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The Whaling Station Steakhouse, Monterey, CA

The Whaling Station Steakhouse

4.6
4.6
2424 Reviews
$31 to $50
Steakhouse

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 13 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
The internationally acclaimed Whaling Station Steakhouse, perched just above Steinbeck’s Cannery Row has been Monterey County’s #1 Steak House for over 50 years, The Whaling Station takes the term “Steakhouse” seriously...Select your USDA Prime cut of the USA’s finest beef from a silver tray or enjoy our slow-roasted USDA Prime, Prime Rib. An award-winning wine list and full spirits bar compliment your dining experience. Serving Dinner and cocktails from 4:30pm daily. The Bar at The Whaling Station Steakhouse has its own menu and its own local following, with drink specials and lively conversation served nightly. Parking in our private lot.
A private, 50-seat banquet room is also available.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, Seafood, Prime Rib
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Daily 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 373-3778
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Pete Martinez
  • Private party facilities
    The Whaling Station offers private dining for groups of 16 to 50. Having a birthday, special event or party please contact us directly to reserve or get additional information.
  • Area
    Monterey
  • Cross Street
    Prescott Ave.
  • Parking details
    Enjoy free parking in our private lot. Valet parking available on Friday and Saturday.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,424 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Steakhouse

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Whaling Station Steakhouse in Monterey is celebrated for its "impeccable service" and "outstanding food," making it a top choice for special occasions. Guests praise the "amazing steak dinners" and attentive staff, creating a memorable dining experience. Despite some inconsistencies, many patrons return for the "best steakhouse in the area."

2,424 Reviews
  1. Bev

    VIP

    Orange County

    17 reviews

    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Extremely noisy but understandable as three groups were celebrating. Asparagus was limp, rib eye was cool. French onion soup was fabulous and, in my opinion, the best thing on our plates. I guess when we go out for an expensive steak dinner, we’re looking for something a little more intimate and quiet. Our server , Archie, was attentive. The manager came by and provided a Bearnaise sauce less spicy than the hollandaise. Overall? Service very good, food okay.

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  2. Mary

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love the Whaling Station. Even though most of the patrons were in jeans, the wait staff treat everyone with class and respect, servicing properly and being attentive but not overbearing. The steaks were a little over salted but would melt in your mouth. One waiter placed a basket of bread on the table, then another one came with a basket all because the first one was not warm. We didn't even have to ask. That's service.
    The Whaling Station SteakhouseResponded 5 days ago
    Mary, we're honored that you love dining with us! Thank you for appreciating our attentive and classy service. We look forward to serving you again with even more delicious dishes on your next visit!

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  3. Philip

    VIP

    West Palm Beach

    34 reviews

    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on 13 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    To begin with, the salads (wedge and Caesar) were a special experience. Extra Roquefort topped off the wedge just right. One had chicken and loved it. Another the wagyu special filet—plate was so clean it didn’t need washing [sic]. My NY strip done just right and delicious and the au gratin potatoes scrumptious. Tables not on top of each other. Pleasant but not overbearing staff. All in all a quite positive experience.
    The Whaling Station SteakhouseResponded on 14 December 2024
    Philip, we're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience dining with us! It's great to know that the salads and main dishes like the NY strip and wagyu special filet met your expectations. We take pride in maintaining a comfortable environment for all our guests and it's wonderful to hear that our staff provided pleasant service. Your feedback is truly appreciated, and we can't wait to have you back for another delightful meal soon!

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  4. Doug

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 12 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    They made my birthday special with smiles service and good food
    The Whaling Station SteakhouseResponded on 13 December 2024
    Doug, we're thrilled to have made your birthday celebration special with smiles, great service, and delicious food. Thank you for choosing us for such a memorable occasion. We can't wait to welcome you back for more wonderful moments in the future!

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  5. Don

    VIP

    San Francisco

    44 reviews

    3.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on 12 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    A nice place for a special dinner, but our experience was just okay. New York strip was served rare instead of medium—a cardinal sin for a steakhouse. It needs to be served sizzling on a hot plate, but was only warm on both counts. Service was very slow and then petered out to non-existent for the last 45 minutes of our meal. In fairness, it was a busy Wednesday night. On the plus side, we were ushered to our reserved table upon arrival, the bread was delicious and served hot, and my wife’s chicken dish was delicious.
    The Whaling Station SteakhouseResponded on 13 December 2024
    Hello Don, thank you for sharing your detailed feedback with us. We're truly sorry to hear that your recent experience wasn't up to par. It's disappointing to know that the New York strip wasn't cooked to your liking and the service fell short of what we aim for. Your insights are invaluable, so if you could kindly email us at info[at]thewhalingstation.com and provide more information, it would greatly assist us in addressing these issues. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to improve.

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  6. Mark

    VIP

    Central Coast

    40 reviews

    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on 5 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All four in our party had steaks. 3 filets, and 1 rib eye. All done to the right temperature. All seasoned perfectly. Sides were very good, but the steaks were the stars. Our server was personable, and kept everything moving at the correct timing. Manager came by and made sure everything was right. Great evening. Deserts were decadent. Tried 3 different ones, and were not disappointed, by any of them!
    The Whaling Station SteakhouseResponded on 7 December 2024
    Mark, we're thrilled that all four in your party enjoyed our steaks and had a great evening with us. It's wonderful to hear that the filets and rib eye were cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. We're glad you appreciated our sides as well! Your kind words about our service team mean a lot to us - ensuring your dining experience goes smoothly is always our goal. We can't wait to see you back for another fantastic meal soon!

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  7. Kathy

    Las Vegas

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 1 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional service! Great atmosphere! Delicious food and beverage!
    The Whaling Station SteakhouseResponded on 3 December 2024
    Kathy, we're thrilled to receive your glowing review! It means a lot to us that you found our service exceptional and enjoyed the delicious food and beverages in our atmosphere. Your kind words have truly made our day, and we can't wait to welcome you back for more delightful experiences. Thank you for your support!

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  8. Jesse

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 1 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First of all, they have complementary valet parking, which is very helpful during the holiday season and parking is very limited. Soon as you walk in service is excellent. Greeted very kindly and quickly seated to our table. Dave, our waiter was amazing, very tentative and made sure we always had what we needed or requested. All the food and drinks were amazing, the kids portions are almost adult sized. Would definitely recommend and go back again.
    The Whaling Station SteakhouseResponded on 3 December 2024
    Jesse, we're thrilled to hear about your wonderful experience with us! We're glad that you enjoyed our delicious food and drinks, as well as our generous kids’ portions. Thank you for recommending us - we can't wait to have you back for another fantastic dining experience soon!

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  9. Lew

    VIP

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 28 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and service. Warm embracing place with great steaks and seafood. Best and freshest calamari I have ever had treat you like family.
    The Whaling Station SteakhouseResponded on 30 November 2024
    Lew, we're thrilled that you had a fantastic dining experience with us! It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed our steaks and seafood, as well as the freshest calamari. Treating our guests like family is what we strive for, so it warms our hearts to know we achieved just that with your visit. Thank you for your kind words and support - we can't wait to welcome you back for more!

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  10. Janet

    New York City

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 27 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What an amazing place! The service was excellent from the start. Ben was very gracious, getting our drink orders in quickly in spite of having a full room and always provided good service in spite of the rush of people and orders around us. We never felt rushed and had a nice leisurely meal - prime NY strip for one of us, filet medallions for the other, and the pancetta wrapped scallops with fettucini for me. The portions were very generous - the NY strip was about 12-14 oz, and prepared perfectly to medium rare as ordered and served with mashed potatoes and spinach which is a nice touch since many places have you order sides a la carte. Overall, a very nice experience and we will be back. The area has a lot of options for steakhouses, but the Whaling Station offered the best value compared to places we frequent in Carmel.
    The Whaling Station SteakhouseResponded on 29 November 2024
    Janet, we're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic dining experience with us! It's wonderful that Ben provided top-notch service and ensured your meals were prepared exactly as you liked. We take pride in offering generous portions and delicious dishes, so it's great to know we hit the mark for you. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another exceptional meal!

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FAQs

The Whaling Station Steakhouse offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (831) 373-3778.

The Whaling Station Steakhouse is rated 4.6 stars by 2424 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 13 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Whaling Station Steakhouse

763 Wave Street, Monterey, CA 93940

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Prescott Ave.
  • Area
    Monterey
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Daily 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, Seafood, Prime Rib
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Enjoy free parking in our private lot. Valet parking available on Friday and Saturday.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Pete Martinez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (831) 373-3778
  • Private party facilities
    The Whaling Station offers private dining for groups of 16 to 50. Having a birthday, special event or party please contact us directly to reserve or get additional information.
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
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  • Cookie Preferences
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