Half Moon Bay is a coastal town located 45-minutes away from the city of San Francisco. If you want to spend some time away from big cities, Half Moon Bay is the destination you should visit once. It is a popular spot for fishing, horseback riding and you can ride a bicycle on the coastal line. It is a popular surfing spot, as the tides are high (one of the most challenging spots in the word) and the weather is perfect. Half Moon Bay is also home to some great restaurants where you can dine with a spectacular view. The waves crashing against the shore with some delicious seafood and fine wine is the perfect setting for any holiday.
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1. Miramar Beach Restaurant and Bar
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This waterfront restaurant serves some great seafood, steaks, and drinks along with a gorgeous deck from where you can catch the sun setting down amidst crashing waves. The seafood chowder is a popular dish that foodies from around the world enjoy. The restaurant is as old as 1918, and during that time it served as a speakeasy for the locals. Only a handful of speakeasies from that era have survived the test of time and this restaurant is one of them. The best time to visit is around sunset when you can start with appetisers and a few drinks and then gradually lead up to the dinner.
Miramar Beach Restaurant and Bar
Address: 131 Mirada Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Website: Miramar Beach Restaurant and Bar
Average price for two: 75 USD
2. Navio
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The modern orb chandeliers that illuminate Navio were inspired by historic glass buoys.- at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Posted by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company on Sunday, June 8, 2014
Navio is the upscale seafood restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay. It serves an eclectic choice of seafood with great views of the coastline. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, Wednesday through Sunday for dinner and Saturday and Sunday for weekend brunch. The staff is welcoming and there is live music every Friday and Saturday. This fine-dining experience can be breathtaking for a couple as well.
Navio
Address: 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay, California 94019
Website: Navio
Average price for two: 100 USD
3. Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. is known for its selection of food and beers with the perfect environment for a hearty conversation. Make sure you do not miss out on their New England clam chowder, it had the honor of being selected by The Food Network as one of the best clam chowders outside of New England. Every weekend they have some great live music and the selection of beers is fantastic. The casual vibe of the family restaurant is perfect for a seaside get-together. The freshly brewed beer will surely make you enjoy the views twofold - you’re bound to fall in love with at least one brew.
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
Address: 390 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Website: Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
Average price for two: 50 USD
4. The Ocean Terrace
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Crafted with care. Served under sun. Join us on the Ocean Terrace to enjoy an ocean-fresh raw bar and grilled bites alike in a lovely, oceanside setting.
Posted by The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay on Sunday, June 12, 2022
Ocean Terrace Bar has everything the coast has to offer. You will be overwhelmed after watching the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean as you sip on some coastal cocktails. It is open everyday from 12 pm to sunset and the full bar and raw grill menu wouldn’t disappoint. Food is available until only sunset, so be sure you get there early enough to occupy a good table. There is a part of the patio where you can request a s'mores kit for four while sitting by the bonfire. Do visit there for the fire pits and some light bites over a glass of your favorite cocktail.
The Ocean Terrace Bar
Address: 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay, California 94019 United States
Website: The Ocean Terrace
Average price for two: 70 USD
5. Barbara's Fishtrap
The cozy and casual vibes of Barbara’s Fishtrap is just what you need on a seaside vacation. Though the presentation and decor is fairly simple, the food more than makes up for it with its complex flavors. The restaurant serves mainly seafood with some Italian and closes at about 9 pm on most days to make you make your dinner plans a bit early. The restaurant has been in business since 1971 and you can order food to go while you are on the beach, so that makes it a popular choice for many. This no-frills hangout is cash-only but there is an ATM on site. The Fish and Chips and Clam Chowder are some of the bestselling dishes and the Jamaican beer for about 3 USD is a crowd pleaser.
Barbara's Fishtrap
Address: 281 CAPISTRANO RD HALF MOON BAY, CA 94018
Website: Barbara’s Fishtrap
Average price for two: 35 USD
6. Mezza Luna Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Mezza Luna Restaurant on Monday, April 12, 2021
The Italian restaurant with a Californian touch - that is an apt description for Mezza Luna. It was established 25 years ago by Italian chefs who decided that Half Moon Bay was the perfect spot for them to set up something that offers authentic Italian with a twist. The setting is casual and the views, gorgeous. It is the perfect spot to plan your special occasions and sip an Italian wine by the fireplace to go with it. The recipes are handed over secrets from families and the seafood is extremely fresh.
Mezza Luna Restaurant
Address: 459 Prospect Way, Princeton by the Sea, California
Website: Mezza Luna Restaurant
Average price for two: 75 USD
7. La Costanera
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Looking for a place to host an event? La Costanera is the perfect location for large or small gatherings! We offer our...
Posted by La Costanera on Sunday, February 20, 2022
La Costanera is a contemporary Peruvian restaurant serving coastal cuisine and honored with the Michelin Bib Gourmand tag. The chefs use traditional Peruvian cooking technique and the use of local peppers is abundant. La Costanera literally translates to “The Waterfront”, and the floor to ceiling views certainly do not disappoint. You are assured to get a sea view from each table. The Chef Carlos Altamirano is a native of Peru and is passionate about providing diners with the best Latin American food experience. This upscale, modern Peruvian fusion restaurant opened its doors October 2, 2009. They offer a full bar with domestic and imported Peruvian beers and a curated wine list. The Pisco Sour – a Peruvian cocktail – is the kind of classic cocktail that should be on your must haves list.
La Costanera
Address: 8150 Cabrillo Hwy , Montara Beach, CA 94037
Website: La Costanera
Average price for two: 80 USD
8. The Conservatory
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay on Friday, April 20, 2018
Another offering from the Ritz-Carlton, this beach house inspired design has been recently renovated and offers great views of the water. The bar specializes in draft cocktails and the food is basically light bites of contemporary American fare. The service is impeccable and the Ritz-Carlton experience is what you pay for, so you wont be disappointed.
The Conservatory
Address: 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay, California 94019 United States
Website: The Conservatory
Average price for two: 75 USD
9. Sam’s Chowder House
With a high of about 70°, Half Moon Bay is going to be about 20° to 30° cooler than most parts of the Bay Area today. Come stay cool on the coast with us!
Posted by Sam's Chowder House, Half Moon Bay on Saturday, June 11, 2022
Sam’s Chowder House opened doors in 2006 and has won numerous food awards including “Top Three Outdoor Dining Spots in the Bay Area” by San Francisco Magazine, and Sante Magazine’s Service Hospitality Award. Sam’s Lobster Roll was crowned one of the top five “best sandwiches in America” by NBC’s The Today Show. Located on a charming cliff top overlooking the beach, the restaurant has a patio, a bar and a lounge with a fireplace area where you can dine. It is a dog-friendly place which welcomes pets. The place mainly offers seafood and is open from lunch through dinner every day.
Sam’s Chowder House
Address: 4210 N. Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Website: Sam’s Chowder House
Average price for two: 50 USD
10. Moss Beach Distillery
The Moss Beach Distillery, which was formerly known as Frank’s Place in the Prohibition age, is one of the few speakeasies left from that era. The gorgeous view and secluded location are what attracts diners apart from the delectable food. Thrill seekers will probably rejoice in the fact that this place has its own ghost! The Blue Lady was a beautiful lady dressed in blue who was reportedly killed while walking on the beach below the restaurant with her lover. She was said to be a regular diner at the restaurant. Since then her ghost is said to haunt the place and the popular NBC TV series Unsolved Mysteries recreated the legend of The Blue Lady in one of their episodes. There are no reservations for the patio seating area and you need to avail self-service food and beverages from the bar.
Moss Beach Distillery
Address: 140 Beach Way, Moss Beach, CA 94038
Website: Moss Beach Distillery
Average price for two: 60 USD
Enjoy the surf at Half Moon Bay
Only 21 minutes from the city of San Francisco, you can escape from your boring city life with a visit to this beach town. Drink and dine with a view you can never forget!
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