Visitors Guide 2024

120 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2024-2025 food La Tortuga Mexican There are essentially two menus. One includes tortas and tacos and such—and should not be overlooked. However, the final page is devoted to Oaxacan specialties. This is Mexican food made slowly, with layered flavors, generous portions and tortillas from scratch. 1257 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 899-8429, latortugaseaside.com Maligne Global This wood-fired place brings fine dining finesse and a passion for sourcing ingredients to accessible dishes, including the once-humble hamburger. 600 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 601-1302, restaurantmaligne.com Mariscos Puerto Nuevo Mexican Flavor-focused and often packed, Mariscos presents a huge variety of Mexican-style seafood dishes as well as many of the land-based standards. 580 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 583-0411, mariscospn.com Noodle Bar Vietnamese See Marina listing. 1944 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 392-0210, noodlebar831.com Other Brother Beer Co. American Other Brother is a standout brewery (see “Drinks,” p. 64). But they have a small kitchen and a chef who can make the simple seem very big indeed. The burgers are memorable. Add a grilled cheese sandwich to your order of tomato bisque to find out just how good your childhood could have been. 877 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 747-1106, otherbrotherbeer.com Rocky’s Cafe Diner Rocky’s is tucked along busy Del Monte Boulevard among workaday shops. It may not call out to you, but this little diner is neat inside. And the kitchen is pretty deft with roadside favorites. 1642 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside. (831) 747-1414, rockys-cafe.weebly.com Seaside Seafood & Market Seafood Take the taste of the South, mix it with the fresh seafood of the West Coast. You’ll find a selection of New Orleans-style po’ boys, platters of fish and Southern fish frys and seafood boils—crayfish when available. 789 Trinity Ave., Seaside. (831) 394-2027, seasideseafoodmarket.com Stammtisch German Imagine a small-town kitchen somewhere in Germany. It would be a place for hearty fare (schnitzel, for instance), mugs of good beer and a friendly welcome from the host. This is Stammtisch. 1204 Echo Ave., Seaside. (831) 899-3070, stammtisch-seaside.com Sushi Time Japanese The massive menu includes no fewer than 30 “special rolls,” from the common to bold American adaptations. Sitting at the cute sushi bar in the back makes service easy, especially in light of lunch rushes. 1153 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 884-5011, sushitime.menu11.com Tacos el Jalisciense Mexican From the moment this place opened in 2023 there were lines, with drive-through customers often blocking one lane of Fremont. Limited seating inside, especially on taco Tuesday. 1390 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 920-2172 Taqueria Zarape Mexican It can be difficult to find parking at times, especially around lunch and dinner—this unassuming taqueria is that good. Some of the draws: simple street-style tacos, burritos, enchiladas or tostadas. 1107 Fremont St., Seaside. (831) 899-1125, taqueriazarape.com The Butter House Eclectic There’s nothing finer than a great diner, and The Butter House is a great diner. Choose from classic egg combos or go for pancakes, waffles, French toast and more. There are some unique Filipino-inspired rice offerings, as well as their take on the army “favorite,” SOS. 1760 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 394-2887, thebutterhouse.com The Creperie Café Creperie The menu packs a lot into a short list. There are savory crepes layered with vegetables, cheese and meats (or go vegetarian). Sweet options include fruit, Nutella, chocolate or all of the above. The batter for all crepes is vegan. And there are clever paninis, as well as a creative coffee bar. 1123 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 901-3900 The Oven Pizzeria Pizza Two styles of pizza are in play here. One is a California style, but the other is a type of pie most West Coast places mess up: New York. Here, they do it right. In fact, it’s the closest thing to old-school Big Apple crust that you’ll find. 720 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 8991762, 2peasdmd.wixsite.com/theoven Tricycle Pizza Pizza Once upon a time Tricycle had sit-down dining at a prime location in Monterey and it drew steady crowds. That space went away, though not the pizza’s popularity thanks to the care taken with the crust. Also serves Detroit-style. 1950 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 4024305, tricyclepizza.com Delis, Markets and Shops The Meatery The Meatery is an old-school butcher with upscale meats—pasture-raised, prime, the good stuff. Yet it also serves as a deli, with some outstanding options. Think 18-hour brisket. It’s impossible not to leave with a pound of this, two pounds of that. 1534 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 656-8810, themeatery. us Bakeries, Ice Cream and other Treats Angelina’s Bakery Angelina’s is known for their breakfast pastries loaded with fresh fruit. Also their cakes and cookies and everything else. Tres leches? Try quatro leches. 1725 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 394-8808, angelinasbakery.com La Media Naranja Choose from a colorful range of cold-pressed juices. So many refreshing flavors. 1450 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 747-1232 Lupita’s Bakery The family behind Lupita’s has been baking since the late 1800s, starting in Mexico. You can order tacos, but that’s hard when you see the bakery’s signature line of cake bars. 1048 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 394-0188, lupitasbaking.com MYO Pure Frozen Yogurt See listing under Carmel. 840 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 375-3769, myofrozenyogurt. com Paris Bakery See listing under Monterey. 1232 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 394-7798, parisbakery.us Red’s Donuts See listing under Monterey. 1646 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. redsdonutsinc.com Sweet Elena’s Bakery and Café Sweet Elena’s is known for pies and pastries, but it is often referred to as the best restaurant in Sand City. Light soups, quiches and sandwiches are served. There’s also a full coffee bar. 465-D Olympia Ave., Sand City. (831) 393-2063, sweetelenas.com Coffee, Tea, Juices Acme Coffee Roasting Co. A little stand with a loyal customer base for lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites and more (to go; it’s a coffee stand). 485 B Palm Ave., Seaside. (831) 393-9113, acmecoffeeroasting.com

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