Kafe Toribashi

We’re from out of town and stayed in Monterey for three nights, and somehow the absolute highlight of our trip ended up being Kafe Toribashi. My wife loved this café so much that we went back every single day. It truly felt like a hidden gem we were lucky enough to stumble upon — and she has not stopped talking about it since. The atmosphere is incredible — warm, inviting, and honestly the perfect little date spot. It has that cozy, intimate vibe that makes you want to slow down and enjoy your time together. The staff made the experience even better. The owner is genuinely kind and welcoming, and the young man at the front counter was so personable and friendly. You can tell they care about their customers and take pride in what they’re doing. The ramen was absolutely phenomenal — rich, flavorful, and exactly what we needed. It really hit the spot every single time. Being able to build our own ramen made it even more fun and interactive. Such a cool concept! And the desserts were exceptional — beautifully made and the perfect sweet finish to an already amazing meal. We live five hours away, and I’m not even kidding when I say I might make the drive back just to bring my wife here again. She was so excited and genuinely happy every time we walked in. My son and I loved it just as much. If you’re in Monterey, do not miss this place. It made our trip unforgettable.

On a rainy afternoon in Monterey, we were wandering around Fisherman’s Wharf looking for something warm, coffee or tea, and a cozy spot with a view of the water. After lunch at Sand Dabs, we stumbled across this really cute café, and it ended up being the perfect stop. When we walked in, the first thing we noticed was that they were making fresh taiyaki, those sweet, fish-shaped pastries. The fillings offered were red bean, Nutella, and Oreo. There’s a small discount if you order two, so we started with the red bean and Nutella, and honestly, they were so good that wished we ordered the Oreo too…warm, freshly made, and really delicious. I’ll admit, I’ve had Taiyaki desserts before and was never a huge fan, sometimes they’re bland or overly sweet. These were different. Even my friend said the same thing, we were both pleasantly surprised by how good they were. We both ordered hot teas, which felt perfect for the rainy weather, and I was totally intrigued by their ramen vending machines. You pick your ramen, choose your toppings, place it in the machine, and it fills with hot water and cooks right there. A few minutes later, your bowl is ready. It felt very Asia-inspired and not something you see very often around here, especially in a café setting. This spot is the café version of their main restaurant, which I believe is on Alvarado Street (I haven’t been there yet). The service was genuinely great. The guys working were friendly, patient, and took the time to explain everything to us without rushing. You could tell they enjoyed what they were doing. Because it was raining, it wasn’t crowded at all, which made the experience even better. We ended up hanging out for about an hour, just chatting, sipping tea, enjoying dessert, and looking out at the water. They also carry Marianne’s Ice Cream, so I’m already planning a return visit on a warmer day. And honestly, next time I’ll probably try the ramen too, if only for the fun of it and all the topping choices. Parking around the wharf is paid. We parked in a nearby lot and walked over, which was pretty easy, just something to keep in mind. Overall, the vibe was fun, cozy, and relaxed. Great desserts, a unique experience, kind staff, and a really nice place to spend a rainy afternoon by the water. I’ll definitely be back.

The little gem near the end of Monterey wharf. The coffee and food are so good. All are made with decent quality. You really can tell with every sip and bite. You won't be disappointed. The environment is so cozy and friendly with awesome views.... Must try if you're in the area!!

Decide to try a new coffee place after seeing the line at Alta and I’m so glad I did! It is a little hidden but Kafe Toribashi is a cute, clean place tucked away on the warf. I got the dark chocolate mocha after asking what he recommended and it’s the perfect level of sweetness. 10/10 would recommend giving this place a try :)

This charming little coffee shop is tucked away at the end of the wharf. We went there for coffee but they also serve food and ice cream. The service was fantastic, and the lattes we ordered were excellent. I had a lavender latte that was absolutely delicious, and my husband’s cappuccino was just as impressive. We were looking for a quick coffee pick me up before walking back to downtown, and this spot was perfect for a to-go treat while enjoying our stroll at Fisherman’s Wharf.