84 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2026 montereycountynow.com/bestof Restaurants BEST RESTAURANT MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD BEST STEAKHOUSE Whaling Station Steakhouse 763 Wave St., Monterey (831) 373-3778, thewhalingstation.com After the show, it can be difficult to decide on a favorite. Were the Flying Wallendas better than the juggler? Were either better than the silk-strap aerial artist? And how about the human cannonball! One goes through the same impossible exercise at the Whaling Station. The beef is either American Wagyu or prime, so from the filet to the porterhouse, it’s all remarkable. They even specialize in classic Beef Wellington and prime rib. What makes the restaurant stand apart is that their sideshows—prime rib egg rolls, chopped steak—are prepared with the same quality meats. There is no skimping. Of course, there is more to the steakhouse: seafood, pasta, salads and more. That’s why Whaling Station has been a destination for more than 50 years. BEST BAKERY Ad Astra 479 Alvarado St., Monterey adastrabread.com It’s been said that in ancient Roman times they used bread and circuses to appease people and distract them from the political climate at hand, and Ad Astra’s bread and pastries are good enough to do just that now. Their classic sourdough is revered all over the peninsula and their selection of other interesting breads and wide array of incredible baked goods are all distractingly delicious. And we did this without mentioning their olive bread. BEST BREAKFAST First Awakenings 300 David Ave., Monterey. (831) 372-1125 171 Main St., Salinas. (831) 784-1125 firstawakenings.net For more than 25 years, First Awakenings has been waking up Monterey County with hearty diner-style breakfasts and Mexican fare to match. Whether you’re in the market for fluffy pancakes or huevos rancheros (and not cotton candy or popcorn), this is the locals’ fave place to eat their first meal. The portions are generous and the menu has enough variety to keep the whole circus happy. Maybe you’re an early bird, maybe you need a little coaxing before curtain call… either way, First Awakenings puts on a breakfast worth applauding. BEST BRUNCH Red House Cafe 662 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 643-1060, redhousecafe.com Circus trains back in the day were brightly colored transports for hundreds of workers and dozens of animals, not to mention flatcars to carry the heavy equipment and tents. A circus train also had a “pie car” dishing out thousands of meals a week. Red was a favorite color of such cars (think animal cracker packages), perfect for catching people’s attention as the train rumbled from town to town. Cabooses, famously red, were used by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to advertise the tour. Red is also the color of readers’ favorite spot for brunch, the Red House Cafe in Pacific Grove. Like those pie cars, Red House Cafe feeds hungry brunch goers week after week, serving up its signature frittata, buttermilk pancakes, cinnamon brioche french toast and benedicts, as well as salads, sandwiches and customer favorites like the calamari steak. BEST CHEAP EATS El Charrito 122 W. Market St., Salinas. (831) 424-9446 483 Calle Principal, Monterey. (831) 884-5143 98 General Stilwell Drive, 10. Marina. (831) 901-3617 elcharrito.com Yes, there is still a place where you can get a meal—a homemade, satisfying and complete meal—for under $10. El Charrito is beloved for its unparalleled tortillas, pliable and buttery, but also because it’s a great value. Mix and match your choices of meat or veggies in a burrito or in a bowl, selecting from a breakfast or lunch menu. Or grab a small (but still satisfying) bite by choosing a pair of beef-and-potato taquitos, a meal for $6. This family-owned and -operated establishment has expanded to three locations because customers can’t get enough— and because they can afford to keep coming back, again and again. Best New Restaurant of 2026 | Crema
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