The food was ok until it wasn’t. Unfortunately I got food poisoning from his restaurant.My daughter and I had a good dinner of the calamari, she had cioppino, and I had the seafood special (which was just ok) and we split crème brûlée for dessert. About 2 hours later I was very sick. She wasn’t so my guess is that is was only my dinner.It’s unfortunate, as the service and the view was excellent. It wasn’t a cheap dinner though, and we expected more from the positive reviews we saw online.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari
JD
Old school, old school, old school is all I can say! 35 year successful establishment with the owner on the premises and hands on. His brothers are the chefs. True, classic Italian family run restaurant. Food is traditional and the clam chowder unreal. The owner will talk your ear off, so be careful! Great experience. They truly care. This is a serious restaurant, not a tourist trap.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder in Toasted Sourdough Bread Bowl, Seafood
Natalia Pavlova
We were lucky to grab a table as soon as they opened on Saturday morning. 15 minutes later it was completely packed.Clam chowder was the best I've ever had, perfectly seasoned and with a beautiful texture. Grilled seafood was quite good as well. I'd love to come back to try their pastas.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder in Toasted Sourdough Bread Bowl
This will be a restaurant we will visit every time we visit Monterey. Roxanne was an amazing server and made you feel Like part of the family. She shared the history of the restaurant owner which is an amazing story! The food was authentic and 5 star. We will be back!
margie flores
The CIOPPINO was very good. Cheeseburger was not seasoned and did not taste good. Salmon for Market Price was to be grilled over almond wood but it did not look grilled at all. The octopus was ok, the arugula salad was drenched in balsamic dressing and the grilled onion was soggy. An old fashion was ordered but it had chunks of ice and not a block cube, and it was missing a lot of proper ingredients. It was a disappointment
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Seafood Cioppino
Jim Burke
Been coming here for decades. Don't be put off by the touristy setting, this is a first-class restaurant. Excellent seafood and canoli.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anne P.
They could do much better. It's tired and it shows. Food not very good. Fish didn't seem fresh, vegetables over cooked in too much butter. The clam chowder was good. If I went back I'd just get that. The place was empty for lunch.
Trisha Olson
I live 3ish hrs away! When you come in do not be surprised if you are upfront by the owner Mr. Mercurio! He is a breath of fresh air! He brings the Italian traditions from food (ex. Words do not do justice. This is not just one of my top ten places to visit but hands down my child’s favorite place to eat and feel special), family hospitality (ex. The chiefs are brothers and he will do anything for them), making sure that every person that walks through his doors is treated like family (ex. Mr.Mercurio showed my son how to properly twirl his pasta, my son did not want make a scene about his lack of fine motor skills but is now working diligently to show his appreciation by mastering this skill. The every person at this restaurant especially Karis makes us feel special! This is the type of customer serve I strive to give! If he wants an apprentice lol!Get the salmon!!!!
Great service. Knowledgeable about coeliac disease and several GF options. One diner had the sand dabs which were delicious. Other diner enjoyed cod which had a very nice, not overpowering sauce, so could still taste the fish. Vegetables all cooked to perfection. House Pinot Grigio was excellent. Crème brûlées tasted great, cream on top, fabulous caramel topping. Were a little runny but possibly still the best crème brûlée ever! Thanks Cafe Fina
Angloleb
Absolutely amazing experience. Super fresh Blue Point oysters, my wife had cioppino and I had the sand dabs. Both are easy to make and yet too easy to screw up. Ours were perfect. The cioppino had loads of seafood and the sand dabs were delicate and delicious. I asked for a side of lemon butter for the dabs and it was the perfect compliment to the dish. We were fortunate enough to meet the owner (who was bussing tables!) and had such a wonderful conversation. The stories of his life and adventures really left us slack jawed and amazed. We truly felt like family. We will be back soon!
Loved this place! We decided to make this our first dinner place on vacation and it sure set the standard high. Servers were attentive, food was delicious, place wasn't to crowded! 100% recommend
Chad F.
Greeted with a warm embrace from the beginning. This establishment was the pinnacle of my family's vacation food cravings! The place has a yacht like ambiance looking over the water. I've been too many seafood restaurants all over the country. I got to say, the clam chowder bowl for an appetizer was very flavorful. Not too salty, not too condensed. I got the shrimp and crab ravioli. Amazing blend of pesto sauce! My partner had the seafood Alfredo. Perfectly cooked scallops and shrimp with a creamy Alfredo sauce.
RaymondD
I took my daughter to Cafe Fina to celebrate her acceptance to Bryn Mawr. MC had not tried Dungeness crab yet, and I'd walked by the restaurant a dozen times in the last year. I was pleasantly surprised - Cafe Fina is a small-ish place, with excellent views of the bay, and an interior that is elegant without being opulent. The staff are superior - crisp, professional, charming. Our meals - MC had the crab, which is offered either cold, with mayo, or warm with butter, my daughter chose the latter, and I chose linguine with clams. The meal presentations showed the high caliber of the kitchen professionals. MC has a new favorite now, and I would like to go back tonight. Kudos to the chef and staff, and to the front of the house staff. Cafe Fina delighted me and I highly recommend this gem of a restaurant.
Opie R.
I love Italian food and this place did not disappoint. I tried the Crab and Shrimp Ravioli in a light pesto cream sauce and my partner had the Steamed Castroville Artichoke. Portions of the artichoke may not have been fully ripe but it was still good. I don't have to describe how good the ravioli was...but it was wonderful! I loved my meal and despite the length of time to get our food, I would definitely come back when I'm in town again. It is worth the wait. I did want to share that when we approached the entrance they had jars of pineapple soaked in vodka and also coffee bean infused bourbon. Also they had a pail by the hostess table that said KCBS John Madden BBQ.
JoAnne L.
Whenever we're in Monterey, we always come to Cafe Fina as it's our favorite restaurant. Over the years the menu has changed a little (still miss the seafood risotto which was the best l have ever had), but for freshness and flavor, this beats Chart House and many of the other local fish places, plus the cosy ambience and old-school, Italian family feel is honestly a huge part of its charm. Overall, we try other places, but always end up coming back and say "Why did we go to that other awful place and spend more money when we could have just come here as usual?!" Never disappoints. Thank you, Cafe Fina
The food was ok until it wasn’t. Unfortunately I got food poisoning from his restaurant.My daughter and I had a good dinner of the calamari, she had cioppino, and I had the seafood special (which was just ok) and we split crème brûlée for dessert. About 2 hours later I was very sick. She wasn’t so my guess is that is was only my dinner.It’s unfortunate, as the service and the view was excellent. It wasn’t a cheap dinner though, and we expected more from the positive reviews we saw online.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari
Old school, old school, old school is all I can say! 35 year successful establishment with the owner on the premises and hands on. His brothers are the chefs. True, classic Italian family run restaurant. Food is traditional and the clam chowder unreal. The owner will talk your ear off, so be careful! Great experience. They truly care. This is a serious restaurant, not a tourist trap.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder in Toasted Sourdough Bread Bowl, Seafood
We were lucky to grab a table as soon as they opened on Saturday morning. 15 minutes later it was completely packed.Clam chowder was the best I've ever had, perfectly seasoned and with a beautiful texture. Grilled seafood was quite good as well. I'd love to come back to try their pastas.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder in Toasted Sourdough Bread Bowl
This will be a restaurant we will visit every time we visit Monterey. Roxanne was an amazing server and made you feel Like part of the family. She shared the history of the restaurant owner which is an amazing story! The food was authentic and 5 star. We will be back!
The CIOPPINO was very good. Cheeseburger was not seasoned and did not taste good. Salmon for Market Price was to be grilled over almond wood but it did not look grilled at all. The octopus was ok, the arugula salad was drenched in balsamic dressing and the grilled onion was soggy. An old fashion was ordered but it had chunks of ice and not a block cube, and it was missing a lot of proper ingredients. It was a disappointment
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Seafood Cioppino
Been coming here for decades. Don't be put off by the touristy setting, this is a first-class restaurant. Excellent seafood and canoli.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
They could do much better. It's tired and it shows. Food not very good. Fish didn't seem fresh, vegetables over cooked in too much butter. The clam chowder was good. If I went back I'd just get that. The place was empty for lunch.
I live 3ish hrs away! When you come in do not be surprised if you are upfront by the owner Mr. Mercurio! He is a breath of fresh air! He brings the Italian traditions from food (ex. Words do not do justice. This is not just one of my top ten places to visit but hands down my child’s favorite place to eat and feel special), family hospitality (ex. The chiefs are brothers and he will do anything for them), making sure that every person that walks through his doors is treated like family (ex. Mr.Mercurio showed my son how to properly twirl his pasta, my son did not want make a scene about his lack of fine motor skills but is now working diligently to show his appreciation by mastering this skill. The every person at this restaurant especially Karis makes us feel special! This is the type of customer serve I strive to give! If he wants an apprentice lol!Get the salmon!!!!
Great service. Knowledgeable about coeliac disease and several GF options. One diner had the sand dabs which were delicious. Other diner enjoyed cod which had a very nice, not overpowering sauce, so could still taste the fish. Vegetables all cooked to perfection. House Pinot Grigio was excellent. Crème brûlées tasted great, cream on top, fabulous caramel topping. Were a little runny but possibly still the best crème brûlée ever! Thanks Cafe Fina
Absolutely amazing experience. Super fresh Blue Point oysters, my wife had cioppino and I had the sand dabs. Both are easy to make and yet too easy to screw up. Ours were perfect. The cioppino had loads of seafood and the sand dabs were delicate and delicious. I asked for a side of lemon butter for the dabs and it was the perfect compliment to the dish. We were fortunate enough to meet the owner (who was bussing tables!) and had such a wonderful conversation. The stories of his life and adventures really left us slack jawed and amazed. We truly felt like family. We will be back soon!
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved this place! We decided to make this our first dinner place on vacation and it sure set the standard high. Servers were attentive, food was delicious, place wasn't to crowded! 100% recommend
Greeted with a warm embrace from the beginning. This establishment was the pinnacle of my family's vacation food cravings! The place has a yacht like ambiance looking over the water. I've been too many seafood restaurants all over the country. I got to say, the clam chowder bowl for an appetizer was very flavorful. Not too salty, not too condensed. I got the shrimp and crab ravioli. Amazing blend of pesto sauce! My partner had the seafood Alfredo. Perfectly cooked scallops and shrimp with a creamy Alfredo sauce.
I took my daughter to Cafe Fina to celebrate her acceptance to Bryn Mawr. MC had not tried Dungeness crab yet, and I'd walked by the restaurant a dozen times in the last year. I was pleasantly surprised - Cafe Fina is a small-ish place, with excellent views of the bay, and an interior that is elegant without being opulent. The staff are superior - crisp, professional, charming. Our meals - MC had the crab, which is offered either cold, with mayo, or warm with butter, my daughter chose the latter, and I chose linguine with clams. The meal presentations showed the high caliber of the kitchen professionals. MC has a new favorite now, and I would like to go back tonight. Kudos to the chef and staff, and to the front of the house staff. Cafe Fina delighted me and I highly recommend this gem of a restaurant.
I love Italian food and this place did not disappoint. I tried the Crab and Shrimp Ravioli in a light pesto cream sauce and my partner had the Steamed Castroville Artichoke. Portions of the artichoke may not have been fully ripe but it was still good. I don't have to describe how good the ravioli was...but it was wonderful! I loved my meal and despite the length of time to get our food, I would definitely come back when I'm in town again. It is worth the wait. I did want to share that when we approached the entrance they had jars of pineapple soaked in vodka and also coffee bean infused bourbon. Also they had a pail by the hostess table that said KCBS John Madden BBQ.
Whenever we're in Monterey, we always come to Cafe Fina as it's our favorite restaurant. Over the years the menu has changed a little (still miss the seafood risotto which was the best l have ever had), but for freshness and flavor, this beats Chart House and many of the other local fish places, plus the cosy ambience and old-school, Italian family feel is honestly a huge part of its charm. Overall, we try other places, but always end up coming back and say "Why did we go to that other awful place and spend more money when we could have just come here as usual?!" Never disappoints. Thank you, Cafe Fina