Built into an original sardine cannery at 700 Cannery Row, the Fish Hopper has fed Monterey Bay since 1995, and the whole point is the water. The dining room hangs over the bay, so every table looks at the same view that drew John Steinbeck to this stretch of coast. The kitchen runs fresh seafood, with macadamia-crusted halibut and local Monterey Bay abalone the dishes to know, and a meal lands between $30 and $60 a head. The Shake family, who also run Old Fisherman's Grotto next door, own it.
The Kitchen
The Fish Hopper is one of three restaurants owned by the Shake family, alongside Old Fisherman's Grotto on Monterey's wharf and the Fish Hopper Kona on Hawaii's Big Island. The name nods to the wooden hoppers anchored off Cannery Row in the Steinbeck era, the floating boxes that fishing boats emptied their catch into. The room opened in 1995 inside one of the original cannery buildings at 700 Cannery Row, and the kitchen has kept a steady, crowd-pleasing line ever since.
The signature is the macadamia-crusted halibut, and when it is in season the fresh Monterey Bay abalone is the local rarity to chase, a dish few California rooms can serve from their own bay. The cioppino and the seafood platters are built to share, and certified Angus steaks and pasta cover the table's non-fish eaters. Mains run from roughly $30 to $60 a head before drinks, which is firmly Cannery Row tourist pricing rather than a bargain. The cooking is solid and reliable; you pay the premium for the view and the address, and on a clear evening it earns it.
The Room
The dining room is the draw: tiered to give as many tables as possible a clear line to Monterey Bay, with a heated outdoor patio for the brave. Sound runs to a busy buzz when the room fills, since this is a popular, high-turnover spot rather than a hushed one. Lighting is bright by day for the view and softer at dinner, tables are generously spaced, and dress is no-rules Cannery Row casual. The seat count is large. Ask for a window or patio table at sunset, when the bay does the work.
Best for a Birthday
Book the Fish Hopper for a birthday when the group wants a view to remember. Three reasons it fits: the over-water room turns an ordinary dinner into an occasion; the broad menu of seafood, steak and pasta keeps a mixed table happy; and the staff are used to marking celebrations. Picture a clear evening, a window table, the bay going gold, and a platter of abalone and halibut down the middle. Reserve a sunset window slot rather than leaving it to chance. See our birthday dining guide for more rooms worth a celebration.
Not for a quiet, value-focused dinner. The room is busy and tourist-priced, so a diner chasing a bargain or a hushed table for two will feel the premium and the volume on a full night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fish Hopper worth it?
Yes, if you come for the setting as much as the food. The Fish Hopper sits over the water in an original Cannery Row cannery, and every table looks at Monterey Bay. The kitchen does fresh seafood well, with the macadamia-crusted halibut and local abalone the picks, though prices reflect the prime location. Expect roughly $30 to $60 a head before drinks. It is a view-and-occasion restaurant rather than a value one.
How hard is it to book the Fish Hopper?
Booking is recommended for a window table, especially at sunset. The Fish Hopper takes reservations on OpenTable and by phone on +1 831-372-8543, and the waterfront tables go first on summer evenings and weekends. Lunch and shoulder seasons are easier. If a bay view matters for your night, request it when you book rather than on arrival.
What should I order at the Fish Hopper?
Order the macadamia-crusted halibut, the kitchen's signature, and if it is available add fresh Monterey Bay abalone, a local rarity worth the splurge. The cioppino and the seafood platters are built to share. Steaks and pasta round out the list for non-fish eaters. See our Monterey dining guide for more rooms on Cannery Row and the wider peninsula.
Is the Fish Hopper good for a birthday?
Yes, it is a strong birthday choice when you want a view. The over-water dining room and the bay outlook make the night feel like an event, the menu is broad enough to please a mixed table, and the staff will mark a celebration. Book a window table at sunset. For more celebratory rooms, see our birthday dining guide.