The location is unmatched! It feels like vacation when you eat at this restaurant. The place was packed on a Saturday, which is to be expected. So definitely anticipate waiting for your seat and for the food to come out. The service was busy, but nice and got the order right. The food was still yummy and I just had to ask for some butter on the side for that lobster roll to make it better. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Fully loaded lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Amazing to sit outside and have a view of the water. Service was great, our server helped convince us to try to sushi special that consisted of a carrot puree. Fish was fresh, could've used more pure and sauce! Had the classic lobster roll with a side of slaw, a lot of bread but also ALOT of lobster. Can't wait to go again. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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I have lunch at various restaurants about 360 days per year. Recently I had my first visit to Sam's Chowderhouse in Half Moon Bay on a weekday Although it was busy, we were seated promptly. I found the noise level a bit high, and both the food and the service were mostly ok, nothing special. I do not agree with the average rating of 4 stars. When my blind companion, who had his white cane on the table, asked what kinds of beers were offered, the waitress told him to read the back of the menu. (I read it to him.) My portion of fish was not large; the prices were large. On the whole, I would not return. read more

My husband and I stopped in to try the lobster rolls. I ordered the naked roll and he got the dressed version. We both ended up preferring the naked roll, the lobster really shines without all the extra sauce, super fresh and flavorful. We also shared the polenta fries, which were just okay. Nothing bad, but nothing memorable either. read more

I thought this would be another seafood tourist spot, and I was pleasantly surprised. Touristy? Yes. Terrible food? No. Before you read further, make a reservation, or just be prepared to wait an hour + and in the fridge cold wind. They do kindly have a souvenir shop where they will happily sell you a $65 zip hoodie so you don't freeze your butt off. I happily paid that. It was cold. We came here on Saturday, and it was so lively. I don't remember the last time I went to a restaurant like this. Live music? Amazing to see restaurant still doing this. This restaurant is HUGE. It's half inside and half outside with the outdoor seating on a lower level. They have outdoor seating that also wraps Around the restaurant. About 15 seats at the bar which is right near the live music. Restrooms here are notable as they are really gross. There was "water" everywhere on the ground and lots Of toilet paper. It was a bit gross. Important for management to hopefully read this as everything else was great. The food was so good that I don't even have photos we were also starving, don't forget about that hour + wait. You have to do their clam chowder. Surprisingly they have both New England and manhattan. I think next time we'll do the manhattan. I'm not a fan of New England style that uses bacon. It's too overpowering. Also note that when clam chowder gets poured out the thickness quickly dissipates and you get watery soup real quick. The Manila clams were some of the best we've had this year and the sauce is why you gotta get multiple Orders of bread. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Perfect spot for a sunset. Bring a jacket or be a sucker like me and buy their $65 jacket. - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

super pretty views of the water! we also went during sunset which gave bonus points for ambiance. other than that, it's a pretty casual setting. we tried the: - naked lobster roll ($33.95): I thought it was a bit dry, and some parts of the lobster felt a bit powdery - new england clam chowder (medium, $10.95): creamy but I wish there was a larger clam to potato ratio - fried calamari ($15.25): crispy and light! - apple juice ($5) - passionfruit lemonade ($7) overall taste was pretty average for the prices, but still good! read more

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We decided to have an early dinner on Saturday after enduring unbelievable traffic to HMB. It was interesting since the festival isn't until the 18-19th. We have been to Sam's a number of times and this was one of the best. We had the petrale sole and the fish and chips. Both items exceeded our expectations since the restaurant was packed. Our server, Lori, was engaging and given she has been there for over 17 years speaks volumes to the credibility of the restaurant. We sat outside and it was very comfortable with a great ocean view. We will be back. read more

Sam's is short scoot down from the city to half moon bay, and the restaurant is right next to the water. I would go on a warm-ish day and try to snag a table outside. They have heat lamps and the view is amazing! We came for lunch, and it was very very busy so be ready to order! We started out with a large bowl of the New England clam chowder to share and it was so warm, creamy, and dense. I wish I asked for more oyster crackers for the larger bowl. For the main we got the dressed lobster roll with fries (extra $ for fries) and it was an absolute show stopper! The roll was buttery with a mountain of fresh lobster. I had to take leftovers, can't believe how much lobster they stuffed in roll. I am such a fan of Sam's!! It got super busy during lunch and the servers are always hustling so much sure you are prepared! I was a big fan of the kind service. Plan your trip well bc there's also a small parking lot that fills up so you might have to park on the roadside. After lunch, it's nice to walk on the beach right there and enjoy the day! read more

Sam's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Took a friend from out of state to Sam's chowder House, cause she wanted clams. It was an early dinner, and we were able to get the table that we wanted. The staff was very very helpful in choosing a wine with appetizer and ultimately the dinner that we both wanted. The spicy popcorn shrimp was a home run and I had a large bowl of clam chowder which really hit the spot. Also had clams, and she told me that these were the best shit ever had. Next time she comes back to the Bay Area. She wants to go back to Sam's chowder House. Has a great location on the beach with parking right up front. I've driven by here many times in the parking lot is always crowded but this time had no problem. I will definitely be going back again. read more

So now I understand what all the hype is about. This place is so much bigger than you can tell from the outside and wow the ocean view!!! We were there for lunch on a Monday and were seated right away. The portions are huge! I could not have finished my shrimp po boy by myself. Oh and the old bay fries are a must have! Ok so I might be banned for saying this but I didn't enjoy the New England style chowder. I'm really looking forward to trying the Manhattan one if they let me in the door. And I want to try the blue crab sandwich! Sub the chips for fries always. Worth the $3. read more

The atmosphere was nice and cozy and the food was divine. Our waitstaff was so sweet and made sure that we were taken care of. Will definitely be returning. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Lobster roll, clam chowder and an apple martini - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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We heard about that place on check please bay area and this place is amazing! The service was top notch. We got the clam chowder, scallops, 'naked' lobster roll and oysters Rockefeller. All 4 dishes tasted amazing. Would definitely recommend and come back again read more

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We are staying at the RV resort next to Sam's. We had actually ridden our bikes over to our go to seafood spot Barbara's Fish Trap before 7pm only to realize they were closed for the 4th of July. Unfortunately, this place was a huge disappointment. My 9-year-old ordered the kids mac and hated it. It looked like plain dried pasta with cheese that had separated or turned cold. After stirring it together there was hardly any cheese, and apparently tasted bland and wasn't something he'd eat. My 4-year-old had the kids' fish and chips, and I ordered the regular fish and chips. The clam chowder was probably one of the worst I've had in California. It was packed with celery and potatoes, with barely any clams. It honestly tasted more like vegetable chowder than clam chowder. The biggest letdown was the FISH. It was incredibly soggy instead of light and crispy. I come to Half Moon Bay specifically for fresh, crispy battered seafood, and this completely missed the mark. For the prices they charge, you'd expect them to at least get the batter right. It was so disappointing. The prices are high, the fish was soggy, and the "clam" chowder was mostly vegetables. I genuinely felt like I wasted a lot of money simply because the restaurant we wanted was closed. Ironically, my husband had a much better meal from Spangler's Market. For about the price of the kids' mac and cheese, he got a huge sandwich that was more satisfying than anything we ordered here. Sadly, I can't recommend this place. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Soggy mess for our both of our fish chips. Could hardly pick it up because it was falling apart. - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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So enjoyed coming here for dinner. It's been a while since I've come here and I must say we had the best dinner. Perfect place to end the night, gorgeous sunset and amazing delicious food! The place was clean, promo and great service by our nice server (Tima). The special salad that evening was the heirloom tomatoes burrata salad with arugula which was absolutely divine. Their chowder here is the best! The oysters, grilled octopus and cioppino were very good. I should mention that the credit card we used during our visit was compromised the next day, with unauthorized charges appearing in Massachusetts. Fortunately, we caught it in time, verified the transactions, and canceled the card. While I'm confident this incident wasn't related to this establishment, I wanted to share it as a precaution for others dining here read more

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Perfect setting with an attentive waitress. Now the food - one star! Ordered the Oyster Rockefeller and was happy (very tasty). Then the gumbo- not good with a look of scraps of left overs blended in a pot. Not a colorful dish! Then the paella with the same stirred brown color. I get that paella is tough to perfect as a cook, I'd take it off the menu! I've been to Sam's before, not sure when (or if) I'll be back read more

We had date day at Sam's. It was my first time there. The food was delicious, good drinks, and live music was the cherry on top! The host and servers were kind. The restaurant was clean and the view was outstanding! read more

Sam's Chowder House - King's platter - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

I've been coming to Sam's for years and always have a great experience. The outdoor patio is dog friendly and they have a dedicated parking lot for the restaurant. There is usually a line that forms about 20-30mins before they open on the weekend, so I would recommend getting there early if you have specific seating requirements or a large party. The seafood is always delicious and fresh, and the views are hard to beat. read more

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What an amazing spot for fresh and delicious seafood in Half Moon Bay... I can't believe I never tried it before.. it's next to the ocean so you can sit outside and listen to the waves crashing or sit inside and still hear the waves because they keep the windows open... Keep in mind... reservations are highly recommended because they get super busy and if you tried the food, you'd understand why... read more

Sam's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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The outdoor seating here is perfect. Completely worth coming here just for that. Our group of four got a variety of items and were extremely happy with everything we got. It was all delicious. Service was good and our table was bussed often. Loved our time here! read more

I've been here a couple of times. The first time, we had a great experience, sat inside and really enjoyed our meal. On our most recent visit, we brought our pups and sat outside. Our sever was absolutely incredible, She was so sweet and friendly, made our pups feel so welcome, and even brought them each their own little water cup, unprompted. Unfortunately, the hostesses were less great. They could not have been more rude/disinterested while showing us to our table, seeming almost disgusted by our well behaved dogs. Then another hostess, with a group of customers, came up to us after we'd ordered and been served drinks to ask if we had been seated there. As opposed to what? Just squatting there and ordering and waiting to see what happened? it was odd and a bit insulting. Clearly, they had forgotten to update their system to reflect that we were at the table we had been seated at. Even when we said, "yes, we were seated here" she literally just rolled her eyes and walked away. I got the fish and chips while my husband got the lobster roll. The fish and chips are delicious are solid, i just wish there was one more piece of fish (3 vs. 2). My husband also liked his lobster roll. read more

Food is excellent Service has been great the two times we went this weekend, dinner both times. Get reservations if it's a Friday or Saturday or if it's between 5-6. They are always busy Zack the manager is very polite and has trained his employees to be very polite and efficient, The steak was perfect, The seafood was very good. And the chowder was the best I've had. Quiet and calm inside, with a great selection of cocktails. Seating inside and out. A very nice meal. read more

I've been coming to Sam's for years, and even now, living in Florida, I still find myself daydreaming about their clam chowder--it's that good. Rich, flavorful, and always served piping hot, it never disappoints. The seafood is fresh, the views are stunning, and the vibe is pure coastal magic. Yes, the wait can be long, especially on weekends, but honestly? It's part of the charm. You can hang out on the beach, soak in the ocean breeze, and enjoy live music while you wait. Plus, the outdoor patio is super dog-friendly--there are always pups lounging around, so bring yours along if you've got one! Sam's is more than a restaurant--it's a tradition. If you're anywhere near Half Moon Bay, don't miss it. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

This place was worth the drive! The lobster roll was delicious and had a lot of meat and the crab cakes was full of flavor! The staff were very friendly and provided fast service. Comfy restaurant with a beautiful view of the ocean while you eat which made the place even better! read more

Sam's Chowder House - Crab cake - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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One of my favorite places in HMB - not only because of the food, but also the views and the beach. We are usually here during the September - January months and I honestly can't complain, the weather is always perfect. For a Saturday at 12pm, slight wind but the sun was out, making it super nice to be dining outside. There's quite plenty of seatings outside so if you can, you should ask for outdoor seating (no choice if you have a dog). There are sunny/shaded tables available so depending on when you go and what's available, make sure you let them know. Our waiters/waitresses are always so kind and food is almost always on point. The first time we've been, we were excited to try their ceviche but tbh, it didn't end up being that good. Their lobster roll, mussels, and octopus are to die for! Especially...the octopus. We're on a seafood fix after having delicious octopus in Europe and now we're just on the hunt for it. Would highly recommend getting it. Also, tried out their seasonal pomegranate lemonade which was ok. I wish it had more of the pomegranate flavor but otherwise, it's just any standard lemonade. Parking is a hit or miss but if you arrive by 12pm, chances are that you'll be parking on the streets, alongside the main road. Parking lot is tight and gets filled up quickly but if you don't mind the short/long walk from the main road parking, then the food will be worth it. After you're done, you can take the stairs and stroll down to the beach - talk a walk, let your dog off leash, or just sit on one of the benches available. It's quite a nice place to send a couple of hours at and with the right temperature, I'm sure you'll be there longer read more

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We came on a Saturday evening. Although they do not allow pets, they allowed us to sit outdoors with our dog and we also saw other dogs as well. After ordering our server also brought over a bowl of water for our dog, which was so nice! They started us out with some sourdough bread and butter. It was good bread, but I wished the bread would have been slightly heated or toasted because it was kinda hard. We started out by ordering cups of clam chowder that hit the spot on a cold evening. We also ordered some fries and calamari. The fries were delicious and hard to stop eating, but the calamari was a bit bland. I ordered the seafood spaghetti which was delicious and came with lots of seafood. I would come back in the summer when the days are longer and warmer and maybe catch a sunset. It was dark so we didn't get a view of the bay, but the vibes were good. read more

Sam's Chowder House - New England Clam Chowder (cup) - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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came to have a late lunch & it exceeded my expectations. my friend always comes and since the day was clear we decided to ride down. We had reservations but we sat at the bar to wait by the time our drinks came our table was ready. It was super busy so I recommend reservations. We decided to sit outside for the view but it was really cold so eventually moved inside. I love the variety of mocktails i had the blood orange najito 10/10. I also tried a rose drink thats was horrible. We started with the lobster bisque probably the best one ive had it was so good. then we had the chili shrimp which was good as well. The lobster roll was so good and the portion of lobster was huge. I did a side salad instead of fries and it was tasty. Last we did the keylime pie Im not a keylime pie person but it was the best ive had. The service was great. Megan was our service but the experience at the bar and with the host was great. I cant wait to come back during the summer. read more

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Food was great. Singer was tough to listen to. Generous serving sizes for seafood and incredibly fresh. Service was good.

The food was pretty bland and overpriced. The only item I enjoyed was the clam chowder. The lobster roll was so pricey for such a small portion and the chips that they paired them with didn't even have any flavor to them. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Mixto Ceviche - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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We came on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and it was 4:20pm. We ordered to go at the window. We got a large clam chowder. It was quick and took it home to enjoy. It came with oyster crackers and bread. The clam chowder was quite good! We liked it alot. Also, the bread was also good! A large (32oz) was $15.95 Will come back again if in the area. read more

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Environment is good! I got lucky with the weather it was beautiful !nice view of the beach. The waitress was very friendly and attendant! The food was super yummy ! read more

Sam's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Rating: 3-4 stars (leaning 3.5). The draft beer was solid and the seafood tasted fresh overall. The chowder was just okay--my only real issue was a bit of sand/grit in it. The sole was fresh but very salty. The lobster Roll portion was generous (big size, lots of meat), but the flavor didn't stand out as much as lobster I've had elsewhere. read more

Sam's Chowder House is one of those Half Moon Bay spots you want to love--and parts of it absolutely deliver. First things first: the clam chowder + complimentary sourdough is the move. The chowder leans lighter than most (not a gluey starch bomb), which I appreciated. I did add a generous shake of pepper to wake it up, but overall it's solid, comforting, and exactly what you came for. The setting definitely pulls its weight here--gorgeous ocean views that make you slow down a bit, plus a sandy area where younger kids can run around and stay entertained while you actually get to sit and eat (a small but meaningful luxury). The rest... a bit more mixed. The lobster roll (had it "naked") was fine, though I did get a small piece of shell--which kind of breaks the East Coast fantasy. The bread also didn't quite have that buttery, toasted magic you hope for, so it felt more "good sandwich" than "lobster roll worth writing home about." Crab cake had more filler than I prefer, and the dipping sauce didn't do it any favors--just didn't quite pop. Linguine with clams was decent in concept, but the pasta tipped into overcooked, and the sauce leaned heavy on cornstarch, giving it a pastier texture than I wanted. All that said, between the view, kid-friendly setup, and that chowder + sourdough combo, it's still a worthwhile stop--just order strategically. read more

Very disappointing experience at Sam Chowder House. The hostesses showed clear signs of racial discrimination. Our group Asian was seated outside, while several other parties who arrived after us were seated inside at better tables. We waited 90 minutes before we are seated. We also noticed that all Asian guests were placed in the same outdoor corner. Mind you there are 9 to 10 tables available inside and the restaurant wasn't busy. It reminded me of what happened at Great White in LA, the same unfair treatment toward Asian customers. I hope the management takes this issue seriously. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Hostess extremely rude - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

I honestly don't understand how this is only 3.5 stars. Well anyway. Went there yesterday to celebrate my mother's 85th bday. Jay is one of the managers, and these stars are for the personal touch he gave us. First, we had a large party. Jay shows me three tables and was so sweet to ask if they were ok. I'm like YES!!! Our group were 70, 80, 90 year olds, and the quicker we got seated, the better. We brought our own cake & there is a $3 cutting fee, which was okay with me. Jay says, "I am going to waive the cake fee since you're celebrating a bday." THAT is why that place stays packed. THANK YOU JAY!!!! Oh & the food is delicious too read more

I have not been to Sam's chowder House in many years. But I used to love their lobster roll. On Tuesday I went there with my daughter and granddaughter, remembering the lobster rolls I used to enjoy. My latest visit was a total disappointment. The lobster roll I got was shredded pieces, not the knuckles and claws that I remembered from previous visits. I could not recognize from what part of the lobster my shredded pieces were from. It was the worst lobster roll I ever had in my life. read more

needed a dose of the ocean and good food and we got it. arrived at 8p w/o a reservation for a party of 4 and were seated in 30 mins. ordered a clam chowder and ate it outside before heading in. lobster spaghetti and lobster roll were hearty. calamari appetizer not the best. sat outside on a chilly night. heaters were perfect. service good. read more

Quickly seated as walk ins. Drink at bar. Great view table inside. Waitress very friendly. Portuguese chowder very authentic. Paella overpowered with spicy tomato base. Prefer saffron rice. Nice mixed seafood and shellfish. Served two easily. Polenta sticks crispy outside, creamy inside. New England chowder rich with clam flavor. Been coming here for years. Offer fresh hot clam broth to sip with meals. Serve bread warm and toasted with soft butter. read more

Sam's chowder house is pretty much always busy on the weekends. Expect a 40 minute wait. But if you can, highly recommend coming in during the week, as you can likely snag an outdoor patio table in about 15 minutes. Must order chowder here- I personally prefer the manhattan clam chowder at Sam's but if you can't decide between the New England clam chowder and the manhattan, order a large and get it 1/2 and 1/2 so you can try both and decide for yourself! The in house desserts are amazinggggg! I love the organic Strauss soft serve with olive oil and salt. They also have some seasonal desserts like the pumpkin tiramisu as the dessert menu is subject to change, but you can't go wrong with any of them. Dessert + the killer view of half moon bay? It's a no brainer to always get dessert here. We also enjoyed the Cioppino- and you can get the crabbed cracked if you don't want to do it yourself; but sometimes cracking is just part of the experience. They had Pliny elder on tap on our last visit which was a bonus! We will be back (when the wait is short and parking a little more plentiful!) read more

The New England clam chowder was delicious, the root beer divine, the calamarie was just ok -the sauces helped. The waitress was very kind and chked in on me lots. The hostess was darling!The ambiance was perfect! read more

I haven't been to Sam's in a few years, so I was excited to go again, but unfortunately, it did not hit the spot this time. The most surprising thing was that we didn't have to wait for a table, which was nice. The baked oysters were OK but the clam chowder was really salty, which was really surprising since that's what they're known for. I was most looking forward to the crab sandwich, but this was in incredibly dry. I'd ask a waiter for some extra lemon slices but still wasn't the greatest. I'm sure I'll try again, but I was really disappointed this time read more

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