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Sam's Chowder House
Seafood Restaurant$$$$
Half Moon Bay
The seafood at Sam's Chowder House is a can't miss
"England clam chowder, lobster roll, oysters and crab cake must try!"(84 Tips)
"The lobster roll is incredible and so is the New England chowder!"(59 Tips)
"New England chowder, fish and chips, key lime pie; perfect!"(9 Tips)
"Stay nice a cozy outside next the fire pit and enjoy the view."(5 Tips)
226 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- chowder
- scenic views
- key lime pie
- live music
- outdoor seating
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Davita StrongDecember 23, 2015Perfect little spot to enjoy a glass of wine, chowder or a really good conversation on a sunny day. Stay nice a cozy outside next the fire pit and enjoy the view.
- Rustem FeyzkhanovFebruary 23, 2017Wonderful gumbo. Very nice view but weather sometimes can be pretty cold.
Upvoted Jan 3 
Brian AbadAugust 8, 2014Lobster roll is generous with the lobster. Key lime pie is great too. Awesome view and outdoor area with live music from time to time.
Upvoted Dec 28, 2024
Ashley MorrisJune 27, 2015The lobster roll was amazing and delicious! The bread was buttery, the slaw was flavorful, and they didn't skimp on the lobster which was cooked to perfection. Also try the oysters and chowder!
Jennifer EvansAugust 17, 2015Loved their simply prepared fish and stunning views. Had lunch and ordered another bottle of wine to enjoy on their patio.
Sevil ErciyasApril 21, 2022Yelp ratings are low for some reason but Great Place with Amazing Food 😍😍😍 Lobster sandwiches are great. We had a raw halibut starter 😍😍😍 Enjoy
- Keith WilsonJanuary 8, 2020Amazing spot with great service. Usually very crowded but worth it. The lobster rolls are so good. Great chowder... pretty much everything is good here. Oysters!!! Full bar!!!
John ZettlerMarch 3, 2017Celebrating a 17 year and a day February 18. Clam chowder was excellent. Rib eye was very good. Shrimp chili starter was very delightful good tip to dip into thanks Eric
Debbie Renaud-LiFebruary 4, 2016The lobster roll is amazing, chocked full of lobster meat. The New England clam chowder even better. It had lots of flavor, not just cream and potatoes.
Andy HalvorsenJuly 1, 2019First time in get the lobster roll dressed. Next time get the blackened fish Sammy and a red ale. Third time get the fish and chips. Both local cod dishes.
Kelly MoyaJuly 17, 2013Great atmosphere and view and the food is of course, incredible. Nicest part for me and my family was in an area where they charge 15$ to park and walk the beach, was seeing the ocean for free
David JacksonNovember 4, 2015Calamari and chowder, can't go wrong and let's not forget about the sourdough.
Julia LovernApril 12, 2017Great views and outdoor dining. Food is delicious. There is a lot of seating so the wait isn't that long. Send someone ahead to the bar outside to wait in line for drinks.
Tom AOctober 20, 2014Everything we had. As a group of east coast folks we found the New England clam chowder to be one of the best! Anchovy, sardines, fish all great. Our waitress was great
Bsesem SesemMay 17, 2015The seafood and dessert are very well done but if you want the best lobster, rolls or whole, go to The Nee England Lobster Company in Burlingame. They actually supply Sam's with their lobsters!!
Lobster spaghetti for 2 comes with a lot of seafood, add broccoli side and a cup of clam chowder to complete. Great view!
Laura SantamariaMay 17, 2013The New England Clam Chowder was delicious and it better be if this place is called a chowder house! Key Lime pie was a little on the sweet side I usually like them to be very sour, but it's good.- Fodor's TravelJuly 25, 2018Indoor seats are in several long dining rooms; cozy outdoor seats are warmed by gas fire pits and heaters on chilly days; and every seat in the house looks out to the water. Read more
Adena BrenowitzMarch 22, 2019Delicious seafood. Caption's Platter is a little bit of everything. Wait staff is friendly. Get there early as there is always a very long wait.
Maybe the best lobster roll I have had on the West Coast. The NE Clam Chowder was great, too. Not too creamy.
Lori KingJuly 10, 2013If you're a vegetarian, try the vegetable risotto. ..delicious. The spinach and artichoke sides were also very good.
Brenda Johnson,C.Ht.April 19, 2013Just a little further south from my hypnotherapy practice in Pacifica you will find beautiful Half Moon Bay and Sam's Chowder House has great Sea Food. Try the Lobster Roll, it's awesome.
Autumn TruongMarch 16, 2014Must order: lobster sandwich and clam chowder. For weekend visits, make reservations and ask for a table by the window. It gets crowded.
T ZJune 18, 2017get the platter - perfect ahi tuna & juicy oysters. lobster roll was alright / kinda overrated. clam chowder was good but a bit too salty. linguine's always good
- Sevil ErciyasApril 20, 2022Yelp ratings are slow for some reason but a really nice restaurant with a great view and amazing food!!!
ShinaApril 18, 2016Bring sun screen if you're planning to sit outside! The beer battered fish and chips are 👍🏼
Grant ShellenJune 10, 2021The lobster roll was one of the best I've ever had! Generous helping of really tasty lobster.
John ChangSeptember 28, 2016Nice outdoor seating facing the water. Much more than just chowder and lobster rolls. Good place for kids too.
Anthony V.June 3, 2018The classic waterfront restaurant serves all the New England-style seafood hits, from clam chowder to the famous lobster roll.- J JohnJune 29, 2023Solid chowder and lobster rolls, excellent service. A bit pricey but you get what you pay for.
Michael AldereteJanuary 5, 2018Chowder, of course! The meatballs and the polenta fries appetizers were also excellent.
Get the lobster roll. You'll never put it down while eating. So delish and lots of flavor. Not to be missed!
Carrie LiJanuary 25, 2013I highly recommend their steamed manilla clams and seafood risotto. Not to mention, there is a gorgeous view and heated outdoor seating!
Ogi KavazovicNovember 25, 2018The Manhattan clam chowder here is one of my favorite dishes in any restaurant in the world. Truly spectacular
SethJuly 1, 2015Delicious chowder of course. Gorgeous view. Nice atmosphere. Everyone was happy with their meals.
Maggie GottliebJanuary 6, 2011The lobster roll is chock full of amazing lobster. The cup of delicious clam chowder is the size of a bowl. The bowl is the size of a small mixing bowl! Definitely eat here!
Barbara StephensonNovember 11, 2020LOADS of outdoor seating and solid food. Come for the view and plan on waiting at the beach.
Bill DiggsJune 14, 2010Order at the bar and get a number - then go sit out in the back (best way to go when the place is packed on a busy day/evening). Grab your drink and flatware and enjoy the view while you wait!
Alex PriceJuly 11, 2017Make sure to get here early, and carpool if you can. Parking is an absolute disaster, but the food is great.
Morgan C.December 16, 2012Clean, fresh-smelling eestaurant & bathrooms, nice & friendly wait staff, chowder too peppery, fish way over-salted, wonderful view.
Anything fish, local, fresh is amazing! And can’t beat the view!
1,490 Photos
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Closed until 11:30 AM tomorrow (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 11:30 AM–9:00 PM
- Fri
- 11:30 AM–9:30 PM
- Sat
- 11:00 AM–9:30 PM
- Sun
- 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
(650) 712-0245
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Music
Live Music
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
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- 7.7
"Try the Mahi Mahi tacos. The 3 piece fish n chips r huge. cheesy crab breads awesome."
Chunk - 8.0
"Great sandwiches on bread baked daily in the kitchen, outdoor deck, build-a-burger menu. Everything done well."
Spencer Nassar - 7.9
"I really love the calamari here! Olive, onion, fennel, shrimp, and lemon are included in the mix of rings and tentacles."
X-tina 🦄
Places people like to go after Sam's Chowder House
- 9.1
"Best place for a quiet surf free relaxing time at the beach. Great for small kids as it is inside the protected harbor."
Annette Merriman - 8.6
"Half order of calamari was huge and some of the best I've had in a while. Perfect for 2 ppl."
Ashlynn Polini - 8.8
"Close to the highway and lots of beach to choose from. That said, some spots on the mainland are being eroded very quickly!"
Ryan Block
Upcoming Events
- Anthony Presti
7:00 PM on April 26, 2025
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