A coworker told me about Barbara's Fishtrap about 2 years ago. He said it is one of the best FRESH seafood restaurants in the Bay Area. I was a little skeptical about the word FRESH. Not anymore. YES, HE WAS RIGHT. It took about 1 hour to get there from San Jose, but it is super worth it. From the view to the quality of the food, I am not hesitant to give the restaurant the highest score I can. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ALL OF YOU. read more

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Been coming to Barbara's Fishtrap in Half Moon Bay for over 8 years now, all the way back since high school, and it has always been top notch. Easily my favorite fish and chips spot in the Bay Area !!! The ambiance is classic coastal and super homey. It has that old school seafood shack feel right by the water, nothing fancy but that is exactly what makes it so good. Always busy, always lively, and just feels like a staple spot that never lost its identity :)) Fish and Chips Still my favorite. Crispy, light batter with super fresh fish inside. Never greasy, always done right. This is the dish that keeps me coming back every time. Oysters Always fresh and clean. Simple, no gimmicks, just good quality oysters with lemon and sauce on the side. Mushroom Tempura A must order every time. Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and always comes out fresh and hot. One of the most underrated things on the menu. Clams Super flavorful and comforting. Perfect to share and dip with bread. Dessert (Daily Cheesecake) We get this every single time. It always changes, but it is consistently amazing. Creamy, rich, and the perfect way to end the meal. Overall This place has been consistent for years which is rare. Same quality, same vibe, same great experience every. single. time. One of those spots that never disappoints and always feels worth the drive out to Half Moon Bay. read more

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I was there on Mother's day sunday, and reached there 10 minutes after they opened. The restaurant was smaller than I thought. Wait to get a table was brutal. I was told 50 minutes wait, but ended up waiting for 2 hours. They also had a togo counter. I should have gone there instead. All seafood was fresh. I went for their fan favorites. Fish and chips was my favorite item here. Coastside calamari was an excellent one too. It came in good quantity. Dungeness crab sandwich was expensive at $36. Sandwich as such was good, even if the quantity was smaller. Clam chowder was flavorful. Orange juice was ok. There is a small parking lot right opposite to the restaurant. Getting a spot there is near impossible. Pillar point harbor is 5 minutes away. May be parking there is the only option. read more

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Another food feature. Oh man, more over the top deliciousness, this time, from Princeton's Barbara's Fishtrap. It's a Clam/Mussel Linguine Pasta with thick creamy sauce. When I share a dish, inevitably, someone says they were influenced to seek the same dish and appreciate the culinary ideas. So, I do this in the spirit of public service. Besides, treating myself on my birthday month continues. Be kind and gentle to yourself. read more

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Glad to report Cioppino is back. The senior menu is also still on. But the prices are higher than before, appeared to be reasonably reflecting the time. In addition to the usual excellent foods, the service today has seen marked improvement from before. They actually attended to my needs without asking: providing boxes when they knew we are not finishing and bringing a bowl of warm water for rinsing when they saw me working the crabs. read more

I love going on sunny days with my dad, he gets fish and chips. I get the grilled salmon with rice, and broccoli! It's so good, little expensive but it's still so good! It gets crowded on nice days! FYI they close at 2:30 for half an hour to change the oil in the fryer read more

Clam Chowder- a lot clams in it which was surprising as most places do not put many. It did have a gritty taste to the chowder however. Mini Fishtrap Tempura- wanted to try a variety of their fried items. A great choice if you not able to decide what you want to get. Overall pretty good though the scallop were overcooked. Not sure what makes the batter tempura but it was crispy as I expecting for you typical fried seafood A nice small shop right next to the ocean with their own dedicated parking area right across the street from it. Went during the beginning of lunch before it got super busy. Overall a nice ambiance but the food overall was ok. read more

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

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Finally got a chance to grab lunch here. The guy at the front was very helpful answering questions about the menu. Offered me to sit inside take it to go or take it for one of the tables with views outdoors. I chose the last and sat with a view outside. It's a simple place not fancy. I got the broiled fish and chips. The fish was perfectly cooked, moist and delicious. If I came back, I'd get the traditional fried fish just to try it. I substituted the coleslaw for the french fries. They make coleslaw just the way I like it here. Light on the mayo it went perfectly with the broiled fish. Their house made harder sauce was also super tasty. Looking forward to coming back and trying some other things on their rather extensive menu. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Broiled fish and coleslaw. Coleslaw is in the closed container. It was a generous portion. - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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We were in Half Moon Bay recently and, like most people do when you're near the coast, we were craving seafood. I found Barbara's on Yelp--solid 4-star rating, good reviews, so we decided to give it a try. We arrived and were told there was about a 20-minute wait, which felt reasonable for a weekend seafood spot. Once we were seated, things started off fine, but the experience quickly became a bit frustrating. There seemed to be a breakdown in communication with our server regarding our order. We placed everything clearly, but when the food came out, it wasn't what we had ordered. Instead of just clarifying or correcting it, we were told the order had been placed incorrectly on our side and were asked to reorder. Unfortunately, we were also still charged for the original order, which made the situation feel even more confusing. We also ordered the clam chowder, which was honestly disappointing. From the very first spoonful to the last, there was a consistent gritty, sandy texture that made it difficult to enjoy at all. It took away from what is usually a comfort dish, especially in a coastal town where you expect it to shine. On a positive note, our timing coincided with sunset, and the view from the window was absolutely stunning. Watching the sun dip over the water while dining added a really beautiful moment to the experience, and the scenery itself was honestly the highlight of the visit. The setting itself is nice and the location is convenient if you're exploring Half Moon Bay, but based on our experience, the execution on both service and food quality didn't match the expectations set by the rating. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity. With a bit more attention to order accuracy and consistency in the kitchen, this place could easily live up to its Yelp reputation--but unfortunately, that wasn't our experience that day. read more

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We arrived close to closing time but they were able to squeeze us in. We were sat by the windows overlooking the sea. I had the fish and prawns with chips. They were very well prepared and light and crispy. Our waiter and the owner were incredibly friendly, I recently started fishing and ask excited to do by after my fishing trips in the future. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fish, Prawn & Chips - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

We got the fish of the day sandwich, which was the same fish as the fish and chips, and it was delicious! We loved it so much. The clam chowder was also great-- note it's not too clammy. The portions were really good too, so definitely go hungry! read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fish and chips and sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

I haven't been to Barbara's in a while so I flew up to Half Moon Bay in my plane to have some lunch. If you're a pilot, getting there is easy. First, get yourself a plane that you know how to fly. Second, fly to Half Moon Bay Airport. I'm lucky because I have a plane that I know how to fly and I know the way to HMB airport. After landing taxi to the South East end of the airport to the to tie downs there. Then go out the gate, walk over the small footbridge, and POOF, you're in Princeton. Barbara's is a short walk from the bridge along the coast. I went on a Friday and found that they opened at 11. I was there at 10:45 so I sat down on one of the many benches nearby. Before I knew it a line had formed. They opened promptly at 11 and the place filled up rather quickly. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. The wait staff was pleasant and attentive. I ordered a cup of clam chowder and fish and chips but with coleslaw instead of chips. The clam chowder was very good. I have had better but Barbara's is pretty darned good with a lot of clams in it. The fish and coleslaw were wonderful. The fish was lightly breaded and perfectly cooked. The slaw was very good. The portion was huge and very filling! The location, wonderful as well. Great views of the ocean. So, they earned 5 stars from me. Go to Barbara's! Just be prepared to stand in line, especially on the weekends. read more

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Finally able to visit this restaurant. Nice casual spot with limited seating. On this day only waited 15-20 min to be seated. Service was quick and efficient. Food was great - clam chowder had plenty of clams and good flavor. The fish and chips were nice and crispy without being greasy. My BF enjoyed his seafood pasta - large shrimps were plentiful. Overall a nice casual dining experience by the water. read more

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Got food from the window since the line for dine-in was long. It worked out fine since it was a nice day and there was a communal table outside that was vacant. The menu items we wanted were also available from the kiosk. There was a frequent customer that came just for the key lime pie so I had to try it. It was good and I wouldn't mind getting it again. Would I come back just for that? Probably not. Everything tasted as expected but nothing really stood out as something I have to come back for. I wouldn't mind coming back again though since I do love fried calamari and fish n chips. 3.5 rounded up. read more

Best oysters I've ever had and I'm from the gulf coast! Food was great. Service was very good as well. Great place for a casual dinner. read more

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Came to the Fishtrap for this first time today. I was the second to last order for take out before the afternoon closing to refresh the cooking oil. Place is cool. People everywhere. Take out crew was highly efficient and nice. Sits right on the harbor, great views. I'm picky about fish and chips. Barbara's gets an A+. Steak fries that were hot and crispy. I ordered the Senior 2 piece. Fish cooked to perfection while remaining moist. I also had a cup of chowder that could compete with anyone. It's really good!! read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Beautifully cooked fish and chips. - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

IMHO When we rolled up to Barbara's Fishtrap at 11:20 a.m., there was no visible queue outside! The dining room was full except for two small table options, so we grabbed the one furthest from the opened door. It was a teensy bit chilly, so my friend went back to the car for our jackets. Menu prices have gone up, but it matters not. Barbara's Fishtrap seafood is worth it! Everything looks so yummy, and I really should try something different, but I always order the signature fish and chips, $19.95. You receive four big pieces of fish with thick steak fries. I also ordered a side of cole slaw for $6.95. As a senior citizen, I could've ordered the Senior portion but bringing home leftovers was a better idea! Food portions are so big, that I never have room for dessert, but they always ask! One day! They now accept credit cards! (We still paid with cash.) Service is always very friendly and genuine. read more

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Ordered: 6oz Clam Chowder Cup (complimentary; ~$7 regular price) Mini Fishtrap Tempura (~$29): 2 Scallop, 2 Prawns, 1 Fish, Calamari & 2 Zucchini with Fries Estrella Jalisco Daily Beer Special (~$3) Aya's take: Barbara's Fishtrap was quite the detour for us but so worth it! Fresh seafood, overlooking the beautiful ocean, and a beautiful breeze. What could be better? The Mini Fishtrap Tempura was actually plenty of food to share among 2 people! Everything in it was tremendous. My favorites were the fish & calamari. So flaky, so fresh, and no fishiness whatsoever. My only complaint was how oily it was! It would've been great if they strained it or patted it down with a napkin before serving. The Daily Beer Special was a bottle of Estrella Jalisco. It was refreshing, crisp taste with subtle sweet, corn, and grain notes and at ~$3, you really can't go wrong. The Clam Chowder was given to us after an order mishap which was a welcomed way to make up for a mistake lol. It's definitely well-executed but I've come to terms with the fact that it's not for me. I like that it's loaded with fresh clams but there was nothing to write home about, for me personally. Nonetheless, Barbara's hit the spot and you will absolutely leave satisfied! read more

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Got the fish and chips! Super fluffy with crispy batter. Tartar sauce tasted a bit funky. Fries are thick cut and a moderate amount of crisp. The coleslaw isn't overly sweetened and is the right level of creaminess. We got our order to go and ate outside because the wait to eat inside was 40 minutes. The food came out fast and the ambiance outside was pretty relaxing. If it's a beautiful day, would recommend eating outside and enjoying the environment. read more

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

Stopped by Barbara's Fishtrap for a late lunch on a Sunday after visiting the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Unfortunately, the main dining room was closed because they were changing the oil in their fryer (although it's nice to know they change out the oil regularly), so we ended up ordering from their take-out window which had a limited menu. There were 7 of us including 3 kids, so we ordered several items to share. We ordered 2 orders of fish and chips, the Big Ol' Clam Chowder, one grilled cod sandwich, one order of the corn dogs with fries, and one shrimp salad. They gave us enough little cups so everyone could have some of the clam chowder. Everything was good, maybe not the best I've had, but good. The fish and chips seemed to lack enough flavor somehow. It seemed to be battered well, not too thick on the crust, but I just didn't get as much flavor as I'm used to. I'm sure it's just my aging taste buds! Everyone else enjoyed it. The clam chowder was dairy-free, but I'm more accustomed to one made with milk, so it was different. This one is probably healthier, so that's okay. Lots of clams and potatoes in the chowder. The shrimp salad had lots of iceberg lettuce and not a whole lot of shrimp, but there were also beets, beans, and tomatoes. I'd probably eat here again if I'm in this area and somebody wants to come here, but it wouldn't be one of my destination places to eat. I hope I can get into the diningroom the next time, though. read more

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Ordered from the togo stand outside and it was great! You have the option to eat outside with condiments, napkins available in the patio. The tables and parking do get crowded. It's nice to walk around the area: very scenic and calm. It wasn't windy or cold when we visited early Saturday evening. The clam chowder, fish and calamari combo and key lime pie were all really good. The clam chowder impressed me the most. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fish and Calamari combo - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

For our weekend outing, my companion wanted to take me to Barbara's Fishtrap. I'd seen it multiple times with lines out the door while in the area but never had visited. Always curious about the food and I'm glad we could go! There are two sections: dine in and take out. We chose to order at the take-out window and eat our food elsewhere. Ordering is easy and goes quickly. Look at the menu, place your order, and wait for your number to be called. They have several picnic tables (first come first served) or a communal counter on a small deck. We chose to eat at the counter which was fine. Everything is self-serve--utensils, condiments, etc. My companion and I shared the Fresh Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl and Dungeness Crab Sandwich. We both thought the food was good but nothing outstanding. The sandwich was packed full of fresh and sweet crab and I like how the toppings came on the side. The few bites I had of chowder were nice and creamy. I'd recommend these items but am also curious about their fish and chips. Barbara's Fishtrap is a popular spot to stop at for a meal in the Half Moon Bay area. The restaurant is off Capistrano Road with its own designated lot. Nice to try and grateful my companion treated us out! read more

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Line was long on a Sunday afternoon. Parking sucked but we just decided to park by the apartments/hotels and we were fine. We waited in line for about 30 mins, but then the food was ready in 5-10 mins which is pretty impressive. Got a table right down the sidewalk with a great view! Fish & chips are $20 for 4 fried fish pieces and a decent amount of "chips". Tartar sauce is good and they have plenty of other sauces available (vinegar, tabasco, mayo, etc.). Fried scallops were good but got soggy quickly. Overall, fun place to come but nothing special in my opinion...not sure if I'll be back for how much trouble it was to park, wait in line, and then pay the high prices. read more

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

Walking into Barbara's makes you question if bluelight lenses are actually not a scam. Full of great decor and a tint that would not pass a car window inspection, this is clearly a place with a long history and loyal customers. For good reason! If you have to wait for a seat honestly it's a blessing because you have a beach and the sea right outside you can stare into, contemplating all the life choices leading up to this point. Rest assured if you only have bad ones, this is the beginning of the upswing I got the fish and chips. How could I not. Everyone was having it, literally. Servers going around with 3 plates on their arm which is 12 fillets at once. TWELVE. That's value for money Fish and inside the batter was moist, fish not too crumbly. I would honestly say it could have been fried a little more as I do like a good crunch. In isolation, I do think a stronger flavour could be demanded of the fish BUT with their tartare sauce and vinegar, what a delight that was to consume. My inner British snob comes out when I eat this dish and this has passed my bar. Chips were decent, would probably nitpick on the portion here but the fish more than makes up for it. The meals needs a bigger plate to sit on for sure Other plates being served around me looked incredible, portion size is NO issue here and it appeared to be an establishment with integrity and great offerings. They hooked me Will definitely be back if nearby, stop in for a good time! read more

Cute little place by the ocean. It was the most delicious fried fish, So flakey & tender. The fries were fresh, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. The only drawback is that they close for an hour to change the oil, it's a bit of a wait but oh so worth it. read more

We were visiting the area and saw this restaurant as we passed by. Saw the line forming immediately after opening and so we looked on Yelp and the reviews were good. We were seated right away and noticed how crowded the tables were crammed together and the restaurant was already full of people and only 1 bathroom. The staff were exceptional! We both ordered the senior fish and chips. The food wasn't speedy coming out but it finally came. To be honest we weren't too impressed. The fish was a little greasy and the fries were the steak fries and were not crispy. The tartar sauce was so so. We both agreed we have had better fish and chips at our hometown restaurant . It was a good experience though and sitting right on the ocean and the views were awesome. read more

Food was ok clam chowder a little disappointing lots of potato's few clams. Service was great restaurant very clean the fish and chips always good read more

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My fiancé and I stopped by Barbara's Fishtrap one random trip to HMB and have been coming back ever since. We originally wanted to try Sam's Chowder House but didn't want to deal with how crazy their parking lot is. I'm so glad we chose to try this place instead! We've tried a bunch of things on the menu but we absolutely love the fish & chips, calamari, oysters, clam chowder and the creamy seafood pasta with clams. I love that service is fast despite how packed this place can get. I also want to give a shoutout to the staff for how friendly they are despite how rude some guests can be. Absolutely love this place & cannot wait to be back soon! read more

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Delicious fish and chips! Service was good too, and beautiful location, close to the beach :)

How could I have missed writing a review for Barbara's Fishtrap? We've always enjoyed coming here over the years even during their days of being a 'cash only' establishment. It's been awhile that they have accepted credit cards. They are usually packed and this Saturday afternoon was not an exception. Parking at the Pillar Point Harbor parking lot is a breeze if you don't mind walking. We joined the line to get seated in their restaurant since they close from 3-4pm daily. There was also a line for their take-out counter and outdoor seating was getting full. We were elated when they finally let us in. The host was very pleasant. Staff had a smile on their face and they put you at ease despite the hungry crowd they were seating all at once. Our server Dayla was excellent! We knew we wanted the Ringy Dingy Calamari, Artichoke Tempura, and 1/2 clams to share. It did not disappoint, they have kept the same fresh and delicious food over the years. The complimentary bread and butter was a welcome addition since we were hungry. I had my cup of Clam Chowder which was rich and delicious. We noticed they had a special Halibut dish so we tried that instead of the Fish & Chips which was a staple for us. We chose to have the halibut broiled and it was delectable. The generous portion of halibut was fresh and it's local. One can taste a subtle sweetness and a buttery undertone to the mild delicate flavor of the halibut steaks. They served this with fried zucchini and fries which was what we chose. I think you can opt for coleslaw and rice pilaf as well. We were pleasantly full and walked off to a beautiful afternoon stroll of Princeton-by-the-Sea and Pillar Point harbor. This place remains a favorite for us! read more

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While the calamari horseradish marinara sauce is amazing, the batter could be seasoned more and crispier. The clam chowder follows a thicker consistency that you'd think would carry depths of flavor, but unfortunately also lacks old bay/seasoning. For the wait this place garners, I was just expecting a bit more than what was delivered. read more

Food is delicious and reasonable. It's small inside so get there early if you can, there might be a line. There's also patio seating. All staff is friendly & our waitress was great. The crab cakes are the best, they arrived piping hot! Shrimp Louie's is also good I didn't get red beans & shredded carrots. You won't be disappointed read more

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Barbara's Fishtrap is like no other. It's become a must-visit whenever we're at Half Moon Bay. The mini fish trap tempura has it all: prawn, calamari, scallops, and fish. The batter is light and the seafood tastes super fresh. We usually just order from their designated takeout window, but be prepared for a wait. There's minimal outdoor tables that you can use if they're free, but we like to take it to the nearby beach and eat there. You can't beat fresh seafood paired with pure oceanic views! Don't forget take some tartar and hot sauce along with you. read more

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

Food: Fish & Chips, Coastside Calamari, Clam Chowder (Cup) Price: $19.95 | $24.95 | $5.95 Overall: Everytime I go to Half Moon Bay, it is always a must to go get fish n chips! Barbara's Fishtrap is the spot I always go. We came around 11:40am and managed to get parking (parking spots are very limited). You have the option to eat it togo and in restaurant; we opt for togo so we can eat out on the outside tables. We bought the fish n chips, clam chowder and calamari to share. The fish was delicious with the tartar sauce, the fries were a good thick cut! Clam chowder pairs well with the Tabasco and the calamari had a good batter to it. read more

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

Food was AMAZING!!!! super friendly and quick service. They're no nonsense, they have a super efficient system in their kitchen. Best seafood we've had in this area. Worth the wait, come early! read more

Just came today after a hike in Pacifica and only waited less than 30min. We had a beautiful table by the window. Service is friendly and relatively fast. Bathrooms are also nice and clean. What a cute spot right by a little beach. Food is fantastic, prices are bit steep of course. We shared the fishtrap platter filled with fried fish,fried shrimp, fried zucchini,fried scallops,calamari and fries. So good. Loved and appreciated the thin coating. Seafood is so fresh. Crab cakes were also delightful and the key lime pie was yum! Would love to come back for the seafood pasta! read more

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Keep in mind the restaurant does close between about 3-3:45 for breaks. It doesn't say it on the message when you call. We arrived at 255 and had to wait in line. Im glad we started waiting when we did because the line became huge! After we were seated, the service was pretty fast. We took the kiddo and they asked us to park our stroller outside bc space was limited. The servers were very friendly. We ordered the crab garlic cheese toast (which sold out!), the clam chowder (recommend the bowl to share), the fish and chips, and the mini fish trap. I suggest the fish trap bc it comes with cod, calamari, zucchini, shrimp, scallops and your choice of fries/coleslaw. The food was pretty yummy. The crab toast was kinda pricey, $35, but used a lot of crab- but everything else was reasonably priced. Definitely recommend if in the area. read more

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We casually walking around and discovered this charming restaurant. Excellent soup & tempura zucchini . We were seated asap @5pm ... Fun nautical room. Good customer service- always so attentive. read more

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

This is our family's absolute favorite place! It has become a traditional "special" place for us. Yesterday would've been my late husband and I's 21st wedding anniversary; so my daughter and I took the drive down to celebrate in honor of him. We typically order from the outdoor window but they were closed. However the the gentleman that assisted us was super sweet and helpful, and the wait was not long at all. We ordered fish & chips and calamari. So GOOD!!! read more

Despite the long line for both dine in & take out, the staff works fast & the food comes out piping hot & quick! We ordered a fish & calamari combo and 2 cups of clam chowder. The fish was nice & flaky & the calamari was not dry. Unfortunately there wasn't much clam in my chowder but as a potato chowder, it was perfectly seasoned & chunky. The beach is located right behind the restaurant which makes for a great picnic spot. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fish & squid combo w/ fries & clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California