Taste of Monterey: A Culinary Walk Through 6 Top Restaurants in Historic Downtown Monterey
Monterey’s historic downtown, also known as Alvarado Street, marks a destination for a spectacular breakfast, lunch, or dinner, late-night snack, brunch, dessert-as-dinner, or any other meals you happen to recognize.
Discover new and old favorites up and down one of the prettiest downtowns in California with this list of top 6 restaurants in historic downtown Monterey.
Alta Bakery
two of our tour guests enjoying avocado toast in the sunny gardens of Alta Bakery
Our walk begins at the top of Alvarado Street, a bustling intersection since the mid-1800s. To this day, locals and visitors alike start at this end of downtown and stroll to the wharf.
One of the highlights of our Old Monterey Food Tour is a stop at the corner of Alvarado
St. and Munras Ave, lingering in the lush gardens of the historic Cooper Molera Adobe and grabbing an indulgent snack at the adjoining Alta Bakery.
Alta Bakery offers light bites for breakfast and lunch, paired with delicious hot and cold drinks. Stop by regularly to try their elegant featured latte every month, highlighting seasonal ingredients like lavender.
Toribashi
After enjoying a light snack or breakfast at Alta, walk along Alvarado Street a few storefronts to reach Toribashi. This ramen restaurant offers the perfect lunch or dinner on a cloudy Monterey day.
This narrow restaurant welcomes you into Japan with its authentic ingredients and cooler of interesting drinks to pair with the delicious, hearty serving of ramen. Toribashi also serves rice and noodle bowls, perfect for a warmer day when they open the floor-length windows to the outdoors.
Revival Ice Cream
tour guests enjoying a Bee’s Knees waffle cone at Revival
Almost every Monterey Bay Food Tour concludes with a visit to Revival Ice Cream, our favorite local place for a sweet treat. Have you tried Bee’s Knees? This honey-flavored ice cream is their award-winning, signature flavor.
Stop by frequently to see the new flavors! This hyper-seasonal creamery incorporates only the freshest ingredients into their creative fruit and dessert flavors.
Rosine’s
At the midpoint of downtown, we are going to cross the street to try Rosine’s. While Alvarado Street highlights a huge spectrum of global cuisines, Rosine’s offers a menu of American favorites everyone will love.
If you already have plans for meals, keep Rosine’s on your list! This restaurant’s dessert case is something to behold, with towering cakes beckoning you in from the street. Even better than gazing on these peanut-buttery, frosted, chocolate creations is taking home a giant slice for yourself.
Crown and Anchor
If you’re in downtown Monterey later at night, we suggest stopping by Crown and Anchor. While it’s technically a half-block away from Alvarado Street, the ambiance can’t be missed!
Descend the stairs and step into a traditional British pub with this elaborately-decorated and quirky spot. This is a great place to enjoy a drink like a local and dig in to a favorite late-night snack: the curry potato wedges. Choose from mild, medium, spicy, or “so spicy only the staff members eat it.”
Cibo
Cross Alvarado Street one last time for another great late-night hangout on Alvarado Street. Cibo features both a delicious menu of Italian favorites in an elegant restaurant and a lively cocktail room.
You may hear the excitement from this establishment before you see it – Cibo features jazz musicians five nights each week.
There’s no better place to find your next favorite place to eat than Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey! What is your favorite place to grab a drink or a bite? Comment below to share your recommendations.