Best of 2012
Around Town
Best scandal, surf spot, place to eavesdrop and more.
Arts, Entertainment, Nightlife
Best clubs, bartenders, local artist, band and more.
Restaurants
Best restaurants by city, cheap eats and best restaurant of the county!
Specialty Foods
Best coffee shop, best bakery and more.
Shopping and Services
Best places to shop, best plumber and more.
Editor's Picks
Our picks for the sometimes less obvious winners.
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Best New Restaurant
Restaurant 1833 -
Best Restaurant More Than 10 Years Old
The Sardine Factory -
Best Restaurant - Big Sur
Nepenthe -
Best Restaurant - Carmel
Cantinetta Luca -
Best Restaurant - Carmel Valley
Cafe Rustica -
Best Restaurant - Marina
Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse -
Best Restaurant - Monterey
Montrio Bistro -
Best Restaurant - North County
Phil’s Fish Market -
Best Restaurant - Pebble Beach
Roy’s -
Best Restaurant - Salinas
Gino’s Fine Italian Food -
Best Restaurant - Sand City
Sweet Elena’s Bakery -
Best Restaurant in Monterey County / Best Restaurant Pacific Grove / Best Seafood Restaurant / Best Sustainable Restaurant
Passionfish -
Best Restaurant More Than 10 Years Old / Best Wine List
The Sardine Factory -
Best Restaurant - Big Sur / Best Outdoor Dining
Nepenthe -
Best Restaurant - Carmel
Cantinetta Luca -
Best Restaurant - Marina
Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse -
Best Restaurant - Monterey
Montrio Bistro -
Best Restaurant - North County
Phil’s Fish Market -
Best Restaurant - Pebble Beach
Roy’s -
Best Restaurant - Sand City
Sweet Elena’s Bakery -
Best Restaurant - Seaside
Fishwife -
Best Restaurant - South County
The Windmill -
Best Waiter/Waitress
Valerie Arveson -
Best Chef / Best Restaurant To Splurge
Cal Stamenov / Marinus -
Best Breakfast
First Awakenings -
Best Cheap Eats
Chopstix -
Best Place for a Business Lunch
Tarpy’s Roadhouse -
Best Family Restaurant
Rosine’s -
Best Chinese
Tommy’s Wok -
Best French
Fifi’s -
Best Italian
Il Vecchio -
Best Japanese / Sushi
Crystal Fish -
Best Korean
Orient Express -
Best Mediterranean
Dametra Cafe -
Best Mexican
Peppers MexiCali Cafe -
Best Taqueria
Michael’s Grill & Taqueria -
Best Indian
Ambrosia -
Best Middle Eastern
Amir’s Kabob House -
Best Thai
Baan Thai -
Best Vietnamese
Noodle Bar -
Best Appetizers/Small Plates
Mundaka -
Best Vegetarian Menu
Tillie Gort’s -
Best Steakhouse
John Pisto’s Whaling Station -
Best Restaurant for Romantic Dining
Pacific’s Edge Restaurant at the Highlands Inn -
Best Restaurant More Than 10 Years Old
The Sardine Factory -
Best Wine List
The Sardine Factory -
Best New Restaurant
la Balena -
Best Restaurant in Monterey County
Restaurant 1833 -
Best Restaurant - Big Sur
Nepenthe Restaurant -
Best Restaurant - Carmel
Grasing’s -
Best Restaurant - Carmel Valley
Café Rustica -
Best Restaurant - Marina
Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse and Sushi Bar -
Best Restaurant - Monterey
Montrio Bistro -
Best Restaurant - North County
Phil’s Fish Market & Eatery -
Best Restaurant - Pacific Grove
Passionfish -
Best Seafood Restaurant
Passionfish -
Best Server
Manuel Tiacoxlal, Passionfish -
Best Restaurant - Pebble Beach
Roy’s -
Best Restaurant - Salinas
Gino’s Fine Italian Food -
Best Restaurant - Sand City
Papa Chano’s -
Best Restaurant - Seaside
Fishwife -
Best Restaurant - South County
Mariscos Puerto Nuevo -
Best Breakfast
First Awakenings -
Best Cheap Eats
Chopstix Vietnamese Restaurant -
Best Place for a Business Lunch
Tarpy’s Roadhouse -
Best Family Restaurant
Rosine’s Restaurant -
Best Chinese Restaurant
Tommy’s Wok -
Best French
Fifi’s Bistro Cafe -
Best Indian Restaurant
Ambrosia -
Best Italian
Il Vecchio -
Best Japanese/Sushi
Crystal Fish -
Best Korean
New Korea in Marina -
Best Mexican
Peppers MexiCali Cafe -
Best Mediterranean
Dametra Cafe -
Best Middle Eastern
Amir’s Grill & Bar -
Best Thai
Baan Thai -
Best Vietnamese
Pho King -
Best Appetizers/Small Plates
Mundaka -
Best Outdoor Dining
Schooner’s Coastal Kitchen & Bar -
Best Vegetarian Menu
Tillie Gort’s Cafe -
Best Steak House
Whaling Station -
Best Restaurant to Splurge
Aubergine -
Best Restaurant for Romantic Dining
Pacific’s Edge -
Best Chef
Cal Stamenov, Bernardus Lodge -
Best Taqueria
Michael’s Grill & Taqueria
