5 of the Best Ocean View Restaurants in Monterey County

Written by Allie Cooper for Monterey Bay Food Tours

When people travel across the iconic Highway One, one of the first things that come to mind is picturesque Monterey County. It’s home to some of the most gorgeous coastlines in the U.S. and probably in the world, and what better way to enjoy it than with food? With that, here are five restaurants with the best ocean view in Monterey County:

Nepenthe

An idyllic drive along the scenic Highway One wouldn't be complete without a stop at Nepenthe. Aside from its gorgeous views, they also offer mouth-watering American cuisine. Gayot, the Guide to the Good Life, highly suggests ordering the smoked sockeye salmon for breakfast, as well as the Ambrosia burger made with ground steak and a secret sauce topped with mayo and relish. They also have nightly dinner specials and warm specialty drinks such as the Nepenthe C & C (Chartreuse and Cognac).

Paluca Trattoria

Established in the 1970s, Sal & Ashley Tedesco took ownership in 2000 and changed the name of the restaurant to Paluca Tratorria, a combination of their sons' names, Paolo and Luca. The pet-friendly restaurant brandishes a casual waterfront setting with a patio seating area. Their delicious menu includes Monterey Bay calamari, Sicilian prawns, smoked salmon linguini, and lobster ravioli. Their Bruschetta Gamberoni and the Puttanesca are also to die for, so make sure to give them a try. The trattoria also gained popularity after it became the location of the coffee shop scenes from Season 1 of HBO’s Big Little Lies, as featured by Travel Age West's Valerie Chen. In more ways, the show truly captured the vibe of this little Italian-inspired area in Monterey County. Join us for our Old Monterey Food Tour and you may find yourself sitting in the spot where Reese Witherspoon sat.

Restaurant at Mission Ranch

The Restaurant at Mission Ranch is situated just above the Carmel Mission with views of Point Lobos and Carmel River Beach. On top of its impeccable view of nature, they also offer classic American food, a cool piano bar, and a famous Sunday Brunch Buffet with live jazz. In addition, former Carmel-by-Sea mayor, Clint Eastwood, owns Restaurant at Mission Ranch, adding to that historic, somewhat exclusively Hollywood ambiance. The restaurant is known for its Smoked Salmon and Oysters On The Half Shell which varies depending on the season.

Lalla Oceanside Grill

Cannery Row is arguably one of the most iconic and historic in Monterey Country because of the eateries and restaurants fit for every traveler’s palate and budget. Lalla Oceanside Grill is fit for travelers who are looking for a casual dining outing with a side of ocean views. For a private dining experience, head downstairs to, Angel’s Share, a private dining room with your own personal bartender. Perfect for cocktail or dinner parties, they can customize a menu for you group. Aside from offering private events, this restaurant also boasts various cuisines such as Bacon Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp & Spinach Noodles and Macadamia Crusted Halibut, which will surely leave your mouth watering.

California Market Restaurant & Pacific’s Edge Restaurant

Photo credit: @highlandsinn instagram.com

The breathtaking view of Yankee Point and the Big Sur coastline serves as the backdrop for the California Market and Pacific’s Edge restaurants. California Market offers casual breakfast and lunch with an option to either enjoy the warm sun on their outdoor deck or soak in the atmosphere of their bistro-esque interior. On the other hand, if you wish to upgrade your ocean-view dining experience, San Francisco Travel suggests going upstairs and booking a dinner at the sophisticated Pacific’s Edge Restaurant. They offer an extensive wine menu that greatly compliments their delicious Lobster Risotto and Pistachio Crusted Lamb Rack, and of course the front-row seat to the spectacular sunset.

All in all, these restaurants offer a glimpse of what it’s like to dine surrounded by the beautiful Pacific coast. Be sure to check our blogs on Monterey Bay Food Tours for more suggestions on where to eat and what to do in the best, most scenic part of California.

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