Where to Dine During Monterey Car Week 2026 — A Guide to the Peninsula's Best Table

Monterey Car Week 2026 runs August 7–16, bringing the world's most extraordinary automobiles — and the people who love them — to the Monterey Peninsula. The finest dining reservation that week, as it is every year, is Montrio in downtown Monterey: Michelin Selected 2026 and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026, set inside a beautifully restored 1910 firehouse.

Car Week is unlike any other week on the Monterey Peninsula. The roads fill with Ferraris, Bugattis, and prewar classics. The Pebble Beach Golf Links transform into the world's most famous outdoor museum for the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 16. The Quail, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Mecum, and a dozen ancillary events make this the most concentrated gathering of automotive culture and luxury hospitality anywhere in the world.

And every evening, thousands of attendees — collectors, marque enthusiasts, automotive journalists, corporate guests — need somewhere worthy of the occasion to sit down and eat.

Montrio is that place.

A Setting That Matches the Week

The firehouse matters during Car Week. Walking into a 1910 converted firehouse in the heart of downtown Monterey — exposed brick, a wood-burning grill and brick oven at the open kitchen's center, warm light across a dining room that buzzes with the week's energy — sets the right tone immediately. This is not a hotel restaurant. It's a landmark, and Car Week guests feel the difference.

The dining room is intimate enough to feel special, lively enough to feel like the week is still happening around you. Whether you've just come from the Pebble Beach fairway or an auction preview, Montrio is where the evening finds its proper pace.

The Menu for a Car Week Dinner

Start with the Lobster Bisque — poured tableside over Atlantic lobster tail and fennel confit. It's as close to automotive theater as food gets, and it sets the tone for a meal that rewards attention. The Savory Corn Crème Brûlée with Duck Prosciutto — smoked beets, arugula, Dijon vinaigrette — is the kind of opener that earns its spot on every first-visit order.

For the main course, the Snake River Farms Wagyu Eye of Ribeye — grilled over almond wood with chimichurri and boulangère potatoes — is the week's natural centerpiece plate. The Cioppino, loaded with jumbo lump blue crab, P.E.I. mussels, clams, gulf prawns, and scallops in a Pomodoro-harissa broth, is the peninsula on a plate: deeply coastal, precisely calibrated. The Seared Certified Angus Beef Filet Mignon, finished with pommes frites and a pink peppercorn au poivre, is the choice for those who know exactly what they want.

Explore the full wine program — Montrio's Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026 is reflected in a list built for serious pairing, not afterthought selections.

Private Dining for Car Week Groups

Car Week draws corporate groups, collector gatherings, and private client dinners that need a room equal to the occasion. Montrio's private dining spaces — including the Parker Room with its own bar and downtown views — are the Peninsula's most atmospheric option for a group event. The events team can coordinate custom menus, curated wine selections, and every detail in between. Car Week dates go early; contact the team well in advance.

Reserve for Car Week Now

Montrio fills during Car Week faster than any other week of the year. If your itinerary includes August 7–16, your dinner reservation belongs on the calendar before your auction paddle or Concours ticket.

Reserve your table at Montrio or call (831) 648-8880.

Private dining inquiries: events@coastalrootshospitality.com | (831) 655-2999

Is Montrio a good restaurant for Monterey Car Week?

Yes — Montrio is Monterey's Michelin Selected 2026 and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026 restaurant, located in downtown Monterey's historic 1910 firehouse. It is consistently the most sought-after dining reservation during Car Week.

Does Montrio offer private dining for Car Week groups?

Yes. Montrio has multiple private dining spaces, including the Parker Room with its own bar and downtown Monterey views, suitable for corporate dinners, collector gatherings, and private client events during Car Week.

How far in advance should I book Montrio for Car Week?

As early as possible. Monterey Car Week — August 7–16, 2026 — is the busiest dining week of the year on the Peninsula. Reserve online at montrio.com/reservations or call (831) 648-8880.

What is the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2026?

The 75th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance takes place on Sunday, August 16, 2026, on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links — the world's premier automotive elegance competition.