106 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2024-2025 food Fandango European Flavorful food and an exceptional atmosphere provide the hallmarks of this European, country-style restaurant. Fresh seafood, grilled specialties, French regional dishes and classics like duck a l’orange. 223 17th St., Pacific Grove. (831) 372-3456, fandangorestaurant. com Fishwife Seafood For such an unassuming place, Fishwife can put a world of seafood on the table—hints of Hawaii, Mexico, Italy, the Caribbean and more. Plus pasta and other non-fish dishes. 1996 1/2 Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove (next to Asilomar Beach). (831) 375-7107, fishwife.com Happy Girl Kitchen Co. Vegetarian Award-winning jams, marmalades and pickled vegetables on the shelves. Yes, it’s a shop, where they pickle everything. But it is also a popular vegetarian cafe open for breakfast and lunch. 173 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 373-4475, happygirlkitchen.com Heatwaves American Once a week—on Sundays, to be precise—Chef Rudolfo Ponce turns Rudolfo’s into the pleasantly scorching indoor popup Heatwaves. The specialty is Nashville hot chicken at four sweltering heat levels. 543 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 920-1381, heatwaves831.com Il Vecchio Italian The interior of this trattoria is as accessibleyet-sophisticated as the food that comes out of its kitchen. Pastas are either handmade or imported from Italy. There’s a reason it’s a local favorite—it stays true to the neighborhood trattoria. 110 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 324-4282, ilvecchiorestaurant.com International Cuisine Eclectic International Cuisine is all over the place, with pizza, hummus, chicken gyros, a Hawaiian burger, stroganoff, tacos and more. A family kind of place. 620 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 375-9999, internationalcuisinepg.com Julia’s Vegetarian Restaurant Vegetarian There are innovative takes on vegetarian fare here. The brunch is robust, as are the soups. The mood is as comforting as the food, much from the chef’s own farm. 1180 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 656-9533, juliasofpacificgrove.com La Mia Cucina Italian White tablecloths and a touch of formality, yet the dining room remains comfortable. The kitchen remains true to Italian tradition, with a few local touches. Pasta is prepared in house and is the focus here. 208 17th St., Pacific Grove. (831) 373-2416, lamiacucinaristorante. com Little Chicken House Barbecue Sure, you can go for pulled pork or ribs from the smoker out front. But this is called Little Chicken House for a reason. The birds are dark amber on the outside and tender on the inside. Eat in or use the drive-thru. 1193 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 655-1704 Lucy’s on Lighthouse American Classic surf shack fare is on offer at Lucy’s, with a menu featuring 17 ways of serving hot dogs (plus veggie dogs and Polish dogs), along with tots, mac ‘n’ cheese and a variety of Marianne’s ice cream flavors—plus shakes, malts and floats made with that same Marianne’s. 1120 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 920-2006, lucyspg.com Mai Thai Cuisine Thai A family place that started as a food stand until customers demanded more. The owner had a restaurant in Thailand, so there’s an aura of authenticity—with a little traveled flair (Sriracha chicken? Why not?). 1219 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 901-3963, maithaicuisinepg.com Max’s Grill Global Mastery of classic French and Japanese cuisine makes this a local treasure for fans of good food and warm hospitality. A local favorite for a reason. 209 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 375-7997, maxgrill.com Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar Italian The pasta is prepared in house. The mozzarella is also made in house. Actually, that’s a theme. This spot which opened in 2019 immediately began drawing raves and that has continued nonstop. 1188 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 372-5325, mezzalunapasteria. com Michael’s Taqueria & Grill Mexican Burritos and combination plates and more that are satisfying and budget-friendly. The familyrun restaurant has been around since 1986, which says a lot about the kitchen. 1126 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 647-8654, michaelstaqueriapg.com Nura Sushi & Island Grill Pacific Unlike many places, Nura keeps its sushi menu brief. And they understand that spicy is the first word in spicy tuna roll. While islandinfluenced on the rest of the menu, the listings also include bulgogi. 589 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 400-9999, nurasushi.com Wild Fish
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