Cantina @ San Benito House

I haven’t had this good of an experience at a restaurant in a long while. Celebrating my husband’s birthday I was very concerned that we hadn’t picked a spot in advance. After scanning all the menus along the Main Street my husband chose to come here. I was immediately delighted that there was a huge and well appointed garden and open play space with enclosure for our three kids to play freely with the kids of other patrons. That would have made my day, but we also really loved the food. I had the Southwest salad with shrimp and I loved every bit of it- the shrimp especially! We shared the elote (corn) and it was truly scrumptious! My husband had to get a second serving of his street tacos. He loved the carnitas and carne asada. I asked Jordon what the dessert offerings were for our birthday boy and he took care of that right away bringing us the most amazing churros I’ve had in my life! I had asked about chocolate sauce, but I was so wrong; their caramel sauce was absolutely the right fit! The kids had chicken fingers with fries as well as rice and beans. The healthy portion of guacamole with some Pico salsa was a lovely addition too! I enjoyed the cilantro lime margarita and the salt brim seasoning was heavenly. We were super impressed by the service provided by Jordan and also enjoyed the happy banter and social kindness of bartender Ryan. Now seriously the space and grounds themselves are also on par with the excellent food so you get atmosphere and star quality service and a delicious, fulfilling meal all together. Well done! My husband’s birthday dinner was one we will remember happily forever. On a side note, I didn’t see a bathroom with a changing table. I asked Jordan and he graciously opened up the « secret » bathroom for baby changing. Nice. Go here for fun vibes and I’m sure so much more whenever you can!

Quick, friendly service! My friend and I loved the chicken and carne asada tacos while catching up. The outdoor seating area in the back is super cute—it felt great to relax outside. I’ll definitely be back!

All my husband wanted when we were visiting California was a really good burrito. Well, he got that here! I had the quesadilla, and it was also excellent. The tortillas are exceptional, and there was a salsa that came on the side that was absolutely amazing. One of the best meals from our vacation, for sure.

This place is a classic staple of downtown half moon bay and my family and I swing by almost every time we are down here. This place is the best way to experience the local community and you will definitely leave with a full stomach and a new found knowledge of just how good Hispanic food can be. My go-to order is either the nachos with carnitas or the salad with carne asada. You order right at the bar and the food comes out quick. This is the best place to go when your toddlers are kicking and screaming or you’re just looking for a low maintenance way to solve your teenagers bottomless pit of a stomach. I hope this review convinced you to go to one of my favorite restaurants, thanks for reading!

Chile Verde bowl was prefect size. Delicious and 12 bucks. Sat outside in the glass covered area. Weather was 57 and cloudy. We arrived at 1pm and the food was out in 5 minutes. We both ordered the same thing and as it's lunch, I'm sure they had a big batch prepped. We'll be back.

Super disappointing and a waste of a fabulous location. The atmosphere and the set up was awesome. Was super excited about grabbing some great Mexican grubs in a perfect day out at HMB. First of all, not that many folks in the restaurant yet the service was ultra slow. You order up front at the bar, and then wait. And wait. And then some. Next, it was clear that they were using frozen tater tots. Are you kidding me? And the inside wasn't even hot. This is where the restaurant lost all of my respect. By the way, they weren't bad potatos. But at least fry them properly. The corn on the cobb sprinkled with cheese was a bit gross. The salmon tacos were actually quite good though. Chicken tenders was again from the frozen batch. So giving it 2 stars instead of one, just for the atmosphere and effort. Won't be returning.

Excellent sandwiches. Very fresh and high quality breads. Took a little while for the wait, but it was well worth it. Highly recommend!

Delicious Mexican restaurant, with a huge amount of space, and a great local bar. Cantina is a great for families, kids, couples, and singles. A space for everyone. Packed and fun on sunny afternoons. It has a giant outdoor patio seating area, a grass lawn with lawn chairs and an outdoor stage, inside restaurant area, a pub room with bar stools and bar tables. I was in there on a rainy evening so most people were up front in the bar area. I grabbed some carne asada tacos and a local Half Moon beer, really tasty. I didn't stay at the hotel, I'll need to update if I stay at San Benito House hotel.

-- belated review from the drafts -- Absolutely love the ambiance and space of this restaurant! After ordering and paying for food at the bar, my friends and I found a table in the back on the patio. It's so spacious and gorgeous! We were surrounded by plants and there was a fireplace as well. A live band was playing as well and I could see kids dancing on the lawn in front of them and playing in the garden. This place felt like a home away from home -- warm, inviting, and accepting! The food was quite good as well & well-portioned. I got a Mission Style burrito with carne asada and I still had half of it for dinner! I didn't try any of the drinks but they had a variety of beers and margaritas to order as well.

HMB is just awesome, just love the vibe and the downtown strip. We have seen this place busy every Friday night as we take our kid to the nearby swim school, so we had to check it out. Order at the counter- Cool, not pretentious. The vibe is so cool with hardwood everywhere, no stools at the counter, I like that, old west vibe. Huge seating outside, so this place would be a perfect place to chill next to the fire pit have have some apps (4) Price: Got a margarita, chips/salsa/guac, Elote con queso, Cali Asada burrito, gulf shrimp tacos, after tax and tip $75!! (SF prices Yikes, 3) Food: Margarita wasn't really good (3), Chips/Salsa/guac (4), Elote con queso (4), Gulf Ship tacos (3), Cali burrito eh (3) (overall 3.5 OK) Service: Very helpful staff, so that was really nice (4) Overall: 3.5

Came here for a quick bite. Got a mango margarita and "street tacos" (carne asada x2, carnitas x1). It was delicious and hit the spot. Plenty of seating and free wifi.

Just popped in here while passing thru town with the family. What an amazing surprise! We were greeted at the bar in a friendly manner. He provided some suggestions for food and drink. Walking back past the bar we noticed it opened up to even more seating with heaters and a grass area for families. The drinks and food were delicious. We look forward to trying more menu items next time we are in town.

Great spot to get yummy food whilst soaking up sunshine. Their outdoor seating area is big yet also cozy and relaxed. Mix of Mexican and American cuisine which I'm sure makes everyone very happy. We ordered: - Chips, Salsa and Guac: great portions, well spiced, really fresh, delicious. - Mission Style Bowl: Big portion, again well seasoned and fresh - Street style tacos vegetarian: hit the spot but could potentially be upgraded a tad from shredded cabbage and corn to perhaps fried avocado or cauliflower. I'm glad I ordered the rice and beans with us because would have been a tad dull without it. - Impossible burger (previous visit): yummy, though remember it all fell apart fast but maybe that's just me being a messy eater ahem Lots of cocktail and beer options, friendly service. The ordering at the bar can get a tad awkward as you're just standing there but they are friendly. We had to wait 20ish minutes for our order to come out but all was fresh and definitely worth it.

Wow ! What a comfy place to have lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Nice place to sit outside w your pooch. Lots of beers to choose from along w margarita etc! I tried their Arnold Palmer since I was driving. One of the freshest I've ever had. Friendly service that was quick, friendly and efficient. Great Mexican food choices. We shared shrimp tacos and empanadas with some guacamole and seasoned chips. All were fabulous. Thanks Sandy for great and friendly service. We will be back the next time in town!

We went here a year and a half ago after the concierge at our hotel recommended it. When you walk in it just looks like a local bar but when you taste their food you know there is magic happening in the back! I have craved the CHICKEN CHILI VERDE for a full year and a half! I have called to see if they could ship it to Los Angeles or if they sell it on Goldbelly (they don't). It is so packed with beans & chicken and funny enough I'm not a fan of either but the whole dish just works!! Perfect for a cold winter day!! So stoked I finally got to eat the chicken chili verde again!!

Attended a baby shower here at the cantina over the weekend and we all had a blast. The venue was outdoors and it has a grassy patch, perfect for the kids to run about and get their wiggles out. It was also the perfect weather to bask under the sun. Such a family-friendly place! Food was fantastic, we had tacos with choices of carnitas, steak, chicken and what seemed like vegetable fry mix, for the vegan/ vegetarians alike. Our personal favorite were the elote con queso or corn with cheese. We also had a refreshing watermelon water. Staff were attentive and friendly. Bathrooms were clean and had a baby changing station which is a plus. Parking are mostly on the streets but we were able to spot one easily. We won a gift card with one of the games, so we would definitely be back!

Our family (with a toddler) has been to this place many times and we love it. The food is good and drinks are great. Indoor seating area by the bar has a few tvs with sports on. Bartenders and staff are good at their craft and welcoming. The big patio/garden is very spacious and pet friendly. Sometimes they have a DJ outside which gives this place a fun atmosphere. It's definitely a great balance of a place where adults can have fun but is also a fun (and safe) environment for kids.

This restaurant is located in downtown Half Moon Bay. The had a great outdoor area and pet friendly. The service was great. You had to order at the bar and then they serve you. The fish tacos were fresh and delicious! The street tacos on the other hand were dry and we tried all three kinds. Would not order again. But, I would order the fish! The ambiance was pretty cool. Very friendly atmosphere. I would come back for the fish tacos.

This place is so cute and vibey! Plenty of seating indoors and outdoor. The food is flavorful, but I think it lacks texture. For my baja fish tacos, it wasn't crispy enough. The tortillas can be less floppy. Also, the corn elotes can instantly be leveled up if they were roasted or grilled.

After having to put our cat Mufasa down, we decided to take a day trip to half moon bay. This place was a perfect place to sit and enjoy some excellent food to ease our minds. Order your food and drinks at the bar and move on through to the huge barn like dinning room or sit outside in an expansive garden area. It was beautifully decorated for the upcoming pumpkin festival. Service was quick and attentive. The food and drinks were on point and will definitely return.

Very unassuming if you enter from the main bar (order at bar and grab a table). The backyard is very cute with ample seating. There's a large grass area for children to play. Great place for families. The chile verde was delicious. Had great flavor and texture, could have had a little more spice but that's just my preference. The shrimp ceviche was so good, perfect amount of lime. Food came out quick. Always love a place where you pay before you eat so you can enjoy your time and leave whenever.

Our group stumbled upon this place as it had a great outdoor seating area. Granted, we had 15 or so folks with us, the bar tender did his best to keep up with the margarita orders. Good selection of beers and margaritas..something for everyone. The guacamole was super fresh but got semi watery towards the end, perhaps the tomatoes. But nonetheless, it was tasty. We also ordered tacos, and it was pretty legit, too.

One of the best places we sat down to eat at while in HMB. Delicious and crispy fish tacos, amazing queso fundido, and yummy twist on the cesar Salad with the addition of avocados.

Was in search of some good Mexican food after a beach day and I came across Cantina at San Benito house. When you walk in, you're greeted by a bartender taking food orders behind the bar, which was a bit different but no biggie. Just a heads up: I learned that cantina style is laid back, so there won't be a server. You place your order at the bar and are asked to tip at that time so keep in mind everything is self-service here when you tip! You get a number and are told you can sit anywhere. They have a nice indoor area and an even nicer outdoor patio area with an outside bar and fire pits. The food came out pretty quick and was tasty. I got the street tacos, $12.95 for 3 plus an extra $1 for carne asada. The beans and rice were really good. The chicken tacos were fresh, but the carne asada was cold. The flavors were good, but I had to dock a star because the cold asada and the street tacos only came with one corn tortilla each. 3 tacos for $14 dollars they should come with the right amount of tortillas! They are good portions so kinda hard not to have meat falling out or a tortilla ripping when eating them. Service was super laid-back. Staff just brings out the food to your number and you're pointed to the water fountain/dispenser for water. Overall, it was a nice experience. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was chill. Definitely more of a bar with food situation than a restaurant. Still a solid spot for Mexican food with a good vibe. Perfect for a relaxed meal after the beach. I'd consider coming back but really hope they fix the tortilla situation.

Amazing food, good service, and casual ambiance (especially the patio) to bring kids. We went during St. Patty's Day when they were having an event and it was more crowded, but it was still enjoyable. We ordered two orders from the kids' menu: chicken and rice bowl, and chicken tenders and fries. The adults ordered the baja fish tacos, and a burrito (with two draft beers). Both were delicious. We'll be back again! Thanks for a good time.

The perfect blend of spice in the Bloody Mary's pairs perfectly with the fish tacos. Service is friendly, the deck on a sunny day is my choice.

Love their margaritas. Salads, guacamole and taco! Food comes promptly and is an alternative choice if the rest of your party wants the deli food from San Benito house!

I was really looking forward to trying the tacos at this place. It also had really good ambience outside. Unfortunately, the burger was sort of rubbery and didn't really have any juices, also the Al Pastor taco came out cold. The Baja tacos were decent, but nothing special. The yummiest part was the french fries. Also the Margarita with cilantro and cucumber was pretty good. The strangest part is that you pay upfront and they ask you for a tip but then no one ever waits on you again. We had to get up twice to get more condiments. Not really sure what you're tipping for if no one ever waits on you again.

I ordered the clam chowder and there was this chunk of unmixed powder. It did not have a good flavor. Also ordered southwest salad and the chicken has this sweet flavor that I did not like. All the food has a hint of sweetness that I did not like.

Solid 3.75 stars but I rounded up for seating and service. Food was decent but lacked a "kick". Staff was very friendly and the outdoor seating was top notch!

Great Mexican, good price! What an awesome restaurant in a great setting. Perfect for lunch or a casual dinner

Excellent Tex Mex spot in Half Moon Bay. Friendly staff and ample space both indoors and outdoors. We sat outside in the sun and ordered the following: Al Pastor California Burrito - could not recommend more Chips and Salsa - tons of nicely seasoned chips Tortilla Salad - really fresh. Could be a main in terms of size Carne Asada California Burrito - great Pitcher of Classic Margaritas - perfect. Not too sweet. The cups came with tajhin on the rim Would definitely go back. Great value too

Decided to pop in for a quick drink. Young bartender did ok with his margarita recommendation. Turned out nice for the wife but he could have been more informed on the different tequila options and maybe scored an upgrade. Beer was cold and fresh. Loved the patio seating options. Bar area was very cool but we wanted outdoors. Wouldn't mind popping back in here to try the food but we had already eaten when we dropped in.

Cute, chill spot to hang out with friends. Flexible dining indoor as well as the outdoor patio area. Perfect for nice, sunny days. They also had live music. Loved the entertainment. Service was great. EVERYONE was amazing!! Kai was so friendly, and attentive. Food was good too. The tacos, and esp the elote. (Corn appetizer) We also came on a good day where they had Paloma samplings with there Del Maguey Mezcal. Something diff than your typical tequila. It had a nice smoky taste to it. Keep up the great service!!

On the corner of Main St. in Half Moon Bay, is this very nice restaurant with great atmosphere. We ordered the guac & salsa, the tacos, and the clam chowder. I enjoyed everything. The clam chowder was fresh and tasty. The carne asada tacos were yummy, and the guac & salsa was so good! The service was great! I'd definitely return!

Great place for a nice Mexican food The chips n gauc was amazing The beer battered fish taco were great and so was the corn appetizer! Highly recommended

We were in Half Moon Bay for a night and decided tacos sounded really good! Found Cantina on Yelp and decided to check it out since they had a Taco Tuesday special and it did not disappoint! The restaurant itself is in downtown and we were thinking it was a small joint- it is not!! The inside wraps around to the back where you can eat outside and attached to the deck outside is a huge yard for kids to play. It was pretty busy on a Tuesday evening so it took awhile to order (you have to order at the bar) and get our food. The food was amazing and well worth the wait!! We will definitely be coming back since the food was amazing, was kid AND dog friendly. That's a win win in our book!

A great place in HMB, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Fresh Mexican food and the best Michelada I've had outside of Mexico. A can't miss in HMB.

Absolutely loved the outdoor seating area...beautiful fire pit and great ambiance! I had the fish tacos which were pretty good (I've had better, but solid) - the elote street corn was off the hook good! My sangria was yum. You order at the bar and they bring you your food. My friend had the "bartender's mystery shot" and it was delicious! Bartender was friendly and adorable. I'd return to this spot!

I ordered Baja fish tacos which were tasty but the portion was extremely underwhelming especially for almost 18 dollars for 2 tacos. The chips and salsa with guacamole was tasty.

Great food and cute dining. Guacamole, chips, and salsa with 2 kids bean and cheese burritos and 2 margaritas! Perfect portion sizes, the kids burrito was so good

I've certainly had my share of eats in Half Moon Bay and all because I find myself hiking in this scenic area and feeling peckish after hitting my step goal. I was strolling on Main Street to see which businesses were surviving the pandemic. The bar at San Benito House was definitely in business, and I noticed their restaurant offered a menu with familiar Mexican flavors among its standard bar bite dishes. For takeout, I decided to get the $14.95 Southwest Salad with Chicken where they tossed chopped romaine, black beans, roasted corn, avocado, and pico de gallo in a lime chili vinaigrette (photo: https://bit.ly/3B4YMeu). The taste of the individual ingredients were fine, but unfortunately, the mix got pretty soggy by the time I got home with the takeout box. Gratefully the crispy tortilla strips were put in a separate bag. The other item I ordered, the $7.95 Quesadilla Suiza, remained intact since it was a grilled flour tortilla inserted with Jack cheese, guacamole, and sour cream cut in two and accompanied by a couple of salsa dipping sauces (photo: https://bit.ly/3Qw60xJ). Pretty good but nothing that blew me away. On the upside, the bartender who took my order was a nice guy who kept me entertained while I waited for my order. FOOD - 3 stars...decent enough bar bites, Mexican style, though the wet salad was a bummer AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...the rest of the customers were there for beer, laughs, and more beer SERVICE - 4 stars...the bartender kept the small group happy and didn't forget my order TOTAL - 3 stars...checking off yet another HMB eatery RELATED - Exploring the peninsula along the Pacific? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/3aiDR9I

Were passing by and decided to check it out. Food: We got 2 carne asada tacos 10/10 mear was super tender and flavorful. 1 chicken taco 9/10 meat was also very flavorful. Guacamole and pico 10/10 the chips were super crunchy and the guac was supee fresh. We also got the elote which was good. The margaritas were a little strong and small for the price. The servers were all very helpful and friendly. They have indoor and outdoor seating which is really nuce. Wasn't very busy but busy enough. Overall will definitely be coming back and would recommend

Phenomenal food! Great atmosphere and friendly staff! Will be back! The chicken was so tender and juicy and the carne had great great flavor. The guacamole was so creamy but yet still nice and chunky and the chips were delicious!

Amazing ambience. We were greeted by a live band and a setting sun. Lovely self- seating courtyard area. I wanted to order the shrimp tacos, but they were out so chose a combination of Pastor and Chicken street tacos... absolutely will come back for Pastor. My son had the Carne Asada tacos and my other son the burrito... they enjoyed them. We also ordered chips and salsa, queso fundido, and Chile cheese nachos... all tasty. And the wide variety of margaritas was the perfect pairing. This place is family and dog friendly! Ordering at the bar is a bit of a challenge, but the music and friendly bartender made it almost enjoyable. Will be coming back.

Great ambiance if it's not too foggy and windy. We sat in the outdoors. We really enjoyed the appetizers, everything was really fresh. The burrito bowl was slightly underwhelming. Service was quick and friendly.

I love this place! I had a bad experience with getting a drink at happy hour and being charged for a regular drink originally. However, the management made things right. They have good pub food and drinks. If you are into history, this place has been around. This is a local hangout, with lots of play space outside for kids of all ages to run around. Also, they have heat lamps and shade outside If you eat outside you may want to bring layers.

Ordered 4 tacos carne asada, al pastor and chicken. Guacamole with chips and salsa. Japanese Margarita with mezcal. Cool outdoor space and good food. What's not to love?

I want to start out by saying that this restaurant is actually SO CUTE and I loved the outdoor patio! Everything was really good; I loved our drinks and the guacamole + chips that we ordered. The problem more started when I got my impossible burger. It didn't taste like much and my stomach started hurting shortly after, but it wasn't until we got home late that night that I got super sick. The only thing I ate that day was the impossible burger...I don't know if it was old or another factor but it made me extremely sick. I wouldn't order food here again and it was pretty expensive for that to happen which is also unfortunate.

Such amazing clam chowder! Unreal! And the Baja fish tacos are delicious and large as well. Highly recommend.

Had seen this place a few times when hanging in HMB and finally decided to try it a few weeks ago and went again today! You enter in the bar area, place your order with the bartenders and get a number so the food can be brought to you, there is inside and outside seating. The staff is super friendly!! Both times we ordered the same things and they were equally delicious each time! I had: Red Sangria Shrimp tacos Husband had: Mission style burrito (chicken enchilada style) Kid had: Bean and cheese burrito We shared the chips and salsa and guac - which is a must have! My husband said he would go back just for their chips! Today we went with friends and they ordered the above as well as the mango margarita which was delicious! And chose carnitas for their burrito. Everything is so yummy, the enchilada style sauce is so deep, complex and delicious! The shrimp tacos are nice and fresh with angel hair finely chopped cabbage which makes for such a nice texture. Love love love! This place is now part of our rotation!

Good food, great cocktails. The inside was way more open than it looks like from the street and they have an awesome patio. You have to order at the bar, so it can take awhile and it's a little annoying when you just want another drink, but otherwise the service is good.

This restaurant is well known and for good reason. There is great Mexican food to order at the bar and the drinks have all been amazing. I liked their bloody Mary's and any of their margaritas. The staff is so friendly and we had someone who had allergies that they accommodated well. The patio is great for large groups and even has a fire pit. The grass and garden area is perfect to let the kids loose while you watch and enjoy your meal.

Amazing Food. Phenomenal drinks. Great location. Highly impressive Service. My husband and I have been coming to the Cantina for a few years now and consistently have a great time. They offer a great selection of margaritas (which I am usually particular about) and a variety of great tacos. We usually love to sit by the open fireplace outside, but if the weather does not permit the inside also has a fun "old salon" kind of feel. My husband threw me a surprise birthday party yesterday here and WOW, the service and attention was so great. Especially from the start of him planning the whole event Kai was very responsive and very helpful, and the hands on service we received from Joe felt so warm and welcoming.

Great spot - nice indoor or outdoor seating. Gotta order at the bar (food and drinks) and then pick your table and they bring it to you, so if you're going at a busy time and have several people in your party, best to have one person save a table and order for them. The queso fundido was tasty, though not very spicy. The tortilla chips were awesome - great flavor and spices! My husband loved his California burrito and I loved the street tacos, especially the green and orange sauces. Great beer selection too!!

This place was such a cool find! They have a bar in the middle of the restaurant and then seating around the sides in booths. The drinks were great, we tried the spicy margs and were pleasantly surprised by the spice! The tortilla soup was hearty, and then we also ordered the tacos and the salad. I think the salad was the least impressive, it was huge but not our favorite. The service was fast and they were all super friendly. If we are in the area again, we will definitely come back!

Love this place! It's got a nice ambiance and situated right down town. The service is always great. You line up and they take your order at the bar, it's usually pretty quick and easy. They have tons of great options on the menu. The last time I dropped by I had an amazing steak burrito with a side of chips and salsa. The burrito had tons of flavors and the steak was tender, juicy and had a great taste. If you're looking for a drink you came to the right place as well. They have a decent beer selection but I was impressed the with mezcal selection I found here. The Bartender was very knowledgeable and super helpful. His customer service was 13/10 he killed it. If you are in the area looking for great food or drinks, I would definitely recommend this restaurant.