Food with a View at The Crab House on Old Fisherman’s Wharf

A trip to Monterey is never complete without soaking in the relaxing views of the Monterey Bay, spying on playful sea otters and savoring crispy calamari. Now you can enjoy all three of these quintessential Monterey staples at the brand new Crab House restaurant on Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

Taking over the former Isabella’s restaurant towards the end of Old Fisherman’s Wharf, the Crab House offers some of the most spectacular 360 degree views of the Monterey Bay complete with bobbing sailboats, incoming whale watching ships and spirited sea life just below the deck.

The seafood grill’s nautical décor is inviting and much appreciated, although the real showstopper is the view just outside its walls. Whether you prefer to dine on the outdoor patio or the upstairs deck you are bound to have a seat with an incredible outlook.

If you thought choosing a seat was hard just wait until you get a glimpse of the mouthwatering menu. All of Monterey’s classics like fried calamari, crab cakes and cioppino are offered along with a few other favorites like fried artichokes, blackened tilapia and a shrimp & crab Louie.

What truly makes this menu standout from the other wharf restaurants is their south-of-the-border flare. Every guest is welcomed with a basket of addicting tortilla chips and authentic salsa and can choose from other seafood infused menu items like burritos, tacos and enchiladas.
The Crab House also has a killer Happy Hour which is offered all day every day, Happy Day if you will, with selected drinks like margaritas and bloody Mary’s for just $3.95!
For starters the truffle parmesan fries are a slam dunk. You can smell the appetizing truffle scent before the crunchy spuds hit the table.

You simply cannot come to the crab house and not order crab. The crab stuffed whitefish is exactly what one would want it to be. A hefty piece of sole is overstuffed with luscious crab meat and sautéed mushrooms all topped with a savory lobster cream sauce; even the accompanied vegetables are seasoned to perfection!

If the food and views aren’t enough the service is impeccable where every guest is treated like family. Great for families and large group gatherings as well!

Fine Dining with a Waterfront View at Scales Seafood & Steaks

Love Monterey’s famous Old Fisherman’s Grotto? Then you are going to love the new restaurant owned and operated by the same family.

Scales Seafood & Steaks opened its newly polished doors on Old Fisherman’s Wharf in November 2015 bringing with it a convenient grab-and-go café, cozy bar lounge, a spacious contemporary dining room, and a few of the Grotto’s famous menu items.

The upSCALE décor and fixtures set the perfect tone for a relaxing yet fine dining experience and the expansive views of the Monterey harbor don’t seem hurt.

Start off your perfect evening with a specialty cocktail or glass of Monterey County wine at the revamped bar and lounge. One could easily transport themselves to island time with a toasted coconut colada or fisherman’s punch (served ablaze!).

Once you have worked up an appetite have a seat in their modern dining room. Every seat has a view and you might even spot a colorful pelican or furry sea otter down below!

A trip to the wharf is not complete until you have had a bowl of chowder and calamari and lucky for you Scales carried over their award-winning recipes from the Grotto. It is no wonder why these two hallmark dishes are consistently ranked amongst the best in Monterey County.

The firecracker prawns are so good you might need to order one just for yourself. Beer battered jumbo prawns are done to precision and the avocado mousse is the perfect accompaniment to the prawn’s sweet golden shell.

Choosing an entrée might be the hardest decision you have to make. Seafood, steak or pasta? The wild salmon is always a sure bet served on a cedar plank with a jammy apricot jalapeno glaze; delish!

Hope you saved room for dessert! The last course of the meal is not taken lightly at Scales with indulgent treats including a luscious cheesecake, sinful chocolate cake and velvety crème brulee. The cheesecake in particular is so creamy you will not want to share!

While the food is superb, what really makes this restaurant stand out is their commitment to service. The staff is extremely accommodating and hospitable; it’s no wonder why most of their business is from repeat customers.

Hosting a large gathering or need some event space? Scales Seafood & Steaks has a banquet room that can hold up to 150 guests! Did we mention it also comes with its very own stunning ocean view?

Scales Seafood & Steaks is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11am-9:30pm.

A New Fish in the Sea: Big Fish Grill

If you’ve been down Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf recently you may have noticed something new. Anchoring the wharf at the far end, the former Rappa’s building has now morphed into something much bigger - the Big Fish Grill and their new flashy neon sign is sure to catch your eye!

This iconic (and big!) restaurant can comfortably seat 200 hungry diners all with incredible views of the Monterey Bay. The eatery’s ideal location at the end of the wharf gives it a one-up on its competition with 360 degree waterfront views. Here you can kick-back and watch all of the action going on down below; you can even watch busy squid boats unload their catch of the day at the working pier just across the way.

Once you have soaked in your surroundings its time to soak in one (or three) of their tasty libations. The Orange Julius cocktail is particularly dangerous - the creamy citrus concoction makes it hard to stop at just one.

Fresh bread is a must at any seafood restaurant and Big Fish Grill does not disappoint. Their warm, crispy bread is the perfect accompaniment to any of their seafood appetizers, and is especially useful to scoop up remnants from their sinful roasted pacific oysters which are topped with pieces of rich crab meat and a creamy artichoke gratin.


Another appetizer to note is their grilled salmon cakes. Meaty chunks of fresh salmon come together with scallions, dill, bell peppers, and onions, all lightly fried and topped with a savory roasted pepper aioli.

Entrée items include all of the comfort foods you would expect on the wharf like clam chowder, fish and chips and calamari. Diners with a more diverse palate can enjoy a seafood cioppino, house made gnocchi or tangy Bang-Bang shrimp among others.


Insiders Tip: Ask for the Locals Menu. For just $13.95 you can indulge in a 2-course meal (seven entrees options) with a choice of clam chowder or soup.

Big Fish Grill is open daily from 11am to 9pm.

Abalonetti Bar & Grill is the “Best Calamari Restaurant in Monterey” for Good Reason

No trip to Monterey is complete without some killer calamari, and nowhere serves it up quite like Abalonetti Bar & Grill.

Located on Old Fisherman’s Wharf, this iconic restaurant prides itself on good food, great service, phenomenal views of Monterey Bay, and has successfully done so for the past 64 years. The teal blue restaurant is just a short stroll down the historic wharf and is well worth a visit for lunch or dinner, where the kick-back, comfortable atmosphere is what most people are looking for after a long day of sightseeing.

The bar is particularly welcoming and one could easily envision chatting it up with one of the friendly bartenders as if they were a long lost high school friend.

The main dining room offers up incredible ocean views from almost every seat in the house.

Just outside is one of the restaurant’s main features: an expansive waterfront patio that is truly a rare find on the wharf. Here you can fully take in the sights and sounds along the bustling wharf and see passing boats and playful sea otters down below.

The best way to kick off any meal at Abalonetti’s is at their famed antipasto bar. Here you’ll find a plethora of tasty items like roasted garlic, seared bell peppers, fresh feta cheese and marinated artichokes. Pair this hearty dish with some of their fresh oysters and award-winning calamari and you have yourself a party!


Speaking of calamari, did we mention they offer it 20 different ways? It’s no wonder Abalonetti’s has been voted “Best Calamari Restaurant in Monterey” for a solid 14 years in a row! This is also because Abalonetti is one of the only restaurants in Monterey County that cleans its squid in-house. Their secret weapon for cleaning these messy cephalopods is longtime employee Faustino Perez who averages about 1,000 lbs. of squid per week!

Luckily we can all reap the benefits of his slimy efforts with calamari done almost every way imaginable including a traditional fried style, Baja California style, and Buffalo style. The Baja California calmari is quite the treat, prepared lightly breaded and fried, served with a chipotle sauce and fresh pico de gallo salsa; boy does it have a kick!

Insiders Tip: Ask for the Locals Menu. For just $9.95 you can choose from an array of delectable entrees any time of day!

Abalonetti Bar & Grill is open daily from 11:30am to 9pm.

Rappa's Seafood Restaurant on Old Fisherman's Wharf

Have you heard? Old Fisherman's Wharf staple, Rappa's Seafood Restaurant has recently changed ownership! New management is making a splash with increased quality to menu items and projects are in the works to further renovate for a whole new fresh look; there are even plans to paint the exterior a spick-and-span white!
The setting and prime anchor location at Rappa's truly differentiates itself from its other competitors on the wharf. Its impeccable 360 degree vistas of the Monterey Bay, upstairs viewing deck and playful sea life just below can simply not be beat.

It's obvious that Rappa's is fully aware of its spectacular surroundings. The open floor plan and simple interior décor lend the focus point to what's outside its countless windows giving every seat in the house a unique view of the harbor.

Enough about the views, let's talk about the food! The recently revamped lunch, dinner and dessert menus are mouthwatering to say the least. On a recent visit I had the opportunity to sample just a few of their current menu items.

A visit to Old Fisherman's Wharf just wouldn't be complete without some fried Monterey Bay calamari. Rappa's doesn't skimp when it comes to this Monterey favorite which offered a light and crispy panko breading on tender calamari. I didn't even need the squid boat crew outside the window to tell me this dish was fresh!

The favorite appetizer of the meal seemed to be their brand new bang-bang shrimp. Lightly fried and juicy shrimp were lathered in an irresistible creamy and spicy sauce which almost had us ordering seconds.
The baked oysters were a close second with their unusual yet welcome addition of artichoke hearts and crab gratin; this dish has a diverse mix of textures that definitely pleases the palate!
Sticking to the seafood theme we had Rappa's special of the day which to my delight was the seafood paella. Generous hunks of fresh fish, prawns, mussels, scallops, chicken and spicy sausage sat over perfectly seasoned saffron rice. The mussels were particularly satisfying and overall the dish was not too salty, as some paellas tend to be.

Just when we thought we thought we had met our stomach's capacity the desserts arrived. The crème brulee was classic and simply melt-in-your-mouth . It had just enough delicate burnt caramel topping for the soothing custard beneath. The chocolate mousse was exactly what I wanted it to be- creamy, rich and whipped to perfection!

Rappa's is also a great place to just grab a drink or dessert, although it will be hard to resist from other tantalizing items. During Happy Hour margaritas, mimosas and draft beers are available for $3 and desserts are an affordable $7.95 a piece.

Down-Low Diner: Old Fisherman’s Grotto, Monterey

My name is Allyson Thommen and I am a Yelp.com fanatic. I often use this addicting tool from everything to planning vacations down to where I am going to have my next meal. I recently had a strong inkling for some clam chowder and naturally resorted to my handy review resource. Everyone knows that Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey is the best place to get this clammy comfort food so I yelped for the highest rated restaurant on the famed strip of seafood eateries. To my surprise one restaurant easily stood out amongst the rest. With over 360 five-star reviews I just had to check out what the social commotion was all about.

Old Fisherman’s Grotto is located smack dab in the middle of Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey; you can’t miss the mustard yellow storefront with black and white checkered accents. Fresh fish are for sale at the adjacent Grotto Fish Market with everything from Ahi Tuna to Dungeness crab. As I was salivating over what would become my next scrumptious meal a friendly staffer offered me up a sample of their clam chowder which I quickly devoured. I think my fellow yelpers were onto something, the warm and rich tidbit certainly had me wanting more!

The exterior of the building was deceiving. Once I stepped inside I felt like I had stepped aboard a fine dining room on the Titanic. Dimly lit booths and tables were arranged throughout with pre-set wine glasses and white linen napkins; the décor was definitely date night material.

My fellow diners and I were seated in the main dining room. Luckily, we didn’t have to argue over seating arrangements as there wasn’t a bad seat in the house; almost every one has a prime ocean and harbor view. Our attentive waiter, Iman soon welcomed us and informed us of the day’s specials and presented us with the menu.

The menu was surprisingly extensive, especially for lunch. Everything from salads, sandwiches, pasta to an array of seafood dishes was up for grabs. Luckily my appetizer choice was easy as the free clam chowder sample was just a tease to the bowl I secretly desired; with that said I finally decided on the light Ahi Tuna Salad special.

While enjoying the views of the lively harbor and waiting for my hot cup of soup the owner Chris Shake stopped by. He wanted to ensure that we were being taken care of and he treated us as if we were part of his own family. You can tell that the rest of his staff has adopted his gracious hospitality, which I assume is a huge part of his customer’s loyalty.

To everyone’s delight Iman brought out the appetizers; we couldn’t wait to get our fix of the cozy chowder! The thick and creamy soup had large pieces of tender clams accompanied by bits of potato, garlic and onion. It’s no wonder why this ‘Monterey Style’ chowder consistently wins the “Best Clam Chowder in Monterey County” award by Monterey County Weekly. You can even purchase cans of this luscious goodness online!

My table and I had also decided on an array of other snacks. The crispy calamari, grilled artichoke and seasoned prawns were all superb. The grilled Castroville artichoke was my favorite. The meaty heart and leaves had a balsamic vinaigrette glaze and was grilled to perfection; the lemon dill aioli was the icing on the cake!

After subduing my hunger pangs with all those mouthwatering appetizers I was happy that I had gone with the “light” Island Salad as my entree. However, once it arrived I was astounded; crisp shredded lettuce leaves, rare Ahi Tuna, sweet mangos, juicy papaya slices and pickled ginger were pilled as high was Mt. Everest; the presentation was a crowd-pleaser and the taste was on par. The sweet chili sauce on the side was a divine accessory for this island infused dish. To the delight of my taste buds the large pieces of rare Ahi Tuna had a spicy Cajun kick in itself.

Somehow we had saved just enough room for the guilty pleasure of dessert. Iman brought around the tray of tantalizing treats which included crème brulee, tiramisu, chocolate cannoli cake and an apple cheesecake that was screaming to be devoured. We finally concluded that cappuccinos and the apple cheesecake would be the perfect conclusion to this well rounded meal.

Once again the presentation was stunning but we soon destroyed the meticulously placed berries and caramel spirals in search of a sugar high. The rich and luscious cheesecake had hints of granny apples and the nutty walnut topping made this the perfect fall treat.

So what exactly sets Old Fisherman’s Grotto apart from the other fine eateries on the seafood strip? To start, the restaurant has been family owned and operated since 1950, that’s 62 years if you didn’t do the math! Chris Shake has taken over his father’s passion for hospitality and the service certainly shows. Once again my fellow yelpers have not led me astray!