


Well-known seafood restaurant featuring elevated regional dishes & a vast wine menu.
Hours
| Friday | 4:30–10 PM |
| Saturday | 4:30–10 PM |
| Sunday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Monday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 701 Wave St, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 373-3775
Website: http://www.sardinefactory.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
The Sardine Factory | Voted Best Restaurant in Monterey, CA
Menus | Sardine Factory in Monterey, CA
The Sardine Factory – Monterey – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
Reviews
The three-course meal (Abalone Bisque, Filet Mignon, and Tiramisu) was flawless. As someone sensitive to texture, I was deeply impressed by the crisp broccolini and the tender, savory Filet Mignon. The balance of the Tiramisu was the perfect finish.
What truly sets this place apart is the hospitality. Manager Jim shared the restaurant’s rich history, and the entire team works in perfect unison to provide top-tier service. I felt truly pampered. I’ll definitely be back with my most cherished guests. Thank you for the wonderful experience!
One last thing, we saw the manager Jimmy walking around the Conservatory talking to various customers but he never came by our table to see how things were.
We’ve visited the Monterey Peninsula many, many times over the years and have eaten at least 50 restaurants in the area. We’ve eaten here several times over the years but unfortunately we won’t be back and I won’t recommend this restaurant to anyone that I know! I’d rather go to Stokes Adobe, Aubergine, Nora’s Carmel, Peppoli, Fandango, The Taproom, Stillwater’s Bar & Grill or many others.
The food was amazing! Specially the steak was so so good and everything was so fresh and well seasoned. The service was very friendly. It made our dining experience present and comfortable. Thanks to Jimmy the manager and then the owner. We also hung out at the bar area for live piano music, and that was amazing and had so much fun. Must try spot if anyone is visiting the area! Thanks for making our visit memorable!
The ambiance of the Captain’s Room was great.
We also enjoyed hearing the live music in the next room.
Our server was relatively attentive, but we wish he could’ve checked on us a tiny bit more at the end.
The food was truly the highlight. I ordered a seafood pasta and it was incredible—rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced. The clams were fresh, the shrimp were tender, and the sauce had that depth of flavor that tells you everything was cooked with care and real ingredients. Portion sizes were generous without feeling overwhelming, and every bite felt intentional. Service was attentive and warm without being rushed. Our server made sure our wine glasses stayed full and checked in just enough to make us feel cared for. Even the outside of the restaurant has charm—complete with a classic boat display and a vintage-style sign that sets the tone before you even walk in. If you’re visiting Monterey and want a memorable dinner with fantastic seafood, excellent service, and an ambiance that feels both historic and special, The Sardine Factory is absolutely worth it.
Once we placed our order, the waiter coordinated the timing of the dishes. We received the oysters and cheese toast first. The cheese toast was impressive, with Tillamook cheddar, Romano and parmesan perfectly melted onto round slices of sourdough bread. My partner was picking out bits of shell from her oysters two or three times, which is not good when there are only six oysters.
Next came out California smoked sardines and abalone bisque. The bisque was very creamy with a light taste. The smoked sardines were visually nicely presented in a pan with tomatoes, cloves of roasted garlic and four points of toast. The sardines were a bit dryer than I expected.
Finally, the off-menu special Cioppino was served. There were chunks of salmon, shrimp and crab legs served with shell crackers and bibs. The broth had a rich tomato base with hints of all the seafood in the pan. I also ordered a Pink Sardine cocktail, which was reminiscent of a lightweight Paloma.
Dining in the Conservatory was a nice memorable experience but the food fell just short of being as excellent as the decor and hospitality.