Holy crap this place is amazing! The food was delicious and every bite had so much flavor in it! I had the gnocchi and I just don't understand how they made it so fluffy! 10/10 would recommend. Our server was also absolutely amazing. He checked up on us often and was really helpful and even made a few jokes.
Ryan Huggins
I was here with a group of Realtors last week for lunch during the California Association of Realtors business meetings. I had the linguini with meatballs, clam chowder, and cannolis for dessert.The food was fantastic. I'm not a fan of seafood in general, but you have to get Clam Chowder in Monterey and it was fantastic. Not overpowering and a good consistency. The cannolis... out of this world. Some in my group had special dietary needs and they were able to accommodate them easily.The service was on point. We had a 10 person group and we never wanted and nothing was lacking.The atmosphere was great... you're on the edge of the wharf with bay views and sea life floating on by, how could it not be great?Vegetarian options: One of our group was vegetarian and was able to find options.Dietary restrictions: One of our group had special dietary requirements and was able to find options.
The food was amazing and the service was great. We were seated outdoors and they set up a heat lamp right next to us so that we were not cold.
Andy K.
Food was great, my wife and daughter had clams with no plate for the shells, the attentive manager noticed it and brought plates without asking. He was always checking on the tables, highly recommend... Plus the view was awesome.
Jessica Valenzuela
Food was fresh. Server was nice but missed getting me a new drink a couple times. It's a cute atmosphere. We ate at the top of stairs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Sicilian Meatballs
Tami R.
A delightfully quaint and delicious Italian restaurant right on the water! We came for dinner and had two pasta dishes. They were amazing! The pasta sauce was fresh and flavorful, pasta a perfect al dente. There were options for all- meat, seafood, vegetarian all plenty to choose from. There is seating both indoors and outdoors, service was fast and friendly. Will definitely come back here if/when in the area! HBO Big Little Lies Fans: Scenes were filmed here also!
Michele W.
Monterey is all about the seafood for me but my eyes went right to the Sicilian meatballs with linguini and couldn't be lured away. The idea of simple & classic on a cold late summer evening. Nice but not obnoxious-sized portion. Three big sausage and beef meatballs with very little (if any) filler. I make my meatballs juicy with lots of egg and bread crumbs, but these really grew on me because of the high quality ingredients. The chunky marinara was perfect and the fresh parsley really brightened the dish. Topped with shaved Parmesan and served with extra grated cheese. As far as price, there is obviously a premium for the location, but it's a premium worth paying.
Sheldon S.
Caesar salad was excellent, service very attentive and our seafood pasta dinner was excellent. The seafood was delicious
Chocokat D.
We loved this place the first time we visited. Most recently we felt as if we were a bother even though they had no other customers at the time! Our server was not personable or inviting. The food was okay but the service didn't match the prices! You're paying for the water view. We won't return.
Salomon Avila
So here’s some critical points about Paluca Trattoria:Location is great just at the entrance of the Wharf.Wine limited selection and quality not the best, Chardonnay mostly Italian (4)1 California ordered $42, no ice bucket to keep cold.Small Caesar Salad $11 ordered 2, Were served with tomato, no croutons and on dry side with limited dressing.Asked about homemade pasta and they have none…Main Dinners all pasta options nothing sautéed or grilled, ordered 1 Creamy Pesto Pappadelle $26 (wife) added chicken it was served dry as jerky and taste old for sure precook and microwave before serving.I ordered linguine allá Arrabiatta with spicy marinada $26, served with wild caught prawns, it was served with 5 shrimp (size 21/25) not deserving of prawns mention at all, not spicy either and could not taste any garlic on it nothing exciting just plain boiled pasta with marinada sauce.Bread served on request only.Service is bare bone and bored.Overall not a place we look forward to coming back.
Our server was attentive and friendly and the ambiance of the restaurant was perfect for our anniversary dinner. The food was so tasty and flavorful. The bonus was the crème brûlée cheesecake! Will be back next time we're down in Monterey :)
This is my go to when I'm in town. Owned by a Sicilian family, very similar to my grandmother's style of cooking. Amazing flavors and hospitality. Lorena was such a joy to visit with during our meal.
Bill B.
Fantastic small Italian seafood and pasta spot. Had one of the best cioppino I have had in years. Seafood was fresh and delicious. Sauce had a nice spicy bite and lots of depth of flavor. We'll be back!!
Holy crap this place is amazing! The food was delicious and every bite had so much flavor in it! I had the gnocchi and I just don't understand how they made it so fluffy! 10/10 would recommend. Our server was also absolutely amazing. He checked up on us often and was really helpful and even made a few jokes.
I was here with a group of Realtors last week for lunch during the California Association of Realtors business meetings. I had the linguini with meatballs, clam chowder, and cannolis for dessert.The food was fantastic. I'm not a fan of seafood in general, but you have to get Clam Chowder in Monterey and it was fantastic. Not overpowering and a good consistency. The cannolis... out of this world. Some in my group had special dietary needs and they were able to accommodate them easily.The service was on point. We had a 10 person group and we never wanted and nothing was lacking.The atmosphere was great... you're on the edge of the wharf with bay views and sea life floating on by, how could it not be great?Vegetarian options: One of our group was vegetarian and was able to find options.Dietary restrictions: One of our group had special dietary requirements and was able to find options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cannoli, Soup, Sicilian Meatballs
The food was amazing and the service was great. We were seated outdoors and they set up a heat lamp right next to us so that we were not cold.
Food was great, my wife and daughter had clams with no plate for the shells, the attentive manager noticed it and brought plates without asking. He was always checking on the tables, highly recommend... Plus the view was awesome.
Food was fresh. Server was nice but missed getting me a new drink a couple times. It's a cute atmosphere. We ate at the top of stairs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Sicilian Meatballs
A delightfully quaint and delicious Italian restaurant right on the water! We came for dinner and had two pasta dishes. They were amazing! The pasta sauce was fresh and flavorful, pasta a perfect al dente. There were options for all- meat, seafood, vegetarian all plenty to choose from. There is seating both indoors and outdoors, service was fast and friendly. Will definitely come back here if/when in the area! HBO Big Little Lies Fans: Scenes were filmed here also!
Monterey is all about the seafood for me but my eyes went right to the Sicilian meatballs with linguini and couldn't be lured away. The idea of simple & classic on a cold late summer evening. Nice but not obnoxious-sized portion. Three big sausage and beef meatballs with very little (if any) filler. I make my meatballs juicy with lots of egg and bread crumbs, but these really grew on me because of the high quality ingredients. The chunky marinara was perfect and the fresh parsley really brightened the dish. Topped with shaved Parmesan and served with extra grated cheese. As far as price, there is obviously a premium for the location, but it's a premium worth paying.
Caesar salad was excellent, service very attentive and our seafood pasta dinner was excellent. The seafood was delicious
We loved this place the first time we visited. Most recently we felt as if we were a bother even though they had no other customers at the time! Our server was not personable or inviting. The food was okay but the service didn't match the prices! You're paying for the water view. We won't return.
So here’s some critical points about Paluca Trattoria:Location is great just at the entrance of the Wharf.Wine limited selection and quality not the best, Chardonnay mostly Italian (4)1 California ordered $42, no ice bucket to keep cold.Small Caesar Salad $11 ordered 2, Were served with tomato, no croutons and on dry side with limited dressing.Asked about homemade pasta and they have none…Main Dinners all pasta options nothing sautéed or grilled, ordered 1 Creamy Pesto Pappadelle $26 (wife) added chicken it was served dry as jerky and taste old for sure precook and microwave before serving.I ordered linguine allá Arrabiatta with spicy marinada $26, served with wild caught prawns, it was served with 5 shrimp (size 21/25) not deserving of prawns mention at all, not spicy either and could not taste any garlic on it nothing exciting just plain boiled pasta with marinada sauce.Bread served on request only.Service is bare bone and bored.Overall not a place we look forward to coming back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Our server was attentive and friendly and the ambiance of the restaurant was perfect for our anniversary dinner. The food was so tasty and flavorful. The bonus was the crème brûlée cheesecake! Will be back next time we're down in Monterey :)
Love it! ?
Really enjoyed Paluca. Limited wine selection. Reasonable prices.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Salad, Sicilian Meatballs
This is my go to when I'm in town. Owned by a Sicilian family, very similar to my grandmother's style of cooking. Amazing flavors and hospitality. Lorena was such a joy to visit with during our meal.
Fantastic small Italian seafood and pasta spot. Had one of the best cioppino I have had in years. Seafood was fresh and delicious. Sauce had a nice spicy bite and lots of depth of flavor. We'll be back!!