4.6
4.6
- 4.5Food
- 4.7Service
- 4.6Ambience
- 4.3Value
Noise • Moderate
Sam's Chowder House
4.6 (5441)
$30 and under
Seafood
4210 Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Make a booking
Sam's Chowder House
4.6
$30 and under
Seafood
Half Moon Bay
Make a booking
2 people
8 Nov 2026
7:00 pm
About this restaurant
- Great for scenic views
- Great for outdoor dining
- Neighbourhood gem
Additional information
- Dining styleCasual Dining
- Price$30 and under
- CuisinesSeafood, American
- Hours of OperationMon–Thu 11:30 am–8:30 pm Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–8:30 pm
- Phone number
- Payment OptionsAMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
- Dress codeCasual Dress
- Executive ChefLewis Rossman
- CateringAlready found the perfect spot for your corporate event, graduation party or family reunion? Sam's ChowderMobile will bring its award-winning seafood to the location of your choice! Order Sam's famous Lobster Rolls, New England Clam Chowder, Fried Calamari, or an authentic Lobster Clambake. Info: (650) 712-1766 or events@samschowdermobile.com.
- Private party facilitiesPrivate dining services for groups larger than 10 people. Amazing sunsets, award-winning seafood and spectacular oceanfront dining. Perfect for family gatherings, business events, weddings, receptions, and rehearsal dinners. Private and semi-private spots or full restaurant buyout. Contact events@samschowderhouse.com or call (650) 712-0245 x4
- AreaHalf Moon Bay
- Parking DetailsThere are two lots available, and there is also parking on the street and in the harbor.
- EntertainmentEnjoy live music from blues to jazz! May - October: Every Friday night from 5:30-8:30pm (inside bar) and Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm (outside bar, weather permitting). November - April: Every Friday & Saturday night from 5:30-8:30pm (inside bar)
- AdditionalBanquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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Reviews
OpenTable reviews from verified diners
Reviews from people who have dined at Sam's Chowder House.
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
5,441 Reviews
- J
Jean Gold
San Francisco Bay Area57 reviews
5.0Dined 6 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 4
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- L
Linda
Unspecified1 review
4.0Dined 7 days ago
- Overall 4
- Food 4
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- L
Leanne
Las Vegas3 reviews
4.0Dined on 29 October 2026
- Overall 4
- Food 4
- Service 4
- Ambience 4
Is this helpful?
- E
Erik
San Francisco Bay Area12 reviews
5.0Dined on 28 October 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- M
Michael
New Orleans / Louisiana2 reviews
5.0Dined on 28 October 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- C
Camellia Gold
San Francisco Bay Area19 reviews
5.0Dined on 23 October 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- P
Pat
San Francisco Bay Area1 review
4.0Dined on 21 October 2026
- Overall 4
- Food 4
- Service 4
- Ambience 4
Is this helpful?
- R
Rhonda
Tahoe / Reno Area12 reviews
5.0Dined on 15 October 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- Z
Zoe Gold
San Francisco Bay Area35 reviews
2.0Dined on 13 October 2026
- Overall 2
- Food 1
- Service 2
- Ambience 3
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- S
Salvador Gold
Corpus Christi / McAllen5 reviews
4.0Dined on 10 October 2026
- Overall 4
- Food 4
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
Additional information
- Dining styleCasual Dining
- Price$30 and under
- CuisinesSeafood, American
- Hours of OperationMon–Thu 11:30 am–8:30 pm Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–8:30 pm
- Phone number
- Payment OptionsAMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
- Dress codeCasual Dress
- Executive ChefLewis Rossman
- CateringAlready found the perfect spot for your corporate event, graduation party or family reunion? Sam's ChowderMobile will bring its award-winning seafood to the location of your choice! Order Sam's famous Lobster Rolls, New England Clam Chowder, Fried Calamari, or an authentic Lobster Clambake. Info: (650) 712-1766 or events@samschowdermobile.com.
- Private party facilitiesPrivate dining services for groups larger than 10 people. Amazing sunsets, award-winning seafood and spectacular oceanfront dining. Perfect for family gatherings, business events, weddings, receptions, and rehearsal dinners. Private and semi-private spots or full restaurant buyout. Contact events@samschowderhouse.com or call (650) 712-0245 x4
- AreaHalf Moon Bay
- Parking DetailsThere are two lots available, and there is also parking on the street and in the harbor.
- EntertainmentEnjoy live music from blues to jazz! May - October: Every Friday night from 5:30-8:30pm (inside bar) and Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm (outside bar, weather permitting). November - April: Every Friday & Saturday night from 5:30-8:30pm (inside bar)
- AdditionalBanquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Featured in
19 May 2024
The Absolute Best Restaurants in the US to Order Lobster, According to Customers
The Half Moon Bay restaurant is featured for its lobster ceviche, whole Maine lobster, and naked or dressed lobster rolls. The article says diners praise the lobster dishes, especially the generously filled rolls.
Published in Mashed
4 April 2024
Sam's Chowder House: Fresh Seafood and Oceanfront Dining
The family-owned restaurant serves fresh seafood, including its well-known lobster rolls, in a seaside setting with ocean views and a waterfront patio. It highlights local ingredients, sustainable seafood practices, and private-event options.
Published in Visit Half Moon Bay
3 January 2024
Sam's Chowder House supports longtime employee after his wife suffers strokes
The owners of Sam's Chowder House are covering longtime employee Hector Cen's rent while his wife recovers from several strokes, and the restaurant has promoted her GoFundMe. Staff members have also rallied around the family, continuing the restaurant's tradition of supporting employees in times of hardship.
Published in KTVU
18 July 2019
Dine with a View: 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America 2019
Today, we’re making it easy to find the perfect restaurant view with our annual list of the 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America 2019.
Published by OpenTable
11 June 2019
100 Best Al Fresco Restaurants in America 2019 #OpenTable100
As the days grow longer and we approach the official start of summer, we’re thrilled to unveil our annual 100 Best Al Fresco Restaurants in America 2019.
Published by OpenTable
FAQs
Portions tend to be generous, guests frequently call the chowder and lobster rolls plentiful, with some lobster rolls described as huge and chowder bowls as large.
Yes, Sam's Chowder House is a popular choice for special evenings, with ocean‑view window tables and multiple guests describing anniversary and celebratory visits.
Sam’s fills up at peak meal times, plan for busy lunch service and popular dates, and make a reservation when you can. Guests report it can be packed on Saturdays and special days like Father’s Day, while some weekday noons and later evenings (after about 7pm) have been noticeably quieter.
Yes, Sam’s offers both indoor and outdoor dining, including a back patio with ocean views that many guests enjoy for sunny lunches, sunsets and even whale watching.
You can make reservations, but note the restaurant’s seating policy: reservations are for indoor tables only and staff cannot hold tables in the bar area or on the patio; walk‑ins are welcome.
Yes, Sam’s Chowder House is family-friendly: it offers a kids menu and guests praise kid-sized dishes like fish & chips and chicken tenders, plus there’s a sandy area outside where younger children can play.
Yes, well‑behaved pups are welcome on Sam’s back patio (weather permitting), and guests report dining there with dogs and staff being accommodating.
Weekends are a great pick, the restaurant has live music on weekends and guests often describe busy, lively weekend visits (including Sunday reservations and big crowds).
Yes, the restaurant uses a waitlist system that texts you and lets you track how many parties are ahead of you.
Sam’s has a casual, oceanfront atmosphere, think relaxed coastal dining with sweeping water views and weekend live music; it can also be buzzy and a bit noisy at peak times due to patrons and a busy kitchen.
Dogs are welcome on Sam’s back patio (weather permitting); guests regularly mention dining outside with their dogs and staff have even brought dog‑friendly treats on occasion.
Casual dress, comfortable, relaxed attire is appropriate and nothing formal is expected.
How FAQ content is generated
- Home
- United States
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Peninsula
- Half Moon Bay
Make a booking
Sam's Chowder House
4.6
$30 and under
Seafood
Half Moon Bay
Make a booking
2 people
8 Nov 2026
7:00 pm