Barbara's Fishtrap

Barbara’s Fishtrap is a beloved coastal seafood spot that delivers on both flavor and atmosphere. The outdoor seating, perched right along the Half Moon Bay shoreline, offers unbeatable views and a laid-back vibe. It’s the perfect setting to enjoy their signature dishes like clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, crispy calamari, and golden fish & chips—all served hot and generously portioned. While the restaurant doesn’t offer delivery, their takeout system is smooth and efficient. Guests can place orders at the outdoor window and enjoy their meals at nearby benches or take them to the beach. The packaging holds up well, keeping everything warm and intact, especially the fried items. It’s a great option for those who prefer to dine al fresco or on the move. Expect a bit of a wait during peak hours, especially on weekends, but the line moves quickly and the staff are friendly and well-organized. The menu is straightforward, the seafood is fresh, and the setting is hard to beat. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Barbara’s Fishtrap is a must-visit for a classic coastal meal.

Such an adorable fish shack on the beach. Perfect location. Plenty of seating inside and out. They have patio seating up and down the street as well as a cozy inside seating space. I felt like the price was very affordable for how much you get. 5 decent sized pieces of fresh cod with some of the best steak fries I’ve ever had was only $21. It came out hot and fast. We just stood at a table bench near by and watched the waves and people drive by as we enjoyed our lunch. We also got a cup of clam chowder which was delicious. All in all a great stop in Half Moon Bay for some delicious traditional California Bay Area fare!

One of the best Sea food restaurants in the area. Their Clam chowder is famous and for a good reason! Prepare for a wait especially on a he weekend, but it is well worth it! Most of their offerings are good. I e went with h the fried options for our last visit and wee very happy with our choice!

Solid seafood in a really cool, classic atmosphere. As someone who is not the biggest fan of fish and chips, I was pretty impressed with the fish and chips my girlfriend ordered here. The fish was flaky and the batter was crispy. I really enjoyed my calamari which was perfectly crispy and really tasty. It was also super cool that they have a $3 beer deal on offer... Would be happy to try something new on the menu next time I'm in the area.

I have to give this place four stars because the anticipation built it up too high. We had to line up half an hour before it opened so please make sure to look at the times because they do have an “oil change”. While we waited, people were raving about the food. The reviews online stated that it was award-winning. The food was good don’t get me wrong, but I just don’t feel like it was worth driving out to and lining up for.

A winner every time! Make a pilgrimage from Oakland to half Moon Bay at least once a year. And I leave early because by 11:30. The traffic getting into town is just ridiculous. Got there about 10:55 before they open and there was already a line, but luckily it wasn’t too big of a line we got seated right away. The place was completely full in five minutes time The food was good. They have a three dollar beer special. My friend got fish and chips which was four large pieces of fish and I got the combination seafood Italiano pasta, which is basically a wine, garlic, herb and butter sauce. Sadly, they were all out of crab they said because the prices were just too high at this time of year. I also got the artichoke tempura which was piping hot and some onion rings for an appetizer next time. I’m gonna make sure that I get the mini fried seafood combination that seem to be something that everybody had they either had that and cup or a bread bowl of clam chowder. We took our time to eat and hung around half Moon Bay for maybe an hour walking lunch off and as I said the traffic coming into town as we were leaving was not fun looking. It pays to arrive early in half Moon Bay.

This place has two parts, a takeout window and a sit-down section. We ordered from the takeout window and the service was pretty fast and we sat at one of the tables by the restaurant. The clam chowder was yummy and we enjoyed the fish and chips, I especially liked the tarter sauce. We also ordered the corn fritters which were good but would not say they are essential. Our friend also ordered the fish of the day sandwich and it was huge and looked delicious, there is more there I would like to try next time!

Great food, beautiful calm relaxing atmosphere with great service. Clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, calamari. 4 beers. Great!!! T- shirts are for sale and I had to get the black t shirt. The design is cool.

The line gets so long and it stops during the time they are changing the oil. We waited like an hour in the line so they reopen. We got clam chowder and fish and chips and rhey were all yummy and worth the wait! They bring orders pretty fast and they have fantastic view.

A beloved local institution that doesn't live up to hype for me. I grew up in a similar coastal area eating lots of fresh fish, so while the food was fine, it wasn't worth the 30+ wait and high dinner bill for me to return or recommend. We ordered: - free bread for the table was sourdough but wish it had been warmed - corn fritters on recommendation of a lady leaving: interesting and yummy - calamari appetizer: a good portion and had an interesting cinnamon-like spice, but needed more acid - clam chowder bowl: reminded me that I don't really like clam chowder - sautéed garlic prawns: $27 for 6 shrimp and mediocre fries Logistics: - indoor sit down seating, walled and roofed patio sit down seating, a few picnic tables outside for the takeout window - a small parking lot directly across the way but it was full and tight

A classic. Barbara's has been on this little slice of the coast for ages, and it really never disappoints. For me it's not a matter of whether I will return, it's what will I order the next time I'm here. We got: - fried artichokes - I've not found a place that does these better than Barbara's. - fish and chips - classic, standard, delicious fare. Comes out piping hot with flat steak fries and two cups of tartar. - cup of clam chowder - PACKED with clams. I would order this again, maybe as a bowl. I don't think they offer a bread bowl option - classic burger - pretty standard stuff, came with a partner who's not big into seafood! - key lime pie - delicious. Could go a bit heavier on the graham cracker crust, but a perfect way to cap off the meal. The tartness of the key lime pie pairs well with the dense fried food. They used to be cash only but now take cards with a fee. There is a small lot for parking across the street (designated for them) but it fills up very quickly on weekends. They have a to-go counter that is also very quick; take some fish and chips to go and sit on the beach! Love this place. Hope it never leaves.

Experience: 8.8/10 Came here on a Sunday at around 11am where there was not much of a wait. The parking situation was nice as there was a small lot in front of the restaurant where you can park your cars. The restaurant is located on the side of the harbor and you can see the ocean when looking out. The place gets packed easily so it would be best coming early or you should expect to have to wait. The Food: We got the fish and calamari combo and the large clam chowder. The calamari was crisp, and I loved the spicy marinara sauce that came with the dish. The batter is in between a thick and thin batter, and is super crispy and is fried amazingly. The Chips were great too, as they were crispy and fluffy on the inside. The fish however was a little bit of a miss for me as it was not as crispy as I expected. The fish quality however is very nice and is super flakey on the inside. The chowder is amazing as it is packed with a bunch of clams. It was creamy, savory and thick which is how I like my chowders. Others may find it too thick for their liking but personally is one of my favorite chowders that I have tasted. Overall: I would highly recommend coming here if you are craving fried seafood and a bowl of chowder! I do think I may have gotten a little unlucky with the fish, but the oceanside view, food quality if amazing. I would come here again!.

Get the scallops - thank me later. I would even only buy the scallops at this point too. It was sooo darn tasty - made everything else forgettable. The wait was long during the dinner rush +40 mins. But there are places to sit while you wait. The parking is a big tight and street parking is sometimes difficult. The service was friendly and accommodating to requests for hot sauces and goes into the menu item - but they move fast. The place gives a mom and pop shop feel and looks like a local favorite.

All the seafood was super fresh and yummy! Our server Kim was so super kind. I forgot to take a picture of the Limoncello cake. It was bomb. Such a beautiful view from this sweet small restaurant. Folks were lined up so we knew it had to be good!

The first stop after leaving the SFO airport was Barbara's Fishtrap. There are two options, a walk up window or a sit down dining room. The wait for two was maybe 25 minutes. It's right on a beach so my friend and I walked along the beach while waiting to hear our name called. Once we were seated we had excellent service. We started with the calamari appetizer, which was delicious! I gauge seafood restaurants on how good their calamari is, and this was a great start to an amazing meal. Next course was a broiled fish sandwich with Cajun seasoning. This portion was insane! Served on a delicious roll on top of a bed of French fries. If that wasn't enough, a friend recommended the key lime pie for dessert. This was more like a key lime cheesecake, silky smooth with just the right amount of key lime flavor. This place was awesome!

Best fish and chips that I have ever had hands down. Fresh, flaky, flavorful, cooked to perfection. Throw I. Calamari as an appetizer and you will be set. The atmosphere is amazing, the service is a perfect balance of attentive but not overly rushed. If you are in half moon Bay Area this should be on your short list for dining.

This is my favorite place to go for fish and chips! The breading isn't too thick and it's nice and crispy crunchy and the fish is never too dry. The chips are also solid fries. I have never been disappointed by this place. This time I also tried ordering the combo pasta and I wasn't really into it but they were very generous with the toppings. I happened to go this past weekend during the King tide so it was super busy in HMB in general but I still managed to find some parking. Even though the restaurant was also super busy my wait was reasonable (maybe 30 min?) and the service in the restaurant was also pretty close to normal serving times as well.

Came here because a friend is in town. The line is long as usual, an hour wait was told ahead of time. Heard from other customers that to-go takes 30 minutes wait also, so decided to wait for a table. Ordered fish & chips, raw oysters, and crab sandwich, all good. The food is 4 stars, the wait is 1 star according to my friend. As we want to try raw oysters so we better have a table. Last time we made a to-go order, the fish & chips were not good perhaps because it is cool down by the wind by sitting outside. So your call to wait or to-go, and set your expectations right.

The only thing I wouldn't recommend is the very bland Trumer Craft Pilsner that they sell for $3. Other than that, I thought the food was great for the price. We got fish and chips, oysters, and clam chowder. The fish (and chips) were craftfully wrapped in golden batter, giving it a good light crisp texture outside but a nice soft feel inside. The oysters were so fresh and I enjoyed every "bite"! Def get them when in season (winterish months) Parking is... non existent? We parked on the side of the road, a good 50ft away from the establishment. But that's only about 10 spots. We went to the "take out" cashier outside. Service was nice and friendly. It can be hot outside with the sun though.

Stopped by Barbara's Fish Trap around lunch time as we were meeting up with some friends to explore the area. First time here, so we ordered a bunch of stuff. The best thing we ate was the cheesy crab garlic bread. The price tag looks steep at $27 but honestly I thought it was worth it considering how much food they give and the giant chunks of crab they provide. We also had the fish n chips and calamari, both were ok but not sure I'd get again. The clam chowder was good though. Fries are steak fries, and good. With so much fried food though, it all kinda tasted the same. We had the dogs with us, so we did their takeout window. The line does not move fast, but shout out to the two gentlemen inside getting the food out as fast as possible, those people were working really hard, so kudos to them. They have probably 8-10 outdoor tables, and finding a table wasn't super hard as people eat and go, so the turnover is quick. We explored the area a bit in the afternoon and the line for the takeout window was way better after 4pm and all the tables were pretty much available. So if you are wanting to avoid the crowds, go later in the day.

Came here on a Sunday ~6pm and the line wasn't as long as I had seen it before during peak lunch time on the weekends. I remember the lines were too long in the past so I had to skip this place, so I was glad I was able to try it this time. There was still a short line for seated service, so I opted for the take out window on the left side of the building. There is a box full of menus to the right of the ordering window, so you don't feel rushed at the window. We got the fish &chips, Barbara's mini fish trap (fish, scallops, shrimp, zucchini), and some raw oysters on the half shell. All of these items were so delicious and fresh, and I can't wait to go back. The take out window, as expected, is self service, so there are utensils, condiments, drinks, all to the sides of the ordering window. There were plenty of outdoor seating options nearby the restaurant, and a single high top nearby where we sat. It is dog friendly, so bring your best friends! And there is a little beach behind the restaurant. We had beautiful timing and got to see the sunset right after dinner. There is a parking lot across the street from the restaurant, but it fills up pretty quick, so account for additional time to find a parking spot.

At Barbara's you truly get what you pay for. The ambience, the quality of the food, the service from the staff....all exceptional. Hubby and I have been coming here since hubby and I first met (over 25yrs) and quality has never changed. Though price have gone up (to keep up with current economy) but worth every penny. We don't come by here as often as we used to since we moved, but anytime we crave seafood, w/o hesitation I always tell hubby "BARBARA'S!". Quality of food: A +++ Quality of service: A +++ Price: $$ - $$$ ( but worth it!)

Yes, I know the line is long! But have patience! I've been to Barbara's a few times before and I'm always happy to come back. While this time we only got ceviche, it's just as good as I remember it to be. It's worth a try if you have time!

Dropped in this evening. We ordered to go and ate a bit outside since we had the pup with us. Food was a little soggy but that's what's expected when it's packed to go! I usually eat in house and everything is perfect. Chowder always good, we also ordered cheese bread and a large fish trap to share. The wife ordered me rice pilaf instead of fries since I've been on a pilaf kick again ‍ no complaints. Just a full belly Good food, great view, wholesome environment. I'll always stop by when I spend a day out on the water this way

Made a stop after visiting a nearby pumpkin patch and had the best fish and chips that I had ever eaten even though I don't typically like fish and chips because of the thick batter. The ones at Barbara's Fish trap was crispy and light and the fish was flakey and soft. My fiance and I also ordered the crab Louie salad and the clam chowder as well. The crab Louie salad was refreshing and the crab was super sweet. The bowl of clam chowder was large with a good amount of clams, pricey and slightly salty, which made my throat hurt. We also ordered two slices of 7-layered chocolate cake togo. It was all gone before I had the chance to get a taste, according to my fiance, it was THAT delicious! We came a few minutes before opening on a Friday and there were people lining up already. Not even an hour in and the restaurant was filled with a line out the door. The pricing is a bit steep, plus there's a bunch of surcharges included in the bill. However, the server was friendly and the short wait for us made our visit much more pleasant. They have their own private lot across the restaurant so that was convenient. I could imagine there being a long wait and a filled parking if we had went any later. The restaurant inside was small, with a section that extends out and is still covered so you have a view of the waters without being cold. There's some outdoor picnic tables, but I'm not sure if those were part of the restaurant. They just said no pets allowed when we asked.

I went on a Friday, and even with the lunch rush, my party was quickly seated. Service is fast and friendly, and the atmosphere matches the ocean-side vibes. Wow! Great fish and chips. We had to get the fish and chips and the chowder, and none of them disappointed. The fish has a delightful crunch, and the chowder is equally fantastic with plenty of clam. Fries would be the weakest part, but the tartar sauce and a having Four Monks vinegar (favorite!) more than elevated the dish. Pricey, but go for the $3 beers! It's a great deal for a 12oz.

Tried the Clam Chowder, Oysters on the 1/2 shell, and the Mini Fishtrap Tempura. The Clam Chowder was a bit thick, but well seasoned. The oysters were fine. The Mini Fishtrap had a little bit of everything: fish, calamari, scallop, shrimp, and for some reason a zucchini. My favorites of the bunch was the scallop and shrimp; both were really tasty. The fish and calamari were pretty standard, nothing to complain about. The zucchini was just kinda there. Not sure if they salt the zucchini beforehand to draw out some of the water, but it was a bit soggy. Overall, a solid place but I don't think it's worth a long wait.

Mmmm....so glad we tried this place. We stopped by Tuesday for a late lunch after exploring the beaches nearby. The wait was still a half hour, so we decided to order to go and eat outside at the tables to the right of their restaurant. We still had a very nice view and luckily beautiful weather. Clam chowder was yummy and different, full of clam pieces. We really enjoyed the steak fries that came with several of our meals. Will definitely stop by again!

I haven't been back to this place in almost 20 years. I remember how good it was and this time didn't fail. I had the bread bowl clam chowder, mini fish trap (deep fried calamari, 2 shrimp, one fish, 2 scallops and zucchini sticks). The batter was not thick and it was not oily. The batter was seasoned nicely and had a good crunch. The scallops was soft and sweet and the fish was the same. I chose coleslaw instead of rice or fries (it was good but I think I would have chosen rice next time).The bread bowl was good. It had a good crust and soft bread. The clam chowder was good but one had better. I wish it was more creamy. Lastly, we ordered the corn hush puppies, which honest was my favorite. For dessert, we had the snicker bar pie. It was good but a little too sweet for me. The service was great! Kim was friendly and attentive ensuring we had everything we needed. They got all our orders correctly. This is a great little spot. We came at 8PM on a Friday night and there was plenty of parking and seating. I remembered when k came here in the early 2000's and how busy it was during lunch. Most definitely recommend.

When in the area, we usually go here for fish and chips; and clam chowder and get it to -go and sit in one of their outside tables. This time, I came with friends, and decided to sit-down. Got to try their pasta marinara and salad. Everything was lip-smacking and had generous portions. Our server was very considerate and attentive. The inside is nice with a beach-y decor.

I've been coming here for years and it never disappoints. We got the ringy dingy calamari as an appetizer and they don't skimp on the quantities they give you like other restaurants. We also got the Italiano combo pasta which had more seafood than pasta and it definitely made it worth it for the price of $34. The other dish was the fried oysters which tasted very fresh and you could not go wrong with it.

Barbara's fish trap is a great spot for seafood in half moon bay! I come here often and usually for to go but came and sat to eat- it was delicious! The service is pretty quick. They have a happy hour deal for beer which is great, it changes every 2-3 hours so there's a good variety of beer to try from which I thought was pretty cool. Ambiance is very chill and even tho it's a small restaurant there is a good amount of seating.

Stopped by around 2pm after a walk on the Coastal Trail. Waitlist for the dining room was closed already but the outdoor kiosk was open with a fairly long line. We were afraid we might not be able to order before they closed to change out the oil, but were pleasantly surprised with how quickly the line moved! There were four of us so we treated ourselves to two crab sandwiches and two barbara's mini fishtraps with a bowl of chowder to share and a side of sourdough. Crab sandwich had a very generous scoop of crab salad and the bread was toasted/seasoned deliciously, but I felt like I took two bites and my half was gone :( The sandwich also didn't really fulfill my craving for seafood, but luckily we got the fishtrap! Originally we were just going to get some fish and chips and I'm happy we decided to pay more for the fishtrap because the scallops were by far my favorite part of the meal. They were so fresh and tender and oooo!!! Calamari, fish, shrimp, etc. were all also very good...but the scallops were easily the best part for me. Chowder was okay - there's better options on the oastside but give it a go if you want to decide for yourself!

We waited around 45 minutes for take out orders on a beautiful fall day. There are plenty of picnic tables facing the water where you can enjoy your meal. We shared several orders of the fish and chips and also got an order of calamari and chips. All of it was fresh and fried perfectly.

8/27/24 Check out my last review. Everything is the same as it was seven months ago. The same except that the Tuesday beer special price went up two bits per serving. Like our last visit, lonely senior citizens must wait in line to visit the single commode set aside for all of Barbara's guests. This while the "Employees Only" washroom quietly huddles in its corner yearning for company.

Enjoyed a birthday lunch with my wife who wanted fish & chips. We were seated immediately by the window overlooking the beach. The menu has so many delicious pictures of their dishes making it a tough choice to decide on what to have. We ordered a Mini-Fishtrap, Fish & Chips and a bowl of Clam Chowder. It was awesome ! The fried seafood was lightly battered, crispy and crunchy not greasy at all. The Clam Chowder was so creamy and thick with lots of clams. It was perfection on a Plate. Can't wait for our next visit to Barbara's Fishtrap!

This place regularly has a line even before it opens but even if it seems long, the place is deceiving big and fits many role in the first wave. But when we finished and left there were a lot waiting and I can see how one or two tables clearing at a time might take awhile. Moral: get there early or be prepared to wait. Mixed review for me. On one hand, the Dungeness crab sandwich was hella good. Pretty small for $30 but still very good. On dollop served on two nicely toasted pieces of French bread. I think another half dollop would make it more right. The cole slaw was pretty good. Got that instead of soup or fries. But the convo italiano style pasta needed more wine (it was the wine version, not the marinara version) and salt. I've had this dish in many places so lots to compare against. It did have a good amount of seafood, scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels, and fish. You can get a single seafood if you want to save a few bucks. Table bread good. Same as the crab sando bread but not toasted. Cool bite of the sea. Nice sea decorations inside, like nets hanging from the roof.

During weekdays you don't have to line up for too long. We chose to sit outside by the road since we brought our dog here. Ordered the most popular fish and chip, and another grilled fish. The fish and chip was good but at the end of the 3rd piece I couldn't eat anymore. The grilled fish was made of the same fish and it came with fried zucchini. It's a good pit stop with nice ocean view.

Stopped by on a sunny Thursday afternoon and was lucky enough to only wait 10-15 minutes around 1:30. Food Ordered: 1) mini fishtrap tempura 2) daily fish sandwich special (which was cod that day). Honestly, I wasn't expecting much, but wow - it blew me away! The tempura was straight-outta-the-fryer hot and crispy, just how I like it. Definitely recommend getting the mini to share if you're with a small group. The cod was super tasty, but I ended up eating it on its own with the coleslaw since the bread was a bit too thick for my taste. Overall, solid choice - would def come back! Great parking across the street; the restaurant now takes credit cards too. Older yelp reviews made me think that it was cash only, but they now take credit cards. Service was top notch (I think Norma helped us) and she was friendly, kind, and quick! Thank you Norma!

If you're in half moon bay, you must try this place. We arrived 10 mins after opening and the to-go line was long and the wait time was at 40 minutes that quickly. They alot of food options to order from. The must is their clam chowder. The calamari was the best I've ever had. Although they're super busy, the staff are attentive. The location is busy traffic. Plus you're near the water front so you have a nice view. I enjoyed my meal and whenever I'm in half moon bay, I will be back.

I was recommended by friends and even my coworker to try this place for their famous fish& chips. I tried the mini fish tea that consists of calamari, scallop, fish with a side of fries( you can also choose coleslaw or rice pilaf). I think it is great for two people to share. It does get kinda oily, so make sure to order salad or coleslaw on the side. I also enjoyed their bread bowl clam chowders and oysters! Their oysters are huge and juicy?! It goes great with the horseradish. *I really appreciate how this place offers a Senior menu for elders over 62+. I thought this is super sweet of them to cater with cheaper and healthier option.

I showed up 5 minutes before opening and there was already a line on both sides. The takeout line and the dine in. As soon as the doors opened the lines moved quickly as everyone was seated. When it was my turn the restaurant was at capacity. The hostess estimated a 30min wait before another table opened up. I didn't mind at all bc it was a sunny warm day perfect for a beach stroll. I came back and had a corner table near a window. I had a 360 view of the horizon, a classic California sunset paired with a fresh crab sandwich, and chowder. A wonderful place to visit.

Barbara's is a Half Moon Bay staple, whether you walk up or dine in, the Fishtrap is a great option for seafood. I've had Barbara's throughout the years and definitely share great childhood memories here with my family getting fish and chips. Recently stopped by again for Sunday dinner, was told the wait would be 35 minutes but it only took about 15. The fish and chips are classic, not greasy or heavy, while the sauteed garlic scallops were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Ended the night with a slice of key lime pie. The establishment could definitely use a face-lift and better maintenance/cleaning in the restrooms. But its great that they have free parking right across the street and they now take credit card!

Barbara's is my favorite spot! Obsessed with everything and always looking forward to the next time I come. Service is always friendly and the food always come out quickly. My favorite dish here has to be the steamed clams. There's never sand and all the clams are always a great size. The fish and chips come in close second and the clam chowder never misses. Highly recommend and definitely worth the wait!

First time visiting for lunch the day after July 4th with some family members, and the take out lines were long (and kept getting longer!) There's a parking lot across the street, and about 5-6 tables (sits about 8 per table), left of the restaurant if you choose to eat there like we did. Standout items: fish and chips and the calamari. The batter is so light and crispy, fish was flakey and moist. Tartar sauce paired so well and excellent chips. Chef's kiss. We also ordered: - seafood pasta (not shown on the takeout menu) very tasty, flavorful, and my 3 year old niece loves it - scallops (good but their deep fried items hits harder) - clam chowder (not my fav, felt like there was too much of one spice, which I think was oregano?) My sister in law did the ordering, so I didn't have to face the lines. Lively area, lots of families, pets and foot/bike/car traffic. They close I think somewhere between 3-4pm everyday to change the oil (which by the way I as a patron appreciate the great signage) Would come again if my sister in law comes with me to order haha.

Was meandering around the area and found this restaurant; what a find! The line was out the door, but absolutely worth the wait. We placed our to-go order and was surprised with how quickly it was ready give how busy they were. The facility itself is a cute wood frame building with beautiful ocean views and the staff is polite and efficient. We ordered lots of items to share and sample, including the famous fish && Chips, the battered fried veggies, the salmon burger and a crab cocktail. Everything was delicious and the portions were large which justified the price. We sat outside at one of the many picnic table and enjoyed the food and views. We'll definitely be back!

Wow, everything was fantastic! My new favorite spot for me and the hubs. Will be back shortly.

Excellent seafood by the waiter that could've been 5 stars, but horrible rude server experience tainted our nice lunch. Food: 5 Service: 1 Atmosphere: 4 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: no reservations Return worthiness: yes (giving them benefit of the doubt) Highlights: - Fish and chips: fresh and crispy light not greasy batter. 5 stars - Fried shrimp: large curled shrimp fried well with the same batter. 4.75 stars - Sautéed scallops: good portion of 7 large scallops, fresh, cooked well in a scampi like sauce. Choice of fries, rice, or cole slaw. Bonus 2 fried zucchini sticks. 4.5 stars - Fries: thick cut and fried well. 4.5 stars - Garlic bread: crusty crispy sourdough with Parmesan dust. 4 stars - Onion rings: standard with smooth breading. 3.5 stars - Clam chowder: decent flavor and texture but bit starchy and packed with potatoes. 3 stars Midlights: - They have a senior/kids menu which is nice however note the portion is small if your elders have a healthier appetite. - Besides the interaction noted below, service was fine. Lowlights: - I ordered scallops, and was brought shrimp by a staff member. I politely let them know. Next the waiter comes back with the shrimp plate, points to what he wrote down, and says to me aggressively, "you ordered shrimp!" Never in my life have I been approached like that and was very taken aback. - Can be a 45min+ wait for a table Our go to spot for years since I was younger and I'd come back.

Not only have I been to Barbara's a few times, I have eaten at Sam's Chowder House & Barbara's Fish Trap this year. Barbara is the clear winner in my book. This no-frills, casual restaurant is a HMB institution by now. The clam chowder is decent. The crisp on the fish n chips is great. I'm not normally a fan of chips (fries), but they're quite good here. The calamari is also nice. I will say Sam's offers a slightly better, unobstructed view of the water. But Barbara's has better food, plain and simple.

Glad I read reviews prior to going. We added our name to the waitlist with a staff person near the front entrance. Hour 15 for a group of five on a busy Saturday afternoon. There isn't a paging system so we walked to a nearby brewery and times our return. The estimated wait was fairly accurate. The group ahead of us in line wasn't present when called and the hostess quickly moved down the list. Not sure if they ever got their spot. We were seated at a table that barely fit four and the fifth seat was on the edge sticking out into the walkway. I don't know if they normally have fans going, but the temps inside this day were high. Outside was about 63-65 and inside was much warmer. It was uncomfortably warm. There's only one bathroom so the wait can be a little long. Once seated, our orders were taken fairly quickly. I liked that they sat us even though our entire party wasn't there yet. We received a basket of complimentary sourdough bread. The clam chowder was creamy and filled with clam goodness. The Cajun broiled sandwich was fresh, hearty and full of flavor. The portions were large. We asked for extra crispy fries but they were teetering on soggy. Overall, food was fresh, filling and yummy.

Everything is aways good here. I the vibe here is incredible to match the food. I usually go on a weekday where it's a little less vrowded

Got here around 10:30 on a Saturday morning and there was a small line before they open at 11AM. Everyone in line got seated, even though the outside area is only the right side now. We had a bowl of the clam chowder, which had no cream, but is very thick. We split a mini fish trap. Which included scallops, shrimp. Calamari, and fish, with fries. We got two sets of tartar sauce and cocktail sauce, which was a nice touch. The seafood was cooked perfectly. The fries were steak fries, but the best version I have had. Thin enough not to be mushy, but crispy and not overcooked. This place remains the same, but they now take credit cards.

The food at Barbara's was really good. The menu is as you would expect at a casual seafood shack, but everything is a very good version of the regular staples. I got the fish sandwich: surprisingly, it's not on a bun, but more like a very light and fluffy grilled Italian roll (kind of looked like a baguette but not at all dense nor chewy). The fish (which is probably the same as for the fish and chips) was perfectly fried and had a very light and crispy batter. The seasoning was perfect: very subtle yet flavorful. The fries were also VERY solid: thick cut, but very soft on the inside and crispy outside. I suspect they have a very good deep fryer and use high quality oil. We also got the shrimp Louie salad and it was very high quality and a very generous portion. Lots of shrimp, beets, kidney beans, avocado, hard boiled egg, and a tasty dressing. But the fried fish was really standout.

When our group drove by Barbara's fish trap, I immediately thought of it as a tourist trap. But with the number of locals who are there clearly it has made its mark. The crab sandwich was very good The bread was off the charts.. however, our group gravitated towards the desserts. The lines were impressive. We passed the time for our one hour wait by walking down the street to a harbor bar and had a great time. Our group is here for a couple of days and I feel like that we have successfully checked a box.

Our family made the journey to Half Moon Bay to enjoy the pumpkin patch, and we decided to stop for dinner before heading back to the East Bay. This was our second visit to this charming restaurant, and it truly exceeded our expectations! We arrived without a reservation around 6 PM on a Wednesday, and to our delight, there was no wait at all. I vividly recall our first experience here a couple of years ago when we had to endure a long wait for lunch. The wait staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, adding to the warm atmosphere. The food was nothing short of exceptional. We ordered the clam chowder, fried fish and calamari, crab salad, and linguine with clams, and each dish was a delightful culinary experience. The portions of crab and clams in both the pasta and the salad were generous, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to quality. What set the clam chowder apart was its unique non-dairy base, which intensified the clam flavor and created a richer, more vibrant taste that our entire family loved. To make the experience even more memorable, the restaurant is situated right next to the Fisherman's Dock. We were fortunate enough to catch a stunning sunset while savoring our meal, providing a perfect ending to our day trip. It truly was a beautiful way to wrap up our outing!

You can't go wrong with fish and chips by the coastline! They have an indoor seating option, or you can opt to order as takeout and eat by the tables facing the ocean/beach, which is what I did! Here's what we got: Fish and Chips + Prawn's Combo (5/5): delicious batter and melt-in-your mouth fish, you need to get this! I didn't even need tartar sauce for this because the batter was that good. The prawns were massive and juicy, but I preferred the fish more even though I looove prawns. Coastside calamari (5/5): chewy and addicting, especially dipped in tartar sauce. Clam chowder (4/5): pretty good and loaded with seafood and potatoes. It was a bit more watery than other clam chowders I've had.

It's an iconic restaurant that has been around for nearly 50 years, and definitely worth a visit. Wait for lunch can be around an hour on the weekend but with the beautiful harbor all around the wait is not a big deal. All fish is fresh and locally sourced and you can taste the difference. Even with all the rush the service was prompt and cheerful. Try whatever you like, you won't go wrong. It has a parking lot but that's generally full on weekend, but the harbor has a big parking lot and it shouldn't be problem to find parking within 5 min walk.