4. Restaurants

Sandbar & Grill

Municipal Wharf,Ste 16, Monterey, CA, 93940
  • (831) 373-2818
  • Store is closed

Sandbar & Grill Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Monterey for healthy meals suggestion.

Monterey Cookhouse ( 2149 Fremont St )

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  • Rachel B.

    Went here on a Saturday night and there was a 40 minute wait which was fine except the hostess said we had to sit at the bar instead of waiting for a table. Once we were seated the wait staff at the bar ignored us for about 15 minutes, then finally got us some menus and then continued to ignore us. We ended up leaving without ordering. I've never experienced more rude service.

    (1)

  • Ellen C.

    So, I fled the crowds at Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf and begged the woman at the hotel's desk to find me good seafood without the tourist hype and she sent me here. I think others know the secret because the place was crammed, but I found a happy seat at the bar and Terri hooked me up with some excellent margaritas. The clam chowder was far superior than the dreck served at the other wharf and it was followed by some pretty fabulous halibut. Best meal of my four day stay in Monterey!

    (4)

  • Isabel O.

    Probably the worst seafood experience of my life. My boyfriend and I came here after being in the area and having this come up on Google. It had positive reviews, so we decided to stop by. We got seated quickly, and while we walked to our table we noticed about 5-7 flies flying around. We should have left then, but we decided to look past it. Our waiter came and took our order : 2 cokes, calamari for an appetizer, jumbo crab stuffed prawns with pasta and a half rack of ribs with fried shrimp. The calamari was good, could definitely tell it had been frozen but it was still ok. Our entrees came with clam chowder and salad. The clam chowder was ok, good but not anything especial. The salad however, was absolutely disgusting. It was a wet, soggy lettuce mix and the vinaigrette it came with tasted like a distilled alcohol. I put it to the side, and waited for my food. The prawns tasted like something out of a microwaveable dinner box, and the pasta he got had a watery tomato sauce and looked discolored. When I got my ribs, they were completely dry and burned, and the bbq sauce tasted like something you could buy from a bottle at Walmart. Not to mention the fried shrimp batter looked weird, and when I bit into one it was a nasty, oily and squishy mess, and tasted uncooked. I waited over 15 minutes to call our waitress, whom was nowhere in sight. When we finally tracked her down I returned my full plate and asked for the bill. She gave it to us with an attitude at this point, and she charged me for the two cokes, the salad and clam chowder, the calamari and the prawns. Came out to 54 dollars when it tasted like something I could get at Denny's for 20 bucks. Never again. Bad service, terrible food, and a unhygienic atmosphere. Don't be fooled by these positive reviews, all written by the middle age white people that were hanging out at the bar and seem to know the staff very, very well. If you want better seafood and better service, stick to buying a fish filet at McDonald's.

    (1)

  • Bob R.

    Second time here and no complaints. Great food, friendly service. The ribs were very good! Definitely a favorite. Nice view of the harbor too.

    (5)

  • Adrian G.

    The bartender is a jackass...food/happy hour is amazing. Ordered two drinks and got the hell out of there!!!! He was throwing a bitch fit about having coffee in our coffee cups....sorry but if you keep this up this place will sink to the ground. Shame shame shame.

    (1)

  • Lisa S.

    We were guests in Monterey for 1 night, staying at the Portola .We wanted a delicious meal that wasn't too expensive. We got on yelp. This was an easy walk from the hotel. We ate mussels, onion rings, bread and butter, and we shared the special: grilled halibut with one prawn on top, rice, and green beans. The kitchen split it for us-which is always a lovely touch. It's more comfortable for the diners, and they almost always wind up giving you more food. Everything was top notch. The bill was $49.95 which we thought was a hell of a deal. Service was great. I'd go there again in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • Mallory M.

    What a great place! We had never been to Monterey before and started at the Fisherman's grotto. In comparison, it was way less restaurant "hype" (typical of chain restaurants) with equally good, if not better food! It's a very small restaurant with maybe 20 tables plus bar seating. It's right on the water, off of the pier, near the boats and away from the more popular wharf restaurants and attractions. It is not too extremely expensive -- I probably could have been conned to pay more elsewhere -- but I was happy with the bill. For a calamari appetizer (WONDERFUL btw, believe them when they tell you how TENDER it is), a clams appetizer (delicious white wine butter sauce), an entire fresh Dungeness crab which we split, two small cups of chowder (one came with the crab), a glass of wine and a beer -- we paid $75 +tip. Not bad when you factor in the great quality of the food. There's nothing more disappointing then going to a restaurant that paints a picture of a high class place then serves mediocre food at above average prices. This was not the case here. Our server rushed us a bit, but as a server, I more than understood, given the popularity/busy-ness of the place. After we ordered, she checked back on us often! (Although quickly lol) My only qualm was that they do not serve their clam chowder in a bread bowl, but they do have fresh, hot sourdough bread, perfect for dipping, so there's no huge difference really. Great food, good price, non-hyped-up restaurant. Will definitely come back again when we come back to visit Monterey!

    (5)

  • Danelle R.

    After a not so great trip with not so good food, this was a treat. The fish and chips were wonderful and the chowder was amazing. The wait was shorter than they had anticipated which was nice and a sea otter frolicked in the water while we ate and watched from the window. A pleasant end to the trip!

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    The restaurant is quite literally on the water, which was great! If you sit by the window, you get a view of the harbor & if you're lucky you can see the otters playing. The tables are pretty small so be prepared to shift things around if you've ordered a bunch of dishes. As we sat waiting for our food, I watched as an elderly couple walked in. They must have been regulars as one of the servers (who was NOT their server) walked up to them & said that they already got their food started. The elderly couple appreciated it VERY much as I overheard them saying, "well that was very nice of him!" Their server also already knew their usual orders & drink preferences. That showed me great customer service & you rarely see that these days. That said, the food..... despite the good reviews, I found the food to just be "OK" & not worth the price we paid. The calamari was good; my fish & chips left much to be desired -- the batter barely stuck to the fish, was soggy, & had no crunch to it; & I can't remember what my friend had but it was just ok. Maybe it was just an off day ~ but hey at least the staff is friendly.

    (3)

  • Lauren F.

    Had a WONDERFUL time here last weekend celebrating my friend's 30th Birthday. The service was outstanding. The manager was incredibly sweet. And the food was excellent! I had the Whole Dungeness Crab and it was superb. The clam chowder was perfect and the calamari was tender. No complaints from our table of 6! The atmosphere was incredibly homey. There were plenty of regulars to warm the place up. Wonderful experience! I would definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Cristina S.

    We chose this restaurant off of the yelp reviews. It's located on the "old" wharf, parking is $1.50 per hour at the wharf and the machine only takes credit or quarters. Look out for the blue sign then go down the steps. It's tiny inside, with a full bar that takes up about half of the seating area. The bar area is crackin (it's Wed) with locals. The views are nice, but I didn't see any window seats that were for parties of more than 4. Our three kids were the only ones, but they did have a kids menu with kid friendly items. The kids had burgers, they were very fresh not frozen tasting. The fish was very fresh, as was the calamari. This would be a fun place to come and have dinner and drinks, very lively. My only gripe is the flies hovering in the dining area, but otherwise it was a good experience. Also, our waiter Steve was fantastic, very nice guy.

    (4)

  • mister m.

    Decent food but nothing special and it's somewhat pricey. The sautéed sands dabs were good but the portion was small and the accompanying slaw (also a skimpy portion) and fries were very average. It sucked that the waitress didn't tell us about the fish special of the day. It was only when I went to the rest room that I saw it on the black board, but by that time it was too late to change my order. The shrimp cobb salad was loaded with tasty shrimp and was a decent value at $17.

    (3)

  • Ashley E.

    Service is very good and views are great. Very pleasant dining atmosphere. Clam chowder was very good. If you order a bowl for 2 to share they will split it into 2 cups. Fried calamari appetizer is regarded highly on yelp, though I did not think it was very good. Actually quite flavorless, mediocre at best. Would not recommend ordering it. Crab, prawn, and avocado melt is also just mediocre. The crab meat was really good and fresh, but way too much cheese overpowered it. Again, if you order for 2 to share they will split it for you and you get more food. Overall, would not come back but if you are passing through Monterey and end up here it's not the end of the world.

    (2)

  • Margarita O.

    Great food, great service!!! Almost a little romantic!! Hubby and I will return by ourselves!

    (4)

  • Bob C.

    Terrific! Calamari Steak with capers and lemon sauce was the best I have ever had! We also had a Calamari steak with a tomato based sauce with Parmesan cheese. Also outstanding. Look for it on Wharf #2, worth the extra one minute from the tourist wharf. Locals love this place. One of the two best places for a great seafood meal with out getting taken to the cleaners. We will always return!

    (5)

  • Tee R.

    Best place on the wharf. Homey, charming & affordable, has to be a locals fave. Service was excellent. Bar was circular & roomy, very nice. The best was the fresh seafood-we had calamari steak, shrimp scampi, crab, scallops. We could have tried everything on the menu. After reading many reviews of "where to eat" we accidentally happened upon this memorable place and were so glad we did, it was perfect. It's not visible from the wharf, you must go down a flight of stairs, ring the bell and you are seated at a table along side the pier, looking out at the marina at boat level. Make sure you stop here on your visit, you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Cole-Michelle M.

    We really wanted to love this place so let's start off with the things we did like. The atmosphere was wonderful! Romantic and intimate. They had a very attentive wait staff and the cocktails were delicious! The wine list was incredibly affordable (starting at $17 a bottle) although it lacked in options. The oysters were amazing! You could tell they were fresh and well cleaned! We also enjoyed the clam chowder and sourdough bread that accompanied our entrees. The chowder was thick and flavorful. The creme brûlée for desert was good as well. Unfortunately, the entrees were not up to par. We ordered the crab stuffed prawns and scallops. The prawns were flavorful, but tasted more like an item you would find at a buffet versus a nice restaurant. The dish also came out a little cold. The scallops were a HUGE disappointment. They were prepared in a mushroom sauce that completely dominated the delicious, natural flavor of the scallops. They were also over cooked. Gordon Ramsey would not approve... The entree was barely palatable and we would not recommend it anyone.

    (3)

  • Romit J.

    Quaint, friendly and delicious are the three words that come to my mind for this place. The decor is slightly out of date but not the menu. Excellent options of crab and other sea food. We had the crab club and blackened fresh fish sandwiches - both were fresh and flavor was top notch. Make sure to call in to reserve your spot as it is limited. Best part is that every table has a view of the marina off wharf 2.

    (4)

  • T S.

    Nothing but praise. Cozy and scenic bar to hang out until our window table was ready. Wait was reasonable and accurately forecasted (10-15 minutes). Terrific view of the boat basin. Delicious calimari steaks - one with marinara/parmesan, but the best was with capers+garlic+olive oil! Fries are perfectly crisped, not over cooked, but not limp. Service was prompt, attentive, but not overbearing. Will definitely re-visit Sandbar & Grill

    (5)

  • Jennifer Z.

    Found it via yelp, as it is a little Bit hidden on the peer we would surly missed it. It was one of the best seafood restaurants I have ever been. Besides the great and fresh seafood (I fell in love with the shrimps in a creamy mustard sauce plus Pasta) the waiters were so nice and made a table possible for us without a reservation and it was full house.

    (5)

  • Kellee C.

    My husband and I really like this place! Very good food and service. I really like the atmosphere. It's kind of small, but quaint and has terrific views of the marina. They have a huge bar that takes up half the restaurant, and It's the type of place you can go to super casual or dressy. Definitely better quality and prices than all the overpriced touristy places on the pier. Overall, we can't wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Kirsten L.

    Just had lunch here. The place was full so we waited 15 minutes or so. Got seated and server was strongly pushing drinks, appetizers and anything else she could up sell us on. We mostly declined but ordered a full plate for everyone and one appetizer to share. Service was both slow and pushy. Inattentive at the wrong times. Food was greasy and not good. Place was stuffy. Poor value. I won't go back and expect there's better around.

    (1)

  • Nom C.

    I saw this place on Yelp (obviously) and took the family here while on our mini vacation in Monterey. It's located in the Fisherman's Wharf area, not close to Cannery Row, just in case you're a non-local like me and were wondering. We had a party of 5 and no reservations, so the host had to rearrange a couple of tables to accommodate us. There was a huge party on its way so I think that complicated things a bit for him. But we were seated in minutes. Same for the 5-6 other parties who arrived after us. It's a small place, I would say no more than 12-15 tables. But it does have a large bar for additional seating and the full menu. We ordered the calamari right off the bat, and received it before we even placed our entree orders. The dish was definitely good. Not the standard rings and tentacles most places serve. This included purely calamari steak meat breaded lightly and served with cocktail and tartar sauces. With most of the entrees, you have a choice of the chowder or salad. The chowder was well-seasoned and the clams were nice and tender, chopped into decent-sized pieces. I had the special of the day, Hawaiian snapper with polenta, green beans and a prawn to top it off in a brandy cream sauce. The fish was cooked perfectly and the portion was more than enough. I loved the polenta cake and that I would look for again. My husband had the cioppino, chock full of mussels, prawns, Dungeness crab, scallops, calamari. The broth was yummy and not too acidic. It also comes with some cheesy French bread for dipping. My daughter ordered the penne Alfredo with prawns and scallops. They definitely don't skimp on the seafood here. The prawns were all cooked perfectly and even the pasta. The scallops melted in our mouths. We had a great dining experience and my only regret is that we didn't save room to try any of their house-made desserts.

    (4)

  • Andrew W.

    I was surprised how Good the food was given the prime location. Food was reasonably priced and high quality. Scallops were large and tender. Service was friendly and attentive. We will certainly be back.

    (5)

  • Derrick M.

    Small place, but great food. I've only come for Brunch. This place is right off the water so you can see the incoming vessels. Cute., quaint place! Make sure you leave patience for parking, it can get crowded.

    (4)

  • Dan W.

    After being in Monterey for a little over four months we finally made are way to this fine little establishment. We went on a Friday night and although it was moderately busy we were immediately seated. My wife had the Ahi Tuna dinner and I had the Parmesan calamari steak Both were excellent. Prices are about average for seafood. We also had the Prawns Scampi as an appetizer....also very good. The pictures attached to the main page are very accurate. Portions are more than enough and the casual environment can't be beat. We will definitely be back to try out other tasty dishes!

    (5)

  • James M.

    I'm still thinking about my dinner here last Monday. It was 5-stars in every way! I was in Monterey overnight and, unfortunately, was dining alone. I started off by walking around the wharf but worried I would be stuck with one of the ultra-touristy restaurants that woo you in with a shot of free clam chowder and a promise of the best seafood in town. I'm always skeptical of self-proclaimed food superiority especially with pizza and seafood restaurants. Yelp saved me once again! I didn't even know this other pier existed, but on Yelp I noticed Sandbar & Grill in the area. The reviews looked solid and worth the 5 minute walk from the Disneyland-like area I was in. I was especially glad to see the option to eat at the bar, avoiding the awkward single diner at a table. When I got there, it looked a little crowded with a few people waiting for tables and a full bar. I also noticed a beautiful view of the marina outside the large windows. I found the hostess and asked about the wait to which she offered a soon-to-be-seated-couple's bar stools. I sat and was immediately greeted by the bartender who made me one hell of a good Sapphire gin martini with a double olives. A perfect start! The Giants were on TV (they won!) so he also offered a special bar menu that had great prices on appetizers and bar entrees. I was in the mood for something more complete so asked for the regular menu but not before I ordered the best fried calamari I have EVER had. They were giant pieces and the most tender and perfectly cooked. I honestly didn't know calamari could be this good! The sea scallops caught my eye from the main menu. It's not that scallops are unique for a seafood place; everyone sells them. Sandbar makes special mention that theirs are fresh "dry packed" scallops without being soaked in water and that milky chemical additive. I had to order them. They arrived nicely browned and bathing in an amazing Madeira, mushroom and cream sauce. They were perfect! Tender, flavorful, perfectly cooked and paired well with a glass of chardonnay. During this memorable meal, the bartender was swamped but still very attentive to everyone's needs. On both sides of me were local couples who also stopped in for dinner. We all shared some great conversation and fun banter with our bartender. I was too full for dessert but my neighbors seemed to really enjoy their bread pudding. I finished my night with a healthy pour of Balvenie Scotch. I would have loved to share this great dining experience with someone but it was totally fulfilling all by itself. Sandbar is now on my short list of favorites and I will be back next time in Monterey.

    (5)

  • Jenice S.

    Great food, seafood is excellent, very fresh. Small spot, not great for folks in wheelchairs but great food and spectacular views.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth F.

    The location is lovely, and parking is relatively easy. Unfortunately, that is where the good review ends. Be forewarned - there is NO handicap access, and about a dozen steep steps you have to descend to get into the restaurant. Our party of 6 was seated fairly quickly, without reservations, so that too was nice. However, I have never been treated so rudely by a waiter in my entire life. Steve was snappy and rude, definitely didn't have the time to deal with our simple questions, and left me feeling like I wanted to cry after ordering. Not the desired outcome of a special evening out with family. On top of his inexcusably rude behavior, he didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about when asked simple questions about whether the food contained common allergens. If the horrible service wasn't bad enough, the food was tasteless. Two in our party ordered the scampi and both said it was the blandest scampi they'd ever had. In short, disappointing food and inexcusable service. We won't be returning.

    (1)

  • Sherry G.

    The dinning environment is romantic. It's right next to the harbor. You could see the ships coming across from the window. The place is cozy. It makes me relax. Yet the foods are just OK. They are pretty standard American seafoods, nothing special. I could make them at home easily.

    (3)

  • Diana H.

    Their sand dabs are the best ever !!! and so is their clam chowder ... Great staff ... friendly and remember what you like and how you like it ... Reasonable prices and good view too ...

    (5)

  • Charles S.

    I've only been here a few times over the past few years because I don't get to Monterey much but this is my favorite restaurant here. The steamed mussels with garlic are great. The view is great-looking out at all the boats in the marina. It feels like your sitting on one of the boats. It's got a nice bar and I remember the servers from year to year. They are very attentive, knowledgeable and friendly.

    (5)

  • Shawnna Y.

    Referred here by an employee at Casa de fruita who was from Monterey. Went for dinner tonight and it was very good. Hostess got us right in with no wait and the food was great. Excellent views

    (5)

  • Michele L.

    Quaint lil spot on the water...was worried when we went in, it's a lil worn (decor). However, as soon as the meal came I was in heaven! I had the prawns, scampi style, and my sweetheart had the cioppino. He gave me a few bites, as did I, and we both loved both dishes. We were too full to even think about dessert! Nothing fancy but a great seafood meal!

    (5)

  • Monica H.

    I give this restaurant 4 stars because the waitress that was serving us was highly attentive and on point with everything.She made my dining experience more enjoyable. The food here was good but was not over the top great,where I was going to go back to my hometown and say OMG you have to eat at this spot that shit is HELLA BOMB!lol..It was good and you get what you pay for but the waitress here was ethusiastic and helpful so I give her two thumbs up! Overall a great spot to dine where most of the Monterey locals dine....

    (4)

  • Alan H.

    It is always hard as a vegetarian to find food options near the Wharf where almost every item, even salads, have seafood. But I am giving Sandbar & Grill a five because last time we were there they went out of their way to accomodate my wife and me, even letting us order off of a different menu that had more non-meat options. The service was great; the fresh bread with our meal was good; but the wine selection was outstanding and the mark-up is not as much as most other places. In fact, we had a great wine that was recommended to us by the server and when we looked for it again at a market it was not much more than we paid at Sandbar! The decor is a bit outdated but the food, service, and price makes up for it, as do the great views of the Monterey Harbor.

    (5)

  • Henry B.

    Sea Scallops were to die for tonight. John did a great job taking care me. This is always a great spot. Locals abound!

    (4)

  • Gerry S.

    They have a secret vegetarian menu! Ask for it. Also stop by for any local sporting event. While the home team is playing, happy hour prices apply. If I were a local, this would be a 4 star rating. As a visitor, I felt a bit like the only fiddle playing in an orchestra of violins. Seated at the bar, my timing couldn't be worse. I sat down just as a conversation was getting heavy to my left and as a small group of women out for ladies night were sitting to my right. I was hopelessly boxed in.

    (3)

  • Beth M.

    Great clam chowder and lots of food for a reasonable price. Nice ambiance and attentive wait staff. I recommend that you split an appetizer or you won't be able to eat your entrees. The restaurant was very busy at 6:00 on Friday night, and you have to pay for parking until 8:00 p.m., but there was no waiting by 8:00 p.m., so if you can wait a bit the crowds clear out. I look forward to a return trip to try the fried calamari that was recommended!

    (4)

  • Diane V.

    Reservations a must if you don't want to wait an hour outside. For starters, their clam chowder is very good...chunky and herb-y. It was delicious! I had the special - sea bass. Small portions on the sides but the fish was a good size. It was prepared well flavor wise but mine was a bit overcooked. My husband had the seafood curry and it was yummy. His only complaint, again is the small amount of sides - the risotto was not much. Expensive for the amount you get but if you do a full course meal then it's enjoyable. Great views - under the wharf and you see boats parked and go from your window seats.

    (4)

  • Liv A.

    Having been to Monterey more than a handful of times, I never actually had Sand Dabs on any of my previous visits. This trip, I was determined to give the local fish a try and so the other half and I ended up at Sandbar & Grill for a weekend lunch. Although the location is in the touristy part of town, I really enjoyed the ocean view and watching all the sailboats from inside this little eatery. S&G sits on top of the water as part of the boardwalk/fisherman's warf. The place is small but very cozy. The patrons that day included an eclectic crowd consisting of a family with small children, a gang of bikers, several couples of different ages and a some groups of seniors. Half of the restaurant is the dining room and the other half is the bar and closed kitchen. The lunch menu has a variety of seafood dishes as well as salads, pastas and sandwiches. Both of us opted for a lunch plate. A basket of hot bread was brought to our table soon after the waiter took our order. - Sand Dabs ($15.95): My lunch plate came with pilaf rice and cole slaw. The sand dabs were lightly floured and grilled. I could taste that the sand dabs were cooked with butter and of course, butter makes everything taste that much better. The fillets were small but they gave 5 pieces which was plenty. The fish itself was light as most white fish are in taste. The sand dabs were prepared perfectly being moist and flaky. The pilaf rice was good and the cole slaw was average. - Fish n Chips ($14.95): Large portion with three huge golden brown pieces of fish on a bed of fries. This plate also came with a side of cole slaw. Bf polished off his plate pretty quickly. Overall, good value and plentiful portions. The food is tasty. Service was tentative. Restroom clean. Location on the water makes dining here fun. Nice area to walk around before or after having a meal. Nearby parking is pay per hour or $10 all day parking.

    (4)

  • Ti L.

    Terri the bartender is one of the beat I've ever been served by. Really on point! Don't miss out. I know she has nite shift on Sunday for sure. Outstanding lady!

    (5)

  • Tim B.

    Fantastic Halibut and great service. Wonderful view right on the water. Great wine recommendations as well.

    (5)

  • Crystal M.

    It was pretty good seafood, I loved that it was almost underground, and the hidden aspect of it. The food was okay, the service was great though. My server was very friendly and nice. I think it's great for some clam chowder and salad. The seafood was a little blan for me. My scallops didn't have the taste that I was expecting. However, my husbands sea bass was great. If you go for dinner opt for the fish of the day! I also recommend you try the orange margarita it was awesome and my favorite.

    (4)

  • Joy S.

    Holy cow. Their garlic clams and artichoke appetizers were epic. Also delicious was the sand dabs plate (sand dabs are a local fish similar to sole). The fish and chips left a little bit to be desired in the fish department, but the chips and cole slaw were perfect.

    (5)

  • Simon A.

    Seaside spot sunken next to the wharf with great ocean fare. The food is fresh as it gets with amazing chowder and calamari. My crab and avocado club was beyond fresh but a little tasteless with the cheese melted on top. The puttanesca was fantastic.

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    Thanks Yelpers for steering me towards this hidden gem!! You most definitely have to be looking for this place to find it. On the water, but not outside. Super cute space! We loved the vibe. Our waitress was darling! Funny, nice & had a laugh that made you laugh! Food was delish & cheap for fresh crab!!!! Clam chowder...homemade & lick the bowl good! Crab sandwiches were amazing! Bloodies were spicy & heavenly :)

    (5)

  • Meriam M.

    You could literally pass this place up when you walk the Pier. Luckily the large sign sticks out. The restaurant is below the Pier. You walk down the stairs that feels narrow but as you see the door to restaurant, it actually looks quaint. We were seated towards the back right by a window seat overlooking the sailboat and Wharf. It was great scenery. Onto the menu. My husband ordered and orange margarita. Literally tasted like Mimosa with a hint of tequila. Not worth $10. We shared a bowl of clam chowder. I should have tasted fresh. You are right next to Monterey Seafood cannery. It was okay. My husband masked it with crackers and pepper. The real deal was the lunch. I ordered the shrimp crab sandwich with avocado. This was actually pretty good. They gave you a hefty portion of crabs and the shrimp was a good size. It's an open face sandwich with melted Swiss cheese and avocado. I finished the entire sandwich- this is how much I liked it. My husband polished off the shrimps for me. You don't need to order any appetizer if you get this meal. My husband ordered the fish and chips. He said it was fresh. Yes, indeed it was. I felt like the fish melted in your mouth. He still thinks the best fish and chips he has ever had was a hole in a wall fish n chips in Oakland Eastmont Mall. If he has to make a comment like that after this meal, he must have thought this was just "okay". I think he was expecting this great meal, especially if you are in Monterey on the Pier. Needless to say, he still enjoyed. Service: It was busy, but not busy enough to bring us water. My husband had to flag our waitress down. And I had asked for lemon. She forgot. Service was okay. Nothing to give another star on. I'm about great customer service because it makes a big difference in whether I will come back or not.

    (2)

  • Katie B.

    Ok...this restaurant was nothing short of amazing!! We sat right on the water, had the most amazing waitress and the food....OH!MY!WORD!¡!¡!¡ I'm not a huge fan of fish(I know I know...Monterey=fish) but we got the calamari and my son got the fish and chips and they were both reeeeally yummy!! I ordered the chicken Alfredo and every bite the husband and I moaned! It was THAT delicious! Garlicky, creamy and just excellent. I order that everywhere I go and the Alfredo here was by far the best I've ever eaten. It originally comes with some type of seafood which if you like seafood, I'm sure would be amazing as well. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Zaj L.

    I want to give this place 4-5 stars because the people were polite and professional. But I can't because the great service wasn't backed up with great food. First of all, I can't believe how difficult it was to try to find a good place to sit down and eat at in Monterey. You'll understand what I mean once you try to navigate your way through the congested streets and maze of Monterey. May a note to yourself to keep a level head. After three failed attempts at three other place, we found this place on Yelp. AWESOME!!! I thought to myself. When we got there, a couple in front of us quietly walked out because they were told that it would be a 40 minute wait. We went up and was also informed by the very nice and polite young lady that it would be 40 minutes. I'm good with it. I gave her my name to put on the list. She also asked me for my phone number as well so that they could call us when our table was ready. We went for a walk on the pier and return when it was time (40 minutes later). We were informed that they had given our seat to someone else when someone else claimed to be me. I asked her, "but I gave you my number". She apologized and said she would get me in next. Which I was good with. My suggestion to this place is when you take down someone's name and number. And then someone else says they are that person, I would suggest that you take an extra step by asking them to state their phone number. If not the same number, you can politely tell the other person that's claiming to be someone else that it's a different person. Again, my family decided to patiently wait while I decide to go back walking on the pier. Another 20 minutes go by so now it's over an hour wait for this place. We were seated. The young lady up front was very polite and accommodating. She sat us at a very nice table. The waiter came and took our order; calamari, clam chowder, salon, pasta, etc. I bit into my salmon; it was not good. Void of any flavor. My wife tried her shrimp pasta. She too didn't like her dish. Now, we both hadn't said anything to each other yet about our dishes. We exchange plates because she wanted the salmon. Now I had her pasta. A few minutes go by and we said to each other, "the food wasn't good and didn't warrant the $30 for each plate." I never got a refill on my glass of water too. Perhaps something to do with Monterey's water issues. Just like you had to buy a paper bag at Savemart (no plastic bags in Monterey). The bus boy came over and clean my table up while I waited for my check since the family had excused themselves out. I had a pleasant dialogue with the bus boy about family. He asked me if I wanted to take my unfinished salmon to go. I said no. I said honestly, it didn't taste good. So while everyone here had a great personality and the service was good, the food failed. If you make people patiently wait over an hour to get a gray experience, then you must deliver on it. The food was not deserving of the premium they charge. No, I will not be returning. Best wishes Sandbar.

    (2)

  • Yue Z.

    We ordered the sandbar and it came out sloppy flabby and small. We also ordered the ciopinno, which has plenty of seafood, but was cold in parts when served. If you're going to reheat food, at least give us completely heated foods. One of the mussels also tasted funky. Our waiter did not know how to open champagne and completely destroyed the packaging. And then the ice bucket was placed on our already tiny table, leaving almost no space, but enough I guess for the flabby fish dish. He also decided that we didn't need to hear the daily specials ( did we not look rich enough to you?) You get four pieces of bread. And no one bothers asking if you want more.

    (1)

  • Douglas J.

    My favorite seafood restaurant. First, the location. Under the pier overlooking the bay. The pier is one down from the one which is full of restaurants with the barkers out front. Second, the service at the bar was unsurpassed. The patrons at the bar were primarily locals. Each one was friendly and interesting. A local lawyer to my right offered me an interview. A lady to my left claimed she lost over 15 million due to the lawyer to my right. The beer and wine flows freely as do the conversations. The food was absolutely delicious. I'm writing this review in late May regarding the meals I had in late December. My mouth is literally watering thinking about the food. The best cioppino that I ever had.

    (5)

  • Jessica P.

    The scallops are like butter, the calamari steak is perfect, and the service is fantastic. I can not rave about this place more.

    (5)

  • Jammy M.

    Had a great date night with my almost four yr old here. Very tasty seafood, great service, really fun location below the municipal fishing pier. You can watch boats come and go and marine life. Feels refreshingly local in comparison to most of the touristy spots on the the water. We had calamari, sand dabs, and chowder- all excellent!

    (4)

  • A. S.

    This is the second time I've been here; the first was several years ago. It's still one of the best places, in terms of both taste and value to be found anywhere in California. It's small, with a great view and simple but incredibly good food. I just had the special - halibut in scampi sauce with green beans and a risotto cake - everything was wonderful, but the risotto cake is the rice-based item I have ever had. I will be back.

    (5)

  • David L.

    We were recommended Sandbar by the B&B we stayed at in Monterey. So we decided to check it out. And it was pretty darn delicious. We got a 845 reservation. The place closed at 9. But they never rushed us and they were very pleasant. The restaurant is right on the pier, and down some stairs. Pretty cool actually. Our server was very inviting and helpful. We were served warm bread with spread as soon as we were seated. The appetizer was my favorite part of the meal. We got the crab and shrimp cocktail. Absolutely delicious! My wife got the penne pasta with scallops. Which was also pretty tasty. I got the seafood curry with shrimp and risotto. Didn't fall in love with the dish. But definitely wasn't terrible. My stomach was satisfied and the overall experience was pleasant. I would come back again. This time during the day to enjoy the great views.

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    This place surprised me. The service was very quick and super friendly. From the host, waiter and water guy, all were cheerful and pleasant. I was very happy with my breakfast and the fresh bread. It was hot, fresh and flavorful. We enjoyed the view of the water too.

    (5)

  • Natalie Y.

    Delicious House Specialty Quesadillas, Chicken Cobb Salad, and Salmon Egg Benedict. Sandbar and Grill is the perfect place for breakfast and brunch!

    (4)

  • Yvonne F.

    My 10 yr. old and I were finishing up our weekend in Carmel/Monterey on Saturday when we decided to check out the wharf and have an early dinner before we hit the road for our 2 hour ride home. Silly us, we totally ended up on the wrong side of the wharf but were so glad we did, otherwise we would not have ventured upon this great little find of a restaurant. It's literally right on the water. You walk down the stairs to get to the dock, you ring the bell outside and wait to be seated (so cute). It's a pretty small place, but because it was still early, it was not crowded yet. After a short wait, we were seated. I was pleased that they had a kids menu. My daughter ordered the pasta with cream alfredo sauce. The portion was very generous and my daughter (who is probably the pickiest eater in the world!) absolutely loved it. I ordered the jumbo stuffed prawns (stuffed with crab meat). They were jumbo and they were delicious! It was served with a pasta, but I ate very little pasta as I didn't want to fill up and wanted to eat and savor the prawns. I was not disappointed! Oh, and we also ordered lemonade... it was fresh squeezed and such a treat. And not to be forgotten, I have to note that the bathroom at this place was not at all what I'd expect. It was updated, modern and more importantly, it was clean! Thank you Sandbar & Grill for your friendly service and an excellent dinner.

    (4)

  • Ryan F.

    Got here at 6:30 on Labor Day for dinner. A few things in the order I experienced them: Didnt have a reservation, but was sat down at a table, which was. ice because the restaurant looked full. Got a water, but there was still lipstick on the glass as if it didn't even see a sponge. ordered a beer, but didn't know it was non-alcoholic. that fact should have been indicated on the menu. The clam chowder was good and tasty. First round of bread was almost cold and not fresh. asked for another, and it was a fresh set. waited quite a while for entrees - about 30 minutes after we got our soup.

    (2)

  • Jack W.

    The boyfriend and I were in town for a Saturday wedding and wanted to grab brunch on the water Sunday. To be honest, the first place we went to had too long of a wait, then he saw the sign for this place (the restaurant is located down the stairs). So happy we were being impatient!!!! Even though we were about 10 early for service we were welcomed, grabbed a couple seats at the bar and we served up super fresh mimosas. Per the bartender (and owner's?) suggestion we ordered the shrimp and avocado omelet and the crab cakes Benedict (sauce on the side). Food came out fast and looked amazing! The Benedict had the sauce on it though and even after I insisted it was okay the bartender/owner insisted on making it right. He was great" Back to the omelet: OMG!! I am not much of an omelet person but this one was amazing! Light, fluffy, flavorful and rich all at the same time. Like I said, glad we skipped the wait at the other place and found this gem. We will be back!

    (5)

  • John C.

    Found this old school gem a few years back and always worth the stop. Chowder is pretty good and worth a cup or bowl. App - Fresh Dungeness Crab Cocktail - a heaping serving of delicious crab with two scoops of your standard cocktail sauce. Horseradish in the sauce is non existent. Sure it's available upon request. See pic. Sand Dabs - lightly breaded fillets on the smaller side but you get a decent portion. Steamed broccoli and green beans cooked perfectly with a slight hint of salt. Crab Club Sandwich - very fresh and really tasty. Second time we ordered this item. See Pic. Sourdough bread - comes out warm and is decent. Service friendly, food fresh and pleasant views of the wharf.

    (4)

  • Fred S.

    Everything was just delicious. The white wine sauce for the mussels was so good, we drank it all. The calamari steak was a first for me, just delicious.

    (5)

  • Candice B.

    What a pleasant surprise! As tourists searching for a place for dinner around the wharf area, we were expecting something really touristy: overpriced, boring dishes, a wait staff that didn't care/wish you'd leave already. But sandbar has such awesome food! The crab and shrimp louis salad I had was gianormous! It had both large chunks of delicious dungeness crab AND several large prawns! For that portion, I'd have to order multiple dishes in any other seafood restaurant. Similarly, the other dishe also consist of such large quantity of seafood I was in awe. And more importantly, everything tasted great. The food was so good I forget to mention the interesting location of the restaurant. It's kind of below the pier. Hanging off of the pier? I don't know. It feels funny walking into it, like you are stepping into a boat, but it's not rocking. and you are not moving anywhere. But the ceiling is low, and you are below street level. And there are all sorts of decorations inside that makes you think you are about to sail away.

    (4)

  • Franck S.

    Very good restaurant with a great view and a good service. We had fish & chips and quesadilla and both were excellent.

    (5)

  • Cassandra L.

    Omg omg omg, the clam chowder is soooooooooooo good. Creamy and perfect texture. NOT pure white and thick as toothpaste. This feels thickened by cream and potatoes, not a bunch of flour or corn starch. Wish sf fishermans warf had this place. The calamari and crab cocktail were 4 stars. Calamari was NOT at all greasy, very good. Everywhere else around here is a 2... Crab cocktail fresh and yummy, just a tiny bit salty for me. I'd highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Stella A.

    Great fresh tasting fish with a view of the boats. Very relaxed atmoshpere with tasty items on the menu. Mainly seafood, so expect that when you come. Not a lont in terms of vegetarian or non-seafood eating. I loved the fish sandwish that I got. It was very flavorful. I would recommend getting the fish blackened in the sandwich. All sandwiches come with fries and coleslaw. Would have liked to have had some more greenery on the plate in terms of lettuce, veggies, etc, but it was really great overall and I would come back again if i were in Monterey.

    (4)

  • Anthony P.

    3 stars. A locals favorite according to Yelpers. This place has been here as far back as I can remember and this was my first visit. Small restaurant with a nice view of the docked boats at the wharf. We were greeted with a friendly smile and told about 3 times that they have the best calamari in Monterey. Great way to market the appetizer, because we decided to give it a try. Good Calamari, but not sure if I would call it the best. They were little calamari steaks, not the rings or tenticles I was hoping for. At least they weren't tough to chew and have good flavor. I had the Jumbo Crab Sandwich, which wasn't jumbo at all. It did however have fresh crab and tasted very good with the bacon and egg bread. It came with a side of very basic fries and decent coleslaw. My girlfriend had the fish-n-chips and those could have been much better. They werent fried enough and batter was soggy on some parts. My mom enjoyed her sand dabs, my dad enjoyed his calamari parmesean and my brother seemed to like his cheese steak sandwich. Since we were there to celebrate my moms birthday, they offered her a free dessert of her choice. She went with the Creme Brule and we all shared since it was a large portion. Though the complimentary dessert was appreciated, I can't help but feel the creme brule had been sitting in a refrigerator waiting to be ordered. The reason I say this is because there was absolutely no crunch to the torched sugar, perhaps the one feature a creme brule should always have. Final thoughts: For being a local favorite, I was hoping for some local beer on tap like Carmel Wheat. They only have Fatlip and Stella.

    (3)

  • Bart B.

    We stopped by for my wife's birthday and really enjoyed the food. The calamari appetizer was awesome. Super tender and cooked perfectly. We also enjoyed the oysters, crab cakes and clam chowder. The service was great, the food was awesome and the view was spectacular!

    (5)

  • Kai B.

    They have delicious food!! I had the catch of the day: Halibut in Cream Brandy Sauce with Chopped Prawns, Polenta and Green Beans. My husband had the chicken breast. Both meals were awefully yummy! We both had cocktails (Margarita and Lemonade) which were really good, too! The restaurant was crowded so we took a seat at the bar and had a nice chat with the barkeeper. The crowd is definitely more local, not a tourist destination.

    (5)

  • Bonnie D.

    Stopped by for lunch today and was pleasantly surprised. Tucked away and unassuming, service and staff was warm, friendly, and unpretentious. Drinks: Bloody Marys were good, nothing to write home about. Coffee was just right. Regularly re-filled along with our water glasses. Food: Superb. Appetizers: Waitress recommended calamari, but we opted for the sand dabs, which were delicious. Cup of clam chowder, yum. Just right. Main course: Crab and shrimp Louie salad was phenomenal. Very fresh, every bite impressed. The crab, prawn and avocado melt melt was a must - they've perfected their craft on that one. Served open-faced, the sourdough bread doesn't overpower, but compliments the seafood. Just the right amount of cheese (not too much, not too little) and topped with one slice of tomato. Perfection. Overall wonderful experience. A note to the previous negative reviews on the prices - this place certainly isn't a bargain, but for the quality of the food, friendly and attentive service and the LOCATION, would come here again.

    (5)

  • Susie D.

    I give the location of this place 4 stars but food gets 2 stars. Wonderful location right on the pier but my oh my! The food was an extreme disappointment as well as a few complaints about the venue. I had high expectations of this place based on high reviews but was served way overpriced mediocre food and left completely unsatisfied. We ordered 2 mimosas. There were orange slices served with the mimosas but my orange slice had black specks on it. I don't know what it was so I just took off the orange slice and set it aside. We then ordered our food which took the server awhile to check back after dropping off our mimosas. Started off with a large bowl of clam chowder which was pretty bland compared to a few of the places I've tried in the area (Old Fishermans Grotto & Phils Fish Market). Then we also got an order of calamari appetizer as noted in a review that it was one of the best. Another disappointment. I wasn't a fan of the seasoned breading they used and it didn't leave a lasting impression but it might be just a personal preference. I prefer simple light breading to where it doesn't mask the taste of the calamari. It also came out kind of cold. As for our main entree, my boyfriend and I split the crab melt. It was really bland as well and the ingredients didn't taste as fresh. It was shredded crab meat with tomatoes, lettuce, melted cheese, topped with some shrimp. Meh. I feel like we could have had a much better lunch elsewhere for the price we paid. Also, there were flies flying around everywhere inside. Maybe it's because they leave their doors open all day long but it still made me cringe. If there are flies everywhere in the dining room, just imagine the kitchen. I probably won't return here again but if you are looking for a place right on the pier, this is it.

    (2)

  • YC L.

    Lovely down to earth nonchalant joint. Right on the wharf, this little spot is perfect for lunch on a sunny day. The tables along the windows are worth waiting for, although we enjoy our lunch sitting at the bar. Bar tender was a no nonsense older gentleman. He took our orders in an almost military structured style. Quite adorable. The parents shared a clam chowder and sand dabs. The sand dabs were grilled with light seasoning. It was light and delicious. Husband got their blackened salmon. Slightly over cooked but nicely seasoned. My fish taco of the day was a highlight. I opt for the grill snapper, instead of blacken. The fish was fresh and topped with pico de gallo and yogurt chilly sauce. It was just the right amount of spicy and the fresh pico de gallo balanced out the flavor. The drinks were quite lovely as well. The bloody mary was prepared with St. George green chili vodka. My ginger mojito was nicely done. This is quite a little gem with above expectation food at a touristy part of town.

    (4)

  • MIsty L.

    This is a wonderful little place right on the municipal wharf. We sat at the bar but even from the bar you could enjoy the view out the wall of windows looking at the marina. They offer a nice little bar menu as well as their regular menu. They bartender was very friendly and took very good care of everyone at the bar making sure they where happy. It was quiet busy when we where there since there was a ball game on. The bartender also take care of a to go order for my boys who where out fishing while we where hanging out. Will be a stop next time we are in town

    (4)

  • Mike M.

    One of the Yelp survey questions asks about noise level. The customers are rather quiet which is great. The setting invites you to contemplate and digest the scenery as you are dining below wharf level which makes you feel as though you are among the other boats floating in the Marina. The noise really is from the staff who are obviously old friends working together who chat constantly and loudly between each other. The customers seem to be merely props who need to be polished every few minutes. The dining area and bar are all in one tiny space so the chummy atmosphere at the bar between staff cannot help but spill over to the earspace of diners. We felt like we were interrupting a staff party. Even so we were not abandoned and everything was brought to the table in a timely manner. As for the food, we went appetizers. The calamari was just okay, not the quality I expected based on numerous Yelp reviews. The sanddabs were very good. I tasted the clam chowder and it was light on the cream. Another in our group liked it for just that reason. The tartar sauce is outstanding. If I return to this spot I'll go for the fish and chips just for an excuse to taste the tartar sauce.

    (3)

  • Kelly B.

    We stumbled into this place because we found a parking spot right next to it, and nothing else in walking distance looked better. OMG! I'm so glad we stayed! I got the crab stuffed shrimp and it was so freaking delicious! I paired it with some pinot grigio and squeezed lemon to the shrimp (not because it was fishy, but because I like lemon juice) and it was absolutely perfect. I'm so glad we ate here, it was super fresh, clearly home made and had great service.

    (5)

  • MITCH S.

    We were looking for another restaurant which we couldn't find, we happened upon a gentleman standing in front of The Sandbar and Grill and asked for directions. He directed us to another part of the wharf area where the tourist eat. At that point, I asked him where he would eat and he said right here at The Sandbar. I wish I could meet him again to thank him. Dinner comes with either salad or a cup of the most delicious creamy clam chowder. Needless to say I chose the chowder. I had the oversized and plentiful scampi in garlic sauce. My friend had the scallops which spent most of his time mopping up the sauce in the warm fresh sour dough bread. Needless to say he loved it. In closing, skip the bright lights of the new pier and discover the The Sandbar and Grill.

    (5)

  • Baron V.

    First I'll have to say that the seafood was amazing. The sever we got not so much. We got there pretty late around 8:30pm and they sat us right next to the kitchen where the servers are running back and forth. There was a table open by the window with a view so we were able to move there. The server was very gruff and not friendly to us though. However I had the fresh Monterey crab, and it was amazing. So fresh and delicious with tons of meat.

    (3)

  • Angelica T.

    Absolutely delicious. I'm a sucker for warm sourdough with generous chunks of fresh, real butter. Always sets a good first impression for a restaurant! As far as seafood restaurants near tourist hotspots go, it's hard to find one that's not featuring a menu of fried batter or things marinated in a cream Alfredo sauce (don't shoot me haha just personal preferences) My family and I love coming down to Monterrey so I'm so glad that I've found a place that serves fresh seafood!! The special of the day was a Halibut in scampi sauce over polenta and green beams. Fluffy, soft, and the sauce did not overpower the natural taste of the fresh halibut. Yum. We also ordered a cioppino - which is always a gamble because while I love the hearty stew, if the seafood is not fresh, you're left with a bowl of fishy, briny soup. But after my first tentative bite of their mussel, ahhhh IT WAS FANTASTIC. Each and every ingredient that followed after was just as fresh. With real dungeon was crab, calamari, salmon, and giant dollops of scallops. Did mention the two hearty servings of cheesy garlic bread that also came with it? Will drink tell come back to sample it again! Maybe split it next time hahaha (so full.... but so worth it)!!

    (5)

  • Abster T.

    I've been to Monterey several times and eaten at many restaurants here but this one was EXCELLENT!! I was shocked at how good basic Clam Chowder was prepared here. The crab cakes had this creamy sweet sauce and the curry special was perfect. Definitely a place to go to when in the Monterrey bay.

    (5)

  • Mansi S.

    Everything here is great, but the best for meat eaters is the curry. For vegetarians they have a special menu with 5 options so don't forget to ask and the penne pasta is great, don't forget to ask for it spicy if you like spicy food! Prices are slightly high, but everything seemed very fresh! Def recommend it!

    (4)

  • Elena I.

    Have been here many times for dinner but hadn't had brunch before. It was so delicious! We had the eggs Benedict with fresh crab on top. A lot of times when restaurants put crab on something it's only a sprinkle but this was a generous portion. The only complaint was our server who was really pushy and we overheard her call another customer an ass**** as she walked away from their table. Other than that we loved it and will be back and make sure not to be sat in the wrong section.

    (4)

  • Ar O.

    I loved it. Great food and cozy place. Went for lunch with some friends and we will come more often and for sure at night. It mist have a nice view of the city.

    (5)

  • Josie N.

    I'm not sure why others loved this place so much. We ordered the clam chowder, clams, fish & chips, and fish tacos. The clam chowder was the same as any other place, but everything else was so bland. I don't prefer salty foods, but I do like it well-seasoned and this place did not provide that. Customer service was great, though.

    (2)

  • Vim I.

    We had a very long day driving from San Fran down Hwy 1 to Big Sur and then back to Monterey. Before we checked into our hotel, we wanted to eat dinner, so we searched for places around Fisherman's Wharf. The Sandbar had good reviews and didn't have a wait so off we went. The restaurant is small but cozy. I'm sure the views of the harbor during the day would have been really pretty. Only downside was the swarm of flies around the tables. For appetizers I got a garden salad with a vinaigrette and my husband got clam chowder with sourdough bread. For entrees he got the Jumbo Prawns stuffed with Dungeness Crab and I got the Cioppino. Both of them were delicious. The best part of my dish was the tomato broth which I could have had on its own. I'm not a big fan of mussels so I put them to the side. The shrimp and some of the calamari were a little tough from being overcooked. But there was flaky fish in there that was absolutely delicious and the scallops were nice and juicy. The service was friendly and prompt.

    (4)

  • Bakri F.

    Great experience with the family upon my last visit. However, today I attempted to make a reservation for 7 and a rude miserable woman answered the phone and told me that it would be an hour and a half wait and that "this is not even an official reservation". I asked her politely how could I make an "official" reservation and she replied, "by calling in advance". "Is that not what I am doing right now?" I asked. "Yeaaaa but we get really busy on Saturdays and many people have booked in days in advance" she said. It's funny because on our last visit, my family and I came here on a Saturday with no reservation and were seated immediately. We loved the food and were eager to want to spend more money here. Unfortunately when you are answered rudely on the phone it makes you want to go somewhere else. Thumbs down to service but cannot say anything bad about the food.

    (2)

  • Brett S.

    To the Sandbar & Grill I award you 1 Star. I have never written a review in my life... I've often thought that I might after a pleasurable or not so pleasurable experience... But after tonight I was pushed over the edge. This is the worst dinning experience in my life. An hour wait subconsciously suggested that the food was going to be amazing... It was not. After sitting down our loud waitress who had already pissed off the 4 tables directly around us took our order. We waited 2hrs for our food and within that time out waitress repeatedly came over to each table to yell apologies and ask people to repeat orders (I hate you waitress). After our 2 hour wait I was willing to let all of this good since I assumed they had raised a chicken from an egg, killed, de-feathered and cooked it... The only problem is that you over cooked it. Asking for the check 3 times we received it only to realize that we were over charged. I hate you (waitress), I hate your restaurant, I am now hell bent on destroying you... I'm planning on traveling to Louisiana, hiring a guide and finding a witch doctor to cast a curse on you. DO NOT GO HERE!!!

    (1)

  • Michelle W.

    I had a craving for fish and chips, so naturally, I headed to the wharf. I'd been to this place before and had a decent experience....it's not 5-Star dining, so my expectations weren't super high. So my friend and I go in and are virtually ignored by the woman at the door. No problem, as we wanted to sit at the bar anyway. I guess it came as no surprise when we were then virtually ignored by the bartender. No nod, eye-contact, nothing. (I'm a former hotel shopper, so my observations tend to be pretty precise.) 6 minutes later, the bartender tosses, yes TOSSES, coasters at us and asks us for our drink order. There is no offer of food whatsoever. After another 4 minute wait, we finally got our beers. No offer to pour, mind you, he just sets the beers and glasses down in front of us. Since he again didn't offer us menus, we prompted for them and they were presented about a minute later. Another 8 minutes lapsed before he finally asked us if we wanted to order. We did. Fish and chips. To share. He puts bread and butter plates down in front of us and off he went. (Bread and butter were actually NEVER provided, as they were to other patrons.) As this happened, the woman from the front comes over to take our menus away. My friend, seeing that my bread and butter plate had a piece of dried food on it, asked her for a new one. What happened next was astounding! She took the bar rag, yes rag, as in...the bartender used it to wipe down the bar counter, and then used it to wipe the food off the plate. Then she took a paper napkin and wiped the plate dry and placed it in front of me. I protested and said I wanted a CLEAN plate. She reached to a nearby stack of plates and took off the first one. It was soiled. She took off the second one. It too was soiled. Then she took off the third one. It also had a piece of food stuck to it. Finally, the FORTH attempt to provide me a clean dish proved successful. THEN, she had the testicularity to tell me that "all of our plates are sanitized". Yes, I'm sure they are...which is why I didn't want to eat off of one that she had dried with a dirty rag. The food came, it was fine, no offer of a 2nd round of drinks...which was cool because I just wanted to get the hell out of that place. The level of disdain for the customer was palatable. (The food was, too, actually. Not bad....). Bur really? Scolding ME because I (the customer) wanted clean dishes to put my food on....in a restaurant? Way to create repeat local clientele!

    (1)

  • M C.

    Came here with the family without reservation at around 6:30 Friday night memorial weekend. Seated quickly. We walked from Portola hotel and it was a short walk. The restaurant can be easily missed. It's actually on the water out the pier so if you see the other restaurants by the parking lot, just keep walking and look for their sign, then down to the boat. The restaurant is not big. Reservation is recommended (ask for window). There's no space for strollers unless you want to leave it outside the restaurant. The view of the water and boats is lovely. The food was ok. My scampi was fresh but the pasta was not well flavored and over done. The clam chowder had more celery than I'm used to. My daughter's fish and chips was also very fresh. The husband ordered a steak and it was decent. Not the greatest crust though.

    (3)

  • Cameron B.

    if it weren't for the on-the-water location and very friendly lady that greeted us (owner maybe?) this would be two stars. the crab sandwich (house speciality) was ok, as was the Caesar with crab, but only because of he crab. the rest of the ingredients in both were average-at-best, which is unacceptable for the prices. service was average as well.

    (3)

  • Tasia C.

    Our road trip from Phoenix included a stop in Monterey for a whale watching tour October 2014. We got to town early so we had time to grab some brunch. Both my Boyf and I don't care for seafood so we tried to find a good place for both of us that didn't have people in front trying to make you sample their clam chowder. On the Pier located next to Lou-Lou's where we tried to go originally -since the outside seating was inviting but the hour wait was not going to work with our schedule. So we ended up at Sandbar. We were greeted at the door and seated immediately at a little corner table overlooking the marina. The service and breakfast was amazing. The French Toast was awesome. They even gave us sourdough bread as we waited for our food. We watched the locals set sail and the ocean breeze coming through the windows completed the great atmosphere for a cute relaxing brunch date together before our tour. Since we didn't order anything seafood-y I don't want to give this place 5 stars for the seafood but for service and the non seafood breakfast we had. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Mark J.

    Great experience. It looks outdated on the outside but very quaint for an old boat house with limited update possibilities. Staff is super nice an genuine. Many of their side and desserts are made in house and delicious. Shared a fish and chips that were yummy. Great cocktails, too. The drinks had some kick!

    (5)

  • Shana R.

    Came here while visiting the area. So so glad we came. Found this place through the goodness of other yelpers. Really nice view of the harbor. We ordered the Halibut Special (18.95) and Crab Avocado Melt ($16.95). Both were soooo good! The fish was nice and flakey in a delicious mango sauce, and the crab melt had huge chunks of fresh crab, shrimp and avocado. Our waitress also recommended the Bloody Mary, according to her, its the best in town!! (Repeated at every table along with the cross sell of the "best Calimari"). So I gave in and ordered one. It was mediocre at best. Overall, I would DEF recommend this place. It is on the wharf, but on the opposite side of the super touristy area where you pass by numerous sugar shops and competing clam chowder tastings. Really glad we ate before we passed through the desperate side of the wharf.

    (4)

  • Carole E.

    Very nice atmosphere...casual and welcoming. Has the feel of a locals restaurant, and the couple next to said they lived in town for 8 years. I would definitely return, I just wouldn't order the lobster taill, as I thought it was overcooked and not as flavorful as it could have been. Maybe just an off night.

    (4)

  • Richard K.

    In town for some golf and fun with buddies, and asked about a place to go. Sandbar and Grill was top of mind. We got there, and were not really hungry, but opted for: - Clam Chowder - Salad - As well as their great bread and a few cocktails. Service was great, the people were fantastic, etc.

    (4)

  • Kathleen P.

    I really hate giving bad reviews but maybe owner will see this. It gets two stars for view and wonderful bartender. Food was terrible. Sand dabs soggy like reheated in microwave. Calamari so tough whoever cooked it did not know how to cook it. All the food was of this caliber. I would go back just to get an orange margarita, enjoy the view and go someplace else to eat.

    (2)

  • Evalena R.

    Disappointing food with a great location and sunset view. The salad dressing was really poor and tasteless. The seabass was the worst version of this great fish I've every had, way overcooked. I even sent it back and the replacement wasn't much better. Vegetables were well cooked.

    (3)

  • Jim N.

    Very fun place to see the local fishermen take their boats out. Lots of activity with sailboats and kyackers. My wife and I had the fish tacos, more then we could eat and very good. We had the blackened snapper yum. Great place for family or just two.

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    What can I say - stumbled in on a recommendation and fell in love with this place. The crab was right up from the water and the ambiance is charming. I can see this would be a great date spot, family outing, or just friends out for some good sea food. Not familiar with the location in the light, but very mystical at night. Best server ever and the most delicious crab I have ever eaten!!

    (5)

  • Krizia M.

    Such a charming little spot :) While my fiancé and I waited for a table we were able to walk around the dock and saw sea lions frolicking in the water right in front of us. Felt like that "kiss the girl" scene from the little mermaid, except we were surrounded by tourists, not magical singing frogs and an off pitch seagull.. Anyway, I digress. We sat by the windows so we were able to continue sea lion and people watching while we ate. Ordered sandabs for the starter and they were delicious! I ordered the salmon with scalloped potatoes - so good! And he ordered the curried scallops with shrimp and risotto.. Droolworthy! I wish I ordered that instead but luckily I was able to sneak a few bites from his plate when he went to the restroom ;) wouldn't recommend getting dessert from here though. I can't even remember what we ordered, but I know it was drowning in whipped cream and some sort of bourbon sauce. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area!

    (4)

  • Jen M.

    Awesome little find. We HATE going to Fishermans Wharf because the restaurants are overpriced and crappy, but this place is awesome! We grabbed a snack here during Happy Hour on a bike ride...for less than $40 we had 2 beers, 2 sodas, 2 chowders, calamari & mussels. Great service, friendly staff. We will be back

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    OMG, best seafood I've had on the west coast in a long time. I had the crab and prawn melt. To die for. I think I actually died and went to heaven for the 45 minutes I was there. Tasty bloody Marys as well--great flavor and not too strong. Nice, quick servers and great view of the marina while you eat. I can't wait to return next time I'm in the area.

    (5)

  • Shelly I.

    A whole in the wall treasure. Everything we ordered was amazing. Calamari is the best I've had. Fish tacos yum!! Great view right on the water. Great service!

    (5)

  • Debbie S.

    The food is only 2 stars based on the quality and the price. I had the fish and chips and my boyfriend ordered the chicken sandwich. Almost $15 per dish when the food is something you could get at a tug boats for half the price. I peeled the batter off my fish because the middle parts were a bit soggy and the fries seemed like the frozen ones you can buy at the grocery store. However, the location of this place is awesome! Love how you can watch the boats go by and we even saw two otters playing in the water! Best part of this restaurant in my opinion. The service was nice and attentive. Food 2 stars Service and location 4 stars The price reflects the location and not so much the food.

    (3)

  • Jim C.

    What a great location, right on the warf in Monterey. The chowder was great with incredibly fresh ingredients. The Dungeness crab & prawn with avocado melt was also superb. With a friendly staff to boot it's a can't miss spot for great fresh seafood.

    (4)

  • Jec C.

    Love it! Food is delightful. Price is reasonable. Server Steve is very accommodating and cheerful.

    (5)

  • Rose M.

    The fried calamari is awesome!!!!! The bar tender guy was great!!!!! Fish tacos... Hmmm... Not too tasty and sucks that they have a happy hour ONLY at the bar.. Which is tiny as heck and crowded.

    (3)

  • Lauren B.

    I loved it! Yelp did not disappoint me. I had no idea how large or busy this place was, so my boyfriend and I made reservations. I was really surprised when I got there because I hadn't seen many pictures of the exterior of the restaurant, and it's literally down some stairs and on the water, which was really cool. This place is not on the main Wharf, but the one next to it. The hostess was nice and let us have the "most romantic" table in the back, which was a nice table with a nice view. Our waiter was great, very attentive and helpful. We ordered the grilled artichoke as an appetizer, and ordered the sand dabs as our entrees with cups of chowder on the side. The artichoke was very good, seasoned with fennel, which was interesting. The herb aioli, though, was awesome. It made the dish. The chowder was brought out with the bread before our meals, which was nice, and it was great. I loved the way the clam was cut, if that makes sense. It almost seemed like it was shredded. I don't know, but I liked the texture. The sand dabs were good. Again, really simple, but very well done. The tartar sauce was also very good. My boyfriend ordered a side of scalloped potatoes with his entree, and I ordered polenta (we wanted to try both so we shared between plates). I loved the potatoes, but they could be a bit salty for someone else. The polenta was good, but not my favorite. It's not like it ruined my meal or anything. There is not a lot of seating in there, but there is a bar (which was packed, by the way).

    (5)

  • Ron S.

    I have to say we went here with great expectations. My parents have been here before and spoke highly of it. What a huge disappointment. First let me say the service and the drinks were great. Our server was really nice, personable and efficient (one star for that). However, the food was really bad. Really! My daughter had the ciopino, which was just OK. Kind of bland. My parents and I had the stuffed prawns, which the server recommended. The side of pasta was inedible. The prawns stuffed with crabmeat tasted like a frozen dinner. DO NOT Waste your money on this. The real problem is with the maitre de. She came over to ask how the meal was, I'm guessing because the server told her I wasn't happy. Look, everybody has an off night or dish. It's how you handle it that separates the pros from the don't cares. She scolded us and made it our fault that we didn't send it back after the first bite. She offered nothing in return except to make it our problem. WTF? I wasn't expecting her to comp the meals but maybe a discount or piece of cake. How about "I'm sorry, how can I make it up to you." In better restaurants in this situation they either immediately adjust the check or offer you something for your next visit. That way they make sure they have a chance to redeem themselves and not have any bad word of mouth. I guess the objective here is to fleece the tourists and it's OK because people are coming for the view. And yes, I come from the service business and I know how things should be done. This employee needs better training. There are many other nice places in the neighborhood with good food, please support them instead!

    (1)

  • C R W.

    This was a great find! Food and view where to die for! However get there for happy hour and menu is much more inexpensive. It was a great locals hangout.

    (5)

  • Beth K.

    Wow! The seafood here was absolutely incredible. Lovely water views. The seafood curry was the best I've ever eaten. My husband had the scampi which was also delicious. They offer a kids menu. The little had the fish and chips which were a little bland. It wasn't a problem as he devoured the clam chowder. There is no dedicated gluten free menu. Good service as well.

    (5)

  • Maddie C.

    Exceeded expectations. Was told wait time would be 10-15 minutes, actual wait time was 10 minutes. The service was fast and no non-sense. Food was solid and tasty. Here's what we had: 1. Calamari -- not your average calamari. Fresh calamari steaks cut into thin square slices. Fried just right. The tartar sauce tasted house-made with delicious capers. 5 stars. 2. Grilled salmon with lemon butter and capers -- 5 stars! Yum....grilled just right with a good sear. The rice was tasty as well. 3. Grilled sand dabs -- 3 stars. Tasted fresh, but bland. This was a disappointment. No real flavor, but soft and flaky so that's good. We enjoyed our time here and would return on our next trip to Monterey.

    (4)

  • Will T.

    Over priced and server was very pushy. She got my order wrong which happens, then she said she would buy me dessert for the mix up, fine but I was too full. Then she was basically insulted I didn't want the dessert.

    (2)

  • Lora G.

    Randomly stopped in for lunch while visiting Monterey and we were not disappointed. Hands down the best calamari I've ever tasted. My honey and I split plates - he ordered the crab cake eggs Benedict and I ordered the seafood quesadilla. Both were delicious. My son loved the seafood and avocado melt and the fish and chips my daughter ordered were superior to any other fish and chips I've had in a long time. The only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars were the sides - I was really unimpressed with the rice that came with the quesadilla and the potatoes that came with the eggs bennie were not crispy. But otherwise the food was awesome and I'll be back next time I'm in the area.

    (4)

  • Taylor M.

    I will start by saying that we showed up happy and ready for a nice meal and we were STARVING, so anything should have tasted good. Not so much though. I don't usually bother giving bad reviews, but I paid 70 bucks for BAD fish and chips that were crunchy like glass with coleslaw that tasted like it was marinated in water. My kid ordered chicken strips that tasted like frozen ones that had been cooked and then reheated in the microwave to have the texture of rubber bands. Our appetizer sounded exciting: artichoke that ended up being the size of a small plum and was rotten in the middle. Oh, and don't forget the clam chowder that HAD NO CLAMS. To make our experience even more odd, the hostess (who had the air of the owner) was belittling our waiter in front of us and several patrons. I just don't know why you'd eat here. You can enjoy the view on the beach without the bad food or any money wasted. Sorry...

    (2)

  • C C.

    Food was great and so was the atmosphere :-) if the Hostess wasn't snippy with us, I would have given 5 stars. Everyone else who helped us was top notch.

    (4)

  • Stuart S.

    Best aspect was the view - very cool to see the otter cruising through the wharf. Overall, food was just ok. All four of us had the chowder, and found it somewhat bland. Crab club sandwich was underwhelming with a single, lonely piece of bacon to provide some flavor to an under seasoned crab salad. Service was fine, but can't say it made up for what struck me as an uninspired meal.

    (3)

  • Juan T.

    Located on the wharf itself, you'll walk right by this restaurant if you're not paying attention. Take the stairs down and ring the bell to let them know you've arrived! This is a small, cozy restaurant/bar located right over the water so you can look right out the window and see the sea lions playing in the pier. The service staff is friendly enough, but what really stands out is the food. To start off, there's the complimentary freshly baked bread -- all you can eat. I had the Fish n Chips which were lightly battered and perfectly fried; the fish was fresh and tender yet the overall dish was not soaked and dripping in oil. My fiancee had the fish tacos which I regrettably tried at the end of our meal. I only had a bite or two and wished I had ordered them myself. Again, delicious fish with just the right amount of fresh vegetables. A bit pricier than I would normally expect to pay for what we ate, but the overall experience was well worth it. I'd definitely go back again if I were in the area.

    (4)

  • Jackie M.

    In my mind, this place is really a 3.5. With that said, I enjoyed my experience at Sand Bar & Grill. I was surprised to see the restaurant was literally on the water. It's a nice, quaint restaurant, but dated for sure. Service was great - our waitress sat us promptly and paid us great attention. My boyfriend and I ordered the crab cake, calamari, clam chowder, and steak. The crab cake was good, but not like the crab cakes I am used to. The crab cake here reminded me a lot of thousand island dressing and was very very mushy. The calamari is also different here. Instead of rings, the calamari pieces are slices. It was just ok to me. The clam chowder was super yummy! Perfect for a cold night.

    (3)

  • Laura M.

    Ok food, really good service. Pros: Water view with shaded windows so you can see the water without too much sunlight getting in your eyes. Server was very attentive and kind. Lemonade was great. Portions were fairly large for California standards. Not too big but I walked out full after just an appetizer and an entree. All entrees come with soup and salad is a plus, especially considering the price of the entrees. Crab cakes, salmon, and calamari steak all tasted great. Cons: Food was SUPER oily. I love fat and oil, so for me to say it was oily is a pretty big deal. Almost took away from the taste of the food just because the experience of eating fish so covered in oil kinda made me feel gross. Take away: Liked it for what it was. Good experience and great views, but I would not come back again because the food was too oily.

    (3)

  • Katherine K.

    By far the best seafood restaurant I been to. Great service great food and great view : )

    (5)

  • Archit L.

    The sand dabs here were just incredibly tasty. Grilled to perfection, with just the right hint of parsley, these sand dabs just melted in my mouth. Also had the fish tacos with the red snapper which were pretty good as well. The wife tried a crab sandwich, which she absolutely loved. If you're here, try out the Fat Lip ale, a locally brewed Scottish ale that tastes amazing in a chilled glass after a hot day in the sun. The restaurant loses one star because the gentleman manning the bar seemed as if he didn't want to be there, and it took a while to get his attention both before the order and then as we were trying to clear our tab. But then again, there were quite a few folks sitting at the bar, so maybe his demeanor was understandable.

    (4)

  • T F.

    We just happened to eat at this little restaurant on the warf. The views were great, had a window table that viewed the harbor. Could open or close window for nice sea breeze. We had a bowl of the clam chowder and we enjoyed it very much. Since it was lunch we thought we'd eat light and get salads...but the salads were enormous lol. Wife had Louie salad with crab and Shrimp and I had Cobb with shrimp. Both salads were excellent and the seafood was extremely fresh and smooth flavored. Staff was very casual and friendly. Prices were a little high, but not out of line for dining on the wharf. We would gladly return!

    (4)

  • Erica F.

    A great little find! It's on "municipal wharf" not fisherman's wharf, and is less trafficked and touristy as a result. You go downstairs and eat right next to the water. Sadly there were no otters or sea lions splashing around but the view of the boats is awesome. The menu is about 95% seafood unsurprisingly... Pretty much 0 veg options. My mom and I had crab cakes as our appetizer, they were so good! It was almost ALL crabmeat, not a lot of breading or fillers. Then we had some clam chowdah, also amazing. Again tons and tons of clam meat with the perfect amount of potatoes. Service was good. Prices are not inexpensive, but the quality is worth it. They have a full bar and there was a lot of bar seating. A decent looking dessert menu as well. Pleasantly surprised!

    (4)

  • Nicole D.

    4.5 stars The Sandbar & Grill restaurant fronts the beautiful boat-lined Fisherman's Wharf harbor. Locals and tourists come for the seafood-centric dishes, expertly grilled meats and to knock back a few tasty cocktails from their popular bar. The tenderly cooked calamari is not to be missed. I also recommend the Steamed Artichoke with tomato aioli and balsamic vinagarette dipping sauces for a tasty nutrient-packed app. My dad feasted on the Deep-fried Oyster Platter and my mom relished every bite of her Dungeness Crab, Prawn & Avocado Melt. Fresh juicy prawns and crab on a mattress of avocado and fresh sourdough bread. I ordered the Penne Seafood Puttanesca with fresh fish, prawns, olives, capers and anchiovies. In my haste, I didn't scan all the ingredients on the menu, so I didnt notice that the sauce was heavily olive-based. The salmon and prawns were very fresh but the olives in the pasta sauce were overpowering and a bit off-putting for me. I've had the Shrimp Scampi on a prior visit and it was just sublime, so I'll stick to that next time in or the Crab, Prawn & Avocado Melt. Take in the visual feast of fishing boats and pristine ocean as you dine at the Sandbar.The picturesque harbor setting has a relaxing ambiance and offers guests front-row seats to some of Monterey's world-class beauty. Enjoy fabulous fare, incredible views and personalized attention at the Sandbar & Grill. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    I love seafood. However, I don't like seafood prices. For being so closely located to the wharf, these prices are a little too competitive for my wallet. I could get some of the same dishes prepared in the same way and of the same quality, CHEAPER on the wharf. The place is small, "off the beaten path" and creates a really intimate atmosphere despite it's casual attire. I highly suggest making reservations ahead of time if possible. Also, try to come in before dinner. It gets crowded then and the customer service takes a dive at that point. My experience here wasn't ALL bad however. What I CAN say is that the food is of an amazing quality and is abundantly flavorful. The salads are ok, and could use a makeover, but everything else is pretty standard. The Clam chowder is a must.

    (3)

  • Ryan M.

    Be sure to make a reservation, or prepare to wait. But it's worth it. Easily one of the friendliest and most helpful staff at any restaurant I've been to in a long time. We waited for a while and the host kept things positive and optimistic while we watched others go ahead of us (who were smart enough to make reservations). And he came through in the clutch when my girlfriend suddenly came down with a headache and he procured her some aspirin, free of charge. The food was solid, especially the clam chowder. Went for the sand dabs entree which was pretty good as well - excellent tarter sauce. Topping it off is the great environment. Cozy yet not cramped. Right on the pier looking into to boats in the marina. Might even catch a sea otter or two out the window. This was the first and only (so far) spot I've been to on my trip to Monterey and I couldn't be more pleased.

    (5)

  • Nick l.

    Fooled again by the clueless idiots on Yelp:( This is NOT a 4 star restaurant by any means. Location-3 stars, right on the water with a nice view of the harbor Service-1 star waiter is irritated and pissed off, shoving food and drinks roughly on the table. we all have a bad day but in the service industry you gotta check your baggage at the door and smile. Food-1 star. VERY basic fare... we weren't expecting much & our expectations were not unreasonable by any means. Not even great classic comfort food. Calamari was just the strips not the real deal .. and didn't taste great. wine: no thought in this area either, most of their selections are on offer at RiteAid .. a couple of nice offerings by the bottle, like Honig but nothing great for just a glass.

    (2)

  • Areena M.

    We just had a wonderful meal. Props to our server, Augi, for outstanding recommendations and great service. He's such a sweet "boy"! I would give 5 stars, but I reserve those for the finest of dining experiences. This was close, but not quite there. Certainly no complaints, though, and I hope we can make it back soon. Calamari: no tentacles (disappointing for us, but may be a plus for others), meaty chunks that were well seasoned and tender. Sauces are nothing special, but decent. Chowder: not the best ever, but very good. A little thick and starchy tasting. Plenty of chunks of potato and clam. I wouldn't turn it down on a foggy day. Curry: Yum! I had the fish & scallops. Fish of the day was grouper. Everything was perfectly cooked through, but moist and tender. The scallops were sweet, as they should be. The curry sauce is very rich and flavorful without being spicy...I took care if that by adding some hot sauce. I also needed a dash of salt, but that's just my taste buds. Special: hubby had grouper in a dill and butter sauce. Delicious! Strawberry Shortcake: simple dessert, well executed. Light tasting and fresh. I really don't know why people complain about prices here. It's a tourist town. This restaurant is literally on the water. We got to watch an otter eat his dinner just before we had ours! I know it's audacious to pay $18 for fish 'n chips, but at least here it includes chowder or salad and the fish is good quality. Ask your server what you should get for maximum value/enjoyment. All the food described above, plus beverages, came out to $95 before tip. That's no small expense, but we've paid more for less enjoyable fare elsewhere. Entrees are about $25, but include a salad or cup of chowder. Reasonable under the circumstances. Someone complained about no water or bread. I can't speak to the bread issue (because we got warm sourdough right away), but keep in mind that we are in a drought and many restaurants are only providing water if requested. Sandbar, keep up the good work! We'll be back!

    (4)

  • Kyle T.

    Our first meal after moving to Monterey. Cons... They were having happy hour when we got there but only at the bar... The place is very small so we didn't see why. But we sat at the bar instead. Now pros... Bartender was great. Great service. The food... Wow. Get the calamari!!! Fish tacos were also wonderful. Plus great views.

    (4)

  • Bjorne H.

    If you are going for lunch, get there early or make a res, they fill up quickly. The seafood is handled well. Lunch today was the 'special of the day' sea bass grilled and served over polenta, and a crab/shrimp sandwich. The sea bass was delicious, the sandwich pretty good. I would have liked the sandwich bread to be toasted rather than fresh. We have visited twice on this trip to Monterey, our first stop last week for lunch. The calamari steak was treated piccata style and very tasty. My fried shrimp were very good, crunchy but tender and moist. The servers are seasoned professionals. They may try to upsell, but it's all in good fun, and if you do opt for a Bloody Mary, you will enjoy it. I did....twice.

    (4)

  • Dan B.

    This review is dedicated to our tasty bloody marys. A quick stop for a drink and oysters in the early afternoon was a nice break.

    (4)

  • Stephanie M.

    Stay away! On first arrival, we told the hostess we were looking for a table for 2, and she said she didn't have anything, but there was a table right there. So, I pointed it out and she was like "oh, right - please sit down". Then we looked at the menu and were pretty shocked by the prices, which yelp classified as 2$ but that is NOT the case. Each entree is at least $25 - you can't get away without spending $50 for two. Not 2$ if you ask me. That left us in an uncomfortable position - but we felt obligated to stay. To save $ we ordered just 2 appetizers and the waiter was clearly NOT happy. He wasn't super rude, but every time he came over he kept saying - how are those 'appetizers' treating you, when we had told him that was all we wanted, as we felt it was enough food for dinner. It just made for an uncomfortable experience. We probably should have realized this given the location, but it was ALL tourists. We ended up giving the waiter the cc straight away because we wanted to get out of there asap. Additionally, there were all these signs about otters and there were none :( Even if there had been, our seat in the middle would not have afforded us a view.

    (1)

  • John B.

    Stumbled across this place by accident. Nice little place with great atmosphere. The staff was very friendly. Since I live in the area, I definitely plan to go back. Price was reasonable, given the region and market.

    (4)

  • Bill R.

    On the pier and down on the water a cozy place, we had the fresh crab and a crab melt both were good the place was busy but the service was adequate, you will enjoy this place

    (4)

  • ImLookingAt U.

    Ordered the Crab Club Sandwich and it included Capers,mayo, Dungeness crab meat, Bacon, Tomato, Lettuce and was ordered on sourdough bread. At $15.95 it was not worth it. Could not define the crab flavor in my mouth. Served w/ cold slaw Also ordered the Seafood Quesadilla. It has Crab meat and prawns in it. Better flavor than the Crab Club mentioned above. it was $15.75 served w/ salad or pilaf. Not great but we would come back.

    (3)

  • Y S.

    Delicious and fresh-- Sourdough bread, Crabcake appetizer, Clam Chowder (best I've ever had!) Stuffed Prawns & Grilled Sea Bass-- Awesome! Recommend.

    (4)

  • Susan C.

    Stopped in Monterey for a quick visit with a friend. We were originally heading to Napa but then made some changes to our plan and went South. Dropped in on Sandbar based on the Yelp! reviews and ordered the sand dabs, artichoke and shared a giant crab sandwich - which was like a BLT. The food was good, the sand dabs were well seasoned, artichokes were good and the sandwich was enough to get us on our way.

    (4)

  • Taylor R.

    Jon is a great bar tender. Very attentive and friendly. Even with a full bar he is very quick and gives a little attention to everyone around. He's a hard worker and does his job well. The clam chowder was fantastic and so were the raw oysters. The atmosphere and location couldn't be any better. Love this place!

    (5)

  • G M.

    We went here because LouLou's Griddle was closed. It is right below LouLou's and we thought we would give it a shot. Very disappointed. I ordered the "big" crab sandwich for about $20. It wasn't very big and the crab didn't taste like anything. It might as well have been a chicken sandwich with no spices. Major letdown. The fries were ok, but you can get fries anywhere. My dining partner had a crab melt with shrimp for about the same price. Same result, almost zero flavor. You could taste the shrimp, sort of but there wasn't any crab taste. It was supposed to be Dungeness crab. Was it from a can? Our server was sort of out of it. I could hear the other servers talking about the appetizers and the specials, we got nothing. they even forgot our drinks until the food came and took forever to bring the check. I heard the guy at the table next to us tell the server he didn't eat his meal at all because it "wasn't working" for him. Only good thing I can say was that the view of the water and harbor was very nice.

    (2)

  • Michael P.

    The crab cake was absolutely the worst I have ever tasted anywhere. I could not believe to have found rather large pieces of crab shells in the crab cake. Also the taste of the dish was absolutely awful. As for the oyster half shell priced at $13.50 for half dozen was truly a rip off because each oyster shell was smaller than 1/2 the size of a Chinese restaurant fortune cookie!! I live near San Francisco and frequently have some very descent oyster plates at in or around SF, and what I had in comparison to this much better for the price and presentation. Overall I give this place a two (2) stars: one for their service and the other for their low quality food.

    (2)

  • Jacky Z.

    Cozy seats with refreshing wharf view. Delicious food. Had the best shrimp spaghetti here. The raw oysters made quite a hit as well.

    (4)

  • Michelle O.

    Loved this place! John the bartender was awesome! This is a place frequented by locals and the food is really good. We had the Sand Dabs and the Stuffed Shrimp. Both entrees were really good. We also had the clam chowder; John gave us a splash of sherry and fresh pepper making it perfection. The lively bar crowd made it a fun night out. Definitely worth finding and waiting for a spot to sit. You can hear the seals at night and, apparently, can see otters during the day.

    (5)

  • Vivian L.

    I had never been to this pier area in Monterey, always driving by it on our way to Cannery Row near the aquarium so I was pleasantly surprised by my dining experience here the other week. The place is a locals type of hang out, on the water, with oceany decor. Everything was clean though, so I didn't mind it wasn't completely modern. It had a cute charm to it. The menu was very seafood heavy which is as expected for a place in Monterey and we dug into 1/2 a dozen raw oysters, pan fried sand dabs, a dungeness crab cocktail which was very big and filled to the brim with crab for only $9, local steamed artichoke with the most flavorful lemon aioli I've had in a long time, all with warm sourdough bread on the house. Everything was very good, came out quickly, our server came by a couple of times to check on us but not too often, we didn't anything on our plates. The bill came out to like $50 total and I thought that was a great price to pay for what we got. I can't wait to come back and share the dungeness crab cocktail with other friends next time, or maybe I'll just keep it for myself. Only downside is to get to this pier, you have to park in their lot which asks you to pay first so you have to estimate how many hours you will be there and then either pay with enough coins or just use your credit card. Some folks were flustered by this but now that I've told you, you won't have to be "that person" when you go.

    (5)

  • Pika C.

    Although pricey, this place was great. I had my doubts when we entered because we had to walk down a flight of stairs while carrying the strollers and the place was pretty tiny. I felt like all the tables were a little too close together. With that said, we still had a great time. Our waiter was really friendly and funny - he was really busy but still very attentive of our group and was patient, answering all our questions about the menu.

    (4)

  • Ashley R.

    The view was great and the food was delicious. I got the the fish & chips and clam chowder with my husband. It was very tasty. I normally don't like clam chowder but that one was really good.

    (4)

  • David S.

    Good place. Great ambiance. Would go there again in a second.

    (5)

  • Teresa M.

    Came here when we discovered Loulou's was closed for the 1st 2 weeks in January. Pleasantly surprised! Started with the calamari. Yum! My kids shared a cheese & bacon omelet, my husband the open face seafood sandwich & I got the salmon benedict. All good. The only thing I might change is to not add hollandaise to the omelet. It was a bit much.

    (4)

  • Aron S.

    I generally only leave bad reviews, plenty of good reviews in yelp! I was very disappointed with this restaurant. It's your typical overpriced low quality place justified by its location! I had a salad, which was pretty pathetic: basic greens with what seemed like standard ranch dressing. The seared tuna that came with it was ok but destroyed by the dressing that smothered everything. That was basically it, for $20!! My friends had the crab which was better, but also nothing special. Wouldn't try this place again. Other than the view there's nothing to brag about here!

    (2)

  • JB R.

    I was disappointed. Maybe we ordered the wrong things? I ordered the special which was more sauce (overpowering) than seafood. The clam chowder was ok. The place is small and seating is crowded. The staff were nice and dong the best they could.

    (2)

  • Lisa-marie L.

    Very blan! Not much seasoning. The parents enjoyed. Not much of a fan. The view and staff is Amazing!

    (3)

  • Lyle B.

    Found this place tucked away on a pier - you have to ring the bell twice for service. Really cool view right on the water - we saw two sea otters. The calamari appetizer was great, they aren't traditional rings but are more of a chunk shape. The artichokes were good - freshly steamed, simple. Nice place for a quick bite to eat on the water.

    (4)

  • Nic P.

    Sat at the bar and mingled with the locals. Definitely make reservations on a Friday or Saturday or you'll wait 30-45min (or sit at the bar like we did). The chowder was textbook- perfectly creamy and tons of flavor. Husband had the ciopinno and thought it excellent. I went for something different and had calamari and artichoke hearts in a mustard/lemon/dill sauce - superb, I'd order it again.

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    My family and I has dinner at Sandbar on the wharf in Monterey. The outside appearance of the restaurant leaves something to be desired. It is actually located underneath the wharf. But once you step inside the restaurant, it's actually quite cozy. We did not make a reservation so we ended up waiting for about 25 min. for a table. The hostess was very friendly and suggested we wait out on a small patio area with a couple of seats. Well, the "patio" was really a small area out by their ice box. There was just enough room for the three of us. Although the atmosphere wasn't pleasant, we found entertainment watching a fishing boat unload large garbage pails of crab! It actually inspired one of us to order the Dungeness crab! (Which was very good) I ordered the crab cakes and would of liked them better without the celery in them. (Not a fan) But the crab was so fresh I managed to pick around the celery! My mom had the fried prawns and loved them! Our waitress was friendly and attentive, the prices were as expected for seafood. To top off our night, we got to see a sea otter swim by the window we were sitting next too! Very cool! If you like seafood, I would recommend Sandbar Bar & Grill. I would suggest making reservations to save waiting time!

    (4)

  • Ralph T.

    This is a small restaurant on Wharf 2 away from all the tourist spots. When you walk on the wharf you only see the roof. You have to walk down the stairs to enter the restaurant which overlooks the harbor. A great view. We stopped in for lunch. Staff was friendly and we decided to sit at the bar. We were well taken care of by the bartender. I had the crab cakes. They had great flavor. Not too much breading etc. They were cooked perfectly. My wife had fish casadia. It had a lot of different fish and was very flavorful. The coleslaw was a little blah but the rice was good. We have not been here for some time so we will be back. Give it a try for a non tourist taste of great food in Monterey.

    (4)

  • Tex M.

    Excellent cuisine and service with no pomp! Down to earth honest seafood in a casual family type setting with lovely views of the bay. Unpretentious but surprisingly good! Much better than higher priced joints on Cannery Row and the other warf.

    (4)

  • Raha G.

    Come here for Happy Hour if you don't want to leave the restaurant with an empty wallet. Whenever I'm in Monterey I make sure to come here after work. Their seafood is delicious, especially the calamari and mussels. The service might not be impeccable and the bartender can be rude at times but I think that's mainly because they're always busy. The food more than makes up for it.

    (4)

  • Dexter F.

    I came here based on a recommendation. Though, I wasn't really impressed, it looks like any tourist restaurant but caters to locals, mostly. The restaurant literally sits on water off of the wharf. I could not tell if there was handicap access, only stairs that led down from the wharf parking area. Parking is based on validated ticket that is obtained at a box (somewhere on the wharf, I just waited till 8 pm to park for free). The restaurant looks like may hold up to 40-50 people with additional seating at the bar for about 16-20 people. I had the clam chowder; it was good with large chucks of potatoes and the clams were in there (I think.) I am not an expert on chowder, I probably should have ordered the calamari (maybe another day). I had the special of the day, which was halibut with grilled polenta and green beans ($24.95) paired with an Ecco Domaine Pinot Grigio ($6.00). The entrée comes with the polenta on the bottom of the plate followed by the grilled halibut and green beans on the side. The fish was tasty, but nothing that would make me come back to try it again. Big thumbs down for not providing bread or water. The bar area can be very loud, I recommend trying to get a table along the window away from the bar. I recommend early dinner around sunset to watch it dip behind the hills. Reservations are recommended

    (3)

  • Jireh H.

    [4.5 stars] Summary: - Service - friendly & attentive - Price - average for the area - Food - loved it [ask what's on their daily specials] - Ambiance - really depends on time and where you sit [bar or tables with windows viewing yachts] NOTE: If you come here late afternoon when the sun sets, make sure to choose a seat [even if its at the window] that will block most of the sun. It was thoroughly annoying for me to feel the intense heat that still managed to get through both tinted windows and blinds...that's the only reason I took half a star away. ******* Sandbar & Grill was my final stop in Monterey before I shipped my skinny glutton arse back to LA...since I couldn't shake off the temptation to try the place after noticing it on my way to Monterey Fish Company. Yes, I did not notice it at first and was wondering what that sign was all about until I realized that the restaurant was below deck level and closer to sea level. But knowing it was there was more than enough bait to hook me to coming in. I heard that the fish here is great. Wait, that's a pretty dumb statement. What restaurant in this area doesn't have good fish? Considering how fresh the available catch is in the area? Right, so while I perused the menu and struggled to limit myself to one order [yeah, right]...our extremely friendly server comes up and asked me if I was interested in the specials for the day? Of course that peaked my curiosity and another landed lure wherein I ordered the first thing that came out of his mouth. Cajun spiced fish tacos...for $13. Yes, #13...it had to be deadly good! We ordered the Lemon Butter Salmon Plate as well as the Salmon Sandwich. It wasn't long before our food showed up that I completely zoned out trying to take pictures to remember the colors of the food that sunlight illuminated as it snuck through the porous blinds. In that moment, I felt as if God was telling me that, "This is my creation, prepared by careful hands, so that you may be blessed as you partake in it." As much as it seemed like I was on drugs thinking that way...the food spoke for itself. I usually don't give too much notice to fish tacos [especially when frozen fish are used to make it in LA] but here...I'd say is a glorious experience. Fish tacos [ s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com… were amazing. Salmon sandwich [ s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com… was outrageously loaded with salmon. Salmon plate [ s3-media3.ak.yelpcdn.com… ...was flavorful and not overwhelmingly buttery like other places. All in all, if it wasn't for the fact that I was stuck at a table where the sun just couldn't be blocked out by both tint and blinds...this place would have been an automatic 5 stars! Totally will come back!

    (4)

  • Jenny K.

    After a long day of hiking the trails at Point Lobos, we settled in for an early dinner and came straight to the Wharf fo enjoy seafood. We were pleased to be seated right away. Soon after sitting the waiter brought us bread....big plus for our big family of 7. The kids dove in to warm sourdough bread with butter. Our waiter was an older gentleman...very kind and we immediately ordered the calimari and sand dabs appetizer at the recomondation of yelp reviews. We were not disappointed. Calamari was super tender and sand daps melted in our mouths. We also asked for the waiters opinion on the menu. He suggested the Shrimp and Prawns in a curry sauce..his favorite. Told us the special for the day and we quickly ordered. The waiters recomondation on the shrimp and curry prawns was amazing! I ordered the daily special with a fillet of sea bass. The fish was prepared perfectly but the sauce needed a bit more seasoning. My 13 year old daughter ordered the Sand Daps for dinner since the appetizers were so delicious. My 15 year old aon ordered the tubes and tails with sausage in marinara sauce and pasta. The seafood prepared perfect! Tender to the bit...not chewey...but, the marinara sauce was interesting. Thats the best I can say about the sauce. The pasta was very good. My 10 year old daughter and 3 year old baby ordered the fried prawns on the kids menu. Delicious and all gone. Seafood is prepared perfectly. A few of the sauces were not our favorite choices but the waiters recommendation of the curry was outstanding!

    (4)

  • Todd C.

    This place is on the wharf (#2) away from all the tourist. Located on the water level! The food was amazing! Two words....Sand dabs- delicious buttery flounder found locally. Some of the best calamari evar! It all goes down well with a decent Fat Lip, just ask the bartender. You'll come back.

    (5)

  • Ryan U.

    As soon as I came back from our road trip up to Monterey, I told people about this QUESADILLA I had at Sandbar. YES, I took a gamble getting a quesadilla at a seafood place, but I was singing the gospel after the first bite. My phone had dropped in the jacuzzi and was airing out, otherwise I'd have taken pictures of this delicious beast. Imagine your average tasty home-made quesadilla with monterey (hahah derrr) jack cheese. Then overly stuff it with huge pieces of thumb-size crab pieces and large shrimp to the point that you cant see the cheese. So much seafood that I used tarter and cocktail sauces, instead of salsa. Man, it was amazing. As far as the rest of the restaurant goes, price vs value was GREAT. Atmosphere - Literally a step down restaurant off the wharf. All you see is the sign when driving up. You walk down and you feel like you walked into a special place. Its COZY, warm (compared, and inviting. Go there!

    (5)

  • Sam M.

    we had a very long day drive from sunnyvale food was great with quite atmosphere awesome hospitality best seafood never had highly recommended this place for seafood definitely back this place,,,,,,,

    (5)

  • Brenda S.

    This place was horrible.... Asked for salad they brought old brown lettuce pieces on a plate, the tortillas for fish tacos were so hard they were cracked, the shrimp was never cleaned so the vein was full of poop, i dont recommend this place waitress old and tired, asked everyone around us how they were doing never once did she come to our table!!!!

    (1)

  • Jake Z.

    5 Stars for being so good at what it is... a very "localy", unpretentious restaurant that has a bunch of charm and in a really beautiful spot. Vibe: local, warm, unpretentious Bar: Great drinks, decent enough wine list. Wine is my thing, so this is always a big deal to me. The by the glass choices were fine. Bottles were decent. But most importantly, the pricing was more than fair. I bought a chard for $36 which retails for about $25. Not bad by most restaurant standards. Food: Fantastic. Calamari - Very good, cooked and battered just right. Super fresh. Sand Dabs - Pan sauteed. done nicely. super fresh and tasty. Crab Cocktail - Awesome. Chowder: Doesn't get much better Shrimp and Scallop Curry: Really good. Rich, but not overwhelming. Special: Seabass - Fresh, done nicely. The staff was great. We sat at the bar to wait for a table. The bartender, Terri, and barback Wells were so kick ass, we turned down our table and ate at the bar. I've been to Monterey many times and I think this was my favorite dining experience. I've been to fancier, but I enjoyed both the food and atmosphere here more. It's not 5 Star in a Zagat sense, but if you're looking for a cool, chill vibe and nice meal - it don't get much better.

    (5)

  • Lenette R.

    The food is delicious although a little high priced but the happy hour menu is fantastic! Only problem is that you have to sit at the bar to order from the happy menu and it tends to get crowded. The locals know where to go!

    (4)

  • Dana M.

    Came here from out of town while visiting the Grandma. Very, very nice view, especially as the sun is setting. Not a top spot, but definitely worth a nice dinner. I could see this as a great place to take out of towners (or older folks?), although I'd have difficulty taking a date here. And apparently it's quite the spot for regulars, as the host seems to know everyone. Made the atmosphere very pleasant. Folks in my party said the clam chowder was very good, fish was decent. I'm vegetarian (strict), and when I mentioned this to the server, she grabbed me a separate menu! Granted, it only had 5 items on it, but they all sounded fantastic! Ordered the goat cheese and artichoke risotto, and was very happy with it. Interesting flavor combination.. but very good! Loved the globs of goat cheese in it. Will keep trying other restaurants when we come visit, but this was a pretty nice place to start.

    (3)

  • Daniel M.

    The best calamari anywhere. Always great service. You are treated like family! It's an older local hangout, but we love it.

    (5)

  • David C.

    This place is a hidden gem! You have to try it! The food is ridiculously GREAT!!!

    (5)

  • Mansi C.

    Honestly, I really enjoyed the experience I had here. This was the only restaurant we could find that was open at 4 that had good reviews for seafood. We were greeted by friendly faces who quickly sat us at a table by the window. The window looks right over the bay and it really is a beautiful sight. We ordered the fish and chips, the sandbar (which are grilled fish fillets w/ pasta) and fried clams. All were great. I was elated by the fish because it tasted so fresh and delicious. The prices weren't ridiculous after all it is seafood and the restaurant is literally right on the bay. Don't be surprised by some entrees priced as high as $25 or more. Four stars only because the fries weren't great and I wish the grilled fish was a little more flavorful! Overall I really enjoyed my experience here and would definitely come back if I ever visit MB again.

    (4)

  • Amara B.

    Great food, amazing shrimp, fish and clam chowder! We had the crab stuffed prawns with scallops which were fantastic and not too soggy like some stuffing can be. Husband had the sand dabs, lightly battered sol with broccoli and tarter sauce. The best part aside from the food was our server Augi. The guy is so sweet and attentive and actually bonds with you on a personal level. Restaurant is small which makes it pretty loud but has that great boat like atmosphere. Beautiful view of the harbor. We will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Steph W.

    Great seafood spot in Monterrey. Try to get a seat next to the window. Calamari was great! Known for their sand dabs. Would skip the bloody mary-- it was watery and not that savory.

    (4)

  • William N.

    Service was super slow. Had to ask 3 times for the kids menu. We ordered fish that should take 5 min to cook but took over an hour to get to the table. Food was a ok but with so many other food choices around try some other place first

    (3)

  • Bexcy D.

    Great place for lunch or a drink! The hostess was really sweet and gave us a great little spot after we told her it was our anniversary. Food was delicious, the "Fat Lip Ale" was awesome, and our view of the harbor was lovely! Will come back and recommend to friends in the future

    (4)

  • Christine G.

    We stopped for a pier side snack and were seated next to the bussing station where the bus boy was vacuuming around us and making so much noise that I couldn't have a conversation with my friend. When we asked to move the hostess brought our used silverware and napkins and said "you forgot all your stuff." Wow. The atmosphere is old, white and rich, but for all the class one would expect in such an establishment, the service is abominable.

    (1)

  • Louis D.

    Forget the tourist traps on Fisherman's Wharf. This, and Loulou's are the places to come for dining on the water. First of all, you can park right in front of the restaurants, not in a lot. You go downstairs from the wharf right down to the entrance at bay level. Look out the window, and the sea lions and the occasional otter are right there. Ask what fish are fresh, local, and in season - if you order something that is actually out of season, or from out of the area, you may be disappointed. Hard to go wrong with the fish and chips - fresh local rock cod, or the calamari during squid season. Oh, the sand dabs are probably the best I have had anywhere. Outstanding clam chowder, too. Has a full bar, which Loulou's does not. There is something special about a seafood lunch with an outstanding bloody Mary. Don't consider this a knock on Loulou's though - they are also an excellent restaurant. Oh - there is a scene in 'Play Misty For Me' that was filmed in this restaurant. Dine in a place with movie history.

    (5)

  • Nick C.

    Good spot for breaded and fried seafood, much of local, from the calamari to the san dabs. Nice over the water location. Plus a star for the friendly service. Minus a star for the $3 Coke, which was so watered down it was indistinguishable from water. How many stars does that leave us? Two? Eight? I was an English major. Make reservations and get there early, since it can take a while to park. I thought the prices were perfectly reasonable for fresh seafood, plus the location.

    (4)

  • Jennifer Y.

    Best lava cakes in Monterey... Nobody comes close.. We send a lot of our customers here when they looking for awesome views and a great meal..

    (4)

  • Catherine Y.

    Went there for dinner. The food was delicious (I got the cioppino) and at a decent price too (around $18-25 for an entree, which includes either a salad or a bowl of clam chowder). I was very happy they didn't over-salt anything, which I feel like most similar restaurants do. The service was prompt and friendly. The restaurant is located right on the pier, so we had great view of the water from our table by the window.

    (5)

  • L S.

    Good food and good service. Location is great too. Best clam chowder I've had in Monterey. They don't need to advertise or have someone outside handing out samples. Try this place first!

    (4)

  • Steven L.

    I've been here about 10 times now. I still enjoy it each time. It does get a bit crowded and parking can be a challenge on the weekend. Parking at the harbor is a pay per hour fee. Their homemade chowder is chunky and delicious. Fish and chips are simple and done right. Grilled fish options very good. I've not had the giants prawns or sand dabs yet but I will someday. This is one of our favorite places to eat and watch the boats sway in all Monterey.

    (5)

  • Chris H.

    We had the crab club and the calamari with mustard & prawns. The club was good, mostly because of some really good tomatoes. There wasn't enough crab to make it any better than a typical BLT. The calamari was drowned in a heavy cream sauce that only tasted sour, not mustardy. The calamari itself was also slightly overdone and rubbery. On the whole, very mediocre.

    (3)

  • Bryan H.

    Fun, good price and the bar rocks..... Also the view of the harbor is tops!!! The touristy wharf has mostly tourist trap restaurants but old fisherman's grotto is pretty good... However, I still like to go to sandbar and grill and look across at the pretty lights and ships in the harbor. Better ambience.

    (4)

  • Julie L.

    Sandstone is located off the pier of Monterey. This location is hidden away from the busy area of cannery row but it does have a nice view. The restaurant has limited seating so come early if you want to grab good seats next to the window for an amazing view of the beach, yachts, and ocean! Service and the food is 4 stars. The venue can be improved but I'm all about the freshness and this place delivers 5 stars with fish coming straight from the marina!!! Gotta order the calamari steak! Its the best calamari I have ever had. You get more calamari than the batter. So it doesn't have the rich, oily, and heavy taste. They give you a good serving size and you can just taste the freshness with each bite. Second must order is the crab sandwich. It's the best way to have crab without having to hassle with the shells. They give you a lot of meat and you can taste the sweetness instead of salt! That just shows me they serve fresh crab and sandwich was just amazing. If you are looking for freshness and good food, here is the place to come!! Enjoy!!!

    (4)

  • Carol L.

    The restaurant has a nice view of the port in any part of the restaurant but for the best view, you can request for a table next to a window! Wait time on a Monday afternoon for a window table was about 15 minutes. I got the dungeoned crab, prawn, and avocado melt and it was so delicious I wanted to order another plate. There was plenty of crab in mine and the prawns were decently large. The fries included were also cooked very crispy and nicely (no oil essence at all) and the coleslaw tasted very fresh! Service was alright- not the best but not bad either. I recommend this place!

    (4)

  • Marissa P.

    What a local hidden gem! So hidden that I never even knew of it . . . and I'm a local! Haha. What a surprise! My son's paddling group practices at Del Monte Beach, the beach located right next to the wharf. Game 1 of the NBA Finals had me stressing, I didn't want to be at the beach and miss out on all the action! I'm a LeBron James hater so I was ready for the Warriors to make him cry (again!) so when my friends asked if I wanted to join them for drinks I was like "Sure, I don't mind 3 wheelin today!" I needed to find a bar with a TV asap! My friend suggested we go here. Being a local, I was surprised I had never been to this spot. Its by the area where people fish on the "municipal wharf" side and is away from the touristy "fisherman's wharf" side. There is one sign that leads you to the restaurant and is easy to miss. This spot is literally right on the water with a great view of the boats and sea otters. You have to take stairs to the entrance, so keep that in mind if you have trouble walking. The restaurant itself is pretty small so I'm sure on the weekends it would be best to make reservations. There was space at the bar to stand, but we decided to just sit at a table and get comfortable. There was no wait. We ordered a bowl of clam chowder, sand dabs appetizer, and calamari to share while we had some beer and watch the game. The clam chowder here is pretty amazing, not as rich as Old Fisherman's Grotto (where they are known for having the best clam chowder) and full of flavor with chunks of clams and potato. Sometimes rich can be a bad thing! Calamari was not the typical rings & tentacles, but instead little calamari steaks. It was tender, fresh, lightly breaded and not oily at all. Sand dabs were pan fried and just a little oily, but delicious. Bread is also given before the meal. Overall, great service, great food (even tho we only had apps!) great location and a great time with friends. I cant wait to come back (their crab and prawn sandwich looked hella good!) I'll definitely be back!!

    (4)

  • Alisha D.

    Had a nice view for dinner, right on the water. It was way too hot inside but outside was too hot too. Service was good and everyone was very nice, I'm sure they were overheating as well. The food.... Let's just say I've had better at a fast food restaurant. I would rate it as mediocre at best. I expected better for the price. Fish and chips was gooey and didn't seem fresh in any way. The tartar sauce was yummy though. I ordered a drink that was made too strong for me but I drank it anyway. If I order a flavored drink I'd like to taste that flavor not just alcohol. I wasn't trying to get drunk off one drink. Maybe on a cool day it would be more enjoyable. Not sure I'd go back though. More apt to try somewhere new.

    (3)

  • Frank Eric C.

    Spectacular seafood right on the marina! You can see sea lions and fish swimming around right outside. I ordered the scallops, and my wife ordered the crab-stuffed prawns. Both were absolutely amazing, especially paired with the pinot grigio. If you're down on the pier near Fisherman's Wharf, Sandbar & Grill is the place to eat!

    (5)

  • Linnet K.

    Just ate lunch here, and it was fabulous! The view overlooking the bay is gorgeous. We were seated quickly, and our server appeared almost immediately. He was knowledgable and attentive throughout the whole meal. We started with the calamari and the clams. Both were absolutely delicious. I've never had such tender calamari, and broth of the clams was divine and went perfectly with the warm, fresh sourdough bread given to everyone. I and my mother got the fish tacos with Ahi tuna which were wonderful. Only small complaint was that they weren't as rare as I had asked for, cooked more medium rare, but still great. My aunt got the crab and prawn quesadilla which she raved about. As soon as any plate or glass was empty it was whisked away or refilled by the attentive staff. Overall this is a gem of a restaurant!

    (5)

  • Timsamstravelusa S.

    Go downstairs and ring bell twice before entering. I had the blackened red snapper. My wife had the gulf beer battered shrimp. We both shared a strawberry shortcake. Everything was good.

    (4)

  • Nika K.

    Meh... your typical seafood restaurant on the wharf in Monterey. For seniors and people who having trouble walking, You have to climb down steps to get to the restaurant, so keep that in mind. Couple things that are worth eating: -Clam chowder was amaze-balls. It was really creamy, hot, and flavorful. All something we need/look for on a foggy/overcast day by the coast. -Fried Shrimp: Good batter. Nice and crispy. Probably will ask for light batter next time. -Alfredo pasta with shrimp/scallop: Surprisingly good. I'm not a huge fan of seafood pasta dishes, but this one was worth trying. -Garlic bread: Ha, i love bread. If you mess this up, then I don't know what to do with you. My aunt got a salmon dish which looked pretty good. I would pass on a scallop dish with mushroom and cream sauce though. Way too sweet. Also the sand dabs weren't that great either. They have a good drinks menu, with a full bar. Our waiter was helpful, but a bit busy running around other tables, so service was a bit slow. Not sure if I would come back here, maybe as my last option in Monterey if nothing else is around...

    (3)

  • Aaron C.

    My girlfriend and I enjoyed the late afternoon here. Had good service and ordered the special they were offering. Fresh Halibut fillet stuffed with Dungeness crap and the strawberry short cake to finish us off.

    (4)

  • Heather J.

    My dinner here was average. Our server Julia was very sweet and attentive - possibly the best part of the experience. Walked through a cluster of flies in the dining room on the way to our table which was an instant turn off. Also, when we walked in, the unsmiling hostess sort of glanced up at us and said, "Two?" which I thought was pretty rude. I had fish and chips as I was non-plussed by the menu so just went with an old stand-by. It came with a really great garden salad that I enjoyed a lot. The food was ok for what it was, but the atmosphere was lacking. For what it's worth, the bar was packed and the people seated at it seemed to be having a good time.

    (3)

  • Jessica R.

    I love seafood; however, my fiancé doesn't. I found this place on Yelp and decided to come here after seeing that they have a few non-seafood items on the menu. I had a pasta plate with shrimp and salmon in it. Didn't think I'd be crazy about the tomato sauce but the plate was excellent! My fiance had a chicken sandwich with avocado and that was super yummy also! I deducted 1 star for not having bread bowls (sad face). As a starter, we had a cup of clam chowder and an order of garlic bread on the side. Super cute tiny little restaurant, right on the water. Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon and didn't have to wait to be seated. We will be back!

    (4)

  • Bennett R.

    I look for companies that know which products are safe to serve and sustainable. The sand Dabs on the menu are also called "Sole" and grown in Ca... This fish is much different than the "Common Dabs." Which population is depleted and is not making a recovery due to over fishing. Other than that, This place has a buzzing atmosphere and decent happy hour 4-6:30.

    (4)

  • C C.

    This is a cute little restaurant. The food was good and the view was nice. The service there was friendly also. I would come back again.

    (4)

  • Marcus S.

    Awesome local establishment. Prices affordable and portions are very generous. I had the teriyaki salmon from their sports menu at the bar. Amazing quality and very fast service. Dessert was strawberry shortcake!

    (5)

  • Peter J.

    Really pretty much rocks!!! I go here often when I visit the folks. This a rather small, intimate restaurant. It does get somewhat cramped in here at times also. I really enjoy coming here with my parents, sometimes it can get kind of loud in here. The area where the restrooms are is somewhat cramped. They do serve Ginger Ale here in a glass bottle, I discovered that when I was here one time. They used to have this older women that was a server here, she was a real kick in the pants. All the food here is really pretty darn good. When your over at the wharf you have to walk down a set of steps to get to this restaurant. Aren't we all on a seafood diet? We see food and we eat it, right? Right!!

    (4)

  • Daisy B.

    This place was amazing! I went with my family on a Sunday around 3:30. We were seated right away and the server took our drink order. We all ordered different plates in an effort to sample different dishes and none of them disappointed! Their fish tacos were my favorite, followed by their quesadilla. The fish and chips was also great and the strips of fish had a great batter and fried to perfection. They weren't oily either which is a big deal for me. The place is kind of small, but nice. It's on the water so sitting by the window is a great experience. I will definitely be coming back to this place!

    (5)

  • Christine V.

    Very nice little restaurant by the wharf in Monterey. I had a bowl of clam chowder and sourdough bread which was delicious. My friends had bloody marys and omelets. Service was great and food was yummy. Cute location. Would come here again.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Brunch, Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Sandbar & Grill

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