Ambiance!!! It's gorgeous! It felt like we were transported to somewhere in Europe and not in Monterey! We opted for the Conservatory (pics shown below), and it was so pretty in all different lighting from sunset to the night. Service was standard - waiters were nice. Escargot appetizer - please get this! The sauce is so decadent and is so good! Honestly the escargot itself didn't add much to it, but the bread was good to soak up all the sauce. The bread came with white sesame seeds, which wasn't bad per se but it caught me off guard and I would've preferred it without. The "world famous" abalone bisque was not what I expected - it was more of a chowder than bisque to me, and its flavor profile was overly dominated by white wine. They skimped on abalone, so it was kind of disappointing. Burrata mushroom pasta was very yummy - anything with burrata is automatically yummy honestly. Overall I would say worth a visit for the ambiance! Just prepared to be super weighed down by the food after!

Life is full of experiences, some good some bad. I have been coming to Monterey for years and have had some bad dining experiences, until I found this place. You will not find a better restaurant. From the staff to the food I rate this place A+. We come here every year for our wedding anniversary, and even came for thanksgiving dinner . This year they went out of their way make our evening special. Our server Jennifer was great , she took the time to visit with us and even take out pictures. Dinner was amazing and the bonbons over dry ice for dessert was the icing on the cake. You owe it to yourself to experience the Sardine factory and all it has to offer at least once in your life.

For our recent 45th wedding anniversary my husband took me back to the Carmel/ Monterey area. Since we were celebrating 45 years we decided to go someplace special. One of our favorite movies of all time is "Play Misty For Me", starring Clint Eastwood. This restaurant plays a role in the movie and we were excited to see it in person. We had made a reservation and made them aware it was our anniversary dinner and they graciously seated us in the Conservatory Room. Oh my Lord, what a beautiful place! The whole restaurant is lovely, but that room was over the top! Service was a little bit slow starting out, but it was very busy and once our server did arrive it certainly improved. I debated but choose the Short Rib pasta dish. It was absolutely delicious! The meat was fork tender. And the pasta cooked to a perfect Al Dente. My husband had a Cesar Salad with anchovies. Everything was delicious and we also received a free dessert for our anniversary. Every single person working there were kind and gracious. Loved every minute we were there. Hope to return for our 50th.

A great meal with great service. Food is exceptional and the staff are awesome. The lobster special was delicious...stuffed with crab! You will need reservations most nights and be prepared to spend $150-$200 for two people if you get drinks and an appetizer. The bottle wine list is massive and they have a good selection of wines by the glass, cocktails, beer and mocktails also.

We could not have had a better experience than we did here! Jose was FANTASTIC, and gave us the best recommendations and service! Followed by a great experience with the sommelier, Dave! And a perfect nightcap of a drink at the bar listening to some incredible piano music! 10/10 experience that I would recommend to everyone!

What an incredible night! My now fiancee chose the Sardine Factory to propose because of the pictures of the beautiful solarium seating area. He ordered the steak and I had the lobster linguini. My pasta was PERFECTION and literally what I had been telling him I was craving for months. Just thinking about that dish right now has me salivating haha. While the ambiance and food was wonderful the service was even more notable! Our server and the manager on staff made my very nervous fiance at ease and helped him execute the most wonderful proposal with ice sculpture swans and all. We can't wait to come back as a married couple and enjoy the whole environment all over again. Thank you to the wonderful staff of The Sardine Factory!!

Nestled in the heart of downtown Monterey, Sardine Factory is a culinary gem that captivates both the palate and the senses. From the moment you step through its doors, you're enveloped in an ambiance of warmth and sophistication, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Upon arrival, my party and I were greeted by friendly staff who ushered us to our table with utmost hospitality. The restaurant's atrium decor and open lighting created an inviting atmosphere, perfect for a Sunday afternoon meal. As we perused the menu, we were captivated by their Pre Fixe menu each showcasing the chef's mastery of flavors and ingredients. Some in our party opted for the Pre Fixe while I opted for the a la carter as there were some tantalizing apps that I just have to try. We choose three apps, and the one that stood out was their fresh oysters shucked beautifully. Their stuff mushrooms was cooked to perfection, while the artichoke was the groups least favorite. Equally impressive was their bisque, refreshing salad, and their main course--the groups favorite was the succulent rack of lamb, expertly seasoned and cooked to a glorious medium-rare; the bone-in pork chop that was as tender as a beef filet and the least was the Fish Filet with Risotto that was overcooked. Each bite was a revelation, with the meat melting in the mouth and leaving behind a symphony of savory goodness. There were three dessert options that boasted an enticing selection of taste, but it was the carrot cake that stole the show. With a thin layer of cream cheese to balance out the not too sweet filling, it was the perfect conclusion to a memorable meal. Throughout our dining experience, the service remained impeccable, with attentive staff ensuring that our every need was met without intrusion. Their professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident at every turn ensuring we were treated as VIP guest.

I would give this place a 4.3. The ambiance is beautiful. I always request for the glass atrium, but even the inside--some rooms remind me of a royal family dining room. The food is pretty good. I've tried their ribeye that they cook for hours and only comes in medium rare. This was good, but very bloody for medium rare. I had to request for it to get recooked. We felt bad, but it was just so bloody. It was good after it got cooked a bit more! We've had the calamari (this was mediocre, not very fresh tasting) Their desserts are always amazing! We have gotten a cherry jubilee (to die for) and an ice cream bon bon. The bon bons come to your table with dry ice going all over the table, so this one is an EXPERIENCE which i loved !! The most recent time, we came for new year's eve dinner. The Fish Risotto was cooked to perfection, and so were our scallop appetizer. I always try to make my way back whenever I'm in the area.