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Cella, Monterey, CA

Cella

4.8 (303)
$50 and over
Californian
525 Polk St, Monterey, CA 93940-2809

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM
Booked 16 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
Discover CELLA Restaurant + Bar at Cooper Molera Adobe in Downtown Monterey. Step into a sleek, historic venue with a heated pergola and stunning local woodwork. General Manager Bernabe DeLuna leads an exceptional wine program with a remarkable staff. Savor seasonal cocktails and mocktails crafted by Barkeep Joshua Perry. Chef Ben Spungin & Chef Cal Stamenov create an ever-changing menu inspired by the bountiful central coast. Join us and experience the neighborhood's culinary gem!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Bistro, European
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 920-1046
  • Website
    http://www.cellarestaurant.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Cal Stamenov
  • Private party facilities
    Alta Bakery and Cella Restaurant invite you to savor our offerings amid historic adobes and charming courtyards, where Chef Cal Stamenov and Chef Ben Spungin elevate your experience with family-style meals, brunches, and more. Our flexible spaces set the stage for unforgettable gatherings. Explore our packages, e-mail lily@cellarestaurant.com.
  • Location
    525 Polk St, Monterey, CA 93940-2809
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Cross street
    We're a short stroll from downtown and parking structures.
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Around the corner from public transit and trolleys.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Family-Style Mezze Experience

    $156.25 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Reservation MUST be confirmed by restaurant 2-3 days in advance. Legendary Chefs, Ben Spungin & Cal Stamenov's farm-to-table family-style dinners are a celebration of community, whether it's a company gathering or rehearsal dinner. Be welcomed with hors d'oeuvres before dinner where a feast of our Alta Bakery's bread, seasonal shared plates, a duo of proteins and complimenting sides are enjoyed. This experience mimics a 3-course meal, finishing with desserts inspired from our award-winning bakery. Enhance your experience with our add-ons. $125++/person $750 room fee required to reserve the historic Diaz Sala or book our heated pergola! Email lily@cellarestaurant.com to confirm reservation request or if you're a group of 30 or more.
    Family-Style Mezze Experience Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 303 people are saying

Cella reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Californian

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Best Food

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cella offers an exceptional dining experience in a historic ambiance, featuring a "phenomenal" menu with creative cocktails and standout desserts. Guests rave about the "excellent food and service," and the outdoor patio's "beautiful" setting. Despite occasional service hiccups, the overall atmosphere and culinary delights make it a "must-visit" in Monterey.
303 Reviews

  1. Amy

    California Central Coast3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Kind and attentive wait staff. Overall great experience.

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  2. Drew VIP

    California Central Coast90 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had the best time at Cella with our out-of-town friends. The service was friendly, efficient and helpful in menu selections. The food - as always - was top notch. The heirloom lettuce salad was fresh and crisp, and large enough to share. The grilled octopus was very tender and moist, and the combination of textures (artichokes, white beans and olives in addition to the octopus) and flavors was amazing. The pork chop was the most moist pork chop we've ever had. The Mary's chicken breast was delicious as always. The risotto is always a great accompaniment to the chicken. Finally, the tagliatelle was very tasty and perfectly cooked.

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  3. Rebecca VIP

    Hawaii19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The dessert was amazing!! Vanilla creme brulle topped with chocolate mouse. Heavenly!

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  4. Naomi

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our dining experience at Cella exceeded our expectations. I noted that the occasion was a birthday, and Paige offered us a lovely complimentary sparkling rose and appetizer from the chef. It was a wonderful start to an amazing meal. And don't pass up on the bread!

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  5. Sean

    San Francisco Bay Area2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cella is an excellent restaurant. The super fresh dishes were prepared with exceptional taste and sophistication. All served with radiant smiles and abundant warmth. I look forward to returning in the future.

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  6. Kevin

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    4.0

    Dined on June 6, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    We really wanted to like this spot. The room and ambiance were lovely. The service was mixed, entrees for a party of four were served in pairs almost 5 minutes apart... definitely a fail in the kitchen. The portions were inconsistent, the butter salad was overflowing and the garden salad was miniature! The roast chicken was good size, as was the burger, the scallops were not.The side fries delish and served in a large bowl 👍. The bar took 10 minutes to serve a draft beer...as a mentioned, inconsistent and definitely overpriced for the experience.

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  7. Tanya

    Pittsburgh / Western PA4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I'm so glad we found Cella. The good was great (the bread is some of the he best I've had in years), the service was excellent and their outdoor patio is beautiful. The patio is heated to help the chill away and they also offered us blankets. I will go back the next time I'm in the area.

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  8. Sarah

    Kansas City / Kansas2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing people and even more amazing food! Most memorable dessert I have had in ages.

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  9. David VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cella is my favorite restaurant in the greater Monterey Bay Area and compares favorably to other great restaurants I’ve eaten at around the world, regardless of the locale. Of course, different restaurants are different things to different people, but I love this place, and I hope you will too. It’s a real treat.

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  10. Ken VIP

    Columbus9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Maddie, our wonderful server, and the entire team were amazing as always! We’re locals and have been Cella grateful guests since the opening. We have always felt that the overall experience at Cella is the very best to be found on the Peninsula! Thank you!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Cella is rated 4.8 stars by 303 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. California Central Coast
  4. Monterey / Carmel
  5. Monterey

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM
Booked 16 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Cella

525 Polk St, Monterey, CA 93940-2809

Additional information

  • Cross street
    We're a short stroll from downtown and parking structures.
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Bistro, European
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Around the corner from public transit and trolleys.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Cal Stamenov
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.cellarestaurant.com/
  • Phone number
    (831) 920-1046
  • Private party facilities
    Alta Bakery and Cella Restaurant invite you to savor our offerings amid historic adobes and charming courtyards, where Chef Cal Stamenov and Chef Ben Spungin elevate your experience with family-style meals, brunches, and more. Our flexible spaces set the stage for unforgettable gatherings. Explore our packages, e-mail lily@cellarestaurant.com.
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