The Monterey Bay Area Restaurants

The Monterey Bay area is a culinary paradise. The surrounding waters are full of fish, wild game roams the foothills, and the inland valleys are some of the most fertile in the country—local chefs draw on this bounty for their fresh, truly Californian cuisine. Except at beachside stands and inexpensive eateries, where anything goes, casual but neat dress is the norm.

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  • 1. Carpo's

    $

    Locals love this casual restaurant where seafood predominates, but you can also order burgers, salads, and steaks. Baskets of battered snapper are among the favorites, along with calamari, prawns, seafood kebabs, fish-and-chips, and homemade olallieberry pie. Many items cost less than $14. Come early for lunch or dinner to beat the crowds.

    2400 Porter St., Soquel, California, 95073, USA
    831-476–6260

    Known For

    • Large portions of healthy comfort food
    • Lots of options under $14
    • Soup and salad bar
  • 2. Old Monterey Café

    $

    Breakfast here gets constant local raves thanks to familiar favorites such as a dozen kinds of omelets and pancakes options that range from blueberry to cinnamon-raisin-pecan. The lunch menu has good soups, salads, and sandwiches.

    489 Alvarado St., Monterey, California, 93940, USA
    831-646–1021

    Known For

    • Seven types of eggs Benedict
    • Upbeat, team-style service
    • All meals cooked to order

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
  • 3. The Cottage Restaurant

    $

    This family-friendly spot serves sandwiches, pizzas, and homemade soups at lunch, but the best meal is breakfast (good thing it's served all day). The menu offers six variations on eggs Benedict and all kinds of crepes.

    Lincoln St. between Ocean and 7th Aves., Carmel, California, 93921, USA
    831-625–6260

    Known For

    • Artichoke soup
    • Sweet or savory crepes
    • Daily specials

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 4. VinoCruz Wine Bar & Kitchen

    $

    In a lively contemporary space with a patio in the heart of Soquel Village, VinoCruz offers more than 50 wines by the glass, with a focus on Santa Cruz Mountains but also other California and international regions; it also has local cider and beer on tap. Nosh on artisanal burgers, tacos, flatbread pizzas, salads, and cheese and charcuterie plates.

    4901 Soquel Dr., Soquel, California, 95073, USA
    831-426–8466

    Known For

    • Weekend brunch
    • Weekday happy hour and weekly live music
    • Fresh food, made in-house

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
  • 5. Wagon Wheel Coffee Shop

    $

    This local hangout—decorated with wagon wheels, cowboy hats, and lassos—serves terrific hearty breakfasts, including oatmeal and banana pancakes, eggs Benedict, and biscuits and gravy. The lunch menu includes a dozen different burgers and other sandwiches.

    7156 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, California, 93923, USA
    831-624–8878

    Known For

    • Traditional American breakfast
    • Cowboy-theme setting
    • Lively local clientele

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
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