“ Everything about this place is perfect. It deserves a Michelin star ... they care about their presentation and of course their food is the best! It's a small quiet place that has been our family favorite for years. ”

“ First off, been coming here for years, since it's so consistently good. Came here with my wife, she had the Meatball sandwich which was delicious. I ordered one of the specials, swordfish with olives on fettuccine. PHENOMENAL.....can't wait to go back. ”

“ We came here on a Sunday night with a few friends at around 4:30pm and was warmly welcomed inside. Given it was an odd time of the day to grab early dinner we were seated next to the windows facing the pier immediately. My husband and I ordered clam chowder bread bowl with garlic and herbs as well as a shrimp pasta. Each seafood item costs about ~$30. There is a $14 minimum order per person. Overall food was delicious, however it is expensive so if you are looking to go a special occasion go for it. ”

“ We took our son to Cafe Fina for his birthday dinner and had a fabulous time. We had paella, cioppino & calamari. Every dish was excellent and Domenic and staff made us feel special and welcome. We will definitely be back and highly recommend this restaurant! ”

“ It is now a tradition to come to this place every year on my friend's birthday. Came here after whale watching and got a free dessert when we mention the captains name. This is a small, nice family-owned restaurant. The food is incredibly good, and I always say I am going to try their dessert but never leave enough room for it. Portions are big! some of the sittings have great views of the bay. Service is great. ”

“ Cafe Fina, nestled along the scenic Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, California, offers a truly memorable dining experience that combines fresh seafood, carefully crafted dishes, and beautiful waterfront views. Starting with their signature "Original Toasted Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl," this dish is a standout and a unique twist on the classic. The creamy chowder, baked with garlic, butter, parsley, and a generous layer of mozzarella cheese, brings a savory richness that perfectly complements the sourdough. The toasted crust of the bread bowl adds a delightful crunch, making each bite a satisfying contrast of textures and flavors. It's comfort food at its finest, elevated to a level that feels both hearty and refined. The "Mixed Grill of Seafood" offers a perfect complement to the chowder, delivering a well-balanced assortment of grilled seafood and fresh vegetables. Each element of the dish is cooked to perfection, with the seafood retaining a tender and succulent texture that showcases the freshness of the ingredients. The accompanying vegetables are lightly charred, adding a hint of smokiness that enhances the natural sweetness of the seafood. This dish highlights the chef's skill in handling seafood, and it's a great choice for those who want to enjoy a variety of Monterey's local offerings on one plate. To round out the meal, Cafe Fina's selection of Menabrea beers offers a refreshing accompaniment to the rich flavors of the seafood dishes. The crisp, clean notes of the beer provide a nice balance to the creaminess of the chowder and the grilled elements of the seafood plate. Sitting by the window with views of the harbor and the gentle sound of the water, the ambiance is serene and enhances the overall experience. Dining at Cafe Fina feels like an indulgence for the senses, flavorful food, quality beverages, and the beauty of Monterey's waterfront make it a must-visit for anyone in the area. To top it all off, the exceptional service at Cafe Fina truly enhances the experience, making you feel welcomed and well cared for from the moment you sit down. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, always ready to answer questions about the menu or provide recommendations to enhance your meal. Their warm, friendly approach and attention to detail make dining here feel personal and memorable. Whether you're a local or just visiting Monterey, the combination of outstanding food, beautiful views, and first-rate service at Cafe Fina ensures a dining experience you'll want to return to time and again. ”

“ Went whale watching with a friend and she recommended we have lunch here, what a nice treat. We were greeted by Dominic, which I later discovered was the owner. I also found out that he grows a lot of the vegetables and herbs used in the dishes. I ordered the seasonal seafood grilled, and it was next level. The arroz was prepared just right, the seafood kabob was plentiful and cooked to perfection and vegetables tasted like they were homegrown. Come to find out they came from Dominic's garden. To add pizzazz to the joint, the pictures and decor exuded charm and personal history. ”

“ A couple of years later and this place is still stellar. Amazing and friendly service. Outside seating was fantastic. But the real winner was the food. I ordered the calamari steak and dungeness crab. 10/10. I'll keep this short. Eat here if you're on Fishermans Wharf. ”

“ Well me and my buddy's went to the mecum auction and after we was hungry so we decided to go to the old Warf and there is plenty options to eat but we was Lucky enough to walk into cafe Fina the sign out side said rated 1 Italian so we said let's be the judge of that! Lol Well let me start off by saying how pleasant the front door guy was and waitress was also super nice! And also I am pretty sure the owner was eating while we walked in! Good sign! Food was amazing everything was hot and full of flavor this is definitely a must try The claim chowder was very creamy not watery with plenty of claims and veggies! We asked to make us a spicy sauce to dip in and the waitress without to much instructions had it whipped up quickly with some hot bread! And it was great The shrimp in spicy marinara sauce also great. The waitress also recommended the sausage and peppers. She said the owner grows his on peppers. And then he just pick them this morning and put them in the sausage and peppers and it did not disappoint. The calamari was a bit over battered although I kinda liked it my buddy's did not like it. Restaurant sits in a nice spot over looking the water and it was very clean! Definitely a new spot that I would go to everytime I am in that area! ”

“ I'm not an Italian food person by any means. Of all the different kinds of cuisines out there I never crave it. I just don't get the whole love of pasta. Rice over pasta any day-- That's just me. This didn't prevent me however from thoroughly enjoying myself here as good food is just that. Good food. We had a great time here when we came this past weekend. First off, it was a pleasure to meet the owner of the restaurant and have him personally greeting all of the patrons as we walked through. Little note, check the celebrity wall to the left where all the famous people are pictured next to the owner. Dominic Mercurio was kind, gracious and generally a pleasure to talk to as he welcomed us all in. This place was ideally situated with views of the Bay and lucky us got to see some cute sea lions playing in the water from our table. Ambiance wise, this place was super cozy and intimate. It had 2 floors and we were on the 2nd floor. It worked out for the best because it turned out that the bathrooms were on this floor. I must have gone at least 4 times total for the duration of our time here. A+ for clean bathrooms. The service from all of the wait staff was on point as well as they not only kept our iced waters full but also engaged us in some fun light conversation. Before I talk about the food I must tell you guys that the portions here are huge. They are easily shared between 2 people. We ended up taking leftovers back in to go boxes for all 4 of the dishes we ordered. **Freshly baked bread with herb butter on the side-- Bread is bread and this was no exception. Served warm, we went through 2 loaves. Tip: Dip into the clam chowder before eating. **Clam Chowder $15.95-- Creamy and fresh, just how we like it. **Fish and Chips $21.95-- Tender thick cuts of fish filets fried up in that crispy golden batter. Dipped in their house made aioli, this was perfect. Nothing like the taste of fresh fish. Fries were also good but the star here was the fish. **Traditional Paella $39.95-- Clams, mussels, prawns, calamari, chicken and sausage with peppers, peas, fresh tomato with saffron rice. I love Paella and everything about this dish was tasty and well done. Fluffy rice, chicken sausage that wasn't too salty, generous cuts of tender calamari and juicy prawns with some freshly squeezed lemon brought this all together. I'm not even a mussels person but I didn't mind them in here. We loved this dish as well. Overall 5/5 experience. ”