Recommended dishes: Calamari Steak with Scallops and Prawns over Risotto
William Henderson
We had the greatest experience dining at the Sardine Factory of Monterey on our 22nd wedding anniversary. We enjoyed mango sorbet, served on beautifully lit ice swans, before our main courses, which simply added to our fantastic evening under the sky in the all glass Conservatory Room. Our waitress Marissa was happy, professional and knowledgeable. The sommelier Dave was so very kind and quite knowledgeable in wines and the Monterey region. We had a wonderful surprise visit from Sunjeev, who is an honored and award winning waiter that's been providing the greatest of service there for near 46 years now. Thank you Sardine Factory, owners and staff. You truly filled our evening with wonderful memories and opulence. Much love, Bill and Sara
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly-Shucked Oysters on the Half Shell, Seafood, Medallions of Filet Mignon Périgourdine, Sardine Factory's Sorbet on Ice Swan
Johnathon Sandoval
My time spent here was during COVID, so we had Donne In the parking lot in a tent. So this review is limited on scope, but for what it was at the time, it all was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Miller Oberlin
You couldn’t ask for a more iconic symbol of old school Monterey. But, oh how the times have changed. Gloriously used as a location in the directorial debut of Clint Eastwoods film Play Misty for Me. Its exterior is quite picturesque. Then once you walk through the door you realize that somewhere along the line a few architects must have gotten into a bar brawl over whether it should be an old lodge, a French chateau styled dining room or a bad take on a western version of Tavern on the Green. The food was mediocre at best with prices fit for a Michelin rated restaurant. What would one expect in a touristy place like Monterey? For those prices, I would at the bare minimum expect to walk out of the place, pleasantly full… Not the case. I wasn’t willing to order any of the steak off the menu as it was so incredibly overpriced, 8oz Filet for $69? How about the ribeye at $73? Ridiculous, even for most steak houses. We went “cheap”and ordered the Castroville angel hair pasta at $34 and the Zinfandel braised short rib and pappardelle pasta at $48. The pasta for both dishes was overcooked and falling apart. The Castroville had next to no flavor, as in not even salted. The short rib was poorly cooked and only the exterior was fall apart, with the remainder being tough. Our daughter’s sliders were well done hockey pucks, however the shoe string fries were excellent. The only stand out aside from the fries was the $14 cup of chowder, great flavor and good ingredients. I have no issue paying a large sum for a meal, but I do expect the prices to be commensurate with the quality of food. The food is fit for Disneyland vendor stalls. What makes it even more confounding is that the service is totally excellent. Very friendly staff and quick to take care of everything. Sadly Monterey is as much a tourist trap as any main drag in a resort town; shops that say nothing of or about the local people, culture or history. I wish I could write a great review for this old school, used to be locals favorite Monterey icon, but I can’t.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Tracy Evatt
Still good after all these years, been going there since 1981.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Classic Caesar Salad, Seafood
Leonard Hinzo
Extraordinary wine list! It's definitely a wine connoisseurs restaurant. The food was exquisite. We took several of the servers' suggested items, and the sommeliers recommend sparkling and still wine. Seared Ahi in a special Japonese sauce served over udon noodles was delicious. The Sand Dab special fish was lightly breaded and perfectly cooked. The prime rib was served with julienne steamed carrots and aspergus as well as the traditional whipped potatoes. Fresh horseradish sauce complemented the dish completely. We started with a baked brie with honey and berries. It went perfectly with the Rose Champagne. We wrapped up the evening at the bar listening to classic soft rock songs played very well by a pianist. I can't wait to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric Tam
Nestled in the heart of downtown Monterey, Sardine Factory is a culinary gem that captivates both the palate and the senses. From the moment you step through its doors, you're enveloped in an ambiance of warmth and sophistication, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.Upon arrival, my party and I were greeted by friendly staff who ushered us to our table with utmost hospitality. The restaurant's atrium decor and open lighting created an inviting atmosphere, perfect for a Sunday afternoon meal.As we perused the menu, we were captivated by their Pre Fixe menu each showcasing the chef's mastery of flavors and ingredients. Some in our party opted for the Pre Fixe while I opted for the a la carter as there were some tantalizing apps that I just have to try.We choose three apps, and the one that stood out was their fresh oysters shucked beautifully. Their stuff mushrooms was cooked to perfection, while the artichoke was the groups least favorite.Equally impressive was their bisque, refreshing salad, and their main course—the groups favorite was the succulent rack of lamb, expertly seasoned and cooked to a glorious medium-rare; the bone-in pork chop that was as tender as a beef filet and the least was the Fish Filet with Risotto that was overcooked. Each bite was a revelation, with the meat melting in the mouth and leaving behind a symphony of savory goodness.There were three dessert options that boasted an enticing selection of taste, but it was the carrot cake that stole the show. With a thin layer of cream cheese to balance out the not too sweet filling, it was the perfect conclusion to a memorable meal.Throughout our dining experience, the service remained impeccable, with attentive staff ensuring that our every need was met without intrusion. Their professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident at every turn ensuring we were treated as VIP guest.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bronxbomber4ever
Wonderful Easter dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica Hageman
Antonio was my server tonight - him and his team all worked well together.The venue's inside was dimly lit and romantic with a full bar available. There was a back area that felt like you were inside of a dreamy, well-decorated greenhouse.No pictures because I was enjoying my date. Check out tiktok, there are plenty of videos.The bavette wagyu was a 10/10 - "delicious, moist, buttery, rich, well-cooked".The cioppino was a 10/10 - it had all of the seafood from the aquarium. ? my favorite were the scallops - they were buttery, sweet and the texture was the perfect softness. You do gave to crack your own crab that is in sauce so, it was kind of messy but they do give you a bib.10/10 - would go again!!!!Kid-friendliness: There were some pleasant little ones next to us dining and they were very nice to be around. There is a child menu available, I believe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Nick Anderson
Amazing spot for our 5 Year anniversary. The chocolate tart is easily in the top 3 best deserts I've EVER had. Service was amazing, they were so kind, helpful, and fast. The atmosphere was immaculate! They have rooms with completely different aesthetics. One small caveat is we paid almost $40 for 2 small crab cakes as an appetizer, everything else was well priced.
The food was okay but the service and decor were great. My party ordered the lamb chops and the ribeye. The lamb chop itself tasted pretty good but the mashed potatoe side was extremely salty. The ribeye was ordered medium rare but came out beyond rare and looked like it was simply seared on all sides. I like a rare/medium rare steak but this was simply too chewy to eat. We asked for it fixed and they happily did it. It came back medium/medium rare so it looked great but it tasted a bit dry and the flavor wasn't very good. It came with some fried onions but I feel like it didn't add much to the dish. The mashed potatoe side came from the same batch I presume because it was just as salty. Maybe the seafood is better but I don't recommend coming here for the red meat.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Tonya Souza-Large
Had such a good time and food was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
A C
My family and I, although we have lived in the Monterey area for quite a few years, had our first dinner experience at Sardine Factory. My mother chose this restaurant, because she remembered seeing a beautiful photo of the place in a travel brochure.My brother and I were determined to "do whatever mom wants", so we agreed to her suggestion immediately.Upon arrival, we were seated in one of the extraordinary dining rooms. Mom asked about the "sunroom in the brochure", and... Since we were determined to do anything that Mom wants, I worked up the courage to ask Rachel and Natalie to figure out what room my mother was talking about and seat us there.Typically, I am quite shy about inconveniening people, but... Today was different. I just found out that my elderly mother had a doctor's visit that was life-changing.So... I found a moment to tell Rachel and Natalie that I was deaing with a "life moment regarding mom's health". Rachel and Natalie immediately found a table for us in the glass atrium that my mother had seen in a brochure. I was very, very touched by how quickly these two lovely staff members worked to make my mom's wish come true. Their kindness and sincerity were just so apparent and obvious.We took dozens of photographs of ourselves, my laughing mom, and the beautiful glass atrium. The food was delicious. I drank too much. There were some tears and laughter.The beautiful setting. The delicious food. The wine. The happy memories, while my family shared a rare moment to get together despite our busy, busy lives....Rachel and Natalie and the rest of the wonderful staff at Sardine Factory, thank you so much for sharing your love, sincerity, your gorgeous restaurant and lovingly prepared food with us.My entire family will remember this evening forever. Thank you.~Austin
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anthony Ladd
Romantic setting with excellent food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Art Davis
It was the first time my wife and I went to the Sardine Factory after decades of going to Monterey. The service was exceptional. The food was very good. The atmosphere was very good. We will be back. It's is pricey. But, worth the money on occasion.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly-Shucked Oysters on the Half Shell, Seafood
A++ All the way around !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari Steak with Scallops and Prawns over Risotto
We had the greatest experience dining at the Sardine Factory of Monterey on our 22nd wedding anniversary. We enjoyed mango sorbet, served on beautifully lit ice swans, before our main courses, which simply added to our fantastic evening under the sky in the all glass Conservatory Room. Our waitress Marissa was happy, professional and knowledgeable. The sommelier Dave was so very kind and quite knowledgeable in wines and the Monterey region. We had a wonderful surprise visit from Sunjeev, who is an honored and award winning waiter that's been providing the greatest of service there for near 46 years now. Thank you Sardine Factory, owners and staff. You truly filled our evening with wonderful memories and opulence. Much love, Bill and Sara
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly-Shucked Oysters on the Half Shell, Seafood, Medallions of Filet Mignon Périgourdine, Sardine Factory's Sorbet on Ice Swan
My time spent here was during COVID, so we had Donne In the parking lot in a tent. So this review is limited on scope, but for what it was at the time, it all was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
You couldn’t ask for a more iconic symbol of old school Monterey. But, oh how the times have changed. Gloriously used as a location in the directorial debut of Clint Eastwoods film Play Misty for Me. Its exterior is quite picturesque. Then once you walk through the door you realize that somewhere along the line a few architects must have gotten into a bar brawl over whether it should be an old lodge, a French chateau styled dining room or a bad take on a western version of Tavern on the Green. The food was mediocre at best with prices fit for a Michelin rated restaurant. What would one expect in a touristy place like Monterey? For those prices, I would at the bare minimum expect to walk out of the place, pleasantly full… Not the case. I wasn’t willing to order any of the steak off the menu as it was so incredibly overpriced, 8oz Filet for $69? How about the ribeye at $73? Ridiculous, even for most steak houses. We went “cheap”and ordered the Castroville angel hair pasta at $34 and the Zinfandel braised short rib and pappardelle pasta at $48. The pasta for both dishes was overcooked and falling apart. The Castroville had next to no flavor, as in not even salted. The short rib was poorly cooked and only the exterior was fall apart, with the remainder being tough. Our daughter’s sliders were well done hockey pucks, however the shoe string fries were excellent. The only stand out aside from the fries was the $14 cup of chowder, great flavor and good ingredients. I have no issue paying a large sum for a meal, but I do expect the prices to be commensurate with the quality of food. The food is fit for Disneyland vendor stalls. What makes it even more confounding is that the service is totally excellent. Very friendly staff and quick to take care of everything. Sadly Monterey is as much a tourist trap as any main drag in a resort town; shops that say nothing of or about the local people, culture or history. I wish I could write a great review for this old school, used to be locals favorite Monterey icon, but I can’t.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Still good after all these years, been going there since 1981.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Classic Caesar Salad, Seafood
Extraordinary wine list! It's definitely a wine connoisseurs restaurant. The food was exquisite. We took several of the servers' suggested items, and the sommeliers recommend sparkling and still wine. Seared Ahi in a special Japonese sauce served over udon noodles was delicious. The Sand Dab special fish was lightly breaded and perfectly cooked. The prime rib was served with julienne steamed carrots and aspergus as well as the traditional whipped potatoes. Fresh horseradish sauce complemented the dish completely. We started with a baked brie with honey and berries. It went perfectly with the Rose Champagne. We wrapped up the evening at the bar listening to classic soft rock songs played very well by a pianist. I can't wait to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nestled in the heart of downtown Monterey, Sardine Factory is a culinary gem that captivates both the palate and the senses. From the moment you step through its doors, you're enveloped in an ambiance of warmth and sophistication, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.Upon arrival, my party and I were greeted by friendly staff who ushered us to our table with utmost hospitality. The restaurant's atrium decor and open lighting created an inviting atmosphere, perfect for a Sunday afternoon meal.As we perused the menu, we were captivated by their Pre Fixe menu each showcasing the chef's mastery of flavors and ingredients. Some in our party opted for the Pre Fixe while I opted for the a la carter as there were some tantalizing apps that I just have to try.We choose three apps, and the one that stood out was their fresh oysters shucked beautifully. Their stuff mushrooms was cooked to perfection, while the artichoke was the groups least favorite.Equally impressive was their bisque, refreshing salad, and their main course—the groups favorite was the succulent rack of lamb, expertly seasoned and cooked to a glorious medium-rare; the bone-in pork chop that was as tender as a beef filet and the least was the Fish Filet with Risotto that was overcooked. Each bite was a revelation, with the meat melting in the mouth and leaving behind a symphony of savory goodness.There were three dessert options that boasted an enticing selection of taste, but it was the carrot cake that stole the show. With a thin layer of cream cheese to balance out the not too sweet filling, it was the perfect conclusion to a memorable meal.Throughout our dining experience, the service remained impeccable, with attentive staff ensuring that our every need was met without intrusion. Their professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident at every turn ensuring we were treated as VIP guest.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful Easter dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Antonio was my server tonight - him and his team all worked well together.The venue's inside was dimly lit and romantic with a full bar available. There was a back area that felt like you were inside of a dreamy, well-decorated greenhouse.No pictures because I was enjoying my date. Check out tiktok, there are plenty of videos.The bavette wagyu was a 10/10 - "delicious, moist, buttery, rich, well-cooked".The cioppino was a 10/10 - it had all of the seafood from the aquarium. ? my favorite were the scallops - they were buttery, sweet and the texture was the perfect softness. You do gave to crack your own crab that is in sauce so, it was kind of messy but they do give you a bib.10/10 - would go again!!!!Kid-friendliness: There were some pleasant little ones next to us dining and they were very nice to be around. There is a child menu available, I believe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Amazing spot for our 5 Year anniversary. The chocolate tart is easily in the top 3 best deserts I've EVER had. Service was amazing, they were so kind, helpful, and fast. The atmosphere was immaculate! They have rooms with completely different aesthetics. One small caveat is we paid almost $40 for 2 small crab cakes as an appetizer, everything else was well priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Mac and Cheese
Restaurantji Recommends
The food was okay but the service and decor were great. My party ordered the lamb chops and the ribeye. The lamb chop itself tasted pretty good but the mashed potatoe side was extremely salty. The ribeye was ordered medium rare but came out beyond rare and looked like it was simply seared on all sides. I like a rare/medium rare steak but this was simply too chewy to eat. We asked for it fixed and they happily did it. It came back medium/medium rare so it looked great but it tasted a bit dry and the flavor wasn't very good. It came with some fried onions but I feel like it didn't add much to the dish. The mashed potatoe side came from the same batch I presume because it was just as salty. Maybe the seafood is better but I don't recommend coming here for the red meat.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Had such a good time and food was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
My family and I, although we have lived in the Monterey area for quite a few years, had our first dinner experience at Sardine Factory. My mother chose this restaurant, because she remembered seeing a beautiful photo of the place in a travel brochure.My brother and I were determined to "do whatever mom wants", so we agreed to her suggestion immediately.Upon arrival, we were seated in one of the extraordinary dining rooms. Mom asked about the "sunroom in the brochure", and... Since we were determined to do anything that Mom wants, I worked up the courage to ask Rachel and Natalie to figure out what room my mother was talking about and seat us there.Typically, I am quite shy about inconveniening people, but... Today was different. I just found out that my elderly mother had a doctor's visit that was life-changing.So... I found a moment to tell Rachel and Natalie that I was deaing with a "life moment regarding mom's health". Rachel and Natalie immediately found a table for us in the glass atrium that my mother had seen in a brochure. I was very, very touched by how quickly these two lovely staff members worked to make my mom's wish come true. Their kindness and sincerity were just so apparent and obvious.We took dozens of photographs of ourselves, my laughing mom, and the beautiful glass atrium. The food was delicious. I drank too much. There were some tears and laughter.The beautiful setting. The delicious food. The wine. The happy memories, while my family shared a rare moment to get together despite our busy, busy lives....Rachel and Natalie and the rest of the wonderful staff at Sardine Factory, thank you so much for sharing your love, sincerity, your gorgeous restaurant and lovingly prepared food with us.My entire family will remember this evening forever. Thank you.~Austin
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Romantic setting with excellent food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was the first time my wife and I went to the Sardine Factory after decades of going to Monterey. The service was exceptional. The food was very good. The atmosphere was very good. We will be back. It's is pricey. But, worth the money on occasion.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly-Shucked Oysters on the Half Shell, Seafood