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Paluca Trattoria

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Waterfront Italian eatery on Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf, famed for its seafood, homemade pastas, and stunning sunset views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Love is in the air!

Paluca Trattoria

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Waterfront Italian eatery on Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf, famed for its seafood, homemade pastas, and stunning sunset views.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Enjoy delicious Italian cuisine with homemade pastas and sauces, overlooking Monterey Bay."

TIP

Reserve Your Table

Make reservations in advance, especially for weekends, to secure a prime spot, or join the Yelp waitlist.

Outdoor Seating for Views

Opt for outdoor seating during sunset for beautiful views and the chance to see sea lions. Bring a jacket!

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11:30AM

Cuisine

Italian, Seafood

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(831) 373-5559

Address

6 Fishermans Wharf Suite D, Monterey, CA 93940, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Waterfront Dining & Sunset Views

Waterfront Dining & Sunset Views

Enjoy stunning sunset views over Monterey Bay from the outdoor patio, often with sea lions nearby. A truly picturesque experience.

Big Little Lies Filming Location

Big Little Lies Filming Location

Visit the charming eatery that served as a filming location for the popular series 'Big Little Lies'.

22 Best Restaurants In Monterey, California You Will LoveWhere to Eat + Drink Outdoors on the Monterey Peninsula
Authentic Italian & Seafood

Authentic Italian & Seafood

Savor homemade pastas and sauces, alongside fresh seafood classics, reflecting Sicilian culinary traditions.

Italian Flavors: Top Pasta Spot in Monterey, CAGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

first time in Monterey, so i tried some popular food places! these are my opinions as a regular schmegular person #monterey #foodtiktok #foodtok #foodtour #foodreview
@sweetcielito
83 likes • 14.6K views

Reserve Your Table

Make reservations in advance, especially for weekends, to secure a prime spot, or join the Yelp waitlist.

Outdoor Seating for Views

Opt for outdoor seating during sunset for beautiful views and the chance to see sea lions. Bring a jacket!

Signature Dish Recommendations

Don't miss specialties like lobster, fish and chips, pesto cream gnocchi, and clam chowder.

Be Prepared for Peak Times

Service may experience minor delays during busy periods. Patience is appreciated.

Tips

from all over the internet

Reserve Your Table

Make reservations in advance, especially for weekends, to secure a prime spot, or join the Yelp waitlist.

Outdoor Seating for Views

Opt for outdoor seating during sunset for beautiful views and the chance to see sea lions. Bring a jacket!

Signature Dish Recommendations

Don't miss specialties like lobster, fish and chips, pesto cream gnocchi, and clam chowder.

Be Prepared for Peak Times

Service may experience minor delays during busy periods. Patience is appreciated.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Paluca Trattoria offers a delightful dining experience with many praising the delicious Italian cuisine, particularly the homemade pastas and fresh seafood, and the beautiful waterfront views, especially during sunset. However, some diners have expressed disappointment with inconsistent service and food quality, noting that main courses did not always meet expectations. The restaurant's ambiance and location on Fisherman's Wharf are generally well-received, though potential delays in service during peak times have been mentioned.

"Food was absolutely delicious, huge variety of flavors.
Service was very helpful, kind and fairly quick for being as busy as they were. Had the option for outdoor or indoor seating which is always a plus. Sitting outside during sunset hours was very beautiful (beware of the sea lions sun bathing). Overall a great dinner experience and a will definitely be returning and recommending to others."

Allan Volkov

"The starters — calamari and clam chowder — were excellent. Unfortunately, the main courses were a huge disappointment. The salmon linguine and the lobster ravioli were both very poorly prepared. One went straight to the garbage, the other sent me straight to the bathroom.

Really unfortunate experience. Based on the food quality, I won’t be returning."

Anibal Machado

"We decided to try Paluca Trattoria in Monterey and unfortunately, it was not a good experience. The food itself was just okay—nothing that stood out or made me want to come back. For the price and location, I expected more flavor and quality, but it was very average.

The biggest disappointment was the service. From the moment we sat down, things felt disorganized. People who arrived after us received their food before we did, which was frustrating and hard to overlook. On top of that, I had to ask my waiter three separate times for bread, and each time he either forgot or didn’t bring it until much later. Something that simple should not be so difficult, and it set the tone for the whole meal.

Normally, I’m a very generous tipper because I understand how hard restaurant work can be. But in this case, I didn’t feel the service deserved one at all. Being ignored and forgotten multiple times is not acceptable, especially when we were polite and patient.

The only reason this review is 2 stars instead of 1 is because of the host. She was welcoming, kind, and friendly when we walked in, and that was the one bright spot in an otherwise disappointing evening. Sadly, the rest of the experience did not match her level of hospitality.

Overall, Paluca Trattoria just didn’t deliver. Between the mediocre food, the long waits, and the inattentive service, it’s not a place I’d return to. There are too many great restaurants in Monterey to waste time and money on one that can’t get the basics right."

Salvatore Piazza

What People Like

Stunning sunset views
Homemade pasta and seafood
Great location on Fisherman's Wharf

What People Dislike

Inconsistent food quality
Service can be slow/disorganized

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the outdoor seating offers beautiful sunset views over Monterey Bay, often with sea lions nearby. It's highly recommended for this experience.

Google Review

Yes, Paluca Trattoria features extensive heated outdoor dining on its waterfront patio, perfect for enjoying the views and sea air.

Where to Eat + Drink Outdoors on the Monterey Peninsula

Popular dishes include homemade pastas and sauces, fresh seafood, lobster, fish and chips, pesto cream gnocchi, and clam chowder.

Google Review

Yes, it gained fame as a filming location for the popular series 'Big Little Lies'.

22 Best Restaurants In Monterey, California You Will Love

Yes, the restaurant offers dog-friendly patio seating, making it a great option for diners with pets.

7 Dog-Friendly Patios in Monterey Bay5 Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Monterey Where Fido is Welcome

While many find the service excellent, some reviews mention potential delays during peak times. Making reservations can help secure a good spot.

Google Review

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In Monterey: Paluca Trattoria (6 Fisherman's Wharf) might have gained some notoriety as the site of the coffee shop in Big Little Lies, but it's the homemade pastas and sauces that have kept this Italian restaurant in business for years. Make a lunch or dinner reservation on the waterfront patio Sunday through Thursday—or join the Yelp waitlist on Fridays and Saturdays—and don't forget to save room for the housemade tiramisu. // Cult Taco (481 Alvarado St.) brings casual, Mexican street food to downtown Monterey.

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One of the best Monterey restaurants for couples, Paluca Trattoria has had some fame in Monterey recently as it was used in the drama series Big Little Lies starring Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, and Reese Witherspoon. Other than being a great filming location, Paluca Trattoria also has the best Italian food in Monterey. It sits on the lively Fisherman’s Wharf and serves boutique beer, wines, and espresso along with a Sicilian seafood menu.

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Paluca Trattoria offers a delightful immersion into Sicilian culinary tradition, masterfully blended with the fresh bounties of Monterey Bay. Chef Sal Tedesco, renowned for his Sicilian heritage, helms the kitchen, creating dishes that celebrate freshness and authenticity. The standout dish here is the Special Seafood Pasta—today's freshest catch, clams, mussels, and prawns served over linguine in a daily special sauce or broth.

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Head to the Fisherman’s Wharf for a fun dining experience at Paluca Trattoria. As you probably guessed by the name, this is an Italian spot that is an elevated casual eatery. Here’s you’ll enjoy unique twists on favorite foods, including calamari that here, is served hand-breaded and fried with pesto aioli.

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General Information: Welcome to our Trattoria, a quaint seaside getaway. Your host, Sal Tedesco, was born in Sicily and grew up the son of one of the famous Italian fishermen who gave the Wharf its name. Paluca Trattoria features extensive heated patio dining with a view from every table.

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To get a peek into that subculture in the local food in Monterey, head to the family-owned Paluca Trattoria where Sicilian-American owner and chef Sal learned everything from how to catch to filet a fish from the previous generation.

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