicken was juicy and tender, the pasta perfectly cooked, and the dish managed to be both deeply comforting and surprisingly light. Dessert was cannoli with orange peel, chocolate drizzle, and chocolate chips—easily the best cannoli I’ve ever had. And somehow, it was still the least impressive part of the meal, which says everything about how strong the rest of dinner was. With a generous tip, the bill came to about $210, and it was worth every penny without a second thought. We made reservations for Valentine’s Day before we even left—and despite booking early, we were already far from the first to do so. I don’t often feel compelled to write reviews like this. Osteria Al Mare earned it. If you’re on the fence, don’t be. Make the reservation.

We had a fantastic meal at the restaurant last night. Drinks, food, atmosphere, service. Everything was outstanding. One of our goals being in Monterey was to have an outstanding Italian meal and the restaurant exceeded our expectations and every way.

Great service, staff, and food. Our server made great recommendations and was kind enough to accommodate us splitting an entree and dessert as we didn’t have a space to keep leftovers. The servings were plenty large - and the local fish was crispy with a light crispy breading, a fresh lemon cream sauce, and perfectly cooked. The cannoli was the best I’ve had! Not too busy on a weekday night with a quiet lovely atmosphere with views of the ocean.

The best pasta I've had since visiting Italy, and the best food we had in Monterey! They had great gluten free options for my celiac partner as well. Staff went above and beyond to help when my partner got his phone stuck in an awkward grating of the building. We visited some very touristy food spots during our trip and regretted it, we should have eaten all of our meals here.

Cliff Spinola

Had the calamari, the sand dabs with pesto spaghetti, and the fettuccine with seafood. Location great, food great - I'm very particular about calamari and this was cooked quite well, the sand dabs are absolutely fantastic! Only one thing I could ask for was the lights to be a little lower so we can enjoy the view. We went well after sunset, dark outside and way too bright inside. Other than that, great staff, food, and will be back on our next trip down from the Bay to try other things on the menu!

Courtney Turner

This restaurant is absolutely divine. We're on a mini vacation from the bay area and left today open to pick random restaurants, whereas I planned/reserved other ones yesterday. I picked this place because it had good reviews and is walking distance from our hotel. In hindsight, I would come here even if I had to drive from my hotel. It is SO good. The server first of all was amazing. No chit chat really, just straight to business, very responsive, paid attention, punctual, and quite handsome with an Italian accent. He was personable and had friendliness in his eyes. We had the polenta to start, 2 specials for entrees, and affogato for dessert. The polenta was perfect - a little grainy, paired with a creamy sauce, cheese, and mushrooms. Well balanced, earthy, delicious. The 2 specials we had were the Swordfish and Lobster with gigantic ravioli. I dont order swordfish often, maybe once every other year, and truly this was the best swordfish ive had. It was served over zucchini with tomato and capers and risotto with spinach. The lobster was cooked absolutely perfect, seasoned simply, was slightly sweet and very juicy. The tail was served over the gigantic ravioli, I forget what the filling was, but they were amazing. Walnut pieces were sprinkled over the ravioli which was a great touch of crunch to an otherwise smooth meal. The espresso over the house made Gelato was the absolutely perfect cap to the experience. Finally, the interior of the restaurant is warm, homey, inviting, cozy. The chairs were comfortable, every staff was friendly and smiled, and the lights they set out on the tables for the evening when the sun sets create ample cozy light at the table. If youre looking for a meal that won't disappoint, and an atmosphere that feels like family, this is the place.

Laura Kelly

Staff was attentive and friendly. I ordered the bruschetta classica and sand dabs. Both were delicious! It was my first time here, but I will be back next time I am in the area.

H L

This place is a great find in a location that's not crowded like cannery row or the old historic pier. The service was great, friendly, and attentive. The food was really good too. Had the spaghetti alle vongole and it was a good amount of nice thick egg spaghetti with a garlic light cream sauce that had just enough flavor to not be overpowered. Would definitely come by again if I'm ever in the area.

Rhonda Hurtado

Warmly greeted upon entering. Choice of indoor or outdoor seating. Ocean views. Great staff recommendations - was even told soup or salad should be skipped to safe room for dessert. Lovely delicious tiramisu and creamy spumoni. Will definitely return for other meals.

+2

Brian Albers

Great Italian restaurant perched over Monterey Bay. Indoor and outdoor seating, views of the harbor, and an elegant interior make it a classy place to take a visiting guest. Food was very classic Italian, well prepared. Too notch service. We'll be back!

Savannah D.

This place is an absolute gem!! Our server was Michael but he's also the bartender and he was so nice and kind. My husband, Erik and I sat outside to eat and he was helping me with pointing out the sea lions and otters, it was a really sweet thing for him to do! My husband and I had come in a bit early and was informed that a lot of the items wouldn't be ready until dinner time which was at 4 pm which we appreciated. He allowed us to enjoy our time outside to look at the wildlife and enjoy our drinks 😄 Then came the food! The best part of any restaurant experience! Everything was absolutely phenomenal, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. We had ordered the clams in white wine appetizer, a small pasta dish, calamari, two orders of the catch of the day, tiramisu, and ice cream and it was all so good! If you're ever in the area I highly recommend this restaurant. They were all so sweet. P. S. I also accidentally lost my spoon on the dock... but Michael came and saved the day and gave me a new spoon :) the service was so great here, I can't wait to come back once I'm in the area!

Stephanie Hawthorne

We enjoyed our dinner in the bar area, which was awesome. The bartender was very attentive and made delicious drinks. Our food didnt disappoint either. The seafood pasta was my favorite

+1

Jennifer Rhima

I’m so glad we came across Osteria Al Mare in Monterey, we really enjoyed our visit. The staff are Italian and incredibly friendly. Special thanks to Giuseppe for taking such great care of us. Highly recommend trying: • Sand-Dabs Capellini • Impepata di Vongole • Pieropan Soave Classico

Eric Magoo (Hobo Travelin)

Great place near the water, paid parking lot. Service is always excellent. Quality food. Our 3rd time here. We did have one issue with how our one of our dishes was prepared, but the Kithen fixed it immediately with. Love coming here and will be back. If you can make reservations do. There are stairs to get here. They have outdoor seating with heaters but still might need a jacket if the sun starts to set .

+4

Jasmin Hussain

If you can reserve a table. If not, it's definitely worth the wait. We had to wait about 20min as a walk in. They have a good menu with well prepared Italian favorites featuring a lot of seafood dishes. I had the seafood pasta, which was tasty and well seasoned. The seafood was fresh. The Tiramisu was delicious and authentically prepared. The interior is elegant with a view of the sea.

+1

Rosabell M.

This stunning Italian restaurant was clean, inviting, and customer service was nice and attentive. My husband ordered the Fettuccine e Crema, while I had the Fettuccine with chicken, both were perfectly prepared and full of flavor. We also shared a bowl of clam chowder and the La Barbabietola salad, which had roasted beets, oranges, arugula, a honey-orange dressing, and goat cheese. The salad was absolutely incredible, actually, everything we tried was delicious! If we find ourselves back in town, we’ll definitely return.

+10

Friendly, helpful staff at a nice location on the pier. Waiter was very accommodating for our picky 3 year old. Pear salad, polenta, and short-rib ravioli were delicious, but the salmon could've used more flavor.

I recommend having a reservation on a weekend, although we were accommodated within 15-20m. The service can get a bit slow, we had to inform the host to send over the server. The food and cocktails were out of this world. The chef even agreed to make something off-the-menu to accommodate the dietary restrictions. Couple the great food with a breathing view of the bay and all your senses will be firing their cylinders on maximum. I highly recommend this restaurant, the view alone makes up for the slow service.

+2

Wonderful staff, authentic Italian food, Burata cheese, yummy polenta with funghi, great squash ravioli and grilled veggies for vegan. Too much oil. Right on the water. Elevator for handicapped.

Great location on the pier, but away from the more touristy Fisherman’s Wharf area. Seated in the bar/lounge area, which we preferred as it was away from families with young children. The food and wine were excellent! Thanks, Mike, for the knowledgeable suggestions and great service. Slightly disappointed that none of the draft beer taps were working, and that they were awaiting a delivery of teas. Other than that, a very good experience. Would recommend.

Went to Osteria Al Mare to celebrate a birthday and wedding anniversary. We were told the specials of the day and my husband chose the catch of the day which was swordfish. The fish was amazing. We had appetizers and drinks from bar as well. Everything was delicious but the swordfish was definitely the star of the dinner. Overall a cozy environment with some fresh seafood.

Food was Delicious. Atmosphere on the outside deck was very relaxing. Our server was friendly, perhaps just a little distracted with start of dinner rush. Forgot to mention some of the dinner special. Not a big deal, would definitely eat here again! 😋

Good food. Portion is alright. Service is ok-ish. If you plan to take the outdoor seat, be aware that you will be surrounded by sea lion sounds (was told it's mating season). I personally don't mind about it and actually found it amusing. But you may want to consider sitting indoors if you plan to have a quiet conversation with your companion.

+6

Nice location and view of the harbor area. Food was very good with fresh local menu options. The owner greeted us and explained daily specials and new menu items. There was a little confusion with servers; one only did water and it took about 25 minutes to actually order our food. That’s the only reason for losing a star on service. After that everything went smoothly. They give you complimentary bread with an oil and vinegar dip which was very nice. Food was presented very well and everything was very good. I would go here again. There were many menu items that I wanted to try and it was hard to decide which to have.

Food - Good portions, generous amount of seafood compared to similar restaurants, tasty. The quality was satisfactory, however nothing was unique. The salmon was quite dry. The red pasta sauce for the seafood pasta was lacking in flavor. The truffle mushroom pasta could use some more ingredients like veggies and more sauce. In addition the pasta noodles for the seafood pasta weren’t mixed in with the sauces or any oil so in the middle of the dish there was a clump of plain pasta stuck together. The specials that night were the best (risotto and pear ravioli). Service - We made a reservation and luckily this is one of the only restaurants on the nicer end that was available to reserve the day before and also doesn’t require a financial deposit for larger parties. I’d still definitely suggest making reservations ahead of time as that night (Saturday) was packed. We were seated immediately by the host however he didn’t give us menus and it took a while for our waiter to come by and provide us menus and water. The rest of the night’s service was great though; the staff was friendly and efficient. They also provided a generous slice of tiramisu cake for my dad’s birthday. Ambiance - Beautiful interior that matches the beach vibes with wood and white decor and big windows lining the walls that look out over the bay. Con is that it was very loud at full house and hard to talk even to the person across the table or next to me without shouting. I’d suggest the restaurant consider adding some padding or sound insulation under the tables to reduce noise. Price - The price is great for the ambience, service, and food. I think it’s one of the most affordable places to go for a fancier night out.

+3

We typically enjoy coming here but today it was very crowded - we opted to have dinner in the bar area which was a mistake. The food was delicious and the bartender/server was gracious but the bar was very loud & inconsiderate to us and the other patrons dining. It wouldn’t be bad if the prices were reflective of the bar crowd. The Italian host/maybe owner is kind. We will of course come back but don’t dine in the bar if you want a special seafood dinner in Monterey (make a reservation!) Our fault!

+1

Water quality: 1/5 Chlorine and fluoride water. You can tell by the residue on the glass and glass bottle that the water gets brought in. For restaurant of this caliber, it's disappointing to see less than decent water when asked for tap. Food quality: 4/5 - Burrata Caprese: 5/5 Wonderful entre option. Very tasty Burrata and fresh greens that everyone finished before I was able to take a picture. - Rotelle Di Parma: 5/5 The closest-to-Italy item my group ordered. Very delicious and definitely is a 5/5 dish on their menu - Friulana: 3/5 Americanized version of a classic Italian dish. Pasta is delicious across all dishes here but the meat was not combined well for someone who is very much familiar with true Italian taste. - Salmone: 4/5 Solid, strong dish. Not much to highlight. If you've had a good salmon, this shouldn't be worse or better. Safe option Service: 4/5 Service was a bit slow but everything else was just right. Appeared understaffed for a weekend lunch but that's nitpicking.

Went here on a recent visit to Monterey. We for a patio table the same day. Food was delicious. Wine selection was excellent. They also a carafe 9 oz size which is nice. My cousin had the fettuccini with seafood. It came in a tomato sauce, slightly spicy and she loved it. My scallops were good too. It was a lovely time. Will be back.

TLDR: 3.5 stars, unassuming exterior but a cozy interior with mostly good service and pretty good food We went for an early dinner around 5 and there were only two other tables seated. Francesco was very pleasant and helped us with our order. We ordered a beet salad, clams, short rib and mushroom pasta. The complimentary bread was very good. The beet salad was way too acidic, we couldn’t eat the beets at all. Another person picked up the beets and he should have known to ask us about the beets since we didn’t eat any of them from a beet salad. The clams were tasty. The mushroom fettuccini was a favorite of the gf and the short rib had some highlights but the less fatty parts were a bit dry. The tiramisu took awhile but was absolutely a great way to end the meal.

+1

Wonderful place for seafood lovers. Beautiful place with views of the marina. Food was really good. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because the pasta was overcooked and the cheese cake wasn’t good. Otherwise the food was delicious.

Pictured here: Polenta appetizer, fettuccine pescatore, ravioli Bolognese, and cannoli. Everything had amazing flavors, though I wish my seafood dish was a little less overcooked. The calamari rings were a bit rubbery as was the shrimp. Unsure if that is a rarity but I hope so. The atmosphere was wonderful and the wait-staff was attentive. I loved the aesthetic of the interior!

+6

Ismael Rivas

Being a low to no carb foodie I always judge these Italian joints by their steamed baby clams, fried calamari and meat options. Their steamed clams in white wine were to die for 9.5/10. Their calamari was tender, well seasoned, lightly battered and not oily at all 9/10. They did have a NY steak option which although I asked for medium rare it came out medium well. They did ask me how I wanted it at first. After it was brought out and I seen how it was prepared I got the feeling that’s they way they prepare it for everybody. Nevertheless the steak had excellent flavor was nice and juicy and the fat on the outside layer was well rendered. I also got a hint of dry aged flavors 8.7/10. Would definitely come back again.

Opinion Worth a Thought

Good ambiance with bright and airy decor. We went at night and didn't get to see the view of the bay. Might visit later during the day to see the view Food was hit a miss. Sauce of the clam appetizer seemed watery and diluted. Didn't get much taste out of it. Fried sand dabs and grilled salmon were good, though. My friend enjoyed her spicy seafood pasta with just the right amount of heat which doesn't overpower the pasta sauce Service was polite and attentive, but was a bit on the slow side. They were very busy, but looked to be understaffed

+4

Gina Hinds, Realtor

A Little Slice of Italy by the Wharf 🇮🇹✨ This spot has it all — a great location, authentic Italian dishes, and even a waiter who speaks Italian (which makes the pasta taste extra legit!). The wharf views are absolutely stunning, with a possible visit from an otter.. If you’re celebrating a birthday, get ready for a fun surprise — they’ll serenade you with “Happy Birthday” in Italian! 🎶🎂 And whatever you do… save room for the cannoli — that creamy filling is worth every bite. 🍰💫

Oleksandr Iurchyk

The beet salad was too sour, too much vinegar. The pasta with seafood was too spicy. It's all personal to my and my family's taste. The service and atmosphere were wonderful!

Lilia Lilia

We went there for Happy Hour in May 2024. We got there right when Happy Hour started, so we were able to get a small table by the window. It got crowded pretty quickly. The Happy Hour food was delicious ($6 per plate). We were happy with the food choices and portion sizes, and will consider going back.

+1

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Plenty of parking spaces but it’s a paid parking lot. This waterfront Italian restaurant has a lovely, chill, and relaxing vibe with beautiful views. Unfortunately, the service was very slow-the server hardly checked on us, and we had to chase them down just to order more drinks and food. Overall, it’s a chill spot to grab a few drinks and relax.

+6

Shahram Mehraban

We went to this restaurant for dinner based on the recommendation from Portofino hotel’s concierge. I had asked for a casual but good Italian restaurant. It was a nice half a mile walk along the coast which was pleasant. Once arrived we were greeted by two nice Italian guys who told us that the inside was all reserved so we only could seat in the balcony. The outside seating is heated by overhead heaters but when the wind was blowing from the sea it got chilly. We told the server that we were celebrating my son’s birthday but at the end we didn’t get any dessert or a happy birthday song. I got an aperol spritz ($14) but definitely was not up to my standards. My wife got the ginger pear martini ($18) which although a bit small it was very tasty with a nice ginger kick. We also had a couple of beers for the boys. Ordered the calamari appetizer ($18) which was very nice and came with two dips. We were served three baskets of bread as we waited for our main course which was very nice. I ordered the ravioli bolognese and unfortunately was kinda disappointed as the I expected a hearty meat sauce but it wasn’t. My wife ordered cioppino which was an off menu special ($42). Although there was a nice amount of seafood, the sauce was very thick and tasted meh. My kids got the chicken and cream pasta which was the best item that we ordered. Nice taste with sundried tomatoes and capers in a creamy sauce. Unfortunately no one stopped by to offer extra Parmesan cheese. I rate the location 4.5, the service 4, but the food below my expectations.

+4

400.00 dinner for 5 adults. Made reservations, for a special birthday, days in advance and were seated in the back corner of the restaurant. Party of 8 walked in ahead of us, without reservations, and seated in front of the windows. Food is presented nicely but not worth the price or travel time. Steak was tasteless, friends thought the sea bass not great either. Won't go back.

Dinner was decent... But not absolutely amazing. My husband had the short ribs and I had the scallop risotto. His was pretty good and mine was just ok. I saw someone else had it but didn't see it on the menu. If I had known the price, I wouldn't have gotten it. Service was not bad- just not outstanding. I'm glad we went but it just wasn't as amazing as the other reviews made it seem. The view was really beautiful though- this was our favorite part!

We arrived at the restaurant at 6 o'clock and were seated on the patio immediately. We sat for 25 minutes with bread and water, and eventually had to grab another server to ask to order. Our server then came to the table and offered calamari on the house as an apology. Unfortunately, the calamari was greasy and over-salted. I ordered the fettuccine al pescatore. While the sauce was nice, the pasta was overcooked to the point that it was mushy and stuck together, and most of the seafood was calamari rather than shellfish. We also ordered the chicken piccata. The chicken was good, but the artichokes were tough and the pasta was once again stuck together in a giant clump.

NOT VERY GOOD "ITALIAN"FOOD....ATE A MEDIOCRE EXPENSIVE LUNCH HERE. THE VIEW IS AWESOME AND THE STAFF VERY NICE.....I ordered the sole and capellini red sauce pasta. It was around 2 pm and I was very hungry, ate every bite.... however -I asked if the sole fish was fish and I was assured it was. I highly doubt it was fresh fish and I would ask the owner to confirm and return my message. The fish was so hot that I could barely eat it- similar to microwave quality- it was hard and dry- not like typical sole- moist and soft. The pasta sauce was anything but not Italian and I doubt that the chef knows anything about Italian sauces. I told the waiter that the food was good not to embarrass my friend who was paying. He ate 1/2 and didn't like it. There were only 3 parties in the entire restaurant but we waited 20 minutes for the parmesan cheese. Well , it was an absolutely beautiful view and a huge full rainbow went across from one side of the bay to the other. My friend Jim had eaten there"100" times and said it was always good but not today's chef. Anyways, sorry to complain and my stomach felt fine afterwards. Maybe it's just a "different " style of Italian but not like anything I've ever eaten. Thanks, Michael

Glenn van Eekhout

The food was not wonderful as pictured. All they have is linguine meals and the flavor is so so. The appetizer Arincini fried cheese balls were not good. The cheese was not even melted inside. The beet salad was so gross. They use a blan grated goat cheese lightly sprinkled on top. We asked for more and then I took the photo. The dressing was just lemon. It was so bad and tart. The Clam chowder was horrible. It does not taste like clam chowder. Do not order it here. Everything needed salt..Lots of it.

Came in with a baby for a quick lunch, ordered the food straight away, waited for the food for 40 mins, checked on the ETA of the food and every time got reassured it’s 5 more mins which speed to another 20 mins.The restaurant was not even fully booked and was about 60% occupied. Asked for an extra fork, never got one. Left after 1 hour of waiting without getting he food. Not coming back again. Osteria al Mare has lost a regular customer. What a shame that service has turned into ignorance.

Not my favorite restaurant anymore. It was a great place and great people and I recommend it to my friends. Unfortunately, people changed. Booked a table for two, inside, at the window, got a confirmation that they have 5 such tables and they reserved one for us at 5pm. We spent 30 minutes driving, but once arrived, on time, we were told that “we don’t have the table, these are reserved” and gave us few options like sit outside etc. Also I was told that they put me on a “walk in reservation on a paper, but not in computer”. P.S. I also updated my friends that this restaurant is not good anymore, since they trust my recommendations.