From my mother Mary Claypool Went to the Fishwife in Pacific Grove yesterday 6/5/26 for the first time in many years. The food was excellent and the Cadillac margarita was perfect. And our waiter was superb. read more

Fishwife has been a wonderful gem if you are looking for an intimate and warm place to enjoy local seafood. The service has always been on par. I stopped in for lunch after many years since my last visit and my server remembered me! I ordered their bowl of chowder which came with yummy garlic bread and the fried cod with chips. The cod was so fresh and cooked perfectly! read more

Fishwife - Clam chowder and garlic bread - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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We used to come here often, when the kids were little and loved the aquarium. We were in the area around dinner time and were delighted to see they were still around. (The attached motel, not so much.) Sadly, it wasn't what we remembered at all. Scallops should have a sear on them, but it seemed like these had a drive-by with the pan. Kinda rubbery and sad. Fish and chips were mediocre. The waiter talked up the key lime pie, but it had some weird green goo decoration that tasted funny. We would not return. read more

If you're looking to escape the busy downtown Monterey restaurants, Fishwife in a quieter part of Pacific Grove. The area gets quite dark at night, which adds to that off-the-beaten-path feel. The food is genuinely good and well-prepared, making it worth the detour. That said, as other reviewers have mentioned, portion sizes do run on the smaller side for the price. If you're a lighter eater, though, the portions may feel just right. Overall, it's a nice little getaway spot for a relaxing and low-key dining experience away from the usual crowds. read more

Fishwife - Sign at night - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Excellent! Every dish we ordered were flavorful. But my favorite is the portofino. The noodles for their pasta were like udon but not. Staff were attentive and helpful. read more

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Second time here and the food and service is good. Not my first choice but with a group each time and not the decision maker.

Nice little sea side restaurant with a full Bar! PROs: Excellent views only a few hundreds yards from the ocean. The clam chowder was homemade and high quality. Crab cakes were delicious and I strongly recommend as a starter. The staff was extremely polite and attentive. The food came out super quick. Lots of adult libation options and the kids menu had nice diversity. CONs: Bathroom is a bit small but does what it needs to. No kid changing table though. read more

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Our food was phenomenal!! The chowder was hot and cheesy, a true delight. The fries were not my favorite, seemed frozen, and the ranch wasn't the best either. BUT the coconut shrimp made up for it in leaps and bounds-- plump, succulent, crunchy, and well seasoned. Next time we may order 2. The restaurant itself was darling, stained glass, dark wood, and a fun little fish tank. The service was nice too. I will definitely be making this apart of my rotation. read more

Everything about Fishwife is very homey. The service is at a slower more relaxed pace which allows you to just enjoy your time. The food is pretty good too. Great options and fresh seafood. We ordered: 1/2 dozen oysters - really fresh, no fishy taste, even as someone who doesn't like oysters I enjoyed them Clam chowder: so good!!! Interestingly has a cheesy/parmesan taste Fish and chips combo: not beer battered but still good! Big and well cooked calamari pieces. Alfredo combo: lots of seafood! They don't skimp Burramundi: soft and gentle white fish. Overall good but I would have wanted a different rice, maybe something like a red rice. Grilled halibut: the halibut was cooked great! Not dry at all Key lime pie: first time trying key lime pie, it was pretty good! Not as sour as I hoped but it had a pleasant graham cracker crust with sweet filling. Molten chocolate cake: so good! Very moist and soft cake, that's has a true chocolate flavor read more

Fishwife - Barramundi, Combo & Chips, Alfredo Combo, grilled halibut - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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I guess the last time I was here was during Covid. We decided to give it another try. It's close/walking distance from Asilomar. Reservations are preferred. Service is good. Our waitress was friendly and always checked on us. Inside was nice. They can seat large parties. I remembered the clam chowder being good. It still is. We also ordered: Cobb Salad - beautifully plated. Loved the fresh avocado on top and the colored hard boiled egg. It's magenta! Lol. The salad was good. Fish & Chips - they ran out of cod so we had the choice between sole (for $2 more) or tilapia. My hubby opted for the sole. It was really good. Nice crispy texture. When having fish and chips, malt vinegar should be offered right away! There's no other way to eat it. Marinara Pasta - it was okay. The sauce was okay. Al Pesto - Decent. Alfredo with Prawns - My son thoroughly enjoyed it. That said, Fishwife is a good place to go for seafood. Not for pasta. Pico de Gallo on top of Italian cuisine just isn't right. We ended our meal with the key lime pie. That was pretty good! read more

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My husband and I stopped by for lunch in November and had a wonderful meal, so when we returned to Monterey in March, we had to go back. First let me start by discussing the service. Gabriel was our waiter. He has years of experience at this restaurant and he makes the dining experience amazing. He is efficient about seating diners, offers excellent recommendations, and makes sure drinks are refilled. He was a warm smile and inviting demeanor. Fishwife is lucky to have him there! I have always loved every meal I have ordered here from fettuccini and calamari steak to the blackened cod sandwich I ordered this time. The fish is fresh and seasoned to perfection. The toppings on sandwich give it an extra boost of flavor. The fries are crisp and the mango iced tea is delicious! My husband ordered the same meal and also raved about how good it was. The restaurant is airy and colorful with Mexican folk art and aquariums of beautiful fish. There is a reason this restaurant has stood the test of time! My whole family comes here to dine whenever they are in Monterey. Try it if you haven't already! read more

Fishwife - Blackened cod sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Fishwife is a fantastic choice for seafood near Asilomar Beach, boasting a lively atmosphere and unique flavors. The seafood is notably fresh and prepared with a distinct, flavorful accent that makes for a truly memorable meal. Whether you go for the fresh catches of the day or one of their house specialties, the quality and taste really shine through. The dining room can get quite busy, and while the staff is friendly, service can occasionally feel a bit rushed when they are packed. If you're dining with a group, here is a crucial tip that will save you some hassle: PRO TIP: If you are with friends or family and need separate checks, your experience will be much smoother if you sit at the bar area. The standard dining room policy for splitting bills can be very rigid, but the bar staff is generally more accommodating with individual tabs. Overall, the vibrant atmosphere and delicious, distinctive cuisine make this a strong four-star favorite for locals and visitors alike. Just remember to plan your seating if you need to pay separately! read more

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My brother and I had a great meal at The Fishwife! We ended up going on valentines night. They were full of reservations, but able to give us a table outside! The seafood was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Everything tasted high quality and homemade. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, and the staff was friendly but could have been more attentive. I would believe this is because it was so busy. Such a solid spot for seafood in Monterey and definitely worth stopping by. read more

Fishwife - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

This place was our first meal out on our vacation and it was great. We had a nice seat by the end of the bar area with a view of the whole place. There were a number of guests at Thursday lunch which hinted at the quality. We were not disappointed! I had the Sand Dab special and my wife had the calamari steak. Each dish was expertly prepared and delicious. The motel like structure that the restaurant is at the front of was under reconstruction so we had to park on the busy street but that was a small bother for such a good restaurant. I highly recommend it. read more

Wow what a great find! The food here was excellent, the environment is casual and comfortable. Great family owned business. read more

We shared with the server the nut allergies we had and ordered food that does not list any nuts in ingredients. Minutes after eating we had a severe nut reaction the prompted a trip to nearby hospital ER and hundreds of dollars bill. read more

This was the first time coming here, it was outstanding! I would definitely recommend this place and I will be going back when I'm in town. read more

Fishwife - This is calamari that is done abalone style. Seems like most meals come with white rice steamed veggies and black beans. - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

We came by for a family dinner and were fortunately able to be seated without a reservation. It's a tight, cozy restaurant and was quite busy on a Friday evening. The restaurant provides coloring pages and crayons for kids if you have any in your party. Clam Chowder| $13 Homemade with cream, potatoes, onions, and clams. YUMM. Fishwife certainly has a delicious clam chowder!! This was my favorite part of our meal. The soup is very cream heavy and decadent. The clams and tender without being chewy. I really enjoyed this dish and would get it again. Baja Bowl | $30 Includes a medley of shrimp, scallops, snow crab sauteed in lobster sauce. The lobster sauce was very tomato centric and ended up being spicy, much to my chagrin. I'm not very good with spicy food unfortunately. The bowl comes with rice, beans, and veggies. Overall, a nice option for a meal if you are in the area. Would recommend trying the clam chowder! read more

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I don't understand why the reviews are good for this place nor why they are as busy as they are. I tried Fishwife after having driven by it several times and seeing all the cars parked in front. That, coupled with the 4ish star rating here on Yelp got me to book a dinner reservation. The inside of this place feels old and dingy (kinda like many restaurants you'd see on Kitchen Nightmares). The disgusting fish tank in the front should've been a red flag and indication of things to come. First, my beer was flat. I generally don't send things back unless there's something seriously wrong, so I just drank my flat beer. Next, our calamari appetizer hit the table. While the menu mentioned there's no legs, I wasn't expecting those gross thick sticks of calamari. It was rather bland and certainly tasted like frozen, pre-breaded garbage. I tried to spice things up with their Fishwife-branded habanero sauce, but the sauce had no flavor outside of straight spice. The dip that accompanied the calamari was the special sauce you'd get on a burger/Big Mac. It also came out suspiciously fast as if they have a tray in the back sitting under a heat lamp. I really wanted to get up and leave at this point for fear of what was to come. The kids fish and chips looked just as sad as the calamari. Along with the Ore Ida looking French fries. Kids deserve better than a TV dinner even if it's at a lower price ($12). The halibut that was one of the dinner specials was very thin, overcooked, and drowning in some cream sauce. The mixed veggies didn't look very fresh and were unpleasantly crunchy. Not the worst thing I've eaten but very disappointing for a $40 dish. The portofino was an abomination. The description on the menu was along the lines of a fresh fettuccine pasta dish with tomato sauce and mixed seafood. However, it turned out to be something resembling the worst cioppino I've ever had. The fettuccine itself looked more like udon in shape but had the texture of the noodles in Campbell's chicken noodle soup. For some reason, they thought it was a good idea to top this dish with pico de gallo and poor quality Parmesan (not Parmesan reggiano, but whatever Belgioso Parmesan is). All the shellfish in this dish was rubbery from being overcooked. The salmon was not overcooked but swimming in whatever yuck sauce that adorned this dish. I really don't get it. I'd maybe kinda sorta understand the positive reviews and the restaurant full of diners if their price point was lower, but it's not cheap to eat here. And even if it was cheap, I'd still be very disappointed by the quality of food. read more

Fishwife - Lots of barnacles on the mussels - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Wow Fishwife was so good! Super friendly/fast service. What we ordered: - Alfredo Combo pasta - Portofini pasta - Calamari Both these pasta dishes were unreal. Both pastas were loaded with seafood and super flavorful. The calamari was also perfectly deep fried. Everything came out piping hot. Their house habanero sauce was delish too. Had to buy a bottle when we were done. We will definitely come back to Fishwife again -- good high quality food. read more

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The last time we came to Fishwife for lunch was around 2020. My wife and I stopped in on Saturday because we were craving of all things---fish. Inside or outside seating is available; we chose to eat outside under one of their many tables that have umbrellas because that allowed us to have our dog with us. The restroom is unisex and very small, almost tiny but clean. Service was good with just the right amount of attention paid to our needs. My wife ordered the halibut and she commented that it was prepared well and tasted very good. I opted for the Asian ginger sesame salad and it was most excellent; light, bright, crunchy and fresh with just the right amount of ginger sweetness. To go along with my salad there was a special on the menu - deep fried oysters. Interesting is what I thought, and oh boy did I ever make the correct choice. The oysters were encased in a crunchy batter and surrounded in a delicious habanero sauce. They were a pièce de résistance. To put it another way, the oysters were decadence on a plate. This delicacy should be placed on the regular menu, I highly recommend them. read more

We just moved to PG part time, and we heard so many good things about Fishwife, we just had to give it a try.... And it didn't disappoint! We loved the relaxed, beachy atmosphere and the super friendly service. The food was all perfectly prepared with large portions. Try the special pumpkin cheesecake! Also, I loved the lobster ravioli in the special! read more

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Maurice is our favorite server and always welcoming. Calamari is THE BEST calamari you will ever have, with delicious pink sauce. We split chicken Alfredo and salmon primavera. Plenty of portions to share each dish. We eat here every time we are in town and I highly recommend it. read more

Fishwife - Calamari appetizers - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Great restaurant! Salad and entree absolutely delicious! Dessert great too! Service was also great! I highly recommend Fishwife! read more

Beware, overpriced just ok food. i paid $30 for what was called "fish and chips" soft freezer fries and 3 small pieces of rockfish fried in a cornmeal batter. That's not fish and chips. Awful. read more

Nice place to get a meal. Excellent service. Enjoyed the seafood quesadilla- tons of shellfish and flavor. Only downside was paying a credit card surcharge of 3% when the bill arrived. I thought this wasn't permitted by the credit card companies? It's clearly stated on their bill photo which I included. read more

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Jesus is wonderful. He took the time to call me back when our call was dropped for the reservation . The food and service was good but "Jesus" was the shining star tonight a Fish Wife. read more

Had my 1st crab dinner of the season and it was delicious. No waiting. The wait staff was very professional and engaging. read more

Fishwife - Whole crab dinner - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

We had a great meal and service. Food is fresh. Very casual place. There is no view. Prices are reasonable. Locals go here! read more

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Very average food at best. We must have ordered the wrong items as our food was definitely not the 4-5 stars everyone else seems to give this place. However, looking around the restaurant at the various patrons during the dinner hour, it seemed clear to us that this place is frequented by long-time locals, so there might be a bit of bias with some of the reviews...? :) That said - the service was very prompt and friendly. The clam chowder was the best tasting item we ordered, despite having very few clams. It was lacking a bit of flavor, but we added some of the Fishwife habanaro sauce to it and that seemed to add just the right amount of extra flavor. The fish in the fish and chips were very thin pieces and were battered in panko (which is way too thick of a batter for fish and chips to start with - and especially with such thin pieces of fish) - and were also overdone. Due to the thick batter and thin slices of fish, it ended up tasting like nothing more than fried panko batter slices. The fries were also uninspiring and look like they came out of a freezer bag. We also ordered the Hawaiian bowl. The mahi mahi was prepared well, but the black beans and salsa seemed out of place for a Hawaiian bowl - and the flavors of the black beans and pico were definitely in conflict with the sweet ginger dressing flavors. A little creativity to distinguish between the different bowls would have gone a long way (e.g. adding macadamia nuts or seaweed salad to the Hawaiian bowl and not including Mexican-themed black beans and salsa with every single bowl, etc.). read more

Fishwife - Overly breaded fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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We hosted a reception here for a colleague who was about to retire. We chose this for its proximity to Asilomar (a 5-minute walk). The drinks were good, the food ok. Vibe was very casual. The indoor space was a little tight for ~20 of us, so we went outside. There was more space, but we just had a few tables with nothing separating us from the other diners; they definitely could not help but overhear our speeches and toasts. My Fishwife Mule drink was pretty good. I was not impressed by the appetizers we ordered - the Mozzarella sticks and Crab cakes were quite dry. I tried some fries from another dish; they were cut large like potato wedges but were also dry. I didn't try an entrees. read more

This place is a small family, casual spot with great food. We were served with kindness and they were very attentive. read more

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We've been coming here for years but haven't been in a while. Not sure if there was a change in ownership but I remember there used to be lots of bowls which we thought were great, but they seemed to have veered away from that. We ordered one fish and chips, a salad and 2 ice teas for lunch and paid around $80. It was okay, but will be looking elsewhere next time. read more

Local casual restaurant that has been around for some time in Pacific Grove in which I observed the majority of guests at 7 pm were Locals from the surrounding Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel area. No frills dining room with straightforward waiters and numerous choices on the menu to choose from. Pictured are the Cobb salad with some hearty pieces of chicken breast and my Alfredo fettuccine with prawns. As others have written they charge 3% when you pay by credit card. Food that we had overall was a 3 with service by our waiter a 5. read more

Fishwife - Cobb salad with pieces of chicken breast - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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We live locally and consider Fishwife a treat. Went out for a special occasion. Everything was nice, except for 2 things. The portions for fish and chips struck me as small. For $20 I would expect what used to be considered an average-sized portion. But it wasn't. It was smaller than what you used to get. The only rude surprise of the evening came at the end. We are a family of five, not rich, and there was an automatic 20% service fee applied to the bill for a "large group". I do not consider 5 people a large group. They took our order, brought drinks and food, and cleared the dishes at the end. Nothing heroic, no great demands placed on the waiting staff, who were very nice and did a good job. And yet 20% automatically. That said, the clam chowder was good, although, as noted by someone else, there weren't many clams in it. But the flavor was good, and the fresh vegetables in it (celery? leeks?) were excellent. So I am conflicted. The food is good. The atmosphere is nice. But calling a family of 5 a "large group" seems like an abuse of large group policies, taking advantage of the clientele. Go if you're a family of 4; know what you're getting yourself into if you're a family of 5. I couldn't find their tipping policy anywhere on their website. I'm not a restauranteur, but I would think businesses would want to bring 5 people in, not discourage it. If/when we go back, it won't be as a family, alas. read more

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Stopped by Fishwife for a belated birthday lunch for my dad while visiting from out of state, and it couldn't have been more perfect. We were meeting my parents and niece, and this little spot felt like such a warm welcome home. We started with the calamari, and let me tell you... it was exquisite. The steak-style cut was perfectly cooked... tender, not oily, with a crisp exterior that made every bite perfect. Then came the Tostarita appetizer, and WOW... It was like a mini tostada piled high with fresh crab cake... flavorful, fresh, and honestly hard to put into words. Just so good. My dad and I both ordered clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, and we were in love. The chowder was fresh and comforting, and the toasty, soft sourdough was next-level good. Our server was amazing... so attentive and welcoming. He even brought my dad a birthday key lime dessert and sang to him, which made the moment extra special. As someone who lives in Texas now, this was such a treat. It felt so good to be home and to enjoy a lovely meal at a charming, top-notch restaurant like Fishwife. The food, the service, the atmosphere... all 10/10. Can't wait to come back next time I'm in town! read more

Fishwife - Crab Tostaritos - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Stopped by this place during a work trip to the Monterey peninsula. We heard this was the place to go, and were excited to get in without much of a wait. The ambiance is jovial with an ocean sea glass motif and beautiful blue walls that make even the foggiest grey day seem bright. Service was a little slow for early in the dinner shift. We waited a little longer than I would have preferred for our meals. On a positive note, this added to the relaxing ambiance of the eatery, giving us time to not rush, and to enjoy the company of those eating with us. My food was not terrible, but not great. I ordered clam chowder in a cup and the Ensenada bowl. I felt that both were overpriced. The clam chowder was under seasoned, with the cream being the strongest flavor. I prefer clam chowder with a stronger clam and celery flavor coming through...but to each their own. I will say though-that my colleague who prefers more bland flavors thought this chowder was divine! The seafood items in the Ensenada bowl were also either under seasoned or overcooked. From the look of other reviews, I may have gone on an off night. Most other people seem to think their food is pretty amazing. Last note-not factored into my rating-parking is pretty tight with some people having to park across the street. Be safe if you park across the street as the cars don't always stop for pedestrians. Heading back to my car after the meal, I saw a couple narrowly miss getting hit. read more

My husband ordered the surf & turf and I ordered the sole with lemon caper sauce. The food and service was excellent, Maurice went out of his way to make our meal extra special. It was a nice and quiet place to eat. We stop here every time we visit Pacific Grove. We especially enjoy the clam chowder. We think its the best in Monterey Bay area. read more

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We waited over a half hour despite reservations. The food was terrible. Frozen French fries, overcooked fried oysters. All for quite high prices for lunch. read more

We were highly recommend to come here, but were not impressed. The food is bland with little to no seasoning, the clam chowder bowl was more bread and again not very flavorful. For the price, it was not comparable to the taste. The service is nice and accommodating, but flavor is not there. I will not be returning. read more

Fishwife - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California