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Don’t Miss Sausalito Restaurant Week, From March 18-24th

12 Great Restaurants to know about in Sausalito!

Where to Eat: Sausalito

by Marin Magazine Staff Digital August 1, 2023

Though tourists do love to visit the town often favorably compared to the Amalfi Coast, Sausalito is favored by locals who enjoy its one-of-a-kind mix of families, artists, house boaters, and retirees. Dining options reflect the diverse tastes of the town’s residents, from French to Japanese to Himalayan and Mexican with fresh seafood at the center of the culinary conversation. A walk along Bridgeway from downtown to the bridge displays the dichotomy of eating and drinking establishments while quieter Caledonia Street, Sausalito’s downtown, hosts eateries frequented by locals.

Be sure to check each restaurant’s website or social pages to confirm its most current hours of operation and services.

Don’t Miss Sausalito Restaurant Week, From March 18-24th

Featured photo courtesy of Copita.

You’re invited to wine, dine and have a great time at the first ever Sausalito Restaurant Week.

In honor of the city’s culinary renaissance, Marin Magazine, LocalGetaways and The Marin Dish are teaming up with Sausalito Chamber of Commerce to host Sausalito Restaurant Week (March 18–24).

Click here for more info and menus!

This symbol indicates a Best of the County Readers’ Choice recipient.

Check out our partners:

Best Italian Food Marin, Poggio, Best Pizza — Poggio

Best Sushi Marin, Sushi Ran Sausalito — Sushi Ran

Bakery

For more Bakeries, in Marin check out our Best of the County picks here.

Cibo Supply Co.

Cibo Bakery Co. Sausalito — Photo Courtesy of Cibo Bakery Co.

Pastry chef Tera Ancona set up a pastry bar inside her family’s Sausalito waterfront restaurant during Covid and has now pivoted to large custom orders and wholesale accounts including; Book Passage, Crown and Crumpet in Ross, Equator Coffees, Golden Gate Market and The Depot, in Mill Valley.

2023 Best of the County for Bakeries.

Grab ‘n Go | Meal Under $20
200 Gate 5, Sausalito, 415.331.5225

Sausalito Bakery & Café

Its waterfront location is a magnet for tourists who can enjoy an omelet with a view, but this may be one of the only places left in Marin that makes its own apple strudel and baklava.

2023 Best of the County for Bakeries.

Grab ‘n Go | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating
571 Bridgeway, 415.331.9552

Bar

For more Bars in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Smitty’s

Smitty’s is the oldest bar in Sausalito to retain its original construction. The location dates back to 1925 when John Bettencourt, a soda pop bottler also started bottling beer. Today, it is a waterhole and game room for those who love sports, darts, pool, and of course drinks to gather.

2023 Best of the County for Dive Bar.

Full Bar | Watch the Game
214 Caledonia St, 415.332.2637

Breakfast

For more Breakfast in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Bayside Café

Calling this homey café “Southern-inspired” captures the chicken-fried steak and eggs vibe as well as the from scratch biscuits. But that would leave out the Smokin’ Philly Omelette and breakfast nachos with bacon or chorizo so let’s just agree on “all-American.”

2023 Best of the County for Breakfast.

Brunch | Kid-Friendly | Meal Under $20
1 Gate 6 Rd, 415.331.2313

Fred’s Place

Famous for its breakfasts, Fred’s and its patio is a Sausalito institution. Locals rave about dishes like the Millionaire’s Bacon, a sweet and sticky delight. It is perhaps best known for a dish called the Italian Swedish. That’s wheat toast topped with a lean patty, cheese, poached eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers. Get it?

2023 Best of the County for Breakfast.

Brunch | Dogs Welcome | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating | Worth the Hype
1917 Bridgeway, 415.332.4575

Lighthouse Cafe

Weekend classic breakfasts — eggs Benedict, fruit pancakes, a Norwegian omelet with smoked salmon–is the little engine that could for this restaurant on Harbor Point, with long lines typical on sunny Sundays. Locals head over on weekdays for Nordic-inspired lunch and dinner fare–try the meatballs or the burger topped with horseradish, capers, and beets.

2023 Best of the County for Breakfast.

Brunch | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
1311 Bridgeway, 415.331.3034

Brewery

For more Breweries in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Best Day Brewing

Though he does not have a beer garden with his non-alcoholic (NA) beers on tap, Tate Huffard of Sausalito’s Best Bay Brewing designed a set of brews in a can with an eye on NorCal’s outdoor-focused, up early to hike culture. In 2021, Huffard launched a non-alcoholic Kölsch and an IPA onto the market. Building on the success of these early adapters, Huffard’s hazy IPA followed in 2022. You can find his NA beer wherever beer is sold.

Sausalito, 415.766.8999

Burgers

For more Burgers in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Joinery

This large waterfront restaurant features a broad patio whose big salads and shareable plates make it a destination for families and other groups. Order at the front, then grab a seat to enjoy the craft beer, Joinery or Impossible burger, rotisserie chicken and other hearty, seasonal fare.

2023 Best of the County for Burger.

Date Spot | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
300 Turney St, 415.766.8999

Napa Valley Burger Company

Incorporating local, all-natural and organic produce and meats, burger is the word at this casual joint. Though chicken, beef and turkey are all options, the James Beard Competition Burger blends beef with mushrooms and Parmesan for a gentler on the planet, just as delicious burger option. Of course there are fries and root beer floats, all available at outdoor and indoor tables.

Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
670 Bridgeway, 415.332.1454

Chinese

For more Chinese food in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Tommy’s Wok

Fresh ingredients, free-range chicken and traditional dishes like mu shu pork and Hong Kong street style noodles fulfill the Chinese food craving with a nice atmosphere for dining in or takeout for a night at home.

2023 Best of the County for Chinese Food.

Kid-friendly | Grab ‘n Go | Meal Under $20
3001 Bridgeway, 415.332.5818

Coffee Shop

For more Coffee Shops in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Firehouse Coffee

Located next to the Sausalito firehouse, this aptly-named cafe is frequented by Marin firefighters and police officers just before the start of their shifts. Whether it’s a cup of coffee, one of their 11 local blends of tea or a specialty latte — honey lavender, anyone? — this is a cozy community spot to try.

2023 Best of the County for Coffee Shop.

Grab ‘n Go | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Dogs Welcome | Meal Under $20
317 Johnson St, Sausalito, 415.729.9159

Sausalito Equator

The coffee menu includes Equator’s iconic drinks like the shakerato (coffee shaken with cream) and rotating, seasonally-focused beverages. The farmers breakfast with two eggs, bacon, avocado and housemade hot sauce is insanely popular at breakfast, as are the pastries from Cibo Bakery, which pair beautifully with chai from San Rafael’s Silk Roads. Locally-sourced salads, sandwiches and paninis easily transition from breakfast to lunch.

2023 Best of the County for Coffee Shop.

Dogs Welcome | Grab ‘n Go | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
1201 Bridgeway, 415.521.5770

Fine Dining

For more Fine Dining in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Barrel House Tavern

Stop by Barrel House for a feeling of rising above it all (it’s on the second floor) where the soaring ceiling work reflects the restaurant’s name. The barrel-aged cocktails are worth a visit (try the Negroni) but dishes like maitake mushroom flatbread and tartare tacos reflect a locally-focused ethos that is enhanced by the cool setting and fantastic bay and city views.

2023 Best of the County for Seafood.

Date Spot | Full Bar | Happy Hour | Outdoor Seating | Watch the Game
660 Bridgeway, 415.729.9593

Ditas

Perched above The Trident on Sausalito’s expansive waterfront, the restaurant’s interior design includes stone tabletops, velvet chairs, hand-woven wall coverings, and glass accents in an understated palette. Try a dish from the a la carte menus or the tasting-menus from executive chef John Carney — we loved the vegan veggie loaf and branzino with crispy shallots and garlic. Sip a Manhattan or choose from the expansive wine and cocktail list and watch the moon rise over Richardson Bay.

2023 Best of the County for Fine Dining and New Restaurants.

Ice Cream

For more Ice Cream in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Lappert’s Ice Cream

Lappert’s opened their first shop in Kauai and now runs the largest ice cream chain in all the Hawaiian Islands. Luckily, they’ve expanded to the mainland bringing their refreshing, delicious, and quality creams with them.

2023 Best of the County for Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt.

Kid-friendly | Dogs Welcome | Outdoor Seating | Grab ‘n Go
689 Bridgeway, 415.331.3035

Indian

For more Indian food in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Avatar’s

Photo Courtesy of Avatar’s

If you’re on the hunt for innovative, multi-culti Indian fare, head to Avatar’s. Sip masala chai sweetened with brown sugar before digging into Cajun-spiced shrimp on the heated and shaded patio. A curried sweet potato enchilada in the casual one-room restaurant makes a quick vegetarian lunch or dinner.

2023 Best of the County for Indian Food.

Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083

Sartaj India Cafe

Sartaj Indian Cafe, Sausalito — Photo Courtesy of Sartaj Indian Cafe

Established in 1996, owners Basi and Balbir have been bringing the tastes of the Punjabi are of North India to Marin for decades. Try one of their many vegetarian or vegan options and legendary chai tea.

2023 Best of the County for Indian Food.

Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating
43 Caledonia St, 415.332.7103

Taste of the Himalayas

Popular for lunch and dinner, serving dishes from countries close to the famous mountain region. Stick with familiar curry and tandoori or dive into regional specialties like jasha maroo (from Bhutan) and churi pama (from Tibet) found nowhere else. The petite dining room is especially cozy on a chilly evening.

Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20
2633 Bridgeway, 415.331.1335

Italian

For more Italian food in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Angelino Restaurant

Multiple generations of the Ancona family create an authentic Italian eatery featuring dishes like arrosticini which is a find outside of Abruzzo, handmade pastas, and seasonal antipasti that has showcased the cuisine of the Campania region for more than 20 years. Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating, especially popular on a sunny day.

Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating
621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225

2023 Best of the County for Italian Food, and Pizza.

Aurora Ristorante & Pizzeria

Italian

Novato’s Aurora has a counterpart in southern Marin. Traditional Italian food, a full bar, and friendly service make it a great option for families and sports fans, who can keep up-to-date on the game via flat-screen TV. The location on the south side of town is a boon, too, when a quieter meal is called for.

Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
300 Valley St, 415.339.8930

Dario’s Restaurant

Darios, Sausalito — Photo Courtesy of Dario’s

Dario’s, a 40-year-old pizza joint, is known for thin-crust pizzas. You can spice up an order of pepperoni ‘za with items like lamb meatballs, chicken shawarma, and falafel wraps.

Grab ‘n Go | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20
2829 Bridgeway, 415.332.6636

Osteria Divino

Authentic Florentine cooking with an eye on local and seasonal means fresh fare all year long. The extensive artisan pasta selection includes vegan and vegetarian options and a breakfast menu includes frittatas and English muffin sandwiches. Live music on weekend evenings and at Sunday brunch lifts everyone’s spirits.

Brunch | Date Spot | Kid-friendly
37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355

Poggio

Meet the Team

Poggio, Sausalito — Photo Courtesy of Poggio

Vitello sliced excruciatingly thin and topped with lemon and tonnato sauce is a singular dish in the hands of executive chef Benjamin Balesteri who creates Northern Italian fare using local and Italian ingredients. The bar may be the most hopping in town and is recognized for its killer Negroni. Private dining rooms above the restaurant can accommodate larger parties (10 to 150 guests).

2023 Best of the County for Al Fresco Dining, Italian Food, and Pizza.

Sandrino

Owners, Alesandro Spaziani Montagna and his wife Monika Torggler hail from Verona, Italy where they operated a restaurant in Trento at the foot of the Dolomites in northern Italy. Everything at Sandrino is handmade and fresh. Be advised that the restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday, but otherwise open daily for lunch and dinner.

2023 Best of the County for Pizza.

Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Date Spot
45 Caledonia Street, 415.729.9166

Scoma’s of Sausalito

Scoma's Sausalito, Salmon, Best Seafood Marin — Photo Courtesy of Scoma’s of Sausalito

Sausalito’s oldest seafood house has its own boat, berthed at Pier 47, that fishes seasonally and is approved for salmon and Dungeness crab, resulting in fresh catches year-round. The menu at both the Sausalito and Fisherman’s Wharf locations were revamped by chef (and Mill Valley’s own) Gordon Drysdale in accordance with the environmentally responsible Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program and regularly features whole crab, chowder and grilled fish.

2023 Best of the County for Seafood.

Seahorse

Seashore, Sausalito — Photo Courtesy of Seashore

The spacious dining area, accompanied by a dance floor and stage, make Seahorse ideal for celebrations large and small. Enjoy a modern twist on classic Tuscan coastal cooking while grooving to the nightly live music and entertainment in a historic building. A cozy patio welcomes dogs of all kinds.

Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating
305 Harbor Dr, 415.331.2899

Mexican

For more Mexican food in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Copita

Co-owner Joanne Weir, along with Chef Aaron Sabido, presents fresh Mexican fare in the heart of Bridgeway. The ever-changing menu is 100 percent gluten-free, masa is prepared and pressed in house for each and every tortilla, and the in-house tequila bar serves over 100 varieties, ideal for crafting your own margarita. Dine at the bar or on the outdoor patio for great people-watching.

2023 Best of the County for Mexican Food.

Saylor’s Restaurant and Bar

Chef/owner Sean Saylor uses fresh local ingredients and seafood to create a distinctively Cabo combination of Californian and Mexican cuisine. That means polenta with green chili and mozzarella or a Caesar salad with ancho chili croutons and queso fresco. Choose from more than 200 varieties of tequilas that are even better when enjoyed in the private Cabo Wabo room, named for (and approved by) Mill Valley’s own tequila master, Sammy Hagar. Sip and savor on the heated Agave Terrace out back where the vibe is as festive as inside.

Middle Eastern & Mediterranean

For more Middle Eastern & Mediterranean food in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Sula

Cavallo Point Dining — Photo Courtesy of Aubrie Pick

Cavallo Point’s signature dining room refreshed point of view tilts Mediterranean with local influences from chef Mike Garcia. The menu includes a not-to-be-missed Fuyu persimmon salad, beets with shiitake mushroom blini, and porcini-crusted Wagyu filet. The adjacent Sula Lounge boasts plentiful couches from which to enjoy a glass of bubbles with Tsar Nicoulai caviar service or small plates of grilled uni butter oysters. Across the foyer, Farley continues its all-day meal service.

Zalta

The menu–with a wine and cocktail list to match–reflects influences from Greece, Italy, Spain, the Middle East and France. A mezze plate is filled with muhammara, dolmas, and an eggplant spread known as mutabal, while a kofta burger is topped with tzatziki and green zhug on a focaccia bun. All the share-size plates can also be enjoyed at the bright blue and white bar.

2023 Best of the County for Middle Eastern/Mediterranean Food.

Pizza

For more Pizza in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Bar Bocce

Food just tastes better on a bayside patio with a huge fire pit and a bocce ball court. Order one of the sourdough bread pizzas pulled from the almond wood-burning oven, or try a locally-sourced kale salad or a shrimp po’boy sandwich with a glass of wine. You can even ride your paddleboard around the harbor and right up to the restaurant.

2023 Best of the County for Pizza.

Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
1250 Bridgeway, 415.331.0555

Sandwiches

For more Sandwiches in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Davey Jones Deli

Stationed in the New Bait Shop Market, Davey Jones Deli offers house-roasted sandwich meats, healthier condiments and organic vegetables; the deli serves generously-sized sandwiches, wraps and salads with vegetarian, vegan and meat-lover options. The shop stays open late, too, for those nights when you need a sandwich and a soda ’round midnight.

2023 Best of the County for Sandwiches.

Dogs Welcome | Grab ‘n Go | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoors
Gate 6 Rd, 415.331.2282

Seafood

For more Seafood in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Gilligan’s Poke Shop

For months, owner and chef of Gilligan’s Poke Shop, Zane Chess, walked into Sausalito Market and asked owner Dhruba Phandey for a turkey sandwich with mustard from the market’s non-existent deli. Fed up by Chess’s impertinence, Phandrey threw down a gauntlet: “why don’t you do something?” Along with life and business partner Jeffrey Konen, Chess accepted the challenge and soon launched a poke shop, opening a counter inside the market in late October. Born and raised on Oahu, Chess leaned into his knowledge as an outrigger captain, fisherman and catering chef to pull together a tight menu of freshly made pokes, transforming the once empty “deli” into a Hawaiian food hub.

Grab ‘n Go | Worth the Hype
46 Caledonia, Sausalito, 415.332.9963

Bump Bar

The bar and cafe boasts an intimate 12 seats facing the kitchen, an array of sustainably sourced caviar and roe and a seafood-centric menu that makes the most of the sea’s briniest delight. Stick with the traditional presentation and delight in tiny bubble bursts atop blini, egg, creme fraiche and minced red onion or go all out with the seven-course tasting menu. Plates like binchotan grilled lobster with herbs or black cod topped with truffles as well as the aforementioned easy to pop eggs make this a great place for a bite and a glass of bubbly or to savor an extended caviar experience.

Date Spot
1403 Bridgeway, 415.332.0826

Fish

It has been said that this restaurant and fish market launched the sustainable seafood movement, making it the ultimate place for freshly caught, unobjectionable fare. Order any of the day’s offerings–the menu changes daily but usually has a variation of fish tacos, ceviche and grilled fish–then take in the bay views on the open-air deck. Though cash is still king, credit cards are now accepted (woot!).

2023 Best of the County for Al Fresco and Seafood.

Le Garage

Trade the tourist crush for the local one at a spot right near Schoonmaker Beach and enjoy an indulgent meal on the water in a spacious room that was once, well, you know. The atmosphere is animated with French music (à la Amélie) and plenty of natural light from the often open garage door. A Nicoise salad is gussied up with white anchovies and the croque monsieur oozes with Gruyere and mustard-infused bechamel sauce. Escargot, tucked into puff pastry, is easily reheated at home.

Brunch | Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating
85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625

Salito’s Crab House & Prime Rib

The large stations layered with oysters and other creatures of the sea alert you to the fact that this is a place for seafood. And, indeed, a whole crab with garlic sauce is a classic order. The large seafood menu is buttressed with fare for landlubbers (prime rib, sandwiches) but you didn’t come here for that, now did you? Either way, large decks overlooking the water, an all-day menu, and onsite parking make this a popular spot for groups of all sizes.

Date Spot | Full Bar | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Private Party Room
1200 Bridgeway, 415.331.3226

Seafood Peddler Restaurant and Fish Market

The fish is bought daily from local fishers, who are also restaurant patrons and make the bar scene one of the liveliest in town. (A separate, quieter dining room is often open as well.) The fish market features everything from cioppino and flash-fried Monterey Bay calamari to crab cakes and clam chowder by the pint. Recipes are adjusted to incorporate the freshest catch.

2023 Best of the County for Seafood.

Date Spot | Full Bar | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Private Party Room
303 Johnson St, 415.332.1492

The Spinnaker

Chef Hiram Diaz takes classic seafood dishes to the next level with delicious fresh fish artfully presented. Whether it’s a traditional shrimp Louie salad, linguini with clams or local Petrale Sole encrusted in Macademia nuts, the menu features the finest fare in a spectacular waterfront setting. Perched on the shoreline, above the water, this romantic venue offers stunning panoramic views of San Francisco. A legendary destination for lunch or dinner, sipping a cocktail, and savoring the view.

Date Spot | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
100 Spinnaker Dr, 415.332.1500

The Trident

Set in a turn-of-the-century building constructed for the San Francisco Yacht Club, this waterfront restaurant is a shoo-in for date night where every seat has a water view. Famous for musician sightings in the 1970s, the room with the great vibe is now known for supporting local farmers, fishers and organic food producers in everything from its well-regarded cioppino to a Louie salad with crab or prawns and beer-battered fish and chips.

2023 Best of the County for Al Fresco Dining and Seafood.

Full Bar | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Worth the Hype
558 Bridgeway, 415.331.3232

Steakhouse

For more Steakhouse in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Show de Carnes Brazilian Steakhouse

Flip your coin to green to begin the flow of 17 cuts of meat from an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse with all the steak, lamb, pork and salmon that carnivores can handle. For vegetarians and pescatarians, a gourmet salad bar sports 55 offerings — everything from sushi and ceviche to more traditional green salads — and can be ordered separately. A full bar and 200+ wine selections round out the offerings.

Kid Friendly | Date Spot | Full Bar | New Hot Spot | Worth the Hype
196 Donahue St, 415.729.0170

Sushi

For more Sushi in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Sushi Ran

Sample innovative small plates just big enough to share before enjoying some of the best sushi the Bay Area has to offer; the prices don’t deter the herd of enthusiasts who line up nightly to partake. Just stopping by? The wine, cocktail and sake lists keep even the pickiest barfly satisfied. Reservations are a must in the main room.

2023 Best of the County for Sushi.

Date Spot | Full Bar | Outdoor Seating | Worth the Hype
107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620

Thai

For more Thai in Marin, check out our Best of the County picks here.

Arawan Thai

Sure, this downtown favorite serves up popular dishes like pad Thai and vegetarian Siamese rolls but the menu runs deeper into regional Thai flavors with offerings like a fermented tea leaf salad and soft shell crab curry.

2023 Best of the County for Thai Food.

Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
47 Caledonia St, 415.729.9395

Kitti’s Place

This home-style family-run restaurant has been in town for over 20 years. It features California-inspired favorites like lettuce cups stuffed with chicken and almonds, soft spring rolls and a curried turkey burger. A patio out front gets midday sun, even in winter.

2023 Best of the County for Thai.

Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
3001 Bridgeway, 415.331.0390

ThaiTanic Street Food

Sausalito gets a Thai spot from the owners of My Thai in Mill Valley, San Rafael and Novato. The nautical-themed restaurant offers Bangkok street favorites like sriracha wings, pad thai and barbecued meats.

2023 Best of the County for Thai Food.

Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
1001 Bridgeway, 415.331.8007