Coastal Kitchen - Monterey (CA)

5 /5 Dan Daniels: Service is my top priority when dining out, and Rachel was absolutely phenomenal. My husband and I had an incredible experience thanks to her attentiveness and warmth. She anticipated our needs before we even voiced them. At times, it truly felt like she could read our minds! Despite being a fine dining experience, the evening never felt pretentious or overly formal. We felt like the experience was just filled with genuine hospitality paired with impeccable service and delicious food. From the moment we arrived, everything was seamless. Teagan welcomed us with a friendly smile and escorted us to our window-side table, which offered a stunning ocean view. Each table having its own “private” window made the atmosphere even more special. Throughout the evening, Rachel, Hannah, and Jesus guided us through each course, describing every dish in thoughtful detail and inviting questions. Rachel went above and beyond by asking for our feedback at the end and even shared some wonderful local recommendations since we’re visiting the area. The food itself was exceptional. Every course was beautifully curated, with playful contrasts in texture and flavor. The pacing between courses was perfect. We had enough time to savor each dish, enjoy our conversation, and never feel rushed. Best of all, we left feeling not just satisfied, but also FULL. We can’t recommend Coastal Kitchen enough.

1 /5 Kristine Fitts: We took our granddaughter (who is a golfer) on a trip for her 16th birthday to Pebble Beach. As a foodie and caterer, I did my research well in advance on where to eat. Coastal Kitchen looked like a winner, but it was totally booked each of the four nights we were in town. I put us on the “Notify me” list for Saturday night and booked a dinner reservation elsewhere. Lo and behold, I received a call the night before saying we could be seated so I enthusiastically grabbed it and cancelled our alternate reservation. Getting there and parking was easy. It’s quite the trek through the hotel to get there, but once we arrived the cutest hostess seated us. That, was the only positive experience we had all night. Our service did not meet the standard you should expect. There were plenty of empty tables and plenty of servers so we should have been well taken care of. We ordered cocktails first, which seemed to annoy our server. Too bad. Since it was a prix fix menu there wasn’t a lot to decipher. I chose to do the wine pairings, another disappointment. The food was not outstanding and after the third or fourth course, I told our server not to bring another one unless it was hot. I had read about the acclaimed chef and was excited to see him there. He wasn’t cheffing though and I felt he should have been working the room instead of just standing in the same place all night reviewing the orders. I almost felt sorry for him though because he looked sad. The two servers that were bringing the courses spoke too quietly, and even after asking them to speak up so we could hear their descriptions, they didn’t. I had read that in two of the reviews I read so maybe that’s intentional. It was obnoxious. I cannot recommend Coastal Kitchen. It’s ridiculously expensive for THAT type of dining experience.

5 /5 Courtneyw871: Delicious food, excellent service, and beautiful location on Monterey Bay. My husband and I enjoyed the tasting menu with wine tour. We loved the view of the bay, watching sea otters and other wildlife (they even had binoculars at the tables), while also enjoying the yummy food and wine parings. The service was great, especially Rachel, Jesus, and Emily. The kitchen staff were awesome, although we never met them, the food was delicious. The waitstaff brought a very personal touch to each table, so attentive, kind, personable, and making you feel like you’re the only people at the restaurant! Highly recommend and if we’re ever back to visit we will definitely come back.

5 /5 Valerie Usmanova: Wonderful place! Excellent food, great service, scenic views. A real gem. Specials thank you to our attentive host Jesus - we loved every single minute of our Sunday brunch! Complimentary gifts at the end were sooo cute

5 /5 Andriiana Krupa: Our evening at Coastal Kitchen was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm smiles and thoughtful, attentive service that made us feel genuinely cared for. The ambiance was simply stunning — the breathtaking view of the coastline created the perfect backdrop for a romantic night. Every detail, from the elegant table settings to the subtle lighting, showed a true attention to detail and created an unforgettable atmosphere. The food was beautifully presented and delicious, perfectly complemented by a selection of refined wines. Each course was thoughtfully prepared, and the flavors were both creative and comforting. The wine pairing was a highlight — every glass elevated the dishes and added to the overall experience. There was a sense of romance in the air — calm, relaxed, and intimate. It was the kind of evening you hope for when you want to truly enjoy great food, good company, and a touch of elegance. Coastal Kitchen exceeded all our expectations. I would absolutely recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy an exceptional dining experience with beautiful views, outstanding service, and a menu full of flavor!