The Fish Hopper

The clam chowder in the sourdough bowl is, hands down, the best I’ve had, even in San Francisco. The ambiance is very cool, outside eating area has heaters and the sea water breaks alongside just below.
I took a star away because the menus were sticky and the garlic fries, although very tasty, were a little cool for me.

RED FLAG: My daughter and I and 4 of my grandkids arrived here at 10:45am because Unilocal states that this place opens at 10:30am. We were turned away by the hostess who told us that they do not open until 11am. Additionally, they have a sign posted that strollers are not allowed and your family will be ejected from the restaurant if your children get «loud.» Hey, babies cry and preschoolers will periodically utter an exclamation of joy or frustration. Fortunately, our baby and preschoolers were happy and quite during our meal – but this leaves the impression that this business is NOT family-​friendly. This is reinforced by kid’s menu where EVERY kid’s meal is $ 12! These same kid’s meals are less than $ 5 anywhere else. This is very weird since the major nearby attraction is the Monterey Bay Aquarium which attracts primarily families.
We did return later in the day for lunch and here is what we found–
Food: The clam chowder soup bowls ($ 15) were 4 star good. The kids’ spaghetti meal and cheeseburger meals were 3 star average. The sourdough hard rolls brought before the meal were not edible by some of the children because of how hard the crust was.
Service: Deadly slow 1 star quality.
Ambiance: Great views of the bay and marine life. Ceiling lamps in the shape of jellyfish. It was pretty chilly in the room, like it was open to the outside. Four stars for ambiance.
Tips for the mobility impaired – have someone drop you off at the business since there is NO nearby parking.
Tips for families – The Intercontinental hotel restaurant two doors down has a sign up that they WELCOME strollers and families with children. Additionally, they have valet parking right at the door for the mobility impaired. This is were we plan to eat on our next visit to the aquarium.

This is the second time that my wife and I have visited this establishment and the second time that we left extremely satisfied. The service was great and everything arrived in a timely manner. The food was expertly prepared and beautifully presented. Wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay. I would highly recommend it.

The clam chowder bread bowl was great, but the shrimp & filet mignon skewers were not the best what so ever. I ordered my filet medium well and it came out rare, and 1 of the 3 pieces was completely un edible, we could barely cut it with a knife it had so much grissel and tendon running through it. As for the shrimp I ordered them to be seared a little longer so they would be a little crispier and when they cam out out they were the color of cocktail shrimp. Definitely disappointed in the food!
Service was great though, the waiter was prompt and polite.
That is why they are getting 3 stars instead of 2.

Let me start by saying I have always been a fan for their food. If this review was food only, it would be 5.
That being said, I was there this past Saturday and sat in that rectangular area that juts out to the sea so you can see shoreline on either side of you. Great view right? Definitely.
Now the bad part. Every 5 minutes either the Manager or hostess or waiter would come by and look at the tables to see if they were opening up soon. Not only by sight but some brought iPads with them to update the info. How absolutely ANNOYING people! Every 20 minutes, ok but because there were at least 4 different people coming and going, it was like a parade. No hello, no comments, just a fly by to look or stop by to update the tablet.
I know you are looking for 2.5 if 3x or more turnover but seriously?! You just served some of these people and you’re already like a pack of hungry hyenas looking for them to die off.
Have been coming to this place for years, what a total disappointment.

Day trip in Monterey & stopped here for a late lunch. I have come here multiple times for the clam chowder. This place, as I’ve been told by multiple people and as this being a sister restaurant to the Fisherman’s Grotto on the wharf, shares the same award winning chowder recipe. However, I swear it tastes just that much better at this location but it’s probably all in my head, haha.
Service wise, this place was exceptional but it might have been the waiter we got. His name was Manny and he was super attentive with multiple check ins throughout the meal but not too many to be annoying. Very pleased with him!
I had ordered the artichoke ravioli and as good as it was, I personally was not blown away by it. The others I was with had orders the fish and chips, a turkey bacon avocado sandwich, the clam chowder & some calamari. Everyone really enjoyed their food overall and enjoyed it very much so.
My tip is that if you haven’t been here before definitely get the clam chowder!
Only reason that this place did not get five stars was for the price, the taste did not match up to expectations.

Beautiful day in Monterey on Cannery Row. At the end you’ll find the Fish Hopper, home of the best scallops known to man. After walking past the last clam chowder cart, we arrived in a large foyer with tacky displays of dishes and drinks. With a forgettable host (if there was one?), we were seated right next to the ocean on the patio and served by Kelly. We were going to start with a bottle of La Marca but they did not have it so Kelly suggested Lunetta which was even better. Coconut prawns, seafood cioppino, and another bottle of Lunetta later and we walked out happy and eager to revisit. Kelly was fabulous and the view was beautiful!

No children allowed indoor? Gotta be kidding me. They let the kid sit outside cold. Cross out of my list.
My rating
View: ⁵⁄₅
Food: ³⁄₅
Service: ⁰⁄₅

Since I have come here for decades, I must be a fan by definition. I admit it being a bit touristy, but the décor, location, view, and foods are all quite good. So what’s the problem for it being touristy?
I ordered the «Ultimate Seafood Pasta» for an outrageously price. It was quite good, rich, flavorful, good ingredients, fresh pasta.

Overall the experience started off great. We received complimentary appetizer with a coupon which I got from a neighboring store. It was calamari which was average.
The chowder was very good, nice and creamy.
The meal went downhill when I got my entrée. I ordered the fried prawns and chips. I was very excited to get it and took a big bite immediately.
Yuck! I chewed, then chewed slow and spit it out.
I couldn’t pin the flavor but it was very odd. Almost chemically. I started to google up what I was tasting and the autocomplete finished my sentence.
I typed «shrimp taste»
Up popped
shrimp taste like ammonia
Upon researching why shrimp would taste like that, I found that it is the flavor of old decomposing shrimp. I seriously felt sick for the rest of the day.
I’m not sure who is doing their QC, but I bet they figured deep fried, nobody will notice.
I sent the dish back with no issues, and overall service was relatively good. In any case, I don’t plan on returning.

I always come here when I am in the area.
The best clam chowder! Only other clam chowder that might be better is Splash Café in Pismo Beach and downtown San Luis Obispo.
Fish Hopper’s dishes are always very favorable and fresh.
Get their specials because they usually center around the fresh catch of the day. We got a seared albacore tuna over risotto and veggies. Super tasty!
Great location on Cannery Row, walking distance from Monterey Bay Aquarium. On a nice California day, a table by the water with good food is heaven on earth!

I’ve only wandered into this restaurant twice and I can vouch it’s worth paying a visit if you’re willing to shell out big bucks for a fancy meal by the water.
I’ve tried their seafood pastas as well as the clam chowder bread bowl. Both were overpriced, flavorless, and less than memorable. The only nice thing about this restaurant is the sweeping views of the water, especially at night.
I paid around $ 20 (including tip) for a clam chowder bread bowl for dinner. It was average. I’m indifferent because the bread bowl was super bready and almost too garlicy. Everything together was just too rich and dense for my liking. I prefer getting a regular bowl of clam chowder, minus the bread bowl, to maximize the soup volume that would have otherwise been consumed by the dough. I like my soup to bread ratio to be more soupy versus bready.
All in all, this is a nice old school restaurant to impress your date, if ever you’re in chilly Monterey. As for me, I’m a simple girl and I’ll happily take my clam chowda from a shelf stable can and eat it as I watch Netflix.

My husband and I were looking for a place to eat dinner and the bellhop at our hotel did not hesitate to recommend The Fish Hopper. I had the Watermelon Mojito (so refreshing!) and pasta loaded with lobster and shrimp. The view was absolutely stunning and the jellyfish chandeliers were beyond beautiful! We only stayed one night in Monterey Bay, but this dinner was unforgettable!

Pricey, but adds to the romance of the bay.
When we entered, we were hit with a warm smell of the ocean and Brittany, the receptionist, instantly greeted us and seated within minutes. We went in around 4:30 pm, creeping into dinner time. Bf wanted a patio view and we were not disappointed. Just watch out for gulls when you’re on the patio, they like to snatch leftovers from unattended tables.
We were promptly greeted by our waiter but he didn’t bother to introduce himself. Bf knew off the bat that he wanted the fish and chips and asked if the waiter knew what kind of fish it was and its origins. The waiter sounded like he was fudging it but whatever, its one of the cheapest things on the menu $ 20. I needed time but I got their Isabella seafood pasta ($ 25). Many Unilocalers talked about their clam chowder but we weren’t in the mood for it.
Alcoholic drinks were ~$ 10 which was steep so bf ordered pineapple juice instead (he loves pina coladas). The juice was on the tart and spicy side which took both of us off guard.
Our dishes arrived quickly, 15 – 20 min. My pasta was good, with plenty of shrimp, but the portion was on the smaller end. I didnt feel full after finishing it and for $ 25 felt a bit ripped off in that way. The bf felt full after one fish and a handful of fries-​I think he felt it was mediocre.
The view on the patio and the timing of the setting sun justified it though. We could see parents with young kids checking out the beach, gulls on the rocks further offshore, and the northern coast in the distance. If it wasn’t so cold, I think I could’ve sat there for hours.

Usually a decent meal is not what is expected for a company gathering at a restaurant. But Fish Hopper was an exception for the annual meeting of my husband’s Dental Board. The salads were fresh with a nice balsamic vinaigrette dressing, the chowder was creamy and filled with tasty clams, the entrees of salmon, pasta, or surf and turf were not over done and very tasty. The chocolate bread pudding was wonderful. The jellyfish lighting in the restaurant is very pretty at night and the location on the water offers views of the waves and the night lit shores in the distance. Located right on Cannery Row, one wouldn’t expect such a large restaurant to be as good as it is, but it serves us a great menu with a very professional staff.

Disappointing and do not recommend.
After a day visiting the Aquarium my daughter and I got several recommendations for The Fish Hopper. We were very excited as we had read all the great reviews on Unilocal,and were hungry!
We were seating outside along the railing, which was a great view, but it was December 29… and freezing. The heat lamps only reach so far, but they were on.
We love seafood, and were looking forward to a great meal so we tried to get passed the cold and enjoy the remainder of our evening.
We ordered Sweet Potato Soup, Oysters Rockefeller, and Seafood Pasta. Plenty of food for us to share.
The soup was bland. Something like you’d pour out of a carton from Trader Joes. The oysters were soggy oiled breading. They came four to an order, only two were eaten. When the pasta came, (we had mentioned to the waitress we’d be splitting the dish when ordered) the gentleman asked if we needed two plates, I said yes please. At that moment she stepped over and said there’s a plate under the bowl, they can use that. (What?!?)
Thankfully he brought two clean dishes over. I am not sure why I thought it would have come PRE-​SPLIT since I told her we’d be splitting it.
I guess you have to clarify things like that.
It was under-​cooked to say the least, the sauce was a cream sauce but tasted very sweet and almost tangy. Not what I was expecting but my daughter date it. At this point I think I just wanted to be done and leave.
The kicker was when we paid. I gave cash, and the change would reflect her tip. She didn’t break the change down enough so I could give her an adequate tip. I waited almost 10 minutes before leaving 10% tip, what change I did have, and left feeling frustrated.
Food gets 0 stars
Service, if it hadn’t been for a team effort meaning the waters and sodas being filled, additional plates being brought out, our waitress was definitely on autopilot.
For being right on the wharf, I guess I expected more, especially after reading all the great reviews. Bummer!

As a local, who was talked into by my family and friends from out of town to go to Fish Hopper, I was embarrassed.
I often take pride in Monterey hospitality where residents and hospitality employees know how to be warm and friendly to their guests. I don’t know what happened to Fish Hopper yesterday but my guests did not feel the typical Monterey hospitality.
Fish Hopper was not busy and yet they refused to sit us until everyone in the party was there — we waited in their mini-​reception area, cold and hungry. Finally, when everyone was there, service was slow. Our waitress was short and even made a comment that «you just have to wait» when one of asked for honey. Wow. My guests felt hurried and said that they should’ve not chosen to eat at Fish Hopper. And that never again will they grace them with their $$$ and presence.
I was embarrassed.

This place is a great place to have good food with an exceptional ambience.
8÷15÷2015 was our second visit. We came to the same place 4 months ago. We were very happy with our experience on our first visit and was not as impressed during our second. It could’ve been due to the law of diminishing returns?
We seem to remember to have gotten bigger servings during our first visit. We knew not to order the Cioppino, which didn’t have that much seafood compared to another place that we liked at Moss Landing. But we really liked the seafood pasta dish during our first visit, so we got another pasta dish: crab stuffed prawn pasta.
The food is good. They were priced reasonably (relative to Monterey resto standards). The location and view is spectacular. But, for a dining place, I am more particular about the food over the view. Thus, my rating of 3 stars.

Day trip to Monterey. We always visit the same places. Creatures of habit I guess. We always have lunch or dinner here and there is no cap on price. This is our big splurge. It is a beautiful restaurant inside and out. It is located at the end of a short pier. I always get a window seat. You can see all of Monterey Bay. Seals, Otters and those lovely Seagulls. I love the glass chandeliers shaped like beautiful octopus. I always get the same thing, the Whole Dungeness Crab and a Hawaiian Breeze Cocktail. My daughter always gets the Clam Chowder Bread Bowl. The food is always consistent. The service is amazing. They don’t hover but your glass is always full and you always have a fresh basket of bread. Oh, by the way the way they have the best lemonade. I have been going to the Fish Hopper for the last 16 years and I plan to keep it up.
Enjoy!

Coming here around 2−3pm on the weekend, we noticed the restaurant was still pretty crowded. But we got our table in about 15 minutes.
We had clam chowder in bread bowl. It is so goood! For main dishes, we had burger and seafood pasta. The burger was nothing special but pretty decent. The seafood pasta was very good. I loved the big pasta. And this dish came with not just seafood but a lot of seafood. Like a lot!!! Big scallops, prawns, crab meat, lobster. I could not finish everything. The pasta sauce was creamy and tasty. I love this dish!
View — the restaurant has great view of the sea. You can pretty much sit anywhere and still have good view. There is also seating outside which is pretty nice for warm days.
Service was good. Nothing to complain about.
However, the restaurant has food display in front but what you actually get is not the same as displayed. I don’t like that because it makes me feel like they cheated even thou their actual food quality is not bad at all.

Pelo visual até q é bom. Contudo, a comida não condiz o preço. O salmão estava sem tempero, o risotto sem gosto. Em fim, não recomendo.

Restau avec une immense terrasse en front de mer. Évidemment les prix sont un peu élèves mais la qualité des plats était normale, bien que le fish and chips soit un peu décevant (manqué de poisson!).

Die Austern zur Vorspeise waren frisch und lecker! Dann gab’s Captain’s choice (Surf & Turf), Filet Mignon und Prime Steak (Medium rare) alles sehr lecker. Auch die Beilagen und das Gemüse waren Fisch und knackig! Der Markham 2004 Petite Sirah aus Napa Valley große Klasse! Die Desserts auch sehr gut: Crème Brûlée, Chocolate Chip cookie, und Chocolate Fudge mit Vanille Eis! Dazu eine schöné Aussicht auf die Bucht nach Santa Cruz!