Sam's Chowder House

孫紹庭（Shao-Ting Sun）

2 months ago · ★ 4

One of the best things about Sam’s Chowder House is the setting. There is a beach area behind the restaurant where you can relax while waiting for your table, which makes the wait much more enjoyable. The dining room also has a warm, lively coastal atmosphere, so the overall experience starts on a very positive note. Unfortunately, the food did not quite live up to the location for me. The complimentary bread felt fairly basic and could have benefited from a little more attention in its preparation and presentation. We ordered the lobster pasta for two, which came with a generous amount of shellfish and satisfying, intact pieces of lobster. However, the pasta itself was cooked very soft and broke apart easily, and the seasoning felt somewhat restrained compared with some of the more memorable seafood pasta dishes I have had in Boston. Overall, the portions and seafood were generous, and the beachfront setting is genuinely enjoyable. I would recommend coming for the atmosphere and views, although I hope the execution of the pasta can be refined.

Debbie Gin

2 months ago · ★ 5

If you’re a seafood lover, Sam’s Chowder House belongs on your Bay Area bucket list! Nestled right on the Pacific Ocean in Half Moon Bay for 20 years, it’s easy to see why it’s consistently voted one of the best seafood restaurants in the Bay Area and one of the Top 3 Outdoor Dining Spots in the Bay Area! The menu celebrates sustainably sourced, ocean-fresh seafood with classic New England flavors. Enjoy breathtaking oceanfront views from the spacious indoor dining room or soak up the sea breeze on the outdoor patio. It’s casual, family-friendly, dog-friendly, and even has a convenient takeout window if you’re headed to the beach. Don’t miss their legendary Lobster Roll, ranked among the Top 5 Lobster Rolls in America. They also feature fresh daily catches, live Maine lobster, and local Dungeness crab when it’s in season, fresh local produce, house-made dressings, sauces, pastas, and desserts. The roof top is covered with solar panels and they use 100% biodegradable and compostable to go boxes made from sugarcane. Owner Paul Shenkman and Executive Chef Partner Lewis Rossman grew up on the East Coast and wanted to bring their memories of the Atlantic seaboard family friendly “fish house” to the West Coast. We started with a cup of their famous clam chowder—rich, creamy, and loaded with clams. The crab cakes were packed with sweet crab and perfectly crisp, while the grilled octopus was tender, smoky, and beautifully charred. Celebrating a birthday? You’re in for a treat! Sam’s serves a complimentary dessert—we enjoyed a refreshing Key lime pie with a buttery graham cracker crust, beautifully plated with lime sauce and a fresh lime swirl and for added pleasure we added their Italian style Affogato! Planning a special event or want to eat at one of their food trucks? Their Sam’s Chowder Mobile catering truck brings their famous seafood favorites to parties and events throughout the Bay Area and Napa Valley. Fresh seafood, spectacular ocean views, a relaxed coastal vibe, and consistently delicious food—Sam’s Chowder House is the perfect place to enjoy the best flavors of the California coast.

Feng Gao

a month ago · ★ 5

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’ve always loved Sam’s Chowder House, and this experience made us appreciate them even more. I accidentally left my car key there on August 21, and when I called later, they told me they had found it and would keep it safe for me. We were traveling, so I couldn’t come back until today — they kept my key safely for more than a week! We’re so grateful for their honesty, kindness, and wonderful service. Sam’s has always been a special place for our family to celebrate, and now it feels even more special. Thank you so much to the amazing team!

Vivian Anne

4 months ago · ★ 4

I was with a party of 7 for lunch on a Tuesday. We did not make reservations but we're seated very quickly (we waited 10 min or so) to get a table right against the window. The view was beautiful. Fried Calamari - standard calamari, but this was good Grilled Spanish Octopus - large portion of octopus; octopus was tender and served with butter beans; would get again Grilled Artichokes with Basil Aioli - nothing special, skip New England Chowder - tasted like classic clam chowder, this was good Sam's Blue Crab & Shrimp Louis Salad - great entree salad, fresh greens and accompiants, $3 to add avocado (large portion); would get again Naked Lobster Roll - really nice portion of lobster on a soft bread roll, can get with fries and coleslaw; would get again They had a nice cocktail menu too. I got a yuzu and lime drink, which I really enjoyed. Overall, a very nice lunch dining experience. I would come back if I was in the area.

E Lopez Paez

3 months ago · ★ 1

Visited Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay with high expectations, especially for the clam chowder, but it was just okay for me. I still think Pier 39 has the better clam chowder. The lobster roll was also meh, and the seafood fried platter was underwhelming with too many fries. However, the seafood pasta in tomato sauce was the standout — simple, flavorful, and so good, especially with parmesan and chili flakes. Overall, the ambience and oceanfront view are really what you’re paying for. Food was hit or miss, but the seafood pasta was definitely worth mentioning.