This is usually my go to place in HMB since my last visit was very memorable. I realize inflammation has hit all part of dining on this occasion although the server was pleasant with a smile, each request was met with a "no", "it's additional" or part of their daily special. I was really disappointed. I went ahead and ordered the calamari and fish fried with fries and a Diet Coke. The calamari with tentacles and rings were nicely coated and fried. And the two pieces of fish coated and fried stayed warm when I got to it. Cutting into it was flakey as it should be. It came with tomato based and mayo based cocktail sauces. The sauces helped with taste of the fried items. Overall the food experience was good. I guess next visit, my selection will be very selected in the distant future. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Calamari and fish fried with fries - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Found this place on tik tok and decided to try it out. Small but cute restaurant.. fast and efficient .. ordered the chowder, the hubby said it was just ok, I had a garden salad , nothing special but the water in the lettuce watered down my dressing. Then we ordered the Barbara's fish trap , had calamari, shrimp , fish , scallops and fried zucchini. Served hot and crunchy but unfortunately lacked flavor . Everything tasted the same because of the batter . Paying 41.00 for that plate alone I wish it had more seasonings. My husband compared it to fair food . And he wasn't wrong . Nice traveler stop . read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Barbara's fish trap - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Glad I read reviews prior to going. We added our name to the waitlist with a staff person near the front entrance. Hour 15 for a group of five on a busy Saturday afternoon. There isn't a paging system so we walked to a nearby brewery and times our return. The estimated wait was fairly accurate. The group ahead of us in line wasn't present when called and the hostess quickly moved down the list. Not sure if they ever got their spot. We were seated at a table that barely fit four and the fifth seat was on the edge sticking out into the walkway. I don't know if they normally have fans going, but the temps inside this day were high. Outside was about 63-65 and inside was much warmer. It was uncomfortably warm. There's only one bathroom so the wait can be a little long. Once seated, our orders were taken fairly quickly. I liked that they sat us even though our entire party wasn't there yet. We received a basket of complimentary sourdough bread. The clam chowder was creamy and filled with clam goodness. The Cajun broiled sandwich was fresh, hearty and full of flavor. The portions were large. We asked for extra crispy fries but they were teetering on soggy. Overall, food was fresh, filling and yummy. read more

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Another amazing meal! Their cioppino never misses! Great service! Get there at 10:30 for first seating! read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Cioppino always hits the mark! So much flavor! - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Disappointing! Long lines and slow. They gave the fish sandwhich instead of the fish and chips. The firmed fish was just ok, the batter was super thick. I feel like definitely could use some seasoning. The mini fish trap had a good assortment but nothing special. Not worth the high prices. Small parking lot 6% extra for ordering to go read more

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There was a quick 20-minute wait for us for indoor seating when we arrived around noon. All of the staff work hard, especially the front hostess who was taking down names for tables. We really appreciated their efforts in managing such a busy list. We ordered the clam chowder in sourdough bowls, the baby shrimp cocktail, and the mini fish trap (assortment of fried goods like scallops, shrimp, white fish, fries). Nothing beats digging into good food with the ocean view right outside the window. Parking is across the street and can get busy closer to lunch hour, but it's worth the struggle to eat here! read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - restaurant entrance - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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I can't speak highly enough of this place. Best fish & chips and clam chowder we've ever had! Plus they serve the freshest oysters. The folks here are so friendly and accommodating even though there's always a line. Worth the wait and great ambiance for a tiny place. read more

tldr popular casual take out and dine in spot in hmb serving up tempura fried seafood with lines for dayzzzz friends and i only waited about 10 minutes before the big lunch rush and got the fish and chips + cajun fish sandwich for takeout to eat by some of the available picnic tables fish and chips (w coleslaw) (4/5) this came w 4 big fillets that were fried to golden perfection with a nice crunch - easily can be shared between two ppl. unfortunately i am one of the crazy ppl that opted for the coleslaw instead of fries. in an ideal world, u would get both the coleslaw and chips!! luckily i was able to sample some of my friends fries because they gave so many and they were really tasty! by the 5th bite of fried fish, i started getting tired of the flavor so the crunchy coleslaw was a nice relief and slightly healthier alternative lol friend's cajun fish sandwich (3/5) she mention the fish barely had any cajun flavor and bread was a bit too thick for her taste overall i would not wait in line more than 20 minutes for this spot - the food comes out fast once u order!great if u want something fast casual and near the water without the hefty price tag. i would suggest sticking to the fried items and would definitely stop by again! food 3.75/5 service 4/5 ambiance 3.5/5 by the water but not the cleanest value 4/5 read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - coleslaw - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Service was fast & friendly. The decor was nautical. Unfortunately the food was just so-so. The best part of the meal was the corn fritters. I had the Calimari & chips and my meal was a grease bomb. Literally could only eat the top of my serving because the rest was shiny with oil. Unfortunate considering the prices they charge. We will not go back. read more

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The 5 star is for the young lady that was checking in and letter people know how long the wait is today Sunday March 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM. No matter how busy the place was, she was walking in and out the reataurant, helping cleaning the tables, and checking in customers. She was so polite, had a good attitude even though people are asking how many more minutes is the wait. And ofcurs the food is amazing as usual. Its always worth the drive and the wait! read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - A bowl of clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

My wife and I got the combination plates with different varieties of sea food. The food was great! The service was great! And the prices were reasonable Highly recommended! read more

Yes, I know the line is long! But have patience! I've been to Barbara's a few times before and I'm always happy to come back. While this time we only got ceviche, it's just as good as I remember it to be. It's worth a try if you have time! read more

Sunday around 5pm and it was already a 35-minute wait. For four people, we spent about $150 -- just right for a satisfying meal. The clam chowder and fish & chips are definitely must-orders, both were really good. The sandwiches are also huge portions. The salad, however, was quite small and felt a bit underwhelming. On the plus side, the food came out very quickly. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Sweet little fish shack along side the marina in half moon bay. Service was great and efficient. Very busy at lunch time. They did not disappoint on the fish and chips. read more

You can't go wrong with fish and chips by the coastline! They have an indoor seating option, or you can opt to order as takeout and eat by the tables facing the ocean/beach, which is what I did! Here's what we got: Fish and Chips + Prawn's Combo (5/5): delicious batter and melt-in-your mouth fish, you need to get this! I didn't even need tartar sauce for this because the batter was that good. The prawns were massive and juicy, but I preferred the fish more even though I looove prawns. Coastside calamari (5/5): chewy and addicting, especially dipped in tartar sauce. Clam chowder (4/5): pretty good and loaded with seafood and potatoes. It was a bit more watery than other clam chowders I've had. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Came here because a friend is in town. The line is long as usual, an hour wait was told ahead of time. Heard from other customers that to-go takes 30 minutes wait also, so decided to wait for a table. Ordered fish & chips, raw oysters, and crab sandwich, all good. The food is 4 stars, the wait is 1 star according to my friend. As we want to try raw oysters so we better have a table. Last time we made a to-go order, the fish & chips were not good perhaps because it is cool down by the wind by sitting outside. So your call to wait or to-go, and set your expectations right. read more

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Such juicy fried fish! Always a line if you do take out! Great treat after a long hike.

We rode our bikes and ordered from the takeout area right next to the restaurant. We ordered the fish and chips and clam chowder. Unfortunately, our fish batter was extremely soggy. We both agreed the chowder tasted more like a potato soup without much seasoning. We were disappointed based on the reviews we had read. read more

The fact that they close once a day around 3 pm to change their rice oil was what caught my attention and finalized our family's decisions to try Barbara's Fishtrap. The food tasted fresh and delicious. Out of the six of us, we ordered four different plates and every one was happy. The ladies working the floor didn't miss a beat and made sure we had everything we needed. Thank you to the cooks as well! The cost was reasonable and another reason we decided to try it. We would visit again and try more options. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap My parents were celebrating their anniversary and decided they wanted to try the clam chowder here at Barbara's Fishtrap. We got 2 bowls of the clam chowder (15.95) as well as Barbara's Fishtrap (39.95): assortment of fried seafood, includes scallops, prawns, fish & calamari. I personally wasn't the biggest fan of their clam chowder but the Fishtrap was great! The seafood wasn't too breaded and the scallops they included were gigantic! Glad to have been able to try one of half moon bay's staples. Definitely get here early if you want to find a seat in the restaurant, otherwise, they have seat outside for to-go orders! One of the better assortments of fried seafoods I've had! read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fresh Made Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Great for fish & chips while in Half Moon Bay! Very popular place, friendly service, has indoor & outdoor seating and takeout. In addition to fish & chips, we ordered Dungeness crab salad which had a lot of crab (market price $35). One disappointment was the salad isn't pre-tossed and was served on a plate, which made it difficult mix it all together. If I were to get the crab salad again, I would ask for a bowl or have them toss it for me. Enjoyed $3 beers at happy hour! read more

Well, one thing's for sure; it's definitely a trap. A tourist trap... but, I'm sure you already knew that much, right?! Barbara's Fishtrap is one of the more touristy coastal restaurants in Half Moon Bay. I've been to a few other popular restaurants in this area, but it took me a while to finally make it here. I was hanging out in the area and decided to finally check it out. As previously mentioned, it's super touristy so the waits can be long. I came during the busy lunch hour on a Saturday afternoon (not my usual, but hey... it happens). Waited about 30 minutes and was seated on their front patio. It's all about the views when it comes to this place. Sitting inside or on the patio with a view of the beach is ideal, but you'll be waiting forever for it. I still had a decent view from the front patio, but I was more interested in the food anyways. Of course, their seafood dishes are all the rave. After reading several highly rated reviews about their crab sammy and clam chowder, I ordered up and waited in anticipation. The food was actually pretty good. Nothing outstanding, but good for what it was. Portions were also adequate for what they're charging. My gripe is with the crab sandwich. When I think of a crab sandwich, I think of flaky crab meat. This is clearly a crab SALAD sandwich... meaning that the crab meat is mixed with mayo. I like Mayo and I don't have a problem with crab salad sammies, I just feel like calling it a "crab sandwich" is a bit misleading. But, to each their own I guess. The sandwich was generous and was stacked pretty high with the crab salad. A little too heavy on the mayo for me, but it still did the deed. The clam chowder was average at best. A little bland and a tad watery but a decent run of the mill clam chowder. It's not something that I'd specifically come back for, and I was disappointed that THIS was what their "famous clam chowder" tasted like. Could have been an off day, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Because this place is pretty much always slammed, service is not going to be amazing. I expected that from the jump, so the slow service didn't bother me as much as the average food did. I'm glad that I finally tried it, but in my honest opinion, this one is definitely overhyped. read more

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Ordered the fish and chips. The batter was different but wasn't bad. The parking sucks. You have to park across the street. The clam chowder was good. read more

I was excited to try their fish and chips after reading rave reviews! The visit was a bit disappointing. We entered what was a hole in the wall spot which we didn't mind considering many have the best food! However, there was a customer who began yelling at other customers very rudely and offensively because they had a noisy child. Utterly disrespectful and unwarranted, but seemed like he was a local. This made us uncomfortable and we felt a bit unsafe since this was the first spot we tried. The food- fish and chips lacked salt. Was fried on the outside perfectly with a light and crispy batter, however the fish was falling apart and very difficult and mushy to eat. The clam chowder is surprisingly less of a clam chowder and more of a gumbo flavor and thinner base. Yes, there were plenty of clams and it tasted good, however this is the furthest thing from a clam chowder I have ever tasted and I've had some bomb clam chowder along the entire west coast. We were hungry and enjoyed it since it was a hot dish for the cold weather, but if you're looking for a good old original creamy clam chowder, this is not it. The service was fine. Food came out quickly. Overall, this place is extremely overrated in my opinion. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fresh Made Clam Chowder Fish & Chips - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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We waited around 45 minutes for take out orders on a beautiful fall day. There are plenty of picnic tables facing the water where you can enjoy your meal. We shared several orders of the fish and chips and also got an order of calamari and chips. All of it was fresh and fried perfectly. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Barbara's Fishtrap is one of the best fish shack restaurants I've been to. The quality of ingredients was absolutely superb, and they knew the best, simple way to cook them so that the fresh seafood really shine. The fried scallops were my favorite followed by the shrimp. Also the bread bowl clam chowder was so good. The service here was also super nice and friendly. Even though the restaurant was quite busy with a long line, our visit didn't feel rushed at all--we were treated so kindly by the staff and could fully appareciate the delicious food and scenic views. I definitely hope to be back at Barbara's Fishtrap! read more

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Freshest seafood ever! This place is packed all day long, so if you want to be seated right away, I recommend coming a few minutes before they open. In terms of service, the place is small and busy, so it was very difficult to get a server's attention. We waited at least 20 mins to finally get someone to come over and take our order. Upon ordering, however, the food arrived very quickly. Seafood lovers, the food here is fantastic! If you don't mind a bit of a wait, gogogo! read more

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Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon and the wait was about 45 minutes to an hour. We went to the brewery across the street to pass the time and before we knew it, we were seated. We were excited to try their "famous" fish and chips but decided to get the Mini Fish Trap instead. It had a little bit of everything, fried fish, fried scallop, fried prawns, fried zucchini, calamari and fries. The batter was light and crispy but we found it to be slipping off of everything when we tried to pick it up with the fork. Similarly, it waay too oily. I understand it is fried food, but I don't think fried food should come with puddles of oil on the bottom of the plate. We also thought that it lacked seasoning on either the seafood or batter itself. The clam chowder was alright, a little on the thin side. It tasted more like a clam gumbo with it's strong Old Bay taste than a chowder. The crab cakes had a wonderfully crispy exterior but lacked any true crab flavor. Cute spot along the water but will not be back. read more

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Came on a Saturday and waited about 45 mins for take out. I think we could have been seated in the same amount of time but was told this line moves fast (Hint: it doesn't) I'm not sure if there typically only one person taking orders maybe but it was definitely slow. Cash preferred they charge 4% if you use your card and there's a 5% take out fee (eye's rolling) the food overall was great. The fish was fresh with no fishy smell. The Mini fish trap with a variety of items was my favorite: calamari, scallops, zucchini, fish, and fries. The scallops were huge. I'd consider getting an order of scallops alone next time. The shrimp cocktail my least favorite. I dislike these small bay shrimps, they always taste water logged but we wanted an unfried option for my little one. We also got a tub of clam chowder. It's more of a potato chowder than a New England chowder that is more cream based. I didn't care for it but hubby really liked it. There's some tables outside to the right and the left of the restaurant and if you're willing to walk a bit plenty of parking. Would come back despite the wait. All in all, would come back. We were in San Diego earlier this year and stopped at a similar place and this one was definitely better. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Starting top left clockwise: shrimp cocktail, fish and coleslaw, Mini Fishtrap Tempura - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

The service here was great!! As soon as we went up to the register at the front of the restaurant we were met with warm smiles and friendly greetings. Our server knew we were having trouble making a decision and started by asking us if we had a favorite type of seafood and how hungry we were. he gave us a couple options that he said were really popular and was patient with us- which we appreciated. We ordered clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl to share, the mini fishtrap tempura, and the baby bay shrimp sandwich. we loved our meal and of course took leftovers home to enjoy again later that day. For dessert, we got the pecan pie. It was good but the crust was way too cold and tough. I bent my fork trying to cut off a piece. we'll be back. this spot is definitely worth a try! read more

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I've been going to Barbara's his trap for 40 years. I probably go five or six times a year because it's in my neighborhood and I do love fish and chips and the wonderful ambience of Barbara's. The restaurant originally was Barbara and her husband and then became just Barbara. They are both gone, but it is a very fun place and is wildly popular with visitors with lines forming before they open. The turnover is pretty quick. They also have an outside Takeaway where you can sit at the table outside. There are several with umbrellas. read more

Hot, fresh, and delicious. Dream till next time. $3.00 mexican beers, and top flight service and food. read more

I came to the iconic Barbara's on Fourth of July around 11:30 AM. The line wasn't too bad for takeout and we were able to snatch one of the tables outside. The weather is beautiful and I enjoyed sitting outside more than in. The food was really good, the fish and chips batter is very thin and well cooked. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

The food at Barbara's was really good. The menu is as you would expect at a casual seafood shack, but everything is a very good version of the regular staples. I got the fish sandwich: surprisingly, it's not on a bun, but more like a very light and fluffy grilled Italian roll (kind of looked like a baguette but not at all dense nor chewy). The fish (which is probably the same as for the fish and chips) was perfectly fried and had a very light and crispy batter. The seasoning was perfect: very subtle yet flavorful. The fries were also VERY solid: thick cut, but very soft on the inside and crispy outside. I suspect they have a very good deep fryer and use high quality oil. We also got the shrimp Louie salad and it was very high quality and a very generous portion. Lots of shrimp, beets, kidney beans, avocado, hard boiled egg, and a tasty dressing. But the fried fish was really standout. read more

Traveling to Half Moon Bay but wasn't sure where to eat. Then I remembered someone recommending Barbara's Fishtrap, so we looked for parking and saw a line! We were told it would be another 45 minutes to an hour wait. But realized, there's a to-go area where you can order the same food, but eat outside. We were hungry, so we ordered fish and chips and calamari and chips. I think I should have ordered something that didn't come with fries. Just seemed like potato overload while eating. But it definitely filled us! They give you enough to be full for a long while. And their fries are cut thick but you get a mix of crispy and crunchy bites. Fish and chips were battered, but so light and crispy! Very good texture! I'd recommend this if you're not sure what to order. 5/5 Calamari and chips were average and nothing special, in my opinion. Still good but nothing extraordinary or a must order. 3/5 We didn't try their clam chowder or their crab sandwich which are popular menu items, but maybe we'll come back another time when we're in HMB. Hoping to sit inside too! read more

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Ate here 6/9 and 6/11/26. Had the fish and chips, limoncello marscapone cake and key lime pie. Everything was delicious. Fish and chips came out piping hot and stayed hot. Tartar sauce was spot on. Fish was tender, flaky, fresh, and batter on the fish was light, crispy, and tasty. Chips were steak fries. One of two of the best fish and chips places we've visited. Pie and cake were refreshing and flavorful. Service was courteous and prompt. Restaurant is on the water and it's pleasant to look at the water and watch the birds. Restaurant was clean, tables were cleared promptly. Barbara's is busy so don't be surprised if you have to wait. Well worth it. read more

Great local place. Crazy busy, be prepared to wait- benches outside. Heck, you'll meet some other stubborn people that won't give up, and will wait too. Meals are great, home-style, well cooked, sides are good too. Love the Crab salad, but it's not always available... and that makes me crabby Small place out over water. Servers are fast moving, some outdoor seating. Come on a weekday if you can! read more

Nice seafood place by Pillar Point, a little less crowded compared to Sam's chowder house but still very popular on a Sunday afternoon. Two separate lines, one for Dine in and the other for to go, both equally long. Good food, plenty of outdoor seating areas upon getting our to go order. Nice view by the beach. Plenty of Brewing places nearby as well if you want pair with beer. Recommend as alternative for Sam's fans. read more

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I understand what the hype is about. Going here felt like a mini vacation. They are situated on the waterfront in HMB. As soon as we walked up the hosted saw us and we were able to put our name down and get in before they closed at 3 pm. We waited about 30 minutes. And it was a busy Sunday. This place is a vintage gem. Down to its fish net decor. Service is good. But the food! The oysters were yummy. Got a side of the garlic bread. We got the crab sandwich with coleslaw and the Cajun fish with fries. Want to try the mini Fishtrap next time. read more

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Tried the Clam Chowder, Oysters on the 1/2 shell, and the Mini Fishtrap Tempura. The Clam Chowder was a bit thick, but well seasoned. The oysters were fine. The Mini Fishtrap had a little bit of everything: fish, calamari, scallop, shrimp, and for some reason a zucchini. My favorites of the bunch was the scallop and shrimp; both were really tasty. The fish and calamari were pretty standard, nothing to complain about. The zucchini was just kinda there. Not sure if they salt the zucchini beforehand to draw out some of the water, but it was a bit soggy. Overall, a solid place but I don't think it's worth a long wait. read more

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