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    Lighthouse Bistro

    4.7 (129 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    LIGHTHOUSE BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    John H.

    Lighthouse Bistro was an unforgettable experience for us! We stopped by after walking around Canary Row. First off, the ambiance was very nice. The restaurant was clean and we were greeted kindly upon entering. The food was amazing! We tried the fried artichokes and crab cakes first. They were both delicious! The crab cakes were NOT CANNED! It tasted delicious and had one of the best seasoning combinations I've had in a while! I had fish and chips. It was the second best fish I've had in the US. It was the juiciest, flakiest fried fish I've had in a LONG time! It was one of the best experiences we've had since the service was great and the food was some of the best I've had in Monterey!

    Pasta with clams
    Maria O.

    This unassuming place is on a busy street near Cannery Row. There's parking on the street and we found a parking spot right in front of the restaurant. We arrived around 5 pm on a Wednesday and were seated right away. It's a small restaurant so it's good to keep this in mind if you have a large group. It took a minute to get menus and our drink order in but we weren't in any hurry. Staff were friendly and the area was very clean. I ordered the linguine with clams, which was an excellent choice. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the clams were delicious. There's a variety of dishes to choose from so it would be a great choice for anyone looking for a good meal.

    It's not often you find Lebanese beer.
    James S.

    We stopped in for lunch on a Friday while visiting town. The place was quiet but the owner was attentive and our food came out quickly. The beef gyro was fantastic, one of the best I've ever had. The inside is nice, so don't be discouraged by the older look of the exterior of the building. If I had more time in town, I would've returned for another meal.

    CHICKEN ALFREDO
    Jose G.

    Food is really good! Just passed by and saw this online and decided to try it out! Recommend this little place to anyone visiting!

    Restaurant interior
    Joseph L.

    After a full morning exploring near the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we were running on empty when my daughter found Lighthouse Bistro just a couple of blocks away--and it could not have been a better discovery. From the outside, it's unassuming with a bit of sidewalk seating, but step inside and it completely transforms. Crisp white tablecloths, each topped with a single flower--simple, elegant, and welcoming. You immediately get the sense that care goes into everything here. The menu is described as "Global Cuisine," and it absolutely delivers. * The Roasted Beet Salad with Chicken was outstanding. My daughter took a the owners dressing recommendation --He assured her he'd redo the dish if it wasn't perfect. * The Caprese appetizer with heirloom tomatoes and balsamic was fresh and beautifully balanced. * The Nepalese dumplings (we chose chicken). Easily some of the best I've ever had. The dipping sauce--bright, herbaceous, likely cilantro-based--was next level. Truly unforgettable. Ralph was present, engaged, and genuinely invested in the experience. It shows in both the food and the atmosphere.

    Pomegranate Chicken
    Oren H.

    What a freaking gem. The wiener of this place is a special soul with a heart of gold. I read some reviews and wanted to eat there but I noticed I would be arriving close to closing but closing was at 8 pm so I called to make sure it was correct and the owner Ralph answered. I asked if they close at 8 and he said yes they do and asked what time I would be arriving. I said it would be right around that time so I will come another time. He insisted for me to come and he would stay open and that is exactly what he did and was so happy to do it. Then I asked for his recommendation. He gave me a few option one of which was the Pomegranate chicken. I ordered that and the crab ravioli because why not. He stayed for me let's splurge. Both were delicious. The table across from me could not stop raving about their food either. So great to have good food and amazing kind and friendly service. Great atmosphere all around. I will definitely be back when I am down there again.

    Crab ravioli, the one bite I got was delicious.
    David A.

    Do yourself a favor: eat here. Last night's dinner got a long five start review on Google. Today is lunch .. we came right back formore. Eating here makes me want to have a foodie's terminology. My lamb skewers we cooked to perfection, medium leaning medium well. Tender, flavorful. Steamed carrots and broccoli lightly seasoned, with flawless rice. International flavors, delicate and diverse. The people working here love their work which is such a nice thing to find. They take interest only owners can, genuinely caring about the experience for their guests. Worth every penny. Then, baklava: not too sweet, starts with one set of flavors and finishes with other delicious flavors. Beautiful white tablecloths under clean glass.

    Went here again with my parents. Lovely homemade food and warm atmosphere. Try the dumplings, baba ghanoush, and fattoush salad. It's our comfort food place when we visit.

    Salmon, rice and vegetables.

    Great little restaurant on the Main Street. Lots of free street parking. Good food and excellent variety on the menu. Friendly staff. Good atmosphere.

    Laura M.

    A hidden gem! The food was delicious and the service was amazing in every way. They don't even serve breakfast on weekdays, but insisted on letting us order from the breakfast menu because the kids wanted it. We were so appreciative! Seriously, the food was incredible. We ordered: chicken and waffles, French toast, lighthouse burger, and hummus with handmade pita bread. Yummy!! Our server was so nice and attentive and lovely. The ambiance is adorable and the music is great tokWe loved this restaurant and will be back for sure! Thank you, Lighthouse Bistro!!!

    2 Eggs Any Style
    Lindsay C.

    Nice restaurant, amazing staff and good food! My friends and I found this bistro after we couldn't get in at the wave street cafe. I got the 2 eggs any style and thought it was really good, it was a solid breakfast. My two friends went with got the Belgium waffles and said they were ok and compared it to a complementary hotel breakfast waffle but it was really small. Paying 18$ for one waffle with a few berries is crazy. This place is definitely not known for their breakfast but I will go back on day and give lunch a try.

    Joyce T.

    Came here with a group of 6 on Thursday evening. For starters we had hummus, fried artichoke, calamari and baba ghanough, all were good. We shared vegan pasta and grilled salmon, they were so nice to split into two plates for us. We also had a cheese pizza. The entree were all great. We were told that the restaurant was newly opened and have a quick chat with the passionate owner. A little surprise from the restaurant- baklava home made by the owner's wife, it's great and not too sweet like the normal one. We have a great time.

    Chicken Alfredo
    Andrew B.

    I'm so glad we have this modern restaurant in our neck of the woods. It's beautiful designed to be elegant, we felt like we were in Italy with the music and the interior feel. The owner well very kind and provided great detail in the specials and proposed the chicken momos on the rainy cold day. Best momo's I've ever had. Not even kidding. The food here is amazing. My wife opted for the sand dabs and I the chicken Alfredo. I'm again not even kidding both dishes were amazing and full of flavor. This is what Monterey was missing, a place that actually has flavor in there dishes. We will definitely be returning and plan on spreading the word of this amazing restaurant.

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    2 months ago

    Excellent attentive service, and the best calamari I've ever had. Would recommend, only wish I had room for the baklava dessert!

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    14 days ago

    Food was bland. Needed more seasoning. No ambiance. Service was good. I won't be going back. Nor would I recommend the restaurant.

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    17 days ago

    The alfredo and salmon were so delicious! I love a good garlic bread too. The service was great as well!

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    Lalla Grill Oceanside

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    Lala Grill in Monterey is the place to be if you want to turn a meal into a memorable fiesta! We…read morerolled in with a crew of 25 hungry folks, and let me tell you, we made quite the entrance. I wish I'd taken more pictures, but I was too busy trying to keep my eyes off the delicious food that was about to land on our table. Now, let's talk about the wait for our food--it felt like watching paint dry, but in the best way possible. Seriously, our stomachs were growling louder than a rock concert! But if the long wait had a soundtrack, it was the sound of our group "Dugging" (yes, you read that right!). Everyone was so excited that we could have been mistaken for a bunch of starving lions ready to pounce on a buffet. And when the food finally arrived? Oh boy, it was like the heavens opened up and dropped down a feast fit for royalty! High-fives all around! The flavors were so good, I almost forgot my name. The cioppino Flawless. The steak A masterpiece. I think I even saw some of my friends weeping tears of joy between bites. In conclusion, if you're in Monterey and want to experience a meal that will leave your taste buds dancing, head over to Lala Grill. Just be prepared to wait a bit--because good things come to those who wait, and trust me, this is worth every second. Bravo, Lala Grill! You've earned yourself a standing ovation!

    My husband and I spontaneously decided to spend the night in Monterey for our anniversary. We came…read moreto Lalla Grill for dinner around 7:30pm on Sunday evening and were sat at a window facing the ocean with the sunset. Our server Serena was incredible as soon as she greeted us. She was very sweet, helpful and kind. Her attentiveness was appreciated as a she checked in with us often and consistently refilled our waters as need, which we love. She offered a delicious recommendation for my cocktail (Poblano Margarita) and allowed my husband to taste 2 different beers before deciding which one he wanted. My husband got the Argentine Steak and I got the Steak Frites, both were delicious! We had planned to go to Ghirardelli for dessert but Serena made our time here so enjoyable we stayed here for dessert. We got the chocolate lava cake and Serena even wrote us a special note for our anniversary! Serena made our anniversary dinner so fun and memorable with her exceptional service and fun personality. This is my first ever Yelp review and I just had to write one specifically for the amazing service we received from Serena!

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    Chart House

    Chart House

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    (1.9k reviews)
    0.2 mi
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    Visited Chart House for dinner while visiting the area and it was a good experience. We made a…read morereservation last-minute, and requested a seat by the window. We checked in a few minutes early and were told that we would need to wait a little longer for a table with a view. The host that checked us in was very kind and friendly, although I didn't catch her name. The restaurant was surprisingly not super busy for a Friday night although several tables were occupied. It wasn't our first time dining at this restaurant. Service was friendly, but a bit slow. I'm not sure if they were understaffed, but I expected our server to check in more frequently and it took a while to get our check. The dinner menu has several options for entrees and appetizers. We opted to share a crunchy coconut shrimp dish and order separate entrees (salmon & chicken). We also ordered a side of sizzling mushrooms and a hot chocolate lava cake. The coconut shrimp dish was alright, I liked the dipping sauces that were included. But the quantity of shrimp was lackluster and the coconut breading was crispier than expected. The sous vide roasted chicken was good, and the portions were reasonable. I liked the mashed potatoes and the chicken was cooked well, a bit bland but the gravy/sauce helped. They also included 2 pieces of asparagus, which was okay, but one piece was mostly burnt and I was not a fan. The salmon was tasty although the fillet had some tiny bones which needed to be removed. Both dishes lacked a bit of salt and pepper. The sizzling mushrooms were tasty although I thought the portion was too small for $10. We finished our meal with a hot chocolate lava cake which was warm and comforting. The vanilla ice cream and pieces of heath bar crunch were good. It was a bit too sweet, so we couldn't finish it, but enjoyed the dessert for the most part. Our dinner was under $150 after tax and tip, but a bit pricier than expected. It may make sense to order the $61 set meal which includes a starter (soup or salad), an entree, and a mini lava cake. Overall, a mostly good dining experience and the ocean views make the experience worthwhile.

    I rarely leave negative reviews, but after dining at Chart House in Monterey on Sunday, I felt…read morecompelled to share our experience. When we arrived, I asked our waiter about the calamari. He recommended it and said it was one of their popular appetizers. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the worst calamari dishes I've ever had. The plate was filled with fried batter crumbs, soggy strips of vegetables, and a few fried carrot pieces, with very little actual calamari. What calamari was there was extremely chewy--so much so that my daughter actually choked on a piece. It also wasn't properly coated. It looked like everything had simply been dumped into one large bowl of batter, causing all the pieces to stick together before being thrown into the fryer. I've worked in the seafood industry for over 20 years, and this was honestly some of the worst calamari I've ever been served. The prime rib sandwich was equally disappointing. It resembled thin-sliced deli roast beef rather than freshly carved prime rib. The bread tasted stale even after being toasted, the onions were burnt, and the fries were golden brown but soggy, almost as if they had been refried. The fish tacos were another letdown. My wife only managed to eat one. The fish appeared to be a low-quality, sustainable white fish that looked and tasted like tilapia. For a restaurant sitting on the Pacific Ocean, I expected fresh local seafood--not something that tasted frozen and generic. The seasoning was little more than paprika and coarse black pepper, while the salsa consisted of chopped tomatoes and onions with almost no flavor. The cabbage garnish also tasted old and wilted. The avocado toast initially looked promising, but even that was disappointing because the thin multigrain bread tasted stale before it was toasted. What surprised me just as much as the food was the service. Throughout our meal, no one stopped by to ask how everything was or whether we were enjoying our food. I understand restaurants can be short-staffed, and our waiter was also tending the bar, but checking on guests is a basic part of dining service. When he finally returned, it wasn't to ask about our meal--it was to hand us the bill and tell us about the rewards program. I then had to track him down at the bar just to pay. The building itself is beautiful, and the waterfront location is hard to beat. Unfortunately, the food simply doesn't match the setting. From the seafood to the meat, nearly everything we ordered was below expectations. In my opinion, this restaurant survives largely because of its location and the steady stream of tourists. There are much better places to eat in Monterey. I left extremely disappointed and will be sharing my experience on other review platforms as well.

    Photos
    Herb Roasted Prime Rib
    Herb Roasted Prime Rib
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