SIGNATURE DISHES PROMOTIONAL SECTION Sardine Factory Seafood Pasta Marina Voted Best Restaurant in Monterey County in 2025, it is obvious that the Sardine Factory is in the business of warm hospitality, comfort and indulgence. Take that as a sign to indulge in the seafood pasta marina that includes lobster, clams, mussels, prawns, sea scallops, wild mushrooms, tomato, basil and roasted garlic in chardonnay lemon butter sauce on linguini pasta. The wine list at the Sardine Factory is long and the cellar deep—boasting more than 2,000 labels and 20,000 bottles, so consult with the sommelier for the perfect bottle for your dinner. 701 Wave St, Monterey, (831) 373-3775, sardinefactory.com Sea Harvest Cioppino Only the freshest seafood, caught by Sea Harvest’s fishermen/owners, is used in the delectable, tomato-based cioppino. This mouth-watering seafood stew is best enjoyed with crusty bread and a fine red wine. 100 A Crossroads Blvd, Carmel, (831) 626-3626; 2420 CA-1, Moss Landing, (831) 728-7081; 598 Foam St, Monterey, (831) 646-0547, seaharvestcarmel.com Seventh & Dolores Dry Aged Handcut Ribeye Seventh and Dolores Steakhouse was voted Best Restaurant in Carmel by Weekly readers in 2025 and with good reason. Start with a cocktail as you peruse the menu, but surely the 36 day Dry Aged Niman Ranch rib eye is the play. Select a sauce or a flight of 6 if you can’t choose from Argentine chimichurri, creamed horseradish, Bordelaise, Cafe de Paris butter, barrel aged ponzu, brandy peppercorn, blue cheese, bearnaise aioli or Burgundy truffle butter. 7th Avenue &, Dolores St, Carmel, (831) 293-7600, 7dsteakhouse.com Spotted Duck Seared Tucker Reserve duck breast Naturally, one should choose the duck. This dish features Tucker Reserve duck breast served atop creamy white corn polenta, braised rainbow chard with a duck jus and green tomato ginger jam. Pair with a wine of your choice and enjoy the bold, seasonal flavors of Chef Jerry Regester. Spotted Duck, 542 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove. (831) 920-2602, spottedduckpg.com Steinbeck House Chicken Apple Brie Sandwich Where better to eat in Salinas than the birthplace and boyhood home of the town’s most famous son? Open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday, the Steinbeck House has a rotating seasonal menu. Ranking high on the list of options, however, is the mouthwatering favorite sandwich featuring grilled chicken breast, tart slices of apple and melted brie on sourdough. 132 Central Ave, Salinas, (831) 424-2735, steinbeckhouse.com Sweet Reba’s Chocolate Chip Cookies If you know your cookies, you know that Sweet Reba’s bakes the best in Monterey County. While surely she’s got secrets she won’t share, Reba notes that her chocolate chip cookies feature extra brown sugar and the finest quality chocolate chips on the market. You could buy one, but you should probably pick up a dozen. 206 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel, (831) 601-4818; 268 S Main St, Salinas, (831) 676-0628, sweetrebas.com T&A Cafe Tri Tip Sandwich If it’s BBQ that you’re after, let the Kleinfeldt family take care of you at T&A Cafe. On a menu filled with slow-roasted meats and fresh, crisp salads, diners will find the popular Tri Tip Sandwich. There are three cheeky ordering options for this sandwich on Dutch crunch garlic bread: “just the tip” for meat only, “saucy tip” for meat and BBQ sauce, or “all the way” for meat, BBQ sauce, and sauteed bell peppers and onions. 1 Harris Road, Salinas, (831) 225-0447, tacafespreckels.com The Oven Pizzeria East Coast Vs West Coast This is not a real battle because there’s room for both at the party, but the two pizza crust options available at The Oven are distinct and delicious. Opt for a West Coast crust for a perfectly chewy sourdough that holds up to any toppings you include. If you’re from the East Coast, you will decidedly recognize the New York style thin crust on offer at this Seaside hot spot without the travel time. Eat in the friendly Broadway dining room or take your pies to go. 720 Broadway Ave, Seaside, (831) 899-1762, 2peasdmd.wixsite.com/theoven Tipsy Putt Mini Golf Restaurant Experience Tipsy Putt is your go-to spot on Cannery Row for great food, craft drinks, and interactive fun. Enjoy burgers, tacos, shareable bites, local beers, wines, and handcrafted cocktails. Keep the good times going with indoor mini golf and social games in a lively, high-energy atmosphere perfect for groups, date nights, and celebrations. All ages are welcome until 10pm, with mini golf available for all ages until 7pm. Located at 95 Prescott Ave, Monterey. (831) 297-9048, tipsyputt.com Whaling Station Cowboy Ribeye Steak USDA Prime grade 26-ounce bone-in ribeye. Seasoned well and crusted up in a 1,100-degree charbroiler/oven. Served with a splash of proprietary steak sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, baconspiked sauteed spinach and fried onions. 763 Wave St, Monterey, (831) 373-3778, TheWhalingStation.com Winston’s Lemon Ricotta Pancakes Brunch in Pacific Grove is abundant and delicious. Winston’s, on Lighthouse Ave, offers up some of the finest. For pancake lovers, look no further than a stack of buttermilk pancakes folded with ricotta and then topped with lemon curd and blueberry compote and dusted in powdered sugar. Rich and fluffy with the right tang make for a sure treat. 602 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, (831) 324-4162 Woody’s Sautéed Sand Dabs Chef Tim Wood has created a welcoming restaurant and bar with the unique spectacle of planes taking off and landing at the Monterey Regional Airport. Consider the sand dabs: dusted in herbed flour, and cooked in a caper beurre blanc with Swank Farms vegetables, rice pilaf and a housemade tartar sauce. A great place to grab a drink and a bite as you wait for your flight or simply to watch the planes. 200 Fred Kane Dr #201, Monterey; 500 Del Mesa Dr, Carmel, (831) 373-1232, woodysmontereyairport.com 54 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® EAT + DRINK 2026-2027
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