Sam's Chowder House

Name: Sam's Chowder House
Address: 4210 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA, United States, 94019
Telephone: (650) 712-0245 ext. 1
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

5266 Reviews

$30 and under

Seafood

Top Tags:

Open for indoor & outdoor dining, and takeout. Reservations (and walk-ins) for indoor dining Monday-Friday, and walk-ins only on weekends. Reservations are for inside the restaurant - we can't hold tables in the bar area or outside patio. Serving lunch through dinner seven days a week. Award-winning, fresh New England style seafood, in a casual setting overlooking the ocean. Live Maine lobster, fresh local crab (in season), fish and chips, fried calamari, delicious clam chowder, award-winning lobster rolls, farm fresh salads, cioppino and more! Gluten-free, kids menu, and vegetarian available.

Featured on NBC’s The Today Show, named “Best Outdoor Dining in the Bay Area” by SF Magazine, and “Best Seafood Restaurant in San Mateo County” by San Jose Magazine.

We look forward to seeing you!

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 22, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Seafood, American
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(650) 712-0245 ext. 1
Website
http://samschowderhouse.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Lewis Rossman
Catering
Already found the perfect spot for your corporate event, graduation party or family reunion? Sam's ChowderMobile will bring its award-winning seafood to the location of your choice! Order Sam's famous Lobster Rolls, New England Clam Chowder, Fried Calamari and more, off the traditional menu — or have the ChowderMobile arrive fully equipped to prepare an authentic Lobster Clambake for your special event. For more information, contact Sam's Catering Manager: (650) 712-1766 or events@samschowderhouse.com
Private party facilities
Amazing sunsets, award-winning seafood and spectacular oceanfront dining. Perfect for family gatherings, business events, weddings, receptions, and rehearsal dinners. Oceanfront private & semi-private spots for your special event. Oceanfront beach weddings. Full restaurant buyout available.
Private party contact
Mary Ratkovic: (650) 712-0245 ext. 4

Location
4210 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Neighborhood
Half Moon Bay
Parking details
There are two lots available, and there is also parking on the street and in the harbor.
Entertainment
Enjoy live music from blues to jazz! May - October: Every Friday night from 5:30-8:30pm (inside bar) and Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm (outside bar, weather permitting). November - April: Every Friday & Saturday night from 5:30-8:30pm (inside bar)
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 5,266 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.5Service
4.5Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Peninsula
Great for scenic views

5,266 Reviews

TB
TimB
San Francisco
79 reviews
vip
3.0
79 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall3food3service3ambience4
Unfortunately put in a room with two large parties and an over worked server.
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CC
ClaytonC
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall1food1service1ambience5
From the front desk to the bartender and waitress the service was extremely poor. We did not feel welcomed at all. I had something floating in my beer that was disgusting. We we’re there for our 20th anniversary, what a disappointment.
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JL
JohnL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 13, 2023
overall5food4service4ambience5
I finally found a favorite restaurant! Loved it.
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LD
LizD
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 12, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
The view can’t be beat. They had a very affordable lobster special which was a treat. Highly recommend!!
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M
Mel24
Chicago
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 12, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Enjoyed happy hour drinks prior to dinner. Great views of the bay.
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Y
Yumm
San Francisco
17 reviews
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Always a delight to sit by the ocean and enjoy a good meal.
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J
Jude
San Francisco
14 reviews
vip
3.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience4
Disappointing! View was beautiful, but lobster roll was dry, the potato chips were overly salted and the breading on fish and chips was soggy.
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RG
RosaG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were lucky to have great weather. Very nice view and the food was delicious. I was there to celebrate my birthday with a good friend. We had a nice time.
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HM
HelenM
Monterrey
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food, great service and ocean view ambiance. They open at 11:30 with a line waiting to enter. By making an online reservation for 11:30 you are pulled out of the waiting line to enter first. My friend and I have dined here many times and it’s always a wonderful time.
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J
Jeff
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 6, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Turns out if you make a reservation, it is for inside only, not outside. We were there in a Tuesday after Labor Day weekend and found a reservation for 5:15 but needn't have bothered. You should be very specific about an outside table with a view as our hostess seemed to want to fill the farthest back tables first and my wife was given a view of the dumpster. We asked for a better table and we're steered toward another back table outside. There were open tables along the terrace in front of the glass available. It kind of spoiled the experience for us. I think the hostess was new. Advocate harder for what you want unless the place is slammed. Our feeling is that they should have provided the best tables for reservations like ours. The food was good. Authentic coastal chowder, white and red.
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O
Orlandov
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
When you come here. Get the Cioppino you will not be dissapointed. Its not the most filling dish but it is delicious.
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SB
SteveB
San Francisco
39 reviews
vip
5.0
39 reviews
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent as always.
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m
mmmm
New York Area
21 reviews
vip
4.0
21 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2023
overall4food3service3ambience3
The hostess was not nice. We had 5pm reservations that we had booked far in advance and looked forward to eating outside. We were told it would be a 40 min wait despite empty set tables outside. Others that came minutes after us were seated outside. What a huge disappointment.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Brooke was awesome Im sorry if the name is not spelled right ...... We love coming here the atmosphere, food, views are just excellent and the service is always top of the line.
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M
Michael
Sacramento
68 reviews
vip
4.0
68 reviews
Dined on August 30, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Just as good as the other four main dinner restaurants in Half Moon Bay. We liked it well enough to make reservations for the following night.
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s
sacreno
Sacramento
44 reviews
vip
4.0
44 reviews
Dined on August 30, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience4
Food was good but nothing outstanding like at Mezzaluna
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G
George
Central Coast
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on August 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always great food and service and ambiance; been going there for decades!
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LP
LindaP
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Another delightful birthday lunch celebration! Above excellent on every level!
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JW
JenniferW
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was just Wonderful! Celebrated my parents 68th wedding Anniversary with lunch at Sam’s, their favorite place!
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AF
AmoFirenze
New Mexico
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
We're fish fans who live on CA's central coast. We either lunch or dine (outside at sunset) a few times each year. And whenever possible, avoid a long waiter seating by making our reservation weeks in advance. We typically order their Lobster Roll (it's a great rendition and sinful 'fresh' treat for us on the West Coast) or local Dungeness Crab when it's in season. Yesterday at lunch we switched it up. She enjoyed the Portabella sandwich—a large marinated but still toothy cap in a brioche bun, quality chips on the side. I ordered an entrée (to take home 1/2 for another meal): a King Salmon filet 5-oz & 3/4" thick—grilled simply and perfectly, tender and moist. It would have been more interesting w/ a rub or other light flavor infusion, but the vegetables accompanying it did a favorable job: a generous and fresh combination of sliced chanterelles and small white summer corn kernels. Sam's sourdough was fresh but nothing special. Our waiter, other staff, and summer fruit cobbler dessert were excellent. We'll be back. Which we say every time.
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Birthday dinner. Everything was perfect, from hostess who seated us at our table to server Laurie. Wished a Happy Birthday by all and comped a delicious dessert with candle. Lobster special at $29 was soooo good! Great chowder too. Would return again and again!
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d
dogga
San Francisco
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on August 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
WE have a very good waitress and service person. We all had a delicious lunch . We were most pleased with everything and will certainly be back
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AS
AshS
San Francisco
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 18, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience4
Wanted to sit outside, but it was very smoky from a catered event below at the beach. Service was not great. Waitress was no where to be found when we wanted out bill. Had to get up and ask. Also had to get up and retrieve our own appetizer plates. Food is amazing, so would still go back!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlanta Metro
29 reviews
vip
2.0
29 reviews
Dined on August 18, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience2
The food was mediocre. The server was attentive. Bread was cold and butter was cold. Bad combo.
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s
steve
San Francisco
57 reviews
vip
1.0
57 reviews
Dined on August 17, 2023
overall1food1service3ambience3
The meal was a huge disappointment. My wife’s halibut with quinoa and vegetables tasted like charcoal lighter fluid. She couldn’t eat it. They did take it off the bill. My pet rake some was nicely cooked, but had little flavor. The peas and potatoes were excellent. This was not a good meal and I won’t return there.
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PV
PVNewfie
San Francisco
34 reviews
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sam's is our go-to place for a nice evening out away from the heat. We were not disappointed. Our table was by the window--fog was in so no sunset--but that was fine. There was a lobster special for $29.99--you can't beat that! Delicious. The waitstaff was fine--there when we needed. Apologetic when the dessert coffees were slow. All in all, a very nice dinner out with my hubby.
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LH
LucyH
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service was wonderful, the food was as good as ever, and the view can’t be beat.
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SM
SanMateoFoodHunter
San Francisco
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience5
Sam's is so Cailfornia LOL! The food is amazing and the staff is wonderful!
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PS
PeggyS
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall3food2service4ambience4
The restaurant help were very good to work with: polite and provided sufficient time for us to look over the menu and provided knowledge of the daily menu and what was popular. The hostess was pretty and pleasant. But, I was disappointed with the bland taste of the King Salmon entree and the crabcakes my husband ordered as an appetizer. His entree was the Dungeness crab, which was on the smaller side and again, very bland and tasteless. The only thing I really did enjoy was the dessert: chocolate ice cream (out of vanilla, disappointing) with caramel topping.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place, food, and service. Access to the Beach makes this perfect!
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B
Bethksf
San Francisco
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was great starting with the beautiful drive from San Francisco. The hostess was very friendly and accommodating. The service- friendly, professional and prompt. I wish I remembered our servers name. She was a pretty, slender, with shoulder length brown hair and a few tattoos. I had the lobster roll. Big pieces of lobster, perfectly cooked and worth every penny. One person had a large bowl of the New Orleans style gumbo, one had the cod special while the last had the shrimp roll- all excellent! To top it off the dessert was complimentary since it was my birthday. I chose the swirl sundae and we all shared. The views of the ocean can’t be best so the total package was sterling!!! We’ll all be back soon!
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DT
DerrekT
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and service was great. Front of house was able to assist and move up a reservation because our round of golf finished early.
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BD
BigDave
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I called ahead but they didn't have reservations available. I went to the OpenTable app and was able to get a table at the time I wanted! We were in bad traffic so I called the restaurant after finding their number on the OT app. They said they would note we were going to be there a little late. When we arrived they were cleaning our table and seated us next at the window. We ordered the big bowls of clam chowder and were happily surprised when they brought it out within a few minutes. They also refilled our bread and water. They did a great job with everything and their chowder was absolutely delicious! We look forward to going back next time!!!
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JO
JOHNC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 31, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience5
We enjoyed our visit July 31 and the food was excellent, though the chowder was just a bit too salty for our taste. Our server was friendly and helpful, even taking a photo for us because it was my wife’s birthday.
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BK
BarbieK
San Francisco
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on July 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always a fun place to visit. We had a reservation which is recommended. Parking is an issue, so come early! We celebrated a birthday and my husband enjoyed his free dessert. Food was good as usual and of course - we loved the view!
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LB
LarisaB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My lobster roll was amazing and our waitress was also amazing. Abby was very attentive and kind. She also gave us some great tips on the menu. Thanks, Abby for taking great care of us!!! We give Sam's Chowder House an A+!!!
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CB
CynthiaB
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
The halibut was cooked perfectly, gets to your table piping hot. The service was great. We had a window seat table so the view was spectacular. Try the key lime pie , it has meringue and is simply delicious. It was better than some bakeries.
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SD
SungmiD
San Francisco
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I went yesterday for lunch with my friends. It was my friend’s birthday lunch. We got seated at the patio. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. It was my friends first time to eat at Sam’s. They really enjoyed and want to go back. It is my favorite special occasion restaurant.
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CF
CoastingFog
San Francisco
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 26, 2023
overall2food2service1ambience2
It’s been a while since we have dined here and, unfortunately, it’s declined. I made a Tuesday night reservation well in advance, requesting a window table. We were seated in the small back room bay window, yes, but filled with tables with young children. The result was very noisy especially since that room also gets hit with loud kitchen noise. In walking through the main room I noticed no children, and it was obvious we were sat in back due to one of our diners being a young teen (who btw is used to conducting herself with decorum in a restaurant). So that was disappointing but worse was when we ordered cocktails and oysters to start, but they took so long to arrive. And when they finally did it was just after our soup and salads were brought out. Such bad pacing and the table was very cramped. I wish I would have told them to take back our first courses until after we enjoyed the oysters. The oysters were very good, but we had to wave down our server to ask for more cocktail forks as we only had two for four diners. It was all so awkward. Our main courses were pretty sadly prepared with exceptions of the lobster and halibut. Still, the side preparations were overcooked and mushy. I had the lobster ceviche and it was not good, poor lobster died in vain. I’ll also mention the green salad was wilted and over dressed and the olives in my martini were old and mushy, blech. We decided to skip dessert and when our waitress noticed our wine bottle was half full, she said it would be a $20.00 charge to bring it with us! The cherry on the cake of a disappointing experience that the manager did come over and correct but, overall, the restaurant is a wast of a beautiful setting.
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LS
LSM24
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely table right by a window looking over the bay. We enjoyed the oysters on the half shell, scallops, poke, and shrimp scampi. And the lobster rolls - we had one naked and one dressed - were delicious.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Sam's Chowder House offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 712-0245 ext. 1.

Sam's Chowder House is rated 4.5 stars by 5266 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 22, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

4210 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Additional information

Neighborhood
Half Moon Bay
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm
Cuisines
Seafood, American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
There are two lots available, and there is also parking on the street and in the harbor.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Lewis Rossman
Entertainment
Enjoy live music from blues to jazz! May - October: Every Friday night from 5:30-8:30pm (inside bar) and Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm (outside bar, weather permitting). November - April: Every Friday & Saturday night from 5:30-8:30pm (inside bar)
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://samschowderhouse.com/
Phone number
(650) 712-0245 ext. 1
Catering
Already found the perfect spot for your corporate event, graduation party or family reunion? Sam's ChowderMobile will bring its award-winning seafood to the location of your choice! Order Sam's famous Lobster Rolls, New England Clam Chowder, Fried Calamari and more, off the traditional menu — or have the ChowderMobile arrive fully equipped to prepare an authentic Lobster Clambake for your special event. For more information, contact Sam's Catering Manager: (650) 712-1766 or events@samschowderhouse.com
Private party facilities
Amazing sunsets, award-winning seafood and spectacular oceanfront dining. Perfect for family gatherings, business events, weddings, receptions, and rehearsal dinners. Oceanfront private & semi-private spots for your special event. Oceanfront beach weddings. Full restaurant buyout available.
Private party contact
Mary Ratkovic: (650) 712-0245 ext. 4

Sam's Chowder House

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Additional information

Popular dishes

NAKED LOBSTER ROLL

DRESSED LOBSTER ROLL

FISH AND CHIPS

Menu

What 5,266 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

Does Sam's Chowder House offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Sam's Chowder House restaurant rated?

Is Sam's Chowder House currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information