TripAdvisor

We enjoyed a beautiful view of the beach of the Bay. We were seated in the cocktail bar, but the restaurant menu is served here. I had a nice salad and seafood linguine with very good scallops, shrimp and surprisingly bland clams. The linguini sauce was heavy on cream and butter (I added salt and pepper which I rarely do)-no parsley, or white wine I could taste.. My husband was very happy with his large portion of fresh sand dabs. They have nice cocktails and wine list as well as a very appetizing looking dessert tray, but we were to full to want to think of dessert. One thing about this place is that they are NOT SMALL CHILD FRIENDLY-NO HIGH CHAIRS OR BOOSTER CHAIRS!

Fantastic food and service. Had a great table overlooking the harbor. Loved the place and would go back in a minute. Best food in Monterey.

I started coming to this place almost 40 years ago when Chris's dad owned it, I have continued to stop in at least once or twice a year when Im in the area and am always happy to see Chris as he has done a splended job of carring on the family legacy, were botha bit gray now, but always greeted by a firm handshake. The menu is varied and the food is amazing, you will not find better clam chowder in the area, not even close. I had grilled scallops this time with a piece of lemon cake for desert. the wait staff is impecable and you will feel well tended to. I will continue to go back here for the rest of my life, for both the food and the wonderfull owner.

Spent a pleasant dinner relaxing and enjoying the view of Monterey Bay. The calimari appetizer was perfect. Our grandson enjoyed the Dungeness crab; my wife enjoyed the salmon and I loved the seafood over linguini. We thought the portions were right-sized.

Food and service both excellent. The mixed platter starter and prawn cocktail both superb. Prices reasonable for location and quality overall first rate, the best we’ve had in California on this trip

My husband and I ate 2 dinners at the Old Fishermans Grotto while visiting Monterey. The second night we celebrated my husband's 89th birthday and were given a large piece of very good light cheesecake They specialize in seafood which was excellent compared to the Italian or steak offerings which were kind of average Would definitely would return. I enjoy the comfortable seating and views of a bay.

Dinner at the Grotto was a definite for us on this visit to Monterey. Although Monterey did not seem very crowded when we visited, we expected a wait at the Grotto. They were actually able to seat us immediately for dinner around 4:30PM on a Thursday. The interior reflects the fact that this restaurant has been around for many years. The dark colors, the old wood, all of it really calls out “history”. We were walked to a table overlooking the water. Our server was very courteous and helpful. The menu offered so many choices and had options other than seafood. I ordered a cup of Clam Chowder to begin with followed by the Fish & Chips with Cod (the Server let me know that Cod were in season and recommended the meal). We also ordered Garlic Bread. The atmosphere was upscale but comfortable. The view was amazing. Prices were high, but for an upscale restaurant, in such a setting, they were appropriate.

The Garlic Break was perfectly cooked with a slight crust on the top, but the rest of the bread retained a chewiness. It was topped with butter & garlic and there were whole, baked cloves of garlic added on top of the bread (easy enough to remove them). The bread was delicious. The Clam Chowder was amazingly fresh and delicious. The Cod was cooked perfectly. The entire meal was one of the best seafood meals I’ve had in many years. We were offered dessert, but there was no room unfortunately.

The entire experience was fantastic. It was upscale, yet relaxing, and delivered some amazing seafood. The Grotto should be on everyone’s list who visits Monterey. If you love seafood, you’ll have a difficult time choosing, but I’m guessing anything you order will be amazing.

This is the best place to eat in Monterey! The service was absolutely outstanding the food was excellent and reasonably priced, and the ambience was superb. Our waiter was Pablo, and he deserves an extra "thank you."

We had lunch here before doing the whale watching tour. We ate crab cakes and garlic bread washed down with beer and a mimosa. No complaints, the food was well cooked and was very tasty. We didn’t want a big meal so this hit the spot. The bill was slightly above what we were expecting but was not overly expensive.

The Monterey wharf offers various restaurants. By far and strongly recommended is the Old Fisherman’s Grotto. The interior and ambience is classic and refined. We sat at an upstairs window booth overlooking the water. The entire staff, from the maitre de to the bus people, provided excellent and efficient service. Within one minute of being seated, warm baked bread and butter hit the table. The food was made once ordered, totally fresh and well prepared. While I am emulating the Chef Ramsey critic here, one can tell the quality of food served. None of the items my wife and I enjoyed were cooked hours before and sat under a heat lamp before served, as in other locations. The fish was fresh and the salads perfect. For desert we were presented a fantastic cheese cake, on the house, to honor our anniversary. Finally, we were happy to met and speak with the owner Chris Shake. He greeted us warmly and sincerely. This will be the ONLY restaurant in Monterey that, if I am looking for fresh fish, good service at reasonable price, I will frequent. Recommend this restaurant highly. No disappointment here.