Moonside Bakery & Cafe

This café completely surprised me — I had one of the best meringues I’ve ever tried! 💜Fresh, juicy, and full of flavor. The atmosphere was cozy, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. Such a simple but memorable experience. I’ll definitely be coming back!

The service is friendly but basic. The place decoration is simple and nice. The food tastes good but… If you are vegetarian you are fine but if you are vegan is way more complicated as the dishes don't have a clear list of ingredients and the salsas are a mistery, they just bring to the table with no explanation. The allegedly vegan soup have some ghee butter flavor. Very affordable prices.

There are many seating with gorgeous interiors in the shop. Actually, the shop has two entrances. One on the front, the other on the back, which is connected to this small shipping plaza with beautiful wall paintings and ceiling decorations I like. Many bakeries and cakes look really cute and delicious. They look like they are baking them in the shop. Long line, so there's some wait time, but it's worth it.

Moonside bakery created a beautiful cake for my daughter’s first birthday. We got the raspberry buttercream and it tasted even better than it looked. We will order from them always, thank you!

While walking past the Moonside Bakery & Cafe, we saw many customers either enjoying their coffee or breakfast there or just lining up to purchase the pastries at the bakery. We decided to buy something for our campsites as an extra item for our lunch. All the pastries and cookies we bought were made fresh and delicious. The cashier was very friendly, even though he was swamped. Good jobs! I’ll be back next time when I visit Half Moon Bay again!

Sooo good. I ordered two plates to be able to sample some of everything and surprised myself when I cleaned out both plates! I had the avocado chicken salad with arugula and spinach, a rooibos tea latte, and a side of a blueberry pancake. They were very accommodating of substitutions and modifications. Everything was delicious.

Wow… yeah no so favorable . Staff good, they lost my latte? Seriously… someone took it after being made.. French toast was so darn DRY and sweet.. had to toss it. The eggs and potatoes, come on, who can mess this up? They did, dry, no flavor and the portions were like a starvation diet size. Tossed.. in our opinions, we don’t know HOW this place has a 4 star review. The 2 stars are for the staff at the order line and cashier. The latte girls have zero personality and skill. The coffee and latte was watery.

Moonside Bakery and Cafe in Half Moon Bay was a mixed bag. The service was friendly and quick, which was great considering how busy they were when we visited. They have an indoor seating area, perfect for escaping the crowds and the heat. They also serve breakfast, lunch, wood-fired pizza, and other items in addition to their sweet treats and pastries. The banana bread was okay, a decent choice for a sweet treat. However, the artichoke pesto was a major disappointment. It was dry and incredibly chewy, making it difficult to enjoy. Overall, while the service and atmosphere were pleasant, the food was inconsistent.

I gotta try something from most bakeries I pass. I ordered this pastry that I had never seen before - it was a piped shortbread half circle, filled with almond orange jam, and dipped in chocolate. Unique and tasty! The iced tea was fine, not too bitter or too soapy. My friend ordered a cappuccino and a pecan biscotti which tasted very freshly made. Logistics: - indoor and outdoor seating - street parking nearby (check for 2 hour limit signs, apparently they're strict!)

Wow - it has been quite a while since I visited Moonside. GREAT pizza at a reasonable price. One pizza was two meals for me. The service team was friendly, helpful, and efficient. I certainly recommend visiting and enjoying sitting inside the calm atrium-like setting.

Stopped by here for some pastries while visiting Half Moon Bay. There was no line and had a good selection left midday Sunday. We bought a Hungarian cheesecake $7.25, key lime pie $8.50, and strawberry Nutella croissant $8.25. I'm not a huge fan of key lime pie. I thought it was too tart for me, but if that's what you like, then this is it! The strawberry Nutella croissant was good. The strawberries were fresh and there wasn't an overwhelming amount of Nutella. Hungarian cheesecake was good. It was light and smooth.

Let's start with the amazing welcome from the staff!!! Angel and team are so wonderful! Love the location it's indoor and outdoor seating great if you have pup family as well! Love the set up outside for a great lunch time! Food is delicious I had the fresh baked mini pizza!! Over all 5 star!! Looking forward to my next visit!

Stopped in here on New Year's Day, only because our favorite bakery down the street wasn't open. The prices here are really high and the quality just isn't there (especially for those prices!). Our cookies were really dry and crumbled instantly. We also got a slice of banana walnut bread, which was also dry and flavorless. Very disappointing. :(

Moonside Bakery and Cafe in Half Moon Bay was a mixed bag. The service was friendly and quick, which was great considering how busy they were when we visited. They have an indoor seating area, perfect for escaping the crowds and the heat. They also serve breakfast, lunch, wood-fired pizza, and other items in addition to their sweet treats and pastries. The banana bread was okay, a decent choice for a sweet treat. However, the artichoke pesto was a major disappointment. It was dry and incredibly chewy, making it difficult to enjoy. Overall, while the service and atmosphere were pleasant, the food was inconsistent.

It was my first visit to Half Moon Bay, and my aunt took me to the Moonside Bakery and Cafe. It immediately felt like a comforting slice of nostalgia. The bakery's pastries are the true stars here, offering a delightful array of treats that are sure to please any sweet tooth. The location of Moonside Bakery and Cafe is also worth mentioning. Nestled among a charming collection of local shops, bookstores, cafes, and restaurants, it's a perfect spot to explore the area's unique offerings. The general ambiance of the area adds to the overall appeal of the cafe. While my overall experience had a few quirks, the charm of the place shone through. The service was efficient but had a somewhat robotic feel, lacking the personal touch I might have hoped for. During my visit, I tried the fruit cake, which was an intriguing experience. Its unique texture and blend of fruity flavors were different from what I expected, making it worth a try if you're in the mood for something a bit unconventional. Moonside also serves up a great cup of coffee, enhancing the cozy atmosphere of the cafe. The indoor courtyard, with its stone tables, can be a bit chilly, especially in the cool Half Moon Bay weather, but it remains a charming spot to relax. Despite a few quirks, Moonside Bakery and Cafe proved to be a delightful discovery. I'm already looking forward to my next visit and the chance to explore more of what Half Moon Bay has to offer.

Great HMB stop before a beach stroll or coastal hike. Good coffee, danish, and even breakfasts. We came here because our "Bed and Breakfast" included breakfast, but at Moonside giving us a voucher to pick out what we wanted. Worked out fine and we got the Brioche French Toast loaded with strawberries, and the Veggie Scramble. The Veggie Scramble had mushrooms, zucchs, bell peppers, green onions and cheddar, and was softly done per our request. The Brioche French Toast included thick slices of brioche bread lightly dipped and sprinkled with powdered sugar and plenty of chopped strawberries in a light sauce. There's extra space to dine in near the indoor courtyard toward the stage, which is great on quiet mornings but could be busy during holiday afternoons. A staple to the downtown HMB crowd.

I've been here a few times. The pastries are pretty good. They're a German bakery, so you can find the occasional German pastry, especially around the holidays. Inside the restaurant is a bit of a cold experience, literally and figuratively. The seating is an indoor courtyard with stone tables that are frigid, especially in always chilly Half Moon Bay, and the service is also quite robotic. The food is ok, just your basic diner fare, nothing exotic or special, and I've had it a few times, but usually stick to the pastries like the apricot pocket or pumpkin cookie. One quick note, you will not believe your eyes when you see the prices, so prepare yourself for the lofty bill.

This is the third time that I was being sold a pastry that was at least a day if not two days old. As a local customer, I called the business to give them a chance to correct before posting this review. Despite being promised that the manager would get in touch, no one cared to address this. What a sad decline of quality and care under the current ownership. For any visitor to Half Moon Bay: Scroll through the large number of one star reviews before you leave your money with them. This is no longer the German bakery that the positive reviews refer to. (The original owner sold it). Take your money elsewhere. There are lots of fantastic alternatives to this place!!!

Brownie & coffee: the brownie was a small square, making me a little annoyed at first. However, there is a reason, because this thing is rich, and flavorful. That square was more than enough, and satisfying. The coffee was a surprise as well, quite tasty, smooth, elevated. Based on these two items, I would say this place is not a tourist trap, but good and worthy. Thank you.

Excellent wood fired pizza! How rare! The service was fine. Prices are a bit high but that's everywhere.

Anytime I'm anywhere near to Half Moon Bay I make a B-line to Moonside Bakery and Cafe for baked goods. I'm filled with nostalgia in particular for their giant cinnamon sugar baked Elephant Ear cookies, which taste like a palmier but are about 5x as big, and much sweeter, and deliciously buttery and packed with cinnamon. The baked goods here are fresh and very traditional. The elephant ear is a difficult baked item to come across, because although American Grandma's used to make these, they are not made much anymore. Turns out there are a lot of steps in making a baked elephant ear, so it's difficult to find and difficult to find one done well. The one here at Moonside is a stand out.

The raspberry and apricot half moon cookies are top tier!! I always have to get one when I stop by HMB. I also love the big moon sugar cookie. Every time I stop by I think it would be nice to buy a cake or pie for a special occasion because they look amazing

Hazelnut ring: 4.5/5. A chocolate-covered hazelnut butter cookie. There are whole hazelnuts on this cookie, which makes it delightfully crunchy. Delicious combination.

Average pastries at premium prices. The palmier was flat and stale, instead of buttery and flaky. Would not come back.

one of my favourite places to grab a pastry or breakfast whenever i'm in half moon bay! upon entering, i am always greeted by the most amazing display of cakes, tarts, cookies, breads, and other pastries. they always change the display based on the season, so springtime, you'll see easter inspired treats, with bunnies and chicks, and in the fall, you'll see frightful looking treats for halloween, as well as apple, pumpkin and cinnamon flavoured treats. their breakfast menu is pretty standard: eggs, fruit, toast, pancakes, bacon, etc. i typically order a veggie based omelet, which comes with their fresh baked bread and homestyle potatoes (usually i swap the potatoes for fruit, a bit healthier). when i want a treat, i'll add one of their homemade scones, or a cookie or bar. they even have a small microwave, which i've used to heat up a baked good! honestly, i've never been disappointed with anything i've eaten here, and more often than not, i order a few bakery items to take home and share with the hubs. the only thing is that there is no public restroom here, not even a restroom for customers. closest public restroom is at the intersection of main st & kelly ave (which are generally well kept). you can park anywhere on main street or one of the side streets, parking has never been an issue for me here.

Some of the best desserts on the coast! One particular favorite is the hazelnut ring. I also enjoy their sandwiches and salads. The pizza bread is also yummy.

We stop here every time we come to Half Moon Bay. The bakery is great. Breakfasts and pizza are good also!

The pastries here are FRESHHH!! So amazing I felt like I was in France eating fresh light crisp croissants and pastries. We ordered the chocolate almond croissant, cherry cheese danish, artichoke foccocia, ham and cheese croissant, and espresso poured over their homemade whipped cream. It was all so delicious. This place is a must try if you're in the area.

The Grill cheese was Bread - American cheese - Bread - American cheese Bread. The bread was also quite dry. Good service and ambiance.

I was dining in and ordered a pizza and eclair. I sat outside and they brought me my pizza. My little one year-old wanted to walk away so we left the table and came back and our pizza was gone. I ate a slice and a half. It was a full pizza left on the table and I also had some personal items as well. I came back, and my table was completely cleared. Turns out they threw away my pizza... So I just stepped away from the table for a minute he threw in my pizza? Would it remake it for me if they tried to give me a slice of focaccia instead and I said no I want my pizza It was really bizarre they threw out my meal to begin with and cleared the personal items from my table. But furthermore, the way they handled it was just so bizarre.

No visit to Half Moon Bay is complete without a stop at Moonside! This has been my family's go to bakery in HMB for as long as I can remember. Not only do they have pastries and breads, but they also make pizzas! The pizza is quite delicious and is enough for two people. We always get the Margherita pizza and are satisfied each and every time. For the pastries, my go to is the pumpkin bread and the eclairs. I don't typically like eclairs but theirs has both chocolate and regular cream on the inside making it very rich and flavorful. The pumpkin bread is always extremely moist and tastes like real pumpkin, not an artificial flavor that you can often get in pumpkin baked goods. They sell it by the slice or as a little loaf, as is the case with most of their loaf breads. This last time I went we got a loaf of sourdough for the first time and it was great! It seems like a lot of sourdoughs lack much of that sour flavor, but not this one! This tasted exactly how a sourdough from California should taste. Even when the line is long it seems to go fairly fast. Coffee comes up quickly. Pizza doesn't come up too fast, but hey, at least you know it's fresh and made to order!

If you come here, don't come for the breakfast menu items. The bakery is fine, a bit over priced, but fine. The menu items are extremely over priced and very bland. I ordered a burrito. Let's put it this way. Safeway burritos are a helluva lot better than this place. Has the cook ever heard of "Salt"? Holy shit it was disappointing. At least I had a beer with it.

Great desserts and food is just ok but the service is really bad...that's A BIG problem Go and expect to be treated like they are doing YOU a favor but take it to go :) THE STAFF ROLL THE EYES AT YOU, they say your name from the window when your food is ready and just move their hands for you to get up and get it without telling you in the most rude way possible I will say expect being treated really bad The staff is just bad

Went for a walk on Main St. in Half Moon Bay and stumbled in this cafe. I ordered the Vegetarian pocket sandwich which was so good. It had Portabella mushrooms, summer squash, roasted tomatoes, basil, goat cheese in a focaccia pocket. Served with potato salad. My husband had the Turkey panini with mozzarella cheese, avocado, red onions, tomato, mushrooms with roasted garlic. Great and fast service. I remembered to take pics after we ate half of our food so please excuse the bad pics.

Good portions, convenient location. Came here during 4th of July parade; appreciated not having a wait time to be seated. Weird that they don't have bathrooms for customers here; we were told to go to the public restroom down the street. Tasty veggie and regular sandwiches. Basic salad. They have coffees, teas, and dessert/pastries. Indoor and outdoor seating. Iced tea had an odd spice (tumeric?); it grows on you over time.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ! 45$ for two paninis and an hour wait. This place is a waste of space here in HMB. The girl working the register stood around staring at the line for a good 15 min before she decided to come help with some attitude on the side. I placed an order through the phone 20 min before showing up for two paninis. Keep in mind the person who took my order through the phone said 10-15 min. When I arrived I waited another 30 min because they never made my order. The girl who originally gave attitude said "it's a process they are working on finishing it." During that wait several customers came inside complaining that they hadn't received their order that they placed quite some time ago. One lady came in questioning where the pancake was and politely said "I've been waiting outside for 40 min for my pancake and my family is already finished with their pastries". Her pancake was just sitting in the oven never brought out. It's sad to see this is what our selection is as area native when we take a stroll down to the beach. Such a cute location and lovely ambiance wasted away on shitty service and food.

was just there today. purchased a pretzel...it was in a display case. it was so small cold and stale. why serve this crap. I wanted to order a slice of pizza..but I saw others being served...6 tom$7 a slice....and it was so small...like a slice out of a small frozen pizza . then I saw there 10 inch pizzas are 18$. I am so tired of food places under serving and ripping people off. they do not belong in business.

Great pastries and coffee. The staff are very friendly, overall a great environment. If you get a mocha or hot chocolate they'll pipe out real whipped cream from an icing bag- what a treat!

ok, my fault for not checking with Yelp first. i thought this place would be just as good as before, but before was over 10 years ago. hahahaha. Pastries were not so good. Bread pudding was dripping wet, don't know why. Prices would be ok if pastries were good. Service was just ok. Place looks tiny from the outside and I didn't know they were also a restaurant.

Not sure why the ratings are so low here. I am all about the environment, experiences, and tastes. I absolutely enjoyed coming here a few times over the years. It's a great stop if you want a yummy bite or chitchat with friends on Main Street. Yes, they can certainly do better with customer service since their overworked staff is constantly busy, they don't display much of the pricing for their baked goods over the counter, and they may not seem like they are passionate about their jobs. People will complain that everything is overpriced here, but not all business experiences are right for every customer when it comes to pricing. The cashier area is usually filled with people and sometimes, you don't even know if it's your turn or if your order is being called yet. Some people might think they are rude or don't care about their orders. It's just a very cute and popular stop inside. Note: They could have easily gotten my 5-stars rating during my dine-in, but it took them over 20-30 minutes to bring the order to my table number. Cups and dishes were piled up in the front near the utensils. Not enough helpers? They had a few mix ups where their customers were not responding to pick up their orders fast enough. It's a new experience each time. There were flies flying around trying to attack my yummy meal while sitting indoors too. That was annoying. They really could have used a little more help during this pandemic. However, what I really liked most were all their pastries, breads, pizzas, beverages, and breakfast options. Menu is huge! Wide selections. The interior is absolutely gorgeous and spacious, as if you found a vacation spot or sipping up inside another city. Very colorful! You can see that my huge big breakfast order had everything in it and the portions were huge! Surprisingly, I finished everything, except for the french toast that I took to go. Yes, very yummy! I sat at my comfortable seat for 1.5 hours, just enjoying the huge portions of food and observing. Restrooms are convenient. It was all delicious! My hot cup of latte tasted very light. The muffin pastry topped with almond nuts and fruit jam was delicious too. There's always something different to try over here. If you're in it for the foodie experience and food tastes, then you have found yourself the right place to take your time eating here. Best part are all the fresh baked goodies to choose from. Loved the location!

Great Cafe with delicious coffee and food options. It's a small space so there's not much seating. The beet/arugula salad is really good and a huge portion!

Perfect mid day bite. They have all the sweets here. TBH, the hospitality is the best part of this place. Family owned, things are made fresh here daily. Ive been here for cookies and coffee, now im back for a bolo lunch. Its cute, not to much seating but enough. Bread is bomb, its fresh. They not lyn'

Looks good and lots of customers. Pretty eating area. No table service. Self serve. Prices are high. With drink it's going to be over $20 for breakfast per person.

This bakery was HIT on our trip! Pastries, fresh breakfast items, cakes, and etc! You name it - they have it. Good quality, cute little European style bakery with a very nice ambiance. We had following: Banana bread slice - 5/5 Tea - 5/5 Coffee - 5/5 Pastries - 5/5 Orange juice ( freshly squeezed)- 5/5 Pancakes - 5/5 Waffle - 5/5 Everything was on point! Clean, good staff, good quality food, and cute ambiance. recommend!

This was beyond the best cake I've had!!! I went to so many places looking for a wedding cake and I was just disappointed. My mom told to come here and Isidro worked with me and had a tasting set up when I came in. He let me try different flavors and combined them. We worked hand on hand and at then end everyone loved it! The decor was exactly what I asked for and the flavor was sooooo good!!! Thank you so much Moonside for being. Part of my wedding team!!!

Best bran muffin ever! Sweet garden courtyard to enjoy your meal. And they have small water bottles for sale.

The menu said breakfast burrito came with toast. I ordered wheat toast with mine, but there was none served. I let them know they forgot, they said it doesn't come with toast. I pulled out the menu and showed them the item I ordered definitely comes with toast and they said it's an old menu, and didn't offer me any. They also put loads onions it when I said no onions, and there was no cheese on it even though I asked for cheddar cheese. The menu said 3 eggs came in the burrito but I got about one, with a whole bunch of mushrooms and onions, and a few potatoes. All in all I basically got a random meal that wasn't what I ordered, and they wouldn't do anything to make it right.

The food was just okay. The bacon was good. Plan to wait 45 minutes for your food if you're ordering breakfast. It was tough with a toddler. The service seemed very scattered and disorderly.

Each and every time we go to Half Moon Bay, our first stop is Moonside Bakery. We always pick up their almond horns and their macarons (and sometimes we try other items as well) to enjoy over the course of our stay. The almond horns are heavenly! Do yourself a favor and try them; you won't be disappointed.

We always try to include a visit here whenever visiting the area especially in the Fall. Their pumpkin cookies are superb! Very fresh and light in texture with just the right amount of frosting. There are lots of different goodies to choose from. Looks like they still have the big brick oven but not as many breads for sale as in the past. I miss the small pizza breads that I used to love for a snack. Maybe they still bake these sometime? There are tables outside and an adjoining inside patio---great for people watching.

We arrived in Half Moon Bay this afternoon ahead of schedule to attend a memorial service nearby. Dear Hubby was in search of a cup of coffee. We found this bakery cafe and gave them a try. Discovered a charming looking place, but didn't walk away feeling embraced by charm. One of the first things I noticed was a large old-fashioned open oven with flames. Am not sure if they use it for breads or what exactly. Visually, it's striking, much like a wood-fired pizza oven. The pastry cases were calling DH's name. He chose a mini version of a breakfast Danish, and ordered a cup of decaf, as well. The counter help's version of a greeting was to call out "next" or "next customer". While adequate, it made me long for my beloved Apple Farm, where each guest is greeted with "Welcome to the Apple Farm" upon entering. Overall, I didn't see the staff acting like they were very happy to have patrons coming in. The pastry was a good one, with a flaky texture and the right amount of sweetness. I was underwhelmed with the coffee, and they didn't offer stevia as a sweetener option. We should have ordered a latte, but live and learn. There was a cafe section to the left of the bakery area that featured a high ceiling, and green plants. It looked really cool in that area. If the staff were more welcoming I would want to check it out. As it was, they are currently on the Maybe List for a future visit.

The baker here is an absolute delight. I discussed cake options for a 90th birthday party and he created a masterpiece! It was gorgeous full of different kinds of berries on top and an amazing berry cream filling! It was the perfect size for 12 and everyone enjoyed every bite! I definitely recommend cakes from this bakery for your next party. Thanks again for making the party a success!

In A Nutshell: -Moonside Bakery & Cafe was open for take-out, but also for sidewalk dining the weekend of 6/6/20. -If you want one of the best Big Breakfast Burritos & Artichoke Omelette's around, then you will want to stop by here. -The Big Breakfast Burrito was freakin' GIANT & filled w/ high-quality ingredients, plenty of eggs & chicken sausage (you can get pork if you want), it was also piping hot! -When in Half Moon Bay, you need to eat something w/ artichoke in it, so the Artichoke Omelette was filled w/ artichoke hearts, spinach & was thick. -The potatoes were the best I've ever had, b/c usually places have soggy potatoes, these potatoes were very crispy on the outside, yet soft & hot on the inside - they were surprisingly great! Overall, the customer service was friendly & fast. If you are Half Moon Bay make sure you stop by here for a terrific breakfast!

Popped by for a turkey sandwich during pumpkin festival. Granted a busy weekend, but the sandwich was lacking in flavor and even the baguette was nothing special. Doubly disappointing given the price.

I wish I had thought to take photos of the wasps flying around in the pastry case. Staff said it was normal. I found it disgusting. Wasps are not disease carriers according to some web sites, but why would a business allow them to be landing on pastries?

Made a stop at this bakery when we were at Half Moon Bay. I got the hot chocolate and the salmon breakfast dish. The dish was not great imo and it was overpriced. The hot chocolate was ok but nothing special

Delish Danish, blueberry muffins. And the most adorable variety of Christmas cookies.