Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Name: Mezzaluna
Address: 459 Prospect Way, Half Moon Bay, CA, 94019
Telephone: (650) 728-8108
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.94

Mezzaluna

459 Prospect Way, Half Moon Bay, CA, 94019

(650) 728-8108
Store is closed

Mezzaluna Menu

Appetizers And Salads

Insalata Mista

Caesar Salad

Insalata Mezzaluna

Insalata Caprese

Calamari Fritti

Carpaccio Di Salmone

Prosciutto Con Frutta

Antipasto Italiano

Charcuterie

Cozze Al Forno

Bruschetta Campagnola

Pane All'aglio

Zuppa Del Giorno
Pasta

Capellini Dell'orto

Fettuccine Della Nonna

Fettuccine Alfredo

Spaghetti Alla Genovese

Spaghetti Alla Bolognese

Tortellini Alla Crema E Funghi

Penne Del Pastore

Penne Alla Calabrese

Linguine Della Baia

Linguine Alla Toto

Gnocchi Al Pomodoro O Gorgonzola

Mezzelune Al Salmone

Lasagna Alla Bolognese

Pasta Con Gamberoni
Meats And Seafood

Petto Di Pollo Alla Giovanni

Pollo Saltimbocca

Bistecca Alla Griglia

Involtini Alla Romana

Piccatina Di Vitello

Vitello Romantico

Zuppa Del Pescatore

Salmone Alla Dolores

Grigliata Di Pesce

Gamberi Alla Roberto

Agnello Scottadito

Calamari Dore Piccata
Pizza

Alla Calabrese

Della Nonna

Margherita

Prosciutto E Funghi

Peperoni

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mezzaluna

Appetizers And Salads

Insalata Mista [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Mezzaluna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Fritti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio Di Salmone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto Con Frutta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Italiano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Charcuterie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cozze Al Forno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta Campagnola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pane All'aglio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zuppa Del Giorno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Capellini Dell'orto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Della Nonna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Alla Genovese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Alla Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortellini Alla Crema E Funghi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Del Pastore [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Alla Calabrese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine Della Baia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine Alla Toto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi Al Pomodoro O Gorgonzola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mezzelune Al Salmone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lasagna Alla Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta Con Gamberoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Meats And Seafood

Petto Di Pollo Alla Giovanni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Saltimbocca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistecca Alla Griglia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Involtini Alla Romana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Piccatina Di Vitello [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vitello Romantico [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zuppa Del Pescatore [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmone Alla Dolores [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grigliata Di Pesce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gamberi Alla Roberto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Agnello Scottadito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Dore Piccata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pizza

Alla Calabrese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Della Nonna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Margherita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto E Funghi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peperoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Half Moon Bay for healthy meals suggestion.

Half Moon Bay Bakery ( 514 Main St )

Burger King ( 30 Cabrillo Hwy N )

Half Moon Bay Coffee Company ( 20 Stone Pine Rd,Ste A )

Visit below restaurant in Half Moon Bay for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 30 Cabrillo Hwy N )

Write An Anonymous Review

Gino M.

Mezzaluna is the definition of a 3 star restaurant. It's "ok" ... not great, not horrible, but ok. For every good thing about it, I could find a bad thing. + Once involved, the waiter was attentive and our drinks were kept full. - We sat there for 20 minutes before our waiter came to us the first time and we had to talk to the manager to make sure we hadn't been forgotten. + The gnocchi was absolutely wonderful and most of our table agreed we had wished we had all ordered it. - The lasagna bolognese was forgettable. + The tiramisu was heaven on earth - absolutely one of the best deserts my friend had every had. - The spumoni had vanilla, chocolate and pistachio - where was the cherry? You're one step away from neapolitan, not spumoni. It's an ok place - if you're in the mood for Italian cuisine and you're in that area, it's not a bad idea.
(3)
Valerie N.

Our walking foodie tour of Half Moon Bay ended here late on a Friday night. We were instantly seated when we walked in and decided to split a simple dish and some wine. We listened to our awesome server's recommendations and he steered us in the right direction each time. That's saying something about the service here - you can tell the staff really know the products they are serving and care about the customer's experience. We shared the tortellini alla crema di funghi, which was delicate and delicious and oh so satisfying. The meat inside the tortellini had great flavor and it balanced perfectly with the mushroom sauce. Using the yummy complimentary focaccia, we sopped up every single last bit of the sauce. The wine recommended with our dish (it was new to the menu; apologies for not remembering) was absolutely perfect. Its rare when you can dine out and have a server you immediately trust. Everything was really perfect. For me, the ambience was a touch of a miss - I would have liked less TVs and more jazz music to match the delicate food, but that's just my preference. Great service and terrific Italian food - yum!
(4)
Dara V.

For an Italian restaurant, this place is pretty good. Our waiters were so nice! I got the linguine pasta with shrimp, scallop and clams but instead of the light tomato sauce, I asked for a more flavored strong sauce and the waiter recommended the tomato cream sauce and it was so good. The texture of the pasta tastes so good, it's nothing I've ever had before compare to the pasta I've tried. Also, this place is pretty big & it's beautiful inside. I would be a regular customer if I lived in town but sadly I'm 2 hours away!
(5)
Candace S.

When I tell you that this place was amazing I mean it! They opened promptly at 11:30 a.m. and had my groups table ready with customized menus. Our drink orders were taken immediately and then we had our amazing lunch. Time for the breakdown: Service: 4.5 stars - The service was excellent, each host and waiter did what they could to make sure we had all we needed for our three course meal! The only point that I deducted from the score was the extreme lag time between the main course and the dessert. Environment: 5 stars - It was so cute and right off the water. The inside was very clean and I love seeing people actually cleaning window seals! Strange thing to be happy about, but eh. Price: 5 Stars - We definitely got the bag for our buck! $38 inclusive: Soft Drink Mista Salad Stuffed Pork Dessert The reservation process was a little taxing, but that was a complete mix of my busy schedule and the restaurant doing their own thing so no real comment there. KC the event planner was very accommdating and nice
(4)
Clifton C.

My wife and I had a great experience. Our server Giovanni did an excellent job and the food was great as well. First of all the complimentary Focaccia and Italian bread was great. For our entrees my wife had the Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and really enjoyed it. The sauce was rich and creamy and tasted like it was made right there. I had the Pappardelle alla Bolognese with meat sauce (top sirloin). It wasn't my favorite Italian dish I've had, but I think that was due more to personal preference than the quality of the dish. I did enjoy it, but I preferred my wife's Fettuccine Alfredo. We had the CrÃ¨me Brulee for dessert and it was fantastic. Probably the best CrÃ¨me Brulee either of us have had. We'd love to come back if we are ever back in the area.
(5)
Henrietta A.

Loved Mezza Luna! We arrived rather late so I'm afraid I can't say anything of the view but the service, the pasta, the prices, I was so very satisfied! It was wonderful!
(4)
Buster H.

Yummy. Good food and friendly staff. A pleasant surprise compared to the historical landmark place.
(4)
Satish S.

The food was good but service was bizarre, very hard to get served and even harder to get a glass of water.
(2)
Kevin G.

My wife and I went tonight with our son and his GF to celebrate our 32nd anniversary. Special occasions often find us here We love this restaurant. Sit in the bar rather than the main dining room because the ambiance is so much nicer Over the years I've tried almost everything. Their pizzas are great, pastas and main dishes always solid. Their fresh fish entrees are usually superb, maybe leaving you wanting more though. Why I've never posted about them I'm not sure, but what drove me to do so tonight was my Caesar salad. Short back story here. A couple weeks ago, a Yelp representative was on KRON on the weekend morning news reviewing some local places and he talked about Marin Joes where they still make an old school Caesar at your table with a raw egg and anchovies. Well he was wrong when he said that Marin Joes was in wine country ( I think he said St. Helena) , it's actually in San Rafael, but the memory of that kind of Caesar salad triggered a thirst I wanted to quench. First thought was to swing through San Rafael next time I'm even close by. Then tonight, while Yelping the menu before our dinner I read they forewarned that a raw egg was used in their Caesar, which I think is a new development here. Had to try it. About half way through our salads (my son ordered one as well) , I said to him this is what a Caesar salad is supposed to be. For me it was heaven. Just what I was looking for. Our Margherita pizza, the girls salmon and snapper dinners and my son's Capellini were terrific. Only negative for me was my Fettuccini Alfredo was bland even after Parmesan and pepper, which would not have mattered except for the fact that I rarely get a pass to order Alfredos, fried chicken, pastrami, and, well you get the idea. Minor issue for me overall though. Five stars based on many visits over many years.
(5)
Bob C.

This will teach me to try what looked like an upscale Italian restaurant when out on a drive. My wife and I were looking in Half Moon Bay for somewhere to eat and stumbled across Mezzaluna. My wife who eats very little tried their antipasto which was basically grocery store sliced ham and salami with a couple small slices of cheese and some olives. That was it... The quality of the meat was no better than the deli counter of Safeway and Safeway may have been better... I made the supreme mistake of ordering Pollo Saltimbocca! Nothing close to a real saltimbocca... It was chicken with a slice of deli ham and white american cheese on a chicken breast floating in a gravy the consistency of water and a brown color with no taste whatsoever. It was served with the most disgusting boiled collard greens I have ever seen and two tiny new potatoes cut in half (also boiled). My wife's lunch meat plate was $13.95, my chicken and green slop was $19.95 the other items on the menu were more pricey. The service was terrible. Had a hispanic waiter who could barely speak english... The woman who appeared to be running the place asked me how my meal was. I told her that I had eaten much better. She said sorry about that and immediately left to avoid dealing with me. I strongly suggest avoiding this place!
(1)
Rob C.

4 stars overall? Obviously a lot of people who don't eat a lot of good Italian or seafood. The food here is ok, but pretty mediocre by SF standards. The clams in white wine sauce were not good, the clams tiny and flavorless, the sauce way too buttery, with not enough flavor of wine, clam broth, and parsley-lemon bite. If you're used to good Italian or seafood in SF you're going to be really disappointed here. If you're not then it's probably better than Three Guys From Italy Pasta 'n' Seafood in Turlock. One big plus: the free focaccia was quite good, although when I asked for more of it the waiter didn't know what focaccia meant. That about sums it up nicely.
(2)
Mirelle C.

found them on yelp, and listening at yelp community suggestions we decide to gave them a try. It was a very pleasant experience over all. We hadn't so much time to spend in the area so it was a very quick early dinner. We only enjoied 2 appetizers and 2 pizzas and everything was very very good. Pizza is tasty and the dough is pretty "airy" , not too thick, not too thin. We will definitely come back to try other dishes of the menu
(4)
Jay J.

Food :3/5 Service: 4/5 Nice service. My rate is mostly based on food. We ordered calamari and mussels for appetizer, pesto pasta and baked swordfish for entree, and tiramisu for dessert. Deep fried Calamari tastes good with beer, but it is slightly dry. Mussels taste just like regular mussels. Pasta tastes nothing like a restaurant quality dish. I can cook better pasta than that. Baked swordfish tastes slightly dry. I wish I ordered the lamb chop instead. We like the tiramisu:) moist and creamy. A wide selection of wine in there is a big plus.
(3)
Anson W.

When in Half Moon Bay, why not satisfy your Italian and seafood craving at Mezza Luna? It's not quite a candlelight dinner under the stars, but with its enjoyable dishes, charming ambiance and even a name that means "Half Moon" in Italian, Mezza Luna is a great place to a take that special someone. FOOD: (4 stars) ---------------------------- Homemade Bread (Complimentary) - 3 stars Pretty ordinary bread, medium in texture, and came out room temperature. Their bread is apparently baked daily, but having it kept warm would've been appreciated. Cozze al Forno ($11) - 5 stars This appetizer of baked mussels with white wine, cherry tomatoes, lemon and garlic was easily our favorite part of the meal. The mussels were flavorful and fresh, small but plentiful. The broth the mussels came in was delicious, and we couldn't help but use it for dipping bread into. Petto di Pollo alla Giovanni ($17.50) - 4 stars Three small pieces of chicken breast wrapped with lettuce and stuffed with an enjoyable mixture of vegetables. The chicken was just a little on the dry side, but great with the sun-dried tomato sauce. The green beans and potatoes accompanying this dish were soft and sauteed well. Fettucine Alfredo with Chicken ($16.50) - 3 stars Average in terms of preparation and taste. My wife enjoyed this but said that she's had better. Bloody Cosmo ($8) - 4 stars The wife enjoyed her cosmo, which I sampled and agreed that it had a crisp, light fruity taste without being overpowering. Came with a wedge of lime. Cioccolato ($6) - 5 stars Being somewhat of a chocoholic, I'm probably a little biased in favor of anything that's chocolate, but I loved this blend of chocolate ice cream and cheesecake. The bountiful layer of chocolate chips was in all senses the "icing on top of the cake", and the fresh blueberries and strawberries were a nice bonus. Mango Gelato ($5) - 4 stars Enjoyable as well, but the flavor was more subtle. Also came with blueberries and strawberries. Great presentation. SERVICE (4.5 stars): ---------------------------- Our waiter was friendly and on point, frequently refilling our waters and checking on things. He was happy to bring more bread, which we needed for the mussel broth! OVERALL: (4.2 stars) ---------------------------- In addition to the food, we enjoyed the classic Italian decor. Though the window views are not oceanside, you can probably ask for a table looking out towards the marina if you book a reservation in advance. Mezza Luna is a fine example of the fact that romantic doesn't have to break the bank. Afterward, you can enjoy the sunset or nighttime air as you take a stroll through the marina as the evening winds down. Romantic indeed!
(4)
Kim L.

Came here for dinner with my husband, to be honest I thought the pasta would have been better. This place was average for me, I got the clams and linguine in a white wine sauce. My husband got the sausage red sauce with penne. Maybe I have better expectations for good Italian food but service was good and food was decent. Not to sure if I would come back.
(3)
Jeremy S.

I probably should preface this review by saying that as a rule I don't value the experience of dining out for Italian food. Paying a premium for food that I can generally execute pretty well in my home kitchen is something I rarely care to do. That said, a series of poor decisions left us stranded in HMB by Dream Machines traffic so we decided to wait out the madness over an early dinner. Friendly staff, great space and a menu that should please most people. Service was a bit slow, but not a deal breaker. We started with the fried artichoke hearts special. I wish we had chosen the calimari instead. The breading was perfect, but these were quartered artichoke centers and not just what I would call the heart. This meant some bites were difficult to chew and altogether off putting. On to the entrees- Tortellini alla Crema e funghi 16.50 homemade meat tortellini sauteed with Parma ham and mushrooms served in a cream sauce Solid execution, fair price for the portion. For hearty appetites it may be a bit on the small side. It was fine, but not a dish I'll order again. Capellini dell'Orto 13.50 angel hair pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic Highlight of the meal. Pasta was light, sauce was well seasoned and complex yet delicate. Large portion that the kitchen split for our 2 small children. Highly recommend. Involtini alla Romana 23.50 veal scaloppine stuffed with Parma ham and fresh mozzarella cheese in a white wine and sage sauce This dish was really well done as well. Served with a side of braised greens and roasted new potatoes. Veal was tender and juicy and the sauce was rich and robust. However, the portion was extremely small. There was a generous portion of greens, but only 2.5 potatoes and 3 very small rolls of veal. For the price, it just felt disappointing. All in all a good italian place. The prices are even quite fair for Half Moon Bay, but value seems to vary wildly depending on your order. I'd happily go back for a pizza and simple pasta, but would generally avoid the meat based entrees despite respectable execution. If you happen to be in HMB on a Tuesday, they do have a featured entree for $10. I'd definitely recommend checking that out as its an extremely low price for a high quality dinner.
(3)
Kirsten S.

If you're looking for a good authentic Italian restaurant, it's here at Mezzaluna. As soon as you step through the front doors, you've entered Little Italy. The hostess greeted us in Italian! So cool! We all ordered and our food was to die for. The ambience of the establishment is pleasant and relaxing. Our waiter, Giovanni, was very attentive and helpful. This place would be great for a romantic dinner with your significant other. Not the best for kids but they do have a little kids menu. At the end of our meal, we ordered Spumoni ice cream which was delicious! The only downside was the bread we received before our meal was cold and the butter was frozen. It wasn't really a huge deal, but we are the kind of people that love a warm/hot loaf of bread with soft butter. Altogether, a lovely Italian restaurant right on the harbor of Half Moon Bay. We will return if we're in the area again!
(4)
Alice C.

My family had a great time there. However, they hail from Asia and don't have the same expectations for Italian food - they like sweeter sauces, softer pasta, and homey atmosphere. Al dente is not a word in their dictionary - in fact my mum loves even her instant noodles ultra mushy. Which is why this place is practically perfect for them. It feels like older family-style Italian -- the sort that has been around for a bit, with food suited for the generation that raised their children in suburbia, and had never travelled outside of their little town. I still had a great time there because both the price and the food are decent. However, I think the east coast and California combined has spoiled me. Now I demand either the freshest ingredients or the slowest cooked tomato sauce. No compromises. That said, I will not hesitate to bring big groups or family here, especially when there are children involved.
(3)
Lisa E.

Not that my review will make a difference because this place has over 400 reviews and the majority of them are all 4+ stars. However, I still wanted to add my experience. So after looking online for places to eat in Half Moon Bay, we finally decided on this one. It's our anniversary dinner and I wanted to try something new. We come in around 5:30 on a Thursday and this place is practically empty. Which is a good thing to me. I ordered the NY steak and my partner ordered the chicken fettucine. We also ordered a basket of garlic bread (but we only ordered it because they took so long to bring the free bread out that I didn't even know we got free bread). We get our food and it looks amazing. And then suprise! It tastes even better than it looked! My steak was so juicy and filled with great flavor, the green beans and potatoes on the side were also very delicious. My partner loved his fettucine as well. We were so happy we chose this place to eat for our 3 year anniversary. We will definitely be coming back in the future!
(5)
Tyler L.

Calamari was fried to perfection. For our main course we shared Gnocchi and Chicken Parmigiana. Both dished were perfect. Service was awesome. Weightier was very helpful and knowledgeable. It was all around a great dining experience. I highly recommend you try it if your in the area.
(5)
Christina L.

Mixed Bag. Some of the dishes were impressively delicious, and others were disappointingly mediocre. Between the eight of us, we tried quite a few dishes. Here are the hits and misses: HITS - Caesar Salad - Calamari Fritti - Bistecca alla Griglia (NY Steak) - Spaghetti con Gamberoni Arrabbiata - Alla Calabrese Pizza MISSES - Charcuterie - Tortellini alla Crema e Funghi (bland) - Agnello Scottadito (Lamb Chops, cooked well, but under seasoned) - Calamari Dore Piccata (Calamari Steak, tender, but funky tasting) Service was also hit or miss. There was lots of wait staff around because they were hosting a large banquet party in the big room. Most of whom were friendly and helpful. Our main waiter person though wasn't so great. He never seemed to be around when we needed anything. He even forgot to come back and take our entree orders! I had to ask the other wait staff to find him to take our entree orders after we were more than half way done with our appetizers. Then, when they served our entrees, he tried to serve every person with another person's dish. He was so confused!
(3)
Sreelakshmi S.

It's a late review.. So my husband and I decided to have lunch here being Valentine's Day.. We ordered the garlic bread and the calamari fritters for appetizers and the grilled salmon and fettuccini Alfredo for main course... Unfortunately we only got the garlic bread for appetizers which wasn't very good a little too much of garlic .. We then waited almost 45 min for the main course and din't even get to try the the calamari so we cancelled that order.. However finally the main course did arrive after a lon wait.. The salmon was good and the pasta was just like any other pasta u get at any Italian place nothing unique about the taste. Even though we had to wait almost an hour to get our order, the waiter was courteous enough to apologize for the delay and did not charge us for the drinks.. The experience on this day wasn't good ,however we would definitely revisit this place with the hope that we get our food on time :)
(3)
William W.

Since I recently got caught up on trying different Italian restaurants, I selected this restaurant near the harbor. It didn't seem like a busy place during weekday lunch time -- only three tables were occupied but I actually liked it -- I got a table that had a nice view towards the harbor! The bread is probably the reason I hesitated to give it a 5-star (I really wanted to). I like it warm so I can spread the butter nicely, or maybe is just me? Haha. I ordered the Half Moon shaped ravioli stuffed with salmon in creamy tomato sauce... I like it! The size was just right and not too salty for me. I recommend this dish to everyone! The servers were quite nice. They all had smiles on their faces and sometimes will joke around. Pretty active but it might because there weren't much consumers in the restaurant. Overall, if you want to have a great Italian meal with great price, quality and view, come give it a try!
(4)
Karen C.

I recently had a large group work dinner at the restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were in a private room of the main dining room. My only dislike was the noise. Our group was very loud and it was hard to hear each other. They definitely do not have good sound proofing for this small room. The food was great though. We had a 4 course set dinner. There were several options for each course. I had Insalata Mista, Gnocchi al Gorgonzola, Chicken alla Giovanni, and Bigne Mezza Luna - cream puffs. Everything was very tasty. I really like the gorgonzola flavor of the gnocchi. Chicken was nicely cooked, not dry, good sauce. The cream puffs were delicious. Definitely a nice place to try if you are in Half Moon Bay. I will be back.
(4)
Lauren M.

Mezza Luna is my favorite Italian restaurant!! The seafood here is fresh and the pasta and all the sauce are made fresh as well!! I love their Linguini della Baia with white wine sauce and their Salmon Pizza (not on the menu anymore but they still make it). Salmon pizza might not sound appealing but trust me... soooo good!! The waiters I always get here are always so friendly and love their accents (even though it may be hard to understand at times... lol). Two of my friends whom I brought here ordered the cappuccino ONLY because the way the waiter said it sounded cool to them... and they didn't even know that the waiter said cappuccino (they heard it as "kap-pu-see-no")!! LMAO Great date spot: good food and near the water.
(5)
Norma A.

I think the food tastes good but paying $18.50 for lasagna is pricey- think prices went up recently so what used to be great food for good value is now good food for a few bucks extra. Therefore, downgrading my prior review by 1 star less as it was the whole package that allowed me to initially rate 4 stars.
(3)
Michael T.

Eaten here several times. This time disappointed we were put in back part of restaurant that was loud, noisy with poor slow service because of the crowd. OK it was 7 on a Saturday night but.....! Disappointed they had run out of their staple Mussels, strange for an early Saturday night to be run out of one of their popular dishes. Bread was also old and stale Been here before but disappointed this time. Seems they have got so big their service and quality had gone down.
(3)
A S.

Came here with my parents and brother for my mom's birthday weekend. We had reservations and were seated quickly. Service was attentive. House wine was surprisingly good for house wine. The menu had plenty of options for everyone and it was hard to choose what to get. Prices were reasonable as well. I had the fish stew and the seafood was perfectly tender. Everything was delicious and probably the best Italian food we have had in a long time.
(5)
Elaine N.

After napping for about an hour at the beach, we decided to head to Mezza Luna for some light Italian dinner. We ordered: - Alla Calabrese Pizza = topped with homemade pork sausage and mushrooms. This alone made me full, not sure if it was a good idea to have this as appetizer. - Gnocchi al Pomodoro o Gorgonzola = homemade potato dumplings served with Gorgonzola cheese sauce. Lackluster in taste. How can they mess up on one of my favorite food to eat in this whole wide world?!?! - Linguine alla Toto = with fresh clams or mussels served in white sauce. Classic dish, but nothing to rave about. Despite their mediocre food, the service was impeccable. Friendly smile, quick to refilled our water, and attended to our needs.
(3)
mark i.

After all the rave reviews, my wife and I arrived at Mezzaluna with pretty high expectations. Unfortunately they came up short. I'm comparing it to other top Italian restaurants in the SF Bay area. The tortellini meat dish was average-the white sauce was ok, but nothing special, a bit on the bland side. My wife's assorted seafood dish (assorted seafood sauteed in white wine, tomato and saffron broth)was mediocre-the broth just wasn't tasty as it should have been, again a bit bland, lacking any complexity. The seafood was slightly overcooked, the calamari was cut into pieces too small. Our garlic bread had far too much garlic on it. To top it off, the waiter had a bit of an attitude when he first started serving us (improved later but first impressions count). The setting is quiet and nice, with several tables looking out over the Bay, and prices were only slightly high for a lunch (I don't have any problem paying a little more for a nice environment.) But I can't say much else on the positive side. Hope this place comes around but they have some work to do.
(2)
Alyssa B.

When we finished eating at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company last week, we drove by Mezza Luna on our way out. The place looked kind of cute, and I decided to look it up on Yelp. After seeing the 4 star rating and the decent prices for the food, we decided to give this place a try during the Labor Day Weekend - and OMG, am I glad we did. Hello, new favorite Italian restaurant! We did not order any appetizers (we were saving room for dessert!) but some of them looked really good. They serve bread and butter, which is tasty and can tide a person over until dinner arrives. My dad had the lamb chops, which he let me try. They were savory! He enjoyed them completely My mom had the ham and mushroom pizza, which I also sampled a piece of. Probably some of the best pizza I have ever tasted. I know I'll be ordering a pizza next time we come! I had angel hair pasta, which was good, but will only appeal to some due to its blandness. I thought it was delicious. Finally, we were able to move onto dessert. For dessert, my dad and I ordered the crÃ¨me brulee, which is served with strawberries and blueberries (very sweet!). Best crÃ¨me brulee we've had so far. My mom ordered the chocolate ice cream cake, which was very tasty! The price for dinner and dessert was very reasonable. The service was pretty good. Even if had been crappy, I'm inclined to believe the food would have made up for it. We'll definitely be back here in the near future to sample more dishes, but in the meantime, I will 120% recommend this place to anyone who asks.
(5)
Gretchen U.

Perfect and delicious. Don't pass it up. Even if the music across the street is calling you.
(5)
Wayne J.

Amazing food, superb for the cute small yet charming area. Lee were totally satisfied, from the appetizers to the dessert. I recommend the lamb chops!!!
(5)
Michelle M.

Interesting place. Its an easy walk from the Oceano, but the outside is nicer than the inside. We were a little irritated when we first started our meal because our server didn't know anything about wine and the wines by the glass were a bit rough, but the food turned out to be REALLY good. And our server took good care of us overall. Go in with mediocre expectations and you will probably be thrilled.
(4)
A W.

I like this nice, friendly place on the water. When you enter the serene dining room, you don't realize that there is a big party in the back with the bar. I've sat everywhere now and this resto is huge! There are real Italians everywhere, cooking your food, at the bar and in the dining room. The food is sort of updated Southern Italian food and the service was great. I thought the price reasonable for Bay Area and I've been there at least 3 times for lunch or dinner. ~Ms. Ali
(5)
Vanessa L.

Hands down my favorite Italian restaurant on the West Coast. Yep, I don't mind driving over to Half Moon Bay from San Jose to get my pasta fix! Everything I've tried here so far has been amazing. The Caprese salad is nice and fresh...especially the mozzarella. And the Salmon Raviolis are amazing. My bf had ordered the oxtail bolognese dish and that was amazing. Also, the eggplant dish with penne is also very good if you dont eat meat. We've had both the chocolate souffle (worth the 20 min wait) and the creme brule. Amazing... Will definitely be back soon!
(4)
Zin M.

This is probably one of my favorite Italian restaurants. The food is always tasty and made to deliciously... You can't go wrong with any of their pasta dishes - I've had them all. The entrees are also quite good... try their veal, ask for their specials -- especially their fresh fish. If you are in the mood for steak that is another great option to try. It is a family friendly restaurant but also caters to those wanting a romantic evening out. A lively restaurant with great service and drink/wine selection! Enjoy and definitely leave time for a walk after you feast!
(4)
Erwin R.

The home made pasta is incredible!. The Tortellini alla Crema e funghi is fresh and really good. It has Parma ham and mushrooms with a light cream sauce. The Mezzelune al Salmone is a half ravioli with Salmon and served in a cream sauce. The staff are all Italian and you do feel like you are in Italy when you are here! The ambiance, staff, food and service are great! I will be back to enjoy their homemade pasta again.
(4)
Ashok R.

The gnocchi was authentic, staff was very friendly, and the tiramisu was average. The pizzas were excellent, and the eggplant pasta had a smoky flavor that was to die for! Try to get a table near the windows, though, as the view is beautiful!
(4)
Shannon N.

Fantastic homemade Italian food in a great atmosphere. Most importantly, very reasonable prices! The service staff is always great and very knowledgeable about the food and wine. The deserts are great as well. A LOCALS FAV on the coast! To be completely honest, the reason I don't frequent this restaurant more is that I can't walk here from my house.
(5)
Brian O.

Caesar salad with anchovies, Gnocchi, and today's special: Ribeye with side of asparagus were excellent. Today's soup: butternut squash, and polenta side were not to our taste. Both chocolate soufflÃ© and tiramisu along with cappuccino and latte were very disappointing. In my opinion, SoufflÃ© should be named a lava cake and about $4 cheaper.
(3)
Rosa B.

Love eating here in Mezzaluna. I always order their Prosciutto e Fungi pizza, the Calamari Fritte and for dessert creme Brule.
(4)
Sandra D.

Absolutely delicious!!! Great food wonderful Food, which is not a benign comment for a full blooded Italian! Th gnocchi is as light as a cloud!
(5)
Angela M.

Mezza Luna was FANTASTIC!! The food was exceptional, fresh as fresh could be. We had a party of 5 and splitting the checks was not an issue. The appetizers were brought out in a timely fashion and the portions were just right even the entrees were, more than adequate size: not to much which we like, not to waste. Dessert was amazing, the table had three different desserts and the were excellent and to top it off we all received a lemon cello shot. Awesome!!!! Overall I can't say enough!! A must visit!!
(5)
Jeffery G.

I had a veal dish that was off the hook! The service was great. It wasn't over crowded like some of the HMB places. We went for a late lunch and will go again, at anytime!
(4)
Lilian L.

Beach date with the boyfriend follows up with dinner: Bruschetta Campagnola 5.00 toasted bread with fresh tomato, basil and garlic ^boyfriend liked this more than Maggianos, but I beg to differ. The toppings in my mind would be better in a sandwich or salad. I think I like smaller Bruschettas. Linguine della Baia 18.00 linguine sauteed with mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp in a light tomato sauce ^got this.. I wish I got what he got but in red sauce... the sauce reminded me of spaghetti just not heavy. The shrimp was really good. The clams and mussels were tiny, which is fine. Linguine alla Toto 16.50 with fresh clams or mussels served in either white or red sauce ^boyfriend got that in white sauce with mussels. He liked it, but the thing is for me: my boyfriend's pasta is thee best pasta ever, he white sauce like no other so I didn't really like it here.. *It was a bit disappointing, the food wasn't bad, I just have had better? It was filling though! 2-3 stars. I think he liked it more than I did? Service: um okay, nothing extra or less. They weren't rude. [: I wish they gave us EVOO & Balsamic though for the bread they gave us.. which we clearly saw after we left.. The decor is okay, it's kind of a cute warm place (yellow paint), I wonder if it looks better late at night. Their Pellegrino (small) is pretty massive if you like that stuff though.
(3)
Arkadiy S.

Happy to give this place another 5 star. My wife and I go there every year to celebrate engagement anniversaryt Great Italian food, we had salmon stuffed ravioli and vegetable stuffed chicken. Only thing this time they forgot to take plastic wrap off the chicken but then credited us for the entree. Mistakes happen, more important is how you deal with them. Their chocolate souflee is to die for. Order it with your meal, it takes a while to make.
(5)
YAYA L.

Food was good, but I'm not a raving fan.. The bread they served, should come out warm, just my opinion. I had the chocolate lava cake, and it wasn't all of that.. I looooove Italian food, so it's absolutely hard to please my taste buds.. Service was good though..
(3)
Lynn M.

We have loved Mezza Luna from the time we went there! We are locals from Montara. There food is very consistently good and fresh. Varied menu, fun to be there. Options where you can sit: in the bar with sports and fireplace or in main dining room. Love the staff. Great service. It is laid back like the coast, casual and friendly. They treat you like family. We had our 50th anniversary party there for 60 people and staff, family and friends all had a wonderful evening. It's a nice change from uptight restaurants that charge enormous prices for their meals. Mezza Luna is moderately priced with portions that are just right. My favorite meal is Vitello Romantico or their pizza, my husband likes the Linguini de la Baia or their fresh fish of the day. Friends have raved about the Tortellini con Funghi.. Come down the coast and enjoy your lunch or dinner at Mezza Luna.
(5)
JoeandKari C.

We were in the area yesterday, 10/12, and stopped in for a very late lunch. The food and service were as good as always. My wife had the Pollo Saltimbocca and I had the Baia (shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari in a light tomato sauce mixed in spaghetti). Both dishes were fabulous. There is a large selection of wines and a full bar too.
(4)
Tony P.

Good food. Service was great. Good value for the money especially in this area. Lasagna was good as was the seafood pasta.
(4)
Joel G.

Princeton by the Sea is one of our favorite locations in HMB. Add Italian food to that and you have a winner. Besides the location, the help is competent and the food is good. The calamari was exceptional and the lasagna was good. I would not recommend the side of sausage. The other pasta and seafood dishes around the table were all enjoyed by the other members of our party. Enjoyed the pre-dinner drinks in the bar as well.
(4)
J R.

This food is basically 'ok' in comparison to other nearby restaurants whose selections, flavors, and ambiance stand out way more.
(3)
Jeff L.

Went there this week for a dinner with family. For whatever reason it took me 15 years of living in El Granada to get to this place. I had heard it was "spendy and just okay" from some folks and since I also think that overpriced Italian is a rip I just never went. The food is decent, actually pretty good. I would go back if the food was 1/3 cheaper and they didn't charge 15 bucks to cork my wine. My dad had the spag with meat sauce, he was expecting it to be very special..it was ordinary. I had a seafood pasta dish that was pretty good, again at 1/3 cheaper it would have been great. Probably will not be back anytime soon. I can make pasta and sauce easily as good as this.
(3)
Maggie C.

Too bad Mezzaluna has too much strong competition in Half Moon Bay. Otherwise it would be a lot busier if it's located in San Francisco. While Barbara's Fish Trap and HMB Brewing company has a line out the door on a Sunday, Mezzaluna is pretty quiet as it doesn't have any outdoor seating and no cool beer selection. Having said their, their food is cooked really well and service was excellent.
(3)
Ron L.

Israel needs to pay better attention to ALL of his tables and not just the ones he deems preferential treatment to. My girlfriend and I picked this place tonight (26-Aug) and had THE worst service. We ordered two drinks, and Israel showed up with just my drink and my girlfriend waited another 20 minutes before Israel came around to take our dinner order when we had to ask him for the first drink and our apps. We essentially waited over 45 minutes before we were asked to place our dinner order; all the while he was back and forth to a table behind us. It was like we never existed. It got to the point where we had to go to the buss boy to place our dessert orders and complain. We even had to ask twice for our bill. So Israel, if you are wondering about the poor tip tonight, re-evaluate your service and stop giving a bad service reputation to a restaurant that actually has good food.
(2)
Janet P.

This has to be one of my favorite restaurants. The food is amazing and fresh. I don't think there's any other Italian restaurant like this. The best food! they also have the best service.
(5)
Carlos R.

Let me start out saying that the folks here are really nice, and it was a very friendly place. The food was decent (and perhaps well above par for Half Moon Bay). However, it wasn't remarkable. I would return, and give it another try, if only for the staff. We had an appetizer muscles which were tasty and properly cooked; but, not remarkable. This is a decent, safe place for a reasonable meal. We were there on a Monday night, so it is possible that the weekends see a little higher performance. I'll stress that we would return again and give it another shot, especially for the area.
(3)
Brian H.

Mezzaluna has gone downhill a bit. The food is overly salted, the wait staff has changed and is no longer charming or fun. The food is fine. They are the most affordable Italian joint in town but I'd recommend you pony-up and go to a Pasta Moon.
(3)
Andrew B.

Its GOOD for what it is. Italian atmosphere is well preserved and the food met and exceeded expectations. One of the best tiramisu on this coast. Thanks.
(5)
Amanda D.

Excellent choice on the Coast One of our favorites
(4)
Phuong P.

this place is fascinating. seafood here is so fresh. My friend and I came here for lunch. We ordered CALAMARI, which is great and super fresh. Languini with clams is good, lightly sauce. Not really spectacular but it tastes fresh. We ordered special GRILLED SWORDFISH, they made it wonderful. The ambiance there is quite peaceful, and staff friendly. We will come back someday.
(4)
Judith F.

The food is absolutely delicious at Mezzaluna, but the management needs to improve the training of wait staff members. My fiancÃ© and I had dinner at Mezzaluna this past weekend. The restaurant was completely full, so we figured the kitchen would be challenged to prepare the meals everyone ordered. After we were served soup and salad, we waited about an hour for our meal. Our fish dish arrived not warm and our pasta dish was just barely warm enough. When the server asked us how our meals were, we mentioned the problem with the fish dish. The server was surprised. He made no reply and simply turned on his heels and left our table. I was disappointed that he did not offer to take the fish back to the kitchen to warm it up. When we last visited this restaurant in December, we were brought a second plate of bread that was quite inferior to the first plate. We also were brought what tasted like 2% milk for our coffee. When we asked for 1/2 and 1/2, the server said he'd see if they had any. Within a few minutes he brought some to us. Speaking of the coffee, I would recommend that you have your coffee elsewhere. Mezzaluna's coffee is mediocre. But the food is excellent. When we return (and we will), it probably will be midweek for lunch.
(3)
Ram I.

Food was ok. Not amazing, but not the worst. I had 3 of the appetizers with family and tried several of their dishes. 3 stars is a solid rating for this place. Not bad, but more about the Italian than the sea food. The house red was good though!
(3)
Gary C.

I'm local I eat at Mezza Luna at least 3 times a month. This is truly a family restaurant the owners are very welcoming to their guest., they make you feel as your a part of the family. The food is wonderful:-))
(5)
Cat V.

I had heard a plethora of wonderful things about this restaurant but hadn't made the move to experience it for myself yet so decided to take the plunge and made reservations via OpenTable for a special birthday dinner. The birthday boy and I stroll in after calling twice to push back our reservation as we wanted to make a pit stop into the HMB Brewing Co. beforehand. The hostess was polite and didn't give us any crap for calling in either time. Once we got there, she seated us at I'd say, one of the 'best' tables in the joint: right by the fireplace. It provided for the perfect backdrop for us first timers. Our server came by shortly after being seated, showed us the wine list and forgot about us...literally too, I think. This was a little disheartening, but we were soon taken care of by another server that picked up where the other guy left off and made sure we had what we needed, fast. Everything we ordered was pretty darn good: The Antipasto Italiano platter had a selection of meats, cheeses and little bites; main entrees Petto di Pollo alla Giovanni and salmone alla Dolores and paired all this with an '07 Alexander Valley Cab. I just KNOW my tastebuds were high-fiving each other with every bite. Yup - I kid you not. Since we were here for a birthday, the dining staff pleasantly 'surprised' the birthday boy with an ice cream dessert (that I ate) and song. Totally needless to say, but dinner turned out to be special and spectacular; definitely worth the trek out to HMB. Such a wonderful night and experience with great food to match...Thanks Mezza Luna for coming through.
(4)
Theresa M.

My husband and I came here for lunch recently. He ordered the Penne Calabrese and requested a creamy tomato sauce. Our waiter was happy to accommodate, but when it came, barely any cream was in it. However, my husband still raved about the authentic taste. I ordered the Lasagna and, let me tell you, it was worth the 15 minute wait! BEST Lasagna (besides my own, that is. LOL) and be sure to order some delicious garlic bread to go with it. For dessert, we indulged and shared the Creme Brulee (to die for!). The service was absolutely perfect. We never had to ask for anything. Our waiter anticipated our needs and took very good care of us. To be fair, we came on a weekday to avoid the tourist rush. If your only chance to get away to the coast is on the very busy weekends, I strongly suggest that you get here when they first open. Definitely coming back!
(5)
Cheryl R.

Michael was our server, what a great experience we had there. We were unsure what to order so we let him take charge and surprise us!! Such an amazing experience, our glasses were never empty, service was so prompt we felt so special. Would recommend this place to anyone in the area!!!
(5)
A A.

I'm Italian. I liked this place. Good bread, authentic pronunciations from the staff, and real mascarpone in the tiramisu. Of course, the pasta wasn't as good as Nonna's but as a good family member, no sauce can ever be as good as your Nonna's. You aren't even allowed to admit it. I'd come back, definitely way better than the tourist trap "Italian" restaurants in north beach SF.
(5)
Jon K.

I'm not a seafood fan and only somewhat enjoy Italian food, saying that I ordered the New York steak, it was just ok. I gave the place 4'stars because the wait staff was very good and on top of things and the prices were fair,and the people I came with said the seafood was good but not great.
(3)
Rick A.

Very nice! A pleasant restaurant to spend the evening. Nice ambiance and very nice staff. The food is very good.
(4)
Kathy J.

Rude, unprofessional and completely disorganized. If how they manage the lobby area and seating guest is any indication of how they run the restaurant, no thank you. We arrive 10 minutes before 6 p.m. with no reservation, but instead of telling us immediately that the wait was an hour and 20 minutes they let us wait for 10 minutes and only told us after my husband overheard them tell the 2 couples that had arrived a hair before us that the wait was an hour and 40 minutes. You would think that 1 of the 2 hosts would be able to communicate this important information to their guests. The guy host even went out of his way to seat a party of 8 that had no reservations because the lady was a sweet talker aka LIED HER ASS OFF, and yes she walked in after us. Mr. Host went out of his way to accommodate the lying ass lady and instead of pushing tables together to accommodate her could have easily seated us and the 2 parties ahead of us. Whatever, we ended to at Cetrella and had an amazing dinner. Won't be back here ever.
(1)
Stefan S.

I only had the dessert, a small 8USD Suffle. Fluid in the middle, and the taste as I like them !
(4)
Eliza K.

Call it 3.5 stars, and round up. What a weird place. No wait - that's not fair? It is a nice looking place. The service is pretty good, and there's a huge list of very tasty pasta dishes to choose from. I got a very 1950s vibe, though that might be because my favorite dish was a very 1950s salmon with peppercorn brandy sauce. I didn't fall in love with the food or the restaurant, but I thought it delivered a very solid dining experience. The interior is huge, and tends to be very full or creepily empty. I'd be most likely to re-visit if hosting a large group. Plenty of coastside restaurants have trouble managing crowds, but Mezza Luna (due to dining space and forgiving slowly braised/quickly sauced meal options) is set up for it.
(4)
Christina S.

I went here once several years ago and was treated extremely rudely, however just went back again and had a great time. Good food and nice service!
(4)
Vanitha S.

Good solid restaurant that has great pastas and pizzas, wonderful veg*n soups, and an awesome bruschetta. Service has been spotty lately, but is always above average. A nice quiet and authentic
(4)
Kim l.

We were seated by the window. Our waiter was such a happy guy! He just seemed to love his job! We ordered: Lasagna made with top sirloin: 3/5 Lobster ravioli: 5/5 most excellent, light, they could have added more arugula. Calamari: 2/5 too soft, they should have left it in the deep fryer longer. Strawberry ice cream cheesecake with white choco chips: 4/5 great way to end our meal.
(4)
Sarah D.

I'd love to give 5 stars but unfortunately the staff are preventing that. My husband and I had reservations for 6:30pm. We waited quite a few minutes for the two hostesses to sort out phone calls and seating people who did not have reservations. After we finally were seated it took another long while for anyone to bring us water or bread. Both the bread and butter were ice cold. My husband got the gnocchi and I tried the magherita pizza. Both our dishes were fantastic. After we were done eating 15 minutes passed before a random busboy offered to box our leftovers and take a dessert order, we ordered the creme brulee and another pastry dish. About 20 minutes after we placed our dessert order all the staff came over singing me happy birthday with the creme brulee, I was embarrassed enough and then they called me a different name! Turns out the woman seated behind me was celebrating her birthday. WHOOPS! And they never did bring the second dessert we ordered...The food was delicious but the staff seemed flustered and distracted.
(3)
Charles M.

Stopped by without reservations and at the end of 'lunch' with a 20 month old and new born in tow... They didn't bat an eye. We were promptly seated and all things family were taken care of with a smile. The food was very very good. The gorgonzola gnochi was perfectly sauced. We had a great and relaxing meal.
(4)
Lindsay T.

I love this place, even though they recently got rid of my favorite appetizer from the menu I still love coming here above all other places! The food is always fresh, the waiters are incredibly nice, and on more than one occassion you will see one of the owners in the bar or behind the bar making sure everything is running smoothly and that everyone is happy. My husband and I have enjoyed nice quiet meals here as well as had large dinners and I even planned a baby shower that took place here as well. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
TK L.

Make reservations! Great ambiance, the location was awesome. The food was very good. Chicken w Alfredo was "the best" according to one person in our party. "The spaghetti was second best after the one we had in Rome", said another person in our party. I had the gnocci with gorgonzola which was just perfect.
(5)
Roger W.

Mezza Luna is a delight! Food is great and service was spot-on. We split the salad with seafood , and 2 different entrees. . As noted by others, the chocolate souffle was so nice, not too rich. We will return any time we are near.
(5)
Ed C.

This place was great. Got a reservation for 11 four days out. The service was very good. Both waitstaff and busgirl were right on it. I had the chicken saltimbocca and it was good, not great, but good. The veggies that came with were surprisingly good. Healthy portion. Amazing tiramisu. The price with all the booze and desserts was quite fair. The noise level is a little high which suited our crowd fine. A fun, relaxing place. I will be back.
(4)
Charmaine L.

pleasantly surprised at how delicious the food was. our entire party of 6 each ordered something different. we all tasted one another's dishes and everything was well prepared. the bread is plentiful and the olive oil on the table is extremely fruity and flavorful. i could live on the bread and olive oil alone. the proscuitto and melon appetizer was on par, and the calamari was crispy outside and tender inside. spaghetti with prawns in garlic, chicken saltimbocca, meat tortellini with parma ham mushrooms and cream sauce, duck breast on a bed of mushrooms, veal wrapped with mozzarella and parma ham, and the most delicious piece of salmon we've ever had. even the accompaniments to the dishes were tasty. the side of buttered carrots was so comforting and lip-smacking good. for dessert, chocolate souffle. more like a molten chocolate cake, but the quality of the chocolate was on point. capped it off with a frosty tall glass of moscato spumante (d'asti) and i was one happy camper. service was a bit slow but nonetheless very accomodating. now there's another reason to dine in half moon bay, aside from barbara's fish trap!
(4)
Molly N.

I really wanted to love this place but it was just okay in my book. We had the grilled vegetable platter to start, which was okay, but really nothing special at all. The bread that they sent to the table wasn't awesome but it wasn't horrible either. I had the tortellini in cream sauce and my husband had the cappellini. I found both of our dishes to be just okay. The cream sauce on my dish was awesome, but the filling was really ho-hum. I'd prefer the kind from the grocery store, to be honest. This one was just a little odd in the filling. Meaty and stringy and odd. The mushrooms were really good too, but the tortellini were supposed to be the highlight of the dish and to me they were just okay. My husband thought his cappellini was fine but nothing to rave about. Not a great beer selection either :(
(3)
D S.

I had the Gnocchi and it was FANTASTIC. The ambiance was very nice, warm and romantic. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Beverly M.

I don't go to Mezzaluna too often, but it is a decent restaurant. I'm especially partial to their Margherita pizza.
(4)
Loz L.

The food was pretty good here, but the experience leaves something to be desired. We had a reservation for a Saturday night and were seated 30 minutes after our reservation time (after repeatedly being told "just another few minutes"). While we were waiting, some folks walked in and were told they could be seated in 30 minutes. Who knows if that was accurate, but we were left wondering what's the point in making a reservation? Once we were finally seated, it was clear there were far too few servers. Getting water was a Herculean task. The food was good and the prices are reasonable, particularly for Half Moon Bay, but we won't be back.
(3)
Sandra L.

I always had a misconception of this place, that is was an overpriced Italian restaurant... well my wife and I were celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary and since it was during the week we stayed close to home. Neither of us had been to Mezza Luna and we decided to try some where new... we are both very glad we did! We noticed that the restaurant wasn't busy, which HMB places during the week aren't overly crowded, so for locals like us its the best time to eat out. We got greeted and seated immediately as we walked in the door, our server came over and introduced himself and was very welcoming. After we browsed the menu we started off with: Bruschetta Campagnola ($5.00) - toasted bread with fresh tomato, basil and garlic Cozze al Forno ($10.00) - fresh mussels baked with white wine, cherry tomatoes, lemon and garlic Yes, two appetizers, we were splurging! Ok, I have to admit, I was disappointed with their bruschetta, it was literally a piece of toasted baguette bread, probably brushed with garlic oil, than a slice of fresh tomato, with what looked like chopped up basil and possibly a little bit of garlic in it. Although the ingredients themselves were extremely fresh, I didn't think it was seasoned well, it was kind of bland. I don't know, I guess I'm pretty spoiled with the bruschetta I make at home, which by the way I felt was way better. Now there Cozze al Forno, was super yummy! The mussels were cooked perfectly and we devoured every bite! We even had to ask for more bread so we can soup up the white wine, cherry tomato, lemon, garlic sauce, hhhmmm, my mouth waters thinking about it! For our main course we ordered: Me: Penne alla Calabrese ($15.00) - sauteed with homemade pork sausage and mushrooms in a tomato sauce My Wife: Gnocchi al Pomodoro o Gorgonzola ($14.50) - homemade potato dumplings served with either fresh tomato or Gorgonzola cheese sauce I of course had to try my wife's meal too... the potato gnocchi was good, not heavy and very lite, which is hard for a potato gnocchi. She ordered the tomato sauce and that is exactly what it was, a very fresh tomato sauce that probably literally just had tomatoes, garlic, and maybe some basil in it... My Penne alla Calabrese is something I would definitely order again... the homemade pork sausage had a great flavor and they were generous with the portion. The sausage also gave my tomato sauce a bit more flavor than my wife's, so I did a number on my dish. For dessert, yes we are being totally fatty's right now, but it's our anniversary, so who cares: We shared a chocolate lava cake...it was pretty good, although I'll admit the one from Sam's was better. But we still took a picture of it, it is definitely prettier than Sam's, lol. You know it's kind of funny, I remember being in Italy a few years ago and thinking to myself that the food from Italy was "bland", now, now, I know I'm going to get some hate comments about saying that, but what I think it was, is that the ingredients were fresh in Italy...they cooked nothing but fresh ingredients and really didn't add anything else, no salt or pepper, nothing, heck you couldn't even really find salt or pepper on tables when you ate out...everything was just simple fresh ingredients and I hate to say it, a lot of people aren't use to eating food that fresh and simple, myself included. What I'm getting at is, Mezza Luna's food reminded me of the food from Italy, and well maybe that's a compliment and maybe it's not, the night we were there, it took me back to Italy. We will be back to try more dishes... especially considering we got all that food for under $60...
(4)
Adrienne S.

Great lunch! I came here for my birthday, and the service was fast and attentive, the atmosphere welcoming, and the food was so yummy. I had the tortellini a la crema e funghi (pardon my Italian), and it was just a whole plate of comfort and deliciousness. It was clearly crafted with care and each bite was great. It didn't look like a lot of food, but given the flavor and texture any more than they dished would have been monotonous and overfilling. My fiancÃ© had a lovely bowl of minestrone... Hearty, healthy, and extremely tasty. All in all, a great lunch for a great day!
(5)
Chris A.

Made reservations, arrived to find out they were 15 minutes behind and bar was closed for private party. They offered for us to sit on the stairs in the lobby...weird. After the wait, we were promptly seated - We had a really young server, maybe 18, who couldn't make any wine recommendations. We asked about the specials and were told all were "good" no detail or anything. He was attentive though just not hugely helpful. We ordered the charchuterie plate which was basically a lunchable on a plate, and I got the risotto with Scallops, check that, Scallop...there was 1. Which was actually overcooked and more closely resembled the texture of oatmeal. GF got some Bolognese thing that was middle of the road. Bread was super hard, ambiance was meh...loud party behind us, crammed in a little 2 top, screaming kids the whole 9. I don't know, it wasn't expensive so I'm not that salty - but it just felt like 1 step above Olive Garden which I guess is fine if you know that going in.
(2)
Michael R.

The lasagna here changed my life a few years ago. I still dream about it. In a few months I am visiting Half Moon Bay and I intend on stopping in.
(5)
Tamara R.

My boyfriend and I went here for a romantic dinner date. We had a lovely dinner which was reasonably priced considering all of the food and wine we ordered. Our waiter was wonderful he helped us pick a fabulous Italian red wine that went great with the gnocchi and penne pastas. The only reason we deducted a star was for the ambiance. It was certainly nice but not five star romantic. This place would be perfect for a group of friends that want to hang out have some great pasta and share some awesome wine.
(4)
Dee H.

Came here with a large party (12+) the other night for a birthday. The food was a little better than ok with excellent presentation (minus the veal), bathrooms a little dirtier than expected for a nice restaurant like this, and the service was a mishmash. I would've given Mezza Luna 4 stars as a fan if it weren't for lackadaisical service and the dust. Oh and don't forget to save room for dessert! At first the service was great. We were seated immediately, our server was on top of it, and we got our appetizers in a reasonable amount of time. But the second half of the evening they turned on the AC which blew a bunch of dust and random floaty things into our entrees plus the wait staff never came back to refill our glasses..it's like they forgot about us! We had the following dishes: Calamari - really good, light batter, and tasty! Artichoke soup - bland, reminded me of gerber's baby food Pepperoni pizza - thin crust, not too heavy on the cheese Veal scaloppine - do not order! 5 people ordered and none liked. Salty and weird rolled texture Lamb chops - four chops with pesto sauce, small delish lollipops Buffalo steak - nice big slice of steak, slightly on the salty side, but good Seafood linguine - fresh seafood, good Hazelnut gelato - perfection, must be from last scoop! Chocolate soufflÃ© - takes 20 minutes to make, pretty good and goes well with gelato Creme brÃ»lÃ©e with fruit - non-chocolate lovers enjoyed this Chocolate mousse cake with crunchy hazelnut crust - so good! Must try Key takeaways: 1. Save room for dessert (hazelnut cake!) 2. Pass on the veal 3. Request a private room for large parties or sit away from the AC ducts
(3)
Jody G.

Best restaurant to go to with kids and friends. Lively atmosphere on the weekends!! Fantastic, authentic Italian cuisine. From pizza to pasta to a juicy steak. You can't go wrong here!
(5)
Armando M.

Everything here is amazing! It's a blessing to have the opportunity to be invited here is how I feel every time. Amazing!
(5)
Patrick Z.

I went here on a Thursday night with my wife on a recommendation from the front desk at America's Best Value Inn. That recommendation was the best part of my stay there. We arrived and were seated right away. We did not need reservations. My wife ordered one oft he specials of the day, Spaghetti. I got the crab stuffed raviolis. Both our dishes were very tasty. We ordered garlic bread as an appetizer. I will definitely come back to this place. I loved it.
(4)
Alex N.

Excellent place! Not crowded, serves very fast. Nice collection of wines
(5)
Tanja F.

I had a lot of driving to do by myself today so when I pulled into Half Moon Bay, I stopped at what looked like a nice place to eat. The ambiance was really pleasant, the view from the window was amazing and my waiter, Francesco, was charming. The menu was extensive but looked like really heavy food and not fit to keep a driver awake on what was a continuance of a long journey ahead. But my server made a great recommendation of the fish stew. Sold! As I waited for my food, I almost overlooked the olive oil for dipping my bread, that was in the corner of the table. That was a nice treat. The oil tasted very fresh and almost buttery but bright. Francesco even brought me the container to show me the brand. Have I mentioned how great my server was? He is the reason that you should go here. I started to get excited that I had hit the jackpot with a restaurant with great ingredients. Then my soup came. Before you read on, you should know that I cook a lot at home a lot and fish stew/cioppino is sometimes on the menu on my dining room table. The fish in my stew was nice but was that really a chicken based stock that I was tasting in my soup? If not, it sure had a similar flavor profile. I had a WTF moment while eating it. The shrimp on top were nicely presented but rubbery, as though they had been in the soup for far too long. I tried the muscles and they were full of grit/sand. Yikes! The highlight was the crusty bread inside the soup but make sure to fish those out as soon as you get them so you don't burn your mouth. The serving was way too much for me to finish so I just ate what I liked and left the rest. I ordered a cappuccino to perk myself back up before hitting the road. The serving size was generous, the foam was thick and flavorful and the espresso was perfectly done. So I had a great start and finish to this restaurant but the main course, I would love to forget. I think I'll have to come back and try something else another time.
(4)
Audi S.

I am certainly a fan of Mezza Luna. They are a very unpretentious, yet extremely classy restaurant in an awesome location. Not going to lie, I usually come here on Tuesdays to get the $10 special entree, but I have never been disappointed. They have even put the football games on for us in the white linen dining room. They have two areas; a louder bar area that also has a number of tables, and a quieter dining room that looks into the HMB harbor. Their seafoods taste fresh and their pastas are great! They also have surprisingly good house wine for $5 a glass, a steal in that touristy area. My favorite thing I have had there would have to be the creme brÃ»lÃ©e. I am a little obsessed with creme brÃ»lÃ©e in general, but theirs was fantastic. Also, the spaghetti and meatballs was awesome and inexpensive. They have a nice menu, offering the standard Italian dishes as well as some Italian plates you don't see everywhere. Enjoy!
(5)
Anthony D.

Brought Partner In Crime here for a special lunch today. The meal was perfect and made up of the following delectable delicacies: 1- Bottle of 2009 Barbera D'alba, Michele Chiarlo. 2- Fried calamari. 3- Penne al salmone aurora. 4- Vitello Romantico. 5- Mousse di cioccolato. Sadly, our wonderful waiter, Francesco, was still feeling some pain from yesterday's Euro Cup loss. I miei complimenti al cuoco y Viva La Furia Roja ;-)
(5)
Amy B.

Came here recently with some girlfriends. The atmosphere is good, and the place is massive (not so great for an intimate dinner, but good for a large group). Someone had recommended the salmon ravioli, so I asked to confirm that the salmon is wild. Turns out, it's farmed!! You're a restaurant on a bay during salmon season and you're using farmed salmon (which is disgusting for many reasons, by the way)?? Seemed kind of strange and lowered my expectations for both the quality and the taste of the food. I ended up getting the tortellini with ham and mushrooms. It was OK--wasn't bad but didn't really stand out, especially after the amazing Italian food I'd had the night before in the city. We also ordered the calamari for the table, which again was OK. Kind of bland. I just wasn't too impressed and doubt I'll be back.
(2)
Marlene M.

We had planned to go to a different restaurant for dinner. We arrived and it was closed. A quick check of Yelp sent us to Mezza Luna. Yelp wins again! Dinner was very good, the service was excellent. So glad we found this for dinner. Saved the night. My only criticism would be that there are no free refills on soft drinks. Seems so nickle and dime to do that when dinner averaged $20-30 per person.
(4)
Berny P.

The lasagna was delicious. Fine dinning and attentive servers compliment the great food. You may want to make reservations as there tends to be a wait for dinner on the weekends. I noticed the room has sound dampening so it doesn't get so loud. Cloth table and napkins give it an upscale feel at around $25 per person.
(5)
Susan P.

My husband and I were getting married at the Oceano Hotel, so we decided to have our rehearsal dinner at the Mezza Luna because of its convenient proximity to the hotel. We booked out the private event room, which comfortably accommodated our party of 70 people. The food was not memorable, but all of our guests had a fun time....which, in the end, is the most important thing when you're planning a party, right? The food and bar service was good, and they were also helpful with the microphone/PA/music but they don't have a projector or screen so you'll have to bring your own. The main issues we had were related to the planning phase. We went through three coordinators, and had the menu options change on us after we had booked our reservation. The other thing to keep in mind is that the coordinator you work with may or may not be there on the day you are signed up for. You have to assume that the bar manager has been in communication with the coordinator that you were working with. Our last coordinator was able to pull it all together for us, but you shouldn't have to keep constant tabs on your venue.
(3)
Stephanie W.

I love coming here for a nice dinner. The environment is amazing, the staff is incredibly helpful.... I could just swim in their gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. The. Best.
(5)
Knitty K.

Wonderful food, but horrible service. We went for thanksgiving, it was early and they were not busy yet. However, it took over 30 minutes for our food to arrive. For New Year's Day we had a reservation but were told to wait for 15 minutes. However customers walked in without a reservation and were seated immediately. No apologies or compensation offered.
(1)
Abby S.

Tired of the same old restaurants in your 'hood? Take a trip to Mezza Luna in Half Moon Bay! Whether you're looking to have some delicious, fresh Italian food or spice up your love life, this place delivers. I'm amazed to find out how many Bay Area people have never been to Half Moon Bay. Ever. It's a lot easier to get to than other destinations like Napa or Tomales Bay. Right off Hwy 1, just south of Pacifica, it takes most about 45 minutes to get there. So, no excuses, people! Although it's somewhat of a sleepy town, there are plenty of things to do while you're here: walk along the beach, rent a kayak, go see some vintage airplanes, grab some taffy - and, of course, try some of the local restaurants! Enter Mezza Luna. One of the "fancier" eateries in the area. I put "fancy" in italics because you can come dressed up or in jeans, they don't care. Technically, it's part of Princeton By The Sea, but most of us would consider this stretch of land (which includes Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, Half Moon Bay Taffy, Oceano Hotel & Spa) to be Half Moon Bay. It's simple, but definitely leaves an impression. We visited on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was lit mostly with candles. One would think that this would be "couples only" (and there were several couples there) but we sat next to a big family having a celebratory dinner. So don't stress about bringing a special +1 here... no need to wait! Our group (yes, there were three of us... not a date) split the calamari as an appetizer and then each of us had our own pasta/seafood dish for the main course. Can't say enough about the tortellini in cream sauce. So good! I don't eat cream sauce very often, as it's not very good for you, but it's a nice treat every now and then. This cream sauce was worth every caloric bite :) Service was personable and made our dining experience even more pleasurable. Our water glasses were never empty and although it was getting late, we were never rushed or felt like it was time to go. Prices weren't unreasonable, either, especially for the quality of food served. For those of you who've never been to Mezza Luna, or Half Moon Bay for that matter, take the time to visit. It's different, charming and something you'll remember.
(4)
Davis L.

Table was ready when promised and food was excellent. Great experience.
(4)
Christina P.

A perfectly romantic little spot in a pretty part of the Bay Area. Lucky for me, when I visited a few weeks ago I was acting as a third wheel with a couple and I could see firsthand what a wonderful ambiance this would be for a intimate date... if I wasn't there! In any case, the three of us had a nice meal there. The service was efficient and charming, and that really sticks out in my mind the most out of the whole experience. As for the food, it's your classic Italian menu with items like fried calamari and fettucine alfredo - nothing out of the ordinary but all very well done. The lighting is dim and the tables are small... in fact, the entire space is pretty small but yet they were able to accommodate a pretty large birthday party when we were there and they seemed to fit comfortably. A great option for a cozy meal after a scenic day in Half Moon Bay... just make sure your pesky friend doesn't ask to come along and spoil the mood!
(4)
MARTY C.

Please add osso bucco to your menu . Special tonite. Absolutely fabulous great restaurant we come on our way to the giants game
(5)
Evan S.

We were told about Mezzaluna so we had to check it out over Labor Day weekend. In all we found the service to be good and the Waite staff pleasant. During dinner we smelled burnt bread coming from the kitchen several times. The lasagna was just pasta. We would not come back, however since everyone told us about this restaurant this may have been an off night. The cocktails were good, except for the Irish coffee. The atmosphere is cute. For a $92 dollar dinner, it was disappointing. They could do a much better job. Our guess is that this may have been an off- weekend.
(2)
Rose S.

Mezza Luna is great. We come here for special occasions and have never been disappointed, which is saying a lot for a family of Italians who are very particular about their pasta. The food and service have been excellent, and we've never really been dissatisfied with anything that was served. Favorite dishes that we come back to again and again are the lasagne, the frutta di mare, the gnocchi with Gorgonzola cheese sauce, and the ossobuco. The floor plan is open with plenty of space but not so huge that you feel like you're in a cafeteria. When we've been there, it has generally been lively but not too loud or crowded.
(5)
Nancy L.

Huge Italian restaurant with very friendly staff. Tons of people on a Friday night makes for spotty service but as I said, friendly staff makes up for it. Just come with a good attitude and relax. Bolognase Lasagne was DELISH. So was my extra creamy Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e. I asked my hubby of few words what he would add to the review and he answered "food's good". Guess that says it all.
(4)
Demi G.

Nice dÃ©cor, great service, delicious food! Loved their seafood stew.
(5)
Derek S.

There really should be two separate reviews for this: one for food and one for service/ reservations. Food was excellent: linguine ala toto with white wine sauce was delicious and so was the gnocchi...this legitimately deserves 4 stars Service was awful. We made a reservation at 7:30. They clearly overbooked their earlier reservations with large parties that were taking a long time. So basically everyone with a 7:30 res waited for 30 minutes to be seated. I didnt sit down until 8:05...that in my opinion is completely ridiculous. Also, the service staff was understaffed. Our waiter was actually really nice but it only goes so far when we had been waiting for over 30 minutes for a table we had a reservation for. If we showed up 30 minutes late, there's no way they would have kept our table...not ok. This review would have been 4 stars if the staff had offered a free appetizer or at least apologized for the delay...neither happened. I will not come back because the reservation system they have cannot be trusted...too bad cause the food is pretty decent but not worth the bad service.
(2)
Callie W.

Being that I am a local, my family and I have been coming to mezza luna since I can remember for any occasion. Whether if it is to sit at the bar and have a drink with friends, come for a casual lunch, or a formal dinner... this restaurant is very versatile for whatever you are looking for. My best friend and I came here a few weeks ago to celebrate her return home, and it was a magnificent overall experience. We were greeted at the door by a very beautiful Italian woman, (I believe her name started with an "N"), and were guided to a table in our favorite section. I ordered the pollo a la giovani... which is my favorite. My friend ordered the chicken saltimboca which was delicious as well. For dessert we shared the creme brulee. Since we come here regularly, the waiter knew to put extra berries on there for us :) Im positive we will be coming back here soon.
(5)
Sheri S.

Really nice location (intimate, friendly, good views of harbor as you eat). Felt like we were treated like family. Excellent food. Appetizer was fried calamari that was fresh & better than anywhere we've had it. For dinner, I had Linguine alla Toto (with clam) and Bigne Mezza for dessert. Husband had Linguine della Baia and Fragola for dessert. Both of us said food was excellent, including appetizer & dessert which usually isn't the case - usually dessert or appetizers are "so-so", but we felt whole meal was great here. Overall couldn't get much better than this, we'd recommend Mezza Luna to anyone.
(4)
Lisa H.

Hands down, best Italian restaurant in Half Moon Bay. Pastas are wonderful and cooked to al dente perfection. Daily specials are always amazing and service is outstanding. Ambiance is lovely with low lighting. Definitely a date or special occasion restaurant....that doesn't break the bank! Whenever anyone asks for a restaurant reco for Half Moon Bay, this where I lead them and it never fails to disappoint! I've usually come early in the evening and never had to make reservations, but to get a nice table by the window I would call in :) Great for large groups as well. Go, go!
(5)
Larry V.

Had lunch with a friend at Mezza Luna today and thought it was excellent. I ordered salmon which is prepared with a light cream sauce. It tasted so fresh and so delicious. My friend ordered sole and loved every bit. The lunch entrees come with great roasted potatoes and the steamed vegetables were prepared perfectly. I can't wait to come back and try some of the pasta dishes. The waiters were excellent as well. They know just when to come around and when to stay away.
(5)
Brian L.

They offer gluten free and vegan options on their website. When I visited Mezza Luna tonight there was no gluten free or vegan pizzas on the menu. That's why I chose this restaurant, for a gluten free pizza. The waiter checked to see if the had gluten free crust. However contrary to the website menu, the answer was no. The waiter had an attitude and offered no alternative, so we got out of there and found a more friendly restaurant. There are much better choices in El Granada and Halfmoon Bay.
(1)
Donna S.

We had dinner here our first night in Half moon bay at the recommendation of our hotel. Busy, fun Italiian atmosphere with really yummy food. I had the sweet potato gnocchi in a tomato cream sauce with crab and chantrelle mushrooms. I am not bug on mushrooms so I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this dish. We ordered a cannoli and petit cream puff type dessert!! OMG they were delicious! The Italian mule cocktail was pretty nice as we'll, overall a delightful experience and very well priced,
(5)
Janine R.

I had an early dinner here. I originally planned to go to a Spanish tapas restaurant but diverted from that plan when I noticed this place. It looked nice and appealed to me more than the tapas restaurant. It's a spacious place with decent service (the time I ate was not a high traffic time for a restaurant.) I had two salads, one was Caprese and the other was a leafy one. Both were fresh but nothing was extraordinary. My husband has the lamb chops which were not bad but nothing to write home about. The chef of this restaurant has a huge ego and refuses to accommodate dishes. My husband has a kidney transplant and has to have all herbs, vegetables and fruits cooked in any of his dishes to avoid any food-borne illness. The lamb chop dish came with an olive oil and fresh herbs sauce that the chef refused to heat up (to kill bacteria). As a result, the dish was not particularly great. I don't know about you but I truly believe that the customer is always right and the chef should try to alter dishes especially if the customer has health issues. Is that unreasonable? I wish I would have went to that tapas restaurant! I think I was being generous with three stars.
(3)
Mary K.

Awful. This place was very good about 10 years ago. Now their stuff tastes like Swanson frozen dinners.
(1)
Rick L.

We have hosted parties there and been very pleased. A very well established local restaurant with the classic white tablecloths and generally very good service. The food is often stellar, but occasionally weak depending on the plate chosen. Our recent experience earned the 3 stars for OK performance. We had theater tickets and had reservations. The "owner lady/hostess" was rude to us and made us wait despite there being no reason for this. There were plenty of open tables and we had to wait and she had a nasty attitude that was off-putting, for no reason at all. No excuse for this kind of "welcome".. The waiters should teach the "hostess" how to be polite and communicative to the customers, especially as there is a wall size painting of the "hostess" in the entry way. If she is going to stand in front of her portrait, she should pretend to care about her attitude and customers. The food an 8 and the wait-service once seated was a 9. Overall fine, but a classic example of how a single bad egg can make a fine restaurant experience negative.
(3)
Ken K.

Been here a couple times and the food is consistently terrific. Friendly staff and just a nice dining experience. Loved the desserts, and I'm looking forward to trying other items on the menu. Good wine, too, and a charming location.
(5)
Juhee C.

Service is so so. Ambience not bad. Food wasn't great. Pizza was good. Spaghetti sauce sucked, how hard is that to make? Fettuccini Alfredo was also so so. Not a favorite!
(2)
Cynthia B.

It's just me and my adult son at Easter so I wanted to find a delicious and interesting place for dinner. Mezzaluna fit the bill. We had a nice scenic drive to the coast and stopped at the Ritz Carlton for a drink. Then we drove to Mezzaluna which is located across the street from the harbor with a view of trees in front. The service was prompt and friendly. The calamari was tender, lightly breaded, hot and delicious. The Caprese salad was delicious. My son had the lasagna. It was a huge portion with fresh meat sauce, fine cheese and home made pasta that melted in your mouth. I had the veal scaloppine which was thick, fork tender and had a wonderful mushroom sauce. The chocolate ice cream cake was just right. For a place of this caliber, the prices were very moderate. Well worth it. A five star evening all around.
(5)
jim b.

....My wife and I stopped in Sunday evening around 5pm. We each had a drink, my wife the Day Special Lazania, with cheese/spinach (it was excellent). I had linguini with Clams (excellent) with desert and expresso came to around $75...glad to see we can patronize again...
(3)
Brandon B.

I'm pretty sure I had an orgasm when I ate the fettuccine Alfredo! Amazing food great service and a home town feel. I would drive down from Redding Ca. to eat here any time. Thank you for the amazing experience. I've been to Italy and haven't had this good of food.
(5)
Michelle C.

Mezza Luna=Half Moon. For the longest time I've been wanting to come here and one day I finally went in because of my sweet tooth. Prices were really reasonable for being located in a beach town. They have a number of things that you can order. Next time I want to get a scoop of gelato. Oh and this one dessert called the smore. It looked like a tummy ache I was willing to go through. Outside is a very cute patio area, where you can relax. They have a table set up where you get get all your necessary items like straws and sugar.
(4)
Jamie L.

The food was really tasty, but the service was poor. We had a party of 10 visit on a Wednesday night, and it took us 2.5 hours to dine. I would recommend go g here for the food, but be prepared for a long dining experience.
(3)
CZ D.

Great Italian food. My favorite Italian restaurant in the coast. Service iis good and fast. The cannoli is amazing. If you are like me who can't have tomato sauce. Pasta de la nonna is s great the vegetables are fresh. Lots of vegetarian options.
(5)
Britany P.

Get the gnocchi with half Gorgonzola and half red sauce...a glass of Gavi wine to compliment... Maybe a conolo drizzled with chocolate and strawberries after! Yes, it's Amazing!
(5)
Randy W.

Beautiful Italian restaurant that is situated among the many seafood places in Princeton-by-the-Sea. Went for lunch on a weekday & I had the Pizza Della Nona which was delicious & my wife enjoyed her Linguine alla Toto (clams)...see pics. Convenient place for pilots flying into the HMB airport (KHAF) since the gate from the airport goes right into the Mezza Luna parking lot.
(4)
Mark F.

One day later, and I am still thinking about the meal I had at Mezza Luna last night. I have a feeling it is going to be on my mind for a long, long, time. I could easily say Agnello Scottadito (Lamb Chop Dish) was one of the best things I have ever ate. Digressing... We called ahead and reserved a table with a view of the bay, which gave great scenery. We brought our own special bottle of wine and had it corked ($15). They brought out fresh bread and Balsamic/Olive Oil dip, and we ordered the Antipasto Italiano as an appetizer, which started the meal right! For our main dish, we ordered the Tortellini alla Crema e funghi (Meat Tortilini) and Agnello Scottadito (Lamb Chop Dish). The Meat tortellinis were delicious, but the Lamb Chops just blew them out of the water. As mentioned above, the lamb chop dish was one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. If I am ever in Half Moon Bay again, Mezza Luna is definitely a stop I will be making. Also, Israel, our waiter, was excellent. It seemed like whenever we needed him, he read our minds and was there, and he never made us feel rushed. Thanks Mezza Luna, for a wonderful evening and an excellent meal.
(5)
Anna J.

The hubby wanted to take me to a nice Italian place in honor of Mother's Day since he knows I love my Italian food (and having lived in Italy know my Italian food very well). He was excited to take me to a place with good food and an ocean view - too bad the ocean view is just from one corner essentially and we didn't get to enjoy it at all. The waitstaff were very friendly, but unfortunately I think they need a few more. Our poor waiter had a very large section of tables in my opinion. As a result, we had to wave him down for anything we needed after patiently hoping he'd check in. The prices are high for what you get as well, but I think this is often the case with "fancy-esque" restaurants. Also, I was very disappointed I had to send my pasta entree back when it was missing one of the main ingredients - one of the main reasons I ordered it! They sent it back without issue but I really, really hate sending things back and hate waiting for my food while others in my party are enjoying theirs. Also, as someone else pointed out we were annoyed to find refills aren't free on soft drinks. You're already being charged a premium for a soft drink, so to be told you have to pay for another drink to get a refill is very ridiculous. Especially in a nice restaurant where you're already paying a premium for the food. Had I known refills weren't free I would have asked for less ice since my drink was gone in about 4 sips. Oh well, live and learn. Overall, not what I expect from a fine dining Italian restaurant. I think I've had better experiences and food in chain Italian places (i.e. Il Fornaio). Food was ok, but nothing to write home about.
(2)
michael d.

Father's Day F- Up. I've come to this restaurant many a times dropping 2K per year over the last few years, it was a family favorite until tonight. Seated @7:30, served @8:10 watching others, my kids whining, my wife telling me "to be patient": while I watch others who were seated after us served before us served and cleared by the time our overpriced dishes arrive. Overpriced dishes, new ownership whatever has changed never again. We lost a tradition because this place has lost all the attention regardless of a Manager telling me "we served 850 people" and so we're just another "dish". Dish this, I will never take my family here again, a place that used to host attentive service ,now has a new business model and sans family charm.
(1)
Nicole K.

I've been here twice now and ordered the Salmon Ravioli both times. The dish is amazing. It comes in a tomato cream sauce that isn't too salty, and their fresh bread perfectly mops it up. My plate is clean by the time I leave. The filing is delicious, the Salmon flavor is not masked, just complemented by some spices. They don't skimp on the salmon! The wait staff is also very friendly and inviting. You feel like they are extended family. The prices are reasonable and I overall highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Terrie R.

Terrie R. I've been coming to Mezza Luna since they opened 20 years ago. It's not only has a fabulous and consistent menu but the warmth of the owners keeps bringing people back. A testament to their success is the many locals who show up day after day.
(5)
Annette P.

LOVED this place - we will definitely go back! Everything was excellent!
(4)
David F.

We had our hearts set on Barbara's on Labor Day which looked horribly crowded so we kept driving and ran into Mezza Luna. We had a fabulous meal and both got our seafood fix. I had the linguini with seafood and my wife had the seafood stew. Both were awesome and we had a great bottle of Italian wine (pretty good list of Italian wines) and the antipasto appetizer which was tasty but a little light. Michael an Italian fellow was a very pleasant server and treated us to a glass of Lemoncello!! Great experience and great food!!
(5)
Matteo S.

Amazing Italian Restaurant. Great services and food. I love their gnocchi :) For wine lover also an amazing wine selection :)
(5)
jennifer r.

Wow... I live in San Francisco and eat at some of the best restaurants around, and I can say that the meal at Mezza Luna was a chart-topper. While it doesn't have the ambiance/decor that a city restaurant has, it's not really expected down here. Get the lamb chops. Holy cow. Best lamb chops I've ever had, hands down. Meat was astonishingly tender, minimal fat & gristle you can sometimes get, and flavor was outstanding. I order the lamb chops all the time at Beretta and those cannot compete with the ones at Mezza Luna. The service was attentive and impeccable. Highly recommend.
(5)
Gerald F.

Pizza was better than most. But still pillsburry flour. Good environs. Nice bar. Great location.
(3)
VeryBerry F.

Went here while looking for a place for seafood. Was seated immediately in semi-elevated section of restaurant since we had a little one with us. Water was brought and then we waited 15 minutes for a water (minus star). When the waiter arrived we orders two salads (nice, fresh with shaved fennel) and had the seafood mixed plate for 2, which turned out to be a very nice portion for each on one plate. We had scallops, shrimp, snapper and salmon (all local, wild we were told). came with potatoes and veggies. Flavors were really good, fresh herbs, good olive oil. Too full for dessert. About $60 before tip. Decent considering anywhere else would have been same or more. Would return to try pastas next time.
(4)
Arnel G.

As I was passing through Half Moon Bay, I decided to eat lunch at Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant. I had passed by this restaurant many times in the past, but I had never actually stopped there to eat until today. I'm not sure why this place has so many lackluster reviews, as my experience there was superlative. The restaurant has a warm, inviting feel to it, with decorative touches that harken back to its Italian roots and traditions, while still remaining contemporary and relaxed. I was seated next to a large picture window that looked out onto the surrounding community, providing me with nice views. The waitress quickly provided me with the menu, and I soon ordered the Insalata Mezzaluna and the Penne del Pastore, as well as a Pisco Collins Sour. The drink came out quickly, along with some bread and butter; the Insalata Mezzaluna came out after 10 to 15 minutes - a tad slow, but not out of line. The Insalata Mezzaluna was incredible - an assortment of marinated calamari rings, baby squid, shrimp, scallops, and a bit of salmon, arranged on a bed of baby lettuces, radicchio, baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes that had been dressed in a delicate, balsamic vinaigrette. There was a large lemon wedge accompanying it that I tried to squeeze over the seafood; it slipped out of my fingers as it did, landing on the table by my drink. As I reached out to grab the lemon, I knocked over the drink, creating a mess. The waitress, however, took care of the mess quickly and gracefully, and even got me a replacement drink! I later realized that they did not charge me for the drink, either. THAT is service, folks! After finally squeezing all of the lemon onto the salad, I began working on it a little bit at a time, savoring its flavors. The marinated seafood was fresh, fresh, fresh....I did not detect a single off note. And the vegetables underneath must have been freshly picked, they were so crisp and flavorful. Although the dish itself was relatively simple, this only served to highlight how superb the execution of it was. Kudos to the kitchen staff for producing such an excellent dish. Once I had finished the salad, the waitress brought out the Penne del Pastore - a pasta dish with a sauce of tomatoes, eggplant, and scamorza (smoked mozzerella). Once again, there was perfection in every bite: the penne pasta was tender but not mushy, and properly seasoned; the eggplant had been prepared in such a way as to remove the bitter edge to its flavor; and the scamorza complemented the other ingredients, and gave the tomato sauce a deep, smoky flavor. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how wonderful the Pisco Collins Sour was, It was sour, but not to the point where it would have been off-putting, with just a hint of bitters and a maraschino cherry. Overall, I would rate Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant as 5/5 stars. I highly recommend them!
(5)
S J.

Mezza Luna I can't believe you made me write my first yelp review. Went there for dinner and they ran out of what we had wanted on their menu. This is the second time in recent months. So I decided to ask for the manager for the first time. A lady by the name of NILDE came to the table. She was very unapologetic. Not happy with the lack of professionalism provided by NILDE.
(1)
Kathy M.

We went here several times over the past years and loved it! This time we went for my son's 18th birthday on a Saturday night with a party of 12. I felt they did the best they could although I think perhaps they had more customers than they could handle. The food was good, but not quite as good as I remember it being. All in all we had a good time and left full with smiles on our faces!
(4)
Shawnna C.

First time here, but not the last. Really good food, atmosphere and service. We had lunch with a view, as well, which was a treat. Recommend the lasagna, and if they have it when we go back, the pork roulade special. Both were excellent.
(4)
Abbie A.

WORST service EVER!! My boyfriend just proposed to me at the RItz Carlton where we were staying. We decided to go to MEZZA LUNA to celebrate because we heard such good things about them. DO NOT believe the hype. After waiting TWO hours our waiter ignored us FIVE times even after we talked to the manager!! We heard food was good but who knows. Everyone around us (who were seated after us) were leaving. We ended up going across the street for a great Burger. Normally, I say give Mezza Luna another try. But when the management hires such IDIOTS it makes you question the place entirely. DO NOT GO!!!
(1)
Kate B.

Pretty good food option for Half Moon Bay. Classic italian. Nice wine list, and the food was a strong B+. Service was fast and location is excellent. Make sure to get one of the tables with a view of the water and the boats in the harbor.
(4)
Catherine H.

I have been here numerous times and this is my first review on M L. Love this place. We ate at the bar which is what we prefer. The bartender was awesome and made a wonderful Maker's Mark Manhattan. For dinner we split a Caesar salad and a mushroom and sausage pizza. DELICIOUS. We will be going back.
(4)
Brook B.

Went for Valentine's Day Dinner and the Prix Fixe menu. mixed greens with Seafood was delightful. Linguine with mussels, clams, prawns, calamari was incredible as was the seafood fetucinni. I hear good things about the gnocchi and the steaks. I'll be back.
(4)
Kathy S.

The pasta here is unbelievable! I had the arrabiatta with angel hair (capellini) pasta. The pasta tastes home made and is so filling! There was ample parking and the venue is pretty big. I loved the bread and butter as well! I also asked them for a side of veggies which were cooked perfectly! One negative thing is that the bruschetta wasn't spectacular however I won't let that affect my rating! It was just a little plain tasting.
(5)
Dan E.

I'm not sure I ate at the same restaurant as all of the 4 or 5 star reviewers for this place. Food was buffet-quality and absolutely NOT worth the prices charged. Service was nice, somewhat attentive, but just a little off the mark (e.g. had to be asked twice to refill waters, or brought butter when we asked for water, etc.). Go to Pasta Moon or Cetrella in Half Moon Bay instead -- same prices, much better food and everything else.
(2)
Sanford S.

We had several wonderful meals during our last visit to Half Moon Bay. The ambience, the service and the food were as close to perfect as I can imagine.
(5)
Surjit M.

We waited for our food for a really long time. The food was mediocre, and was priced a little high. I was looking around and there were a lot of people trying to flag down their waiters. I might give it another try but I doubt it. The Indian restaurant that opened up called India beach is a better alternative.
(2)
Angeline C.

Ate here with my husband last year for our 10 year anniversary of being together. Saw great reviews on Yelp and it was close by to where we were staying. Had the salmon ravioli and my husband had the lamb. For dessert we shared a chocolate soufflÃ© and fragola. Overall it was a lovely meal and the ambience was very nice. Next time we are in Half Moon Bay, we will definitely pay another visit!
(5)
Rosquete B.

4* Mezza Luna 459 Prospect Way Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 Italian, nice atmosphere Delicious house bread Nice antipasti, salads, pizzas, pastas We shared the grilled fish for two; the fish was the freshest and absolutely delicious; halibut, salmon, scallops, shrimps, green beans, and mash potatoes. Yum. Friendly food service by Teresa. Nice bar area.
(4)
A J.

I came here with my daughter for lunch. before that I came here by myself, when I was looking for a vacation house. This restaurant locates nicely, close to the water. their food is affordable, but unluckily food was just ok then. Maybe I should try again.
(3)
Madhusudhan R.

Salmon Carpaccio was good, lamb chop in italian herb n wine was too salty but the tiramisu saved the night.
(3)
Jim M.

Went today with a party of 6 and were seated immediately which alone was worth the money given that every other place we tried in the area had an hour wait and we had guests from out of town we wanted to experience HMB. It was a cool, wet, misty foggy day today so eating outdoors at any of the local restaurants was out of the question. Service was great for us, and the food was good but a little pricey ($150 for 6 of us, two of us sharing). Not outrageous but more than some other places in the area. I had cream of zucchini soup, capresi salad and a few at the table had salmon which was pretty good. It was also nice and quiet which made it easier to talk with friends. It's off the path so probably not as easy to find (we had it recommended to us by the folks at another restaurant with too long a wait). So that and the cost might be the reason it wasn't crowded. I would go back.
(5)
Jennifer H.

We celebrated the father's day there. The service was excellent with a good sense of humor. The main course I would love to order was sold out. I got the calamari steak instead. It was really good! The dessert was awesome, too. We will come back again soon.
(4)
Firecat S.

We went for lunch right when it opened at 11:30. At first the service was good, but toward the end of the meal there were weird delays and miscommunications. For example, we asked for two orders of cream puffs and got only one. It was served by a busboy and when we said we had ordered two, he acted like he didn't understand us and said "I'll get your waiter." The waiter took a while to arrive. We asked for a second order of the cream puffs. It was delivered to the serving station right away and sitting there almost within reach for about five minutes before it was conveyed to our table. The restaurant had not become super-crowded in the meantime, so I'm not sure what that was about. The food was overall excellent--superb mozzarella on the caprese salad, flavorful beef stew over polenta, superb house made calabrese sausage, and yummy cream puffs.
(3)
Will D.

Service and food were excellent. I liked the decor and found the price to be reasonable.
(4)
Erin S.

Quaint little place off the beaten track in Princeton-By-The-Sea. Princeton is an interesting little town comprised of hotels, private residences, restaurants, warehouses, bars, & shipyards. It's a strange mix but Mezza Luna is definitely one of the nicer places in town. It looks, acts, & tastes like a fancy restaurant without the high prices. I had the salmon ravioli which was incredible! Homemade ravioli stuffed with fresh salmon in a tomato cream sauce. So decadent! I ate every last bite & would have licked the plate clean. I also tried a slice of Raina S's pizza which was chock full of toppings. To me pizza is all about the crust & the crust at Mezza Luna is soft & fresh. Don't miss out on this gem of a restaurant when you are in Half Moon Bay!
(5)
Amber P.

We were very happy with our meal here on NYE. It was very busy as expected, even though we ate early to go join our friends in the city later in the evening. Our meal was extremely enjoyable and the service very good despite the fact that the place was completely packed.
(4)
Denice M.

One of our favorite places, by far. I never even look at the menu anymore - always get the gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. Everything is authentic. Even the accents :) Creme Brulee is a given, too. You can't go wrong here. ML rocks.
(5)
Tom W.

My girlfriend and I came here based on yelp reviews. I would say Mezza Luna is OK, probably a 2.5 star. I had the special, lobster ravioli and it was tasty but my girlfriend's dish was so so. Coming from SF we were underwhelmed by the food, in light of the reviews. The house wines were good.
(2)
Cami H.

Not true Italian.. The service was good but the food was bland and Olive Garden quality. Does not deserve the 4 star rating it receives.
(2)
F M.

Went there for lunch: great waiter/staff, food was good. We requested a more quiet table with a view of the ocean. At the table we had a Caesar salad, great, prosciutto, melon & olives, good, spaghetti carbonara and linguine with mussels: the best! Typically the mussels are overcooked & rubbery: these were ever so delicate full. We ordered a white sauce that was thin, yet rich with flavor. The bread would have been better had it been warm. Great service: unlimited coffee & attention, but not intrusive. Omar was the waiter. We lucked out, since it was a crazy busy day on the coast & we had a good meal with no rush.
(5)
Allen S.

A nice restaurant especially if you eat in the larger room with a fireplace. We started our evening with an excellent smoked salmon peppercorn carpaccio. Adding the carpaccio to the great bread made an excellent bruschetta type appetizer. For our entrÃ©e we split a seabass special. It came with brocolli and potatoes. The overall flavors were excellent. For desert, we had a chocolate soufflÃ©. Yum. The chocolate oozed out nicely from the soufflÃ©. The food rating is a four star because the items were above average but not exceptional. The presentation was average. I had to downgrade the rating due to service. The server was spread too thin and literally dropped our food on the table without the customary request for anything else we needed. During desert, we asked for coffee and had to wait a long time, without being told why, causing the chocolate soufflÃ© to start getting cold.
(3)
Lola R.

After having lived in France for over a year i don't get all excited when someone says, "Let's get Italian." Meh. I think. Then i agree and then I'm disappointed because once I had eaten Italian food in Italy the rest just pales dramatically in comparison. Let's start from the beginning: Front Door. Hostess. Total hottie. Total snotty. OK, I get it. Yah, I'd totally do you if I was single and lesbian but who gives a shit about how hot you are if you don't SMILE....duh. Total snob. And she made a kind of a, "methrk" noise when I told her my name was Lola. Whatevers....just get me a damn table because I'm effin' HUNGRY because I've been sailing all day, haven't eaten much and what I did eat came back up. She didn't seem to divine alla that from my wretched glare so we were sent outside to wait for 15 minutes. *sigh* I gotta work on my death stare. Oh and PS, I happen to LIKE my name you snot-rag. Decor...lovely. Waiters also hotties with less snotty but thick Italian accents. Maybe faked, maybe not. Service at the table is actually really good. Menu is lovely. Really lovely. Apps: Carpaccio all the way. Good lord was satisfying. Calamari - meh - just OK - I'm not a fan of fried calamari so maybe it's good and I just don't know it. The muscles are a religious experience. Now for the good part...the food is outta this world. Pasta made on the premises that is cooked PERFECTLY al dente. I've had several dishes there now and my faves are the Cornish Game Hen, Zuppa del Pescatore, and any of their pastas. Their fresh seasonal fish is also stunningly delish. Their desserts are enough to make a grown man cry. Never tire the pizza, hear it's good though. Their coffee is fantastic. Best cappuccino I've had since Italy. All foam and expresso, not a latte dressed up as a cappuccino. Yummers!! pps..I'll give you a dollar if you can get the hostess to smile. ;-)
(5)
Rolf H.

Dear Readers, so, as locals, we finally tried this place! In a nutshell: food was good, I mean REALLY good, authentic Italian, but we didn't feel the love! The Ambiente: nice room, nice tables, we had a great place with a view to the sea / harbor. It looks a bit Italian actually. What we really liked was that the fact that the ambient noise was really low and neither did we have to yell against music nor against all the other guests. The Service: Yes, they were friendly, service friendly. But we didn't feel the love! We were asked in a friendly manner what we wanted, service was there when needed, but it felt as if management told the waiters not to interact too much with the guests so not reveal that none of them spoke more than 5 Italian words or so. The Food: Yeah, that's what it did for us! We had the daily fresh from the sea specials: halibut and scallops. VERY good! The sides: salt potatoes with rosemary and sautÃ©ed spinach. Very yummy! Wine was good. AND: they had GREAT espresso! The Prices: very reasonable, not cheap, but not too expensive either. Both dishes were around 24$ which seemed ok for fresh seafood. Will we be back - for sure!
(4)
Shannon F.

This place is a little treasure with absolutely phenomenal Italian food!! Muah!! Came here on a dreary rainy day in the mood for some fine, classic Italian food. After talking to a few locals and there raves over this little gem, we decided to check them out. Very charming, typical white linen fine dining restaurant, though not over the top fancy and still comfortable enough to dress casual. We were seated by the window, over looking the beautiful crashing waves of half moon bay. Dreary as of a day it was, it was actually quite nice. We started it off with the appetizer "Insalat Caprese", which is Tomatoes Topped with mozzarella cheese nicely drizzled with olive oil. Tomatoes were thick, juicy and succulent, mozzarella cheese had a nice thick rich texture and the olive oil just topped it off perfect, very flavorful. For my Entree I ordered the "Salmone alla Dolores" which is a Salmon fillet drenched in a fabulous brandy cream sauce, along side a beautiful bed of vegetables. Fish was cooked to Perfection!!! Tender, juicy and succulently amazing! The brandy sauce that wonderfully enveloped this salmon was rich, creamy and so incredibly flavorful, the combination or everything came to gether beautiful and had my taste buds dancing. You know, I forget what exactly my friend ordered, but I had a bite and it was amazing as well. I do however remember the dessert... ;) Yes, you can not leave with out topping off fabulous food, with out a fabulous dessert After over looking the decadent selection of desserts to choose from, we came to the decision on the oh so wonderful sounding, CrÃ¨me Brule , also a recommendation from our server. And yes it was Oh so make me wanna cry, fantastically good. Perfecectly crisp golden outer shell, encasing the rich and creamy custard within the middle...Mmmmm take me away, orgasm in your mouth Incredible!! Ended this experience with nice rich, foamy cappuccino!! Overall service was decent, not the absolute best but good enough .Atmosphere was nice, quite and relaxing and the food was exquisite as well as memorable. I will definitely be back.
(4)
ashley t.

Really good food. Nice atmosphere.Wonderful service. Cute town. I'd go back again for sure.
(4)
Martin B.

Great service, nice ambiance, the pizza was ok Calamari app. was light and tender. Garlic bread was really good as was the Pesto pasta my friend ordered. I would try it again if the oppourtinity presents itself. Prices are good for what could be a tourist trap.
(3)
Janaia R.

PROS: -Excellent service! We dreadingly had to bring our 2 year old along to this restaurant since a) we traveled from out of town for the weekend (no babysitter) and b) It was for a family 60th anniversary dinner for ALL 25 members of our family, kids included. Our 2 year old daughter had an absolute meltdown like we've never seen and the staff were completely and utterly professional about it, trying to help the best they could. They could have said something snarky or asked us to take her out (which would have been completely justified), but they were totally professional about it and didn't make us feel any worse than we already did (big thank you)! -Food. The food was fairly good, not outstanding (but in their defense, since we were a party of 25, we were given only two menu options of either salmon or quail. Me not being a fan of salmon, I ordered the quail). The quail was very savory, but I wasn't left wanting more after I finished it. However, the gelato was TO DIE FOR. From what I could tell, it was a mixture of vanilla, chocolate and hazelnut (and possibly pistachio)? Absolutely delish, GET THE GELATO! -Ambaince. Nice decor both on the interior AND exterior. CONS: -Loud. If you are looking for a quiet, intimate dinner...this is not your place. Luckily for us, it was loud enough to mask the noise of the giant tantrum our overly tired 2 year old decided to have IN the restaurant, so I don't actually think a lot of people hear her. OVERALL: Would definitely come back here again....but without tantrum throwing toddler :)
(4)
Nick R.

just in tune with its current average, I'm giving this restaurant a 4-star rating. Very good kitchen. Not cheap, of course. Fish and steaks - all cooked to order. Good atmosphere and service is at the level, too. Not much more to say, really. Not the best in the world, but pretty darn good.
(4)
Anh D.

The delicious food + the ambiance + the service that night = 4.5 stars. For our first night in Half Moon Bay for our anniversary trip, my husband and I decided to eat at Mezza Luna. The restaurant is beautiful. We ate in the larger room. It is gorgeously dimly lit with high ceilings, a flickering and warm fireplace and twinkly Christmas lights in a wide, open space with many windows surrounding the restaurant. We were actually seated next to a table of three Italian people visiting from Italy, and they seemed to love and devour the food, which boded well for our imminent meal. The owner of the restaurant came out and spoke to the Italian table for a while, and it is so exciting to see a "family-owned" Italian restaurant with an Italian owner, especially now when there are Italian restaurants everywhere and Olive Gardens popping up like weeds. Anyway, let's get to it. The menu had many delicious-sounding selections, but here's what we picked and how we liked it: - Lasagna: I had the lasagna (which the menu told us needed 15 minutes to come out -- thank you for the notice), which was delicious! Layers of pork sausage, pasta, bolognese sauce, onions, cheese, and bechamel sauce (I'm assuming -- it was a white sauce). Totally hit the spot after a long day of swimming and sunning and then hitting the 60-degree weather in Half Moon Bay. - Lamb chops: Perfect salty, peppery crust on the outside. My husband received 5 lambchops on his plate perfectly grilled with a kind of light gremolata that was full of Italian herbs (including rosemary) with some sauteed roasted purple potatoes and sauteed beans. Heavenly -- my husband was a happy camper. - Creme brulee: We've heard good things about the chocolate souffle, but we were in the mood for something lighter and fruitier, so we had the creme brulee, which had innumerable specks of black vanilla bean interspersed throughout the perfectly creamy smooth custard hiding under a torched sweet crust and slightly emacerated berries (blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries), some mint leaves, and a light dusting of powdered sugar. I've heard some good things about the carpaccio, which is one of my truest loves in life, so I'd love to come back for that. Our server was attentive to us in the beginning but then got very busy with three very large parties coming in later in the evening, and it did take us a while to get our check. Not a major issue, but I only mention it, because others seem to note that this could be a burgeoning problem for Mezza Luna. However, our dinner at Mezza Luna was a great way to kickstart our anniversary weekend trip. Thank you!
(4)
Raina S.

Looking to ditch the HMB Pumpkin Festival crowds, we only had to go a couple of blocks off Hwy 1 to find that Mezza Luna wasn't crowded -- yay! Of course, it was about 4:30 in the afternoon, way too early for dinner. Service was a little slow, given there were only a few other occupied tables in the restaurant, but it was professional nonetheless. I think the prices are very reasonable. Yelper Erin S. tried the salmon ravioli, which was delicious. It had some unidentifiable herb inside which was a perfect compliment to the seafood. I had the prosciutto and mushroom pizza, which was quite tasty. I'm a sucker for a thin crust. My daughter had her favorite linguine with clams in red sauce. It was a huge bowl of pasta. She didn't finish it, of course, but I didn't mind since I'm going to have the rest for dinner tonight! Mezza Luna has a small list of wines by the glass, but the options are good ones. There is also a full bar (and a bar area in the back of the restaurant where you can watch sports in a more casual environment). One downside of this restaurant is with the takeout service. The food quality is good, but you need to check your order before leaving to make sure you got what you wanted. We had so many mix ups we gave up altogether.
(4)
Jerome R.

Came here, kind of dirty, straight from horseback riding at Seahorse Ranch down the highway. Very charming and bright with sunlight and a beautiful view of the bay. My friend and I each had a Rum Punch, which was delicious. I ordered the Pizza alla Calabrese and she had the salmon. Holy crap! That was the most delicious pizza I've ever had. The crust was amazing, with all of its definite layers from the kneading and the homemade pork sausage with the mushrooms were incredible. Her salmon was outstanding as well. To quote her, "This makes me so happy, I could hit a bitch." The main waiter/server was very friendly, warm, attentive, and HANDSOME! WOW! He also spoke Italian and was conversing with several patrons, whom I assumed were regulars by the way they were interacting. After our amazing entrees, we had the fragola, which is strawberry ice cream on top of a layer of cheesecake. Done. It was naptime after that. The combination of great service, great food, and great atmosphere/scenery definitely makes this place a spot I'd love to return to.
(5)
Brian J.

Enjoyed my first visit to MezzaLuna - we were there on Easter Sunday for an early dinner. Friendly greeting and a nice table by the window overlooking the harbor, service was a little spotty at first but as the place got busy, it came up to speed. Caprese salad came out very nice (and plentiful) but I found it needed a touch of balsamic - luckily there was some on the table I could use. Prawns came out a little over cooked, but still good with a tomato/caper sauce with a nice little bite. Spimoni and coffee finished the meal. I'm about 90 minutes from Half Moon Bay and if I was in the area looking for dinner, I would definitely come back to MezzaLuna.
(4)
JIm G.

This restaurant is a good reason to visit Half Moon Bay. We live in Mendocino county, and whenever we are within 30 miles of Mezza Luna we contrive a reason to go. "Graduation ceremony for our nephew in Santa Cruz? Let's go to Mezza Luna" You get the idea. The reason? Great food, fresh ingredients, no problems with our own weird dietary kinks. This place feels very authentic, it's not fancy, it's not the best Italian food we've ever had... but from LA to Mendo, it's the most consistent and delicious experience we've found. I wouldn't compare it with SF restaurants, but those wouldn't be at the end of a dreamy coastal ride from Santa Cruz... They'd be in the congestion of SF.
(4)
Christina W.

I have been here several times. The other day, we ordered the prawns sauteed in garlic. So amazing! We also had the tiramisu and bignets. So delicious. Authentic italian food, not Americanized!
(5)
Jay J.

Great Italian food, if you are coming to HMB for a nice night out-- definitely a spot worthy of checking out for food!
(5)
Jimberly W.

3 stars. Read: Average. Not bad but not great. Some almost standout moments. House red wine was better than expected. Crab pasta was pretty good, but the bay's across the street, so it should be, right? The pizza was disappointing - remind us a bit of Pizza Hut. Maybe you're in to that sort of thing. The gelato was arguably the best part, but it was almost indistinguishable from Breyers.
(3)
Jennifer S.

Great Italian food. The lamb shank could have been a little less fatty and more meaty but the sauce and mashed potatoes were yummy. I've also had the lasagna and halibut the lasagna is the best! It tastes just like grandmas homemade lasagna soooo good. The desserts are also great if you order the soufflÃ© understand that you will have to wait for it and it is well worth the wait.
(4)
Melanie H.

We were greated with buongiorno and led to a table by the window with a view of the water. The waiter was very friendly, assured me the artichoke soup of the day was vegetarian. It was delicious, so was the pasta special, goat cheese ravioli with bolognese sauce but for me marinara. I don't usually have desert but made an exception and had one of several things on the desert menu that sounded wonderful, it was. On the way out I noticed a roaring fire in a much bigger room but was happy we'd had the water view. Don't know why it's taken us so long to try this place, we will return.
(4)
LYNN W.

The service here was really shining -- efficient, polite, & well-timed. Lovely spirits with generous pours, fresh bread, & nicely dressed Ceasar. One star ding for minor things: would have liked an anchovy or two atop the salad, and a bit more of the yummy sauces on the pastas. However, this was definitely a great dinner out!
(4)
Stephanie S.

Yum! Came here with my boyfriend and another couple that we are close friends with. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I had the steak (no surprises there) and it was delicious! It came with fingerling potatoes and green beans. The steak had rosemary on top which was a nice additional flavor. Everyone else at the table had a pasta dish, and they all finished their meals. My steak was pretty big so I had to get the rest to go. My only two real complaints are small. We were seated at a very odd table that was much too long dor just four of us, and also we had to wait a while for a table despite having a reservation, however I believe there were a few Christmas parties finishing up because Santa Claus was leaving as we arrived, and he was followed by a gaggle of young girls who seemed disappointed at his departure. Otherwise everything was amazing! The service was great and very friendly and I loved the atmosphere, it was a very pleasant setting.
(5)
Myron B.

HMB is a nice getaway from Santa Cruz. Beautiful scenery, nice people and excellent Restaurants. This is one. My wife and Son ate here Friday evening. We sat in a cozy corner ( nicer than the bar area). We started with one entree lamb chops as our appetizer, because a yelper said it was the best he ever had. Quite delicious! I had the special Veal Chop with mushroom sauce. Perfectly cooked. The sauce was thin but was a good pairing for the veal. Broccoli and warm polenta were the sides. My wife had the red snapper which she loved. My son the gnocchi but he asked them to add prawns. Outstanding dish. Service was quite good. For desert we shared the chocolate soufflÃ©. It was really a chocolate lava cake. We should have ordered ice cream with it. All in all an excellent meal.
(4)
C. Ann B.

Really good food and great, friendly service. I liked that they accommodated our table of 4 adults and 4 kids without being snobby. The mussels are fantastic and perfectly cooked. The beef carpaccio was pretty standard and the gnocci was amazing! The tables are nicely spread so you don't feel crowded. A lot of older diners, but I think that it's the norm in Half Moon Bay!
(4)
david c.

Great location. Good food. Excellent service. Waiter franchesco is especially knowledgeable and friendly. Will recommend to anyone;)
(5)
Laura T.

This is hands down the loveliest and most delicious Italian food EVER!!!!! From the calamari to the tiramisu, OUTSTANDING!!! I had the rack of lamb for dinner, and would highly recommend it! My brother gave me a bite of his veal, and that was to die for as well. The owners seem to be THE BEST EVER as well... LOVED IT!!!
(5)
Michele B.

I ordered the Capellini dell'Orto angel hair pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic sounds good doesn't it? Well it wasn't had no flavor, it was just thrown in a bowl it did not look appetizing at all. I ate a few bites then asked for a container and gave it to my friend he likes everything. There was a wedding reception or after party there were at least 75 or more people in this party so it was very loud, they were standing up making toast, clapping, handing out gifts, taking pictures and all you saw were the camera flash it was very annoying. They needed there own room. Would I go back probably not the waiters were not friendly and for what we ordered 2 pasta dishes and 1 beer and ice tea over 40 bucks.
(2)
Joe S.

Had the recent Thanksgiving dinner there. They have an excellent olive oil for dipping their bread (good bread, overly-salty/garlicky focaccia). I had a very good appetizer -- turkey meatballs and wild mushrooms on polenta. My wife liked the pumpkin soup, which I thought was quite delicate. My wife had the dinner special, a ballotine of turkey breast. I would have roasted it with a fatty cover (such as caul fat or pancetta) but they did not and it was quite dry, being white meat turkey. I, on the other hand, had the best canneloni -- real pasta crepes stuffed with veal, spinach and cheese -- that I've had at any restaurant; smothered in a perfect rose-cream sauce. We arrived earlier than our reservation but were given a very cozy table. Because we arrived early, the restaurant was only 1/4 full so service was timely. I'm not sure the wait staff understands the menu 100%. I will give this place another try.
(3)
Deborah F.

11/19/11 was a fabulous day! My new hubby and I hosted a wedding luncheon at Mezza Luna and our expectations were met 100% Blanca, the banquet coordinator, was amazing, the entire staff was attentive and did a fantastic job! Our guests RAVED about the food; they absolutely loved every single bite! We are sooooo very grateful to the entire Mezza Luna staff for making our wedding luncheon a beautiful event. I'd recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants top quality, excellent food at a reasonable price and the perfect location! Milli Grazie Mezza Luna Debi Fernandez & Bill McKenzie
(5)
Chris K.

Eh, it was a mixed bag and the more I think about it, it was a pretty crappy dining experience. We were celebrating our anniversary sans kids and eating out without them is a a pretty special experience. First off they seated us in a cramped corner by the entry way that gave me an awesome view of a messy coat closet...great! The restaurant is extremely noisy and tables were so close together I heard all sorts of interesting conversation. Not under their control, but one of our dining companions was obviously paying for his company and there was lots of heavy petting that made my stomach turn. The service was VERY rushed. Here are the drinks we ordered, the BAM there was the salad. BAM, here comes the entree. DH had an issue w/ his beer being flat and we'd literally eaten our salads and been served our main course before the issue was dealt with. The food was okay. DH's pizza margherita was pretty good and large. I ordered the prawns (gamberoni alla roberto). Mashed potatoes were good, chard was gritty and the spicy tomato sauce my prawns were in was way, way over salted. Chocolate souffle lacked enough chocolate in my opinion and tasted more of egg than much else. In the end we were left wondering why we hadn't gone to Barbara's or the Brewery instead since it wasn't a very romantic dinner anyhow.
(2)
Manisha S.

3.5 stars after having lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Started with the asparagus soup. Kind of bland - broth based rather than cream which is much more healthy but not as tasty! Hubby and I split a pizza - half Margherita/ half veggie which was pretty good and authentic. Kids split a penne and a side of veggies. Wait staff was very nice and accommodating.
(3)
Alex F.

Exceptional food. Authentic Italian eatery with several Italian nationals on staff and an amazing chef. Dishes here tend to be more authentic and better prepared than those at other local Italian eateries. Favorite dishes: Insalata Caprese to start, Tortellini alla Crema e funghi (homemade meat tortellini sauteed with Parma ham and mushrooms served in a cream sauce), Lamb Chops (phenomenal as well), and my wife's favorite: Salmon Ravioli. Very very good all around. As a local, I frequent a lot of local restaurants and we tend to 'refresh' by revisiting places that we didn't love the first time around. When it comes to Mezza Luna, it's been love from the start. This place has remained consistently mind-blowing in terms of ambiance, quality of food and service. If they had a sixth star, I'd give it to them.
(5)
Dania D.

Went to dinner here for the first time a few nights ago and had a wonderful experience. Our server was so nice and didn't check in on us so much that we couldn't enjoy a conversation (that tends to be a pet peeve of mine when dining out). The prices were definitely reasonable and the portions were perfect. I ordered the tortellini and you could tell the quality they put into each dish just by looking at it. Everything we ordered was so delicious--me and my date just looked at each other with goofy smiles the entire time...words couldn't describe how amazing the food tasted! We made it a goal to save room for dessert. I ordered the pastry puffs and he got the creme brulee. I loved my choice but let me tell ya, that creme brulee was pure perfection. I've ordered it at other restaurants but always got some super sugary concoction but Mezza Luna knows what they're doing! The atmosphere was nice and cozy with dim lighting, a fireplace and even though there was quite a few people, it wasn't noisy so I could actually hear what my date was saying. The next time I find myself in Half Moon Bay, I will be dining at Mezza Luna again! Any fan of delicious, authentic Italian food must check this place out!
(5)
Elizabeth H.

We have visited this place three times now, and only managed to have dinner the second time we went. The other times the place was so understaffed, that we left after not being presented with menus after 25 minutes. This place only functions when you go during the week when they are not busy, otherwise you are out of luck. The hostess/owner, who whoever she is, could not care less. Neither time she offered an apology for their tardiness. One gets the impression that if you leave, it doesnt matter, because other people will take your place, so why should they bother. The apathy from the owners is also apparent to me as they never respond to negative yelp reviews on here. Two stars for the location, and the food is decent, if you can actually order something.
(2)
Kannika L.

Came here on a Saturday for Lunch. The service was great, they were timely and attentive. We ordered the calamari which was nice and light. The bruschetta was not what we expected because they just placed a slice of dressed tomato on top of bread that is rubbed with garlic. If the bread was toasted and had some olive oil, it would have been much better. I ordered the Linguine della Baia and requested it to be spicy which they delivered. The pasta was not al dente, but overall, it was a good dish. I would come back to try some other dishes.
(3)
Matthew F.

Hands down thee most authentic Italian Food in the entire Bay Area! Me and my girlfriend would visit this restaurant several times a month after long days spent Surfing in Half Moon Bay area. The flavors are very rich and unique, as soon as the food hits your taste buds you know it came from Italian cooks! The service is generally very good and at times can be a little wait, but in most cases not. It just depends on how much service is really being attended by! ;) The dress code is quite casual, as I could go surfing and throw on some prep like ware and walk right in and be comfortably seated w/o questioning. As the restaurant will easily be noticed as a place to be fed, not to be judged in any manner. Lastly to add, if you are a fettuccine Alfredo dish freak like myself. You will never find another quite as good and as fresh and properly made as Mezza Luna's! I Guarantee it! :)
(5)
Gun-Ik P.

I came here with my family when their dinner hours began and the place filled up pretty quick. As per the many Yelp reviews, I tried the "Tortellini alla Crema e funghi," which is a creamy mushroom tortellini dish. It was amazing: not so rich and creamy that you have to stop eating, but quite the opposite - rich and creamy just enough to make you want more. The portion was just the right size after a brushetta appetizer and their bread, which they make themselves. If you're from the San Francisco area and you're looking for a great date spot, this is definitely it. Take a nice, moderately long, yet scenic, drive down Highway 1, grab some great food, and watch the sun set.
(4)
joe w.

What I like most about this restaurant are the view of the ocean plus the food value for the money. Specifically, I recommend the lasagna and salmon ravioli and chocolate souffle. My gourmet vocabulary is simply inadequate for praising the souffle. Seats near the window are really nice too. Wait staff really went out of their way to make us feel important.
(5)
Lupe P.

This restaurant was highly recommended by a close family friend for our VERY SPECIAL OCCASION: my husband's 80th Birthday - Thurs, June 7th. Our party of 5 had a late lunch; lovely ambiance and great view. We all ordered something different and none of us were disappointed: food was very good. Food server was pleasant and friendly. So, WHY the 2 STARS only? Because even though the fact was mentioned a couple of times --that this was an 80th Birthday celebration -- at the end of the meal, our $150.00 tab (not inc tip) was presented and NOTHING was offered to my husband, i.e. a complimentary dessert /not even a scoop of gelato. I expected more from Mezza Luna.
(2)
Shaun S.

Great service, great ambience, great food!
(5)
Jeanette G.

Mezzaluna defininitely earns a top rating. Excellent food in a great dining room with a view of the harbor - a perfect combination for a great evening!
(5)
Gracie S.

Great food great service, great people nothing more to say. Roberto and his staff put 100% in all they do. a must if you are in the Half Moon Bay Area
(5)
Chuck N.

Saturday, 4:30PM. **This review is repeated for the other Mezza Luna listing Reservation for 20? Oh you know we were celebrating! Family and friends in high spirits with one of our members graduating so we couldn't help but be jubilant. Lady of the hour wanted to eat dinner by the water, so Mezza Luna it was... +Sweet setup: clean, rustic, and great spacing +Big screen by the bar (though they should've been showing hoops instead of 'futbol!') +Secondary servers promptly refilled beverages and bread baskets - Head waiter was abrasive (haste service and conveyed a rushed vibe) - Quality-to-price ratio is LOW (cost does not justify quality of food) Grubbed on: 1. Gamberi alla Roberto (prawns sauteÃ©d with garlic, white wine and capers in a spicy tomato sauce) +Prawns were succulent, each bite full of flavors from sauce +'Taters mashed nicely, garlic and hints of butter with each spoonful +Greens were firm and tasty (cooked similar to bok choy and garlic) - Only 5-6 prawns!? Ack! - Half a scoop of mash potatoes; jacked me on the other half! And then...? Folks are saying the pasta dishes were delicious, so I probably should have ordered one of those entrees instead. I can see this venue being conducive to a good date night, not so hoppin' for big groups.
(2)
Chelsea L.

This place is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! We each had a salad (mixed green and caesar, $6 and 7), shared the Penne del Pastore (tube pasta sauteÃ©d with eggplant, tomato and scamorza, $13.50), and then also shared the little custard filled puff balls (about 6). Everything was soooo good! Honestly, both of us were so amazed at how awesome the food tasted. AND everyone that works here is SUPER friendly and nice. It seems like sometimes the staff at successful establishments (such as other well known Italian restaurants in HMB) get this snotty attitude, acting like you owe them something. Not at Mezza Luna! The owner is nice, all of the hostesses seemed very friendly and the waiters are just super good at what they do (and nice too!). If there were a possibility of many more stars this place would get them!
(5)
Richard P.

Antipasta di giorna was vegetarian. I could have gone for a little prosciutto. The swordfish was done very well. Nothing to write home about, but very tasty. $40 Italian Brut - seriously delicious, especially considering the price. Chocolate souffle was to die for. Chocolate mousse cake was also excellent. They happily changed our reservation from 8 to 7 at 5:30 despite the fact they showed no tables available on OpenTable. If you don't trust OpenTable, why even bother? $5 house port was surprisingly good.
(4)
Petunia L.

So, i would've given this restaurant 5 stars based on my meal of spaghetti with asparagus and pancetta in a light olive oil with garlic,was fantastic as was the service! But it made me sad that they ran out of their chocolate cheesecake dessert, therefore 3 stars because a lola without chocolate is a very unhappy lola indeed.
(3)
Ismat I.

It was my first time here. First glance of the menu showed variety and reasonable prices - in a tourist zone! Wine list is reasonable as well and corkage is $15 if you bring your own bottle. We wanted to keep it cheap so we went for the house chianti for $20. Third party brand with DOCG marque. Good table wine. Their bread is made on the premises and is an excellent artisanal crusty Italian loaf. Lovely crust and dough texture! Served with a fruity olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Four of us shared a sausage pizza as an appetizer. Thin crust and tasty! The dough had just the right amount of salt, the sauce was tasty, and the sausage was good! Our entrees consisted of: 1) Lasagna - two of us had this dish. Large serving! The kind of lasagna mama would make. The right balance of pasta, tasty sauce, sausage, and cheese. A bit too salty for my liking though but it didn't stop me from enjoying it! 2) Salmon ravioli - home made large ravioli with lots of flavorful salmon in a delicate, creamy tomato sauce. Very nice! 3) Seafood linguine - loaded with mussel, squid, shrimp, etc. The seafood was overcooked and sauce didn't have enough garlic for my liking. I'd give this a pass next time. Yes, there will definitely be a next time! Service was prompt and friendly.
(4)
arun s.

I went with my wife for dinner, and it was great that we were seated as soon as we got in. Having eaten at other fine San Francisco restaurants, I thought the food here was good, but not spectacular. More than the food, there are the little things that need to be fixed. 1. We'd asked for water without ice, and 30 seconds later, some other waiter dumps two glasses of water - you guessed it, iced - on our table. 2. I ordered soup, but there was no sign of it, and I didn't bother to ask again. When the bill shows up, the soup was one of the items listed. I pointed out the error, and the issue was fixed. Still, it is irritating. 3. I'd asked for coffee to be given to me after dessert, but after our dessert, we just got the bill, with no mention of the coffee. I had to ask for the coffee again, and got it. In my mind, good food is a necessary condition for a good restaurant, but it's not sufficient. It's all these little things that matter as much as the food itself. Verdict : Decent food, but I can go to a lot of other better spots.
(3)
Roland V.

Our first time here. Very nice traditional Italian food. Will definitely be back. Feels like Italy.
(5)
Laura L.

Absolutely impeccable service from the moment we walked in until the moment we left. I'm givng Mezza Luna's in Half Moon Bay 4 stars for this reason alone as lately I have not found a restaurant with this high quality of service. Now, let's talk about the food. Being italian, I love my carbs and pasta. I have to say that I will be dreaming about the homemade gnocci with gorgonzola sauce. It was absolutely delicious. Don't miss ordering this dish either with the gorgonzola or red sauce. I also had Veal piccata, bruschetta, and a cesar salad to start. We were not disappointed with our selections and I would highly recommend Mezza Luna's if you like italian food. Happy Food Hunting!
(4)
Mimi W.

Linguine de bia is to DIE for!!! I recommend it to all my friends, the calamari is another fav... Don't think I've had anything here I didn't really care for great place bad location. Practically in the middle of nowhere but worth the drive
(4)
sharon f.

There are times when I can feel the pull of the ocean. Today was an exceptional day - blue sky and bright sunshine in South City. I took off for the coast. As I drove along Hi-way 92 the ocean air brought the joy of life back to me. I went to Main Street in Half Moon Bay first thing. It was rather early for lunch and I felt like a tourist. I went through two book stores first. A tiny mistake since I needed to carry my purchases with me as I checked out the original clothes across the street. The colors and dreamy fabrics tempted me only once to purchase something. I left behind 3 other things that I'm sure would have worked well into my wardrobe but, gotta leave something for someone else. The bakery was a treat to inhale. It was a reminder for me to hurry up and get down to business. I had a hunger only Mezza Luna could satisfy. The drive to Princeton reminded me of how much I have always found great peace on the coast. It was an awesome view which made driving absolutely fun. I began the feast with fried calamari. It was in the lightest of batters and plenty of the crispy curly thingies I especially enjoy. San Francisco french bread is devine. I dipped it into the olive oil and vinegar as I waited for the ceasar salad and smoked salmon to arrive. I took my time so I could make the flavors last. Halibut with a light wine sauce and capers were joined by small white potatoes and fresh asparagus Marvelous colors and scents graced my table . I was really feeling I'd overdone this unplanned lunch. . . . . .Still I couldn't resist. Tiny bites savored slowly was all I could find room for. In fact, I only ate half of everything I ordered because I have a rather small appetite with a big imagination. 'To go' boxes ensured me I wouldn't be cooking tonight. Think I'll have dinner outdoors on the deck by the lofty redwood tree.
(5)
Sean D.

Boo-YA. I've been going to Mezza Luna ever since its first location on highway 1 next to the HMB board shop. always super consistent. excellent food. excellent service. but crowded on the weekends! what should i expect? I'm a local so i get impatient. so make a reservation unless you don't mind waiting 10-20 minutes. Never too long of a wait unless its a holiday & and a beautiful sunny day. Never had a bad experience here and I've been at least 50 times.
(5)
Elise M.

My friends and I visited Half Moon Bay and just happened upon Mezza Luna after searching long and hard for a decently priced cafe. The employees were helpful and polite. We asked a lot of questions and struggled through some of the Italian words on the menu, and they bared it gracefully. The menu itself was very authentic. I am Italian and have high standards for what is claimed as such. The pastries were nicely displayed and all looked delectable. I ordered the Piadina Prosciutto and an iced chai. Both were delicious. My friends enjoyed their meals as well. We ended the meal with some delicious Tiramisu. The only drawback was the bathroom. It was poorly lit and very odorous. The trash also hid the toilet seat covers.
(4)
Matt C.

Pizza A La Cabrese (wood-fired pizza with sausage and mushrooms) was, quite simply -- the BEST pizza I've ever tried. My wife enjoyed her Veal Scallopini, it had lots of capers (the way she likes them). Only down side is the prices, and the automatic 18% gratuity for tables of 6 or more. Also, some folks may find "Francisco" (our waiter) to be a wee bit hokey -- his thick Italian accent reminded us of the spaghetti scene in "Lady And The Tramp"..
(4)
Gloria A.

After some research on Yelp, I chose this restaurant based on previous reviews for my Birthday Lunch on my day trip up the coast of HWY 1. Well, my fellow Yelpers did not disappoint. The Fillet Mignon Carpaccio was DELICIOUS. The capers and freshly shredded parm were a nice touch! Our second course was the Antipasto platter for 2, and we would have been okay with just that for our lunch. :) It included caprese salad, bruschetta, grilled veggies, and marinated mushrooms, roasted red peppers and pickled beets. For our main course, we had the Smoked Salmon and Mascarpone Cheese pizza. OH ME OH MY. I feel as if every pizza I will eat from now on will be grossly inadequate after having tasted this GEM! On par with the food were the SERVICE and the VALUE. We left with all three courses and a bottle of wine for $55! (NOT A TYPO, that's right - an sizable appetizer, two main courses, a bottle of '09 Riesling, AND the tip for $70). Throw in the picturesque Harbor views and the comped dessert I received (homemade ice-cream with fresh strawberries) and I just might consider moving to Half Moon Bay!
(5)
Michaele T.

I like it, my kid likes it - enough said! Great food and more reasonably priced than It's Italia downtown. We have never had a bad experience here. Service is great. Oh yeah one more thing...if you go ANYWHERE on Valentine's Day for dinner, expect fixed menus and higher prices.
(4)
Amanda K.

Solid, I guess. We were actually in and out of there in under an hour, I think, which says great things about the service, which was pleasant. The view we got of the side street and parking lot left a little to be desired, but I know not every restaurant has a 5-star view. Still, I guess I sort of feel that, if your restaurant doesn't look anywhere interesting, huge picture-windows are perhaps not the best way to go. More lovely, warm paint and some artwork might provide more visual interest. Food was fine, not necessarily overpriced, but also not "wow, it's dancing on my tongue" delicious. I got the bolognese and I was satisfied with it. Oil and vinegar with the bread was a nice touch. Honestly not much to say. It was fine, which maybe rates closer to three stars than four, but I usually reserve three stars for things that make me think "meh" atonally. This makes me think "meh" with an uptilt at the end, leading me to believe there might be some gems on the menu, if you only chose the right items.
(4)
Kai Y.

We went there for a late lunch. We ordered the appetizer Carpaccio di Salmone, it was fine and not too salty. We also ordered Linguine della Baia and Zuppa del Pescatore, both dishes were quite good, but nothing too spectacular. The prices were decent. However, we were disappointed at the wine quality, especially this is an Italian restaurants, we were expecting some good wine. The location of the restaurant is quite nice, you can see the bay view. The service was quite good. Overall, this place doesn't flunk, but it doesn't impress, either. I think I'll go back there again, though not any time soon.
(4)
Patricia F.

Maybe it is because I had been eating excellent food in the HMB/Pescadero area for 3 days before I came here, and expected better from the ratings. We came for dinner after hiking around near the Mavericks viewing points (no contest this week, but fun to hike around anyway). I didn't want anything fried, and so we decided to try Italian. I should have known when I walked in that their menu was way too big to be fresh or creative. Nevertheless, my husband and I decided to give it a try. I ordered the mushroom and something pizza. The crust was ok, but the mushrooms were clearly NOT fresh and the cheese wasn't anything I couldn't buy at any local safeway or ralph's mid-grade grocery. My husband can't even remember what he had...raviolis maybe...and they, too, were bland and just ok. One star because they are in one of the greatest produce producing areas in the state and they don't make use of it.
(1)
Robin M.

Pasta dishes to die for! Fresh bread too. I have only been here for dinner so I'm not sure how Mezza Luna is during the day. The restaurant is often packed during dinner time so reservations are a good idea.
(4)
Linda P.

Mezza Luna's food is absolutey fabulous. Always fresh, delicious and makes your tummy feel soooo good. The wine list is exciting and affordable which makes you feel good too. The bar is great. The staff and owner's always make you feel welcome and they are very children friendly. If you want a romantic, quiet lunch or dinner they will seat you away from families with children. The staff and owners are very considerate to customers. Linda
(5)
P M.

We tried this place for dinner and we thought this place was awesome. The bread they put out is fresh and perfect - crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. YUM!!! The Ceasar salad was VERY flavorful. We tried a gnocchi special that was delicious. We also had the calamari, which was perfect. The breading was light and the calamari was really good. I had a shrimp dish that was spicy - highly recommend that. Other dishes at the table: lasagna - got excellent reviews; veal involtini - also excellent reviews; salmon with a caper sauce - awesome! Tried the crÃ¨me brulee for dessert and it was very, very good. We will definitely be going to back to try some more of their menu items.
(4)
Nicole C.

Yet again, another restaurant that my fiance and I went to with my parents and actually is VERY good despite what others have said on here. The service is ALWAYS good, which is a big deal in my dads eyes who used to be in food service YEARS ago. Great food, everything i've ever had has been fantastic. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone!
(4)
Dan Q.

Absolutely fantastic. The Tortalini was to super and the servers were wonderful. Strongly recommend.
(4)
Ronda S.

We waked to this restaurant from our hotel. Building was old and quaint. Food was delicious. If only our waiter was nicer. We had been at beach most of day and although we cleaned up I guess we didn't meet his standards.
(3)
Ken M.

I've been waiting two years to try Mezza Luna (no...the line was NOT that long to get in). Anyway, my wife and I went to lunch and our impression was much the same as other reviewers, generally tasty, well prepared food selections and fairly attentive and non-pushy almost-authentic-Italian wait service. Our dining selections included lasagna and one of the afternoon specials, a pork chop in mushroom sauce. The lasagna and pork chop dishes, while not generous portions, were enough to keep the fires lit until dinner. Salads and desserts add extra charges to the bill. Mezza Luna offers a more upscale dining experience than typical area restaurants. The conversation at the table behind us included a gentleman gently but loudly chiding his female companion for being oxymoronic in her description of their "diappointingly wonderful" food selection. The merits of the Planetarium at the Academy of Sciences radiated from the adjoining table. Last, none of the wait staff greeted us "casual reference to males" or "wires used to support poles or other free-standing structures"--GUYS! We'll probably try this restaurant again when we're in the area. Prices were reasonable and the food good.
(4)
Natalie O.

We really liked this place! We made a reservation for 8:30 but were able to get a table at 8:00. The service was good, the wine selection was fine, beer selection was fine, and the bread was delicious. The caprese salad was very good, though the tomatoes were not outstanding (but that's to be expected; it's February, after all). The clam chowder was fantastic, perhaps the best I've ever had, and my husband agreed. They were not stingy on the clams, the soup was not too thick, and the combination of herbs was really good. It made this a 4-star review instead of a 3-star. I had the pollo saltimbocca--delicious sauce, even yummy vegetables. My husband had the mushroom tortellini in cream sauce, which we didn't realize had big pieces of ham in it until it came to the table. I don't think they stated that on the menu, so vegetarians and kosher eaters beware! (Or: people who don't read carefully, beware!) It was actually the much better dish of the two, but then I like ham. But even my husband, who really tries to avoid the noble pig for some ridiculous reason, also enjoyed the dish. The creme brulee was, unfortunately, truly disappointing. There were still large, uncooked crystals of sugar on top, so it was more like a bland vanilla pudding with a layer of granulated sugar. Not good. Still, we enjoyed this place. Our grand total for all of the above was around $70 + tip. I'd go there again if we were in the area. It seems that some dishes on the menu are in a totally different league than others, so I'd be sure to ask your server for his or her recommendations.
(4)
DeathandFood H.

Bland American Italian fare in a coastal setting. Went here with a group of friends after going tide pooling at Moss Landing. We had planned on eating at the distillery but it turned out they didn't even have a single vegetarian entree. So using the handy yelp app on the iphone we found Mezza Luna. Pluses of Mezza Luna, +they had a table for six on Saturday with only 30 minutes notice +the portions are large. very American sized with dishes being almost twice as large as portions in San Francisco. +large menu with lots of choices for vegetarians and pescetarians We ordered the antipasta delle casa which was a large selection of salumi and other antipasta standards. the standout was the bread with basil pesto spread. We ordered off the regular dinner menu and the specials. Some of the dishes we got were the risotto special, the Involtini alla romana, a veal scalloppini with ham and mozzarella, the vitello romantico, a veal scalloppini with marsala wine and mushrooms, two pizzas. The vegetarian was very happy with his risotto. The service was good, the atmosphere was decent is boring. So why only three stars. Because it was so very very average. It was like any other Italian you would have at the fancy Italian place in small town America. In an area where not only can you get real Italian but you have restaurants dedicated to just certain regions or styles of Italian cooking, cookie cutter Americanized Italian standards don't cut it. While the portions were large the food was bland and uninteresting especially at 19 dollars for an entree.
(3)
Suzy S.

Not quite sure how this place rated 4 stars. I think I'm being generous giving it 2 stars. I totally agree wit BChizzle C. The food is edible but nothing spectacular. Reminds me of a bland chain restaurant although I don't think it is part of a chain. Service was very slow and the atmosphere is far from intimate or special. Once was enough, don't waste your money.
(2)
Jeffery C.

Had a pepperoni pizza on Sunday. It was so good. Best in the area.....
(5)
Stephanie R.

Locals know that this is one of the best restaurants on the Coast. Food is great- you can't go wrong. From Pesto to Petrale Sole or Pizza. Chocolate Souffle a must.
(5)
Cathy P.

If I close my eyes I can still taste the Bruschetta Campagnola (crostini with fresh tomato, basil and garlic). The garlic was just right and the tomatoes & basil were sweet. Kinda tucked away in the Princeton Landing building, well worth the game of hide-n-seek. The main diningroom at lunchtime is cheerful and bright, even on a foggy day. Fresh salads, carpaccio, handmade pizzas (crust isn't as thin as I prefer but excellent anyway), pasta, seafood, and a fantastic wine list. If you're a fan of Italian wines, this is the place for you and very reasonably priced. Dinnertime is a little magical, especially at dusk. Candles on every table make the whole diningroom glow, a perfect place for a romantic date. The dinner menu is almost identical to the lunch menu but the daily dinner specials (almost) cannot be passed up. If you like lasagna, then don't miss the Lasagna alla Bolognese. It's handmade using top sirloin, just be aware it takes an extra 15 minutes to prepare, but what's your hurry? Gnocchi is one of my favorites and you can have it two ways at Mezza Luna, served with either fresh tomato or Gorgonzola cheese sauce. Another dish I love is the Galletto Innamorato, grilled semi-boneless cornish game hen, marinated and served with garlic and rosemary sauce. This takes a little extra time also so sit back and enjoy the sunset with a nice glass of wine. The waitstaff are top notch and know how to make you feel special. It doesn't get much better than this. Hmmmm, I'm closing my eyes now and dreaming I'm at Mezza Luna . . .
(5)
RandyCP U.

We hadn't been here for 10 years, and thought it was time for another try. We are glad we did. The food was still excellent, and the service seemed less stuffy. The goat cheese bruschetta was yummy. The bread was not over-toasted, and there were roasted vegetables on top of the cheese. Wife had the pasta special, sweet potato gnocchi stuffed with goat cheese tossed with baby shrimp and zucchini in a light cream sauce. It was rich and delicious. I had the seafood soup. They accommodated my request to substitute the mussels and clams in the soup for more fish (salmon). It was great, not too salty. We had one of their cheapest wines, a Sangovise we are finishing up at home now as I write this. It was great and went well with our meal. We finished with a shared chocolate souffle. ~$95 out the door
(5)
Randi S.

The special was Risotto. I was excited because that's what I was hoping to have. We came here because it was the highest rated restaurant that was open (most of the others were closed due to it being a Sunday. Our original plan was to go to Pasta Moon.) This place dimly lit, but not in a way that's romantic. It's more like someone forgot to turn the lights on. Some candles would be nice. The risotto was grainy and overcooked. The fava beans tasted microwaved. AND IT WAS $17. I told the waiter that it was overcooked and he offered to get me something else, but after tasting my husband's pasta dish (which they had the balls to make with boxed pasta) I decided to just keep my crap dish and made a vow to never come back. The souffle was also meh, but it was better than the risotto. Next time, I'll just wait for a day when Pasta Moon is open and I can get some fresh, handmade pasta and some kick-ass local vegetables. I mean, really, an "Italian" restaurant that doesn't make their own pasta or know how to cook a risotto? It was almost as if I'd stepped back into Original Joe's in San Jose. UGH. I feel so taken advantage of.
(2)
Wayne L.

Took a one day holiday at Half Moon Bay with my significant other. She's an Elite Yelper (of course food snob). After hundreds of reviews, you would be too. We made reservations for 8pm on a Saturday night. It was suppose to be romantic and intimate. When we showed up the dining room was half empty. Well that's kind of intimate. But then we noticed that there's a whole other big room on the right full of people. Don't worry, ample parking. The seafood was good but not worth noting. I can't remember what we ordered so hence the average rating. I did remember dessert. We ordered black forrest cake that seem to resemble tiramusu cake. When we inquired, we received assurances it was a black forrest cake. They said they did an "Interesting" variation. Yeah. The staff was attentive and had an Italian accent which added to the ambience. It was a nice experience, but I personally would not drive over the hill just to eat here.
(3)
Selina S.

I came here for my cousins rehearsal dinner and it was quite nice. I ordered the fettuccine con porcini which was amazing! The only bad thing I'd have to say is the balsamic vinegar for the bread was bitter and the bread is cold. Overall the experience was awesome.
(4)
Crystal G.

My most favorite Italian restaurant! Starter: Calamari is crisp, light, fresh and delicious My order: Tortellini topped with mushroms and pancetta is loaded with flavor and just plain amazing Boyfriend's order: Salmon Ravoli is to die for. Enough said. Bottom line... fresh, hand crafted food. If it takes some time for the food to come out, it's okay. It's so worth it. You know that your food is being made as you speak and comes out at the right temperature (not warm or cold like other restaurants). Enjoy the view of beautiful Half Moon Bay while you're at it. You won't regret your experience here. =)
(5)
Lisa W.

Pleasantly surprised! I was in love with our waitress Berta. We had a party of 6 and she was totally accommodating! Berta is very friendly, helpful and efficient. She helped me coordinate the surprise b-day cake and champagne we had for my hubby. Here's the breakdown on the food: FRIED CALAMARI SERVED WITH LEMON WEDGES AND MARINARA SAUCE--- OH SO GOOD! These weren't little measly, soggy pieces of calamari. There was a nice mix of rings and tentacles coated with a seasoned thick breading and nicely fried. Not too hard and not too soft, it was JUST right! OH, and my friends and I are piggies, we ended up ordering a second plate! HOMEMADE GNOCCHI WITH TOMATO SAUCE --- I was kinda disappointed with this dish. I was hoping the gnocchi would have a springy bite, but it tasted more like overcooked pasta. The sauce was yummy though, it was just a simple tomato sauce with bits of mozzarella cheese mixed in --- no complaints on that. PENNE WITH SAUSAGE AND TOMATO SAUCE --- This was my hubby's dish and it was good The sauce was same as mine, but the penne pasta was cooked to perfection ---al dente! I will totally come back!
(4)
bill s.

Excellent grilled seafood platter in huge dining room filled with diners and, as a result, a great deal of noise. Service was excellent and I would not hesitate to go back. Not sure why a restaurant serving such good food has the ubiquitous huge flat screen with sports programming.
(4)
Justin G.

I will never go here again, I feel too ripped off. Came here with my fiance wanting to try something new, Menu prices weren't too outrageous so I went ahead and ordered. Personally I hate going to places that don't give drink refills. Seriously each soda refill only costs them 13 cents a glass, while their charging $2-$3 for ordering it! How cheap can they be in refusing to refill it for you? And this place went the extra mile, as I ordered mine without ice, to give it to me in a smaller glass!!! We're really pinching pennies aren't we Mezza Luna? Food was ok, JUST OK, not worth the price, and we left still hungry. Tried ordering some creme brulet for dessert but they told us the kitchen was closed so we couldn't have it. (I guess all those rows of creme brulet right there behind the glass counter are for display only?) As far as Italian restaurants in Half Moon Bay go take the extra few minutes to drive to It's Italia instead, way better food, WAY better service, WAY better atmosphere! Not only will I never give this restaurant another penny of my money, but if I could go back with the knowledge I have now about this place I wouldn't have gone in the first time either!
(1)
Trish B.

Fresh pasta and bread and excellent olive oil. They did not have the chocolate souffle on Father's day, but the creme brulee and cream puffs were tasty and fresh. Service was very attentive and menu recommendations were appreciated.Delicious! And I got to practice my Italiano.
(4)
Georgia C.

Went here for dinner. My husband and I actually came here years ago for a birthday dinner. at the time we thought it was just OK. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was this time around. I had the tortellini, my husband had the ravioli stuffed with smoked salmon and my daughter had the lasagna. They were all very yummy. At the end of our meal we enjoyed some coffee and chocolate souffles which were to die for!! The best part was the value of the meal itself, we paid less here than at the other restaurants in the area and got better food.
(4)
Leela B.

It's my favorite restaurant on the coast. The food has been exceptional every time I've eaten here. The lasagne is amazing and the Gorgonzola gnocchi is delicious! These are our favorite entrees
(5)
Mark V.

Of course the location and front area of the restaurant is great. We got put in the very back part and it was not so good. Service was TERRIBLE. Food was pretty good. Not worth the $100 we spent.
(2)
Stewart B.

We went here for Mothers Day and it did not disappoint. Very good Italian food. For Mothers Day they had a fixed menu with a lot of fresh fish items. My only complaint was serving size. Other than that, great service and nice ambiance.
(3)
Kristen S.

I came here for mother's day lunch and it did not dissappoint! the food is all very fresh (especially the seafood - delicious!). I would highly recommend the mussels to start. I'm not really a shellfish gal, but the broth that the mussels came in was so delicious, we were dipping our bread in it! Service was overall very good. Expect the entrees to take a little time (15 min. for certain dishes marked on the menu), but it's completely worth the wait. My only bit of advice for lunch is to make reservations and when you do, request that you're in the brighter seating section which is straight ahead once you walk in the front door. If they start taking you to the right, where the bar is, it's darker and not as welcoming. This tip was passed on to me by a HMB local, and I'm really glad he told me! Atmosphere makes a difference, you know. Mezza Luna, i'll be back for more deliciousness.
(4)
L M.

I finally got out to this place. I have now been there 3 times in the last few months. Everything we have tried on the menu is AMAZINGLY good! Shrimp- YUM! Steaks- YUMM! Desserts- YUMMMMMM! Definitely put this place on your list to try out!
(5)
Naida E.

This is some gussied up Italian fare and as I have eaten here once have a short review. I had a lovely seafood stew that was bursting with seafood and briny goodness. The dish was buttery and salty and very satisfying. I enjoyed the appetizers very much, a selection of bread with pesto, cured meats, olives and preserved veggies. The ambiance and service are nice as well. We were gathered for a rather large dinner party and all was handled with grace and style.
(4)
Kelley E.

I've eaten here twice and will go back again. Love the real Italians in the Italian restaurant. Also love the veal marsala. Only four stars because imho the ambience (inside and outside) could use some tweaking by a critical eye. Nothing that would stop me from eating there again though!
(4)
Brooke N.

As an East Coast gal, surrounded by delicious Italian food, I KNOW the real deal. And while I've been out west for some time and love it, the Italian food here leaves a lot to be desired. If you, like me, are a SF dweller who happens to be a northeast transplant and you are seeking Italian food without the whole spectacle of North Beach, come here! The short drive down Highway 1 is worth it in itself! So I came here about five years ago for an engagement dinner when my friends got engaged. I remember it being delicious then, and decided to give it another go this past weekend. YUM-a-licious. Here's the lowdown: Caesar Salad - fresh and not overdressed For our entrees, we shared Penne del Pastore (with eggplant, tomato, and smoked mozzarella - had a fresh off the wood burning stove smoky taste) and a special - Risotto with blue cheese and shaved PUMPKIN. While it's true that I like almost anything pumpkin (except, ironically enough, pumpkin pie) this was balanced and rich, but not too oppressively heavy. YOU MUST order the warm chocolate souffle in advance - pure heaven in the form of a little chocolate oozing cake. I would highly recommend this place!
(5)
david R.

Absolutley awesome. Best italian style resteraunt in Half moon bay. The food is authentic at a very reasonable price. Location is excellent and service is fenominal. Also Mezz Luna has the greatest bread in the bay area by far.
(5)
Nykki S.

My husband and I decided to try this restaurant about 2-3 days after we got married, and this was our first trip to Half Moon Bay, being new residents to California. We called for reservations, and they were very polite on the phone. There was ample parking. The food was fantastic! My only complaint was that the service was kind of slow, but it was busy that night. The calamari was perfect! Our food came hot and exactly as we ordered. The staff was very welcoming from the time we walked in the door, to the time we walked out after our dinner. Our waitress even helped us find a good beach to go to even though it was kinda after closing time! We will definitely be back.
(4)
Joey C.

Great Italian Restaurant with authentic Italian food. The staff was nice and the cooks were actually Italian, and that makes a huge difference in the true quality of the food. If I go out to a dinner of any nationality I want people of that country in the kitchen cooking. I am Italian and can vouch for the taste and of the food and it is excellent.
(5)
STEVE L.

Ate here about two weeks ago on a Friday night. Food was decent; I would go here more for the nice drive and slower pace of life in Pacifica. I liked that they had two dining rooms. The larger one was rowdy with a bar, had some kids running around in it and nearer the bathrooms. The more quiet one (where we ate) was just what I was looking for because I was looking to wind down from a crazy week. I wouldn't have even known there was another dining room if I didn't go the bathroom.
(4)
Andrew L.

I am Italian and I am always looking for good Italian restaurants, and i don't mean The Olive Garden. The prices are a little up there, low to mid 20's but in this case I really feel you get what you pay for. The waiters are Italian, which all that much more adds to the picture, and you get a great view of the bay if your sitting on the south side of the building. I have never had a dish here that has been bad, the Salmone alla Dolores is to die for. I go in every time I'm in Half Moon Bay, I can't pass it up. So I would rate this as my favorite Italian restaurant, my other favorite, sadly to say, just burnt down, but at least I still have the Mezza Luna.
(5)
John M.

My wife and I had dinner here, a few days ago. The food was good. Not great, but good. Our salmon carpaccio was excellent, and our antipasti was ok. My wifes pasta was good, prepared according to our tastes. The lamb chops - a sort of rack that was taken apart, I suppose - were nicely prepared and tasted quite good. All in all, about what you would expect from a good Italian restaurant. Seemed like the manager and our waiter had Italian accents?! I ordered a cocktail, and a bottle of wine to share with dinner. A note: We have some awareness of the wines in and around Sonoma and Napa counties, having a few wine club memberships, and friends with their own (oh yes! we share:) We were tickled to find a Primitivo on the list from Italy. At a cost of $24 we thought what the hell, let's compare it to the one from deLorimier and have some fun. It was okay, no comparison, but it would do for a meal. Why mention all this? The wine arrived at the table accompanied by 2 small wine glasses, of the sort that one would expect having at Denny's with your rose dinner wine. My first thought was that a purist could probably enjoy wine served in a wooden bowl, so no harm, no foul. Then I noticed that a red wine brought to a table near us was served with a more appropriate stemware. I asked the waiter the reason for the difference, and abandoning his faux Italian accent (!), he responded that the better glassware accompanies a higher pricepoint wine. Wtf? I asked to speak to the manager, who apparently also had no need of an accent at this point. He explained that we could ask for better stemware, and I asked him why we should have to. He replied by saying that they break alot of the better stemware as it is... I guess I was supposed to understand this leap of what passes for his logic. Let's see, less expensive wine = cheap, funky glasses = less breakage of the better glassware. Oh, I get it! Because we buy a less expensive bottle of wine, we are more likely to break the fine stemware. Why didn't I think of that?!! Wait, wtf? Yes of course this is begging a point. But when we dine at a better restaurant, we expect to enjoy the experience, and for us this means the wine equally as much as the food and ambiance. The "pricepoint" of the wine (literally) should have not one damn thing to do with it. Would I go back? Probably not, but not because of the stemware nonsense. We dropped almost $200 (incl. tip) and are of the opinion that the food, although good, was not worth the price.
(3)
Purnima M.

I think I really enjoyed my meal here. Hard to tell, though, because our server was so diverting, charming, and hilarious. He was courteous to the hilt, and Italian down to his fingernails. We downed two bottles of spectacular wine, nibbled on some great bruschetta - you could tell both the tomato and mozzarella were fresh as can be - and I enjoyed some pillowy gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. Had to leave in a hurry because we were late getting to a play, but this is a healthy little detour.
(4)
Jill D.

During our romantic weekend at a friend's house in El Granada we decided to have a romantic dinner here Friday night. We had just had a long bike ride and were hungry so we went here under our friends' recommendations. It was casual, intimate and cozy and the waitstaff was attentive without being annoying or rushing you. We ordered a bottle of the house chianti with dinner ($20/bottle) but I have to say that it was probably, in a BevMo, worth about $8. However, we enjoyed it so.... We opted for bowls of minestrone soup and, while the soup was yummy, I wasn't sure that the parmesan cheese they sprinkled atop it tableside was fresh or not. The soup was delicious though so no loss of star there. The boyfriend ordered their homemade lasagna under the recommendation of the waiter (note: it takes 15 minutes for this to be prepared) and I ordered the salmon mezzalune ravioli (more because the boyfriend wanted them and promised to share his lasagna lol). Of the two of us, my boyfriend got the best dish hands down. This is truly a meat lover's lasagna as it is made with london broil, features very little to no ricotta and has these unbelievably delicate and fresh layers of pasta topped with a wonderful sauce and some cheese. Could be the best lasagna I've ever had in a restaurant setting. Next to this my ravioli could only be described as "Meh". They were okay but the lasagna was SOOOO much better. We opted out of dessert since we forgot to pre-order the souffle and everything else would have been a concession prize. We did go with after dinner drinks: B&B for me (HUGE pour score!) and a shot of Crown for him. $75 including tip and we rolled home warm and content...honestly I was wearing such a thick booze jacket I didn't even notice the cold outside.
(4)
Justin S.

Christina and I hit this place up on the Saturday before Valentine's day. We had a reservation for 7:30 p.m. but were promptly seated when we arrived twenty minutes early. The brueschetta was delicious. Well half of it was delicious. There were 4 slices of crustini each topped with a slice of tomato with basil, garlic and olive oil drizzled on top. Two of the 4 slices allowed the olive oil to soak through the tomato to the bread/crustini giving it a nice flavor while still maintiaining a nice crunch. The other two slices of tomato were from the top and bottom of the tomoato and did not allow the oil to get to the crustini - those were less tasty, but not bad. She had the vegitarian linguini and I had the sole. The sole was light and flakey and in a nice picatta sauce. Oh so slightly overcooked green beans accompanied the sole and 5 or 6 red potatoes to boot. All in all, I practically licked my plate clean. For dessert the triamisu was fantastic. Amazing. Our waiter acted itailian (e.g. "Prego") but his name was Milton - according to the reciept. Either our waiter was itailian with a non-traditional itailian name or he was Milton and was very good at acting italian. Either way he was very a very good server. I will definately go back to Mezza Luna when I return to HMB. Props! Out - Sixton.
(4)
Eileen E.

After our long day, we were ready for a hearty seafood dinner. Mezza Luna is an Italian restaurant with some yummy surf and some turf dishes as well. The ambiance was comfortable and inviting. We were greeted by our Italian-speaking waiter with a Betty Boop tie. :D The bread is the kind of rustic bread you can't wait to dive into once they set it onto your table. The food is simple and satisfying, but the portions are a bit small! I had the Zuppa del Pescatore, fresh assorted seafood sauteÃ©d Ãn white wine, tomato and saffron broth (18.50). It was a bunch of assorted seafood (octopus, mussles, clams, prawns, and calamari) in a thin but tasty broth. My brother had the red snapper w/ capers special. My parents shared the catch-of-the-day mixed grill for two which came with two big slabs of grilled salmon and sea bass (my fav!) with green beans and polenta on the side ($39). For dessert, I had the torte of the day which turned out to be black forest cake. Ooh, it was so moist and chocolatey with whole black cherries in the filling and a thin layer of almond paste in the middle. Delicious!
(4)
Dale H.

Amazing food, Amazing staff. 5 star pasta! What more can I say. Everyone in our party was raving about their food. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Alyssa B.

Mezza Luna is one of my favorite restaurants. Menu is very traditional with local flavor. I even wanted a Calamari steak that was taken off the menu the previous week and the kitchen still offered to make it for me. Drinks here are very good. they have a full bar with specialty cocktails that are consistant and tasty. The restaurant has an authentic feel that is welcoming and comfortable. The prices are great! You get a good amount with good quality ingredients at a low price. The service is also very good. Attentive, not too much, not too little and seem to have a really good understanding of the dishes and drinks. There is even a little view of the harbor.
(5)
Brittany R.

Every single time I go here I am wowed. The Mezza Luna is pretty exquisite. Their prices are up there but it is worth it. Go for the creme brulee.
(5)
Lisa C.

Nice place to have a meal. Good ambiance nice staff and yummy food. I had the caprese salad and the Gorgonzola Gnocchi. Both were tasty and well executed. Wait staff is attentive but not hanging on you, which I like.. I would eat here again if I am in the area...
(4)
Rachel C.

Great service.... Thank you Giovanni. He was very attentive to me 4&3 yr olds. Food was great and fresh. Serving sizes were perfect. I ordered linguini Della baia ( seafood linguine) and the shrimps were perfect. Kids menu includes gelato so that was a winner. Hubbie thought the hostess was a bit snobby. I think it would be difficult if you had a wheelchair.... But not impossible. Space is a little tight between but since we came in on a weekday for lunch, it was no big deal. Overall a great meal with wonderful service.... And my whole family enjoyed themselves.
(4)
Tom M.

Mezza Luna is a very good Italian restaurant and my favorite in the Half Moon Bay area. The Lamb Chops, steak, and Cornish Game Hen are all top notch. Their pizzas are very good and they make excellent bread.
(4)
MJ M.

I wanted to like Mezza Luna, I really did. I saw very complimentary reviews here on Yelp, liked the look of the place on their website, and liked what I saw on the menu in both food selection and prices. But, that's where it all ended for me. The real Mezza Luna versus the virtual one was a real disappointment. To be fair, the staff was nothing but polite and attentive. The host at the front door was polite, the server was pleasant and our busser supplying the bread and water and refills was available and on the spot. But while a great staff can make or break a place, you still have to have food that is memorable or more to make it special. This is where Mezza Luna fails. The fact that the restaurant was all but empty for lunch on a Friday at noon while other businesses were very busy with customers should have been the tip off. My wife had the lasagna and I tried the Pizza Margherita. Hers was OK at best she said and mine was just not good at all. In my case, while the crust was decent enough, the pizza itself was very bland and not prepared and topped as a Pizza Margherita should be. The basil was sparse, the tomatoes nowhere to be seen other than in the sauce, and the cheese was overly laid on the pizza and drowned out every other taste that was even there. It tasted like a pizza that had been prepared the night before and either refrigerated or frozen prior to heating and serving. The sauce also had a tell tale canned taste and I thought Chef-Boyardee before I thought authentic Italian. It just didn't work. The view outside from our table was terrible too and it felt like we were somewhere in the central valley off of the highway. A dilapidated little cafe and a gravel parking lot was our view along with a huge rental U-haul truck that someone had parked while they ate breakfast in the cafe. I realize people have businesses to run, but why a place like Mezza Luna chose this location is a mystery. This portion of the street is right on the fringe of a very dirty industrial area of Half Moon Bay. Again, business needs to happen, and industry and grime is part of the work but it's not the place and neighborhood for a restaurant serving lunch for two with wine for $50 after tip. Like I said, I wanted to like this place but I just can't and would not return. If you were to place Mezza Luna in North Beach in San Francisco, you soon would see a permanent "closed" sign in the window. I hope they can improve their business.
(2)
David K.

We've been coming here for 9+ years. Cozy, unpretentious and relaxed. Food has always been excellent. Order the lamb chops/rack of lamb. Caprese salad one of the best we have ever had. Smoked salmon appetizer simple and delicious. Service has always been outstanding.
(5)
Ruthie V.

We came here by accident because the Half Moon Bay Restaurant had a 2 hour waiting list. So we left and went to the corner to turn around, only to find this place sitting there just waiting for us. So we checked it out, got seated immediately and had the best Italian Food around. There were four of us and we all had something different including pizza. Good selection of red wines and the decor is lovely. We plan on returning for din-din next time we're in Half Moon Bay.
(5)
Brian J.

We were heading to Half Moon Bay to see a friend's band play at Old Princeton Landing. We decided to eat at Mezza Luna because it was close and the reviews were solid. We were very surprised and pleased with the restaurant! It was refreshing that the hostess, and many waiters, were speaking Italian. Overall, the food was very good. We tried the minestrone soup, charcuterie plate, stuffed chicken, standard tomato and basil pasta, and shared a piece of chocolate mousse cake for dessert. The stuffed chicken was outstanding. The vegetables were tender and the accompanying green beans were cooked perfectly. The pasta was equally as good - not too much sauce, great flavor. While the charcuterie plate was good, I did think it was a bit overpriced for what you received ($12.50 for two small cheese selections, olives, and three different types of meat). The cheeses were tasty, but again, I thought it was overpriced. The chocolate cake at the end was delicious and had a crumbly/crunchy crust. The service was excellent and the wait time between each course was well-timed.
(4)
Ravena F.

This is my official "OMG, I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet!" review. (I think we're all allowed one of these per year.) This was one of my husband's & my favorite restaurants in our early courtship days when he lived in nearby El Granada. Over the years, we've continued to frequent this gem for special events or just for a warm fuzzy fix, and it never disappoints. You might think I have oodles of knowledge about the various options on the menu by now, but you'd be wrong. The fact is, we can rarely tear ourselves away from the following spectacular combo: Begin with the Antipasto della Casa (for two), which includes a nice variety of veggies & meats - never exactly the same selections. Continue with the Grigliata di Pesce (mixed grilled fish for two), usually includes exquisitely cooked prawns, absolutely perfect salmon, & a compatible white fish, as well as 2 veggie sides. This is the dish that I crave. This is the dish that makes me forget the name of this restaurant, because it is known to us simply, as "The Fish For Two Place." Do order this dish sometime if you come here. It's divine. If you still have room for dessert, (we usually *make* room,) then the chocolate souffle is certainly the top choice here. Do note that you have to plan ahead, as it takes 20 minutes to prepare. And if, for some tragic reason, you are not a chocolate fan, then the creme brulee is an elegantly orgasmic alternate. There's a decent wine list to match your preferences. The ambiance is mellow. It is the perfect place to spend a leisurely dinner with a special companion. What more can I say? This is among our top three fish restaurants in the Bay Area. Highly recommended.
(5)
Johnny L.

Mezza has some of the best veal around (I know, I know, little calf, I know). the picata and the saltimboca are great, but, it's what's NOT on the menu that keeps me coming back: The veal parm. omgdfa, it is the best I have ever had, and, if you knew me, that assertion carries some weight. Tender, perfect thickness, great breading, great sauce, perfect amount of cheese......I think I might go for a drive there now. I am all hungry all of a sudden.
(4)
Rafi B.

My family & I have been going to Half Moon Bay for years to shop, relax, & enjoy the lovely beaches. We were told by a couple of locals to try out Mezza Luna because the food & service were great. The food was great. We ordered a delicious calamari, stuffed salmon raviolis, & a vegetarian dish. The service was another story. Our server was Joe. He seemed really nice & answered some of the questions we had since one of my family member's is a vegetarian. He brought out our appetizers & immediately took our bread & butter away without asking & didn't offer to refill our glasses. I then asked another person to refill our beverages & bring us more bread which she did & was very polite. Our main dishes were served & everything was delicious. Joe kept on coming back & wouldn't say anything, he would just look down at our table to see if we were done & would walk away. Once I was done & the other guest out our table was done Joe immediately took away our plates & didn't say anything. The last guest at our table was still eating & he came by 7 - 8 times to see if she was done. Joe really made us feel very uncomfortable & seemed like what he was waiting for was us to leave. Finally when our last guest was done eating he then proceeded to explain that he was about to go to lunch. We all told him that it was fine. He then brought over the check & stood there. It was a party of 3, we really weren't planning on eating & leaving the bill. Our bill wasn't over $80 so it wasn't like we had a $1K bill & had a reason to be worried that we were going to leave the bill unpaid. Overall the food EXCELLENT, our experience with Joe was not so great. The other staff was really great & my only complaint was how pushy Joe was. I will definitely be back, but ask for a different server if he is there unfortunately.
(4)
Jellyfish Z.

Excellent seafood/Italian! I cam here with my boyfriend and we split the "catch of the day" for two--it's about $40, paired with a $20 bottle of their "house" pinot grigio (from Italy) and dessert, it was very reasonable. The seafood platter usually comes with a fresh variety of seafood (we had prawns, scallops, snapper, and salmon), potatoes, and snap peas, we substituted garlic spaghetti noodles... excellent!
(4)
Bronwyn W.

I had a really great bowl of soup. Loads of fresh seafood in a nice broth served with great bread. I just don't think it should cost $18!!! I would have no problem paying 12 - 15, but 18 clams is a lot of dough. I've eaten at Mezza Luna on other occassions and the food has always been very good and the wait staff attentive (maybe a little overly so but better too attentive than not at all) but Giovanni check the economy. I'll go back ... did I mention it was a really good bowl of soup? ... but will have to save many more nickels for the expereince.
(3)
Kay T.

Just went here for a brunch with a group. The service was great. The sausage omelette was surprisingly good with a high quality sausage and the desserts I purchased from the bakery were quite delicious, especially the cannoli that reminded me of my Sicilian neighborhood growing up, and the coconut macaroon was not too sweet and very fresh. The espresso was excellent and I will say I rarely like any espresso outside of Italy. The hash brown potatoes served with the omelette were typical and I wished I'd ordered the frittata and salad that several others had. It looked great.
(4)
Lana K.

Last time I was here was two years ago. My so called "boyfriend" and I came here last night and had a fabulous time. At first they sat us at a weird table, near the bar and next to the doorway. We got use to it so it was no big deal. We ordered the House Chianti, pretty good. For an appetizer we ordere thw Bruschetta with tomatoes. That was delicious. For our main courses, my bf ordered the special - chicken breast with parmesan and tomato sauce. I ordered the Cappellini with tomatoes - it was so good and took me back to my Italy days. The portions were the perfect amount. The service was fast so we just had to order dessert to stay there a little longer. We shared a "Ciocullato" It was chocolate ice cream cake covered with chocolate chips. GREAT PLACE. I will defnitely come back and our bill turned out to be pretty cheap!
(5)
H Jerry W.

Nice place. Good food. Seems like a tourist trap but WITHOUT the trap.
(3)
Adriana G.

Came here last weekend for dinner. We had reservations for 8pm and showed up 10-15 minutes early and they had us wait which wasn't a big deal but the bar was super crowded and I couldn't watch the baseball game. The hostess seemed a bit aloof. She kept forgetting the faces of the people waiting for their table. "Hi, may I help you?" Um...yeah you just helped me 3 minutes ago. Thought that was odd since this place isn't that big. It has a sports bar feel to it and maybe that's because we sat in the dinning area with the bar and the giant TV. For an appetizer we had the bruschetta which was a big disappointment. I expect bruschetta at an Italian resto to be amazing and not something I could do myself at home. The waiter didn't offer us water and never bothered to bring us the rest of our silverware i.e. no knife. It's all good because I chugged down my wine! I ordered the ravioli with salmon. It was just OK. The fragola dessert was the best part of the meal. Can't say I will hurry back to this place.
(3)
Raj S.

Mezza Luna has become our favorite lunch hang-out at Half Moon Bay. The first time we went there, we spent 3 hrs on lunch - it was a fabulous afternoon with gorgeous weather and the corner table had awesome views. Not to mention the salmon pizza - the reason I go back there again and again. I ordered lamb shank - at the end of my meal, the bone was the only piece of food left on my plate. This is an authentic Italian restaurant and I can recognize one when I eat one ;) It's located at a perfect location with some good views. You can easily spend a lazy afternoon here with your friends. And when you are in your "happy" place, head out to the beach to enjoy the sun and the sand. I highly highly recommend this place.
(5)
bobo f.

Food was great. Service lacked a little, but we had a big party and our festive conversation helped to not notice it.
(4)
Bret W.

An Italian restaurant that serves a Caprese with *chilled* mozzarella is just simply wrong. Pleasant restaurant, nice setting, but the food is pretty average. And ice-cold Italian mozzarella is inexcusable, really.
(1)
Ethan W.

Really amazing Italian food at a local spot by the harbor. Appetizers/antipasti are always great, especially the bruschetta, simple yet spot-on. Favorite entree is the veal stuffed with mozzerella, always tender, hot, and juicy. Another good one is the half-moon ravioli stuffed with salmon and in a tomato cream sauce. MAKE SURE to get the chocolate souffle for desert. It's basically a volcano of hot chocolate fudge. It takes an extra twenty minutes unless you order it at the beginning but entirely worth the wait. A great spot to park, eat dinner, and take an evening stroll around the harbor to see the sunset.
(5)
Klek G.

Just discovered Mezza Luna earlier this year and have returned many times. For every experience there has never been a wait for a table and the service has been great. The food is the real attraction because it's excellent and reasonable priced considering the quality. The seafood soup and the goat cheese bruschetta are my favorites. What's interesting about the place is that it seems to be the birthday and party destination of choice for miles around. There is always something being celebrated there which makes for an interesting atmosphere. One memorable night as we were celebrating a birthday (of course), there were at least 6 other birthdays being celebrated in that one dining room not to mention celebrating masters grads who walked in with beer cans in their back pockets. It was a bit noisy that night but we didn't mind.
(4)
greg s.

Meh. Perhaps my expectations were raised too high by yelp reviews. Just a regular neighborhood Italian restaurant. Lemony caesar salad, very blah. Calamari were tender. Gnocchi were good, but gorgonzola sauce was bland. Service was fine.
(3)
Sahana R.

One of the better restaurants around half-moon bay.
(3)
Marianna S.

I love the place. The food was GREAT and service was really good. We came for a dinner on a weekend and it was busy hour in Mezzaluna. But when the owner (or manager) realized that we didn't get a menu on time (again, it was super busy time) he started to pay more attention to our table even we got a waitress as well. I can't say that I like something more then other. Everything that we tried was delicious. I ordered mixed seafood salad, my husband had lamp chops and our little one ordered penne del Salmone.
(5)
Trish M.

Probably my favorite on the coast. Good Drinks and Good Food...wish they had an outdoor seating area
(4)
Sindie Y.

This review is for to go pizza only! I was never a fan of thin crust pizza - but I love theirs! It was crispy on the outside, but you can still taste the dough inside (not too much, just enough to taste it.) even after few days it was still good. We order Margherita, it was great, can taste the basil but not overwhelm. Prosciutto e Funghi, it was excellent; even after three days, it was still great. Another pizza with mushroom and sausages, that was good too. We also ordered Bigne Mezza Luna, it was good, not too sweet. This will definitely be the place for me to visit next time I'm in town.
(4)
Marissa J.

Great pizza!
(3)
Heather K.

The hubster and I came here a couple weekends ago for dinner. We've lived here almost a year, so it was high time we made it in! We were able to get a table right away. The decor inside is kinda kitzschy-tacky Italian stereotypical, but not obnoxiously so. Our server was very polite and his lovely Italian accent was a nice touch. Authentic or not? Who cares! ;D The wine list is just kind of so-so. They could use a little re-eval on that. We ordered the goat cheese bruschetta for a starter and that was very good -- I'd definitely have that again. I was impressed with how fast they brought that out too. For my entree, I had the seared scallops which were on special that day. They were excellent. Seared perfectly, tons of flavor, very nice size....four big fat ones on a bed of fennel puree. I had a hard time refraining from stuffing my face. I can't remember what my husband had, but it was probably some lump of dead cow or something. Ha ha! I do remember that he had no complaints. For dessert, we decided to have liquid libations instead of confections. Hubster had a 10-year port which he loved. I ordered the Alicats late-harvest Chardonnay and that shit was AWESOME. Okay, so an amendment to my previous statement about the wine list: the regular wines are so-so. The dessert wines are excellent. Parking looks to be plentiful -- there's a lot in the back as well as one across the street. The location is great for taking an after-dinner stroll through Pillar Point Harbor. I'm sure we'll be back again.
(4)
Yusuke N.

Great! Especially the pasta & Calamari.
(5)
Johnny J.

We went today for my wife birthday and it was great. The service, the food & the atmosphere!
(5)
Jonnie O.

We were drawn by the $9.95 Tuesday evening special. When we dined the special was roasted lamb ribs with tomato sauce on polenta. It was tasty and a nice entree for the price. I also ordered a caesar salad which was good. My partner had pasta which she enjoyed.
(4)
Cynthia B.

Food and service is very good at this large Italian restaurant in Princeton by the Sea. I was here with a large group on a set menu (usually a recipe for just so so food), but Mezza Luna didn't disappoint with excellently prepared pizzas, salads, salmon, pork, gnocchi, vegetables, and perfect profiteroles. I had been here before for dinner with friends and the menu offers fresh fish, seafood, pastas, and many Italian specialties. The bartender made a first class margarita in a tall glass ($7.50). Really nice people in a very pretty restaurant, and a great choice for any group get together. There is a large fireplace in the room with the bar. Park your car and walk around the charming area.
(4)
Mertani G.

What a cute restaurant! My husband took me here last week for a dinner date. I had the fettuccine alfredo and he had the spaghetti with bolognese sauce. The sauce for his spaghetti was delicious (he let me have a bite). My alfredo was pretty good, but i wouldn't say it was the best. For dessert i had the chocolate souffle and my husband got the creme brulee. I enjoyed the dessert way more than the meal! I ate every last bite of that souffle. I would recommend getting that after your meal. As far as the creme brulee, my husband said it was definitely one of the best he's ever had. We would go back.. as long as the service isn't as slow next time around.
(4)
Juliana C.

Food quality here is high. Prices are ok, given the quality. Not cheap but in line with the kitchen's competence. Service is uneven. Pizza is lovely. Calamari nice Gnocchi good but the plate was so undressed - white sauce on white gnocchi on a white plate... it looked funerial. Bruschetti were good Muscles good. Fish soup... very underseasoned, but fish quality and broth were otherwise good. Service. Hmm. Very jolly waiter faking Italian waiter, but speaking with such a heavy Latin accent it was slightly hard to understand him. But he had such a great attitude, nobody minded. Food delivery issues: Three out of four dishes arrived.... the fourth, my husband's pasta, arrived 10 minutes later. That's a LONG wait for fine dining! Poor guy was really hungry. Table bussing was noisy and slow. But the workers were all pleasant in attitude...when we saw them. Improved service and timing of dishes would easily get this place a 4 stars in my book. Because the food is very good. Even the house coffee was nice - and I'm a huge coffee snob. ;)
(3)
B G.

The service was attentive, they filled our water glasses and bread basket as well as prompt in bringing us lemon to go with our water. They have a wide menu , the portions are average, as everyone cleaned their plates. It was nice that they split the salads we were sharing so we didn't have to do it at the table. The seafood salad was very nice with a good assortment of calamari, 1 large prawn, small piece of salmon, and a light vinegrette dressing. The pasta sauces are tasty & fresh with lots of meat. They also have a nice selection of desserts to end a great meal. Everyone enjoyed their meal & felt they would return to try some of the other dishes. This is a large restaurant that can accommodate large groups. I would definitely come to Mezza Luna again than fight the long wait lines at the restaurants in town.
(4)
Jackie D.

Great pasta! Weak salads! Lunch review: Came here for lunch and really enjoyed it. Main dishes much better than salads. I ordered the mixed greens which were refreshing but not very interesting at all. No cheese or nuts just piles of barely dressed greens with a token olive and some baby carrots(?). Not to be too snotty but Half Moon Bay is home to several farms, couldn't they use some local carrots? Baby carrots require a lot of machinery to get them in that shape, something I doubt Farmer Joe down the street has, these were obviously from a plastic bag from the grocery store. I know I'm really harping on this but why not just use local produce?? My husband got the Caesar salad and said it was "ok" but lacked a tang/bite. However the pastas were awesome, incredibly flavorful and fresh. I was craving carbonara and the spaghetti was the perfect chewiness and I wouldn't have changed a thing, it was perfect! Hubs got a fettuccine and lobster special and the sauce was amazing, lobster fresh and cooked right and his noodles were clearly fresh pasta. Salads: Add more local produce and make them more interesting. You're surrounded by fresh beets, berries, fennel, and don't be afraid of adding some nuts and cheese.
(4)
Kelley b.

Went there this Saturday for Brunch. I've been there before many years ago and couldn't remember what the problem was and why I never gave it another try. We were one of the first to be seated since our reservations were at 11:45 and they open at 11:30. we got there a 11:40 and there wasn't anyone to greet us we stood there for about ten minutes and then the hostess came and apologized and said she was doing something in the office. The menu had many things to choose from including the "specials of the day" which included swordfish and Goat. I decided to try a Tortellini Alfredo dish, I wasn't impressed with the sauce, it was tasteless. I guess they just reduce a cream and add cheese.... Very bland. ( Not too sure the Chef in the kitchen is Italian?) Now, with that said, I thought the service was very good and professional. and I'm sure that other dishes are hopefully a lot better that what I had. Unfortunately, it will probably be awhile before I decide to give them another try!
(2)
Alan Z.

A delightful place for a meal! Half of our group were vegetarian's and found ample selection as well. Only steps from the local airport. So it's a great place for a fly in lunch as well. Service is well above the norm.
(4)
Adam s.

This place is the gem of the harbor restaurants at the Princeton Harbor ( Half Moon Bay). It's a fine dining atmosphere n Princeton harbor for less bucks the that over priced casual diner called the Fish Trap. That over priced joint should be called the tourist trap. As tourists wait in line for an hour for expensive, mediocre fish in a cafeteria setting. Mezza Luna is beautiful, pro wait staff and gourmet cuisine. My wife and I had the seafood salad, crispy fried calamari, ciopinio, seafood fettuccine ( the fettuccine was home made). This is not Just one of the best Italian/seafood restaurants in the little harbor, but one of the best in the Bay Area
(5)
Grigory S.

The food was great. I have ordered white beans soup and lamb chops. Both dishes were delicious. We were at the restaurant on MLK day and I think owners didn't anticipate large crowd and were little understaffed, so it took little too long to get the food. But it was worth waiting
(4)
Joseph A d.

I'm a local and have been coming to Mezza Luna since before their first location on CA-1 [the old La Dolce Vita]. The three owners [business, head wait staff & chef] are always friendly. Even when travel or other reasons keep me away for months at a time, the staff always seem to remember me and our favorite drinks and dishes. One fun thing to do here is to eat "Italian Style". Order & split appetizers, soup, salads, primi & secondi piatti, and dessert. A couple of dishes take 15 minutes or more, but are worth the wait. If you eat as I suggested, and order everything up front, you won't even notice the wait. They have good vegetarian soups and entrÃ©es. I usually go for the lighter pastas and a veal dish. Dessert is really good, and the daily changing Torta Nonna are usually wondrous. The historic setting with views of the harbor just adds to a nice, comfortable, enjoyable experience, whether a mid-day business dinner or a special family & friends supper.
(5)
tom s.

Food is great, service was exceptional, pricing was fair however portions could have been better. Will come back again.
(4)
Melinda D.

I ordered to go. When we got to our hotel. The food I got was not exactly what I was told. I called to complain and the manager apologized and just offered me a discount if I come back. The food is not good and is too expensive. This is my first and last time I will be going here.
(1)
Danny N.

We usually come to Mezza Luna for special occasions. The atmosphere is great and cozy. The food and service has always been great. We ordered antipasto plates and shared them with the table. It's great for kids too. Our waiter Italian and from Italy as my Father is. That definitely scored extra points with us.
(5)
Jenny K.

Saw a lot of good reviews about this place, was disappointed with the food. My arrabiata pasta was not at all spicy (basically just a marinara sauce with a few bits of garlic), the wine was sub par. The tapas place across the street had better food..
(3)
Lisa A.

I love coming here each and every time I am in HMB. The food is amazing!!! My husband and I have tried a lot of the food on the menu and we are never disappointed.
(5)
Beverly N.

I am one of those fortunate peole that get to spend a lot of time in Half Moon Bay which is a delightful seaside commuity with fabulous places to eat. One of my favorites haunts is Mezzaluna. People travel from all over to this excellent Itallian restaurant and I was recently surprised that one of my friend's daughters and her boy friend who both live some distance away will not go to any other place for their special dates. Nice validation! Chef Carlos makes a variety of wonderful disshes but we who live here wait patiently for his cannelloni.It is fabulour. During crab season his crab ravioli makes many of us lineup. The full menu of amazing Italian dishes is posted on line but I suggest you just go and try some of the dishes . You will return often.
(5)
B S.

Safe bet for good food. It's huge so there's never a wait.
(4)
Sally A.

I was first introduced to this restaurant by my brother as he held his wedding reception here, it made such a great impression that I always try to stop in when I am in the area. Food is always good and love the environment, can't wait to bring my b/f here.
(4)
Christine N.

This is a charming restaurant in Half Moon Bay. I grew up in the area so had been here a few times when I was younger. I took my husband and his family once when we were over the hill, and they loved it so much that we come back every time the family is together. We've tried many things from their menu, and none have disappointed. I usually go with the fresh fish of the day which, as they're by the ocean, I assume to be their specialty. Oh, and save room for dessert because their Tiramisu is amazing!
(4)
Robert L.

This is an authenic Italian Restaurant. A good place for lunch or dinner when you want tablecloths and cloth napkins. Try the Cozze al Forno . . . mussels with a fabulous broth.
(4)
Robbie T.

I took the gf here for lunch. We had the antipasti platter, the catch of the day, and creme brulee. Everything was delicious. The vegetables in the antipasti were great (especially the sugar beets and olives!); the fish assortment was tender and moist; the polenta and green beans were buttery; the creme brulee was cold everywhere it hadn't been caramelized. On top of that, the location is great. I'd go back.
(4)
KW S.

When the wife and I want to indulge in Italian food away from home we drive down to Princeton by the Sea and Mezza Luna. My wife's favorite items at Meza Luna are Caprese salad $10.50, and Veal Scallopini $22.50. I love their Linguine della Baia $18.00 Not enough can be said about this place. If you have lived on the Peninsula for years you might remember the old Princeton Inn, this is the same building, but the food is nothing like what was served in the Princeton Inn, it's better!
(5)
Marlene B.

After a tough day on the HMB OC links, 3 hungry golfers ventured to Mezza Luna for dinner. We had reservations for 7:15pm, we arrived 10 minutes early and were seated right away. My friends were famished so the bread and appetizers disappeared quickly. We had mixed drinkers in the group. One who likes red wine, one who like non-Chardonnay white wine and one who prefers light beer. Well the beer drinker ordered beer and the wine drinkers ordered a bottle of white wine, Vernaccia. In my travel to Italia, I've bought a few bottles of this wine from the San Gimignano region and it is refeshing after a day of activity. A good wine to cap off an afternoon on the links. To start, we had the bruschetta and caprese insalata. We all remarked at how fresh the tomatoes and ingredients were. They were garden fresh and prepared with care and deliberate attention to detail, like scraping fresh garlic on the bruschetta toast and using very fresh mozzarella. One friend ordered the the seabass special of the day, the picky eater of the group ordered the tortellina alla crema e funghi. I ordered the agnello scottadito. OMG, my lamb chops were done perfectly and had the most delicious Tuscan herb sauce on it. We were all very happy with our meals. We can't wait to head back to HMB and try other items on the menu. After reading the reviews about the ocean view, I didn't realize there were tables with views. That's ok, we were there for good food and the place did not disappoint.
(5)
Michael J.

It's fine. You won't embarrass yourself by taking someone to this restaurant, but (unless they subsist on mac and cheese) you won't impress them either. Bread was not warm. Carpaccio and bruschetta were both disappointing. Fish (catch of the day) was not terrible, but far from inspiring. No, it really was pretty bad. I'm remembering a few bites that had that perfect grilled texture and taste - which just contrasts with the rest of the meal that didn't. I guess you're paying for the location - the food isn't worth the money. Then again, it's probably no worse than the neighboring HMB establishments. In short: mediocre food, staggeringly overpriced.]
(2)
Marevie T.

Eh, it was okay. Honestly, it felt like every other italian restaurant. But the service was great, they checked up on us alot and definitely did a good job of presenting the menu.
(3)
Konrad V.

Went for lunch today. They try to be an authentic Italian restaurant by speaking a little Italian to you. that's kinda phony since the waiters speak spanish to each other. It's clean, kinda noisy, food is tasty and the wait service is ok. Wife said her veal marsella was OK and our friend said her salmon was "nice." My clams in creamy broth were good. I think it's kinda pricy.
(3)
TiMarie S.

I have a couple of things to confess before you waste your time reading my review, and what the hell, I am a recovering Catholic, so this is as close as I come to confessing. First of all, I haven't eaten at the Mezza Luna in 2 years as I became disabled which makes sitting for more than about 15 minutes pure hell. Sadly, the ride there is longer than that! And, secondly, I am a total nightmare at Italian restaurants as I don't like pasta and I hate fish! Lastly, expensive pizza to me is a mortal sin when you can get fantastic pizza for a reasonable price. Phew, bless me faddah, I'm done with that now! There are 3 reasons I make the trek over the hill to Half Moon Bay. First, I loved walking Main Street and going into all the shops. Starting at the end, I would pick up my ganache centered meringues and move my way down to the opposite end of town visiting fantastic art and glass galleries, my favorite crystal shop as well as an extremely cool market that has food from all over creation and especially goodies that my Canadian husband has not been able to find anywhere else! The second and third reasons, in no particular order is going to the Mezza Luna for my favorite meal! So, on to the review.... trumpet roll please. We ended up at the Mezza Luna quite by accident going down this main road in Princeton by the sea which looked like it had some very cool colonial faced restaurants. Both were closed by the way. Being adventurous as well as starving, the road dead ends right at the Mezza Luna, combo restaurant/hotel across the street from the VFW which looks more like a Hell's Angel's headquarters. But I digress. The interior is spacious, lovely, and sparse in overdone Italian accoutrement, if you catch my drift. Hubby ate a ton of stuff and loved it all. I couldn't tell you what it was because it usually results in a spare tentacle hanging out his mouth just in order to gross me out, a fishy meal, so I won't ask for any bites, and any other unsavory specialty that rattles my conservative and uneducated palate! They started us off with some fantastic bread. Now, I don't know a hell of a lot about a hell of a lot but I can tell you I DO know fresh baked bread. My uncle owned one of the original bakeries in San Francisco and all 6 of my uncles worked there. I started off every morning of my childhood with fresh sour dough bread still hot from the ovens and my friends, the bread served at the Mezza Luna rivaled those childhood memories! I asked the waiter if I could please have some of the good aged balsamic vinegar and oil to dredge my bread in, and let me assure you, I got the good stuff! Swoons in recollection. I decided that I was gonna break down and have pasta as they they had white sauces. This is beau coup important for me as the only red sauces I like are the ones I make! I have ordered the same meal each time and each time it moves me to orgasmic gastronomique delight. I maybe so off the wall that they no longer have it on the menu, but still make it for me on request each and every visit. I ordered the Tortellini alla Crema e funghi but request it with the Parma ham and mushrooms in the Gorgonzola cream sauce. That sauce is usually reserved for the gnocchi, but I wanted Tortellini's and I wanted that Gorgonzola. I have to admit the only alteration I make to the dish is that I sprinkle some of their aged balsamic over it. It tends to cut a bit of the richness of the dish for me so that I can come close to eating almost my whole plate. I have never been able to fit dessert afterward no matter how seductive they are (they are displayed in a clear glass refrigerated counter at the front of the restaurant). Besides, if I have a sugar munchie on the way home I still have those ganache centered meringues waiting in the car! My husband has loved everything he has ordered there as have many out of town friends that we bring there. Honestly, I can't comment as I eat one thing, but it is a ten in my book! Oh, I actually ordered a Caesar salad once that was great, but that's the only thing out of the ordinary. Lastly, we only go there at lunch time so I have no idea if the meals improve or suffer from a fuller house. The service is always wonderful, the waiters are lovely eye candy, (Hey, woman does not live by bread alone!) the Italian flies around the room as most of the waiters and the cooks as well as owners speak Italian and their English is heavily accented. That kinda turns me on as well. So, if you would love to create some lovely and romantic memories and enjoy a late lunch after exploring Half Moon Bay, do try the Mezza Luna. Share the one special dish you have discovered and ummm, don't tell too many people about the place as I love being seated immediately with a fantastic dish in front of me just as I have finished up my second dunked piece of French Bread. Send me some psychic emanations and I will enjoy your enjoyment from the confines of my electric bed! Hugs, T
(5)
John A.

Giving it a definite Good. The food was pretty tasty and the service fast- and on Mother's Day. I would have to say that I found it odd that all of the waiters had thick Spanish accents, offered us tequila, and called the women in my party Senora, not Signora, as one might expect at a calling-itself-Italian restaurant. I would be surprised if the cooks were not all Latinos, but having the waitstaff rocking the Mexi flare was a new one. The food was fine, but not as good as you'd expect in SF, and was served sorta slapdash on too-large plates, but I wouldn't not go back if I was down there. The pizza- possibly wood-fired- was really nice.
(3)
Sionnan H.

We just had our wedding reception there, and it went wonderfully. Blanca and Diego were helpful with planning, but I wish I could had come in more often and done things in person as email was not always the fastest. Most importantly, the day went perfectly and the food was great! We got so many comments on how delicious everything was. I was really glad we came here for our wedding.
(5)
Mindy L.

Delish!! The best, most tender mussels I've ever had. Another restaurant my boyfriend has introduced me to. He has this nack for picking places that really make you feel at home. They're always classy, and wonderful, and never even hinting at pretentious. It's amazing. This is another like that. It's fairly casual, but the food is outstanding. Oh, the gorgonzola gnocchi is a must. It's to die for. The chocolate sufflÃ©e is another one. Oy! It's good! I feel so relaxed when I come here. I'm treated well, my mouth is so happy it's about to jump out and do a little jig on the table, and I don't feel like anybody is watching how I hold my fork, or if my posture is just so. I'm a big fan! You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Ro M.

Romantic nice ambiance.Food was good and dessert was better. Nice drive on a clear night if you take Hgwy 1.I'd go again.
(4)
Stephen T.

I can't say enough positive things about Mezza Luna. My wife and I have eaten at Mezza Luna several times and each visit is as good as the last. The service was very good; our waiter was attentive and brought us our meals quickly. The ambiance of the restaurant is low key with a warm welcome feeling. The deserts are out of this world.
(5)
Lisa Z.

We went there based on a recommendation from a local. It was great! The food was fantastic and we were well attended and well fed. They accommodated slight item changes with no hassle and were super fast in keeping my water filled.
(5)
Evan B.

Great food, delicious wine, beautiful view of the harbor...tucked away in a funky neighborhood that is oriented around the harbor industry, close to mavericks, the infusion of surf culture, crab fishing culture, and artisan community make the ambiance for the outside, the inside is elegant with a window into the kitchen, its cool.
(4)
Dee T.

Great food and excellent service. Ronalto (sp?) is an excellent waiter and we always ask for his section when we come here.
(5)
Carolyn A.

It was my fourth visit to Mezza Luna and I agree with the reviews. The food is wonderful, fresh and seasoned perfectly. The bread is out of this world and made in house. The wait staff was attentive and pleasant. I think it's one of the best restaurants in Half Moon Bay. It's been consistently good. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Jill M.

After attending a large event here in their bar area where the food and drinks were fantastic, I made a reservation for dinner on Saturday night. Not much of a view in the restaurant section - you look out onto the road and parking lots..not a biggie, but sort of a bummer when you know the bay is glistening right outside. All the servers were professional, friendly, and attentive. Apparently this is the birthday spot - we heard the telltale song twice - so be advised there will be 4 or 5 loud Italian voices coming your way to serenade you - if you're into that. Started with the cod fritters with chive appetizer. thumbs down. Imagine a plate with 8 breaded mini fish-sticks, the size of those little teeny baby carrots, on top of a paper napkin sprinkled with chives. What am I to do with chives on the napkin, yet not on the actual food? A bowl of chef boyardee-esqe bland tomato sauce was in the center of the mini fish sticks. We had picked this over the fried calamari, and I shed a little tear of regret as I watched the giant platter of crispy fabulous looking calamari served to the neighboring table. Bread was soft and heavily sprinkled with flour - oil and vinegar were standard. I would say the bread was a plus. A heaping portion of pesto spaghetti with a few pine nuts to garnish the top was my entree - pesto was fresh, but it sort of felt like, I could have had this at home. I was a little bored with the dish. My husband opted for the the sea bass in a white wine and tomato sauce. Fish was delicious, but the potato gratin and spinach sides came off a bit salty. Chocolate souffle to cap it off - it was the perfect size - you could devour it between two people and not want to pop a button or take a nap afterwards.
(3)
Jennifer L.

I went here a few years ago on a fabulous date. The ocean, atmosphere of the restaurant and the fabulous food, lend it to be a romantic setting for a great evening. If you have the chance, don't pass it up.
(5)
Derek C.

I need to preface this review by saying I'm not the world's biggest Italian food fan. I think it's "all right" but too often, restaurants get all "Spaghetti Factory" and "Olive Garden" so that the food is no better than what you'd make at home. This place however is amazingly good, classy, and friendly. One thing to remember is that as you drive in, DO NOT go to the cafe mezza luna. We had to do a couple of double takes since we were expecting a fine restaurant and saw something more like a Mrs. Field's Cookies. Instead, persevere deeper into the village and you shall find it. With a reservation, even on a busy night, we were seated immediately. Bread was chewy and simple. We had a proscuitto and fruit appetizer. The wife had a veal dish and I had the Zuppa del Pescadore which was like a ciopinno but more like a broth. It was perfectly slow cooked so all the fishies were tender and moist. For dessert, we went chocolate crazy and was totally satisfied with the molten cake and chocolate cheesecake. Definitely can't wait to go back.
(5)
Chris K.

A really nice Italian restaurant--nothing special, but a great atmosphere , and a nice place to have a long, quiet meal. Service as good, and the food was pretty good, too. I had penne with mozzarella and eggplant, plus burschetta to start. My girlfriend had the zuppe de pescatore, which she liked a lot. Overall a nice place, and a fun meal.
(3)
Travis L.

Good Italian food. We ate in the bar side of the restaurant, which was good as the group was having a little extra fun from the reunion we had just left. When the server came around I hadn't had time to look at the menu. The waiter suggested the veil with a mushroom sauce. Which was tasty.
(4)
One Twelve K.

Our second time to Mezza Luna in two years. Tortellini was fantastic. Bread was good, but very hard crust, not warm with no butter. Vinegar & oil instead. Margarita was perfect. Finished with Chocolate SoufflÃ©. Excellent! Great food, great prices!
(5)
Quincy B.

Fantastic Italian food... Great date night experience.. Can't wait to come back...
(5)
Pinky B.

I came here for lunch with 28 people on a Saturday. Everyone in our party loved their food. We had appetizers, I had pasta and some people had dessert and they were all good. I would definitely come here again. Service was good too, they were very accommodating with our large party.
(4)
Mara T.

Considering this is where my husband and I had our first date over 8 years ago, Mezza Luna holds a special place in my food-loving little heart. We've been back countless times since, and every time is pretty much the same. The food is consistently good, the place is warm and typically bustling, the parking is pretty easy. But really it's more about the sentimentality this place holds for me. And my husband really loves Italian food and thinks theirs is fab so that's good enough for us. I like their gnocchi with red sauce...it's where I first realized I actually liked gnocchi (what, potato pasta??)...I don't like their thin steak...but as my husband says...why would you come to an Italian restaurant and order steak anyway. Good point. We have tried and love many of their ravioli options (meat, lobster, pumpkin, mushroom!), and their mozz and tomato salad with fresh basil ...YUM. Bread, EVOO. Desserts of course, they have a huge, mouth-watering case of them...how can you not try one...or two. Tiramisu is a fave. Oh and their coffee is a must-try with your dessert. I think it's Illy...seems like it always is whenever I think it's good. I had no idea they had pizza...wow..all these years of going and never tried the pizza. Next time that is SO on the list.
(4)
Joe B.

Excellent food, we are Italian and the food is real Italian. Best Italian food on the coast. Have enjoyed the food three times now and will go back for more, we live in San Francisco worth the drive. Joe B.
(5)
Masoud R.

This is the best food you can ever eat in half moon bay. Bread is yummy. The muscles are the best. Try it and food is awesome.
(5)
W J.

update: I did give the place a 5 stars but now it's at 4 because a recent visit. My wife paid with credit card and when she got her credit card bill couple weeks later she noticed the waiter charger her $1 more than what she wrote down. We called and them and they did re credit us, but that was not cool! We'll still go back because the food is good. But make sure you keep your receipt if you paid with credit card or just pay cash. Best Italian Restaurant on the Coast! They consistently have great food, good services, good price that why we are repeat customers. We went there at 10 times the last 12 months. My favorite is the Galetto Innamorato, semi boneless cornish game hem, the marinated and served with garlic and rosemary sauce. it take 15mins but it's so worth the wait. The sauce it simply heavenly. one taste of the sauce meat you feel like you have gone the heaven. The last year I ordered this dish at least 4 times. They service this dish with different vegetable from season to season which is why I never get tired of it. If you want to impress a date have foody friends or relatives coming in town this is the place to go. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Discourser T.

Finally went here with The Wife on a date night. Sat at the window looking out towards the Legion Hall across the street. Started with the Bruschetta with thick tomato slices and fresh basil. Appetizer was OK. My Caesar salad was also just OK. For dinner I had Parma ham and mozzarella wrapped in veal. That was good. The Wife's gnocchi ala Gorgonzola was far better. The place was clean and the service was great but the food experience was just "meh".
(2)
H C.

We had a really fantastic meal here during our stay in HMB. We ordered the lasagna on the specials menu (ham, mushrooms, pesto, etc. in a cream sauce) and the penne alla calabrese (sauted with homemade pork sausage and mushrooms in a tomato sauce). Both were delicious. The sauce really came through for the penne and the lasagna was melt-in-your-mouth good. I think we stuffed ourselves, partially from pounding down many slices of delicious bread, so we didn't have room for dessert. Oh yeah, and our B&B was serving us chocolate-dipped strawberries when we got back. So... no dessert this time. Cool ambiance too - perfect if you want to impress your date... p.s. We actually price and menu-compared Mezza Luna to Pasta Moon in person. On average, Pasta Moon's prices were at least $5-6 more than Mezza Luna. And, we simply weren't interested in many of Pasta Moon's dishes. I definitely was feeling Mezza Luna's environment more, as it was near the water and more isolated. Some band was blasting its music live at Pasta Moon. Take your pick.
(5)
Lisa A.

Mezza Luna is a wonderful Italian restaurant in Half Moon Bay. I have eaten there both for lunch and dinner and the food and service has been great. I first ate here while staying at The Ritz Carlton. We asked one of the valets if there was any place we had to eat at, and the only place he said was Mezza Luna! The menu changes frequently and the prices are not cheap, but the food is very good. I think the drive from SF to HMB is beautiful, so if you have some free time and want to have a great meal, I would make the drive to HMB!
(4)
Loren H.

A bit of drive from San Francisco, but this restaurant with its flair for rustic Italian cuisine is worth it. The view and the great wait staff makes this place so worth seeking it out. Fantastic seafood too.
(5)
Dawn A.

The food is good, although I think the prices are a bit to high for the quality of food. Service seems inconsistent -- as sometimes I've had great service and other times not so much.
(2)
Scott C.

Good solid place. Always a good value, some are better deals than others. Compare this place to any other restuarant on the coast like this and its hard to find something that comes close.
(4)
BChizzle C.

Our party of 5 drove to HMB to try out Mezza Luna based largely on the positive Yelp reviews here. The day prior, we made a reservation which the restaurant could not find upon our arrival but happily accommodated us nonetheless on what appeared to be a very busy night. The ambiance is very lively - it was packed and the clientle spanned a wide range of ages. The restaurant itself is sort of quirky and old-fashioned, not sleek and modern as the website would imply. Service was not unpleasant, but not spectacular. The waiter was unfamiliar with the wine list and not helpful in providing recommendations. When an order was messed up (wrong dish arrived) it was corrected almost immediately. The food itself was mediocre at best . For appetizers our table shared prosciutto and melon (decent) and fried calamari (not crisp at all, served with a watery sauce). The main courses were not very impressive - the seafood (tried in both a seafood and linguine dish as well as a seafood cooked in saffron broth dish) was not as fresh as the restaurant's close proximity to the coast would have warranted, and the linguine was a bit softer than al dente. Similarly a meat lasagna dish was fine but not impressive. Nothing was inedible, but nothing was distinctive either. Vanilla gelato was outstanding. Prices were average for restaurants of this class (solid but unspectacular). I would definitely not drive to Half Moon Bay to dine here again, and the next time I find myself in Half Moon Bay I will definitely try another option.
(2)
sophie p.

again! Mezza Luna does it again!! I took some friends from Boston there as our "special treat" and I'll be honest I was a little apprehensive that our favorite restaurant wouldn't hold up but it was AWESOME!!! it always is, the service is impeccable the food great (i wanted my own entree but my fiance made me split and i was bummed i couldn't totally pig out but the split portion was just right- but i love bringing it home!!!). The wine was great they suggested a good bottle for not that much...Sacramento the bartender is really helpful ask for him he will guide you....
(5)
sue g.

First let me say my husband would give it a 4 or 4 1/2. We started with fried calamari and artichoke soup. Both were very good. Then I had chicken saltimboca and my husband had a steak. The dinners normally come with veggies and oven roasted potatoes. My husband asked for pasta in place of the potatoes. That was a smart choice as my potatoes were hard as rocks. The steak and chicken were very good though. Since there were very few diners in the restaurant, our italian waiter was very attentive, almost too attentive. There was a long wait between the 1st and 2nd courses. Didn't try dessert. With a $18 bottle of house wine our total came to $80. Was it a nice dinner, nice clean restaurant, friendly staff, good food? Yes, but I probably wouldn't go back. Didn't blow me away.Lots of other really good restaurants in the area to choose from. Nice place to have a party meal.
(3)
Katharine A.

Mediocre is the key word here. I've com here many times over the years (the first time with a boyfriend who raved about it; I disagreed then and still do). I really want to like this place. I think there is potential here to be great, but I always leave unsatisfied.
(2)
Uri S.

Came for many years for the amazing fettuccine Alfredo. Made a special trip for mothers day. They have a limited menu, and they'll make no exceptions: no fettuccine Alfredo. It's a basic dish. So much for "customer us always right". Ok, won't be coming any more, won't bring friends, this place is done. Francesco, our favorite waiter, left recently too -- smart.
(1)
V. W.

Okay, evidently six stars are not available. Benjamins have been few and far between since our company tanked.However, this was our 10th anniversary. Chaaargggge! We ordered the bruschetta and caprese appetizers. The basil may have been grown on site, it was so fresh. I wish to speak to the wait staff. We were seated at the table reserved for us within 5 minutes. Our waiter Eric was unobtrusively there for our every desire. Never hovering but always attentive, accurately reading our mood and celebration. Highest marks to Eric and the bus person right there with water, bread and welcoming. But wait, there's more. The main courses...calamari steak...linguine with clams and splitting the lasagne...yes we were piglets but felt, hey now we work our patoots off. Eric facilitated the most perfect of Ketel One martinis. Red wine wonderful. The food wonderful. Wait there's more. Hubby left his new Anniversary Ray-Bans at the table. Or not. We both checked the car (dark when we left) and no go. Spoke to Eric directly Sun am and hoping for the best. HE called back and said he interviewed all the employees attending our table. No clues. Oh oops...in the car in a ridiculous place and fantastic understanding and soothing of feeling incredibly stupid on our part.More than six stars. Will so recommend and return when we can.
(5)
john e.

1) Location/decor: Itsa OK. Nothing special, except that there were many hearty looking customers having a good time. Good, loud energy. 2) Service: The joint was busy as hell this Saturday night. We had an 8:00 reservation, were seated promptly, got a glass of wine, and waited 20 minutes for our waiter to talk to us again. Then he had about three huge groups leave, and service was good thereafter. The waiter was badly over-scheduled until 8:30 apparently. 3) Wine: I didn't give the list a good look, instead choosing a Bouchaine Rose of Syrah from a short by-the-glass list. Roses get a bad rap in my view, good not-sweet ones can be so nice, especially with something like fish with tomatoes. Lovely wine. My lady's Sauvignon Blanc was very nice as well. 4) Food a) Bread: Wonder breadish, but plenty of it. Good-sized bottles of decent olive oil and balsamic vinegar were on the table, and the bread needed them. b) Anitpasto: I got the Italian Antipasto. A plate big enough for two arrived with good olives, pickled mushrooms, good spiced beets, a one-slice caprese salad, a slice of parma ham, a brucheta, grilled eggplant, roasted red peppers... damn good. My honey got the antipasto di giorno, a big serving of beets with goat cheese. Too much of a good thing maybe. c) Entre: My sea bass was a nice sized serving for the money, served with a good sauce of capers, fancy mushrooms, tomatoes, olive oil, etc. The fish didn't seem cooked right...a little mushy. The lady had a special of pork rolled around a filling. Good, but dense. Tasted like a Thanksgiving dish. Sagey. Both dishes were served with delicious sauteed chard, and funky-tasting roasted potatoes. 4) Dessert: We ordered the special chocolate souffle. What we got wasn't really a souffle, but something small, gooey, and dense. It was good but needed some vanilla ice cream as an offset. We got a good serving of bland vanilla gelato with some berries, for which we were not charged. The meal came together better than the individual elements sound. Good meal. Price: $120 with tip. A little much. If I could give 3 1/2 stars, I might.
(3)
greenbear a.

Is it possible to give a "one-star" review when the food and atmosphere were quite decent? YEP. THat must mean the SERVICE sucked... well, not even that, because the hostess and the bus boy were very nice... SO, how do you get a ONESTAR... You insult me in front of my mom- on her birthday- and you put down my girlfriend with you B-S Italian Accent... Dude- if it wasn't my mom's birthday- I would have asked your Pee Wee Herman looking slimy smiling fake Italian self out in to the parking lot where we could handle it "mono- a - mono"... Yep, I tipped you 20%... Yep, I didn't even ask the busboy what your name was... I DON"T CARE. How dare you treat me, my family, my friends like that. I have worked in the service industry too. YOU SHOULD NOT. I hope it was your last tip, and you get canned. Simple. IF you go there- get one of the BALD waiters- they may be the owners... OH- by the way... my waiter acted like he was on meth or something. "PREGO" my friend, prego. PS- we still had a wonderful night.... BUT, I promised myself I would deal with you later... Now you can deal with it now. Basta Cosi?
(1)
Bob R.

I have been eating at Mezza Luna for years and have never had a bad meal. The service equals the food. The food quality is consistently excellent with interesting and delicious specials every night. Dining here is like attending a family meal in an atmosphere reminiscent of the old Italian restaurants of San Francisco.
(5)
Mark W.

Good, Quality Food in a nice romantic setting.... Definitely a great spot to bring someone on a first date. It should do the trick to give a very good first impression. Tried the Pizza to share and it was very tasty. And the entree I tried was the chicken topped with Parma Ham and Mozerella Cheese. A little bit of a hidden gem since it is officially in "Princeton by the Sea" but once you've found it, you will not be disappointed. Slightly north of HMB....
(4)
Vicki B.

I love their bread -- the best!! Lovely menu. The only reason I am not giving 5 stars is there is no outside seating which would be my preference on a lovely day on the coast. Very professional service and never had a meal that disappointed.
(4)
Gil G.

We have now eaten here three times and just love the place. The service has been great each time and we have enjoyed every dish that we have had. Looking forward to our next visit.
(5)
Bob S.

Made it to Mezza Luna only once in 2008 after dining there a few times over the years. The food and service, as usual, was excellent. Unfortunately, 24 hours after my last visit I received a call from American Express inquiring if I was making software purchases from Sweden and a myriad of other electronic products. After two months, $3,500 of bogus charges and numerous letters / E-Mails I cleaned it up. Also called twice to restaurant and asked for Owner who I never heard from. Had AMEX for years and this was the first time in a year where the card disappeared from my view. Nevery again! When I go next time ... it's cash .... or I swipe the card!!
(3)
Ang E.

The food was bland and over-cooked. The wait staff is very good. We did enjoy the bruschetta (w/o goat cheese) The ceasar salad...lettuce was not crisp..seemed like lettuce was sitting out. The dressing was oily...basically anchovie oil. I make ceasar salads at home and theirs seemed like oil was drizzed over...Jar Ceasar would have been better on crisp romaine. I asked the waiter to suggest...I gave him 3 items that seemed interesting...The special was Sea Bass...when I mentioned that over the Veal (which I wish I did the veal on reg. menu) He was...Oh, the Sea Bass if Really fresh...so that sold me. We questioned about Chicken parmagiana...he said that is usually made under a special, but since it was slow he will ask the chef if he could make that for my husband. They did...well all it was was a breaded chicken breast, poured some tomato paste bland sauce (Ragu or any jar marinara sauce would have been better) over and put this slice of cheese on it...the cheese looked like it was processed and that they had to take the plastic wrapper off the slice. My sea bass was over cooked...very dry...it seemed 1-2 more minutes would have made it edible. The sauce on it looked dried out...I don't know, but maybe it was sitting under the lamps too long? We did try the tiramisu...that was O.K. not many places have a good tiramisu, but the lady fingers were dry...and the marscone was more like whipped cream....All and all for a little over $20 for the chicken and $24 for the sea bass...it Really was NOT Worth it. I would not go back and I would not recommend to a friend.
(2)
Rosemarie A.

I took my friends here today and was so disappointed! The food was terrible n my friend found a scrubbing wire in her linguine pasta! Euw!!!! The waiter explained that it was used from scrubbing the seafood! They did give us free dessert n again it was tasteless. The utensils were not really clean. I couldnt even drink the coffee i ordered since again the coffee mug was dirty! This place is horrible beyond belief! I wish i could give it negative stars!
(1)
Cynthia G.

We had our wedding reception here. It was great! They were very responsive to me before and during the festivities, and everyone loved the menu. They printed out small cards for everyone and arranged the tables in a cozy but uncrowded layout. The dance floor took a pounding, too. Our menu included pizzette (I didn't have any, my husband thought it was so-so, but everyone else came up to me and praised it); appetizers (generous, with lots of vegetarian portions, and devoured); tricolore pasta (the gnocchi in white sauce was simply raved over); and steak, prawns, or veggie (steak and prawn people were pretty full and almost burst eating these, which I hear was worth it; the coordinator worked with me to select a healthy veggie option of fruit and cheese, which people adored); the final touch was a generous portion of tiramisu and plentiful coffee to go around. The party was a blast and we have the wonderful staff there to thank - and I've even gotten Facebook comments such as "wow, I really didn't know wedding food could be this good!"
(5)
Jennifer T.

I love love love authentic family owned restaurants where they actually greet you and sit you themselves. I especially love family owned restaurants that have good food and great family atmosphere. We just had the specials last night, the halibut and the risotto. The Risotto was mixed with blue cheese and mushrooms, Holy F*ck it was good...and the halibut was so fresh, and just cooked perfectly in a white wine sauce with capers. I know I'll be back and then I can really sample their Italian cuisine, but my most memorable moment of last night, was the cute little 1 1/2 year old crying at the table a few down from us. The waiter was this older Italian guy, like your Grandpa, and he went in the closet and brought out a little mini piano for her to play with. Then he proceeded to carry her around the restaurant and play with her so her parents could enjoy their meal. What a great spot!
(5)
Sandra W.

Great tasting food! Their seafood pastas are by far our favorites on the menu! Very good service and decent prices. Will definately go back!
(4)
Manic Beagle M.

Sonnofagun, they are listed twice! Again, I post: We tried going there one afternoon. "Tried" being the operative word. Walked in and were greeted by a sign that notified us of the recent change in ownership. And that was it. We waited (ungreeted) for about 10 minutes and then left. An effort was made to get the attention of the wait staff in the dining room which was less than half full. But it was made in vain. Just unacceptable.
(1)
John G.

Never had a bad meal here. The mezzaluna salad is very good ( mixed greens topped with marinated seafood )so is the gnocchi Gorgonzola. Lately I've been a fan of the salmone Alla Delores ( fresh salmon with green peppercorns topped with a brandy cream sauce ) Love to end the night with the strawberry ice cream cake with white chocolate. Service has always been good.
(4)
Alice P.

Mediocre at best. One of the locals suggested this place and said it was really good, and boy were we disappointed. We started with a ceasar salad, which had clearly been sitting in watery dressing for a while because the lettuce leaves were wilted. The only flavor on the salad was from the extra anchovies that I asked for, for which they charged me $3 (I always ask for anchovies on a Cesar, and only one other time, also a not good meal, was I charged extra). We each had pastas that were bland and uninspiring. Hubby said his tasted like it came out of a can. I like Half Moon Bay but I won't be returning to this place.
(2)
ERIN M.

I dine at this spot a few times a month. While it is not the top Italian restaurant I've visited, it is a quality restaurant with consistently good food which is why we return regularly. My children love the alfredo sauce and the salads are always a nice starter. The chicken with sundried tomato sauce takes a long time, but it's worth the wait. I am very picky about my calamari, but it is always done perfectly and I recommend ordering it. The caprese is excellent and one of my favorite starters. The gnocchi is great, not doughy like some other places. It has the right texture. Great local restaurant for coastals.
(4)
Nicki M.

My husband brought me here for dinner for our one year wedding anniversary. We were seated promptly, then handed menus. We asked our waiter a few questions about menu items, like if the antipasto plate was a salad. He replied "yes, a salad." what we received was definitely NOT a salad, but an array of salami, mushrooms and olives, some cold beets and cold mushy zucchini and other things I didn't quite recognize. We ate about half of it, it wasn't too appetizing. Maybe an acquired taste? Well, strike one for not knowing your own menu items. We ordered a pizza and a chicken dish to share. Our pizza came first, and it was amazing! The dough was perfection, crispy and delicious. Cheese was hot and stringy, sausage spicy, yum! love the pizza!! The chicken, well, strike two. It was bland, the vegetable (kale? Spinach? Don't quite know, it was steamed into oblivion.) was mush. It also took a VERY long time to get to us. So, overall, food was ok, service ok, at least the atmosphere was nice, and since our wait staff was scarcely seen, my husband and I had time to gaze into each others eyes and enjoy long conversations about our first year together. Silver lining, I guess. :) it didn't ruin our anniversary, so I guess we're alright.
(2)
Daniel O.

"Very happy with the meal, the service, and the location." How often can you say that about a place? How often does the service spoil a good meal, or a mediocre meal leave you feeling like you've been ripped off? How often have you gone down to one of those "quaint" little places by the water, only to discover food that's eclipsed by the meal USAirways served you on the way in from Charlotte? And yet, I take those chances. I take them because I do find myself pleasantly surprised - and tonight was one of those times. We were early. Primarily because being a native San Franciscan of nearly twenty years now, I thought Half Moon Bay was just north of Santa Cruz. Turns out, of course, it isn't. In fact, it's about as far from San Francisco as, well, San Mateo. The hostess had a little trouble with the reservation because I suppose my name sounds different over the telephone. However, she quickly seated us, and we perused the San Valentino Day menu. We started out with Carpaccio di Salmone, which is an eighteen letter name for lox. It was a great appetizer though, very flavorful, and above all, light enough not to get in the way of what was coming next. We had two entrees, I had the grouper baked in an olive oil and light lemon butter sauce. Fantastic. And she had the lamb shank. Now I know the Romans were supposedly the ones who brought civilization and culture to that part of the world...but I couldn't help thinking that maybe, just maybe. there was a little Visigoth or Vandal somewhere in the chef's past. It was served on a bed of polenta, made just the way I like it, with lots of butter, and a little olive oil. Mmmn. Gotta recommend that. Now for dessert, what else but Tiramisu. And this one was fantastic. Oozing with cream, and just a hint of coffee, this treat was the perfect end to a great meal. Service was excellent. Parking was easy. And the location was simple to find. It was a great meal, and a perfect Valentine's Day experience.
(4)
John B.

Would I call the food here great? No. The food is good to very good. Don't order the pizza here. It's just very "whatever" The deserts are very good though. They have a full case of them on display. Service is so so...
(3)
Bernadette C.

Surprisingly, Mezza Luna is great for both quiet dates and big loud parties. There are two main rooms to the restaurant, one which gives you a view of the Half Moon Bay Marina (which is pretty nice and romantic near sunset with all the lights) and the other with a bar and TV, giving it a much livelier vibe. The food is pretty good, but there were bumps during our meal. I appreciated that we were served warm bread (It's a toss up between fresh and store bought at many restaurants) The appetizer sampler plate was AMAZING. The mozzarella was very fresh - not too oily, not too dry - and combined with the fresh tomato and basil, it made my taste buds happy. The plate also included toast with a fava bean spread. I have never had it before this night, but now I am in love. It's very difficult to pinpoint the taste, and the best I can do is say its a mix of slightly buttery, creamy, nutty, and TOTALLY good =P My boyfriend ordered the Tortellini alla Crema e funghi (tortellini and mushroom in a cream sauce) and while he liked it, I thought the cream sauce was too strong and a little on the heavier side as many Italian restaurants make it. The desserts were also a mix. We ordered the Creme Brulee and Chocolate Souffle. I was disappointed with the Creme Brulee. The top fire-glazed layer of sugar was good, but the custard was too cold for my liking (it's made to be slightly cold, but still). However, the chocolate souffle was very good. The temperature of the warm chocolate oozing out of the cake was perfect, and while the cake itself was a little dry, the overall taste of chocolate syrup in chocolate cake was great. As for the service, all the staff there were extremely nice. We had many requests throughout the dinner and sat until past closing time and they still were extremely nice and attentive. So in retrospect, I would still recommend this place because there were only small negatives points and greater positive points about this place. Plus, the prices were definitely reasonable, given other eating options in Half Moon Bay. I guess you can say it gives you a good bang for you buck =)
(4)
Guru T.

The food and service here were ok, though it took a while to get seated. But I could hardly swallow, seeing all the people around me in ties and formals! Did I go on Columbus Day ;-) ? "Casual" has got 2 votes so far. Hope that is right and I am wrong. Can't handle ties!
(4)
Noreen Cooper H.

Absolutely the best restaurant on the Coast for the quality of food and reasonable pricing. We dine at Mezza Luna more frequently than any other restaurant in the area. The waiters also offer superb service with their Old World Italian charm.
(5)
Kelsi P.

This is a good italian restaurant with reliably good, classic italian dishes. I ordered some special bruchetta with zucchini, goat cheese, etc for the second time in two years, and was unimpressed (I think I'm expecting a different taste than this dish brings) but otherwise all the other dishes have been great. I also like that it is a restaurant near the ocean which does not primarily sell fish. One thing that keeps me coming here often is how loud the restaurant can be.
(4)
Diane B.

I've been coming here for years. Have I already reviewed them? I can't remember, but anyway... We came here last week after my son graduated from 8th grade. There were 8 of us including twin just 3 year olds. We got my all time favorite waiter, pretty much anywhere, Renato. I had delicious lamb chops, served with roasted potatoes and asparagus, just right. I started with the Caeser, which I always like, but come on now, where are the anchovies... white ones would be perfect. The graduates had pasta, bolognese, and something veggie for the veggie. I never saw what Anne had, but the two dads had the special pork scallopini stuffed with apples and gorgonzola. The portion was a bit small, but it looked good. The twins went straight for desert, chocolate ice cream cake thing and banana ice cream. Renato is always the perfect host and clearly loved the little guys. I have only been dissapointed here once about 5 years ago. The Princeton Harbor view is lovely, and it feels like home. I will always return!
(4)
Linda C.

Great little Italian restaurant! Good food, friendly staff. Try the caprese salad.
(4)
Ennie L.

Not much to do in Princeton- by-the-sea, but this resto is charming and spacious. They make their own pasta, it was very authentic and absolutely delicious! We ordered the salmon pizza, angel hair tomato and basil, veal, crab ravioli, seafood pasta. All the dishes were excellent and the price pretty reasonable.
(4)
Kevin M.

Great place for an Italian dinner. The service is always great and they have a large space so theres hardly a wait even on busy nights.
(4)
Lizzy A.

I have been a Mezza Luna fan for quite some time. Their food is amazing, and their staff is very friendly and patient! I have a habit of making too many subsutitions/changes, and they are always very accommodating. For us, Mezza luna always starts with a good bottle of wine, or on occasion a few coctails. Then its time to dive in!!! I absolutly love the linguini tutto mare (no shrimp please!!), and the gnocchi (switch the sauce to pesto!!) Le Boy usually gets the special of the day (hes the adventerous one, where i like to know what I want before even ordering drinks!!) As for apps my fiance and I love the mussles, which come in this divine sauce(good for dipping bread too!!) , the smoked salmon and the calamari. Its amazing that after eating so much I still sit waiting like a 2 year old for my dessert to come! I love the tiramisu and my fiance loves the cream puffs.(well i love those too....especially stealing one of his!!) Overall its a nice date night, with great food, ocean views, and yummy dessert!!!
(5)
Jason R.

Ambiance: There are two seating areas. One (where we sat) was clean, Mediterranean/contemporary feel, bright and airy. The other side, where the bar is located is a bit darker, warmer and sportier (a couple TV's for watching sporting events). Both were nice, but I liked looking out at the water. Service: Attentive staff, drinks came fast and there was always water on the table. Food came out at an acceptable rate and dishes were cleared between servings. Food: Calamari was perfectly cooked, not too greasy, tender and crispy with a nice warm marinara sauce. Linguine with mussels and red sauce: My favorite dish. Hot, fresh pasta with a nicely prepared marinara and plenty of mussels. My only complaint would be that the mussels were tiny. They should have used green lipped mussels. Gnocchi with Gorgonzola cream sauce: Decent dish, cheese sauce could have had more cheese added, but still, it was good. The Dessert menu looked so good, but we were too full... Price: Appetizer, two dishes and two drinks came to $49
(4)
Nadine K.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Mezza Luna yet... as I have been going there regularly for years & it's the first restaurant we tried when we moved to the coast 8 years ago. Mezza Luna is my favorite all around restaurant on the coast (Half Moon Bay area). I think in the last 8 years my family & I have averaged coming here about twice a month for 8 years. Ok- so I am first going to talk about the BEST part of the restaurant which is just all of the people. I think for this reason alone Mezza Luna is actually my all time favorite restaurant that I have ever been to in my whole life! Seriously! The owners are wonderful, especially Roberto and his wife. From what I understand, the owners and some of the staff are from the region in Umbria in Italy & they bring a certain warmth, flair & definite charm to the whole experience. My children have always been welcomed & respected & Mezza Luna, in fact I feel gratitude for Mezza Luna and their staff because it has been a place where my boys have learned many of their manners & calmness in eating out in a nice restaurant & especially they have learned to appreciate good food and try new & exotic things. For example, my boys 10 & 7 years old have been eating 'pasta de la baia" for years!!!!!. They eat every little legged purple calamari & clam & mussel & oysters... I think it's quite remarkable. They'll eat rabbit! ??? They will try almost anything at mezza luna & be happy with it- and the staff encourages them. :) We always very very welcomed there. While the dining area is beautiful and light & you get some views of the harbor, we always prefer to sit in the cozy warmth of the back bar area. THe lighting is lovely, the bog fireplace is great & Sacramento, the bartender is the nicest man ever. Over the years I've heard about his 3 daughters being born & growing & it's just nice to know the same people over a long time at a local restaurant. Michael & Francesco & all of the waiters actually, are unbelievably charming & handsome & warm & friendly & when I have family members in town, like mothers, they love to sit in their sections. :) The hostess in wonderful, she is so sweet & funny & friendly.... we've known her for years- and most of the staff. I just think that's very rare nowadays to have such a family consistent feel. And to me it is cherished to have that feeling in a restaurant just down the street. And you can either go there for a 'nicer' dinner wearing your best.... or we feel totally welcomed just dropping in even after a hike or for a mellow family dinner. There has even been or two 'ladies nights out' where we somehow ended up at Mezza Luna perhaps I proceeded to revert back to college day behavior (oops!) and extended our visit after hours and they were extremely kind and made sure we got home safely & while I was completely embarrassed because they know me as 'Nadine, the mom' - they let me know later it was also just fine to know me as 'Nadine, who still likes to laugh & let go one in a while on her own " :) As for the food :) - I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every single meal I have ever had at Mezza Luna (ok, except for once when was just mediocre, but not bad at all, and it was for a very large fundraiser & everything was pre-ordered and pre- put together, so often times those kinds of meals are just ok). :) But- I think it says quite a bit about a restaurant that I have gone to well over a hundred times in the last 8 years- that we have enjoyed every single meal!!!! The food is great- it is solid and it stands on it's own. It's not super nouveau or trendy or some major work of art- it's not a place like that. It is, however, always solid very good very fresh food - that is beautifully presented and cared for. I always love their pasta dishes, the tortellini being a favorite, and I also usually opt for their pasta specials which are generally great, ESPECIALLY their spinach ravioli or cannelloni. I have also always enjoyed their seafood dishes, especially the special of the evening- petrole sole being my favorite. Simple delicious piece of fish with vegetables and potatoes or pasta- perfect! Their chicken dishes are great- and while I am not a huge red meat eater- everyone I've ever been with has loved their steaks and other meat dishes. Last week my son tried their special, a rabbit stew, and it was quite wonderful. A very traditional dish- our whole family thought was delicious. And- their pizza are GREAT! Delicious crusts & they will honor quite a variation of requests. :) So....... have I said I love Mezza Luna :) I love Mezza Luna & I truly cherish this little gem of a place and feel fortunate that it is a part of my everyday life. And I look forward to knowing the owners & staff more & more as the years go on. Enjoy~ Nadine
(5)
Chris E.

Tasty foods and wines. The daily fish has never disappointed me, usually grilled not fried. My friend had a pizza, whose leftovers were just as tasty after two days in my refrigerator. And if you like chocolate, don't miss the chocolate souffle, which you must order early so they can prepare it. Once you've had this souffle, you can go to your grave happy and contented!
(5)
Nicole F.

Classy, tasty, lovely. I absolutely adore Mezza Luna. Excellent food, just excellent. They provide strong dishes with every plate they offer; meat, vegetable, pasta, salads, desserts are all very very good. Fast and formal service. Intimate ambiance, great for a birthday or anniversary dinner. The bar is lovely with a great wine selection; great for happy hour, single dining or small events. Worth the considerable bill.
(5)
Jane K.

Authentic Italian with very distinct flavors, and choices. Food was terrific, atmosphere is good, service is warm and friendly. Capaccio Indovinato is to die for! Boneless Cornish game hen is yummy, and the calamari is impossible to stop eating. They have the best pasta, fresh, home made with rich sauces w/lots of flavor. Prices are very good for the quality of food. Service is friendly, and attentive. Fun location, can stay after for a drink, or go down the street to one of the many spots.
(4)
Fred G.

This place has a great location and some delicious dishes. The prices are reasonable, as well. The only downside is that the (recent?) expansion has negatively impacted the service. I personally think the new back room has less charm, as well -- it's cavernous and without views.
(4)
Mark H.

My wife and I went to Mezza Luna for the first time last night to celebrate our friend's 60th birthday. Altogether, there were 20 people having dinner at our very long table. And it was New Year's Day. My first impression was that Mezza Luna reminded me of some of the neighborhood Italian restaurants I used to frequent in Brooklyn where I grew up that served pretty basic American Italian food. Nothing fancy, but pretty good. Mezza Luna lived up to that impression. We ordered several different appetizers to share among our party. The Insalata Caprese ($9.50), sliced tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, olive oil and basil, was pretty good, with fairly tasty tomatoes considering the off season and very nice cheese and fresh basil. I didn't eat the Calamari Fritti ($10.50) myself, but it looked and smelled very good, and the others seemed to enjoy it very much, even ordering extras. The Pizze Alla Calabrese ($12.50) was delicious, with plenty of sausage and mushrooms on top of a crispy, flavorful crust. We each ordered individual entrees. I had to have the Lasagna alla Bolognese ($14.50), and was not disappointed. A large slab of multi-layered pasta filled with ricotta cheese, ground top sirloin beef and tasty tomato sauce was quite satisfying. My only complaint was that I felt it should have been served still bubbling in an individual casserole dish instead of on a cool, flat plate. My wife chose the Linguine della Baia ($16.00), which offered linguine sauteÃ©d with mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp in a light tomato sauce. The seafood and sauce was all good, but the pasta should have been more al dente. I can't really comment on the wine, which was purchased by the "birthday boy" and was more or less the house wines (red and white). All I can say is the red was better. We shared Mezza Luna's "signature" dessert, which turned out to be the now fairly common individual chocolate cake that oozes liquid chocolate when you cut into it. I've seen this same dish at several other restaurants, and this one was no better that the others. We also tasted the tiramisu, which was disappointing. The hazelnut gelato was pretty good. Service was good, but it's hard to tell with a crowd of 20. We all got the food we ordered, it came hot and the wait staff was fairly attentive to our particular needs. But given the size of our party, it was kind of institutionalized. I think the comment another made about TGI Friday's type service is accurate. All in all, this was an OK dinner. It's not sophisticated food, but good, solid Italian food of a particular style, and if that's what you're expecting, it won't disappoint. Overall, I'd say the prices were kind on the high side for what you're getting, but I suspect that's due to the location and the tourist crowd it attracts, not unlike what you find at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. If you're in the area, I guess it's still cheaper than driving somewhere else, but this is not really what I'd call a destination restaurant.
(3)
Demi G.

Nice dÃ©cor, great service, delicious food! Loved their seafood stew.
(5)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Address : 459 Prospect Way
Half Moon Bay, CA, 94019
Phone (650) 728-8108
Website https://www.mezzalunabythesea.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Mezzaluna

459 Prospect Way, Half Moon Bay, CA, 94019

Mezzaluna Menu

Appetizers And Salads

Pasta

Meats And Seafood

Pizza

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mezzaluna

Appetizers And Salads

Pasta

Meats And Seafood

Pizza

Gino M.

Valerie N.

Dara V.

Candace S.

Clifton C.

Henrietta A.

Buster H.

Satish S.

Kevin G.

Bob C.

Rob C.

Mirelle C.

Jay J.

Anson W.

Kim L.

Jeremy S.

Kirsten S.

Alice C.

Lisa E.

Tyler L.

Christina L.

Sreelakshmi S.

William W.

Karen C.

Lauren M.

Norma A.

Michael T.

A S.

Elaine N.

mark i.

Alyssa B.

Gretchen U.

Wayne J.

Michelle M.

A W.

Vanessa L.

Zin M.

Erwin R.

Ashok R.

Shannon N.

Brian O.

Rosa B.

Sandra D.

Angela M.

Jeffery G.

Lilian L.

Arkadiy S.

YAYA L.

Lynn M.

JoeandKari C.

Tony P.

Joel G.

J R.

Jeff L.

Maggie C.

Ron L.

Janet P.

Carlos R.

Brian H.

Andrew B.

Amanda D.

Phuong P.

Judith F.

Ram I.

Gary C.

Cat V.

Theresa M.