Where to Eat When Visiting Half Moon Bay (and where NOT to eat)
When visiting Half Moon Bay, California, or any coastal town, you are probably wanting some fresh seafood!?
Well, we will explain why it’s not likely that you will be served fresh seafood from the ocean that you are liking gazing at when dining in the harbor area of Half Moon Bay.
In this entry, we talk about restaurants in the Half Moon Bay area, specifically, restaurants near the Half Moon Bay Harbor, and in the community of Princeton By the Sea. There are many restaurants along Highway 1 as well as in downtown Half Moon Bay, but for this purpose, we are going to stick the harbor area.
Lets talk about “fresh fish,” fish that actually comes from the local waters. It IS legal for commercial fishermen, not sport fishermen, to sell to local markets and restaurants. The “Pacific to Plate” bill in 2016 confirmed this, more so that fishermen could now sell in a “market” atmosphere instead having to sell directly off their boat.
In the Bay Area, there just is not a demand for “fresh fish” unlike in Vancouver, Seattle, or Portland, or even greater in China and Japan, where these cities and countries are willing to pay top dollar. Because the cost of living is so high in the Bay Area, fish markets and restaurants have to go the cheaper route of buying fish from wholesalers. It simply is the bottom line that they are looking at. It’s much easier and cheaper to simply buy Atlantic Salmon raised in farms, then to wait on the local fisherman who’s hours may be different than those of a restaurants ability to receive a shipment, and the local catch may not be as consistent, whereas the shipment of Atlantic salmon remains consistent as well as the market price.
Local fishermen, wherever they may be fishing from, would love to sell their catch to locals, they make more money. Once fish is sold to a wholesaler, that wholesaler has to ship to different packaging processors and with each move, it incurs costs to the consumer. In the end, in the Bay Area anyways, it’s not cost effective for markets or restaurants to buy from local fishermen, because there simply is not the demand.
Old Princeton Landing is a locals favorite, and ours as well!
Now, which restaurant bucks this trend in Half Moon Bay? One for sure that I know of in the harbor anyway, is Old Princeton Landing. This little “do drop in” restaurant located in Princeton by the Sea, used to be a fish market. It is now that as well as a restaurant with a bar next door. Great food! I ran in to the owner, and he told me, “That fish you just had in the fish in chips, came from a fisherman here in the harbor.” It was delicious. It was fresh and buttery. It was easy to tell.
As a Tourist, do what Tourists’ do??
You know as a tourist, you see a line at a restaurant or some attraction, it must be the place to go? In the Half Moon Bay harbor area, there are three very popular touristy spots, and that is Barbara’s Fish Trap and Half Moon Bay Brewing Company (and the third I will explain later). To us, the food at Barbara’s is “okay.” Not worth the time spent standing in line. Half Moon Bay Brewing has much better food, and not just seafood. Plus, they have their own beer including a “red” which is so difficult to find these day. But neither restaurant has “fresh fish” like Old Princeton Landing (OPL). It’s not like they advertise that their fish is “fresh.” But the point is, when we visited, there was a lot of people at both these restaurants, (I have seen big lines in the past), yet, right around the corner, with NO lines and BETTER food was OPL.
Barbara’s Fish Trap. Is it a “trap”??
Other Dining Options
If you’re looking for outstanding Italian food, check out Mezzluna By The Sea! Outstanding! I had the lamb pops, delicious. Patti had the lasagna, lasagna from the “old country” and topped it off with a Creme Brule’. Mezzaluna states that their “Meats, fish, and produce, much of it is locally sourced.” They also have Caffe Mezzaluna, a great spot for breakfast as well as lunch with personal pizzas, flatbread, sandwiches, and frittatas. The Caffe’ is located behind the Oceano Hotel right by the harbor.
Another cool little place we happened upon in Princeton By the Sea, is the Jettywave Distillery. Jettywave Distillery is a craft distillery located in Princeton By the Sea, California. They specialize in producing small-batch, hand-crafted spirits using locally-sourced ingredients. Their product line includes vodka, gin, and rum, which are all made using a custom-built still and traditional distilling techniques. Jettywave Distillery is known for their commitment to sustainability, using recycled and compostable materials in their packaging and donating a portion of their profits to ocean conservation efforts. Visitors can stop by their tasting room to sample their spirits and learn more about the distilling process. The Jettywave also has food!
Finally, there is Sam’s Chowder House right on Highway 1 near the harbor. THIS is the most popular restaurant anywhere in Half Moon Bay. They provide outdoor dining with great views of the harbor and Pillar Point. There is often a long wait to get in, especially on the weekends. You can’t miss the place, its the place with all the cars parked everywhere. We have enjoyed dining there, mostly. Very good calamari and clam chowder. But, “eh” overall. It’s again, just “okay.” To me, not worth the wait for what they provide. Again, it’s a touristy place, so it must be “good.”
When visiting Half Moon Bay, you need to, at least once, try Barbara’s Fish Trap and Sam’s Chowder House. We’re not suggesting that you “boycott” these establishments, because you will envelop the whole Half Moon Bay vibe in visiting these landmarks, but, we just feel that visiting these other restaurants would be a better dining experience!