After visiting Hearst Castle we came here for a late lunch on Tuesday. Their Moonstone Bloody Mary was delicious. I loved their bloody mary mix and the garnishes. Bartender was friendly. We ended up sitting outside on the patio. My husband and I shared New England Clam Chowder in a bread bowl. The soup's texture was creamy with a bit of clam and potatoes in every bite. Beautifully prepped morsels. The bacon added another level piquing our interest with each bite. Server was friendly but was not much for steering us through the menu. Ordered a side of coleslaw after hearing another table add it to their fish & chips order. Our fish & chips orders seemed overdone for our tastes. It is a nice location and one can stroll the beach afterwards. read more

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Stopped by Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill after visiting Hearst Castle and it ended up being a great dinner spot. We came around sunset and the views were absolutely beautiful overlooking the water. Definitely one of those relaxing Central Coast moments. The food portions were huge and everything we ordered was tasty and satisfying after a long day of sightseeing. Service was friendly overall too. Only downside was that my beer came in a dirty glass. You could tell because the bubbles were sticking to the inside of the glass instead of rising cleanly. Not a huge deal, but something the restaurant should pay more attention to. Overall though, still a nice spot with great views and solid food. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

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Definitely just an okay experience with both the food and the hospitality we received. We went right at opening and had to wait for a bit, which was not a problem. The wait staff seemed unprofessional in the way they were interacting with customers; it did not feel like a welcoming atmosphere and more just felt like they were hurrying to get people in and out. The food was overpriced for the quality. We ordered the fish slaw bowl and the salmon. Both needed to be hotter and the salmon was fairly dry. There were also no dietary restrictions listed anywhere on the menu, which was annoying to ask about. Do not need to come back if in the area again. read more

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I usually go here once a year. I always try to get something new when I go. I have had some hits and some misses. I feel like you can't go wrong with oysters, which I usually always order here. This time I also ordered the calamari to share with everyone. I really like their calamari as well. For my main meal i ordered the burger. The burger was good but had so much lettuce. I took some off. And for $18 I would think French fries would be on the plate with the burger. Who doesn't have French fries with a burger? Our waitress was so nice. She was probably the nicest server we have had here. She was very helpful. I wanted spicy margarita and she said they could make it for me even though it wasn't on the menu. It was the best spicy margarita I've had!! She also came over to check and make sure I liked it. She was very attentive even though she was so busy. I always love going here because of the location. I love being by the ocean and having an ocean view on vacation. I will go back but I do t know if I would get the burger again. I will or try something else next time. read more

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Had the seafood pasta and it was great. Calamari tasted fresh. The England clam chowder was outstanding, so good my bf who isn't a fan of clam chowder actually enjoyed it. Everything that was ordered was good even the Bloody Mary. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill is the go to place when visiting the scenic beach. This restaurant has a lovely view of the ocean, so make sure to secure a spot outside. And bring a jacket and sunglasses! They do not take reservations, and they are closed between 3-5 so make sure to plan your visit accordingly as it can get very busy past 5. While they have all sorts of the lunch and dinner staples, I wanted to try something new so I went with the pulled pork slaw bowl which was excellent. Rich with flavor and filled me up. My sister got the seafood salad sandwich which was was not my favorite but she enjoyed it. The only downside was that the sandwiches and burgers did not come with a side so you would have to buy them all separately which can add up quick. The service was good, considering they were packed, and we had a lovely time altogether as a family. read more

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We were down the road hanging out on the beach and thought I'd look on yelp for places to eat in the area with high reviews and this was one of them. What a beautiful restaurant and what a wonderful view you get when you sit outside. The service was amazing. This restaurant has it all, you can bring big groups of people or even 2. No matter the size I'm sure they can accommodate you. I'm so glad we stopped here to experience the most delicious seafood I've had in Cambria. I highly recommend the steamers for a starter along with the clam chowder they are both 10/10 full of flavor. I will definitely come back here next time I'm in the area. Because after eating here Morro bay restaurants couldn't top it. When you like something so much it's hard not to compare. read more

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I knew going in this place wasn't going to be great and it wasn't. But it was convenient for us that evening. The restaurant was on a wait, we took first available, the host was kinda rude. The patio, all of it wasn't obviously open because of the cold weather but it seemed they had tables available but weren't sitting them. While waiting for our table, we waited about 25mins, we heard numerous groups walk up being like oh look like have tables outside. When we finally got sat our server took a while to greet us, tbh we were ready to walk out. We went with the fish and chips and one of the shrimp salads. I was disappointed the fish wasn't one big piece of fish, that's how fish and chips is supposed to be served. I believe it was pacific cod, some pieces were rubbery - not very good fish and chips at all. The shrimp on the salad was good but waay too much dressing on it. The view of sunset wasn't very good from the patio either. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

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Got there right when it open and people were piling in. We sat at the bar and ordered a couple of cocktails while waiting for our table. The bartenders were super friendly and great to talk to. They also pour a mean cocktail. After about 15 minutes we were seated outside. The views during the day must be spectacular. At night you're not seeing much. The wait staff were quick to take our orders and were attentive. The cioppino was good. Something was off with the crab. The meat seemed super dried inside the shell. The calamari were really well done. read more

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We enjoyed our stroll on Moonstone beach then stopped at Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill for a libation. Aaron made our pit stop so enjoyable we stayed for 2. Beautiful! read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Aaron and my husband at the bar - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

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We had dinner on Friday. Walked in around 6:30pm and wait-listed for the first available table which turned out to be 20 minutes. We sat in the patio which was fairly well protected from the ocean breeze and heat lamps helped, of course. Service was good: order was taken and meals delivered, not much personal interaction. The food was good and included a chowder bread bowl, fish 'n chips, and seafood sandwich. We had some after thoughts: the Clam Chowder was laden with too much salt, the fish pieces were unusually sized at 2x2 inches, and the seafood sandwich tasted sweet. The cocktails were priced at going rate which theae days is around $16. The Moonstone Mary (aka Bloody Mary) is a house specialty. They served it in a small lowball glass piled with lots of ice and little blood. The Chocolate Martini was tough to drink as it was super sweet. You may have a more enjoyable experience at this place, but likely we will try somewhere else before returning. The facilty is very nice and has a great view to the ocean. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Patio Dining - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

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Expectation, across from the beach along the beautiful coastline, nestled among hotels and residential...seafood! Well, very little offered. It's mostly an American continental menu. Sure, they have fish & chips, fish tacos, clam chowder, shrimp scampi...but that's about it, no fish plates other than a special salmon. They do have burgers, salads, carnitas tacos, grilled chicken, steaks, pasta. Now, what I did have I can't complain. Fish & chips, great fish & great fries -- they did me right. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Fish & chips, great fish & great fries - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill was bursting with flavor! While passing through Cambria and looking for a spot for dinner, we stumbled upon this gem within walking distance from our hotel--with an incredible view of the beach. It was peaceful and serene while we waited to be seated. The bar area was perfectly placed in front of us, like a big warm hug calling my name. The drinks were amazing, and the bartenders were extremely friendly. Of course, we had to sit outside on the patio--who wouldn't take advantage of that ocean view? The oysters were fresh and tasty, and the seafood crab cakes were hot, light, and delicious. I can't wait to come back and enjoy another drink with that perfect seaside breeze. read more

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My first review of the New Year, you know we were out and about and I decided to keep on going up highway one. M didn't say a word until we passed Cambria, hey where are we going? a happy place...So I decided we needed to check on the elephant seals . (I typically go to the northern most parking area to avoid the tourists). There were quite a few of the big guys pushing each other around, always interesting. Having walked up an appetite...I drove thru Moonstone Beach and the grill didn't look too busy so I pulled over and in we went. I've always enjoyed this spot for a bit of lunch. Said hello to the manager Frank I believe, he always pretends to remember me, as I do him...haha Seated inside to warm up with a bit with a cup of lunchtime coffee. I've always enjoyed this place, it's just so unpretentious. The menu covers it all and there is plenty to choose from. I've always found the quality and freshness are top notch. We started with the clam chowder as M is the official clam chowder taster in the group. She said the chowder was very good. I too liked the chowder, a few extra bits of seasoning gave it a personality. Clams were diced a bit small for me but certainly clams in every slurp. M went for the Health nut sandwich, ok not my pick and I chose the moonstone beach grilled chicken club sandwich, which was carefully noted as grilled chicken thigh not breast. Menu items are al la carte, so fries or anything else is an additional cost. Thought I'd try the Cole slaw, pineapple flavored just like the one I used to make back in the day. Service was as needed which is fine with me, drinks served, order taken, food delivered. Our guy checked in on us, drinks okay? how is everything...good? That's all I really want from a server, polite and speedy, attentive as need be. We gobbled it all down and were ready for a late afternoon nap, anything from AL's dear, nope lets just go home. Giddy Up. Thanks Frank, Martin - Foodguy read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

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Honestly rough go "mid" as the kids would say. Interior was cute but between the service and the food wouldn't go back.

If nothing else- Id come back for the bartender. He was an absolute gem and made us wonderful Bloody Marys, a Virgin Mary for my friend who doesn't drink. The Cajun Shrimp & Bay Scallops were delish and I would get them again, the scallops were perfectly tender. My friend enjoyed her grilled fish Slaw Bowl and the iced tea. Good things to know- this place is BUSY busy. Be prepared for a wait, especially on the weekends. The food is good and the location is top notch. Also the bar is small and they only do drinks, no food. They give you a buzzer for your table, and have little outdoor seating areas for you to wait. They're also well stocked with cute tee's, hats, and sweatshirts. I was pleasantly surprised at the merch prices. All in all this is a lovely spot along the coast and the food is absolutely worth it. read more

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Moonstone is a decent stop if you are in the area. Very beautiful outside seating area overlooking the water. It is VERY expensive for what you get. I got the shrimp coleslaw bowl and it had THREE shrimp on it- not jumbo shrimp, just regular sized shrimp. The rest of is was rice, beans and coleslaw (that was sitting under the warm shrimp and over the warm rice/beans which made it soggy and warm). The dish was about $20 but for those ingredients, should probably be $12 at most. The calamari was fine but nothing spectacular, kind of soggy. Wouldn't go back but an easy stop with plenty of options for everyone if you needed. read more

Darling little restaurant along the walking trail for a quick bite since hubby was craving fish and chips ! Thanks for allowing us the sub the sweet potatoes fries! The fish was a bit too tough /overcooked but the fries was delicious ! The shrimp and bay scollops was enjoyed ! Staff were great and the outside dining was quite relaxing with a great view read more

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We showed up on a Sunday, before they opened and so did a lot of other people. This place is popular. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside. The Steamer clams were my favorite thing. I also had the fish tacos which were good too. Service was friendly. read more

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Staff was extremely friendly, drinks were amazing, food was tasty and vibes were immaculate!

Looked forward to visiting only to be met with disappointment... This was just our experience. Didn't have one item on the menu. I have heard about this restaurant for years, I've had family stop in and have friends that visit there regularly. As opposed to other restaurants on Cambria's Main Street that don't offer a view of the ocean I really wanted to try Moonstone's out. Walked in and it was not too busy. Host greeted us and let us know to wait just behind him and someone would come seat us shortly. We stood there with a view of the bar where we saw about 5 employees standing around and possibly watching a game on TV. Didn't think anything of it (at the time). After a couple of minutes the host comes up and says I'll just seat you guys. Okay thanks great! Takes us around to this little back room where majority of people are sitting and so we waited for our sever to come while we looked over the menu. We observed one server and he was taking orders and bringing out food for about three tables. Still fine. I know sometimes servers work different parts of the room so I thought maybe he's not our server. Times passing by... After a while the group at the table in front of us cleared out and two bus persons came over to clean off the table. As they approached it they looked at us but no one asked have you been helped or someone will be right over. Meanwhile other employees have stuck their heads around the corner to peer into the little room we could see that they saw us but no one walked over. At this point it's been at least 20 minutes. We see the server come back carrying more things out goes to a table serves the guests and turns around to leave. At this point we are wondering if we are just invisible. My husband and I start talking about just getting up and leaving. I really don't believe that you should have to flag someone down to get service when there are people that have seen you and then ignored you. So we say okay let's give it 5 more minutes. I didn't want to be that person either. I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt to the situation. The same waiter walks in checks in with one of his tables turns around to walk in our direction, stops, looks right at us, no expression not even a smile, and then turns around and walks away. If he wasn't our waiter could one ask if we've been helped or say someone will be right with you???!!! So we get up and decide to leave. We noticed that two other groups that came in after us and were seated in another area have at the very least drinks on their tables. As we leave the host that sat us down is there talking with a coworker and my husband just says "horrible customer service" to which I wanted to reply to be horrible means you actually had to have had some, but before my husband can finish this guy says "mmhmm yea horrible customer service okay..." like he could give two S's less. Wow. I've read the other reviews on this place and for the owner to answer bad reviews with "please let management know" is kind of pointless especially after the attitude we received from the host, I don't expect much more from a manager. Really what's going to change? Someone will be forced to serve us?? No thanks. This was a weekend trip for our anniversary so now this will be one of our "remember that one anniversary when" stories... We will not be coming back to Moonstone's. I'm sure two people less won't make a difference to you. We drove down to a place on Main Street called West End Bar & Grill. We were greeted and sat by the owner who took the time to have a conversation and talk sports and his restaurant to us totally redeeming our lunch experience. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - I mean initially we were excited to be there. - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

Waited about an hour to be seated on Saturday night, which after reading reviews seems standard. We won't be rushing back to this restaurant and here's why: Cons: -You can't have dogs on the patio which was a bummer for us. -bathrooms were dirty and out of toilet paper. Hostess was not friendly -seated at 8:10pm by broken heater only to realize broken after asking for it to be put on 4 times -clams in clam chowder were very chewy -pasta was bland Pros: -beautiful view -large menu/ have kids Menu After waiting so long to experience this restaurant it definitely fell short. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Spicy tequila Chicken pasta was better than tomato basil pasta - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

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Visited Cambria this weekend! Loved this place so much. It is right across the street from Moonstone beach great for a quick walk after dinner. You have a great view of the ocean whether you're seated Inside or outside. The food was delicious. I ordered the New England Clam chowder. It has more of a potato based texture to it, adding a creamier texture. The calamari Frita was so crunchy and flavorful as I paired it with a glass of Pinot Grigio. My partner had the BBQ Pulled pork sandwich which included a pineapple slaw. He did think less slaw would've been best but enjoyed it. Staffing was so nice and considerate, tying this experience altogether. read more

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I never even got the chance to try the food. As the host was leading us to our table, we walked past a server who shot me a look so cold and contemptuous that it stopped me in my tracks. It was the kind of look that makes you feel instantly unwelcome -- like you don't belong there. My husband saw it happen in real time and didn't hesitate. The host led us to our outside table where we continued walking straight out the exit. No meal is worth feeling disrespected the moment you walk through the door. First impressions matter, and this one was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. We won't be back. read more

The host was kind and quick to seat us, our server appeared as if he rather have been somewhere else. We ordered the shrimp/scallop tacos and the seafood salad sandwich, which were recommended. The tacos lacked flavor and the scallops were underwhelming. The sandwich was okay, nothing memorable. It definitely needed seasoning. We asked for hot sauce which didnt help. We also ordered a side of onion strings, that were okay as well, should have been fried longer. They weren't golden jn color and were a little soft to the bite. Overall, the food did its job of being edible but far from memorable or crave worthy. Would not put on my list of restaurants to return to but in no means was it "bad", just not my taste. read more

Stopped in here for a pre dinner drink. The view of the ocean from here is awesome. The service was great. There was a line to get in for dinner right before 5pm, I will be back to try their food for sure. Our whiskey was good, it was a generous pour. read more

Terrible, do not be fooled and go to this place . Long wait time Bad service Long wait time for food Crappy bar food Weak drinks Wasted our time, burger king would have been way better, faster and better service and food served promptly. Sorry - Ugh! read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

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A fun place overlooking the beach and ocean on Moonstone Drive. The bar is separate from the restaurant. My biggest disappointment was that it closes at 8:30 pm, even on a weekend. The food was excellent and the service was friendly and fast. I had fish tacos with a vodka/tonic and was very happy with my choice. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Fish Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

We decided to have dinner here because it is walking distance from our hotel. We arrived around 5:30 and there was a wait of about 30 minutes. Not bad and we enjoyed people watching. We were seated and ordered. Our waiter Jon was friendly. Our entire meal was fine, nothing to write home about. Hubby did enjoy his fish tacos, lots of people around us were ordering them. So I'd suggest ordering them. I think dessert was our favorite. We like to visit Cambria yearly but won't make a return trip here. There are too many other options. read more

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Loved this place. Highly recommended if you are touring Hearst Castle. Recommended to us by our daughter and her fiancé. We sat outside on a perfect sunny day. Super comfortable and amazing ocean view. So quiet and lovely! We each had grilled cod sandwiches , I had a beer and shoestring onion rings. Loved every bite! 5's across the board! read more

UPDATE: whoops! You can't make reservations so come early. Before I talk about the food, let me just talk about Jack! He was our sever! I don't know if you can ask for a server but ask for Jack! He was so pleasant and friendly! He checked in on us several times and did so appropriately. It's like he knew when to check in on us without overdoing it. Now, about that restaurant. Let's just say that if you want to grab a bite here, you should either come early to get in line or make a reservation. We got here almost 30 min before opening and we were second in line. 10 min before the restaurant open, there was already several parties waiting outside. We asked to be sat inside but by the window and that was a great choice. Don't let this deter you from eating here though. Now the food. Omg the food. I wanted to get a second ciopiono to go but that would be overdoing it. I highly recommend getting the steak and lobster and not just the lobster by itself -- assuming you also like steak. I substituted the rice with the garlic mash potatoes and I'm glad I did that. What a great combination with the steak. I asked for medium rare and it was one of the best medium rare I've had. Just cooked right. We also got the molten chocolate cake and when they heard it was my birthday (cheers to 36!), they put it on the house. Even today, I'm still thinking of that molten chocolate cake. It's such a great combination. Ask for Jack! read more

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My wife had the fish tacos and a side of clam chowder. The bread bowl was delicious and the clam chowder was perfect. We had a great server who was attentive to us and made some good recommendations. The ambiance is welcoming and although It is a busy restaurant the servers are on top of their service. We want to come again and try the lobster tail! read more

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My husband, grandma, and I decided to stop by this restaurant after visiting Hearst Castle. We started out with Moonstone Margaritas, which were delicious. My husband then ordered an Old Fashioned, which wasn't great but it was not on the menu so no biggie there. For appetizers we ordered the Coconut Shrimp, Sautéed Mushrooms, and a cup of New England Clam Chowder. For my entree I chose the Fish & Chips, and my husband tried the Seafood Pasta. Lastly, for dessert we had the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake (not pictured). Everyone loved their food and thought it was delicious. Our server was very polite and attentive, and he had our order taken and served out quickly. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very calm and pleasant with a view right by the beach. We'll definitely be coming back here in the future. read more

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I will start this review with the positives. The location is absolutely stunning with beachfront views and was next door the our hotel. The staff were incredibly kind and we were checked on by the manager and waiter often. The calamari fritti appetizer was delicious (just wish we had a squeezable lemon slice to squeeze over the calamari. The calamari had a light fried and delicious coating! My husband's fish and chips were fresh and very delicious! The waiter also offered us a free dessert as it was our anniversary yet we were pretty tired towards the end of our dinner and we were ready to retire for the evening. The wait time was what made the experience less desirable as we were quoted 20 minutes. We chose to eat outdoors when the hostess asked. We waited for an hour and a half for seating. Upon hearing another diner's conversation with the manager the wait time was longer for seating outdoors as there was only a few tables available outside. I just wish that we were made aware of this prior to choosing indoor or outdoor dining. The hostess was very kind and appreciated our patience with the wait time. I ordered the shrimp and scallop tacos and I just personally felt that the shrimp and scallop were a bit fishy for my preference. I believe grilling/charing the fish and scallop would elevate the taste of these tacos. I would love to come back for another try at this restaurant as I seen other dinner entrees that looked amazing. Thank you for the evening. read more

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This place is one of our favorites in Cambria!! The service is always great and the food is delicious. They offer a variety of foods and drinks. The fish & chips are some of the best I've had. All the appetizers are delicious too! Do not skip this place!! I love sitting on the patio which is right across the street from Moonstone Beach, so you have a wonderful view of the ocean. One request is that they get some CREW NECK sweatshirts!! Please!! They only have ones with hoods, but it would be nice to have a crew neck!! read more

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This restaurant is known to be popular and they don't take reservations. We came on a Friday at 2:00 (and they close from 3:00-5:00 daily) didn't have to wait and we had a great seat where we could view the ocean. Our server was Veronica and she helped me choose my lunch based on her recommendations! Everything was delicious! The vegetarian sandwich was so fresh! Layers of textures, crunchy. My tacos were flavorful with the meat and jalapeno slaw. Crunchy tortilla. Would order it again. The fish was fresh and just as expected and hoped! Everyone finished their food!! Clean restrooms, plenty of seating! read more

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Their clam chowder is the best I've ever tasted, lots of clams and dense with flavor! The shrimp and scallops tacos were great too! read more

Highly recommend this restaurant!! From the moment we arrived , check in was smooth. It was first come first serve, we went on Valentine's Day. The restaurant opened up at 5pm for dinner, we got there about 4:45 and there was a line but they got us all in quick. The cocktails were delicious. I got a strawberry margarita and my husband got an old fashion. Upon sitting they brought us fresh bread with butter. Our waitress was Amazing!! We plate split the Rib Eye. It was a big 16oz with mash potatoes, enough for the both of us. The clam chowder to me was a 7/10. But the meal and overall experience and food was definitely a 10/10. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - (Plate Split) Rib Eye and Mashed Potatoes , Cup of Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

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This restaurant was very busy; we were able to get a table for two in approximately 30 minutes for a late dinner. We tried the shrimp and scallop tacos and the fish n chips. The tacos were not great; the scallops were chewy but the shrimp was good. The fish n chips were honestly one of the best meals we had during our stay in Cambria. We liked the light breading and the fries were amazing. The service was very fast. Overall, a pretty enjoyable experience on the patio with a nice view. read more

Came here for lunch on a Friday and they did not disappoint. Their outdoor seating on a nice day is beautiful and the service was excellent. The fish tacos were amazing and came with a side of sauce and salsa. Their margarita is light with light salt on the rim. This place is perfect for a nice lunch outside with friends or a partner or the whole family. read more

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - Seafood Near Me - Cambria, California

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