Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Osteria Al Mare in Monterey

4.5 (199) 32 Cannery Row STE G, Monterey, CA 93940, United States

Categories

Restaurant
Italian restaurant
Pasta shop
Seafood restaurant
Steak house

Location on the map

Monterey, Monterey County, California, US

Phone: +1 831-920-2833
Site: http://osteriaalmare.com/

Opening hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:11:30 AM–9 PM
Wednesday:11:30 AM–9 PM
Thursday:11:30 AM–9 PM
Friday:11:30 AM–9 PM
Saturday:11:30 AM–9 PM
Sunday:11:30 AM–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.5

199 Reviews for Osteria Al Mare 2024:

Review №1

2024-06-20 06:31:24

We had the most delicious anniversary dinner here tonight. The food was outstanding and the waiter helped with wine recommendations. The service was very very quick but we just asked for more time and that was fine. We would definitely recommend trying here!

Review №2

2024-05-22 19:23:29

We walked through the door to be greeted like we were old friends. We were seated in the corner with panoramic views of the bay. The specials were too alluring to pass up. I cant describe it well enough to do it justice, but I ordered essentially what was a deconstructed lasagna with layers of basil prosciutto and cheese rolled up and sliced resting on a thin bed of cheesy tomato sauce with layers of flavors that I cant describe. This wasnt just a meal the staff and atmosphere made it an experience.

Review №3

2024-06-14 18:19:38

We went to this restaurant for dinner based on the recommendation from Portofino hotel’s concierge. I had asked for a casual but good Italian restaurant. It was a nice half a mile walk along the coast which was pleasant. Once arrived we were greeted by two nice Italian guys who told us that the inside was all reserved so we only could seat in the balcony. The outside seating is heated by overhead heaters but when the wind was blowing from the sea it got chilly. We told the server that we were celebrating my son’s birthday but at the end we didn’t get any dessert or a happy birthday song. I got an aperol spritz ($14) but definitely was not up to my standards. My wife got the ginger pear martini ($18) which although a bit small it was very tasty with a nice ginger kick. We also had a couple of beers for the boys. Ordered the calamari appetizer ($18) which was very nice and came with two dips. We were served three baskets of bread as we waited for our main course which was very nice. I ordered the ravioli bolognese and unfortunately was kinda disappointed as the I expected a hearty meat sauce but it wasn’t. My wife ordered cioppino which was an off menu special ($42). Although there was a nice amount of seafood, the sauce was very thick and tasted meh. My kids got the chicken and cream pasta which was the best item that we ordered. Nice taste with sundried tomatoes and capers in a creamy sauce. Unfortunately no one stopped by to offer extra Parmesan cheese. I rate the location 4.5, the service 4, but the food below my expectations.

Review №4

2024-03-17 17:16:07

Great food! The cod special was extremely delicious with buttery melt-in-your-mouth cod with crispy skin on top. Gnocchi was very flavorful. Calamari was very soft. Overall pretty great!

Review №5

2024-06-09 20:14:28

Visiting this place on May 31, I would have to say that the food here is very delicious. I would also have to argue that this is some of the best Italian cuisine I have ever had in my entire life. The polenta in particular is very delicious and the sauce that came with it is just immaculate. I also enjoyed the chicken alfredo fettuccine, fried calamari, and bruschetta. I would highly recommend this fabulous restaurant to anybody who is visiting the area.

Review №6

2024-05-06 03:19:24

We came to Monterey to celebrate our anniversary. We came here for lunch with our 13 month old and Yorkie. Service, food and ambiance were excellent!We came hungry! We ordered a bottle of Italian wine, calamari, two specials (mussels and sea bass), clam chowder, and tiramisu. Everything was very yummy. Even our child was making mmmm and yummmyyy soundsWe were nervous about bringing our child because shes loud and has a big personality. Everyone made us feel comfortable and even reassured us. I think they could tell we were stressed/uncomfortable . Will definitely come back here when visiting Monterey!!

Review №7

2024-06-02 03:06:33

Food was absolutely amazing! And the staff was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. The ravioli (which is not pictured, because we ate it too quickly) was divine. Highly recommend!

Review №8

2024-01-13 03:56:13

Easy location right across from the Coast Guard station. Plenty of parking and great view of the bay. We were seated right away without reservation on a Friday evening. Would recommend trying out their daily specials. Fresh oysters from Washington state were one of the special served as appetizer. Burrata cheese was delicious. Tasty dishes and great service.

Review №9

2024-06-27 03:15:11

Touristy spot. Bay views, slow service but friendly. Calamari had no seasoning and tasted old, old calamari had wet and squishy meat. Standard eggplant rollatini also for app. Dinner was pasta all around. Tagliatelle was turned into fettuccini as well as all my friends were all fettuccini dishes. Heavy creamed sauce in all our dishes, not much talent but filling and pretty well seasoned. Ginger pear martini was really nice, but tasted like a virgin drink, could not taste any vodka, must have been so smooth!They helped themselves to a nice 20% tip automatic for their slow service. Waited 25 minutes with a reservation for crying out loud! 😞📢

Review №10

2024-05-20 21:13:16

Forgot to ask for our waitress name but the receipt says dulce. she was great! took the time to explain to us what dishes were and the house special that day. the food was GREAT. i got the most expensive thing; the steak ofc. the potato was flavored SO GOOD. i liked everything on the dish besides the pine. i did not like that flavoring. but everything on that dish was delicious. the meat was perfect, not too salty but paired with the potato was really tasty. my partner got the chicken alfredo, it was sweet but i preferred my steak. pretty fancy restaurant. we went on a whim so we weren’t dressed that well lol we were treated great! the only let down was the water being flavored by tap flavoring.

Review №11

2024-01-06 02:05:03

Everything about this restaurant is fantastic. The atmosphere is incredible, service was amazing and the food was spectacular! They really make their customers feel like family and friends. We stayed a week in Monterey and we ate at this place 4 times, we never do that, we usually like to try different restaurants in areas we visit but the first time we went there we knew we found a hidden gem. Have Ricky make you an espresso martini!

Review №12

2024-03-21 04:21:18

Family of 5. Amazing harbor views. Very nice ambiance. Very friendly staff. All the food was delicious. Pictured is the cioppino. They had simple pastas for picky kids + gelato dessert (spumoni). I highly recommend!

Review №13

2023-08-01 14:27:53

Nice location and view of the harbor area. Food was very good with fresh local menu options. The owner greeted us and explained daily specials and new menu items. There was a little confusion with servers; one only did water and it took about 25 minutes to actually order our food. That’s the only reason for losing a star on service. After that everything went smoothly. They give you complimentary bread with an oil and vinegar dip which was very nice. Food was presented very well and everything was very good. I would go here again. There were many menu items that I wanted to try and it was hard to decide which to have.

Review №14

2023-04-18 01:08:38

All the dishes both looked and tasted delicious. This place is off the beaten path so no wait to be seated. I got the clam chowder and the cod special. Both were great. The views were great and the service was very friendly. My only complaint was the service was pretty slow, but we werent in a hurry.

Review №15

2023-12-27 21:27:21

Nicer views of the bay and not as crowded as the wharf. Calamari was less chewy at Cafe Fina but they have great local sand dabs.

Review №16

2024-04-25 17:26:50

The food was fresh, and the service was exceptional. We did not have a reservation but were able to get in. Bravo!

Review №17

2023-07-30 00:47:06

Ive had lots of Italian food in my life and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at this restaurant. I got the fettuccine pollo something and it was absolutely incredible. The chicken was dry and overcooked but it was easy to forgive that because the flavor of the dish along with the sun-dried tomatoes and the hot and fresh bread served on the side to dip into the sauce was just absolutely wonderful. It could be because I was drinking some whiskey but I would go back here many times over and get the same meal if I could again. The views and atmosphere make the experience very nice. The short ribs were unquestionably cooked well. They were not too dry but instead made to perfection. The tiramisu was also authentic. The lady fingers had been completely soaked in Kahlua, instead of made into some Americanized dry cake thing. Most places just do not know how to get authentic tiramisu correct, but this place knocked it out of the park. Lastly, this place is not quite as expensive as other seafood places around it, so it makes going here all the more worthwhile.

Review №18

2024-03-30 03:52:55

What a fantastic meal. Service was wonderful and the food what absolutely amazing . Like going back to Italy. 🇮🇹. You must go here to experience true Italian food and service!! We had the specials ..scallops and ravioli and the halibut. Both spectacular. If you are local you already know but if you are visiting you will be happy if you can get a reservation here. You won’t be disappointed.

Review №19

2024-06-23 04:15:06

Great location overlooking the harbor - lots of light. The staff were friendly and attentive although I was double charged on an item. The food was nothing special however - your typical tourist italian-esque fare, rich and buttery but nothing to elevate it to 4.5 stars.

Review №20

2024-05-09 05:50:56

Delicious food & great service. Lovely fresh oysters, black cod with risotto, seafood fettuccine & wine. Great views

Review №21

2022-12-09 02:10:19

Great service, staff, and food. Our server made great recommendations and was kind enough to accommodate us splitting an entree and dessert as we didn’t have a space to keep leftovers. The servings were plenty large - and the local fish was crispy with a light crispy breading, a fresh lemon cream sauce, and perfectly cooked. The cannoli was the best I’ve had! Not too busy on a weekday night with a quiet lovely atmosphere with views of the ocean.

Review №22

2023-09-28 02:42:35

Absolutely delicious house special scallops and mushroom cheese ravioli. My friend ordered Ravioli al Ragu also 5stars. Awesome view, great service. I definitely recommend.

Review №23

2024-06-09 17:21:48

The attentive server really helped make this meal with his great suggestions for us (food and wine) as well as accommodating our kids. The view from the balcony was amazing and the heaters kept us warm from the cool breeze. Recommend the sand-dabs with pesto-wonderful!

Review №24

2022-11-02 02:02:04

Food - Good portions, generous amount of seafood compared to similar restaurants, tasty. The quality was satisfactory, however nothing was unique. The salmon was quite dry. The red pasta sauce for the seafood pasta was lacking in flavor. The truffle mushroom pasta could use some more ingredients like veggies and more sauce. In addition the pasta noodles for the seafood pasta weren’t mixed in with the sauces or any oil so in the middle of the dish there was a clump of plain pasta stuck together. The specials that night were the best (risotto and pear ravioli).Service - We made a reservation and luckily this is one of the only restaurants on the nicer end that was available to reserve the day before and also doesn’t require a financial deposit for larger parties. I’d still definitely suggest making reservations ahead of time as that night (Saturday) was packed. We were seated immediately by the host however he didn’t give us menus and it took a while for our waiter to come by and provide us menus and water. The rest of the night’s service was great though; the staff was friendly and efficient. They also provided a generous slice of tiramisu cake for my dad’s birthday.Ambiance - Beautiful interior that matches the beach vibes with wood and white decor and big windows lining the walls that look out over the bay. Con is that it was very loud at full house and hard to talk even to the person across the table or next to me without shouting. I’d suggest the restaurant consider adding some padding or sound insulation under the tables to reduce noise.Price - The price is great for the ambience, service, and food. I think it’s one of the most affordable places to go for a fancier night out.

Review №25

2022-08-28 22:16:54

If you want to capture the essence of Monterey in one evening then this is the place for you.The location is unique with a private view of the bay and marina that makes you forget you are in a tourist destination, the ingredients are wonderfully fresh. You can taste flavor in every bite, every dish is perfectly sculpted by someone that has passion for the art of culinary excellence.Treat yourself, go splurge on a meal that will turn into a wonderful memory.

Review №26

2023-05-28 05:50:52

Drove through Monterey and just out of pure hunger we browsed TikTok and this place appeared as a foodie destination. Highly recommend! The food was absolutely amazing! Everything was fresh and super flavorful. Try the fettuccine with mushrooms, calamari and tiramisu!

Review №27

2024-06-22 20:52:16

Nice view of marina. Limited lunch menu. Would have been 4 stars but my waiter IGNORED me completely. Had to flag down other wait staff to get a menu (after 10 mins sitting at the table), get water, order, get another drink and get the check. So weird.

Review №28

2021-07-17 00:44:50

Went to Osteria Al Mare to celebrate a birthday and wedding anniversary. We were told the specials of the day and my husband chose the catch of the day which was swordfish. The fish was amazing. We had appetizers and drinks from bar as well. Everything was delicious but the swordfish was definitely the star of the dinner. Overall a cozy environment with some fresh seafood.

Review №29

2024-06-13 06:34:14

Stopped by today to order a whole bunch of food to go. Everything was absolutely spectacular and most importantly super fresh and obviously cooked from scratch! My spoiled taste buds were happily delighted by the smallest nuisances of flavor in every dish. Our order was also prepared incredibly fast. I recommend this establishment whole heartedly!

Review №30

2022-04-10 06:40:33

Great location on the pier, but away from the more touristy Fisherman’s Wharf area. Seated in the bar/lounge area, which we preferred as it was away from families with young children.The food and wine were excellent! Thanks, Mike, for the knowledgeable suggestions and great service.Slightly disappointed that none of the draft beer taps were working, and that they were awaiting a delivery of teas. Other than that, a very good experience. Would recommend.

Review №31

2023-05-17 02:50:30

Food is excellent and service staff is attentive and overall I would grade this as a 5 stars overall.We had Oysters, clam cowder, La Pera, Vongole in white wine, Fettuccine Al Pestoresca, 2 special - scallop with mushroom ravioli and black cod w shell pasta in cauliflower...And we end w tiramisu w adequate rum layers. 😋Please do come by for excellent italian seafood!

Review №32

2023-09-04 18:51:43

I recommend having a reservation on a weekend, although we were accommodated within 15-20m. The service can get a bit slow, we had to inform the host to send over the server.The food and cocktails were out of this world. The chef even agreed to make something off-the-menu to accommodate the dietary restrictions.Couple the great food with a breathing view of the bay and all your senses will be firing their cylinders on maximum.I highly recommend this restaurant, the view alone makes up for the slow service.

Review №33

2023-04-03 07:52:11

This was one gret and awesome accident. Just taking a long trip from LA and heading to San Fran and stopped somewhere for a bit but of course got hungry. We stopped and found a local restaurant nearby to grab some grub and at first thought it was going to be over priced and not that great. I WAS WRONG. It surprised me with the flavor, service and the drinks. Never expected it to be so good. If you are in the area and need a bite to eat go check them out.

Review №34

2023-07-29 20:11:41

First time I went! Our real estate team dinner after team photos and this pace did not disappoint. Loved their service, food, views! All of it was outstanding.Definitely will have to do a date night at this location. Lived in Monterey over 26 years and I can’t believe I am just know visiting this location. Highly recommend!

Review №35

2021-09-08 03:19:34

Dinner was decent... But not absolutely amazing. My husband had the short ribs and I had the scallop risotto. His was pretty good and mine was just ok. I saw someone else had it but didnt see it on the menu. If I had known the price, I wouldnt have gotten it. Service was not bad- just not outstanding. Im glad we went but it just wasnt as amazing as the other reviews made it seem. The view was really beautiful though- this was our favorite part!

Review №36

2023-09-23 15:36:47

Great view of the harbor paired with very fresh, deliciously prepared food, and uniquely flavorful cocktails! Had the calamari, a pear salad, and a Cesar salad with skin on mahi mahi. All was delicious! Will definitely return to explore more of the menu! Oh, the tiramisu is quite good too.

Review №37

2024-03-21 05:28:05

The restaurant sits directly on the bay at Breakwater Cove. A lot of seafood options, nicely cooked and served!

Review №38

2023-04-16 22:14:04

The perfect Saturday afternoon on the back deck with a pear martini that actually made me forget about the awesome Monterey Bay. This is my new must have in Monterey. They flavors were as amazing as the view.

Review №39

2024-04-28 22:46:15

Top food! and stellar service, will come back again when i’m here.

Review №40

2019-08-04 14:40:45

400.00 dinner for 5 adults. Made reservations, for a special birthday, days in advance and were seated in the back corner of the restaurant. Party of 8 walked in ahead of us, without reservations, and seated in front of the windows. Food is presented nicely but not worth the price or travel time. Steak was tasteless, friends thought the sea bass not great either. Wont go back.

Review №41

2023-06-04 08:10:10

Food, location and service outstanding. Lovelly spot right on the marina overlooking the pier. Quality of Itallian food was 1st class. Highly recommend the fresh daily pasta dishes. Great choice of wines.

Review №42

2024-02-17 16:32:23

Always incredible food, impeccable service, and great atmosphere!

Review №43

2019-09-16 00:55:44

I wish that I could rate this a 10! We were seated outside and had the most gorgeous view of the water. All of the staff was helpful and kind, with smiles for everyone. We started with the burrata and calamari which were hands-down the BEST Ive ever had. The calamari were thick strips, not heavily breaded or greasy, paired with a marinara sauce. We also ordered a Syrah wine to accompany dinner. The wine list is extensive, and our server did an amazing job recommending the wine. The owner walked over to check on us and just has the most joyful personality. It is clear that he loves his occupation and seeing others having a wonderful experience. He suggested the Ravioli and Bucatini- which he had made by hand that morning. When our dinner arrived, I couldnt believe the portion sizes. They were huge, and we finished everything. What an outstanding meal!! It was the perfect way to wrap up our week in Monterey. When we come back, we will definitely be dining here again.

Review №44

2024-03-25 02:36:05

We typically enjoy coming here but today it was very crowded - we opted to have dinner in the bar area which was a mistake. The food was delicious and the bartender/server was gracious but the bar was very loud & inconsiderate to us and the other patrons dining. It wouldn’t be bad if the prices were reflective of the bar crowd. The Italian host/maybe owner is kind. We will of course come back but don’t dine in the bar if you want a special seafood dinner in Monterey (make a reservation!) Our fault!

Review №45

2022-02-15 23:39:06

Early valentines dinner with a view. Husband ordered Ravioli Al Ragu and I ordered Fettuccine Crema e Pollo. Both meals excited our taste buds, we are hooked. We shared a bowl of clam chowder full of delicious clams. Our wonderful server suggested a Chianti that hit the spot. We sat outside enjoyed the weather and the music playing. Very attentive staff and I enjoyed every second of it. We will be back.

Review №46

2022-09-29 22:23:47

Friendly, helpful staff at a nice location on the pier. Waiter was very accommodating for our picky 3 year old.Pear salad, polenta, and short-rib ravioli were delicious, but the salmon couldve used more flavor.

Review №47

2022-04-25 14:40:43

I made reservations and they told me that we would be seated at the bar section. We were pleasantly surprised when got seated at a nice cozy table with a view. They were very attentive and their food is awesome! Fresh oysters and their fishermans stew was awesome! All in all great experience!

Review №48

2024-05-17 03:51:33

Francesco was nothing, if not professional during the whole evening. It was the perfect setting with excellent dishes. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great view and delicious Italian cuisine 👍👍

Review №49

2021-09-04 03:52:29

Wow! What an amzing restaurant!!We were treated like the royal couple!Every dish was perfectly made! Fresh, tasty and good looking (;We especially loved the pears salad and the pear ravioli (specials)I must add that maurizio and all the crew were super nice and proffessional!Thanks a lot ! 🙏🙏🙏

Review №50

2018-07-06 05:01:15

Great food and great service. Delicious mix of seafood and Italian dishes, with a good wine list (both Italian and domestic), along with pre-dinner cocktails. Tip: dont pay for parking; there are about eight spots reserved for diners right in front of the restaurant.

Review №51

2024-05-19 23:07:45

We have been going here for 15 years long before restaurant changed hands and became Osteria Al Mare - used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Monterey, but service now is ratger pathetic and food quality is not as good as before. Having to pay 18% for poor service charge on a table for 8 where 4 are kids is a rip off. Disappointing experience today 😞

Review №52

2023-05-18 04:39:35

All was ok, but this place did not get memorized with anything special.Nice view, ok food, ok service, everything is clean and fast. It’s just another good place to have a quick lunch and enjoy the view.

Review №53

2024-02-13 21:32:49

I previously had great experiences at Osteria. This time, not even close. The three of us ordered Entrees and side Salads....the Salads never came. The two pasta dishes we ordered were undercooked and the sauce wasnt great.The service was very slow, seemed like only one person was waiting on the restaurant. TerribleUnfortunately, the client that I brought here had never been and Id told him how great it was. Complete letdown.

Review №54

2023-10-09 04:55:46

What a great find on the water near the tourist traps! Excellent authentic Italian and a locals vibe! We would definitely go back without question.

Review №55

2021-11-25 03:00:42

Wonderful staff, authentic Italian food, Burata cheese, yummy polenta with funghi, great squash ravioli and grilled veggies for vegan. Too much oil. Right on the water. Elevator for handicapped.

Review №56

2024-02-20 17:52:45

Great atmosphere. Helpful staff and service. It looks and feels clean. Great spot with water views. Authentic Italian cuisine and hospitality. A little heavy on the garlic-- if youre sensitive to it ;)

Review №57

2020-07-24 20:48:09

Amazing place to hang out with the family and eat an outstanding meal. Best clam chowder Ive ever eaten hands down. The wait is a little long but the is totally worth it.

Review №58

2024-05-23 22:15:25

Delish! The fish was so fresh. Crème brulee I will be back for. Romantic and out of the way. Love this place. Hope to visit again. Has a balcony view of the water.

Review №59

2022-04-17 06:11:58

One of my favorite spots to go in Monterey and would venture to say it’s the best Italian spot in the area. The owner/his family are wonderful and the food is to die for. I had one of the best meals today that I have had in a long time. The lasagna rollatini and the sun dried tomato chicken pasta were unreal. Not to mention, the poached pear salad. No doubt, we will be back.

Review №60

2019-09-25 05:53:30

One of the most delicious meals Ive had in Monterey! The jalapeno margarita was too notch. Service was on point. To top it all off the view was amazing!

Review №61

2022-08-06 19:03:18

Absolutely love this little restaurant. Probably the best view in Monterey. Low key, comfortable, charming, with an impeccable wine list and delicious seafood.

Review №62

2023-06-27 21:18:28

Excellent staff, super accommodating, make you feel like royalty. Dishes are fresh and very authentic. Nice view of the harbor.

Review №63

2024-04-07 22:37:40

This is a gastronomic delight, where authentic recipes are infused with passion by the hospitable owner Maurizio, and served by a charming team in a spectacular West-facing coastal setting. It was so good, we cant possibly eat anywhere else on our second night here!

Review №64

2024-04-21 04:44:41

I had my sisters birthday here, we were like 12 people and they didn’t rush us at all, they let us take our time with reviewing the menu and talking and even organized the cake for us!! GREAT service!

Review №65

2020-06-24 04:26:24

Food was great. Good caprese with Burrata, nice bread. Great prosecco with limonchelo. The pasta, ravioli and chicken parm were delicious. Great Lennon cake too. The place is on the pier great ocean view. Very simple design. Wont hurt to add some design touches typical to italian restaurant. The service was a bit slow but very friendly and professional.

Review №66

2022-03-26 03:10:21

So, so delicious! We had the sand dabs and daily catch rock cod. Absolutely wonderful. Lovely patio dining.

Review №67

2022-04-01 00:13:58

Seafood and pasta. I ordered the seabass special. Shocked by the $42 price with no warning from waiter. Ok, but not worth that much. Should have had linguini something.

Review №68

2023-07-23 20:19:02

The spot had a great view of the ocean It had a lot of great food!I highly recommend visiting this place!

Review №69

2021-08-06 21:10:42

Our favorite place in Monterey. The food is sooooooo good!, the service is always on point with great wine recommendations. And the view... you have to experience it to truly appreciate it. You wont be disappointed.

Review №70

2020-02-02 21:41:50

OMGosh! This is the most amazing restaurant in the world. The chef was amazing funny entertaining It was the best was the best birthday celebration ever! We ordered the pear stuffed ravioli and it was surprisingly amazing in flavor and presentation. The owner Chef explained in detail many of the dishes he specializes in. We even met their precious dog Mia. We highly recommend this restaurant and Would mark it with 10 stars if possible. Don’t miss this one!

Review №71

2024-03-24 03:38:26

We had the bass risotto and bolognese ravioli. They were incredible and both of them I would highly recommend. The cannoli for dessert tasted like a samosa with an orange inside it. I would not recommend.

Review №72

2024-02-09 04:48:39

Came in with my wife and had a lovely dinner. Everything was delicious and came out quickly. Flavors were bold and balanced; very solid and would recommend to anyone who loves Italian!

Review №73

2022-12-14 05:44:33

I frequently visit Monterey for work and this is top 5 one of the best seafood places in the area. Wine selection is probably the largest as they are, what I would describe to be, a modern Italian seafood restaurant.It is moderately priced for the area with entrées starting around $20 and going upwards $45 depending on the catch of the day. They catch everything the day of, so their fish selection could be more limiting than other places. They make many foods to order, such as their cannoli.The atmosphere is beach oriented, fine dining. Service is accommodating and respectful as one would expect. Definitely book a reservation even if it is a weekday. Most reserved tables will have ocean views so without a reservation you won’t get a chance to have the oceanfront view.All in all great experience. Loved the wine (chianti), food, and the dine in experience.

Review №74

2020-11-16 18:59:33

Was absolutely perfect. Our server was amazing the views were breath taking. Tried oysters for the 1st time and the jalenpeno sauce with the oysters was perfect. Loved our choice of picking their restaurant, was also our 1st time to monterey/cannery row.

Review №75

2023-10-08 05:09:19

We had an excellent first experience here with the family. The food was amazing!! We had the whole red snapper, sand dabs, and seafood stew. Drinks were also wonderful.The location is great- close, but not in the busy Cannery Row area, so there’s plenty of parking, still with the waterfront views.The staff were beyond attentive and kind. We will definitely return.

Review №76

2024-03-19 02:42:59

Went here for a nice dinner this evening for New Years Eve. My girlfriend had a glass of Pinot that was nice and flavorful, and had the Pollo Picata for her entree which was pretty good. I started with the la romana salad (caesar salad) which was just alright, lacked flavor, and came with only one crouton and a lot of thick shredded carrot that is not mentioned on the menu.For my entree, I had the Ravioli Al Ragu, and the menu mentions short ribs as the first item, but I honestly was digging around the whole time looking for meat, and there were maybe two very small strands of short rib, with some strips of large uncooked onion, and quite a lot of basil. I have had other short rib pasta dishes from other Italian restaurants here on the Peninsula, and they all came with a generous amount of great tasting meat, unlike this dish.Overall, I was pretty disappointed with my experience. I have been here several times in the past and enjoyed it, but do not see myself coming back anytime soon. Even the service was just alright, our waiter did not once come by to ask how our meal was...

Review №77

2023-12-27 06:18:53

Attn: #kitchennightmares Gordon Ramsey would tear this place apart. Sadly, it really could be great as is, if was managed properly. Cool location with a nice view of the Monterey Bay, right off Cannery Row. Nicely appointed, fun art, good energy. Food was pretty solid. Seafood seemed fresh and was the better of what we had. Ragu Ravioli was ok, I was starving so I ate it, but the kids didnt feel great after sharing the chicken (said it was chewy) fettuccine (and Clam Chowders - bland). Id avoid those, but the salmon and calamari was pretty good. The staff generally seemed hard working and were busy and attentive, especially for the area, but poor leadership is the obvious downfall of this establishment. The gentleman who sat us was obviously an owner or manager and was trying to be nice and was busy, but his poor communication with his staff was the problem. Even though we made a reservation in advance for 6pm, we were sat at an obvious makeshift overflow table in what I assume is normally the usual path out of the kitchen, given we were ran into multiple times and our location in the middle of the room and our direct view into the kitchen of several dishes dying in the window. After 20-30 minutes he returned and opened our bottle of wine and was so frantic he almost poured wine for our middle school children. We then gave our easy appetizer order, including an order for two Shirley Temples for the girls. Another 30 minutes and no kids drinks or anything. We had to ask for them and everything else twice, from that point on. He must have forgot to relay anything to a server and no one else ever came to be our dedicated person. An hour in, we finally ordered entrees by flagging down the same man, which took another 45 minutes to arrive. After asking for them, again. Each time he came he had a lame excuse, about broken refrigerators and down computers. Why do people do this? Im a longtime service industry veteran and you never say these details, you just apologize for the wait and then do whatever it takes to smooth things over. After asking for our bill (twice) and being offered free dessert, that never came, we finally got our bill ($170!) with no comps or anything and we had to finally pay online via Apple Pay because they never came back. Meanwhile the manager guy was literally drinking wine and toasting a large party near us (multiple times) while he kept us waiting... horrible service and its the manager guys fault. If you cant manage your table flow properly, you need to take less tables and spread it out. Dont be greedy and ruin our vacation dinner and waste our hard earned money. Our experience was shared (visibly) by several other patrons and I even witnessed an older lady customer having to go into the kitchen to complain and get assistance and was basically in tears. I hope you see this review and take it to heart or this restaurant is doomed.

Review №78

2024-01-04 18:46:01

Every time we visit Monterey, we make a point of visiting Osteria. Excellent cuisine prepared by the chef and amazing service provided by the owner and crew. The best calamari, clam chowder and pasta dishes. The setting is ideal. Kudos to DAISUKE R for cooking us a great meal, thank you.

Review №79

2023-12-18 00:32:43

Local recommendation. Great food, fair prices, nice ambience, and FANTASTIC STAFF.

Review №80

2023-12-20 21:11:49

Probably the best Italian in the area! Small menu, but solid choices throughout.We started off with the Fritto Di Calamari, it had nice big pieces and tentacles but was overall pretty bland (which knocks a star off the food category).My wife had an eggplant dish that was lasagna-esque and she liked it a lot, but it was my Rollatina (sp?) that outshined everything. Pasta shaped like a cinnamon roll with lots of goodies inside.Had a really delicious cocktail as well (Back in Black).Service was a little slow at first, but they really took care of us and accommodated our hangry 4-year old.We keep coming back here when we are in need of a guaranteed good meal.

Review №81

2023-11-20 05:37:53

Great food (I had the sand dabs), great location and Ricky, the manager, is the bomb! Seriously, all of the staff were delightful, helpful and personable. My husband had the chicken caper sun dried tomato pasta and he loved it. Dont forget to try the yummy Tiramisu - it will lift you up! Delicious.

Review №82

2020-01-26 17:57:05

As locals, we have a hard time finding places in Monterey worth the money as most places just cater to tourists but Osteria Al Mare did not disappoint. We made a reservation but showed up a little early and we were accommodated (I think by the owner?). The ambiance was nice and even for a small place didnt feel cramped. It was packed and a bit warm for our liking but not terrible. Our server was busy but made an effort to greet us quickly and told us the specials which all sounded amazing.Unfortunately, for us craft beer lovers they only serve English Ales 😐. But they do have a full bar and decent wine list.We started with the mussels and thought the rich broth was delicious and I thought it was nice the server offered to bring us a few more pieces of bread instead of having to ask for it.Both of our entrees were beautifully plated (as well as you can with a seafood pasta!), good sized portions and we both loved their flavor. One half of my short ribs were perfect the other a bit dry and could have used more of the sauce that was on the polenta cake but not inedible at all. The roasted veggies were good but literally had no seasoning on them; not even a little salt and pepper. -1/2 starWe finished with the mocha cheesecake which we were told was made off-site but very delicious! We left full and happy and for what we got we felt the bill wasnt bad.We had come because we got a Save30 from KRML and we were told right away they dont take them even though we had just purchased it which was a surprise. -1/2 star because of the lack of explanation and maybe the owner/manager should have come by to explain?Overall, well definitely be back! Always more beer and food reviews on Instagram @craftybeermaven

Review №83

2021-05-31 00:15:39

Pet friendly place that serves delicious meals. The outdoor dining area provides great views of the Monterey bay and the vessels that go out in it. However, it does get very windy and chilly so bring jackets for yourself and your pups. The calamari is solid and always ask about the specials - they are always special :)

Review №84

2023-12-22 00:24:27

Bringing Italian food to the Bay Area. Reasonable pricing and portion.

Review №85

2022-02-04 00:36:49

The food and service here were fantastic! Parking is limited so you might have to pay a small fee of $2 but it was well worth it. The views and getting to have a beautiful meal outside made it even better!

Review №86

2024-02-21 20:33:18

Beautiful place, very cozy and romantic, the food was good, buymt the ravioli and pesto pasta was a little too salty. Great price and service.

Review №87

2023-12-31 03:44:30

Great spot for authentic Italian food in Monterey. A shot walk, or really short drive, from Cannery Row. Every employee that we came into contact with was 100% committed to insuring that we had an enjoyable experience.

Review №88

2023-10-03 23:58:39

The sun was setting as we walked in. The service was great. The specials all sounded delicious, so we tried the seafood stew. As we waited for our main course, we were given warm, fresh bread. Delicious cocktails and the softest calamari Ive ever had. ❤️ it was amazing.Now, onto the seafood stew that included: mussels, clams, shrimp, salmon, squid, and 2 other unnamed items in a red sauce that was mindblowing. The seafood was so succulent, and the sauce was yummy and full of flavor. We were definitely full, but the coconut cheesecake was a pleasant surprise to a amazing dinner.They ensured we enjoyed our food and overall experience. We will definitely go back for the views, food, and atmosphere.

Review №89

2023-06-13 14:28:26

We stopped by here for a coffee but decided to order salads as well. Its a good place with an amazing view of the ocean.

Review №90

2022-01-16 01:10:39

Great food and amazing service! And the view of the water from the balcony is definitely a plus! It was nice finding somewhere that wasnt just a tourist trap with a good view, this place is the whole package! I will definitely be returning when Im back in the area

Review №91

2023-12-06 22:38:00

Great Italian vibes! Food was fantastic! Sat out on the deck with our dog overlooking the marina. It was an awesome experience, start to finish. Chatting with Maurizio was a blast too!

Review №92

2024-03-03 06:45:57

Everything at the place is great as me and my partner thoroughly and ourselves but I can’t help but notice that for an Italian restaurant and how much we spent my dish of cioppino is practically just sauce and maybe five pieces of meat with a good amount of oysters it wasn’t a true blue cioppino in fact, I felt cheated as I still have an empty stomach. I will also be going to another restaurant maybe Oio tomorrow to fulfill my Italian hunger.

Review №93

2024-04-15 15:46:59

The best food we had during our visit to Monterey area. Great oysters, fish and cioppino. The best canolis ever (including Italy).

Review №94

2019-04-14 20:13:13

Great food, the ingredients are fresh and well prepared in true Italian style. The host is very welcoming and warm. The view is amazing. You cannot miss it!

Review №95

2022-11-19 19:16:06

Took 2 hours to deliver bread and 1 hour to deliver water. I don’t see how long it takes to deliver this stuff. Shut up about your fine dining experience you hairy baboons with rented tuxedos. We waited 30 minutes for the Menu. View was nice though. Nice to imagine the obnoxious waiters being tossed into the rushing waves.

Review №96

2021-12-19 04:25:58

Some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had! We ordered two specials: the sea bass and the rotelle (a lasagna-esque dish with prosciutto, cooked in a bolognese and cream sauce 🤤). Both were unbelievably delicious! Atmosphere was great, super helpful staff, ocean front. Will definitely return.

Review №97

2020-07-06 04:07:46

We loved the little place, The staff were on point. The food was amazing. A definite stop. The most amazing food and best oysters on the cannery row

Review №98

2024-01-18 04:51:03

Had a great night here. Delicious food, Benzino and oysters were amazing. Atmosphere is as great. Staff was excellent and knowledgeable. Great and fun team!

Review №99

2024-06-15 23:09:12

Late afternoon, not many people in the restaurant. We waited more than 50mins our food are still not on the table yet. We talked to the waiter, they just ignored us.

Review №100

2021-10-23 04:47:03

Love this place! great food nice wine list and perfect location.very good educated polite and friendly staff.My second time here..coming over from Chicago once per year just to dine in here 5⭐+

Review №101

2023-09-10 04:44:15

Wow!!! The entire time I was eating my pasta… that’s all I could say, was “WOW”🥹 the food was so delicious! We haven’t had anything like it before! And the price is very reasonable! The place is so hospitable, when we left, it felt like we were leaving family hospitality. Our first year anniversary was very much well spent at this place! Thank you for making it special for us!

Review №102

2021-07-25 15:26:18

Very nice views of the bay! Good food. The team was very accommodating and made our party different items outside the menu to meet the variety of dietary needs of our party. Very attentive servers.

Review №103

2024-03-31 23:10:59

Amazing bruschetta and pasta, amazing service, and great ambience. Owner personally served many people. Best place I’ve been to in a while.

Review №104

2023-11-28 19:49:54

Food was actually pretty good, but service was so rushed it ruined our meal. Actually, we only ate half of it . We ordered a few apps, 2 minutes later salads and soup dropped on top of apps, then barely started eating them and main courses delivered!! I protested and was told thats how it comes out! I shouldnt have even paid for 2nd course. Total amateur hour service. If you go order 1 course at a time and enjoy more than we did

Review №105

2022-12-09 00:27:25

The food is off the chart amazing! Couple that with on-the-water dinning and outstanding friendly staff and you have a real winner!

Review №106

2024-04-18 20:54:15

Wanted a nice lunch date with my husband. Server was dismissive, food was acidic. Will not be returning

Review №107

2024-06-03 12:29:47

Very nice viewFilippo the manager is very friendly and professionalThe other male wait staff is quite rude, for example remove your plate without asking before you finish

Review №108

2023-07-23 00:54:15

For those wanting to experience true Italian culture! The view was amazing, service, stellar, and the food was great! I never felt ignored by staff, and they were more than happy to answer all of my silly questions about the menu. I was at first disappointed that dishes couldnt be served with sides of Ketchup or Ranch, becuase all of the sauce is hand-made. But when I tried it with the sauce? It was so good, I couldnt get enough. Come here with an appetite!

Review №109

2023-10-09 00:49:38

Wonderful service. Excellent cuisine. Beautiful view.

Review №110

2023-05-03 16:38:50

Authentic Italian, with a location overlooking the docks with indoor and outdoor seating. We opted to sit outside and it was a bit chilly but enjoyable listening to the sea lions. Extremely friendly waiters checked on us regularly and helped us to pronounce the dishes 😅 The food was excellent! (but be aware the portions are smaller compared to American chain restaurants)

Review №111

2023-02-04 03:02:41

Food was delicious. Service was excellent. Wonderful bay side atmosphere. Will return for more.

Review №112

2019-09-29 05:22:12

Very nice and special Italian dishes. Well served and nicely presented. While we celebrated our and our friends 25th and 55th wedding anniversaries we were treated with a delicious Tiramisu on the house.

Review №113

2023-06-06 12:20:24

Fresh food like the fresh atmosphere around. The same ice-cream is a must

Review №114

2024-06-07 04:07:45

Great food, service and views!! We went 2x for dinner Francesco our waiter was great!!

Review №115

2023-03-15 04:05:22

Great service, beautiful restaurant and delicious food! Arancini and Swordfish both so tasty.

Review №116

2023-08-28 15:56:10

The food is very good but the service was lacking. We were there for my birthday and so hoped to have an especially nice dinner. We had to ask twice for the bottle of wine we ordered and it came at the same time as the food, which is completely inadequate service. We are locals and so hope that if we return to this restaurant, they have upped their service.

Review №117

2024-02-19 20:04:09

Amazing views, if you love seafood youll love this place. Drinks menu is good.

Review №118

2024-06-28 03:55:58

Service is abrupt and dis genuine. Food is ok, but not memorable at all

Review №119

2024-06-09 00:57:05

Excellent food,service, and atmosphere. Highley recommend if you visit Monterey. Thank you

Review №120

2022-09-02 13:13:56

Phenomenal food. Very fresh oysters . The steak was delicious. Pasta is perfect. Attentive waiters and views of the bay from the second floor.

Review №121

2023-10-09 23:08:29

Ricky took care of us, and yes we did wait but we had wine and no reservations on a Saturday night with Rennesport 7 happening. Great food! The setting was pleasant and so enjoyable. Cant wait to go back.

Review №122

2024-01-11 18:33:55

Definitely one of my favorite places! Fabulous view overlooking the Coast guard pier, great Italian food, good wine list and excellent service.

Review №123

2023-04-13 14:31:49

We arrived close to closing hour after a long day of driving, quite famished. The team kept the kitchen open for us and even custom made a pasta order my 11-year old daughter was craving. I ordered tagliatelle with mushroom and sausage in tomato sauce. Both pasta dishes were outstanding (hard to impress East Coasters with Italian food). They also offered an interesting Italian blend red wine, which was quite tasty). Pretty ambience, and wonderful experience all around.

Review №124

2021-03-26 22:44:58

When you go here, ask for what is fresh from the water today and theyll tell you what was caught in the morning. Today it was Rockfish cod, paired with spaghetti and white wine. Absolutely superb.Ask for fresh and make sure they tell you which boat. You will not be disappointed.

Review №125

2023-11-29 23:31:06

They have very good oysters and our meals were great. They also make a good Manhattan and Ol Fashion. Very warm and friendly atmosphere.

Review №126

2023-07-08 05:16:13

Went for lunch last week without a reservation. We ended up sitting outside with the most amazing views of the harbor, delightful sounds of the sea, and to make the experience even better…delicious food. The young man who served us was outstanding!

Review №127

2023-12-08 04:57:42

A wide variety of dishes, incredible quality for the price. We had a party of 8 and every dish was delicious! Would happily return.

Review №128

2023-02-10 18:26:09

Gorgeous views that compliment the delicious food served here. My first time dining but definitely not my last! Wow...

Review №129

2023-08-20 01:53:37

The food at Osteria Al Mare is solid and the space is bright and welcoming. It was a pleasure dining at the bar because their bartender, Arturo, is the best! He’s attentive without being intrusive, and he’s kind to both the customers and the other servers too. I’ll be back!

Review №130

2023-10-07 01:15:26

Nice airy open space inside with an outdoor terrace and harbor view. Ravioli was good but pesto linguine with fish was just mediocre. Lunch starts around $25 so there are probably better options around.

Review №131

2023-09-01 04:43:28

Not quite cheap but broth food and the service are worth every dollar. Weve had the catch of the day (Scallops), fettuccine pescadaro and sand dabs. Impossible to judge which was best. Highly recommend and will surely be back when in town.

Review №132

2023-09-07 02:08:59

Went for a birthday celebration and they were very accommodating. Good and service both excellent.

Review №133

2022-04-03 03:35:32

The food & service was excellent. If you get a chance to sit out the balcony, the view is fantastic too

Review №134

2023-08-01 00:49:00

Great experience here. We ordered red wine braised short rib with polenta, fettuccine with chicken, clam chowder and tiramisu. The chicken in the fettuccine was a bit overcooked, but the sauce more than made up for that. We were also given complimentary bread with our meal, which came out hot and crusty, with olive oil/balsamic to dip it in.Service was prompt, and atmosphere, like most places on the water in Monterey, was pleasant.

Review №135

2022-03-12 23:07:12

Wow the food is beyond excellent plus the service is outstanding. Would come back to Monterrey just to eat here again. Bravo!!!

Review №136

2023-07-27 01:59:38

Absolutely the best meal Ive had in years. Service was excellent food was FANTASTIC. If you want authentic homemade Italian this is your place! Will definitely go to again next time Im in Monterey.

Review №137

2023-11-28 00:56:42

It’s on the second level. For handicapped access they have a small two person elevator with less than intuitive operation. However the staff was very helpful in getting us situated.On our second visit I had accidentally left my credit card behind. I called and Ricky was very kind in sending it back to me via mail.

Review №138

2023-01-19 00:47:56

This place is too good to ignore or pass.At the beginning of cannery row, on foam Ave turn right onto breakwater cove, located at the end near the dock. Plenty of parkings.Food were amazing, clam chowder and calamari were delicious.Catch of the day (usually caught around 3/4pm that same day) were fresh, flavorful, cooked to perfection.Service were amazing,Host/owner is such a great guy, friendly, fun and helpful.Waiters are all courteous, smart and super nice.Please come in and try their food/service. You wont regret it!!!!

Review №139

2021-11-28 03:12:33

We ordered 2 pasta and it was awesome. Nice atmosphere with pasta and wine. Great ocean view and nice interior. Highly recommend this place.

Review №140

2023-08-03 15:56:07

A wonderful restaurant with many delicious meals served by attentive wait staff. Owner greeted our table and provided information about each special dish of the day. Definitely a must visit and dine each time you travel to Monterey.

Review №141

2023-09-04 00:55:07

We went to Osteria for a late lunch. The service was super slow: we ordered the clam chowder and a kids pasta at first. The soup came and the kids pasta came after I already finished the clam chowder (which was not warm). The bread was supposed to arrive in the beginning, but we had to ask for it more than once. It arrived after I was done with the chowder. My hisband also had to wait forever for his bruschetta and the ragu. Both arrived at the same time even though one is an an appetizer...I also ordered another pasta (after I was done with the clam chowder) and the waitress told me it will take time since there is a huge table in higer priority. I only recieved the pasta after the people in the other table already left.Finally we asked for the dessert menu, but they said they only have creme brulee. My kid asked if they have ice cream. The waitress said shell check. A few minutes later she came with 2 ice creams (we didnt ask to order those). My other kid said ahe didnt want ice cream, the waitress said we wont need to pay for it. When we got the check we noticed they charged us $9 for one ice cream (even though we didnt order it, simply asked if they have it).The food was ok (nothing special for the price) service was bad. Will not return there

Review №142

2021-09-16 16:04:22

The beet salad & sand dab pasta were amazing. Service was exceptional- all the staff were so friendly and had wonderful senses of humor. We will definitely be back!

Review №143

2022-05-09 02:57:33

Amazing food, wine recommendations, cocktails and incredible service!!

Review №144

2021-08-08 05:42:02

Location is ok, not the the best view but the food is very good, we loved it

Review №145

2023-08-20 18:06:02

Had perfect pasta, tried oysters for the first time in my life, and had an amazing view of the bay. Also they had the best clam chowder I’ve ever eaten. Can’t wait to go back!

Review №146

2022-08-31 03:29:03

We were greeted and welcomed by not just a host, but the owner. We arrived early and grabbed a drink at the bar. We then transitioned to a table with a view outside where we had delicious food and complimentary wine. I appreciated that when we asked for a wine recommendation, the wine that the waiter recommended was delicious, actually went with both of our meals, and was not one of the most expensive on the list. Portions were perfect. They left you wanting a fee more bites, but also feeling satisfied without over stuffed. Will most definitely return!

Review №147

2022-03-06 21:58:16

The best meal in Monterey. Wonderful service as well.

Review №148

2022-08-10 05:55:47

First night in town. Stumbled upon this place. Perfect setting. Service and food were great.

Review №149

2023-03-02 15:56:58

Probably the best food I’ve ever had. Great service, great drinks. Calamari was amazing. Ravioli was amazing. Clam chowder was perfect. Clean tidy dining area with a good view. Pricing was a bit high but i will certainly be back, well worth it

Review №150

2023-12-24 04:28:40

Horrible service, made customer wait for no reason and no communication. Food is soso, overpriced. Ordered chowder and creme pasta.

Review №151

2023-03-15 17:28:44

The food was trying to represent Italy, but definitely did not capture that at this restaurant, and there are plenty of other choices throughout this seafood town. My boyfriend ordered the New York strip steak, which can feed 2 to 3 people. I ordered the fettuccine with mushrooms but would not recommend my dish as it was rather bland with lack of sauce. The waiter did mention the fettuccine is hand made other than that you can expect to pay $60-$80 per person.

Review №152

2022-10-16 16:01:14

Love the location off the pier. We enjoyed a beautiful night, listening to the seals outside and the calm shore. There were some delicious (we had the eggplant appetizer and kale ravioli) meals for a vegetarian. Staff was friendly and attentive. Would definitely recommend!

Review №153

2023-06-25 22:46:27

Everything about Osteria Al Mare was phenomenal. Want to take another trip to Monterey just to eat here!

Review №154

2020-11-11 20:22:17

Awesome espresso martinis and ambience. I havent eaten much there but everything I tried has been amazing.

Review №155

2021-12-29 03:14:29

Popped in here for a lazy mid-week lunch. Was happy to sit outside, and the server turned on the overhead heaters for us in late December. Food was excellent, and everything seemed very fresh. The view of the harbor is very pretty, and overall atmosphere is relaxing. If you like a tasty beet salad, or Italian sausage, this is well worth the visit. We found the food to be every bit deserving of the prices, and well be back next time were in town.

Review №156

2023-06-20 14:11:33

Delicious food, beautiful presentation, wonderful atmosphere. The staff is very accommodating. The reasturant manager is a fabulous host. Thank you. We Will visit the next time we are in Monterey. And when we arent in the area we will visit the Morgan Hill location.

Review №157

2024-02-23 17:11:51

I gave it a one star rating because it’s bad place don’t work here or eat here I used to work there but I got fired because I spoke my mind and they wanted me to put on a fake smile and be fake like it’s Hollywood . It makes no sense because the managers never smile .

Review №158

2022-08-17 20:25:32

This place is fabulous. We wanted to go somewhere special for our anniversary and Osteria Al Mare was perfect. The owner greeted us at the door, which was a nice touch. Our waiter was so attentive and he was quite experienced, you can tell that he knew what he was doing. We had 2 of the days specials and they were mouthwateringly delicious. I would wholeheartedly recommend this place.

Review №159

2022-08-15 06:48:28

This was our second time coming here and this spot remains one of the best Italian restaurants we’ve ever been to. I drove 6 hours to Monterey with one of my intentions being just to eat here again and just like last time, we were not disappointed. The portions are perfect, the cocktails are excellent, and the food is so full of flavor I really don’t think you could go wrong with anything on their menu. The view of the harbor is another plus as well. This place will officially be our go to spot every time we come visit up here.

Review №160

2023-09-04 21:42:50

Premise 1. This is my first ever positive restaurant review. I do not have time to write reviews and only write one when I had a bad experience and want to warn fellow travelers. I loved this place so much that took extensive notes on the various dishes.Premise 2. I have dined in many Michelin star(s) restaurants, in France, UK, Belgium, Italy, USA. I am Italian and lived in France and Belgium many years. I am not a food critic, but know good food and know fake. I still remember home made pasta and sauces my mother would make.The above premised: this was one of the best ever dining experiences in many years. Food was perfectly cooked, the right combination of flavors and textures. Not too much salt and not overly thickened sauces. Just right. Perfect pasta, al dente - in the real sense of the word. The “LaPera” (Pear Salad) had just the right amount of sweet and fresh, with the candied pecans complementing the sweetness of the pears in an indulgence of fresh flavors. The Fettuccine al Pescatore (my choice), were perfect, the fresh fish not overly cooked - a difficult thing to do as cooks tend now to have the sauce with the fish prepared beforehand and when they “finish” it with the pasta it ends overcooking the fish. Hence you typically have more calamari which, because of its natural consistency, do not present this challenge. Not here, perfect mix of seafood and fresh fish. Delightful. The Tagliatelle alla Boscaiola (my son’s choice) were so good, fresh mushrooms and rich in flavor. What topped it all were the “Fiocchi al Gorgonzola” (my daughter’s choice) “out of this world” - the gorgonzola sauce (using I believe TOTL gorgonzola - otherwise it is typically overly salty) was en experience even just by itself. We later learned that the fiocchi were made by a local artisan in California. I did not know Maurizio, the owner, but got to know him through the evening, delightful and down to heart, and a real artist at heart. To my asking, he explained that he takes particular pride in choosing only first rate ingredients - I can only say that it shows in all of his creations. He was able to adapt for my wife, who has a gluten allergy, the dish she chose. Even her GF pasta (I know it is TOTL and the most expensive around - cannot say the brand to avoid advertising) was just perfect. In short: if I lived in Monterrey, this would be my go-to locanda - for a fancy dinner, to bring my friends, or just to remind me of perfectly made pasta!Bravissimo Maurizio and Team - come to open an Osteria on the East Coast!

Review №161

2023-04-25 08:44:02

We spent two weeks in California (coming from Switzerland) and this was certainly the best restaurant of all!Delicious food, really tasty and excellent quality, and great service!We had the fetuccini al pescatore, the lasagna and my husband enjoyed the mix of fish, muscles and crab! It was incredibly good!The spot is also very nice, close to the sea! if you are in Monterey this is definitively the place you should try!

Review №162

2023-03-14 21:56:04

I went here a year ago and I still think about how disappointing it was. Our server was fine, we had to ask to not be seated in a weird corner even though the restaurant was mostly empty. We were told that they were closing soon but they kept seating people in the hour and a half we were there. The food was absolutely horrible. Bland calamari, flavorless polenta, watery mussels. The vibe I got was that the owner was away and the restaurant was not left in good hands.

Review №163

2023-07-07 11:42:58

My family and i wantes a casual yet quality dinner and Osteria Al Mare didnt disappoint. We tried the calamari ...sand dabs...short rib ricotta ravioli which all stood out for presentation/ freshness / FLAVOR! Authentic Italian spot dont miss it.

Review №164

2021-08-02 07:30:13

Beautiful restaurant right by the marina with a wonderful view of the sunset.Youd think such a place would be a wretched tourist trap, but the food was actually spectacular. Well seasoned and balanced flavors that really let the freshness of the seafood shine. Best clam chowder (not sure why I ordered it at an upscale Italian place of all places but glad that I did!) Ive had in a while and the pasta very nicely cooked.

Review №165

2023-06-15 17:24:02

Superb meal, all four us got fish dishes and thought they were outstanding. Excellent service as well to go along with its beautiful views over the harbor and bay.

Review №166

2023-02-20 01:07:42

Good view and place with delicious foods

Review №167

2022-10-13 01:56:42

Food was great! The burrata salad was amazing, as well as the short ribs entree I had. This may be my favorite dining experience ever in Monterey. Service was good as well. My server clearly enjoyed what he was doing . Fun talking about the food!! I’ll be back for sure

Review №168

2023-02-15 03:51:41

Food was good, but food is good at a lot of places. I’m leaving a 2 star review because of our server. she was a tall, blonde, blue eyed girl. I forgot her name… maybe allie? But I’m not 100% sure. We sat down and she was short and blunt with us. We were all smiles towards her and she was giving off an attitude. At first I just thought it was because the restaurant was busy. she was chatting a lot with other tables and socializing well. she also failed to tell us the specials. most fine dining/nicer restaurants try to up sale to customers. she did not. We later heard her make comments to other tables about not purposely telling certain tables specials… which I thought was weird. It made me feel like she assumed we couldn’t afford to be there. She rushed us out as well. She then complained to another worker about the tip we left her. My boyfriend didn’t want to tip at all because of our service, but I left a small tip just because I know the serving life. She ruined our experience. I don’t know if it was because we didn’t come in super dressed to the nines or because we are people of color… but her behavior towards us was definitely weird and obvious. I can tell when I’m being mistreated.the girl who sat us was named Molly. She was very sweet! I wish I could’ve tipped her instead. :) she’s a kind worker. we need more people like her in food service.

Review №169

2023-05-22 18:27:24

I could not recommend this place enough. The food was delicious and the staff went above and beyond to make our night special. It’s such a sweet place with beautiful views, definitely one of the best fine dining experiences in Monterey!

Review №170

2023-03-10 04:41:57

Wonderful Birthday Dinner. Was a very stormy night. Food was amazing, all the wait staff was a team effort we’ll run restaurant . When I needed my check because are dog was in the car Calamoni the waitress brought it back so fast, it was like a minute, really appreciated that.

Review №171

2022-09-10 19:02:39

Great seafood in location overlooking the waterfront. Tip: get a table outside which is less noisy than the inside. It’s never really cold (or hot for that matter) in Monterey but there are outside heaters that you could ask to be turned on if you felt you needed them. As a local, this is one of my favorite restaurants!

Review №172

2023-02-19 17:12:49

Wonderful ambience, delicious food -- along with a lovely description of the dishes --- beautiful views. Eric is an attentive, upbeat waiter. Sit outside, if you can -- lovely marina and bay views, glassed in deck and heaters make it snuggy warm.

Review №173

2022-06-22 20:24:17

Wonderful food with stellar views. We sat outside and it was lovely. Our server was knowledgeable and kind but a little unresponsive. The cannolis and lemon cake were to die for, as was the gnocchi. Definitely worth checking out!

Review №174

2023-06-10 03:16:26

What a pleasure! Wonderful and authentical Italian food! The pesto was like in Italy, close your eyes and be there. Great wine, great service - we‘re waiting for the tiramisu and we‘re sure that this will be perfect, too.

Review №175

2023-10-05 01:48:36

The wait time is incredibly long for the food. When asking if the order is coming, the manager was being a jerk and keep telling to wait without having anyone to go check at the kitchen. They never bring out the food until I asked again. Bad manager.

Review №176

2022-04-08 15:55:42

The food was absolutely amazing. It is pricey for my budget but well worth splurging on. I had the swordfish and my wife had the rock cod. Both were delicious. We shared the tiramisu for dessert. We were both very happy with our meals and the service. I would definitely recommend.

Review №177

2021-04-03 23:02:11

What an amazing dinner and experience here! We were recommended from a friend and would definitely recommend to anyone whos looking for amazing Italian seafood with wonderful service. The views are perfect might I add 😉 and the owner Fab is such an excellent host to his restaurant. Go with what he recommends, it wont disappoint.This is going to be my go to spot whenever were in Monterey.Thanks again Fab and staff for the exceptional hospitality.Ilyssa (youre new regular)

Review №178

2022-09-19 23:03:54

What a great find! The service, food and view were outstanding. As others have said, not as touristy which was a relief. It’s casual but could have come off as pretentious if it wanted to. Ally our server was knowledgeable and attentive. We seriously didn’t want to leave. Would recommend the calamari, sea bass special, chicken and pasta and of course the cannolis!

Review №179

2022-11-14 16:22:41

The dishes came fast but we waited long to place our order. The waiter was not very friendly. The food was really delicious except for the tiramisu which was a disappointment for an italian restaurant - we could not taste neither the alcohol or the coffee. The atmosphere is good.

Review №180

2022-07-02 01:04:55

Such attentive staff! We never wanted for anything. The food was incredible, the wine pairing was excellent, and the atmosphere was so relaxing. We were a party of 5 having a small celebration and we couldn’t have picked a better place.

Review №181

2021-07-24 20:38:50

Wonderful service and great food. Will definitely be coming back.

Review №182

2020-10-04 15:12:40

Wow!!!! We were so happy with our experience here last night. Between the staff, the ambiance, and the food, our dinner in Monterey was a perfect.It was a Saturday night, but they were not only able to accommodate but found us a perfect table for 2. They were over the top hospitable and I love how the staff all speaks Italian, it made us really feel transported to Europe. While we waited for our table, we enjoyed drinks outside and got a show from a local seal! Apparently they hang out there quite a bit (must have seen the good reviews!)All the beer and wine we had were great. We started with the calamari and upon suggestion both ordered the scallops with truffle ravioli which was absolutely incredible. You could tell the raviolis were handmade. We would have loved to order dessert but were so full we couldn’t!! We would absolutely come back here. Additionally, the prices were very fair!

Review №183

2021-04-25 23:51:47

We were walking by from Fishermans Wharf to Cannery Row and decided to try this restaurant, so happy we did. I cannot say enough good things about how wonderful the staff was to my family and I and how amazing the food was. We ordered a few different appetizers which were out of this world, and the main course were scallops as perfect as we have ever had them. I learned later from our charter captain that our host was the owners nephew. He was very gracious and patient with our questions, our order and our kids. When we completed this great meal I had to go to the kitchen to thank the staff for the great food and a wonderful experience, all on my birthday! We cannot wait to go back!

Review №184

2022-02-25 21:15:46

This place was fantastic! I cant eat dairy, which is most of their dishes. I was fine ordering something without dairy, like I do everywhere else, but the waiter insisted on ordering up fresh pasta for a dish that is usually full dairy so I could get the meal I wanted. He didnt act like he was inconvenienced and didnt make me feel like a high maintenance customer. The restaurant didnt charge for this accommodation either.My sand dab was also cooked perfectly- it was delicate and delicious.

Review №185

2021-03-08 00:25:58

Very friendly service and was very nice and welcoming. It had a nice view of the docks and ocean outside and the heat lamps made it comfortable. I had ordered the NY Steak as I’m allergic to sea food and it came with amazing gnocchi and veggies with it. For drinks, the Bloody Mary was alright but the limoncello was amazing and a perfect finish with our meals. An enjoyable place to eat and relax.

Review №186

2023-11-09 03:48:19

The food was delicious. The service was not good. Slow. Non attentive and snobby. If you like being treated poorly and then eat good food this is the place.

Review №187

2023-04-29 00:06:26

We waited a little longer for the food, but it was totally worth it. Like being back in Italy, great pasta (and even gluten free option), great wine and very friendly Italian waiter. Definitely worth visiting

Review №188

2022-11-06 19:49:46

I am so sorry I did not take any photos, because the food was delicious, nay, scrumptious, as well as beautifully presented. Our waitress Allie was outstanding. She convinced us to start with the finochi- pasta pockets filled with pear, cauliflower and gorgonzola in a heavenly cream sauce with sage. We also enjoyed the buratta and the chicken fettuccine. I also recommend the pear ginger martini, and we also enjoyed a chardonnay from Joullian vineyard in Carmel. Will definitely be coming back!

Review №189

2022-05-10 23:11:52

Was disappointed with serving size, surf and turf was a petite filet ( best part of the meal) with 2 small shrimp over mashed potatoes. . We had a bowl of clam chowder, which was not the best we have had. We did not order drinks. Just water, $148.00 for 2 people. Ask for prices before ordering!!!

Review №190

2022-10-12 17:23:26

I had a perfect dining experience here. I came in with my family and very much appreciated the fresh food and wonderful and welcoming service we received from the waiter and manager. A wonderful location too. Highly recommend!

Review №191

2022-10-02 04:31:41

The owner is a passionate serial entrepreneur, successful in 10 restaurants. Its very apparent as our meals were prepared to perfection. Black cod, burrata, calamari and clams were excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant

Review №192

2022-07-31 07:35:06

Expected great food & service. Unfortunately my chicken Piccata was buried in chopped garlic & was tough. My partners Alfredo dish was gooey. After we were served, the waiter disappeared and we had to wait quite a while for our bill. Maybe they were just having a bad night? 🥴 My friends enjoy going there.

Review №193

2022-04-16 22:51:01

Pretentious! This is a small place with wood floors and glass windows all around. We had reservations forv8 pm. No problem with those but there was a group of 8 very loud people. I asked to be seated as far away from them as possible but we were seated right next to them! They were screaming with laughter which was really loud and rude. I know the restaurant staff doesnt want to offend anyone but they could have asked those people to tone it down a bit. And really the place was so small that no matter where we could have been seated that group was still too loud to be in the same room with us. The food was not that good. My Mahi Mahi was cooked properly and tasted okay. There were small tomatoes cut up in the mix and they were OK. The rice was mixed with something green and was rather mushy. My husband wanted to have short ribs with garlic mashed potatoes but they did not have them. The calamari appetizer was okay. But nothing was great. It was just OK. I do not recommend this place. The wait staff tried to be very helpful and polite but the food and atmosphere was just so do.

Review №194

2021-09-05 03:39:31

My fiancé and I have come here several times and typically had good experiences with the quality of food and service. However, tonight we came in and asked to be seated outside and although they were busy, the hostess was able to accommodate us. Unfortunately though, we were only given a single table setting and were never brought menus or visited by the serving staff at all. After 20 minutes I walked in and asked if we could be served and the hostess said she would tell the owner, but we still were never visited by a staff member. I hate to write this review, but after wasting more than a half hour of our Saturday night we are pretty disappointed. Maybe order for pick up if you want to try this spot, thats always worked out.

Review №195

2021-07-21 13:38:11

The food is awesome. My wife and I started ordering to go during the pandemic and always looked forward to it. Now that we’re vaccinated we went to dine in for the first time. TERRIBLE experience. 20 minutes after being seated the waitress still hadn’t even brought menus. I walked up to the hostess to ask if we were supposed to order at the bar or something. She very unapologetically said she would check in with our waitress. We saw who she talked to, waitress still didn’t come. Every time waitress walked past she glanced at us but didn’t stop. For 15 more minutes we watched her serve other tables, seat and take orders and bring food to people who sat after us. We were the only people in the restaurant who did not present as wealthy or white. After that 35 minutes it became clear that they didn’t want us there, so we left and ate somewhere else. Their food is great, and I’m a little sad I’ll never eat it again. Its a mid-scale restaurant that thinks it’s up-scale and clearly only wants to serve a certain demographic. So if you go you dine in, be sure to look the part.

Review №196

2022-07-14 00:06:43

Nice casual spot with a beautiful view of the bay and good value. Not fancy, which was a pleasure and great service. We had a couple pasta dishes which were better than average and nice wine pairing.

Review №197

2022-05-18 05:45:34

To start off with the positives: service is good - friendly, accommodating, attentive but not hovering. Views of the marina during sunset are fun. Food unfortunately is ho-hum to disappointing. If you’re looking for traditional or authentic Italian, look elsewhere. Basics are ok, more ambitious dishes unrefined, views nice, and service really good.

Review №198

2021-02-15 06:04:15

This place is AMAZING! they were out of a few things and still the customer service was top notch and we got a couple things taken off the bills. by far the best Italian food i’ve had EVER! so good for any occasion and i highly recommend. our waiter Bridgette was awesome and so sweet and accommodating. the manager we met when they ran out was so awesome and nice about getting us different options and getting us some free stuff for being out. Overall love the service and food and recommend 100x would come back.

Review №199

2023-04-30 12:50:33

Very nice location.The food wasn’t bad, but not the quality we would have expected from reading previous reviews. Service could be a bit more organised as well. ( asked 3 times if we wanted desert)