Yelp

The BEST calm chowder in Monterey! Their chowder is award winning and when you try it you see why. I really love that right next to the main entrance is a To-go spot in the side which if you're just there for chowder, which I was in this occasion, you can go up and order a bowl and it's more affordable than inside. Granted you don't get the full ambiance of the interior of the restaurant but if you're trying to budget and still want to indulge, it's the perfect option. You can get a small or large bowl and you can also get it in a bread bowl for me is the only option. There's plenty of seating along the water. This chowder is so creamy and flavorful, truly worth the trip!

Visiting Monterey, this New Englander was thoroughly impressed with the clam chowder to the point that I'd rate it among the best I've ever had.

An entree of sand dabs was also delicious and something new for me as a stranger to these shores. Basically a tiny flounder with bones so soft they're not just edible but add a unique crunchy texture.

We ordered the artichoke appetizer to share, but that was the least impressive part of the meal and we left more than half of it behind.

Downright cheap local wines by the glass and the shared lemon cake dessert was just perfect.

The Grotto is totally old school and reminds me of the places my grandparents used to take me to out east. Wood paneling everywhere, cool furniture and fixtures, and excellent service by waitstaff you could tell have been there for decades. Hope to visit again sometime soon!

I was treated here by my mom for dinner for an early birthday celebration. We partook in the Local Menu, which included Clam Chowder or Salad, entree, as well as Chef's selection of 3 mini desserts. This is only available for locals from Monday to Thursday.

Upon entering, I loved the festive and colorful decor. We were seated upstairs by a window with an ocean view. The place had a warm, welcoming feel.

We began with complimentary bread. This was soft and fresh. We also were able to get free appetizer offer, choosing Fried Calamari. The Calamari was lightly breaded with a little crunch.

For my starter, I went with the Clam Chowder, which had little chunks of clam and potato. I think it would've been better with more substantial pieces. The soup was also a bit on the bland side.

I chose the Steak with scalloped potatoes and veggies for my main course. The Steak had a delightful soy maple sauce with char grill marks. It was also succulent and juicy. The scalloped potatoes were cooked perfectly. Veggies included carrots, broccoli, and green beans.

Also got to try the Parmesan Crusted Rock Cod in a white wine caper sauce. This came with spinach risotto and vegetables. The Cod was wonderfully tender, flaky, and well seasoned. That caper sauce was quite flavorful and tasty, which is saying a lot because I'm not usually a fan of capers.

The 3 desserts consisted of Crème brûlée, Tiramisu, and Caramel Cheesecake. This was served to us with a candle for our birthdays. Additionally, it was beautifully displayed with a delicious white chocolate creme anglaise marbled with raspberry, along with chocolate sauce surrounding the plate. The Creme Brûlée was creamy with crispy, slightly torched top and had just the right amount of sweetness. Tiramisu was fluffy and yummy.

Service was excellent. Our waiter was friendly and we were well taken care of throughout our time here. We were both given a lovely single red rose after our meal. We also got to meet Chris, the owner who was incredibly gracious and treated us like good friends. I would return to try the Surf n Turf and Macadamia Crusted Halibut.

This place was packed but their clam chowder was soo good! We also added the cheesy garlic bread to go along with our cup and it was the best decision ever. The chowder was hot and super creamy! The take away stall was perfect because we found a quiet spot to the side to eat our chowder while looking out at the waters. Dine in seemed busy but it was New Year's Day so it was bound to be crowded everywhere.

3 stars for the food and 4 stars for everything else. Great location and easy to get in on a weekday for lunch. The food is okay. Relatively fresh but not the best seafood restaurant I've been to. Definitely get a window table so you can take advantage of the views, though the restaurant is a bit dark inside.

I am usually not a clam chowder person but had to have it during my stay in Monterey. Needless to say, I ate it all!! So yummy! We also had the lobster Mac and cheese and the salmon sandwich which were both 10/10. Amazing service and beautiful view

I've tried clam chowder all over the country, from the East Coast to the West Coast, and this place serves my absolute favorite! The rich, creamy texture, perfectly balanced seasoning, and generous portions of tender clams make it stand out from all the rest. Every bite is pure comfort and reminds me why I keep coming back.

Whenever I'm traveling through the area, I make it a point to take a detour just to grab their to-go clam chowder. It's become a tradition for me, and I always look forward to that first warm, flavorful spoonful. Whether you're a chowder connoisseur or just someone looking for a hearty, delicious meal, this is a must-try. Trust me, it's worth the trip!

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 !