Dining rooted in tradition, right in Half Moon Bay.
Brazilian Pizzeria and Grill in Half Moon Bay, CA
Welcome to Nelci’s Kitchen—where we’re preserving the best of Mr. Pizza Man and bringing a whole new world of homemade comfort to your table in Half Moon Bay, CA. Honestly, there’s nothing like the smell of fresh dough and wood-fired goodness drifting through the coastal fog. Whether you’re coming off the trail at Purisima Creek Redwoods or wrapping up a day at Half Moon Bay State Beach, we’ve got the pizza that hits the spot.
Tradition in the kitchen, family at the table in Half Moon Bay. Pull up a chair, you’re home.
In the fast-paced downtown San Mateo, we are committed to creating dining experiences that are shared, spirited, and always feel like home. But we know the Half Moon Bay community is different—it’s slower, closer to the coast, and full of folks who appreciate real food after a long day on the water or a weekend hike up to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
That’s exactly why Nelci’s Kitchen exists.
Nelci’s Kitchen is the realization of a lifelong dream for Chef Nelci Vieira. Her journey began in the kitchens of Minas Gerais, a region celebrated as the soulful heart of Brazilian home cooking. Now we’re bringing that same warmth to Half Moon Bay tables, with pizzas that carry a little bit of her grandmother’s spirit in every bite.
Our purpose is to bring the vibrant, welcoming spirit
of Brazil to California by sharing authentic homemade
food, grilling, artisanal pizzas, pastas, salads and desserts
with the Half Moon Bay area.
—Nelci Vieira, Chef de Cuisine
Tradition, Carved and Shared in Half Moon Bay.
At Nelci’s Kitchen, we honor the slow-cooked traditions of our grandmothers. From the fire of the grill to our hand-stretched, slow-fermented dough, everything is made to be passed around and enjoyed together. For folks in Half Moon Bay, that means a pizza night that feels like a real gathering—whether you’re off Highway 1 near the Ritz-Carlton or tucked into a cozy spot in the Miramar neighborhood. We hear this a lot: “It reminds me of home.” And that’s exactly what we’re going for.
Half Moon Bay Pizzeria
Menu
- SALADS – perfect after a day at the Half Moon Bay pier
- BOWLS – hearty and fresh, just like the Half Moon Bay coast
- PIZZAS
- PASTAS
- DESSERTS
Half Moon Bay Food & Grill
Menu
- AUTHENTIC HOMEMADE FOOD
- DESSERTS
The Soul of Minas, The Heart of Half Moon Bay
From our family kitchen to the table, every dish is a celebration of the traditions that turn guests into family. We hear it all the time from folks near Half Moon Bay: “This tastes like my grandmother’s kitchen.” That’s the goal. Whether you’re heading back from a long day at Mavericks Beach or picking up dinner after dropping the kids off at Hatch Elementary, we want you to feel right at home. Our Story? They’ve been passed down through generations, with a little love and a lot of garlic. No shortcuts, no pre-made stuff—just real food, made from scratch, for the Half Moon Bay community we’re proud to serve.
Authentic Brazilian Grilled Meats in Half Moon Bay
Are you up for a smoky, salty masterpiece that tastes like a Sunday afternoon in Brazil? Our churrasco-style grilled meats bring that open-flame magic straight to your table near Half Moon Bay. Picture this: you’ve just spent the morning hiking the trails at Purisima Creek Redwoods, and you’re craving something hearty. That’s when you order our picanha or linguica—slow-grilled, packed with flavor, and served with a side of our house-made vinaigrette. It’s the taste of a Brazilian churrascaria, right here in San Mateo, ready for pickup or delivery to your door in Half Moon Bay. Honestly, it’s like a mini vacation in every bite.
Half Moon Bay Artisanal Pizzas
Hand-stretched, long-fermented dough paired with organic sauces and premium local ingredients. That’s our pizza promise to Half Moon Bay. We know you’ve got choices out there—plenty of chains along Highway 92. But here’s the thing: our dough is made fresh every morning, allowed to rest and rise slowly. It’s what gives that perfect chew and crunch. We use San Marzano tomatoes for the sauce, and we source produce from farms that feel like neighbors. So whether you’re ordering a classic Margherita or something loaded with pepperoni and mushrooms for a movie night at home in Half Moon Bay, you’re getting a pie that’s built from the ground up. No shortcuts. Just pizza that tastes like it’s meant to be shared.
Premium Pastas in Half Moon Bay
Our chef-curated selection of traditional Italian all-time favorites. Served with a side of buttery toasted garlic bread. Think about it: you’ve had a long week commuting back and forth from Half Moon Bay to San Mateo, and all you want is something warm and comforting. That’s where our pastas come in. We’re talking fettuccine Alfredo that’s creamy without being heavy, lasagna layered with love, and spaghetti and meatballs that taste like Sunday supper. Every pasta dish is made to order, so it arrives at your doorstep near Half Moon Bay just as fresh as if you were sitting in our dining room. Add on a Caesar salad or some wings—it’s the kind of meal that makes you forget the traffic.
Half Moon Bay Greens and Grains
Seasonal ingredients and crisp textures, prepared fresh daily to celebrate the lighter side of our kitchen. We get it—not every night calls for a heavy pasta or a loaded pizza. Sometimes, especially after a warm afternoon on the beach near Half Moon Bay, you want something bright and fresh. That’s why we make our salads from scratch every single day. Think mixed greens with local strawberries, candied walnuts, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Or our classic Caesar, with crunchy croutons and real Parmigiano-Reggiano. Even our antipasto salad is stacked with cured meats, olives, and fresh mozzarella. They’re perfect as a side or a main, and they travel great for delivery to your home in Half Moon Bay. Because fresh food shouldn’t be a compromise.
What Our Half Moon Bay Guests Are Saying
A Seat For Everyone in Half Moon Bay
Whether you crave the sizzle of the grill, the craft of an artisan pizza, or the comfort of premium pasta and fresh salads, there is a place for everyone at our table. And we mean everyone—from the surfers coming off the waves at Francis Beach to the families grabbing dinner after a soccer game at Cunha Intermediate School. Serving Half Moon Bay from San Mateo means we’re just a short drive or delivery away. Our Food & Grill Menu is built for variety: Brazilian-style grilled meats, Italian classics, handcrafted pizzas, even burgers and calzones for the kids. And yes, we do catering too—so whether it’s a birthday party in your backyard near Half Moon Bay or a corporate lunch, we’ve got you covered. The truth is, we’re not just a pizza joint. We’re your go-to spot for real food, made by real people, for a community we genuinely care about.
- Tender, flavorful cuts flame-grilled — just what Half Moon Bay locals crave after a long day on the coast
- Slow-fermented artisan pizzas that taste like they belong on a foggy Half Moon Bay evening
- Kitchen-crafted premium pastas that remind you of Nonna’s kitchen, delivered straight to your Half Moon Bay door
Half Moon Bay Catering & Corporate Events
Whether you’re planning a gathering near the Half Moon Bay harbor, hosting a team lunch off Highway 92, or just want dinner after a walk on the bluffs — we’ve got you covered.
- Corporate & Office Dining — perfect for businesses along Main Street or the new tech hubs cropping up near Half Moon Bay’s growing downtown
- Preferred Partner Programs — we work with local Half Moon Bay schools, surf shops, and farms to keep the community fed
- The Full Brazilian Grill Experience — fire up a taste of South America right here in Half Moon Bay, CA
- Artisanal Pizza Packages — our dough ferments for 48 hours; that’s the kind of love Half Moon Bay deserves
- Heritage Pastas & Salads — locally inspired, globally crafted, and always fresh for Half Moon Bay families
- Artisanal Desserts & Beverages — finish your meal sweet, like a Half Moon Bay sunset
- Chef Nelci’s Heritage Menus — passed down through generations, now available in Half Moon Bay
- Administrative Diligence — we handle the paperwork so you can enjoy your event near the Pillar Point Harbor
We’d love to hear from the Half Moon Bay community. Whether you’re planning a family dinner after a day at Poplar Beach or need catering for a big event near the Half Moon Bay Golf Links, just give us a call. We’re based in San Mateo, but we serve Half Moon Bay regularly — and we know the drive down Highway 1 well. For more information or to inquire about tailored solutions and special packages for your Half Moon Bay gathering, please contact us. We make it easy.
Our Promise to the Table in Half Moon Bay
50+ Years of Culinary Mastery in Half Moon Bay
From Minas Gerais with Love. Rooted in Tradition, Crafted for You — and for Half Moon Bay.
Authentic Grandma-Style Brazilian Homemade Food in Half Moon Bay
A collection of family recipes preserved through generations, served the way we eat today. In Half Moon Bay, that means meals that fit your coastal lifestyle — whether you're grabbing a quick bite before hitting the waves or sitting down for a long dinner after a hike on the Coastal Trail.
Half Moon Bay Handcraft Approach
Honest flavors from the heart of Minas Gerais, prepared with high-quality, locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, love, patience and a grandmother’s steady hand. The Half Moon Bay community appreciates food made with care — we see it every time we deliver to neighborhoods like Miramar or the homes near Johnston House. We source what's fresh, and we cook like family.
A Half Moon Bay Place That Feels Like Home
Our food is made by hand, and served with the same heart you’d find at our own family table. For Half Moon Bay residents, that means pizza, pastas, wings, and calzones that taste like they came from a home kitchen — not a chain. We're proud to serve Half Moon Bay, one meal at a time.
Whether you’re joining us in Half Moon Bay for a quick slice or a long family feast, we’re ready to welcome you home.
- PIZZAS — made for Half Moon Bay families
- PASTAS — slow-cooked, like your nonna made
- GRILL — Brazilian-style, perfect after a day on the coast
- DESSERTS — sweet endings for Half Moon Bay nights