Montrio at a Glance
Montrio opened in a 1910 firehouse on Calle Principal in 1995, and Esquire named it one of the best new restaurants in America that year. Three decades on it still draws Old Monterey for the same reason: an internationally minded menu of small plates and entrees that has aged into an institution. The dish that built its reputation is the Baker's Bacon Chop, the creation of longtime chef Tony Baker, who later turned his house-cured bacon into a national brand. The curving brick room and the upstairs bar are part of the draw.
The Kitchen
Tony Baker ran the Montrio kitchen from 1997 to 2019 and defined its identity around sustainable Central Coast sourcing and clever small plates, and his name still sits on the menu's most famous dish. The Baker's Bacon Chop is the one to understand: twelve ounces of double-smoked pork belly and loin cooked in Cumberland sauce in the wood-burning oven, set over griddled mac-and-cheese with fried onion strings and a jalapeno-honey gastrique. It is excessive and it is the point. Beyond it, the menu runs European-American across seared scallops, handmade pastas, sustainable seafood and prime steaks, with small plates from about $9 to $22 and entrees climbing into the $30s and $40s, which puts a full dinner around $50 to $80 per person. Montrio opened in 1995, earned early national notice from a Michelin Guide listing, and is run today by Coastal Roots Hospitality.
The Room
The building is a converted 1910 firehouse, and the bones show in the best way: curving brick walls, a handsome bar and a staircase up to private rooms. The main floor runs warm and a touch lively, a comfortable hum rather than a library, with banquettes and tables spaced for a business group as easily as a couple. Lighting is low and amber, the bar upstairs is the move for a drink before the table is ready, and the room seats well over a hundred across two levels. Dress is smart casual, and the service is professional and unhurried.
Best for Impress Clients
Book Montrio to impress clients because it carries thirty years of credibility without feeling stuffy. The firehouse setting is a conversation piece in itself, the small-plates format lets a group graze and linger over a deal rather than racing through three courses, and the kitchen has the consistency that only comes from decades of service. Reserve a banquette, send the Baker's Bacon Chop around the table to break the ice, and let the upstairs bar handle the before-and-after. It also suits a milestone birthday or a sizeable team dinner, since the room flexes for groups.
Not for
Not for anyone chasing the newest thing or a strictly light meal. Montrio is a thirty-year institution, and its signature dish is a bacon chop over mac-and-cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montrio worth it?
Yes, Montrio is worth it as one of Old Monterey's enduring tables, open since 1995 in a converted 1910 firehouse. The menu of internationally minded small plates and entrees is consistent, the room has real character, and a full dinner runs around $50 to $80 per person. It is a safe, characterful choice for a group or a business dinner downtown.
How hard is it to book Montrio?
Montrio takes reservations on OpenTable, and a weeknight table is usually available a few days out. For Friday or Saturday, or for a larger group, book about a week ahead. During the Pebble Beach and Monterey event calendar, downtown books up faster, so reserve earlier when a major event is in town.
What is the dress code at Montrio?
The dress code at Montrio is smart casual. The firehouse room is handsome but not formal, so collared shirts, blouses and nice denim all fit. For a client dinner or a celebration, guests often dress up slightly, which suits the low amber lighting and the upstairs bar, but a jacket is not required.
What should I order at Montrio?
Order the Baker's Bacon Chop, the signature dish of longtime chef Tony Baker, at least once across the table. The seared scallops and the handmade pastas are reliable, and the small-plates format rewards ordering widely and sharing. Ask about the sustainable seafood specials, which change with what the Central Coast is landing.
Is Montrio good for impressing clients?
Yes, Montrio is a strong client dinner in Monterey. The 1910 firehouse setting is memorable, the small-plates format encourages lingering conversation, and three decades of service show in the consistency. For more options, see our impress clients guide.