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Awards

Since opening our doors on October 2, 1968, The Sardine Factory has received virtually every culinary, wine list and service award possible in the industry, including the Gold “Distinguished Restaurants of North America" (DiRoNA) Award, Wine Spectator’s “Grand Award,” and Restaurant Hospitality's “Best Wine List in America.” Wine Enthusiast included The Sardine Factory on their list of "100 Best Wine Restaurants", and Monterey County Herald and Carmel Pine Cone Readers have voted us as the “Best Restaurant in Monterey” and "Best Wine List" year after year.  

The Sardine Factory is proud to be one of only Sixteen Restaurants in North America to be Awarded the Inaugural Distinguished Restaurants of North America ‘Gold’ Award of Excellence.


a close up of a sign  Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence    logo icona close up of an animal with Tokyo Tower in the backgrounda close up of a flower


Monterey County Herald
READERS CHOICE AWARDS

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2023
Best Historic Restaurant, Best Happy Hour, Best Dining with Live Music, Best Restaurant Wine Selection
2022
Best Restaurant in Monterey
2021
Best Restaurant in Monterey
2020
Best Restaurant in Monterey
2019
Best Restaurant in Monterey
2018
Best Restaurant in Monterey
2017
Best Restaurant in Monterey
2016
Best Restaurant in Monterey
2015
Best Restaurant in Monterey

 

Carmel Pine Cone
GOLDEN PINE CONE AWARDS

a close up of a flower
2023
Best Wine List
2022
Best Restaurant in Monterey, Best Cocktails, Best Restaurant for Steak, Best Wine List, Most Romantic Restaurant, Best Restaurant Service
2021
Best Wine List
2020
Best Restaurant in Monterey, Best Wine List, Best Restaurant for Seafood, Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion, Most Romantic Restaurant
2019
Best Wine List, Best Happy Hour, Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion
2018
Best Wine List, Best Happy Hour, Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion
2017
Best Restaurant in Monterey, Best Wine List, Best Happy Hour, Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion
2016
Best Wine List, Best Restaurant Service
2015
Best Restaurant for A Special Occasion, Best Bartender
2014
Best Wine List, Best Happy Hour
2011
Best Appetizers
2009
Best Appetizers
2008
Best Restaurant for Steak, Best Appetizers


 

Monterey County Weekly
BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY AWARDS

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2023
Best Restaurant in Monterey, Best Wine List, Best Sommelier - Stephen Caldwell
2022
Best Wine List, Best Restaurant More Than 10 Years Old
2021
Best Wine List, Best Selection Of Wines By The Glass, Best Bar for Baby Boomers
2020
Best Wine List, Best Restaurant - Cannery Row
2019
Best Wine List, Best Restaurant - Cannery Row
2018
Best Wine List, Best Restaurant - Cannery Row, Best Restaurant More Than 10 Years Old,
2017
Best Wine List, Best Restaurant for A Special Occasion
2016
Best Restaurant - Cannery Row, Best Restaurant for A Special Occasion
2015
Best Restaurant for A Special Occasion, Best Bar for Baby Boomers
2014
Best Wine List, Best Martini
2013
Best Restaurant More Than 10 Years Old
2012
Best Wine List, Best Restaurant for A Special Occasion
2011
Best Wine List, Best Restaurant More Than 10 Years Old
2010
Best Wine List, Best Martini
2009
Best Selection Of Wines By The Glass, Best Martini
2008
Best Wine List, Best Selection Of Wines By The Glass
2006
Best Wine List
2005
Best Selection Of Wines By The Glass
2004
Best Wine List
2003
Best Wine List
2002
Best Wine List
2000
Best Selection Of Wines By The Glass
1999
Best Wine List
1998
Best Wine List
1997
Best Wine List
1995
Best Wine List
1994
Best Wine List
1993
Best Wine List
1992
Best Wine List
1991
Best Wine List