Sam's Chowder House — Restaurant in Half Moon Bay

If you're a seafood enthusiast like me, then Sam's Chowder House is an absolute must-visit destination! I’ve had the pleasure of dining at this coastal gem several times, and I couldn't be more thrilled with this place. From the delectable lobster roll and fish and chips to the unforgettable clam chowder, Sam's Chowder House has always exceeded my expectations in every way.

One word of advice: if you're planning to dine in, make sure to secure a reservation well in advance. Sam's Chowder House is understandably popular, and tables fill up quickly. The lively atmosphere and beautiful coastal views only add to the dining experience, making it all the more memorable.

However, fear not if you find yourself without a reservation. Sam's Chowder House has got you covered with three fantastic alternatives. First, there's the Chowdermobile—an iconic food truck that serves up their mouthwatering fare at various locations. It's perfect for those on the go or looking for a quick seaside snack. Alternatively, you can head to the convenient take-out window at the restaurant. Lastly, you can place an order ahead for pick through their website. You'll still be able to enjoy their incredible seafood, even if you don't have the luxury of planned dining. Takeout orders from Sam's Chowder House come meticulously packed in boxes, complete with all the necessary utensils and condiments. Enjoy your meal at a picturesque setting, in the comfort of your car at an ocean overlook, a cozy spot at a picnic bench, or even lounging on a sandy beach.

Now, let’s talk about the food. Let's start with the star of the show—the lobster roll. Bursting with succulent pieces of tender lobster meat nestled in a perfectly toasted roll, it is a mouthwatering delight. The lobster is fresh and flavorful, and the portion are incredibly generous. Each bite is a heavenly combination of buttery richness and pure seafood bliss. I guarantee that it will leave you longing for more.

The fish and chips at Sam's Chowder House is equally impressive. The golden-brown batter encasing the flaky white fish is crispy and light, providing a satisfying crunch with every bite. The fish is perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. Paired with the accompanying seasoned fries, it is a match made in seafood heaven.

Now, let's talk about the clam chowder—the crown jewel of Sam's Chowder House. The moment you take your first spoonful, you'll understand why it has earned such high praise. Creamy, rich, and brimming with tender clams and hearty chunks of potato, it is a bowl of pure comfort. The flavors are perfectly balanced, and the chowder has a velvety smoothness that will warm your soul. Whether it's a chilly day or not, you simply cannot visit Sam's Chowder House without indulging in this culinary masterpiece.

Sam's Chowder House is a seafood lover's dream come true. With its unforgettable lobster roll, scrumptious fish and chips, and to-die-for clam chowder, this place has something to delight every palate. Whether you secure a reservation for an unforgettable dining experience or opt for the Chowdermobile or take-out window, you're in for a treat. Trust me, once you've experienced Sam's Chowder House, you'll be counting down the days until your next visit....

Came to Sam's Chowder House on a whim without reservations and was told it would be about a 30-45 minute wait. The waitlist is done via OpenTable which is actually very convenient. You can also specify if you want indoor or outdoor seating. While we waited we enjoyed a nice stroll along the beach below and I was actually very pleasantly surprised by how accurate the projected wait was.

Upon sitting down, we were served a round of waters and some bread and butter. WHY IS THE BREAD NEVER TOASTED?! Even our waitress agreed that it would be so much better!

We began our meal by sharing a large bowl of Sam's famous chowder and the Oysters Rockefeller. Sam's chowder was delicious and we'll deserving of the namesake. It wasn't too salty and was chock full of clams, cubed potatoes, diced onions, diced celery, and bacon. It was creamy and rich and really quite good. As for the Oysters Rockefeller, it came with 5 pieces and was also done well. How can you say no to anything baked in butter, parsley, and breadcrumbs? There was also a bit of spinach in these ones, for health, obviously.

For entrees, we shared 3 plates. My favorite was definitely the naked lobster roll. At $30, it's not a cheap option, but it's definitely worth it! The lobster claw meat was just overflowing! The butter top roll was also just toasty enough to really make the dish. We also really liked the crispy kettle chips on the side.

My second favorite was the blue crab sandwich. The crab salad was very fresh and enveloped nicely by a crisp piece of romaine to prevent the bun from getting soggy. This meant that you still got to enjoy the nice soft buttery/eggy flavor from the brioche bun. I also really liked the sweet pickles on the side. It really helped to cut through the fried foods on some of the other plates.

Rounding out the choices was the fish and chips. Even though it was my least favorite of the bunch, it was still very good. I actually really liked the fry job to be honest! It wasn't too greasy nor was the batter too thick. The essential malt vinegar, lemons, and tartar sauce were also provided on delivery which meant Sam's knows how to do fish and chips but on a particularly hot day, this dish did sit pretty heavy in our stomachs. The fries, though seasoned nicely, were also a bit soggy.

At the end of the day, our meal for 4 came out at $130 with tip which was actually pretty good! We certainly ate our fill and we really enjoyed the ambiance of sitting outside with our ocean view. We'd definitely welcome a repeat as a bit of a...

Saturday 10.25.25 4:30pm Early dinner and it was PACKED. Wait time was 20 min. You check in with the hostess on the left at check in station next to restrooms, then are texted to check in with the host on the right when your table is ready.

Restaurant overlooks Half Moon Bay, setting is beautiful. Our food was super tasty, very happy they don't oversalt and allow patrons to add more salt table side! Our meals were cooked to perfection, very fresh, tender, moist, juicy and plump seafood all around and fresh ingredients for produce.

Daddy had the Cioppino = it was full of fresh, delicious, assortment of seafood though no scallops in this Cioppino unlike the old Bodega Bay's Lucas Wharf Restaurant, now Rocker Oysterfeller's at the Wharf. Sam's Cioppino had Dungeness Crab (waiter asked if we wanted it to be shelled by the kitchen so daddy didn't have to do it himself and that's how we ordered it, or you can order in Shell as well), Prawns, Mussels, Clams & Rock Fish.

Mom had the Swordfish topped with Saffron Aioli, Roasted Cauliflower Puttanesca style (only 3 small pieces though) & Broccoli di Ciccio. The entire dish was made so well, Mom finished every bit except the portions dad and I tried. I would definitely order this dish!

I had the Dressed Lobster Roll (HUGE) that has the lobster (tons of lobster, like an entire large lobster's worth!) tossed in Lemon Aioli, Celery & Chives on fresh, buttered, toasted Brioche (so good!). It came with Coleslaw and Potato Chips but I had the chips changed to the Mixed Field Greens that came with Pomegranate Seeds, Shaved Fennel with Apple Cider and Maple Vinaigrette. We all absolutely loved this dish!

We also got the Small Bowl of New England Clam Chowder, it came with oyster crackers. Advise adding pepper to it. Mom and Dad liked this soup a lot.

Bread and butter on the table is sourdough but not warm at all. They said apologetically they just don't have the ovens to heat the bread, which is from a local Half Moon Bay bakers. Real butter tabs served alongside.

Our server was the delightful Jesus A., who was just perfect. We'll ask for him next time also.

Dessert menu didn't look impressive, soft serve ice cream, etc., so skipped that. We look forward to next time trying their Captain's Plate, the Halibut and the Prawns Stuffed with Lump Blue Crab!

*They play live music...