The C restaurant features only seafood endorsed by Seafood Watch of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which means you’re eating responsibly caught fish without having to do the research yourself. Executive Chef Matt Bolton builds menus around sustainable options like Arctic Char, which tastes similar to salmon but stays available year-round and carries a “best choice” rating from Seafood Watch. The restaurant sits inside the InterContinental The Clement Monterey hotel right on Monterey Bay, and every table has a view of the water.

This matters more than it sounds. We watched harbor seals pop their heads up between courses, and a pod of dolphins cruised past while we were waiting for dessert. Sea otters float around the kelp beds visible from your seat, and you’ll see everything from cormorants to the occasional gray whale depending on the season. The natural activity out there is genuinely better than most entertainment you could pay for.

The space itself feels like an upscale hotel restaurant done right—clean lines, good lighting, nothing fussy. The California regional cuisine plays to what’s actually fresh and what the kitchen can source responsibly, so the menu changes with what’s in season and what Seafood Watch approves. You’re not paying premium prices for some overwrought tasting menu; you’re paying for quality fish prepared well with a view that costs nothing extra.

The location puts you steps from the Monterey Bay Aquarium if you’re planning a full day around the waterfront. Families eat here alongside couples and business diners, and the restaurant doesn’t make you feel like you need to apologize for bringing kids. The water views and marine life sightings keep everyone at the table engaged, which helps when you’re trying to enjoy a meal without constant negotiations over who wants what.