We stopped by to pick up some clam chowder and cheesy garlic bread for Father's Day lunch. Service at the take out window was very busy but the people at the counter were friendly and moved quickly preparing everyone's orders. I've had the clam chowder multiple times and it's always tasty. This time it seemed a little thicker but it was still pretty good. I like the garlic bread but the cheesy garlic bread is made with cheddar or American cheese. Not my favorite. Overall it was a good meal. read more

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. read more

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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 :) read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fish & Chips - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Came in for an early lunch on a Saturday, arrived just befote they opened and there was already a line outside. Parking was easy in the restaurant lot. We were able to get a table inside. It was super busy so we had to wait a bit to order. Our order took a reasonable amount of time to get to us. Everything was delicious, fish tasted fresh and the fries were on point. Servers were nice. Great place to eat at of you're in the area. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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! read more

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I was there on Mother's day sunday, and reached there 10 minutes after they opened. The restaurant was smaller than I thought. Wait to get a table was brutal. I was told 50 minutes wait, but ended up waiting for 2 hours. They also had a togo counter. I should have gone there instead. All seafood was fresh. I went for their fan favorites. Fish and chips was my favorite item here. Coastside calamari was an excellent one too. It came in good quantity. Dungeness crab sandwich was expensive at $36. Sandwich as such was good, even if the quantity was smaller. Clam chowder was flavorful. Orange juice was ok. There is a small parking lot right opposite to the restaurant. Getting a spot there is near impossible. Pillar point harbor is 5 minutes away. May be parking there is the only option. read more

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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. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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We were in Half Moon Bay recently and, like most people do when you're near the coast, we were craving seafood. I found Barbara's on Yelp--solid 4-star rating, good reviews, so we decided to give it a try. We arrived and were told there was about a 20-minute wait, which felt reasonable for a weekend seafood spot. Once we were seated, things started off fine, but the experience quickly became a bit frustrating. There seemed to be a breakdown in communication with our server regarding our order. We placed everything clearly, but when the food came out, it wasn't what we had ordered. Instead of just clarifying or correcting it, we were told the order had been placed incorrectly on our side and were asked to reorder. Unfortunately, we were also still charged for the original order, which made the situation feel even more confusing. We also ordered the clam chowder, which was honestly disappointing. From the very first spoonful to the last, there was a consistent gritty, sandy texture that made it difficult to enjoy at all. It took away from what is usually a comfort dish, especially in a coastal town where you expect it to shine. On a positive note, our timing coincided with sunset, and the view from the window was absolutely stunning. Watching the sun dip over the water while dining added a really beautiful moment to the experience, and the scenery itself was honestly the highlight of the visit. The setting itself is nice and the location is convenient if you're exploring Half Moon Bay, but based on our experience, the execution on both service and food quality didn't match the expectations set by the rating. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity. With a bit more attention to order accuracy and consistency in the kitchen, this place could easily live up to its Yelp reputation--but unfortunately, that wasn't our experience that day. read more

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We arrived close to closing time but they were able to squeeze us in. We were sat by the windows overlooking the sea. I had the fish and prawns with chips. They were very well prepared and light and crispy. Our waiter and the owner were incredibly friendly, I recently started fishing and ask excited to do by after my fishing trips in the future. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fish, Prawn & Chips - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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Got food from the window since the line for dine-in was long. It worked out fine since it was a nice day and there was a communal table outside that was vacant. The menu items we wanted were also available from the kiosk. There was a frequent customer that came just for the key lime pie so I had to try it. It was good and I wouldn't mind getting it again. Would I come back just for that? Probably not. Everything tasted as expected but nothing really stood out as something I have to come back for. I wouldn't mind coming back again though since I do love fried calamari and fish n chips. 3.5 rounded up. read more

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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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Glad to report Cioppino is back. The senior menu is also still on. But the prices are higher than before, appeared to be reasonably reflecting the time. In addition to the usual excellent foods, the service today has seen marked improvement from before. They actually attended to my needs without asking: providing boxes when they knew we are not finishing and bringing a bowl of warm water for rinsing when they saw me working the crabs. read more

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. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Barbara's had been here for a long time. Very quaint, fun for the family, good prices, Garlic cheese bread is excellent Clam chowder is top notch. Fish and chips was very good. Nice specials. The key lime pie was very tasty. We come here every time we are in Halfmoon bay. The waiters are very fast and nearly mind readers. Very helpful with their suggestions. Very friendly staff and a fun place to eat. read more

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. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Broiled fish and coleslaw. Coleslaw is in the closed container. It was a generous portion. - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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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. read more

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I always love a good seafood place, on the water and with history! It's a small(er) place but the menu is great! They close mid day for an hour or two but it's a causal, cute spot to grab some seafood and feel like you're at the beach! The have specials and some specials on beer too. It can get crowded fast but I think the service is pretty quick. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Front/main entrance - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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While the calamari horseradish marinara sauce is amazing, the batter could be seasoned more and crispier. The clam chowder follows a thicker consistency that you'd think would carry depths of flavor, but unfortunately also lacks old bay/seasoning. For the wait this place garners, I was just expecting a bit more than what was delivered. read more

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! read more

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Best oysters I've ever had and I'm from the gulf coast! Food was great. Service was very good as well. Great place for a casual dinner. read more

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Line was long on a Sunday afternoon. Parking sucked but we just decided to park by the apartments/hotels and we were fine. We waited in line for about 30 mins, but then the food was ready in 5-10 mins which is pretty impressive. Got a table right down the sidewalk with a great view! Fish & chips are $20 for 4 fried fish pieces and a decent amount of "chips". Tartar sauce is good and they have plenty of other sauces available (vinegar, tabasco, mayo, etc.). Fried scallops were good but got soggy quickly. Overall, fun place to come but nothing special in my opinion...not sure if I'll be back for how much trouble it was to park, wait in line, and then pay the high prices. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Fish & Chips - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

I Had The Broiled Fish N Chips With The Cole Slaw Instead Of Fries The Broiled Fish Was Great Tasting And Much Healthier Than Fried! Was Really Glad To Dine At Barbara's Fish Trap I HIGHLY SUGGEST A VISIT HERE! read more

Came to the Fishtrap for this first time today. I was the second to last order for take out before the afternoon closing to refresh the cooking oil. Place is cool. People everywhere. Take out crew was highly efficient and nice. Sits right on the harbor, great views. I'm picky about fish and chips. Barbara's gets an A+. Steak fries that were hot and crispy. I ordered the Senior 2 piece. Fish cooked to perfection while remaining moist. I also had a cup of chowder that could compete with anyone. It's really good!! read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Beautifully cooked fish and chips. - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

My family and I found this place kind of randomly. We ordered a lot of yummy food! The setting was lovely and the customer service was amazing. We went on a busy weekend and the employees working in the take-out window were getting orders out back to back all in good time! The employees work fast, efficiently, and with a friendly easy going demeanor. Big shout out to the young girl taking the orders, she was very helpful and kind and she got those orders out with a quickness! I would recommend this restaurant. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Surf Burger Fish & Chips Mini Fishtrap Tempura - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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IMHO When we rolled up to Barbara's Fishtrap at 11:20 a.m., there was no visible queue outside! The dining room was full except for two small table options, so we grabbed the one furthest from the opened door. It was a teensy bit chilly, so my friend went back to the car for our jackets. Menu prices have gone up, but it matters not. Barbara's Fishtrap seafood is worth it! Everything looks so yummy, and I really should try something different, but I always order the signature fish and chips, $19.95. You receive four big pieces of fish with thick steak fries. I also ordered a side of cole slaw for $6.95. As a senior citizen, I could've ordered the Senior portion but bringing home leftovers was a better idea! Food portions are so big, that I never have room for dessert, but they always ask! One day! They now accept credit cards! (We still paid with cash.) Service is always very friendly and genuine. read more

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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 read more

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My fiancé and I stopped by Barbara's Fishtrap one random trip to HMB and have been coming back ever since. We originally wanted to try Sam's Chowder House but didn't want to deal with how crazy their parking lot is. I'm so glad we chose to try this place instead! We've tried a bunch of things on the menu but we absolutely love the fish & chips, calamari, oysters, clam chowder and the creamy seafood pasta with clams. I love that service is fast despite how packed this place can get. I also want to give a shoutout to the staff for how friendly they are despite how rude some guests can be. Absolutely love this place & cannot wait to be back soon! read more

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Food was ok clam chowder a little disappointing lots of potato's few clams. Service was great restaurant very clean the fish and chips always good read more

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Finally able to visit this restaurant. Nice casual spot with limited seating. On this day only waited 15-20 min to be seated. Service was quick and efficient. Food was great - clam chowder had plenty of clams and good flavor. The fish and chips were nice and crispy without being greasy. My BF enjoyed his seafood pasta - large shrimps were plentiful. Overall a nice casual dining experience by the water. read more

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Worth the 1.5 hour drive for some amazing seafood. We got there at 3:45 pm and was able to snag an ocean-view table. The clam chowder soup was good. Loaded with nice size pieces of clams. The Zucchini & Mushroom Tempura was cooked to perfection. It wasn't oily; crunchy exterior and perfectly cooked interior. Zucchini still had a bite and the crust didn't fall off. Combo Pasta's seafood (fish, shrimp, scallop, clams, mussels, calamari) was cooked to perfection. Marinara complemented the seafood perfectly. This is my go to dish at Seafood restaurants; this is the best I've had to date. Hubby had the Fish and Chips. Crunchy exterior and fish was cooked to perfection. Service was attentive. Atmosphere was kitchy seaside; perfectly cozy on this foggy day. We will definitely come back! read more

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Got the fish and chips! Super fluffy with crispy batter. Tartar sauce tasted a bit funky. Fries are thick cut and a moderate amount of crisp. The coleslaw isn't overly sweetened and is the right level of creaminess. We got our order to go and ate outside because the wait to eat inside was 40 minutes. The food came out fast and the ambiance outside was pretty relaxing. If it's a beautiful day, would recommend eating outside and enjoying the environment. read more

Barbara's Fishtrap - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Stopped by Barbara's Fishtrap for a late lunch on a Sunday after visiting the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Unfortunately, the main dining room was closed because they were changing the oil in their fryer (although it's nice to know they change out the oil regularly), so we ended up ordering from their take-out window which had a limited menu. There were 7 of us including 3 kids, so we ordered several items to share. We ordered 2 orders of fish and chips, the Big Ol' Clam Chowder, one grilled cod sandwich, one order of the corn dogs with fries, and one shrimp salad. They gave us enough little cups so everyone could have some of the clam chowder. Everything was good, maybe not the best I've had, but good. The fish and chips seemed to lack enough flavor somehow. It seemed to be battered well, not too thick on the crust, but I just didn't get as much flavor as I'm used to. I'm sure it's just my aging taste buds! Everyone else enjoyed it. The clam chowder was dairy-free, but I'm more accustomed to one made with milk, so it was different. This one is probably healthier, so that's okay. Lots of clams and potatoes in the chowder. The shrimp salad had lots of iceberg lettuce and not a whole lot of shrimp, but there were also beets, beans, and tomatoes. I'd probably eat here again if I'm in this area and somebody wants to come here, but it wouldn't be one of my destination places to eat. I hope I can get into the diningroom the next time, though. read more

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