Reviews of Sam's Chowder House (Fish Shop)

4210 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States

Average Rating:

DESCRIPTION

We offer you all the feddbacks of people who consumed the services and products of Sam\'s Chowder House (Fish Shop) in California.

Currently the business has a score of 4.4 stars out of 5 and that score has been calculated on 3525 reviews.

You must have seen that it has an average rating is high, and it's based on a very high number of opinions, so we can say that the evaluation is very credible. If many people have bothered to leave their review when they've done well, is that it works.

As you know, we don't usually bother to place tatings when these are good and we usually do it only if we have had a problem or incidence...

This Fish Shop corresponds to the category of Seafood restaurant.

Where is Sam's Chowder House?

REVIEWS OF Sam's Chowder House IN California

Barbara Furlong

In addition to view seating indoors, they have a wonderful deck with windbreak surrounds and heaters, for chillier days. Our service was prompt and extra friendly today from every employee we encountered. Our group of 4 rated our food above-average to excellent.

Cynthia Graber

Trust me when I tell you this place has THE BEST chowder!!! I've tried a lot of different places along the coast because I love clam chowder, and NO ONE beats Sam's Chowder House!!!

Amy Love

One star because the mussels were rotten. Lobster were tasteless..

Steven Sexton

First place I've ever eaten in California and it was excellent. The service was good and the food was excellent quality. I highly recommend the lobster rolls. The clam chowder was really good as well.

Robin

The food wasn't up to par. We arrived just as they open and ordered the soup and a lobster salad. The potatoes in the stoop were still hard and the lobster salad wasn't what I expected.

Petrescu Adella

Best seafood around! We always choose this one when we are on the coast.

Joe Yiu

It was a nice evening on September 6, 2018, where our friends took us here for a treat. Sam located next to the coastline of Half Moon Bay where accompanying some sea breeze, to be honest, it was slightly cool to us, but we definitely enjoyed it. When we managed to get a table, our friends ordered some exceptional dishes of which we love them all. Not to mention their lobster roll, but their pasta was also remarkable. The sunset was another great addition to their food, so next time when you want to stop by with your loved one, you may want to put this in your plan.

Timothy Wright

Absolutely delicious food and wine. The Kumiai oysters are fantastic.

Patrick Dunlop

When in Half Moon Bay, you have to eat at Sam's Chowder House. Fresh seafood daily, all their food is sustainable and the taste is phenomenal! We stopped in for the streamed clams and muscles, and the muscles topped the dishes! The marinara sauce was to die for. If your really looking for the experience, order the oysters and or lobster roll, world famous! Worth a quick stop for a bite or a nice long done in experience with a bottle if wine. Heaters on the patio will keep you warm, and dogs are welcome!

Sunil S

The Seafood choices are awesome. Right from the Lobster to the steamed Manila clams to the Cioppino - sooo good !

Alexis Fisher

It was alright, the hype wasn't worth the price. The clam chowder was homemade at least, not out of a can... But I've had better, and cheaper.

Sara Chavez

We have been going there for many years while in Halfmoon Bay's Fall festival. Have to say it's fish & chips, which was always why we would go there has fallen short of what it use to be. The fish had too much beer batter, thinner fish inside the batter (had to look for the fish)and too much oil. Fries were cold and colsaw recipe was changed. We were Disappointed. The price for the F&C went up about $6.00-$7.00 dollars. Will not go back. To be fair we have not tried any other dishes.

Brad Slininger

Chowder amazing. Top notch. Order that above everything else

matt mitchell

1.5lbs lobster! Simply amazing. The clam chowder earns its own 5stars! The staff is really great and attentive throughout the dining experience.

Indrig Serrano

I Love this place, really good sea food, and there calamari are the best!

Lisa Kennedy

Good service and good food. Lots of options depending on your hunger. The anchovy appetizer is really tasty and not very fishy. The entrees have a lot of food, so plan to arrive hungry. They have a lot of your "typical" seafood restaurant food, but try the items that are not standard - you won't be disappointed.

Brian Gabriel

The food was excellent! The service poor. Although they had plenty of wait staff, we were basically ignored. I was disappointed.

Jimmy Bates

Clam chowder off the chain baby!!The clam chowder was lovingly creamed not to heavy and deliciously Clam as new England should be!! With bacon I might add!! JB at ya!

David Green

The wait was pretty crazy. Food was good. The view was nice.

Kevin Hwang

Like always, the food is very good. Fish are fresh and quality is decent. We ordered Ahi poke and Calamari for appetizers. They are both wonderful. Little bit of suggestion would be crispier on the Calamari, but that is just my opinion. I had Clam Chowder for soup. (It's called Sam's Chowder House for a reason) They are very good. it is more savory comparing to the Pike's Chowder house in Seattle. For the main course, I got the naked lobster roll. The amount of lobster meat they put on the roll is very generous, so complains there. The one thing they could improve on is the rolls, They just a little bit dry. But overall, it is a great dish.

Carrie Padgett

Delicious and great view. You can choose between indoor or outdoor seating.

Eric Lee

Really amazing seafood, right by the beach. On a good day, it is worth sitting outside, either at a table or the bar. Their dressed lobster roll was quite flavorful, and the clam chowder was impeccable. The wait staff was friendly and attentive, making the whole dining experience feel like grabbing a bite at your regular spot. Definitely would come here again.

Michael Glass

We were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary and my birthday. Started with a bloody Mary, then a lobster meat roll, clam chowder, calamari, and fresh local broiled Halibut. Loved it all. Great staff and beautiful views.

. .

Great food! The lobster roll was amazing and we had to try the chowder as well. Both were extraordinary!!! Oyster Rockefeller and the crab cakes were delicious as well!!! Service was attentive!!!

J Rafanan

Ok we found this place while searching for the hiking trail that leads to a waterfall. That was 10 years ago and anytime it doesn't have a 2 hr wait we stop and enjoy us some delicious seafood. Its a $$$ but soooo worth it. And you gotta try their unique clam chowder. Its really good!

Em Rose

Expensive but food is really good. Kristen, our server, was just okay. Other people like the hostess and guy bringing the bread were more friendly. Glad we got to try this place. Highly recommended by our daughter. Their lobster rolls are delicious.

Michele G

Great location, service so-so, asked for a beverage pairing recommendation, server was clueless and then brought out beverage halfway into eating entree, figured it had been forgotten. Lobster roll expectations were high, reality so-so, maybe it's a privilege for East Coast?

Elena Petkina

A cozy place close to the beach. Good meals. Nice stuff. But really small parking, there is always crowdy.

Rasta Cre

This place is just perfect, the food is consistently great, staff is very friendly and the setting is awesome. There's a bar an indoor seating area and 2 separate areas outside overlooking the beach and the bay with heaters for breezy days. I highly recommend the lobster rolls, specially during lobster season. The clam chowder is also very tasty and not floury like others in similar restaurants. The outside area are dog friendly which is a big big plus! That said... Week ends and holidays make this place way too busy to be enjoyable (at least for me). My wife and I take a Monday off every so often to come over and enjoy the empty beach, no wait for a table and being able to choose where to sit. Either way I definitely recommend this restaurant which is on my top 10 in the whole SF to Monterey area!

Marcus Bjorklund

Best food ever! Great atmosphere and staff. Make a reservation to be safe if you have 4 it more in your party.

kevin mccormack

Classic old school seafood done right with gorgeous views from inside and out on the patio. Loved the blackened fish sandwich and the lobster roll which was as good as you would get in Maine. I went on a Monday which was not crowded I have been on Saturday afternoon and it was very busy but surprisingly the wait was not long.

Keith Hollenbeck

Great service, good food. Fairly expensive though. Right on the beach.

Patricia Leininger

The service was great but the food was just ok. The Maryland style crab cakes were nothing like real ones. The seafood risotto was bland but had a lot of seafood in it.

Cecilia R

First time to try this place out and the view was breathtaking. Had the clam chowder, calamari,lobster roll and shrimp with crabmeat and wrapped in bacon. The lobster roll was awesome and worth the trip but the shrimp was a bit dry and overcooked. Nonetheless, being able to eat there and have that view while eating is just awesome.

Jeremy Janas

One of my favorite places to chill at. Use to try come here once a week to eat and enjoy the ocean views. The staff were always friendly and the food was always good. My staples were the lobster roll or burger.

Stephanie Welch

As a local, we just say no. Far better and less expensive restaurants in the area. Try the Harbor. Refuse the $26.00 lobster roll. Best find the fairly new Taste Cafe, now serving dinner as well.

Kristina Pereyra

Well-meaning service. Good entrees. My friends who had chowder said it was the weakest part of the meal.

cheryl kraft

The food was good, however very confusing while checking in. Dogs are allowed on back patio so my niece was directed to go thru the back while I parked. I caught up to her as she was entering the back gate in which was not happily greeted by 2 women, but gave a weird look to us why we were coming thru the back. They were setting up for an event. It was unclear to my niece what she was suppose to do when she got back there other then to get a table, which there were 5 open. We sat down. a server came up and said the table was taken & placed us 2 tables over. After all said & done 4 people went to the original table 1/2 hr. after we sat down. I asked them if they reserved this particular table & they said NO. So much for customer service.

Pete Orsini

Great deal food. Access to the besch

Jin Tan

My server said to me “Lobster roll? Forget about it... all day long!”. How can you say no to that recommendation? Sam’s backs it up with one of the best lobster rolls I have had. Tons of sweet, succulent lobster meat wrapped by a soft brioche bun. Go “naked” for a purest version with a little butter mixed in. Pair that with a cup of New England Clam Chowder and you have one great meal. Good vibe at the restaurant with great service. Sit on the patio on a sunny day but don’t forget the sunscreen as there is no shade from the sun. Beautiful beach view. Highly recommend the drive out to Half Moon Bay to visit from wherever you are in the Bay Area. Sam’s Chowder House....all day long!!

Barbara Kilian

Great food. Great service. Vlovely view. Good cocktails. Def check it out if you like views and chill good food.

Jill Temple

Absolutely love Sam's Chowder House. Always get the Lobster Roll and there is so much meat in it. Easy order through the gift shop with the lovely lady there, 10 mins. later, I'm on my way.

Russel Baldwin

Just awesome view! Eat ouside on deck too!! Great food and variety. The chowder is the Bomb ! I had calamari❤ Little Live music, sunshine and beach at Half Moon Bay!!?? Back home in NorCal?! Come on man!!! You can't beat it!! Wonderful!

Mary Alvarez

Food was great .service was funny ,conversational ,and attentative. The view was fantastic. Took a walk on the beach with the family after dinner .enjoyed our first visit here .

carla enfield

Everything here was delicious except for the chowder. It was potato chowder there wasn't a single clam in it. The service The views the rest of the food all excellent.

Amilcar Mendieta

Got seated quickly. Waitress was outstanding. Poor parking and very pricey.

Catherine Chiu

They have the BEST Maryland blue crab cake on the West Coast! Seriously: no extraneous sauce or filler, fresh, big, crispy in a breadcrumb treatment. I used to live in MD and know whereof I speak. The rest of the table had lobster roll, fresh-off-the-boat sole & Pacific swordfish. The fish were fresh, the sides of fresh vegetables very, very good and sauces are variously delicate or tangy as appropriate. Lobster can't compare with FOB in MA. Eat the blue crab.

Ben Virgilio

Food was decent, clam chowder lacked clams. Ceviche needed some more personality, it was missing spice/flavor. View of course was great, the outdoor seating was plentiful for an afternoon/weekday. Seemed like a good spot to hangout, prices weren't too bad. $10-20 for appetizers, $15-35 for entrees.

Amber Bedford

Despite being packed, our 45 min anticipated wait was actually only 20 min. Restaurant texts you when your table is ready. Service and staff were friendly and efficient. Very smooth restaurant service. Great turn around. Not listed on the menu but if you order the large bowl of chowder you can request cups so you can serve it family style at no extra charge. We didn't request but our waitress did this for us and it was much appreciated. She read our minds! Gorgeous views. Would love to come back.

Thomas Magill

This restaurant is huge and when we pulled in at 11:45 on a Tuesday the parking lot was nearly full! Large portions of excellent food came quickly. Smiling waitress came by 3 times to make sure that everything was to our satisfaction. I had fish and chips, she Tuna sandwich which was a slab of tuna, not out of a can. We'll be back!

Jason Huey

Cioppino was good, had kick to it! Ordered fish and chips also- pretty good and clam chowder is a must!

Biswadeb Chakraborty

Being a cook myself , can't rate the food the highest but nice place , excellent service

Debbie Sayre

This place is good. Good food good service excellent view right next to the beach. The only negative thing is the parking. Sometimes you have to wait a while which isn't fun other than that it's a great place to go.

Grayce Love

My husband had the half pound burger, said it was delicious. My shrimp scampi was perfectly done. There is indoor seating, and the outdoor area has heaters as Half Moon Bay can get quite windy.Don't let the jammed parking lot fool you, Sam's is big, and the wait is not usually terribly bad. Service was great. The view is worth the trip.

Robert Capogreco

Starting off with being a beach front restaurant, the food and guest experience went along with the view! Jammed packed with both tourist and locals, I would not have mind sitting at the bar or inside but the jam is being outside by the beach. Gumbo and chowder out of this world. Easily one of the best lobster rolls I ever had. Started off with an old fashion with knobb creek fantastic. Our server was funny and engaged. Only thing not top notch was the shucker, the raw oysters and clams were butchered and pieces of shell mixed in with that chilled goodness. Some were fresher than others. Indulge in the fried polenta, oh yes you can go along way with nice warm, toasted bread for bread service. You have to try this place, great food, service and experience!!!

Duane W

More of a tourist attraction than a locals go to spot.

Priscilla Jackson

Nice view from the deck overlooking the Bay with heaters. New England Chowder was just OK. Lots of clams but lors of potatoes, too, and we are use to chowder at the wharf in Monterey which has a rich, thick base. I was OK with it but my husband does not like lots if potatoes. It was a chunky soup. I had the sea bass which was good but not all that meaty and excellent variety of green beans & small potatoes. Good veggies always helps make the meal for me.

Fang Of Shadows

This is the best seafood I've had outside of sushi so far. The company was amazing, the food was prefect without issue, very little waiting to be done, the waitress it's funny and energetic and she makes you laugh no matter what your miss was when you walked in. I recommend asking for the waitress Caila (pronounced like Kayla) if you want the best experience and to leave feeling much better than when you walked in, I loved my time there.

Bianca S

Yum! Is what I can say about this place. They gave delicious seafood dishes and good coffee. They also have an amazing ocean view that you can walk to after your done your meal.

Rafael Rub

The shrimp scampi linguini is amazing. The cioppino was great as well. The spaghetti and meatballs is also a great option if you're not into shrimp. The clam chowder was perfecto mundo. The mashed potatoes goes really well with the shrimp scampi linguini. The service here is great and we got seated in no time.

Jake S

Solid location with a good view. Great service, quality homemade food. Try the chowder!

Steven Slomka

Great location, if a little pricey. Great for a beer.

JeanieFerrell Johnson

Excellent Seafood with a laid back pleasant atmosphere. Wonderful view of the ocean, no matter where your seated. Waitresses and staff are incredibly kind, and on top of their job. Great Service! Love the gift shop, my granddaughter purchased me a pair of earrings made by Julie. I receive multiple compliments everytime I wear them.

Eric Pablo

Friendly service! Wonderful views with good food. Ordered the New England clam chowder and the naked lobster roll. The lobster roll was fantastic! A ton of meat that steals the show with it's flavor. The chowder was passable. Overall a great experience.

agnes song

Service great and food too. Staffs alway make me royalty.

Maricruz Leon

I got the lobster roll, it was good I ended up putting the coleslaw on it and that just made it so much better!

Ashley Marie Rodrigues

Killer happy hour prices! Great views. Amazing chowder (obviously). Very friendly staff and bartenders.

Philip Temiyasathit

It's not as good as it used to be. Ordered 4 things to split between the 3 of us. Clam chowder was good. Lots of meat and not all potatoes like other places. I wish the soup was just a bit more creamier. Steamed clams was delicious! This was the star of today's lunch. I wish it came with some garlic toast to dip in the soup. Seafood fries platter was good... Best thing in there was the crab cake! The last is steamed crab. The person serving us recommended it, saying it's locally caught. I'm not sure when it was caught, because there was no flavor in the crab at all. It was bland. The meat was yellowish... It was a big disappointment. This was also the most expensive dish of the meal. $45 for a single crab that they should just toss away and not recommend to their customers.

Andrew Rupnow

Left a lot to be desired, not worth the money or the drive. Their “famous “ original lobster roll was over cooked and lacked any flavoring . $3 worth of lobster for $30. Calamari tasted like it came from a frozen bag, rubbery and unseasoned. The great views and sunset is the only thing that this restaurant has going for it. I’ve been to hundreds of restaurants along the coast, this is not one I’ll return to.

Luca MacClellan

Service average, bread was great, clam chowder was great, everything thing else was terrible and extremely overpriced. Party of five and nobody’s entree was good.

tslazoo .

Great place right on the ocean. Came in to try a famous lobster roll and was not disappointed. We had the lobster roll bare with a poke bowl. Great food and well worth it

D Song

Great foods with beautiful beach view. a bit pricy.

EJ ohta

Best beach view in town, nice place to have good food at good price. Most menu are delicious. Their staffs are all very kind too. I love this place. Good price at good food with good service.

Jemelee Melendres

Watching the water during a sunny day while eating clam chowder here is the best!!! Food is awesome. You can order different appetizers to share and just enjoy a bite of everything. Seafood is fresh. The only problem is that parking is hard to find in the small parking lot.

Barry Pfeifer

Poor food high prices nut ot had a good view of ocean.

Neal Oza

The food here was quite tasty! The service was very prompt and friendly! And the view overlooking the ocean and coast is incredible! All in all, a great experience! (If I have one complaint, it is their lack of parking; they clearly know this because they've seemingly added parking, but they're landlocked so they can't keep expanding.)

Steve C 032

I've been coming to Sam's since they opened in 2006. No matter the time of the week, this place is always packed! Definitely the result of excellent food and service. I have never had a bad experience here. The lobster roll is so good. A lot of buddies have ordered the lobster spaghetti. I still have yet to try it. I really dig the clam chowder. The macaroni side is delicious. I think I really their mac because it doesn't have a strong, overpowering cheese taste to it. The view here is great. There are quite a few tourists here, but also a lot of local people here. You see a lot of the same locals here all the time.

Ronald Tacey

We are from New England and we love shellfish. Sam's is really like home for us. Their lobster roll is fabulous! Plenty of lobster meat soaked in butter. The coleslaw is also very good. They have a raw shellfish tower that gives you a nice variety. Seating available outside with a wonderful view. Lots of seating inside too. This is a popular spot and is usually crowded but it does move quickly. You won't be disappointed.

David Phillips

Good selection of fine sea foods. Can be a little noisy so ask for a quiet table.

Veronica Gonzales

Sam's Chowder House never disappoints! It's always busy so be expected to wait, but the food comes out fast. Get a lobster roll and sit outside

Mediocre Mountainman

Never, never, never have I dined at a better seafood restaurant. Fantastic fresh food, well seasoned with great care. The best touch is always the waiting staff. The host played a spectacular Italian-American character with honest interpretations of what menu items would suit the appetite of my guests and I. Great place. Will happily move to Half Moon Bay just to dine there again.

Neil Tantingco

As advertised the Naked lobster roll was fantastic. Out of 8 in our table, 4 ordered the roll, and didn't hear peep since were focused chowing down. Each roll is more than expected so may want to consider splitting while ordering cup of clam chowder. Best to show up when they open at 11a if no reservations. Otherwise the wait is long and parking is horrendous.

Jeff Sullivan

If your a foodie eat here! 5 star dining @ affordable prices! AMAZING!

Christopher Suppa

The best lobster roll I've eaten anywhere on the continent of North America. Sam's Chowder House is an icon in Half Moon Bay. Finding our seats we walked past the kitchen which had easily two dozen employees moving in and out of the backrooms, chowder station and oyster station. The interior of this restaurant was beautifully designed and right on the water. Sitting outside on a sunny day can be nice. If the weather is cool, there is also a heated patio. Service here was timely and on point. Food quality was excellent, I went with the naked lobster roll and chowder. Incredible. Simply incredible. The only area for improvement was the complimentary sourdough which, although free, was cold (still delicious).

Jared Kaler

Food is amazing, surroundings are amazing, environment is amazing, service is amazing. In short, I felt amazing after dining at Sam's Chowder House. You get what you pay for :)

Fly Caster

Outstanding. Sampled lots of seafood. Great service and cocktails. Had seafood paella. Highly recommend it. Calamari a bit overcooked but not enough to take away from the experience. Would be nice to have butter served at room temp for easier spreading.

Dawn

It has such good food I don’t want to review it and have it get even more crowded!

Ken Michaelson

Nice view of the beach.. Chowder. I got treated like i was special from my lady.

esmeralda mehnert

We were seated in the patio with the nice view. The only down side was, there's no shade! They should provide shade during the hot summer afternoons. Parking is available. Just depends how busy they are. It can get full. Service is moderate. The whole staff works together for a great service. We orderered: Naked Lobster Roll- delicious! Roll was very meaty! Got extra butter to dip those lobster. Definitely order this! Gumbo- pretty good. Rice, okra and crab meat. Won't be disappointed. Clam chowder- glad that there wasn't a lot of potatoes and more clams.

Tim Norman

I'm from New England, and the lobster rolls are spot on. The warm Connecticut/Rhode Island-style rolls are the best, but that's what I grew up with. My partner and I stop here often on a bike ride, thanks to the great bike path out front and bike friendly patio with a bike rack. An institution in Half Moon Bay! A must stop for any visitors! A bit pricey compared to New England, but come on! Worth every penny.

Howard Wong

Finally got a chance to try this place since we were in Half Moon Bay. It right on the highway with a good view of the ocean and beach line. Hear all the ads about this place is popular. Parking lot is a bit small so you'll have to take one the moment you find one. We got a pager and took about 30 mins before we were seated. We all got seafood items and of course the clam chowder. The chowder was decent but a bit watery. Not the beast I had thought. The seafoods were a bit too fishy especially the fish in Cioppino. The lobster roll is pretty good though. Overall, this is probably a place for tourist. The food is just ok and not worth driving far to come here.

Eric Kim

Went for a dinner after visiting half moon bay The food was really good The view was pretty good Beer was really tasty A bit of waiting but it is worthy it Every Tuesday evening they have $1 oyster event

Inna Cherneykina

We used to love Sam's Chowder, but today proved the otherwise- they became popular enough, they do not care about people anymore, it's next, next, next... we didn't get our preferences fullfield and manager was not even apologetic... well she had 50 more customers waiting. Try something else, Half Moon Bay offers many options and Sam's doesn't have to be the one until they make it about people again.

Jenny Braden

Did not like the dressed lobster roll at all. My husband had the naked which is warmed, it was ok. The service was great though. The key lime pie is worth the trip. Very good. A bit overpriced for quality of food we had.

Java Jolt

Although I have reviewed Sam's Chowder House before, I don't mind doing it again. Simply put, it's Wonderful from Soup to Salad, Surf to Turf, Fried, Baked, Broiled, you name it it's Awesome. Sam's had an excellent bar and non-alcoholic beer (for my lady friend). There is usually a short wait but worth it. Eat on the deck and watch the whales play and put on a show. We have been several times and tend to go every couple months. ENJOY!

Wallace Floyd

Amazing ambience, delicious food!!! Crazy good Marland style crab cakes, perfect New England style chowder.

Jaime Nunez

The view and the staff were amazing! Food was delicious I had shrimp scampi it was bomb! Complimentary warm sliced sourdough bread with butter worth the scenic drive up from Gilroy We love this place and will be back for more clam chowder!

David Sin

You can never go wrong at Sam's Chowder house. This is a very busy establishment since it is located off the scenic Highway 1. Very busy but wroth the wait to get a table and enjoy some fresh seafood with a nice sunset view.

Msitzmannmcs .

Awesome views of the bay and delicious sea food. The sea bass was excellent. Good surfing spot near by and habor.

TheBearGrappler .

What a wonderful experience! Went there for an early dinner and to catch the sunset. We were seated outside at the west end of the restaurant. Enjoyed the cerviche, grilled local sardines, oysters Rockefeller and drinks. The service was exceptional and the food delicious. I highly recommend coming here for meal. The only downside was that the happy hour specials are only good for patrons seated indoors at the bar.

Siti Mastura

Food and service is always amazing. 2nd time here and is still super impressed!

Gina Azevedo

Decent food. Over priced for portions. Great views

Karen McDonald's

We had the lobster rolls which were VERY good (honestly being from NE I have had better) and the calamari was excellent. My friend had the fried prawns which were so sweet and perfectly cooked. We had Amber as a server she was very attentive. Definately make a reservation on the weekend however several folks ate at the bar. We will Definately go back for sure.

Janice B.

Mom and I had a wonderful mid afternoon meal at Sam’s chowder House. We had two dozen Kumamoto oysters spicy popcorn shrimp and then we split the lobster roll. We finished it off with chocolate coconut ice cream. It was one of the best meals we’ve both had. Ashley was an excellent server she made sure our classes were full and we were well taken care of. Mom came from Florida I came from Seattle and this really was worth the trip even if we don’t do Lombard Street.

adaoha lumumba

Nice small restaurant I loved sitting outdoors looking at the ocean. The staff was friendly and our waitress kept checking if we needed anything. The tables are small so keep that in mind next time I'll get another table so we (party of 4) won't be so crowded. The food was good I enjoyed my seafood combo platter with 1 crab cake, 2 prawns, calamari, 2 peices of fish plus fries. It came with cole slaw also. The heated lamps work great it was a bit overcast when we went but thanks to the lamps we didn't freeze sitting outside. They're signature dish is a lobster roll from the sign but we didn't try it this time. The only thing I wished was for more crab dishes there weren't really many to choose from.

meditation Rex

Suggest you visit them first and foremost for their oysters during Happy hour. Each oyster is for $1 and drinks are half off. Can't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon. Bring a friend or 2 or more just dont miss out

Annalise Brown

Great view and amazing food. They have good and fast service. The seafood is very good and fresh. They have a lot of good beverages.

Oscar Terrazas Jr

BEST SEAFOOD IN BAY AREA. Nuff said! You will do yourself a favor by ordering the crab roll and chowder!

Anthony Preciado

Great atmosphere and good service-get an outdoor table on a nice afternoon and you're set!

Dan B.

Food was delicious. A bit on the pricey side.

Robert Brain

Great venue with views across the water. We sat outside. The clam chowder and seafood salad were great. Also the Deschutes (American) IPA beer was good.

Brenda Hinkle

Loved this place great fresh food friendly staff, awesome views.

Brian DiGiorgio

This place has all the typical seafood fare but with an extra flair of quality over the typical seaside tourist traps. Their clam chowder is flavorful and more delicate than a typical New England clam chowder (although it isn't in a sourdough bread bowl as is expected in northern California). The batter on their fish and chips has actual flavor. Even their fries are special because of their old bay seasoning. This place is definitely a quality stop, but be prepared for very long waits and difficult parking situations because of its popularity. At least it's right next to the beach so so you can go walk around while you wait

Mariana Valle

Best seafood in the bay area. The views are amazing and the staff are super friendly.

Jacob Colon

Haha, cheesecake was crazy delicious! Sorry we forgot to snap a photo beforehand. Service was great and all our food was hot and fresh ! Except for the salad.. it was cold and fresh:)

Julie G

Amazing food, great staff, worth the long wait to get a table, to go is a great alternative to get the same great food faster

Arjun Chatterjee

One of my all-time favorite places to stop when I first arrive in California to visit. All of their food is great, and the views are spectacular. This location is one of my happy places, I felt my blood pressure drop to a nice healthy level as soon as I arrived!

George DeCarlo

Seaside seating and views from every seat in the house. The Lobster Roll is worth the price...a delicious lobster in the roll. Or order from the extensive menu. Wine list and beer for just about anyone including non-alcoholic of both. The kids won't feel left out and even have placemats to work on while you enjoy the view such as the para surfers. Parking is limited, might be on the shoulder of Highway 1.

Jeremiah Benton

Such great food made from top notch fresh ingredients. You really can't go wrong with anything you order here, it's all tastey and consistent. Love the fresh squeezed orange juice. Service is great and the food comes out fast, hot and fresh. Go a few times and the owner will remember you and she always greets you with a big smile! My Brother and I eat here at least once a month and love it. Great atmosphere and easy to find

Elvis Do

Very busy but iconic spot during your coastal drive. Fresh food, lots of space but gets busy regardless. View and seafood is a must. We tried to hit up most fresh items and the chowder ! Enjoy it and portion it out cause it's easy to over order with these items. Parking can be tough but most people end up on the side of the road.

David Wright

What a great night. Will definitely be returning!

Nicole Menkhoff

Decent drinks and oysters/clams. Stopped to see what all the fuss was about. It was okay. I'd go back if I were in the area.

j v

So this place is really fun, big, amazing views and friendly staff. Ambiance is great! Full bar which is always a plus too and really kid friendly. The food though, is not that great. It’s extremely over hyped and not worth it at all!! The popcorn shrimp is just little baby shrimp breaded with sriracha sauce all over it. The New England clam chowder was watery and not creamy at all. The bread was good though! Thanks! We’re big foodies and we’re excited to try this place and we’re very disappointed. The food at other tables looked disappointing as well.

Mark Randel

I usually don't like to base my review off a single server's performance, but in this case, it was such poor training, I'm going to have to bang the restaurant two stars. First off, the good. The selection and food we got were good. Grilled sardines, fresh swordfish and a lobster roll were all great dishes. However, the waitress was unable to recommend a beer to pair with the lobster roll. When it finally came out (after reminding her) it was at the end of the meal. Then, getting service was VERY slow. We sat there for 20 minutes just waiting to get the check. Granted, it's a busy place, but you shouldn't attempt to serve more than you are capable of. So for this reason, service knocked off 2 stars.

Jaro's R/C Crawling and Racing

Great restraunt, for such a busy restraunt they have great service, staff are kind and the food is pretty good, not amazing though

Donald Macleay

OK for the food and prices, meh for the service and fantastic for the view. This is one of those high volume tourist spots that mostly serves people who do not live in or know the area. They serve East Coast fare, but they do a great job of it. With the outside heaters, those seats are just fine and right on the beach. One can park at the south end of the harbor parking lot and walk to the steps that lead straight there easier than parking in their own overcrowded roadside. Note that is is also a beach access.

alena putinsev

Love their clam chowder! We always stop by for a bite to eat in this place when we visit Half Moon Bay. Last time we ordered calamari. It was disappointing. Tasted plain, with hints of old oil. Calamari was a 1 star. But the clam chowder is a 5 star for sure. Next time I'll refrain from ordering anything other than the clam chowder. It might be a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation. I don't know why we never think of it and end up waiting for good 45min+.

Allison Lawton

Sam's has a large menu of delicious seafood options. It has an outdoor patio with heat lamps that is dog friendly. The patio also has a bar and an amazing ocean view. The place gets busy so arrive early, make a reservation or be prepared to wait. The server was very casual but attentive. The food was great! Each table gets sour dough bread to start. It went great with their New England clam chowder. I enjoyed the buttery, naked lobster roll. My friend loved their baked oysters. The crab cake appetizer was breaded but had no filler. All in all, Sam's is a bit pricey but is a seafood lovers dream.

Cole Dunagan

Service was slow at first but we were taken very good care of once helped. Wife had the fish n chips which she said were the best she had ever had. I had the New Orleans style gumbo and it was top notch! Highly satisfied.

Lisa Incatasciato

Always busy. Good idea to make an appointment or waits are about 1 - 2 hrs. Views are fantastic. Service is very quick, they definitely want to move people along. Food was good very close to lobster rolls in New England.

Michelle Peebles

Yum. Had reservations, we were seated right away. Lobster roll was yummy as well as the cocktails. Nice view.

Vita Gailiunaite

Lobster sandwich was really boring and very pricey. The setting is nice. Happy hour on Tuesdays is the best.

Pat Curran

I love this place! Whether you are looking for a main lobster roll, crab etc, this is the place! I typically order out, service is fast! I'm semi local (SF) so take out works however the restaurant is awesome, literally on the water.

Kathy Freitas

Food is great service is excellent we travel 2 hours just to go eat there. Well we do go to half moon beach two...

Gwen Carr

Sams Chowder House has the best Lobster Rolls ever. Clam Chowder was delicious. Their home made key lime pie is one of the best I have had as well. Will definitely go back.

Katharine King

I heard this restaurant for long time, turned out I came to Half Moon Bay for fresh fishes, so decided to have my lunch here. The restaurant is right by the seaside with nice view. I was sitting by the window comfortably. I ordered Blue crab cake, New Orleans style gumbo, and their well-known lobster roll. First came the gumbo, the crab meat was not so fresh (I grow up by the seaside, kind of picky), but overall taste ok. The crab cake was plated very pretty, and taste really fine. After that, I sit there for quite a while finally got the lobster roll. The roll was in whole piece but the crust part was dropped on the side, and couple pieces of lobster just placed on the top of the bread. And I picked one piece lobster and taste, it's chill cold with weird feeling, I really don't know how long the lobster meat stayed in freezer b4 thry were served. I told the server, and she took it away, gave me the bill and told me she took the lobster roll off the bill, seemed she did me a big favor. And I had my lunch only the first half part. I guess when the restaurant getting famous, they don't care anymore.

Stacie Simmons

The Kumamoto oysters were exceptionally fresh. Fish & chips were crispy and hot. Old Bay fries were perfectly seasoned. The lobster roll is a must. Beautiful view!!!! Friendly service.

Carmelo M

They offer a nice variety of delicious food. I enjoyed eating here. Employees are always super nice, prices are reasonable and the spot is always kept clean.

Jon Topielski

The food in general was pretty mediocre. The lobster meat was not seasoned and didn’t taste super fresh. What made up for it was the view, however, which was phenomenal.

Corinne Sa

My husband and I absolutely love this place! The oyster Rockefeller are a must have!

Rick L.

We dropped in for lunch today and sat on the patio. It was a very sunny day. We enjoyed the House Cured Salmon, Fried Calamari, New England Clam Chowder, Italian Style Affogato, and a 10 year Tawny Porto .Everything was delicious!

Joleen Esposito

Not and exclusive choweder eater but after getting a cup I was mad at myself for nit getting the larger size because it was sooooooo good. They were training someone new otherwise I would have said everything was perfect!

Kostas Kassaras

Definitely the place to visit in HMB. Relaxed ambiance, great food and awesome views

Tammy Welch

I loved it! Good food, and friendly staff.

Linda Lowe

The view was wonderful but the service and food were even better. I had the jumbo prawns stuffed with blue crab wrapped in bacon. I ate till I was beyond full and still needed to bring some home. I also had the clam chowder which was tasty. Their wine selection was also on par and paired nicely with our dinner. This was my first time there and it will not be my last.

Regie Patnode

The food was better than expected and the service was great. The hour wait only turned out to be half an hour. Great view

Kuei-Da Liao

It was super busy the day we visited, probably due to Father’s Day. Anyway, I would still recommend you to give it a try even though you might have to wait :P The oyster was definitely a bomb! It was so fresh! And the fish burger was one of the best I’ve ever had. Not too oily, not too salty! Great work chef! We’d absolutely come back next time!

Adil Minhas

Amazing service and a really nice atmosphere. I really liked the menu and the food was phenomenal.

Rob L

Great chowder, But alittle different from San Francisco style which is thicker...

Jeff Tsang

I always eat here when I visit SF. Best value seafood by far on the west coast.

Joumana El-Choueiri

Enjoyed every moment with the family and every bite that was served to us. Very friendly service, eh?

christie torres

I was so sad the PA location closed it was so much more accessible. Nonetheless the food is worth the 30 min trip as long as you make a reservation. The wait could be as much as an hour depending on the time and day you go. The popcorn shrimp are FIRE! I live for the popcorn shrimp and chowder. Also the garlic chilly prawns are great with pasta! Staff is always so friendly despite how busy it gets. You will be well fed and well taken care of !

Helena F

Amazing food with great views looking forward to going back

Susan Oh

Oysters Rockefeller, delicious. Everything else, just ok. Seafood spaghetti was overcooked beyond taste.Terrible service fr waiter, though hostess stand and food deliverers and bussers were great- had to walk up, and grab my own cutlery before food got cold, and waiter was nowhere to be seen. Same w grabbing the bill, had to walk up.

Katherine Rossolovich

Visited for a quick lunch - the views from the beach patio are amazing and I was lucky to find a spot in the shade, it wasn't very busy on Thursday. You get to hear the birds and look at the endless Pacific. I took a clam chowder (a cup) and it was very good, I loved the unpeeled small potatoes. The staff is friendly and attentive, parking had spots - but again, it is lunchtime on a working day. Loved the fact they they use local produce and biodegradable straws, a sustainable business!

Ed Erby

This place is awesome! Some of the best buttery Lobster Rolls I've ever had!!! The view of the bay is amazing and they have live music! What more could you ask for? 10 stars!!!

Julianna L. NM

Fun and lively. Make a reservation, for sure. Especially on sunny weekend days. Worth the wait. Just a fun, tasty, and busy place. A bit touristy, but local, too. Definitely have some oysters! And chowder! Skip the jambalaya - it was pretty gross. Should have known better, though.

Alex Y

Good location, beautiful view, but nothing special in menu. They sell not dishes, they sell a view. Also wait list on open terrace was approximate 45 min. So I've found this place a little bit overpriced. But I will recommend it to visit.

Business Hours of Sam's Chowder House in California

SUNDAY
11AM–9PM
MONDAY
11:30AM–9PM
TUESDAY
11:30AM–9PM
WEDNESDAY
11:30AM–9PM
THURSDAY
11:30AM–9PM
FRIDAY
11:30AM–9:30PM
SATURDAY
11AM–9:30PM

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Sam's Chowder House en California
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