The Steinbeck House Restaurant in Salinas

A wonderful place full of history and great services. The place is run by kind and passionate volunteers who went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and share their passion for author Steinbeck. Fell in love with this place, I must visit again with my other friends and families!! Must see if you’re stopping by Monterey or Canery Row!Also we had our emotional support dog also welcomed to the premise.

Wonderful historic restaurant and home for a delicious and filling lunch. Who would expect such great flavors and warm service. You really get a feel of the place. Theres also a fantastic gift shop downstairs, take a look and youll go home with a memory! Open only certain days of the week. Parking in back.

Stunning Victorian home of John Steinbeck turned into a restaurant. Excellent food, well presented and competitively priced. I cannot say enough about the wonderful women who work here. Their service is a labor of love...truly, for they are not paid. They are proud to volunteer and work in an authentic, designer decorated Victorian mansion, which was the home of John Steinbeck and maintained as a credit to his memory. These fabulous women donate their tips to the upkeep of the mansion. Their knowledge of Salinas, John Steinbeck and the Monterey Bay area; their service skills and genuine warmth of hospitality was palpable. All deserve a shout out! Carol, your warmth and charm we so enjoyed! Thank you! Picked up gifts from the shop downstairs by local artists.

It’s beyond me how nice and accommodating everybody is in this place! My husband and I stopped by here on our way to Monterey to celebrate our birthdays and they treated us like we’re their family! Definitely coming back!

What a great place to have a meal. The house was renovated to match the era. So beautifully done Staffed by volunteers, the service was absolutely outstanding. We really enjoyed our lunch there.

Steinbecks house in Salinas offers a unique historical experience. The restaurant, run by voluntary neighbors, provides a charming atmosphere. Enjoyed a delightful lunch with my husband and son, savoring the special brownie, a recipe from Steinbecks sister. Its a lovely place that allows you to immerse yourself in the history and imagine the life of Steinbeck and his family. Highly recommended for those who appreciate a blend of good food and a rich cultural setting.Additionally, beneath the restaurant, theres a quaint shop offering a variety of Steinbeck-themed souvenirs. Its a perfect opportunity to take home a piece of the literary legacy while savoring the historical ambiance of the place. The selection includes unique items that add to the overall charm of the Steinbeck experience.

This place is absolutely amazing. It is such a wonderful experience to sit in the very house Steinbeck wrote about in East of Eden. The house is so beautiful, the service is great and all the volunteers that run the restaurant are so kind and seem to love being there. I am so glad that I got the experience of visiting the house. I cannot recommend getting lunch there enough. The gift shop also has a lot of intriguing books, and other things about Steinbeck and the house.

I have been here a number of times and I am always so thrilled with the experience! Delicious food, beautiful restaurant with a rich history, and such warm and welcoming Volunteers that wait and serve the meals. A great place for taking visitors from out of town. Cant wait to return!

A wonderful experience conducted under the very professional guidance of a team with outstanding customer service skills. The volunteers are a credit to this establishment. They make the visit such a personal and memorable occasion. The Steinbeck Family heritage is safe in their hands.

We travelled from London and could not resist Steinbeck’s childhood home (and where he wrote two novels). It’s been lovingly restored and kept “of the era” with several original pieces and a beautiful atmosphere as well as many original photos. The Gift shop and restaurant are run by volunteers who are incredibly knowledgeable! Ask Robin about anything in the house and John for great stories about Steinbeck. Also - have the German Apple Cake, it was lovely!