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Sardine Factory, Monterey, CA
Award-winning

Sardine Factory

4.7 (5086)
$50 and over
Seafood
701 Wave Street, Monterey, CA 93940

Make a reservation

2 people
9:00 PM
Booked 65 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
  • Charming
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.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 5:00 pm–6:00 pm Daily 8:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Benjamin Brandt
  • 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, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 5,086 people are saying

Sardine Factory 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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Romantic

  • California Central Coast

    Seafood

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Best Ambiance

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Great for fine wines

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Romantic

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Good for special occasions

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Seafood

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Sardine Factory in Monterey is renowned for its "exceptional" food, "impeccable" service, and "unique atmosphere." Guests rave about its "outstanding" wine list, "delicious" seafood, and "beautiful" Conservatory dining room. The restaurant is a "must visit" for special occasions, offering a "romantic" and "memorable" dining experience with delightful live music.

5,086 Reviews
  1. Lee

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was wonderful,food service was excellent Iwe will definitely be returning!
    Sardine FactoryResponded 3 days ago
    Dear Lee, 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!

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  2. Gary

    Central Coast1 review

    3.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    It was a Monday night, not very crowded. We saw our waiter 3 times. Once for appetizer and drink order, +Order delivery. Once during the appetizer and finally at payment. Our Bus Boy was more attentive. Never got a refill on water. My Gin and tonic tasted mostly like water. Not the best foot to put forward if you are looking for a positive recomendation
    Sardine FactoryResponded 3 days ago
    Hi Gary, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. While we're glad to hear you enjoyed the food and ambiance, we're truly sorry the service didn't reflect the high standards we strive for—especially on a quieter evening when you should have received even more attention, not less. We’ll be sharing your feedback with our team to make sure this doesn't happen again. We'd love the opportunity to provide you with the kind of service we're known for on your next visit. Thanks again for the honest review. We hope to welcome you back soon. — The Sardine Factory Team

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  3. Jay

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was the first time we dined at the sardine factory, the service was perfect, the atmosphere was perfect and the service was perfect. Both my wife and I had the special, I had the cioppino and my wife had the 14 ounce lobster tail, couldn’t have been better. As my wife is handicapped, the staff was kind enough to escort her to the handicapped exit/entrance in the rear of the restaurant so that I could have the Uber pick us up. Above and beyond the call. Jay and Lynor Boston MA.
    Sardine FactoryResponded 3 days ago
    Hi Jay and Lynor, Thank you for the kind words! We’re thrilled to hear everything was perfect and that our team could make your evening special. It was a pleasure having you, and we hope to welcome you back again soon! — The Sardine Factory Team

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  4. Wendy

    Chicago4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I took my mother here for her birthday. From start to finish every single staff member we encountered was lovely. We were seated in the atrium as I requested. It was beautiful and airy. All our food was delicious and came quickly. Service was wonderful. I rated them moderate for noise but it should be noted we went for dinner on a Saturday night which is probably the loudest time to go. Highly recommend, would return!
    Sardine FactoryResponded 3 days ago
    Dear Wendy, Thank you for choosing The Sardine Factory to celebrate your mother’s birthday. What a lovely gesture. 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!

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  5. Isaac and Linda

    San Francisco8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I don't remember ever having a better experience in a restaurant anywhere. The food, the service, the setting all came together that only an inspired, talented, and dedicated owners could have created and have been doing for decades. Although were aware of The Sardine Factory for a long time, this was our first visit, but certainly not our last! Bravo to everyone.
    Sardine FactoryResponded 3 days ago
    Hi Isaac and Linda, Wow — thank you for such a heartfelt review! It means the world to hear that your first visit to The Sardine Factory was so memorable. We're truly grateful for your kind words about the food, service, and atmosphere — our team takes great pride in creating experiences just like this. We can’t wait to welcome you back again soon! — The Sardine Factory Team

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  6. Koo VIP

    San Francisco2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 13, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Quality of food was good but the waitress could have been more pleasant. We got everything we asked for but just felt like we were bothering her.
    Sardine FactoryResponded on May 15, 2025
    Dear Koo, Thank you for dining with us and for taking the time to share your experience. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the quality of the food and found our restaurant fitting for a special occasion and fine wine—those are things we take great pride in. That said, I’m sorry to hear that the service didn’t feel as warm or welcoming as it should have. Attentive and gracious hospitality is just as important to us as the food, and I appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We’ll be addressing this with our team to make sure every guest feels genuinely cared for. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back soon and provide the elevated experience you deserve from start to finish.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Jasmin

    Philadelphia1 review

    2.0

    Dined on May 12, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I don’t know if it was the Mother’s Day pre-fixed menu that missed the mark or if this restaurant is over rated, but we didn’t enjoy our meal at all. The service was wonderful, both the waiter and busser were attentive. But the food wasn’t good at all. I ordered the prime rib, that came out cooked more like pot roast than prime rib, and my husband ordered the lobster and filet mignon. The lobster was cold internally and the filet was a slice of meat lathered with a yellow sauce that didn’t have much flavor. I don’t think that we would try this place again.
    Sardine FactoryResponded on May 14, 2025
    Dear Jasmin, Thank you for your honest review. We regret that we missed the mark during your visit and appreciate your feedback as it helps us grow and improve. If you’re open to discussing your experience further, we’d love to hear more details. Please contact us so we can learn how to better serve you in the future. The number is (831) 373-3775. We appreciate your letting us know about your experience, and hope you will consider allowing us to serve you again in the future.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Shah

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is one of the best restaurant in Northern California. We are local and love fine dining, Napa, San Francisco, Carmel, Monterey ….. Sardine factory has one of the best, and highest quality menu from top to bottom. Food has always been great, cocktails are perfect, even water tastes better at this restaurant! The customer service is amazing. The servers are amazing. The sommelier (Natalie) was very knowledgeable and super professional. Thanks for great memories, we have dined there many times, and we will be back again (soon)!!! Thank you for great memories
    Sardine FactoryResponded on May 14, 2025
    Dear Shah, 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?

  9. Ruth

    Central Coast7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    I love dinning at the Sardine Factory!!!! The food is always great whether on the menu or off fantastic!!!! The staff has always remained friendly as ever and the ambiance is great as in Sardine Factory Standards!!!
    Sardine FactoryResponded on May 15, 2025
    Dear Ruth, Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit overall, and we truly value your feedback, and we look forward to your next visit!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Luis

    Houston2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    What started off as an amazing late lunch turned bad quick. Sat down @1:04 didn’t receive our entree until 2:40 now I can not blame the kitchen because when it arrived at our table it was cold so I know it had been sitting there for a while. 2 other tables that arrived after we did received there entree and one even had there dessert before we got our food. Waiter tried to bring our dessert and it was wrong. All in all it seems the waiter was the issue all the other tables seemed to be having great time. All I wanted was a nice meal with my wife for Mother’s Day but it just didn’t work out. I paid the tab but left no tip and will most likely not be returning. Best of luck to those of you trying it out for the first time hope you have better luck than we did!!
    Sardine FactoryResponded on May 15, 2025
    Hi Luis, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. First and foremost, I’m truly sorry to hear that your Mother’s Day lunch didn’t go as expected. That day is meant to be special, and it’s disappointing to know we fell short, especially on such an important occasion. While I’m glad the ambiance met your expectations, it’s clear that the delay in service and the cold food were unacceptable. You’re right to expect better, and I appreciate you pointing out that the issue may have stemmed from service rather than the kitchen. We’re looking into what happened during your visit so we can address it with the team and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Sardine Factory is rated 4.7 stars by 5086 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
9:00 PM
Booked 65 times today
Google Map for Sardine Factory

701 Wave Street, Monterey, CA 93940

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross street
    Prescott
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 5:00 pm–6:00 pm Daily 8:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • 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
    Benjamin Brandt
  • 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, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • 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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