Old Fisherman’s Grotto

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

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!

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!

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

Sal was an excellent waiter. Appetizers were good size and the lemon drops were fantastic! Made for a nice romantic dinner experience.

How do you feel to realize that you have lost a Camera which was a gift on your 16th birthday? And to make it worse, you didn't know that until 2 weeks later? That was what happened to my daughter, and the ending was a super happy one! 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.

Wow! I was expecting a "mid" touristy, seafood spot given the location, but was so pleasantly surprised by everything. The interior is very pretty and the views of the water are beautiful. Shoutout to the people online who recommended this spot for clam chowder, which was the reason I came. The claw chowder is EXCELLENT 5/5 TWO THUMBS UP. Definitely the place to go when looking for good clam chowder after exploring Monterey. The garlic bread bowl is really a great compliment to it and I highly recommend getting it. IMO the portion sizes are pretty large, so come hungry! Lastly, we did note that we were on an anniversary trip, and Angel and the staff were so, so kind. They decorated our table, gave us well-wishes, and even gave us a small dessert on the house. Angel was so attentive and informative the whole night. Would happily come back again.

We came here with our 10 year old child for dinner and were thoroughly impressed! It was our anniversary and they gave us a white tablecloth with rose petals and I was given a long stem red rose as well. I have a gluten allergy and was able to get an Eggplant Parmesan! You cannot go wrong here if you like seafood and clam chowder. My son loved their House Baby Spinach Salad - they subbed mandarin oranges for goat cheese :)! The servers were incredibly kind and accommodating. The booth we sat in was clean and has a great view of the bay! The vibe is classy and still works for families.

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. We ordered some apps and dessert. The food was tasty although we didn't love the artichoke with the balsamic. It made the artichoke a bit sweet and overpowered the artichoke flavor. Overall cute place with a nostalgic atmosphere.

Really enjoyed this place. We were seated by the window with a beautiful view of the shore and boats. Go to see some sea lions! Seating was very comfortable and the place looked great. Perfect for a romantic date night if you get window seating! Our server,nick, was great. Very attentive. I got the ultimate seafood pasta. The lobster was cooked well, shrimp was good. I added one scallop for $8 because I really wanted some. That one scallop was perfect! I wanted a whole pate. There was a good portion of salmon which I didn't eat. It had a weird flavor that I've only tasted with farm raised salmon... like a mineral type flavor is the best I can describe and it was strong on this fish. This is not the chefs fault. It was still cooked perfectly with great texture. The fish itself is to blame. It also had like a honey glaze? Which I didn't like or expect. I wanted a nice salty fish. But that's a personal preference. I did tell our server and he offered another piece but I declined. I had more than enough on my plate and it would most likely taste the same. Partner ordered the burger as he's not big on seafood. He ate the whole thing, said he would order again. The fries were good too, I had a few. The artichoke was cooked perfectly as well. I wasn't a fan of the balsamic glaze that was drizzled on but it was still a good appetizer I would order again. The clam chowder was also good. I ate the whole "cup" which is more of a bowl. I would love to come back and try other dishes!

What a charming restaurant :) It is right on the water on Monterey Fisherman wharf and the decor is classy and historic. The FOOD - omg, the portions are humongous and yes it's expensive, but fresh seafood just is, especially in a touristy area. We got a clam chowder in a bread bowl ($26, creamy and amazing), Cioppino ($57, chock full of fresh seafood), and a crab meat tower ($24). Everything was fresh, flavorful, rich, and marvelous. My only nit was the avocado in the crab tower was a bit "crunchy", but whatever it was topped with so much fresh crab meat you hardly noticed. I loved the beautiful red roses they give you at the end. Jeanette really made our night.

I'm in the area for the weekend and we made a reservation here for dinner. We arrived a bit early but didn't wait too long for a table of four. Inside is pretty dim but what surprised me was our table. It was difficult to get seated. It was snugged and no one was comfortable sitting here. It's a booth but there was no leg room for four people. I wish they made the table/booth bigger. Here's what we ordered: Caesar salad Goat cheese salad Cioppino Seafood paella Pistachio cheesecake Bbq oysters Ultimate seafood pasta Crab meet tower The waiter kept trying to up sell everything. He repeated specials and wine deals several times, but we weren't interested. For dessert they bring a whole tray of all the desserts they offer for you to see. It's a good tactic to get you to order something once you see it. Overall it wasn't bad but it's not the best experience either. Perhaps stop by during lunch so you can see the view. I would opt out sitting at the booth as the space is tight.

Yes, it is a bit on the pricy side, but Old Fisherman's Grotto is the real deal and delivers flawlessly. My partner and I came here for an anniversary dinner and loved each bite of succulent seafood and the classic, comfy ambiance. There is nothing quite like being nestled away in a well-worn but not raggedy booth, served with great care, and left with a belly of great food and smooth drinks. Every element of the Grotto Seafood Sampler appetizer was cooked to perfection, with some of the most tender and carefully executed calamari in recent memory. All of the other dishes -- from crab to scallops to the rich "Monterey Style" clam chowder -- all landed at or above what you want from touristy destination restaurant like this. It may be in and area with a lot of out-of-town foot traffic but the kitchen and service hold nothing back, delivering excellent food in a fancy yet friendly environment that I can't wait to return to when visiting Monterey again.

I want to start by saying the service here is incredible. The host at the door was super personable and our server, Sal, made us feel right at home. We tried the clam chowder with garlic bread bowl and the rigatoni bolognese. The pasta came with a generous amount of parmesan to sprinkle to our liking. It was solid but nothing special. The clam chowder on the other hand, was probably the best I've ever had. Compared to other places, it wasn't as salty and had a richer, creamier flavor. The garlic bread was super crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Sal even refilled our bread bowl with extra clam chowder, which was a really nice gesture. Definitely a memorable experience.

Cioppino 3/5- this was okay. Seafood was fresh and a decent amount of it but the flavor was a bit bland. Clam chowder 4/5 - this was really good and creamy. We like dipping this with the bread. The bowl was huge for two people so probably best for 3-4 people

My husband and I had a lovely last meal here in Monterey stopping into Grotto's. We had a 15 minute wait, then were seated. Every staff member we had an encounter with was very friendly & kind. We started off with oysters, a cup of chowder and purchased a bottle of red wine. We also ordered the chef special which was a really delicious octopus! For our entrees I had a shrimp pasta with a cream base and my husband ordered a seafood platter of some sort. We were stuffed with no room for dessert. But the experience was lovely, so clean and everyone was so friendly. Food was delicious. Can't wait to visit again. Thank you for the experience. :)

This is THE Place in Monterey if you are looking for Spectacular Seafood! I've been coming here since I was a kid at least 45 years. I remember an older Man in a white suite used to stand at the entrance and give samples of their Clam chowder. It was the Best in Monterey then and it still is the Best in my view. The Workers here are so welcoming and professional. They go over their specials and answer any questions you have about the menu happily. We ordered the Clam Chowder of course. We weren't disappointed. It was Fantastic! I also split a Cold Crab sandwich with my wife because i saw a few people ordering them (you have the option of ordering it hot if you like). The sandwich was Jammed Packed with Fresh Crab meat. They don't skimp on that at all. The only thing I would do differently is ask to have the bread toasted a little more but that would be my preference because it still tasted Really good. I could taste the fresh/sweet crab with every bite. Yumm!!!!! I will be back again, and again, and again... lol

Came here March 7th 2025 for dinner. We got a complimentary breaded calamari dish with ketchup dipping sauce and fries. Wife had the $30 eggplant calamari par parmigiana dish which was breaded calamari and eggplant combined together. Not a dish that I would order but wife finished it all. I had the $49 ultimate seafood pasta which came with a generous filet of salmon shrimp clams and mini lobster over pasta. All the ingredients all the all the seafood were exceptionally fresh and tasty, and I would order again. This is the place that bans crying babies my kind of place. They also gave out long stem roses, the first time in 22 years since our marriage that my wife has received roses.

Came here during a work conference as I had a taste for clam chowder. I opted for a cup of the chowder and ordered their seafood risotto which did not disappoint. It was creamy but didn't overwhelm the hefty amount of scallops, Shrimp, salmon, and a whole lobster tail. I do think going in the day time would be better - the ambience in the evening gives a VERY romantic vibe and you can't see the water. My server was attentive and so sweet, I got a rose upon leaving.

Arrived without reservation, informed of 30 minute wait, and we were given a buzzer to let us know when the table was ready, we walked around a few stores and the table was ready! Great service, professional, friendly, upscale atmosphere. Food came out fast and was well cooked. Excellent and would recommend and come back again!

Hands down my most favorite clam chowder in all of Monterey! I used to frequent this restaurant with my family when I lived in the area. The ambiance is beautiful inside and we always requested for a window seat. The staff are attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable in the various meals on the menu. We were visiting for the weekend and decided to just get a cup of soup to go since we had our dog. Still delicious, creamy, and perfect since the last time I had it! Will be dreaming about it until I can come up again to have some more haha

Staff was friendly and accommodating. We had a group of 9 but they only seat groups of 6. So they were able to have us close by together in 2 different tables so we felt like we were together. The inside is really nice and spacious. They have some tables with a view of the water but this time we got to see the pier. Food was very good. The seafood pasta was very tasty and a good portion. Salmon was perfectly cooked along with the shrimp & claws. The clam chowder was very creamy & very flavorful. We come here anytime we are in Monterey.

We're in Monterey CA, for 2 weddings. Checked YELP for seafood places ! Old Fisherman's Grotto WAS a fabulous choice ! The last 2 evenings dinners were supposed to be great, but weren't !!! One so bad I didn't review them !!! THIS DINNER MADE THE TRIP FROM FLORIDA TO CALIFORNIA WORTH IT !! Our wait person Jennette was so sweet and kind- she recommended and was spot on !! Wine was 25% off Of course I wanted BEER Corona ( ice cold ) perfect! Dinner was soooooo good - look at photos & drool EVERY THING WAS FABULOUS, except the couscous was a bit overcooked !

I don't go around thinking about clam chowder, ever. But after I had a bowl of theirs, I think about THEIR clam chowder. "Voted best chowder" 19 years running as of 2025 is not an idle boast. But let's be clear, I'm giving this 5 stars solely on how good the chowder is.

Just amazing deliciousness from start to finish. The creamiest clam chowder I've even had. Oysters were fresh, calamari had the perfect crisp, the pasta in the seafood pasta tasted homemade and the crème brûlée was a beautiful ending!

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!

Me and my friends visited Old Fisherman's Grotto in Monterey after hearing it was one of the best restaurants on Old Fisherman's Wharf and it totally lived up to the hype. I was a little skeptical from the outside, but once you're in, the low lighting and the bay views make it a surprisingly romantic and cozy lunch/dinner spot. We split one of the daily specials, the "Taste of Monterey," along with a clam chowder bread bowl. It ended up being way too much food for two people (And we're usually big backs) so the portions are definitely generous. Their clam chowder is famous for a reason: it's rich, flavorful, and genuinely one of the best I've had. As a personal preference, I avoid bread bowls (too much bread), so I'd recommend getting a cup and dipping the bread on the side. The wait staff were really friendly and took great care of us. We ended up sitting at two different tables, and each one came with a complimentary plate of calamari, which was a nice surprise. Overall, 10/10 -- highly recommend.

Food and service was great! Although Fisherman's Grotto is fine dining and you feel like you have to be dressed up, you don't have to be. You can go in there in your bathing suit but they know people are coming in right after waking the wharf. I had the cl chowder bowl which not only is delicious but it is full of nostalgia for me. My family has been eating this clam chowder all my life! I also had the Chinese chicken salad. It was light and perfect to eat right before we hit the road back home. My husband had Ribeye some veggies and twice baked potato. My husband said it was one of the best steaks he's ever had. The veggies being so plain (nothing on them) were soooo good! But the twice baked potato was meh I paired my salad with Rambauer's Sauvignon Blanc. A good choice

The Grotto at Old Fisherman's Wharf is an easy 5 stars! The food was incredibly fresh and flavorful, and you can really taste the quality in every dish. The service was warm, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. The ambiance is cozy with a classic coastal charm, and the views of the wharf make it feel extra special. If you're visiting Monterey, The Grotto is definitely a must-try -- you won't be disappointed!

I was looking for a more fast casual situation which exists at the Wharf version of this restaurant, but our meal here was delish nonetheless. We started with the clam chowder in a garlic butter toasted bread bowl ($27.00). The clam chowder was good and satiating. Was the best I've ever eaten? No, but the garlic butter toasted bread bowl was an unexpectedly good accompaniment to the clam chowder. To keep lunch light, we also shared Neptune's Platter ($36.00). It comes with fried cod, shrimp, crab cake, calamari, and fries. This was a really good value because you get plenty of seafood for a reasonable price. Everything was lightly battered and crisped. I especially liked the cod because it's a sturdy, meaty piece of fish. This was perfect to share. Old Fisherman's Grotto's dark, moody ambiance is more suited for a nice dinner.

The toasted bread bowl was so good with the clam chowder! Everything tasted super fresh. The crab cakes 10/10! It was a weekday so it wasn't busy so food came out pretty quickly. We were seated on the second level so it was pretty quiet. The staff was very nice and explained the menu to us and had good recommendations.

The place is clearly a joke. I'm giving this place one star because of how unwelcoming they were toward families. When they called to confirm our reservation the manager literally asked if there was a reason I put high chair in the notes. I didn't know they did not accommodate high chairs. But come at me like that??? OK! I was surprised by the way our inquiry was handled. When I mentioned we had a child, they told us they don't recommend families with kids, and that they don't accommodate highchairs--which is fine if that's their policy. However, they specifically said the owner isn't keen on kids visiting. They added that while we could come, if any issues arose, they'd ask us to leave. I understand businesses set their environment, but it felt unwelcoming for families like ours." GOODBYE.

First time at Old Fisherman's Grotto and it was surprisingly good. I thought it was going to be a major tourist trap, Over looking the water. Old school vibes. The service was really good throughout our meal. The sauce for the ravioli was too sweet. But the filling for ravioli was good. I really liked the sourdough clam chowder bread bowl. Super creamy and the sourdough bread was crunchy on exterior and soft inside. The halibut was cooked well. I wasn't a fan of the sweet potatoes. The cheesecake was light and not very sweet. Prices are about right for a seafood restaurant.

The vibe of this place is so cool! It's got an old timey vibe and it's right on the water. The service was quick and friendly. And the food! Everything was amazing! The clam chowder was the best I ever had, the garlic bread was delicious, and the fish tacos had great flavor compliments. We ate everything up and definitely need to come back

Great clam chowder! Ambiance is nice, especially the music they play. Service is very friendly. They were doing 25% off bottled wines. My friend and I opted for a half bottle, which would've been just over a glass for each of us. Our server was constantly trying to "upsell" us to the full bottle, but backed off when we said we had to catch a flight out the next morning.

Wow! Our waiter Pablo was great and we got 10 star service. The clam chowder was piping hot and very good. I got the halibut with coconut shrimp the size of jumbo prawns. The veggies were yummy too. They have seating upstairs too and great viees of the marina.

The manager, Austin takes the time to seat and greet guests. We had great service provided by Pablo and Ricardo. Yes, we ate here two days in a row. Its that good! We even had the privilege to meet the chef on both occasions. The food is outstanding, fresh and all made in house desserts. A place you must stop to have dinner. The best in Monterey.

I grew up eating the clam chowder from Old Fisherman's Grotto and I have to say that I have not been able to find another chowder like it anywhere else. On my recent trip back to the area I didn't have a lot of time and could not dine in but I made sure to get multiple containers of the clam chowder to take back to Vegas. The Monterey clam chowder is rich, flavorful, and just satisfying with plenty of clams, and a really creamy consistency. Everyone there is nice and I was able to chat with Chris Shake (owner) before I left whom I've never actually met until this last visit. The restaurant is located on the wharf in Monterey and it hasn't changed much from how it looked when I was a kid which is great. It's easy to find - there is a statue outside and some neon signs and there is a "to go" market outside. I hope to be back soon so I can actually have a full meal.

We are regulars from San Jose. Id wish they'd accommodate disabled folks better. My daughter loves their clam chowder in bowl we enjoy calamari and artichokes. My hubby enjoyed Gorgonzola and pear salad, seafood pasta. I ordered crab ravioli some of the pieces were over cooked however the sauce was delicious. Sipped pina coladas and topped off the night with creme brûlée and special pie.

Delish spot on the wharf for steamed clams and a cup of chowder. Service was quick. We sat at the outdoors area with the smaller menu. Warning no fish and chips here just pastas, steamed goods.

Came from lunch. Enjoyed the taste of monterey special, my friend had the jambalaya and another friend had the fish n chips. The clam chowder was great, service was amazing.

I ate at this spot after getting back to Monterey pretty late in the evening having spent a full day driving south around the Big Sur area. Most restaurants had closed, but this kind of touristy one was open on the Fisherman's Wharf. I usually have grand reservations about eating at anything touristy, but there were a lot of excellent recent reviews for the place, and they list tons and tons of awards and accolades over time. So I figured why not? It was actually a really good experience. Though it definitely is set up more for eating with groups or at least couples, I had a fine experience by myself. The restaurant is roomy and the seating is comfortable. My waitress was very attentive, and shortly after sitting down I had water and fresh bread in front of me to snack on. I ended up ordering a pasta dish that came with lots of different types of seafood. Clams, shrimp, salmon, and lobster tail! All in all, each differenty component of the seafood was cooked spot on the money, nothing dry at all. The pasta bed it was on was also flavorful, with a nice rose cream sauce. I have no complaints, well done for a restaurant in a touristy spot!

If you are visiting Monterey I highly recommend trying Old Fisherman's Grotto for some delicious seafood dishes. The crab ravioli was absolutely to die for. It had a phenomenal tomato sauce base with perfectly cooked crab ravioli and a generous portion of crab. The ultimate seafood pasta was also delicious but definitely had a milder flavor as the cream sauce was not as strong. The loads of seafood makes up for the flavor as it gives you all the delicious notes of the sea. Lastly, the olallieberry was the best dessert to end with. It was the perfect amount of sweet and tart. The restaurant has a beautiful and classy ambiance. It's a great restaurant if you want to impress a lady or man ;) The service is quick and very kind as they constantly check in on you and cater to your needs. My bf and I even had the opportunity to meet the original owners grandson, Austin, who was so kind, humble, and knowledgeable. He went around to every table to ensure everyone was having a good time and enjoying their food. Overall the food, ambiance, and service was great! I highly recommend a visit to Old Fisherman's Grotto!

First time in Monterey and decided to try this place for dinner. My oh my...It did not disappoint. We arrived on a Monday and put our names on the list at 730pm. There was a good line starting to build up. The buzzer they gave us went off around 755pm. Staff is super professional and organized. Our host sat us at a booth with a nice view. We ordered clam chowder as appetizers and they arrived to the table at 8:10pm. QUICK SERVICE. Not to mention, it was probably one of top 3 best clam chowder I have ever had. DELICIOUS! I ordered the Linguini Isabella and my husband got Seafood Risotto. Solid, rich, creamy....we DEVOURED it. Loved both our choices. A nice surprise was that our server handed me a rose at the end of the meal which was so sweet!! Exceptional service, delectable food, and a beautiful view. How can you ask for a more perfect first dinner in Monterey?! Highly recommend!!

This is possibly the best clam chowder I've ever had. I didn't expect much because I just assumed this would be another tourist trap, but they certainly proved me wrong. Got the clam chowder in the garlic butter bread bowl and couldn't have been happier. The bread bowl wasn't sourdough, but that just made it better in my opinion. The bread was nice and soft and soaked up the chowder. It was wonderfully baked with the garlic butter and the chowder was rich and flavorful. Service was exceptional and the views inside the restaurant were beautiful. They gave us a rose with the bill. Highly recommend a visit if you're in Monterey.

We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday while in Monterey and had the most amazing experience! Our server Ricardo was amazing and acknowledged my husband's birthday right away. The food we ordered was delicious! I ordered their grilled scallops and my husband ordered the crab Louie salad. Other entrees our table ordered was the warm goat cheese and beet salad, clam chowder and fish and chips. Everyone was very happy with their orders. We love that they kept the iced tea glasses filled and they ended the evening giving the ladies a single stemmed rose. A very nice touch !!! Their desserts were not just decadent but beautifully plated. We will definitely return the next time we are in this beautiful city!

I came here a long while ago and I'm glad not much in food quality has changed since then. My waiter was Iman and he was very nice. The overall experience with him was great, but I'd say he should be a bit more attentive to his tables. I only say that because it took a long while until he got back to my table so that I could ask for the check and boxes for leftovers. Anyways. The food is spectacular; the linguine has a nice chew and holds the sauce nicely. The taste is unique and unlike any other pasta dish that I've had before and the seafood is cooked perfectly. The fish & chips could be a bit better as the fish itself wasn't very well seasoned and practically flavorless. The fries are crispy and the dipping sauces are great to make up for the lost flavor. Overall I'd highly recommend coming over and giving this place a try and stick to the pasta dishes as they have surpassed my expectations and I believe they could meet anyone's standards.

One day in SF on pier 39, I tried every clam chowder with a group of individuals, resulting as Fishermen's Grotto as the best. It stinks their OG location in SF is no longer present. Therefore, I have been craving it a ton. Elated Monterey had it instead. CARD ONLY!!! FYI, Some places on the pier has a price difference between card and cash. I ORDERED: Clam chowder 16oz (they have 32oz and 128oz!!) - strange it has red carrots (I mean have you seen red carrots in traditional chowder before?) but I understand it may be a color thing - there's a trend around that chowder tastes better with hot sauce (best with Tabasco) but I did not find this to be the case - lots of stuffing and clams! - NEED TO ASK FOR OYSTER CRACKERS IF YOU WANT THEM! (Maybe it was an off day when I went?) Garlic bread - there's also a roasted option for $3 more - matches the chowder amazingly - great seasoning - lackluster amount of garlic itself SERVICE: - friendly AMBIENCE: - has a restaurant and a grab and go - zero outdoor seating on their end if you just want the grab and go (major downfall) but there's public seating further down the pier LOCATION AND PARKING: - located on the fishermen's wharf of Monterey Bay (near the Monterey aquarium) - parking is paid if you want to park near the pier (there are multiple adjacent lots to the pier) - free 2 hour parking if you are willing to walk (more than 1 block) Definitely hit the cravings, thank you! Made me scream my blessings that I have been born and raised in the Bay Area (and if I only I can stay in CALIFORNIA foreeeevvveerrr)

We had low expectations, thinking the restaurant would be an overpriced tourist trap along the pier. But it was actually a great meal! Prices are high but portions are HUGE. I ordered the jambalaya which was well seasoned with the right level of spice. The dish was brimming with hearty shrimp and sausage. Service was quick and attentive. It also has a great view of the sea from floor to ceiling windows. Overall lovely lunch in Monterey!

I highly recommend this place when you're in the mood for lobster tail and pasta. There are a number of restaurants on the wharf but this one had the lobster tail I was looking for plus it had great Yelp reviews. The picture speaks for itself. The lobster tail sat on top of the mound of seafood and pasta. The juiciness of the lobster was to die for as well as the shrimp and clams. Pasta was made to perfection. I felt like a Cesar salad which I haven't had for a long while. The dressing tasted good and the salad was fresh. Garlic bread was included. I got some bread and butter before my dishes were out. The waiters kept filling my water glass without me asking. They were courteous to check on me. This type of service has long died out in the bay area. I'm adding my 5 stars to this place.

Located on the pier. Make a resy! We unfortunately could not make a resy & came by on Friday night. Luckily, the wait was only 30 minutes & there are many souvenir shops to browse in while you wait. The restaurant is nice & dimly lit. They have 2 levels & we sat upstairs & had a view of the water. I bet the views are gorgeous during sunsets. Our waiter was incredible! I wish I remembered his name because he definitely made our night amazing with his friendliness, recommendations & overall service. & he gave us a rose at the end of our meal! Thank you! The food was okay. Clam Chowder: Delicious & creamy, a must order! Oysters Rockefeller: These were meh. Very chewy. Crab Ravioli: The sauce was bland.

Came here on a Monday right before noon. Service- seated right away, upstairs with a great view. Our server was excellent. Food- Clam Chowder- this is indeed their best signature item, their soup. No one beats them. From flavor to consistency. Lots of clams in the bowl. Rigatoni Pasta- it was too chewy. I know there is al dente, this wasn't that. It was more like it needed to be cooked just 1 minute more. And the sauce, just the usual. The Taste of Monterey- it was on their Specials. If you want a platter of things to sample, then this is it. Pretty much all fried items. The artichoke was not cooked long enough so hard eat the "heart." The two things that stood out were the battered fries (amazingly crispy) and the slaw (there was mango and papaya) refreshing. Return Factor- for the view and the clam chowder.

5 stars for the clam chowder. It is the best clam chowder ever! We dined in as well and the experience was whatever. My advice is to grab the clam chowder to go in front! We bought two large to bring home:)