Restaurants
Mill Valley
Buckeye Roadhouse
15 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley
415.331.2600
The folks at Real Restaurants (Fog City Diner, Beetelnut, Mustard’s Grill, etc.) have another winner here. Chef-partner Cindy Pawcelyn has put together a fun menu that marries the sophistication of a downtown bistro with a woodsy lodge. From fresh fish to a pulled pork sandwich, the result is unpretentious food with flair. The bar is always packed and the banquettes are the best place to watch the crowd and understand what the catch phrase “Only in Marin” means.
Bungalow 44
44 E. Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley
415.381.2500
Taking the place of Mudbuds, this sister restaurant of the Buckeye is definitely a must go to while staying in Mill Valley. Locals swear by the drinks and the food. Try the Chicken.
The Cantina
651 E. Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley
415.381.1070
The Cantina is a great place to meet a large group of friends for a hearty meal and pitchers of margaritas. The expansive dining area is decorated in a lively, kitschy Mexican theme, and there is pleasant outdoor seating, as well. Hot Mexican wings are recommended as a starter. For entrees, try grilled chicken topped with achiote sauce, chile verde pork in tomatillo-cilantro sauce, or the barbecued chicken burrito. Here you’ll find a place that focuses on a Mexican and American cuisine, and guests usually dress casual. Open 11:30 – 10 p.m.
Depot Café and Bookstore
87 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
415.383.2665
Bookstore and café housed in the historic Mill Valley depot situated in the center of the town. Delicious sandwiches, salads and other deli-style offerings are served in pleasant surroundings – dine inside or out.
Dipsea Café
200 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley
415.381.0298
Stop in Dipsea Café for a leisure restaurant that serves patrons American and Californian dishes. Table talk is no problem here - noise level is unobtrusive. Dipsea Café is great for groups. When weather permits, enjoy outdoor seating. Open for breakfast and lunch -- not dinner. Reservations are not accepted. Entrances and walkways are wheelchair friendly. Children are welcome. Parking has been arranged for customers.
El Paseo Restaurant
17 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
415.388.0741
This Mill Valley restaurant is tucked away in a small courtyard downtown. Natives will tell you it might be the most romantic eatery in the county. Serving French cuisine with California sensitivity, the staff is discreet and used to couples celebrating special occasions. This romantic spot also boasts one of the finest wine lists in the state.
Frantoio Restaurant
152 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley
415.289.5777
Mill Valley’s latest addition to the upscale restaurant scene is in the Holiday Inn, but don’t let that deter you. “Frantoio” means olive press, and they take the name seriously -- all the olive oil used is freshly pressed from locally grown olives. Proprietor Umberto Gibin, formerly of San Francisco’s Etrusca, has created a friendly environment, in spite of the slightly chilly decor: high ceilings, stone floors, and built-in booths. Chef Duilio Valenti’s very seasonal Italian menu includes such successful appetizers as panzanella (Tuscan bread salad) and caprino (breaded goat cheese, sautéed and served on grilled eggplant salad). Standout entrees include porcini-dusted halibut and rotisserie duck. You’ll find that Frantoio Ristorante serves an Italian cuisine, and you should generally dress casual.
La Ginestra Restaurant
127 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
415.388.0224
La Ginestra is one of Mill Valley’s old time favorites; it’s been around for over 30 years, and generations of families swear by it. The decor is sparse and traditional: linoleum floors, a few booths, and simple place settings. There’s an entire section of the menu devoted solely to veal, but La Ginestra is known really for its traditional pizzas. Pasta lovers will enjoy the linguine with clams, garlic and white wine. If you try out La Ginestra, come ready to eat and dress casual.
Mountain Home Inn
810 Panoramic Hwy., Mill Valley
415.381.9000
This bed and breakfast sits atop Mount Tamalpais, and offers those looking for romance a view of the whole Bay Area and the coast. The fare is continental, and the view is intoxicating. If it is too early for dinner, drinks and appetizers on the patio is a winning combination.
Ora Restaurant
24 Sunnyside Ave., Mill Valley
415.381.7500
This Asian Fusion restaurant is heating up the dining experience with dynamic surrounding and ambiance. Taking the home of past restaurants Ora brings charm and a comfortable place to dine. Go for a drink and stay for a great meal.
Piatti Restaurant
625 Redwood Hwy., Mill Valley
415.380.2525
Piatti’s serves up hearty Italian cuisine in open, pleasant surroundings. Service is excellent – both friendly and helpful. Recommended dishes: All pizzas, numerous pasta dishes, calamari, roast chicken, squash agnolotti. Piatti’s features a full bar and very interesting wine list.
Piazza D’Angelo
22 Miller Ave., Mill Valley
415.388.2000
Paolo and Dominico Petrone bought a sleepy lounge and Italian eatery in Mill Valley and gave it a face-lift. The result is a showcase trattoria with an exhibition kitchen and a lively bar scene. This is one of the restaurants in Marin to see and be seen in. The food is good, with the grilled selections being the strong point. A good place to start your evening, and then head to the Sequoia for a movie, or maybe go around the corner to the Sweetwater for some music. Open until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 11:30p.m., Sunday until 10 p.m.
Stefano’s Pizza
11 E. Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley
415.383.9666
Good, traditional pizza served hot, by the slice or as an entire pizza pie. Carry-out or dine-in.
Toast
31 Sunnyside Ave., Mill Valley
415.388.2500
Traditional American food with emphasis on homemade cooking. You’ll get your hearty, healthy breakfast fix here at the Sunnyside. Daily sandwich specials, as well as lunch offerings.
Vasco
106 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
415.381.3343
Vasco jumps in the middle of Mill Valley, turning out solid food and turning strangers into friends. That’s because the tables are so tight it’s hard not to listen in on other diners, but the place is so low key that no one seems to mind. Look for the nightly specials and go with one of the handcrafted desserts and you’ll be glad you came.
Sausalito
Horizons
558 Bridgeway, Sausalito
415.331.3232.
Located downstairs from the uptown Ondine’s, Horizon’s enjoys a view of San Francisco, Alcatraz and Angel Island from the waterfront patio. The patio includes heaters for when the temperatures begin to dip, and is a popular spot for tourists. Horizon’s is a good spot to stop for a quick afternoon bite and the food is much improved since the California Café Corp. bought the place. Mon. through Thurs. 10:30 – 9 p.m. and Fri. through Sun. 9:30 – 10 p.m.
Poggio Trattoria
777 Bridgeway, Sausalito
415.332.7771
Legendary restaurateur Larry Mindel and Executive Chef Chris Fernandez bring Tuscan classics to Northern California. A classic Italian restaurant with comfortable neighborhood charm and destination-caliber cuisine, Poggio is at once quintessentially Italian and at ease in its Northern California setting. There is a daily changing menu with an excellent wine list.
Sushi Ran
107 Caledonia St., Sausalito
415.332.3620
This is a hidden treasure of the Marin dining scene. Though located in Sausalito, Sushi Ran is off the beaten path. Located on the “resident’s street” called Caledonia, the sushi is so good that devotees from San Francisco cross the Golden Gate to eat here. The California Rolls are a beautiful thing, and even the tempura rocks. But be prepared for a wait if you don’t have reservations.
San Rafael, Novato & San Anselmo
Cacti
1200 Grant Ave., Novato
415.898.2234
Located in a former church, Cacti is owned by the same family that owns the Harris Steakhouse in San Francisco, but the feel here is Southwestern and casual. The wine list is award winning and the service is attentive without being suffocating.
Hanna’s
1700 4th St., San Rafael
415.457.6252
Italian restaurants are everywhere in Marin and good Italian eateries are tougher to come by. Hanna’s is one of the best, though it is not purely an Italian joint. The menu also includes a generous selection of Mediterranean choices. The restaurant is on the lower end of 4th St., away from the congestion and parking challenges. Don’t miss the salads and appetizers. Open 5 p.m. for dinner, closed Mondays.
Hilltop
850 Lamont Ave. Novato
415.892.2222
The food at this Novato restaurant is straightforward, and there are enough tables so that reservations are not a must. Located on a hill overlooking Novato and Marin to the south, this place has been a landmark for natives for years. Service is solid, and the dessert menu is fun
Insalata’s
120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo
415.457.7700
Heidi Krahling has always been one of the most creative chefs in the Bay Area, and her San Anselmo eatery reflects her love of fresh ingredients and Mediterranean cooking. Fresh vegetables dominate this menu, but even the most dedicated carnivore will be satiated by Krahling’s loving food.
Las Camelias Comida Tradicional
912 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael
415.453.5850
If Mexican food is the craving, then surely this cantina is the cure. Tucked away on a side street off of San Rafael’s bustling 4th Street, the tamales have a refreshing heat, and the grilled entrees are original. For the less adventurous gringo, there are fajitas , carne asada and the top shelf margaritas to help put out the fire.
Le Chalet Basque
405 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael
415.479.1070
The Basques are a generous people who believe that eating is a celebration. This restaurant celebrates that tradition. A bit off the beaten path in the Santa Venitia neighborhood of San Rafael, this is a good choice when you are really hungry. The portions are generous, the food is honest, and the eatery has outdoor seating if the weather cooperates.
Maria Manso World Cuisine
1613 – 4th St., San Rafael
415.453.7877
Try the Green Tea Crusted Tuna as an appetizer and follow it with the Coconut Curry Shrimp. All the entrees are good but if you like a little excitement dive in with the whole crispy fish.
Tiburon
Tiburon Grill
1651 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon
415.435.5996
Click Here For Reservations
Experience Tiburon's newest restaurant, serving a delicious array of simple, straightforward, contemporary grill cuisine. With two outdoor patios and two indoor fireplaces, Tiburon Grill is the ideal place to relax and enjoy an evening with family and friends. Enjoy happy hour everyday from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. and ALL DAY Sunday for Happy Hour, featuring a wide selection of half priced bites, $3 draft beers, $6 martinis and well cocktails plus our $6 Wine of the Day.
Caprice
2000 Paradise Dr., Belvedere-Tiburon
415.435.3400
With a view of San Francisco, this Tiburon restaurant has gained popularity the past two years, after a history of mediocrity. The food has become more consistent in this white linen dinner house, with the fresh fish entrees being a real treat. The menu is continental and the staff aims to please. At the end of Waterfront Park in Tiburon.
Guaymas
5 Main St., Tiburon
415.435.6300
Located just a couple doors to the north of Sam’s, Guaymas also enjoys a great view. The food is better and more creative here, with lots of south of the border selections and less-gringo choices. Guaymas also offers heaters for evening dining, when the sun drops below Mt. Tam and the mercury begins to go south. The patio is a great place to order some appetizers, sip a margarita, and wonder what project those poor guys back at the office are working on.
Rooney’s
38 Main St., Belvedere-Tiburon
415.435.1911
Rooney’s is probably as close as it gets to an Irish bar and grill in Tiburon -- except that there’s no bar. There is an enclosed garden in back that is intimate, charming, and perfect for chats over appetizers and a glass of wine. Inside the sunny restaurant, you’ll find a simple menu featuring such entrees as sautéed rock shrimp on a bed of greens and grilled pork chop with figs. The fresh mozzarella wrapped in roasted peppers is a standout appetizer. Here you’ll find a place that focuses on a Californian and American menu. Expect the average entrée to cost for the most part in the range of $12 to $20, and you’ll be appropriate if dressed casual.
Sam’s Anchor Café
27 Main St., Tiburon
415.435.4527
When the sun breaks through, many a native will be found at Sam’s. This Tiburon tavern and restaurant is rather generic at the Main St. entrance. But walk in the front door and you are transported back to the 20’s as the bar looks like a speak-easy. Keep moving and you run into twin dining rooms and then you reach the Promised Land. The deck is expansive and looks out onto a sailboat harbor, Angel Island and San Francisco. The deck includes its own Caribbean style bar that sells caps in case the sun begins to impose too much. This is a popular destination and Sam’s will not take reservations for the deck. Service is quick, and the sun is hot, so bring the sunscreen.
Servino Ristorante
9 Main St., Belvedere-Tiburon
415.435.2676
The best thing about Servino is the back patio and how fun it can be if you go with the right mix of people. Great music - awesome back room bar, nice appetizer menu. Prices are high and typical in Tiburon.