• Banner 1
  • Banner 2
  • Banner 3

Welcome to Max's Grill

At Max's Grill, located in Pacific Grove, CA, a culinary journey unfolds, blending New American and seafood flavors with a touch of French and Asian influences. With a menu featuring exquisite dishes like the melt-in-your-mouth Tempura Ahi Tuna Roll and the unforgettable Dungeness Crab Cakes, each plate is a testament to the artistry of the chefs. The warm, inviting atmosphere, paired with attentive service, makes every visit feel special, whether for a casual dinner or a romantic evening. Guests rave about the well-executed entrees, like the juicy Rack of Lamb and creamy Chicken Alfredo, creating a dining experience that lingers in memory long after the meal is over.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to the charming world of Max's Grill, nestled on 209 Forest Ave in Pacific Grove, CA. This delightful eatery stands as a proud representative of the New American cuisine scene, with a vibrant focus on seafood. Boasting an inviting ambiance and exceptional service, Max's Grill is a must-visit for anyone in search of a unique culinary experience.

The menu at Max's Grill features a wide array of tantalizing dishes, artfully combining flavors and styles that reflect both French and Asian influences. Whether you're intrigued by the Duck Our Way—a decadent confit leg of duck served alongside exquisite duck mousse ravioli with orange sauce and baby spinach—or the comforting Chicken Breast Piccata sautéed in a luscious mixture of butter, white wine, and capers, each dish promises a memorable dining experience.

  • Appetizers: The crispy Shrimp Spring Rolls and Tempura Ahi Tuna Roll are perfect starters that ignite the palate, boasting an irresistible contrast of textures.
  • Salads and Soups: The fresh Baby Spinach Salad drizzled with pomegranate syrup or the daily Homemade Soup will leave you craving for more.
  • Entrees: Be sure to indulge in the Rack of Lamb, encrusted with Dijon mustard and enlivened by a rich red wine sauce.

What truly sets Max's Grill apart is not only the remarkable food but the warm and inviting environment that makes you feel like part of a culinary family. Customers raving about their visits consistently highlight the engaging staff, including owners who provide personalized service enhancing the dining experience. One diner, Charlie G., called it the "best Cioppino" he has ever had, underscoring the restaurant's dedication to quality and flavor.

Max's Grill is perfect for a romantic evening out or a celebratory dinner with loved ones. As noted by various patrons, the restaurant is a hidden gem that often surprises first-time visitors with its delicious dishes and affordable pricing—especially in an area known for higher culinary costs.

Whether you're a local or just passing through, make sure to make a reservation. Once you step in, the delightful aroma of freshly prepared dishes, along with the warmth of the staff, will welcome you into what can only be described as a delightful food adventure.

If you're seeking a place that celebrates the fusion of flavors with an unpretentious charm, look no further than Max's Grill—where every meal tells a story and every bite leaves a lasting impression.

For inquiries or to make reservations, call (831) 375-7997. Come savor the exceptional flavors at Max's Grill, where your next meal is just around the corner!

START YOUR REVIEW OF Max's Grill
Robert O.
Robert O.

A perfect meal, from the amazing shrimp spring rolls, to the unique squash and mozzarella ravioli, to the perfectly prepared duck. Engaging servers, and charming atmosphere. It reminded us of our recent trip to Paris.

Charlie G.
Charlie G.

Wonderful little place on a side street in PG! My wife loved the colors and paintings. Our waitress was super cheerful and informative, then we realized she and her husband own the place. Best Cioppino I've ever had, sauce was absolutely amazing, richly flavored, great mouth feel. Shellfish and fish cooked perfect, not overdone at all, though it was obvious the sauce had simmered well. My wife loved her Salmon, she raved about the sauce - might be a perfect beurre blanc, wish I knew more! We dropped by Sunday evening and were seated immediately - the place is so good - make a reservation!

Craig Y.
Craig Y.

In the Pacific Grove area and wanting something good to eat, reviews called this French / Asian fusion run by a Japanese family! So curious I had to try it and so glad I did. Delicious! FOOD: tried the crabcake served atop ratatouille. Something different. And delicious! I've had ratatouille twice before and it just wasn't great so I was skeptical. But this was such a good pairing. Also ordered the calamari steak. Never had better. Crispy on the outside but cooked perfectly on the inside. And I mean perfectly! SERVICE: My server was so good! Explained everything and I came away with a deeper appreciation of both the food and the restaurant. COST: Reasonable for what you get and when you factor in taste, quality, and service it felt like a steal!

Kat D.
Kat D.

We went to Max's Grill in Pacific Grove, CA Wednesday, January 15, 2025. We have passed this small-ish unassuming restaurant a number of times before but decided to stop and try it. We were so glad we did. It was great! We were greeted warmly and got our pick of a few tables. The tables have nice white table linen covers, very nice. Our waiter was nice, pleasant and if we had a question he had the answer. He told us about the menu and the specials of the evening. We look over the wine list but I am doing dry January so I ordered hot tea my husband had an Arnold Palmer. However I was happy to see the prices for their wine by the glass was average about $10.50 ish and we thought that was good for this area. We made our choices, I hadn't had Salmon ( $31.00) in a while, that was what I had. It was cooked perfect, a little crispy on the outside, nice and moist inside. The sauce was really good. It came with roasted potatoes and green beans. I very much enjoyed my dinner it was yummy. Husband has Chicken piccata (at $28.00) with roasted potatoes also and a vegetable. We both had a salad before dinner also and they were good. The best thing was it was under $100.00 and that is good in this area. Max's is open for dinner only and they open at 4:00 pm. They do have a website, check it out. They do take reservations also. We will be going back. It was a very nice experience and the food was very good.

Niyati G.
Niyati G.

Great food and service. Every dish is of a very high quality and prepared with thought and care. We visit whenever we are in town. The owners are lovely and always say hello and chat. Delicious food and great ambiance for date night.

Shree C.
Shree C.

Fantastic service and food. l'm from NYC and my expectations of food are pretty high and the food was absolutely amazing. Melt in your mouth Ahi Tuna Tempura roll appetizer was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Totally unassuming place, you might miss it, but it should not be missed!

Cody W.
Cody W.

Absolutely fantastic service. Matt was our waiter and had excellent recommendations. His table service was also amazing. We ordered the Caesar salad to start, Matt was kind enough to bring us a sample of the mushroom bisque to try. It was fantastic and had so much flavor we had to get a cup of it. My girlfriend got the duck and I got the short rib for entrees. Both were excellent! I'm glad Matt steered me towards the short rib instead of the New York. We had to get boxes because both of us were so full. Will definitely be back as we also love the overall feel of the restaurant.

David F G.
David F G.

Max's Grill is a jewel of a restaurant with reasonably priced menu. You are warmly welcomed and seated to enjoy great ambience. But it was the food that will bring me back again and again. I was tempted by the rack of lamb and salmon but chose the sand dabs along with mushroom soup that were delicious. Creme Brulee with decaf coffee was a great ending. I highly recommend Max's. David Gomez Carmel by the Sea, CA resident

Karen S.
Karen S.

Memorable evening. This hidden gem is welcoming and cozy. The staff is very attentive and friendly and helped us with our choices. It was hard to decide with so many great things in the menu but we decided on squash ravioli , chicken piccata , shrimp rolls and mango mousse. The flavors were amazing.