Everything went well, but best of all was the service. I cannot say enough good things about our server, Pedro. I'm a fussy eater, my friend is on a restricted diet. Pedro was attentive, knowledgeable, and just generally the all around perfect server The food was delicious. The scenery can't be beat. Also worth mentioning is the hostess Rosie. Friendly and informative. You have two great employees. read more

Best garlic fries of my life!!! (And the coolest bathrooms!) My boss took me here for first time there last week and we had the best food, ambiance & service! Pedro was such an attentive waiter and went above and beyond with every step of our service. And then on our way out, Rosie was super helpful teaching us how we could shout him out properly. (Sorry this review took so long to write.) We can't wait to come back! Highly recommend. :) read more

On my recent trip back to Half Moon Bay, I decided to venture beyond Sam's Chowder House and try a new spot. The Moss Beach Distillery is stunning, boasting a rich history, a captivating story, and has a phenomenal view. One thing to note about accessibility: while there are steps, I didn't spot any wheelchair access to the main entrance. The restaurant has two levels. When you first enter, you're actually on the second floor, which feels like a beautiful, elevated space. From there, you can head down to the first floor for additional seating and the restrooms. I ordered a cup of clam chowder, priced around $11, and a side of sweet potato fries, also about $11. My boyfriend went for the prawn cocktail and clam chowder. We both agreed that this clam chowder was exceptional and a step up from what we had in Santa Cruz! It was wonderfully thick and bursting with flavor. I even felt it rivaled the clam chowder I had in Monterey, which I've always considered the best. The scenery, the ambiance, and the incredibly friendly waitstaff all contributed to a truly beautiful experience. I'm so glad I decided to come here! read more

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Driving down the coast and was looking for a place to eat and found this hidden gem which has tons of history and is even haunted. Although I didn't feel any spirits during my time here, I believe the ghost stories. Makes the experience more interesting. What used to be a speakeasy during the prohibition period is now a cozy restaurant right on the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The view was spectacular, no matter where you sit in the restaurant. You order and pay at the bar, and then they bring you your food and drinks. At first, I sat outside on the patio, but I had no reception so I needed to go back upstairs and decided to sit in the room left of the bar. It was cozy. The weather was moody and I was still able to experience those ocean views. Make sure to connect to the Wi-Fi for the best reception. For a quick bite, I ordered the French onion soup (which they are known for) and I also ordered the Caesar salad. Probably one of the best French onion soups I've ever had, and knowing that the kitchen it was made in is probably haunted made it taste a little bit better. I would definitely come back. read more

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Super cute place, but the food is just ok. I think you're here more for the vibes/experience. We did have a 30 minute wait, but it was reasonable as outside dining is limited. Nothing great about the food, in fact it is rather pricey for the quality. The experience is fun though; we enjoyed the views, and for the area I don't think there are too many options. read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

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I expected a lot until I walked in. It's not bad it's just old, which makes sense. After we got the tuna appetizer I expected the same but the chicken Marsala was disappointing. I couldn't finish it. The tuna was SPECTACULAR. The wasabi cream blew me away. The crunchy veggies were amazing. It was super fresh. And bread was amazing. The service was good! The seafood platter was enormous and my partner could not finish it. Overall good experience, but I wouldn't return. I do feel like it's a tourist spot. read more

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Came here on a cool Saturday afternoon for an early dinner. They weren't crowded, luckily, and we were able to get a table for 10 within 10 minutes. My friend who has tried to eat here a few times said in the middle of the summer, they get quite busy with hour plus long waits. Lots of history to this place and enjoyed the views. They messed up the order for a few of the people in our group but fixed it after some time. We all enjoyed the flavor of our foods and the portions are decent for the price. I got the sole which was on special served with lemon and capers piccata style with seasonal veggies and rice. My bf got the sliders. Multiple people in our group got the ahi sandwich which was a good portion and looked fresh. read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Sliders - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

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I came here for lunch on a Sunday. We waited 20mins for a table, but it went by quickly because you can stand/sit outside and enjoy the view of the ocean. I came in super hungry and ordered a handful of dishes. The food wasn't spectacular, but it was delicious: this restaurant serves classic American dishes, focusing on seafood. The service was quick though, and each server was very friendly. What really stood out were the desserts: the brownie with ice cream was great, not too rich in chocolate which was tasty and balanced. The caramel apple blossoms were my favorite: not too sweet, with a perfect balance of crust to apple. read more

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We visited Moss Beach Distillery on a Sunday around 5PM, and got seated right away with no reservation. It got super busy later though and there was a line out the door when we were leaving! I loved the bootlegger/speakeasy history of the restaurant, which was outlined on a plaque outside. The interior also had an old-timey vibe, with beautiful tiffany-style lamps hanging over the bar. We sat on the dog-friendly patio, which has a nice view of the ocean. The only thing I didn't like about it was how uncomfortable the bench seating was. The patio was sloped and the coffee table was so low, so we literally had to hunch over in order to eat. I had some back pain by the end of the meal! We skipped drinks and ordered food right away. My partner and I chose the Crispy Buttermilk Calamari and Linguine di Mare to share. Both of these were solid! The Calamari was nicely prepared with larger pieces of squid. The Linguine di Mare was more substantial and I liked the white wine sauce. I'd be curious to try the famous Clam Chowder or Seafood Quesadilla next time! Service was friendly but not the quickest. Overall, would return to Moss Beach Distillery for the ambiance and views! read more

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Veggie Tacos at MBD? You got it! The best veggie tacos I've ever had! It was amazing! The restaurant is situated over a cliff with the most amazing views! Our server was a sweet heart! We will be back! read more

Stunning views; great history, amazing customer service, and delicious food! Ask for Mel, she will accommodate your requests and serve with a delightful smile! read more

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We visited after an afternoon at Maverick's Beach. Located just a short drive away, it was the perfect place to continue enjoying scenic coastal views while warming up from a blustery adventure (with or without the help of some alcoholic beverages). Multiple dining rooms offer large windows with ocean views. The cioppino was fire. The seafood portions were generous and well-cooked, and the broth was delicious with the garlic bread. Definitely did its job of making me feel toasty from the inside out. We also enjoyed the slider trio and the garlic fries we subbed for were nicely crispy and loaded with garlic. The calamari appetizer was pretty standard and did not stand out. I would definitely go back after another day at the beach. It looked like they also have a patio area, which wasn't open when we visited, but looks like a nice place to dine al fresco in warmer weather. read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Cioppino - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

Absolutely gorgeous place! It's tucked away in the neighborhood and has amazing views. We sat on the patio with so many other dog!. We sat by the fireplace at sunset and it did not disappoint. The food selection was also delicious, and the service was excellent. We will definitely be back read more

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This restaurant is located right next to the ocean which must have beautiful sunsets. We unfortunately arrived after sunset and it was just pitch black. It would have been nice if there was lighting along the cliff side or by the beach. Food was pretty good. Husband got the steak and mushroom Alfredo pasta which was good when I took a few bites. I got the slider trio with garlic fries. Omg the garlic fries were not good. They were good fried with a bunch of raw garlic dumped on top. When I took it home and put it in air fryer it was perfect . read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Mushroom steak Alfredo - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

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What a really great quaint, quiet and historically significant spot to stop in Half Moon Bay! I ordered the clam chowder and some sesame crusted sashimi, which was amazing and I partnered it with a very nice Lagunitas Pils for a very nice late lunch after dropping my high school daughter off at SFO before heading back to Auburn. read more

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I was pleasantly surprised by this place! It was a first time for myself but the people I came with have been here multiple times. The location and view is absolutely gorgeous. The service is fantastic despite having large crowds and everything we ordered was delicious. This is a great place to take friends/family when they're visiting. read more

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What a wonderful place to have delicious food and drink, First off the service was wonderful and spot on. Our server was Tam or Tan, my hearing is terrible so please forgive me for not being sure of his name. Very attentive server and very helpful in navigating the menu. He made sure our lunches were served hot and the drinks served cold. Real good guy! One buddy had the coast sliders, for lunch, one seared tuna, one seared salmon and bacon and one crab cake slider served with delicious fries. He loved his lunch! Another buddy who is, shall we say a bit selective on his food choices (euphemism for picky) was gonna have the fish and chips. I told him to expand his horizons and try the panko petrale sole. Plus I told him if it wasn't good he could order something else. He tried it and loved it! He's a big fan of panko petrale sole now! Another buddy had the seafood combo. Fried calamari, fried fish and shrimp, served with yummy fries. He liked the fish and chips and shrimp. He considers himself a connoisseur of fried fish, shrimp and chips and though it was,one of the best he has had. He doesn't like calamari so the rest of us ate it for him. The calamari was delicious! Tender juicy squid in a lovely batter! We thought it was yummy! For my lunch I had the beet salad and it was yummy. Lots of beets, with spring mix greens and candied walnuts, mandarin oranges and blue cheese. Super yummy!!, Some of us had the clam chowder and it's super yummy, one guy had the French onion soup and said it was delicious! Onion rings are to die for! You gotta try them! Sweet red onion slices covered in a heavenly Devine batter! So unbelievably delicious! I'll be back for these soon! The desserts were wonderful. The cheese cake and the chocolate brownie with ice cream! Very delicious! Please look at the pictures below and let your eyes do the feasting! , , read more

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We stopped here to grab a beer and check it out. Phenomenal views here and its historic destination is a very cool story! Love how this was a real speakeasy during prohibition here on the California coast. First class views if you dine here, employees were great here as well. It is a tourist spot, so consider that but if you like history, views, an an old secluded setting then this should be on your list! read more

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I would give 5 on 5 for the location and views of this place, along with the amazing service that was provided to us today! I would give 3 on 5 for the food. It was good but I won't get cravings for it :) I would love to come back on a weekday and enjoy the live music and sunset. So much history on this place - loved the vibe of this place! read more

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This place still makes the best clam chowder imo. Sweet fresh clammy taste. Doesn't have the potatoey starchy or floury taste that some clam chowders tend to have. Not watered down of overly buttery milky. Just right. Of course the bread is good too. The calamari is nicely fried. Light and crisp. Can't complain about a wonderful midday snack with a direct view of the ocean. read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Calamari and clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

Service was top notch from the second we walked in. I realized I would rather sit inside and the hostess told me they had a window seat available right now (30 minutes before my reservation). Amazing! Our waitress was friendly and gave recommendations. She checked on us regularly and brought the check quickly. The atmosphere was nice (a little loud, but great view!). The food was ok. Garlic fries were yummy. When we left, I forgot my credit card and didn't notice until we were back in San Jose. The restaurant confirmed my card was there and they would hold it in the safe for me. I explained I was not near by anymore, could they possibly mail it? YES! They just needed me to send Bev an email with my address. The next day, the card was the mail. Thank you to all the wonderful people working here! Unforgettable read more

This is an amazing place! Wether you choose to sit inside or outside, the views are phenomenal. The food is always awesome! The serivce is quick to get your food out to you and ensure that everything is okay. We ordered the fish tacos! We have been in search of the best fish tacos and these have been on the top of the list for a long time. Despite making some changes to the fish taco, they were still very delicious and hearty! Still one of our faves. The Crabcakes were amazing. The jicama-cucumber salad they sit on adds a freshness to the plate. Our crab cakes were a bit overcooked, but still the taste was on point. We really enjoyed to chimichurri and aioli sauce. The fries were cooked to our liking, but really lacked the garlic that we hoped to get. We had one issue with one of our plates and the manager was quickly called and responded to our issue. She made it right immediately and really impressed up with how willing she was to please us. We will be back. read more

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I really enjoyed the food and the setting. Their steak, served with potatoes and onion rings, was really great. Also, location: combine dinner with a visit to the nearby park, where you can find the Cypress Tunnel and watch the seals. read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Steak with onion rings - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

My wife and I have been going to the Moss Beach Distillery for over 15 years. Yesterday, it was our 10 year wedding anniversary. So we decided to celebrate at the Moss Beach Distillery. We enjoyed some excellently prepared dishes along with my new favorite the "Smoked Salmon Carpaccio" that was outstanding! The other dishes were great and just one reason we enjoy dinning here. The other reason we love to dine here is the staff. Everyone goes out of their was to make the guests comfortable and happy. This time "Tam", our waiter, excelled with his charm and relaxing way that had both my wife and I enjoying each interface. Again, all of the other members of the team, treated us so nice that we felt wonderful. We will always return for the food, service, and the view! read more

Moss Beach Distillery - My wife Marti with what's left of her seafood "Coast Slidee". - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

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This hidden gem has such beautiful views of the ocean. Great place to stop on a beautiful day. The food and drink isn't bad either. Looking for a great burger some fried pickles or garlic fries? Yum, best ever! Nice place to stop in, grab a cocktail or appetizer and just chill looking out on the gorgeous view were so blessed to have here in San Mateo county. Cool little spot. Good food with great service. What more can you ask for? read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Lovely sunset... - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

Located atop a cliff overlooking the ocean and beach, Moss Beach Distillery is a great little restaurant to catch a bite to eat with a view. Be sure to sit in the back patio for the best views, but be aware that not all tables have a clear line of sight to the ocean. Space is limited. I'd recommend trying the crab cakes. They were a good size and came with a jicama-cucumber salad, bay spice aioli and chimichurri sauce. The French onion soup was good, and the pesto-stuffed salmon was enough for two meals. The service was acceptable. Dogs are allowed on the patio, and they offer a pup patty (plain cooked beef patty) for their doggy diners. It's important to know that this is not a distillery (despite the name). It is a restaurant only. read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Pesto stuffed salmon (front), and Devil's sliders (back). - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

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Hey there Party People You can't beat the amazing views of the ocean, so relaxing and peaceful. We were blessed with a gorgeous day to enjoy the sea breeze. The Distillery has a really nice outdoor patio with Fire pits making it warm and pet friendly. This place has a ton of history all the way back to the prohibition era. Not to mention there is a Ghost that roams the property for those of you that are into the paranormal. The bar was center of the restaurant and had the feel of history to it. We had traditional drinks...Martinis and Manhattans. Perfect drinks to go with the historic feel of the place. My Hubby had the Impossible Burger. It was hands down the best he ever had. If you were blindfolded you would have no idea that you were not eating real meat. I had the Sliders meal. It was a great bite and variety of flavors. The French Fries were the crispy medium thick fries, very good. My Brother-in-law had the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and mushrooms. He really enjoyed the flavor of the sauce very creamy without being 1note. This place is a little out of the way but worth the journey. Be kind to one another read more

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My man Chris is a killer Bartender! He IS My craft Cocktail master! I simply tell him my base, and he hooks it up! Every customer tonight said "Chris you are the BEST!" As he responded "good seeing you, see you soon!" This is our kind of place! And THANK YOU Chris our personal bartender for all you do! Still looking for the Blue Lady, we believe she will appear, when we are ready! 100% recommend! As patrons left the restaurant, Chris was sure to appreciate their attendance and welcome them to next time soon! They all obliged with kind remarks as they left. no surprise, he is a Master at his craft! Chris O. read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

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Came to celebrate our dear friend's birthday. The service and food are ALWAYS spectacular. Fabian was our server and made sure we always had what we needed. The hostess working on 4/4 is SO sweet and professional. This place is always a 10/10!! read more

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Excellent service, food, atmosphere and music. Ask for Tanner to be your servicer and you will not be disappointed. Always a great experience !! Yolanda and Sue read more

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We stumbled upon this restaurant while hiking in Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. The ocean view in the dining area is stunning! They also have an outdoor patio area to enjoy when the weather is warmer. I ordered the Prohibition Mai Tai. It tasted decent but felt a bit light on the alcohol. I had to drive after heading back to the trailhead so it worked out. For entree I ordered the Pesto stuffed salmon. They gave me a pretty decent sized salmon piece. It was perfectly flaky. The crunchy pesto crust was delicious. It came with a side of a small scoop of wild rice and a few pieces of sautéed vegetables. For the price I felt that the portion of the sides was a bit light. Would I come back? Yes for the view and the vibe. The food was decent but the price was a bit steep for what you get. read more

One of our favorite places for a drink and sunset. Food is always amazing.. from the seafood platter to the beer battered artichokes, fish and chips and let's not forget drinks. Hands down probably the best Mai Tai on the coast! Bonus- the ocean views, whale watching and fire pits and dog friendly.... you won't be disappointed. read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Mai Tai - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

First off Javier, our server was fantastic! Then on to the view, you thought I was going to say the food!!?? The view is outstanding! Love the Pacific Ocean! OK, now the food, it took 5 minutes for our friend to get all the shellfish cleaned in her cioppino! I had the special grilled halibut with an orange per blanc sauce , very good! My wife had the sliders, and enjoyed them! read more

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This restaurant is one of the worst I have ever experienced. This is worse than a tourist trap. Service: The service was laughably terrible. For $35 a dish, the service should be unbelievably good. 2 persons in our 3 group did not receive their food until 30 minutes after one person got their main, even after asking the waiter every 10 minutes. The drinks were filled so far on the top, that when they were handed to us they spilled all over. The food: The food was absolutely subpar at best. I would have expected this food to be in a restaurant that charges $7 a dish. But, it's not, this is a $35 per dish place. The seafood was subpar at best. The ambiance however, is a great location, if you could actually see over the high hedges that are placed outlining the outside area. If you are inside you should be fine. Absolutely steer CLEAR of this sad restaurant. For its history, I would have guessed it would be better. Sad! read more

I've visited Moss Beach Distillery many times--it's one of my favorite spots whenever I head to the coast. On my most recent visit, I sat at the bar and was served by Tan, whose customer service was exceptional. He has a great sense of humor, an easygoing personality, and made conversation a real pleasure. I look forward to coming back again soon. Thank you! -- Ramon read more

Happy hour service was friendly and very accommodating. The view of the Pacific was unmatched and the bar area was cozy, yet elevated, and gave a very local vibe. The drinks were made strong, and I have to recommend their warm coffee alcoholic drinks, especially the Nutty Irishman. Particularly for cold, cloudy days, this drink really makes you feel warm and comfortable. The fried calamari was fried well with a crisp crunch, and the surprising highlight was the black sesame seeds on the coleslaw which gave it a nutty taste. Very well-balanced to the fried food. I should come back for a full meal sometime. read more

Moss Beach Distillery - Calamari with black sesame coleslaw - Seafood Near Me - Moss Beach, California

I lived in my speech in the 1980s when the restaurant was as good. It was going to get. They had a salad bar or clam chowder as a starter and credible cooking on fish and things like lamb chops. I lived up the street about 100 yards from the restaurant and it was very hard to get into on the weekends. At some point the restaurant became a complete tourist trap with horrible food. Last time I went there I had pork chops, which were not good. If you wanna hang out on the deck and have a drink or some oysters, it might be the thing to do. They are at an incredible location. They claimed to have a ghost which is a person who was murdered. It has the history of prohibition rum running. It's not a gourmet place. read more

Had a wonderful time here for my birthday! Big shoutout to Rosey she was such a great host, very attentive and also sang a beautiful happy birthday song for me. Food was amazing, loved my birthday cake and the Shirley temple was the cherry on top! Will definitely return! Also try the fried artichoke read more

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Views were so nice outside and weather was amazing. Ordered a burger and it was so good! Staff was so friendly and attentive! Would definitely come back ! read more

What an amazing restaurant. We haven't been there in years and finally made it back. As in the past always a wonderful time! Great seafood, great location with a view, and most of all great service. Thank you Haide for taking such good care of us. We are gonna make it a point to come back sooner. read more