Had a great lunch with some friends here after their whale watching tour. The friends are all from Minnesota and they just had to have something on the wharf to eat. Abalonetti's was amazing at setting up a table for 11. Service was quick, patient professional. I've eaten here a handful of times over many years and today's was as good as ever. We ordered a lot of different foods and I didn't hear any complaints. From the warm sardines, clam chowder, calamari sandwiches and others dishes. Zero grips. Last words... go to. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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We love visiting the wharf while in Monterey but have rarely had outstanding dining experiences. This one was one of the better ones. We ordered the salmon, the abalone, and two kids dishes--marinara linguini and fish and chips. Everything looked great and tasted fine but overall the dishes were underwhelming. We loved that they offered bread with our meal but I had the same feelings about the bread. It was crusty but almost tasted a tad stale. My salmon was cooked perfectly, not overdone and had a great texture, but it tasted under seasoned and my husband's abalone was coated in panko and he said he honestly couldn't tell if it was actually chicken. Overall our meal was good: the food was fine, we love dining on the water and getting to enjoy those views, the service was quick and attentive. We would definitely eat here again. read more

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We strolled along the wharf and looked at each restaurant's menu and asked if they were dog friendly and most were but Abolonetti had a dog menu and it was served on a souvenir frisbee. The doggie menu had a choice of a beef patty or chicken so we ended up here and ate at a nice patio area that was enclosed with no roof. The waiter was nice and gave us a few minutes to digest the menu and I settled on sand dabs with rice and veggies. My wife had the crab sandwich with fries and the kid who isn't a kid anymore ordered a shrimp cocktail, lobster ravioli with shrimps and a beer. I asked the waiter if the ravioli actually had real lobster he said no but there was something in the sauce that made it "lobster." The kid was fine with it so he went for it. Our 4 month old pup had the patty and love the patio with pigeons occasionally swooping down to eat some morsels left by other customers. Shes a real lab alright; wanting to pounce on the rats with wings but no more hunting for me as I'm too old and in need of a TKR. If you're my age you know what a TKR is. Overall our dinner was pleasant and the meal was okay. Nothing spectacular but a solid meal. read more

While vacationing in Monterey i took the family here to eat. It is one of the best restaurants on the wharf. The clam chowder was delicious. The fish and chips was so crunchy and delicious. We will definitely go back. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Outside - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Came here to taste the calamari and it did not disappoint. It was very tender however my kids like calamari squid better Also ordered the steamed clams which was delightful as the clams were super big and juicy. The sand dab was a little disappointing as it lacked flavor even though it has a creamy sauce. It was nice to sit out in the patio at the wharf. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Calamari - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

My friend and I wanted to get have a seafood lunch at a restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf, so we chose this long standing establishment. The decor was sea inspired in a spacious setting with large windows, high ceilings, and a lovely outdoor area in the back. Since the weather was nice, we dined outside. We had to try the Fried Calamari, as this place is continually voted Best in Monterey. This was chef's kiss, served with both tartar sauce and marinara. The Calamari was coated in a herb rich batter, satisfyingly crispy chunky pieces, and delightfully well seasoned. We also got the Garlic Bread on ciabatta with plenty of buttery garlic and Parmesan cheese. This was toasty and tasty. For my entree, I went with the Pacific Sand Dabs, which were grilled with lemon butter sauce, served with rice and vegetables. The Sand Dabs were cooked delicately, but I prefer a little bit more sear to my fish. The sauce was creamy, wonderful savory and had rich flavor. The vegetables were a nice, fresh touch to the dish and included zucchini, red peppers, as well as squash. The rice was made perfectly with just the right consistency. Service was excellent. Our waiter was welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. We had a lovely al fresco lunch here. read more

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In town visiting and after unpacking decided to take a walk on the wharf, easy walk from where we were staying weather was perfect and after taking in the views couldn't help noticing the many menus of the eatery's on the wharf. Stopped to read a story about the history of Calamari and its significance to Monterey and the fishing industry. We decided to grab an order of Abalonetti's famous Calamari. We sat outside to take in the fresh air and soon came our order. Hot and plenty for the two of us, we grabbed some lemons, tartar sauce and cocktail sauce and dove in to the famous dish. I have to admit it was very good, calamari was soft and tender with a unique blend of spices in the coating that all it really needed was a squeeze of fresh lemon. We are big fans of Calamari especially when it's fresh and it was extremely fresh, but what caught my attention was the preparation. Well done Abalonetti you are the Maestro of prep when it comes to cephalopods. Bravissimo e delizioso read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Famous Calamari - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

The little one was feeling under the weather so we did take out but while waiting for the food, it seems like the view was nice if we had dined in. We tried the fish and chips and the original calamari plate and I loved the calamari along with the vegetables and rice (it's a good contrast to the fried food). Hoping to return next time to try dining in. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

On the coast for another COL. it's 1920 hope to catch the awesome sunset. I missed my favorite server you know who you are. The food is always 5 stars. The playlist of the "Big Band" era provides the setting for people watching & enjoying outstanding seafood cuisine. I highly recommend Abalonetti Bar & Grill. Kudos to Britney for her bottomless "blue dolphin" attention to detail & making sure "all is well" mannerism. read more

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This place was incredible! I got the calamari appetizer and the lobster ravioli with grilled prawns. Both were delicious! Service was great, sat outside overlooking the harbor read more

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Needed a reprieve from walking so stopped in for a quick bite; we were seated right away. Unfortunately, our table wasn't completely in the shade and it got hot very quickly. We loved the outdoor area, but dining furniture clearly needed a refresh. The service was friendly enough, but slow and disorganized. We ordered a side of fries, calamari appetizer and a California shrimp cocktail. The fries were crispy and well seasoned. The calamari was tender, crispy and also well seasoned. The shrimp cocktail wasn't what we expected; it was more a Mexican style shrimp cocktail versus the traditional poached & chilled shrimp served with cocktail sauce. It didn't matter to us either way as we like both ways. The cocktail however, needed more heat. We thought the shrimp were too small; it got lost in all the other flavors and it ate a little slimy. For our beverages, we ordered a soda, old fashioned & an IPA. The old fashioned tasted fine but not the best. We paid $81.45 (with tip) which seemed reasonable, but definitely will check out other places next time we are in the area. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - California Shrimp Cocktail - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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Walt from Walt's Adventures in the new 2026 year. I am adventuring in Monterey, California at Albalonetti Bar and Grill. This restaurant has both indoor and outdoor dining... covered with heaters. There are many restaurants to choose from on the Wharf. I had last visited this establishment years prior. To my satisfaction, it was as great as I had remembered. The customer service was excellent, the food was good and I will be returning the next time I revisit the Bay. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Full menu - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

We were in Monterey, CA recently and in the mood for some clam chowder. The Monterey fishermen wharf was a good spot to find some good clam chowder in the area. We arrived at Abalonetti Bar and Grill for a Sunday lunch recently during the winter break. The restaurant is located at the historic Monterey fishermen wharf. Parking is accessible in the large paid parking lot and the street parking. The restaurant is fairly large inside with plenty of tables and a full bar. There is a big outdoor patio with heat lamps and tables for dining outdoors. The modern decor is simple, bright, and welcoming. There are some tables with beautiful views of the ocean and wharf. We ordered cups of clam chowder, roasted garlic with Italian cheese bread, margarita, and Chardonnay wine. Our clam chowder was delicious. There was a lot of chunks of clam and it went very well with the complementary fresh bread. The roasted garlic was buttery and flavorful. My margarita was refreshing and hit the spot. Overall we enjoyed our experience at Abalonetti Bar and Grill. The staff were friendly and helpful. The daily happy hour prices of our drinks were a nice touch. Glad we got to cross off another restaurant on the wharf that we got to try. read more

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This is a tourist trap you can skip. Everything was overcooked, dry and/or chewy. Will not return. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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******VERY DOGGO FRIENDLY**** Found them on the bring Fido app- if you ever wanna take your pup to lunch or dinner the wharf is the spot to go!!! Shrimp cocktail- yum- does have a lot of cocktail sauce which I love but if you don't- ask for it on the side! Scampi Monterey- utterly deliciousness cooked perfect! Captains platter - a perfectly cooked taste of everything! Extra shrimp cocktail hold the cocktail sauce for the pup as well as the chicken special served on a frisbee that he could keep! Service was top notch- friendly and so welcoming! Absolutely wonderful! Food came hot and fast (keep in mind freshly cooked so not 5min fast but fresh made fast) And we enjoyed a lovely meal with our furfamily! Absolutely going back on our next road trip! read more

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The food was great, the wharf itself it's super cute, an experience for sure, but a bit overwhelming so it was hard to choose where to eat but this is definitely the spot! My partner got the chef special great platter he loved it, super fresh and tasty, perfect if you love seafood. I personally don't eat seafood often so I got the Parmesan crusted chicken, it was SOOOO good omg I'm still thinking about it! I can eat it again and again. Sammie was our server she was exceptional, so helpful, so nice and sweet, she needs a raise! Oh and the 5 dollar happy hour drinks are a must! Sammie made the experience even better. I will definitely be back in the future! read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Breast - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

After leaving a place with horrible service, (crab house) , we went to abalonetti and We were not disappointed! We were seated very quickly and helped fast too. This place had great/fast service and very friendly staff. The food was delicious as well. Would definitely recommend! read more

The fresh oysters were extremely fresh: sweet and juicy without any of that old seafood taste. They have an outdoor seating area that's dog friendly. They even have a menu item that's for the dog and my pup loved the beaf patty. The doggy dish also doubles as a frisbee that you can keep. Overall great place and great food! read more

We were in town for the weekend and wanted a seafood lunch with a view but dog friendly. Unfortunately there were not as many dog friendly restaurants as I had expected, but Abalonetti did! They also have an enclosure with glass windows that helps with the cold wind of Monterey. They also have water bowls and water for the pups outside. I wasn't sure what to expect with the so-so reviews but we were pleasantly surprised. We asked to be seated with the heater and our waitress created a table setting for us with the heater quickly. We started with their famous calamari and Baja calamari and a dozen oysters along with cocktails. These were brought out promptly as we arrived right when they opened. They definitely do live up to their winning calamari as it was perfectly tender and fried. It's not your typical rings and tentacles or filet, but we all really enjoyed it. The oysters were just okay, there was not much brine and very dry. I'm also not a fan of huge oysters and these were much bigger than we thought as they said they were small oysters from Canada. Their complimentary bread basket was also very yummy. Most of us ordered the crab salad sandwich and my sister ordered the Captain's fried platter. These also came out right as we finished our appetizers. Their fries are my favorite, with that extra seasoned batter. The crab sandwich was pretty good though the brioche bread to ratio of crab salad is not even. The bread also had a funny smell/taste to me, so I didn't eat most of the bread which was fine. The fried fish on the Captain's platter was small and too thin compared to other places. I had noted it was a birthday at our table in our Open Table reservation and they brought out a complimentary slice of cheesecake. Very nice of them! Service was great from beginning to end by our our server, Sammy and the hostess. We would definitely come back, especially for their calamari! read more

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No pics of food this time because we waited 45+ min for an order of sand dabs & fish n chips & never got them! Waiter kept saying 5 more min. While every table in the outdoor seating was served food. I have not walked out of a restaurant ever but patience ran out. read more

Calamari Napolitana was super. Have it again. Service was super and friendly. One of my go to places now.

The calamari and the pizza were the stand out items for our lunch. Service was a bit slow for a restaurant that was less than half full. The first table we sat at outside was very unstable so we moved to the adjacent table with no issue. They should maintenance that table. Pizza was crisped up well and the mozzarella was high quality. I had the blackened salmon salad which was uninspiring, but adequate given what I was looking for. The calamari was some of the better squid we've had on this trip and the fries are well seasoned and crispy. It was reasonably priced. read more

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Stopped in for a small bite and drink. Not too busy Sunday afternoon off season. Waiter recommended shrimp cocktail which was surprisingly robust and quite nice. Enjoyed the outdoor breeze, was a bit chilly though. Prices are about the same if not slightly lower than other areas of the dock. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - California Shrimp Cocktail - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

This is for the older Caucasian hostess in the front on 05/23/26 around 4pm. Restaurant was practically empty. A table of two white women walked in and they were seated right away. We walked in right behind them "it's a 15 minute wait". It wasn't easy even busy but okay we can wait. Took down our name and number said she would call, never did. We ended up eating somewhere else. Have been there before and never had a problem. Felt discriminated against this visit. Never going back. read more

Everything tasted really good we got free bread and butter which was really good! Iced tea was good the service was really good! Our server was really attentive and friendly. The restaurant is right on the water it's very beautiful. We ordered the calamari and chips which were very fresh probably the best calamari I've ever had. The fries were outstanding as well. We also shared the linguine Alfredo with crab meat which was my absolute favorite part. It was seriously amazing we finished every bite. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - The view - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Service was great. Food was mediocre. Clam chowder came out lukewarm and unseasoned. crab cakes were too greasy and overpriced. Garlic bread also came out cool. Will probably not come back read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

They specialize in calamari dishes. They have at least 6 calamari items on the menu which is fun. The char-grilled calamari filets was really good. They prepared the mini Monterey calamari in white wine sauce with carrots, peppers, zucchini and tomato. I'd definitely order it again if I came back. The wine list is limited but very affordable. They don't have many local ones. Servers were all very friendly. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - The original calamari dish. Lightly fried and delicious. - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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Service was amazing. Just stopped for a drink. The bartender was friendly and informative. Will be visiting again soon. Ask for the local menu. Prices are great. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

Went on for a quick drink and appetizer. Great wine and beer selection. Staff is attentive and patio is dog friendly. Tried the sardines as an appetizer. It is definitely an acquired taste. I give them a thumbs up, hubby not so much. read more

The Monterey Fishermans wharf has so many places to choose from for good food and this place is one of my favorites! It has the most amazing Sicilian bread salad. Super fresh tasting, with artichoke hearts, feta cheese, tomatoes, fresh basil and delicious chunks of Sicilian bread- heavenly! I add Bay Shrimp to it as well. This place has a great ambience and service. Tables right along the water, and a fantastic bar. I've also had the clam chowder, chef's kiss! I love the California shrimp cocktail as well. Good place to take a group of people! read more

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this place is decent, theres alot of places to choose from in this area, was not busy when there but was getting busy when leaving so about 5pm on a Saturday. Garlic bread appetizer was really good! read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Grilled Salmon Filet dish, would remove the tomato based sauce next time - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

The location earns this place an extra star, but this was a sad birthday lunch for me after a stroll down the pier looking for a place that had less than an hour late. So, location on the pier is lovely, and lots of seating for larger parties. The happy hour cocktails enticed us in but the margaritas tasted of pure sour mix and the wine and beer offerings were pretty bottom tier--again, to be expected for a tourist spot with a cheap happy hour. But then the food came and... meh. I don't think anybody actually finished their meal and the quality of ingredients just felt too far below the price point. A friend's caprese salad was piled with olives (I have never heard of olives on a caprese!) and another friend's crab sandwich was mostly mayo and it wasn't clear from the menu that it was a crab SALAD sandwich. I got a sampler of fried foods and again, for the price I expected more. Service was friendly but we would have ordered far more drinks (maybe not the happy hour ones though) had they visited us more often. The one standout was the calamari. Apparently this place is know for calamari and for good reason--with the quality of the rest of the meal I was scared, but they were tender without being chewy, perfectly seasoned, and just delicious. I wish my whole sampler had been calamari. Overall, I'll probably skip this next time and take my chances with one of the restaurants with the long wait. read more

This place has been consistent for my family over the years. We started coming here in 2018 and it's a stop we try to make every time we come through town. It's a pretty casual place with a minimum frills look, but it's nicer than most places without being stuffy. The antipasto platter is fantastic. We typically order the half size for two people and it is more than enough. However, it is only $5 more for the whole! It's such a great value and start to a meal. We are creatures of habit here, so we typically get that, and then my husband orders the seafood penne which is flavorful and full of seafood in a rose sauce. My order changes on occasion but the past few times i've stuck with the lobster ravioli with grilled shrimp in a pesto cream sauce and it is fantastic. So filling. So much lobster too! That pesto cream is so rich and delish too. I could drool just thinking about it. I always joke that i ask for the table bread just so i can sop up all that good sauce. The other great thing about this spot is the customer service. We have been there when its crowded on a spring weekend, and we've been there when its a quiet Tuesday night. No matter when we go it is always a delightful experience and everyone is engaging, helpful, and customer oriented. They truly treat customers like valued family. read more

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Came here on a Saturday night, party of 9, were seated right away. Warm bread and butter for the table. Fried calamari was delicious and each of our entrees were good. Angel hair pasta was cooked perfectly with a very good marinara. Seafood in the cioppino was cooked perfectly too. Overall they do seafood very well, not over cooked and tasted fresh. It's a relatively affordable place compared to the other similar restaurants on the wharf. Service was very friendly and attentive. Wonderful experience for our large family after a beautiful day in Monterey. read more

Slim pickings for food on the pier, and some don't allow strollers/kids, so this brought us to Abalonetti's for a quick dinner after the aquarium. The staff were nice but nothing about the place really stood out. They put us into the corner, which was fine since we had a stroller but there were HELLA flies around. This was so off putting but the flies didn't attack us, so we stayed put. They were just kind swarmed in specific areas, so weird. We got the clam chowder in a bread bowl, fried calamari, and linguine in alfredo with chicken added in. The clam chowder was fine, not bad, not great. Price was about $20 which is what it will cost you everywhere else on the pier. The tartar sauce they serve with the calamari was sooooo goood. It tasted home made and had lots of chunks in it, which I love. The calamari was good and tender but it was a small portion compared to other places. The pasta itself was cooked well but the sauce was so thin and watery. I stirred and stirred and stirred but it didn't thicken up at all. It wasn't flavorful and we had to add a bunch of black pepper into it to liven things up. I actually ended up spooning some chowder into it, which helped tremendously. It's a decent meal, but not one I'd return for specifically. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Calamari and clam chowder in bread bowl - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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We came late and had planned to go elsewhere but the wait was too long. Upon entering, no one greeted us for approximately 5 minutes even though staff were everywhere. We began to leave which is when we were greeted and taken to a table. The service was subpar. Our appetizers (calamari and garlic bread) came before our drinks and we had ordered 3 corona bottles and one glass of wine. The food surprised me and was actually decent. The ravioli was a bit chewy but the flavor was great. Pretty noisy but not bad. read more

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Our server Joe was amazing tonight. Can't say enough good things about him, he was super personable, very attentive to all of his tables, and just enjoys life. We're traveling into Monterey and really rely on reviews when deciding where to eat, this place didn't disappoint! We were looking for somewhere with a locals vibe. We have our dog with us and a dog friendly place is extremely important to us, we love a restaurant that goes above and beyond with everything but especially dogs. Brought her water, a frisbee plate of food, and the dog menu was so cute! They're a huge part of our life, more places should adopt this! Besides that, food was super delicious and fast to come out. 10/10 Abalonetti! Thanks for making Monterey memorable! The only feedback I have is transparency with upsells would be nice! Sometimes things were offered and it got confusing if it was included. Still didn't affect the service. read more

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Located just south of Cannery Row on the Old Fisherman's Wharf, Abolinetti has the classic charm of a Pacific Coast seaside bar and grill you might find in any town. We came for this atmosphere specifically. I have a weak spot for Clam Chowder in a Sourdough bowl, nearly impossible to find anywhere near where I live, but difficult do do wrong in California. We also ordered a Napolitan pizza, which had a delicious, watery quality to the toppings. Calamari Tacos were an interesting and tasty treat dish as well. It was a bit chilly for outdoor seating, so we sat inside by a large window and enjoyed the sunlight coming in. A bird actually flittered in the restaurant and wandered about on the floor. The view was o the channel between the wharf and the shore. The wharf itself is not on open sea, but surrounded by a marina. It has a carnival-like collection of businesses, heavy with candy stores. Service was expected for a bar and grill. he food came out quickly and was hot and tasty. If we return to this part of Monterey, I would repeat. read more

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This is our favorite restaurant at old fisherman's wharf! We've been coming here since 2021. The chicken parm never disappoints and the staff is always so welcoming. read more

Abalonetti Bar and Grill - Italian Near Me - Monterey, California

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Best place for breaded calamari on Fisherman's wharf in Monterey. Arrived here on a Saturday at 430pm. Place virtually empty due to adverse weather. Came here because we had a coupon for a free appetizer. Probably could ask for the complimentary chef's appetizer, as most restaurants have such a deal, and it's always breaded calamari. Beautiful restaurant setting on the bay with large room with windows all around, showing the harbor and bay. Meals come with complimentary bread, a rarity nowadays. The $12 bowl of clam chowder was up to the high standards of the region, very creamy with potatoes and clams. At least 12 ounces in a good sized portion. The complimentary breaded calamari came with about a dozen calamari, covered with a light panko breading, with tartar sauce and cocktail ketchup on the side. Perfect blend of just enough breading to give it taste, and chunks of cooked calamari, not rubbery. Wife enjoyed her scampi Monterey, with at least 10 shrimp mixed in with yellow rice, tomatoes, bell peppers, and artichoke skins, something you don't see too often. Needless to say, wife loves artichokes. I had the $20 Abalonetti calamari, very similar to the appetizer, with yellow rice and vegetables. Huge portion of breaded calamari, but I ate everything in both the appetizer and this dish. Would have preferred the tartar sauce and ketchup cocktail sauce, compared to the butter creamy sauce. They have a $4.95 dog menu, although you would not want to eat outdoors today, as rainy with high gusty winds would freeze your fingers. read more

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