Duarte's Tavern

Restaurant · Pescadero

Duarte's Tavern

Restaurant · Pescadero

202 Stage Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060

Highlights

Coastal Tradition serves up classic American fare in a cozy, rustic space that's perfect for beachside bites and hearty comfort food.

202 Stage Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060 Get directions

duartestavern.com

@duartestavern

$$ · Menu

@foodandwine

"Opened in 1894 by Frank Duarte, an immigrant from the Azores, Duarte's Tavern is a casual, old-fashioned seafood eatery of knotty-pine-paneled rooms. A steadfast beacon utterly unmoved by trends, winner of the 2003 James Beard Award for America's Classics, it’s famous for artichoke soup, green chile soup, cioppino, and olalliberry pie. They serve a crab melt sandwich, petrale sole sandwich, and an olalliberry Margarita. Called Guy Fieri's favorite restaurant in California, Duarte’s also serves cioppino, a seafood stew packed with Dungeness crab, shrimp, and clams in a cumin-accented tomato sauce bathed in white wine. Owner Timothy Duarte, Frank’s great-grandson, says Portuguese touches include the cumin in the cioppino, linguica at Sunday breakfast, and the mussels style." - Sharon McDonnell

Visit This Tiny California Town for the Goat Farm and Grocery

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@travelleisure

"A few miles south, I watched the Surfers Beach crowd paddle out, which derailed my lunch plans at Duarte's Tavern (instead, I bought a heaping $5 bag of cherries from a roadside farmer)." - Travel + Leisure Editors

How to Plan the Perfect Solo Road Trip on California's Famed Highway 1

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@eater

"Approximate Drive Time: 1 hour Why it’s worth it: Currently run by the fourth generation of the Duarte family, the tavern has been running steadily since 1894 (and it hasn’t changed much). Fresh fish, old favorites like fried sea scallops and shrimp cocktail, and Portuguese influences from the family’s recipes are part of why it was a James Beard Classics honoree in 2003. A very low-key lunch stop on the way to a beach day in Santa Cruz." - Eater Staff

Restaurants Worth the Drive from San Francisco - Eater SF

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@infatuation

"Duarte’s Tavern in Pescadero has a solid menu of things like soups, salads, sandwiches, and pork chops, but their olallieberry pie is what will always make us want to jump in a car and take the scenic route down Highway 1 when we have a free afternoon. Olallieberries are a type of blackberry hybrid, and the pie they make with them is so good that it could cause a full-blown argument if you don’t get a second piece for everyone at your table to share. If you want something to eat that’s not just dessert, go for the cream of artichoke soup." - Will Kamensky

Duarte’s Tavern Review - Pescadero - San Francisco - The Infatuation

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@tripledfan

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives - California

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Chester Cunningham

Google

This place is in its own category of ratings. I say this because it has been open since 1894. It is sort of a local institution that is worth a visit if for nothing more than their fresh pies. The service was not so fantastic but it was busy and she did okay. The building is obviously old but it is very clean. The men's room looked like it needed some loving, but hey....the building is over 💯 years old. Despite the lack of good table service, despite the old run-down look of many things.... the food and the pie were delicious. Also, you have to realize there are very few places to eat out this way.....So, in short, this is the best the area has to offer for a decent meal.

Cyrus Jimenez

Google

Comforting and hot food on a cold rainy day? ✅ Friendly and inviting staff? ✅ Cozy warm interior? ✅ James Beard Award Winner in 2003 for American Classic Restaurant? ✅ What’s not to love at Duarte’s?

our life

Google

Great little place to eat close to the beach and away from the crowds of Half Moon Bay. I had the Linguini with clams but could not finish it because with the clams, the wine sauce, and the pieces of sausage it was so salty! I would not recommend it. My daughter had the fish and chips. The fish was very tender and the breading was perfectly crispy. The fries were also very good and crispy. My son had the French dip sandwich and really liked it as well. We, of course, had to try the pies. We got the olallieberry, strawberry and rhubarb, and peach pie a la mode. All very delicious and ranked in order of which was best was peach, olallieberry (like a tart raspberry), and then strawberry rhubarb. Our only complaint about the pie is that the crust end was very very thick so we feel like we got shorted on some filling.

Yi Ling

Google

Came here for a quick mid-day snack around 4:00 PM, and was pleasantly surprised by the delightful experience. Our waitress suggested trying their 🍲 half-half green chilli and artichoke soup, which turned out to be a fantastic combination. While both were delicious, we personally preferred the artichoke soup for its mild, nutty flavour and thick texture. The complementary sourdough bread was a lovely touch. Warm, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, it was the perfect starter. I couldn't resist trying a slice of 🥧 Olallieberry Pie, which was a new experience for me. I was surprised by the abundance of tiny seeds but found the flavour and texture to be a delightful combination of sweet, tangy berry jam and two layers of flaky pastry. The tavern's warm, homey atmosphere was evident from the moment we walked in. We overheard the owner telling another table about the restaurant's long history, which added to the charming ambience. 😊

Aruna K A

Google

This place has a nice charm to it. The food and service is great. We got the mushroom toast, linguine with clams and green salad. Everything tasted really good.

APRIL Z

Google

The halibut fish is okay but the rest is good. The chili soup is great. Very unique soup.

Parul Agarwal

Google

An Indian vegetarian delighted in a classic American tavern when I expected to find may be a salad or two. Beet salad 5*. Cold, perfectly streamed beets marinated in mint and some mild sauce. So fresh! Mushroom toast 5* is a must have. Easily one of the best things I have ever had. They grow mushrooms in their nearby farm. This dish is a large toasted bread piece, sitting on balsamic vinaigrette and loaded with a mound of finely chopped grilled mushrooms. I must visit pescadero just to have it again. The artichoke soup is meh for Indian tastes. I will try green chile soup next time. My partner ordered snapper and liked it but agreed that mushroom toast was the best. Finished it all with pumpkin pie. Love love love. Cute rustic appearance. Good and fast service although it was full.

Graciela Dias

Google

Exceptional mushroom toast! The olallieberry margarita was delicious. Great artichoke soup too. As main dish we had Crab cioppino, it was good, but the crab didn’t taste fresh, I’d guess it was previously frozen.

Sunil R.

Yelp

I am truly surprised by the 3.4 rating. This place checks all the boxes. Unique... Check! Duarte's Tavern has been around since 1894! Come on man. How many such spots are still around? The furniture including the bar is from the old days and if you don't know the history, I can see some people saying ... why is this not updated! To me, the age and decor are a great part of the experience. Service... Check! Our waitress was super friendly and helped us with our order including our pie order. She was attentive without being overbearing. Food...Check! The complimentary bread was hot, fresh and tasty. The artichoke soup was great. The veggies are fresh from their own garden. The burger and French Dip with au jus were both excellent and went quickly. The star of the show was the olallieberry pie which they are renowned for. Awards...Check! Duarte's Tavern received the James Beard "America's Classics" award. Celebrity endorsement...Check! Guy Fieri's favorite spot in California What else does a restaurant have to do to get a higher rating around here??

Spencer L.

Yelp

Went to visit this historic tavern after a hike to the see the seals and I had a great experience! After learning more about the history of this town through this tavern I was really enlightened and excited to try the local delicacies they had to offer! I ordered the Olallieberry Swirl Soft Serve and the Olallieberry Pie and they were so good. The seeet and tangy flavor of the pie was delicious and the soft serve was the best pairing for the pie! We got seated immediately at a table by the window and they were so nice to us. The whole place was very clean and had a very homey feel!

Parul A.

Yelp

Javier H.

Yelp

First off it as a beautiful drive and a great day to be at the ocean . The restaurant is s cool old Smokey looking bar . It was packed not a seat to be had. In fact when we were leaving somebody jumped right in our seat . The steam mussels was excellent. The sourdough bread was excellent but the spicy calamari steak sandwich was a too spicy . Next time I probably order the regular calamari not the spicy it's a fun little pls e to have lunch but next time I probably try something different any how here's some pics . And I forget parking is great and free all street parking

Phil B.

Yelp

It's been a very long time since I've been here and today we went on a drive through the mountains and down the coast. We decided to stop at Duarte's for lunch and it was a good choice! The staff was very friendly and attentive and we ordered the fish and chips, another good choice for the day. 4 stars = good, this was real good! I'd say a 4.5. Glad we stopped by.

Lyee C.

Yelp

I was traveling through the area and this spot did not disappoint. Dim lighting and spacious interior make for a cozy atmosphere. This place has a full bar with sports TVs. I loved the olallieberry, which was a fun tart and refreshing drink. Portions are generous, and plenty of butter with the complimentary bread. Service was speedy and I couldn't help but be friendly with our server, even after a long drive. I got the artichoke soup, smelt, and mushroom toast. My wife and I agreed the toast was amazing. The soup was also great (artichokes are a local specialty, so definitely try some while in town). The smelt was mostly oily, but luckily there's a wedge of lemon and tartar to with it.

Ed U.

Yelp

It had been well over a decade since the last time Jamie W and I had been back to Duarte's. When we decided to have a Costanoa weekender, I thought I could finally try their fabled artichoke soup since we had breakfast the last time. In my ancient Yelp review, I characterized the food as "Fine. Just fine." This time, we were here for lunch, and we sat in the more atmospheric pub area. Lunch was way better than what I remember of their breakfast plates. Their soups were awesome. Jamie had the $16 Soup of the Day, which was a light minestrone with huge chunks of fresh crabmeat mixed with chopped tomato, carrot, and onion (photo: https://yelp.to/wqnBRKccAP). However, mine was the genuine capper, a half-&-half mix of Artichoke and Green Chile Soup that provided creamy transcendence with a snap (photo: https://yelp.to/h0Wj6qWoe_). The mains were solid choices albeit not in quite the same flavor league as the soups. Jamie was completely satisfied by the $28 Snapper & Chips. There were plenty of fresh fish bites accompanied by fries, tartare sauce, and malt vinegar (photo: https://yelp.to/y9tGRNTRBg). It was a tasty choice of fish. I ordered the $24 Cajun Calamari Steak Sandwich which was a uniquely flavorful treatment of tenderized octopus. Accompanied by sautéed vegetables, it worked well (photo: https://yelp.to/GJt1NSuGGY). Jamie managed to sneak in a takeout order of the $11 Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler which we enjoyed back at the lodge (photo: https://yelp.to/c0uB_ay2Ei). FOOD - 4 stars...the artichoke and green chile soup stole the show AMBIANCE - 4 stars...still the same mid-century roadside vibe it always had SERVICE - 4.5 stars...pretty impressed with the staff TOTAL - 4 stars...glad we finally came back for that soup RELATED - Exploring the Pacific side of the SF peninsula? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3aiDR9I

Karen C.

Yelp

The calamari sandwich was good, with tender calamari slices, and Cajun spices, I ate it without the plain white sliced bread. One of us had it with Italian spices,it was good and tender but it didn't have enough flavor for us. I had asked about the artichoke soup, and the way he described how it was made I thought it wd have chunks of artichokes, but it was pureed smooth. It was subtle and good, but not as good as I'd hoped, it came with deliciou crisp sourdoughbread. Onion rings and fries were fresh and crispy. Service was quick

Emily O.

Yelp

Love Duarte's Tavern! Came in for an early Father's Day lunch today and we had the best time. The food is amazing, and the service is outstanding. Our server was so nice, attentive, and recommended the best dishes. We had the shrimp and the half & half (artichoke and green chile) soup to start and both were great. The sourdough bread they bring by is some of the best sourdough bread I've ever had. For the entree we had the calamari sandwich and it was SO SO GOOD. Don't sleep on the pie! And definitely get ice cream with it! We loved it so much, we got a whole pie to take home:) Overall it was an amazing meal and atmosphere. It's so fun eating somewhere that feels like you've traveled back in time, and I'll definitely be back!

David M.

Yelp

Family run and very well run. We always eat in the bar where it's first come first served. This strategy works well on the weekdays. This place gets packed and the wait can get very long. The vibe is very old style. It feels like a true step back in time to the late 1800's. The food is delicious. I highly suggest the higher priced items for a nice meal. During the holiday season they make a delicious eggnog that's exceptionally strong. Edit: established 1894

Cindy G.

Yelp

We couldn't miss a trip to this cool restaurant on our visit to Pescadero:) The delightful Annaliese took care of us this visit . We were so happy to have all our favorites ! Started with a tasty Bloody Mary :) We ordered the Artichoke Hearts w/ an amazing garlic aioli. Then of course the Cream of Artichoke Soup with some of the best French bread around . Our entrees were Snapper and Chips, perfect ! A great house made tartar as well . Olallieberry Soft Serve Ice Cream for desert . Also a slice of their Olallieberry pie to go for later . And picked up some Olallieberry Jam too. If you are going thru the area . This is a must stop in and enjoy the great staff and amazing food in a very historic site !

Eric B.

Yelp

I'll start by saying that I've been looking forward to eating here for quite a while and I suspect I built it up in my mind and was a bit disappointed as a result. I love places like this and think they should be around as long as possible. That said, here's what we thought: The staff are very friendly and we enjoyed our interactions with them. Service was a bit uneven but okay. The cocktails are definitely good. Great Manhattans and the olallieberry Margaritas were a refreshing change from the average. The fried smelt was great but we had to ask twice for tartar sauce. My halibut was overcooked but still edible. Fries are excellent. The cioppino was tasty but skimpy on fish other than the crab legs and claw. The sole sandwich was definitely decent. I think next time I'd likely try a crab melt. They looked good going by. It's such a cool old place but I do wish the food had been a bit better. We'll definitely come again next time we're in town but we probably won't make a special trip for the purpose like we did this past weekend.

Teresa S.

Yelp

After waiting sooo many years to visit here, I finally visited last Saturday afternoon. We got behind a coastal storm and dropped in. I arrived before my party that was parking. The entire team was patient. Parking was sparse- restaurant was empty. I ordered the fried oysters waiting for my party. Really delicious! The Tartar sauce tasted like it was homemade. Artichoke soup was creamy with tiny artichoke pieces. The Crab melt with slaw and French Dip sandwich with chunks o' garlic fries were also good. Win here!

Lisa P.

Yelp

Such a fun experience! To start, we had zero issues with parking (street parking), we were immediately seated at the bar. The service was great. We ordered a cocktail and glass of wine, and cioppino! The bread and butter that came with it for free were to die for... maybe the best sourdough I've ever had!

Gilbert P.

Yelp

I worked here when I was younger. A couple of times I saw the cooks drop food on the floor and put it back on the pan. Ron punched me in the arm once for only putting one bread in the oven. Tim would join the cooks in saying homophobic slurs to me. At the time I was too young to stand up for myself and they took advantage of this. In conclusion small town, small minds. This place is overrated and the owners are not very nice, they own most of the town and feel like the own you too.

Annie L.

Yelp

This tavern has been around since 1894! An old school feel when you walk in. We had to wait a bit since it was lunch hour. We ordered a fresh apple juice, two of the sea bass with fries, burger, sandwich and fried oysters. Everyone was in agreement that the food was excellent, fresh, friendly service. Dining in such a historic spot "where friends meet" is a must in Pescadero.

Jazzi E.

Yelp

My family has been going here for over 30 years. Since moving to San Diego it's always a treat to drive over to Pescadero when I'm in the Bay Area. This family owned, local favorite is a must visit while in the area. Food: I always order the green chili soup. It's always delicious and creamy. Another great soup is the artichoke, which my family members love. It's comes with fresh warm sourdough bread. This visit we ordered the zucchini cakes which come with a cilantro cream and they were very good. Drinks: the Olallieberry margarita is good, a little on the sweeter side, but these fruits are very popular in the area. Dessert: you can't go wrong with any of there pies!

Lori D.

Yelp

Love the bread and half and half soup (artichoke soup). Pie, fish and chips are great! Actually everything is great!

Pauline W.

Yelp

We stumbled upon this tiny gem hidden in a one-stop light downtown. We were served warm bread with butter shortly after we ordered, which was nice and fluffy on the inside and thin layer of crunch on the outside. We ordered the linguine with clams and the soup of the day-seafood chowder. The chowder is lite on consistency and nicely flavored with minced seafood and rice in a tomato broth. It is how I like it. The clam with linguine is seasoned with butter and lemon that also very lite in consistency. The freshness of clams is truly enhanced by this very simple culinary technique. I highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys a good place to eat with a unique ambiance.

Carolyn B.

Yelp

We started off with their delicious warm bread & their amazing & delicious Cream of Artichoke & Cream of Green Chile Soup. My husband had the Crab Cioppino & I had the Crab Melt (pictured). We end this glorious meal w/ their famous Olallibery Pie w/Olalliberry Ice Cream. Our Server was so delightful & very attentive. The ambiance reminds me of a old saloon. This place is a historical landmark & the drive to get here was nothing short of spectacular.

Tim K.

Yelp

This has been a family favorite for generations and a must for visiting guests. Cioppino, fish n chips, half n half (artichoke and green chile soup mix), crusty French bread, and ollieberry pie are solid contenders.

Christine C.

Yelp

We arrived around 2 pm on a Monday afternoon and was surprised to find the place was still quite busy. We didn't have to wait long for our table, however. There was just one party ahead of us, and we both got seated within 5 mins. The wait staff seemed to be quite busy. Long after we've already decided what to get, no one had approached us to take our order so after waiting some time, I flagged down the guy who looked like the manager and/or perhaps the bartender; he smiled and graciously took our order. After putting our order in, he let us know that this other wait staff would be taking care of our table. The food came quickly. I ordered the famed half-and-half soup with half green Chile and half artichoke soup. I first tasted the artichoke soup before mixing the two and that by itself was yummy. Mixing the two helps to cut the richness in the artichoke soup, also yummy! The warm sourdough bread they gave us worked well with the soup. For our entree, we had ordered the crab melt to share (a whopping $38 before taxes and tips) but unfortunately (or fortunately for our wallets), it was out. We tried to order the linguine and that was out too. We ended up sharing the snapper and chips with the garlic add-on. The snapper was just so-so (not much flavor and thick batter) but the garlic fries were very flavorful and we both enjoyed it. Given Duarte's and the Pescadero area is also famous for the olallieberries pie, we shared one. It was good! Overall, it was a chill lunch experience, albeit on the pricey side. Do stop by if you're in the area; I recommend getting one of the soups, the garlic fries, and the olallieberries pie. If you're in a hurry, however, you're better off elsewhere.

Geraldine D.

Yelp

The crab cioppino looks delicious! The service is nice. I can smell the tomatoes sauce from the crab cioppino. It tastes good!

Niccolos G.

Yelp

Not worth the drive... Overpriced and mediocre food. Embarrassingly small portions of fish that were barely warm. Customer service lacked, and there seemed to be disorganization amongst the staff. Water was never refilled even though it had been sitting on the table empty for over 20+ mins. Artichoke soup was okay but definitely overpriced. If you're considering driving over 30mins to eat here.. don't! Save yourself the time

Robert C.

Yelp

Giving this place a 2 star is generous. Let me start off with the most egregious infraction Duarte's did. The 17% gratituity. It's not included on any signage around the building, on the menu, or if it is it's done in a way you're not going to spot it. You're presented with 3 slips of paper. "Merchant Copy" "Customer Copy" and finally, an itemized bill. The Merchant and customer copy of the bill are placed on top of the itemized bill. You're presented with a subtotal with a tip line on it. My wife had a shrimp salad with "Oregon Bay Shrimp" which meant it was likely previously frozen. I had a French dip and a slice of pie. $77? I started to write out my standard 20% tip when I flipped through the 3 slips of paper, and noticed that the 17% automatic gratuity was included! Nope, not playing this game. I scratched it out on my bill. I don't have a problem paying a tip. I used to be a service worker myself that relied on tips, but when it's sneakily added to the bill and hidden from plain sight, that's pretty deceptive. How many people have left a 37% tip without knowing it? It's downright slimy. Food was meh and overpriced.

Andreas G.

Yelp

Went here for a lunch while visiting the coast and checking out this small town. Place was pretty busy on a Friday before a long weekend. Found a small table in a corner. Place is a bit dark inside, but it's a tavern and a bit older so that's not unexpected. Ordered the crab sandwich and the sautéed shrimp. Really like the sauce it came in and the bread was great. Crab sandwich was a bit disappointing, would have been better with different bread and more toasted. The crab was still good, but for that price they could have done a bit more with the sandwich. Fries were really crunchy. Like them a lot. Overall a bit pricey but worth a stop.

Sandee L.

Yelp

Duarte's Tavern is an institution in Pescadero! It's been around since 1894! They've won a James Beard award, so that says something. And even though Guy Fieri has let me down with most of his recommendations on DDD, this one was legit. We started off with the olallieberry margarita and Manhattan. Both well balanced and presented nicely. Onto the food: - Beet salad ($8): delicious with the olallieberry vinaigrette. 4/5 - Half half soup ($15): I think this is a secret menu item. It's half artichoke, half cream of green chile. We tried them separately and then together and both soups really came through on their own and also were delicious mixed. MUST GET! 5/5 - Crab cioppino ($42): Only served on weekdays. I was impressed there was a whole crab in there (2 claws and 8 legs), and the meat was sweet and plentiful. Also came with a few shrimp, clams and a little filet of fish. The tomato base was a bit underwhelming though. We've had better elsewhere, tbh. 3/5 - Olallieberry pie a la mode ($11.50): A great, sweet end to our meal. The pie was warm and full of berries. 4/5 I loooooooved their warm complimentary sourdough. I dipped it in the soup as well as the cioppino, and then double downed and slathered butter on it. Super crunchy crust with a warm, fluffy inside. DT sources from local farms. We had to try everything that had olallieberry and artichoke in it. 17% auto gratuity, split between the staff. Coco was our server and she was so nice. Excellent service. No reservations and the hours of operation are a bit short (closes at 6pm on weekends). It's a sleepy seaside town, so that's understandable. I'd be back for the sourdough and half half soup in a second. So sad we didn't take any home with us.

K I.

Yelp

I love their house made olallieberry soft serve. Service is always friendly and attentive.

Jill M.

Yelp

This place is amazing. Every item we order was delicious. You must try the artichoke soup with piping hot sourdough bread and butter. It's their signature dish and did not disappoint. We also had a wonderful whole snapper which came with a great side of greens and broccoli plus excellent fries. We have not eaten dessert in months but splurged on the strawberry rhubarb pie a la mode. I am still thinking about it a week later. Had we stayed closer to Pescadero, we would have eaten at Duarte's every day. Plus, the history of the place is phenomenal and there are old photos to see.

Christopher P.

Yelp

Solid lunch, but as others have noted it is not cheap. I went in with the intention of getting a bowl of artichoke soup and a slice of their legendary pie, but switched it up a little. Upon the advice of fellow yelpers, I ordered the 50/50 soup which is half artichoke, half green chile, and they must have barista training because it arrives with cappuccino type art on it. I noticed them bringing out some zucchini cakes, which looked incredible so I ordered those also. They brought some complimentary sourdough which was warm and much appreciated. I noticed they had Olallieberry soft-serve ice cream on the menu. I love soft-serve, and have never had it in that flavor, so despite no pics of it here I went ahead and ordered it. The pie will have to wait for a future visit. I sat at the counter and service was efficient and friendly. The verdict: Bread: 5 stars - good, warm and free! Soup: 4 stars - pretty good but I would not drive out of my way for it. Loved the artwork though! Zucchini Cakes: 3 stars - they look awesome, and they appear crispy, but they are not at all crispy. The flavor was great, but they were quite soft. If you are like me and prefer hash browns extra crispy then I'd skip. If you like them soft, then the flavor and texture should satisfy you. Olallieberry Soft-serve: 5 stars! This was the highlight. So good that my niece ordered one to go from the front desk. It comes with a mini shortbread cookie. I will definitely get this every time I pass through Pescadero! The bill- $43 is a bit steep for a single lunch, but I am a tourist in a touristy town so not unexpected.

Lisa B.

Yelp

Friendly service, meals arrived promptly, and food was excellent! I had the halibut with fries and fresh veggies followed by olallieberry pie and olallieberry swirl ice cream. Thanks!

Carole B.

Yelp

This is the main dining destination in Pescadero and it is definitely a classic. A well preserved time capsule of early to mid century architecture and design clues you in to the old school nature of the menu. I had the rich and creamy Boston chowder with plenty of freshly baked sourdough and heaps of butter - carb heaven! The scallops with linguine was the main course: perfectly cooked and fresh as could be, the portion was perfect for sharing. Took home a delicious piece of ollallieberry pie - perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. One star off because it's just a bit overpriced, but the quality is definitely there. Just be ready to drop some serious dough!

Debi S.

Yelp

We have heard about this place forever and I always wanted to go. Went with friends yesterday and I think I can check it off my list. First the good - the service was excellent. Our wait staff was friendly and everything was served very quickly. Kudos to the folks working there. The ambience is fine. It's a local place, very rustic and that's great. So the food.... Well, it just was not all that great. Our friends raved on and on about the artichoke soup so we felt compelled to get it. It is a large bowl of soup (all the portions are large) and it's very heavy. Taste wise, I just not blown away. However, they serve it with this amazing hot sourdough bread and that was yummy. I also had the bean salad which was over dressed and heavy. My hubby had the berry pie they are known for. It was ok. I had the soft serve ice cream in the same flavor and that was delicious. Prices were expensive. Lunch for two (splitting the bill with our friends) was 75.00. Yes, they auto tack on 17% gratuity. I understand why but if they had not done it we would have tipped more so I think this policy can sometimes hurt instead of help. So 5 stars for the service. 3 for the food - so I would rate it 3.5 stars.

Caroline K.

Yelp

I love heading down to Pescadero for a little day trip . We have coffee at and Downtown Local and then walk to Duarte's for the famous soup which is always comforting. This trip they had a fabulous mushroom toast and I hope they keep it on the menu because it was delicious. We usually eat at the bar and the ambiance is not fussy and slightly run down but again, kinda comforting. Service is solid and depending on the server can be very transactional or friendly. I love the fried smelt but my fellow smelt eater didn't join this time so I couldn't order it as I wouldn't be able to eat the whole portion alone !

Travis B.

Yelp

Wow, so bad... overpriced and small orders.. and incredibly rude over the phone if you try and place an order to go. This is the third time I have tried to give this place a chance to redeem itself. Failed again. Will never go back... to bad because I'm a local.

Anita T.

Yelp

This restaurant is right near some of the open farms for u-pick which is how we ended up here. The place looks like a classic saloon and has ample outdoor seating (however it's open and near a pretty fast road so we opted to sit indoors with our small children. ) There's a main dining room and a smaller room for big groups. The menu is average - I had the crab sandwich which wasn't that interesting (actually felt like a slightly elevated tuna sandwich that was totally not worth $30) and we also got side orders of fries and onion rings. Those were solid but this could have been easily good at a fast food place as well. The service was sub-par, for a large group, we got very little/ slow attention which dragged out the meal with restless kids and I had to flag down wait staff for what felt like everything. There is also a default 17% service charge regardless of party size so overall this was overpriced. Not an experience that was worth coming back to.

Kim W.

Yelp

Had a nice lunch of snapper and pie here. The pie was excellent. The artichoke soup was $18 which is the most I've ever seen for a casual restaurant. Service was good. They were packed by 1pm with a long waiting list on Saturday. Three stars because the price was quite high. I'd come back for the pie.

Roberta D.

Yelp

One of the worst restaurant experiences I have had on the coast. In fact, it may be the worst. Worst, you walk into a small holding area where it's not clear what's happening and - some people are waiting for tables somewhere are waiting for takeout. When it turns out if you want to eat outside, you have to get it to go. Which is fine, but you have to carry it out yourself and wait at the window for the food which takes forever. But the worst part was all the signs say restroom and back restroom and parking lot restroom behind the building in the parking lot - and when you get there, it's the worst most disgusting porta potty. I've literally ever seen in my life and I've been to a lot of outdoor concerts. It was full of... Well full of all the stuff you would have in porta potty. And there was only water at one station and absolutely no So. When I went to try to get my hands washed, I was told there was a full bathroom inside the building. I've just spent $75 on my lunch and I'm not allowed to use the bathroom? You directed me initially to the parking lot? That's ridiculous. That said the food was very good. We had a Ruben and a burger. They were both excellent. But never again. And I'm calling the board of health on Monday. OMG I finally got my receipt after asking several times and there's a 17% service charge that is mandatory. There's nothing about that when you get the food at the counter because the counter food is all to go. You have to take it yourself to the parking lot. I will be challenging this charge on my credit card as well. who does Service charge for to go ? To be clear, you can only order food to go if you want to sit outside. You don't get any service or utensils or anything else you get it in a to go box and you can sit in the parking lot if you want. ADDITION: we both got serous stomach issues that night so will definitely be calling the board of health today!

Nicole R.

Yelp

Great artichoke soup! And the olllieberry margarita is amazing! Staff is always super friendly, and love the old style of the inside of the building with the history behind it.

Kris M.

Yelp

Friends and I stopped by the other day. There were signs that said restrooms in the back parking lot. The "restrooms" were port-a-potties. What?!?! Decided to go in anyway but decided to leave after the less than friendly greeting.

Danny O.

Yelp

I can't speak on behalf of the user that saw an automatic 17% gratuity added to their bill, but this place was unbelievably overpriced. The food was indeed, meh. And the ambiance... like eating inside of a green cave. You would never guess you were anywhere near the ocean inside of this establishment. The service was great for sure but never again.

SpaceDevil X.

Yelp

$10 Dollar Slice of Mediocrity. I used to come here for years until I had to move further away from the Bay Area. In 2023, t's been 8 years since my last visit and and this one will be my last at this place. I wanted to treat my family to a slice of pie since they had never been here before and when we ordered 3 slices at the front desk, we were charged $37 bucks! "WTF!?" I get that inflation has been an issue across the country lately, but not by this much. The pies are not necessarily to die for, but simply the fact that they come in flavors that are not typical. Olallieberry pie for example. Regardless, it's no excuse to charge these highway Robert rates. The young kid at the front who we placed the order with didn't even bother to suggest that we get a whole pie for $41 (we found out later), but rather let us pay $37 for the equivalent of a half a pie. Slices are about 1/6th by my estimate. Either way, I'd much rather get a slice of $5 pie down the highway at one of the many berry stands who aren't trying to leach some unjustified tax on their name because they appeared on T.V. once many years ago. Unless money is not an issue for you, my recommendation is to stay far away from the $10 slice of mediocrity that they are serving up at Duarte's Tavern. Personal Tip: If you want some of the best pie and in amazing flavor combinations like Blueberry Apple Peach pie, Visit the Pine Country Restaurant in Williams, AZ. Their prices won't take your wallet for a ride.

Jonathan H.

Yelp

Had to visit based on the recommendation from DDD and we enjoyed it. We've had better cioppino and better fish and chips though so not sure we'll be back unless we're driving through or past Pescadero.

Decipher S.

Yelp

If you want to pay a small fortune for mediocre food this is a great place for that. Fish lunch entres are $30 and up +$5 to have it cooked any other way than the menu (grilled vs fry) + $5 to substitute salad for vegies etc. Fish and chips- fish was small chunks that looked like leftover pieces rather than nice big pieces, no coleslaw or anything else. staff not friendly. They are capitalizing on nostolgia and the price gouging with minimal effort is embarassing. Yes I like the old time places but not at this price,

WilliAm A.

Yelp

Drive 1-1/2 hrs just yo have artichoke/ chile soup snd the best sourdough bread in the bay area. Plus fresh snapper and chips was excellent. Topped by friendly efficient service This place is somewhere you need to visit. Often

Dave B.

Yelp

I don't usually squawk about prices but lunch for 3 was nearly $300. -Bowl of artichoke soup 18.25. -Crab sandwich 36.00. -Calamari sandwich was too salty. 26.00. -Slice of pie 13.50. Nothing stands out as particularly memorable. Service was good.

Amanda M.

Yelp

Came here for a quick lunch right when they opened. Was really excited to try this place since it's been around since 1984, feels almost historic to eat here! Upon arrival, the host let us choose anywhere to sit, and we sat in the cute little cove in the bar area. We were greeted immediately with waters. I had seen yelp reviews for what seems like a secret menu item: half and half soup -- which is half creamed artichoke and half green chile. This is the move! It was delicious and came with a side of sourdough bread, I couldn't stop eating it. I'm big on sourdough and this did not disappoint. My only regret is not trying the ollalieberry pie, which is supposed to be a top item there. I'll have to come back. :) Pro tip: their menu rotates so be sure to check out their Facebook or Instagram page for the latest.

Sammy T.

Yelp

Do not be fooled by my 3-stars. The pie was great (a 4-star worthy review) but the PRICE for that pie dropped it down to a 3-star. The famous Olallieberry Pie was hyped for me and I knew it was going to be overpriced but I had hoped that after eating a bite, I would go "ok, this is overpriced but it's so good it's worth it". Sadly, I can't say that was the case. The pie was good. It was tart (just how I like it), the crust was buttery, and the overall flavor was strong. However, the price just didn't cut it for me. With 17% gratuity tacked onto an already expensive pie, I don't know if it's worth feeding the curiosity of what a $12+ slice of pie tastes like..

Alexandra F.

Yelp

This landmark restaurant is a must stop if you happen to be in the Half Moon Bay/Pescadero area. Their famous artichoke soup and poblano chili soup are absolutely delicious on a chilly day, or any day for that matter! Get a swirl of the two for extra deliciousness! The generous portion comes with bread and butter to add to the gluttony. Pro Tip: On a nice day, order for take out and enjoy your meal at the picnic tables right outside. Everything from the menu is available, plus their famous olallieberry margaritas!

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Chester Cunningham

Google

Cyrus Jimenez

Google

our life

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Yi Ling

Google

Aruna K A

Google

This place has a nice charm to it. The food and service is great. We got the mushroom toast, linguine with clams and green salad. Everything tasted really good.

APRIL Z

Google

The halibut fish is okay but the rest is good. The chili soup is great. Very unique soup.

Parul Agarwal

Google

Graciela Dias

Google

Sunil R.

Yelp

Spencer L.

Yelp

Parul A.

Yelp

Javier H.

Yelp

Phil B.

Yelp

Lyee C.

Yelp

Ed U.

Yelp

Karen C.

Yelp

Emily O.

Yelp

David M.

Yelp

Cindy G.

Yelp

Eric B.

Yelp

Teresa S.

Yelp

Lisa P.

Yelp

Gilbert P.

Yelp

Annie L.

Yelp

Jazzi E.

Yelp

Lori D.

Yelp

Love the bread and half and half soup (artichoke soup). Pie, fish and chips are great! Actually everything is great!

Pauline W.

Yelp

Carolyn B.

Yelp

Tim K.

Yelp

Christine C.

Yelp

Geraldine D.

Yelp

The crab cioppino looks delicious! The service is nice. I can smell the tomatoes sauce from the crab cioppino. It tastes good!

Niccolos G.

Yelp

Robert C.

Yelp

Andreas G.

Yelp

Sandee L.

Yelp

K I.

Yelp

I love their house made olallieberry soft serve. Service is always friendly and attentive.

Jill M.

Yelp

Christopher P.

Yelp

Lisa B.

Yelp

Friendly service, meals arrived promptly, and food was excellent! I had the halibut with fries and fresh veggies followed by olallieberry pie and olallieberry swirl ice cream. Thanks!

Carole B.

Yelp

Debi S.

Yelp

Caroline K.

Yelp

Travis B.

Yelp

Anita T.

Yelp

Kim W.

Yelp

Roberta D.

Yelp

Nicole R.

Yelp

Great artichoke soup! And the olllieberry margarita is amazing! Staff is always super friendly, and love the old style of the inside of the building with the history behind it.

Kris M.

Yelp

Danny O.

Yelp

SpaceDevil X.

Yelp

Jonathan H.

Yelp

Decipher S.

Yelp

WilliAm A.

Yelp

Dave B.

Yelp

Amanda M.

Yelp

Sammy T.

Yelp

Alexandra F.

Yelp

Duarte's Tavern

Duarte's Tavern

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