Wow, another great meal in Monterey during our winter getaway from SLC! We were wowed by Fish Hopper’s sister restaurant, Old Fisherman’s Grotto, earlier this week, and our early dinner at Fish Hopper was great, too. The fried shrimp and french fries I ordered were absolutely delicious, and the red cabbage slaw was surprisingly tasty, too. (Not being a huge fan of coleslaw, I wasn’t terribly excited until I tasted it!) My husband thoroughly enjoyed his cup of clam chowder, Caesar salad and side of sourdough rolls, and my glass of German Riesling and hubby’s Arnold Palmer drink were perfect accompaniments. Then there was the lemon coconut cake… yum! The ocean view at this restaurant is beautiful and relaxing, and perfect for watching delightful sea otters enjoying a late afternoon in the surf. Our server, Emily, and her assistant, Alberto, were attentive and pleasant, making for a perfect dining experience. We will be back next year and we highly recommend!

– Joyce Gesick

I'm always wary of dockside restaurants like The Fish Hopper: so many of these places squander the fresh bounty of seafood almost literally flinging itself upon their doorstep. I've been burned a few too many times by terrible restaurants in prime locations, with incredible views.

Thankfully, The Fish Hopper is the real meal deal. Everything they served us was fresh, local, and delicious, prepared by skilled hands, and conceived in the minds of a gourmand with a talent for pairing and accentuating different flavors: A slab of swordfish that was thick and meaty like a steak, atop a vinaigrette salad; my wife's Taste of Monterey, blending myriad types of seafood together in an incredible sauce; bacon-wrapped scallops atop a bed of beans and sauce. Incredible, all of it! About the only thing that wasn't up to par was the strangely disappointing Bloody Mary I ordered; it wasn't bad…it just wasn't great.

Our server was quiet and a bit aloof, but at least he was efficient and attentive, when needed. The interior décor was a little hammy, in my opinion, but my wife thought it was pretty. The views, though, are almost worth the price of admission, all on their own! Be sure to grab a window table, in order to enjoy the roiling, tumultuous waves churning all around you; I imagine during a storm, this would be one hell of a place to be!

Nitpicks aside, our meal at The Fish Hopper was the best meal we had anywhere during our impromptu trip to California, and we would absolutely return here in the future. Unlike a lot of other oceanfront restaurants, who hide their mediocrity behind an unbeatable location, The Fish Hopper absolutely deserves the premier real estate that it occupies. Very recommended!

– Jason Van Camp

It’s no surprise to learn that The Fish Hopper was recently voted Best Restaurant on Cannery Row — it’s absolutely well-deserved! I went for a late lunch on a beautiful day, and the views were simply breathtaking both inside and out. Watching the ocean waves crash over the rocks while spotting sea life and sail boats and more made the entire dining experience even more special.

We ordered the grilled salmon and the halibut with macadamia nut crust with tangy mango sauce— both were outstanding with generous portions! The seafood was super fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor, complemented by fresh vegetables and sweet potatoes.

Our server, Jeff, was friendly, attentive, and offered great menu suggestions that really made the meal even better. We ended with a creamy café latte, though I have to admit, the dessert tray looked incredibly tempting… next time for sure!

We sat in the east section at table 9 and if that's available, it has a 180 degree view of the gorgeous Monterey Bay!

If you love spectacular ocean views, top-notch seafood, and excellent service, The Fish Hopper is a must-visit on Cannery Row!

– Wendy Brickman