Osteria Al Mare
Restaurant · Monterey ·

Osteria Al Mare

Restaurant · Monterey ·

Ocean view Italian eatery with seafood, pasta & craft cocktails

clam chowder
calamari
fettuccine pescatore
sand dabs
seafood pasta
waterfront view
fresh ingredients
italian food
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by Osteria Al Mare
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null
Osteria Al Mare by null

Information

32 Cannery Row Suite H, Monterey, CA 93940 Get directions

$20–30

Reserve a table
Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended
Cozy

Information

Static Map

32 Cannery Row Suite H, Monterey, CA 93940 Get directions

+1 831 920 2833
osteriaalmare.com
osteriaalmare

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Romantic
•Trendy

Last updated

Feb 2, 2026

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Where to Eat and Drink Around Monterey and Carmel

"Right next to San Carlos beach lies this hidden gem of a restaurant with a kitchen run by Italian chef Maurizio Cutrignelli. He cut his teeth along the Adriatic Sea and it shows as he turns Monterey’s seafood — think fettuccine with clams, shrimp, and mussels — into stunning dishes. Prices here are sensible, too, an ideal option for both those traveling to see the sights and local residents." - Lauren Saria, Paolo Bicchieri, Dianne de Guzman

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-monterey-carmel
Osteria Al Mare
Osteria Al Mare

Opinion Worth a T.

Google
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

Ismael R.

Google
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.

Rhonda H.

Google
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.

Courtney T.

Google
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.

Eric Magoo (Hobo T.

Google
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 .

H L

Google
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.

Gina Hinds, R.

Google
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. 🍰💫

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Google
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.
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GrubGuy 1.

Yelp
Osteria Al Mare definitely lives up to its name. From the moment you walk in, it feels like you're visiting a warm, waterside Italian home--inviting, comfortable, and effortlessly charming. The service was friendly and genuinely welcoming, setting the tone for a relaxed, enjoyable evening. They offer a full bar along with a thoughtfully curated wine list. We started with a half-dozen oysters, and the freshness really stood out. The Caesar salad that followed was simple, classic, and full of flavor--exactly how it should be. For entrées, we ordered the Pollo Piccata, sand dabs, and chicken fettuccine. Every dish was prepared to perfection, balanced, and beautifully executed, with not a single complaint at the table. A fantastic dining experience from start to finish--we'll absolutely be back.
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Sue T.

Yelp
Love this restaurant. We've been coming for years. Location overlooking the water. Front of the house service excellent. Back of the house food exceptional. Our favorite food in Monterey. Francisco and Frederico are fabulous servers. Celebrated our 56th anniversary and we were surprised by glasses of Prosecco to start. We each had a special - scallops and the lobster tail. Both were perfectly prepared. Calamari and Beet salad for starters. My only suggestion is servers should tell the price of the specials. I asked and decided on lobster at $44. Later a couple at the next table were told the specials but not the price. I know they wanted the lobster but were uncomfortable asking the price. Thank you Chef Maurzio for your fine dining experience. We will continue to be regulars and will bring family and friends.
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Joanie S.

Yelp
amazing food and amazing service! My sister and I go there every time we go to Monterey. Ambiance is lovely with a view of boats and the water. Food is exceptional! Love the waiters!
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Lois G.

Yelp
We learned that this restaurant offers happy hour from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and decided to give it a try. We were impressed by the happy hour food--especially the Ziti in Forno! Also, their selected beer on draft is great! Highly recommend!
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Alyssa M.

Yelp
Definitely felt like a fine dining experience though the brown kraft paper over the table cloths seemed a little out of place with that. We arrived around 5:30pm on a Friday with no reservations and had no trouble getting seated as a party of two. The food came out fairly quickly. We were there probably 90 minutes, including dessert, they didn't rush us. The food was tasty and nicely presented. Our server was professional and had a huge list of specials memorized. For that many specials I feel like a printed listed would have been helpful actually. The view of the water was nice but it is mostly east facing so not the direct sunset experience. Hoping they can get the fan in the ladies room fixed, it was crazy loud in there.
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Regia S.

Yelp
This place was kind of hard to find. We had to walk through a park type area to get to it. But maybe it's just because of where we parked. Idk. We just went to where the GPS told us to go. Anyway, once we found it, we were impressed. It's not super big on the inside, but It's weird because it's spacious but cozy at the same time. They have outdoor dining which I LOVE! But we sat inside because it was a bit chill out. All of the big windows allow you to enjoy the beautiful ocean view that Monterey has to offer. I don't remember the names of our dishes. Mine was a chicken over spaghetti type dish and my husband got some other pasta and marinara sauce type dish. Both were delicious! Very fresh authentic Italian flavors. The service was great too. We will be back again!
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Sandra L.

Yelp
Fantastic Meal and Fresh Flavors! My friend and I had a wonderful lunch at Osteria al Mare. Our server, Giuseppe, was attentive and friendly, making our experience even better. I ordered the chicken salad with mixed greens and poached pears, and it was fantastic. The ingredients were incredibly fresh, and the flavors worked beautifully together. My friend ordered the clam chowder, and we both agreed it was the best we've ever had at a restaurant--it tasted completely homemade and fresh. The quality of the food is outstanding. You can tell they use fresh ingredients and put care into every dish. I would come back here in a heartbeat and highly recommend it!
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Cameron C.

Yelp
Service was super friendly but lacked attentiveness. We tried for our check for around 20-30 minutes. Food was okay but the view was amazing. I got their Stew Special and was pretty disappointed. The crab was cold and the best part was the bread...not even the seafood. Sand dabs were also lacking and needed salt and pepper. Clam chowder was average.
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Crystal R.

Yelp
First time here. We were celebrating my bday and our anniversary . I made a reservation for a table on the balcony . They said they I could when I called. Not only did they not fulfill my request, they put me in the corner with no view of the Marina whatsoever . They didn't tell us the specials until after we ordered drinks and appetizers . I heard them telling another table and one of my favorite appetizers happened to be part of the specials . Very sad . The food is very delicious and authentic . The drinks are great , I would've had another if they came around to ask me . The service was lacking big time. We did not want to have dessert there . Ordered our espresso and asked for the check at the same time because who knows when they would've been back to our table . Not sure if we'll give them another try .

Dena R.

Yelp
This was by far one of the best meals my husband and I have ever had! The service was outstanding and so friendly. We never felt rushed and the pace was perfect. My husband lasagna was the best he's ever had in my cioppino was absolutely the best meal I've ever had. I can't recommend this place enough and I can't wait to go back. The atmosphere is fantastic as well. .
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Jay P.

Yelp
At the edge of San Carlos pier, you get amazing views of the pier and docks and none of the hustle and bustle and OK quality food at the wharf. Our server was Italian and it added to the ambiance and probably made the food taste better. Fritto Di Calamari: cut much larger than normal calamari but still tender and crispy on the outside. Came with a thinly sliced grilled lemon that wasn't really squeezable but the two dipping sauces were great. Rotelle di Parma: rolled pasta, prosciutto cotto, Parmesan, mozzarella, basil, tomato cream. In a very good way tasted like a mix of wet pizza and lasagna. Kids destroyed this. Sand-Dabs Capellini: sand dab, lightly breaded, white wine lemon saffron sauce, pasta and pesto. Simple and beautifully plated, loved this. Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca: A Napoli classic. Fresh tomato, garlic, anchovies, capers, calamata olives, crush red pepper. If you go at the right season you can see sea lions in the rocks if you over the left side of the pier.
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Steve A.

Yelp
We received a suggestion from a local who worked at another restaurant in town to try Ostera Al Mare. This Resturant located on the second floor on the water was a bit of a walk from Pacific Grove 2,3 miles. We did not have a reservation which is suggested but we're seated within about 15 minutes or we could've sat immediately in the bar area at the high tables. Have a good wine list and a full bar. The main area had some small tables and tables that were combine for large groups. You could also eat out outdoors however when it's in the 40°, you may not want to. Wine can be ordered by the glass carafe or bottle. The waiter is Italian and very knowledgeable about the menu both of us at seafood, which was excellent. We did start with salad which had a fresh dressing and anchovies. The cioppino had crab clams, muscles, squid, and fish my wife had a seafood over fresh fettuccine while they had a diverse dessert menu. We were unable to try any as we were too full from dinner. We did take an Uber back to the Pacific Grove area, which took about 10 minutes This place for the average tourist would be considered a hit jump is definitely off the beaten path.
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Christina C.

Yelp
Very much enjoyed our experience here. We sat at a high table in the bar and had a great meal. Many of the staff come from Italy and have that genuine Italian culture. The bartender was making lots of drinks and our 2yo loved watching him use the shaker and he took the time to come over and show her the drink inside the shaker, which was just soo sweet. Food was great. No complaints and really enjoyed the fish and calamari. Atmosphere service and food all hit the spot. Would go back!
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Amy W.

Yelp
Really nice evening at Osteria Al Mare. The dining area is properly lit and the atmosphere welcoming. Food was spot on with the special seafood stew -we split the meal and had plenty of leftovers! Our server Michael was warm, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and wines.
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Tim Y.

Yelp
Sat outside on the heated patio on a cool and busy Saturday night. Complimentary bread with oil and vinegar came after we put in drink orders. We chose the special fiochi (pear filled pasta with butter and sage) and fried calamari. The calamari was very crispy and light with a wonderful tartar sauce (thes best I've had) and a spicy marinara. Delicious and fairly large with about 20 pieces of believe. We ordered The fettuccine with cream, mushroom fettuccine with truffle, the short rib on polenta and the ravioli with bolognese sauce All were very good. I can see why so many people speak highly of this place. Prices were moderate for Monterey with a view of the marina. Paid for parking which was plentiful. We saw some nice wildlife and enjoyed a beautiful sunny evening with the sun going down while enjoying all of our food Great attentive service also. We will come again to try more items
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Monica R.

Yelp
My husband and I had our 10th anniversary dinner in this restaurant. First they are really nice with our dog, bringing water. Really friendly service. The ambiance is beautiful, classic, and chic. The food is delicious! The funghi pasta was incredibile good. You will feel in a osteria in Italy.

Houa V.

Yelp
Their clam chowder and braised beef dish were delicious. If you opt out of dining in, there is outdoor space on the pier to enjoy your meal ordered to go! They also have a cute bar area that I didn't indulge in but will try next time!
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Rachelle O.

Yelp
Single ladies/men. You will be treated like a queen or king. Whether you are a group of people or a solo, you will be treated equally. Very handsome Italian speaking male servers. A plus And look at this huge steak!
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Jasmin H.

Yelp
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.
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Jackie Q.

Yelp
When in Monterey, it only makes sense to be on the search for some seafood for dinner. We happened to come across this spot on our walk while we were waiting for a table at Schooners. My boyfriend's curiosity was instantly piqued when he saw the Italian restaurant name and heard the live music, and usually I'm not one to go about changing the plan but I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a look at the menu. I was really in the mood for a seafood pasta and saw that they had a good looking one on the menu at a fair price, which combined with the fact that we didn't have to wait for a table thoroughly convinced me into changing the original plan. The service took quite a while between being seated and getting our order taken and the live music was really loud for my personal enjoyment, but high-quality authentic Italian food and live music are both things that my boyfriend really enjoys so I'll make this a five star review for him. He got the Fettuccine Al Pescatore with a Limoncello Spritz and I got the Fettuccine Al Funghi. I might have a slight shellfish allergy but that's never stopped me before, except when combined with my less slight lactose intolerance meaning that I can convince a shrimp or two over to my plate but cannot convince an order of clam chowder to the table. I wish I could eat clam chowder so bad, it always smells so good in the bread bowl and everyone who can eat it is always talking about how good it is! Anyways, I'm no foremost expert on Italian cuisine but my fettuccine did satisfy my pasta craving. In terms of opportunity cost, Schooners was a little too formal and upscale for the people that we are so I'm glad that we had a good experience at Osteria Al Mare instead. There is a bit of an unpleasant ocean smell if you're dining on the balcony but it's part of the Monterey experience so take it in.
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tricia p.

Yelp
Came last night without a reservation, two of us but were able to sit outside under heat lamps and so glad we did. Sit outside. It was beautiful and actually toasty. Think we found our new favorite place. We split a salad, their large, I had ravioli and cod with truffle and husband has seafood pasta. Both were absolutely delish. Two large cannoli for dessert too plus crafts of Italian red which was their house wine and so smooth! Our waiter was from Sicily so we chatted and very attentive. We arrived at 5:35 on a Thursday and by the time we left every single table inside and out was full with people waiting at the door. Love this place....
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Lisa D.

Yelp
Food= excellent! Service =above & beyond Ambiance = lovely, on the water We were a large party seated between 2 tables. Our server was attentive & helpful with explaining food choices & offering suggestions for our DF family member. The seal noise that happens outside was noisy but didn't interfere with our experience. It's Monterey & you're not going to get away from that noise. The food was delicious! It's definitely became a favorite for when we're in Monterey!

Mary F.

Yelp
Service was very inefficient, with long waits. After a long wait for our salads, suddenly the salads, soup, and entrees were served in rapid succession so that each person had two or three courses in front of them at once. Appetizers bruschetta and arancini were very good, and the clam chowder was nicely flavored but a bit too thick. However, all six diners, --who ordered a variety of entrees-- commented on the excessive saltiness of their food. I'm likely to give them another try in the future, but this wasn't a good first impression.
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Andrea A.

Yelp
Wonderful restaurant! I found out about this restaurant from my son who lives in the area. It was exceptional! The flavors from the dishes were amazing and on point! Highly recommend. Great views, great staff!
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Daisy T.

Yelp
This place was smaller than I thought. We went there for dinner last night. It was pretty busy, but we got sat right away with a table outside, just what we wanted. But, the outside felt a little cramped and claustrophobic. The tables were really close together. We've ordered an appetitzer to start off with, the fried calamari, it came out pretty quickly. But, by far, this was the worse flavorless and bland battered fried calamari we've ever tasted!!! It literally had no flavor to it, besides the dipping sauces it came with. Portions were small for an $18 dish. We've ordered their specials for that night. My husband got their lingcod special. I had their seafood soup, similar to a cioppino. All the pieces of seafood was cooked perfectly, except for the shrimp, it was was dry. Each piece of fish was so tender and buttery! The broth was full of flavor! It came to $45 for this dish and came with a lot of seafood. I enjoyed it very much.
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Andrew B.

Yelp
Best service from waiters that actually are from Italy. The food was delicious. My wife got the salmon it was good but the fettuccine Al pollo was amazing with sun dried tomatoes. We opted to sit inside as it was a bit crowded on the outside deck. The inside was very welcoming and the owner was nice enough to chat it up with us about Italy and what's it's like to order fish there. Overall a very welcoming and yummy dining experience. Will be returning soon.
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Allen S.

Yelp
Osteria, on the second floor, is on the water and has both inside and outside tables. The server was attentive and helpful. We started with the calamari which was nicely fried without a heavy oil taste. Portion was plenty. The beet salad was nicely dressed without being over the top. The vinegar gave it a nice flavor. The Sand-Dabs were the evening star. Sand-Dabs are local to Monterey. You will rarely find them outside Monterey so give Sand-Dabs a try. Sand-Dabs have a distinctive flavor but not too strong when prepared correctly and fresh. Parking is in a paid lot. Make certain you find the machine or use one of the popular apps. All in all, excellent. We recommend you give Osteria Al Mare a try.
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Jen C.

Yelp
Service, food, tone, attitude, ambiance all rated a 5 for us. Amazing fresh pastas and meal choices were great.
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Patricia G.

Yelp
Their offerings of authentic Italian food couldn't be better and we felt like royalty with their attentive service. The only negative was the very high prices-just a bit much for pasta.

Lorraine Y.

Yelp
Solid ambience. Fantastic food! A gem in Monterey. Fresh pasta and excellent wine. La Oliana from Sardinia
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Nicole P.

Yelp
This place was absolutely delicious. Very busy so reservations are 100% recommended. We were patient with the waitstaff and wow, was it worth it. They were all Italian and recommended some excellent choices. The drinks were out of this world and the food, authentic as can be. The restaurant was clean, spacious and had the options for indoor or outdoor seating. The prices were reasonable - and actually lower for the area. 5/5 recommended!
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Emery Y.

Yelp
The hospitality, the view, the service and the ambience are highly deserving. Regrettably, the food & drink are not. I'm not being coy: I just really liked the place, the owner was very warm, the food & drink were not good, and I wish them well.
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Samantha L.

Yelp
Food: 7/10 Service: 9/10 Views: 10/10 Dishes (best to worst): 1. Fettuccine Pescatora $33: great flavor with an abundance of seafood (shrimp, clams, muscles, and squid) 2. Catch of the Day (Sea Bass over buttered spaghetti) $40: sea bass was overcooked, dry, and not much flavor. Noodles were more mild in flavor to not take away from the fish but the whole dish fell flat. 3. You get 2 slices of free warm baguette with olive oil and balsamic vinegar Logistics: -paid parking lot -waterfront view -indoor and outdoor seating. Be sure to ask for a window seat because they don't provide that without a request. -accepts cc
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Amanda G.

Yelp
My husband and I absolutely love coming to Osteria during happy hour -- it's become one of our favorite spots in Monterey. The atmosphere is quiet, cozy, and elegant, with a stunning view of the ocean right from the pier. It's truly a hidden gem! We've had the pleasure of being served multiple times by Frederico, an outstanding bartender who makes every visit special. His drinks are perfectly crafted, his service is always warm and professional, and the conversation is engaging and fun. He really adds a personal touch that makes us feel welcome every single time. The food? Absolutely amazing. Everything on the happy hour menu is delicious, and the dinner menu is equally impressive -- fresh ingredients, great flavors, and beautifully presented dishes. If you're looking for a peaceful, beautiful dining experience with top-notch food, drinks, and service, Osteria is a must-visit. We can't recommend it enough! No, I'm giving it five stars for the warmth environment. You do have to be patient, especially during happy hour because it is a very popular spot and Frederico is the only bartender except for Wednesdays. They're closed on Mondays, but the overall experience definitely deserves five stars.
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Kyoo C.

Yelp
Got to eat as the first meal in Monterey during spring break, since it was high on my list. But the overall dinner was kind of a let down. Nice cozy restaurant upstairs with parking. Restaurant was not crowded (7:45pm), but it took a very long time for anyone to acknowledge us waiting to get a table. It seemed like maybe they were shorthanded, didn't look like it, not sure. After getting seated, they were out of bread. Clam chowder = had nice soft clams, not chewy. Pretty good. Sand dabs = beautiful dish, but lacked flavor somehow. Maybe needed more sauce or salt. Squeezing lemon over the fish and pesto made it better. Tagliatelle = got for kid, and he seemed to like it. Overall, maybe the food is 3.5~4. But with slow service and higher prices vs. other foods in Monterey, I don't think the dining experience was worth what became the priciest and least enjoyed meal for us in Monterey.
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Stacey F.

Yelp
Food was good and prices were reasonable (for the most part). Tasty cocktails, too. Definitely a solid place in such a touristy locale to hit! My two quibbles... there is no kids menu, but they did accommodate our child by providing some plain pasta and a thin grilled chicken breast at our request. Thank you!!!! But it cost $24 which was almost as much as my husband's entree and pretty steep for the portion we received (not an adult sized bowl of pasta). If it had been $15-16, okay, but $24 was a shock. Also, I ordered an appetizer of clams in a garlic wine butter sauce, and they were our of clams. They made it with mussels instead, which I was fine with, but it would have been appreciated if they'd dropped the price a couple of bucks. Clams are certainly more expensive than mussels. But those are tiny quibbles that I can look past and be smarter about next time I come. The ambiance, service, view, and good are well worth a return.
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Amy R.

Yelp
I've been coming to Monterey for years and never ate here, until a local happened to mention it. Italian food with Italian staff. Excellent selection of Italian wines by the glass. Come for lunch or anytime when the sun is still out and enjoy the view. We had spaghetti with clams, spaghetti cooked nicely al dente. And daily fish and pasta special with sole and gnocchi. Very good.
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Stacey R.

Yelp
Absolutely love this place. It's a "usual" for our troops to Monterey and a family favorite. The food is EXCELLENT, service was good, and prices are fair for the area.
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Sal E.

Yelp
Back to Completely Amazing! Swordfish special on Truffle Cheese Raviolis - Out-Of-This-World! The warm bread was excellent, as was the Arugula, the Oysters, the Rollatini Di Melanzane, and the Fettuccine Al Pescatore!! Although we've never had a problem with the staff, the way that they all worked together with Francesco's lead, the two other waiters, and the two bus people was so harmonious, it was as if everyone stepped up their service game!!! Will continue to strongly recommend and am looking forward to returning.
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Christina H.

Yelp
The ambiance was very nice and romantic for a date night or dinner with friends. The service was great and the food was amazing. I recommend this place.
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Rosabell M.

Yelp
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.
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Thomas P.

Yelp
First and foremost, shout out to our server Hector. He was the only reason why this establishment deserves any stars. My family and I was VERY excited and looked forward to our experience with Osteria Al Mare. From the ravishing reviews and select angle, filtered Bon Appetite covered photo worthy food shots, we expected a quality. We got to was a disappointment. Appetizers Washington Oysters - $40 for a dozen, they were slightly above par with dead frozen oysters you get at seafood buffet. Could be a bad batch. Basil Tomato Clams - $16, seven pieces was ok Drinks Bourbon Cranberry Bliss - $13 made with Jack Daniels and cranberry juice garnished with a sprig of rosemary. Entrees Red Wine Braised Short Rib - $30 box wine braised pot roast. The dish looked nothing like the photos. The cube of "short rib" had long grains that looks and taste like a pot roast. We addressed this with our server and i can see and hear blatant guilt from his eyes and voice. We exchanged that with a Fettucini Pescatore Fettucini Pescatore - $27 looks and taste ok. Good portion and seafood served per dish. Surf n Turf - $75 prime steak with fresh caught scallops. Asked for medium rare and got well done. Was told it was prime rib what i got was a lean New York cut. My in-laws can cook a better steak drunk off wine. Sand Dab Pasta with White Wine Sauce - $27 looks and taste like store bought frozen breaded fish sticks. Your customers deserves better.
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Elizabeth C.

Yelp
The customer service is great! We had an early dinner, we got to the place right before it got busy, so the service was great, we had a stroller and child and they were super friendly and accommodating. The food was not tasty at all. We ordered the cioppino which was in a thick broth/cream not savory, I imagine it to be like a canned marinara sauce, no taste at all. We also ordered the polenta which was also not tasty, it felt like if it was frozen and warmed up. Our friend ordered a special of scallops with raviolis which were ok, that plus 2 glasses of wine $150 Not sure if it was a bad day for them because 99% of the reviews are great. But for us was not a good experience, we will not take our chance again.
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Deirdre M.

Yelp
Got our reservation for 5:30 a week before and we were placed in the worst place by the kitchen entrance. Waiter was great. Service was satisfactory. My main of scollops with truffle sauce was way too much truffle oil and pulled back the sage ravioli with rugula & perfectly cooked scollops. The chief let me down with overuse of the truffle oil.
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Grace L.

Yelp
We came on a Wednesday for lunch. We've been here before BUT for dinner so we thought we try it for lunch. Also, we wanted to try something not at Fisherman's Wharf, to avoid the crowds. Accessibility- has handicap parking right in the front. (Warning: there is a left side handicap parking space that requires payment so read the sign) Has an outdoor lift to take you up to the 2nd floor. Service- we went at 12:30 pm and was seated right away for a party of 10. Our waiter was wonderful and took all our orders with precision. Food: -Insalata Di Pollo Pera: the grilled chicken was perfectly seasoned and moist. The red pears and mixed greens paired well with the balsamic reduction dressing. Good portion so definitely shareable -Rotelle Di Parma: this was our favorite pasta dish. It was creamy and hearty. The sauce tasted almost like a buttery lobster bisque. -Friulana: it was a little more tomato flavored. The sausage was made fresh. -Spaghetti alle vongole: due to my lactose intolerance, acid reflux and allergy to black pepper, the chef had to really accommodate my dish without tomato, butter and pepper. It was FANTASTIC! I ate the whole dish and the pasta was a wonderful a la dente. -Spaghetti alla Puttanesca: this was the 2nd favorite dish. The anchovies, capers and calamata olives were so flavorful. The pasta was fresh and made to a la dente precision. -Salmone: the quality of the fish was fresh and grilled to excellence not over cooked. It sat on a mound of garlic spinach. -hot water: you might think this is crazy but I'm a hot water connoisseur. I like it nice and hot and without a coffee taste (leftover from a coffee pit. This was fresh,clean hot water. Return Factor: ABSOLUTELY! It was authentic Italian cuisine. Consistent each time and we have not been disappointed.
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Alli W.

Yelp
We came by without any reservations on a Thursday evening and were seated immediately. We opted to sit outside since it was such a nice day and it did not disappoint. Service: 3.5/5 We had 3 different waiters serving drinks, food, and taking our orders lol. The first waiter didn't serve us any complimentary bread until the second waiter noticed it and offered us some. Food: 3/5 A complete rip off for subpar food. Arancini - Dry and needed more sauce. Why didn't the chef see what was being served to us?? Tagliatelle alla Boscaiola - Salty as heck. Scallops with mushroom ravioli and toasted almonds - $42 for 2 scallops and 4 raviolis. Read it again. $42 for 2 scallops and 4 raviolis. The entire dish was drenched in oil too. Ugh. Will not come back and would not recommend.
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Torri M.

Yelp
I ordered a lunch of fried calamari and clam chowder to go. Eagerly opened everything up at the hotel ... first few pieces of calamari were pretty good ... third piece was of a thicker cut and when I bit into it found it to be a raw cold watery piece of calamari .... Which not only made me gag but pretty much put me off the rest of my lunch... not wanting to risk that again ... everything got tossed with the help of hotel staff. I voiced concerns with restaurant... with no response.
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Ruchika J.

Yelp
Staff was so incredibly friendly and greeted us kindly. They used multiple Italian greetings and phrases which were fun. I made a reservation online which was easy and we got a nice beautiful view of the water as the evening sun was setting. The burrata was delicious and I liked the fried lemon that came with the calamari. The clam chowder was a little too buttery and rich and I needed to add hot sauce to cut it. Overall such a great date night!

Alejandra A.

Yelp
The views are amazing, definitely earned the stars based on just the location, service was good, servers were attentive and quick, my husband enjoyed his dish, local sand dab with pesto pasta. Things that could be improved; Braised beef was unseasoned, polenta bread was an odd choice as a bed for the braised beef, the veggies were also very unseasoned, the braised reduction was unable to save the dish unfortunately. maybe my expectations were too high based on the reviews of others as well as the look of the establishment. Maybe I just got a bad dish. Not sure. But definitely not worth 160.00