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Best Authentic Restaurants in Monterey

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27 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Fin + Field Restaurant and Bar - Monterey Marriott restaurant
4.3
Awesome(16)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Monterey
Booked 2 times today
Chef Josh Silva-Arias presents a culinary experience that’s true to its home, authentic to its environment, and enjoyed by all. Bringing his love and passion for food to Fin + Field Restaurant at Monterey Marriott, our menus focus on freshness and locally-sourced ingredients. Enjoy a drink at our ambient full bar, featuring seven local microbrews and custom cocktails.
A photo of Abalonetti Bar and Grill restaurant
4.4
Awesome(539)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • Monterey
Booked 7 times today
Abalonetti Bar and Grill is one of the original restaurants on Monterey's Historic Fisherman's Wharf. Famous for Monterey calamari, we now feature more than 20 different preparations from local squid processed in-house. With ample ocean views, the Wharf's largest waterfront pet-friendly patio, a full bar, cocktail menu and local wine list, Abalonetti has been a favorite of locals for decades, providing a fun and casual waterfront dining experience.
A photo of Stokes Adobe Restaurant restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(776)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Monterey
Booked 30 times today
Stokes Adobe is a new restaurant located in one of Old Monterey’s historic adobe homes. The menu offers chef driven seasonally inspired California cuisine. The bar and cozy outdoor fire pits offer classic cocktails, wines by the glass and local beers.
A photo of Estéban Restaurant at Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa restaurant
4.2
Awesome(873)
Price: Expensive
• Spanish • Monterey
Booked 7 times today
Estéban Restaurant: Spanish-inspired California cuisine.This local favorite offers indoor & outdoor patio (pet-friendly) diningUp-to-date hours: Open for BreakfastMon. – Fri. 7:00am–10:00amOpen for DinnerSun. – Thurs., 4:30pm–8:30pmFri. & Sat., 4:30pm–9:00pmTapas Happy Hour daily 4:30pm–6:00pmOpen for BrunchSat. & Sun. 9:00am–1:30pmEstéban Restaurant, the 2024 Diners' Choice award winner, carries on the Munras family tradition of culinary hospitality and excellence. It offers authentic Monterey dining in the historic Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa. Enjoy a unique culinary experience featuring traditional Spanish-inspired California cuisine with a pinch of adventure. Choose from shared plates and classic selections. Gift Certificates availableFollow us on Facebook at facebook.com/EstebanRestaurant and Instagram at instagram.com/estebanrestaurant/
A photo of El Torito - Monterey restaurant
3.9
Excellent(1214)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Monterey
Booked 36 times today
The authority in great Mexican food for over 70 years! Visit us for weekly celebrations where we infuse tradition with authentic Mexican cuisine, including $4 happy hour, $3 Taco Tuesday, Saturday Breakfast and All-You-Can-Eat + Drink Sunday Brunch. Experience a celebration of Family, Food & Community!
A photo of Il Tegamino restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1113)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Carmel
Booked 19 times today
Just steps off Ocean Avenue in downtown Carmel, California, Il Tegamino is Carmel's favorite hidden gem. Wander past Carmel's iconic candy shop to find us tucked behind boutiques in a courtyard off the beaten path. We are a tiny restaurant charmingly hidden in Carmel-by-the-Sea's first courtyard. Dine al fresco in our outdoor space within The Court of the Golden Bough courtyard complete with standing heaters and an awning or feel transported to an authentic Italian bistro in our bustling small dining room. We welcome you to come grab a glass of vino in our new wine room. As a local small business, you will often find owner Giuseppe at your table side to welcome you and serve his menu of Italian comfort food inspired by his upbringing in Southern Italy.
A photo of Il Fornaio - Carmel restaurant
4.5
Awesome(2278)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Carmel
Booked 31 times today
Il Fornaio - Carmel is a gem of authentic Italian cuisine in downtown Carmel. As one reviewer noted, it serves 'Real authentic Italian cuisine.' The menu boasts wood-fired rotisserie and grilled meats, house-made pastas, and pizzas baked in an oak wood-fired oven. The restaurant's name, 'Il Fornaio,' which means 'The Baker' in Italian, speaks to its commitment to traditional Italian cooking.
A photo of Enzo Ristorante Italiano restaurant
4.5
Awesome(452)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Carmel
Booked 7 times today
If a Western Mediterranean version of life exists, you will find it nestled between Ocean ave and Seventh st on San Carlos Street in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The European style village nestled above a picturesque white sandy beach is the perfect backdrop to "ENZO". At Enzo, you will be beckoned by the rustically charming patios surrounded by draping bougainvillea on a sundrenched day or the cozy and simplistic interior warmed by the fireplace when the cool fog blankets the coast.Calabria is a southern region in Italy where the owner, Enzo, comes from. Calabria is a place where life is still slow. It's the beauty, the passion, the family, the love...this is what you will find at Enzo...simplicity, love, comfort, family!
A photo of Nicolas Cocina de Herencia restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(286)
Price: Expensive
• Mexican • Carmel
Booked 28 times today
Reservations are not needed but are recommended, Walk ins are Welcome.The newest creation from the owners of the beloved Villa Azteca in Downtown Salinas (Salinas City Center), the eatery honoring the Alvarez family patriarch will open Summer 2023 in Carmel Plaza. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant will have indoor dining, bar seating and a small outdoor space, serving specialty Michoacán dishes as well as other Mexican favorites, incorporating three generations of family recipes.
A photo of Dametra Cafe restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(241)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Carmel
Booked 41 times today
Dametra Cafe is a gem of a restaurant that truly captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. It's all about the authenticity here, with reviewers praising the 'fresh & authentic' food. The atmosphere is often described as familial and fun, and the owner is commended for being 'welcoming'. Plus, the live music and dance parties add an extra layer of authenticity. The food is 'delicious' and 'fresh', with dishes like hummus, lamb shish kebab and baklava being fan favorites.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Sophia
    Portland / Oregon •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Was on a solo trip and felt very comfortable going as a solo diner here. Ambiance was lovely. The staff was professional and helpful in me choosing my food and drink options! I kind of went all out on the ordering since everything looked so good and I got the crudo, bisque, potatoes, and American wagyu. I particularly loved the fact how incredibly fresh and melt in your mouth the fish was. The avocado mousse mixed really well with it. The crema on the potatoes was lovely and the potatoes were flavorful and piping hot which was amazing. I enjoyed the chili oil addition to the bisque and that was also served in a very hot bowl which was preferred to me because I hate food that gets even a little bit cold and I loved that. The wagyu was of course cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. Not a huge of sun chokes but that’s just my personal preference as I have never really like them. Overall, wonderful experience and would go again
    More info
    Stokes Adobe RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Californian• Monterey
    4.8
  • Cynthia
    San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    From the front of the house, beautiful to the person who waited on us, fabulous! My husband and I have been dining at Estéban twice a year for many many years. Needless to say, our experiences have been wonderful, yet yesterday’s dinner exceeded even the best of our experiences. Please let the host, waitress, and chef know this. Thank you and have a pleasant rest of 2024 and a prosperous 2025!
    More info
    Estéban Restaurant at Casa Munras Garden Hotel & SpaPrice: Expensive• Spanish• Monterey
    4.2
  • Michael
    California Central Coast •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    we eat her a couple of times a year Birthday. Anniversary and other occasion food is great staff are great . Views of the Ocean are beautiful
    More info
    El Torito - MontereyPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Monterey
    3.9
  • TonyVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •11 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 26, 2024
    Consistently good food and great customer service.
    More info
    Fin + Field Restaurant and Bar - Monterey MarriottPrice: Expensive• Californian• Monterey
    4.3
  • Bryan
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 25, 2024
    Our fifth year in a row having Christmas Eve dinner at Abalonetti’s. Delicious as always with exceptional customer service and a damn fine Long Island ice tea. Scampi was amazing!
    More info
    Abalonetti Bar and GrillPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Monterey
    4.4

Discover best authentic restaurants in Monterey

Discover the essence of authenticity in California's Central Coast with our curated selection of restaurants in Monterey / Carmel. These dining spots are renowned for their genuine flair and dedication to capturing the true spirit of their culinary influences. Whether you're craving the fresh, sustainable tastes of local Californian cuisine or the rich, vibrant flavors of Mediterranean fare, each restaurant offers a unique, authentic dining experience that reflects the local culture and culinary standards. Monterey / Carmel's dining scene is a vibrant mix of local traditions and innovative culinary practices, making it a must-visit for food lovers seeking authenticity. Diners can expect to enjoy not just a meal, but a full sensory experience with stunning coastal views, locally sourced ingredients, and a warm, inviting atmosphere that embodies the locale's charm. Each restaurant's commitment to quality and authenticity shines through in their meticulously crafted menus, which feature a range of options to suit all tastes and dietary preferences. From the freshest seafood to organic, locally-grown produce, the emphasis on high-quality, natural ingredients is a testament to the area's rich culinary heritage. As you plan your next culinary adventure in Monterey / Carmel, be assured that these restaurants will provide not just a meal, but a memorable dining experience that authentically represents the heart of the Central Coast.

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