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Hours
Sun
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Mon
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Tue
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thu
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
MICHELIN
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PRICE RANGE
$30.00 – $150.00
CUISINES
Steakhouse, Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
MICHELIN Guide's Point of View
The name and exterior of this "factory” can be deceptive as it is pretty damn elegant, if even a bit stodgy on the inside. Imagine silk curtains, monog...
Read more on MICHELIN GuideDoes this restaurant serve alcohol?
Details
About
Every city has that one can't miss restaurant, where celebrities feel at home and every other guest feels like a celebrity. Since October 2, 1968, The Sardine Factory's cachet has made dining in our historic Cannery Row setting a tradition for world leaders, sports heroes and entertainment icons. Our award-winning chefs prepare delectable creations of fresh, sustainable seafood and USDA Prime Aged Beef; winner of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine's "Best Wine List in America" award. The Lounge's live entertainment, Happy Hour and affordable menu are a casual alternative to our other dining rooms. Voted "Best Restaurant in Monterey" by Monterey County Herald Readers. Celebrating over 55 years under the same ownership and management!
PRICE RANGE
$30.00 – $150.00
CUISINES
Steakhouse, Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Late Night, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music
Contribute
4.0
1,121 reviews
Excellent
611
Very good
265
Average
126
Poor
68
Terrible
51
JillClardy
Redwood City871 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Though we’ve been coming to Monterey for years, we had never gotten a reservation to this popular restaurant in advance, and they’re usually completely booked on a weekend. We were in the area for the AT&T ProAm and, on a whim, decided to go early since no reservations were available after 6:00. We went early for happy hour, but my first impression was how shabby and worn the bar area looked. Apparently the drinks we ordered weren’t on the happy hour bar menu, so we spent $70 before we even got to the dinner table!
We walked through a maze of darkly decorated rooms before we arrived in the Conservatory which is bright and inviting. It’s surrounded by greenery on all sides, and has a nice ambiance and is not too loud due to the high ceiling. Service was fast and pleasant, though the early-diners menu wasn’t offered - I had to ask for it, and the wait person didn’t seem pleased to have to go get it. It turns out that the dish I wanted, sand dabs, was in the early menu, at about half the cost of the regular menu. My husband had calamari, and we ordered a bottle of wine. We couldn’t finish the bottle but our server cheerfully bagged it so we could take it back to our hotel room. The meal was delicious, but I felt that it was quite over priced, more like what I would expect to pay for 4-star restaurant in San Francisco, not an aging, slightly shabby restaurant in Monterey.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dbrgdmn
196 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
I love this place! I have been intrigued by it ever since I saw the movie “Play Misty for Me” back in the early 1970s. They actually have an early bird special between 5 and 6 PM, if you get your order in before 6 PM, the prices are a bit cheaper. It’s worth getting there early. I always have the same thing, the Sand Dabs. After dinner, we went into the lounge area, and enjoyed a “Factory mocha” and listening to the entertainer, David Conley.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
martinezcm
Kansas City478 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
In our visits to Monterey have been intrigued by this name especially since sardines are not main issue in this land anymore. Our friends invited us to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their engagement there and happily flew in to scape the Midwestern winter
We wanted one of the cozier rooms by the entrance but were directed instead to a large glass plant conservatory that fortunately was quite since on a Monday there were few occupants.
We noticed, and experienced the dominace as butter as a key ingredient of most items in the menu. A somewhat unexpected matter in touchy-feely CA, otherwise very politically correct but deff to the Heart Association. Managed to get the sand dabs without it, but the appetizer of abalone (one of the reasons for choosing the place) came coated with it , yet delicious as were the accompanying grilled prawns. The mushrooms quite good and probably the best prepared item in the whole dinner.
The entree of diver scallops over polenta and the nice touch of crispy prosciutto
were good and too filling as the portions in this place are large. Indeed, the two women in the group left one medallion in their plate.
The service was mixed; the older member of the staff was courteous, well informed and friendly. the younger one was aloof and remiss attending to the beverage needs not bringing the wine until about half way into the meal . By the way the wine selection is quite good and the prices , specially by the glass, reasonable for American restaurant standards. where a glass equals the price of the whole bottle retail.
There is an overall feeling that something does not fit quite right with the place and the serving of the "entrement" of cactus sorbet in a metal cup inside a large swan ice scultures a little corny.
The dessert list is abundant in rich components suitable for late dinner only if shared. This is true for their otherwise very good sachertorte.
Overall, a good place , out of the ordinary, with not very original or creative cuisine. They do seems to use the freshest ingredients but is not on its way to get a Michelin star anytime soon. Nevertheless, were happy to celebrate there with friends
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dickson2018
Walnut Grove14 contributions
Jun 2020 • none
My wife and I were celebrating our 45 anniversary with a trip to Monterey. We were hoping for something special for dinner that night. We could have not picked a better place to celebrate. The service and food were spectacular. The menu although pricey was well worth the experience as the wait staff made the dining experience memorable. Highly Recommended?
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
imcookn
Oceanside206 contributions
Sep 2020 • couples
Almost a great meal!
With all of the COVID challenges Sardine Factory does an excellent job of creating an outdoor fine dining ambience. What used to be parking lot has a tent with carpet and tables with table cloths and nice chairs.
We started with an order of a bottle of wine. Unexpectantly a somolier showed up with the wine, which we tasted, and had a nice wine chat with the somolier.
We then ordered dinner. My wife ordered rack of lamb, her favorite. I had the lobster. We both started with the abalone bisc, a first for me and excellent.
My lobster dish was very good but I can’t say the same for the rack of lamb.
So we are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary and I have witnessed my wife enjoying numerous racks but this one was very disappointing. Very fatty😖
So we decided to share her disappointment wirh the manager on our way out.
To their credit, a staff member stopped by our table to ask us about our experience.
We shared our disappointment with the lamb in an effort to let them know that their purveyor may not be delivering the product they would expect. Interesting, the staff member shared that their kitchen cuts their meats to their own standards.
We appreciated the honesty but in this case they missed the boat.
So bottom line, it wasn’t the meal we expected, but the ambience and staff were very good and we will return for another chance at a great meal
Written September 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheSardineFactory
Dear imcookn,
Thank you for your informative review, we appreciate you taking the time to write it. I am so sorry to hear that the lamb meal fell short of your expectations. I will pass your comments on to the Chef, Management and Owners. We appreciate your patronage and look forward to serving you again in the future.
Written October 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bkpacin
Petaluma21 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
To celebrate our anniversary, we decided to go all out and have dinner at the Sardine Factory. I've heard a lot about the food industry not being able to hire adequate staff but was totally dissatisfied with our waiter. The busser was very good and knew his job. I have no complaints with the food, but our waiter was inattentive and unprofessional. We ordered an appetizer, then soup and salad, then the entrees, and well as two glasses of wine. When the waiter brought the appetizer, he also brought my wife's salad. After the appetizer and salad plates were removed, he brought the soup. About five minutes after the entrees were brought to the table, I had to ask for the wine twice. The Sardine Factory gave us a free dessert to celebrate our anniversary, which we appreciate. When the bill for the meal was presented, the waiter present two bills indicating that one showed the cost with the dessert and the other showed the cost without the dessert. This was a very deliberate act by the waiter to point out that I should leave a tip based on the bill that had contained the cost of the desert rather than the lesser bill. That was the final straw and totally ruined the evening. I'm old enough and been around long enough to know to always tip on what the total cost of the dinner would have been no matter how much the restaurant has provided for free.
I can only hope The Sardine Factory will be able to find wait staff that can live up to their reputation.
Written October 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheSardineFactory
Dear bkpacin,
Thank you for your informative review, we appreciate you taking the time to write it. We are saddened to hear that our service fell short of your expectations. Every day we strive to give our customers a delicious and memorable experience, we obviously missed our opportunity with you. I will pass your comments on to the Owners and Management. If you have a moment, and are willing, it would be helpful if you could let us know when you dined and if you know your server's name. We are always looking for areas of improvement. I can be reached directly at lmahoney@canneryrow.com. We appreciate your patronage and hope you will consider allowing us to serve you again in the future.
Written October 20, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
l0urain
El Dorado Hills84 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
We walked to the resturant and they new it was our anniversary and seated us in the main atrium. The servive is 5 star and the meals were absoluely worth the price even tough it is expensive .
I was wanting the abalone which is so hard to find and it was three steaks of perfection. My wife had lobster ravioli and another meal that is Michelin worthy. They had abalone soup for 1st cours and rasberry sorbet pallet cleanser, then the main course. It was perfection.
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janet
Mountain View16 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Of all of the restaurants that we have gone to during COVID-19, this one tops our list as doing the best job of making outdoor dining in tough times very romantic. They managed to put up a huge tent with lights. The tables were set with table cloths and separated by the required 6'. The restaurant was quiet and cozy. The service was excellent and the food delicious (just like I remembered it to be in pre-COVID times). It's definitely worth it for a nice dinner out!
Written August 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trixiebentleyfone
Los Gatos5 contributions
Sep 2020 • none
under very trying circumstances, the Sardine Factory still dished up delicious food.
the tent in the parking lot leaves a lot to be desired, very windy and chilly the evening we were there, but the effort made by the staff is admirable.
the food is wonderful and the service all that could be asked for.
we did leave earlier than we normally would have, due to the uncomfortable weather, but they remembered it was our anniversary and packed up a lovely dessert for us.
we look forward to returning when this craziness is over.
Written September 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
slam
7 contributions
May 2021 • none
After seeing all the positive reviews, I couldn't imagine any one restaurant being THAT good decade after decade, but my husband and I decided to give it a try and we were both so glad we did! I ordered the Parmesan Crusted Calamari Steak with Scallops and Prawns and it was outstanding. The calamari steak was flavorful and cooked perfectly (tender not tough) as were the scallops and prawns. My husband ordered the Pan Seared King Salmon which he would definitely order again. He also had a cup of the Abalone bisque and said it was a must have. The wine list/book was beyond extensive so we cheated and went straight to the Cellar Master's Selection page where there were a surprising number of modestly priced wines available by the bottle. We chose a $40+ bottle of Chardonnay and were not disappointed. Needless to say, the Sardine Factory exceeded our expectations and we will definitely eat there again on our next trip to Monterey.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vir94545
Pinole476 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
Covid hit Monterey just like other places around California. The Sardine Factory in order to survive had to set up tents. The service was a bit slow but not bat
considering the circumstances.
My partner ordered the escargot. SHe likes the way they serve and the presentation
was cleaver. Instead of serving it the snail shell they hollowed out some baguettes,
soaked them in I guess garlic and butter sauce. They toasted the baguettes cut one side on a diagonal and stood them up on the plate.
I don't like seafood so I threw them a curve ball and ordered the short ribs. The ribs
were hot, moist and tender enough to cut with a fork. We ordered a tiramisu to take with us. Their version of the desert did not have coffee in it. The dssert was okay but not as good as some other places.
Written October 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
biffie
Weybridge58 contributions
Apr 2022 • family
We were in monterey for a short holiday and ate at this restaurant twice. The first visit we were seated in the bar area which was very busy and had an excellent live musician. So whilst noisy it had a good atmosphere. Food was good and we had a super helpful waitress (Jennifer?) Based on this we booked to return on our last night. Also we wanted to try their prime rib which is a special on Friday and Saturday. We made a point of this when we booked and a note was made on our reservation.
What a different experience! We were in the greenhouse section, which is pretty but lacking in atmosphere. Service was patchy to say the least. Waiters seemed distracted although pleasant enough. Told us they were out of prime rib!! We were disappointed as it was one of the reasons we'd returned there. They then found just one portion of it. My husband had it and my son and I had fillet steak. Prime rib looked so so and my husband confirmed it tasted so so! Our steaks were decidedly average. We took the sommelier's advice for a (very expensive!) bottle of wine. As we were halfway through our meal a group of 3 people were seated at the next table, which was surprising as the restaurant had plenty of other tables available rather than seat them cheek by jowl with us. The tables were close together, no social distancing here! They were clearly regulars who were fawned on by the wait staff with various staff members, managers etc, coming out to chat to them whilst we were basically ignored and had to jump up and down to get attention whilst being made to feel rather inferior!
We paid our very very high bill and sat for a little longer to finish our wine and were shocked to find a large amount of sediment in our glasses. A wine of that type and price point should have been decanted. By then the sommelier was long gone so we just had to leave it. No other staff was interested in us so we just left feeling rather sad. A very disappointing end to our vacation. I certainly couldn't recommend this restaurant, it's very expensive, food is average and not great service. Maybe they should have Jennifer train the other staff!
Written May 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel the World
San Francisco1406 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
My husband and I visit Monterey several times a year. We decided to try this local restaurant that has been around since the 1960's. We were so glad we did. When you first walk in the bar feels a little dark and dated but when they walked us to our table the dining room was an elegant large round glass room (The Conservatory). They do have have a couple of different styles of rooms so make sure you ask ahead of time when you make your reservation. They rolled out the red carpet for us and gave us wonderful service. The food was fantastic and the prices were fair for this type of dining. They also had a wonderful California wine selection. This restaurant is walking distance to Cannery Row.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ardenp
Boston302 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
We had a delightful dinner at the Sardine Factory - so nice to eat at a place where there is a sense of local history, delicious food, lovely ambiance but most importantly, our server Marissa was so lovely and kind in giving us recommendations. Her attention was on par with the other finest dining establishments we've had the pleasure to eat at. Highly recommend! We're so glad we picked this place for our short stay in Monterey.
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheSardineFactory
Dear ardenp,
Thank you for taking the time to review our restaurant. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your delicious food, great service and memorable atmosphere. We appreciate your patronage and hope you will visit us again on your next trip to Monterey.
Written June 9, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jocelyn
2 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
We recently celebrated my husband's birthday milestone here with several others. We had reserved their Wine Cellar Room. The event specialists worked very hard to make sure our evening was just what we wanted, and were willing to accommodate when possible, if I made a suggestion that was not the "norm".
I cannot tell you enough how delighted and surprised we were when we walked into the Wine Cellar Room. Our breath was almost taken away. The waitstaff were superb, the meal was "off the charts" delicious. We were visited by the Chef himself, the Sommelier, and yet we also had our own dedicated staff - who were professional, kind, attentive, and had a good sense of humor. I couldn't be more grateful to Dawn and Diane for helping to make our evening more than we could have even imagined. Grazie Mille a Tutti!
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheSardineFactory
Dear jboneso,
Thank you for choosing The Sardine Factory to celebrate your special occasion. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your delicious food and exquisite service in our extraordinary Wine Cellar. We appreciate your patronage and look forward to serving you again!
Written September 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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