Restaurants treasure has deep roots in Monterey’s fishing and restaurant scene, which the menu celebrates with fresh seafood prepared simply but deliciously on an oak-fired grill or in traditional seafood pasta dishes. This is the kind of place that does one thing and does it well. Sure, you will find a Cesar salad and some garlic bread, but this menu puts seafood center ring. BEST VIETNAMESE Chopstix 1868 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 899-2622 1244 Munras Ave., Monterey. (831) 372-2622 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd., Carmel. (831) 625-2622 624 Northridge Mall Shopping Center, Salinas. (831) 442-2622 chopstixboba.com Chopstix Vietnamese Restaurant has four locations in Monterey County—in Monterey, Seaside, Carmel and Salinas. It’s an acrobatic combination of fresh food served the fast-food way. Get your pho or chicken over fresh noodles with some fresh vegetables that is kind to your wallet. The restaurants not only feature reasonably-priced and surprisingly-wide menus, but they also keep the line moving. Not in a mood for Asian food? Not a problem. Chopstix has fries, chicken wings and plenty of salads, too. BEST THAI Pacific Thai Cuisine 663 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 646-8424, pacificthaicuisineca.com Thai chefs already know a thing or two about putting a show (in terms of flavor) on the plate. But year after year, Pacific Thai brings thrills to the crowd. Here, family recipes and traditions take center stage, with everything from compelling curries to sticky rice with mango bringing flavor to the ring. The family-owned restaurant has been serving Pad Thai to Pacific Grove for years and they know what they’re doing. Pick what you feel like and it’ll be good—although you may find yourself juggling chopsticks. BEST TAQUERIA Michael’s Taqueria 1126 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 647-8654 Setting up and breaking down an event space day in and day out is something that Jorge Barajas, the youngest son of the family who owns Michael’s Taqueria, understands well. He says that the hard work and consistency of everyone who helps make sure the tortillas are warm, the beans are savory and the meat is seasoned is what makes Michael’s the best of them all. Should any troupe roll into town, they’re sure to be hungry—and Michael’s will be ready. BEST MEXICAN BEST RESTAURANT - SALINAS Villa Azteca 157 Main St., Salinas (831) 256-2669, villaazteca.com Villa Azteca gets double-billing as both the best restaurant in Salinas and the best Mexican in the county. It’s quite an honor to master this balancing act, but it’s easy to see how the crowd is under Villa Azteca’s spell. From lunch to dinner to Sunday’s all-day brunch, the kitchen puts an inventive spin on traditional Mexican cuisine. Entertain your taste buds with staples like guacamole and fresh mango, lobster enchiladas with creamy squash blossom sauce and chile rellano with shrimp and handmade tortillas. Don’t skip the finale, a mouthwatering selection of desserts and drinks. BEST MEDITERRANEAN Dametra Cafe 356 Ocean Ave., Carmel (831) 622-7766, dametracafe.com Dametra 630 Del Monte Center, Monterey. (831) 275-5555 120 General Stilwell Drive, 110, Marina. (831) 274-4444 dametra.com Ladies, gentlemen and gentlethems! Buckle up, because this is a threeact performance. The story of the Best Mediterranean food opens with Dametra Cafe, a cornerstone of 90 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2026 montereycountynow.com/bestof ’24 ’22-’26 BEST SINGLES BAR THANK YOU Weekly readers for keeping us on the top of your list once again! Sunday-Thursday 3pm–12am Friday & Saturday 12pm–1:30am barmel.com 7th & San Carlos, Carmel BEST BAR FOR GEN Z BEST BAR FOR GEN X BEST BAR FOR MILLENIALS CHEERS TO GREAT DRINKS, GREAT FOOD, AND LOTS OF FUN IN THE COMING YEAR! ’22-’23 ’18 ’17-’19 ’16 BEST PLACE TO GO DANCING BEST LATE NIGHT HANGOUT BOOK YOUR PRIVATE EVENTS WITH US! EVENTS@BARMEL.COM PASSIONFISH.NET DINNER NIGHTLY 5 PM - 9 PM 701 LIGHTHOUSE AVE. PACIFIC GROVE (831) 655-3311 Thank you for voting us the Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove ’26
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