Restaurants BEST VIETNAMESE Noodle Bar 1944 Fremont Blvd., Seaside (831) 392-0210 215 Reservation Road, Marina (831) 384-6225, noodlebar831.com Picture this: bar seating or take-out only, a limited but appealing menu, straight-forward service, and a clientel that’s nearly locals only. No, Monterey County doesn’t have an authentic saloon. But that is how the best Vietnamese restaurant got its start in Seaside. The original hole-inthe-wall restaurant served arguably the best pho in town, alongside fresh spring rolls and dry noodle bowls. They’ve since expanded to Marina for a sit-down dining room option and an expanded menu. No frills and no fuss. Now pass the nuóc chám. BEST THAI Pacific Thai 663 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 646-8424, pacificthaipg.com There was a time in the early days of commerce in the West that every restaurant was a family-owned place—there were no Big Box stores. These days, it’s something of a luxury to interact with the warm and friendly owners while you’re taking in the complex aroma of homemade Panang curry or crunching on fresh lettuce wraps dipped in rich peanut sauce. Readers love Pacific Thai for the flavorful food, but also because it vibes like an extension of your living room—friendly, inviting and familial. Or if you’re in a hurry, order take-out, which still delivers the flavors and aromas that make this spot the best. BEST TAQUERIA El Charrito 122 W. Market St., Salinas (831) 424-9446 483 Calle Principal, Monterey (831) 884-5143, elcharrito.com There’s a good reason El Charrito transformed its concept and floor plan a few years back. The original concept, a grocery store in Salinas with a deli counter serving up flavorful chile verde burritos and juicy tacos al pastor, routinely included a line snaking out the door. The people wanted the fresh food, lovingly prepared (including handmade flour tortillas, a rarity). So the grocery shelves came out to make way for more tacos, burritos and burrito bowls. Still, the people were hungry for El Charrito, so the Moncada family opened a second location in Monterey. Both are busy, both are delicious and both leave people feeling adequately fueled to explore the Wild West. BEST MEXICAN BEST RESTAURANT - SALINAS Villa Azteca 157 Main St., Salinas (831) 256-2669 During their years-long quest in The Searchers, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) and Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter) stop at a border cantina. On the menu? Beans. Despite the suspect quality, Pawley calls out, “Mamacita, mas frijoles.” When Chef Suzanna Alvarez prepares beans at Villa Azteca, they are cooked slowly and with care. You want more—of everything— because dishes here are crafted from scratch. Maybe it was the same at the fictional big screen cantina, but the results are much different: moles of intricate savor, tortillas made by hand with a natural husky sweetness, meats that are tender yet bold. Even drinks like jamaica will catch your attention. Villa Azteca probably deserves a Michelin star. And you will come back for more. BEST MEDITERRANEAN Dametra Cafe Ocean and Lincoln, Carmel (831) 622-7766, dametracafe.com Dametra Cafe offers an extensive menu that collects flavors from different sides of the Mediterranean, from roasted veggies to shrimp and crab ravioli, gyros plates to baklava. But it’s more than a Mediterranean menu—it’s an expereince, with bustling energy, live music and a warm atmosphere. Since opening in 2008, Dametra’s reach has expanded with counter-service concepts Dametra Fresh Mediterranean in shopping centers at The Dunes in Marina and Monterey’s Del Monte Shopping Center for a falafel wrap on the go. 88 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 montereycountynow.com/bestof Rated the 12th Best Restaurant in the country by Yelp Top 1% of Restaurants Worldwide and Best Everyday Dining - U.S. 2010, ‘12 Business of the Year, Carmel Chamber of Commerce No. 2 Favorite Finds of 2013 Chris Reynolds, Los Angeles Times Ocean Avenue between Dolores and Lincoln 831-622-7766 • Carmel-by-the-Sea www.dametracafe.com “Like nowhere else” We would like to thank our loyal Monterey County Weekly customers, -you’re like family- for your support and votes! ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 Mediterranean Restaurant in Monterey County Best For 14 Years!
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