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Welcome to the

Moss Beach Distillery

RESTAURANT & BAR*

Sitting at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Half Moon Bay, the Moss Beach Distillery is an award-winning restaurant featuring fresh California coastal cuisine in a romantic setting with an ocean view from every table. Happy Hour on weekdays from 5-7pm is a fan favorite. Choose from indoor dining or heated outdoor patio dining with fire pits and a dog-friendly, casual setting to enjoy the spectacular ocean view. Named in the Top 100 Best Scenic View Restaurants in America by OpenTable and regularly voted by locals as a favorite restaurant for special occasions, fresh seafood, and whale watching.

*NOTE: This is NOT a distillery but is a restaurant and bar with a name developed by the owners 50+ years ago to connect with the restaurant’s history during prohibition.
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crab cakes and fresh seafood

our menu

At the Moss Beach Distillery we are committed to serving quality food made from quality ingredients. We use all-natural meats and poultry, wild-caught seafood, and organic vegetables whenever possible. Our fry oil is free of trans-fats. We strive to give you great food and great service in a comfortable, beautiful setting. Please let us know if we can do anything to make your time with us even more enjoyable.

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Half Moon Bay area restaurant with dog-friendly patio and ocean view firepits

dog-friendly patio

Overlooking the ocean is our heated outdoor Seal Cove Patio, where we welcome all well-behaved dogs and their owners. Watch whales swim by and seals sunbathe below while eating, drinking and listening to waves crash on the shore below.

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REVIEWS

  • “The Premier seafood and steak restaurant in San Mateo County. Panoramic ocean views, fabulous food, historic site, romantic ambience, outdoor patio and famous ghost legend.”

    –San Jose Magazine

  • “Sip chilled champagne as you watch the sunlight dance on waves. Their Famous Sunday Brunch is a traditional with visitors and locals alike”

    –Coastal Dining Reviews

  • “The place is great to get away. Service is excellent and the bartender will take care of you. There is a fireplace that you can relax after dinner.”

    –Willie W.

  • “I love love this place it’s truly a GEM! Great food great service great views! I’ll never get tired of coming here, everyone I have brought here has had a great experience and has returned!! Keep doing what your doing.”

    Mary M.

  • “There is no better place on the Coast to listen to the surf, watch the sunset, or simply enjoy people watching”

    –SF Independent, Dining Out With the Habits

  • “We went here for the first time tonight. Had the prime rib -it was Excellent!!!! Love the dog friendly patio! She had the chicken and loved it! We met so many friendly people!!! Will be back soon!!!!”

    – A.J., SAN FRANCISCO, CA

  • “A very magical place with a lot of history right on the edge of the beach! Excellent food, with friendly and attentive service staff with a view to die for! 5 out of 5 stars! Must Go! Experience the mystery for yourself and bring a friend ;)”

    – JEROMY H., PALO ALTO, CA

  • “We bring all out of area guests to the Distillery.”

    – MICHELE M., HALF MOON BAY, CA

  • “Sitting outside by fire pit with a glass of wine looking at and hearing the ocean. Doesn’t get better than that!”

    –Kathy S.

  • “Phenomenal service, delicious food, great views…what else do you need?!”

    – Steve

  • “Our entire family will never forget what a wonderful time they had overlooking the Pacific at Moss Beach.”

    – ADRIENNE L., HILLSBOROUGH, CA

  • My niece took me here….We had a great lunch! Best Crab cakes, calamari and clam chowder. Delicious! Heard all about the ghost of the Blue Lady, very interesting story.

  • “Beautiful historic point of interest. Great food and service! Ocean views tucked away in Moss Beach area in Half Moon Bay. Will definitely return! Thank you to Susan for her wonderful service and great recommendations on the menu!”

    Lori W.

  • “Amazing food and beautiful scenery! Will be going back every week!”

    – AURA O., PACIFICA, CA

  • “GREAT service and food! We were there for Valentine’s Day and had a wonderful time. Our server was in black shirt with a purple tie (didn’t get her name!). She was fantastic!! She served us in July when we had a wedding rehearsal there and made the experience so lovely. Can’t wait to go back!”

    – Faye U.

  • “The Distillery is a romantic restaurant with beautiful views….”

    –SF Travel Magazine

  • “My husband and I enjoyed a romantic and very memorable wedding anniversary – exquisite food & service”

    –Sage M., Citrus Heights, CA

  • “A cozy romantic eatery perched on a bluff with a spectacular view of the Pacific. Fine food with an upscale menu”

    –Pacifica Tribune, Pacifica, CA

  • “We sat outside with our lovely dog, Makena, with friends watching the tide roll in and out. We had delicious appetizers and drinks and it was so much fun to have new people sit with us around the firepit. We will definitely go back.”

    –Pam H.

  • “World class views, the chicken dish was to die for. Affordable. Did I mention the views? Reserve ahead for the best tables.”

    Eric W.

  • “The food and service were excellent… The foggy view, the elegant dinner, the fire pits – the evening was all we had hoped for.”

    –Lori E. and Steve W., Dublin, CA

  • “Awesome! Ive been going here since I was young and always enjoy it. The distillery steamers are the way to go for food. Bottomless mimosas on Sundays. The view is incredible and if you have a dog bring them –the most dog friendly place ever!”

    – JOSEPH S., HALF MOON BAY, CA

  • “LOVE this place! …. Awesome staff and food and cocktails. There isn’t a place ON the ocean like it! Worth the easy drive from SF down the 1 too! …. Dog friendly on the patio … even if it’s foggy they have a super cool fire pit. Support your LOCALS!”

    –Felicia F.

  • “Tourists and couples on dates fill window-side tables, gawking at the stunning view of the rocky coast, while gracious servers deliver seared, sugar-crusted filet mignon, grilled wild Pacific salmon and more New American favorites. On pleasant days, the sun-drenched patio is the place to be for drinks and light bites….”

    –CitySearch.com Editorial Review

  • “Definitely worth a 5 star rating! Their panko-crusted halibut with that delicious apricot couscous and that creamy sauce is absolutely to die for! Delicious food in perfect size portions, presented beautifully. Absolutely no complaints, would definitely recommend!”

    – Abbie S.

  • “Thank you for the lovely evening we had at the Moss Beach Distillery. All the out of town guests thought the Distillery was fantastic and the meal was great. Thanks again for everything you did to make it a special night.”

    –Jackie C.

  • “Excellent food in a most beautiful atmosphere. Seriously, what’s not to like?! Thank you, always lovely.”

    Laura K.

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