I had a great experience at Fisherman's Grotto. The food was fresh and flavorful, and the atmosphere was pleasant with a classic Fisherman's Wharf vibe. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcomed throughout our meal. The portions were perfect and everything arrived hot, fresh and well prepared. If you're looking for a relaxing seafood dinner with great service this is definitely worth a visit! I would happily come back again. read more

"A place by the sea, Like the banquets halls Of long time yore, The Grotto shines; The place to be!" José Alejandro Morán read more

I Ate here for lunch with the family. We had fish and chips and clam chowder. First we had to request 2 new plates, first ones were dirty. The clam chowder was fine, not great but did have good chunks of clam. The fish was over fried so a little dry. Over all, just mediocre. read more

Hands down, my favorite clam chowder in Monterey! I tried 3 different clam chowders on our weekend trip, and Old Fisherman's Grotto was by far our favorite (my husband agreed too since I let him try all of them). Old Fisherman's Grotto is located in the middle of Fisherman's wharf. I think we happened to go right when it opened for lunch since it was pretty empty. They seated us by the window, with a nice view of the bay. The staff was friendly and attentive, which was greatly appreciated. My husband ordered the fish and chips, I ordered their clam chowder with the garlic bread bowl. The garlic bread bowl was a bit messy - probably not the best to eat on a date since the crumbs flew everywhere, but it was so tasty with the chowder! Husband thought that the fish and chips were ok - I think he thought it would be more beer battered instead of panko crusted like. The restaurant filled up by the time we were about to leave - there were people waiting to be seated too! I'd go early or make a reservation if possible. read more

Service was very friendly, but as a solo diner I was seated next to a couple tables of kids climbing all over -- small inconvenience but not ideal for the upscale vibe they're going for. Food and drinks were okay at best. The $20 "top shelf" margarita was just sour mix in a tall glass (ABSOLUTE RED FLAG) -- no agave, no fresh lime, not worth it and not a real margarita just sugar water. The $58 halibut special was oddly flavored (sweet, balsamic, horseradish) with nothing else standing out, and the calamari was floppy with sauce that tasted like it was about to turn. Bread was genuinely good, though. Hope the other menu options are better but honestly, skip the sit-down menu -- grab clam chowder from the outside window and save your money. read more

Nice dinner and evening at Old Fisherman's Grotto. Really enjoyed the ambience and service. We were provided a prime table spot with a nice view. (Always helps to reserve for a "special occasion") Our hotel provided us a free appetizer so we took advantage. Went with half calamari and half grilled artichokes to sample. Both were great. Really enjoyed each aioli, tartar and cocktail sauces that came out. Obviously all house made. Entrees we had ultimate seafood risotto and halibut with prawns. Lots of yummy seafood on each. Halibut was a nice filet and that crust was fiiiiiire. Veggies and sweet potato were cooked well. Dessert was a wonderful cheesecake. I could t finish it but I definitely tried. Nice spot for a meal. read more

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This has been my favorite spot for clam chowder since I was a kid. I always buy clam chowder each time we visit the wharf. Which is quite often! On my most recent visit one of my best friends and I had a girls getaway to Monterey and decided we were going to have dinner here. We sat upstairs and ended up ordering appetizers as we had stuffed ourselves on a rambles earlier in the day our server Juan was wonderful and was spot on when recommending us to buy the whole bottle instead of our two glasses of wine. We ordered clam chowder, fried calamari, shrimp cocktail and the best bottle of Moscato I've ever had. Ambience was perfect. Food was perfect. Wine was perfect. We even left with a long stem Rose each. It's hard to believe I haven't done a review until now. It's a famous spot for clam chowder and well worth the wait during busy times . You can even order shrimp cocktail or clam chowder at the walk up, stand near the front door if you would not like to sit down for a bite and prefer to stroll the rest of the wharf. Highly recommended for everything from casual dining to special occasions. The owner himself walks the dining room floor to greet you and make sure everything is OK. read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - View from our table - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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I went in without any wait and I got the grotto seafood pasta and it was the BEST pasta I had during my trip to Monterey. The sauce was delicious and the pasta had so much seafood in it. Our server was kind and attentive, making sure our drinks were always full and asking us if we needed anything. I also got their oysters and it was so fresh & delicious. If you're ever in the area, you need to check this place out! Also another thing I want to note is that their bathrooms are REALLY nice & clean. read more

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This place does not disappoint. Their clam chowder still taste like home 30+ years later. As a child my parents would take us here and have some clam chowder. And whenever I visit my parents I try and make an effort to stop here. Service as always was great! I brought a few cans home. And they said it tasted about 95% like the fresh one they serve. Will definitely add my comments to my post once I make it. But in all seriousness if you love your clam chowder creamy. This is the place! read more

7-Year Update: Still exceptional, incredible service, and the Captain's Grill is unmatched! It's hard to believe it's been seven years since my last review, but Old Fisherman's Grotto is just as fantastic as ever--if not even a tad better! We arrived at a peak time on a Sunday and got super lucky snagging the last immediate table, just as the couple behind us was given a wait time. Here is why this spot remains a classic: The Captain's Grill: I ordered the exact same dish I had seven years ago, and it did not disappoint. Every single element on the plate was cooked to absolute perfection, packed with flavor, and as fresh as it gets. Outstanding Service: The service was wonderful across the board. Our server, Brad, was fantastic--attentive, friendly, and made sure we were completely taken care of throughout our meal. Pro Tip: Skip trying to park right at the end of the pier. Park in the lots along the wharf entrance and enjoy the quick, scenic walk down to the restaurant! I truly hope Old Fisherman's Grotto is still going strong for another seven years and beyond. A Monterey absolute staple! read more

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I say the best thing was the appetizer especially the calamari which was cooked perfectly. Batter was nice and crispy and the calamari was still moist. The prawns were also nice. What was not so good my fish and chips. Was not a fan of the batter and fish was dried. Was really disappointed as it was not cheap. The salmon was a special for the day and he said it was ok but risotto was bad. Husband got the clam chowder and he said it was ok. I tried it and found it salty. read more

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Service was amazing. Our server was great. Pictured is the crab tower and a cup size of clam chowder. FYI they also have a small stand next to the restaurant that sells the clam chowder and also in can to make at home. Along with other small sides. Not pictured is the side bread with butter that compliments the clam chowder nicely. Right before we left the server gave us roses which was a nice touch. They made it all the way back home lol. read more

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Another beautiful meal. The food as always was fantastic. The octopus was the most tender octopus I have ever had. The calamari was perfect and the service was top notch. We had a window seat and truly enjoyed the beautiful view. read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Grilled octopus - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Sal was an amazing server. All of our food dishes were amazing not only the flavor and temperature but the display and freshness. We got oysters Rockefeller 10 out of 10. The double lobster tail 10 out of 10. The fish and chips I prefer a beer batter so it wasn't my favorite but it was very fresh and flavorful. The clam chowder was great and a fresh salad. The only downfall was the girls doing the seating they were complaining and didn't seem like they enjoyed working and had attitude when it came time to seat us read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Twin lobster tails. - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Favorite place to get clam chowder when we hit the Fisherman's wharf! Love their outside to go option that has quick service. Clam chowder is always nice and hot. The rich, thick, creamy texture loaded with bite size clam and potatoes pieces is always so satisfying. We always end up grabbing more to take home. Paired with their seasoned garlic bread that they'll roast up for you is a must. Perfect duo to enjoy eating outside when the weather is nice and not too windy. read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Original 'Monterey Style' Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Great food great views but no AC so be aware!!! Service is amazing and waiting isn't too long (: read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Clam Bake - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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I forgot to post this a few weeks back. Took a trip to Aptos and had to hit up Monterey. Love this area and the great dinning in Monterey. I think the food is good here overall. We started with some appetizers. We got the steam clams, the fried calamari and some fried artichoke hearts. I didn't have the clams. Yet the two other people with me said they were good. The fried calamari was very good. The sauce that it comes with is really good! The Fried Artichoke Hearts were good, but unfortunately, they were on the small side. That and not a lot of them. I'm not sure it's something I'd order again. Yet, they were good. I wasn't particularly impressed with my dish. Which was the... Mushroom Ricotta Cheese Ravioli. Which is served with marinara sauce and a dollop of ricotta cheese. It was a bit bland for my taste. My friend ordered their prize winning Clam Chowder. Which I tried and it was quite good! The sourdough bread bowl that it comes in was very good. Yet, the best part was... they made the top into a delicious mouth watering garlic bread! Yum!!! My mom got the Ultimate Seafood Risotto. Which had 4 oz Lobster, Salmon, Sea Scallops and Prawns over a Spinach Risotto with Sundried Tomato & Beurre Blanc. The food here is not inexpensive. Yet, it's a place to go to at least once in your life. It definitely made the trip there worthwhile. read more

I have been a customer here for over 8 years, no longer. This restaurant's attitude towards children is so unwelcoming that it almost seems like total disdain. When we used to come here in a group of all adults, the service was crisp and friendly, but now that our family has expanded, we are no longer able to eat here comfortably. There's a sign outside that makes it crystal clear. The restaurant would rather cater to the tourists' experience rather than serve the locals who put this place on the map in the first place. What's even funnier is the MD told us that if the baby cries we'd be asked to leave... but from outside all the windows you can hear all sorts of wharf noises. From people yelling, to babies crying, to machines, boats, etc! And for the record, our baby slept the entire time and didn't make a peep! But rather than us ruining others' experience, it was our own meal that was ruined. The servers truly do not care for all customers, they are cold to you unless you have a sunburn or any other symptoms of tourism. They shove the menus in your face, ask you to order quickly and then offer drinks only as an afterthought. We had to ask for water because for some reason it was not already a given, and then our waters were never refilled once they arrived. At the end of the meal they bring you a platter of desserts, and put it on the table and then cross their arms as if they will take offense if you don't order one! Overall, one of my family's old favorite spots is now inhospitable, out of touch, and I would even venture to say: overhyped and overpriced. read more

Food? Oh, you could only imagine how amazing it is if you haven't had it yet. I had the clam chowder bread bowl, dad did the linguini, and mom did the half crab. We had oysters, garlic bread, and regular bread and butter as an appetizer. It was so good, I ate the oysters! ( yes, my 10 year old self likes oysters.) Service was very polite and made sure feel very nice. I even met the owner, Mr shake! The ambience and setting was like a dance and romantic sea-side diner. They even had sensors for sunlight and rolled up the screening in front of the window. It has 40s or 50s music playing. Dinner once again was GLORIOUS. Especially the clam chowder. - an anonymous 10 year old (not ai) we asked for clam chowder cans and the waiter said it was the same recipie. No way it was. 4 stars because the cans of clam chowder. Ripped. Off. (Updated) read more

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The clam chowder garlic butter toasted bread bowl is the best one I've had so far. The bread was fresh and the garlic butter toast on the top of the bread bowl was great for dipping in the clam chowder. We stopped in on Friday around lunchtime and was seated right away, there was no wait. The waiter we had was very friendly and attentive to our table. The restaurant is located on the wharf. There is a parking lot a short walk from the restaurant. This restaurant is a downstairs and upstairs with some tables offering ocean views. I also had a flaming tiki drink. I can't remember the name of it, but it was really good. read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Clam Chowder garlic butter, toasted bread bowl - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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45 minutes wait when we arrived around 6:30pm. Very dim lighting inside. Service was ok. There was a nasty piece of hair in our utensil and they replaced it. They gave all the females at the table a long stemmed rose at the end of our meal. Food was very filling. We didn't have enough stomach space for dessert. Glad to finally have tried this place. Food: Clam chowder 5/5 excellent and creamy Isabella pasta 5/5 very tasty pasta with lots of seafood. Ultimate risotto 4/5 most of the seafood was good but salmon was dry. Risotto was creamy and buttery. Cioppino 4/5 good Fried calamari 4/5 complimentary with first time visitor card, good but could have been more crispy. read more

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Excellent food and service. Ordered clam chowder in garlic bread bowl, Spanish octopus, king salmon, and garlic roasted crab. All of them are tasting great. read more

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The Grotto was a good place for a Sunday lunch. The view is great with a nice ocean view. The staff is was good and attentive. The clam chowder was good. It was full of clams and potatoes. Flavor wise, it was good. The Calamari Sandwich was an open faced fried calamari sandwich with a huge piece of squid cooked to perfection. My wife didn't think too much of her chilled bay salad sandwich as she didn't finish it. They had other menu items that we wanted to try if it was dinner time. We liked it, and may be back when in the area. read more

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No hospitality. Terrible service from Martin, the host the the front. Would not accommodate. Could not speak to others. read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

This is what I expect from a historic seafood restaurant on the water in Monterey. The ambiance was well curated with the interior design and the food was awesome! read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Our view from our table as the sun set - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Always a favorite anytime were in Monterey! Last weeks visit, we had Brad as our server for dinner. He made the best suggestions, crab cake, oysters, etc., and even though we couldn't eat another bite, somehow we got the double chocolate cheesecake that was Gluten Free! read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Gluten Free Double Chocolate Cheesecake with seasonal berries - Amazing! - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Ordered clam chowder and a roll of bread. Fried calamari only. To go. Was about $50. It's a good treat every so often. Consistently good quality on these two items. If you eat inside women receive a rose. read more

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Monterey Pier is a touristy spot. This spot has been a Staple for many years. Great views, vintage look, maybe a bit worn. Food cam our quickly and hot. Had the Sand Dabs which were fresh Servers we nice I bit of upselling going on but not over the top read more

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We came here on a Wednesday and it was packed (likely because of the summer). Luckily they were able to seat us. We ordered a variety of food and the server was very kind. However, the price and food do not correlate. For a big seafood restaurant the calamari was not good at all. Additionally we tried the Parmesan crusted cod and it was very mediocre. Personally, this place feels like a tourist trap. read more

This place is punching above its weight. But you can see sea otters in the harbor out the window, so there's that.

I really wanted to give a better review but the food is just not good and the orders got mixed up. Came for Father's Day and when you check in they make sure you know their policy for children (no stroller, no booster, remove the child if they are crying or making noise) then give you a buzzer to notify you when your table is ready. The staff was kind and greeted us warmly and had a nice Father's Day hat to give out which was thoughtful. The atmosphere is an old classic vibe and the booth was comfortable. You also have a view of the bay and if you're lucky can see some sea otters. The wait staff sadly did not get our orders correct for a few things (wrong drink, didn't do the vegetable side we asked for). The food itself was not prepped well. The chowder had chunks of thickener (not sure if it was cornstarch or flour) and was not seasoned well and mostly made of cream. The halibut fish was a good quality in terms of freshness but was way over cooked with some burnt pieces of crust. The sauce also was so sweet it tasted like syrup. So overall good for the view and the nice staff but if you're looking for a higher quality of food then I would look elsewhere. read more

My first time dining here. The restaurant inside is beautiful; we were seated on the 2nd floor, next to the window. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. All the staff we encountered were so friendly and welcoming. read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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We stopped at Old Fisherman's Grotto on our Monterey road trip looking for great clam chowder, and it absolutely delivered. The chowder was so flavorful, with chunky clams and perfectly small‑cut potatoes. We also loved the calamari appetizer, and both the seafood linguine were amazing. The beautiful waterfront view made everything even better, and Miguel, our waiter, was extremely helpful and accommodating, which made the whole experience feel extra welcoming. A perfect stop on the wharf. read more

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The food and service were amazing. We ordered the classic clam chowder in a garlic bread bowl, fried calamari, the Seafood Linguini Isabella, and the BBQ oysters. I never like oysters, but these BBQ oysters completely changed my mind--they were fantastic, and I'm still dreaming about them. The fried calamari wasn't the best since it was a bit soggy, but the pasta and the garlic clam chowder bread bowl were phenomenal. The soup with the garlic bread was truly chef's kiss. I wish SoCal had something like this. The scallop in the pasta was incredibly flavorful and delicious. I'd love to come back. At the end of our meal, the server even gave me a rose. Great service, beautiful views, and delicious food. We walked in around 5 without a reservation and didn't have to wait, which was such a relief. If we wanted a table right by the water, it would've been a 30‑minute wait, but we decided not to. Still, the whole experience was wonderful. Definitely want to come back again. read more

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For several years visiting Monterey, I never visited the wharf or explored. So glad we did this time because every view was gorgeous. From start to finish, service at the Old Fishermans Grotto was impeccable. Decor and vibes were alluring and welcome. And such an amazing staff who take such great care of their customers. Food was amazing, view was amazing. We will definitely be back! read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Aside from the chowder, my meal was pretty mid for the price and hype. The outdoor signs were funny, but they definitely emphasize it to families before they enter. There's another restaurant down the wharf that mocks their "No Crying, No High Chairs" sign. Staff are friendly and dressed nice, inside is decorated like the inside of a boat and has ocean views. Prices are pretty inflated, even for the local rockfish special. Was not a fan of the sun-dried tomato sauce nor the Parmesan crust on the fish. Honestly, I think the flavor combinations would have been better without the Parmesan crust - just a good sear. The risotto needed more butternut squash, and the veggies were pretty standard. Overall, needed more salt. The CHOWDER, however, was excellent especially with the added pepper. Next time, I'm only coming for chowder and taking it to-go. You're mostly paying for vibes and ambiance, not food quality. read more

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We have been coming to Old Fisherman's Grotto for ten years now, celebrating everything from our anniversary to engagement to our honeymoon. The food is always fantastic! And the service is incredible. The staff here are absolutely lovely, super accommodating, and very knowledgeable about the cuisine and make great recommendations. We are lucky to always have a table facing the water and it is such a great experience, with a nice ambiance. We order the barbecued oysters, artichoke, the dungenes crab, and my husband had some sort of halibut special I believe. All of it was incredible and we will of course be back again for the next celebration or visit to our favorite place by the sea. read more

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Recently had dinner at Old Man's Grotto for my best friend's birthday and the food was very tasty. I had a cup of clam chowder and we shared the crab cakes and poke tuna. My favorite was the soup and the pistachio cheesecake they gave us for her birthday. read more

Old Fisherman's Grotto - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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We had a great lunch at Old Fisherman's Grotto this past Saturday, and overall it was delicious. We ordered the seafood paella, cold crab sandwich, a cup of clam chowder, and the octopus appetizer. Service was excellent. Salvador was our server and he was very attentive and gave some great recommendations. The seafood paella was a pleasant surprise in terms of portion size and quality. It had a great variety of seafood and was probably our favorite dish. The octopus appetizer was really good as well. Very tender and cooked perfectly. The clam chowder was also delicious and packed with clams. The only dish that didn't quite hit for me was the cold crab sandwich. It was just alright. The crab didn't have that sweet flavor I was expecting, and overall it wasn't very memorable. Overall, I'd give it 4 stars. I'd definitely come back and try something different next time instead of the crab sandwich. read more

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The crab tower was so yummy! It was a good balance with the mango and the mango sauce. The strawberries were so sweet too! the clam chowder was a bit overseasoned than when I had it previously. The house bread is okay. i wish they served better bread and have it be warmed up too. The seafood combo was good in terms of the quality of the seafood. But some things were under seasoned, and some over. It wasn't as balanced as it could've been. It was cooked really well though. The pasta was one of the best things! lots of seafood and the sauce went so well with everything. I didnt try the fish and chips so I can't say if it's good or not, but all of us were shocked at the portion size cause they give you a lot! The grilled artichoke was yummy, the aioli was really good, i used it to dip my bread! read more

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