Yelp

Coming down to San Diego from a vacation in San Francisco, we stopped here on Thanksgiving day as we didn't have many options and wanted to have a nice dinner before driving further south. We ended up choosing this place and it was absolutely perfect. The food was delicious and although the Thanksgiving special is only offered once a year, it was amazing! Moist turkey, sweet relish and yams, and flavorful stuffing made this dinner well worth the price. The service was also very quick and our server was super sweet and gave my mother and I a rose. Overall, would highly recommend coming here if you're in the area!

Taste: 4
Value: 4
Service: 5

For a restaurant on the wharf, it's quite good. It make sense why they've expanded to several locations on the wharf, some with sit-down dining, other spots with quick service. We had the clam chowder served in a shell shaped bowl. Solid chowder, but could be hotter and fresher. Ultimate linguini was devoured by my son as it game with lobster, shrimp, scallops on fresh pasta. My mango habanero salmon was okay. Cooked well, but the mango jelly on top was average and didn't standout.
They had a large boat shared meal that other tables tried and looked pretty good, though we didn't have the appetite to try it this time.

Delicious Clam Chowder and such cute vibe ! Also had the calamari which was good but I could skip on next time !

Best chowder ever!!! Way better tha boudin and sams chowder. It was smooth ang creamy! Sooo good!

Paella-- i would disagree with the comments here about paella, for me the tastes is just okay, no wow factor.

The ultimate pasta and calamari and oyster--- we all enjoyed it! Very fresh!

Mocktails-- too sweet

Service was quick and friendly

Would come back here again for calamari and chowder!!!

Old Fisherman's Grotto: Waterfront Dining with Fresh Seafood!

Lunch with a View
Visited on a weekday for lunch and scored a lovely table with a waterfront view.

Efficient & Friendly Staff
Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations.

Delicious Seafood
1. Clam Chowder Bowl: Tasty, but massive! Next time, I'll opt for the cup size.
2. Crab Cakes: Divine! Mango chunks added a sweet surprise.
3. Scampi Shrimp Pasta: Fresh shrimp, rich butter sauce - a winner!
4. Macadamia Crusted Halibut: BEST DISH! Paired perfectly with maple sweet potatoes and sautéed veggies.
5. Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich: Just okay, but can't win 'em all! However, the fries were crispy and fabulous.

Tips:
1. Opt for the clam chowder cup size unless you're starving!
2. Don't miss the Macadamia Crusted Halibut
3. Request a waterfront table for the best views

Old Fisherman's Grotto is a great spot for seafood lovers. While not every dish hit the mark, and is slightly on pricier side, the highlights made it a worthwhile visit.

Short review: Worth the hype

Long review:
What a lovely place on the Wharf. A friend recommend this place to me years ago and I finally came around to trying it. Ambiance is classic dining with beautiful views of the ocean. Everyone in my group thoroughly enjoyed their plates, each plate looked like it had been licked clean at the end! We ordered and recommend the following below. All fish was cooked to perfection, soft, moist, and incredibly flavorful.

Tiramisu was an orchestra of perfection. Flavor was equally on par with presentation.

Personally I think if each person is ordering a plate it will be more than enough food and you can skip out on appetizers for the table and soup unless you really want to try something.

-Macadamia Crusted Halibut
-Catch of the Day: Striped Bas
-Shrimp Scampi
-Catch of the Day: Maple Jalapeño Salmon
-Tiramisu

Service was also lovely. Would recommend for a special occasion or date night.

I recently dined at an exquisite seafood restaurant located right on the wharf in Monterey, and it was nothing short of an exceptional experience. The setting is absolutely stunning, with mesmerizing views of the ocean that perfectly complement the delightful seafood offerings.

The highlight of my meal was the seafood paella was simply amazing!

Another noteworthy aspect was the portion sizes. The quantity of food was almost too much, providing incredible value for money. It's definitely a place where you come with a big appetite and leave fully satisfied.

The service was commendable, with attentive staff who ensured that everything was to our liking. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it an ideal spot for both casual dining and special occasions.

Overall, this restaurant offers a great experience combining delicious food, a breathtaking location, and excellent service. It's a must-visit spot for anyone visiting Monterey or for locals looking to enjoy a superior seafood dining experience.

Beautiful views and great food.
Servers are friendly. Service is fast. We love coming here so many different plates to try. Portions are big. Prices are decent for Monterey bay. Plenty of parking and shopping.

I recently dined at Old Fishermans Grotto and was thoroughly impressed by the meal and service. To start, the Crab Meat Tower was absolutely outstanding--fresh and beautifully presented, it offered a variety of textures and flavors that were both delicate and indulgent. And if you're a fan of clam chowder, this place serves the best in town it's a must-try that elevates the entire dining experience.

The clam chowder in the bread was delicious! And the server was very helpful for changes in options for GF & DF of the menu! Very nice place to eat after whale watching! Thanks