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    Barbara's Fishtrap

    4.0 (3.5k reviews)
    ModerateSeafood, Sandwiches
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Barbara's Fishtrap Photos

    BARBARA'S FISHTRAP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jocelyn G.

    Came here because my wife and I wanted fried fish..particularly cod. We were seated immediately, waited on immediately and served immediately. We both had fish plates. I had mine with prawns and she had her's with Calamari. She also had a clam chowder cup. Unfortunately.. my wife's food was not lightly fried and she was unhappy with the quality of it. She stated that it was kinda burnt on some of it. She said the coleslaw was good. My food was lightly fried as it should be reach and every time. My fries were not really fresh either honestly and it lol like it was just the leftover ones from the bottom of the pan. They were not really hot either. It seemed as if the oil was not fresh this evening.

    Donna L.

    Six of us came for a late lunch before they closed. Apparently the tables outside are Only for take out orders. We ate family style and it was perfect. We ordered the shrimp Louie salad, bowl of clam chowder, tempura oysters and fried combo seafood platter It was perfect for 6 People. We divided up everything. And the 805 Beer was only $3. The shrimp Louie salad was fresh and delicious. The clam chowder was loaded with a creamy consistency. Excellent! Our server was Kim who has worked there for 40+ years! The tempura oysters was crispy and juicy. The Barbara fish trap Fried platter had a variety of everything. Everything was crispy, hot and perfectly cooked.

    Fish and chips and sandwich
    Belen L.

    We got the fish of the day sandwich, which was the same fish as the fish and chips, and it was delicious! We loved it so much. The clam chowder was also great-- note it's not too clammy. The portions were really good too, so definitely go hungry!

    Mylinh V.

    Parking was easy with a lot conveniently located across the street. We arrived when the restaurant itself was closed, but the takeout window had just opened. They actually close between service periods to change the oil, which I appreciated because it helps keep the fried food tasting fresh. One thing to note is that the line can get pretty long. I would recommend arriving about 15 minutes before the takeout window opens and getting in line early if you're visiting during a busy time. There is some outdoor seating available, but tables are limited. Be prepared to grab a bench or take your food to go if it's crowded. The seafood was incredibly fresh, and everything we ordered was fried to perfection! It was crispy on the outside without feeling greasy. You can tell they take pride in the quality of their food. Overall, it's a great spot for fresh seafood and definitely worth the wait in line.

    Fish & Chips
    Cameron C.

    EAT HERE BEFORE 2-4 they close to change their oil. Also, be aware that there might be a long wait. Insanely good fish and chips. The tartar sauce is the best I've ever had. I got the fish of the day sandwich and it was absurdly good. Pair that with good fries and $3 beers, this place offers an unbeatable combo. Another 5 star banger in Half Moon Bay :)

    Menu updated 2026
    Garie B.

    This was my second time here, so I already knew the drill. We came earrrrrlyyy. They open at 11 AM, and we got there at 10:20 AM and were second in line. I gotta say... I think twice is enough for me. The food is definitely fresh, but not the freshest I've ever had, especially considering the price. It's pretty overpriced for what you get. I'm not sure why, but the fish and chips weren't as seasoned as they were during my first visit. We ended up adding a lot of salt this time around. The garlic cheese bread is an absolute must-order honestly, it was my favorite thing we had. The oysters were very creamy and fresh, which I enjoyed. The ambiance is still the biggest reason to come here. The views and atmosphere are fantastic, and the service is great too. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and smiling throughout our visit. Overall, I'm glad I gave it a second try, but it'll probably be a while; or maybe never...before I come back.

    Kitchen
    Rosemary D.

    First time here, we did not wait long at all for inside seating. Fish and chips were delicious, fresh and tasty. Inside seating is cozy and cute! Servers are great would definitely return.

    bay shrimp sandwich with cole slaw
    Elaine Y.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. it's nice that they have outdoor seating as well so you don't have to eat inside. We ordered from the outside take out window and ate at one of the tables overlooking the beach and water. They're really good at having everything for you to grab after you order - napkins, utensils, sauces, vinegar, etc. Name it they have it available - as well as water!! I typically get their fish and chips but decided to their tuna melt sandwich with fries, along with their fried mushrooms (MY FAV). OMG so much tuna on that perfect roll. With gooey melted jack cheese!! Hubby got their fresh crab sando - forgot to take a pic cause he dove in immediately and devoured it rather quickly!! You'd think the bread would be to hard but the texture with the bread and the filling was SO GOOD and I love they put the lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions separate so you can build it the way you want!! And you can get your sauces - which mayo is one that you can add if you want. I've converted to eating my fries with mayo so it's nice they offered that condiment! BUT their cole slaw is our all time favorite - so fresh and flavorful. next time I'm getting extra!! The kids got the cajun fish sandwich and the bay shrimp sandwich. you definitely need to add lemon and sauce to the bay shrimp sandwich - oldest said she liked my tuna over her bay shrimp.... AND did I mention their fried mushrooms? not too many places service this but Barbara does it right. Mushrooms are JUICY and meaty with the right crunch on the outside and not greasy!! Wish they provided more mushrooms though - i should've order two! LOL Our all time favorite place to come eat when we are in the area! OH and their clam chowder. We actually were so full we didn't eat them there - we took it home to eat and regardless of the delay - was delicious!!

    Fish & Calamari Tempura and Clam Chowder (Sourdough Bread Bowl)
    Christine C.

    We stopped by Barbara's Fishtrap during a trip to Half Moon Bay, and while the food was definitely worth trying, be prepared for the crowds. There's a parking lot across the street, but finding a spot wasn't easy. We originally planned to dine in, but the wait for a table was much longer than we wanted, so we ordered from the takeout window instead and ate outside. Our food was ready in about 10 minutes, which was much faster than waiting for a table. We ordered the Fish & Calamari Tempura (with fries) and the clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. The fish was definitely the highlight. It was light and flaky, moist on the inside, and perfectly crispy on the outside. The calamari was cooked just right, not rubbery at all, and the horseradish marinara/cocktail sauce it came with was so good. The clam chowder was good and comforting, especially with the sourdough, but it wasn't as memorable as the tempura. Overall, I'd come back for the fish and calamari, but I'd probably order takeout again unless I got there early enough to avoid the long wait.

    Fried oyster sandwich
    Arthur T.

    Grew up going to Barbara's! First time back after a few years. Saturday morning. Around 11:20 am. Luckily last table inside. Two of us ordered: cup of clam chowder $6.95 (more on the starchy/potato-y side) mini fishtrap with fries $28.50 frid oyster sandwich $22.95 Obviously heavy on the fried food. Flavors were good. Service is a bit on the slower side. Decor inside seems unchanged. Parking in the lot / on street parking. They take credit cards now which is great!

    Philip X.

    Barbara's Fishtrap came highly recommended, so we decided to give it a try on a Saturday afternoon. We visited as a party of two and waited about 30 minutes for a table, which wasn't bad considering the long line outside. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but the beautiful oceanfront views definitely make up for it. We ordered the tuna melt, a bowl of clam chowder, calamari, fish and chips, two Cokes, and an apple juice. Service was quick, and our food arrived promptly after we placed our order. Overall, the meal was decent, but there were a few hits and misses. The fish and chips were a bit on the dry side, which was disappointing. The clam chowder wasn't my favorite--it was much thicker than expected and had more of a porridge-like consistency than a traditional creamy chowder. The tuna melt was good, but nothing particularly memorable. The standout dish was definitely the calamari, especially paired with the dipping sauces, which added great flavor. Overall, I'm glad we gave Barbara's Fishtrap a try. I'd be willing to return and order different menu items, hoping for a better experience with the fish next time. If you're in the area, it's certainly worth a visit, though I would probably choose Sam's Chowder House down the street if I had to pick between the two.

    Combo Pasta Marinara Style
    Tracy W.

    We were doing a battered fried Fish & Chip roadtrip (Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay), so we had to end with the best :) F&C were as excellent as we remembered. Service was expedient. Ambiance was cozy seaside on this overcast day.

    Boat harbor next door
    Lewis C.

    Had lunch here recently and even though it was a Monday with overcast weather, there was still a decent wait for a table. But - it was well worth the wait. We shared fish and chips, fried calamari, a Shrimp Louie and cheesy garlic bread. Everything was delicious. The fish was perfectly cooked and the Shrimp Louie was quite large with a big pile of shrimp. And the calamari was awesome. One of the best we've had in recent memory. No surprise that we saw nearly every table around us also order the calamari. The seating inside is homey and the seating on the covered patio has heat lamps, which are a good idea on an overcast chilly day. Also plenty of outside seating. Service was friendly and helpful and our food arrived quickly. Overall it was a very enjoyable lunch.

    Entrance

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    Barbara's Fishtrap Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Barbara's Fishtrap

    Is it just me or did they recently change the kind of fish they use for the fish and chips?

    It's a mild white flaky fish - classic for fish and chips.

    Is the cod and calamari beer battered?

    No, the cod and calamari are not beer battered, they are tempura battered and fried in rice oil. Very light and crispy.

    Do they accept credit cards?

    Yup, they sure do.

    Are dogs allowed in the covered patio area?

    Only service animals.

    May a place a phone order for pick up?

    Yes, you can place an order for pick up.

    Do you guys accept credit cards for to-go orders?

    I know they accept credit cards for dine in and probably do. You can call before ordering.

    Is Clam Cowder on your lunch menu every day of the week?

    Yes, Thank You for your question Melodie… 

    I read somewhere that cioppino is only offered at crab season, so when is crab season?

    Crab Season for us in Half Moon Bay opens November 15.

    Are the dog friendly that we can eat outside? And is the coippino any good?

    They are dog friendly in that you can eat outside. There are tables as well as a beach area you can enjoy.

    Take reservations ? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaasss

    No they do not take reservations.

    Planning to grab takeout from here. Is there any picnic area nearby to go enjoy the food?

    They have about 8-10 tables next to Barbara's otherwise you have tons of beaches to choose from nearby. We usually like to park near the boats and bring a portable table and… 

    Can you PLEASE start taking credit cards?

    Dear Jp R. Thank you for your question, as you know we have not taken credit cards, "Ever".… 

    Are they open today?

    Sorry, we were all at work yesterday, we are open 7 days a week. Friday and Saturday-11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday 11:00 am to 7:30 pm.… 

    Can I call to order for takeout?

    Dear Kate, No, in order to make sure people are happy with their tempura items, we can not leave… 

    What are the gluten free option on the menu? Thank you!

    My guess would be steamed mussels, steam clams, broiled fish, ceviche, shrimp or crab cocktails. But I'd suggest you ask to confirm. Good luck!

    Is malt vinegar available for the fish and chips? Thanks in advance.

    Yes! We got malt vinegar packets with our order.

    Is outdoors dog friendly?

    Yes, we just ask people not to bring the dog through the deck part of the order line. Because we have made half of the deck an open kitchen.… 

    Hi! Can you accomodate 10 people outdoors?

    Hello Jann, Most of our outside tables can accommodate 8, but if you give us a heads up we can… 

    Indoor dining yet? Fried tempura oysters?

    Yes they are open for indoor dining! They have seating indoor and outdoors.

    Does your batter contain any dairy (milk, butter, cream) in it? Asking because of dairy allergy.

    These are the ingredients of our Tempura Batter, Enriched Wheat Flour, (Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine, Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Salt, Contains 2% or less of… 

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    Sam's Chowder House

    Sam's Chowder House

    3.6
    (6.2k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    The ocean views with outside seating is very nice. This used to be my favorite restaurant. I…read moreordered a smoked salmon salad and was very disappointed. It looked like it was prepared in quantity and scooped out onto a plate. I was told the tomatoes were blanched which were not tasty. Next time I'm in HMB I'll try a different restaurant. I gave a 4 because the service was good.

    This was my first visit here at Sam's Chowder House. The parking lot was 100% full. I dropped off…read morethe family and waited in the far left corner for someone to leave. When I walked inside I saw a family looking at their lightly scratched rear bumper and they asked me if I saw anything. I asked the manager Jay to help out that family before they left. Great customer service first impression without me even going inside the restaurant. Thank you Jay for helping out that family. The wait to get called in was around 15-20 mins and i dropped in their little souvenir shop. I met a very helpful and kind person Alex. I picked up a mug and a feelin' crabby shirt for me! Lots of great items here. I'll be back for more. The ambiance was full of sea items. The front main entrance has a fresh lobster tank. The entire building is very clean and organized. Almost 100% full capacity as well. Business is doing great. Finally the food. The best recommendation was from our lovely server Sulem. She was the heart of this wonderful restaurant experience. She went above and beyond to help us out with ordering and customer service. I want to come back and try more foods. The clam chowder being one of them! We enjoyed our meal today. Our favorite was the Aloha. It comes in a sushi and we actually loved it without the rice. Just the sashimi. It was a great first bite of the day. I'll definitely come back with the family again to try more of the menu. Thank you all for such a lovely experience!

    Photos
    Beach at Sam's
    Beach at Sam's
    Fresh Maine Lobster
    Fresh Maine Lobster
    New England Clam Chowder

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    New England Clam Chowder
    Ketch Harbor Pub

    Ketch Harbor Pub

    4.0
    (312 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We are locals, love breakfast and brunch and are fans of the original Ketch Joanne's. We're also…read morefans of the current owners of Jetty Wave, who are presenting a new incarnation of Joanne's under the name Ketch Harbor Pub. Curious about what the new/old place is like, our three-person family went there for a late breakfast today. Walking up to the front doors, the original inset stained glass remains. Walking in, the cool wood paneling and nautical decor remains in place with a couple of new touches. The fully appointed bar also remains, now with a more streamlined look with subtle lighting changes. We were greeted pleasantly and seated inside the dining room immediately; it was moderately busy and buzzing, not too loud. Our server was quick to our table, menu-knowledgeable and consistent in his attention to us. We had a Denver omelette, a couple of bennies and lemon ricotta pancakes to share. My omelette had particularly fresh and al fresca peppers and onions - wonderful. The lemon ricotta pancakes were sufficiently saturated and fluffy(hard to pull off)and came with fresh cream. The prices were at about the same level as the local competition, which pleasantly surprised us. It appears that the folks who did this breakfast/lunch reboot were shrewd in pricing their dishes. Jetty Wave, a drinks and appetizers adventure(which I heartily recommend as well for different reasons)in the northwestern part of Princeton, is not for the fiscally faint hearted. The only element that makes our experience short of a 5 is that we were not given a farewell when we left, though I was able to find our friendly server and thanked him. In all, the Joanne's legacy is intact - the old carved wood Ketch Joanne sign still hangs inside - literally and figuratively a homage to its legacy while bringing a new energy to this space. Recommended.

    Ketch Harbor Pub (often just called Ketch) is a fantastic spot right on Pillar Point Harbor in Half…read moreMoon Bay. We stopped by for lunch on a crisp day, and it completely captured that perfect coastal vibe--think fresh seafood, laid-back atmosphere, and killer views of the boats and water. We started with the calamari, which was hands-down some of the best I've ever had: tender, not rubbery at all, perfectly seasoned and fried, melting in your mouth. The New England-style clam chowder was rich, creamy, with just the right subtle smokiness and balanced seasoning--definitely lives up to Half Moon Bay's chowder reputation. For mains, the Dungeness crab sandwich was the star: generous lumps of sweet local crab, minimal sauce (just how I like it), on toasted sourdough with fries on the side. My partner went with the fish and chips, and the cod was crispy, flaky, and not greasy at all--classic done right. The outdoor patio with fire pits was cozy even in cooler weather, and our server was super friendly, attentive, and full of local recommendations. The place feels welcoming, whether you're a regular from the Coastside or just passing through after a beach walk or harbor stroll. Prices are fair for the fresh, quality ingredients and location--definitely worth it. We've already added it to our list for the next trip to Half Moon Bay. Highly recommend if you're craving solid seafood in a charming harborside setting! 5/5 stars.

    Photos
    The sundae. Yum.
    The sundae. Yum.
    Sorry took pics after we started eating. Meatloaf. A little dry.
    Sorry took pics after we started eating. Meatloaf. A little dry.
    Would order again.

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    Would order again.

    Barbara's Fishtrap - seafood - Updated August 2026

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