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.
Monterey County Herald | |
| 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 | |
| 2024 | Best Place to Take Clients on the Monterey Peninsula |
| 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 | |
2024 | Best Restaurant in Monterey, Best Wine List |
| 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 |