50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Monterey

“Great food with enormous portions(be prepared to take some home with you). I have never seen such an enormous wine list either. Great service although you may have to wait for the initial course if it's very busy. Would definitely recommend.“

“The best falafel I’ve ever eaten. Laid back atmosphere off the beaten path—nice outdoor seating. My husband enjoyed his lamb gyro, everything was freshly prepared and we could taste the care that went into our meal. The chef/owner made sure to make us feel welcome…we definitely hope to stop by again if we are back visiting the bay.“

“Alvarado is a great place for drinks and dinner. The food is always great and I’ve been told the beer is good (but I don’t think beer). However, the cocktails are great too! The place definitely gets crowded really quick so prepare for a wait if you wanted a table or else I recommend just eating at the tabletops.“

“Exquisitely designed locally sourced menu. Beautiful attention to detail n presentation. Ambiance and decor welcoming inviting modern and luxurious. Wine menu upscale. Service is attentive friendly and gracious. Above and beyond. Price point for all, perfect.“

“My boyfriend and I have no complaints about this restaurant! This is our second time at the Fish Hopper, we’ve come everytime we visit Monterey together! A little pricey, as we’re young, but very delicious and we love the view wherever we sit! I got the shrimp and crab roll sandwich, and my boyfriend got the crispy jumbo prawns. Mine was delicious and filling! My boyfriend said his was good but he felt like he could have eaten a little more. Overall the restaurant has a nice vibe, last time we sat at the back near the big window and were able to see otters swimming! That’s a 5 star experience in itself :)“

“Loulou's Griddle in the Middle is a hidden gem nestled on the old wharf, exuding a nostalgic charm reminiscent of fishermen's stops for a quick meal. The clam chowder was simply amazing, bursting with flavor and hearty chunks of clam. The crab cakes were also delightful, perfectly seasoned and crispy on the outside. The wait staff was incredibly friendly, adding to the overall pleasant dining experience. I definitely recommend Loulou's for a taste of delicious seafood and old-time waterfront vibes.“

“My FAVORITE bfast place! We are repeat customers, even though we are not locals. If we are close by, this is a must stop. Never a disappointment. Thank you to all the staff at First Awakenings and the owner for serving up the best start to a day!“

“We’ve been visiting here from the Chicago area to celebrate our significant wedding anniversarys for 40 years and have never been disappointed.Chris and his team (tonight it was Iman) demonstrate a consistent focus towards providing the patron with an outstanding overall dining experience.We very much look forward to our next visit!“

“Such good crepes, definitely recommend! Workers are kind and friendly. Quick service:)“

“We had oysters, clam chowder, veal piccata and pesto prawns with penne pasta. All were delicious. The oysters were large and flavorful. The clam chowder was rich & creamy. The veal was tender and delicious. I would have liked more basil flavor in the prawns dish however it was very tasty also. We had a cabernet sauvignon and a pinot noir. Both were excellent. A good value. The view from the upstairs dining room was wonderful.“

“I’ll offer a better than expected review. Our party of five went for Sunday brunch. 1/2 wait for an outdoor table. Excellent Southwest eggs Benedict; chicken fettuccini; fruit salad and Cinnamon toast special with eggs. Chocolate Oreo cake for dessert. Excellent service for a relaxing Sunday. Glad to return and recommend. Cheers!“

“Very tasty breakfast, the pancakes were outstanding and the portion was more than large. We were there on a Saturday morning and the restaurant was already full. We put ourselves on the list of the nice employee at the counter and then walked around the block for 20 minutes to get our seat.“

“Had a lovely breakfast in the restaurant in the morning and then went to the bar later that day for drinks. We asked for a tequila old fashioned cocktail and the lovely bar man Luis made us one of his own creations. He called it a Mexican old fashioned and it was honestly the best cocktail we have ever tasted. Luis is a very skilled mixologist and hopefully his Mexican old fashioned will become a regular drink at the C bar.“

“Thank you ‘Wells and Co’ - for a great solo dining experience - from the enthusiastic hostess to the enthusiastic bartender and … the ‘enthusiastic’ portions of crab on my Louis Salad! I had a wonderful dining experience - and the Margarita was … beautifully garnished - what a find and thank you very much ? Marby?(Barbies Macho Cousin) ? ?“

“This is a gastronomic delight, where authentic recipes are infused with passion by the hospitable owner Maurizio, and served by a charming team in a spectacular West-facing coastal setting. It was so good, we can't possibly eat anywhere else on our second night here!“

“Nice little wine bar with small bites in the Cannery Row area. They had some nice wine choices and beers. Charcuterie and flatbreads and other snacks. Wine flights in test tubes which looked a bit bizarre but was popular! Good service with only one person working when I went. I went with a glass of their Brut which was slightly sweet for me , and their sourdough pretzel with Dijon mustard. The pretzel was nice and warm and the mustard had a great kick. Nice little gifts available too. I liked that it had groups and just solos having a glass of vino at the end of the day. Cozy feel.“

“The food is absolutely amazing, especially for the price. I haven't been able to find a better quesabirria taco in Monterey. The service is always very friendly, they're more stand-off-ish so if you don't like casual dining this might not be your place to go. They're very nice though. They ALWAYS have good music playing. There aren't a whole lot of tables so be cautious about visiting while they're busy. Fortunately this is a great to-go meal! I highly recommend this restaurant to any resident or traveler alike!“

“Lots of pizza options as well as some non-pizza options, perfect for lunch! Gelato selection is also very niceParking: We parked in the paid lot near the aquarium and walked over but this place has free parking if you weren't planning on going to the aquarium as wellWheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair parking and plenty of space at tables for wheelchair users“

“Nice employees who were accommodating for our big group. I got the Palak Paneer, and for the price I think I have had better. The food came out luke warm, and I asked for medium spice but I could not taste even a hint of heat. I had to ask for a sauce to add to my dish to make it more spicy. Overall, a pleasant experience but not the best Indian food I've had.“

“Enjoyed a nice afternoon @ "A Taste of Monterey"! Whether you come for the food & wine, or just wonderful wines...make it a definite visit. I'm sure they can be busy (so check on a reservation), but we were lucky enough to walk right in. Attached is a view from our seats.“

“Authentic Thai food in a cute space that ports you away from Monterey for a moment. We like coming here to mix things up from the usual American fare. Surprisingly, I liked the broccoli chicken the best, but there's a huge menu to select from.Kid-friendliness: Watch out, no high chairs or boosters are available here!“

“Fantastic food and service!! So delicious!! Portions were generous. A little off the beaten path. A hidden gem. We’ll be back for sure. Healthy and hearty.Vegetarian options: Falafel, hummus, lentils, beans, fries, moreWheelchair accessibility: Ramp in and lots of space for wheelchair“

“While my experience at Zab Zab Thai was mixed, there were definitely highlights worth mentioning. The Pad See Ew didn't quite hit the mark for me, lacking the depth of flavor I was expecting. However, where Zab Zab Thai truly shines is in their selection of curries. From the aromatic green curry to the rich and creamy red curry, each dish delivered a delightful burst of authentic Thai flavors. If you're a curry enthusiast, Zab Zab Thai is definitely worth a visit.“

“My husband and I dined in while on vacation in April. The diner is tiny and quaint and we loved it. The gentlemen working there were super friendly and helpful. We ordered a large Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza with mild wings and it was so good. The crust was so delicious and I'm a crust person. We definitely would go back and choose them over Pizza my Heart or a chain place!“

“My family and I were driving through Monterey and we needed a quick sandwich. 3 Mundos had great reviews so we thought we'd give them a try. We tried their Philly Cheesesteak, chicken bacon and baked turkey sandwiches. They did not disappoint. Not only were they large and delicous, the fresh roll that they use are crunchy and tasty as well. The staff was very friendly and patient as we had trouble deciding which sandwiches to try. The menu is very extensive. We all agreed that the sandwiches were one of the better sandwiches that we've ever had. We will definitely be back to try more of their sandwiches.“

“The food and service were excellent. All the Tapas were delicious and fun to share. Our server Lia was delightful, knowledgeable, attentive and helpful. Next time we'll sit outside on the patio as the restaurant is very average hotel vibe inside. It was a little chilly when we were there for the patio.“

“We came here for dinner and decided just to do a bunch of appetizers. It was all delicious, but especially the sliders. You can also sample most of the beers so you can be sure you like it before ordering more. The staff was incredibly nice and we had a great time. We will definitely be going back for actual entrees next time.“

“I live in the area and walked in last week for the first time. The burgers are really good! Not the best burger of your life, but very delicious and fully customizable! We walked in hungry and left very satisfied. The service was spectacular. Very friendly and welcoming. Definitely worth it! ?? Will return with friends!Vegetarian options: Veggie Burger!“

“Highly recommend this spot! A hidden gem. The food, service, and atmosphere were all outstanding. Lots of indoor dining with a nice patio area for outdoor dining. We sat at the bar and the sushi chef was very kind and friendly. All the staff were welcoming. The food was brought out quickly. Very fresh ingredients and delicious food! Absolutely loved the heart attack and bento plates with beef. The Sapporo was served in a chilled mug which really hit the spot. Overall I'm happy to have come by this restaurant and definitely plan on returning.“

“EXCEPTIONAL! We arrived almost by chance at this place attached to the Monterey garrison and it was a fantastic surprise! Authentic and welcoming place in a US Army but extremely familiar atmosphere! It would feel like we were eating at home if it weren't for the fact that we tasted the best burger we've tried so far in the States! The owner is an exquisite person…! highly recommended!“

“Everything was simply fantastic! Our high standards were exceeded. This has got to be the best restaurant in Monterey. From the service to the food to the ambiance - there is nothing that left us wanting more. You can truly feel the love the owners and staff put into their work.“

“Great food! Excellent service! Lovely decor!The oysters are really plump and good! The chicken was delicious!The waitress and other staff were very attentative, always asking if we were okay and topping off our waters and clearing the table.The prices are very reasonable considering how busy the restaurant is. We got there right at opening hours, so there was a line out front, but we got a table, no problem.It can get a little loud in there, but we sat next to a table of ten, so it might not be normally overwhelming.I would say reservations are recommended.“

“Great views, great food, great service. Highly recommend the Spicy Korean salad, spicy seafood udon soup, bambam roll, best of the best roll, starfish roll, big mouth roll, and the chicken salad. But it's all good. We like to sit at the sushi bar. Sean and crew are amazing.“

“We go here for breakfast frequently. The food meets my partners expectations which are high and the service is reasonable considering it is usually one gal that handles the entire restaurant. Outdoor seating is nice but service outside is a bit more challenging. We feel comfortable and just ask if we need something.Parking: There is a small lot for parking but space also on the street most of the time.“

“Very nice British Pub convenient to downtown. Very professional and helpful staff with a nice mix of local patrons who welcome we travelers. If you’re lucky you’ll come in when the owner Tony is in. He defected from Great Britain in 1984! ?“

“So I'll start with the positivity."The works" bacon breakfast burrito was excellent, potatoes cooked perfectly with great flavor and homemade salsa flavor bomb. Wife said her breakfast tacos were delicious same positivity on her food.Moving on to the drinks, my wife loved the orange juice however $6 for about 8oz is a little bold. I bought a $7 latte which didn't offend me by price because in all the pictures it came in a Bowl! And I was actually excited about that however they didn't have any clean bowls at the time so they gave me a regular mug which was at least only have the size and charged me full price.When I asked about it she explained and said she would remake it for me but never did, and still charged full price.I can get by all that but my son ordered the buttermilk pancakes and they didn't give him syrup we had to ask not that big of deal, then after he said he was done eating my wife went to sample his pancakes and noticed the middle of the cakes still had batter in them, not cooked fully.My son is only 11 and just didn't know any better he thought because it said buttermilk that that was normal lol, the restaurant took off $6 from the $12 price and gave him a free cookie however, one staffer tried to suggest they may have been a little undercooked I don't appreciate trying to justify it just comes off as a disagreement and there was nothing to dispute.Also if you want to make amends for a partially raw pancake you mark it completely off the bill, especially considering I only got a half coffee ?.If I could go 3.8 I would again our items tasted great just some key misses in decorum.“

“The food was good here. The service was on point. They worked as a team, and quickly removed dishes from our table. Drinks were also quickly refilled.Only complaints is the place stunk like smelly fish. Also, the place needs a heavy detailed cleaning. When sitting at the sushi bar you can see old stains which doesn't look good around the fresh fish you are looking at. Slow days are for scrubbing.Parking: Limited parking“

“Wanted to grab a snack but ended up ordering dinner. The menu was a bit overwhelming with plenty of options. Since the original plan was to get sushi, we got the Chirashizushi (sashimi over a bed of sushi rice), rainbow roll, ocean sushi roll, and California roll (for our son). I will start with the sushi melted in freshness! I knew at my first bite we were going to be satisfied with our meals. The sashimi dish was a flavorful combination, and the other rolls were delicious!! Our son loved the California roll as he ate all 8 rolls to himself. Must have been good. Another place we will frequent when visiting Monterey. Next time, I may try other dishes, but may be hard since we enjoyed the fresh sushi so much!“

“We were here for mothers day. The wait wasn't terrible for it being a holiday breakfast. The staff was friendly and amazing. The food, as usual, was greatWheelchair accessibility: My daughter is immobile but doesn't have a wheelchair yet, she uses a stroller and we were able to push her right up to the table without any issues.“

“Extremely hospital & kind. When you walk in you check-in and they seat you. Staff is super flexible with any seat you want, very quick service. Every staff member from the host/hostess, waitress, to the sushi chef himself (Shout-out to Michael; he was amazing) are very kind and provide amazing customer service! I also saw that another one of the sushi chefs knew his regular's favorite sushi order, which is a nice touch. You can tell walking into the place that they really value customer service. Wait time was extremely quick. Came in on a slow night (Wed approx. 8:45pm). I overheard another guest who was surprised that there wasn't a wait, which a great sign meaning that people like the food! Even on a busy night though, I would imagine they would still be pretty quick, they didn't waste any time. Ordered the Phoenix Roll (they light it on ) & an order of gyoza. Gyoza was fried nicely, not overly heavy. They give you a light sauce for them. Phoenix Roll was a recommendation based on gram worthy pics & taste. It was really good, subtle flavors that all blended nicely. And the fire show was a nice touch! Usually when places add show, they miss the mark on flavor, but not this one! I was a little hesitant on ordering the Phoenix Roll as I'm not usually someone who likes rolls with spicy tuna, but the sushi chef told me not to worry, it was a really mild spice and he was absolutely right! Fun fact for the spicy lovers! They even have the extreme heat peppers like ghost pepper & (2) others if you're into the so spicy you're sweating or challenging your friends to see who can hang! Lol I saw a lot of couples here. Casual dining.“

“Great Sandwiches! Warning, it’s Cash Only! But good value and maybe the best sandwiches in town. Recommend the Turkey Club.On a side note, after not being able to eat for two days after minor surgery, as you can imagine I was starving. My first choice of food was Randy’sTurkey Club. I ordered two with the real intention of having one later in the day for dinner. I failed! Both gone within an hour of one another. I think that’s a testament to their food. Enjoy!“

“The choice fell on this place because it's open all day and serves steak. The reviews of restaurant are very good, with a magnificent view of the ocean, and the service is above average - a good balance with mediocre food. It's worth trying once, but I'm unlikely to return. There are much tastier restaurants in Monterey.“

“We had Sea Harvest years ago when we visited Monterey and decided to return because we had fond memories. Food was amazing. Batter was crispy for fried foods, and fish, shrimp, was fresh and plump. I preferred the garlic butter over Cajun flavor. We loved it so much we came back for lunch the next day!“

“Giving this little wine bar 4 stars for the great vibes! We walked in on a Wednesday, which happened to be bingo night (with some hilarious puns interspersed in between). There were two tasting flight options available, both priced at $20 for 5 wines. Our standouts were the 2020 Dog & Pony Trousseau and 2020 Dog & Pony Il Rinnegato. IMO this wine bar is unique, carrying some lesser seen single grape varietals like carignane and negrette. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!“

“Tarpy's is the only restaurant I know that serves shrimp and grits and they are delicious. This are not your average grits cooked in water. They are creamy and tasty and the large prawn on top are delicious. There is a carrot puree that adds that extra bit of color and flavor to the grits. A delicious dish if you like grits. Much better with the shrimp than just plain rice. Highy recommend.“

“Love this place for ramen!!! The food is delicious and it's easy to order from the self serve screens where you can look at the photos. Food comes out relatively quickly, which is nice for kiddos, and the atmosphere reminds me of Japan. The rice bowl portions are HUGE and our kids happily devoured it.Kid-friendliness: High chairs available“

“From the hostess who greeted and seated us, then our server being so friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, to the bussing staff staying on top of refilling beverages and clearing dishes and a manager who checked with us to make sure we were happy with the service and our food, it was a fantastic experience. The food was delicious! My husbands steak was at the temperature he ordered, my lobster perfectly cooked. Everything tasted delicious. We would highly recommend this restaurant and we will visit again in the future. A special thank you to our server Christy! Thanks for making this a great experience for us.“

“Amazing food, very cute atmosphere, and wonderful service! The broccoli was incredible and the spinach salad delicious - the cheese bread was good but I wish it had more garlic. For our smaller pizza there was a miscommunication when we asked for no pineapple and we got double pineapple instead (sadness), but the larger pizza we got was so good and it was a simple misunderstanding. Overall, I would definitely recommend this restaurant and just maybe ask to have the order repeated back to you before they leave to ensure it's how you like it.“

“We have lived in Monterey for many years and we pride ourselves on having eaten at all the best restaurants in the Peninsula but, in terms of service and hospitality, no one has ever come close to the service and hospitality we have gotten from your server, Leikin. The food? Well, everybody in Monterey (and the likes) knows the food at Hula’s is fabulous, but what makes it feel exceptionally special is your staff, and heads and shoulders above the rest is Leikin. She has served us on more than one occasion and every time she has made my wife’s and I visit memorable and above and beyond our best expectations. You should really be commended and feel lucky for having such a professional, charming and accommodating employee like Leikin. She is one of the reasons we walk the couple of blocks from our house to have dinner at Hula’s once a week.“

“We visited this restaurant during Easter. We ordered Full Moon seafood, Mu shu pork and potsticker. All were very tasty. Portions are quite big, enough to feed two adults and 2 kids. Price was also very reasonable with an excellent service. Overall good dining experience“