We loved this place when it was the Airport Cafe filled with airplanes all over the walls, and just felt we needed to stop in and check it out in its newest incarnation. I thought everything about it was very good, although we were a little surprised that our final bill came to $54 for the two of us, but I think that's par for the course these days. My vegetable 3-egg scramble, home fries and unlimited black coffee was delicious on all counts and my husband's Chipotle chicken club sandwich, garlic fries and caramel mocha were all tasty as well. It was fun to see people leaving for their flights with all of their luggage. Where are they going? Where do you fly from here? There was no wait on Sunday around Noon and plenty of parking. I would definitely come back. read more

Highly recommend for lunch! I had the fish tacos and a pumpkin spiced latte -- 10/10. We'll definitely be back again! read more

Pilot Light - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Came here after a hike in the area with my doggo. Love that the patio is dog friendly and that you can check out the planes while enjoying some food. Enjoyed the mimosa (with pulp!) which was a reasonable $11. The food, ehhh. I was really disappointed. I love Shakshouka and was thrilled to read positive reviews about it. However, the flavors just did not work. Zucchini, corn and peas are cooked in the tomato-based sauce, which tasted like it had no other seasoning. The egg was overdone, and had some sumac and additional seasoning on top, which was an OK bite. I had a lingering taste of egg (not the good kind) long after the meal which was unpleasant. The sliced white bread on the side was cold and felt like an afterthought. Overall I thought it was a nice idea but poor in execution. I had to add hot sauce too season it. Improving the seasoning would enhance this dish, plus serving it with a side of toasted sourdough instead of colder white bread. I had to get my breakfast fix elsewhere afterwards. :( read more

Pilot Light - Shakshouka - tasted bland and I had to add my own seasoning. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Great food and fun atmosphere watching small planes come into the airport. You're allowed to bring a dog to the outdoor area too. Staff is very nice as well. I hope to bring my young nephew here in the future, he would love it. Also the Eggs Benedict with the salmon was superb! read more

Pilot Light - Eggs Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Such a cute restaurant in Half Moon Bay with a view of the airport. Pina colada pancakes were delicious and fluffy, made with a generous amount of canned pineapple, and topped with granola, pumpkin seeds and shredded coconut. The highlight was the classic Dutch baby with a berry compote and fresh berries. We appreciate that everything was conveniently out- the water, napkins, honey and syrups, and to go boxes. Cleanliness was alright. I recommend wiping the high chairs down before use as there were stains and food crumbs in them. read more

Pilot Light - Pina colada pancakes and classic Dutch baby - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Great food and service with lots of options for lunch and breakfast. We ate outdoors since HMB has really nice weather in general and it was perfectly pleasant. It wasn't super crowded and we got our food pretty quickly. I ordered the Bella burger and needless to say it was delicious. The fries here are also super crispy and hot, and seasoned well. The fried chicken sandwich was also pretty good, and the huevos rancheros had freshly cut avocado on it, also really delicious. As a sweet ending we got a Dutch baby pancake which was not too sweet and decorated with fresh berries and cream, highly recommend. They have tons of high quality food options here but the only thing I would knock them on is their drinks. Pretty low quality coffee since it tasted kind of burnt and the OJ was also just alright. I'd come back in a heartbeat for their burgers and fries again. read more

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It's so cool to get off the airplane, walking in the Half Moon Bay airport to Pilot Light for a meal. WOW. I enjoyed having brunch here on a sunny days and watched airplanes taking off and landing. Pilot Light provides breakfast and brunch meals, located right in the heart of the Half Moon Bay airport. There's a super outdoor and indoor seating areas. The service great and the ambiance is epic. The menu is pretty interesting so I bet you will something you like. There's a huge parking area so parking is easy. The potatoes with bell peppers and onions here is fantastic and my absolute favorite. If you are nearby, check it out and you will enjoy dining here. read more

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Cruised down here for breakfast one day and it was pretty good. The place is a lot bigger than I thought and included a patio outside for dining. This place is an order at the counter and they bring your food to the table kind of place. Table are turned over quickly and the food was plentiful. I will say the items on the menu are things you don't just find anywhere so the Croque Monsieur we had was delightful. They also have sweet or savory dutch babies! Will keep this place in mind for local breakfast spots! read more

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What an amazing experience I got in El Granada, California I used to drive about one hour to get a good Dutch baby And I didn't know that they serve this amazing dish at pilot light I will strongly advise you to come and try them out ,the experience. Here is amazing. You can see the planes taken off and landing. And ask for Jim he is amazing It's just a very great experience and the food is delicious read more

Located at Half Moon Bay Airport, the Pilot Light cafe may be an aviator's dream but unfortunately the same can't be said for the epicure. They offer serviceable fare, but none of the dishes are really built to impress. They squarely hit that middle of the road dining experience where no one really complains, but you would also be hard pressed to find any rave reviews. The real problem arises when you look at the prices, as across the board they are charging significantly more than you would find elsewhere with equivalent quality. You can expect to pay $17 for a relatively small breakfast burrito and $16 for a single waffle. Pilots joke about the "$100 burger", but if you choose to dine at the Pilot Light after your flight you might just find that the C-note in your pocket won't quite get the job done anymore... read more

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Went here a couple weeks ago. Got the smoked salmon benedict. Even though the eggs were a bit overcooked, it was really good and I would definitely order it again. My husband got the huevos rancheros and he finished every bite. Cappuccino was delicious, coffee was good, and service was friendly. You order at the counter and seat yourself. We sat by the window, watching the planes. We will definitely be back! read more

Great breakfast - as good as the photos! Good coffee, nice staff, comfortable place and tasty. read more

Pilot Light - Eggs Benedict was perfect. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Have eaten here a couple of times for breakfast. I think I've had the huevos rancheros both times. I don't know if it's just me but the last time they served them with tortilla chips. I think they actually gave me chiliquiles. Another in my party felt the same way about her rancheros. Where are the tortillas she asked The dish was tasty but just not quite what I was expecting. Others in my party liked the meals such as the Dutch baby. I think I'll give this place another try read more

This is a cute breakfast/lunch spot in Half Moon Bay that's right by the airport (thus the name). They serve the usual American breakfast and lunch items, like burgers and waffles. But they also have a few European offerings, like Dutch Baby pancake (German) and Croque Monsieur (French). The outdoor seating area consists of picnic tables, and there's indoor seating as well. You order at a counter and then you're given a beeper that goes off when your order is ready for you to pick up. Everything is self serve, from the coffee, to finding your own table. The place is very casual and has a chill vibe. What we ordered: + Dutch baby pancake - the pancake itself has a fluffy outer rim but is flat in the center. It has an eggy taste. It comes smothered in berries, cream, and jam. Definitely more like a dessert. Not my cup of tea for breakfast, but hubby liked it. + Classic Combination Breakfast - this is your basic 2 eggs, meat (sausage in my case), potato, and toast breakfast. I enjoyed this, especially the potatoes, which were fried cubes that reminded me of tater tots. Overall, a very enjoyable breakfast, but nothing so special that I feel I must come back. A good choice if you're in the neighbor. read more

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This little spot is very much out of the way for us but it's worth the drive to come and enjoy a fantastic brunch. Delicious, is the best description. read more

A hidden gem!!! I don't know how I've never paid attention passing by on highway 1 at the half moon bay airport. This restaurant is LEGIT. I can't wait to tell my friends and family that this place is a must visit. The restaurant had a nice, welcoming vibe. The staff were super friendly and chill. I didn't realize there was outdoor patio seating on the back of the building until after our dishes arrived. It was such a nice day out and would've loved to dine outside...oh well next visit! The food...OMG to the deliciousness, presentation and portions. I had the croque monsieur and my fiancé had the smoked salmon benedict. I can't take good pictures so my photos do not do the dishes justice...but check out how much smoked salmon is in the Benedict and ham in the croque monsieur (shock face emoji). My fiancé instantly knew what he was going to order when he saw the amazing benedicts plate on another patrons table. I could barely finish half my dish and took it to-go to eat for dinner. Looking to walk off your huge meal? We went on an easy hike afterwards located just behind/west of the half moon bay airport called the Pillar Point Bluff Trail, 1.7 mile trail. read more

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Come for the 5 star food and watch the planes takeoff and land. Good spot for a casual breakfast or lunch with friends and family. read more

Pilot Light - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Clean restaurant. Latte a 7/10. Huevis Ranchos had too many chips. You order from the counter. I would come here if I flew in. read more

Another fun, tasty option in Half Moon Bay! Initially I thought we were eating at an airport cafe, yikes! But I'd say it happens to be adjacent to a small airport (hence the name!) but much better tasting than airport food fare! Here's what we ordered: - $100 cheeseburger that is fortunately much more affordable at $17. Pretty good, came with crispy fries. - Shakshuka was really delicious with plenty of veggies. Would be nice to have more bread though. But the eggs and sauce were great - avocado toast was pretty average and disappointing for the high cost - salad is pretty standard - tested fine, but nothing to go out of the way for - The Dutch baby was freshly made with great balance of fruit and whipped cream, and was probably the best item. Super cute backside patio with umbrellas to manage the sunny days. Plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. Lots of parking as well. Easy freeway access. read more

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Food and service very great. I had an issue with my food I let the gentleman in the front counter know about the issue and swiftly fixed the problem and expect accountability that is something you don't see just any where read more

Burger is pretty good here - but the best feature is the back patio (or worst, depending what you prefer). This restaurant has a small airplane runway that's adjacent to it and you can see up close for planes landing and taking off from the patio seating. It'll be loud for sure - so prepare yourself for that. Also dog friendly for the patio seating; great for a sunny and warm afternoon in HMB. read more

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3.5 star Flew in for a quick lunch. It's just outside the airport apron. The menu is fairly simple and not expensive. I ordered the Reuben and my friend got the 3 egg scramble. The food came out pretty quickly. The Reuben was OK, I wished there was more pastrami and less sauerkraut, but the size was large and the side salad was very interesting (sour and savory) Overall, nice spot to stop for brunch. read more

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Great place to watch planes, grab lunch or brunch and just enjoy the atmosphere. There's both indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor seating faces the runway, so you can watch little planes land and take off. You order at the counter here. I came on a Saturday afternoon and it was busy. Almost no seating---grabbed the shakshuka along with the garlic fries, while my friend had a patty melt. Food was delicious and they give you little buzzers so you know when it's ready. Price was reasonable--definitely recommend stopping in! read more

Pilot Light - Shakshuka - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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The staff is very friendly. It can get pretty busy and they close earlier so plan ahead. It was so good we visited two weekends in a row. The potatoes stole the show for us. Next time I want to try the Dutch baby read more

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Parking is easy and the drive there was beautiful. Cute place right off Hwy 1. Service was friendly. My latte was good and the shakshuka I ordered was delicious. I will definitely come back! read more

Pilot Light - Shakshuka - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

A close friend told me to check this spot out, once we arrived it looked underwhelming but once we stepped in it was a different vibe, the service was so welcoming and friendly. We didn't expect it to be small but they have a patio with a view of airplanes taking off, no shade but they might have umbrellas for the tables but I didn't ask. I personally enjoyed the sun. We ordered two chilaquiles one red and the other one green salsa, 2 double "100$ burger"s with egg and avocado, also the pancake with berries on top. For drinks we got an orange juice, watermelon lemonade and a caramel latte. I wasn't a fan of the red chilaquiles, don't let that stop you from ordering that, my ick could be your yum, personally it tasted like ketchup. Everything else was amazinggg! I forgot to even take a picture of my burgers, when they arrived they just looked so good I just started eating, they were so juicy and flavorful. The person who took our order did forget or didn't hear that we ordered a green chilaquiles plate, when I went inside to tell them , I was 1000% willing to pay for it but the man was so kind and gave it to me so I tipped them for what it was worth. When they came out it was so gooood! Just the right amount of sauce, cheese and sour cream, I forgot to take a picture as well, just went in. For desert you could say we ate the pancake it was a little soggy from the berries, so no need for syrup, I personally loved it. We will be coming back again for the burger. read more

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Tried their passion fruit lemonade and it was yummy! I think it was new on the menu, and I was happy to provide my feedback that more passion fruit would make it even better! But it was pretty tasty as it was! I also had the fried chicken burger and upgraded the fries to garlic fries. DELICIOUS! After my first bite, I literally said, "I can't wait to come back here and try more on their menu!" The french toast was yummy too - with the ricotta (or cream?) and the fruit. Service was great, the ambiance was so fun - esp when we saw planes on the runway, and there's a nice outdoor area! If only the weather was warmer, we definitely would have sat out there, otherwise, the inside was spacious and there was water, utensils, and condiments available for the taking. The staff was great and I can't wait to come back and check out other items on their menu. Can't wait to see what specials they have for next time! Will definitely be back. YUMMY garlic fries! read more

Food is average especially considering the cost. Nothing really special. Not bad either. I've been about 5 times because I live nearby. I've never been to a place that served fresh orange juice ($) in a metal cup - yuck. Metal gives any acidic liquid a strongly metallic taste. It destroys the entire point of getting orange juice in the first place. I just assume the use of common sense when serving orange juice, it's not a difficult concept. If somebody else is paying, I'll go here but if I'm paying, not a chance. Ambiance is ok. Kind of interesting to be at the airport. read more

First time here @ the recommendation of a friend. First up, good strong coffee. Menu not overly fussy with enough wonderful choices, hard to pick just one. My brother and I both had the Eggs Benedict. Eggs cooked perfectly, nice buttery lemony hollandaise sauce and perfectly cooked taters. Nice little side of greens not smothered in dressing. Service was really pleasant. Charming environment and despite the fact there were about 10 busy tables, noise was at a minimum. If you are in the area, give it a try. You won't be disappointed. read more

What a fun place for brunch. It is right at the HMB airport. The service is amazing and the food delicious. We sat outside and enjoyed the day. We shared a cup of fresh orange juice and split the lemon ricotta French toast. I have the 3 egg scramble with chorizo and veggies and they happily substituted mushrooms for bell peppers. The hubby had Shakshuka and love the flavors and dish. We also had a double shot mocha. Needless to say a long walk on the beach was welcomed after this delicious meal. read more

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Pilot Light Café is a gem in Half Moon Bay. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it an ideal spot for a weekend brunch, a casual lunch, or just a quick stop to soak in the views. Food and service is great. If you're in Half Moon Bay, Pilot Light Café is definitely worth a visit! read more

We had been planning to visit Pilot light for quite some time now. After all we loved All Spice the first restaurant opened by Shoshana Wolff and Sachin Chopra . We finally did made it into a brunch visit on a weekday. Light traffic breezed along HW280 and reached just in time for start of their lunch service at 11.30 am. Great location just off Cabrillo highway and beside HMB airport where you can catch small fixed wing aircrafts take-off, taxi and land! Very clean and unpretentious looks of the place. And the place is very inviting with huge windows all around! After exchanging pleasantries with Soshanna who was at the ordering counter we sat down with a better half taking in the scenery surrounding us while I immersed my into my latest novel. Food came quickly. From breakfast menu we ordered the Huevos Rancheros which was served over Tortillas , much to our liking. Freshly prepared, it was perfect start We also ordered scrambled eggs with sausages, white toast and a side of Russet Potato Hash!. One word : Fantastic!!! We also ordered "The $100 Cheeseburger". Very aptly named ! Farm fresh tomato slices, fresh grilled onions and a patty cooked medium rare and to perfection, I wished the burger would never end !!! Come and enjoy the ambience while savoring simple dishes prepared exceptionally well. We will be back soon !! read more

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Came by on a Sunday around 11:30 with the grandparents and kids. LOVED it - great place to bring guests and kids! + daily special: green chilaquiles. Chips had the perfect amount of crunch, generous 3 eggs on top (perfectly over easy), tasty tangy tomatillo sauce, half of an avocado too. + $100 burger: kid opted for it with avocado and grandpa got it with mushrooms. Both inhaled their burgers. Came with fries (well seasoned and hot) + kid pancakes: 2 pancakes with a generous ramekin of butter and a syrup pitcher. Pancakes tasted a bit like sourdough so much less sweet than typical pancakes. I'm assuming it's the same base as the savory pancakes but without the savory mix-ins. Kid liked them fine. Extra syrup helps if you prefer a sweeter pancake + avocado toast: grandma loved this. We requested no cheese. Generous amount of veg on top and the red pickled onions and a balsamic drizzle added the perfect amount of tang to the rich avocado spread. +garlic fries: generous amount, hot and well seasoned, tossed with plenty of chopped garlic and sprinkled with some salty parm There's a huge outdoor seating area. Saw a kid riding a rocking horse - but it was a plane! Right next to the tarmac where you constantly see planes landing or refueling. Kids loved the up close action, grandparents marveled at the view. Such a fun weekend spot on a sunny day! read more

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Raj at Pilot Light and the entire staff make things fun ! Chef creates fabulous food Pilots can fly in to the Coastside Yum - oh read more

Pilot Light - Handmade Pumpkin puree with ah may zing spice! Add hand grated Nutmeg - ooh lah lah Best Ever ! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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The food is terrible! fish and chips is not cod like they say. soggy terrible mess! Green chili in the Mac and cheese for kids? chili powder on the fries? what is going on here? Yuk Yuk Yuk. Floor was dirty. Nobody came back to check on us after giving us our food. read more

We were waiting for this place to open up after the old place closed down leaving us with no option to eat around the airport. Finally, today is opening day! We were so excited to try it out. Even though it is called The Pilot Light and located right at the Half Moon Bay airport, the only aviation-themed item on the menu is the $100 smashburger. We had to order it. The burger was juicy and very tasty with caramelized onion and signature sauce. The bun was perfectly toasted. It came with fries, which were crunchy on the outside and silky smooth on the inside. It was great sitting outside in the sun, eating a perfect burger and watch the planes. The atmosphere in the restaurant is very welcoming, bright and inviting. I loved it. As they are still having their soft opening, the menu is limited, but this will change soon. I can't wait to come back! read more

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My boyfriend and I like to choose one new place to try every month, and this place won January vote for us. On a sunny January Sunday morning we drove out to Half moon bay from the east bay! The weather was perfect, the drive was lovely, we were excited to try this place out. We got to here around 9:30 AM and the line was to the door. It was great to see this place bustling with people, the atmosphere was happy and the interior design of this place was inviting and open. We opted for: *$100 smash burger with seasoned fries* 5/5 Good, fresh juicy burger, yes! We loved how fresh everything tasted, and the burger didn't weigh us down like you would normally feel after eating most burgers. I am such a fries snob, and they met my expectations! Crunchy, good potatoes and seasoning was perfect. *Rock cod sandwich with a slide of coleslaw and house potatoes* 4/5 Yummy, fresh, but could use a bit more seasoning! I generally have a pretty bland palate, but still felt that this sandwich and the slaw was just missing a bit of spice and flavor. In the other hand, the house potatoes really helped with some extra flavor, so I was really glad I got some on the side. The crunch on the fish was good. Could have appreciate the bun slightly toasted. Still a good sandwich, just wishing there was a little more to it! *Nutty buttermilk pancakes* 5/5 Texture, uhmm yessss! Okay, I don't like pancakes. I know, universal gasp of horror. The texture and taste of a lot of pancakes just aren't appealing. Also, I really hate dry pancakes that you HAVE to soak in syrup to get it down... nope. The pancake here has a nice consistency, good chew, not too fluffy and substantial! The flavor was subtle, not too sweet and delicious. They add a bit of syrup on top with fruit and that's enough to have a delicious pancake. A little more fruit would've been even tastier. I appreciate these pancakes for existing, they put the other pancakes to shame! Overall, the texture of all the food here was really good. I really enjoy the variety of aspects to food, the texture, the smell, the taste... all of which I enjoyed here. Between two people, we spent $60 Plus side, the staff are super friendly. Very relaxed setting, happy vibes and great people. Owner personally brought out a water bowl of water for our dog! The chef also came out to say hi to our dog. We don't think we'd drive all the way out just to eat here every brunch, but if we are ever in Half moon bay we'd definitely stop here again. We highly recommend it as a place to stop. read more

Pilot Light - My dog loved all the love she got from the staff! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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This was a fun stop! Came here with family before heading home. Breakfast / brunch spot with a diner feel. Menu was interesting. My s-i-l's sister ordered the shukshuka. Her husband had a breakfast sandwich, our niece had a waffle and I had a croque monsier (Technically a croque madame, cuz I had them toss an egg on it.) The menu was definitely acclectic, which was cool. Service was good. Another counter service spot. Staff was quick. It was nice watching the planes land and launch. Can't complain. Maybe I'll make my buddy fly us down there for lunch one day. read more

The atmosphere was pleasant and quaint. We ordered the three eggs scramble with Dutch baby and the North African shakshuka. The scramble was delicious, the Dutch baby was decadent, the shakshuka was really good but watch out for the whole peppercorns. Highly recommend the jet pilot drink. It was phenomenal! The staff was friendly and helpfull. All in all a really good experience. read more

Pilot Light - The charming front of the cafe. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

If you're looking for breakfast or brunch near Half Moon Bay, you really should head to the airport. I can't believe I just typed that sentence, but everything we had at the Pilot Light Cafe was a fresh, lively combination of bright flavors. I highly recommend the eggs Benedict with bacon and avocado, and the blackened rock cod sandwich with a tartar sauce that is much more luscious than it has any right to be. Order the Jet Pilot, pineapple juice with citrus and mint, for a healthy and delicious morning wake up. The airport is so tiny that you watch the planes while you eat. I wish I lived closer to this place. The only disadvantage is that it closes at 2 pm. read more

Pilot Light - Eggs Benedict with bacon and avocado - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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