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Jacks Monterey, Monterey, CA

Jacks Monterey

4.0
4
264 Reviews
$31 to $50
Californian
Jacks Monterey is poised to provide a refreshing culinary experience in downtown Monterey, inside the Portola Hotel & Spa. Emphasizing local ingredients, high-quality seafood, and an award-winning wine and cocktail program, Jacks philosophy derives from globally-inspired traditions of California Cultural Cuisine highlighting flavor profiles unique to cultures from around the world. With design details throughout the indoor and outdoor dining venue to echo the beautiful surrounding landscape, the atmosphere at Jacks promises to be sophisticated—never pretentious. Jacks offers a variety of seating with a bar, fireplace lounge, and pet-friendly, outdoor space features living walls, bistro lighting, and fire pits.

Open for Breakfast & Dinner.

For more information visit www.portolahotel.com/dining/jacks-monterey

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 5 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, American
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Daily 6:30 am–10:30 am Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Bar Fri, Sat 10:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 649-7830
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Carl Ashurst
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 264 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.0
4 based on recent ratings
  • 3.8Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 3.7Ambience
  • 3.8Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Good for business meals

  • California Central Coast

    Kid-friendly

  • California Central Coast

    Good for groups

  • California Central Coast

    Lively

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Good for business meals

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Kid-friendly

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Good for groups

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Lively

264 Reviews
  1. DavidF

    Sacramento

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The service was excellent from the time we walked in until the time we left. We brought our own wine and they handled it with care.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    Food came out at different times, mine was lukewarm, food took forever.,I just wasn’t impressed for what we paid.

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  3. Thisguyrighthere

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall2food3service3ambience1
    Didn’t realize it was a hotel restaurant with seating literally in the lobby. Lots of through traffic, lots of kids, loud. The sourdough bread was amazing. The pot pie was underseasoned. The salmon was good but not $40 good.

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  4. GarethG

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    This hotel do a great job of food and beverage! This lobby restaurant and bar has a simple but great menu that packs flavor at a slightly high but not obnoxious price. Although wine by the glass is expensive at $16 for a small glass of wine even if they are top tier blends. This was a relaxing environment with great food and attentive service. I would stay at this hotel and eat here again for sure.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Best huevos rancheros ever! Huge portion. Would have liked the option of a half size because I couldn’t finish everything. So tasty!

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 18, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Fabulous service!! Great ambiance!!! Food pretty good! Hotel Fabulous!!!

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  7. BillL

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 28, 2023

    overall3food1service3ambience2
    Sucked big time. Burger was gross. Club sandwich was gross.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service. Highly recommend to stop in for dinner. When I’m visiting next time I’ll make sure to try breakfast.

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  9. LarryH

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 7, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The food was exciting and delicious. Great diversity in the dishes for such a small menu. We were seated in the lobby side of the restaurant and enjoyed the open atmosphere, but we probably would have liked it better if the sun was still up. There is a big difference between inside the restaurant and in the hotel lobby. They are also ADA-compliant and friendly about it.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 31, 2023

    overall3food1service4ambience3
    If you are looking for good drinks it’s a good place other than that look for better place that serves good food the staff was really help though just not the food quality

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience2
    The food was mediocre, the service was fine but everything could have been better

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  12. Patrick

    San Francisco

    170 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    170 reviews

    Dined on July 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    After a long day at the Women's US Open golf tournament, and given the fact we were staying at the Marriott, Jack's was the perfect location for a very good, very relaxing and nice, casual dinner. The service was outstanding and the food and wine were delicious. Thank you to all the staff at Jack's for an excellent dinner and a perfect evening.

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 3, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We went here near closing time for breakfast and received great service. The staff didn’t try to rush us at all. Sometimes if you come towards the end of a serving period, staff will be less attentive or food will be less cooked/presentable. That wasn’t the case here! The servers were really nice and checked in on us to make sure we had everything we needed. The food actually came out very quickly and was very yummy. I was pretty happy with the omelette I ordered. It was HUGE and they didn’t have a limit on the amount of ingredients you could put in it, which was nice. Plus, it was just very pretty inside here. Great way to start the day and fuel our trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

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  14. SkipT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were a few minutes late and they still found a table and quickly took our drink order. Servers were quick and attentive

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 3, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    Too many dogs permitted into the dining room. I came to dinner, not a dog park.

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  16. Chuck

    Charleston

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The four of us all ordered different appetizers and entries. Everyone's food was delicious. Our server was efficient, friendly, and always there when we needed anything.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    We had a nice time visiting Jack's for dinner. Jesus (Chewy), our server, was EXCELLENT, very attentive and interactive, funny, too. He made great recommendations that we really liked. He wasnt well- informed on some questions regarding food, sych as uf the salmon is wild or who made tge bread, but thats corporate error in training.The food was good, but the kitchen doesn't offer crab crackers for the paella - so come prepared. Paella was good, great flavor but a bit ivercooked on the fish.The sourdough bread loaf from the starter menu was magical, and I'm a bread connoisseur so I know good sourdough ha! Warmed in an iron skillet, brought out hot, it just has this beautiful crispy outer crust. It is cut into squares but left together with a mound of butter and parsley oozing down into it. You tear apart and chomp... Oh yummy. Shrimp scampi in campinelli pasta was excellent! Sand dabs, imo, were bland and overcooked but presented nicely. Note, the 'restaurant' is basically in the lobby, so you will get a lot of echoes from othervpatrons chatting and people walking through. View us of the patio and slightly into the plaza - it's ok, but a little too open for my liking. Drinks and prices were great and fair. Nice experience - I'd go back, especially for that bread and my Monterey Old Fashioned with Basil Haydens, and Chewy's great service!

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  18. Debby

    Cleveland

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely atmosphere, excellent food and tasty cocktails

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Sacramento

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience5
    Great food, slow service even though the restaurant was empty

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  20. SusanB

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 20, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Some of the food was good, the main course was just ok.

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 18, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    Excellent scampi and bomb desert was greatest, service very romps attentive and complete

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  22. Vincentv

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great meal in a nice venue. Handled our reservation with no issues.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    Tahoe

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our waitress Isabelle was wonderful! She made the experience stellar for our six year old daughter! The food & drinks were delicious and beautifully presented, as well!

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  24. AndyH

    Central Coast

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Really wonderful food and our server was great. The tables in the middle of the hotel were a little weird and some of the items we ordered came out different than how they were on the menu.

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  25. Rodh

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    Food was very good, we were fortunately seated in the bar area, seating in the lobby looked very uncomfortable

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    We had an early Friday night meal with friends during the jazz bash. Service was incredibly slow for the early hour, but I imagine there are fewer cooks and servers, and they were going to be slammed the whole weekend. We just loved getting together once a year and chatting so we were fine with slower no pushy service. Food was good, priced high but that’s for the ambiance and not having to leave the hotel. It’s a nice place to hang out with friends.

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  27. Nesh

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and even better food. Great ambiance too! Antonio took good care of us :)

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  28. NapaEater

    San Francisco

    55 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    If you want really deliciious chowder with crab meat, you definitely should go here. It's fantastic. that was the only thing other than the nice servers and host that was good. My hub had the chicken sandwhich, so dry he could barely eat it, my rice bowl was okay but my meat was blue, rare, not medium and inedible - I brought it home and made my dog happy.

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  29. Vero

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is my first time visiting the Jacks Restaurant with my family. I loved this place because this is romantic, a cozy and relaxing place. The people who work there are very friendly and very nice. I enjoyed the dinner with my family.

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  30. MichaelA

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Service was excellent, food was exceptional and it was a friendly and inviting atmosphere. I highly recommend Jacks for a fine dining experience.

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  31. JohnM

    San Diego

    10 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience1
    This is not the place for a special occasion. Service is fine, prices are fine, food quality is okay. It does not “wow” in any way - which is weird, considering the Portola is the premiere downtown hotel. The atmosphere is noisy and a bit chaotic - there will be kids screaming, people checking in and out of the adjacent lobby, and very loud lobby music. Wouldn’t recommend this place or the food (especially the fish) for anything more than a quick bite after work, or I’d you’re a tourist whose not looking to leave the hotel.

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  32. homeygfunk

    Central Coast

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    Had dinner and breakfast. Dinner was awful. super overcooked everything! 2 "big" scallops were very over done and super expensive. the shrimp scampi also very overdone. My potatoes in the morinng were soggy and gross. the pizza was super cheassy and not flavorfull. lame. the heaters were pumping also which was insane and it was loud wiht music also.

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  33. TracyT

    Central Coast

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Beautiful atrium dining. Great food and service. Highly recommend.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    Service was fantastic! Everyone was kind and attentive. The Cesar salad was on the small side, but was delicious. The Cioppino was good. It had plenty of seafood - fish, scallops, shrimp, muscles, and clams. The only issue was that my soup had 3 clams that didn’t open and were not edible.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Perfect place for breakfast on Christmas Eve morning

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  36. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food3service4ambience5
    Christmas breakfast with Santa

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  37. ShellyB

    Sacramento

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious, wait staff very attentive

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  38. LarissaS

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and atmosphere. Would definitely go back for dinner.

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  39. LeahM

    Central Coast

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience4
    A portion towards small, this was a Thanksgiving dinner, and there was no rule. The pumpkin pie was not a great texture, the pecan pie was too salty.

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  40. TedJ

    San Antonio

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Institutional meal as would be served at a convention.

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FAQs

Jacks Monterey is rated 4 stars by 264 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 5 times today
Google Map for Jacks Monterey

2 Portola Plz, Monterey, CA 93940-2419

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Daily 6:30 am–10:30 am Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Bar Fri, Sat 10:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Carl Ashurst
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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