first time very impressed the server the food was so good love it best LUNCH DINNER recommendation
Jonathan Phan
Barbara’s Fishtrap is a beloved coastal seafood spot that delivers on both flavor and atmosphere. The outdoor seating, perched right along the Half Moon Bay shoreline, offers unbeatable views and a laid-back vibe. It’s the perfect setting to enjoy their signature dishes like clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, crispy calamari, and golden fish & chips—all served hot and generously portioned.
While the restaurant doesn’t offer delivery, their takeout system is smooth and efficient. Guests can place orders at the outdoor window and enjoy their meals at nearby benches or take them to the beach. The packaging holds up well, keeping everything warm and intact, especially the fried items. It’s a great option for those who prefer to dine al fresco or on the move.
Expect a bit of a wait during peak hours, especially on weekends, but the line moves quickly and the staff are friendly and well-organized. The menu is straightforward, the seafood is fresh, and the setting is hard to beat. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Barbara’s Fishtrap is a must-visit for a classic coastal meal.
Allie Knapp
Barbara Fish Trap is absolutely incredible. The food was so fresh and very tasty. We had to wait to get in but very well worth the wait. :) The owner Melody and staff are very friendly. I highly recommend having the Clam Chowder. It is SO tasty and the best that I ever had. We loved Barbara Fish Trap.
Krishan Nair
I love Barbara’s Fishtrap! The food here is always amazing. I had the fish and chips, and honestly, it was some of the best I’ve ever tasted – perfectly crispy and so fresh.
The place has such a cozy, old-school coastal vibe, and sitting there with the ocean right in front of you just makes the experience even better. The staff were super friendly and made me feel right at home.
If you’re ever in the area and want some delicious seafood in a chill, welcoming spot, you’ve got to check out Barbara’s Fishtrap. You’ll leave happy and full, for sure.
evan
the restaurant was very good except we found a fly in the Cesar salad.
Nancy Hayssen
Delicious food. Beautiful views!
Adam Messner
Not all fish houses are created the same. Fisherman’s wharf in SF is fun, but there’s something great about this spot. The ceviche was among the best I’ve ever had.
Ian
Always great service and delicious food but wayyyyyy too long wait for food!
C M
We were local regulars here for years, moved away, and came to visit. Good grief, how things have changed at this restaurant, and not for the better!
Customer service is non-existant, with a definite undertone of passive-aggressive racism from the waitress. Waitress was rushing everyone and asking everyone in line if they were ordering take-out, or waiting to dine-in, as they were trying to get the last seating in before the afternoon break. My spouse first language is not English, so when I was asking him if he wanted to dine-in or not, waitress let out a hugely annoyed sigh and rolled her eyes, and before we could answer, she skipped over us to the next person in line. I informed her we were dining in, yet she said she didn't have any more tables left (clearly a lie, as she accomadated 6 people behind us).
The person at the take-out register wasn't any better, rushing us to order and not even asking what sides we wanted with our meals. Our order number was never called on the outdoor speaker, so when I asked through the locked entrance gate where out order was, it had been sitting for some time on a staff table inside. With that being said, we were left with soggy, greasy and bland fish and chips, warm tartar sauce and no access to utensils or napkins. Will never be returning to this place again, after years of patronage. Such an overpriced waste of what used to be an awesome seafood place in HMB.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Emory B
I ordered the fish and chips to go when they were PACKED with people. Service was efficient and friendly, my order came out hot off the fryer. It.was.DELICIOUS. I liked making the drive up to Half Moon Bay and back for the scenery, and now I have even more of a reason to do so. 10/10
Not only have I been to Barbara's a few times, I have eaten at Sam's Chowder House & Barbara's Fish Trap this year. Barbara is the clear winner in my book.
This no-frills, casual restaurant is a HMB institution by now. The clam chowder is decent. The crisp on the fish n chips is great. I'm not normally a fan of chips (fries), but they're quite good here. The calamari is also nice.
I will say Sam's offers a slightly better, unobstructed view of the water. But Barbara's has better food, plain and simple.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari, Fresh Made Clam Chowder, Fish & Chips
Kevin Clark
Best crab sandwich and coleslaw around. I live in San Jose but make the drive at least once a month.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Flora Wong
Our family made the journey to Half Moon Bay to enjoy the pumpkin patch, and we decided to stop for dinner before heading back to the East Bay. This was our second visit to this charming restaurant, and it truly exceeded our expectations! We arrived without a reservation around 6 PM on a Wednesday, and to our delight, there was no wait at all.
The wait staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, adding to the warm atmosphere. The food was nothing short of exceptional. We ordered the clam chowder, fried fish and calamari, crab salad, and linguine with clams, and each dish was a delightful culinary experience. The portions of crab and clams in both the pasta and the salad were generous, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to quality.
What set the clam chowder apart was its unique non-dairy base, which intensified the clam flavor and created a richer, more vibrant taste that our entire family loved. To make the experience even more memorable, the restaurant is situated right next to the Fisherman’s Dock. We were fortunate enough to catch a stunning sunset while savoring our meal, providing a perfect ending to our day trip. It truly was a beautiful way to wrap up our outing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Fresh Made Clam Chowder, Fish & Chips
first time very impressed the server the food was so good love it best LUNCH DINNER recommendation
Barbara’s Fishtrap is a beloved coastal seafood spot that delivers on both flavor and atmosphere. The outdoor seating, perched right along the Half Moon Bay shoreline, offers unbeatable views and a laid-back vibe. It’s the perfect setting to enjoy their signature dishes like clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, crispy calamari, and golden fish & chips—all served hot and generously portioned.
While the restaurant doesn’t offer delivery, their takeout system is smooth and efficient. Guests can place orders at the outdoor window and enjoy their meals at nearby benches or take them to the beach. The packaging holds up well, keeping everything warm and intact, especially the fried items. It’s a great option for those who prefer to dine al fresco or on the move.
Expect a bit of a wait during peak hours, especially on weekends, but the line moves quickly and the staff are friendly and well-organized. The menu is straightforward, the seafood is fresh, and the setting is hard to beat. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Barbara’s Fishtrap is a must-visit for a classic coastal meal.
Barbara Fish Trap is absolutely incredible.
The food was so fresh and very tasty. We had to wait to get in but very well worth the wait. :) The owner Melody and staff are very friendly. I highly recommend having the Clam Chowder. It is SO tasty and the best that I ever had. We loved Barbara Fish Trap.
I love Barbara’s Fishtrap! The food here is always amazing. I had the fish and chips, and honestly, it was some of the best I’ve ever tasted – perfectly crispy and so fresh.
The place has such a cozy, old-school coastal vibe, and sitting there with the ocean right in front of you just makes the experience even better. The staff were super friendly and made me feel right at home.
If you’re ever in the area and want some delicious seafood in a chill, welcoming spot, you’ve got to check out Barbara’s Fishtrap. You’ll leave happy and full, for sure.
the restaurant was very good except we found a fly in the Cesar salad.
Delicious food. Beautiful views!
Not all fish houses are created the same. Fisherman’s wharf in SF is fun, but there’s something great about this spot. The ceviche was among the best I’ve ever had.
Always great service and delicious food but wayyyyyy too long wait for food!
We were local regulars here for years, moved away, and came to visit. Good grief, how things have changed at this restaurant, and not for the better!
Customer service is non-existant, with a definite undertone of passive-aggressive racism from the waitress. Waitress was rushing everyone and asking everyone in line if they were ordering take-out, or waiting to dine-in, as they were trying to get the last seating in before the afternoon break. My spouse first language is not English, so when I was asking him if he wanted to dine-in or not, waitress let out a hugely annoyed sigh and rolled her eyes, and before we could answer, she skipped over us to the next person in line. I informed her we were dining in, yet she said she didn't have any more tables left (clearly a lie, as she accomadated 6 people behind us).
The person at the take-out register wasn't any better, rushing us to order and not even asking what sides we wanted with our meals. Our order number was never called on the outdoor speaker, so when I asked through the locked entrance gate where out order was, it had been sitting for some time on a staff table inside. With that being said, we were left with soggy, greasy and bland fish and chips, warm tartar sauce and no access to utensils or napkins. Will never be returning to this place again, after years of patronage. Such an overpriced waste of what used to be an awesome seafood place in HMB.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I ordered the fish and chips to go when they were PACKED with people. Service was efficient and friendly, my order came out hot off the fryer. It.was.DELICIOUS.
I liked making the drive up to Half Moon Bay and back for the scenery, and now I have even more of a reason to do so. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish & Chips
Restaurantji Recommends
Tasty, fresh seafood in a fun setting
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Can never go wrong eating here. Fantastic food!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not only have I been to Barbara's a few times, I have eaten at Sam's Chowder House & Barbara's Fish Trap this year. Barbara is the clear winner in my book.
This no-frills, casual restaurant is a HMB institution by now. The clam chowder is decent. The crisp on the fish n chips is great. I'm not normally a fan of chips (fries), but they're quite good here. The calamari is also nice.
I will say Sam's offers a slightly better, unobstructed view of the water. But Barbara's has better food, plain and simple.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari, Fresh Made Clam Chowder, Fish & Chips
Best crab sandwich and coleslaw around. I live in San Jose but make the drive at least once a month.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our family made the journey to Half Moon Bay to enjoy the pumpkin patch, and we decided to stop for dinner before heading back to the East Bay. This was our second visit to this charming restaurant, and it truly exceeded our expectations! We arrived without a reservation around 6 PM on a Wednesday, and to our delight, there was no wait at all.
The wait staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, adding to the warm atmosphere. The food was nothing short of exceptional. We ordered the clam chowder, fried fish and calamari, crab salad, and linguine with clams, and each dish was a delightful culinary experience. The portions of crab and clams in both the pasta and the salad were generous, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to quality.
What set the clam chowder apart was its unique non-dairy base, which intensified the clam flavor and created a richer, more vibrant taste that our entire family loved. To make the experience even more memorable, the restaurant is situated right next to the Fisherman’s Dock. We were fortunate enough to catch a stunning sunset while savoring our meal, providing a perfect ending to our day trip. It truly was a beautiful way to wrap up our outing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Fresh Made Clam Chowder, Fish & Chips
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