90 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2024-2025 food I’m Thai Cuisine Thai Menu options go on for days, or so it seems— which may send up a red flag. Yet the kitchen is able to deliver compelling appetizers and entrees across the board. A favorite for many local fans of Thai cooking. 3170 Vista Del Camino Road, Marina. (831) 718-8173, imthaicuisine.com Keoki’s Hawaiian Barbeque Hawaiian They speak kahlua here, as well as musubi. Keoki’s is a popular take-away spot for its smoked pork plates and sandwiches. But don’t overlook the chicken. 3170 Vista Del Camino, Marina. (831) 809-8644 Marina Poke House Hawaiian The spot gives Marina and the CSU Monterey Bay crew sushi-grade fish over greens or rice in the Hawaiian-style tradition, with a choice of sauces and add-ons. 266 Reservation Road, Suite S, Marina. (831) 384-7898, pokehouseofmarina.com Michael’s Grill & Taqueria Mexican An assortment of classic and filling menu items you can mix and match—think plates, fajitas, nachos, burritos and the like. 265 Reservation Road #I, Marina. (831) 884-2568 Nak Won Korean Nak Won bills itself as a Korean barbecue house and you can certainly go that route here, but there are other staple dishes that hit the spot. 330 Reservation Road #A, Marina. (831) 883-2302 New Korea Korean You’ll find everything you want in a family Korean place, from blood sausage to bibimbap to bulgogi. Note the dining room fills up fast. 300 Carmel Ave. #D, Marina. (831) 384-7171 Noodle Bar Vietnamese Pho and dry noodle bowls, rice plates and more are done consistently and to perfection. There are vegetarian dishes and a long list of smoothie options. A much smaller sister location in Seaside does to-go orders only. 215 Reservation Road, Marina, (831) 384-6225, noodlebar831.com Pho Lucky Noodle House Vietnamese Pho is popular here, of course. Yet rice noodles and stir fried noodles are good options. They are a noodle house, after all. For dessert try one of the freezes. 266 Reservation Road, Marina. (831) 883-8003, pholuckymarina.com Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette Global In a community known for global flavors from mom and pops, Salt Wood gives Marina a taste of fine dining. Come for the seasonal oyster menu, stay for anything else on offer from the kitchen, which draws from local sources and changes seasonally. 3295 Dunes Drive, Marina. (831) 883-5535, saltwoodkitchenandoysterette.com Siam Marina Thai The time-honored address for noodles, curries and a list of unique dishes. You might even find frog legs or something more familiar (and more global) when the kitchen runs specials. 210 Reindollar Ave., Marina. (831) 883-9399, siammarina.com Tara Mangan Keni Filipino Choose a plate or your favorites from the line. There is quite a range here, from noodles to crispy pata, kare kare, lumpia and more. 265 Reservation Road, Marina. (831) 920-3979 Delis, Markets and Shops Grinderz This is a classic, unpretentious sandwich spot with cold cuts or internationally inspired hot options (banh mi, cubano, chicken parm) on one hand, and a German grocer on the other, with offerings like mustards, pickles and salamis. 215 Reservation Road, Suite N, Marina. (831) 324-4291, grinderzdeli.com Bakeries, Ice Cream and other Treats Cheesecake Dreamations Cheesecakes come in all sizes, from a customary pie to one- or two-bite minis. And the flavors, well, there are something like 50 of them. So if you happen to be craving an ube cheesecake, this is the place. Plenty of topping options, too. 265 Reservation Road, Marina. (831) 884-5033, cheesecakedreamations.com Marina Donuts & Bagels There are regularly long lines flowing from this institution, for good reason. There are doughnuts—try the creme filled—and bagels with different spreads to choose from, just as the name suggests. 266 Reservation Road, Marina. (831) 833-4527 MoonScoops Ice Creamery Curiously enough, ice cream isn’t the main attraction here. They serve it, yes—organic soft serve in different flavors. But the rainbow of house made “moon ices” in a carnival of flavors is what reels you in. They are like a fusion of sorbet and Italian ice, only better. 110 General Stilwell Drive #104, Marina. (831) 901-3384, moonscoops.com Coffee, Tea, Juices Coffee Mia The friendly neighborhood atmosphere plus strong coffee, flavorful paninis and a dogfriendly setting make this a popular local’s destination to grab a bite or to linger. 250E Reservation Road, Marina. (831) 384-0148 Monterey Abalonetti Bar & Grill Seafood Treat yourself to the joy of squid at this local seafood landmark with a dockside view. Order Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro
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