The seafood plate is very flavorful. But I think the shrimp is not as fresh as I hope. The lobster and the crab are very fresh. Overall a very satisfying experience. The staff are very friendly and cozy atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shane Hsu
The staff is kind and accommodating for our large party with infants. Highly recommended!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nuria Garcia santacana
I had an extremely frustrating and disappointing experience at this restaurant. When I arrived with my fully trained service dog, I was stopped at the door and made to wait while I explained to the staff that service dogs are legally allowed in public places, including restaurants. Instead of listening or checking the law, one of the employees very confidently told me they were “sure” they could deny access to a service dog. That is completely false and shows a serious lack of training and respect for people with disabilities.
Let me make this clear for the management and staff:
📌 Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a business cannot ask a person with a disability to remove their service animal unless the animal is out of control or not housebroken. You also cannot deny access to a service dog, ask for documentation, or treat someone differently because they have one.
By law, service animals must be allowed to accompany their handler in all areas the public is allowed to go.
It was humiliating to be questioned and delayed at the door like I was doing something wrong. I was not. The restaurant staff was. I hope they take this review seriously and get proper ADA training—this kind of discrimination should not happen in 2025.
Ahmad Alfilimbany
Had lunch at The Grotto Fish Market and had a fantastic experience! The atmosphere is casual yet inviting, perfect for a waterfront meal.
The clam chowder in the sourdough bread bowl was absolutely amazing—rich, creamy, and full of flavor. I highly recommend the lobster roll—fresh, buttery, and generous with lobster. The grilled snapper was also outstanding—perfectly cooked and well-seasoned.
Service was quick and friendly, and the location right on the water makes it even better. Definitely a must-visit spot in Monterey!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mitchel Garcia
We came for the clam chowder and it was off the hook.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Godfrey Mungal
I have tried clam chowed in many cities and locations. This is the smoothest and best we have had. No wonder they win many awards. Super helpful and attentive staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Briana Miller
$6.50 for a cup of black coffee.. no thank you
Sarah A
We walked up to every restaurant on the wharf. We actually walked out of one and ended up here. We were soo happy with our decision. We got there just before the crowds started coming in. The clam chowder was my favorite. We had the crab roll, cioppino, fish tacos, and the platter, I forget what it was called, and some oysters. It was all amazing. I wasn’t crazy about the tacos but my husband loved them. I could eat the clam chowder all day. Staff was friendly. We just appreciate the experience in whole.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mench Lorenzo
We’ve dined here before without issues, but that’s only because we hadn’t encountered the manager until today. What a difference — and not in a good way.
I came in with my tired kids and ordered their Admiral’s platter. They told me there’d be a 15–20 minute wait. Fair enough. But when my kids tried to sit on the empty outdoor chairs to rest, the owner actually came over and told us to stand up because “you’re dining out, and we don’t have a waiting area.”
Really? On Mother’s Day? No empathy, no courtesy — just a cold, rude attitude. I was shocked. What kind of business treats paying customers this way?
To the owner — Mr. Grotto — your expensive suit doesn’t hide your poor attitude. You clearly care more about business than basic human decency. It’s sad, because your staff is actually kind. But you are the reason I’ll never be back.
We ended up going to the Crab House, where the manager actually treats people like humans. What a refreshing difference. That’s the guy who had a stinky attitude. Got it from their site.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Maria M.C
Place is very nice, got a seat by the water. Great service. Great people. Huevos rancheros.
I am a long time peninsula resident who enjoys going out to eat at local establishments. Today I went to the grotto market owned by the Shakes with the intent to try their lobster roll sandwich. I work on alvarado Street at Supercuts and many clients have come in and told me how much they enjoy this sandwhich. I wanted to try it for myself. I noticed they had a mini black pearl dish on the menu; my heart kept telling me to choose that instead of the sandwich. The mini black pearl was fabulous 👌 It came out on a plate covered in butter and garlic and was cooked to a perfect temperature. The shrimp was delicious and not over cooked; tasted very fresh. The crab legs were great, the lobster I found to be buttery and not over done. Our server his name was Luis was top notch, outstanding and very attentive. He was happy to answer any question we had and to provide anything we asked for. I will be back to dine here again based off my interaction with him alone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stark Ryan
Really great food and service! Note: the strawberry shortcake is just a strawberry flavored cake. It was delicious, though!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ahmad Suleiman
Amazing food, great service, unforgettable experience.
Paul Goodling
Tourist spot. Wait staff were so nice but atmosphere and food are what you would expect in a high traffic tourist area.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
ISOPAV TRADING
Overpriced for the food quality. Lobster tails were hard and chewy, I expected more for a $65 plate. Clam chowder and fresh oysters were good. Small dining area and very smokey from the kitchen.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Old Fisherman's Grotto Famous Clam Chowder
The seafood plate is very flavorful. But I think the shrimp is not as fresh as I hope. The lobster and the crab are very fresh. Overall a very satisfying experience. The staff are very friendly and cozy atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The staff is kind and accommodating for our large party with infants. Highly recommended!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had an extremely frustrating and disappointing experience at this restaurant. When I arrived with my fully trained service dog, I was stopped at the door and made to wait while I explained to the staff that service dogs are legally allowed in public places, including restaurants. Instead of listening or checking the law, one of the employees very confidently told me they were “sure” they could deny access to a service dog. That is completely false and shows a serious lack of training and respect for people with disabilities.
Let me make this clear for the management and staff:
📌 Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a business cannot ask a person with a disability to remove their service animal unless the animal is out of control or not housebroken. You also cannot deny access to a service dog, ask for documentation, or treat someone differently because they have one.
By law, service animals must be allowed to accompany their handler in all areas the public is allowed to go.
It was humiliating to be questioned and delayed at the door like I was doing something wrong. I was not. The restaurant staff was. I hope they take this review seriously and get proper ADA training—this kind of discrimination should not happen in 2025.
Had lunch at The Grotto Fish Market and had a fantastic experience! The atmosphere is casual yet inviting, perfect for a waterfront meal.
The clam chowder in the sourdough bread bowl was absolutely amazing—rich, creamy, and full of flavor. I highly recommend the lobster roll—fresh, buttery, and generous with lobster. The grilled snapper was also outstanding—perfectly cooked and well-seasoned.
Service was quick and friendly, and the location right on the water makes it even better. Definitely a must-visit spot in Monterey!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
We came for the clam chowder and it was off the hook.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have tried clam chowed in many cities and locations. This is the smoothest and best we have had. No wonder they win many awards. Super helpful and attentive staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
$6.50 for a cup of black coffee.. no thank you
We walked up to every restaurant on the wharf. We actually walked out of one and ended up here. We were soo happy with our decision. We got there just before the crowds started coming in. The clam chowder was my favorite. We had the crab roll, cioppino, fish tacos, and the platter, I forget what it was called, and some oysters. It was all amazing. I wasn’t crazy about the tacos but my husband loved them. I could eat the clam chowder all day. Staff was friendly. We just appreciate the experience in whole.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We’ve dined here before without issues, but that’s only because we hadn’t encountered the manager until today. What a difference — and not in a good way.
I came in with my tired kids and ordered their Admiral’s platter. They told me there’d be a 15–20 minute wait. Fair enough. But when my kids tried to sit on the empty outdoor chairs to rest, the owner actually came over and told us to stand up because “you’re dining out, and we don’t have a waiting area.”
Really? On Mother’s Day? No empathy, no courtesy — just a cold, rude attitude. I was shocked. What kind of business treats paying customers this way?
To the owner — Mr. Grotto — your expensive suit doesn’t hide your poor attitude. You clearly care more about business than basic human decency. It’s sad, because your staff is actually kind. But you are the reason I’ll never be back.
We ended up going to the Crab House, where the manager actually treats people like humans. What a refreshing difference. That’s the guy who had a stinky attitude. Got it from their site.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Place is very nice, got a seat by the water. Great service. Great people. Huevos rancheros.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I am a long time peninsula resident who enjoys going out to eat at local establishments. Today I went to the grotto market owned by the Shakes with the intent to try their lobster roll sandwich. I work on alvarado Street at Supercuts and many clients have come in and told me how much they enjoy this sandwhich. I wanted to try it for myself. I noticed they had a mini black pearl dish on the menu; my heart kept telling me to choose that instead of the sandwich.
The mini black pearl was fabulous 👌
It came out on a plate covered in butter and garlic and was cooked to a perfect temperature.
The shrimp was delicious and not over cooked; tasted very fresh. The crab legs were great, the lobster I found to be buttery and not over done. Our server his name was Luis was top notch, outstanding and very attentive. He was happy to answer any question we had and to provide anything we asked for. I will be back to dine here again based off my interaction with him alone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really great food and service! Note: the strawberry shortcake is just a strawberry flavored cake. It was delicious, though!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food, great service, unforgettable experience.
Tourist spot. Wait staff were so nice but atmosphere and food are what you would expect in a high traffic tourist area.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Overpriced for the food quality. Lobster tails were hard and chewy, I expected more for a $65 plate. Clam chowder and fresh oysters were good. Small dining area and very smokey from the kitchen.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Old Fisherman's Grotto Famous Clam Chowder
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