You don't have to buy a ticket to Europe to enjoy innovative cuisine and world-class wines served in elegant settings. Master chefs and restaurateurs from around the world have brought their well-tuned palates to the Monterey Peninsula — and with good reason. From the fruits of the sea to the bounty of the land, Monterey Bay has it all.
Seafood reigns supreme in Monterey Bay, which yields an abundance of fresh salmon, scallops, mussels, prawns, abalone and more. Not far from the rugged coastline, the fertile Salinas Valley, dubbed "salad bowl of the state," produces tender lettuces, vegetables and herbs to complement the ocean fare.
With such a diversity of raw ingredients readily available, visitors to the Monterey Peninsula can choose from any variety of culinary styles from just about any country — from California grill to Cajun, French, German, Italian, Mediterranean, Thai, Indian and more.
Below you will find links to just a few of GuestLife Monterey Bay's favorite restaurants.
Guest Life Monterey's Great Restaurants |
 | | Anton & Michel »
Frequent diners are a true sign of a restaurant’s timeless appeal. Since 1980, Anton & Michel has enticed local residents and visitors alike to return again and again. One of downtown Carmel’s longest-running establishments, Anton & Michel masterfully caters to today’s discriminating diners. |
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 | | Cafe Fina and Domenico's on the Wharf »
The intimate warmth of Cafe Fina is reflected in a display of many personal family photos that honor its rich history as generations of Monterey Bay fishermen. When you enter Domenico’s, you step into the life of generations of fishermen of Monterey. |
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 | | Chart House »
Since 1961, Chart House has been dedicated to providing the ideal experience and is your place for world-class dining and impeccable service. A fixture on the Monterey Peninsula since 1981, Chart House offers guests an incredible dining experience in extraordinary surroundings. |
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 | | Duck Club Grill »
The Duck Club Grill at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa offers innovative cuisine and impeccable service in a comfortably elegant setting overlooking Monterey Bay. The restaurant serves sophisticated, contemporary American cuisine that is authoritatively seasoned, artfully presented, and pleasantly surprising. |
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 | | Fandango »
It is clear, as you step into the gated garden entrance, this is a place where friends and family gather for more than a meal. The friendly, festive atmosphere sets the tempo for a spirited pageant of authentic Mediterranean dishes. What else would you expect from a restaurant named after a lively Spanish dance? |
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 | | Flaherty's Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill »
Named one of California’s 10 best freshcatch seafood restaurants by The San Jose Mercury News, Flaherty’s enjoys a reputation as rich as its tradition. Chef Francisco Cocova and his staff have been creating seafood delights for more than 25 years. |
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 | | The Forge in the Forest »
Slip in under the canopy of trees at the southwest corner of 5th and Junipero and cozy up to a fire pit, or tuck yourself under an umbrella next to the heat lamps. It’s no surprise this place has been voted “Best Outdoor Dining” every year since 1992 by the Monterey County Weekly newspaper readers’ poll. |
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 | | Fresh Cream »
Widely acclaimed as Monterey’s finest restaurant, Fresh Cream has been receiving critical praise for award winning cuisine for more than 28 years. The restaurant’s stunning views and elegant décor set the mood for romantic dinners, special occasions, or aftertheater desserts. |
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 | | Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria »
Every day they transform the best natural ingredients like real butter, fresh eggs, and organic flour into more than 500 different pastries, cakes, cookies, breads, sandwiches, and entrées. Even the mayonnaise is made from scratch! Freshness in the food business can be a relative term. Here, it means daily or hourly. |
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 | | The Grill on Ocean Avenue »
The Grill on Ocean Avenue is indeed a rare find among restaurants on the Peninsula. Artfully melding the casual comfort of a French bistro with the distinctive cuisine and ambiance that characterize a memorable dining experience, The Grill is equally ideal for impromptu meals, special occasions and group gatherings. |
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 | | PortaBella »
In Italian, portabella means beautiful door. In Carmel, it’s a threshold well worth crossing. During the day, passersby on Ocean Avenue are lured in by the sight of diners happily engaged in food and conversation on the picturesque flagstone patio. At night, heady aromas and laughter waft innocuously out the famed front door each time it is opened. |
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 | | The Sardine Factory Restaurant »
Every city has that one restaurant you can’t miss, where celebrities feel at home and every other guest feels like a celebrity. The Sardine Factory has that cache — world leaders, sports heroes and entertainment icons have made a tradition of dining in our historic Cannery Row setting. |
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 | | The Village Corner »
Visitors and locals alike have made this Carmel icon a favorite for more than 50 years. The timeless popularity of this charming restaurant stems from the quintessentially Carmel atmosphere, the impeccable service, and most of all the delectable California cuisine created by Chef Raymundo Perez. |
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