International Cuisine
620 Lighthouse Ave,Ste 220, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950
International Cuisine Menu
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Address :
620 Lighthouse Ave,Ste 220
Pacific Grove, CA, 93950 - Phone (831) 646-0447
- Website https://www.internationalcuisine.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Lana A.
If you are looking for the WORST service in Pacific Grove, then this is the place to go! When you walk in, the atmosphere is non-inspiring. Sure, it's a little odd with chipped tables, some torn chairs, dirty windows ~ but it wasn't just the atmosphere that was rough around the edges -- service was pretty rough, too. Our server was clearly absent so service suffered. We really only saw him when he pointed to a table for seating and then he was gone. Honestly, I should have expected this. With a restaurant not even half full, there's no need to refine things in the kitchen or foster attentive service since many diners aren't going to return. It is a shame that us tourists have to suffer in the mix, too. After waiting over 40 minutes for our waiter or even water, we got up and left. The table before us the waiter forgot the hot tea ~ that couple warned us as we were entering and they were leaving, that "service was lacking." We are visiting, but you can rest assurred that this is not a restaurant in which we will put on our "bucket list" of visits. We will let our hotel know of our experience as we were underwhelmed with the entire package.
(1)Harry K.
100% adequate. I've never had anything bad here, but I've never had anything all that good, either. However, I do like their gyros, though they need more tzatziki (but you can ask for more and get it). They run a booth at the downtown Farmers' Market, and somehow, those gyros are always a little better than the ones in the restaurant.
(3)Cossette P.
While the Husband and I were scoping out houses in Pacific Grove we thought visiting downtown PG is called for. We passed on the "best burger in town" sign and decided on Int'l Cuisine. We shared the hummus/pita bread appetizer...it was meh, the ones I get from Costco or Trader Joe's is better. We also shared the "big gyro" that was better than the hummus/pita but is missing something. If we make the move to PG this wouldn't be the place I would be looking forward to visit again. On a positive note the server was very friendly.
(2)Matt D.
Very cute little place with friendly staff. We tried the lasagna and it was delicious.
(4)Nikki H.
I wish I would have seen these reviews before even walking into this place. At first we were happy because even though the restaurant was pretty packed, a table opened up for us right away so we were feeling pretty good. Our waitress gave us the menus and took our drink orders for water pretty quickly. The menu had so many different options but being by the coast we all decided to eat seafood. Unfortunately we were ready to order but our waitress was no where to be found...another gentleman finally came and took our order. I noticed that several other tables had gotten bread service so when I finally saw our waitress, I asked her if we could get some as well. She took forever to bring it back and didn't even bring us plates along with it. By this time it was about 45 min since we sat down to our table and no one had come to serve us our food or even acknowledge that it would just be a few more minutes. Our food finally came and my order was wrong and the food on the other plates was luke warm at best....did they have them sitting under the heat lamp and forget about us while they all chatted and stood around? The waiter took my plate back and it was about 5 min before I finally asked a gentleman if he was the owner and informed him that my order was wrong but I wasn't sure what was going on correcting it...switching out the sides... he went to the back to check and the waiter came back shortly with my plate. My red snapper had apparently been stuck back on the grill or something because it was completely crisp and dried out and the vegetables were way overcooked and the potatoes were lumpy and bland. My sisters tilapia was fishy and had the same issue w the potatoes. Also my mother who ordered the crab cakes (very fishy and deep fried like large crab nuggets) got the same side salad as my sister and hers had feta and olives while my sisters had large chunks of wilted old looking vegetables. My step dad seemed to enjoy his food but that's not saying much because his diet usually consists of top ramen unless when we are cooking for him. The worst part about the whole thing is that the owner never even came back to check to see if everything was up to par after we had aired our grievances. Actually, even worse is that when we first arrived we informed them that my sister turned 13 that day and we were celebrating. What a way to ruin a birthday dinner. I would never advise anyone to come here for any reason. Bottom line, the people had horrible service and unacceptable food and acted put out when we nicely tried to rectify the situation. Oh ya and I went out to use the restroom and only the men's room was opened so I figured I would just use that real quick but when I entered there was a creepy guy and I literally ran as fast as I could back upstairs to get the heck out of this entire horrific situation.
(1)Wesley T.
Heard a lot about this place. And I searched it online and found a lot of bad reviews. Despite all the bad reviews we decided to go anyways. The staff was friendly and quick. This place is family friendly, They immediately started cooking my daughters food so it would be ready first. My wife had a salad (she is pregnant) and by the time the salad came out she was not in the mood for it anymore, They gladly got her something else. I had the gyro plate. It was great, and more than enough food. We did spend 50$ here but we were not trying to save, We had an appetizer, 2 meals, a kids meal, and dessert. Oh by the way the baklava is amazing. We will be coming back
(5)Moshe L.
Came to Monterey with the family to visit the aquarium. First time so I have no experience here. I came to IC because it offered many different types of food mainly pizza for my finicky Son. Upon check in. Staff was very laid back, got a nice greeting, and was sat quickly. Waiter took our order in a timely manner. My only compliant is that I ordered a special. The cippino. The price was neither on the board or given at any point. It was expensive 8-10 dollars more than any of the entrees on the menu. They also had a 16.00 paella so I never expected a 25.00 cippino. Lesson learned. If I care I will ask. But still one of my pet peaves. Tell the consumer the price. So the kids (12 and 13) both ordered a small pizza which they could have split one. Another miss by the waitress, but it is not their job the help us save money, it is their job to get us to spend money. Again i should have asked. My wife had the Mediterranean dish. I did not try. Now that should tell you one thing. I was so focused on my dish I didn't care. Yes it was that good. I tasted the pizza. I am a true foodie being a cook myself and have high standards. My cippino was sublime. Seafood not overlooked, tomato not too acidic. Just beautiful. And served with a nice amount of garlic cheese bread. Pizza - they used real cheese and high quality ingredients. The crust is unusual in that it is thick without being heavy. Crispy in fact. Pleasing. Some foods you fill up on and wish you hadn't, this food I wanted to fill up and i have no stomach ache after. A sign that they were using quality ingredients. So 4 stars. Why not 5? Simple. 5 is reserved for the best of the best so even though the IC is certainly very very good, I am not handing out 5s everywhere. With that said, 4 is pretty close to as good as it gets for me. The small problem with the prices did not affect the score. Total 95.00 with tip for family of 4 with 1 beer 3 sodas. WAY over my normal comfortable amount, but we are on vacation so I am going to try and forget the price and look back at the great time we had at this great restaurant.
(4)Bella S.
Great food and friendly staff. We had a group of 10 and were seated in a timely manner. Everyone was happy with their food and the menu has a variety of choices. Tried the greek combo plate and greek vegetarian combo plate. Others had pizza, pasta, chicken sandwiches, etc. The tzatziki, humus and pita bread was awesome! Loved the dolmas and falafel as well. We would definitely go back.
(4)Robyn D.
Really great chile. Fantastic greek salads and gyros. Huge portions. We'll be back for sure.
(4)Leslie D.
This restaurant has something for everyone, good service and great prices. Italian, Greek, Mexican to name a few. We used to go there when it was Chii Great Chili. Still owned by the same family. My daughter told me about it and we tried it. Great local place.
(4)Charles J.
For me, International Cuisine is the Gold Standard for clam chowder. After tasting theirs, I've become a Clam Chowder snob. For most seafood places I've visited, the Clam Chowder is an afterthought. ("Boil-up some Cream of Potato soup with some white flour, double the price, and call it our Chowder Special.") Not these folks. If you have a chance to meet the owner, he'll tell you that his clam chowder recipe comes from a restaurant he once ran in Cape Cod. Not even the stuff you get up here in the Pacific Northwest can hold a candle to their chowder.
(5)Jason M.
I have been coming to this little known location for several years and the same servers grace the tables. Truly wonderful people who will do whatever it takes to make your dining experience wonderful. I strongly recommend the pizza's (esp. the chicken), they are all handmade on the spot and really, really something to seek out if you're in the mood. The salads are average, though the remainder of the Italian items on the menu are as impressive as the pizza. Of special note - do not skip the baklava - it's breathtaking!
(4)Ysela L.
TERRIBLE SERVICE. We were recommended this place by B&B concierge. Here on a Friday night approx 8pm. Husband went to hostess stand which was vacant. I went to empty bar stools that had a dirty bar in front of them. Husband waited 5 min for a hostess to show up and was ultimately told 40min wait for a table for four. Waited 5min to put in drink order at bar and when friends showed up had to flag someone else to get additional drinks. I had glass of chardonnay that was a pleasantly large pour. Had to flag someone down to settle bar bill. Got table approx 35min later. NO ONE CAME TO TABLE FOR 15 MINUTES! Had to flag down a waitress and ask if we had a server and she replied "I guess that's me, we're busy". Took our food order. Didn't explain the menu, suggest anything, advise if there were specials or inquire if we were ok with drinks. Bread was NEVER brought to the table. It wasn't until the end of the meal that they advised had RUN OUT of house bread earlier. Waitress NEVER came back to table except when we flagged her down for the check. No "how's your meal", " do you need anything else". Nothing. My husband also noted there was no salt/pepper on table. The only reason I gave one star was because the food we ordered was actually really good! I got seafood ravioli with tomato cream sauce ( bread would have been great to sop up the sauce) and my husband ordered Salmon salad. Seafood pasta had great flavor and delicious sauce. Salmon on the salad was cooked superbly! Moist and great flavor! Too bad for this place. I will never go back. Atmosphere and food were good but service was atrocious!
(1)Joe P.
I've been twice. Good food both times. I had the beef stroganoff once. It tastes good, but it isn't Russian. The other time I had a falafel sandwich. Very nice.
(3)Gino M.
I ate here later one night after riding down from San Fran on a rented bike. I was tired and cold and this was one of the few places near the hotel that looked open. The menu is just ... messed up. They've got it divided into different countries with a couple of entrees from each country listed. Sitting there, I tried to figure out what this place might do better than others. I ended up chucking a dime on the menu and going with the Greek region it landed on. A lamb shank came out of the kitchen drenched in a grey mushroom sauce with from-frozen-bag vegetables. It was just ... passable. I imagine that they use the same sauce on their Russian dish: stroganoff. The only reason this place gets two stars instead of one is that the service wasn't bad. Only the food.
(2)Db C.
This place is HORRIBLE! Bad service, forgot us and the people at the next table, forgot our drinks, our dessert, the next table had four children and brought out the parents meals first, they advertise "New York" pizza and my husband being from New York and myself from Phillie, this pizza was really bad. The crust resembled that of Bisquick dough. Thick and not good at all. The Hostess was EXTREMELY rude and after she had obviously had a few drinks at a table with the owner this was even more obvious. My husband and I along with the family seated next to us would never recommend this place, let alone return there again! This place should just close its doors for good.
(1)Chris H.
Slow service. The waitress forgot to put our soup order in. Clam chowder once it arrived was tasty and hearty. The seafood medley was very rubbery and tasteless calamari, shrimp, mussels, and fish. Not fresh and likely frozen and thawed. Crab cakes were heavy, tasteless, greasy on the outside and dry on the inside. Felt unwell afterwards. Potatoes were incredibly dry and pasty. Wine limited and nameless. Had the "Cabernet" - not good either although a generous portion. Despite the worse than cafeteria grade food, dishes were 15-25$. Save your money and treat yourself elsewhere.
(1)Mikaila T.
A few years ago, I went on a trip to the Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove area with my parents and a friend. We shopped for a bit in Pacific Grove, and stopped for lunch at this little restaurant. All four of us were amazed by the attentive service, as well as the incredible food. My friend and I still rave about the delicious burgers! We went back last year, and made a special trip simply to eat here again. Once again, we were blown away! We plan to go back this summer, as well, and stop off here for lunch. It's a wonderful little place to stop off at for lunch or dinner! Can't wait to eat here again!
(5)Shiho F.
Um I'm not referring to the restaurant itself per se since I haven't dined here in over a couple decades but my sister trotted down Alvarado yesterday (Tuesday) during the Farmer's Market and came back with a WICKED GYRO. I kid you not this thing was scrumptious!!! I had to have a bite and it was everything and more. The meat was seasoned perfectly the pita like bread delicious and filled with lettuce and I'm pretty sure tomatoes... the Tzaziki Sauce was Orgasmic!!! I am going next week.... wait I'm on the 10 day Master Cleanse again but perhaps the following??? I'm starving.
(4)Fred W.
Had the daily specials, New York Steak and Coconut Crusted Tilapia. Both were above average and would order both again, so fresh. Bonus points for being open mid afternoon, one of the only places in PG. Minus half a point for weird eclectic decor, it's evened out by the great pricing.
(4)Eric H.
Good food at a good price, we had delivery from here, and liked it a lot
(4)Evelyn T.
Friendly enough servers but the food I tried wasn't for me. We received a bread basket but no plates. The clam chowder was good but seemed too thin and salty. The shrimp and crab ravioli was fine but I wasn't crazy about the dish. I asked for a refill on my water and the waitress refilled it and apologized for not doing so sooner. I think I may have just gotten the wrong dish, the other reviewers seem to have more positive comments about the food they had.
(3)Thu L.
I was here Tuesday night and It was busy. I mean the place was packed. A couple left and we were seated within 5 minutes. We received water immediately by our waitress. She was quiet busy and she never came back to take our order....she was doing 10 things at once. I mean it. I had to flag another waiter to order our food which was fine till the owner or someone who seemed like the owner came out to greet the customers. He never greeted us which was fine....I could care less about this douche. I don't mean to be harsh, but he really showed up after it was really busy and customers were leaving. What amazed me is that was all he did was greet the customers. He did not help the staff with ordering, bringing out the food, etc. It would be nice if the owner helped with something other then greeting customers for 30 minutes.
(3)erin c.
Chili was bland and the chowder was way to rich! My pasta was way over cooked and the prawns were like rubber and my boy friends pizza was bland as well. Service was seriously lacking and the meal was not cheap!
(1)Henry S.
I have been going to Monterey for many years now and recently also hanging out in Pacific Grove. We happened to be walking by the International Cuisine and decided to give it a try. It's a cozy place and the prices aren't too bad. The service has always been friendly. I do not remember the different plates I have tried there since my frist visit but I do know that I have not been disappointed. One of my favorite dishes is the Gyro Plate which has the gyro meat with the sauce, Mediterranean rice and a Greek salad. It is a big hearty portion. It goes down really good with one of their tasty beers. If you're ever in the area stop on by. I'm already looking forward to going back.
(4)Prime O.
Came to Pacific Grove for Christmas and ate here for dinner due to it being one of the only places open. At first i thought it was just Italian from the looks of it outside, but they have a very unique menu which has pizza, Greek, Mexican, Italian, salads, soups, and sandwiches. We got a personal pizza (which is big enough to share) and found it quite good. The sauce is delicious and the dough compliments it quite nicely. I would get it again for sure. We also had the Gyro, and also was surprised to find it delicious as well. The lamb was perfectly cooked and they make their own pitas in house! Our third party had a cesar salad which was ok, they make their own dressing which was nice, but too much cheese and the chicken was lacking flavor. Service was good, lots of bodies on the floor, fairly tentative table check ins and polite. I would definitely go back for the pizza or more Greek food.
(3)Green J.
Great chowder. Kids pizza are fresh made high quality pizzas. Fish tacos were great as was the fish and chips. The menu has a bit of everything.
(5)matt h.
My group of four ate a dinner there a few days ago. We got a table right away, and the waitstaff were friendly and attentive. Sadly, the food was sub-par. I got the greek veggie combo. The first bad sign was that the pita would not open up (nor did my friend F's) (The owners later clarified that the pita is Greek style, which does not open. This is so unusual that I recommend that they state so in the menu. That fact does not change the rest of my impression of the food). The rest of the platter was just adequate--I've had far better at a middle eastern place closer to home. J's paella was not good. She commented that she would usually never leave any on her plate, but did in this case. I started with the soup of the day, which was a lentil soup. It was fairly plain without a great deal of flavor. Perhaps the adage that restaurants that try to serve many kinds of cuisine usually can't get any of them quite right is true.
(2)Debby F.
I haven't eaten here in a long while. I don't get it. I really don't. This place is expensive, for what you get. $12 for a personal pizza... hmmm. $25 for a pizza? Kinda pricey, when there's Gianni's down the road (best pizza). Hubs and I split a chicken Greek salad. It was $12.95 and not a big portion, by any means. The chicken...meh. It was okay, but not the best. The dressing was okay... the one at Petra's is much better. The place was absolutely packed with people, so people must love this place. Service was spotty...slow to take our order, and two different servers. We're good. I doubt I'll eat here again. There are plenty of better place to eat. I much prefer Petra's, which is just down the street.
(2)Dan W.
A solid four stars. Stopped by early on a Friday night (around 5:30p) and place wasn't too busy. We were quickly greeted and seated with no wait. Waitress immediately showed up and got our drink order. Very quick service. My wife had the Salmon Masterpiece....looked just like all the pictures posted here and tasted amazing. I had the Monterey Snapper. Very good sized portion cooked perfectly and that sauce on it is just super tasty. This is a smaller sized restaurant but would definitely recommend it. They have a huge menu and we look forward to going back and trying some other options. Prices are pretty good for the area and service was prompt and friendly.
(4)Rajiv D.
We were a big group enjoyed the weekend in Monterrey and the variety of the menu drew us in. I ordered a Gyro Salad and was blown away by how well the meat was seasoned, the dressing and the sauces and the dish itself ! Service was awesome and all 14 of us enjoyed our dishes thoroughly - ranging from the greek platter, jambalaya, kafta kabab, burger etc. etc ! Must try this place if you are in Monterrey/Pacific Grove.
(5)Yirisha L.
Delicious food! Great personal I was glad to stop there for my lunch. I'll definitely come there again. I ordered pizza and it was very tasty! Next time I'll try Russian food. Thank you so much!
(5)Alan A.
If there is a six star rating for this place I would give it to them, great family restaurant with a very friendly staff ,had the chicken Bellagio basta which had a great sauce, al dente homemade pasta topped with shaved parmesan cheese, for the second course we had a lamb shank and it was so tender, for dessert we had the homemade vanilla raspberry panna cotta, amazing restaurant we will definitely be back.
(5)Haitham A.
We came here monday night, the place was packed, got seated in less than 5 minutes. We went through the menu, they have a lots of good dishes from all over the world, so we ended up ordering pizza, lasagna, and the gorgonzola cheese burger! !! Omg every single thing we've ordered was sooooo good and yummy. I loved this restaurant and we will be back here soon, the staff was so friendly and nice also.
(5)Ainsley S.
The salmon masterpiece is superb! Full of flavor and ingredients that you could tell were fresh. I loved the lemon caper sauce (their specialty sauce) on the sautéed vegetables. The mashed potatoes were chunky and delicious. The staff were a bit hurried, but friendly. The dining room is lovely with all those windows.
(4)David B.
I just found my next favorite place! The staff here is on it , my glass of water never went empty the Greek fries were very tasty the gyro was seasoned perfect. The 2 front men pleasant and informative.... This place is a 5 star and I will be back again and again. Bravo!
(5)Gregory B.
Dined at lunch with our Corvette Club during the 18th Annual Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally and were very impressed with the variety of menu items, the great food and the wonderful service. Given that we were at a table of 20 and there were at least 10 separate checks there was never a time when we felt that the service was not spot on. Everyone was impressed by their food choices......we will definitely be back.
(4)Beachwalker B.
We eat lunch or dinner at International Cuisine three or four times a year, and bring guests when they visit us. The service and food are always terrific. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch today. Will definitely return.
(5)Grace M.
I never let a Farmers Market Tues in downtown Monterey go by without getting a gyro from the stand they have set up there. Its AMAZING!!! Just the right amount of meat vs veggies and the sauce is great! I get it spicy and its awesome! Go check them out!
(5)Jennifer O.
I normally cringe at places that serve a range of cuisines from the same menu. Many times I attribute it to lack of a specialty and I strongly believe in doing one thing well (not twenty things with a mediocre performance just b/c you can). That being said, when I saw the menu boasting dishes from a multitude of countries, I thought "oh no." But...The International (as my husband & I refer to the restaurant) is pleasantly surprising. Excellent service, ambiance, and food. It was recommended to us by at least a handful of people as soon as we told them that we were living in PG. My husband is taking Arabic and he enjoys conversing with some of the staff here. We've always brought our wee one (12-18m) and had no problems with having our stroller at table, leaving it in the lobby area, or using their high chair. They are v. kind and have given us plenty of room/choice. We bring our out-of-town guests and family here too. I cannot stop from ordering the COCONUT-CRUSTED TILAPIA WITH MANGO SAUCE. It's too good. Also, despite my age I always order a SHIRLEY TEMPLE (I usu. stay away from soda, but I saw it on the menu with the rest and thought "Why not?") It's a simple drink that they make so well. The first night we ordered the RASPBERRY-MANGO CHEESECAKE and have been getting it ever since. Also, amazing TURKISH COFFEE--have not had it this good since our last visit to Marmaris. *We've been here about a dozen of times now and can say that everything we've had from drinks to desserts has been exceptional. A week ago, we brought my MIL to the restaurant and we were scrambling when she started looking for Vegetarian options (b/c we usu. treat ourselves to meat/seafood here). [There are many pizza, salad, and pasta options for any interested.] We were delighted when she chose the NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER & the GREEK STYLE LAMB SHANK and even more so after tasting both. Wow! Soup was so hot we had to wait a while before attempting and the sauce they drizzle on the veggies is amazing (often I ask for more). That day they were out of our regular dessert, so we settled on a CHOCOLATE MOUSSE that was delicious. Prices are very reasonable ($11/dish, $13-$15/seafood). Menu is on UrbanSpoon. We'll keep coming back!
(5)Kathy C.
Let me start with the food.. AMAZING!! Everything I've had there has been delicious! My favorite so far is the big fat gyro; it's exactly as the description implies. The owner has always come out to our table to make sure that everything is to our liking (which I love). The only reason I give it four stars is that the service is a little slow, but I'll let that go because the food is soooo good!!
(4)Daeynus L.
My girlfriend and I dropped in for lunch after spending most of the morning exploring Pacific Grove. The staff here were attentive and friendly and were kind enough to give us some menu suggestions. Started with the clam chowder. Wow, creamy flavorful goodness. Definitely a must-try. Makes the stuff back at home feel cheap and watered down. The prawn tomato cream pasta... Ah so rich! Also ordered the California BBQ chicken pizza to round out the meal. A bit on the salty side, and the chicken was a tad dry, but enjoyable nonetheless. Great food, great experience. Will be back again next time we're in town.
(4)Zay A.
The best vegetarian falafel wrap I have had in California so far!
(5)Yuefeng H.
Great food! Had the rib plate n lamb shank, both of which r delicious!
(4)Jerry A.
Great place!! My wife had the talapia and I had the Greek combo plate. Delicious!!! We were here in 2011 and since that time, they have significantly expanded their menu to include different cuisines of the world. My only wish is that they would also include some spicy indian dishes!! We'll be back!!!!
(5)Francis L.
Stumbled in here for a drink and a light snack. The Greek fries were decent with the fries being crunchy but I thought Greek fries are usually the thinner type? Beer is cold and came in a nice glass
(3)Amanda B.
Really great food and diverse menu- truly international. The veggie plate is really good. And they have an amazing imported beer, wine, and alcohol list. Servers are great too.
(4)Jose M.
I'm not gonna sugar-coat this. It is wah at it is...a good place for lunch or brunch. I don't recommend dinner only because of what the food is. Average store bought appetizers including their Greek fries, or should I say frozen steak fries with canned olives, salad dressing and store bought feta cheese. I ordered a "Big Greek Fest Gyro". Tasted like a burger patty cut up in strips and slapped on a peta bread. Average Mall tasting food. service "C-" because they were Not that busy, and there were only about 20 tables and 3 servers. Took too long to order our food, and to get our bill. And to finish the wonderful night this place has a "worldly" menu and it's mostly meditatanian/American mix with texmex food...umm thrown off by the decor...it's an Italian restaurant with New York jazz music... Confuse me MUCH!? YUP. "D" for dont come for dinner!
(2)Emily K.
Adam and I had just arrived in Pacific Grove and were walking around trying to find a place to have lunch when we came across this place. It was 2 PM so we were starving. Their sign for pizza drew us in, but their menu has so much more than that! They have a little of everything - Italian, Mexican, Greek, seafood, and more! Our server was very nice and helpful. The restaurant was quiet and very clean. And most importantly, our food was delicious. I had the lasagna and Adam had the fish tacos. We both really enjoyed our meals. I will say that my lasagna was a bit greasy, but it was so good I didn't care. We will definitely go back there when we visit the peninsula next.
(4)S C.
Food was overpriced, bland, and there wasn't much of it. The Veal and Spinach Ravioli came with 5 pieces and tasted like store-bought pesto. My boyfriend got the Lamb Kabob special. Lamb (three pieces) was great, but doctored up with lots of rice and salad. Felt like paying $22.95 for three small pieces of lamb! Most disappointing part was the service. Four waiters/waitresses sat and gossiped behind the bar while we waited for water, for our food, for the check... etc. Felt like the servers were there to hang out with each other and not actually there to do their jobs. One server sat down with her friends at the table next to us and chatted the whole time. We will not be going back. If you're looking for amazing food and amazing service, try Passionfish just down the street! Five stars for them all the way.
(1)Ross M.
Had the Gyro and it was very tasty. I wish I could figure out how to eat gyros without getting them all over me.
(4)Faris N.
my favourite dishes from the menu are home-made lobster ravioli ,greek lamb kebob ,the gyros with greek fries and the seafood ciopinno ,great value and huge plates,you have to try it
(5)Jordan T.
Soooo sad to see that things have changed this much. This was once a good place with reasonable prices and friendly staff. I went in today with a friend to have a pizza. Saw a large pepperoni pizza for $18.99, my friend and I decided to get it and add mushrooms. I got an iced tea and my friend had a lemonade. The food was good. That's the only good thing I have to say... Service after we ordered fell completely apart. We got our food and asked for a drink refill, small plates, and some Parmesan cheese. They brought our drinks but nothing else. We again asked for plates and the cheese. The plates came but no cheese. When we asked for the cheese a third time our waitress said "I'll have to ask my boss." It finally came out... We asked for a box to bring our leftovers back and they brought out the check promptly. $32.47... the pizza was $23.95. They charged us $5 for two maybe three sliced mushrooms! Are you kidding me? Then we put down $40 and it took them 15 mins to bring our change. A couple times they even came over and asked if anyone had brought out change yet. I wont go back until they get organized and don't rip their customers off anymore.
(1)J R.
Service was friendly without being overbearing. Three of us stopped by mid-afternoon on Sunday. The food (two Greek salads and a salmon dinner with mashed potatoes, overcooked veggies, & prawns) was pretty good but not off the charts. (The salmon was plentiful, but the flavors on the platter didn't exactly pop.)
(3)Pixee D.
We ate here on July 5 on the recommendation of the front desk staff of our hotel. The menu is truly "international." If you can't find something you like on this menu you better give up. The staff were friendly and helpful in setting up a table that would accomodate 3 adults, a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old. You always kind of worry how a restaurant will react to small children. We received nothing but smiles from the staff and other diners....many who also had small children with them. My husband ordered crab cakes which were delicious. I ordered beef stroganoff, served in the traditional way, over mashed potatoes. It was the best beef stroganoff I've ever eaten. The third adult in our party ordered a hamburger, a hand made pattie on a ciabatta bun, also excellent. The wine we ordered with dinner was chilled perfectly and they give a good pour here (always important these days with the high prices charged for a glass of wine). Our experience at International Cuisine was a good one. I highly recommend this restaurant and we will eat here again when we return to Pacific Grove.
(5)Koko M.
Totally the best restaurant on the peninsula! Amazing staff and beyond words fantastic food! Adding this to my cherished list of FAV ALL-TIME places to eat! Highly recommend for any and everyone!
(5)Leah P.
This place has a HUGE menu. Pretty much anything you are craving it seems they can somehow satisfy. We went right before closing when most everything else in PG was shut down already and they welcomed us warmly. The staff and especially our server was fantastic, very polite, and attentive. We noticed that they were closing as we were finishing and they made sure to tell us to take our time and enjoy. I really appreciated the service here. The Chai tea latte was large, tasted great, and wasn't too hot. The falafel plate was complete with dolma, hummus, pita and fixings. My date loved his meal as well, I believe he ordered ravioli. I plan to return here because I appreciate good service and meals that are priced well and give plenty of food on the plate as well as options in the menu.
(5)Ryan S.
There was a ton of people here, so I am sure the food is good. I may have just ordered the wrong thing. I started off with humas. The pita was warm and fresh. The actual humus was pretty bland. I also ordered the lamb shank. The meet did fall off the bone and was great, but the gravy they put on it somewhat took away from the lamb.
(3)Christine S.
I went in to have lunch with a friend. How could a server seat us without giving us menus??? The restaurant wasn't that full and the service was lacking. After sitting there for a couple of minutes the server realized that he didn't give us any menus. He promptly took our order and the food was served pretty quickly. The clam chowder was great! The crab cakes were average at best - they weren't fresh, they were from a box. The service sucked, never once did the server come by to refill our water glasses or ask how the food was. My theory on restaurants is that if you go in when it is busy you will get better service because the servers are on their "A game". Go into a restaurant when it is slow and you will get crappy service. This was certainly the case here. My advice, save your money. Denny's or Appleby's has better quality food and service at a cheaper price!
(2)Rachel S.
I would not eat here if it was the last restaurant on earth. I've eaten here twice and the service was sub par, my food was lukewarm and my friend had a maggot in her dish. Stay away.
(1)Caroline S.
This place kind of has a Cannery Row tourist vibe going on. If you can get past that, the food and the service are alright. The menu is extensive and varied, but nothing special. There is a little bit of a Mediterranean "flair" on many dishes, which are accompanied by Greek side salads and pita. There are a large number of pizza, pasta, burger/sandwich, and seafood/meat entrees, so there's destined to be something for everyone. We shared several dishes--a large Tuscan salad, a grilled salmon dish, and the cioppino. Everything was pretty good--not exactly stellar, and nothing really blew me away, but it put warm, decently delicious, and nutritious food in our hungry bellies, so I can't complain too much. It's a bit pricey for what you're getting, so if you're a starving student like myself, you might be better off hitting up one of the less expensive and tastier joints down the street (I recommend Holly's and Toasties, although unfortunately these mainly cater during lunchtime hours).
(2)Danny H.
I loved this place. It was nice to go to a place like this that was more local than touristy places on Cannery Row. We have decided to make this restaurant a tradition each time we visit the area. The food was amazing. There were so many choices and it was really good prices. It was very busy and the staff were still attentive. The Lasagna was pretty good, but the burger they had looked amazing. It is on my list for the next time!!!
(5)Greta H.
I love these guys! Such a family place....where everyone feels like family! Super fun to celebrate birthdays. Food is awesome---with tons of choices on the menu! These guys do lots of special things in the community for the unfortunate and deserve lots of business! The staff is awesome!
(5)Nina M.
We came across this place while we were looking for a place to eat. We passed by so many places because the food didn't look all too appealing to us, but this one did - it had a variety of choices for a reasonable price. While not too busy, it still took them some time before they could properly seat the four of us. For that, I was a bit dubious. It also didn't help that the only bathroom available in there can be found all the way downstairs and in an area that's not wheelchair accessible ( at least from what I could find in the immediate vicinity). If there is one, it would have been nice if they could have pointed it out to us when we asked where the restroom was. The food was acceptable to delicious, here's what we ordered: Lamb Shank - The lamb part was delicious, the pilaf was acceptable, and the vegetables was bordering on disgusting. I felt that there was too much vinegar in there. Beef Stroganoff - the Beef part was acceptable to delicious, but the noodles needed serious work. I think they let that sit for too long. And like another person reviewed, there is no hint of the wine that should have been there. Clam Chowder - Delicious. Moroccan Hot Tea - Sweet and minty - I would order it again. Turkish Coffee - nice and strong. I would go again, but I wouldn't know what to order. Perhaps the pizza? After receiving the meal, the service is - again - pretty slow. You pretty much need to wave them down long enough for them to notice and approach you so you can either get refills or ask for the check.
(3)Kim W.
Food - 2 stars Pet Friendly - 4 stars Do you like Red Baron pizza? Do you like paying 4x the price? That's basically how I'd summarize their pizza. They do not have a patio but there are two picnic tables near the entrance where you can sit with your dog. I walked inside to order pizza and they graciously brought it out to us. Very nice people. I think half the staff came outside to pay homage to Josie Poodle. Pizza was basically a wafer thin crust with ragu and the lightest sprinkling of cheese. It was tasty just like Red Baron pizza that I can buy for $1.
(3)Steven M.
Worst service EVER!!! Started with a nonexistent hostess to a nonexistent bar waitress....but the worst was the table waitress!! We had to flag someone down to take our order after 15minutes. Then a chef or owner delivered our meal after a really long excruciating time. Then, I think, the person we flagged down gave us our check. That was it!!! There was no "Hey, these r the specials"....or "can I get another round of drinks??"....or "How is ur meal??"...or "any dessert??" There was NOTHING!!! Absolutely NO service!! I've never experienced that before. The only reason it got one star was because the food was actually good. I'm not sure if it's just that they were really short staffed or just really inexperienced. My observation leans toward the latter!!
(1)Suzanne Q.
Absolutely horrible! I finally tried this place a few days ago and it was hands-down the WORST restaurant I've ever been to! I ordered fish and chips and my friend got the calamari. The calamari had a grainy, soggy coating that was nearly inedible. The fish tasted like cheap catfish: tasteless, soggy and dry. Even the fries were terrible (how you mess up fries is beyond me!). And then there was the service. Our waiter took our order, brought the food, and we never saw him again. Well, we did see him sitting at the bar texting on his phone during our entire meal. Never came back to refill our empty drinks, didn't even bring the check. When we went to the counter to pay, he said "thanks for coming, bye". I guess that shows how much he paid attention to us that he didn't even notice we hadn't received the check or paid yet. We actually had to remind the waiter that we needed to pay for the meal! The decor is cheap, gaudy and dark. Not inviting at all. We ended up paying $35 for this experience. Definately will NEVER be back again.
(1)Anita P.
My husband and I ate here September 1 while visiting Pacific Grove and happened on this place. It was great! My husband had the lobster ravioli and I had the crab cakes, they were both delicious! The crab cakes just melted in your mouth. The staff were attentive and helpful. Not one of them ever passed our table without asking if we needed anything else. We will be going back here again our next visit for sure. They have an international menu and next time I plan on trying something from their Greek offerings.
(5)jennifer c.
Nice people & basic comfort food. Just stick to the menu & avoid anything trying to be fancy. We were hoping for a basic affordable dinner, & I was about to order the chicken kabob plate with salad & hummus sides ($12), yet chose the lamb kabob special instead. Guess I should have asked the price I just thought it would be a couple $$ more. The bill came with sticker shock- $21.95!!! It was such a basic platter AND I ordered medium yet the meat was well done & tough. TRULY not worth anywhere near that! We could have eaten Red House Cafe fine dining for that price but had tried to save $$ on our trip. Nice staff however. Oh well.
(3)Mobile R.
Nice atmosphere, good food. Price was very reasonable. They need to replace the ceiling tiles.
(3)Del S.
The absolute best Chili around; I ask for no beans, no onions, no cheese. just give it to me as is with a little extra spice... Have tried several things on the menu, and although they are perfectly fine, (portions are extremely generous) I regret if I leave without ordering the chili. You will not leave their hungry...
(4)Bruce S.
Awesome food and great service, the staff is incredible. Thanks for making our family vacation so fun and yummy'. Will be back again next time we visit the area.
(4)Stefanie H.
I had a meal here late one night while staying in the area. It was basically the only thing open and close, and they passed the pizza color test (I only eat pizza from places with red and dark green logos and/or signs...it's a rule that has served me well). I wasn't very hungry when I went in, but I was impressed with the variety on the menu. The service was very attentive, and the best part was when I got to go on an adventure downstairs into a darkened office area to find a restroom. I spent my time in the restroom devising ways to fend off ninjas or pirates that might be hiding around any corner. I would definitely return to International Cuisine. Next time, I'll come hungry and try something more interesting than garlic bread.
(4)Courtney T.
I really like this place. Vegan menu options. My husband and I had a tasty falafel dish with rice, hummus, grape leaves and even a dairy free baklava dessert. The owner was very friendly and took time to come over and greet us even though the restaurant was very busy. Comfortable and cozy inside. Will definitely return next time we're in Pacific Grove.
(4)Patricia B.
My husband and I were in PG for the weekend, and looking for a place to eat before heading to the hotel. Hubby picked this place, and I wasn't too sure. As we were walking in, I could immediately tell that despite the low-rent-looking neon signage out front, this was a serious restaurant, and it smelled yummy, like warm garlic! As we went past a table on the way to be seated, I noticed the woman there was having some sort of ravioli that looked pretty good. The waitress informed me it was lobster ravioli in a tomato cream sauce. I really was tempted to try it, but my husband wanted to share a pizza, so I went with that. We ordered the "New Yorker" pizza; it was one of the BEST pizzas I have ever had - and I have traveled a lot, and eaten pizza in both Chicago and Philly. I would give this dish definitely 5 stars. So good, we saved the leftovers for the next day and drove them 2 hours home rather than waste them! Service was OUTSTANDING. Both the owner and his cousin stopped by our table to see how everything was. They even brought us complimentary baklava for dessert! The menu is interesting - lives up to the restaurant's name with different dishes from all over, even beef stroganoff - haven't seen that one in a long time, lol! If the other dishes are even half as good as the pizza, then you can't go wrong.
(4)Elizabeth A.
My husband and I come to PG every year and always look forward to eating at International Cuisine. We won't be going again. They brought ice cold (right out of the fridge) soup, messed up our entree order, never brought water and kept us waiting while our waitress wandered aimlessly about. Food was not even close to what it's been before. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)Terri M.
My husband and my son and I went here expecting a great meal. Sad to say that the service was terrible, food horrible. We had asked for a thick crust pizza and was told yes. Waitress said she was new so the owner came by and said oh yes. Needless to say 45 minutes latter our pizza arrived. Flat pizza semi cold. There was a lady and her two children at the table next to us. They had walked out after 30 minutes without being served or waited on. When we asked about our pizza the owner returned and said "we do not serve thick crust pizza". No comments on the cold food. If you are looking for a great place THIS IS SURELY NOT IT.
(1)Ashley S.
I live in Pacific Grove and went here for the first time on Sunday night and I was pleasantly surprised! The restaurant is always busy, so I knew that was a good sign. International Cuisine might be one of my new favorite restaurants in Pacific Grove. The service is great, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the food is amazing! The best part is the extensive menu. Everyone at our table ordered a different dish, from handmade seafood raviolis to vegetarian falafel. The prices were great too, very affordable. I would highly recommend International Cuisine to anyone visiting the area or to locals who haven't given it a try yet.
(5)Lesley B.
Love the food here! Whenever we're in Monterey for MotoGp (every July) we go here. They're always packed and amazing food. They dropped the ball on us Sunday evening. We gave our name, expected a wait. No biggie. Maitre'd said he'll get us a great window table. Perfect! Got a table by a window that opens YAY cuz it was dreadfully hot in there. Once seated, we were screwed. Took forever to get our drinks, our glasses left empty sitting there waiting for refill. Got our food AMAZING. he had veal ravioli in pesto sauce, I had Greek Combo plate. Delish! Wanted baklava for dessert, guy at next table, his looked YUMMY. We order with TWO COFFEES. dessert arrives, awhile later. WAY SMALLER than guys at next table. No coffees. Still waiting on coffee, girl comes over with weird looking baby cups says our Turkish coffee will be ready in a moment. Turkish? Regular please! Oh, another 10 minutes later we finally our coffee comes and our dessert is cold and only mediocre. They dropped the ball that night but for the food, and they are quite pleasant, we will ALWAYS return. Everyone has a bad day but we'd thought we'd share our one bad apple amongst our MANY GOOD APPLES.
(4)Taylor R.
My family and I LOVE this restaurant. We are local, have two young children, and have been going there for years. It is our favorite place to go with the kids where my husband and I can still have a glass of wine. (Not to mention that they pour very large glasses of wine.) The service is EXCELLENT and the food is wonderful! I LOVE the Gyros Salad and the Gyros Platter. Although their Mediterranean food is excellent, you can still order other regional food, such as fish and chips, burgers, pizza, pasta, etc. There is something on the menu for everyone! Update..... as of Jan 2012, I became a vegan. They made me THE BEST vegan pizza (off the menu.... no cheese, loaded with artichoke hearts, calamata olives, tomatoes, onions, etc.). Just ask them and I'm sure they will be happy to make one for you, too!! They are so awesome!!!
(5)Robert A.
Great variety, friendly staff. I keep going back for the hummus and pita appetizer.
(4)Aaron B.
We went in on a Tuesday evening for an early dinner. The restaurant was pretty dead. In spite of this the service was amazingly slow. The waitress was not very attentive and didn't even refill my wife's water even though it was empty a short time into the meal. I had an okay burger and my wife had a gyro that she described as disgusting. I would not visit again.
(2)Martin O.
Pros: absolutely excellent service. The wait staff was quick, helpful, and attentive, and helped provide a good atmosphere. Place was well lit for a 2pm lunch, wide windows and generally pleasant overall. Food came quite quickly. Cons: slightly expensive Food: hamburger was quite good, fish and chips excellent. The clam chowder was good, and the gyro plate was perfectly done. However, the pizza was mediocre. The toppings were good, but I felt the sauce and cheese lacking. In all, I find this a very agreeable place to go to, just stick to the Greek/seafood.
(4)Tommy S.
A neat casual family style restaurant. The place has nice energy. Service is genuine and attentive. I like the diversity of the menu but it is too big. Tuscan been soup and the ciaoppino were outstanding. Try some Russian beers here..!
(5)Jessamyn W.
Food is DELICIOUS. There is pretty much everything here, from a bunch of different cultures, which is quite unique. I had a burger here and it tasted really good. The bread is also good, fresh, and warm. Plus, it comes with free refills! The portion sizes are good and everything is moderately priced. The service is a different story. The service wasn't as good as the food. This is a seat-yourself kind of place and when my group sat down, we had to wait a while to get menus. When we did get menus, our server offered us kids menus (we're all in college and we're all fairly short). After we ordered, we rarely ever saw our server. The food took a while to come.
(3)Phyllis H.
I had an early dinner there while visiting Pacific Grove in September 2012. I had been there before several years ago with a group and had thought that it would be okay for a female dining alone -- it was not. The young waitress acted like she had never served a person dining alone. She started off with the "Just one?" question and subsequently subjected me to nervous laughter the rest of my time there. The owner of the business goes around greeting his guests and asking how things are going -- he stopped at every table but mine. This was extremely RUDE in my opinion. It would have been nice to have felt welcomed considering that I was alone. The food tasted good -- I had fish tacos which I think I have had there before in the past. Even though it all tasted okay, I had a horribly upset stomach afterwards. Food poisoning? Can't say for sure but nothing else I ate on the whole trip anywhere else affected me that way. The pricing for the dinner was fine but the rather small slice of cheesecake that I ordered to go was way over-priced at $7.50. Also, the waitress had told me that it was cheesecake with raspberry topping. When I got back to my motel room and opened the box, it was covered with some kind of orange topping. I absolutely would not go there to eat again.
(2)Emily G.
Saturday night was busy, and a promised 15-minute wait was more like 35 minutes. We got worried when we saw the menu--too many items from too many countries. The place is in an office building, and the bathrooms are downstairs and locked, so you need a key. By the time we were seated, it was late and we were starving, but no sign of a bread basket. We had to ask for water twice, as well as a kid's menu, the daily special and then, finally, the check, even though there were about ten people waiting for tables. The staff is very friendly, but the range of cuisine from Greek to Italian, to Turkish to British, is daunting for such a small place. The bar had about five chairs and my brother's martini came in a tumbler, while his wife's mango margarita tasted strange. Pizza and crab cakes greasy, fries really boring, and sauces were just plain odd. The cioppino was in more of a marinara than a broth, and the waiter got the gorgonzola burger wrong and they over-cooked both burgers at our table. It's a fun place, but the concept of something for everyone is tough to execute--sort of a mom and pop Cheesecake Factory. These people's hearts are in the right place, but we would have had a less touristy meal on Fisherman's Wharf.
(2)Tamara E.
I found it interesting that the reviews are all over the map. Let me try to bring some objectivity to the table. As with some other reviewers, we were looking for a restaurant and there weren't too many choices, so we ended up here. They DID seem a bit disorganized. We put our name in after being told the wait was about "15-20 minutes". We noticed that the hostess told everyone that, even after the number of people on the list grew. There was a larger group who had arrived before us who had been waiting for awhile and were growing a bit frustrated. They asked the hostess if they could order drinks while they waited. To his credit (who I presumed to be) the owner came out, took everyone's order, and brought us all drinks on the house. A point in their favor. We were seated before the larger group and I did wonder if the seating was being done in an equitable manner. The menu is extensive with choices from around the world. I saw this as a positive. I ordered Seafood Pasta, my husband and one son ordered pizza, my daughter ordered beef stroganoff and my other son ordered the special of the day, which was cioppino. Everything was AMAZING! The portions were large. The food was delicious! I'm talking, some of the best food we've ever eaten, and that includes restaurants around the world, in places like France and Bali. Our service was attentive, but the servers did seem to have an air of frenzy around them. My thought is that if you go in without being in a hurry, and expect the possibility of a less-than-streamlined experience, the food is well worth it! We would definitely go back again and totally recommend it for the diner with the right frame of mind.
(5)Old School G.
I remember eating here a long time ago when I first moved to PG. I ordered a burrito, and my Dad ordered a hamburger. We already knew we were in trouble when we saw one of the waiters stirring the week old humus on the hot plate. Ugh. So the burrito was the most un-Mexican dish I have ever tasted. White rice and these weird beans wrapped up in a tortilla with yesterday's meat. Bleugh. My Dad maybe finished a quarter of his hamburger as I remember. We paid, got up, and found some real meat at the Grove Market to cook! I pass by there every day on my walk, and it's always packed. Maybe I'm just fussy, or maybe everyone's got weird taste buds. I probably won't return any time soon.
(2)Arnie K.
pizza was good. service was quick. ambiance, similar to a mostly-picked-up Denny's with the additional Italian decor. i am not able to capture in words the so-so reaction we had... suffice it to say that for the moment it is listed 17th in Pacific Grove among restaurants for many small reasons. i would not return, since it wasn't anything special, though i have eaten in a LOT worse places than this.
(3)Erik A.
We have gone to this restaurant 3 times now and needs time we have been very disappointed. The food when it finally came to us 45 minutes after ordering was cold and we didn't get much attention from our server. We generally give a restaurant at least 3 tries and unfortunately it has failed every time.
(1)Mack D.
The most versatile restaurant in the area. You can definitely find something for everyone. My dad believes its the best calamari he's ever had. I enjoy the Mediterranean dishes. Over priced though
(4)X X.
These guys have a booth at Farmer's market on Tuesday. Let me tell you what, they have one of the best gyro sandwiches I've had. The owner is always manning the booth and the cook the food right in front of you. The lamb/beef that they use is absolutely great. They hooked me with a free sample of the meat once and I've been going back ever since. If you are looking for something tasty to eat at Farmers Market, check these guys out. BTW, they also have a chicken version of their gyro. I've tried it once and it wasn't too bad. However, I brought it home and reheated it, which I think sort of messed it up a bit. One of these days I'm gonna get the chicken and eat it on the spot, but I have to say, the beef/lamb version is so darn good that it's hard to tear myself away from getting that one. Five stars for a great sandwich and friendly customer service. Definitely recommended.
(5)Raul N.
Looking for a meal in Pacific Grove after 8:30 is like looking for Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster. After searching up and down Lighthouse encountering closed door after closed door, my friend and I decided--against our better judgment--to grab dinner at Chili Great Chili. The food here isn't terrible, just average. I chose the Castroville pizza, topped with artichokes and tomatoes, to which I added chicken; my friend chose a vegetarian falafel wrap. The pizza combination sounded good, but it was clear both the artichokes and tomatoes had come from a can, making the pizza overly salty and a bit soggy. My friend's falafel wrap was decent, though admittedly the wrap tasted no different than the ones Chili Great Chili sells at Monterey's Farmer's Market on Tuesdays for cheaper. Our service wasn't exactly stellar either--our server took an inexplicably long time to bring our drinks and food, despite the clear lack of customers in the restaurant. Luckily another server took pity on us and came to our rescue, taking over for the remainder of our meal.
(2)David B.
This is a restaurant for almost all cravings. They have recently updated their menu and their furniture. My favorites are the hand-pressed black Angus burger and the Istanbul kabob.
(5)Jeanne M.
My mom and I thought the food here was very good. We both split a wonderful side caesar salad to accompany our meals; generous portion and wonderful tasting salad with generous shaved parmesan! Our meals were very good as well. My cheese ravioli was good, and my mother loved the roasted chicken pizza. Service was a little off, but they deserve an "a" for attitude. Nice people! We'll be back when we come to town.
(5)Dr Sherman S.
My wife and just moved to the Cannery Row District of Monterey. We've been trying different restaurants on our Date Nights. This is among the best food anywhere we've ever eaten at any price. The service was excellent, the prices reasonable, and the dessert off the chart. I represent Fresno Magazine and Best of Fresno Magazine, and nowhere is there a tastier place to eat. I had the Russian Stroganoff to die for. The young waiter was the most polite and cordial you will find anywhere. 5+Stars.
(5)David F.
This is one of the Monterey Bay's gems. I've been coming here since all three of the brothers worked here regularly, and immediately fell in love with the attitude of the people and how it is run. Since then I have found it to be a place to take people who enjoy great food, people who want to have a wonderful and inter-personal time, and people who are coming together for a celebration. It's also a great date place! I have been there enough times to have experienced less than stellar service. Yes, it does happen occasionally, but never in any serious way, and nothing that I've ever felt like a would have wanted to complain about. OK, so, how to get your best experience from them... 1) Show up right around 6pm. This is when, or maybe just slightly before, they are really ramping up for the evening and are at the top of their game. 2) Always remember to ask for bread with olive oil and balsamic - I don't know what's so different about their olive oil that makes it taste so great, but I do know that the bread is made in-house and is one of many examples of their quality. 3) Don't be afraid to try new things or old things that you've gotten bored of... -- The fish tacos. "They're fish tacos, so what?" right? No, these are amazing. They have a flavor that is delicate yet powerful. You can't just scarf them down - you have to take a few moments to savor them and appreciate the blend of spices that is mild enough to not overpower the white fish. -- The veal and spinach ravioli. It's topped with a pesto sauce that's strong enough to satisfy someone like me who loves very strong basil and garlic flavors, yet not so strong that it is offensive to my wife who has a real limit on how strong pesto can be (she finds it quite enjoyable, actually). -- Desserts. They've changed over the last several years. When I first found them they had a pecan torte served a la mode that had a crust that reminded me of everything wonderful about soft-baked cookies (which I love). Unfortunately, that's no longer there. Most recently they have a chocolate ganache cake. I don't like chocolate cake because it's usually low quality, too weak, or made stronger using coffee such that it may as well be espresso-flavored. Not this one - this is an amazing cake. And the mango mousse is just as excellent. Moral of this paragraph - the desserts may change, but the quality does not. -- Turkish coffee. If you like the flavor of good coffee, you should try this. It's strong, but it doesn't need any cream and comes sweetened just right. I don't know if they add any spices to it because I can't taste them. Whatever they do, they do it right. 4) Bring good company! If you really want the best experience, you want to bring one or more others with whom to share this experience.
(5)Tim R.
Just got back from dinner here with 3 others. Had a family pizza and 2 salads. Pizza was decent, salads were way over priced and not big enough for an entree. Service was abysmal. Had to beg for a menu and water. Felt very sorry for the folks at the next table waiting an inordinate amount of time to be served. Will never go back.
(1)Lisa T.
Loved this place.. Awesome chioppino.... Kids meno wasn't very large.. We still had a great time but more for couples not so much kids
(4)Natalye R.
The food was alright. Large selection, but not much complexity to the actual meals. The service was the worst I've had anywhere. The servers are all family members or close friends and spent more time schmoozing with their pals and one another OUTSIDE then paying attention to those eating. We spent more time here waiting than we did eating. Don't bother.
(1)James S.
There's a big sign that says "Chili Great Chili." So you might expect it to have, well, great chili. Or at least good chili. You might even settle for mediocre homemade chili. But awful chili from a can? Welcome to Chili Great Chili International. What an utter disappointment. The gyro that I ordered tasted like it was microwaved, previously frozen gyro meat. The yogurt sauce was completely bland, and the fries were lame. My ladypal ordered the beef stroganoff. It tasted worse than the chili, and I think they pretty much employee Chef Boyardee, Chef DintyMore or Chef McCormick Spice Packet in the kitchen. The teenagers at table net to us got a pizza, which looked on par with the Little Caesar's pepperoni. Except it was $10 more. An old guy sitting near us had a salad, which looked like the most appetizing food in the joint. But he still had that "angry old person" face that made me think he was pretty ticked about his salad. Or maybe he was just a grumpy old man. This is a terrible place to eat. It's awful and not all that budget friendly. Unless you like the taste of canned meat and consider it to be a valuable culinary experience. We will never punish ourselves with a visit to this restaurant again. I recommend going a few doors down to the Thai restaurant. Or eating your socks. Either is a vast improvement.
(1)amanda o.
I like the fact they dont have 300 things on thier menu. The Beef Stroganoff is delicious. The greek plates are awesome. I have my favorite waiter so he is cool but I forget his name. Sorry
(5)Ray C.
This place is hit and miss. My 13 yr. Likes it. My dad hates it.
(2)Corinne E.
Best gyro in town! I am a local and drive a few miles passing many other places claiming to offer the best gyro but nothing compares to International's Big Greek Gyro!
(4)James T.
I was also fooled by the number of people in this place. Not only is it "blah" at best, it's expensive ..... 2.79 for a coke. That's probably why the old man was grumpy. While the owner is friendly, the actual waiter was slow and got the wine order for the table next to me wrong. I had a gyro, which was OK ... but 8.95 and still no fries? Pleeeeaze!
(2)andy A.
This Restaurant is my favorite in the Monterey peninsula. They have the best Clam Chowder you can ever find anywhere. Also they have huge menu from all over the world. I usually order Sea Food combo , or Greek Combo. Last night i went there. The waiter suggested the Falafel with Humus,, and Raviolis with creamy red sauce. my God they were so good. they also have full bar and cocktails. I hate the fact that I have to drive one hour from San Jose to eat their food but its well worth it. Its Family run business and the owner is there most of the time. Ask for him , his name is Faris and experience how kind and generous he is with his customers. Little tip for you .. if he is not there just tell staff you know him .. :) This place is very popular in that area so expect it to be busy on the weekend. so try to make it early or after 8:30PM. but if you like to dine with allot of people around you then you will love it. Andy
(5)Jacqueline T.
International Cuisine has been a favorite spot to eat on intermittent visits to PG from San Jose. We love the ambiance, the staff and, mostly, the food. On9/13/2012, a large group of us showed up--my out of state sibs and their spouses. We were all seated together in a short period of time. My family members all liked the food and accommodating service. It was a wonderful evening!
(5)Anne R.
We were visiting from out of town and stumbled in here by chance. It had nice atmosphere and excellent service. The clam chowder was very good (although I think Fish Wife makes the best.) All the adults enjoyed their dinners, however, the kids said their "kids" pasta and pizza were not that great. Basically avoid the kids meals.
(3)J J.
Owned by Jordanians, great food from gyros to lasagna to chicken Caesar salad. My boyfriend gets the gyros (under $10) every time and I'd recommend the lasagna (about $13) or chicken sandwich (under $10). Has a great selection of liquors, wine (biggest 7.50 glass of wine I've ever gotten), and some beer. Great place to practice your Arabic if you're a DLI student. :) Plus, they treat their regulars extremely well!!
(4)Sam G.
We went here with a large group, including a bunch of kids. The service was average. We asked for the kids food to be brought out right away,but then our food took a very long time. The food was good, and the menu is extensive, which usually concerns me a little. But generally the servers were friendly and we had a good experience there.
(3)Robyne T.
Casual dining. Fish and chips are great. The are lightly breaded and the fish is firm. Clam chowder was surprisingly good.
(3)Suzie N.
We took our three toddlers here for dinner and loved it so much we came back the next night and then also the next time we were in town. There is something on the menu for everyone. Fantastic food, service, atmosphere, prices and customers (we got friendly with the tables next to us). I had a glass of the pino gri with my handmade seafood raviolis and was practically licking the plate. I called later to see what kind of pino that was. Not only did the wait staff know which one, she offered to put a case together for me at a discounted price. Of course I couldn't do it because I was back home by then, but it is just another good experience with this restaurant.
(5)Sierra M.
Very friendly service. Incredibly personable and courteous manager, which makes for a pleasant dining experience. However, the price is high for food that is good, not great.
(4)Patricia C.
The highlight of this restaurant was the very attentive waitstaff. There were ample available tables at 1 PM on a Saturday in June. Dining with two adolescents, we were relieved that the restaurant had a large, diverse menu. On any given day, who can anticipate what a teenager will want to eat? Both children immediately found what they wanted: a thin crust cheese pizza for one and fish tacos for the other. We ordered a fish sandwich for him, a Greek chicken salad for me. My salad consisted of Romaine lettuce, sliced ripe tomatoes, Kalamata olives (somewhat mushy), previously cooked (and ice cold) chicken breast and crumbled Feta cheese. The salad came with a Balsamic vinaigrette dressing on the side and a quartered piece of pita bread. The salad was okay, but the cold, over-cooked chicken pieces were unappealing. If you have children in tow, especially picky eaters, this might be a good choice. Otherwise, you might want to walk up and down the street, reading the menus posted outside of other restaurants in order to make your dining decision.
(3)Jessica D.
I'm a vegetarian and always looking for a yummy salad. They have a delicious greek salad with tons of feta cheese and yummy balsalmic dressing. My husband ordered the Monterey chicken and he said it was ok, and the rice that came with it was good. We ordered take out and it was quick.
(3)M m.
Is this a joke? The food wasn't bad but the service is laughable. 2 person dinner took over an hour in a half filled dining room. Appetizer came when we were about finished with the meal. No apology or asking if we still wanted it even. I sat an empty drink cup on the edge of the table after about 10 minutes of having an empty glass and left my iPhone timer next to it. It reached 25 minutes and 16 seconds before I got more water...also was the first time we saw a waitress since food came. Just a joke.
(1)Austin J.
Went to dinner on a wet Saturday night with my girlfriend. When we got there it was fairly packed and had to wait a few minutes for a table. The Servers were very friendly when they took our orders. I had the Greek combo plate and she had the seafood ravioli. The food was really good! much better then i anticipated! i would recommended this to someone for a good priced dinner!
(4)Lani B.
First time we came here, we were skeptical... But the staff was nice, and our son was starving---OK... kid was asleep and WE were starving... It was a late lunch---so fairly empty, and we were in search of a good meal that was reasonable priced. Menu, as another Yelper put it, was daunting because there were lots of choices. But since there was a shisha in the entrance of this place, we figured we should stick to the Middle-Eastern influenced dishes. We were absolutely delighted! In a town where tourism plays such a large part of the restaurant industry, it's often difficult to find great, reasonably priced restaurants. One would say that many places don't cater to the crowd who'll come back with return business, and instead just make it pretty, and make it expensive...because you're a tourist so you're probably not coming back. We were excited to find a little spot where this was TRULY not the case. Smallish dining area, and small tables, yes... but people are coming for the consistently good food---not necessarily the ambiance. If you want that, get it to go, drive to the beach, and have a picnic there. We've done THAT a few times... Staff is really nice, and locals of all elasticities will come and chat in their own languages. This is THE place to go to for a great gyro. Tzatziki is scrumptious, and the pita warm and utterly yummy. They give plenty of meat, so I would ask for an extra pitta and tzatziki on the side. In fact, just last week I was wishing we could somehoe go there... but alas, we're in DC, and have yet to find our new little hole in the wall. Oh---did I mention that they're great with kids? It's a great spot. Leaving off that final 5th star because they could update their decor, but all in all... a truly great find in a normally over-priced area.
(4)Luke S.
I can't say too much about the rest of the food, because quite frankly it is hit and miss. BUT, this is the best burger in PG. Hands down. BEST.
(4)David C.
Seriously, for food, this place is just as my stars say - A-OK ..... we had pasta and the beef stroganoff here, nothing really too special here, but it was edible at the least. However, there is a 5-star item here, it's pecan pie a-la-mode - simply one of the best deserts i have ever had in Monterey Bay Area.
(3)Placido S.
What a huge disappointment. One of the worst dining experiences I have ever endured. Food was bland, tasteless...service staff was in a perpetual state of confusion and were unable to coordinate. I have had better tasting food at Kaiser hospitals. If you are in Pacific Grove I would pass this place. Absolutely horrible.
(1)Emilee G.
Pretty bad sign when the best thing you ordered was the Diet Pepsi. Kids pizza and personal cheese pizza were really icky. Store bought crust, cheapest marinara they could find, and barely melted cheese. Coconut prawns weren't too bad, but the fact that the wait staff approached our table literally every 5 minutes asking if they could get us a box or take our plates, made the food even less appetizing. Total bummer.
(1)Laura W.
This place seems as though it is trying to fit too many different kinds of food on to one menu and too many people into one small room. The former isn't that big of a deal; it just makes it harder to choose what you want to eat. The latter, however, makes dinner a little uncomfortable. I felt like people were eavesdropping on my conversation, and I had a table by the window. The tables are just way too close together. The food, on the other hand, was worth the lack of privacy. I got the pesto chicken sandwich, and it was yummy in all its messy glory. And boy was it messy. It came with a salad that was a tad boring (really, you couldn't come up with more than carrots and red cabbage to put on the lettuce?), but the sandwich more than made up for it. Yum.
(4)Jeff O.
Great food and great service. We have had the lamb shank, the seafood ravioli and the clam chowder and each item was excellent. We highly recommend.
(5)Janelle H.
I arrived in Monteray around 10:30pm on a Friday night. My better half had arrived a little earlier and began hunting for a good late night dinner place, but everything seemed closed! He quickly grabbed the closest local and blinded the poor woman with questions about their favorite local restaurants, price range, etc. The woman said that Chil Great Chili was the fave and was in the price range of "kids" like us. Sadly they were closed by the time I got there. But the name and reputation that the lady had given my half stuck in his mind for the whole weekend. We had explored the whole area, tried nice and decent restaurants, but the final meal before our departure HAD to be here at Chili Great Chili. I was not too thrilled since I was not in the mood for some chili or "OK" food to wrap up my weekend getaway, but I indulged him anyways. First off, I could not get the smell of bathroom cleaning liquids out of the air! All I wanted to do was sit outside so I could remind myself I was at a restaurant and forced myself to get hungry a little more. Secondly, when we asked for recommendations on their "intercontinental" menu, the waitress (very nice, bubbly, and welcoming, but still not happy for what she said) she replied "The Greek and Italian are the best here, I mean...if you want pizza, go to a pizza parlor, if you want Mexican food head over to a Mexican restaurant!" Well why should we stay for the others if I could go to an Italian ristorante or trattoria? And Mediterranean for Greek? But alas I ordered their only Russian entree...Stroganoff. The meat was surprisingly tender, but the pasta was tasteless and the sauce tasted only of raw mushrooms. IT was missing something big...but I can't think of what. Their "award winning" clam chowder (ha...all clam chowder in this city is 'award winning') was actually very good. It was my only good part of the meal. But after we received our food the restaurant automatically became very busy at the dinner hour and service was scarce. Took many moons to get a refill, to go boxes, and the check. Sorry...I don't think I'll be coming back anytime soon. I'd rather hit up that Japanese restaurant all the way down the bock with an even rarer breed of service. Maybe I was too spoiled by all the lovely places in the area beforehand?
(2)Winane L.
We stopped in here for an early quick dinner. I think it was around 5ish, nobody dining except us. We felt like perhaps pizza. It was actually a really yummy cheese 1/2 pepperoni and 1/2 olives and onions. It kind of reminds me of Little Italy New York style pizza. Thin crust and the waiter put a small stream of olive oil on it for me. We ended with sharing a salad. Nothing special but it was fresh. The wait staff was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was quite comfortable. By the time we left the restaurant was almost 3/4 full. The menu had Italian and Greek favorites. The restaurant was more Italian style with checkered table cloths. Would definitely come back for a comfy dinner.
(3)Kami J.
We came here for one night and the hit or miss reviews seem right on. I think it depends on when you come and what you order. I sent a Mango Margarita back because it tasted like a Gatorade mix and ordered a Mojoto instead with the recommendation of the waitress. I was very surprised that it had the exact same salty Gatorade mix taste so I just drank it. Our service was great but it wasn't busy. My husband's burger was great (hard to go wrong) but his chili and my beef stroganoff were mediocre. When looking for a place to eat on a Sat night this seemed to be the only place open near our hotel. I would hope there are better places open for tourists and locals to get consistent delicious food and drinks.
(2)T.J. B.
This place is awesome. I have been going to CGC International Cuisine for 10 years and it is so incredible. The food is top quality and should be priced much more. Reading some of the reviews I am curious how people had a bad meal there. Truly a great PG eatery. The lasagna is amazing. all of the Greek food is a must as well. Best service around. try it love it
(5)Melissa F.
My favorite non-speciality type resturant on the Monterey Bay. Like everyone else, the clam chowder is delicious. They are reasonably priced. My favorite meal is the Salmon plate. I've yet to try the pizza, but burgers, italian food, seafood, sandwiches, etc...are all great. The service is very good. It's a very friendly family that runs the place. They remember you, what you order, etc... It does get busy around dinner time, so sometiems there is a short wait. The best thing though (other than the best clam chowder I've ever had), is it's great when you can't agree with your dinner partner. There is something for everyone there.
(5)Nikki M.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. My husband and I actually walked out the first time because the atmosphere is so weird but ended up coming back another day. Don't let the odd mixture of middle eastern, italian, and mexican decor fool you though, the food and staff are absolutely amazing. Like others, I would give them a 5 if the atmosphere wasn't so bizarre though. Also I don't even eat clam chowder and I think their's is awesome!
(4)Lara F.
Went there for dinner tonight as a special birthday treat for my aunt. I had the lamb shank that was cooked to perfection. It fell off of the bone and melted in my mouth. The saffron rice was nothing to write home about. The gravy was superb, and there were FRESH vegetables with a lovely balsamic vinegar reduction over it that I scarfed down. The specials menu has the specials (duh) and the wine pairing recommendation. I went with their recommendation which was a Merlot and it was perfect. My aunt had the fish and chips, and it was not greasy. There were large pieces of cod using a nice beer batter and chippy chips. Not the skinny ones, and not the steak fries. My daughter ordered the personal cheese pizza and it's a good 12" pizza. The crust was thin, there was the right amount of sauce, and a good amount of mozzarella. Daughter's only complaint was that they put fresh Parmesan cheese on top. I'm eating the leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Dessert. We ordered a creme brulee (amazingly good) and the baklava. We sent the baklava back because they drizzled a raspberry aspic over the top. Now you may want that. We didn't. We just wanted the baklava. And it was very good. It wasn't the typical honey running down your chin with lots of layers. It was very good though. The spices were awesome. And the glass of wine was a REAL glass of wine. It was enough to get me through the bread, meal and savoring it after dinner. So, Lara, it sounds like it should have been five stars? Well, the service wasn't that great. My aunt did ask for more tartar sauce when her entree arrived, and while she didn't end up needing it, no additional sauce ever arrived. And it took me 5-6 minutes to waive down our server because my daughter needed a refill of her soda. Another customer finally clued her in that we were trying to get her attention. She was embarrassed, at least. So then they asked us (once the eating had stopped) how everything was. That should have happened 10-15 min earlier. But there it is. They brought out a dessert tray, and we ordered 3 desserts plus one to go. The creme brulee that they brought out was definitely smaller then the one on the tray. And the baklava on the dessert tray didn't have any raspberry aspic. And we ordered a chocolate mousse cake. Server apologizes & says they're out and would I like tiramisou. I thanked him & said no. Now again about the baklava (sorry), we said we wanted NOTHING on it. And they still served it with a dollop of whipped cream. There weren't that many other people there. One party of about 8 and whiel the restaurant was mostly empty, they seated us right next to them. But, you know, it was OK. We could have asked for another seat (so I'm not dinging them for anything on this...just that we should have had more attentive service), and it was great being right at the window and watching the world go by. Ok, one more complaint about the service & I'll stop. When he brought the creme brulee, he only brought one spoon. Then wtih the baklava, he brought one fork. Not the brightest bulb when it comes to women sharing desserts, I'll have to say. Would I go there again? Absolutely.
(4)Jennifer H.
My husband and I love this place. It is our favorite. The atmosphere is nice. Service is always amazing. The food is delicious. I always get the Chicken Gyro sandwich and my husband usually gets the Gyro plate. My husband ordered a burrito once and didn't love it but the other food is really good. If you wrote a bad review and don't plan to go back, good, more room and food for us!
(5)Allison B.
I just went to this place on Sunday night with 4 friends while vacationing in Monterey. I ordered calamari, which was fine. Two others ordered pizzas. They both thought the pizzas were probably frozen pizzas that can be bought at a grocery store. The crab cakes were also mushy inside. Definitely not lump crab. Another friend had fish, which also was not very appetizing. I would not recommend this restaurant to others.
(2)Donnie R.
What a nice place!
(5)Soh Jai R.
I would have to agree with Erin O. that the clam chowder is excellent. It was the best I have had in quite some time. I wish they had some fresh ground pepper. As far as the other food, I had the Beef Stroganov and my friend had the combo greek platter. Both portions were quite large and I though mine was quite good. I dont think I would try to go here and try the pizza, seeing as how the staff look to be from easter bloc countries or perhaps the mideast since one of the waiters and I did converse shortly in arabic. The service is like a typical restaurant in Europe or most other countries outside the US. They get to you when they get to you. Pretty good atmosphere.
(4)M H.
Had a great Greek chicken salad. Very nice waiter (William?). Place seems under rated.
(5)Katy B.
I ate here with a friend and I am sorry to say I was extemely disappointed. The Ceasar salad was just ok, a little salty and those freaky croutons out of a bag. My friend's beef stroganoff was literally the worse dish both of us have ever been served in a restaurant. I agree with one reviewer who said possibly packaged, served over spaghetti rather than noodles. Honestly, it was disgusting. The cheese ravioli with pesto was ok. I was pretty pissed when paying the bill, just not worth it at all. I even wanted to cheap out of the tip because the food was so awful. Being an ex F&B person I did not. I know why the waitress never came back and asked how the food was, she is probably sick of the complaints. I will never go back to this place. Really awful.
(1)echo z.
It's a little pricey (about $20 per person with soft drinks), but the food is good and there are a lot of vegetarian options. Happy that it's kid friendly too. All around a good place to go in the area.
(4)Edward B.
Great restaurant. Staff always remembers us, and they are very cordial. The dishes are great, and reasonable. We enjoy the casual dining near the window. Lamb shank is as good as any I have had, and I particularly enjoy the chicken kabob. Wine prices are honest.
(5)Jaime T.
Please stay away!!! The service was terrible. The food was not any better. The food was very bland. My ravioli tasted like Chef Boy'ardee!! My hubby's chicken pasta came with no chicken! The only reason for the 2 stars was this one server was very nice, and he offered us a free piece of cake for our troubles. I am sorry, but that does not make up for the rest. Our main server on the other hand was the pits. Our drinks remained empty for more than 10 minutes. We will never return.
(2)Kevin N.
I had the Texas Chili. I didn't like it. I chose the bowl because the cup would not be enough. So what I got was a cup of "Hormel Chili" in a REALLY BIG bowl. Ridiculous, so I complained about the size and they gave me another bowl this time with more chili in it. If the first bowl had the amount the second bowl had I would have been happy even though it tasted like Hormel Chili.
(2)Tiffany D.
it's like alright.
(3)RAYMOND R.
This is my favorite spot when me and my GF go to Monterey. The clam chowder is the best i ever had. i really like the Mediterranean menu with the HUMAS, which its great with the flat bread. The service has been great at the times that i have been there. i would recommend this place to others.
(4)M G.
Food was excellent, service was horrible. All our waitress did was take our order and never once checked on us, which was disappointing, since we needed refills and sauce that our food never came with that was listed on the menu. As a server myself, I am usually very patient with waitstaff. I even had to go up to her and ask for change at the bar after waiting a very long time when someone else gave me my check. I would go back for the food and ask for a different server.
(3)Ashley W.
Not the best food in town, but it's comfort food. The staff is very friendly, especially if you're a regular, and the price wont kill you. Dont get the stroganoff, it's not good, but just about everything else is good.
(4)Nancy J.
AT first, we weren't sure what we were walking into. The lights were abit bright. All of the waiters were speaking in a foriegn language. But Ferris, the owner, was so warm and inviting and just made us feel like we were in one of those old hometown diner type restaurants. Ask for the Hummas Hurrican with Pita bread. Seasoned hamburger with sauteed tomatoes and onions in a pillow of fresh housemade hummas. I could have stopped there, but i had to have the lamb shank. So tender and delictable and the meat just peeled away from the bone. My boyfriend got the lasagne. TO DIE FOR!! Thank goodness he let us trade plates half way though. Later that week, we ordered a pepperoni pizza, only because Ferris told me that the Peperroni was Kosher Beef. I couldn't get that much perfection in NY, MUCH LESS in Pacific Grove. I could go on, but I think I'll go get into the car and go get something to eat at the International Cuisin on Lighthouse (close to the P.O. and PassionFish)
(4)Jed I.
a lot of items are hit or miss and depend on the day you eat here. but the gyros are always good, both regular and chicken pesto. the platter with gyro meat, chicken skewers, hummus and more is delicious I think it is just called the gyros platter, if you feel like gaining a few pounds deinately get that.
(4)Van D.
We love the down-home atmosphere here. The brothers - Faris, Faizl, and Farhad are all sweethearts, and the help usually very attentive and friendly. The food might not be the best ever - like the rice pilaf borders on par with Rice-a-Roni, and the chili isn't as good as mine, but the salads are fresh and the clam chowder soup normally quite yummy - their lamb and wild pacific salmon - very good. The pizza has seen better days, and we still call this place Chili Great Chili, even tho the chili is not great! The wine is excellent. but we go mainly for the feeling of being welcome - hard to find in this day! We drive all the way from San Jose to walk on the beach in Carmel and then mosey into this place to cap off the day. Sweet. Oh, and my mother who absolutely "hates" going for drives, much less "strange restaurants", and can't stand alcohol of any kind - simply adores as she puts it, "the very handsome Faris", and even downed a glass of wine that he suggested to her! He was very kind to a little old fussy lady, and we appreciated his fussing over her. Her downing the wine mellowed her out for the drive home! Thank you Faris. We bring all of our "out-of-town" friends here and they are all impressed with their friendliness.
(4)Apollo L.
Smiling service didn't quite make up for a half-assed attempt at a pizza. This is sort of a last resort, where you can find vegetarian food when nothing else is open.
(3)Lorna S.
This is a solid place in a deluge of overpriced restaurants. I was skeptical because when a place that does a lot of different types of ethnic foods, some of them probably won't be good. We tried the clam chowder and the gyro plate, which were both very good. The place is unpretentious, very casual, and reasonably priced. Decorations are eclectic, not a lot of ambiance, but you'll leave full. Our service was fine and we were seated without a reservation in 10 minutes.
(3)Jason S.
no kidding it's perfect every time unbelievable very delicious homemade pasta I also come here for an amazing pizza the home made creme brulee is to die foras well as the homemade raspberry panna cotta
(5)Amanda K.
We have had them cater a few of our events now for horse shows/parties and they always do a great job! The food is always delicious with great presentation. I especially love their desserts! They are incredibly nice and easy to work with and very accommodating. Everyone attending has been impressed with the food and we will definitely use them again.
(5)Jeff S.
Hands down the absolute best restaurant in Pacific Grove period!!! It might sound crazy but I just came home from Italy and found very few places that could match the quality let alone the hospitality of Faris and Alex as well as everyone at the International Cuisine! Although their pizza is beyond amazing anything on their menu is to die for! If you want a fantastic meal at a fair price with great service, do yourself a favor and check this place out, you won't be disappointed!
(5)William G.
I'm glad I read the Yelp reviews and decided to try this restaurant. We were in Monterey and Carmel for the day sight-seeing with kids and in-laws. Needed a place that could satisfy a variety of needs. International Cuisine was the perfect choice. The wait staff was wonderful, service quick and caring. The food was hot and delicious, maybe the negative reviewers own other restaurants on the street. We were very happy!
(5)Dana C.
AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE!! William is THE best!! Can't say enough about this place! Wonderful clam chowder and salads!!
(5)John D.
NO LONGER the best pour in the county. The quantity is almost, but not quite, what it used to be. But the price for a glass of jug wine has skyrocketed to 9 bucks! Carmel prices in PG, I'd say. Not cool. The food remains rather good, but the service that used to be the hallmark that set them apart from other similar places has suffered. We had no less than 4 different servers. Very confusing, and impossible to establish any personal relationship with anyone. Sad. And so it goes...
(3)Doll F.
Was looking for a quick bite to eat while walking around town. I walked inside and was first struck by the tacky decor and plastic menus. Then it hit me....grease and more grease. The smell was so strong that when I picked up the menu, I knew why there was a sticky film coating it. There are ALOT of items and I wonder how a restaurant can be good at all of them. The overall cleanliness and smell of the place was such a turnoff, I walked out immediately.
(2)Zachary A.
Not many restaurants can offer an eclectic, multi-cultural menu and succeed in having every item excel. International Cuisine in Pacific Grove is one of very few, where every single item is the absolute best found anywhere. After having sampled Clam Chowder from New England, San Francisco and all of Cannery Row's very best - IC's chowder stands-out, above all. Many white chowders are loaded with cornstarch, chicken stock and lots of heavy cream. Not this place. The delicate zing of pressed clam reduction and fresh milk is truly the difference noticed. The Pizza, chicken caesar salad and Gyros is all made from scratch of the finest imported ingredients, not some frozen or packaged food supply product. Don't take my word for it - these guys have been around nearly forever....so they are definitely doing everything right.
(5)P B.
Awful service. The waitress was so slow I had to motion her to get my bill. It was not even busy in the restaurant. The clam chowder was all potatoes. Not good since they boast "voted best". Best what, potato soup?! I'm a local and will never go back to this place. Dinner was edible.
(1)Jasmin A.
Decided to stop by this restaurant for a nice dinner after being on the road for 3.5 hours. There's a lot to choose from which is a great thing but can also be overwhelming ;) (everything sounds delicious so we wanted to try everything). My husband ended up ordering lasagna which was really good. Great flavors and it reminded me of a homemade dinner! I ordered The Chicken Bellagio and it was good! Chicken was flavorful, the creamy tomato sauce they use in the pasta was delicious, the sundries tomatoes were a bit chewy (but nothing new there). Overall, it was a good experience. We had 3 servers serving us which was a little different for me but they were all friendly. Only thing I would say I didn't like was when I asked for a box for my leftovers, and they took my plate to the back and boxed it up back there. I prefer my food being boxed by me, or the server right in front of me :) ((just my thing)). I would def. recommend this place to a friend
(4)Robert B.
I love the food. That said, a restaurant in a military community, that only offers a military discount during lunch (drive there, eat and get back to Presidio) in under one hour...good luck. I was a Commander at Fort Ord, and saw how my men were treated... I also saw the area nearly die when the 7th Division left. There is again talk of relocating DLI...and I agree. This is a great restaurant, but don't drive up in a red Ferrari and tell me there is no military dinner discount. Without DLI, and all the military here... This place may not do so well. I also heard that the tips are not given to the servers, but the manager/owner "divvies" it up later. These people work hard, and I do tip well, and I expect my server to pocket that money when I leave it. The military intelligence center, which is where this language school should be (Sierra Vista), is wide open, low property costs and may not charge over $100 dollars for 3 people to eat. Pacific Grove and Monterey is beautiful, but when a 60 year old house is right at a million dollars, 1400 sq feet, bad plumbing...too much more to add, this community needs to seriously reconsider their worth...unless the 4 week Summer can pay for the rest of the year.
(3)K. G.
This is usually a good restaurant with friendly accommodating staff, however on a recent Sunday evening we were seated next to a large table of diners who had been there and ordered ahead of us. Our order was taken and served well before their first order even arrived. There was a big space in between that and the next set of meals arriving. They were patient and polite, but perhaps staff/kitchen needs training coordinating service for a large group. It was an awkward situation for other diners.
(3)Kristy H.
First I would quickly like to give a shoutout to their seriously awesome hummus and the warm pita bread it was served with. I'm not even a huge hummus fan but it was really very good. I was also impressed by the pepperoni pizza and Greek salad we ordered. All of the food seemed very fresh and the service was phenomenal despite the fact that we got there near closing time. I was only in the area for the weekend but will make it a point to stop by this place again on any future visits & definitely recommend it!
(5)Robert C.
It's Valentine's day 5pm in Pacific Grove, and the place is packed with tourists over the President's day weekend, combined with the PGA Pebble Beach Pro Golf Tournament down the road. We get a reservation at the International Restaurant, which is named as such because of their long and diverse menu -longer than the itemized $1760 auto repair bill I got from Sunnyvale Firestone tires! Whether it's steak, burgers, pizza, Mexican, Greek, Chinese, Italian, or seafood this place has it! This is like a fish bowl restaurant, as it is like sitting in a fish bowl looking outward in all directions. The place has floor to ceiling windows on three sides, with a grand view of Lighthouse ave, the main drag of old Pacific Grove, and the Victorian architecture of hotels across the street from the 19th century. White Christmas lights line the trees along the avenue, to add to the ambiance! Wheelchair access up a concrete ramp. We get a two person window table, given our advance reservation, with no line at the entrance at 5pm. . We start off with an $8 mango margarita for the wife, and a $3 Shirley Temple for yours truly. I take a sip of the margarita, and the alcohol is way too strong for me, while my beverage is a cherry flavored 7-up drink -some people never grow up! Gorgeous red carpet, to match the pizza droppings of toddlers! Now I being Chinese American means that my standard of Chinese food is going to be a lot higher than what a Pacific Grove restaurant can offer. So I don't come here for Chinese food. And since we are going to be eating at The Beach house restaurant the following day, with our open table reservations, I don't come here for seafood. I order the $18 Istanbul beef kabob, and the wife gets the $20 salmon masterpiece. The lady rarely had seafood during her childhood years, and then it was probably frozen fish sticks, and now she's making up for it by ordering seafood every time we go out! Most of our neighbors are having pizza or pasta, especially those with toddlers. 20 minutes of waiting, devouring delicious hot bread, before our entrees come. The salmon feast masterpiece comes with a large salmon fillet, made larger as it is on top of a small hill of mashed potatoes, with mixed vegetables on the side. 2 large prawns stick upward like daggers through the heart, on this Valentine's night! My Turkish kabob comes with two long kabobs of spicy ground beef and grilled onions, crossed like swords, over rice pilaf, with hummus and pita bread on the side. A small salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, iceberg lettuce and Greek olives. I toss the olives to the wife, who says they are way too strong for her, an olive lover! I get a refill of the Shirley Temple, to wash down the delicious Turkish spices in the ground beef kabobs. Large servings, just the way I like them! This place has large servings, but also probably the largest plates I've ever seen, some 14" plus in size. Hope the dishwasher can accommodate those plate sizes, as it's going to be a whopper of a task washing those dishes by hand! We finish off our meal with a $9 chocolate granache fudge cake, with whipped cream on top, and get out of there with my wallet $72 lighter after tax and tip Meanwhile there is a long line at the door, when we get out at 630pm on Valentine's night, with ladies in open toed sandals showing off their bright red toe nails, despite the chilly temperatures! Too cold for me to show off my 62 year old pedicured toes, and besides they aren't painted bright Valentine's red! At least not yet!
(4)Lauren D.
My family and I went here for dinner the other day. We were hopeful to find a somewhat affordable meal in highly tourist town. I found this place on yelp and after reading the menu, I thought that the options were enticing. Unfortunately, when we got there, we saw that the restaurant was fairly small and had to wait a while for a table. Once the food came out, I could feel a collective disappointment going around the table. We had ordered the calamari plate, Monterey chicken, roasted garlic chicken pizza, and shrimp kabob. The calamari plate -while fresh- lacked a pizzazz to make it worth the expensive price. Nearly $17! The Monterey chicken was dry and the mashed potatoes were bland. The shrimp kabob (about $19) was deemed to be "just alright" because there was also nothing special about it. Perhaps the only thing worth it's price was the roasted chicken pizza. The cheese was perfectly melted and the crust was delightfully crunchy. However, the service wasn't stellar. It took a while for our waiter to check up on us and fill our water glasses. Though the service wasn't terrible, it definitely could have been improved if the prices were that high. Overall, I would say that everything was okay. Maybe if it wasn't so expensive then the meals would actually be aligned with its price worth. No, I would not come back here again. I've had better meals and better service for a more reasonable price. 4/1/15 *update* Since my review, our waiter contacted me through yelp and was very apologetic about the service we received. I realize now that in my review, I may have come off as upset at the wait service and I just want to clarify that it was fine. It was the prices that had me raising eyebrows. I would suggest to the owner/manager to reconsider the prices or improve the taste of the food. While I will not change my rating, I would like to acknowledge the character of our waiter. Kudos to him.
(3)Eric M.
Unbelievable! I was reluctant to try this place but after many locals suggesting this place I'm so glad I did. We tried the lamb shank and paella...they were both absolutely delish. Also we shared a bowl of chowder to start and it was one of the best chowders I've ever had.
(5)C P.
Took our food 45 mins to come out and then the waitress said, oh sorry it was in the to go window and may not be warm. No apology. It wasn't a great experience. Customer service may need a little improvement to say the least. Food was good in the chefs defense--just cold!
(1)Theresa B.
I did not like my food at all. I got fish and chips and the fish was extremely rubbery. Some parts I couldn't pull it apart with my fork. My boyfriend ordered the four cheese ravioli and we had to stop on the way home because he was nowhere near being full after eating six of them drenched in sauce. The waiters were very nice and they had a cool menu - maybe we should've just ordered something else?
(3)Sara V.
I would give no stars if I could. I really did not enjoy eating here. I ordered a my drink at the same time as the rest of the group I was with, yet I had to repeatedly remind the waiter that I was waiting before she finally gave it to me. Also, we were in the retiring for about 50 minutes before they finally gave us our food. Then, when I finally got the burger I ordered, it was covered in mayonnaise. I specified four times that I did NOT want mayo. After they gave me my mayo burger, I was to scared to ask for a new one because I didn't want to wait 50 minutes for it. I ended up switching out the bun, but there was still some leftover mayonnaise. After all that, it was a super expensive bill. They also don't have a bathroom, so you have to leave the building and go to a separate establishment. Not an experience I want to repeat. Definitely do not recommend this place.
(1)D C A.
We are locals and when we can't all agree this is our go to restaurant. Always delicious and the portions are huge!! The clam chowder is super and the ceasr salad has the best dressing. Pizza is one of the best to be found.
(4)Gary S.
I've come to this place on and off for quite some time. The number of offerings from other countries is interesting. And I wonder how they can manage to serve so many different kinds of cuisines! My favorite is the Greek chicken which I almost always order. Too bad since trying other dishes may be worth the change.
(4)Jennifer Z.
Unexpected little treasure!! DO NOT walk by this place without trying it. Exceptional flavors-- try the herb crusted salmon! Hubby had the (overstuffed) lobster ravioli special and it was also incredible!
(5)Fadi D.
A perfect place in perfect day with Mom, I will quote some her words. I've never tasted such a delicious food, she had the seafood combination plate. The grilled king salmon fillet comes in Avery size with an amazing lemon caper sauce, the rice taste was incredible It was like a pistachio. I will leave you guys a recommendation to try their Mediterranean Appetizer Combo, it is my perfect choice always maybe because of the Dolmas ;) This is definitely a five star Resturant, the food, the service,and the environment is more than perfect. For sure ask for Sam he is the best. If you're visiting pacific grove, make sure to have enough time to have a prefect lunch or dinner here.
(5)Monica T.
I recently visited some friends who live in Monterey. This is one of their favorite restaurants in town, so they took me for dinner one night. The menu is ENORMOUS with all kinds of different cuisines (hence the name). I had a hard time deciding, but finally went with the cioppino (when in the Bay Area, right?). Lots of fresh seafood and the broth had a great flavor. I'm kind of sad my friends are moving, because there's so much on that menu I want to try!
(4)Jacob K.
This was a great restaurant! The food is great. Whatever you get you are going to love. There are a lot of options and the pizza looked delicious. I had the lasagna which was perfect. I have read other reviews on here and people often criticize the service. I had a great experience with them. As soon as I walked in the door the host was very welcoming and genuine in his greeting. The restaurant was very busy, full actually, so it took a few minutes for the server to come over which was understandable. He answered all of my party's questions and, like the host, was very genuine. Drinks came out and we waited maybe 15-20 minutes for our food. People on here say the service takes to long but I felt that they were trying to give an authentic dinning experience. Each part of the meal is spaced out and that should be noted when dining here. When our food came out I was given the wrong dish but once I notified the sever they quickly corrected their mistake and were very apologetic. They even offered me a clam chowder to hold me over and it was very tasty. My lasagna came out about 10 minutes later and all was well. The point I hope I made with this review is that the service is very friendly and truly wants to give you the best dining experience possible. The food is great and so is their service. If I am ever in this area again I will definitely eat here.
(5)Carolyn K.
If possible I would give this restaurant half a star. Service was non-existent. Order Greek lemonade and seafood pasta. Greek lemonade looked like green algae because of the coarsest ground mint. The taste was like drinking tea leaves in a bad lemonade mix. Now for the service. Order our drinks and meal. Drinks came out immediately and then we sat there watching customers come in, orders taken, and salads come out - for them. After 45 minutes we decided it was time to go. Of course we were going to pay for the drinks-although the green mystery was not going to be consumed. Head waiter came to table to say seafood takes a while to prepare - say no more... Worst restaurant.
(1)Lauren E.
Love this place! All of their Mediterranean food is great. Only minor downside is the doors are always open, and since it's never warm in Monterey it can get chilly, so bring a jacket!
(5)William A.
It's one of my favorite restaurant we got our lunch today my wife she gets shrimb kabob so lovely big shrimb.nice yellow rice and betuful Greek salad with real feta cheese and I had lamb shank so tender and fresh meat. And friendly great service
(5)Amanda N.
So being in downtown Pacific Grove for the first time was refreshing ....... I was just walking down Lighthouse and could not resist the amazing smell coming from this restaurants. As I walked in I was greeted immediately and sat at the bar. Enjoyed a cup of coffee as I previewed the menu and had to try a few entrees! Most enjoyable experience since being in town , staff was so friendly, food was tasty, and I can not wait to come back!!!! Thank you @internationalcuisine
(4)Diane B.
This is no top-of-the-line stuff but WAY good for what you spend in overpriced Monterey Bay, where most bland main dishes cost between $20-$30. Enter International Cuisine, whose eclectic-yet-ample menu offers hearty, delicious entrees in the $10-$15 range. We tried doing this the prior night at a nearby pizza joint and got what amounted to a cafeteria salad & frozen personal pizza. Not so here: my salad was huge and insanely delicious with tastily-spiced large chunks of grilled chicken breasts and ample portions of fresh greens & feta. My husband's personal pizza was *real* this time too: delicious fluffy crust and tomato sauce and both were too much for us to finish. The service was great too - super friendly and accommodating. So again: not Michelin but definitely tops for this range of eatijng in this area; we'd definitely return.
(4)Bob J.
I really like this place a lot I go here usually once a week. It's my go to place if I want to get s drink and relax. Really cool diverse menu, anything from pizza and pastas seafood as well as numerous dishes from around the world. Hence the name international cuisine lol. Service is always on point, fast and friendly. My top items would have to be the clam chowder, the pizza, the all American burger, and the fried calamari app. Oh yeah and the garlic cheese bread is crazy good. Check it out
(5)Pam N.
Been coming to this establishment for so many years with my family and not even once we were disappointed, my favorite dish is the homemade crab and shrimp ravioli in the tomato cream sauce, and my husband always gets the lamb shank which is about a pound of metal topped with the mushroom sauce and served with roasted vegetables and saffron rice,it's an amazing restaurant.
(5)Mina S.
one of my favourite restaurant in the Monterey peninsula. love the food here. Portions are huge. Great quality food. I really like greek food and always come here once I craving it. also, , their pizzas are fantastic as well.
(5)Patrick K.
Big menu, big portions, good price, but foods not great. This was first time visiting
(3)Rachelle C.
My family and I came here on a whim. (We didn't check the Yelp reviews before coming in and glad we didn't because they only had 3.5 stars and the photos would not have convinced us. We would have easily passed up on this place.) We were in town to check out the monarch butterflies and came looking for pizza. We saw the sign on the window advertising pizza, pasta, and seafood and parked at the nearest stall. Parking was easy because we came on a Monday 11:30 am. We ordered a family size (16") pizza half cheese and half pepperoni and calamari for the appetizer. When the food came out, we were pleased! The calamari tasted really yummy and was ready in just a few minutes. It seemed like the calamari was fresh, battered and fried to order. The pizza was delicious! The sauce and cheese were good and the pepperoni very tasty. We plan to return again as a family for pizza and again for a date night (mommy and daddy only). We want to try dinner. Great place for my little ones who are five and three years old - they enjoyed the pizza. Pricing was average at $22.95 for pizza and $9.95 for calamari.
(5)Gaby J.
This place is awesome! I love the variety in the menu. The staff is always super nice. It's the type of place where the owner walks around cheerfully greeting everyone, making sure everyone is having a great time. I'm vegan and they have a lot of dishes for me and are always very accommodating. It's one of my favorite spots for drinks and food in PG.
(5)Sam S.
Back again and just as good as last time! Courteous service, great ambience and AMAZING food. Huge portions and very reasonable prices. You must go!! The Lobster ravioli is home made and divine. The clam chowder is one of the best I've ever had. The salmon and prawns combo is an excellent dish! Pana cotta is home made and delish!
(5)Anthony K.
Ordered a personal pepperoni pizza to go. Was ready in 10 minutes. Picked up, tasted great! Freshly graded parmesan cheese too!
(5)Citlali B.
Excellent food and amazing service! We go for the Gyros, they are the best in the area. They have a large menu which we have tried multiple dishes from including pizza, pasta and fish tacos. Also they stay opened during the day when other restaurants are closed. They have great desserts and William one of the servers there is so kind and energetic, everyone is happy to help make your experience great! Thank you International Cuisine for delivering consistently great food and great service!
(5)Amanda M.
I've been coming to International Cuisine for years. The ambiance and staff are absolutely amazing. The food is fresh and the dishes are generously portioned. I've never had a restaurant staff who remembers our order to the tee. I usually come by for lunch maybe twice a month and always order the Greek chicken salad with artichoke hearts, tzaziki sauce and pita bread. Amaaazing.. for dinner last time I had the Seafood Combination Plate with fresh Mahi, Salmon and Prawns.. the food here is so fresh. I recommend to anyone. (And don't forget to try the Turamisu! It's made from scratch )
(5)Marina B.
Stopped here for a quick dinner, in reality I wasn't expecting much. I was just starving after a long day of walking around, and went into the first restaurant I saw that wasn't super pricey. However, they far exceeded my expectations. We were seated extremely fast and our server was very attentive. I ordered the seafood ravioli, which I absolutely fell in love with. Definitely best seafood ravioli I have ever had. I will definitely come back here if I ever visit Pacific Grove again.
(5)Laura K.
I gotta say I am loving the chicken shwarma and all of the middle eastern dishes that they prepare there. the restaurant is relaxed and family friendly and you can even get a cocktail. The prices and portions are good and the menu is quite diverse...if you have a bunch of people with you that can't decide where to eat, try this place out. I think the quality is there and service is good too.
(4)Kristine D.
unbelievable, this place is a hidden gem!! such variety and the best customer service I have experienced on the Monterey Peninsula, our serve was Mina and he was the best ever, he was very attentive and provided service with a smile even though we had a large party and several demands. kudos to the food and kiddos to the server Mina. Bravo!!
(5)Jody F.
A great variety of dishes. Consistently good, fresh food. We had a group of 5, and ordered a combination of fish, pastas and salads- nothing left on any plate! And a great place for kids. Only $10 corkage fee- a bonus!
(5)Gina I.
My husband and I found this place out of pure luck. First place we originally planned to go to was dead ... Had no one in it and the server was sitting at the table, second place we went to was busy but menu prices were $25+, so. We got up and walked out ... Well third times a charm across the street we see international cuisine, we decide sure what the heck. Well to much of our surprise it was AMAZING!!!! Staff was super nice, my husband has a wee bit of a cold and the waitress brought him lemon and honey to add to his tea to help with his cold symptoms and the food ... OMG!!! We got the Greek French fries to start (yum!!!) never had anything like that! So good definitely recommend! I got the chicken gyro which was equally as good!!! And my husband got the seafood raviolis which were also to die for! This place is definitely worth a visit and decent in price.
(5)Matt T.
Consistently great food and super nice people. This is genuinely a family-owned place, which my wife and I really appreciate. We've been coming here for years and the owner always recognizes us and treats us kindly. Highly recommended!
(5)Sara B.
Date night with my hubby! First time here and not the last! This place is awesome! Great pizza! So cheesy! The owner came over and introduced himself and surprised us with a comp dessert! Cozy vibe! Sweet staff! We will be back!
(5)Mandy J.
Best service never went empty on drinks! Great interaction with all staff. Had clean your plate food and amazing dessert. Highly recommend coming here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Edgar G.
Today has been nothing but good food. We stumbled upon this place not thinking we were going to be blown away by this place at all. We had the gyro combo plate it was HUGE and very tasty we also had the meat lovers pizza it was amazing and I know my pizza!!! Our friends had the pesto and it was also very good.
(5)Regina P.
DON'T bother going there!!! Went on a Thursday night with a slight crowd. We were seated immediately and we walked in I noticed a delicious looking salad that I inquired about. Took a while for the waitress to help us. We each ordered a drink....mango margarita and a Long Island Ice Tea. When the drinks came I knew immediately the place was going to be a disappointment. There was absolutely no alcohol in my margarita and my boyfriend's drink was not made correctly either. Then came the food. The salads were $14.95 each!! I expected the salad I saw on my way in the place.....NOT...they served us salads on a plate and they were TINY!!! NOT A GOOD VALUE AT ALL. I asked about the bowl of salad I had seen and the server gave me some lame excuse that they had ran out of them. Unfortunately the next order came out with a salad in the bowl...so that was a LIE!! The food had decent flavor, but not for the money. The bill,was almost $50.00 and it was worth about $20!! I would not go again.
(2)Dimitry R.
I've been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. The food is fresh, flavorful and affordable. I love the Greek combination plate, which comes with chicken kebab, gyros, rice and Greek salad. It's absolutely delicious! They make one of the best pizzas in town. It's great for kids and family, and the service is excellent.
(5)Octavio G.
Great food, I had the chicken shawarma and the Rosemary kabobs. Great flavors, home made hummus and fresh pita bread. I was delighted by the flavors and friendly service.
(5)John V.
We're locals here in Monterey and been here more times than we could count. Food and service is always great with reasonable pricing. Casual atmosphere and family oriented. Mina and Alex is always great, and attentive, always ready to serve. Try the raviolis, pasta or pizza...everything is very good.
(5)Molly R.
Don't judge by the name! The staff is amazing! The food is ok and the baklava is legit from Jordan baker in San Jose.
(4)Michelle S.
Love this place!!!! Great food. Great service. Great prices. Great ambiance. My new favorite lunch spot in PG!!
(5)Dexter F.
I have walked or driven pass this place in Pacific Grove for 10 years. I always thought it was a pizza joint. So, I didn't venture in. I actually went in because I won a gift voucher at a local event and decided it was time to check it out. The restaurant is cozy and looks like a locals place for families and older couples. The menu is broad like the title of restaurant, though, it looks like they specialize in seafood and Greek foods. I ordered the salmon specialty with shrimp and a bowl of their homemade chili (though, it tasted like it came from a can). Also, should qualify that they brought me a bowl, I should have said cup of chili. It was a bit much for dinner. The salmon was very good with the steamed vegetables. I was a little disappointed that the the salmon sat atop a mound of mashed potatoes. I'll be back to try out the Greek menu.
(3)Jaquelyn H.
So so yummy. I have only been here twice, but the good is wonderful and plentiful. The menu is delightfully varied. The gyro salad is my favorite so far, but I'm looking forward to eating here a few more times before we move.
(5)Rocky C.
Service is A+ , ate the shrimp pasta a la Creme and loved it. The customer service was great! Each server that came to the table was friendly and attentive. I was joking with a server about my water. He came and saw that my water was getting low and he came by and said "Is this a water sir?" I jokingly said, nope, I think its vodka.. He laughs walking and says.. Watch out, I might just do it. hahah He comes back with my water topped off nicely and drops off a shot of vodka. I look at him confused and say "I was just joking man, sorry." The server replies, "no worries, thats on me!" I thank him and laugh with him as he walks off. I'm not saying that everyone is going to get a free shot of vodka, but dang! That was way cool and super nice. The Fish Platter was deep fried and thick. The portions of shrimp and calamari were abnormally big! wahoo! Great seasoning was added. The garlic bread is worth getting too. The theme was a pizzeria type them, very family friendly. Good food, and great service. The variety of food is impressive, I looked around seeing on guests tables everything from gyros, salads, fancy dishes, to deep fried fish. I will be back next time I visit Pacific Grove.
(5)Michael R.
An eclectic menu that includes a number of Greek, Italian, Seafood, and American dishes, plus a few others for good measure. Sometimes places like this with such a varied menu strike out because they spread themselves too thin, but that isn't the case with International Cuisine. Though their name may sound boring their food isn't. They are also generous with their portions, too. I was feeling a need for Greek food so I ordered the falafel starter and the entree called the Greek Feast. It featured some gyro meat, chicken kabob, hummus, Greek Salad and some pita along with rice. Everything was wonderful. Good solid flavors from everything I ordered. My son had a kid's pepperoni pizza that was delicious, and my wife had the seafood ravioli. The pasta was perfectly al dente and both the filling and the sauce were wonderful. My father-in-law also had a Greek inspired lamb shank and my mother-in-law had a coconut breaded tilapia fillet that were also both to their liking. Another great thing about this place was that is was in the same building complex that the condo which we were renting was located. All in all a great meal was had and when I find myself in Monterey again, I'll be back here!
(4)Jonelle T.
We loved this place! Service was excellent, the Chef came out to greet us and talked about the food. We ordered the seafood sampler and it was wonderful! Large portion, fresh vegetables with a special sauce dripping on top. The rice was outstanding too and the fish tender, moist and flavorful. The prawns were broiled on skewers and so tasty. Can't wait to come back! Oh and may I say the price was reasonable and the atmosphere light and exciting. We sat by the window and watched the evening walkers go by. You won't want to miss this place if you are looking for a reasonably prices seafood bonanza.
(5)Onesmilingteacher ..
I just had my 3rd visit to International Cuisine! The first visit was perfect because both the food and the service were perfect. Never had Greek pizza before, and it was delicious! On my second visit, I enjoyed beef stroganoff! It was piping hot, a huge portion, and very delicious. However, this visit I left a $1 tip and wrote on the ticket that I felt ignored. My third visit, I had the New Yorker pizza which actually was enough for two meals. It was delicious. Thankfully, I was please to get serviced properly. I wish International Cuisine had consistent service, so that I could enjoy more things on their lengthy menu!
(4)Jeremy S.
Best falafel I've had so far on the peninsula! Ordered the Vegetarian Mediterranean Combination plate. Every bite was amazing. Asked for a blended margarita that came mixed, but the staff were happy to correct it. The Family Pizzas look amazing with a price to match.
(4)Natalie T.
Had a family of 10. The food was delicious. Staff very friendly and helpful with ordering. I loved that there were so many different options. Everyone's food was outstanding. My 7 year old daughter still talks about the spaghetti 2 years later.
(4)Callie C.
We were seated right away and even though it was almost closing time they let us sit and eat at our leisure. The food was amazing!
(5)Kenya S.
Ah-mazzzinnngg. My best friend & I dined in this past Monday night and ordered some beers, a pizza, and rosemary chicken kabobs...all sooo delicious! And the strawberry/mango cheesecake was to die for! We scraped our plates clean. What topped off this whole experience, however, was the OUTSTANDING HOSPITALITY. The owner Ferris truly connected and spoke with all clientle, making sure everyone in that restaurant was having an excellent dining experience. He even informed us about a student discount that he later applied to our check, $10 off for being a CSUMB student? Heck yeah! So appreciative since there are not many restaurants in Seaside/Marina even offer student discounts. Overall, we just felt so taken care of and I highly highly recommend this place! :-)
(5)Kristi L.
Everything was excellent-- a favorite of the locals -- came highly recommended and they were right!!!!
(5)Ron A.
Average/below average food. Nothing had a great taste to it, very bland. We had the chili (ok) and the "award winning" clam chowder (also ok). Crab cakes were nothing special and our entrees were just kinda ok as well. Service was superior as all of the servers worked together very well to create the best possible atmosphere for us. But the decor was confusing (New York Pizzeria? Greek food all over their menu? I can't recommend with all of the terrific spots within 2 miles of here. But we had great service and had a filling dinner. That's not bad, right?
(3)Thomas H.
I came here with a good friend who raved about the food, and she was absolutely dead smack on. The food is excellent: we tried three different entrees and wound up sharing with some people sitting next to us whom we recognized from visiting the Monterey Aquarium at the same time we did. We would up sampling their entrees, and I can say that I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste of the food. The food is excellent. For the wide variety of food they have on the menu, I've yet to have something that is less than superlative. I travel 318 days a year and generally eat out almost 350 days a year. This is only the 22nd 5 stars that I've given to a restaurant. They do an excellent job, and the people and service are very personable. For a casual restaurant, the food is outstanding. I highly recommend the Mango Margarita (rocks, no salt). Ole!
(5)Erin O.
I should have updated this long ago. This is a regular place for us whenever we visit Pacific Grove, which is pretty much my favorite place to be in California. We always plan on stopping here for lunch and we always get the clam chowder. It is absolutely, hands down, my favorite clam chowder ANYWHERE. And I order it everywhere and that includes the infamous Pike Place chowder in Seattle. Anyway, it's a family restaurant, it's very casual, and it has an eclectic collection of menu items. But their chowder and NY style pizzas are always good.
(4)Tasmin B.
Food was good service was good I don't really have much else to say. Had the pesto chicken pasta and the kids loved it. Nice wine and beer selection. Not overrun with tourists.
(4)Kathleen P.
Waitress served the adults first leaving the kids whining about how hungry they were, then she disappeared behind the partition with the other waitress and didn't come back out until we went and got her. There were 3 tables altogether & one had come before us and was waiting to pay, we had been given no silverware to eat with, & I think everybody was wondering why they had to pay $3.95 for a fountain drink that never got refilled or even checked on (as you have to come out from the back in order to check on your customers). I had the California chicken with rice and vegetables, & although the chicken was pretty tasty, the vegetables were just bland steamed vegetables, & the rice wasn't very creative. There was some sort of a chimmichurri sauce with the veggies that was promising, but there was only about a tsp of it, so it didn't go far. The kid's pasta was just pasta. A kid's drink was extra--costing about half as much a the meal itself--& there were no sides at all. I guess we were expecting at least a roll or some garlic bread or something, but it was just pasta, & fairly bland and under-seasoned at that. My husband had the Greek combination plate at the waitress's recommendation and loved it. It looked pretty good to me, too, but I've had many similar plates for far less than $16, & they came with more food. :) Overall, their portion sizes are pretty small and their food and decor/location a little too simple for the prices they charge. Especially for lunch. Oh, & the $2.99 slices of pizza & $4.99 kids meals they advertise on the sandwich board outside? The kids menu was $5.95, & the pizza slices are not even on the menu. That being said, if their prices were just a little bit lower & they catered to their customers a little bit more, it'd be a great place to go back to.
(3)Brittany S.
I ordered the fish n chips, delicious! My other half ordered pizza. Great service. The bathrooms are a little far. Great view from the seats we had, fresh air coming through the windows. Love the street it's on, lots to watch.
(5)T F.
We stopped in for pizza for lunch, after a disappointing walk down to the Monarch Sanctuary where we saw zero butterflies. My wife had the Chicken Garlic pizza and had the New Yorker with a glass of Gordon Biersch Martzen. The personal pizzas were enormous and both were delicious. The young lady serving us was very nice, welcoming and attentive. The prices were the normal prices for pizza in northern california. We'd come back for sure.
(4)Ali C.
Fantastic ! Love it ! Never had a disappointing meal yet. We visit Pacific Grove a few times a year from San Diego. There are those nights or days where you don't like getting too dressed up. You just want great food, varied choices and a nice staff. We love this place. Great chowder ! Had the Greek Chicken Salad last night. My mom said it's the best she's ever had. There's a great amount of chicken in there too. Highly recommended !
(5)Terri N.
It may not have the most creative name (it absolutely is what the name says), but this sure is a fun place! We stopped in around 9:00 pm on a Friday night, after walking the streets of Pacific Grove looking for a spot that would cater to the later night revelers. We spotted International Cuisine from across the street, and saw even at that late hour they were filled to the brim and everyone in there looked like they were having a blast. Done and done! Even being very busy, we were seated immediately. Their menu was kinda mind boggling - TONS of options, with (as promised) sample from around 10 different regional cuisines. The vibe in the place is Mediterranean and I'm guessing those are probably their tastiest options. But we were in need of cocktails and something to munch on, so we ordered two Tokyo Teas (a dangerous green concoction made entirely of alcohol that is ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS) and shared their chicken quesadilla. The portion was huge, the chicken was very moist, and I appreciated that vegetables were also crammed into the quesadilla to give it a much more satisfying and varied flavor. It came with a dipping sauce that seemed like a cilantro pesto. It was fine, and added a nice bright flavor, but it really wasn't a substitute for good salsa or better yet a homemade guacamole. This place will definitely have an option for everyone, and they are one of the very few joints in Pacific Grove open after sundown. I hope to return soon and sample more of their wacky menu! Thank you for great service and a very fun night!
(4)Larry G.
Stopped here for lunch on a Sunday - Father's Day. Very pleasantly surprised! My wife and I were amazed at the freshness and flavor of our gyros. Excellent salad as well. Our server was pleasant and quick with taking our order and serving us. No complaints - except - I hate waiting around for a check. That really should be the easy part. My wife got up a few minutes after we finished and went to the restroom. She returned five minutes later and we waited a few more minutes, so I stood up next to the table. Prices are average.
(4)Jonathan R.
So it's 9:00 pm and we want to get out of our hotel room and do something. We went across the street to the best western to see if they had a lodge. They did not the but the guy at the front desk told us that downtown is just a short walk away. We make it to down town and now we need to find a place that's open. As were walking down the street we see a place open that's across the street. it looks pretty packed so we take a mental note of the place. We walk a little further and once we realize that nothing else is open we come back to International Cuisine. We found a seat without waiting even though the place was full. All we wanted was a drink at first but once we got our drinks we had to have something to soak it up. The menu is huge and has different items from many different countries. We ordered the chicken quesadilla. We both ordered the Tokyo tea which was pretty and tasty. The chicken quesadilla finally came and it was a pretty decent size and tasted awesome. The family next to us had a huge pizza that looked amazing. The mother looked at me and laughed. I told her it looks so good and she responded with a smile and a "Oh it's amazing."
(4)Mariaela G.
If you're dining alone on a rainy Friday night this is NOT the place for you. Evenif the restaurant is half empty. They will put you in a corner with a makeshift table. So welcoming. I walked out. Zero star would've been appropriate. Yuck. Go to Passion Fish - excellent food awesome service!!!
(1)Dan B.
While in Pacific Grove with the family on a summer evening, International Cuisine showed up on the Yelp app as a likely kid-friendly spot. We walked in and nabbed the last remaining table, which thankfully was a good distance away from the brass band playing just inside the front door. (After a long and tiring day, this music was just too grating for us). The music and our kids' lack of interest in their kids menu made us almost walk out, but the waitress did her best to make some "adjustments", and laziness and hunger prevailed. The menu is very broad, covering many different Euro cuisines (thus the name); The food is generally pretty good, and the prices are reasonable. Service was excellent at the start, but decayed quickly into chaos: The meals took a long time; Then they forgot my meal, and my waitress only discovered this after asking us how our food was - she saw the empty space in front of me. Ooops. When it eventually arrived, however, my greek salad with chicken was tasty and largish. My wife enjoyed her personal pizza with thin crust. Based on the tables around us, pizza is a popular order. Their kid-friendliness really needs some work. Hint to IC: don't give kids large, wide, heavy 32 oz., glasses (made of glass) for their water. (You should have figured that out your first week!!). And you need better kid dessert options. My kids aren't into baklava yet. I'd probably would not come back here if I was with the family. I'd be into trying their gyro, but only if the brass band was on hiatus.
(3)Amber S.
My meal was not very good at all. I got the Monterey chicken. The flavors did not mesh well together. Also when I told the waitress that I cannot eat soy or gluten due to allergies her response was "well at this time of night everything is premade together so..." like that was suppose to make it ok to eat something I'm allergic to. I don't think I will ever be back.
(1)Donnell L.
Great Food! Great Service! I highly recommend! I had lunch today. I had the Greek Combination Plate and Red Velvet Cake for dessert. OUTSTANDING!
(5)Angelina A.
We were looking a place our kids could enjoy as well as some tasty seafood for us two adults, and so glad we found it. This place offers American, Italian, Mediterranean, Greek and couple more. Very quaint and pleasant atmosphere. The food was great I ordered prawns and noodles with red sauce, excellent flavor, large prawns, and very filling, happy with portion had take a to go box :) on that note I like the clear containers. My honey ordered the jambalaya he says it was good would have liked for it to have been more spicy and my son's 1 ordered the clam chowder which he loves his only disappointment was no bread bowl the other son ordered cheese pizza can't go wrong with that! I also took advantage of mango Margarita on the rocks had a great kick but I enjoyed it. Our server was the host as well and he was very pleasant even though he was the only one doing both we did not get neglected he handled the new guests and us very well. This was our lunch little pricey for lunch but I recommend this for dinner!
(3)Kate M.
Varied cuisine and varied quality. Had dinner with 2 almost 4 year olds and a 15 month old. Not particularly family friendly mostly because of inattentive service. Every single item was placed down in front of 15 month old and frantically moved by parents before food disaster struck. Adult entrees (snapper and Greek feast) were over cooked and over salted. Clam chowder had good flavor but was lukewarm. Meh.
(3)Sylvia H.
My friends and I found this place just walking by and were pleasantly surprised by the wonderful food and service. I ordered the Greek sampler and it was delicious! We shared a slice of red velvet cake and wish we had a slice each. The only negative might be that the menu is long and it's hard to choose. I would definitely come here again when we visit pacific Grove.
(5)Michelle A.
Options! I didn't eat here this time but will definitely come back because the food my friends ordered looked amazing. The menu has a wide variety of food; it kinda reminded me of a Greek diner you'd find on the East coast. So with that in mind, I'd steer in the direction of the Mediterranean or Greek entrees they have since those will probably be the best. The wait staff was very friendly, prices were reasonable, and the atmosphere was cozy. I rode my beach cruiser to meet up with my friends, so parking was not an issue for me, but there is limited parking in Pacific Grove so just expect that. I can't wait to go back and actually try the food.
(4)Ekaterina S.
One of my favorite restaurants in Monterey (and Pacific Grove)! The food is amazing! The staff is very friendly and polite. I've been there 2 or 3 times for the last three months and I know this is the place I'd recommend!
(5)Lorna E.
This has become our family's "go to" restaurant when we visit Pacific Grove. We stay at the Butterfly Grove Inn and walk down Lighthouse to this lovely restaurant. We had such a good meal there last time we stayed that we couldn't wait to get back. Loved it so much this time that we had dinner here two nights in a row. The pizza is wonderful -- the crust is perfect (light yet chewy) and the toppings are generous. The first night, we ordered a large family-sized pepperoni for my husband and our two boys and I ordered the Greek Combination plate with a chicken skewer, lamb, dolma (stuffed grape leaves), hummus, pita bread, tzatziki sauce, greek salad and saffron rice. I had plenty to share with my family and still left stuffed. My 14 year-old son enjoyed it so much that he insisted we return the next night so he could get his own. He got that and I ordered the vegetarian Greek plate, which included falafel in place of the meat and an extra dolma. Outstanding! Even my teenager raved about the falafel. The salad dressing is delicious and everything is fresh and made with care. The dolmas are moist, tender and perfectly seasoned. Order the house wine -- it will be the most generous pour you've ever seen and well worth the price. Our first night the bill for the four of us with two Coronas and a glass of wine was $65. Unheard of in Pacific Grove. I can't end this review without complimenting the staff on their fabulous customer service. Our waitress the first night was friendly and attentive. We couldn't ask for better service. This is a family-owned establishment and the gentlemen who work there are funny and made us feel like our business was truly appreciated. They joked with our children and just really made our time there fun and warm. Skip the snooty tourists traps and go here for a meal that you will really enjoy. Oh, and don't forget to order the baklava for dessert! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Alex M.
Have always enjoyed every visit. The management and staff are very friendly and great with kids!
(5)Nora M.
The first time my manfriend and I ended up here was because they were one of the only places around open until 10pm. It was about 9:30 and the gentleman was not hesitant at all to promptly seat us, awesome! We ordered the house red wine that was surprisingly pretty damn good and served in a huge glass, no complaints there. We also ordered a pizza which turned out to be equally great! Service is super friendly and attentive, they almost treat you like family; which is why we always return. On one occasion, we both ordered pasta entrees which were not as flavorful, so now we just stick to the yummy pizza and house wine.
(4)Josh H.
We have been coming here for years as a family. They have a pretty good sized menu that offers a lot of variety. I usually go for the pasta which seems to always be good. The staff is very friendly and on most nights, the food is pretty fast to leave the kitchen. A bit pricy for what you get but overall, a very good option for dinner.
(4)Amina C.
I fell in love with my waitress the other night. A beautiful brown eyed, round lipped part Asian woman with a mischievous smile. The food here is great. I love the diversity of the menu.
(5)Robyn J.
Being gluten free, I haven't had clam chowder in a restaurant in years. When they said the clam chowder was gluten free I almost jumped out of my seat. It was incredible! Not too fishy, not too thick, maybe a touch heavy on the potatoes. Greek fries were not as crisp as I would have liked, but overall good and not too stingy on the feta. My husband had the gyro plate and really liked it. The serving size was generous but not so big it was wasteful. The server made sure to let us know that the gyros were not gluten free. Great service. Our server was attentive and helpful. Our entertainment coupon was graciously accepted. If you are looking for gluten free pizza they have it, but I am guessing it is frozen as he said they make their regular dough in house. Made me feel a lot safer to eat there knowing that they understood cross contamination. We had the panna cotta for dessert and it was one of the better ones I have had. Great value for the food quality and location. If you are biking from lovers point the hill is steep, but the food and service is worth it.
(5)Denise A.
This would be a great place to have lunch for a group with diverse tastes. The menu has great variety, service is friendly, portions are generous, credit cards are accepted, and I find the interior/ambiance welcoming and relaxing (the sun coming through the windows helped). Prices are reasonable for the area. I strongly recommend the Big Fat Greek Gyro! The meat is flavorful and tender. As I mentioned earlier, the portions are generous. You get a choice of fries or salad, and I recommend the salad. We also had their fish and chips. If you like large fries (wedges) theirs are good. Crispy and fresh, but I personally prefer thin, shoe string fries. I thought the fish was decent, but not particularly impressive. I would recommend this spot for lunch more so than for dinner, though they are open for both. I am interested in returning to try some other dishes now too! I especially want to try their soup, which I hear is delicious.
(4)Danny C.
Great international cuisine variety. I like all their seafood dishes like the lobster ravioli. I would definitely recommend this place if you haven't been.
(5)Rebecca M.
Stay away from overpriced tourist traps on Cannery Row and give this gem a try! Family-owned by the al-Nimri family, the Mediterranean Basin menu is great! You can bring your own wine for no corkage fee. We felt so welcome with the warm and friendly staff. There's no hospitality like Middle Eastern hospitality, and the cultured and well-traveled owners seem to know how to bring that special warmth to each dish! Whether salmon with gnocchi or braised lamb shank or simple pita with hummus, I can think of no place I'd rather be. We used to eat here at least once a week when I lived in California. I got to know the menu by heart and often I'd bring in something I'd found at one of the local vineyards to pair with an item. Actually, I almost hate to give this well-kept local secret away, from fear of the swarms of customers it may draw. We may not be able to get a table when we visit the Monterey Peninsula again.
(5)Eric L.
12 people in our group. Everybody had a different meal and loved it. Wait staff really nice.
(5)Teri T.
What a little gem this place turned out to be... Our next trip to the area will definitely include a stop here for lunch or dinner. We all ate middle eastern. After the first bite, It was obvious we had made the right choice. The American or Italian is probably just as tasty but we'll never know because I would order middle eastern next time too. We had middle eastern appetizer plate (hummus, dolmas, falafel with pita) . Best falafel I've ever eaten. I was told it was Egyptian style. Very green and moist. Delicious!! 2 people had the Gyros and I had Istanbul kebob. Both were very, very good. Great, friendly service. You can tell that the family takes pride in their place and the food they serve. Very nice. I highly recommend.
(4)Hemla m.
The hummus had a nice earthy taste. The garlic chicken was tasty and not too garlicky. The falafel wrap was really good too. The staff were friendly and willing to help. I would certainly recommend this place. The chocolate martini and mango margarita were delicious.
(4)Greektruck T.
Amazing food. Had tge greek pizza, the crust is so freaking good. Its chewy but not mushy, but amazing flavor. Had thr tzatziki n falafel, normally I get heartburn at other places, this did NOT give me heartburn. The flavor is so good. Crispy outside, so good! Oh my GOD I am so happy.... This by far my favorite food place in pacific grove. excellent service. The chocolate cake is not dry, it is so smooth and great flavor. I hate cheesecakes but i tried wifes mango one and wow.... This place is so good. If you are reading this try it. Youll see. And btw I kept eating my pizza n cake because it was so good I couldnt stop!!!
(5)Traci P.
Closes early than yelp time if slow. My advice would be to call before you go to verify if opened. Not happy. Walked in and they're vacuuming with 45 mins left. Actually wanted food for take out. Manager was sitting outside with his feet up and decided to close early. Drove a distance for a secret no existent menu item that is the best thing I ate last night. The CHILI is fabulous and what they WERE known for before changing owners it was called Chili Great Chili! They talk about their 'award winning clam chowder, which I'm sure is fair, no one could tell me who precisely awarded them "Best Clam Chowder." Out of asking who deemed this being "Best Clam Chowder" I brought up the chili. That's when I found out they indeed had it for the night. So, I tried it and LOVED it! So much so, I drove from Marina to Pacific Grove. Yeah, time wasted! The pizza is good here (had last night), but just highly disappointed!
(3)mike e.
Outstanding. Had the snapper. Eileen had the lasagna. The owner/ manager Alex came to table and not only gave us complimentary homemade bread, but a complimentary baklava to share. It was all great!!!
(5)Linda H.
The four of us have just spent a most delicious time here at International Cuisine. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks. William was busy with an early crowd of folks, but he was hospitable right away, and made us feel comfortable when he assured us we would have his full attention soon. He was right. He took our drink orders and served us with style and humor. He took the time to ask us our preference for exact ingredients. A raspberry tea, two gin and tonics, and a Margirita we're pushed towards us in no time at all. We ordered the Greek fries, stuffed grape leaves, and hummus. All were prepared with the freshest ingredients and were definitely better than any of us had ever had. We're still talking about the cucumber yogurt sauce. We're here for a few days, and we're planning to come once more during this trip.
(5)Sacha O.
My husband and I ate here 5/5/2013. We were looking for a place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, unfortunately the Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove area seems to me lacking lunch options. This HOWEVER worked out in our favor. Walking around Pacific Grove we saw International Cuisine and thought, let's try it. Walking into the restaurant we were greeted with an excellent surprise! Solomon, the manager, also works at Demetra Cafe in Carmel! We knew immediately that this place must also be excellent! We ate a personal pizza (4 slices) and had the hummus! AMAZING! Food and staff were outstanding!
(5)Ross M.
Great little restaurant right in the heart of Pacific Grove on Lighthouse. They serve the absolute best New England clam chowder using the freshest ingredients. Also try the home-made hummus plate with fresh warm home-made pita bread.
(5)Ben K.
I came for lunch on busy day and recieved wonderful attentive service. The portions were generous and filling. Diverse menu with middle eastern focus. Cant wait to go back.
(5)Karen N.
Okay.. so maybe we ordered the wrong menu item.. Fish and Chips.. menu said "fresh cod".. No!! I have never had worse fish and I should have said something. Fries were very good.. tartar sauce okay.. fish Terrible and weird... and no flavor. It tasted old and very chewy.. had bites that I could not finish chewing. Service was okay.. friendly but disorganized. They need to expand their wine and beer menu. Out of 6 choices I ordered a Stella.."oh sorry we are out of Stella.. we ran out yesterday". I say go to the store and buy some today! One choice of wine in each varietal. Food took quite awhile to come and wasn't very warm. Maybe the fish re-heated from day before or day before that!?! I think this restaurant wants to be all things to all people and needs to find a direction. Two stars for trying and being friendly. Won't eat here again after such a sad meal and a bit pricey.
(1)Kellee C.
We really like this place! Not too many restaurants can pull off a variety of menu options like they do! Everything we've had has been great! (5 stars for the chefs) Servers could use some training or extra help. I am a former waitress, so I'm pretty picky when it comes to service and I do not think your drink (water or otherwise) should EVER be empty. This was a problem the first 2 times we ate there. There is a less than friendly young waitress who needs to work on smiling. The second time eating there I needed dressing for my salad (which was my main entrée) and got it about 15 min later. This time I think it was a manager waiting on us, but not sure. With that said, we will continue to go here and hope that they get extra help or hire more experienced servers.
(4)Mrs. P.
I've eaten here twice and left unimpressed both times. The food simply isn't great. My guess is that the menu is too large, thus making it difficult to truly master each dish. Today I ordered the Lemon Caper Tilapia with veggies and mashed potatoes. The tilapia was okay, although the lemon caper sauce was more like a tomato bruschetta than a lemon caper sauce and the veggies were obviously microwaved and served lukewarm. My husband had a cup of clam chowder, which he enjoyed, and a burger that was physically large but tasted average. We ordered a $6 pizza for our daughter and it looked like a Tostino's- cardboard crust and all. That's the other problem: the food is just too expensive for the quality. Bottom line: This place works in a pinch but you can find much better food for the price. I wouldn't recommend.
(3)Ken H.
Stopped in for dinner because it was the only place open on Thanksgiving Day (I'd already had the traditional fare at my in-laws place earlier in the day). Sat at the bar, as I was dining alone. First impression was that the staff were very friendly, which made me feel comfortable, even though I was by myself. Looked at the menu, and was a little put off because of the variety of foods from so many nationalities. Caused me to be a bit scared that they couldn't do one thing well, so they tried to please everyone. I couldn't have been further from the truth. Ordered the Beef Stroganoff, which turned out to be rich and delicious, served with whipped potatoes. One thing that I noticed from my vantage point at the bar, was that every dish coming out of the kitchen was first placed on a counter to the left of the bar. This was so that each could be inspected before being taken to the customers. I found this VERY encouraging. It also gave me a good vantage point for checking out the food, which looked great. Everything from the pizzas coming out, to the pasta, kabobs, etc. were all presented for inspection, and then delivered. Only negative was watching them pull the desserts (I saw pie going out twice) from a box that had obviously come frozen - perhaps even from a supermarket or something. They'd take a slice, and dress it up with a nice sauce or something - but it was still not freshly made. They made it look good - but it just turned me off after seeing all the attention being paid to the other food. All-in-all, however, I am very encouraged by this restaurant, and look forward to patronizing it again with my family in tow next time. I know they'll have the pizza and pasta my kids love, the vegetarian dishes for my wife, and everything under the sun for me.
(4)