The Sardine Factory

The Essential Guide to California's Central Coast

"A classic Monterey seafood restaurant distinguished by an expansive seafood menu, Michelin recognition, and an elegant conservatory-style dining room where dishes such as lobster linguine, fresh oysters, and Spanish-style octopus are highlighted." - Cu Fleshman Cu Fleshman Cu is a freelance writer and editor with more than five years of experience. She has written for a variety of publications, including Afar, Matador Network, and Editoire. No matter where she is in the world, you can find her hunting for local eats and hiking trails. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

"The name and exterior of this "factory” can be deceptive as it is pretty damn elegant, if even a bit stodgy on the inside. Imagine silk curtains, monogrammed seatbacks and other ornate touches, including a glassed-in greenhouse “conservatory.” If that’s not enough, white tablecloths, silver chargers and a menu listing “favorite” and “famous” dishes showcase decades of approval from tourists and elders.The menu is well executed but far from trendy, featuring a mix of classics like crispy sand dabs alongside ‘80s-glamour revivals like lobster ravioli in cream sauce. For those more open-minded however, the throwback theatricality can also be a lot of fun—from the ample bread basket with tomato-white bean dip to an engaging staff with fine-dining panache." - Michelin Inspector

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"Just about everything at The Sardine Factory is over the top, from the high-backed monogrammed velvet chairs and an array of sconces and tassels right down to the enormous prawn cocktail, which arrives at your table surrounded by a cloud of dry ice vapor. The classic steakhouse menu is on the fancy side, but not fussy, and most importantly, the food is top-notch. The clam chowder is herby and full of cherrystones, in a tomato-cream base that blends the best parts of New England and Manhattan styles, and the don’t-skip wagyu bavette steak is textbook charred and topped with crispy onions." - allison green, gabi moskowitz

The Sardine Factory - Review - Monterey - Monterey - The Infatuation

"Just about everything at The Sardine Factory is over the top, from the high-backed monogrammed velvet chairs and an array of sconces and tassels right down to the enormous prawn cocktail, which arrives at your table surrounded by a cloud of dry ice vapor. The classic steakhouse menu is on the fancy side, but not fussy, and most importantly, the food is top-notch. The clam chowder is herby and full of cherrystones, in a tomato-cream base that blends the best parts of New England and Manhattan styles, and the don’t-skip wagyu bavette steak is textbook charred and topped with crispy onions." - Gabi Moskowitz

Where to Eat Calamari in Monterey County | Eater

"Monterey’s historic Cannery Row (named for the John Steinbeck novel about the area) was once home to dozens of sardine canneries but is now one of the area’s biggest destinations for tourists thanks to attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and restaurants like the Sardine Factory. When it first opened in 1968, the Sardine Factory was in a run-down, little-frequented part of town; today, the area is considered the heart of the city, and the Sardine Factory one of its most popular restaurants. The menu features all kinds of local seafood, from wild abalone to Pacific sand dabs to, yes, calamari. Order the crispy-fried calamari, or try the parmesan-crusted calamari steak with prawns, scallops, chive risotto, and a lemon-caper butter sauce." - Annalise Mantz