Best Restaurants in Salinas (2025)
El Charrito
Mexican restaurant · Salinas
A Salinas institution since 1981, this family-run deli turns out hand-stretched flour tortillas and chile verde burritos that draw dawn lines. Featured in Eater SF and praised by Bay Area food writers for honest, old-school flavors.
Villa Azteca
Mexican restaurant · Salinas
A vibrant, family-owned ode to Michoacán with handmade blue-corn tortillas and contemporary plates. Named Best Restaurant – Salinas by Monterey County Weekly readers and spotlighted by KQED’s Check, Please! for inventive chilaquiles and more.
Patria on Main
European restaurant · Salinas
Reborn in 2025 under new local owners, this Oldtown bistro blends Patria’s European soul with seasonal Italian, seafood, and cocktails. Edible Monterey Bay reported the refreshed menu and community-forward vision.
Growers Pub
Restaurant · Salinas
An Oldtown stalwart tied to Salinas Valley agriculture, known for prime rib, classic sides, and a wall of local history. Recommended in Monterey County Weekly’s Eat+Drink 2025 as the county’s quintessential steakhouse vibe.
Salinas City BBQ
Barbecue restaurant · Salinas
Independent smokehouse turning out brisket, ribs, and tri-tip with a loyal local following. Repeated Best of Monterey County winner, noted by Monterey County Weekly for serious smoke and community spirit.
The Steinbeck House Restaurant
American restaurant · Salinas
Lunch in John Steinbeck’s restored Victorian boyhood home, operated by a local nonprofit guild since 1974. The official site confirms current hours; Monterey County Weekly regularly highlights its cultural charm.
live@heirloom pizza co. SALINAS
Pizza restaurant · Salinas
Chicago-style deep-dish and thin-crust pies meet a lively stage in a revived Oldtown building. KSBW covered the Salinas expansion; Monterey food writers note its growing role as a downtown hangout.
Mangia - Eat on Main
Southern Italian restaurant · Salinas
An intimate Italian spot for housemade pastas, crisp calamari, and classic desserts. Featured in Monterey County Weekly’s Eat+Drink for polished, comforting plates ideal for date night downtown.
Kokoro Sushi
Sushi restaurant · Salinas
A longstanding local favorite for generous rolls, teriyaki plates, and late-night nigiri. Called out in Monterey County Weekly’s Eat+Drink 2025 as a go-to downtown date-night option.
Alvarado Street Brewery Taproom
Restaurant · Salinas
Housed in a 1929 Art Deco bank, this independent brewery’s taproom pairs award-winning beer with smashburgers, pizzas, and tacos. Cited in Monterey County Weekly; official site confirms hours and the food-forward menu.
