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    Crabby Jim's Seafood

    3.1 (1.3k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Crabby Jim's Seafood Photos

    CRABBY JIM'S SEAFOOD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Lobster and Steak & Lobster Combo
    Cigano M.

    I've been coming to Monterey and eating on the Wharf for about 35 years, and I almost never leave negative reviews because my experiences here are usually great. Unfortunately, today's visit to Crabby Jim's was a real disappointment. I ordered the lobster and it was full of gristle; every bite had a tough, plastic-like, almost rubbery texture that made it hard to eat. I also had a steak that, while tender, arrived only lukewarm and was smothered in gravy, plus a potato au gratin that was so bland and off that even adding salt couldn't help it. My wife ordered the cioppino and had to send it back because it tasted like old seafood. For a place on the Wharf, that's pretty alarming. They applied some discounts and took the cioppino off the bill, but even after that I still paid around $130 with tip, which made the whole experience feel even worse given the quality of the meal. We dine up and down this area all the time and typically give very positive reviews, so this isn't coming from unrealistic expectations. My wife looked at me during the meal and said, "Take a good look at this place," and I knew exactly what she meant. Based on this visit, we won't be coming back.

    Beware
    Mary M.

    Tasty or WasteY????? TOTALLY WASTEY!!!! Gross... disgusting! These people practically stand outside and beg you to eat there. Of course they always have great seating by the window, because no one is ever there. Maybe first timers to the wharf fall for them, begging you to come in. They should have a sign that reads..Enter at your own risk! What are you doing? My cioppino. Was so gross tasting. I've never had cioppino that had the eyes, full shell on the shrimp. It tasted like old mop water. I would never recommend. CRAPPY JIM'S. I will refer to restaurants like this, as, sticky tables.

    Bay M.

    A great alternative when the famous Old Fisherman's Grotto has wait times over 3 hours long. We decided to try Crabby Jim's since it's a few doors down and absolutely loved our dining experience here. The host was very accommodating and assured us we'd be seated in less than 20 minutes and they delivered. The restaurant was cozy and had great views of Monterey Bay. For starters, we did their oyster Rockefeller (6 pcs), crab cake, calamari, flame bread with creamy marinara, and a few cups (looked like bowl) of their clam chowder. The appetizers were good, the crab cake, although delicious, I wouldn't recommend since it was $24 for just one nicely plated patty, the clam chowder stood out the most. So good, we ended up getting another bread bowl. For our main, we all opted for the fish and chips. For $30 it comes with 3 fried pcs of cod, a small basket of fries, a cup of coleslaw, & 3 dipping sauces. Ask for malt vinegar & extra tartar sauce on the side. This was also good but after the appetizers we had, an order was good enough to share between two. Service was superb, forgot his name but we had this Filipino server that took great care of us. Food came in a timely manner. We all enjoyed our dining experience here. As with most sit down restaurants on this wharf, pricing is a little on the higher end but definitely not as expensive as the Grotto. Unfortunately, the negative reviews on this place could be very misleading. It does not have the same history that the Grotto. I would rank this restaurant a little more casual than the Grotto to help manage expectations better. For what it is, it's decent.

    cold chicken cesar salad
    Sara S.

    We wanted to get clam chowder so we stopped by Crabby Jim's seafood, and everyone was rather very crabby lol. There seemed to be a lot going on, the manager was visibly upset at some stuff and was going back and forth yelling. We only saw our server twice throughout the whole visit. Clam chowder was okay for $22, Caesar salad with chicken was not good, it was cold and hard. The drinks were so flat they weren't even drinkable. Only plus to this is the view.

    The coupon that supposedly doesn't exist....
    Kathryn B.

    If you're looking for overpriced disappointment with a side of attitude, Crabby Jim's delivers--just not in the way you'd hope. Lured in by the siren song of $6.99 margaritas and a free appetizer coupon (which I literally found live on the internet as well as hard copy), I thought we'd landed on a casual seaside gem. Wrong. So wrong. When I asked the host--who seemed allergic to hospitality--if the app coupon could be honored, she flatly told me they "haven't done coupons in years." Funny, because I found the current one in less than 30 seconds. Strike one. She vaguely gestured us toward "somewhere over there" to seat ourselves--mind you, we had a child in a wheelchair and a baby in tow. No offer of help, no greeting, no care. We found a sticky, questionably-clean table on our own. Sat for over 5 minutes without so much as a glance from a server. My husband went back to the host to let her know there was food all over the floor. She said she'd send someone. No one came. Then I looked down and--lucky me--realized some of that leftover mystery meal was now on my shoe. Absolutely disgusting. At that point, we got up and left. I told her on the way out, hoping for at least a shred of decency or an apology. Instead, we got a cold brush-off and dirty looks as we exited. A place that can't handle basic cleanliness, service, or honesty about its own promotions has no business being in business--especially in a tourist town with so many better options. Save your money, your appetite, and your patience. Crabby Jim's is all crabby, no charm. Visited 2pm, 7/22/25

    Mike M.

    Sorry, Crabby Jims. We have been going to this restaurant since at least 2019, and things have become much different upon our last visit. $170 for dinner of what felt like mostly frozen food. The one and only positive was the waitress as she was nice and attentive. the fish and chips looked like it was frozen and then heated. Or already cooked and recooked it is 6.50 for a kids chocolate milk it's 6.50 for a refill on that. The refill is not free they got rid of the free appetizer card they do not provide any kind of bread unlike many of the other restaurants. I ordered some and it was $5 and old and gross. The butter was particularly bad and I was sick to my stomach a few hours later the kids chicken nuggets, again, frozen food baked in an oven. Why do they do the kids like this!? The clam chowder was good, but $23 is a lot to ask for 16 ounces of soup in a bread bowl. 26 actually, since we got the garlic bread bowl. This place needs Gordon Ramsay'd immediately There will be no next time for this place. It is simply not worth the money for food that you can buy in the frozen section and cook at home

    Clam chowder in a bread bowl with a garlic lid
    Vivi F.

    Tried Crabby Jim's Seafood on the pier, and it was a great experience! I ordered the Best of the West Clam Chowder in a bread bowl and added the garlic lid, such a good choice. The chowder was absolutely exquisite, rich, and flavorful, and the garlic lid added a nice touch. The restaurant has beautiful ocean views, and I got lucky with a window seat, which made the experience even better. The service was great, and the food came out quickly. If you're looking for a delicious bowl of clam chowder with a scenic view, Crabby Jim's is definitely worth a visit!

    Wonderful food,while the dishes we ordered were not on the menu and they were chef's specialties! Great service and spectacular view near the window! Highly recommended!

    Outside
    Annabelle R.

    Got a cup of clam chowder with crab meat (this was really good and large in size for just a "cup") and an order of garlic bread which is a full size loaf on the dinner menu (enough for a family of 4). Also got complimentary fried calamari, which was delicious but unnecessary. The bill was high, mainly cuz you pay a premium for anything with crab here and of course that family-sized loaf of garlic bread. But, whoa, a diet soda for $5... yikes. It's fine though, the waitstaff and servers were super friendly and helpful, refilling my soda without me having to ask, and attentive to guests' needs. There was no wait to be seated and hardly a wait for the food to be ready. Seating is awesome here too, the tables along the windows with views looking out into the water. I could watch the lighted boat parade while dining here this past Sunday. My only gripe about this place was the worker outside the entrance constantly yelling at passersby, in a forceful effort to gain customers. Honestly, I was already gonna come here, but that almost drove me away, it was a little annoying, and she was borderline rude. Besides that, I think this is a decent seafood restaurant on the wharf.

    Clam chowder bread bowl
    Nicole M.

    Stopped by on a Wednesday for dinner, inside was very classy with a nice ambiance. Service was great, we got to pick our own ocean view seat. Ordered fish and chips and clam chowder. Both were amazing and came out fast. Best chips I've had on the wharf! We found a new favorite.

    Crabby Jim's view.

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    Crabby Jim's Seafood Reviews in Other Languages

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    Old Fisherman's Grotto - 14 oz Australian lobster tail

    Old Fisherman's Grotto

    4.1(7.4k reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    This was hands down the best meal we had at the pier and one of the highlights of our trip!…read more From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. We were seated by a window overlooking the ocean and got to watch the sunset while enjoying warm bread and a bottle of wine (which was an even better deal with their 25% off bottle promotion). My brother and boyfriend ordered the chicken parmesan, and it was outstanding. The chicken was perfectly cooked, and the tomato sauce had a slight sweetness that made it incredibly flavorful. It was served with pasta on the side, which was just as delicious. My mom and I ordered the seafood linguine, and it was easily one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. The shrimp were buttery and tender, and the creamy pasta sauce was amazing. What really made the experience special was the staff. Our waiter was attentive without being intrusive and checked on us regularly throughout the meal. At the end of dinner, my mom and I were each given a rose, which was such a thoughtful and unexpected gesture. Everything about this restaurant--from the food to the view to the service--was wonderful. Compliments to the owner and the chef for creating such an amazing dining experience. We will absolutely be back the next time we're in Monterey,CA.

    Called ahead before walking over with a party of 7 and was told the wait would be about 15 minutes…read more We arrived shortly after, only to be immediately met with a cold and dismissive attitude from the older bald gentleman with facial hair at the front. Before even greeting us, he abruptly said "no strollers allowed" in a very disrespectful tone without giving us a chance to respond. That policy is completely their right, and we would have respected it without issue. What bothered us was the way we were spoken to. I even said, "Oh, we can leave the stroller outside," and he immediately furled his brows in a way that clearly made it seem like he was hoping we would just leave instead. Well, he got what he wanted, we did leave. When I asked about the wait time, he suddenly told us it would be 1 hour and 15 minutes, even though I had literally just called and been told 15 minutes. When I mentioned that someone from the restaurant had told me 15 minutes over the phone, he responded by saying, "that's only for a party of 4," but I had literally told them over the phone that we had 7 people. Then he said it "must have been the wrong restaurant," but this is the number I called: 831-375-4604, which was in fact the correct number for the restaurant. I stepped aside afterward and called the restaurant again while standing nearby, and was then told 30 minutes. The inconsistency made no sense. What made the experience especially upsetting was how differently we felt we were treated compared to other customers around us. As a Muslim family, the interaction felt hostile and unwelcoming from the moment we arrived. He also pointed to a sign about children crying or making loud noises being a distraction in a way that felt unnecessary and targeted. Again, family policies are one thing. Poor treatment is another. We came excited to try this place and left feeling embarrassed, unwelcome, and disappointed.

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    Schooners Monterey

    Schooners Monterey

    4.0(2.1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    We made a reservation for this restaurant for my boyfriend's birthday lunch. This is located inside…read moreof the Monterey hotel and plaza. Service was great. We asked for an ocean view table and were happy that they had one available. We ordered raw oysters, focaccia, ceviche, and Monterey cioppino pot. I wish the menu stated that there was cheese on the focaccia since I don't eat cheese. Oysters were fresh. Our favorite was definitely the Monterey cioppino pot. It was incredibly flavorful and a good amount of seafood. Our least favorite was the ceviche. The sauce/juice just didn't match our tastebuds. The chips that came with it were delicious though! Overall, it was a pleasant experience. I would come back!

    We started with the Clam Chowder bread bowl, Brussel Sprouts appetizer, and the Dungeness Crab Dip…read more All 3 were excellent. I love Brussel Sprouts and order it anytime I see it in a menu. This was one of the best I've had. I like that it was more on the shredded side so it could cook evenly. (I hate when places halve the sprouts, but then don't bake it through. These were cooked to perfection here.) The crab dip was amazing...it's the morning after as I'm typing this and my daughter is still raving about the crab dip. We all agreed that it was worthy of the price tag bc there was a good amount of real crab in it. We really enjoyed the taste and texture. We wished there were more of the garlic bread for dipping! We waited for the clam chowder bread bowl to arrive, and tore into it so we could use that to dip! For our meal, we ordered the Harvest Salad, Organic Half Chicken, Honey BBQ Ribs, Wagyu Burger, and took a mandarin coconut sherbet to go. We were all very happy with what we ordered.

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    Schooners Monterey - View from the restaurant.. Get here early and watch the sunrise.

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    View from the restaurant.. Get here early and watch the sunrise.

    The Sardine Factory

    The Sardine Factory

    4.1(2.1k reviews)
    0.9 mi
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    Where do I begin? We came here to celebrate my husband's…read morebirthday. Made the reservation online a week in advance. And from the moment we stepped foot into the building, we were transported to a new place. We let them know we were here for our reservation, we were seated promptly. There were multiple managers on the floor, the one that sat us, told my husband happy birthday. That was already such a nice start to the evening. Our busser was Enrique, he was so friendly, kind and quick with making sure we had water and cheesy bread. The sommelier came by, didn't catch his name but he was also so friendly and helpful. We ordered a bottle of a red wine local to the area. Our server was named Christian, he was fantastic. Very knowledgeable about the menu and lots of great recommendations! We both ordered a cup of soup, one cup of clam chowder and one cup of abalone bisque (one of the best soups I've ever had). As well as the oysters which were great. For our entrees, my husband ordered the chilean sea bass. Which he loved! I ordered the NY steak, cooked medium rare. Absolutely perfectly cooked and delicious. We received a slice of carrot cake for my husband's birthday, timed perfectly at the end of our dinner with a candle in it for us to celebrate and quietly sing together. Just the two of us. This was, without a doubt, one of the best dinners we've ever enjoyed together. From the attentive service and inviting ambiance to the exceptional food, every aspect of the evening was flawless. We will 100% be back again. Thank you for this memory.

    If you have an hour, feel free to read everything. But to summarize, thank you Argenis Mata,…read moreDerrick, Don, Eddie, General Manager Jimmy Oh, Pedro, Raul, Reggie and Staff ... are awesome. Sardine Factory pays attention to detail (even to the point of which way the dishes, silverware are facing). The food is the best you can get from anywhere in the World, and presented beautifully both in the arrangement of food and presentation. Our Gang of Bay Area Eaters follows "MPep" (the fiercest Food Critic ever). There's a large group of us that frequent Sardine Factory. We sometimes eat at Sardine as much as 4 times a week. This last week, my friend (I'll just call her "M-Pep" because a reincarnated chicken that was originally Austin's came back and we call her "eMily Pepper" so "MPep" for short). I digress. So my friend whom chicken MPep was named after has been at Sardine 3 times this week. Oh, Austin and his family and friends eat at Sardine all the time. It was Aus and "Sis" that introduced MPep to Sardine. There's generally about 2 - 4 people / friends that start out for Sardine from the San Jose area. We rendezvous in the Monterey general area and end up at Sardine in a group from 2 - 9 people. Mpep is the big fan here and will literally throw a fit if we don't go to Sardine. Every good exam grade, birthday, reward for cleaning the house and cars - "What reward do you want?" "Sardine!" She says. So every trip to Sardine can be a 3 - 4 hour one way trip to Monterey, with getting back to the house as late as 1 - 2 am. It's a day trip for sure, but honestly, we're just both impressed and honestly somewhat puzzled that she's apparently - with her young heart - fallen for this Factory. We'll try to add and incorporate more names, but one Sardine Family we want to thank for sure is the General Manager Jimmy Oh. We watch him go from table to table, eager to learn about every guest, and making sure every customer and table is very happy with their experience. I've been in the restaurant and service industry, and Jimmy Oh is ... someone like him is nearly impossible to get on staff or management. So I hope he's recognized for putting an amazing image for Sardine. (Well, we found out upon creating this review that Jimmy is the General Manager. He has all the Professional Hallmarks of a very good GM, but approachable and grateful for feedback in a way that many or even most GM's somehow lose). As you can probably guess from this very review, we're a mix of unusual special personalities. Most of us have physical disabilities, some are very elderly, and at least two in our group have traumatic brain injuries either from injuries related to severe heart issues and one had severe injuries from getting hit by another driver / car under the influence. We need help getting to and at our tables. We often keep repeating things or asking about a dish over and over. The staff has always been welcoming and patient to our special needs. Mpep is young and instead of being treated - brushed aside for being "a kid" - she is allowed to ask about all the dishes. This has led to a systematic "log" she makes about all the dishes and she is intentionally going from dish to dish to try everything at Sardine. I have seen at other establishments where she was even asked to leave. She simply has a special personality (started college at 11 years old) - so I've never been angry at other establishments misunderstanding her or even kicking her out. But at Sardine, she's treated like family and I've never seen anyone receive her with anything but joy and cheer that she's come back "again." I'll try to add photos within the next day or two. We have an elderly grandma in our group and given her recent ER stay, we can't be sure how long she'll be around. But we're grateful for the staff and waiters being so patient with her requests and repeated questions. It's just good to have "a place" we know we can be treated by family and have food that's simply amazing and presented artistically with such a sincere desire for the guests to love this experience.

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    Crabby Jim's Seafood - seafood - Updated June 2026

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