Whaling Station Steakhouse

We're down here a couple of times every year when we're in Monterey. Always the same consistent high quality food, great service and awesome cocktails. Highly recommend any of their steak dinners and seafood. Don't skip on dessert either they are phenomenal

From the hostess who welcomes you to when you arrive the waiter who suggested me and explained the menu outstandingly. The manager cane a few times making sure I was enjoying the steak (and I surely did) and considering that the restaurant was full I truly appreciated his professionalism. I ordered a porterhouse and it was exceptional! Then a dessert to die for. Wonderful I will surely come back next year during car week.

The Whaling Station is truly the premier steakhouse in Monterey, serving guests with excellence since 1969. My husband and I enjoyed a superb dining experience from start to finish. We began with their fabulous French onion soup with a perfect brother and lots of cheese on top, followed by the incredible Cowboy Ribeye Steak—tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor, easily one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. The sides were equally impressive: fresh thick asparagus with hollandaise sauce, a perfectly prepared twice-baked potato, and to finish, the most heavenly Pavlova dessert from New Zealand with soft meringue, whipped cream, and fresh fruit. A delicious glass of red wine paired beautifully with the meal, and an Irish Coffee was the perfect finale. Our server, Jose, was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, adding to the warm atmosphere. We enjoyed the comfort of a half-booth and admired the lovely décor and artwork, including a lovely mural. The restaurant easily accommodates groups and provides a refined yet welcoming setting. The Whaling Station also holds a special place in my heart—it was the very first restaurant my husband and I dined at when visiting Monterey back in 1988 for a Paramount Pictures sales meeting. After moving here in 1990, we’ve enjoyed many wonderful meals over the years, and the quality has always remained top-notch. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an outstanding dining experience with high quality food, impeccable service, and the very best steaks in Monterey.

Amazing Experience at Whaling Station Steakhouse! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The food was absolutely top-notch — the steak was cooked to perfection, full of flavor, and paired wonderfully with the drinks. A special shoutout to Jermar, the bartender, who truly made our night. His attention to detail, friendly service, and excellent drink recommendations made us feel well taken care of. If you’re looking for a place with great food, a welcoming vibe, and outstanding service, Whaling Station Steakhouse is it. Definitely recommend!

Cannot say enough good things about this steak house. We visit every year for our anniversary and leave every time so happy with our meal and especially the service. Our waiter Paul was top notch, the hostess was so sweet, and the food was AMAZING. If you're considering stopping for dinner, this is the place!!

You receive service before experiencing the food and this place provided amazing customer service. The food was equally excellent. The bread itself was the best table bread I’ve ever had… crispy crust and the softest white bread. We ordered the oysters, Caesar salad, filet mignon and lobster fettuccine Alfredo, deliciousness! The atmosphere fine. The decor is a bit dated. Lovely place to have a nice dinner.

Celebrated our wedding night at Whaling Station after tying the knot on the Pacific Grove beach, and what a rollercoaster of an evening it was. We came specifically hunting for gluten-free options and top-notch steak – and honestly, this place delivered on half that promise spectacularly. Started with fresh oysters that were absolutely pristine, though I was genuinely shocked they don't serve mignonette. Even when we asked, they just shrugged. The escargot was a complete disaster – weird texture, off flavors – and we had to send it back without hesitation. But then the steaks arrived, and wow. My wife's Creekstone ribeye special ($88) was hands down one of the best cuts I've experienced at any steakhouse. Perfectly marbled, flawlessly cooked, and while the accompaniments were simple – just potatoes, spinach, and crispy onions – the quality spoke for itself. My prime rib was equally impressive, tender and juicy with excellent jus and horseradish. Those crispy onions on the mashed potatoes were a brilliant textural contrast. The evening took a serious turn when they served my celiac mother-in-law breadcrumbs despite our explicit warnings about gluten. She took a bite thinking it was safe, and it made her genuinely ill. Completely unacceptable for a restaurant at this price point. They did redeem themselves slightly with a complimentary wedding Pavlova that was divine – light as angel food cake with perfect textures throughout. Service was attentive and accommodating overall, but that gluten cross-contamination was a major failure. The steaks are legitimately exceptional, but the price point feels steep for what you're getting. Still, those ribeye and prime rib were restaurant magic.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​