Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Barbara's Fishtrap

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

    Barbara's Fishtrap Photos

    BARBARA'S FISHTRAP ATMOSPHERE

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

    More like Barbara's Fishtrap

    Recommended Reviews - Barbara's Fishtrap

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    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!

    Fish and chips
    Brian G.

    Stopped by after a hike and wanted to grub on some fried foods. Fish and chips: B Tried this out since they're known for their fish and chips. I will say the fish was just okay to me. Huge pieces, and battered well but the fish lacks seasoning and depends on the vinegar, lemon juice, tartar sauce, and/or hot sauce to taste good. The chips however I will say we're great. They aren't skinny but somehow are insanely crisp and satisfying to bite. Easy parking on the parking lot at least when I went during 1pm on a weekday. And food came out quick, maybe a 5-7 min wait.

    Interior view
    Robert H.

    TL:DR - still a neighborhood gem. Go visit Parking - Nuts. Be patient. The lots across the street fills up fast. Best bet is to park away and walk in Service - prompt and efficient. Busy crew Food - Crab cocktail - outstanding Shrimp cocktail very good Oysters - very good. Cocktail sauce only. No mignonette sauce. Bring your own! Mini Fishtrap - fried is good but fresh is better Pro tip - fresh seafood is great! Start with that first.

    Shrimp Ceviche
    Ngài N.

    A coworker told me about Barbara's Fishtrap about 2 years ago. He said it is one of the best FRESH seafood restaurants in the Bay Area. I was a little skeptical about the word FRESH. Not anymore. YES, HE WAS RIGHT. It took about 1 hour to get there from San Jose, but it is super worth it. From the view to the quality of the food, I am not hesitant to give the restaurant the highest score I can. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ALL OF YOU.

    Kaushik N.

    Great place to check out with the fam or friends when youre in half moon bay! The line gets pretty long for take out but definitely worth it! On a saturday around noon we waited about 30 min to get seated a table. When you enter inside it can be confusing where to check in but usually there will be a host at the stand. Once seated instead we placed our orders for some appetizers and food! Ordered the Chicken Nuggets which were good but heavily oily. The Cheesy Garlic Crabby bread didnt have much taste to be honest but great shareable size. The fish and chips is definitely a huge portion to share between two people comfortably. Salmon Burger was okay it didnt have much taste and had to put salt and pepper to add some flavor even with the onion roll. One thing I noticed was when the server delivered the food, his fingers were touching the food which was pretty unsanitary knowing we are about to consume it. At the same time they were wiping down tables and delivering food.

    Cheesecake
    Matthew B.

    Been coming to Barbara's Fishtrap in Half Moon Bay for over 8 years now, all the way back since high school, and it has always been top notch. Easily my favorite fish and chips spot in the Bay Area !!! The ambiance is classic coastal and super homey. It has that old school seafood shack feel right by the water, nothing fancy but that is exactly what makes it so good. Always busy, always lively, and just feels like a staple spot that never lost its identity :)) Fish and Chips Still my favorite. Crispy, light batter with super fresh fish inside. Never greasy, always done right. This is the dish that keeps me coming back every time. Oysters Always fresh and clean. Simple, no gimmicks, just good quality oysters with lemon and sauce on the side. Mushroom Tempura A must order every time. Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and always comes out fresh and hot. One of the most underrated things on the menu. Clams Super flavorful and comforting. Perfect to share and dip with bread. Dessert (Daily Cheesecake) We get this every single time. It always changes, but it is consistently amazing. Creamy, rich, and the perfect way to end the meal. Overall This place has been consistent for years which is rare. Same quality, same vibe, same great experience every. single. time. One of those spots that never disappoints and always feels worth the drive out to Half Moon Bay.

    The clam/mussel linguine dish.
    Arvey S.

    Another food feature. Oh man, more over the top deliciousness, this time, from Princeton's Barbara's Fishtrap. It's a Clam/Mussel Linguine Pasta with thick creamy sauce. When I share a dish, inevitably, someone says they were influenced to seek the same dish and appreciate the culinary ideas. So, I do this in the spirit of public service. Besides, treating myself on my birthday month continues. Be kind and gentle to yourself.

    corn fritters
    Susanna L.

    Barbara's Fishtrap was founded by its namesake Barbara Walsh back in 1971 (but it didn't take on it's name until later on in 1978). The Fishtrap focuses on fresh fish, calamari, seafood and a desire to bring hearty, delicious food to its patrons. We stopped by The Fishtrap on a Thursday for lunch while in Half Moon Bay. We were seated quickly without wait (and the restaurant was still fairly full inside given it was a weekday). The interior of the restaurant is decorated to mimic a fish-trap with netting hung from the ceiling dotted with various sea life - a very whimical interior that's for sure. With some recommendations from our server we decided to go with the corn fritters, bowl of clam chowder, and the mini fish trap tempura. The clam chowder was flavorful and absolutely stocked FULL of clams - if you're a fan of clam chowder and don't like it when they skimp on the clams, then Barbar's Fishtrap definitely won't disappoint! The only "con" that I found with their clam chowder was that some of the clams were a bit sandy/gritty which didn't make for a great mouthfeel (hence the minus 1 star). Nevertheless, the chowder was delicious. Next up, the corn fritters are little corn-cream nuggets that were braded and deep fried - a perfect sweet-savory bite all-in-one. Last but not least, the mini fishtrap tempura offers an assort of fried seafood including scallops, prawns, and calamari. They have a huge variety of fried selections, but we felt the mini fishtrap was the perfect option to try a little bot of everything! My favorite was definitely their calamari (which they are well known for) as the calamri was perfectly cooked so it was soft yet still chewy and crunchy from the breading. If you're looking for some seafood in Half Moon Bay, Barbara's Fish Trap is definitely a solid choice!

    Clam Chowder
    Wesley L.

    Clam Chowder- a lot clams in it which was surprising as most places do not put many. It did have a gritty taste to the chowder however. Mini Fishtrap Tempura- wanted to try a variety of their fried items. A great choice if you not able to decide what you want to get. Overall pretty good though the scallop were overcooked. Not sure what makes the batter tempura but it was crispy as I expecting for you typical fried seafood A nice small shop right next to the ocean with their own dedicated parking area right across the street from it. Went during the beginning of lunch before it got super busy. Overall a nice ambiance but the food overall was ok.

    Broiled fish and coleslaw. Coleslaw is in the closed container. It was a generous portion.
    Matthew T.

    Finally got a chance to grab lunch here. The guy at the front was very helpful answering questions about the menu. Offered me to sit inside take it to go or take it for one of the tables with views outdoors. I chose the last and sat with a view outside. It's a simple place not fancy. I got the broiled fish and chips. The fish was perfectly cooked, moist and delicious. If I came back, I'd get the traditional fried fish just to try it. I substituted the coleslaw for the french fries. They make coleslaw just the way I like it here. Light on the mayo it went perfectly with the broiled fish. Their house made harder sauce was also super tasty. Looking forward to coming back and trying some other things on their rather extensive menu.

    Lisa L.

    Food is delicious and reasonable. It's small inside so get there early if you can, there might be a line. There's also patio seating. All staff is friendly & our waitress was great. The crab cakes are the best, they arrived piping hot! Shrimp Louie's is also good I didn't get red beans & shredded carrots. You won't be disappointed

    6oz Clam Chowder Cup (~$7)
    Aya E.

    Ordered: 6oz Clam Chowder Cup (complimentary; ~$7 regular price) Mini Fishtrap Tempura (~$29): 2 Scallop, 2 Prawns, 1 Fish, Calamari & 2 Zucchini with Fries Estrella Jalisco Daily Beer Special (~$3) Aya's take: Barbara's Fishtrap was quite the detour for us but so worth it! Fresh seafood, overlooking the beautiful ocean, and a beautiful breeze. What could be better? The Mini Fishtrap Tempura was actually plenty of food to share among 2 people! Everything in it was tremendous. My favorites were the fish & calamari. So flaky, so fresh, and no fishiness whatsoever. My only complaint was how oily it was! It would've been great if they strained it or patted it down with a napkin before serving. The Daily Beer Special was a bottle of Estrella Jalisco. It was refreshing, crisp taste with subtle sweet, corn, and grain notes and at ~$3, you really can't go wrong. The Clam Chowder was given to us after an order mishap which was a welcomed way to make up for a mistake lol. It's definitely well-executed but I've come to terms with the fact that it's not for me. I like that it's loaded with fresh clams but there was nothing to write home about, for me personally. Nonetheless, Barbara's hit the spot and you will absolutely leave satisfied!

    Fish and coleslaw.
    Kelly J.

    I haven't been to Barbara's in a while so I flew up to Half Moon Bay in my plane to have some lunch. If you're a pilot, getting there is easy. First, get yourself a plane that you know how to fly. Second, fly to Half Moon Bay Airport. I'm lucky because I have a plane that I know how to fly and I know the way to HMB airport. After landing taxi to the South East end of the airport to the to tie downs there. Then go out the gate, walk over the small footbridge, and POOF, you're in Princeton. Barbara's is a short walk from the bridge along the coast. I went on a Friday and found that they opened at 11. I was there at 10:45 so I sat down on one of the many benches nearby. Before I knew it a line had formed. They opened promptly at 11 and the place filled up rather quickly. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. The wait staff was pleasant and attentive. I ordered a cup of clam chowder and fish and chips but with coleslaw instead of chips. The clam chowder was very good. I have had better but Barbara's is pretty darned good with a lot of clams in it. The fish and coleslaw were wonderful. The fish was lightly breaded and perfectly cooked. The slaw was very good. The portion was huge and very filling! The location, wonderful as well. Great views of the ocean. So, they earned 5 stars from me. Go to Barbara's! Just be prepared to stand in line, especially on the weekends.

    Fish & Chips

    See all

    Photo of Manoh T.
    136
    20
    29

    14 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yoonie J.
    173
    106
    925

    5 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Thao D.
    308
    18
    8

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Arthur T.
    1572
    1210
    7311

    1 month ago

    Helpful 19
    Thanks 6
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Lisa L.
    19
    368
    498

    10 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Pamela P.
    47
    173
    10

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Lin F.
    369
    795
    2570

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kyra K.
    827
    966
    4591

    10 months ago

    Helpful 30
    Thanks 10
    Love this 32
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Gaurav K.
    43
    369
    995

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    OMG. So great. We had the Prawn fajitas on Cinco de Mayo. Service & food are exceptional This is a amazing find

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 88

    Barbara's Fishtrap Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Barbara's Fishtrap

    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… Read more

    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… Read more

    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".… Read more

    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.… Read more

    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… Read more

    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.… Read more

    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… Read more

    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… Read more

    Are you open on the 4th of July?

    Dear Heidi K. Yes we are open July 4th, regular hours 11 to 7:30 unless we have a line, we do not… Read more

    Are you pet friendly?

    Hello, We seating the dogs outside at the picnic tables because we have an open kitchen.… Read more

    Are you still serving oysters for take out?

    We are still selling oysters on the half shell, but not the fried oysters yet. We just opened our dining room to take out people that want to sit indoors.… Read more

    View All 39 Questions

    Spangler's Market - Delicious Godfather signature sandwich

    Spangler's Market

    4.6(111 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    I absolutely love everything about Spangler's Market. It's clean, welcoming, affordable, and…read moreincredibly convenient--exactly what you want from a neighborhood corner store. The layout is thoughtfully organized, making it easy to find everything you need without any hassle. One of my favorite things is their selection of local products and specialty foods. From gourmet instant pastas and fresh cinnamon breads to Strauss milk, ice cream, and other delicious treats, there's always something great to discover. I can quickly grab ingredients for a healthy home-cooked meal, which has helped me save money and avoid unnecessary waste from overbuying. They even carry unique items like elk meats and savory jerky for when you're feeling a little adventurous. The meat department is outstanding--the marinated chicken is a must-try, and the beef is always fresh and high quality. And the deli? Hands down one of the best around. Their signature sandwiches are incredible--fresh, flavorful, and made with care. It's the kind of place where you go in for a few items and end up leaving with an amazing sandwich you can't wait to eat. What really sets Spangler's apart is the people. The staff is consistently friendly, helpful, and professional. Their positive attitude makes every visit a great experience. Spangler's truly rocks. I'll definitely be back again and again!

    This is a small market located in El Granada. It is an absolute gem, the quality of what they stock…read moreis very high. They have things that you would not find in a regular supermarket and they have an excellent deli. It's closer to my home than any of the other small markets, and I feel very fortunate!

    Photos
    Spangler's Market - Front entrance area

    Front entrance area

    Spangler's Market - Happy Signature Turkey Sandwich!

    Happy Signature Turkey Sandwich!

    Spangler's Market - Tri tip sandwich

    See all

    Tri tip sandwich

    Sam's Chowder House - Chili-Garlic Prawns

    Sam's Chowder House

    3.6(6.1k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    I would come back strictly for the view of this restaurant…read more Sam's chowder house, to me, lacks flavor. The chowder was average. My shrimp scampi was okay . Yes the seafood ( which obviously is the highlight of the restaurant) tasted fresh , yes the service is great but I wouldn't come here if I wanted a "worth the cost plate." We arrived half an hour early to get a table since they didn't take reservations for 5 and there is always a crazy line to get in on a Saturday morning. Come for views.

    Rating: 3.5/5 Been…read morehere twice with my husband and the menu item that stood out to us the most was their baked oysters Rockefeller. It comes out piping hot, the cheese has a nice char to it, the bread crumbs adds a nice crunch, oysters tasted fresh, and the lemon just adds a nice citrus touch to the overall appetizer. We also enjoyed their calamari appetizer which wasn't too oily, fried well, batter was light, and the squid was cooked well and not too chewy. My husband I also tried their lobster roll, and clam chowder both of which were just decent and ok but nothing to go crazy for. I've had better chowder elsewhere, it tasted kind of bland and felt like it was missing seasoning. However, I do like that they don't skimp out on clam and potato pieces though. The complimentary sourdough was ehh and a bit tough and doesn't come out warm. This place is popular and does get crowded. Be sure to come early or make reservations--lines do start to form before opening. There's tons of seating indoors as well as outdoor patio heated seating too which you can enjoy the ocean views. Great service and welcoming environment!

    Photos
    Sam's Chowder House - Beach at Sam's

    Beach at Sam's

    Sam's Chowder House - Fresh Maine Lobster

    Fresh Maine Lobster

    Sam's Chowder House - New England Clam Chowder

    See all

    New England Clam Chowder

    Pilot Light

    Pilot Light

    4.3(237 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Was driving down half moon bay and saw this cute place where you can dine and watch planes fly by…read more It was a really homey cute inside and gave proper family diner vibes. Pretty average pricing for bay area ($18-$25pp). I got their breakfast burrito and shakshuka. Their bacon was thiiiiiick, and I loved it. It was served with potatoes and salsa, crisp and clean. Only complaint is I wish the tortilla was a bit more crisp. Shakshuka was okay, a bit sweeter that I am used to but I believe that's due to the corn they put in. Was closer to a tomato chili with eggs on top. It was still good, but not quite for me. Boyfriend liked it though. Very interested in trying their burger and dutch baby next time. Service was good, brought out our food despite having a buzzer and remembered us. TLDR: Great place to soak in some sun, quality food, cool planes.

    Rustic cafe connected to the Half Moon Bay airport, which means you can sit outside or by the…read morewindows and watch small planes come and go. When we went, they had a dog adoption event. Food from classic toasts to burritos and even shakshuka. The drinks are creative and refreshing. Bathroom has a stall. Recommend coming here to avoid crowds instead of the restaurants by the jetty if you're having a beach day.

    Photos
    Pilot Light - Beautiful kitchen and cute and quirky setup. Very homey feeling with a lot of character

    Beautiful kitchen and cute and quirky setup. Very homey feeling with a lot of character

    Pilot Light - Classic combo: 2 eggs to order, sausage (choice of bacon or ham available), potato hash, buttered sourdough

    Classic combo: 2 eggs to order, sausage (choice of bacon or ham available), potato hash, buttered sourdough

    Pilot Light - Pilot refresh

    See all

    Pilot refresh

    Barbara's Fishtrap - seafood - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...