Crystal Fish

Is there a brown rice option?

Yes， but there will be extra charge.

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

Is this restaurant Japanese owned?

No. The new owner is Chinese.

View 2 more answers

Are there gluten free options specified on menu?

Do they take reservations?

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

Do you require a vax card to dine in?

No and masks are optional.

Is this business dog friendly?

I’m not sure what’s business dog mean, but we have quite a few customers bringing service dogs.

Does this restaurant have outdoor dining?

No they don't

Is this restaurant opened again from covid for dine-in?

Yes, open for dine in. Ate that last night.

Do they have all you can eat sushi?

No they don't.

View 6 more answers

Does this restaurant do take-out orders?

Yes they do; I've never dined in, I've ordered to go and it was just fine.

View 5 more answers

View All 12 Questions

Züm Sushi

Zum is my new favorite sushi place on the Monterey Peninsula. My wife and I ate lunch here…read moreyesterday and was thrilled with the freshness and value of this small sushi bar and restaurant. We sat outside on their small patio. Our server was helpful and friendly. We ordered hamachi carpaccio (4/5) to start. It was fresh but pretty basic compared to other sushi restaurants' preparations. We ordered 3 rolls off their special roll menu: the XXX (4/5), Iron Man (5/5), and the Red Tiger (5/5). The Iron Man was my favorite. It had a unique creamy topping that was crunchy, sweet, and had bits of shellfish. Very unique and super tasty. Good service, well made fresh and unique sushi rolls, and the cheapest sushi on the Monterey Peninsula. 5-stars for the value in this area known for higher prices. Check this place out!

We are visiting from out of town and asked our AI assistant, Gemini, for a sushi spot in the area…read morethat offered great freshness and value without breaking the bank. Gemini nailed it by recommending Züm Sushi as the top match. If you are looking for a flashy, high-end tourist trap, this isn't it. But if you want a cozy, casual atmosphere, great service, and excellent portions for the price, this place is a gem. We came in to celebrate our 20th anniversary, and the staff couldn't have been nicer. The sushi chefs were incredibly warm, and when they heard it was our milestone, they unexpectedly treated us each to a side of tempura shiso spicy tuna on the house. We ordered the 9-piece Deluxe Chef's Choice Nigiri (pictured in the boat). For a beachside town, the quality was great for the price, the fish was very fresh, and the portions were highly satisfying. If our travels ever bring us back to Monterey, we would definitely drop in again. Highly recommend if you want great sushi without the inflated resort prices!

See all

The restraint

Kuma

I have been wanting to give this place a try and finally got the opportunity. Unfortunately I was…read morein the moment so I did not take any photos. Everything was really fresh and prepared well. The restaurant has beautiful vaulted ceilings and great vibes. Only note was the music was all over the place but not a big deal at all. We ordered a lot since we were both very hungry and left satisfied. Starters: Spicy garlic edamame - great flavor and not overly done (5/5) Shrimp & Veggie tempura- perfect amount of batter (5/5) Gyoza (5/5) Mains: Chicken Teriyaki served with miso soup, salad, and steamed rice. (4/5) only because the salad while good had a little too much dressing, not a deal breaker. Sake sashimi 5/5 Tiger roll 5/5 Would definitely recommend as a great sushi spot and will be back!

We ended up here after Alvarado brew had a 1+ hr wait and it was a GREAT pivot!…read morePrickly pear marg was a fantastic start, strong and sweet Our rolls came quickly, best of which were the Sun roll and Phoenix (fun fire at the table!) Best of all was the Toro tuna belly sashimi!!! Our server Jaiden went above and beyond recommending this, telling us how to eat it, and even bringing over a special wasabi for us to try!! Ambiance leaves something to be desired, but Jaiden's service and the toro sashimi was the BEST! Definitely visit for fresh sushi when you're in Monterey

CARMEL VALLEY ROLL - @rayz

Interior

See all

SPICY SCALLOP HAND ROLL - @rayz

Wakatobi Japanese Grill Hibachi and Sushi

Amazing food, Amazing Service, Amazing Ambiance…read more Quaint family owned restaurant in the heart of Seaside. The Tempura roll and the Gyoza are amazing! The best Miso soup I have ever had!

We did a takeout at this highly rated restaurant. Since it was a week night, there was only one…read moretable eating in. I ordered the combo (filet mignon and shrimp with fried rice). The fried rice was really fluffy and flavorful. However the shrimp and steak were a bit overcooked (did not look like the photos). I am sure things would have tasted much better if we dined at the restaurant directly. I would probably give it another try in person next time we are in town.

**Volcano Roll at Wakatobi Japanese Grill Hibachi & Sushi**

Wakatobi Seaside

See all

Volcano Rolls at Wakatobi Japanese Grill Hibachi and Sushi

Sakura Japanese Restaurant

Just moved here and the locals suggested. Was not disappointed. Friendly staff and food was pretty…read moreJapanese-ish

Excellent food... I had sushi rolls and my friend had ramen, with an array of appetizers. All was…read moreexcellent. Friendly staff, fast service.

Valentine's Day T-Shirt

Sakura Chef

See all

Ocean Sushi Deli

I was visiting Monterey and found this place in downtown. Great sushi joint! It was surprising to…read moresee the massive variety of options on the menu. There were far too many things I wanted to try... next time! I settled on choosing the sashimi bento combo with miso soup. The hamachi, salmon, tuna, and octopus were fresh and the soup hit hard. The people were really nice too. Would come back again and try something new!

Cozy sushi spot that offers both prepared and made to order dishes. I stopped by on a Monday…read moreevening and the small space was decently filled. I snagged a window seat. I ordered the #120 which came with 4 pieces of Lobster roll and 4 pieces of nigiri for $20. The fish and rice were both super fresh, I really enjoyed it. The cashier was also super friendly. I would for sure return for a quick bite.

Tuna hand roll, shrimp hand roll, spicy tuna hand roll (all $4.50 each)

See all

Fried Salmon Bento Box

Hula's Island Grill

Food was ok Service was ok…read more It was around 2 the ambiance was ok only a few people there

I went to Hula's for the first time last month, and it was absolutely delicious! The food was…read moregreat, but what really made our experience memorable was Marco, the busser. He was incredibly attentive, hardworking, and always one step ahead of what we needed. We came back again recently and noticed he wasn't there, and honestly, he was such a big part of what made our first visit special. We even thought he was our server because of how attentive he was not just with our table, but with everyone around him. His positive attitude and work ethic really stood out. The food is fantastic I highly recommend the Cajun burger , but employees like Marco are what keep people coming back. Thank you for such a great experience!

Bar area, nice spot to sit

Barramundi-Lemon Pepper Style

See all

A hurricane

Akaoni

It's always the same...meaning consistent. Great…read moretraditional Japanese food not style. Please check my previous review, it stands. Last words... there's flashy and then Akaoni. Choices.

Food was great. We really enjoyed the homemade tofu, steamed clams that were in a broth, and the…read moreseared skipjack. Food was probably 5 out of 5. It's a no frills type of place. That being said, I guess is why their service is another thing. The waitress had an uninviting demeanor and almost rude. We had gone there the night before and ordered an assorted sashimi plate and one of the pieces on there was seared and we really liked it so we asked what it was. She gave us a blank stare like we were asking a ridiculous question then said, "I don't know, everyday the fish is different." Looking at the wall I saw pictures of both the chef and herself looking at least 15 years younger. It just seemed that she was totally over it, over the job, over serving.

The Chef, Mr Sing.

See all

Toribashi

As a ramen lover...Toribashi had friendly service and included self order kiosk. I ordered extra…read morenoodles (because I'm from LA and most ramen spots are stingy with their ingredients) big mistake lol. Their serving size are certainly generous, that goes for the protein and extra spice I ordered. My order alone came out to $33 which for the prices I consider it to be a bit overpriced considering the quality of the food (felt a bit bland or not worth the high price). Over all the ambiance is busy but it was cool to visit :)

Welp.. We finally had the chance to return to Monterey.. As we were squeezed for time, we chose to…read morecome to Toribashi tonight. Parking was only mildly challenging, as a space opened up after only a single lap around the block. Inside here, you'll find a busy place with a few tables and individual bar-style (partitioned!) paired seating along the walls adjacent to the kitchen in the middle part of the restaurant. Order up at the self-serve order kiosks, tap in your table/counter number, and they bring out your order in a couple of minutes. We had six of us in our party, and most of us kept it simple by ordering the default Tonkatsu Ramen with different customizable options. Most all of the ingredients in this order were on point - The Chasu Pork Belly was tender, thick and delicious, ramen noodles nothing special, but generally stil on point, as were the bamboo shoots. However, the co-star/centerpiece of the Tonkatsu Ramen other than the Chasu Pork slab should be the broth, but sadly the broth was far far TOO salty which overpowered the other flavors in the broth. Chasu Pork 4.8/5, Tonkatsu Ramen 3.1/5. Service was good as everyone was hustling hard in the kitchen, along with attentive bussers/waitstaff to quickly turn tables. They take good care in wiping down the tables here. If I return, I'll just get the Paitan Ramen like I did in years past, as that seemed less salty. Then again the Paitan soup base begins with the same chicken+pork soup base as the Tonkatsu Ramen. I hope Toribashi will step back up to their former glory.

See all

Kafe Toribashi

4.5

(48 reviews)

0.7 mi

Adorable cafe with such friendly staff! Their matcha and ice cream were both fantastic, and I was…read morepleasantly surprised to see Korean instant ramen on the menu too. Such a unique and tasty touch. Great little find on Fisherman's Wharf, will definitely be back!

Been here a couple times while roaming the wharf because we love the little outdoor balcony…read moreoverlooking the ocean! Such a calm and beautiful spot to relax for a little. The coffee is delicious. Our latest order was a lavender latte and it's got a great flavor. We haven't tried their pastries yet, but they have some available if you need a snack, as well as Marianne's ice cream. The inside of the cafe is nice too! There's plenty of tables to sit at and they have board games to play. Been here a couple times while roaming the wharf because we love the little outdoor balcony overlooking the ocean! Such a calm and beautiful spot to relax for a little. The coffee is delicious. Our latest order was a lavender latte and it's got a great flavor. We haven't tried their pastries yet, but they have some available if you need a snack, as well as Marianne's ice cream. The inside of the cafe is nice too! There's plenty of tables to sit at and they have board games to play.

Ramen with a view at the patio

Lovely place to stay

See all

Prepare your own ramen

Toro

After taking my pup to the beach, we decided to have lunch here at Toro. We were promptly greeted…read moreby the hostess and seated immediately in their pleasant patio area. Our server James was amazing. He had great knowledge of the menu and recommended a sushi roll they had on special. He was even super cool with my dog, Cash. I had the Tuna Togarashi roll, along with some nigiri. Sushi was delicious, and it tasted fresh. My boy Cash had the chicken & rice bowl off their dog menu. He scarfed it down in seconds! I was expecting a generic sushi experience, but got great food, impeccable service, all while sitting in a beautiful patio area. I will definitely be back in the near future, and so will Cash!

Amazing service, incredibly fresh sushi and a lovely Carmel-By-The-Sea vibe…read more We ordered a chef's choice Sashimi which had an assortment of fish, uni, eel, scallops and egg. The sake flight was absolutely delicious if you're in the mood to experiment. In quintessential Carmel fashion, the spaces to eat were as varied as the menu. Love this place and can't wait to go back to try more food!

Maine squeeze & spider. Both delicious

See all

Nice cold draft Sapporo!

Wave Street Café

The ambiance is beautiful, overlooking the bay and bit of cannery row. Not too many restaurants…read morehave a view this good anywhere. The service was very, very good. You waited for things but not long at all. The food is very good for what this place is. The corned beef is shredded and the flavor is excellent. It is not greasy or wet. My wife asked for poached eggs and they came out perfectly done. The tuna melt was very good as well. The bread seemed house made and had the perfect crunch, the tuna was the show, clearly fresh with not too much mayo. Had a little dill, celery and some tomato. Very nice indeed. Even the onion rings were above average. I certainly will recommend and return

The vibes here are immaculate! The unobstructed ocean view from the patio area can't be beat. The…read moreservice is fast and the menu offers diverse options. It's a calming place to eat breakfast and chill for a minute. The food was also spectacular. The Norwegian Salmon Benedict hit the spot. The Hollandaise stood out in the best of ways. The potatos with a little hot sauce made the perfecting pairing, too. My wife enjoyed her simple-but-scrumptious combo breakfast plate and we walked away full and at peace. I only knock this down to four stars due to the steep prices on the menu and bitterness of the coffee. It needed immense amounts of milk and sugar to be edible and I'm not much of a black coffee snob; I usually drink most anything. Still highly recommend if you're visiting and can splurge on vacation!

Breakfast Burrito with chorizo

Inside

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

See all

the C restaurant + bar

Located inside the Intercontinental The Clement Monterey, the C Restaurant is fabulous. We had…read morebreakfast here the morning of our last day in Monterey, this breakfast was a great farewell. The restaurant itself is relatively upscale for a hotel but has a warm vibe. The Belgian waffle is a must- it's decadent, the berries are fresh and the whipped cream is cloud-like and sweet. The American breakfast was hearty and filling. The bacon was perfectly chewy, salty and cooked. The Yukon potatoes were crispy and had a good level of spice. The eggs were super fluffy as well. The sourdough was warm and the butter was creamy. Our server was extremely kind and was ON IT when it came to refills and making good conversation, super kind and made sure to check on us consistently.

C Restaurant at The Clement -- Great Hotel, Mixed Bag at the Table…read more The Clement is a fantastic hotel. Full stop. But C Restaurant didn't quite live up to the address. Let's start with the wins: the service was genuinely excellent -- attentive, warm, professional. The Old Fashioned was well-crafted, and major props to the bar program for stocking Nochino. That's a detail that signals someone behind the bar actually cares. The food, though? It missed. The fish was overcooked and the presentation felt like an afterthought. For a restaurant at this price point and in this setting, I expected more -- both on the plate and on the plate. You can forgive a lot in a restaurant when everything else sings. But the food is the whole point, and this one didn't deliver. Worth a drink at the bar. Skip dinner and eat somewhere else in Monterey.

The Clement Monterey ~ The Intercontinental Monterey

Chocolate

See all

Sea Harvest

My husband and i looked at places to visit during our Monterey trip this month weeks in advance and…read morewe came across sea harvest. This place is a little hidden gem!! We tried so many different things off the menu and every single thing was delicious! We live 2.5 hours away and already are planing on making the trek back just for sea harvest. Also our 9 year old son said they have the best chicken strips he's ever tried in his life. So if you have a picky eater that doesn't venture from chicken strips and fries, apparently this is also the place lol!

Sea Harvest is a restaurant and fish market. For the restaurant, you order at the counter and get a…read morelittle device when your order is ready for you to pick up at the counter. Super casual, but good, fresh seafood. I had the seafood kabob which had a whitefish, salmon, and a prawn along with onion and bell peppers, served with rice and steamed veggies. All very good. My friend had fried clams, which came with French fries and cole slaw. Unlike New England fried clams, these were in little strips. Not as good as those enjoyed in New England, but still pretty good. All considered, a tasty lunch. They have indoor seating and outdoor seating and parking was easy in their little lot.

Combination plate w/ shrimp, fish, and calamari

Interior

See all

Calamari and chips...my favorite!

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

90 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

George C.

3 years ago

Nestled in the heart of Monterey, California lies one of the best sushi spots you'll ever come across - a haven for those who love fresh fish and artisan-style sushi. This spot has a unique ability to balance between offering world-class sushi and maintaining the small town feel of the area. From the moment you walk in, you'll notice the relaxed ambiance and the friendly staff welcoming you to a truly memorable gastronomic experience. But what really sets this sushi spot apart is the quality of their fish. The chefs here only use the freshest ingredients sourced locally, and it shows in every bite. Their sushi is crafted with precision, and each piece is a masterpiece in its own right. Whether you're a fan of sashimi, nigiri or rolls, you'll find something to delight your senses in their menu. The artisan-style of sushi making is evident in everything they serve. The presentation of their dishes is stunning, and you can tell that they take great pride in their craft. The attention to detail and the careful consideration given to each ingredient is what sets them apart from the competition. Despite the undeniable quality of their sushi, this spot has not lost its small-town charm. The staff is attentive and friendly, and they genuinely care about making sure that you have a great experience. The atmosphere is cozy and unpretentious - you feel at home as soon as you step through the door. In short, this sushi spot in Monterey, California is a must-visit for anyone who loves fresh fish and artisan-style sushi. With their exceptional quality, outstanding presentation, and warm, small-town feel, they are truly one-of-a-kind. read more

Cat L.

18 years ago

I am so disappointed with this place! I heard from a number of people that it was a really great sushi restaurant! Well! Hmmph! I'm no sushi afficionado or anything but I think there are several sushi restaurants that are better than this place! Jugem on Alvarado, Sushi Heaven in Carmel... The sushi seemed bland. No real flavor. Did not seem fresh. The restaurant is always busy - I think this is due to all the people living in New Monterey and not wanting to drive 2 more miles and go through the tunnel. I have been here twice and will not return. The most recent time, I went with a good friend and they brought him someone else's food! Since it was specialty rolls, we really couldn't tell and so he dug in and started eating. Then the waitress (who only spoke Japanese) ran over and grabbed the food out from underneath him. This was shocking enough but when she spilled some of the rice on him, that just made it worse. 20 minutes later (!!!!) when she returned with his correct order, it was missing a few items. And when we got the bill, they overcharged us! Enough! read more

Ricky L.

13 years ago

GREAT FOOD! However, I had an incident on August 10th where our host/greeter tried giving away our wait position to her friends after waiting 45 minutes The host had the nerve to even use my sister's name and lie saying they were my sister's party. My sister then quickly told her that the host's friends were not our party. What made it worse was that cause her friends were a party of 4. Our party of 5 was seated at a table of 4. Our 5th guest decided to ease embarrassment, he would leave for our hotel early. Having put the rough start I ordered the golden California roll and minutes later... I got the wrong order of California rolls... When I did get my order I was extremely satisfied but as I walked home... It irritated me to great lengths as the service was very horrible. It irritated me so much, my very first yelp review is negative and its this location. What makes this a 1/5 and not 0/5 was that the food was edible and delicious. read more

John R.

15 years ago

This place has single handedly changed the way I look at Sushi. I consider myself a sushi connoisseur by all means. Raw fish is to me, what Spinach is to Popeye. Several weeks ago I was Yelping Sushi spots while staying in Pacific Grove and this place came up, so I thought I would give it a try. Unbelievable. We ordered 4 rolls, every one was flawless. This place has some of the freshest fish and most creative sushi rolls I have ever seen. But the thing that really sealed the deal was... the appetizer. A Shitake mushroom stuffed with spicy tuna, then deep fried. This thing has changed my life. Its all I can think about. I've walked by this place at 3am on my way home from a bar and consider breaking in just to make one of these things. Case and point this place is amazing and one of my new go-to spots. Hope you will make the same decision I have and try this place. read more

Janet K.

14 years ago

I have lived in the Monterey area almost all my life & I love Sushi! However, I just recently heard about how good Crystal Fish is.. So when my friend suggested trying it out I was excited. One of my favorite dishes from the Islands is Ahi Poke (Tuna) & just haven't found a place that meets my expectations. Well I ordered the Bento Box & ordered the Chicken Teriyaki, the Fire Cracker Roll & the Ahi Poke. I just Loved the Tuna & the Roll but was not too happy with the chicken teriyaki. They cut the chicken into really small peices which is why it turned out so dry (overcooked). I was craving the Tuna again so went in to try the Bento Box again but this time ordered the Ahi Poke & the Tempura. I was very happy with both dishes this time around. The Tempura was cooked very well & the Tuna was prepared just perfect! I will be back for sure! read more

Shreya M.

5 months ago

I recently dined at Crystal Fish was really impressed by the quality of the sushi and the overall experience. There is a variety of creative rolls on the menu, and the ones we tried were exceptional. The spicy tuna avocado roll, topped with a light, crispy tempura flake, had a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and texture. The salmon roll, with its rich sauce and fresh green onion garnish, was equally memorable--each bite was full of flavor. The toro nigiri, in particular, has a buttery, melt-in-mouth texture! The service was attentive and friendly. The atmosphere was inviting too. Whether you're a sushi enthusiast or just looking for a great dinner spot, Crystal Fish is definitely worth a visit. I look forward to returning soon. read more

Mark J.

9 years ago

This place has the best sushi in town. I always get the special dragon roll and end up ordering too much. The rolls look like something you would see in the movies and magazines. Top notch displays of art is what my one friend referred to it as. The service is hit or miss. Most of the time you don't expect too much out of sushi places, but if you don't keep bugging the staff they will just walk by you and not let you get a table. I've had too many bad instances of waiting for a table to give this place 5 stars. If they fix this then they will get 5 stars. Overall, you can't get better sushi so give this place a try and make sure to get some tuna and ebi. read more

D H.

565

5 years ago

I have loved sushi all my life. This place was the most fresh, best tasting sushi I have ever had. My husband and I were on a short honeymoon up in Monterey for just three days and this place was so delicious, we wanted to go back the next day for lunch again, after having dinner there one night. I had the Cherry Blossom Roll, and he had the Aka-Tombo Roll. We also enjoyed several types of sashimi (squid, eel, salmon, tuna, tamago). It was all mouth-watering, so fresh... just delicious. Service was great. The atmosphere is not the most overwhelming, but for the quality and taste of the food, it is a must-try if you love sushi and you are in Monterey. read more

James C.

15 years ago

A Japanese client of mine took me here for lunch one afternoon recently. I thought the miso soup and sushi were absolutely fantastic. The service was great, and the young Asian girl who took our order was very pleasant and friendly. The menu prices are very reasonable and the grilled salmon and sesame chicken were pretty good as well. Next time though, I think I'll have a Sapporo instead of the hot green tea (which was great) The green tea ice cream was also very tasty. Try this place, it's highly recommended. read more

Robert L.

9 years ago

This restaurant is amazing. Pros: The sushi made here is a very delicately made. The ratio of rice to filling is perfect. They make a combination of flavors that is creative, yet traditional. There are a variety of vegetarian options to choose from, and one of the best is the sweet potato tempura roll. The servers are very attentive, and willing to accommodate dietary requirements. Cons: it can get very busy here in the evenings, so you will want to arrive earlier to avoid wait times. read more

a m.

16 years ago

Came here last Saturday night with my family around 8 o/clock. The place was packed like usual and had to wait a little while for a table. We never mind waiting for a table because the sushi is always worth the wait. Once again it was totally worth the wait the most fresh yummy tasting sushi in Monterey hands down. The service is always very friendly and there new japanese beer on tap is excellent and ice cold. Can't wait till the next time we go out for sushi they never disappoint. read more

Michael C.

15 years ago

I went to this restaraunt and I really loved it because the service was great and the food was excellent. We ordered the California roll, the Alaska roll, and the Monterey roll. I especially liked the Monterey roll because it had tempura in it, which made it have a crunch it. For dessert I got the tempura fried banana with the green tea ice cream, and it was really good. I would definitely come here again, and I will the next time I come to Monterey. read more

Jeff B.

13 years ago

Hands down this is the best sushi restaurant I have ever been to. The fish is always fresh and the dipping sauces are to die for. When I go I always get the Rainbow roll and the "Golden California" roll. The portion sizes are large enough to share and I have never been disappointed. Save room for desert, because the "Tempera Cheese Cake" is magnificent. If you love sushi, this is a must go to restaurant when you visit Monterey, CA. read more

Ronaldo P.

7 years ago

Crystal Fish has been my favorite restaurant since I moved to Monterey in 2015. Never got disappointed. The best chefs and super fresh fish. Only the best quality always. I have been in so many different sushi places and I just can't find a place that is compatible to my expectations after being eating here for so long. Super friendly and family environment. The best sushi in the Monterey County! read more

Sam C.

14 years ago

Love Crystal Fish! The food is great and the sushi is the best I have had in the area. I would not go to another place around here for sushi. Small spot so reservations are a must on a weekend if you want a table. Fear not though, they do take out! However, I recommend just eating there, fresher is better, so take the time to just make some reservations and enjoy. read more

Amy P.

15 years ago

Crystal Fish is by far my favorite sushi joint ever! I go there so often, the sushi chefs all know my likes and dislikes and have my first roll finished before I've even fully decided what I want. To really get the best rolls, let the guys invent one for you. Just tell them what you like or don't like in a roll and let them create a one of kind roll just for you. read more

N M.

121

14 years ago

We had a fantastic lunch here. Excellent lunch specials! Great food and a great value. I overheard the owner speaking to some local regulars about how busy it has been there, that he has had to stop taking weekend dinner reservations. And this is a time when Monterey was very slow with other tourists....Locals like it so you know its the real deal! read more

Kawika K.

15 years ago

Food was something that should be flushed down the toilet. Gross and disgusting. Sashimi wasn't fresh. Sushi had no flavor. Service is slow and poor. Waitress wasn't friendly and seemed grouchy. Noise level is loud. Not worth the money or time of day. Avoid this place if you can. The name of this place should be changed to Rotten Fish. read more

Nicole V.

192

10 years ago

Staff got us in right away. They were quick to take our order and because we were starving brought out some miso soup right away! My partner and I split three rolls, the sexy roll, firecracker, and big Sam roll. Our favorite was the firecracker, lots of avocado. Will definitely return as our casual sushi spot. read more

Lance H.

13 years ago

This is a fine combination of quality food, service and price which dosen't seem to be very common for Japanese food on the Peninsula. Lots of good sushi choices including a fair number of vegetarian ones. Do not leave without trying the green tea ice cream. You won't find any better even in San Francisco. read more

See more unrecommended reviews

Crystal Fish - japanese - Updated July 2026

People who viewed Crystal Fish also viewed

C U Sushi

4.2

(104 reviews)

I had a work event nearby and was looking for something for lunch with my coworkers. I'm not going…read moreto lie, I didn't have the highest expectations stepping into a sushi spot in Carmel ordering a Poké bowl. Consider me surprise because the Poké bowl was super delicious and fresh and the price was more than reasonable. My coworkers also agreed that this was a nice find. I would definitely return here.

Delicious lunchtime meal! I've been here a few times now and it's always amazing and fast and…read moretasty. I usually just order a few different rolls and a miso soup. Zero complaints..from the friendly and quick service to the mouthwatering sushi, it's a 10/10 for me! Highly recommend if you're in the area.

Sushi By The Bay

4.1

(242 reviews)

Food: Wonderful - gyoza, mango mango roll and fried banana…read more Service: Our server Carlos kept us laughing and engaged. Ambiance: smaller place, a converted Mexican restaurant so 6 out of 10. A great time was had by all!

How is this place not busy? I live just down the street and when I crave sushi this is the spot!…read moreEven though there are many other places just further down the street. Good ambiance and amazing service! The price is the price but the sushi is fantastic. Truly enjoyed my experience and dinner. 5 star and a must try for anyone on this side of town!

Pacific Bowls and Rolls

4.1

(181 reviews)

It's HUGE!!! And heavy. 100% value/money…read more Ingredients looked and tasted fresh. As for the taste, much depends on how well you can stack the various options as the ordering was fully customizable.

I stopped by Pacific Bowls & Rolls last weekend while in Big Sur for the Big Sur Marathon. It was…read moreconveniently located near our hotel and my vegan friend suggested it even though it was her first time at a poke spot! I ordered a build-your-own bowl with brown rice, tuna, masago, sweet onion, green onions, ginger, cucumber, spicy mayo, eel sauce, and furikake, along with a California hand roll. The standout for me was definitely the hand roll. It was fresh and really satisfying. If I came back, I'd honestly be tempted to just one or two handrolls. The poke bowl, on the other hand, was a bit underwhelming. The flavors didn't come together the way I had hoped, and it didn't quite hit that fresh, vibrant poke experience I have grown to love. That said, the location is great, especially if you're staying nearby, and the overall vibe is casual and easygoing which makes it perfect for a quick, low-key meal in Big Sur. There are *some* tables and chais but not too many. The place is fairly small. The prices felt fair and it's nice to have options that work for different dietary preferences, especially for my vegan friends!

Bada Kitchen

4.0

(71 reviews)

Hands down best chicken around, if you are considering this place try out the yang yum! I had to…read moremake an account just to leave a review because they deserve it. Comfortable and great service

I went back for the Seaside roll & the salmon lover roll. It's so good. :)…read more The seaside roll was fried shrimp tempura with albacore , lemon and some bright orange sprinkles. It was good . The salmon roll had a lot of salmon. It was also so so good. Yay

Ocean Sushi Deli

3.5

(72 reviews)

4.01.25 We only got the onigiri because we were just passing by town but it was great and VERY well…read morepriced. The service was amazing they were helpful in finding us a snack and they also had blue raspberry hi-chew! It's definitely getting a return visit from me! Edit: I posted this review on the wrong location! I'm glad to say that I came back 07.30.24 and it's still the best (they have so many hi-chew flavors). The service was still super fast!

No inside seating so everything is take-out, much smaller than expected portions for rolls, left…read morehungry and dissatisfied. Note that the food and service is actually pretty good. The MAJOR issue is their rolls are MUCH small than expected, like mini rolls. So we ordered thinking based on the pictures and prices that we would get a normal size roll that just happened to be very expensive, and the cashier/sushi maker never chimed in to inform us it wouldn't be enough for four people. What came out were mini rolls. And everything is takeout because there's no inside seating. Once we sat down to eat, there wasn't enough for us to actually feel satisfied with what we were eating, so we had to buy food somewhere else anyway. IF you choose to eat here, order more sushi than you would expect because once you get to wherever you're going, there is no chance to get a second portion: here in lies the reason this place has a 3.5 star rating. If I'd known there was only takeout sushi at this location, we would not have eaten here because the user experience of this place is abysmal even though the food is pretty good and the cashier/waiter was cordial enough.

Bulgogi House Monterey

4.3

(82 reviews)

Enjoyed a nice dinner here the other day. The owner is cool and welcoming..... a real local…read more Surprisingly affordable for downtown Monterey.

We came here after a disappointing experience at another local restaurant. And lemme tell you that…read morewas the best decision we made that day. We were greeted instantly by the owner Kevin and server Katie. Super kind and funny ppl. They kept us laughing and we all were chatting it up. We ordered the Galbi, pork bowl, spicy chicken, and mandu. All were pretty good. Definitely one of the best service I received when visiting Monterey! I recommend this place to people looking for a comfy meal!

Maido Sushi Cafe

4.6

(80 reviews)

This place is SO CUTE. I stopped in on a holiday when they were slammed (felt so bad) but they…read morestill nailed the order. The sushi selection and quality isn't mind-blowing here, but it's not really the point! This is a sushi CAFE and not a sushi restaurant. Like, emphasis on the cafe part. You don't go to a coffee shop for their sandwiches, but they do usually have some on the menu, right? If you put it in that perspective, this place rocks. :) The hojicha iced latte I got absolutely slapped! I could have drank a gallon of it. So nice and earthy and fresh-tasting! My husband got a butterfly pea flower drink that he said was also really refreshing and lovely. We got some musubi and onigiri along with our sushi and they were pretty solid! I especially was DELIGHTED that not only do they have a little selection of tasty wagashi, but they have my #1 favorite: mitarashi dango!!! And it's the GOOD and tasty brand, not the yucky shirakiku one that most asian markets sell. These cafe owners have hella good taste.

We were greeted with a genuine welcome and a verbal introduction to the menu. Very sweet and the…read moremenu was shown with pride. The food was good. We had to wait quite a while for the food. I got the poke bowl, the fish was fresh and it was visually appealing, I could tell it was put together with care.

Hula's Island Grill

4.2

(3.4k reviews)

Food was ok Service was ok…read more It was around 2 the ambiance was ok only a few people there

Monterey's Fish House

4.0

(3.4k reviews)

•$$$

One of the best seafood restaurants I've ever been to and they offer it oak grilled! Fantastic…read moreoffering, service, commitment to excellence!

Go before they open to get in line or make reservations. They are super efficient and service was…read moregreat. It's not a big place, and yet they still have a great ratio of staff to customers. We got there 30 minutes early and got in line about 20 minutes before 5 PM on a Saturday in July. When they opened we were the second party and there were about 30 people after us. Some had reservations and some were walk-ins like us. Once we sat down we got bread and butter and they took our order. Clam chowder was not thick how we like it. My husband was craving the curry snapper. My son had the holiday pasta. I had a special artichoke seafood pasta. We were all happy with our choices.

Jack's Bao

3.7

(203 reviews)