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Sam's Seafood Platter - Sam's Chowder House, Half Moon Bay, CA

Sam's Chowder House

4.6 (5508)
$30 and under
Seafood
4210 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 39 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Neighborhood gem
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Sam's is open for indoor & outdoor dining, and takeout. 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.

Reservations are for inside the restaurant - please note that we can't hold tables in the bar area or outside patio. Walk-ins are also welcome! 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!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–8:30 pm Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (650) 712-0245 ext. 1
  • Website
    http://www.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

Private dining

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 5,508 people are saying

Sam's Chowder House reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Great for scenic views

  • Peninsula

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Peninsula

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Sam's Chowder House offers "fresh seafood" with a "phenomenal" ocean view that guests love returning to. It's praised for "excellent service" and "friendly staff," creating a welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant's ambiance is enhanced by live music, and it consistently provides "delicious food" in a "beautiful location" right on the beach.

5,508 Reviews

  1. tony

    San Francisco7 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Ordered the shrimp scampi with linguine and it was horrible. I didn’t even eat it all. Tasted like everything was boiled and my plate was flooded with water and seemed like garlic salt or garlic spice was sprinkled all over everything. This was $27? We stay at the hotel next door about once every six weeks and eat either at Sam’s or mezaluna From now on it’ll be mezaluna. So disappointed in Sam’s.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Karen VIP

    Hawaii5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Jesus was a fun and attentive waiter and the food was excellent.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Cynthia VIP

    Hawaii5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My favorite go to place to take my family and friends when I come back to the Mainland. Love seeing one of my favorite harbors I used to fish out of. The fish and seafood is so fresh. Everything we had was delicious. The staff were most accommodating, friendly, and attentive. Their live music for the evening was also impressive

    Is this helpful?

  4. Thomas

    San Francisco1 review

    4.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Been coming to Sam’s for two decades, always nice, and it’s gotten much more crowded than in the old days. Fast efficient service with pleasant people. Is always a bit noisy at times, often from patrons and the bustle of the kitchen which is close to some of the seating areas. Food could be better, I remember the generous Lobster rolls have better flavor, this time felt a bit dry and needed more sauce or something, I remember them being more creamy and buttery. The chips are decent but a more bbq flavor or something seasoning would compliment the lobster better. The clam chowder I had was not really very hot, and I could take a full spoonful as soon as it was delivered and also much more bland than I remember. The mouse desert and olive oil and salted ice cream was awesome. Also tried the gumbo which was a bit too watery and also very bland. Plan on coming back but sad that the food was a bit lacking this time around. Would be nice to reserve an outside table in advance as that is my preferred table irregardless of the time of year.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Mary

    San Francisco10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Meghan , our server was excellent; Very attentive, pleasant and conversive. Enjoyed our meal.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Veronica

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have been in the restaurant for many times and we are still amazed by the foods they prepare. Tasty foods with great ocean view at the front line. Got to visit the restaurant again.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Amanda

    Chicago1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food, beautiful views, and friendly staff!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Michael VIP

    San Francisco45 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Sam’s has been my “go to” place for years. I always look forward to going there and I have always left completely satisfied. The food and service are great and the view is phenomenal! And all the patrons always seem to be having a good time.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Sonia VIP

    London6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Beautiful view and sunset, lobster rolls naked were yum

    Is this helpful?

  10. Paula

    Hawaii4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Sam’s is beautiful location right on the beach. The food is fantastic!

    Is this helpful?

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 4.6 stars by 5508 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. Peninsula
  5. Half Moon Bay

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 39 times today
Google Map for Sam's Chowder House

4210 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Half Moon Bay
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–8:30 pm Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–8:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • 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://www.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
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