Top 15 Affordable Restaurants in Monterey, CA

Adelene Goh We enjoyed a comforting spread at Bubba Gump — crispy fish and chips, creamy clam chowder, flavourful pasta, and a generous seafood platter perfect for sharing. Everything came out hot, tasty, and satisfying, with friendly service and a fun, lively atmosphere. A great stop for casual seafood.

Tyler Baker My wife and I went to Cafe Fina to celebrate ) my birthday. Although we are local, we had not eaten on the Fishermans Wharf before. Cafe Fina had good reviews, and we like both Italian food and fish, so we gave it a chance. We had a great meal. Our server Leonard (I think, it was an "L") was friendly and gave good advice about the menu. We decided to share two appetizers and a main dish. Leonard made it easy for us to share, bringing extra plates and utensils. I had a cupl of clam chowder which was thick and creamy and very tasty. My wife ordered crab cakes had got two large delicious cakes. Our main was the house special petrale sole which was a great piece of fish that was perfectly cooked with a light crust and a delicate cream sauce. It included wonderfully sautéed vegetables and light orzo pasta. It was plenty for the two of us after the appetizers. The wharf has the feel of a state fair, with a lot of people, lights and noise, but inside the restaurant it was quiet and attractive and easy to talk to each other. The desserts looked good, but we were full and happy so we will have to review them another time. Overall, we had a really high quality meal and experience at Cafe Fina.

David Gold The food was worth the mediocre service. My waitress would disappear for long periods of time on a not crowded Sunday night. She returned 3 times to tell me my sparking water was “coming” over 15 minutes. I asked about the specials on Sunday she said they had $1 oysters but were “out” at 7:05pm. I ordered the Prawns with Heads on them very good and the Octopus and a cheese pizza and all 3 were prepared and presented well. I felt like the server maybe had others tables away from mine but not sure.

A. Semih Sunkar So cozy and refined atmosphere. All hosts are genuinely welcoming their guests with a broad and warm smile. The food is amazing! Uni (sea urchin) laden oysters are better than those in Hokkaido/Japan. I wish we were close by to enjoy this gem more often!

moranda marple ABSOLUTELY amazing!! We wanted an ocean front, chill, delicious lunch. That was exactly what we got (and then some) Lee, that smile is contagious! Robin, your phone call was great and you were so peaceful from start to finish. The binoculars were a seriously incredible touch. The food was delightful. I would love to see a side Cesar salad or something like that on the menu. 10/10 would recommend!!!!!

Wendy Brickman It’s no surprise to learn that The Fish Hopper was recently voted Best Restaurant on Cannery Row — it’s absolutely well-deserved! I went for a late lunch on a beautiful day, and the views were simply breathtaking both inside and out. Watching the ocean waves crash over the rocks while spotting sea life and sail boats and more made the entire dining experience even more special. We ordered the grilled salmon and the halibut with macadamia nut crust with tangy mango sauce— both were outstanding with generous portions! The seafood was super fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor, complemented by fresh vegetables and sweet potatoes. Our server, Jeff, was friendly, attentive, and offered great menu suggestions that really made the meal even better. We ended with a creamy café latte, though I have to admit, the dessert tray looked incredibly tempting… next time for sure! We sat in the east section at table 9 and if thats available, it has a 180 degree view of the gorgeous Monterey Bay! If you love spectacular ocean views, top-notch seafood, and excellent service, The Fish Hopper is a must-visit on Cannery Row!

Jaeda Childs I came here on the 2nd of November to celebrate my birthday and OH MY GOSH the whole staff that night was just so wonderful! From when I first walked in the lady downstairs was so welcoming to when I got to the bar my hostess Ana just made the night extra special!! The cook, and there was a lady with a blue flower bracelet on her right hand and had a tattoo on her wrist they were also such a pleasure!! The whole staff was truly wonderful!! I wish I got everyone’s names, thank you for making my birthday so special :)

Robert Degnan Cool vibes. You can shoot pool or throw darts in the front bar area. They had the football game on the large screen TVs. In the back was open seating for food and drinks. Pool cost $2 a game. They had a good beer selection. I their red and my wife got a pilsner.

Gregory Raphael My girlfriend and I visited this place last week and I’m writing in from FL! Dining at this place was truly an experience. Not only was the entire staff extremely welcoming and knowledgeable of the menu, but the food was remarkable! Every ingredient seemed to be hand selected to craft the perfect symphony of flavors. The scallops appetizer was amazing - hands down the best either of us have ever had! I had the chefs special with grouper (catch of the day) and my girlfriend had the filet! 5 stars isn’t enough! We will be back!

John Mukhar Four of us stopped in at Rosine’s for dinner before a concert at the Golden State Theater across the street. We had a 6:30 PM reservation and were seated immediately upon arrival, despite the restaurant being very busy. Our server greeted us promptly and took our order without delay. We ordered the Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo with Prawns, Crispy Hot Chicken Sandwich, and the California Club. The food arrived quickly and everything was delicious. I had the Crispy Hot Chicken, which came with hot oil and hone; excellent flavor and perfectly prepared. The staff were friendly, attentive, and professional throughout our visit. We all enjoyed our meals and still had plenty of time to walk over to our concert. A great experience overall.

Carlos Garcia Kona was a fantastic place. The atmosphere was beautiful and very welcoming. It was tastefully decorated and very clean. The hosts and servers very kind and helped us with our orders. We were in need of nothing while there. The food was so good. The moco loco was delicious. The Calamari steak was so tasty. The BBQ plate pure awesomeness. Our server Donna was phenomenal and very accomodating. When in the area again, we will definitely come back. Great job Kona.

Joshua gonsalez My girlfriend’s birthday dinner at the C Restaurant and Bar was absolutely amazing and truly unforgettable. We got a table right by the window overlooking the bay, which was stunning. The food was incredible—every dish was delicious, expertly prepared, and beautifully presented. What made the night truly memorable, though, were the lovely waitresses. They provided top-notch service all night and even surprised my girlfriend with a special birthday dessert! I can’t recommend this place enough for a celebratory meal.

Erik Kolacek Staff are extremely friendly and kind. Restaurant is very kid friendly, while also maintaining a fine-dining atmosphere. The sunset views are spectacular. My spouse and kids truly enjoyed our experience and will be coming back soon.

Alexander Winfield It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a steak that much. I got the wagyu strip… so delicious. Had to get that out of the way first. Highly recommend for a low key but upscale feeling dinner. The food was so good. Although the portion sizes kind of sucked in my opinion. Ha. I wish there was more. The outside area has a fun patio with heaters. The staff and servers were nice and the service was quick. I will definitely be back here. Didn’t get any drinks but they looked good too.

ESQ Fresno restaurant is great. Very clean, great atmosphere. Everybody is happy having a good time. The bar is amazing.. The food was absolutely delicious.