Cafe Fina - Monterey

Upon entering and being seated upstairs, I noticed the atmosphere— it was upscale, with a classic Italian vibe that was both clean and bright. Our server, Roxanne, was engaging and attentive, helping us make some excellent choices. My husband ordered the Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, while I chose the Seafood Paella; both dishes were outstanding. We enjoyed a lovely, relaxed early dinner just before the New Year's Eve rush, all while keeping an eye on the wildlife in the harbor. It's also worth noting that we had two options for our free appetizer, and we chose the calamari, which was delightful. Along with it, we were served crusty sliced Italian bread accompanied by garlic and herb butter— a delicious addition to our meal. Overall, we will definitely return when we're in the mood for good Italian food.

Charming restaurant located at the Old Fisherman’s Wharf. The host and servers were incredibly friendly, and the food was hearty and satisfying. The menu features a variety of Italian dishes, with a strong emphasis on seafood. During our last visit, we weren’t in the mood for seafood, so we decided to sample their brick oven pizza, and it was outstanding! The thin crust was perfectly made, with a generous amount of toppings that suited our tastes perfectly. I highly recommend this cozy spot for its delicious food, beautiful views, and excellent service.

Be sure to request a table by the window for beautiful views. The calamari and sole were both locally sourced and outstanding. They didn’t have local crab available, so the Dungeness crab is sourced from Washington. The restaurant has a bar on the second floor, which can slow down food service. The bathrooms are also located upstairs, but there’s only one for each gender, which is a bit inconvenient for a two-story restaurant. Additionally, they didn’t offer any bowls for the sourdough clam chowder.

Everything tastes great and service was great. They made a veggie primavera on request and was one of the best I've had. Excellent chardonnay, clam chowder, mousse and creme brulee as well.

Good kitchen and products, but some plates feel a bit empty for their price.