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Cella, Monterey, CA

Cella

4.8
4.8
216 Reviews
$50 and over
Californian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
Discover CELLA Restaurant + Bar at Cooper Molera Adobe in Downtown Monterey. Step into a sleek, historic venue with a heated pergola and stunning local woodwork. General Manager Bernabe DeLuna leads an exceptional wine program with a remarkable staff. Savor seasonal cocktails and mocktails crafted by Barkeep Joshua Perry. Chef Ben Spungin & Chef Cal Stamenov create an ever-changing menu inspired by the bountiful central coast. Join us and experience the neighborhood's culinary gem!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Bistro, European
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (831) 920-1046
  • Website
    http://www.cellarestaurant.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Cal Stamenov
  • Private party facilities
    Alta Bakery and Cella Restaurant invite you to savor our offerings amid historic adobes and charming courtyards, where Chef Cal Stamenov and Chef Ben Spungin elevate your experience with family-style meals, brunches, and more. Our flexible spaces set the stage for unforgettable gatherings. Explore our packages, e-mail lily@cellarestaurant.com.
  • Location
    525 Polk St, Monterey, CA 93940-2809
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Cross street
    We're a short stroll from downtown and parking structures.
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Around the corner from public transit and trolleys.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • New Year's Eve Dinner at Cella Restaurant & Bar!

    $235.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Celebrate New Year's Eve at Cella with four exquisite courses by Chef Cal Stamenov and Chef Ben Spungin in the historic charm of a California Adobe. Opt in for curated wine pairings by Bernabe De Luna. Each tantalizing option of appetizers to decadent desserts, immerse yourself in the festive ambiance, where every corner reflects the joy of the occasion. For larger gatherings, consider our private party options. To arrange, email lily@cellarestaurant.com. Secure your spot for an unforgettable New Year's Eve at Cella. Cheers to welcoming the New Year with style and sophistication! $175+/person pre-fixed menu $85+/person wine pairing $125+/person premium wine pairing
    New Year's Eve Dinner at Cella Restaurant & Bar! Photo

  • Sunday Supper - Fried Chicken Dinner

    $111.50 per person

    Dec 29, 2024 only
    Join us for a Southern-inspired three-course family-style feast at Cella Restaurant. Chef Cal Stamenov and Chef Ben Spungin will serve a warm seafood bisque, followed by Mary’s Fried Chicken, collard greens, mashed sweet potatoes, and a Meyer lemon vinaigrette-dressed salad. Finish with Alta Bakery’s banana chocolate hazelnut tart. Cocktails by Joshua Perry and wines curated by Bernabe De Luna will complement the meal. This is a set menu experience—no substitutions. We can’t wait to share this special evening with you! $85++/person pre-fixed menu
    Sunday Supper - Fried Chicken Dinner Photo

  • Family-Style Mezze Experience

    $128.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Reservation MUST be confirmed by restaurant 4-5 days in advance. Legendary Chefs, Ben Spungin & Cal Stamenov's farm-to-table family-style dinners are a celebration of community, whether it's a company gathering or rehearsal dinner. The menu will feature a crafted Mediterranean feast featuring our Alta Bakery's bread, seasonal shared plates, a duo of proteins and complimenting sides. This experience mimics a 3-course meal, finishing with petit fours inspired from our award-winning bakery. Enhance your experience with our add-ons. $128/person $500 room fee required to reserve the historic Diaz Sala or book our heated pergola! Email lily@cellarestaurant.com to confirm reservation request or if you're a group of 21 or more.
    Family-Style Mezze Experience Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 216 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Californian

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Best Overall

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Best Food

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Innovative

  • Monterey / Carmel

    Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cella in Monterey offers an exceptional dining experience with "innovative yet approachable flavors," crafted by the talented Chef Cal Staminov. Guests rave about the "outstanding service," "gorgeous presentation," and "beautiful atmosphere," making it a top choice for special occasions. The menu, featuring creative cocktails and a fantastic wine list, ensures there's something for everyone.

216 Reviews

  1. Robert

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely stellar meal. Magnificent preparation and lovely service. We will definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Natasha

    San Francisco

    39 reviews

    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely incredible. We felt loved and were sore well taken care of. Josh, the beverage director, started us off with an excellent cocktail and our dining experience only got better from there on . The service, ambience and food are stellar. Our favorite restaurant on the Monterey Peninsula.

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  3. Jason

    VIP

    San Francisco

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We parked next to the restaurant shortly before they opened. Liked the menu and look of the restaurant. The historic building has been nicely appointed for a modern restaurant while still feeling like a special place. Boy were we glad to have happened into the place. Every detail of the experience was outstanding. The cocktails are wine suggestions were great, salads and entrees were excellent, dessert was really memorable. Cella was a little splurge but well worth the expense. We are looking forward to our next visit

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  4. Allison

    VIP

    San Diego

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful restaurant setting, great food pairings as well. We had the steak tartare, blue fin tuna crudo, bread with butter (served in a 1/2 oyster shell!), and I ordered the scallops. The scallops themselves were delectable, the peanut butter whip they were served on top of was not my personal favorite. The restaurant also has (assuming sommelier) who helped us select a wine based on our preferences - absolutely incredible! Service was wonderful and friendly. Although, the power to the entire restaurant went out 1/2 way through our meal (we were told it was from the recent storms from the prior weekend), we were given candles to provide some lighting for the remaining portion of our meal. The red was pricey, but fitting for the neighborhood of Monterey.

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  5. marc

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great experience as always. Cella gives you a dining experience, not just food. You are never rushed - a rare experience in itself, and the staff is attentive. Be warned - the fresh bread and salads are easy to split, and the burger is monstrous. There are many great places to eat on the peninsula- this is not one to miss.

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  6. Dane

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Despite a power outage the candlelit dinner was both delicious and enjoyable

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  7. Andrew

    VIP

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely amazing experience, selection, quality and service - can’t beat the atmosphere.

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  8. Pam

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Culinary joy!! Exquisite! Best in Monterey! We love Cella and Alta…

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  9. Deborah

    VIP

    Dallas

    101 reviews

    3.0

    101 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    This was our third time to dine at Cella. The first two were much better than this experience. First, the things that were good: Cocktails, service and dessert. All three were outstanding. Now for the disappointing: The food. Maybe the Chef was just off. There were only two selections for fish, I got scallops and my husband got the bass - both were $50+. The dishes were bland and nothing special plus the scallops were only seared on one side, making the slightly underdone. I expected more and will have to think twice before returning a fourth time - hope it was just a bad night but for the price, not sure I want to take a chance. Maybe just cocktails and dessert next time.

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  10. james

    Central Coast

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    outside seating was great staff was knowledgeable and attentive

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Cella is rated 4.8 stars by 216 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Cella

525 Polk St, Monterey, CA 93940-2809

Additional information

  • Cross street
    We're a short stroll from downtown and parking structures.
  • Neighborhood
    Monterey
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Bistro, European
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Around the corner from public transit and trolleys.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Cal Stamenov
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.cellarestaurant.com/
  • Phone number
    (831) 920-1046
  • Private party facilities
    Alta Bakery and Cella Restaurant invite you to savor our offerings amid historic adobes and charming courtyards, where Chef Cal Stamenov and Chef Ben Spungin elevate your experience with family-style meals, brunches, and more. Our flexible spaces set the stage for unforgettable gatherings. Explore our packages, e-mail lily@cellarestaurant.com.
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