Paluca Trattoria sits right on Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, and the outdoor seating is genuinely comfortable for eating with a dog alongside you. The restaurant specializes in traditional Fisherman’s Wharf fare mixed with authentic Italian cooking, all built around fresh local ingredients. You’ll find the classics here—beer-battered fish and chips, New England clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, and tender calamari. The pasta offerings are solid too, with penne puttanesca, prawns in garlic cream over linguini, and artichoke-stuffed ravioli showing the Italian side of the kitchen. Chef-Owner Sal Tedesco comes from Sicily and it shows in the thoughtful preparation.

The real draw for dog owners is that patio seating where your dog can actually sit with you while you eat. There’s something nice about not having to choose between enjoying a good meal and having your dog nearby. You get the ocean breeze, the wharf activity, actual views of Monterey Bay—it’s the kind of setting where time moves slower. Your dog gets to experience all of that too, which beats eating somewhere closed off from the water.

The location itself opens up naturally to longer outings. After eating, the wharf and nearby coastal paths are right there. You could easily spend an afternoon moving between the restaurant and walking around the area, checking out what else the waterfront has to offer. The whole setup feels less like an isolated dining stop and more like part of a real day spent in Monterey with your dog.

Bring water for your dog, especially on warm days when the sun hits that patio. A few treats help keep them settled while you’re finishing up. Call ahead before you go to confirm they’re set up for dogs that day and to ask about any seasonal specials or quieter times if your dog prefers a calmer environment.