Press Releases

This year the award-winning Sardine Factory is celebrating 57 years in the historic Cannery Row district, making it one of the Monterey Peninsula's oldest restaurants under continuous local ownership. The October 2^nd anniversary marks a significant milestone for owners Ted Balestreri and Bert Cutino and a remarkable achievement for a restaurant renowned around the world.

This year's anniversary comes with additional cause for celebration: the Sardine Factory has been named Best Restaurant in Monterey County in the 2025 Monterey County Weekly "Best of Monterey County" Readers Poll. The restaurant also earned honors for Best Wine List, Best Sommelier – Dave Sidener, and Best Bar for Boomers.

"We were just two guys with a dream. Looking back at everything that has happened at the Sardine Factory over the past 57 years and the many guests we've had the honor to serve is truly humbling. Our extraordinary accomplishments have only been possible because of the loyalty of our customers and the dedication of our incredible staff. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way and who continue to support the restaurant today," states Balestreri.

For more than five decades, the Sardine Factory has hosted celebrities, movie stars, sports legends and public figures from all over the world.  Notable guests have included Clint Eastwood, Kenny G, Ray Romano, Phil Mickelson, Prince Albert of Monaco, Jim Nantz, and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, among many others.  In 1971 Clint Eastwood directorial debut film, Play Misty for Me, was filmed at the Sardine Factory.  Television filming at the restaurant also included a segment on the Food Network and Chef Bert Cutino appeared as a judge on the Food Network special, Top of the Class with Guy Fieri.

The Sardine Factory, once an old sardine cannery worker cafeteria, began with only 72 seats and now has a seating capacity of 250.  The Sardine Factory has long been celebrated for its superior service, outstanding cuisine and one of the nation's premier wine programs. From its humble beginnings, it has grown into one of the country's most successful and widely recognized dining establishments.

Over the years, the Sardine Factory has earned nearly every major industry award possible. In 2025, the restaurant received the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) 'Gold' Award of Excellence, the Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award and Restaurant Hospitality's Best Wine List in America.  Co-founder Chef Bert Cutino was recently named one of the first recipients of the American Academy of Chefs' prestigious new "Legend Award."

Since 2017 the restaurant has consistently earned multiple "Best Of" awards from readers of the Carmel Pine Cone, Monterey Herald, and Monterey County Weekly. Awards include Best Restaurant, Most Romantic Restaurant, Best Wine List, Best Restaurant for Special Occasions, Best Restaurant in Monterey, in addition to many others.

The Sardine Factory is located at 701 Wave Street in Monterey.  For more information visit www.sardinefactory.com or call (831) 373-3775.

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