Alta Bakery and Cafe

502 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA 93940, United States
+1 831-920-1018
$$$ Bakery , Cafe
(1228 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Alta Bakery and Cafe is a cozy, bustling spot on Munras Avenue that fits smoothly into the Monterey neighborhood’s morning rhythm. This bakery-cafe hybrid draws in locals and visitors alike with its steady flow of freshly baked pastries and thoughtfully crafted toasts, making it an ideal stop for an early breakfast or a mid-morning pick-me-up.

The atmosphere is casual and inviting, with a charming exterior featuring bright pink windows that hint at the warmth inside. Expect a friendly crowd—regulars grabbing their daily coffee and tourists easing into the day. The vibe often leans toward relaxed, though the popularity means there’s usually a line by mid-morning, especially on weekends or holidays.

Alta’s menu is where it really shines, particularly if you appreciate artisanal takes on classic bakery items. The smoked salmon and avocado toasts stand out for their balance of fresh, vibrant ingredients, while handcrafted croissants and pastries like the ham and cheese croissant or lavender latte offer subtle but memorable flavor touches. Sweet treats, ranging from cinnamon rolls to delicate pavlovas and unique finds like carrot cake cookies, help round out the experience.

This is the kind of place where you can comfortably linger over a coffee of the month or a house-made chai latte while watching the morning unfold outside. The small but thoughtful selection of lunch items appears mid-morning, providing savory options that complement the bakery’s sweet side. For those popping in after a nearby shop closes or putting together a casual breakfast gathering, Alta’s variety—from matcha lattes to pecan and pumpkin pies—is a local favorite that feels approachable rather than fussy.

Best times to visit: Early mornings on weekdays to beat the weekend rush, or arriving just before lunch items come out if you prefer a more savory bite. The cafe's popularity means arriving mid-morning on weekends often means a wait, but locals tend to keep coming back for the consistent quality and the chance to chat with the friendly staff.

Who will enjoy it most: Coffee lovers who appreciate well-made lattes and creative chai blends, pastry enthusiasts in search of fresh, beautifully crafted baked goods, and those who enjoy a laid-back yet lively neighborhood cafe atmosphere. It's a spot that feels equally good for a quick solo breakfast or a casual meet-up with friends.

What they serve
Serves coffee
Best for
Serves breakfast
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Tuesday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Wednesday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Thursday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Friday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Sunday

07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

1228 Reviews
Juan Pablo Gutierrez

08 Dec 2025

I absolutely loved this place! All of their toasts, muffins, and desserts were excellent: fresh, flavorful, and beautifully made. The house chai was outstanding, and the coffee of the month was delicious as well. The atmosphere is charming and relaxed, perfect for enjoying a slow morning. Definitely a spot I’ll be coming back to!

Talia Karasinski

31 Oct 2025

Absolutely loved everything we tried here! We got a scone, a pastry and two different toasts. The smoked salmon toast was the winner. The avocado toast was good too. Highly recommend! We got here at 8am on a holiday weekend and hardly had to wait in line, but by the time we left there was a line down the block.

Kelley H

19 Oct 2025

LOVED !! Such a cute little bakery/coffee shop. Love the pink windows and doors. The line was out of the door when we got there which just shows how good it was ! The staff were all so friendly and helpful. And the food was amazing ! I got the mozzarella/tomato pastry (I don’t remember the name but view photo) so tasty!! I also got a ham and cheese with arugula sandwich, you had the option to get a seeded bun or non seeded. I got seeded and really enjoyed it !! To top it off, I got the honey and chamomile latte and it was the perfect balance of sweet and espresso tasting. They had a few tables inside for seating and then beautiful seeing outside. It was such a fun space.

Colette Manning

14 Oct 2025

This cute little bakery was recommended to us and it did not disappoint! We were there right after 11 so they were starting to bring out lunch items too and WOW! The selection, the quality and presentation was splendid and made we wish we were getting both breakfast amd lunch. We tried the maple bacon roll, cinnamon pull part, chocolate croissant and blue corn cookies. My personal faves were the maple bacon with the sage on it and blue corn cookie. So interesting and different, and delicious. We also got a variety of hor beverages and my cousin highly recommended the orange cardamom syrup in her latte. We ate outside on the patio and the space was lovely. Will visit again!

Nick V

07 Oct 2025

Was actually trying to go to Ad Astra this morning but they had a sign said that deep cleaning in progress so they were unexpectedly closed. Walked down to Alta instead and got 6 different croissants, a few sweet pastries and a small loaf of bread with tomatoes, cheeses and herbs. 2 chai lattes both with double espressos added to them. We ended up eating a few of the croissants and sipping coffee in the courtyard in the back. Plenty of space and tables, even dog friendly Sure all of that was fairly expensive but did we enjoy everything we got? Hell ya. Would come back again.

Javairia Rizwan

29 Sep 2025

So yummy ! Line was long but worth it ! I had an orange cardamom latte, chocolate chip cookie, carrot cake cookie sandwich, avocado toast (wish there was an option to add egg) and cinnamon bites. All delicious! Love my coffee so much definitely want to go back for lunch ! The sourdough from avocado toast was phenomenal ! Would like to purchase a loaf next time ! A bit pricy tho for no egg.

WisteriaStarlight

24 Sep 2025

It is an insanely cute cafe! All of the pastries look like works of art. They have a nice outdoor seating area. Their matcha was really good. It was just that they needed another cash register to get the line moving faster.

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