Dining · Monterey, California
Where to eat in Monterey — for travelers on a road trip
11 curated spots with what to order, park and route context, and drive-through-town logistics.
Monterey dining on a road trip is about timing and recovery: breakfasts that clear early departures, lunches that do not wreck the afternoon drive, and one dinner worth slowing down for.
Use this list as a traveler shortlist — not every restaurant in Monterey. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you stake a long driving day on a single kitchen.
The shortlist
Serving the wharf since 1951, best known for its calamari every which way. (Old Fisherman's Wharf)
Award-winning local brewery with wood-fired pizza and elevated pub fare. (Downtown)
Family-run since 1989, blending house-made pasta with fresh Monterey Bay catch. (Old Fisherman's Wharf)
A 1910 firehouse turned bistro showcasing Salinas Valley produce and seafood. (Downtown)
Award-winning Indian kitchen with a generous lunch buffet and tandoori. (Downtown)
Wharf institution since 1950 famous for its award-winning clam chowder. (Old Fisherman's Wharf)
Waterfront Cannery Row kitchen with tables perched over the rocks, serving raw-bar towers, local fish and chowder in a bread bowl.
Bay-front dining over the water at the InterContinental with cioppino. (Cannery Row)
Casual downtown burger spot from the Sur Restaurant team.
A Cannery Row landmark since 1968 known for Prime steaks and abalone.
Monterey's top steakhouse for 50-plus years with tableside Caesar. (Cannery Row)
Drive-through logistics
Monterey rewards a plan: lock one breakfast near your exit vector, keep a walkable dinner if you are overnighting downtown, and treat the signature place as a reservation or early-arrival problem — not a hope-and-wander problem after a long scenic day.
Common questions
Where should I eat in Monterey on a road trip?
Start with Abalonetti Bar & Grill, Alvarado Street Brewery, Café Fina. Roamward’s Monterey list is curated for travelers — route and park context, not every restaurant in town.
What is the best restaurant in Monterey for travelers?
Abalonetti Bar & Grill is a strong first pick (Seafood, $$) — order the Fried calamari. Browse the full shortlist below for breakfast, casual, and celebration options.
How many restaurants does Roamward list in Monterey?
11 curated spots as of 2026-08-01, spanning roughly $–$$$$ and cuisines like Seafood, Brewpub, Italian, New American, Indian, Burgers. The list stays trip-worthy on purpose.