Monterey's Best Brunch

You’ve got two types of weekend hunger in Monterey: the kind that demands a sea-view show and a cocktail with your eggs, and the kind that just needs a giant plate of chili at a picnic table. I’ve done both.

Between the sea lions at Piccolo and the potatoes at Red House, I’ve logged enough pancake syrup to swim through the Bay. I also returned to The Breakfast Club four mornings in a row, which should tell you I’m serious.

Start with any of these, but pick your mood first.

The Breakfast Club

Highlights
In-house sausage patties
Four mornings in a row
Prompt, pleasant service
Relaxed, roomy atmosphere
Solid burrito portions

I visited The Breakfast Club four mornings in a row. That should tell you something. The in-house sausage patties are the reason. They are juicy, seasoned exactly right, and worth the repeat trips. The service is prompt and pleasant, which I appreciate when I am half awake. The room feels relaxed and spacious, no cramped elbows. Burrito portions are solid, too. I left full every single time. That is rare for me. If you like breakfast without the fuss, start here. Just do not blame me when you keep coming back.

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Schooners Monterey

Highlights
Oceanfront setting, stunning views
Impeccable, attentive service
Fresh, inventive seafood dishes
Perfect for special occasions
Memorable, impressive desserts

Schooners Monterey sits right on the ocean. The views are stunning, and they do all the heavy lifting. The service is impeccable, attentive without hovering. I ordered seafood, and it arrived fresh and inventive, which is not always the case in tourist spots. The desserts are memorable, and I mean that in the best way. This place is perfect for special occasions, anniversaries, or any excuse to feel fancy. I felt like I should have been wearing better shoes. The food matched the scenery, which is saying a lot. I left impressed. That does not happen often.

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Lighthouse Bistro Global Cuisine

Highlights
Exceptional rack of lamb
Unique pomegranate molasses chicken
Friendly, attentive hospitality
Comfortable, calming atmosphere
Worth the patient wait

Lighthouse Bistro makes you wait. I did, and I am glad I did. The rack of lamb is exceptional. It arrived cooked exactly as requested, tender and full of flavor. The pomegranate molasses chicken is a unique twist, and it works. The hospitality is friendly and attentive, making the wait sting less. The atmosphere is comfortable and calming, which helps when your stomach is growling. This is not a quick stop. It is a meal to savor. I suggest patience. The reward is worth it. I would go back, even if I had to wait again.

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Piccolo

Highlights
In-house bread and cheese
Best clam chowder ever
Fresh prosciutto sliced to order
Gluten-free options that impress
Views of sea lions and otters

Piccolo has the best clam chowder I have ever had. I will not argue about this. The bread and cheese are made in-house, and you can taste the difference. The fresh prosciutto is sliced to order, which feels like a treat. Even the gluten-free options impressed me, and I am picky about that. The views of sea lions and otters are a bonus. I watched a sea lion while eating. That is entertainment. The food is thoughtful, and the setting is lively. I left full and happy. This is a brunch with a show.

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Coastal Kitchen

Highlights
Stunning coastline views throughout
Impeccable, intuitive table service
Perfectly paced, playful courses
Genuine hospitality, zero pretension

Coastal Kitchen gives you coastline views throughout the meal. I did not have to angle my neck to see the water. The service is impeccable and intuitive. My server knew when I needed a refill before I did. The courses came out perfectly paced, playful without being silly. There is genuine hospitality here, zero pretension. I appreciated that, since I showed up in casual clothes. The food was good, but the whole experience felt easy. That is harder to pull off than it looks. I would come back for the calm and the quality. A solid pick.

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The C Restaurant + Bar

Highlights
Oceanfront seating, unbeatable views
Attentive, proactive, friendly staff
Generous kids' portions
Unique, delicious cocktails
Romantic ambiance with live music

The C Restaurant + Bar has oceanfront seating with unbeatable views. I watched the waves while sipping a unique cocktail. The drink was delicious, inventive, and strong. The staff is attentive, proactive, and friendly, which makes a difference. My kid got a generous portion, so no complaints there. They even had live music, which added a romantic touch. I felt classy, which is a rare feeling for me. The service and setting combine to make a memorable brunch. This is a spot for slow mornings and good company. I left happy, and that is the point.

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From Scratch Restaurant

Highlights
Huge portions, fair prices
Chili is a standout
Dog-friendly with pup menu
Family-friendly hot chocolates
Understandable busy wait

From Scratch Restaurant serves huge portions at fair prices. I ordered the chili, and it was a standout. I say that as someone who is wary of chili. The place is dog-friendly, with a pup menu, which my dog appreciated. He had a better meal than I did, actually. The family-friendly hot chocolates are a nice touch. The wait is busy, but I understand why. The food is good, and the portions are generous. I left stuffed and satisfied. This is a casual spot with solid value. I will return, possibly with my dog again.

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Red House Cafe

Highlights
Crispy potatoes worth praising
Fresh berries and berries
Cozy sidewalk street-side seating
Fast, friendly, simple service
Bowl-style latte fun

Red House Cafe has crispy potatoes worth praising. They were golden, crunchy, and just right. The fresh berries were fresh, and there were plenty of them. I sat on the sidewalk, which felt cozy and street-side. The service is fast, friendly, and simple, just the way I like it. They serve a bowl-style latte, and it is fun. I felt like I was drinking out of a cereal bowl, which was silly but enjoyable. This place is not fancy, but it does not need to be. It is a solid, comfortable brunch. I left with a smile.

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Stokes Adobe Restaurant

Highlights
Exceptional event planning staff
Beautifully decorated outdoor patio
Attentive, proactive service team
Great food and wine
Ideal for special occasions

Stokes Adobe Restaurant nailed the special occasion game. The event planning staff is exceptional. I did not have to worry about a thing. The outdoor patio is beautifully decorated, almost like a secret garden. The service team is attentive and proactive, refilling water before I asked. The food and wine were great, no misses on the menu. This is ideal for birthdays or anniversaries. I felt like the host even though I was the guest. The whole experience felt polished. I left with a full stomach and high standards. Worth the price.

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Cella Restaurant & Bar

Highlights
Birthday dessert saved with grace
New chef's dishes are fabulous
Carrots with Brie and honey
Lovely outdoor Italian countryside seating

Cella Restaurant & Bar saved a birthday dessert with grace. My cake arrived late, but they handled it perfectly. The new chef's dishes are fabulous. I tried the carrots with Brie and honey, and they were surprisingly good. I did not expect a vegetable to steal the show. The outdoor seating feels like the Italian countryside, which is a nice escape. The service is lovely and welcoming. This place has a great vibe for a relaxed meal. I left feeling cared for. That is the best kind of brunch. I will be back.

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Melville Tavern

Highlights
Meatloaf was dry this time
Service and patio were excellent
Good for casual dinners
Burger tasted great overall

Melville Tavern disappointed me once with the meatloaf. It was dry this time. I have had better. But the service and patio were excellent, and the burger tasted great overall. I will give credit where it is due. This is a good spot for casual dinners, not a fancy brunch. The staff is friendly, and the outdoor seating is pleasant. If you go, stick to the burger. Skip the meatloaf. I might return for the patio alone. It is a solid choice for a relaxed meal. Just order wisely.

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Jacks Monterey

Highlights
Attentive service by Miranda
Clean, lively atmosphere
Delicious food all around
Impressive bar experience
Great for special occasions

Jacks Monterey gave me attentive service from Miranda. She knows her job. The atmosphere is clean and lively, a good mix. The food was delicious all around. I ordered a few things, and every plate was solid. The bar experience impressed me, too. The cocktails were well made and not overly sweet. This place works for special occasions, but it is also fine for a regular day. I felt welcome, not rushed. That is rare. I left satisfied and a little impressed. I would recommend it without hesitation.

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