Walk into a restaurant, try a soup, and you’ll know immediately whether that place is worth its stock. So says longtime area chef Dory Ford, who saw his star rise as he revolutionized the food program at Monterey Bay Aquarium and pioneered local sourcing in the region, while winning repeat clam chowder competitions along the way.
And when it comes to soup, he adds, one of Monterey Bay’s signature dishes might be the pinnacle. “I gotta tell you, clam chowder is almost the perfect food,” he says. “Potatoes, vegetables, cream, protein, you have it all.” I agree with him on that front, but have to acknowledge bias, as it might as well have been in my baby bottle growing up on the cusp of the bay.
Here appear the Monterey Peninsula Clam Chowder winners for 2022, selected by our editors – look for our readers’ choice winner, selected by our audience.
This location deservedly earns its propers as a supreme calamari destination for dishes like the Siciliano calamari, char-grilled calamari, and “The Marty Special” calamari with mozzarella and Parmesan melted over fried eggplant and marinara. It merits at least as much appreciation for its creamy, buttery and clam-packed chowder. Hours are 11:30am to 8:30pm daily. abalonetti.com
The views from above Steinbeck Plaza on Cannery Row are sublime, the seafood pasta Isabella is worthy of legend — as is the ultimate seafood pasta with lobster, scallops and prawns — and Monterey abalone is on the menu too. But none of those offerings have won the awards the clam chowder has at local and regional cookouts. It’s available in a cup, bowl, bread bowl or… wait for it… with crab meat and shrimp brought along for the ride. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 10:30am to 9:30pm, Friday and Saturday 10:30am to 10pm. fishhopper.com
The Asilomar beacon, just up from the beach, was my family’s go-to for to-go tankers of chowder and spot-on garlic bread for a decade plus. The bar gets popping around signature drinks like the Fishwife Key Lime Pie Martini and the Millionaire’s Hibiscus Margarita, the featured entrees like the fried scallop Ensenada Bowl or Cajun-spiced Salmon Lafayette are yummy, but it’s the proprietary recipe clam chowder and its dance of potatoes, onions and clams, with salsa fresca garnish (!), that made it a family tradition in our house. Hours are 11:30am to 9pm daily. fishwife.com
Monterey’s Most Delicious Choices in Clam Chowders
Monterey, California is a Central Coast paradise among fans of rich culture, breathtaking natural sights, thrilling outdoor activities and relaxation in general. Its also a hub for excellent dining. If youre in the mood for a warm and toasty bowl of classic clam chowder, then you dont necessarily have to head to New England since Monterey is a clam chowder sanctuary in its own right.
If you want to savor the best clam chowder in Monterey Peninsula, then this recommended list will point you in the right direction!
Old Fishermans Grotto is part of the action-packed Old Fishermans Wharf in enthralling Monterey. People who want to savor clam chowder as they gaze at crystal blue waters, weather permitting of course, often cant turn away from Old Fishermans Grotto. This spot is known for its enduring approach to Monterey clam chowder. You can order it in bread bowls, sizable bowls or cups and can even get your clam chowder served in a garlic butter toasted bread. Other food options available to Old Fishermans Grotto’s diners include seafood risotto, seafood stew, maple soy skirt steak, coconut fried shrimp, spaghetti and meatballs and fried calamari. Diners who have sweets cravings can try an apple pie, tiramisu, strawberry shortcake, bread pudding or Dutch chocolate cheesecake.
Vivolos Chowder House is a Pacific Grove jewel among fans of delectable clam chowder. If youre in the mood for authentic Boston clam chowder, then no dining establishment around can hold a candle to this one. The New England clam chowder consists of components that are 100 percent fresh. It is served in a sourdough bread bowl with an optional garlic cheese lid. Tasty dishes that are available at Vivolos Chowder House include seafood salad, fried oysters, calamari steak, shrimp scampi, smoked salmon ravioli and garlic chicken sandwiches.
Treehouse Cafe is a serene rooftop restaurant thats in enchanting Carmel-by-the-Sea. People cant get enough of its Monterey Bay clam chowder. Diners can choose between bowls and cups. Although people gravitate to Treehouse Cafe for its irresistible local clam chowder, its menu has a host of other delights such as its crab lobster ravioli, grilled salmon, Spanish paella, turkey melts, chicken pesto sandwiches, Thai lamb curry and vegetable pasta. If you want to stare at nature while you relish your clam chowder, you can request a seat outside at the cozy veranda.
Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar, located at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa in Monterey, is a contemporary American restaurant with an oceanfront view. If you like the idea of mixing fresh seafood and majestic sights, you cant go wrong with Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar. Their coastal clam chowder is brimming with plump Manila clams, celery, sherry wine, cream and potatoes. If you want to combine your chowder with something else, you can consider all sorts of mouth watering options that are on its expansive menu. Menu options include fish and chips, vegetarian burgers, chardonnay steamed mussels, drunken octopus ceviche, and salmon scaloppine.
Flaherty’s in Carmel-by-the-Sea offers both New England and Manhattan style clam chowders by the cup or in a fresh sourdough bread bowl. They also offer an array of other options like a delicious west coast crab chowder and creamy lobster bisque.
Not sure how you like your chowder? Head to A.W. Shucks in Carmel-by-the-Sea where they serve it three ways, white (New England), red (Manhattan) and rosé (blend of both).
Clam chowder is a basically its own food group in Monterey County. Dozens of restaurants on Cannery Row, Old Fisherman’s Wharf and throughout the Monterey Peninsula offer this filling comfort food and choosing where to dine on this cozy staple can be tough! Lucky for you we have narrowed it to just a few of our favorites.
Order a comforting bowl of the C’s clam chowder and be prepared for a mouthwatering treat. Their made-to-order chowder is complete with littleneck clams, Applewood smoked bacon and a panoramic view of the Monterey Bay.
Indulge in a cozy clam chowder bowl with an incredible ocean view at The Fish Hopper restaurant on Cannery Row. You can even get a dollop of fresh crab meat on top if you so desire. If you’re on the run feel free to grab the creamy cup of goodness from their outdoor snack shack.
Local independent newspaper Monterey County Weekly polls its readers annually on everything on Best Place to Walk the Dog to Best Massage. The perennial champ in Best Clam Chowder is this family-owned Fisherman’s Wharf pillar, for a recipe that they sample pedestrians on along the pier and sell in massive quantities. The balance of butter, cream, sizable shellfish and the kicker — garlic — is habit forming. Hours are 11am to 10pm daily. oldfishermansgrotto.com
Arguably the top raw bar in Carmel-by-the-Sea does many things with freshness and style, including oysters, crab cakes, seafood Cobb salads, smart wines and inventive cocktails — and brings a lively atmosphere too. The chowder presents a house signature, and comes Manhattan red or creamy New England style. Side note: They also do a superlative crab chowder in bread bowls too. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 11:30am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 8:30pm. flahertysseafood.com
And when it comes to soup, he adds, one of Monterey Bay’s signature dishes might be the pinnacle. “I gotta tell you, clam chowder is almost the perfect food,” he says. “Potatoes, vegetables, cream, protein, you have it all.” I agree with him on that front, but have to acknowledge bias, as it might as well have been in my baby bottle growing up on the cusp of the bay.
Walk into a restaurant, try a soup, and you’ll know immediately whether that place is worth its stock. So says longtime area chef Dory Ford, who saw his star rise as he revolutionized the food program at Monterey Bay Aquarium and pioneered local sourcing in the region, while winning repeat clam chowder competitions along the way.
The Asilomar beacon, just up from the beach, was my family’s go-to for to-go tankers of chowder and spot-on garlic bread for a decade plus. The bar gets popping around signature drinks like the Fishwife Key Lime Pie Martini and the Millionaire’s Hibiscus Margarita, the featured entrees like the fried scallop Ensenada Bowl or Cajun-spiced Salmon Lafayette are yummy, but it’s the proprietary recipe clam chowder and its dance of potatoes, onions and clams, with salsa fresca garnish (!), that made it a family tradition in our house. Hours are 11:30am to 9pm daily. fishwife.com
