Recommended things and eats in Half Moon Bay

If you get to town early, maybe you want to pick up some take out and go for a walk down at the beach? This is, hands-down, the best place to eat in town! To get there from downtown, take Kelly west all the way to the water to Francis Beach. Half Moon Bay State Beach is there. You can walk from dt, or drive and park along Kelley for free, or, for a small parking fee, you can park at the beach. Find a bench, and pick up a walking path after you eat. Lovely!

Here's some food options:

Bar and grill
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company: Jacque recommends for "wonderful quesadillas and live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for dancing!" Half Moon Bay's only brewery, so try the beer.

Breakfast
3-Zero Cafe: At the tiny and somewhat haggard Half Moon Bay airport, you will find the best breakfast in town. Jacque recommends the crab benedict.

Cheap
El Gran Amigo. Pretty good Mexican on HW1 on the way to HMB from San Francisco. Not for those who dislike divey joints.
Happy taco. Great tacos from a non-descript strip mall on the way into HMB. Has a number of veg options. Their chicken asado is one of Spence's favorite tacos. And he knows tacos.
Gorilla Barbeque: On HW1 on the way to town. Rumor has it they serve a mean bbqed pork sandwich. People line up starting at lunch and when they sell out, they close. The beach is right across the street so you can eat there.
Tres Amigos. Not great food, but they're open late and will serve you, which is sometimes the most important thing.

Coffee and pastries
La Di Da. Relaxed coffeehouse with tasty coffee and pretty addicting cookies.
Moonside Bakery. Been around for a long time. Jacque has found that people love their cookies and tarts.

Italian
It's Italia. Delicious thin-crust pizza. Order the Half Moon Bay pizza. You will be happy.
Pasta Moon. Fancier menu focused upon seasonal fare. Local seafood. Delicious risotto and dishes involving the wonderful fava bean! Mom says "It's the best. The very best."

Ocean-side
The Distillery. Firepits with terraces overlooking the ocean. Used to be a rum-runners' speakeasy. Legend holds that the Blue Lady continues her haunting there. Good drinks (killer margaritas, Jacque states) and beautiful sunsets. Also, they will pick you up and bring you home! What service!
Miramar Beach Restaurant. Firepits and outdoor dining and drinking above the beach. Jacque recommends their clam chowder, hamburgers, and fries. After dinner, you can walk along the beach, which is right there.

Salad
Casey's Cafe: Next door to the Zaballa House. Good salad with walnut and cranberries. Phenomenal vegan soups. Good care put into cooking here.

Seafood
Sams Chowder House: Another ocean-front place with more firepits overlooking the harbor. Jacque recommends their ceviche. Lobster roll enough for two, and many love it, despite its price tag. Happy hour drink specials.
Ketch Joanne's: Low-key local hangout on Princeton Harbor pier with good seafood. Jacque recommends crab side salad, and says their breakfasts are supposed to be great too! From Aimee and Spencer: "Save yourself the money, and get the rock cod tacos. Skip the scallops if you want scallopy-tasting scallops. These tasted bland and flat. The crab sandwich has great bread (grilled with lots of butter - the key to the "seafood roll"), but a lot of mayo which took away from the taste of the crab. The fried artichokes were ok. Rock cod tacos were A#1!"
Barbara's Fishtrap: Best fish and chips, made with rice flour.
Best bet for seafood: Get fresh fish from the fishing boats on Princeton Harbor. Will bone for $5. Will cook for an additional $5.
Princeton Seafood Company: Good walk-up and take-away fish and chips.

Sushi
Sushi Main Street. Best himachi. Wonderful everything else. HIGHLY recommended by Aimee. Get it to go down to the beach, or eat in either in the restaurant or in their swank newish sake and sushi lounge next door on Main Street, or take it to eat on the ride home. However you get it, get it!