Come for the food, hope to get Laurene as your server! We ordered the Crab Louie, fish and chips, sand dabs, and calamari steak. All of the food was excellent but what made the meal was the service. Not sure of the spelling so apologies but Laurene was great with our kids. Helpful with any requests and genuinely the best server I think I've ever had in my life. She knows how to make a customer feel appreciated while not taking herself too seriously. We'll definitely be back the next time we are passing through! Thank you for making our lunch a memorable experience. read more

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After many years of loving this local favorite we have eaten here for the last time. We got our usual, calamari and sand dabs. For a change I ordered battered prawns. The calamari was tough, and instead of strips, some were tight little balls. The sand dabs were very thin and oily. The battered prawns were delivered as battered fish. And the battered fish was a sad state indeed. It was thin, over battered, and very greasy. The entire meal was awful. When I called to complain, the "manager" didn't believe me when I said I received fish instead of prawns, so he felt the need to verify with his kitchen...insulting, to say the least. He also kept calling me "boss", and left me on hold for long periods, which I didn't feel was respectful or good customer service. If he was truly a manager, and, personally, I wonder, this place has fallen even farther than I feared. For $65 this was probably the worst meal we've ever had in Monterey. Sad to say "so long", but this was our last visit. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Sad looking battered fish - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Seriously old school. But I was kind of looking for that, as I wanted a taste of old Monterey, nothing crazy bougie or hip. Building is on a wharf, just slightly above the water. Right in the marina where dozens of boats are parked. Window views of the marina are easy to be had, just one big long room really. Old school traits: the crowd on a weekday lunch was 80% seniors, most seemed local as I can tell by their banter. The rest of the peeps were regulars who seemed to have a routine. The menu is seriously basic seafood town ie chowders, louie salads, seafood that can be griddled, fried or sauteed. Solid cooks that can execute clean plates. And the clincher old school trait Sandbar had, was a bowl by the entrance/exit they gave away free match boxes with their logo. I haven't seen that in decades! It hit home for me cuz I used to collect restaurant/bar matchbooks in my younger years. So crazy to run into them again as they are no longer normalized. Glass Sauvignon Blanc ($10/5*) Perfectly chilled, fruity without being sweet, great balance. Went great with bites of the seafood throughout the meal. Clam Chowder ($8/cup/4*) Solid. Creamy and thick but not excessively stodgy. Good clams and potato ratio. But very herb-y, as in dry herbs cooked into the soup. Great with the sliced sourdough given upon seating. Calamari Appetizer ($14/3.5*) For some reason I thought this was going to be deep fried breaded calamari, the cut tubes along with a few tentacles. But this was thick, bite-sized squares cut from a big calamari steak. It was breaded in fresh bread crumbs and lightly fried, so no significant crispness. Just a mild and soft breaded exterior. I had to salt it and dip it in either tartar or cocktail sauce. It was fine but I was just looking for something more flavorful and crisp. I still enjoyed it, just threw me for a loop. Lunch Sand Dabs ($23/4*) I was torn cuz I wanted to try their special of the day which was a Halibut dish with a Tomatillo Butter Sauce; but I also wanted something very basic and local. It doesn't get any more Monterey than local sand dabs, which is like a small flounder that is mild and delicate. I also overheard multiple tables around me order it, so I simply couldn't dismiss the local's consensus. I did like that it was super plain where the fish fillets were allowed to shine. But after the first initial few bites, I was just wishing there were something else to elevate the fish, like a butter sauce or wine/parsley sauce. It did have a side of tartar sauce, which theirs is good with big hunks of capers and celery. But I just thought a warm sauce of some sort would have soaked into the fish nicely. Served with brown rice pilaf that had good flavor but was a bit too al dente for me, crunchy rice isn't my jam. But I took some of the fish home, and I made a quick 30 second garlic lemon butter sauce that indeed went well with delicate fish. So I was able to get some serious satisfaction after all. Irish Coffee ($15/5*) It was a cool and grey day, so I opted on this for dessert. Theirs is as old school as it gets, so it was perfect. Great way to end a meal, belly happy, sipping a well made coffee cocktail whilst watching the boats float on by. As a passing tourist, Sandbar did me just fine. They gave me the flavors and charm of Monterey without being around a ton of other tourist. More off the beaten path which is how I like to roll. read more

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A family fav for years! Love this old school classic! Friendly service who have worked here forever! Great bread to start. If you like a very traditional clam chowder this is your place! The sand dabs are always killer and a huge portion. Great homemade tartar sauce. Loved that I could sub the fries for perfectly cooked veggies. The ciopinno was sooo good- FULL of seafood in a light broth with garlic bread. The special if the day was halibut stuffed with crab over scalloped potatoes and asparagus with a burre blanc sauce. Also huge martinis! We always leave here full and happy! read more

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The best clam chowder I've ever had! Been coming here every time I'm in monterey - for almost ten years now - and it never disappoints! It's also in such a great location and has a chill, welcoming staff. The place where everyone knows your name vibes! read more

Sandbar & Grill - Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

My husband and I had not been to this restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf in many years, but we went this evening and we are so glad we did! First of all, we were seated quickly and got a window table with a great view of the water. We both ordered fish and chips and our waiter even included a cup of Cole slaw for each of us, which I really appreciated! The fish was fresh cod breaded light and crispy, not greasy at all. The chips or fries were also nice and crispy. We both felt the fish and chips we had here were the best we ever tasted anywhere! The meal included complementary bread and butter which was also delish. A nice touch that we don't take for granted nowadays. Our waiter kept our drinks filled and made sure we had everything we needed. We will definitely come back on next trip to Monterey. Highly recommend!! read more

Sandbar & Grill - The entrance to restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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So, the Sandbar & Grill is one of those places which are a genuine crapshoot. You walk up to a beat up shack just under the pier, and all too often, they rely on ambience and strong drinks to make up for mediocre food. That is not the case here. The food is amazing. I got the best cioppino I've ever had. Lorena/Lauren, the best server ever, added some jalapeño and linguini to my dish and gave me some chili flakes on the side to spice up my meal. There's nothing quite so soul soothing as a good cioppino. This broth had a nice body, good flavor, and there was enough fish and crab meat to keep that broth nice and thick all the way to the end. The scallops were sweet, light, and delicious. My permanent date had the blackened prawn Caesar salad and clam chowder. Normally, you think of blackened whatever, and it doesn't taste like anything but blackening spices. Not so at the Sandbar. The prawns stand up to that flavor quite well. So does the house-made Caesar dressing. Clam chowder done well is satisfying without being too heavy, and you can feel the song of clam flavor as soon as that broth hits your tongue. Seriously one of the best clam chowders I've had. Finally, I can't say enough about Lorena. She's my favorite kind of waitress: personable, friendly, and doesn't mind talking for a moment. By the end of the meal, it felt like we had a friend, and that's a valuable quality. Her busser was on point with my refills, but I didn't get his name. Next time I'm in Monterey, we're coming back. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Blackened Prawn Caesar Salad - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Best locals seafood restaurant on the peninsula. The Calamari is the best I ever had. The Sand Dabs are fantastic. Everything is fresh daily. Only tourists are usually people brought by a local. Very lively bar. Packed most late afternoons for the happy hour specials. Not fancy but great food. Check it out !! read more

This place is so cute and there's no bad seat you could get. Plenty of window space to see the ocean and the boats. There is a lot of unique ocean theme decor to look at. All the staff is very friendly and promptly made sure my drinks were always filled. They checked in often to make sure everything was good. The food was so fresh and delicious! I had the fish and chips while my fiancé had the rib and prawns combo. I highly recommend getting the pasta as your side for the duo plate because their sauce has so much flavor and the noodles are nice and soft. I really enjoyed my time here and can't wait to come again! read more

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$25 seared ahi tuna salad. 4 stars because the seared tuna was "bland"compared to the strong flavors on the plate. I actually wanted more chopped olives to add more briny bites into the mix. Still, a good, filling salad. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Seared ahi tuna salad. - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

The food was good and delicious but definitely not worth the astronomical price. The service was nice although table behind us were being racist in their complaint against about one of the servers. The ambiance and decor was very nice read more

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April 27, 2026 and we stopped by for an early dinner. We got lucky as Happy Hour starts at 4pm. Can never go wrong with the bloody mary and had the calamari appetizer too. That was followed by the lemon caper calamari steak with their delicious scalloped potatoes. Once again, well worth the 1.75 hour drive there and we look forward to returning (thankfully the drive home was "just" 1.25 hours). Bartender Mike K., thanks for sharing some laughs and and making the diet coke a double!! read more

I absolutely loved the food here! The calamari was so soft and not chewy like I'm used to compared to other places. I love the tartar sauce it comes with to dip and the squeeze of lemon brightens the flavor. The batter on the fish and chips was so light and crispy! The french fries were regular and the clam chowder was definitely that Monterey style that was tasty and delicious. We chose to sit at the bar since there was no wait time. But if we were to wait for a table, the wait would've been 45 minutes for four people since we came at 1pm. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Calamari. Clam Chowder, Fish and Chips - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

I came here for lunch one weekday and got their steamed clams and sand dabs. The clams were steamed with lots of garlic, white wine, tomato and green onion. You could taste some of the white wine in the broth and there was some lemon as well. The broth was strong, but it went nicely with the clams. Decent amount of clams and no sand in any which was really nice. Also tried the sand dabs lunch plate which is grilled and comes with a side of french fries or brown rice. I however, opted with a side salad. The sand dabs came with a large portion, with some lemon and tartar sauce. The fish was soft and buttery, very good. It went nicely with the lemon and tartar sauce. If I had got fries, it would be just like fish and chips. In addition to the clams and sand dabs, they also have a warm bread basket with butter, which was very nice. There is paid parking next to the restaurant but it may be difficult on a busy day. I recommend parking at the larger parking lots nearby and walk over. The restaurant itself had a gorgeous views of the water as well. read more

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The food here is fantastic! I had the seafood quesadilla, and they definitely weren't shy with the portions--the shrimp was plump and juicy, and the fish was perfectly cooked, it was nice and flaky not over cooked. Even the fries were great. The place was absolutely packed, and after tasting the food, I can see exactly why. Despite the crowd, the staff was super friendly and the service was impressively quick read more

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Our server was prompt and kind, the food was phenomenal. I'm so glad we stopped in. Watch the boats in the marina float by as you enjoy your brunch- really a great place to eat. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Oysters on the half shell, and shrimp cocktail - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

The sand dabs are the best tartar sauce is the best Clam chowder is the best The spicy Bloody Mary needs more Tabasco sauce Fish tacos are the bomb Service is the best read more

The setting is fabulous. The food is delicious. Excellent service. We visit Monterey several times each year, and the Sandbar is where we frequently dine. read more

I was recommended this place and I've been to Monterey many times but usually go to the same restaurants and thought to try something new. I am so glad I did! You do have to pay for parking and it's a hidden gem where you go below the dock to get inside. There is no waiting area you put your name down and wait for them to call you. Came on a Tuesday for lunch and waited about 5 minutes before being seated. All seats are next to the water which is so nice to have a view. The bread they serve is warm sourdough and it was so good with my clam chowder. I heard three tables telling the servers how this was the best clam chowder they have ever had and I will say it was really delicious and creamy. The calamari was definitely fresh and tender. Not pictured I also had the fish tacos and fries which were flavorful and the sand dabs with brown rice. I usually do not like brown rice but they season theirs and it was delicious. My picky daughter loved the sand dabs. Didn't get a chance to try their drinks but will definitely be back for the food and atmosphere. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Great local hangout. Seafood fresh and reasonably priced. Calamari steak is delicious.

Let's start off with the ambiance. It sits right on the water in the marina on the wharf. Stunning! The service was spot on. Now for the food. We have eaten at many places in Monterey, but this one is hands down the most delicious of all. Bread was served warm. We started off with the deep fried Calamari, followed by one of there specials. Halibut! We had them blackened. It came with scalloped potatoes and Asparagus al dente of course. Exquisite! read more

Sandbar & Grill - Blackened Halibut with Scalloped potatoes and Asparagus - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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small on the water local spot. Super quaint and old school. The service was great fast and there was always a line. the bloody mary is to Die for! The bloody mary mix is house made and probably one of the best I've had! calamari is pounded to perfection, super tender, and crispy! we ordered the steam clams and must have gotten a bad batch because they were not good. Too much wine and not fresh. I will be back. read more

We've been coming here for years, and it's always our first stop when we arrive in town for vacation! The oysters are always fresh, the crab is incredible, the sand dabs are perfectly cooked, and the drinks never disappoint. We've never had a bad meal here. The food, service, and atmosphere keep us coming back year after year. Highly recommend if you're in Monterey! read more

We were visiting Monterey for a card show a couple of months back and wanted to try this place and they did not disappoint. When we got there, there was a little bit of wait but it wasn't too long. They get your phone number and text you when your table is ready. Couple of things to take note of is this is not a big restaurant. They can accommodate some big parties but your wait would be a bit longer. This restaurant is by the dock so your window view are boats coming back in which was really nice. They definitely had a great view. Food: Artichoke- this was actually really good. I enjoyed this dish but would recommend some seasoning on the artichoke itself. But we enjoyed this meal. Clam chowder: really really good chowder. Great seasoning and had a lot of protein in it. They definitely weren't stingy with the clam. We shared this one bowl cause it was a lot. Calamari- this was a good calamari, perfect breading seasoning wasn't overwhelming. Our server was also very attentive. Took care of us really well... All in all great restaurant to try. read more

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This is my favorite spot in Monterey, located on (or shall I say under) the commercial wharf #2. Sometimes you can catch some great scenes of the sea lions swimming around just outside the window. If they are busy, you can usually find a spot at the bar without having to wait long. The Sand dabs and calamari steak are my favorite meals here and this place has the best bread pudding I've ever had. read more

We had the best time sitting at the bar with Edgar, who is an extremely skilled and friendly bartender. I had the best espresso martini ever and my husband had two yummy spicy Bloody Marys. We will be back! read more

Sandbar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

This is a fantastic tiny little treat of a restaurant. I am so glad we stumbled upon it on our walk down the pier. I will say because they are small, there is a good chance there will be a wait. We came in with a party of 5 around 6:30pm and was told it would be around 30 minutes. So not too bad, but I could easily see them having a wait over an hour during busy season/meal times. Once you are inside, it is very small so they really try and put as many tables in as possible. It doesn't feel cramped, but if you are looking for a quiet, intimate dining experience, this place won't have it. I do love that it sits basically right on the water though. You feel almost as if you are sitting in a boat in the harbor just looking out. The menu is all basics. There is nothing particularly unique about the food, but that doesn't mean it's not tasty. My kids were excited to get fish & chips and gobbled up the massive pieces of fried fish given to them. My wife and I were shocked at the portion size for a kids meal. I tried the Paella which was tasty, but I did wish there was maybe a bit more non fish pieces in there for the price I was paying. My wife, who's not a huge fan of fish, tried the special which was halibut and devoured it. So in all, we all had great meals and nothing was left on the plate. Even when we were full and ordered a dessert to share we ate that too. Our waiter was so friendly and helpful. He did a great job checking in on us without feeling like a helicopter. He also engaged with our kids in a wonderful way that made them feel comfortable and relaxed. Our experience here was great. I would absolutely recommend coming here if you're visiting Morro Bay. It definitely feels more like a local watering hole (there is a large bar that takes up half the dining space) than a tourist trap. And even though we were clearly tourists, they did their best to make us feel like we were one of their own. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Views of the harbor come free with every meal - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Perfect place to come by after kayaking. Beautiful view to the shore, but you have to get lucky though, as seats filled up fast. Staffs work hard. You have to bring your dishes to the table. Yummy food and generous portions. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

4.8 OMG, this old school diner/bar is not to be missed. The food and service was top end and the BITD vibe was priceless. Fantastic !!! read more

I ordered the whole crab... it was supposed to be a celebration dinner! Had to have them take it back because it was too salty, overcooked and it had a sulfur smell. I think the crab was not fresh... dead before cooking. They did take it back and I ordered fried oysters which was fine. The cioppino was ok, but also too salty. Kudos to the server, though! He gave us a celebration dessert to make us happy! read more

Post-dive meal + beer is always amazing and Sandbar really hit the spot! We had to try the sand dabs as our dive instructor was pointing them out to us on our dive earlier in the day! The restaurant was very busy but we were able to grab a seat at the bar after a 15 min wait or so. There was definitely lots of people waiting after we were seated as well. Service was quick and everything we ordered was delicious!! read more

Sandbar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

The food was AMAZING, the Calamari dinner was so tender and fresh ,it came with fresh green beans. I hadn't had Menudo there Tubes and Tentacles in a sauce, very delicious. Our friend had Halibut topped with shrimp. Our server was excellent and in gauging with great recommendations. The view was beautiful of the marina. You need to make reservations to be seated promptly. We can't wait for our next adventure there. read more

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It's like a dive bar but for really good seafood. You walk down stairs to the lower dock level. It's a tiny place, low ceilings, the people at the bar looked like a can of standing sardines. We came Wednesday night at 7 and it was crowded. 30min wait for 3. Service was quick and to the point. Food came out fast. We got the oysters, calamari, and cioppini. Everything tasted super fresh and delicious. read more

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First off, the staff is fantastic!! They are warm, friendly, and genuinely helpful. The space itself is small and cozy, tucked right next to the pier, so if you're claustrophobic, consider this your gentle warning. That said, what it lacks in square footage it more than makes up for on the plate. The food does not disappoint. The fish and chips are perfectly done, and the halibut special was a standout fresh, flavorful, and clearly the star of the show. Don't skip this spot on your next visit... just arrive hungry and ready to squeeze in. read more

This place was recommended by a local when we were visiting. We probably wouldn't have gone there on our own but glad we did. You walk down stairs on a dock (?) so it's kind of hidden. It's dark and older inside. It's right in the bay by the boats. The server was friendly and attentive. The food and espresso martini were delicious! I can't remember what fresh fish was served but it was good. Lobster is always delicious. read more

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Was up in Monterey for the annual Sea Otter Classic cycling festival and dined at Sandbar & Grill on the recommendation of a close friend. Attached to the Municipal Pier like an adorable, nautical-themed barnacle, the Sandbar & Grill immediately felt like a locals-only safe harbor from the hustle and bustle of the tourist-focused Old Fisherman's Wharf on the other side of the docks. The wait for our table wasn't long but long enough to imagine Steinbeck working through a draft over a beer at the bar or a modern day VC bro becoming inspired by an elevated fast-casual seafood dining concept that's anchored between Long John Silver's and Red Lobster. Once we were seated the service was attentive but not pushy and a delightful meal with a trio of longtime friends and colleagues was had. However, little did a buddy and I know we were eating our way to the darkest depths of Davy Jones' Locker when we ordered the calamari. Or, it could have been the tartar sauce that came with the calamari. Either way, we both woke up in the wee hours of the following morning with a stomach-churning sea-sickness that we wouldn't wish upon the saltiest sailor. It struck me first at 2 am when I was awoken from my slumber by a desperate need for the contents of my cargo hold to escape via the top hatch. Then a couple hours later my buddy had a violent rupture in his black water tank that sent a horrible mess coming out of his bilge valve. We were able to trade turns in our shared bathroom for a few rounds without issue but by 7 am, I was faced with a choice no person should ever have to make: should I try to barf between a friend's legs while he's pumping out the kind of horrific mess that would make the Exxon Valdez disaster look like a tiny spill, or should I sprint out the front door of the VRBO we've stayed at for the past three years and greet the morning by violently vomiting in my skivvies? Actually, now that I write it out... it wasn't much of a choice. Despite knowing my friend for close to 20 years, I found a nice bush in the front yard to evacuate my stomach. What made it weird was the German mountain bike legend who was staying with us was awoken by all the commotion and came out to check to see if everything was OK. I've been in some surreal moments in my life but talking to a German mere seconds after barfing in a bush at sunrise is suddenly at the top of the list. From this moment forward, the next 24 hours for us were a hallucination of pain and the expulsion of more chunks and fluids than you'd ever imagine a person could have in their body. It's been exactly one week and my throat remains a little jagged and my abs still have a twinge of pain from how violent the dozen-plus eruptions were. Granted, I'm not the kind of person who does stomach crunches for fun but tearing an ab muscle shouldn't be the least worst side effect of a bad dining experience. If you made it this far, maybe just stick to the Sandbar for drinks and maybe some fries if you feel like living on the edge. read more

Once again while on our weekend trip to Monterey, we stopped at SandBar & Grill Restaurant next to the Wharf hands down the BEST place for lunch in the area. And bar none, they have the BEST clam chowder we've ever had. The drinks were great, the food was amazing, and the whole experience reminded us why this has become a staple on our visits to Monterey. Highly recommend this spot if you want great flavor, great service, and a perfect Monterey vibe. We'll be back again! read more

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This is an unassuming hidden gem in Monterey wharf. It is not located on the touristy but the other pier north of it. Parking is plenty, but paid thanks to Monterey city for collecting from the tourist. The food is excellent. They have the best clam chowder, fish and chips and calamari steaks. The spicy shrimp pasta dish is excellent. Service is friendly and fast. The hostess can be more friendly. read more

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Great views on the waterfront. Food was excellent. I got the clam chowder which was nice and creamy with good chunks of clams. We got the sand dabs (very tasty) and calamari (light and crispy) as appetizers. My main was the cioppino. Great taste and the seafood was not overcooked. The accompanying bread was deliciously buttery. We shared a dessert amongst the table - chocolate Bundt cake and crème brûlée. The Bundt cake was rich and chocolaty and the creme brulee was light and creamy. Both were great. Seating was tight as it's a small restaurant. read more

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we got a tip from a local to come here and give this place a shot since it was on pier B and right in the heart of the fishing district in Monterey. I have to say, we didn't sit at the bar as we were instructed, and I kind of regret that, because they have a bunch of specials that they only serve there at the bar during happy hour. And that's where all the locals seem to be sitting in having a great time. that said being seated by the window overlooking the marina was pretty awesome too. We started with oysters, calamari and clams, and all of them were great. The calamari was probably the best of all since it was more like a calamari steak those tenderized and frighten succulent little bites that was standout for us. for dinner, we tried in an assortment of dishes. We had the seared ahi, an order of steamed clams, the cioppino and the French style curry with mixed seafood. All these dishes were delicious and unique in their own way as the ahi was served with wasabi sauce over a bit of soba noodles and was delicious. The cioppino was filled with seafood, shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, and fish, and had a great tang, but the dish that we like best off the dinner menu was the the French curry, which had a mix of fresh fish halibut in this case an abundance of scallops and shrimp and I opted for the additional side of black muscles. This dish was fantastic. The curry was light, vietnamese-style, but not too spicy, and it was a great compliment to the range of nicely prepare prepared fish. With a bit of white rice to float the fish, the rest the curry sauce almost served like a soup - being light enough to to not feel heavy or overly rich. overall, we had a great experience at the sandbar and our server Victor, and all the rest of the staff there were extremely friendly and attentive. I should probably also mention the the restaurant includes a full bar abroad selection of wines that are all reasonably priced and available by the classroom bottles and a nice selection of fresh desserts that we chose the Panna cotta and enjoyed it lightness and simplicitysimplicity. It was a great finale to our dinner I'll also mention that the Expresso that I had was fantastic. It was properly made and exhibited very little awareness, but only a full Rich coffee flavor, which is always a good sign to me. I would definitely go here again if you're in the area looking for some fresh seafood and maybe a little local happy hour or a bar character. This is a spot that's off the beaten tourist tracks, but it holds a lot of charm. read more

Sandbar & Grill - The mussels were fantastic! - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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