Have you ever been to Monterey? It’s such a cute area.
One of the places my friend Kim and I stopped at was in Monterey. In particular, the Fisherman’s Wharf area. You can see the first part of my trip here.
We didn’t spend that much time in Monterey because of timing, but I had to share the places we did visit anyway.
Sailboats and yachts docked along the pier. Restaurants, gift shops, and entertainment lining either side of the wharf.
The best part?
You get to sample sooo many different types of clam chowders. Every restaurant has their own version. One might have more potatoes, another might have more clams, the next one might be creamier. I loved that you get to sample so many different ones so that you know which you would like to eat.
Kim and I ended up choosing Old Fisherman’s Grotto. The thing about their clam chowder is that it’s filled with “stuff.” I know that’s totally not descriptive. But you know how some clam chowder has a lot of ingredients that make it more hearty, like potatoes, clams, carrots, onions, bacon. Then there are ones that are more soup than ingredients? I like my clam chowder filled with “stuff.” And Old Fisherman’s Grotto’s Monterey style clam chowder is exactly what I’m looking for.
Besides, they give you the option of choosing garlic butter bread bowls to eat the clam chowder out of. How can I resist that? I swear, I can eat their clam chowder in their garlic butter bread bowls for days.
We also ordered a giant pretzel stuffed with dungeness crab and shrimp. It was soo good. But I wished the entire pretzel was stuffed rather than just half of it.
And also a plate of calamari.
All the food we ordered at Old Fisherman’s Grotto was just so good. I wish I had more time to savor the food.
Other things we did while we were in Monterey? Stopped by Water and Leaves, which is a coffee shop at the end of the Fisherman’s Wharf. They have the most unique chocolates and lattes. Plus, you get to pick your choice of honey as a sweetener. One of their options is poison oak honey.
If I weren’t so full, I would ordered so much stuff from them.
It was such a short stop in Monterey. But I know I’ll have to come back to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and oh my gosh, I seriously need more of that clam chowder. <3
See more of my Monterey Carmel trip here.
I love Monterey! I went there when I was younger and would love to come back again!
You have to go back, Julie!
Wow that chowder looks amazing! I can’t wait to visit Monterey this year, it’s definitely on the list of places to visit once I get to the West Coast.
You have to go!
I want to go for that bread bowl of clam chowder! I haven’t been to Fisherman’s Wharf there in several years, and the last time I was there I didn’t stay to eat.
Poison Oak Honey? What if you’re allergic to Poison Oak? I’m not but, lots of people are.
I have no idea. But it was one of the options you can pick to go with your beverage.
We love Monterey! So much to see and do. Thanks for sharing this delish tour.
I have been there but it was over 20 years ago. Your pictures really captured it, I need to go back! One thing we did was to kayak with the many otters that live in the bay-super fun! And, I agree with you, I like stuff in my chowder too!
Love that place💖😄👌😋
I have to go back!
I was just in Monterey a few days ago too! We went to the aquarium, and then to Louie Linguini’s, which had a nice view and some of the same kind of food. We had some non-seafood eaters in our party, which kept us away from eating at Fisherman’s Grotto, but thanks for the pix!
Okay, I’m going to add all those places to my list for when I go back.
If I ever get back to California, Monterey will definitely be on the list!
You have to go!
beautiful pics of the marina:)
Wonderful pics Andrea and the pretzel stuffed with crab and shrimp looks delicious!!!
It was soo good.