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Captains Room - Sardine Factory, Monterey, CA
Sardine Factory, Monterey, CA
Sardine Factory, Monterey, CA
Sardine Factory, Monterey, CA
Sardine Factory, Monterey, CA
Award-winning

Sardine Factory

4.7
4.7
4481 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood
Every city has that one can’t miss restaurant, where celebrities feel at home and every other guest feels like a celebrity. Since October 2, 1968, The Sardine Factory’s cachet has made dining in our historic Cannery Row setting a tradition for world leaders, sports heroes and entertainment icons. Our award-winning chefs prepare delectable creations of fresh, sustainable seafood and USDA Prime Aged Beef; winner of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s "Best Wine List in America" award. The Lounge’s live entertainment, Happy Hour and affordable menu are a casual alternative to our other dining rooms. Celebrating over 50 years under the same ownership and management! Voted "Best Restaurant in Monterey" by Monterey County Herald readers.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 33 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 5:00 pm–6:00 pm Daily 8:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 373-3775
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Robert J. Mancuso, CMC
  • Private party facilities
    Whether a family gathering or a corporate event, our professional and warmly attentivestaff assists in coordinating each detail. The Sardine Factory offers three unique and elegant dining rooms which provide a choice of ambiance for groups from 12 to 220 and luncheon groups from 25 and up. Call us to get your event started! (831) 373-3775
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Cross street
    Prescott
  • Parking details
    Enter off of Wave Street ascending the driveway. Self park Sunday through Thursday with self park or valet service available Fridays and Saturdays. ADA Wheelchair entrance from parking lot.
  • Public transit
    MST stop less than 2 blocks away on the corner of Wave St. & David.
  • Entertainment
    David Conley at the Piano Tuesday through Saturday. David has been a professional musician since the age of 17. He has played in numerous bands, opening for various acts such as Steppenwolf, Black Oak Arkansas, Rick Derringer, Crash Test Dummies and more. Versatile and accommodating David takes and plays requests from Led Zeppelin to Elvis Presley to the Everly Brothers.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 4,481 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Great for fine wines

  • California Central Coast

    Romantic

  • California Central Coast

    Good for special occasions

  • California Central Coast

    Seafood

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Great for fine wines

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Romantic

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Good for special occasions

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Seafood

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Most Booked

4,481 Reviews
  1. CatherineM

    Charleston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beyond my expectations in every way. Wonderful evening with my family and got to see the wine vault as an added bonus. Thank you for a wonderful evening

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I can’t begin to tell you how specisl this place is. Everthing was absolutly perfect.

    Is this helpful?

  3. RaffiAshdjian

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All food and drinks were great. Fantastic service, can't wait to be back!

    Is this helpful?

  4. SjclocalDiner

    San Francisco

    63 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Winderful service and great dinner! And thanks for awesome Somellier Dave! Learned some important wine tips! Had the Abalone Bisque and the cold lobster tail- both were just fantastic

    Is this helpful?

  5. Kirkleap

    Los Angeles

    75 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    75 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The place is an absolute gem. The ambiance is amazing as is the seafood. Everything including the service was over the top. I’d recommend getting a chance to experience this amazing place at least once in your lifetime. The wine list is the most extensive I’ve ever seen. Bravo !

    Is this helpful?

  6. KKDT63

    Jacksonville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service1ambience5
    if I can’t say anything nice about the service in the “dining room”, I won’t say anything at all.

    Is this helpful?

  7. AKBW99

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place for a special occasion or a really nice dinner. Also fun to just visit the bar for the late night happy hour and enjoy the keyboardist.

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  8. HartmutO

    Berlin

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The experience was outstanding in all aspects. The servers were all very knowledgeable, very personable, very responsive and the food was exquisite. If there was anything to critique then maybe that none of them wished my wife a Happy Bday even though I put that in my notes and she was the only female at the table. That was easily forgotten however with the amazing desert on dry ice which made for quite a show. Thank you all for an unforgettable experience.

    Is this helpful?

  9. JimK

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food4service2ambience4
    Tasty food, slow service lovely room Unacceptable charge for a birthday cake that was presented to us at the end of the meal. No one advised us that we would be charged 12.00$ we didn’t notice it on the bill till we returned home…

    Is this helpful?

  10. Kijo

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    We went for the specials. Great choice and full of flavor with generous portions.

    Sardine FactoryResponded 6 days ago

    Dear Kijo, We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit and thank you for your review. Your patronage is appreciated and we look forward to serving you again very soon!

    Is this helpful?

  11. MichaelA

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We've eaten here a number of times and have always found the food and service to be very good. Our server incorrectly identified the fish special of the day, Kampachi as a type of tuna when it is actually a jack. While the fish was good it would have been better if it had been grilled like jack's we've had in the past in Hawaii (Ulua, Papio). We also had the Calamari, Prawn and Scallops entree. Having had this dish many time the Prawns this time were overdone, while the Scallops and Calamari were perfectly cooked. Overall it was a very good dining experience and we will be back next time we're down in Monterey.

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    we really enjoyed our dinner at the Sardine Factory. Very accommodating, excellent service and a great meal.

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  13. SteveR

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Superb experience. Great food and service. We were dressed very casually which presented no problem though their website has diners dressed formally. Staff was friendly, attentive and helpful. Were we local, we would return. The meal was expensive as advertised when we looked at the menu online prior to booking.

    Sardine FactoryResponded 6 days ago

    Dear Steve, We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit and thank you for your review. Your patronage is appreciated and we look forward to serving you the next time you’re in the area.

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  14. NavahJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Where on our honeymoon and wanted to go somewhere festive. Had an excellent experience, great food, excellent service. Highly recommend!

    Sardine FactoryResponded 6 days ago

    Dear Navah, Thank you for choosing The Sardine Factory during your honeymoon, and congratulations on your wedding! We are delighted to hear that you “Had an excellent experience, great food, excellent service.” We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to serving you again!

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    Ordered sardine salad, albacore soup, escargot, and grilled calamari steak. Only salad was good. Other food was tasteless and bland. Hire a new saucer as soon as possible. Very surprised for a restaurant claiming to be the best in Monterey. Doubt we will visit again. Food was - 3 at best. Service - 5 and inside - 5.

    1 person found this helpful

  16. AlanB

    Exclusive

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    The four diners at our table thought the food was “good”, just not exemplary, for a place that claims to be the best in Monterey. We were slightly disappointed. My plate was served barely warm. Service was excellent. Wine was reasonably priced at about 110%. Regrettably, we won’t return.

    Sardine FactoryResponded 6 days ago

    Dear Alan, Thank you for taking the time to review our restaurant. We’re sorry to hear you were disappointed with your experience at The Sardine Factory, and that the food temperature fell short of your expectations. We will pass your comments on to the Management and Owners. We sincerely hope you will allow us to serve you again in the future.

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  17. PopzPVB

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Actual sardine salad, cheese bread to die for & sole for entree. The wine cellar has an exquisite collection and very comparable to Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa. Food was par excellence and service was very attentive without being overboard. We’ll be back to Monterey soon !!

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  18. michele

    Houston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful restaurant, excellent service, the menu is diverse and the food is wonderful. A great dinning experience.

    Sardine FactoryResponded 6 days ago

    Dear Michele, We are grateful to hear you enjoyed your recent visit and thank you for taking the time to offer a review. Your patronage is appreciated and we look forward to serving you again very soon!

    Is this helpful?

  19. ToddL

    Las Vegas

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 20, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience2
    Didn't live up to the reviews I read. The service was poor. I had to ask someone to bring my server to the table. The menu was very pricy and honestly, it wasn't terribly inviting. The ambience is more appropriate for an older age group. Perhaps it's lost on me, but I regret booking a table here.

    Sardine FactoryResponded 6 days ago

    Dear ToddL, Thank you for taking the time to review our restaurant. We’re sorry to hear you were disappointed with your experience at The Sardine Factory. We will pass your comments on to the Management and Owners. We appreciate your patronage and hope you will consider allowing us to serve you again in the future.

    Is this helpful?

  20. AreliaA

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We came here to celebrate our 22 wedding anniversary, Lawrence our server was amazing! Everyone there is soo nice and very polite! The food was delicious! I did a good choice for this place!

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 20, 2023

    Dear Arelia, Thank you for choosing The Sardine Factory to celebrate your anniversary, and congratulations. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your delicious food, and we’ll let Lawrence know how you felt about his service. We appreciate your patronage and look forward to serving you again!

    Is this helpful?

  21. Robert

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful time & Marissa & her team made us feel very special. Dinner was outstanding & surpassed our expectations. Apres dinner @ the bar w live music was a special touch! We will most definitely return whenever we are back in Monterey.

    Is this helpful?

  22. JustinS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food (we had lobster tail and abalone). Captain’s room was quiet, despite the piano player at the bar. We stopped and listened to the piano player, who was eventually joined by another singer and a guitar player. They were so good and we had such a great time, we stayed and listened until they stopped playing.

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 20, 2023

    Dear Justin, Thank you for your recent visit and for taking the time to review our restaurant. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your food and the music in our lounge. We appreciate your patronage and hope you will visit us again very soon.

    Is this helpful?

  23. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food, ambiance and service! Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  24. Caleb

    Omaha

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was amazing. Must have the abalone chowder. The calamari steak was seasoned well and cooked perfect.

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 20, 2023

    Dear Caleb, We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit and thank you for your review. Your patronage is appreciated and we look forward to serving you again very soon!

    Is this helpful?

  25. WendyS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place, service excellent, food wonderful!!! A do again for sure.

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 20, 2023

    Dear Wendy, We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit and thank you for your review. Your patronage is appreciated and we look forward to serving you again very soon!

    Is this helpful?

  26. PatriciaT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went to The Sardine Factory to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary. The food was fabulous, delicious and yummy!!!

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 20, 2023

    Dear Patricia, Thank you for choosing The Sardine Factory to celebrate both your birthday and anniversary! Congratulations on both counts. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your delicious food, great service and memorable atmosphere. We appreciate your patronage and look forward to serving you again!

    Is this helpful?

  27. Scrim

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First visit and met all expectations. Food was delicious. Service excellent. Couldn’t have asked for more.

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 20, 2023

    Dear Scrim, We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit and thank you for your review. Your patronage is appreciated and we look forward to serving you again very soon!

    Is this helpful?

  28. RudyG

    Central Coast

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great meal, very good service. But very expensive. Can eat here but once a year.

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 13, 2023

    Dear Rudy, We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit and thank you for your review. Your patronage is appreciated and we look forward to serving you again very soon!

    Is this helpful?

  29. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely the best wagyu steak and oysters I’ve had. Service was impeccable.

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  30. ShelbyN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went to the sardine factory for our anniversary and it was phenomenal. The ambiance was great and the food was amazing. They brought us a piece of cake for our anniversary too! Overall we can’t wait to go back!

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 13, 2023

    Dear Shelby, Thank you for choosing The Sardine Factory to celebrate your anniversary, and congratulations. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your delicious food, great service and memorable atmosphere. We appreciate your patronage and look forward to serving you again!

    Is this helpful?

  31. RogMart

    San Francisco

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. If you’ve never been, you must go.

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 13, 2023

    Dear RogMart, Thank you for your recent visit and for taking the time to review our restaurant. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your food and service. We appreciate your patronage and hope you will visit us again very soon.

    Is this helpful?

  32. MichaelB

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything about our evening was excellent. Celebrating our 38th Wedding Anniversary (celebrated our 1st as well). Our sever, Marissa and her assistant Angel were the Best! We have never had anything but an excellent experience at this restaurant and will return for any special occasion we may have.

    Is this helpful?

  33. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great time at dinner! Our server was super attentive and suggested some great dishes. We had the cheese bread, NY steak and the crusted salmon. We also had the ice cream bon bons and it was so cool!

    Is this helpful?

  34. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wow! I was really afraid this place was a tourist trap that would serve me Captain Ds on a plate (like the other restaurants on Cannery Row). I was completely wrong! This is fine dining by every meaning: the food, service, and ambiance. Our waiter Brandon was FANTASTIC, very personable and knowledgeable. All the staff was very pleasant. The food was AMAZING and the dessert was out of this world. Of all the places we’ve been to in Carmel and Monterey, this was hands down the best. 11 out of 10 stars!!

    Is this helpful?

  35. SteveC

    Portland

    19 reviews

    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The meal and service were both very good. This is a great place for a special evening, my wife and I both enjoyed it very much.

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 6, 2023

    Dear Steve, We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit and thank you for your review. Your patronage is appreciated and we look forward to serving you again very soon!

    Is this helpful?

  36. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The server, Marisa was very warm and informative. A perfect hostess for our dinner experience.

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  37. CliffordL

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Abalone bisque is so unique & special to this restaurant and a must order! We had their Lobster Raviolis, very full of lobster with light cream sauce, a generous portion & beyond our expectations. My hubby had filet, very tender and sired nicely for crust on edges. Dessert was mousse semifreddo chocolate & passion fruit, light & delicious with beautiful presentation.

    Sardine FactoryResponded on September 6, 2023

    Dear Clifford, Thank you for your recent visit and for taking the time to review our restaurant. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your Abalone Bisque, the Lobster Ravioli and Filet. They are all excellent choices. We appreciate your patronage and hope you will visit us again very soon.

    Is this helpful?

  38. MikeV

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Alway top notch. The food was incredible. Great service. We had a wonderful time.

    Sardine FactoryResponded on August 30, 2023

    Dear Mike, Thank you for your recent visit and for taking the time to review our restaurant. We are delighted to hear you found the food ‘incredible’. We appreciate your patronage and hope you will visit us again very soon.

    Is this helpful?

  39. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience3
    Food was very good for area. Restaurant seemed busy at 7:30 during reservation took a little to get waited on but once we did service was quick and server was accommodating and knowledgeable!

    Is this helpful?

  40. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time at Sardine Factory, but won’t be the last. Celebrating my birthday and I had the huge 16oz Prime Rib, delicious. I couldn’t eat half of it. My husband had the salmon, said it was the best ever! Our waiter, Brandon surprised me with delicious birthday dessert. We closed the evening in the bar which had a great piano player. I ordered a Pink Sardine, yummy and a Strawberry Lemon drop. Great evening and end to my birthday celebration.

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Sardine Factory is rated 4.7 stars by 4481 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 33 times today
Google Map for Sardine Factory

701 Wave Street, Monterey, CA 93940

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross street
    Prescott
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 5:00 pm–6:00 pm Daily 8:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Enter off of Wave Street ascending the driveway. Self park Sunday through Thursday with self park or valet service available Fridays and Saturdays. ADA Wheelchair entrance from parking lot.
  • Public transit
    MST stop less than 2 blocks away on the corner of Wave St. & David.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Robert J. Mancuso, CMC
  • Entertainment
    David Conley at the Piano Tuesday through Saturday. David has been a professional musician since the age of 17. He has played in numerous bands, opening for various acts such as Steppenwolf, Black Oak Arkansas, Rick Derringer, Crash Test Dummies and more. Versatile and accommodating David takes and plays requests from Led Zeppelin to Elvis Presley to the Everly Brothers.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (831) 373-3775
  • Private party facilities
    Whether a family gathering or a corporate event, our professional and warmly attentivestaff assists in coordinating each detail. The Sardine Factory offers three unique and elegant dining rooms which provide a choice of ambiance for groups from 12 to 220 and luncheon groups from 25 and up. Call us to get your event started! (831) 373-3775
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