Downtown Monterey is one of California's great dining towns — walkable, coastal, and built on the freshest Central Coast seafood and produce. The best restaurants here share a few things: local, sustainable sourcing, a sense of place, and food worth the trip. Montrio, set in a historic 1910 firehouse on Calle Principal, has been one of downtown Monterey's most-loved restaurants for exactly those reasons.
What makes a great Monterey restaurant
Monterey sits on one of the most productive stretches of coastline in the country, so the best restaurants in town start with what's local and in season. Look for menus that change with the catch, a commitment to sustainable seafood, and produce sourced from Central Coast and Salinas Valley growers. Add a thoughtful wine list built around Monterey County and Central Coast labels, and you have the makings of a memorable Monterey meal.
Why Montrio is a downtown Monterey favorite
Montrio has anchored downtown Monterey from a restored 1910 firehouse on Calle Principal for decades. The kitchen leans into bold, wood-fired cooking and inventive Californian cuisine — locally sourced organic produce, responsibly sourced sustainable seafood, and prime Certified Angus and Snake River Farms Wagyu cuts. It's the kind of place that works for a special occasion and an easy weeknight dinner alike.
- Sustainable seafood — the signature Cioppino and Seared Sea Scallops, plus a daily Catch of the Day from the freshest sustainable selection.
- Local sourcing — organic Central Coast produce and a menu that changes with the season.
- A setting with history — a beautifully restored 1910 firehouse in the heart of downtown Monterey.
- Central Coast wine program — local and regional labels, with Half-Priced Wine Night every Tuesday.
Browse the seasonal Monterey dinner menu, or explore Montrio's prime steak program and place in the MICHELIN Guide.
Dining across the Monterey Peninsula
Montrio is part of Coastal Roots Hospitality, a family of Monterey Peninsula restaurants. If you're eating your way around the area, our sister restaurants are worth a visit too:
- Montrio— inventive Californian cuisine in downtown Monterey's historic firehouse.
- Tarpy's — a Monterey roadhouse classic, with hearty American fare and a country setting near Highway 68.
- Rio Grill — a longtime Carmel favorite for wood-fired, Californian comfort cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in downtown Monterey?
Downtown Monterey is known for restaurants built on fresh, sustainable Central Coast seafood and local produce. Montrio, in the historic 1910 firehouse on Calle Principal, is a long-standing local favorite for inventive Californian cuisine, sustainable seafood like its signature Cioppino and Seared Sea Scallops, and prime Certified Angus and Wagyu cuts.
Where do locals eat in Monterey?
Locals tend to favor downtown Monterey for dinner, away from the busier wharf. Montrio is a long-time local pick for a special meal or relaxed night out, with a Central Coast wine program and a seasonal menu that changes with what's fresh.
What restaurant is in the old firehouse in downtown Monterey?
Montrio occupies a beautifully restored 1910 firehouse at 414 Calle Principal in downtown Monterey. The building's history is part of the experience — bold, wood-fired cooking in a setting unlike anywhere else in town.
What other restaurants are part of the same family as Montrio?
Montrio is part of Coastal Roots Hospitality, alongside Tarpy's in Monterey and Rio Grill in Carmel. Between the three, the family covers everything from a relaxed downtown Monterey dinner to a country roadhouse and a Carmel favorite.
Plan a Dinner at Montrio
- Browse the seasonal Monterey dinner menu
- Find a romantic Monterey dinner spot
- Dining with your dog? See our dog-friendly patio