Very very nice. Both my wife and I were totally impressed by the food. It was quiet as we were there off season mid week. I appreciate quiet
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katie Roberts
Oh my goodness! Hands down the best seafood place I've ever been to! Started out with the Clam Chowder Bread Bowl, wow just wow! So much flavor, so many ingredients, and it was so hot I had to slow down. Everytime I stirred the soup it was steaming! That is the best way to eat clam chowder! It also came with fresh, hot bread rolls and butter. So crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and it just melts in your mouth! Then I had the Seafood Sampler Plate. BEST scallops and shrimp I've ever had! Everything was so tender and full of flavor. You can't tell you're eating seafood, it was so fresh and not fishy. The vegetables were also cooked perfectly, yum! Prices are perfect, you get what you pay for! Can't wait to go back for dessert! Service was also wonderful, my server was helpful and courteous, very professional! Always checked on me, made sure I was taken care of.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sampler Platter, Bread Bowl with Chowder
Pauline
A Peaceful Dining Experience at Manta ray in San Simeon!
On our anniversary trip, we were on our way to Hearst Castle we decided to stay one night in San Simeon. We weren’t really looking for anything in particular. We just wanted to see the elephant seals, and made an early tour in the morning in Hearst Castle.
We stayed at the Sea Breeze Inn, a nice hotel in San Simeon, and then wanted to find somewhere nearby to eat within walking distance. We crossed the street, there isn’t much traffic, and after about four minutes walking, we arrived at a restaurant Manta ray.
We were welcomed by our waiter, Oscar, a very kind man, who showed us to a table. We started by ordering fried calamari, which came with a couple of sauces. We were served fresh water with ice, along with a glass of wine for me and a beer for my husband. I ordered a Zinfandel (about $13, though I don’t remember the name), and my husband ordered a beer. After the calamari, we shared a clam chowder bread bowl. It was delicious, with warm fresh bread and great flavor.
Later, we ordered a house Pinot Noir, one of the affordable options. Oscar, our waiter, was respectful, attentive, and very polite. But then the restaurant filled up quickly, a group of 15 came in, then a couple, then another group of four, then two, then another eight people. Suddenly, the restaurant was full.
I was surprised at how popular the place was, the service and the food were great. But they are short-staffed. If you come here, remember this: • Sit down and calm down. • If you’re in a hurry, this is not your place. • If you’re coming with kids, this might not be your place either.
This is a peaceful restaurant, a local spot where you can enjoy the experience with kind people. Oscar was extremely hardworking. He was cleaning tables, bussing dishes, taking orders, making drinks, serving wine, delivering food, refilling water, and even bringing bread, all at the same time. He was essentially running the entire dining area by himself on a Saturday night rush, while just a couple of cooks worked in the kitchen. In less than 30 minutes, around 25 people came in, and the restaurant can probably hold about 30 in total. Oscar and the cooks did an amazing job doing everything they could to provide good service and tasty food.
If you come here expecting fast, five-star service in five minutes because you’re starving, then go somewhere else and pay the extra price. But if you want to relax, have a bottle of wine, order appetizers, and enjoy the atmosphere, this is the perfect place.
We stayed from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., enjoying every moment. We had the fried calamari, then clam chowder, then a cioppino, along with battle of wine, beer, and water. The music was relaxing, the atmosphere was peaceful, and the people, locals and travelers, were friendly, kind, and smiling.
Please, don’t write a bad review here just because you came from the city expecting to be treated like someone “special.” The special ones are the local people working hard to make your evening better. Be patient, be respectful with the staff, and you’ll have a great experience.
For us, it was a memorable anniversary dinner, and we are thankful to Oscar, our waiter, as well as the chefs and staff who made our night special. If I ever return to San Simeon, I will definitely come back to Manta Rey Restaurant.
We get so tired of paying a fortune for dinner, only to be assaulted by the noise and the price tag. Not true at Manta Rey. Dinner was delicious, affordable, and oh so quiet even though there were other diners near us. We will definitely return when in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
cd zd
most delicious food, wonderful service. do yourself a favor and give this hidden gem a try, the people that know know. best restaurant in San Simone and Cambria
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
adriana Brahic
Food was good service was horrible.Waitress was very rude never checked on us, once seemed to be bothered.If we have questions only waitress working seem to be bothered by anybody in the restaurant. We came from very far away to celebrate our anniversary and we had a terrible experience.Theres alot more nice places to visit around this area. Don't waste your time there.
I come to the San Simeon Cambria coastal area a lot have tried the chowder everywhere this one at Manta Rey is good so was the seafood pasta was there on Thursday 6:30 pm surprised it was very few people. It was good.
Mindy Martindale
I love love love this place. I promise to visit more often. The meal was deliciousness overload! Great service and friendly staff.
The restaurant hours said it’s open on Monday from 5:00 pm. The doors were still locked at 6:30.
socal_expat 1
I had the seafood sampler. The seafood was fried perfectly, the sides however showed zero creativity. Tepid garlic mashed potatoes in the shape of the portioned scoop, nearly uncooked carrots and broccoli. A forced 20% gratuity because of our party of five, in an empty restaurant. Neither the front or the back of the cause seemed to care. Good luck with thinking boys!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Seafood Sampler
Evert Sevenhuijsen
Everything here is fried in a thick layer of batter, so everything tastes pretty much the same. The fish is nothing special. The main courses are brought when we are halfway through the starter…
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Ralf Horn
We stayed at the hotel next door for a night on the road trip. Since we were very tired from the journey, we just went to the next restaurant without any great expectations. We were totally surprised! The service was very attentive and nice. The food was very good and fresh. The portions are large. Good food at a fair price!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ms. B
Delicious food, excellent customer service, and the restaurant seating was pleasant.
Very very nice. Both my wife and I were totally impressed by the food. It was quiet as we were there off season mid week. I appreciate quiet
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oh my goodness! Hands down the best seafood place I've ever been to! Started out with the Clam Chowder Bread Bowl, wow just wow! So much flavor, so many ingredients, and it was so hot I had to slow down. Everytime I stirred the soup it was steaming! That is the best way to eat clam chowder! It also came with fresh, hot bread rolls and butter. So crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and it just melts in your mouth! Then I had the Seafood Sampler Plate. BEST scallops and shrimp I've ever had! Everything was so tender and full of flavor. You can't tell you're eating seafood, it was so fresh and not fishy. The vegetables were also cooked perfectly, yum! Prices are perfect, you get what you pay for! Can't wait to go back for dessert! Service was also wonderful, my server was helpful and courteous, very professional! Always checked on me, made sure I was taken care of.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sampler Platter, Bread Bowl with Chowder
A Peaceful Dining Experience at Manta ray in San Simeon!
On our anniversary trip, we were on our way to Hearst Castle we decided to stay one night in San Simeon. We weren’t really looking for anything in particular. We just wanted to see the elephant seals, and made an early tour in the morning in Hearst Castle.
We stayed at the Sea Breeze Inn, a nice hotel in San Simeon, and then wanted to find somewhere nearby to eat within walking distance. We crossed the street, there isn’t much traffic, and after about four minutes walking, we arrived at a restaurant Manta ray.
We were welcomed by our waiter, Oscar, a very kind man, who showed us to a table. We started by ordering fried calamari, which came with a couple of sauces. We were served fresh water with ice, along with a glass of wine for me and a beer for my husband. I ordered a Zinfandel (about $13, though I don’t remember the name), and my husband ordered a beer. After the calamari, we shared a clam chowder bread bowl. It was delicious, with warm fresh bread and great flavor.
Later, we ordered a house Pinot Noir, one of the affordable options. Oscar, our waiter, was respectful, attentive, and very polite. But then the restaurant filled up quickly, a group of 15 came in, then a couple, then another group of four, then two, then another eight people. Suddenly, the restaurant was full.
I was surprised at how popular the place was, the service and the food were great. But they are short-staffed. If you come here, remember this:
• Sit down and calm down.
• If you’re in a hurry, this is not your place.
• If you’re coming with kids, this might not be your place either.
This is a peaceful restaurant, a local spot where you can enjoy the experience with kind people. Oscar was extremely hardworking. He was cleaning tables, bussing dishes, taking orders, making drinks, serving wine, delivering food, refilling water, and even bringing bread, all at the same time. He was essentially running the entire dining area by himself on a Saturday night rush, while just a couple of cooks worked in the kitchen. In less than 30 minutes, around 25 people came in, and the restaurant can probably hold about 30 in total. Oscar and the cooks did an amazing job doing everything they could to provide good service and tasty food.
If you come here expecting fast, five-star service in five minutes because you’re starving, then go somewhere else and pay the extra price. But if you want to relax, have a bottle of wine, order appetizers, and enjoy the atmosphere, this is the perfect place.
We stayed from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., enjoying every moment. We had the fried calamari, then clam chowder, then a cioppino, along with battle of wine, beer, and water. The music was relaxing, the atmosphere was peaceful, and the people, locals and travelers, were friendly, kind, and smiling.
Please, don’t write a bad review here just because you came from the city expecting to be treated like someone “special.” The special ones are the local people working hard to make your evening better. Be patient, be respectful with the staff, and you’ll have a great experience.
For us, it was a memorable anniversary dinner, and we are thankful to Oscar, our waiter, as well as the chefs and staff who made our night special. If I ever return to San Simeon, I will definitely come back to Manta Rey Restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cioppino, Seafood Clam Chowder
We get so tired of paying a fortune for dinner, only to be assaulted by the noise and the price tag. Not true at Manta Rey. Dinner was delicious, affordable, and oh so quiet even though there were other diners near us. We will definitely return when in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
most delicious food, wonderful service. do yourself a favor and give this hidden gem a try, the people that know know. best restaurant in San Simone and Cambria
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was good service was horrible.Waitress was very rude never checked on us, once seemed to be bothered.If we have questions only waitress working seem to be bothered by anybody in the restaurant. We came from very far away to celebrate our anniversary and we had a terrible experience.Theres alot more nice places to visit around this area. Don't waste your time there.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Seafood Pasta, Sampler Platter
Good food, can recommend!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I come to the San Simeon Cambria coastal area a lot have tried the chowder everywhere this one at Manta Rey is good so was the seafood pasta was there on Thursday 6:30 pm surprised it was very few people. It was good.
I love love love this place. I promise to visit more often. The meal was deliciousness overload! Great service and friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Pasta, Crème Brulee, Seafood Clam Chowder
Great filet mignon.
Restaurantji Recommends
The restaurant hours said it’s open on Monday from 5:00 pm. The doors were still locked at 6:30.
I had the seafood sampler. The seafood was fried perfectly, the sides however showed zero creativity. Tepid garlic mashed potatoes in the shape of the portioned scoop, nearly uncooked carrots and broccoli. A forced 20% gratuity because of our party of five, in an empty restaurant. Neither the front or the back of the cause seemed to care. Good luck with thinking boys!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Seafood Sampler
Everything here is fried in a thick layer of batter, so everything tastes pretty much the same. The fish is nothing special. The main courses are brought when we are halfway through the starter…
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
We stayed at the hotel next door for a night on the road trip. Since we were very tired from the journey, we just went to the next restaurant without any great expectations. We were totally surprised! The service was very attentive and nice. The food was very good and fresh. The portions are large. Good food at a fair price!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food, excellent customer service, and the restaurant seating was pleasant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad, Sampler Platter, Seafood Sampler
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