Sam's Chowder House

"Sam’s Chowder House is so close to the water you could write your name in the sand in between your first and second round of drinks. The titular chowders are indeed solid. Start with one Manhattan and one New England, then move on to the seafood paella, a Connecticut- or Maine-style lobster roll, or one of the excellent pasta dishes on the menu like the buttery shrimp scampi linguine. Attire-wise, the restaurant is technically casual. But sunsets on the deck reach cartoon-dog-sharing-spaghetti levels of romantic, so maybe wear something that makes you feel cute." - Gabi Moskowitz

"A lobster roll on the deck at Sam’s is a quintessential Half Moon Bay experience, whether you want to catch a sunny brunch or cozy up to a fire pit at night. The owner and chef are both originally from the East Coast, hence the interest in New England crustaceans and chowders, but rest assured, they also pay due respects to our local Dungeness crab, in crab cakes, cioppino, or sandwich form. Dogs are welcome on the patio. (Pro tip: Check the local weather on the website’s “SamCams.”)" - Dianne de Guzman, Momo Chang

"Sam’s Chowder House is the spot for those in search of homey, New England-style seafood and stunning views. Every seat at Sam’s offers a view of the Pacific Ocean and offers a family-friendly fish house experience. When the restaurant was founded in 2006, it was one of the first to bring lobster rolls to the west coast. Today, the rolls remain the forte, as they’re served with a generous portion of fresh lobster on a soft, brioche bun. The New England clam chowder is also a hit for its light, creamy, and flavorful broth, and the daily fish specials are made with sustainable, locally sourced seafood and seasonal ingredients." - Cathy Park

"Half Moon Bay’s classic seafood house boasts a big patio, fire pits, and ocean views. The East Coast–style clam chowder and lobster rolls step aside during crab season, when the West Coast’s best crustacean makes an appearance. The cioppino is teeming with fish, shellfish, prawns, clams, and crab claws, and a whole Dungeness crab comes on a big plate with a choice of two sides, such as fries and slaw or mashed potatoes and Italian chard." - Becky Duffett, Eater Staff

"Wind further down Highway 1, and Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay is the stop for lobster rolls." - Becky Duffett