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    Moss Beach Distillery

    3.9 (2k reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 7:30 PM

    Moss Beach Distillery Photos

    Business Info

    MOSS BEACH DISTILLERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Moss Beach Distillery

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    Use the side entry if you're furry friend is with you.
    Douglas Y.

    Great location with a beautiful view Moss Beach Distillery is a great choice for a bite or drink. We had an early dinner sharing french onion soup, mandarin and beet salad and the seafood platter. The French Onion soup was one of the best I have ever had. The beet salad was good with plenty of everything. The seafood platter was also tasty. The calamari was super fresh and tender. Lucie had scrambled eggs from the doggie menu for $2. We had to order and pay at the bar not sure if this was the normal procedure or they didn't have much staff working.

    Kaelin N.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Super cute place, but the food is just ok.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I think you're here more for the vibes/experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We did have a 30 minute wait, but it was reasonable as outside dining is limited. Nothing great about the food, in fact it is rather pricey for the quality. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The experience is fun though; we enjoyed the views, and for the area I don't think there are too many options.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Sliders
    Tiffany H.

    Came here on a cool Saturday afternoon for an early dinner. They weren't crowded, luckily, and we were able to get a table for 10 within 10 minutes. My friend who has tried to eat here a few times said in the middle of the summer, they get quite busy with hour plus long waits. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lots of history to this place and enjoyed the views.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They messed up the order for a few of the people in our group but fixed it after some time. We all enjoyed the flavor of our foods and the portions are decent for the price. I got the sole which was on special served with lemon and capers piccata style with seasonal veggies and rice. My bf got the sliders. Multiple people in our group got the ahi sandwich which was a good portion and looked fresh.

    Apple blossoms
    Julia B.

    I came here for lunch on a Sunday. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We waited 20mins for a table, but it went by quickly because you can stand/sit outside and enjoy the view of the ocean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I came in super hungry and ordered a handful of dishes. The food wasn't spectacular, but it was delicious: this restaurant serves classic American dishes, focusing on seafood. The service was quick though, and each server was very friendly. What really stood out were the desserts: the brownie with ice cream was great, not too rich in chocolate which was tasty and balanced. The caramel apple blossoms were my favorite: not too sweet, with a perfect balance of crust to apple.

    Chicken Marsala
    Yuliya Y.

    I expected a lot until I walked in. It's not bad it's just old, which makes sense. After we got the tuna appetizer I expected the same but the chicken Marsala was disappointing. I couldn't finish it. The tuna was SPECTACULAR. The wasabi cream blew me away. The crunchy veggies were amazing. It was super fresh. And bread was amazing. The service was good! The seafood platter was enormous and my partner could not finish it. Overall good experience, but I wouldn't return. I do feel like it's a tourist spot.

    Inside
    Allie G.

    We visited Moss Beach Distillery on a Sunday around 5PM, and got seated right away with no reservation. It got super busy later though and there was a line out the door when we were leaving! I loved the bootlegger/speakeasy history of the restaurant, which was outlined on a plaque outside. The interior also had an old-timey vibe, with beautiful tiffany-style lamps hanging over the bar. We sat on the dog-friendly patio, which has a nice view of the ocean. The only thing I didn't like about it was how uncomfortable the bench seating was. The patio was sloped and the coffee table was so low, so we literally had to hunch over in order to eat. I had some back pain by the end of the meal! We skipped drinks and ordered food right away. My partner and I chose the Crispy Buttermilk Calamari and Linguine di Mare to share. Both of these were solid! The Calamari was nicely prepared with larger pieces of squid. The Linguine di Mare was more substantial and I liked the white wine sauce. I'd be curious to try the famous Clam Chowder or Seafood Quesadilla next time! Service was friendly but not the quickest. Overall, would return to Moss Beach Distillery for the ambiance and views!

    Delicious shrimp cocktail!
    Aida G.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Stunning views; great history, amazing customer service, and delicious food![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ask for Mel, she will accommodate your requests and serve with a delightful smile!

    Cioppino
    Yang Q.

    We visited after an afternoon at Maverick's Beach. Located just a short drive away, it was the perfect place to continue enjoying scenic coastal views while warming up from a blustery adventure (with or without the help of some alcoholic beverages). Multiple dining rooms offer large windows with ocean views. The cioppino was fire. The seafood portions were generous and well-cooked, and the broth was delicious with the garlic bread. Definitely did its job of making me feel toasty from the inside out. We also enjoyed the slider trio and the garlic fries we subbed for were nicely crispy and loaded with garlic. The calamari appetizer was pretty standard and did not stand out. I would definitely go back after another day at the beach. It looked like they also have a patio area, which wasn't open when we visited, but looks like a nice place to dine al fresco in warmer weather.

    Mushroom steak Alfredo
    Andy S.

    This restaurant is located right next to the ocean which must have beautiful sunsets. We unfortunately arrived after sunset and it was just pitch black. It would have been nice if there was lighting along the cliff side or by the beach. Food was pretty good. Husband got the steak and mushroom Alfredo pasta which was good when I took a few bites. I got the slider trio with garlic fries. Omg the garlic fries were not good. They were good fried with a bunch of raw garlic dumped on top. When I took it home and put it in air fryer it was perfect .

    Beautiful sunset
    Gaylynn N.

    Absolutely gorgeous place! It's tucked away in the neighborhood and has amazing views. We sat on the patio with so many other dog!. We sat by the fireplace at sunset and it did not disappoint. The food selection was also delicious, and the service was excellent. We will definitely be back

    Onion rings the best in the West!!!!!
    Glenn M.

    What a wonderful place to have delicious food and drink, First off the service was wonderful and spot on. Our server was Tam or Tan, my hearing is terrible so please forgive me for not being sure of his name. Very attentive server and very helpful in navigating the menu. He made sure our lunches were served hot and the drinks served cold. Real good guy! One buddy had the coast sliders, for lunch, one seared tuna, one seared salmon and bacon and one crab cake slider served with delicious fries. He loved his lunch! Another buddy who is, shall we say a bit selective on his food choices (euphemism for picky) was gonna have the fish and chips. I told him to expand his horizons and try the panko petrale sole. Plus I told him if it wasn't good he could order something else. He tried it and loved it! He's a big fan of panko petrale sole now! Another buddy had the seafood combo. Fried calamari, fried fish and shrimp, served with yummy fries. He liked the fish and chips and shrimp. He considers himself a connoisseur of fried fish, shrimp and chips and though it was,one of the best he has had. He doesn't like calamari so the rest of us ate it for him. The calamari was delicious! Tender juicy squid in a lovely batter! We thought it was yummy! For my lunch I had the beet salad and it was yummy. Lots of beets, with spring mix greens and candied walnuts, mandarin oranges and blue cheese. Super yummy!!, Some of us had the clam chowder and it's super yummy, one guy had the French onion soup and said it was delicious! Onion rings are to die for! You gotta try them! Sweet red onion slices covered in a heavenly Devine batter! So unbelievably delicious! I'll be back for these soon! The desserts were wonderful. The cheese cake and the chocolate brownie with ice cream! Very delicious! Please look at the pictures below and let your eyes do the feasting! , ,

    Restrooms downstairs
    Kevin D.

    We stopped here to grab a beer and check it out. Phenomenal views here and its historic destination is a very cool story! Love how this was a real speakeasy during prohibition here on the California coast. First class views if you dine here, employees were great here as well. It is a tourist spot, so consider that but if you like history, views, an an old secluded setting then this should be on your list!

    Cioppino
    Neeta M.

    I would give 5 on 5 for the location and views of this place, along with the amazing service that was provided to us today! I would give 3 on 5 for the food. It was good but I won't get cravings for it :) I would love to come back on a weekday and enjoy the live music and sunset. So much history on this place - loved the vibe of this place!

    Calamari and clam chowder

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    Review Insights

    16 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Had a great experience! Good Service and decent food. Seating is a bit tight but amazing location.

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    9 years ago

    Drinks on the patio: fabulous...Friday night special of sliders: great. A perfect way to end a busy work week.

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    9 years ago

    Love this place! Food was great and they were very accommodating with our group which included a grumpy toddler.

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    9 years ago

    I give 5 starts for the fabulous sunset viewing deck and excellent attentive service but 2 stars for the food.

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    Page 46 of 50

    Moss Beach Distillery Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Moss Beach Distillery

    Can you cater for someone who is gluten free?

    We have a Gluten Sensitive Menu that can be viewed on our website www.mossbeachdistillery.com Thank… 

    Is dog menu no longer available?

    It is still available!

    Are there tables for a large family of 12?

    Make a reservation! So yes!

    Are dogs allowed?

    There were dogs there at my last visit but that was the parking lot dining. Not sure about patio dining. Give them a call.

    Has anyone ever seen or heard the famous Blue Lady?

    Not a physical being since the 1930's. However, the restaurant lore is that "she" visits often. We were there today and the power went out for about 20 minutes.… 

    Why is it called a distillery?

    Hi P. K.- Great question. So the Distillery was originally built in 1927 as a "speakeasy" during… 

    View All 7 Questions

    Barbara's Fishtrap - fish 'n' chips

    Barbara's Fishtrap

    4.0(3.5k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Came here after watching a recommendation from tik tok. And around 11 ish the line was not to bad…read more The usual wait time can be 30plue minutes. We tried the famous fish and chips, garlic bread with crab meat and topped with cheese and also the calamari. The fish and Chips you can choose cold slaw or French fries. We opted for the French fries. The fish is so juicy and fresh. One order comes with 4 pieces of fish and a good amount of French fries. They garlic bread with crab and toasted with cheese was really flavorful. It has a relatively decent amount of crab meat. It's fresh crab meat and it's not to salty of fishy like some places. The calamari are small squid pieces but fried to perfection. Not overly seasoned or oily. The tartar sauce was amazing with every item we ordered. Will definitely come back again for the fish and chips

    My sister and I came here for some seafood after crabbing on the pier next door. The takeout line…read morewas around 30+ people at 1PM, and it took 45 minutes between us joining the line and receiving our food. The dine-in line was a 2-hour wait when we arrived and had closed for the day by the time we left. In general, I'm not the type of person to wait for food no matter how good it is, and unfortunately I didn't think Barbara's Fishtrap was anything too special. My sister and I shared a mini fish-trap combo, Caesar salad, and a cup of soup-- we had almost 30% leftover. The variety of seafood in the combo is really nice! But I thought the breading was soggy and in general just really needed the sauce for a punch of flavor. The fried zucchini was by far the best thing we ate (it was seriously to-die for), which feels wrong for a seafood combo. :P Service was friendly and were trying their best to help everyone, but wow we could tell they were super overwhelmed. :( Would not come back but glad I tried it, especially with such a neighborhood hype around this place!

    Photos
    Barbara's Fishtrap - The usual

    The usual

    Barbara's Fishtrap - Outdoor seating

    Outdoor seating

    Barbara's Fishtrap - INSIDE SEATING

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    INSIDE SEATING

    Sam's Chowder House - Chili-Garlic Prawns

    Sam's Chowder House

    3.6(6.2k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    We came here because a friend was visiting the Bay Area for a few days, and I thought it would be…read morenice to have a meal by the ocean and enjoy the scenery together. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. The weather was beautiful, and the atmosphere was nice, although it didn't particularly stand out to me. There are other waterfront restaurants in the area that I personally find more memorable, but this was still a lovely place to spend an afternoon. The food was delicious. I really enjoyed my soup, the oysters were also tasty, and the wine was excellent. I also liked that the menu offers a wide variety of options, so there's something for almost everyone. The service was perfectly fine as well. It wasn't especially memorable, but it was friendly and everything went smoothly. Overall, I think this is a nice spot if you're looking for good food and a relaxing meal by the water. While it didn't leave a lasting impression on me personally, I still had an enjoyable experience.

    This place used to be THE spot to get a really tasty lobster roll in the Bay Area, but it's really…read moregone downhill. The last few times I went, the roll was going stale and the lobster tasted really fishy instead of clean and sweet. It wasn't even mediocre, it was plain bad. The food has really dropped in quality over the past few years. It's a huge bummer because I used to swear by this place but after being burned a few times recently, I probably won't come back.

    Photos
    Sam's Chowder House - Beach at Sam's

    Beach at Sam's

    Sam's Chowder House - Fresh Maine Lobster

    Fresh Maine Lobster

    Sam's Chowder House - New England Clam Chowder

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    New England Clam Chowder

    Ketch Harbor Pub - Not the best pic of outside area which was a good size. Jim

    Ketch Harbor Pub

    4.0(312 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    We are locals, love breakfast and brunch and are fans of the original Ketch Joanne's. We're also…read morefans of the current owners of Jetty Wave, who are presenting a new incarnation of Joanne's under the name Ketch Harbor Pub. Curious about what the new/old place is like, our three-person family went there for a late breakfast today. Walking up to the front doors, the original inset stained glass remains. Walking in, the cool wood paneling and nautical decor remains in place with a couple of new touches. The fully appointed bar also remains, now with a more streamlined look with subtle lighting changes. We were greeted pleasantly and seated inside the dining room immediately; it was moderately busy and buzzing, not too loud. Our server was quick to our table, menu-knowledgeable and consistent in his attention to us. We had a Denver omelette, a couple of bennies and lemon ricotta pancakes to share. My omelette had particularly fresh and al fresca peppers and onions - wonderful. The lemon ricotta pancakes were sufficiently saturated and fluffy(hard to pull off)and came with fresh cream. The prices were at about the same level as the local competition, which pleasantly surprised us. It appears that the folks who did this breakfast/lunch reboot were shrewd in pricing their dishes. Jetty Wave, a drinks and appetizers adventure(which I heartily recommend as well for different reasons)in the northwestern part of Princeton, is not for the fiscally faint hearted. The only element that makes our experience short of a 5 is that we were not given a farewell when we left, though I was able to find our friendly server and thanked him. In all, the Joanne's legacy is intact - the old carved wood Ketch Joanne sign still hangs inside - literally and figuratively a homage to its legacy while bringing a new energy to this space. Recommended.

    Ketch Harbor Pub (often just called Ketch) is a fantastic spot right on Pillar Point Harbor in Half…read moreMoon Bay. We stopped by for lunch on a crisp day, and it completely captured that perfect coastal vibe--think fresh seafood, laid-back atmosphere, and killer views of the boats and water. We started with the calamari, which was hands-down some of the best I've ever had: tender, not rubbery at all, perfectly seasoned and fried, melting in your mouth. The New England-style clam chowder was rich, creamy, with just the right subtle smokiness and balanced seasoning--definitely lives up to Half Moon Bay's chowder reputation. For mains, the Dungeness crab sandwich was the star: generous lumps of sweet local crab, minimal sauce (just how I like it), on toasted sourdough with fries on the side. My partner went with the fish and chips, and the cod was crispy, flaky, and not greasy at all--classic done right. The outdoor patio with fire pits was cozy even in cooler weather, and our server was super friendly, attentive, and full of local recommendations. The place feels welcoming, whether you're a regular from the Coastside or just passing through after a beach walk or harbor stroll. Prices are fair for the fresh, quality ingredients and location--definitely worth it. We've already added it to our list for the next trip to Half Moon Bay. Highly recommend if you're craving solid seafood in a charming harborside setting! 5/5 stars.

    Photos
    Ketch Harbor Pub - The sundae. Yum.

    The sundae. Yum.

    Ketch Harbor Pub - Sorry took pics after we started eating. Meatloaf. A little dry.

    Sorry took pics after we started eating. Meatloaf. A little dry.

    Ketch Harbor Pub - Would order again.

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    Would order again.

    Old Princeton Landing - warm backyard for family breakfast

    Old Princeton Landing

    3.9(401 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$
    Locally sourced ingredients
    Grab-and-go

    Picture this- you leave Moss Beach hungry for lunch. The distillery? 45 minute wait. The brewery?…read more60 minute wait. And then, you stumble upon this unassuming spot. Zero wait. Super friendly and fast service. Great menu. Hearty plates. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Kid friendly. TV's and separate bar. Are you dreaming? My kid and I shared the Hawaiian pork plate with sticky rice and flavorful mac salad. Spouse had their delicious and near perfect burger. We share the thick and crispy fries. We couldn't have imagined such a stellar lunch with family friendly vibes. If you find yourself dreading all the tourist spots, just walk 25 feet here! I hope this review doesn't blow up this place!

    After over two decades on the coast, I finally tested the cashier's cocky claim that they have the…read morebest chowder around. He wasn't lying. It's creamy, loaded with clams, and has a great jalapeno kick. And, I fully intend to go back for it. On a follow-up visit, the fish tacos (fresh, flaky cod) were a win (although a bit of guacamole would have made them really shine), but unfortunately, the Crab and Shrimp Louie lacked the same personality (it was bland and underwhelming). If you've been avoiding this place because, like me, you aren't a fan of the bar next door, you're missing out. Try the clam chowder-it's not cocky to claim you have the best chowder in town when you actually do!

    Photos
    Old Princeton Landing - Yummy acai bowl in the backyard

    Yummy acai bowl in the backyard

    Old Princeton Landing - Authentic chilaquiles

    Authentic chilaquiles

    Old Princeton Landing - Breakfast burrito

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    Breakfast burrito

    Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

    Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

    3.7(2.8k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    What a great place. We have driven by this place quite a few times (usually on the weekend) Always…read morebusy which is a good sign. We decided to stop here today since we were back in the area. It was Thursday afternoon so not slammed but still busy at 2pm. Nice place with a nice view of the harbor area. They have indoor and outdoor seating. We had a beer and ordered their Nachos. Very nice plate of Nachos well prepared (layered nicely with Black Beans at the bottom that you can get at and add to your chips as needed. All the other food that we saw looked amazing and I overheard people having great comments about their dish. Our server was Caitlin and she was fantastic. Helpful and did not ignore her tables and did a great job of checking back in. We will bring going back there. If you are in the area you should stop by and visit this place.

    Came here for lunch at their new location on Main Street. It's a smaller restaurant compared to the…read moremain one in El Granada and also not very busy. There are a few tables outside but most of the seating was inside. There's a ramp for those who cannot go up steps to the main dining area. We were seated right away. The ambiance felt like a new restaurant - a little stark and has that newish vibe. We ordered some chicken tenders, Grilled Caesar salad with chicken ( added the protein) and protein style burger - swapped out the fries for broccoli. The tenders and salad were good. The burger was a little disappointing. Very few restaurants handle protein style (without the bun) well. The burger came with some sliced pieces of lettuce on top and bottom instead of wrapped around the burger so it was difficult to eat it as a burger. There was sautéed onions on the burger which tasted great and saved the burger, imo. The burger itself was very bland the broccoli was just blanched and not steamed so you're basically getting somewhat raw broccoli with no flavor whatsoever. We also tried the raspberry ale. My husband said the raspberry flavor was just too overpowering in the taste profile. Service was relatively good.

    Photos
    Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
    Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
    Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

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    Moss Beach Distillery - seafood - Updated July 2026

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