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Best Neighbourhood Gem Restaurants in Half Moon Bay

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28 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Pasta Moon restaurant
1. Pasta Moon
4.7
Exceptional(5278)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Half Moon Bay
Booked 30 times today
A popular destination in Half Moon Bay for 30 years, Pasta Moon Restaurant serves contemporary Italian cuisine using the freshest local produce available- in fact, easily the finest dining on the coast; (and not the most expensive!). You'll find a cozy setting for lunch or dinner, surrounded by old arched casement windows which once brought light into the Burlingame Public Library, and you'll be served by an attentive and knowledgeable staff.
A photo of It's Italia restaurant
2. It's Italia
4.7
Exceptional(2052)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Half Moon Bay
Booked 15 times today
It’s Italia opened in 1997 as a San Francisco style trattoria and pizzeria serving gourmet pizzas, house pastas, and creative salads, always with a California Italian flavor.Thirteen years later, having moved into the beautiful Half Moon Bay Inn on Main Street Half Moon Bay, our menu has expanded to include seafood and meat selections from our rotisserie and mesquite grill, artful pastas and award winning pizza, creative salads and antipasti, and an array of house desserts. A Tuscan style courtyard patio with fireplaces and a fountain is ideal for large parties and receptions. Our full bar and locally famous bartenders create a lively social ambience nightly. Over one hundred fifty bottles line up on our wine list from Italy, California, France, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand.
A photo of Mezza Luna Restaurant restaurant
3. Mezza Luna Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(3436)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Half Moon Bay
Booked 19 times today
Located in the historic Princeton Inn building at Half Moon Bay Harbor, Mezza Luna offers an authentic Italian dining experience just minutes from Maverick's Beach. Celebrating over 30 years in business, we've been awarded Best Italian and Overall Restaurant by locals. Our specialties include homemade pastas, pizzas, and artisanal gelato, all crafted from authentic Italian family recipes. We use only the freshest local produce, seafood, and top-quality meats. Signature dishes include Insalata Mezza Luna, an organic green salad with fresh marinated seafood, and Ravioli Mezza Luna, homemade ravioli stuffed with mixed seafood. Enjoy our full bar by the cozy fireplace for a romantic evening, or book a window seat with harbor views. We also offer private venues for weddings, business gatherings, and special events. Located 20 miles south of San Francisco, Mezza Luna is a short drive from the Peninsula. Join us and discover why we're a beloved dining destination.
A photo of La Costanera restaurant
4. La Costanera
4.6
Exceptional(3910)
Price: Expensive
• Peruvian • Half Moon Bay
Booked 22 times today
Experience the culinary richness of Peru at La Costanera, a modern Peruvian fusion restaurant opened its doors October 2, 2009. The scenic California coast in Half Moon Bay, overlooks the Pillar Point Harbor with sweeping views of the beach and ocean. Just a short, beautiful drive from San Francisco (25 miles). The space is grand, with 180 degree windows, two stories, and a large outdoor terrace. We offer a full bar, domestic and imported Peruvian beers and a hand selected wine list. Come try our Pisco Sour – a classic Peruvian cocktail – and experience all that La Costanera has to offer...
A photo of Pausa Bar & Cookery restaurant
5. Pausa Bar & Cookery
4.7
Exceptional(1839)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • San Mateo
Booked 55 times today
Pausa Bar & Cookery in San Mateo is a neighborhood gem. Known for its modern Italian cuisine, guests rave about the 'super high quality' and 'exceptional' food. The 'fabulous' service and 'beautiful' ambiance are also frequently mentioned in reviews. As one reviewer put it, 'This place is a GEM! Foods are amazing!' Another stated, 'Always amazing. High quality food and the best service!'
A photo of Central Park Bistro restaurant
6. Central Park Bistro
4.8
Exceptional(1697)
Price: Expensive
• American • San Mateo
Booked 16 times today
Central Park Bistro is a 100 seat contemporary restaurant in downtown San Mateo featuring fresh seasonal American cuisine by Chef Ricardo Garcia, in the $15-$45 range. We offer a carefully chosen eclectic Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Central Park Bistro is an affordable sophisticated, fun dining experience. Relax and unwind with a house specialty cocktail at our wonderful Martini Bar. We also have several intimate private dining rooms perfect for that corporate presentation business meeting, wedding rehearsal dinner, retirement/anniversary dinner, or any special function you may have in mind. Check out our private wine cellar room which seats up to 8 people for that extra special dining experience.For reservations larger than 12 or for private functions please contact the restaurant directly.
A photo of Mykonos Meze restaurant
7. Mykonos Meze
4.7
Exceptional(994)
Price: Moderate
• Greek • Burlingame
Booked 37 times today
Meze is a traditional culture. From small gatherings for lunch or dinner having different mezes small sample like plates on the table to enjoy with a glass of wine or a cocktail.Mykonos Meze is established in 2020 and set within one of the beautiful and trendy restaurants of downtown Burlingame , in Lorton Ave. The restaurant offers a beautiful and friendly ambience for all occasions. The outdoor patio is perfect for long, relaxed lunches or dinners with friends surrounded by beautiful bougainvillea flowers over our white and blue walls which gives you a feel of sitting in a greek island.
A photo of Vivace - Belmont restaurant
8. Vivace - Belmont
4.7
Exceptional(2371)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Belmont
Booked 19 times today
Translated from the Italian language, Vivace means "lively", which is exactly the ambiance at Vivace - Belmont where culinary creations join with excellent wines to celebrate the cuisine of Northern Italy. Highly regarded as one of the best restaurants on the Peninsula, Vivace Ristorante is located in the charming city of Belmont. The warm interior is designed as to permit the viewing of the talented chefs as they prepare an array of Italian dishes with emphasis in the regions of Piemonte and Toscana. With its exceptional cuisine, elegant ambiance, high level of service, and extensive wine list (2003-2019 Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence), Vivace creates a wonderful dining experience in which the gastronomia of Northern Italy is celebrated everyday!
A photo of Il Fornaio - Burlingame restaurant
9. Il Fornaio - Burlingame
4.4
Awesome(4435)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Burlingame
Booked 68 times today
Il Fornaio is renowned for its authentic award winning Italian cuisine. Specialties include wood-fired rotisserie and grilled meats, poultry and game; housemade pastas; pizzas from an oak wood burning oven; fresh salads and housemade soups; a wide variety of desserts; and fresh baked bread made daily from scratch. Annual winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
A photo of Park & Howard Bistro restaurant
10. Park & Howard Bistro
4.8
Exceptional(1294)
Price: Moderate
• Bistro • Burlingame
Booked 28 times today
Park & Howard Bistro located on the corner of Park and Howard Ave in Burlingame CA and featuring fresh seasonal American cuisine. We offer a carefully chosen eclectic world wide wine list. Park & Howard Bistro has a decidedly understated rustic motif, linen tables clothes, hardwood floors, intimate leather booths , & rich mahogany wood accents and is an affordable sophisticated, fun dining experience. Park & Howard Bistro also has intimate private dining rooms perfect for that corporate presentation, business meeting, wedding rehearsal dinner, retirement celebrations ,anniversary dinner, or any special function you may have in mind. Check out our private wine cellar room which seats up to 12 people for that extra special dining experience. The lunch menu is full of wonderful seasonal pairings salads, sandwiches and entrees. Service is approachable, knowledgeable, attentive and friendly, in a comfortable atmosphere

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Denisevip
    San Francisco Bay Area •14 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Whenever we travel to San Francisco from Hawaii to visit our son, we always have dinner at the House of Prime Rib. Everything is fantastic! So delicious food in a perfect ambiance with superb service! We are so blessed to experience this wonderful restaurant!
    More info
    House of Prime RibPrice: Very Expensive• Steak• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
    •
    4.8
  • Susie Rose
    San Francisco Bay Area •38 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    MezzaLuna, located in Princeton Harbor, is a fantastic restaurant. The food, staff, and ambiance are excellent. We celebrated a special occasion there, and were welcomed like family. We started with calamari, which was tender and cooked to perfection. Our entrees were clam linguine, one red sauce and one white. Both were delectable with an abundance of clams in the shell. The sauces are unique to Mezza. We enjoyed an Italian Scarpone wine with our meal. Our dessert, a chocolate volcano, was the perfect sweet delight to complete our special occasion!
    More info
    Mezza Luna RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Italian• Half Moon Bay
    •
    4.7
  • Jaime
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Food was delicious! Service was great once we sat down at the table. Good value. The only problem we encountered was the downstairs bartender before we got our table we wanted to order drinks and as we came to the bar at 7:20 he said that the bar closes at 8:00 and had a bad attitude.
    More info
    La CostaneraPrice: Expensive• Peruvian• Half Moon Bay
    •
    4.6
  • Stevenvip
    Philadelphia County •27 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Lasagna was fantastic. Not something I would usually order but it looked interesting on the adjacent table. Large helping was sitting in delicious sauce with sausage and cheese. Really outstanding taste. The stuffed pork chop was tender and juicy, cooked just right, surrounded with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Vegetables were crisp, not overcooked. Dessert was the lemon parfait, a mountain of sweet meringue on top of tart lemon sorbet for a tasty combination of sweet and tart tastes. The tables were spaced nicely so we didn’t feel cramped and the servers were all pleasant and attentive. Just a great dining experience.
    More info
    Pasta MoonPrice: Moderate• Italian• Half Moon Bay
    •
    4.7
  • Lesa
    San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Great food, nice atmosphere in the heart of downtown. We took our son and his girlfriend and our 2 dogs for lunch. Their courtyard is dog friendly and they had many fireplaces so it was a cute and cozy atmosphere for lunch.
    More info
    It's ItaliaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Half Moon Bay
    •
    4.7

Discover best neighborhood gem restaurants in Half Moon Bay

Discover the hidden treasures of Half Moon Bay's dining scene with our curated list of "neighborhood gem" restaurants, perfectly nestled in the scenic Peninsula region of the San Francisco Bay Area. These establishments are celebrated for their unique charm, exceptional service, and commitment to delivering a memorable dining experience. Each restaurant captures the essence of local culture, offering menus enriched with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and a flair that reflects the coastal beauty of their surroundings. The dining atmosphere in Half Moon Bay is distinctly laid-back yet sophisticated, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both relaxation and culinary delight. Whether you're planning a cozy dinner for two or a festive gathering with friends, these neighborhood gems provide the perfect backdrop with their inviting ambiance and innovative cuisine. Explore our selections to experience the best of local dining where every meal is served with a view and a touch of local history. This guide ensures that every recommendation not only meets but exceeds the expectations of gastronomes looking for authentic, high-quality dining experiences in Half Moon Bay.

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