Our first foray to Max's Grill tonight was special. The service was impeccable. How lovely to be treated like valued guests right out of the gate. It's a cute little place right downtown. Our meals were delicious. I chose the sand dabs which were prepared with a piccata style lemon and caper sauce. Yummy and rich. My mate had the seafood cioppino. His only regret was not saving some of the house made focaccia for sopping up the incredible broth. The fennel flavor was perfect! Max's Grill endures because the quality of the food and the hospitality offered make folks remember why going out to eat is a treat. read more

In the Pacific Grove area and wanting something good to eat, reviews called this French / Asian fusion run by a Japanese family! So curious I had to try it and so glad I did. Delicious! FOOD: tried the crabcake served atop ratatouille. Something different. And delicious! I've had ratatouille twice before and it just wasn't great so I was skeptical. But this was such a good pairing. Also ordered the calamari steak. Never had better. Crispy on the outside but cooked perfectly on the inside. And I mean perfectly! SERVICE: My server was so good! Explained everything and I came away with a deeper appreciation of both the food and the restaurant. COST: Reasonable for what you get and when you factor in taste, quality, and service it felt like a steal! read more

See all

Amazing dinner for 6. I had the salmon with mild butter-white wine sauce...delicious. The short ribs were delicate and flavorful. My brother in law had the cioppino and it was robust and flavorful. The food was amazing and the cost very reasonable for the Monterey area. read more

Hate to give this a good review as we'll have trouble getting a reservation in the future! That said, this place is AWESOME. Food is excellent, service very professional and the ambiance is better that other spots in Pacific Grove. Both our meals were well prepared and very tasty. read more

Absolutely fantastic service. Matt was our waiter and had excellent recommendations. His table service was also amazing. We ordered the Caesar salad to start, Matt was kind enough to bring us a sample of the mushroom bisque to try. It was fantastic and had so much flavor we had to get a cup of it. My girlfriend got the duck and I got the short rib for entrees. Both were excellent! I'm glad Matt steered me towards the short rib instead of the New York. We had to get boxes because both of us were so full. Will definitely be back as we also love the overall feel of the restaurant. read more

Memorable evening. This hidden gem is welcoming and cozy. The staff is very attentive and friendly and helped us with our choices. It was hard to decide with so many great things in the menu but we decided on squash ravioli , chicken piccata , shrimp rolls and mango mousse. The flavors were amazing. read more

Max's Grill - Chicken piccata - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Visited on Saturday evening, we were a party of 4 locals. Yukon, the proprietor, provided cordial, unobtrusive and accurate service to us. We were all pleased with our meals which included the beef shortribs, the duck, and the calamari steak. My calamari was thoroughly panko coated, piping hot, shattering crispy on the exterior and tender within. Looking forward to having it again. The interior of the restaurant has been painted a rosy neutral, the place was so clean with a serene vibe. It got quite busy as the evening progressed. I am looking forward to returning and trying the cioppino. Everything is homemade by the talented chef owner. Max's Grill is easily one of the best restaurants on the Peninsula in our opinion. read more

Nice place, food is all ways great. We enjoy interacting with the waiters and owners. Usually plenty of room for diners and will take reservations. read more

We walked in tonight without a reservation and were seated promptly. Very clean place, white tablecloths and original art in the walls. We shared a spinach salad that was plentiful. I had the sand dabs and my husband had the duck. We both thought the plates were presented beautifully and each entry came with vegetables and roasted potatoes. They bring you fresh bread and butter on little individual plates! We each had a glass of nice Cabernet and at $11/glass it was a real bargain. We were too full for dessert but maybe next time. I think the name doesn't tell you the whole story. You will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of service and food. read more

Had not visited here in 20 plus years. No particular reason as the food was always good...and still is. Probably a result of "so many choices, so little time" when we visit the Peninsula. Mushroom bisque remains, along with a number of other reliably delicious menu choices. We enjoyed a delicious tempura prawn appetizer as well as a tasty blue fin deep fried sushi roll, which was interesting and also very good. Our main courses were fresh Monterey Bay Sanddabs, roast duck and a duck confit ravioli, and short ribs in a wine reduction sauce with scallop potatoes. Each was delicious. Desserts were. Chocolate mousse, Mango mousse, and Creme brûlée. I scored both the food and service (Thank you, Matt) a 10. My one criticism (hopefully constructive) regards the interior. Little inside the restaurant interior has changed in 20 plus years. The interior walls are painted n a dusty pink, which seems more suitable for a little girl's bedroom than an upscale restaurant. Lighting is an afterthought, with patio bulbs strung loosely across one dining room area. Photos and artwork seem to be placed randomly around the restaurant. I doubt there has been much thought given to the impression they make on customers when they walk in. My first impression was "tired". A few of the photos are likely hanging in the same spot as they were 20+ years ago. In fairness to the owners, they have successfully kept his restaurant running serving good food all that time. Nevertheless. their business would very likely be elevated and complemented by brightening the interior and bringing it into the current century. Ambiance, whether created by art work, proper lighting, or good service can elevate a dining experience and impart lasting memories among those who share those moments. . read more

Wonderful little place on a side street in PG! My wife loved the colors and paintings. Our waitress was super cheerful and informative, then we realized she and her husband own the place. Best Cioppino I've ever had, sauce was absolutely amazing, richly flavored, great mouth feel. Shellfish and fish cooked perfect, not overdone at all, though it was obvious the sauce had simmered well. My wife loved her Salmon, she raved about the sauce - might be a perfect beurre blanc, wish I knew more! We dropped by Sunday evening and were seated immediately - the place is so good - make a reservation! read more

Max's Grill - Cioppino - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

See all

Called at 1130 Friday to reserve a table, they had voicemail message only. Left message for a table, same day at 6pm, left name and number. No return message received, called back at 3:30(opens at 4pm) and voicemail answer,I asked if we had a table or not,again left name+number as instructed. Never received a return call or message confirming or not! Went to Fandango's and had a WONDERFUL meal. Poor business practice to disregard messages. read more

This is our go-to place in Pacific Grove for exquisite food. Everything on the menu is excellent! We always start with the Ahi Tuna Roll - it is not to be missed! I love the Short Ribs and the Sand-Dabs or other fish of the day. My husband often chooses the Cioppino. When I want a lighter dinner, the Chicken Caesar salad is great. The wine is very affordable. The ambiance is friendly and engaging; at the same time the tables are far enough apart that it is private and quiet for conversation. The service is excellent. It is also a perfect place for a larger family gathering. We have tried most of the restaurants in Pacific Grove and this is clearly our favorite! read more

From the outside looking in, this little restaurant doesn't look like much. But let me tell you, don't judge a book by its cover...just like Mama said. It is very quaint, maybe a bit dated inside, but the tables are spacious and the servers are wonderful. I believe our server may have been the chef's wife, she was a lovely Japanese woman who made us feel so at home. She didn't bat an eye when we walked in with our 3 year old, rather, she had a booster seat ready for her. (We had made our reservation online and they called to follow up to ask if we needed a booster or high chair. How awesome is that?!) We didn't order any apps but did indulge in the fantastic bread provided to us. It was perfectly crusty on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. I ordered the rack of lamb...medium rare perfection. The sauce is a wonderful brown sauce which goes so well with the mustard crust of the lamb. Hubby got the rib-eye. Perfectly cooked to medium rare. Uncle Keith got the cioppino...he drank every last bit of the sauce, it was that good. Aunt Mere got the chicken piccata. Flavorful without being overbearing and they were great about making sure to accommodate her food allergy of garlic. Dessert, yes. The chocolate mousse cake...so rich but balanced out with the perfect amount of tart raspberries. And the crème brûlée...the perfect crunch of the top and a warm vanilla bean taste on the inside. We're new to the area and look forward to coming back to Max's grill again and again! read more

Max's Grill - Rib Eye Steak - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

See all

We came in late on a slow night and they couldn't have been more lovely!!! I had the sand dabs in a lemon butter sauce with capers that was excellent! My husband had the crab cake on ratatouille which was also delicious. It's a lovely restaurant and I highly recommend it! read more

We eat at this restaurant whenever we're in Pacific Grove and we're never disappointed. If I lived in town, it would be my favorite haunt. This time I had an outstanding cioppino that was made with a delicate, fragrant saffron-tomato broth, plump shrimp and mussels, and cod so tender it melted in my mouth. I'm gluten free but if I weren't I would have sopped up every last bit of that broth with a chunk of their delicious-looking French bread. The waiter was great about answering my gluten free questions, the service was attentive, and the owner checked in with us at the end of the meal. The only reason I didn't give the restaurant five stars is because the restaurant's decor feels a bit tired. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in town. read more

We frequent PG (5-6 times a year) just to get away from the Bay Area eat race. We have amour favorite restaurants and this place just made our top list. It has a quaint family atmosphere and the staff (the lander and a server) were super friendly. Our server Christian was knowledgeable about the menu and answered our questions in detail. For the appetizer, we ordered tempura sand dab and it set the bar very high. It was battered and seasoned perfectly and the fish was flaky and light. I ordered the short ribs and I will have to say that it's one of the BEST meals I've had in the area. The meat literally melts in your mouth and did not have a lot of fat. The vegetables and potato au gratin were cooked perfectly but the sauce was the highlight. It was creamy, had layers of flavors and piping hot. My wife ordered the fresh made ravioli stuffed with porcini and shiitake mushrooms and bri cheese topped with herb butter sauce. She absolutely loved it! If you're in the area and are looking for a great place to eat with the atmosphere to match, then try this place. You won't be disappointed. We will definitely be back! read more

Max's Grill - Short Ribs with potato au gratin! - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

A perfect meal, from the amazing shrimp spring rolls, to the unique squash and mozzarella ravioli, to the perfectly prepared duck. Engaging servers, and charming atmosphere. It reminded us of our recent trip to Paris. read more

Worked with Yuko to plan a post-engagement dinner here and the service was lovely for a party of 20. They helped organize our orders beforehand to make the evening super smooth, and they set aside the left side room for our party. Very intimate and calm environment! As for the food, amazing! I only had the duck and mango moose cake myself and loved it. Some of the best duck I've probably had - super tender - accompanied with delicious dumplings and potatoes. Many of our friends had the short rib, the chicken picatta, cioppino, and the pastas and we only heard positive reviews. Come for an intimate dinner with amazing food, you won't regret! read more

What a great little spot. We were visiting Carmel and wanted somewhere calmer for dinner - taking a walk we saw the big outside dining area (per covid) and walked around to check out the menu. It looked amazing and even though it was still another hour until they opened and we were hungry...(but not hangry) we took a walk and came back when they opened. The gal/hostess is Max's wife and super fun/sweet to chat with. We started with a spinach salad and french onion soup - both very yummy. The broth of the soup was really good, I'd have gone with just a bit more bubbly on the top of the cheese - but very tasty and the right amount of onions. Then I got the crab cakes starter for my meal (perfect amount) and he got sand dabs done the traditional way which were also good. For dessert I crossed my fingers and got my wish, they had creme brulee - it said it was lavender but tasted regular to me - very creamy - like we had in France. Together both Max and his wife were lovely folks which made this a blessed evening and the special occasion we were looking for. Nice family atmosphere and will be back on our next trip. read more

Max's Grill - Was praying they'd have creme brulee for dessert! - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Max's Grill is a jewel of a restaurant with reasonably priced menu. You are warmly welcomed and seated to enjoy great ambience. But it was the food that will bring me back again and again. I was tempted by the rack of lamb and salmon but chose the sand dabs along with mushroom soup that were delicious. Creme Brulee with decaf coffee was a great ending. I highly recommend Max's. David Gomez Carmel by the Sea, CA resident read more

Great food and service. Every dish is of a very high quality and prepared with thought and care. We visit whenever we are in town. The owners are lovely and always say hello and chat. Delicious food and great ambiance for date night. read more

What a fabulous find. Superb service, absolutely delicious food (Max's copping and tender squid steak) and at a very reasonable price.

Fantastic service and food. l'm from NYC and my expectations of food are pretty high and the food was absolutely amazing. Melt in your mouth Ahi Tuna Tempura roll appetizer was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Totally unassuming place, you might miss it, but it should not be missed! read more

We've been coming up to Pacific Grove for years and just recently walked by this restaurant and a gentleman walked by us as we were looking at the menu, and He said,"you need to try this place the food is delicious" as he walked in for an early dinner!! We tried it last night and it was really good! We started with the crab cake and the Ahi Tuna roll! Then I had the Sand Dabs ( I asked for them crispy) and my husband had the Cioppino both very good! We were warmly taken care of by YUKO, the chefs wife! We will go back! Loved our table for two by the window! read more

Really enjoyed our dinner - the service was friendly, the food was good. Nice neighborhood spot.

My husband and I are visiting the area and read reviews before choosing a dinner spot. The restaurant itself is nothing beautiful to look at, and I was a bit worried when we walked in. Looks can be deceiving. Our server Matt was lovely. He discussed the menu, recommended some popular items since it was our first visit, and was just the right amount of attentive. He knew some of the customers by name and helped an elderly couple to their car, parked at the curb. You can't fake genuinely good service, and this place has it. I had the spinach salad and rack of lamb, both were perfection. My husband had the mushroom soup (on Matt's recommendation) and the fettuccine Alfredo; both delicious. It was a wonderful experience. read more

The worst experience I've ever had at a restaurant. When we were ready to order we flagged down a waiter walking by and asked for our waitress and he rudely told us with a very sarcastic tone that she would be with us a mimute. As he continued walking by he said to us, " GO AHEAD AND TRY ME AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS!" There were 8 of us sitting at the table who all heard him say this. We paid for the wine we ordered and left. The owner was completely out of line. We will never go back there again. read more

Surf and turf special And it was fantastic I highly recommend it What's an excellent meal My wife had the grilled salmon and it was delicious also read more

Charming, personable service. White table cloth indoor dining while they ensure you are comfortable and relaxed. They do have an outdoor area in the back of their restaurant great for larger groups of 10-20 people. Food is solid. Go for the classic staples like the soup and ravioli. We talked to one of the servers who was also a sommelier for a local winery. Wine selection is thoughtful and not overbearing. Plenty of parking for dinner as most of the shops around close early. read more

This is a long overdue review for a wonderful restaurant with friendly, attentive staff, incredible food and great menu. Would happily eat here again! read more

Last night, we were both too tired to cook, so opted for takeout. We decided to try a place close to home and ended up ordering from Max's Grill in Pacific Grove (same block as Pavel's, Grove Market). Hubby ordered the braised short rib, I ordered the chicken breast piccata, and we shared the Hawaiian mango mousse cake. Everything was excellent. We ate at Max's pre-Covid and noted what an excellent chef "Max" is. But, in addition, the takeout was packaged well, with the meat and juices sitting in a piece of foil, which kept it warm and from seeping through the paper-based container. The braise ribs were boneless and a good-sized portion, tender and meaty with a hearty sauce/gravy. It came with simply prepared mixed veggies and luscious scalloped potatoes (creamy with just a hint of nutmeg). The chicken breast was moist and tender, in a sauce of white wine and butter with capers and cooked cherry tomatoes. It came with perfectly roasted potatoes and mixed veggies. The mango mousse cake was delicious. It had a lady fingers crust and was light with the perfect amount of mango flavor. I wouldn't have believed a ripe mango could be improved upon, but this came very close. We look forward to exploring other dishes on their menu. read more

Very nice service at a personal level but unfortunately the overall experience was just OK. To start with, the beer selection (that isn't even listed on the menu) is ho-hum at best and with no cocktails to augment, it's wine or nothing. The food was decent but uninspiring and for the price we were a little disappointed. read more

We were looking for something to eat in Pacific Grove with everything in town ( it was a friday night) seemed loaded with people, but Max's grill was less busy than anything we strolled past. We chocked it up to their being located on a side street and it was to our luck of the night as we soon came to realize with our meal choices and service. The wait staff was very friendly, attentive and service was quick. We received fresh bread with dipping oil immediately upon being seated so being the bread lover that I am and a hungry gal I was happy to partake. I ordered the 'Fish of the Day' Salmon with pesto sauce, seasonal veggies and potatoes and my husband the other 'Fish of the Day' special Swordfish that I quickly swapped plates that became my dinner for the night. LOL The Swordfish was cooked to perfection with an absolute delicate matching sauce that melted in my mouth. This dish as the other also came with seasonal veggies and potatoes that were just the right amount and seasoned enough to let the true flavors shine through. My husband and I shared the Garden salad that was perfectly balanced with a house made dressing, drizzled over the freshest greens. I will say this was a wonderful dinner start to finish with my bubbly Prosecco to compliment my dinner wonderfully. Max's Grill is a cozy restaurant that made for a lovely evening with delicious food on our October getaway. Thank you again to the staff and Max's Grill - Happy Yelping Everyone! read more

Food and service 5 Stars. There it is. That's what I'm after in my exquisite home in Monterey Bay. A great meal at a reasonable price, considering yout 1st class chef trained in Paris. A LOT of eateries here serve Tourist Fare that is usually fair, at best. Kids? Quick burger? This isn't it. Fresh bread had a sourdough/malt flavor. Yep. Bread with flavor, oil & vinegar. We started with the crispy shrimp wonton. Not greasy and full of actual shrimp. Sweet and sour chutney scraped clean. Wayne ordered the breaded calamari steak in wine, butter, and capers. He thought a bit too much butter. Next time we'll ask to go lighter. Mine, the special was crabcake on the dinner. It was more crabLOAF. A huge serving of sweet, flaky crab blackened JUST enough to make this my new favorite meal in the Monterey Bay. Both meals aldante veggies and baby potatoes. We left no veggies. I snagged the balanced of crab to enjoy tomorrow. Nearly a hole in the wall, except there aren't any holes in the wall in Pacific Grove. The town is charming, especially festive after Thanksgiving through Christmas. I missed it because the space exterior is simple. Interior clean, white table cloths, tile floor...simple. Exceptional is the greeting by the lovely lady owners smile. She's happy you came, really. She's looking forward to you loving what her husband is about to whip up in the kitchen....and you will. I've lived here for years and never been to this little delight on Forest Avenue in charming Pacific Grove. I'll be back with friends and family time and again. read more

See all

Max is a genius!! The mushroom soup was so delicious I was tempted to lick the bowl! We enjoyed the amazing crab cake which was all crab, the lamb and the salmon, all outstanding! Even though we were full, we HAD to have the dessert to see what Max had in store- we were not disappointed!! read more

Max's Grill - Dessert!! - Seafood Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

We arrived in Monterey on a Thursday evening and were looking on Yelp for dinner when this place came up. It was a few minute drive from where we were staying (love this town) and we conveniently found a parking spot right in front. There were only a few other tables with people sitting but otherwise the restaurant was pretty empty. Very cozy yet clean and classy interior. The restaurant is owned by the chef and his wife (as we saw their picture on the menu and also on the wall). We recognized our server was the owner, she was so sweet and friendly! First asked us for drinks, then recommended a few items. We ordered a side Caesar salad and butternut squash/mozzarella ravioli as appetizers. The salad was perfectly made and the ravioli was to die for. I love butternut squash soup but had never had the ravioli. It was amazing! For our entrees I got the salmon Wellington. I'd never had a Wellington dish before but I thoroughly enjoyed the puff pastry aspect! Also loved the veggies it came with. Fiancé had the Max's Cioppino which he also loved! The owner brought them out one by one and every time asked how each dish tasted. She was so sweet and accommodating! She made us feel like we were at home. Very friendly family owned little place with amazing food. Definitely will come back here in the future! read more

See all

I'm picky about my Sanddabs. Their sandabs have just the whisper of a crispness while still being very tender. White wines chilled to ice-cold. Such a meal. read more

I enjoyed my prix fixe dinner at this small and unassuming family restaurant. I started with Crispy Shrimp Rolls served with a sweet sauce. My entree was grilled Sand Dabs with veggies and potatoes. The best part was dessert, a delicious mini Creme Brulee. read more

See all

Max's Grill offers haute cuisine in a casual setting in Pacific Grove. Linen tablecloths and napkins, subdued lighting, and a quiet ambience make it perfect for a nice dinner for two or, in our case, a party of six. I had the lamb shank which was fall off the bone buttery delicious. Others had the chicken piccatta and loved every bite. The creme brulee was sumptuous. Matthew was our waiter and he was funny, charming, knowledgeable, and very attentive (but not overly so). He made our dinner even better. The wine list is limited, but excellent and reasonably priced. Max's Grill is a real gem. Enjoy! read more