I had the clam chowder and sanddabs. Both were excellent! I will definitely be back next time I am in Monterey. read more

The Fish Hopper - Sanddabs - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Had a wonderful experience here! The seafood was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Every dish we ordered was delicious. A special shout-out to our server, Desiree. She was so sweet, friendly, and attentive, making our dining experience even better. If you're looking for great seafood and excellent service, I highly recommend giving this place a try. We'll definitely be back! read more

Absolutely loved it. Food is good, the view is breathtaking. Definitely wil come again. read more

The Fish Hopper - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Eddie is amazing!! We had the best dining experience all thanks to Eddie :) His recommendations of beverages AND dishes were amazing. Their clam chowder is the best I've had in my LIFE!! The view of the water while you dine is amazing and the interior is super cozy and comforting. We would come back just for Eddie :) Thank you to Eddie for making our first experience here soo wonderful!!! read more

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I made reservations on open table so it was easy to be seated. We had oysters to start (never go wrong). I would order the lobster risotto again it was well assorted with scallops and shrimp, the clam chowder was good and thick. The crab cakes were good yet tiny in prep portion. I would order the kids fish n chips instead of the salmon because I think they serve sockeye versus Atlantic Salmon. They bring you out a dessert platter because they dont have a dessert menu. I had the créeme brûlée and was delicious ! Always our spot to eat at when we visit read more

Surprisingly good and could accommodate our large party without a reservation. It's located in a very touristy area which usually means expensive food for the price you'd pay. But I was surprisingly happy with the food. read more

This review is long overdue. Came for lunch as a party of 6 on 7/25 with family to celebrate a birthday. We made reservations and were greeted and seated right away. They have a gluten free menu and I truly appreciate this. From service to ambience and presentation to taste, everything was delicious. Portion sizes were great and filling and their desserts are perfect! Thank you!! read more

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Made a reservation for dinner and was not disappointed. They have a very extensive menu so you will find something for you. Got one of their specials: ribs with prawns and it was really good and filling with large portions (gave half of my ribs to my bf and was still full) My bf ordered the chicken with risotto and he said he really liked his risotto. Clam chowder was good but I should have bought it on the cart outside of the restaurant cause it's much cheaper and I was full from my entree I didn't even get a chance to eat it til the next day. It is a very large restaurant so not sure a reservation is needed but it was pretty busy when we went. Overall nice dinner with good views of the water. read more

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Came back after a long time and the place is still pricey. But the food has gotten much better! Everyone loved their dishes. The sauces accompanying the fish were particularly good. Overall a good place to grab a bite if you're willing to pay a little extra for the views! read more

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We stopped in for some apps and drinks. Everything was great! Servers were ok. Nice place by the water. Would go back. We had sangria, bloody mary, crab risotto balls and ahi tuna wontons. It was all great! read more

The Fish Hopper - Loaded Bloody Mary so yummy!! - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

We came on a good day with clear skies. Walked over here after a full day at the aquarium. We wanted a good clam chowder and this one was pretty good. We sat in the bar area for happy hour. They had a separate menu for the bar but was still able to order from the full menu. We got the bread bowl clam chowder. Was a bit pricey ($27) so had high expectations. It felt like a generous portion. The best part was garlic on the top of the bread bowl. Not sure if they do that on the take out stand. Over all experience was good. Service was good. There was no long wait and was able to be seated right away on a Friday afternoon read more

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We were a group of four tourists that were convinced to come in after a waiter offered up free samples of their clam chowder. It was DELICIOUS. Came by on a Friday around lunch and our table of four was seated within a few minutes. We were escorted to the part of the dining room that is above the water, so we were surrounded with a 270 degree view of the water. From our window seat we could see two baby otters below, and hear the chatter of other diners around us. It was a bit warm in that part of the dining room, and although we had a window open above us, a bit more air would have been nice. Service was quick and there was a card on the table advertising a free dessert if we did a review. We were able to complete it before our check arrived, but there was a bit of a wait to get our dessert, via chefs choice. We got a slice of key lime pie - it was very good, excellent crust, and when they listed it as 11.99 and then comped it on the receipt due to the review, it seemed a bit overpriced. A slice for that size, I'd say it was closer to $7 or $8 worth. The food came after a reasonable time of waiting after ordering. Three of us got the fish and chips. And while hot and tasty, the fries could have had more seasoning. A different waiter came by and offered fresh ground pepper. The bread bowl for the clam chowder was my favorite, and paired so well with the soup. It did live up to the award winning title. The top had a great garlic butter to it, and the bread stayed soft throughout. Waiters also came by often to refill water. Although a bit pricey, I will say the view does make the price worth it. read more

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Cannery Row Mainstay Hits the Spot Mr. Shake's famous restaurants include this Monterey institution on Cannery Row. But does it live up to the hype with good reviews? Or is it just another tourist trap that doesn't deliver? I can tell you that your experience will likely be quite surprisingly positive. At our second visit here this past July 2026 (the last one was over years ago), it did not disappoint. Quality of the food was on point, the service was great, and the ambiance was super kitschy like you would want anyway at a wharf resto. Tourist trap? You bet it is, but isn't that why you want to come in anyway? Besides the front of house staff cajoling you inside? On a crowded 4th of July, we got seated promptly, and our server took our orders right away. The hostess even upgraded us to a booth right before the place got filled up with diners at every table. If you're a vet like me, they no kidding place an American flag on your table and get (no joke) a free app chosen by the chef (calamari that day) AND a free dessert. So, here's what we got: 1. Calamari. No tentacles, which we like. Just rings. And yet, the meat came out perfectly soft and almost melty inside a super thin yet perfectly crispy batter. A delightful mouthful in each bite, and a definite recommended opener. Comes with cocktail sauce (more ketchup but just fine) and a nice aioli dipping sauce. 2. Chilled Seafood Platter. 3 shrimps and 3 oysters raw on the half shell. Solid. Nice bite on the very extra helping horseradish topper and a solid mignonette. Oysters fresh. Shrimp plump. Can't go wrong ordering this app. 3. Half Dungeness Crab. Surprisingly fresh and cooked just right. Meat did not stick. Butter was delish. No heavy Cajun seasoning here, folks. A great crab here, and I would recommend. Maybe get a whole one! 4. Chocolate Cake. Another surprise, the cake is not overly sweet and is a wet chocolate cake. Very tasty and refreshing after the seafood meal. I would actually like this one. Recommend. Overall, a great seafood joint right on the water. You will be pleasantly impressed because this isn't your typical seaside establishment that just relies merely on location to draw visitors in -- and then falls flat on the food quality or the service. They have a solid menu that speaks for itself, and so we are glad we tried it out yet again. But don't take my word for it: try it yourself when you visit Cannery Row. read more

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It has been too long since we delighted ourselves, our party of 4, with dinner after visiting the aquarium within walking distance. The polished staff were poised and professional. The decor and dining layout were lovely. With two little ones, we almost felt underdressed and out of place, however our server's approach and words made us feel welcome and relaxed. Everything was delicious. We hope to dine in again soon. read more

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This was a nice spot right on the water. We sat on their balcony outside and got to watch the seals swimming around while having dinner. The clam chowder was amazing it was in a garlic bread bowl which was so good because most places don't add that garlic butter on the bread. We got on a waitlist through Yelp and the table was ready right when we showed up. Service was quick and attentive. read more

The Fish Hopper - Award Winning Clam Chowder in a bread bowl added shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Such a great surprise. I thought going to be very ordinary wrong. Food was delicious . We shared a Cioppini dish wow!!!! Sat by air and I love that. A busy place but good service and comfortable. read more

The Fish Hopper - Right at the cannery. Monterey, water, views. - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

This place is a joke and not worth checking out. From the start they said we couldn't have a child seat on the side do to it being a fire exit. But they have a to go stand in-front and had a two tables united to seat a party but a child seat was to much. This place is a joke and the food wasnt even worth the price. Way better places in monterey than this place. Ps . Iono how the clam chowder is world best can chowder is better than this place read more

Came here for a quick lunch as soon as we arrived in town. Despite being very busy and experiencing a lunch rush, we were seated within about 5 minutes. I ordered fish and chips and my husband ordered the clam chowder in a bread bowl. Both were amazing and we were served only a few minutes after ordering! My fish was hot and super crispy, and the chowder was probably the best we've ever had. The view was great too read more

9.3/10 Ordered the Clam Chowder and the Chocolate Mousse Cup for dessert! Starting with the clam chowder, absolutely delicious and an absolute must-order! This is hands down the best clam chowder I've ever had, and I've had plenty over the years. It was rich, creamy, and adding the crab claw was 100% worth it. The bread bowl was perfectly crisp on the outside while staying soft inside, and the extra bread wedge with garlic butter was an amazing touch. It's incredibly filling and definitely won't disappoint. If you're here, this is the dish to get! For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Mousse Cup. It was a great choice, especially if you have a sweet tooth. The mousse was light, fresh, and packed with rich chocolate flavor without being overly sweet. The presentation was beautiful, topped with fresh fruit that balanced everything nicely. My only small critique is that the chocolate cup itself was pretty hard to break into, but that's understandable since it's meant to hold the mousse. Still, it's definitely worth trying for yourself. Service was warm, welcoming, and attentive throughout our meal. The ambiance was beautiful, with oceanfront views and outdoor seating equipped with heaters, making it a perfect spot to enjoy the scenery while staying comfortable. Overall, an amazing dining experience, and I'd absolutely come be back especially for that clam chowder! read more

The Fish Hopper - Award Winning Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Awesome staff, we were seated quickly. They gave us a table near the water as requested when we had additional members added to our party they moved us still close to the water. Rigo was a great server. Clam chowder was amazing. Fish and chips were cold and lacking flavor but still 5/5. Oysters Rockefeller were not great here. The shrimp and fries were really good. Clean restaurant great service awesome views. read more

The Fish Hopper - So good clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Really nice location by the beach and food came out really fast! Sand dabs - 5/5. A decent portion with mashed potatoes and veggies. Paired really well with the sauce Fish and chips - 4/5. I like how they breaded this and it's not too heavy! The fish is tasty but I didn't like the fries. The fries just didn't taste very good. Overall, I'd still recommend it for the ambience, fast service, and tasty food. It's just a bit pricier but well worth the ocean views. read more

The Fish Hopper - Fish & Chips - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

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Food: The cook of their seafood is so consistent and awesome. For the chowder, pasta or by itself, the quality of seafood and the way they're cooked is great! They nailed it! Clam chowder - This was our 5th or 6th chowder in 4 days this is the 2nd best chowder. Sweet, creamy and perfect proportion of seafood and soup. Tiny bit sweet for me but everyone loved it. Kids chicken fingers - great proportion! Fries is great too! Ultimate seafood pasta- The tri color pasta was obviously made fresh. Cooked so perfectly! Even with the cream sauce, it didnt get too soggy. It might be the best fresh made pasta ive ever tried. The scallops, lobster and prawns were cooked to perfection! Sauce was tiny bit sweet but this pasta was everyone's favorite! Bacon wrapped scallops - i cannot emphasize enough how great they cooked the seafood. Hubby ordered this and loved it. He doesnt even eat white bean stew but he ate them and loved it! Bacon was perfectly cripy. Everything complemented well! Crab and shrimp roll - The toasted brioche was soo good! The crab and shrimp were the rigjt temperature! It was good..not great great but good enough :) Bone in rib eye with lobster - lobster was of course perfect! The rib eye was... okay. Not bad. It was okay. Mashed potato was good too Macadamia crusted halibut- of course halibut waa cooked great. Crust was awesome. Hubby loved the tropical fruit salsa and citrus beurre blanc. He loved it so much, even asked for an extra one. They were a bit sweet for me but it everything was fresh and great! View- i feel like it's the biggest draw because it seems like, their restaurant is the only one that has 3 views of the water because it's sticking out the water the most. They have an adult section which is several views of the ocean. It waa beautiful! Service - it was one of those days that everyone wanted some extra stuff. Jeff our server and Patty from the front were very nice and accommodating and patient! Hope they get some good raise! Very kind and professional too. Thanks Jeff and Patty!! read more

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Excellent locally caught fresh fish cannot be beat. Yes, it's pricey but you can taste the quality of everything, down to the Coctktail and Tartar Sauce. Food came out fast and tasty. The on the water views and ambience is simply romantic as hell. Top notch service for the money spent! read more

I love the clam chowder and never leave without eating it or taking some home. It really is the best clam chowder, but it has to be in the delicious soft bread bowl. The bowl and soup together is a game changer. The sourdough bread is perfect. In the past, I didn't alway get the best service. Today, was a totally different experience. We were acknowledged and greeted by several staff members. Our server Bismarck, was amazing and honored the military status with a complimentary appetizer. After ordering our dinner, he continued to check in and even managers Cori and Pedro checked in with us. Pedro later gave us a challenge coin in honor our military service. I love that The Fish Hopper honors veterans and military members. It makes us want to come and support their business. The service this time around was amazing. The food is always good. The seafood is always fresh. The halibut was soft, buttery, and the crunch from the macadamia nut was perfect. If I ordered it again, I would not do the sweet sauce. It was a little too sweet for my taste. The local swordfish was flaky and had the consistency of a cooked tuna. The Cajun flavor is great with the swordfish and gnocchi. I would say it's pretty perfect balanced of spice and aromatics. This dish I think would be better with a spicy kick. Finally, the Isabella pasta was my favorite. The sauce was not too thick or cheesy. It had large amounts of shrimp and scallops. I wish I saved the sourdough to scrape up all the pasta sauce. Just when we thought we were done, they gave us a complimentary military chocolate cake, making the child super pleased! This was the best experience of all the times I had visited. I will definitely be back. read more

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I came here recently and honestly the views alone make it worth it. It's right on the water and even though we didn't sit outside (it was getting cold and my daughter is just getting over a cough), we still had a booth with a really nice ocean view. Our server Shaniya was very sweet and patient, especially with my daughter who kept asking her name over and over. She handled it so kindly. Omar was also helping out and stayed on top of clearing the table and checking in on us, which I appreciated. Pedro, I believe the manager, was also really nice. My husband had a question about the music and they all took the time to answer and make sure we were comfortable. The food was actually better than I expected. We started with the crab stuffed mushrooms, really good. My husband got the clam chowder and fried halibut and chips. He loved the halibut, said it was fried perfectly, not too heavy or thick like a lot of places. He usually doesn't even like fried seafood like that, so that says a lot. Only thing he mentioned was for about $50, the portion is a little small, so it didn't fully fill him up. I had the cioppino and it was fresh and really flavorful. My daughter had spaghetti, and it was actually really good too (she didn't finish it but I tasted it lol). For dessert, she got a sundae and I had the key lime pie, both were good and we left full. Overall, great experience, good service, and amazing views. I'd definitely come back. read more

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Ambiance was a 10/10 Service really kind 10/10 Food we tried the surf & turf with medium rare ribeye and it was phenomenal. We asked our waiter to add fresh herbs & drizzle the seafood with butter. Everything on that dish waa amazing!!! Definitely enough for 3-4 people read more

The Fish Hopper - Surf & turf had so much flavor - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

Wonderful view! Beautiful place! Ugly prices! Fish and chips for lunch was $27.95! And that was one of the cheapest entrees on the lunch menu! The service was good and the food was great. The desserts, which looked magnificent, were pretty good. There was a great looking signature cocktail but it apparently could not be made as a virgin. Very disappointing since it sounded amazing (watermelon and cucumber) but I was driving back to the Central Valley so refused anything alcoholic. read more

The Fish Hopper - Lilikoi cake and chocolate mousse cup - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

i am usually picky about my fish, but the branzino is absolutely amazing!!! No smelly odor, cooked moist & perfection. Service is quick & pleasant read more

The Fish Hopper - Branzino - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

We ordered the clam chowder bowl which was amazing. We wanted to devour the entire bowl. The chowder was rich and delicious and the bread had a nice garlic flavor. The kids do not typically enjoy clams but ate everything! The crab risotto balls were crunchy and fun. The fish and chips were light and the coating was delicious with a large portion of fish. The family loved everything especially the view of the sea otters from the window! read more

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Undeserving of high YELP rating. Yikes the food was bad, bad, bad. Fish and chips YUK. Really awful. Clam chowder was passable. Poke tuna starter was ok. Service was attentive but ..... This place is all about turning over the tables. Felt under pressure to eat and depart. Several walk-bys with the iPad and prompts to order more...? Or depart...? Tourist trap. Should have known better. read more

This place was nostalgic for my husband so we made a point to stop by while we were at the Aquarium. We had the clam chowder and it was creamy and satisfying. It was laden with seafood so we enjoyed it. We shared the fish and chips and it was crispy and fresh. The fries were cooked and seasoned perfectly. We had a great view from our table and it made for a memorable visit. Our servers were attentive, friendly and they made sure we were taken care of. read more

The Fish Hopper - Great view! - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

The views are spectacular, the service attentive and efficient, and the food absolutely delicious! read more

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My mom and I make it a point to visit Monterey when going to the coast. We're from Sacramento, so it's a nice change of scenery. We frequent a lot of the restaurants, but always end up back here because I know that my Mother truly enjoys it - which is all a girl wants in life for her Mama. Good Manhattan, too! read more

The Fish Hopper - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

We got drawn in this place with a free sample of their clam chowder, and the moment it hit my wife's lips, we knew we weren't leaving without a full order. She ended up saying it was the best clam chowder she had on the entire trip, and we tried a few different spots in the area. The bread bowl was fresh and the chowder itself was the star. It had a great balance of creamy, savory, and just a touch of sweetness. It came out piping hot and was incredibly satisfying. We also ordered fish and chips, which were good and definitely hit the spot, but not quite on the same level as the chowder. The wait was about 15 minutes, which wasn't bad. We ended up taking our food to go and eating on a park bench nearby. It was still a great experience, but in hindsight, I kind of wish we had sat inside the restaurant to enjoy the full atmosphere. That said, it's nice to have the flexibility to take it back to your hotel or eat along the waterfront. Parking can be a bit tough. We got lucky with street parking and just kept feeding the meter. Pro tip: you can pay the meter online and extend your time, which made things way easier. The location is also super convenient, right by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and perfect for walking along Cannery Row and checking out all the shops. Overall, a really solid stop. Come for the chowder, stay for the location. read more

The Fish Hopper - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

The Fish Hopper is the same ownership group who has Old Fisherman's Grotto, the Grotto Fish Market as well. This is a total tourist place, just like the others. However, there are many tourists in need of food so this group manages to pull it off. This place is big inside, quite noisy and fast paced. The service was good no complaints. The fish and chips - well I've had much better in a nice way of saying it. The clam chowder seemed a little thin as well. The Monterey sardines were good as was the artichoke. What I will recognize and the basis for my rating, is they recognize active duty military and veterans. You get a choice of the calamari, the artichoke, or ahi tuna poke wontons free of charge including a free dessert. As a veteran, I love seeing the community give back. Well done Fish Hopper - keep being classy! read more

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The food and service were great, not to mention the wonderful views (we watched sea otters playing). However, the prices were a bit steep for what you get -- location being the only reason -- and they charge for bread. The portions are big, though, so could probably share and save some money. Chowder was good but rich and creamy. A cup will likely be enough if you're not having it as your meal. read more

The Fish Hopper - You can watch sea otters from your table. - Seafood Near Me - Monterey, California

While I was skeptical of the high prices, the food was incredible. The oysters were $4.50 each but very large and sweet. The chowder was pretty good and the bread bowl was toasted in garlic butter, adding to the flavor and decadence of the meal. The spicy scampi had great flavor and the quality of the shrimp was great. The peach aperol spritz was a delicious drink option. The view of the water is incredible, but the service was just ok! read more

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The clam chowder is the best. The service was excellent and the ambiance is very pleasant

Great food, seafood was not over cooked at all. Nice and buttery texture, not chewy and rubbery. Definitely coming back when we're back in the area to try their different dishes. Had the Ultimate Seafood Pasta, Lunch Lobster Risotto, and crab-crusted salmon. read more

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Service excellent(Zabdiel& Jennika) with beautiful views. We had issues with the parking meter & Zabdiel went above & betinf by giving me quarters out of his pocket ti help. The Drinks are always good here. The bacon-wrapped scallops are very pricey for how small they are, and they only come with two. The ones we got a few years ago were much better & bigger without the soup to cover how tiny they are (bring back the old ones~pictured). The calamari is very tender and delicious, but again, a small portion for the price. The clam chowder is very creamy and tastes good, but again also expensive. The Artichoke had too much vinegar & was undercooked (not tender). The desert was great! We always enjoy coming here but portions have gotten a lot smaller over the years but I guess you are paying for the views. read more

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