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THE MONTEREY COUNTY ARTICHOKE TRAIL

Discover the Artichoke Heart of the World

A new vegetable is taking over: Artichokes! With a rough exterior and a heart of green gold, artichoke dishes found throughout the destination will introduce people to what this delectable regional delicacy is all about. The Artichoke Trail features a selection of restaurants and farms in Monterey County, including the town of Castroville, the “Artichoke Capital of the World."

The Artichoke Trail Map

Download the Artichoke Trail Map here.

Artichoke Trail Interactive Map

Attractions

World's Largest Artichoke Statue, Castroville

Bars

  • PEARL HOURTiger Style cocktail with bourbon, Artichoke Amaro (Carciofo Amaro),Amaro Dilei and blood orange amaro. 214 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey

Events

  • ARTICHOKE FESTIVALThe Artichoke Festival is fun for the whole family, featuring local chef demonstrations, artichoke-inspired food, musical entertainment, wine tasting and contests.
    Held every summer! Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Rd, Monterey

Farm Stands and Farmers Markets

Carmel Valley Farmers Market

People picking out produce at the old Monterey farmers market

Pezzini Farms, artichokes, Castroville

Food Trucks

The Choke Coach food truck Castroville

The Choke Coach Castroville food truck po boy

Information

  • OCEAN MIST FARMS: Ocean Mist Farms started as a small artichoke farm in the Salinas Valley, founded by four Italian immigrants in 1924. Today, the company has grown into the leading grower of fresh artichokes sold in grocery stores and restaurants nationwide.

Restaurants

  • BAJA CANTINA & GRILL: Monterey Bay Quesadilla with grilled prawns, artichoke hearts, Jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, tartar, and dill sauce. 7166 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley

Baja Cantina, artichoke, Carmel Valley

  • BEAR + FLAG ROADSIDE: Castroville Artichoke Burger, smash burger-style with an artichoke patty, dill Havarti, chow chow mayo, sprouts, tomatoes, pickled red onions, potato roll
  • CARMEL'S BISTRO GIOVANNI: Artichoke Hearts deep-fried with lemon aioli. San Carlos between 5th &, 6th Avenue, Carmel-By-The-Sea
  • FISH HOPPER: Artichoke Ravioli with spinach, mushroom and tomato sauce. 700 Cannery Row Suite K, Monterey
  • FLAHERTY'S SEAFOOD GRILL & OYSTER BAR: Pacific Crab & Fire-Roasted Artichoke Quesadilla. 6th Avenue between Dolores & San Carlos St, Carmel-by-the-Sea
  • FLYING ARTICHOKE: Choke Burger with sautéed sliced artichoke hearts, fresh ground beef, Swiss cheese and basil aioli spread on a sesame bun. 40 Mortensen Avenue, Salinas

Flying Artichoke, Salinas

  • FORGE IN THE FOREST: Roasted Artichoke marinated with balsamic vinegar & charbroiled, served with dijon mustard dip. Junipero Street & SW Corner of, 5th Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea
  • GIANT ARTICHOKE RESTAURANT: An ode to the artichoke with an entire artichoke menu from nachos to pizza. 11261 Merritt Street, Castroville
  • GUSTO HANDCRAFTED PASTA & PIZZA: Artichoke-Fontina Ravioli - Ravioli Carciofi e Fontina - with a black truffle cream sauce, marinated artichoke, white truffle oil. 1901 Fremont Boulevard, Seaside

Gusto, artichoke, Seaside

  • JULIA'S VEGETARIAN: Roasted Globe Artichoke served with a vegan garlic and lemon aioli. 1180 Forest Ave F, Pacific Grove
  • LITTLE NAPOLI: Fried artichoke crocchette with aioli della casa/ Corner of Dolores & 7th Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea

Little Napoli, artichoke, Carmel-by-the-Sea

  • OLD FISHERMAN'S GROTTO: Grilled Castroville artichoke marinated in balsamic vinaigrette, served with lemon dill aioli. 39 Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey
  • PHIL'S FISH MARKET & EATERY: Artichoke Provencal with sautéed scallops, shrimp, garlic and wine. 10700 Merritt Street, Castroville

Phil's Fish Market, artichoke, Moss Landing

  • RESTAURANT AT BIG SUR RIVER INN: Pasta Castroville with fettuccine pasta, artichoke hearts, creamy pesto sauce,
    zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, and mushrooms. 46800 CA-1, Big Sur

Big Sure River Inn, artichoke

  • SALT WOOD KITCHEN AND OYSTERETTE: Artichoke & Dehydrated Lemon Butter, served with Ad Astra olive bread and local sea salt. 3295 Dunes Drive, Marina
  • TARPY'S ROADHOUSE: Coal-Roasted Artichoke with blistered tomatoes and lemon-basil pesto. 2999 Monterey Salinas Highway, Monterey
  • THE MEATERY: Artichoke Sausage with pork, preserved lemon and feta
  • THE TAP ROOM AT THE LODGE AT PEBBLE BEACH: Crispy Artichoke Hearts & Calamari with green beans, lemon and chipotle aïoli. The Lodge at Pebble Beach, 1700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach
  • WOODWARD MARINE MARKET: Crispy Artichoke & Prosciutto Sandwich with meyer lemon marmalade, garlic aioli, served with sweet potato fries. 10932 Clam Way, Moss Landing

Woodmarine Marine Market artichoke Castroville restaurant

Shops

  • ELROY'S FINE FOODS: Castrochill artichoke-infused salt by Big Sur Salts. 15 Soledad Drive, Monterey
  • GIL'S GOURMET: Artichoke & Olive Tapenade. 577 Ortiz Avenue, Sand City
  • MONTEREY FARMS AT STAR MARKET: Fresh artichoke hearts hand trimmed and prepared daily in small batches. Sold at Star Market in Salinas. 1275 S Main St, Salinas
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