The first thing I research when traveling is where the best diner is and this place hits all the marks. Went on a Saturday morning around 10am and it was CROWDED but they find a way to squeeze everyone in. We opted for seats at the small counter in the back and were seated immediately, but others were seated as quickly as tables could be cleared. The staff were hustling! The coffee was solid diner coffee (just strong enough). Menu is HUGE but we went for the old staples: scrambled eggs with spinach, hashbrowns and sourdough toast... eggs over medium, hashbrowns, sausage links and SD toast. Even though they were slammed we had multiple people checking in and refilling our cups. The pancakes seemed to be very popular! Looking forward to a future visit! read more

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Food was great, service was great and fast, it's asses and elbows in there but still worth it. I'd go back again for sure. read more

Old Monterey Cafe - Breakfast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

The place was really nice and decorated well. But the cost of the food was very expensive and it did not meet the quality $100 for breakfast for two people is crazy. read more

Old Monterey Cafe is a quaint local eatery that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We visited here for breakfast. The ambiance is eclectic, with classical decor from autographed photos of Doris Day, to Frank Sinatra hanging in the walls. You see vintage items such as 1950s radio, cameras from the 40s, etc. Our server was prompt, and friendly. She didn't keep our coffee mugs full without asking though. The breakfast menu has a nice variety of selections to choose from. Joe's scramble - 4/5 Joe's scramble was very delicious. The ratio of ground beef to mushrooms to spinach and scrambled eggs was on point. The flavor was delightfully delicious. This Joe's scramble was prepared with garlic butter, not with Italian spices. The garlic flavor was light, not too garlicky. I enjoyed this selection by much and would not hesitate ordering it again. Raisin cinnamon swirl French toast combo - 5/5 This selection was very good. You get raisin cinnamon French toast and a selection of egg and meat. The French toast was very flavorful with the right amount of cinnamon and raisins. The eggs and bacon were delicious too. I recommend visiting Old Monterey Cafe for breakfast. Lunch and dinner is also served too. read more

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Loved this place! The service was super friendly and made us feel right at home. The food was SO good hearty portions and full of flavor. The music playing in the background gave the whole café such a fun, laid-back vibe. Honestly, it's the kind of spot you want to come back to again and again. Great food, great people, great energy. Highly recommend if you're in Monterey! :) read more

I don't eat here as often as I want because we life a little far, but I try to come here every time I visit Monterey. The food is good the service is better. I am always happy when I get to eat here. read more

Really nice place. They have a wide range of breakfast and sandwich options. Their crab Benedict is the most flavorful Benny I've had! The eggs and calamari are great. Coffee is good as you would expect for a small cafe. The decor is nice, noise level was calm just as they opened. Didn't have a long wait for the food, and they were quick to refill the coffee. read more

We are tourists traveling with our pup. We called this place ahead to ask if they were pet friendly & they said yes. Upon arrival a couple of steps into the restaurant there was a sign that said wait to be seated. My husband our pup & i are standing there when the 50+ year old busboy came rudely and said you have an id for the dog? Before we could even answer he said: "no ID no dog allowed". I explained that our pup is not a service dog & that we called ahead to make sure they were pet friendly then he said "outside" as he walked us out to wait. I just think that this interaction could've gone a LOT more professionally. We didn't feel welcome at all. The food is mid & the service is bad. We are not coming back and we do not recommend this place to anyone. read more

Food was good but the waiter had a bad attitude. I ordered the Tahoe scramble and my wife had an excellent special with a pancake. The eggs were fresh and cooked perfectly, so were the hash-browns. Sucks that the waiter was rude because the table busser was nice and the didn't have cash to only tip him. read more

Food was bland. Grits had no flavor tasted like it was from a packet . Way too much butter on everything . They need salt in their food

Everytime we visit Monterey, this is our breakfast spot. Never fails us. Best coffee too

This is a great spot for breakfast. I had the special with spinach, ground beef, and eggs, everything was well-prepared and the portions were generous. The service was attentive and added to the overall experienc read more

I've been wanting to try this spot for a while, but it's always busy which makes sense now that I've finally had the chance to visit! I stopped by on a weekday and got to fully enjoy the experience without the usual crowd. The interior is beautifully decorated with old vintage signage, giving the place a cozy and nostalgic vibe. It's clear they've put a lot of thought into creating a welcoming atmosphere. the staff made us feel right at home. They greeted us immediately and were on top of their game with customer service, it's clearly a priority here. The food was absolutely amazing! We ordered the chorizo with eggs and eggs Benedict, and I was blown away by how generous the portions were. They don't hold back when it comes to serving up a full plate! Every bite was delicious, and you can tell they use fresh, quality ingredients. If you're in the area, this is a must-visit breakfast spot. If going on a weekend then plan to arrive early since they're very busy on weekends. read more

Old Monterey Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

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A great location for a restaurant that serves classic breakfast fare. We were able to sit with our dog in the front outside which was a huge plus! The menu had the typical breakfast staples we were looking for, and the vegetarian in our group had a lot of options to choose from. The food maybe won't win any awards, but it did its job and was delicious! read more

We were the first customers in at exactly 6:45 when it opened. There was one person working and she was working hard to set up the tables for the day. As a result we were left waiting a little, but could see she was hurried and working by herself so we didn't mind. We had a mug of coffee while we ordered and waited for the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict. The coffee ought to be made stronger as it tasted like Farmer Brothers which is bland stuff. I would recommend a French Roast. Nothing wrong with the coffee except it was on the mild side and bland. There didn't appear to be anyone else working at the time and the waitress did her best to get us our breakfast order and smile for the next couple of customers who came in while we were just starting to eat, as well as she had to finish putting out the table settings. The Eggs Benedict came with a huge order of hash browns. Very nicely cooked. The only thing I would suggest is to toast the English Muffins so they have a crispness to the top of them. I do not care for plain English Muffins. These were warmed but had no brown on them. Again she was doing all of this by herself at the start of the day so I commend her for being so efficient. Another person, a guy, maybe an employee (?) came in after 7 AM. I think she could have used the help much sooner but she did a great job and we really enjoyed our breakfast, it was substantial read more

Okay café in downtiwn Monterey for a simple, no-frills breakfast. My mushroom-avocado omelette was generous portion-wise, but lacked any seasoning (not even salt). Hashbrowns were okay, but ketchup made it taste better. Complementary coffee was just-okay, but it did the trick. Service was efficient, albeit not overly friendly (but that's okay-- mornings are hard for everyone)! For a quick fix, Old Monterey Cafe does the trick. read more

Old Monterey Cafe - Mushroom-avocado omelette with hashbrowns - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

Over rated! Cute spot, lack of service, didn't even refill our waters. Order the abuelo potatoes average. The pancake looked nice, fluffy but a little under cooked and the huevos rancheros would not order again. Definitely better spots across the way or next door. Food had no real flavor. read more

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First timer - came in for breakfast this week. Food was amazing, coffee was great, service was good, and the decor was super cute. I do wish there was a gluten free bread option, even for the pancakes/waffles. I did really enjoy my meal nonetheless. I did also wish they had different flavor coffee creamers rathen than just packs of half/half. read more

If you want an overpriced plate with barely any meat this is your go to place. Worst huevos rancheros I've ever had. Who covers half the plate with a salad at 9 am? Btw, when they ask if you want jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole etc - they mean for an additional price, not on the side as advertised. 3 bucks for chorizo, two fifty for guacamole, buck seventy five for jalapeños and the stalest biscuits that you could throw like a frisbee down at csumb. read more

Great breakfast in a cafe with a local, homey feel. Had the French toast special - bacon was crispy and over easy eggs were actually over easy - not medium or hard. read more

Old Monterey Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

We came here for my daughters birthday. We didn't have to wait. The food was great. I ordered French Toast, Bacon, and scrambled eggs. I was drinking Orange Juice. The food tasted so good. They bring you warm syrup also. My Husband ordered Corned beef Hash, sunny side egg, French fries. He was drank water with no ice. He said the Corned beef hash tasted like hash browns. He liked his food over all. My daughter ordered scrambled egg, hash brown and white toast. she was happy with what she got. We all agreed we would come back to eat her again when we are in Monterey. read more

Service was terrible. So not worth eating there at all. My plate had old salad on it and just took a long time to get food. If you're looking for good food and service eat somewhere else. read more

The cafe itself is small, so the tables feel crowded and close together. I like the decor with all the fun paintings and frames. The food was pretty good. We came around brunch time, and I ordered the Old Monterey Club with a side of soup. It was a lot of bread for the sandwich in my opinion, but I liked the soup - very warm and hearty. read more

We also went to this cafe because the reviews seemed very favorable. The gentleman who seated was hustling, as the place was very busy for 10 am on a Monday morning. He was very pleasant to us, but the sole waitress working was so overwhelmed, she did not & would not make eye contact with us to save her soul. She was very unfriendly! When the second waitress arrived, she came right out and took the orders from at least 4 tables that were all patiently waiting. Thank you! Regarding the food, it was OK. Honestly, we cook better at home. I ordered a crab eggs benedict, I mean, why not, this is Monterey, CA - - - but it was very disappointing. The crab was definitely from a can. I was afraid to ask because I didn't want them to lie to me. My husband's omelette was alright, but nothing to write about. (He actually deleted the photo he took of it, as it didn't look all that appetizing.) All in all, it was OK, but we don't feel the need to return the next time we're in Monterey. read more

Old Monterey Cafe - Crab Eggs benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

Breakfast was eh. Service was horrible. We had to ask to have our order taken (after 2 couples had their order taken that were seated after us) and the waitress looked annoyed. I had to ask for my husband's biscuit and gravy (if you want to call it that). I wanted to leave a $2 tip, but my husband talked me into leaving $3. read more

Old Monterey Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

Quick: okay food/unfriendly staff Service wasn't that pleasant. Snappy waitress with an attitude. The place wasn't even that busy. A few tables rotating in and out. The power went out momentarily. The staff announced its going to be a cash only operation until the power comes back on. Power comes back on within 2 minutes. This place is mediocre at best. Went to an awesome place in the area a few days later. read more

Old Monterey Cafe - Huevos Rancheros - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

This place is always a hit for us. Food, service, and ambiance- we like a comfortable down-home atmosphere, friendly people and they know how to make grits! read more

I ordered the worst "guevos rancheros" i've ever had. Soggy hash browns, half plate full of warm lettuce, raw tortilla below one egg and raw tortilla over the egg. Flavorless salsa. The tostada bowl with beans was stale. The only thing edible was the $3 avocado piece. Waste of time and money. They voided my meal but my husband's grits and son's pancakes, were barely edible. Again, this is NOT guevos rancheros!!! try again! read more

Old Monterey Cafe - THIS IS NOT GUEVOS RANCHEROS! Terrible! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

Avoid Tea had floaters very dangerous if they're not cleaning Hash browns cheap and tasteless Tahoe scrambler minimally acceptable read more

Food was good, and the service was quick and efficient. The experience felt a little rushed, though still smooth and straightforward. Person serving us was polite and did their job, but didn't say much. read more

Gets the job done but service is sub par and food is around 5/10. We came on a Sunday around 9:45 and were able to get a table for two right away but it got busy fast and gets pretty loud in there. read more

The food is not only delicious but also a great value for the quality and portion size. It feels like a hidden gem--a charming, local spot with a great vibe. The service is quick and attentive even when they're busy. I can't recommend this place enough! read more

No frills dining on Alvarado street! Very kitschy Americana atmosphere, friendly staff and basic but solid food if you're in the mood for a classic American breakfast consider Old Monterey Cafe! read more

Old Monterey Cafe - French toast! Three slice option. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

Excellent little breakfast place that I now make a point to visit each time I'm in Monterey after discovering it a year or two ago. The chicken apple sausages are really good! Service was excellent. They kept our coffee cups topped off and checked on us often. Great little place to get a filling breakfast before heading out for the day's adventures. I'll be back next time I'm in town. read more

Looking for a local spot for breakfast any day of the week? Old Monterey Cafe is the place to go! They had more options on the menu than my stomach can handle. They don't only serve breakfast but lunch too! I ended up ordering the Tahoe scramble and added kielbasa to it as well as an upgraded side of biscuits and gravy. I was too hungry to take a picture but the biscuits and gravy filled me up quick! The scramble came with a hefty side of hash browns too! read more

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Wholesome. Quick service. Decent food. Family like establishment. Second time being here, just finally thought to review. read more

Old Monterey Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

We love ourselves a good old fashioned diner with walls filled with icons of pop culture from years past. They've got the comfortable environment down pat and the smell of coffee will draw you in anytime of day. I had the omelette with hatch chiles that was pretty tasty as well as the house potatoes. My partner had a build your own omelette of which they offer lots of ingredients to satisfy your taste buds. Our coffee was refilled regularly and the food tasted like home cooking. The staff was kind and helped us fit the stroller inside. Service wasn't too fast or too slow. Great way to start off a weekend morning. Would visit again next time I'm in the area. read more

Old Monterey Cafe - Coffee bar - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monterey, California

Ita been awhile that I've been there. But the last time I was there I remember the whole brunch style breakfast was beyond perfect! I can't wait to go there again soon!! read more

We had the Chocolate Chip Pancakes, the Southwest Benedict, the patty melt,and the kids Chocolate chip pancakes. First, the Chocolate Chip Pancakes were good but it had too much chocolate. Second, was the Southwest Benedict. I thought it was amazing and I ate all of it. It came with hash browns or grates on the side, but I had the hash browns which were amazing. But, the egg yolk wasn't that runny and a little overcooked. Next, the Patty Melt, it was very good and the fries were nice and crispy the melt itself had a little too much cheese. It could also use a sauce on it. Last, I got the kid chocolate chip pancakes with a side of melon. The chocolate chip pancakes were really good but had a lot of butter. The side of melon was delicious but it would be better if it had more than one kind of melon. But overall, the food was really good! The service was amazing! They gave us our food and drinks really quick for how many people were at the restaurant. The vibe was very nice it was a old timey place with a lot of antiques. The location was okay but I will defiantly consider coming back here if I am near. read more

Quick service and good waffles very fluffy. The vibe is antique and homey. Didn't know you had to wait to be seated since we entered from the rear door. read more