Amazing dining experience! From class A service by Matthew to the best meal in Monterey, Outstanding !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chardonnay, Surf and Turf, Crab Cake Appetizer
Stephanie Brooks, MS, RD, CEDRD S
OMG. The mushroom soup and butternut squash raviolis are amazing!!! You need to come here. Matthew is a very informative and attentive server
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butternut Squash Ravioli
Judith Orr
A great dining experience even for a single person. Service outstanding..... recommendations also good. Will return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sand Dabs
Summer
The crab cake appetizer was amazing. I highly recommend it. We tried both raviolis (butternut squash and mushroom). Both were good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes
Sal Belleci
My first time there always wanted to go so my neighbor and I went. We both had the sand out which were fantastic. We started with the cream of mushroom then I have the crème brûlée for dessert. I will go again as average price and cook the perfection.
Unassuming and delicious delight here. We have lived up the road for 10 years and always pass by but have never tried Max's until two weeks ago, and we've already been twice. I feel like it's easier to get a table here than some other places in the area, parking on the street is easy etc. The food comes out so fast, service is attentive but not overwhelming. It's a smaller menu, but everything has been so good. Mainly some classics and upscale food, I loved the special sand dabs, I tried the short ribs next. Dessert is great. I love the fresh bread that everyone gets at the table. Wine selection is beautiful too. I'll be coming here as a regular spot now. Thank you Max's
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Binhbac Vo
The food is so delicious. Then the customer servers the best. I love this spot. Thank you so so much.I'm enjoying my family.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fran Hutchinson
Lovely atmosphere excellent service and excellent food.
If you find yourself in Pacific Grove, Max’s Grill is a must-visit hidden gem. The short rib, cioppino, and lamb we had were nothing short of spectacular, each dish showcasing the chef's talent and passion. Fresh bread with oil and vinegar was a delightful touch that complemented the meal perfectly. The minimalist decor adds to the restaurant's charm, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Chef Max, a classically trained chef, cooks with genuine TLC, which truly shines through in every bite. Our server, Matt, provided exceptional, old-school service—attentive, polite, and thoroughly professional. Restaurants like Max’s Grill are becoming rare, and dining here is a real pleasure. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Johnson
This is an incredible place to dine. By far the best meal l have had all year. Nowhere near the most expensive however. I have had meals at Michelin starred establishments and this is their equal. I had pork that melted in your mouth like chocolate, my wife had the most tender and delicious calamari steak l have tasted and my niece had Cioppino that was so good she would not share. We had a crab cake appetizer and crème brulée for desert. Both were done to perfection. This is the best kept secret in the Monterey Bay area.
Exquisite food. Extremely polite and attentive waiter. The bisque was incredible!!! Short ribs super tender and tasty. Really great restaurant - thanks :)
Bruce Blumberg
We are here on a Sunday night I'm April with some trepidation simce we were the only customers. The food is classic French with great flavors and fresh food. I had the braises short rib and my wife had the mushroom ravioli. Flavors and service were on point. The only negative is that this is classic French style with rich heavy sauces. We would have skipped the appetizers had we known in advance. So go there hungry and fou
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Philpott
Classic French with Japanese overtones. Intimate atmosphere.
Amazing dining experience! From class A service by Matthew to the best meal in Monterey, Outstanding !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chardonnay, Surf and Turf, Crab Cake Appetizer
OMG. The mushroom soup and butternut squash raviolis are amazing!!! You need to come here. Matthew is a very informative and attentive server
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butternut Squash Ravioli
A great dining experience even for a single person. Service outstanding..... recommendations also good. Will return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sand Dabs
The crab cake appetizer was amazing. I highly recommend it. We tried both raviolis (butternut squash and mushroom). Both were good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes
My first time there always wanted to go so my neighbor and I went. We both had the sand out which were fantastic. We started with the cream of mushroom then I have the crème brûlée for dessert. I will go again as average price and cook the perfection.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sand Dabs, Coconut Creme Brulee
Intimate place with outstanding food and service. The owners are sweet and beautiful people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Wellington, Sand Dabs, Tempura Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Calamari Steak
Unassuming and delicious delight here. We have lived up the road for 10 years and always pass by but have never tried Max's until two weeks ago, and we've already been twice. I feel like it's easier to get a table here than some other places in the area, parking on the street is easy etc. The food comes out so fast, service is attentive but not overwhelming. It's a smaller menu, but everything has been so good. Mainly some classics and upscale food, I loved the special sand dabs, I tried the short ribs next. Dessert is great. I love the fresh bread that everyone gets at the table. Wine selection is beautiful too. I'll be coming here as a regular spot now. Thank you Max's
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is so delicious. Then the customer servers the best. I love this spot. Thank you so so much.I'm enjoying my family.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely atmosphere excellent service and excellent food.
Parking: On site
Free parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butternut Squash Ravioli
It was very delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
If you find yourself in Pacific Grove, Max’s Grill is a must-visit hidden gem. The short rib, cioppino, and lamb we had were nothing short of spectacular, each dish showcasing the chef's talent and passion. Fresh bread with oil and vinegar was a delightful touch that complemented the meal perfectly. The minimalist decor adds to the restaurant's charm, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Chef Max, a classically trained chef, cooks with genuine TLC, which truly shines through in every bite. Our server, Matt, provided exceptional, old-school service—attentive, polite, and thoroughly professional. Restaurants like Max’s Grill are becoming rare, and dining here is a real pleasure. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is an incredible place to dine. By far the best meal l have had all year. Nowhere near the most expensive however. I have had meals at Michelin starred establishments and this is their equal. I had pork that melted in your mouth like chocolate, my wife had the most tender and delicious calamari steak l have tasted and my niece had Cioppino that was so good she would not share. We had a crab cake appetizer and crème brulée for desert. Both were done to perfection. This is the best kept secret in the Monterey Bay area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butternut Squash Ravioli, Sand Dabs, Coconut Creme Brulee, Crab Cakes, Calamari Steak
Exquisite food. Extremely polite and attentive waiter. The bisque was incredible!!! Short ribs super tender and tasty. Really great restaurant - thanks :)
We are here on a Sunday night I'm April with some trepidation simce we were the only customers. The food is classic French with great flavors and fresh food. I had the braises short rib and my wife had the mushroom ravioli. Flavors and service were on point. The only negative is that this is classic French style with rich heavy sauces. We would have skipped the appetizers had we known in advance. So go there hungry and fou
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Classic French with Japanese overtones. Intimate atmosphere.
Vegetarian options: Very tasty
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butternut Squash Ravioli, Sand Dabs, Saltimbocca, French Onion Soup
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