Ordered calamari, crab, fish and chips and clam chowder. The crab was severely overcooked and when I asked if I could have one better, they said they don't cook it. It comes cooked from a different place so they didn't. They just warm it up on the grill, so the crab was horrible. Everything else is delicious. The place was very nice and friendly. So I would come here again just and I wouldn't order the crab. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Overcooked crab - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

We're so glad that we returned to Sandbar and Grill, and it is still as delicious as we remembered! We went for an early lunch shortly after 11 AM and almost all of the tables along the windows were taken. Staff was extremely nice and gave us an awesome table with great views, even though we were clearly visitors with two little kids. The kids were so happy and excited! They thought they were eating on a real boat, lol! The Sand Dab Plate ($22) is DH's favorite. We got it with veggies, which the wait staff suggested but is not on the menu. The broccoli and green beans were cooked with fresh garlic and surprisingly good! DH says, " This is why we go to Sandbar. The sand dabs were perfectly cooked." One of our kids is a huge fan of Linguini and Clams, so we ordered the Linguini with Clams and Prawns ($26) The sauce was amazing! Lots of flavor, white wine, herbs, and best of all, well balanced and not "fishy". Pro tip: dip the bread in the sauce! Clams were large and quite tender. Prawns were well cooked and fresh. Not chewy. Pasta was cooked just right. We got a kid's portion of Fish and Chips ($12) and it was surprisingly large. They do such a great job with the batter. You can't go wrong with this. It's a classic! I think their tartar sauce is house made too. It tastes fresh and has capers in it. Overall, it's a must-try if you're in the area! We'll be back the next time we visit Monterey! read more

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Hands down one of the best restaurants in Monterey. Visiting for a conference, I asked an older resident where could we go for real seafood in a comfortable setting, he instantly pointed us to Sandbar & Grill and said "this is where the locals go, you won't be disappointed." He was spot on. We were seated rather immediately in this quaint spot. The wait staff were excellent and very personable. The food was amazing! We started with clam chowder and Parmesan bread. Then progressed to seafood Louie salad and halibut. It was so delicious that we couldn't stop talking about it and more conference people joined us to go back the next day! It was just as fabulous. I had the calamari, more clam chowder, prawn Cobb salad, and bread pudding dessert. Colleagues had a variety of other dishes. Everyone raved how good it was. We all left full and extremely happy once again. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Seafood Louie Salad - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Everything about this place is 5 star worthy! The view on the water, the portions and quality of the food, the friendly and laidback service. We had a very nice fancy meal while in Monterrey and we both would pick this as our favorite spot we ate at while on our trip. We're looking forward to going back for the food and walking the pier. read more

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Great locals spot in Monterey!... On the water!... Like a "Cheers spot "... Old school charm in Monterey... Service was spot on! Food was great!... No pictures of appetizers (Calamari and oysters) ate them too fast . Had the Special of the Day, Halibut, prawns, asparagus served over risotto, awesome red sauce Definitely a return visit!... Will sit at the bar next time! read more

Sandbar & Grill - Special of the day!... Halibut, prawns, asparagus served over risotto... awesome red sauce . - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

We ate here last night. There was a 30 minute wait to get seated. You have to climb down some stairs to get to it. The food was amazing. We both ordered the fish 'n chips. The fish was so fresh it just melted in my mouth. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because of how loud it was in the restaurant. The tables are pretty close together and it was hard to hold much of a conversation because of all of the noise. I recommend it if you don't mind the noise. The food was excellent. read more

We arrived around 7pm and it was packed. The host said the wait was about an hour. We put our name in and we're going to wait outside, when the host came to tell us that two seats were open at the bar. We happily sat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and promptly took our drink and appetizer order. We had a couple local beers and shared the prawn and crab cocktail. It was delicious, as were the beers. For our entrees we had the crab stuffed prawns and the scallops. Sadly we didn't get a picture of either. Both were excellent. Highly recommend either one. We enjoyed every bite. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Prawn and crab cocktail - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

2nd time here, 1st time I had the fish n chips which was good .. 2nd time I had the fish and shrimp quesadilla.. conclusion .. skip the fish n chips as there is equal or better elsewhere and have the quesadilla which was epic.. ! read more

Sandbar & Grill - Shrimp and fish Quesadillas- yum yum - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

I stopped into Sandbar after a day in Monterey. I really wanted some seafood before turning in to my Airbnb for the night. The restaurant is located right on the water and you feel like you're in a barge or boat of some kind. The vibe is a mix of regulars, locals, and tourists. Everyone was super friendly including the fellow patrons at the bar. I got a half dozen oysters, the caesar salad topped with dungeness crab and anchovies, and an aperol spritz. I was a bit disappointed in the oysters since they were pretty small and lackluster in flavor. However, I might just be a spoiled Maryland girl. The salad came highly recommended and was topped with loads of crab. It was delicious and filling. The tab was quite expensive for one person but I guess that's what is to be expected at a seafood spot on the water. Parking wasn't too difficult on the dock either even during peak dinner hours. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Dungeness crab salad - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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We originally went for happy hour which was bar seating only but Tuesday nights are locals night and super packed. After checking the prices, the happy hour and regular menu prices were only a few dollars more so we opted for a regular table. Service was excellent and the location was great. We sat by the window overlooking the bay/marina. The few appetizers I tried were just so-so for me. I thought the clam chowder was just ok 3/5, the calamari was 3/5 and the steamed artichoke was 2/5. Since we didn't order anything from the dinner menu, my food review is stricly on the apps. However, the atmosphere was nice and the energy was lively for a a Tuesday evening. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Yum! Clam chowder is good - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Great food and cocktails bartender amazing right on the pier packed with good people highly recommend!!! read more

Extremely Disappointed with Service!! I called ahead to place a simple to-go order for three bowls of clam chowder. The person on the phone initially confirmed they could accommodate my order and asked what I wanted. However, after I mentioned the chowder, she suddenly said they were too busy and requested that I come into the restaurant to place the order. Despite this inconvenience, my group drove to the restaurant and attempted to place the order in person, only to be told by the staff that they were still "too busy" and asked us to come back in 30 minutes. This lack of professionalism and respect for customers' time is completely unacceptable. We were courteous and followed their request to visit in person, yet we were met with more frustration and no clear resolution. I understand restaurants get busy, but this level of disorganization and poor communication is something I expect better of, especially after confirming an order ahead of time. I will not be returning, and I would strongly advise the management to reassess their customer service practices. Can't comment on ambiance since I didn't dine in read more

Stopped by for happy hour after a long drive up the coast. Unfortunately we didn't realize that Tuesdays were local days there, and the bar area was packed. We instead had to grab a table and order off the regular menu. We tried some calamari, which was pretty good for me, but my fiancée didn't care for them. We also had some clam chowder (below average), and artichokes ( also below average). The waiter and the host were very nice, and we enjoyed the view of the harbor. The food unfortunately didn't hit the mark for us. read more

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Always great food and drinks and the service is outstanding. Mike at the bar is great and always make you feel welcome. Would highly recommend to all. read more

Excellent service! Great food! I mean the fish tacos were delicious, but the fried calamari was the start. The restaurant overlooks the marina, so it almost feels as if you are eating on a boat. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Calamari - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Hometown feel with great food and cocktails. At a marina on the wharf where you can sometimes see otters. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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My thought is that if you have a restaurant then you believe you have a quality product to offer and it should come with excellent ingredients, and thoughtful service. This place plays all those notes with the care of a world class symphony! I am so thankful that a restaurant of this caliber is in our neighborhood! Food? Quality ingredients prepared with care, but simply. We had the crab and prawn avocado melt with fries, and the sand dabs with veggies. Another reviewer described the open face melt as "smack yo mama" good. They were spot on! Normally, you would be wanting more crab or prawns, but IMO this was just right; about 1" of solid Dungeness crab and fat juicy shrimp topped with avocado and cheese and run under the salamander. No mayo, no fillers, just fresh seafood on sourdough bread. Each bite, which stayed hot for a long time, contained crab, shrimp, avo, and cheese. As if this wasn't enough, the fries were everything you want a fry to be; steaming hot, fluffy, and crispy! The lunch offering of grilled sand dabs, lightly dredged in egg, then seasoned flour, and cooked on the flat top grill accompanied by lightly sauteed green beans and broccoli with a ton of fresh garlic was nothing short of masterful! It could have been served with a lemon beurre blanc, but that would have detracted from the taste of the fresh fish. The fish was perfectly cooked and remained juicy, hot, and perfectly seasoned. The veg was hand cut, rather than poured from a Sysco bag. I would have preferred it cooked a bit more, but it came out from the kitchen hot and brilliantly colored. Our dishes were each $23. This was a fair price charged for a generous portion of well prepared, quality food. Service? We arrived at 12:45 on a Wednesday, and the tables were all taken so we sat at the bar. Normally, I HATE sitting on bar stools. I'm only 5'2" and fluffy, so it's hard to get my butt up there. Once I'm seated, it's usually tough to get close to the bar. These stools were easy to get on and easy to move, as well as having a back so it was comfortable to stay seated. The bartender was our server and he was perfect! Professional and personable without being in your face. When I told him how impressed we were with the food, he was engaging; obviously a people person. We looked out over the lunch crowd and then out to the harbor. You could tell that the restaurant was well run. Ambiance? It's a locals joint at dock level so it's got the normal fisherman kitsch decor. Ambiance is not only the decor and the lighting, but it's the clientele. Are both the customers and the staff happy? If so, the tone is wonderful! The menu has something for everyone. I can't wait to go back and try everything! This will be our go-to place for any occasion! Also, this would be a great place to take out-of-towners! Forget the tourist wharf! Come here! read more

Where can you find a restaurant where a seal lion joins you for lunch or dinner!! This is my favorite place when I am passing through Monterey, CA. Nestled on the pier, this small place offers Michelin rated dishes at a great price. Just order anything on the menu and I mean anything, you won't be disappointed. Prompt customer service and their reset is quick (I mean QUICK). I would recommend stopping by during their lunch and ask for the window seat. Last time, I was joined by two sea lions while having my calamari lemon pepper dish. A++++++ read more

What a lovely brunch experience we had when we visited this establishment. We went on a Saturday and were greeted by friendly staff. They sat us at a table with a great view of the dock. We had super delicious bloody marys along with tasty plates. Our favorites would be the fried calamari (thick and meaty) and mussels (sauce was so good). The Philly was pretty good but not the same level as the calamari/mussels. Would highly recommend and definitely planning on a return. read more

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From the food, the service, and the ambiance everything was wonderful. My cousin and I arrived around 6pm and had 15 minute wait since we didn't have a reservation, and this was a Tuesday night. The place was packed including the seating at the bar, which we hoped to be seated at. Once seated we our waiter was right there with menus and took our drink order. I had a manhattan and she ordered a prosecco and both were delicious. We ordered the special which was Alaskan cod over a creamy risotto with asparagus and jumbo grilled shrimp in top. Oh man was that great. The sauce over the cod and risotto was incredible, all the flavors exploded in my mouth and was so happy. I ate everything and wanted to lick the dish. We will be back for more and hopefully be able to sit at their beautiful bar. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Alaskan cod with risotto, asparagus and jumbo grilled shrimp. Yummy. - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

We thoroughly enjoyed the Sandbar and Grill this evening. My wife had the sand dabs and I had the Dungeness crab stuffed prawns. Service was exemplary with friendly staff and excellent recommendations. The value for the price paid was very reasonable. I suggest making reservations as the restaurant is cozy. We will definitely dine here in the future! read more

Sandbar & Grill - Prawns stuffed with Dungeness Crab - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

From the moment you enter with the great hostess to the friendly waitstaff and a great bartender as well You know this us the coolest spot ! Jehe food was delicious ! I had the crab Benedict and I have never had so much fresh crab ! We had other dishes but were too busy eating to snap evidence! Oysters were perfect, I can't wait to go back as I watched some great items come out of the kitchen that I need to try !! read more

Sandbar & Grill - Crab Benedict! It was amazing! No filler just crab , crab and more crab ! And the sauce was delicious! A must try item !!! - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

We went to Sandbar & Grill on a recent Friday night and the place was hopping! We got a table in the very back of the restaurant without a reservation. It would have been more fun to be seated in the middle of the buzzing dining room, but that's on us for not calling ahead. Hostess and server were both friendly and helpful. I ordered one of the night's specials, an extremely fresh fish dish with delicious veggies and scallop potatoes , my husband liked his chowder and Caesar salad. Nice local wine. I liked that this place felt like a lot of locals were there, some celebrating special occasions. It's fun descending the stairs to the restaurant and being so close to the harbor. It was too dark on this January evening to see the otters or seals playing outside like they claim, but I hope others experience that show along with a delicious meal! read more

After a long hike, I looked up the best clam chowder in Monterey California. Sandbar & Grill came up. We headed there quite hungry and hoping to feast on clam chowder in a sourdough bowl. Unfortunately they do not sell clam chowder this way. We started with calamari. It was amazing. Very fresh, very tasty, and not fishy. Then came the clam chowder. It was served with fresh, warm sourdough bread. It was by far the best clam chowder I have had. Paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, it was everything I was hoping for. I recommend this restaurant for one of the best clam chowders you'll ever taste. Buttery, with lots of clam. The staff here are very friendly, very funny, and make you feel like you're part of the family! read more

Returned after about 7 months with my family. Highly recommend call ahead reservations. The ambiance is very loud with people talking & eating, and the seating is sparse, but good. However, the scallops (with white sauce & mushrooms) was notably less pleasing this visit. Might have been a change of seasons for the mushrooms, or a slight change in the sear on the scallops (which were still plentiful & in a good white wine sauce.) The ribs & shrimp are good, as was the apple crumble. However, there was an unexpected additional upcharge for using a credit card (bring cash!!!) and an increase in prices compared to the provided menu prices. Add to that a charge for ice cream we didn't get, but was taken off after we mentioned it missing... leaves me saying the meal was one star less shining compared to my last visit. Not for the faint of cash, and I'd have to reconsider my previous high recommendation given the change in flavors and increases in prices. read more

Saw you had great reviews. Came on a weekend in mid-August with my family. I was really looking forward to trying this spot out. Unfortunately however, I never got to. The hostess seated some folks who walked in just ahead of us and then said it would be about 20 minutes for another table. I said ok and she took my name and phone number. Almost an hour went by. NO PHONE CALL & NO TEXT. 'Tf ?! We ate at the Old Fisherman's Grotto instead where we were immediately seated, properly served & enjoyed a quality meal. I'm not gonna say I agree, but my partner felt like it was some bias BS. And *that* leaves a bad taste for anyone read more

What a gem! Excellent white glove service and the freshest seafood in Monterey. The oysters were salty from being so fresh, the fish was still wiggling from being so fresh. Highly recommend to make reservations otherwise you won't get in! read more

Visiting from CT. We didn't have a reservation (do call and reserve beforehand), but the lady was so accommodating and got us a table within 20 minutes. Believe me, this place was super-packed on a Tuesday evening. The server was super efficient and polite and ensured an awesome dinner experience for us all. The food was super flavorful. To begin with, we had the calamari and mussels. Even before we could dig into them, we were served with a warm bread basket that never seemed to get empty (they kept getting more). The calamari and mussels were made really well. Main course was fried oysters, French curry with shrimp and Scallops, and a couple of other dishes. The fried oysters were some of the best we ever had and the French curry was bursting with flavor while managing to stay mild. The bread paired well with the curry too. We had the chocolate Bundt cake with vanilla icecream for dessert. And we didn't regret ordering it one bit. All in all, great choice for a good family meal. read more

Went to Sandbar since we were looking for a place to eat with a view before heading to the airport (on a weekday). Was very surprised by how much parking there was (an entire large lot) and the location was easy to find and tucked into the pier. So cute that we were able to see the otters playing outside the window while we ate. Service and food was great, meals were so filling and drinks had a great kick! read more

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With so many seafood spots my wife, son and I chose this one because of its location and reputation. Great views of the harbour, very friendly service staff and delicious and well priced dishes. Still a little stuffed from our meal earlier in the day we ordered sand dab, calamari, shrimp cocktail appetisers to share along with cups of clam chowder. Everything was fresh, delicious! Know where I'm headed next time I'm in Monterey to try some of the other dishes on the menu! read more

We finally made it to Sandbar & Grill on Wharf 2 in Monterey a few weeks ago. What a great time with friends, wine and of course great food! It's taken so long to get here because The Sandbar and Grill is a bit out of the way and honestly I kept forgetting it was there. That will not happen again. Even on Monday night, it was packed and we had a 40 minute wait. Once you descend the stairs into the restaurant, you are seated at boat level and can watch sea lions swim while enjoying your meal. Our group of four shared the calamari appetizer - tender perfectly fried strips with lemon, tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. I had decided I wanted to try the shrimp and scallops with French style curry over risotto, but when our server told us the specials I had to try. Three of us ordered the special; seabass with a chipotle cream sauce with your choice of risotto, as gratin potatoes or polenta. I chose the risotto. The seabass was flaky, the risotto creamy and the sauce added a nice hit of flavor. It came with a nice serving of fresh asparagus. I loved my choice - absolutely delcious. Luckily my friend opted for the shrimp and scallops with the French curry sauce over risotto so I got to taste that too. So much flavor in the sauce! I will definitely go back and order that over and over. This spot is fast becoming one of my favorite stops. We visited again about 4:30 on a Friday. Luckily we found two seats at the bar and were able to take advantage of some of the happy hour specials.The clam chowder is some of the best I've had in the area. Thick (but not too thick), creamy with lots of clam and so flavorful. I chose to have the mussels with a side of garlic bread while my husband tried the fish and chips. It's been a while since I've had mussels as my last experience elsewhere was not good. These were delicious and the garlic bread was perfect for sopping up the tasty broth. The fish and chips were fresh and crisp. Overall another delicious meal and quite affordable. Service was friendly and prompt. We never wanted for anything and were checked on to make sure all was good with our meals. Great experience! I will say the atmosphere is quite lively so if you are looking for a quiet spot, this may not be it especially during happy hour when it appears the locals take over the bar! Open Daily at 11AM Sunday Brunch 10:30am to 2pm Happy Hour 4:00pm - 6:00 pm Mon - Fri read more

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This is my far the best scallops I have ever had in my life! I don't know if it was the sauce with the added mushrooms or what but it was amazing! I would come back to Monterey just to have this dish again! My friend had the mussels which she said were really good as well. I had some wine that was OK. I mean wine is wine. I should've ordered a cocktail instead. I did try their bloody Mary mix which he said was homemade which tasted delicious. I just didn't wanna have anything else heavy at the moment. The scallops also came with these potatoes, which were really amazing by the way! As well as some vegetables. Service was amazing! The tables are set up, kind of like a diner-ish style, but if you get a table by the water could possibly be a better view. The bar area was the most happening! Seemed like the best atmosphere. Loved it here, can't wait to go back! read more

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We had the best waitress. She was funny and outgoing. Order the Sand-dabs!!! They are the best!!! read more

Sandbar & Grill - Sandbar Menu and sign - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

The food is okay. I went there on two separate occasions and the fish and chips specifically made my stomach upset. If you don't like compact seating areas, I also wouldn't recommend. read more

Sandbar & Grill - Quesadilla and fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Carly is a great server and the food is excellent! Fish and chips delicious! Shrimp delicious! 12 oysters delicious! Bloody Mary and IPA yum! The free bread was warm and yummy! Don't miss it if you are in town! read more

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Key Points: - Review is for takeout - Relatively fast turnaround time for how busy they were - they automatically include tip. Even for takeout. We recently visited Monterey with a large group, including multiple kids, and needed to get takeout for our get-together. After trying Old Fisherman's Grotto (which doesn't do takeout) and Old Grotto's Fish House (which didn't have what we wanted or anything the kids would like), we found Sand Bar and Grill based on its good Yelp reviews and proximity to our hotel I could tell, even on the phone, that they were incredibly busy. Every time I called, I was placed on hold with audible chaos in the background. Despite this, the staff still accepted our takeout order, which we appreciated. Despite the quick turnaround time, unfortunately, the food left much to be desired. We ordered: - Fried calamari: very soft, almost too soft, and not crispy. The texture actually resembles mozzarella sticks, which was strange. Calamari is usually the Little One's favorite, yet she would barely touch this one. - Penne puttanesca: sauce seemed diluted and watered down. Seafood portion was small. Worst of all, the sauce leaked out of the container and seeped into our bag, causing a mess anywhere we placed our takeout bag. - Clam chowder: decent, but nothing special. What really rubbed me the wrong way was the automatic gratuity included for a takeout order. While the turnaround time was relatively quick, with our order completed in about 20 minutes, I found it unreasonable to include a tip for takeout, especially when we weren't dining in. I mean, who even does that?!? Maybe I'm old fashioned, but that just doesn't sit right with me. The lady who brought me the bill did mentioned after she had already rung me up and handed it to me, stating, "Just to let you know, the tip is already included." What did she expect to say back, "no. Ring it up again!?" Even if I did, we were in such a hurry that it just wasn't practical to do it. I'm giving two stars: one being the lowest possible, and the second because the staff was polite enough and managed to accommodate our takeout order last minute, while I also understand that takeout doesn't always do food justice. However, with the subpar food experience and the forced gratuity on a takeout order, I don't plan on returning. read more

Greatest Locals Spot out on the Drive on pier, fun seating, and the best Calamari and Clam Chowder in town. Try the Bloody Mary!

Just like so many restaurants there, the view is spectacular. Watching the harbor is a beautiful thing. The food was fantastic. My wife had calamari and wanted to go back today to get another plate. Lol. I had fish and chips. The pieces were large and tasty, but the breading wasn't as crisp as I would've liked. It was actually kind of soggy. And a little bit greasy. Not at all what I expected. I've had better at this restaurant. Maybe just an off day. I like this place and their clam chowder is to die for. It's about a 50 or $60 lunch for two with a couple beers. So this is no cheap date. But you're on the wharf, and as I said, the view is fantastic. So just go for it and enjoy some good food. read more

Great food great atmosphere , great views right in the wharf and can see all the boats Always come here for the sandals and the fried calamari appetizer read more

Drinks: Bloody Mary: 5/10 Bloody Mary was enjoyable enough. Not the best but not the worst i've had. Old Manhattan: 7/10 My Nana enjoyed it :) Food: Clam Chowder: 5/10 We ordered the large clam chowder. I told the waiter we were sharing. He came back with one bowl instead of putting it in two bowls. A big minus. The clam chowder was just ok. It could've used more flavor Fish and Chips: 7/10 My Nana enjoyed his fish and chips but said it wasn't the worst or best he's ever had. * Whole Dungeness Crab- 6/10 I felt a bit cheated. The description says "whole dungeness crab" but I felt they only gave me portions of the whole cream that I paid for. Ambiance: 8/10 Overlooks Monterey Bay... Overall, a mediocre experience. The waiter was not very attentive and he didn't pay attention to the simplest details. I don't think I will return to this restaurant. read more

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