Welcome to Crystal Fish
At Crystal Fish, we celebrate the art of authentic Japanese cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere. Nestled in Monterey, our restaurant is dedicated to offering an unforgettable sushi experience with a commitment to quality and freshness. We embrace innovation with vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring everyone can enjoy our culinary delights. Our courteous staff provides exceptional service amidst a casual setting, making it the perfect spot for families and friends alike. From our renowned Green Goblin roll to exquisite uni nigiri, each dish embodies a passion for flavor. Join us and indulge in the artistry of sushi that keeps the community coming back!
- 514 Lighthouse Ave Monterey, CA 93940 United States Hotline: (831) 649-3474
Welcome to Crystal Fish, a standout destination for sushi lovers nestled in the picturesque backdrop of Monterey, California. Located at 514 Lighthouse Ave, this Japanese restaurant is not just a place to eat; it's an experience that celebrates the art of sushi-making. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a warm ambiance, making it suitable for families, groups, or a romantic dinner.
Crystal Fish prides itself on offering an extensive menu that includes various options for everyone—from traditional sushi rolls to exquisite vegan and vegetarian selections. Their commitment to quality is evident, with fresh fish sourced daily, guaranteeing a burst of flavor in every bite. Reviewers have raved about their specialties, including the Green Goblin roll and the melt-in-your-mouth Hokkaido Uni Nigiri, which delivers a sweet umami taste, making it a must-try for seafood enthusiasts.
The restaurant's focus on customer experience is highlighted by its accommodating features. Crystal Fish is designed to be accessible to all, with wheelchair-friendly entrances, gender-neutral restrooms, and even ASL proficiency among the staff. You can enjoy your meal in a casual yet vibrant setting that caters to a variety of dietary preferences, including excellent vegan options.
- Highlights of Crystal Fish:
- Delivery and takeout options available.
- Heated and covered outdoor seating perfect for enjoying Monterey's climate.
- Happy hour specials that make dining even more appealing.
- Sustainable practices are embraced with compostable containers and plastic-free packaging.
- Kid-friendly menu with options that appeal to young palates.
While some guests have noted that the service can be slightly slow during peak hours, the overall enthusiasm for the food seals the deal. Crystal Fish has become a local favorite, evidenced by numerous positive testimonials and accolades recognizing it as one of the best sushi spots in town since 2010. So whether you're a sushi novice or a connoisseur, Crystal Fish promises a delightful culinary journey. Don’t miss your chance to savor their expertly crafted dishes that blend tradition and creativity!
For a casual meal, family outing, or special event catering, Crystal Fish is sure to satisfy your cravings. Be sure to call ahead at (831) 649-3474 to make your reservations and experience the magic of sushi in Monterey.

Went here to eat last night for our day trip in Monterey. This sushi restaurant was recommended by someone from the Asian-American Group I'm in so my hopes were up. I will only be reviewing the service and food that I personally ordered and enjoyed. We were there yesterday (Saturday, around 6pm), the restaurant had a few empty tables and was not looking busy. We (family of 5) got seated right away, which was great. It took around 5-7mins before someone took our orders, and once we ordered. The food came more than 15mins after which was quite a long wait with hungry kids. I ordered the Green Goblin roll and it was exceptionally good! The fish in it were so fresh and delicate. Every flavor just blended so well. I also ordered the Hokkaido Uni Nigiri and the Santa Barbara Uni Nigiri. Uni is my ultimate favorite food to eat. If the restaurant is serving Uni, I will definitely order it. The Hokkaido Uni has a sweeter more umami taste. The texture is melt in your mouth smooth almost like mayo. I would say that the Santa Barbara one even though smooth, has a noticeable chunk. You will feel a a tiny bit of separation once you let it sit in your mouth. Overall, we loved the food in here. The sushi was fresh! My daughters loved their udon. And my husband seemed to like his food too.

Good sushi, slightly pricey. The quality was great, but portions were small. Service was friendly and quick. Worth it for a nice sushi night.

Fresh fish, slow service. The quality of the fish was fantastic. However, the service was a bit inattentive. Worth visiting for sushi lovers.

My husband and I have been coming here for years. The fish used for the sushi is always fresh. The service is always great. The sushi bar looks great. They do get really busy on holidays.

Came here by recommendation of a friend and were fortunate enough to be seated pretty much as soon as we arrived. I noticed their limitation is less in their seating but more in the amount of wait staff they have to serve everyone. Having said that the staff was helpful and as long as you were able to flag someone down for help you could get whatever you need taken care of. We had two rolls, udon and a salmon appetizer all of which were pretty solid.

I'm not even going to lie, I don't remember the names of the rolls I got. However, I tried a variety and each roll had amazing quality fish. One of the rolls was a simple salmon avocado. One came with a spicy sauce. Another was topped with multiple types of fish. The staff is very friendly and there are a lot of tables inside. They have a lot of awards on the wall, so this must be a reputable place in Monterey. If I come back, I will probably try their chirashi bowl.

This place was pretty good! Luckily we made reservations because it was pretty packed. The miso soup was great! Both of us got sashimi/sushi like combos and they were good. A lot of the sushi rolls have asparagus and/or shellfish. Overall good experience for us! And a nice walk from the surrounding hotels :)

This is a must stop if you are in the area. Sushi, teriyaki , miso soup is All good! Place is packed as soon as it opens. Came here at lunch time. People just keep coming! It's that good!

Crystal Fish came highly recommended and for good reason. The interior was spacious and well lit. The sushi rolls were fresh and it was very clear as to why they have been voted Best in Monterey 2010 - 2024. Only complaint was that our waiter spoke very limited English and it was extremely hard to understand what he was saying when it came to basic questions about the food. I was hoping to get one raw roll and one cooked. Due to this difficulty I ended up with two raw rolls. Finding parking was a challenge as well. Overall, very good sushi.