11 Best Mexican Restaurants in Novato

“Very nice restaurant with plenty of room for indoor/outdoor gatherings. The food and service was excellent. I will be returning soon! 😊“

“Lovely restaurant, delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, great service. The ingredients are quality. The dishes are not heavy. Great vegan options.

Vegetarian options: If vegan ask for the guacamole without cheese.

Dietary restrictions: Vegan, gluten free accommodations.“

“Made a lunch stop with good friends. We had the restaurant almost to ourselves. Great decor and great service. I’ll be sure to go back if I’m ever in Novato!!“

“Great food, service and atmosphere!!!“

“So excited to eat , drink 🍹 and teach paint party next two Saturdays at this amazing restaurant.. they have the family vibe , put on endless events to help the community , great staff , excellent Mexican food 🥘 and exciting cocktails. Come by and say aloha.“

“I’ve eaten at Tommy’s Salsa a handful of times and never been disappointed. You can tell the food is made with fresh ingredients and their salsa selection is awesome. The food always comes out fast and the staff is extremely friendly. I work in Novato twice a week and this has become a staple for my lunch breaks.“

“Recomiendo este negocio para cualquier evento. Un sabor único, las personas muy amables y responsables. La comida está bien sabrosa.“

“After traveling over 12 hours cross country, this turned out to be a great choice for dinner - the food was superb! I got the flautas plate (chicken version) with rice and beans and loved the lettuce, cheese, guac, tomato, and side of some sort of crunchy/vinegary slaw. The melon agua fresca was a great-tasting and refreshing beverage for this thirsty traveler. Very glad I chose to come here!“

“Great drinks and food. You will not be disappointed!“

“First Time Bite at La Chulada's Cantina - Pleasant Surprise!

I am not sure how long La Chulada has been in downtown Novato. I'd passed by the location many times, and grabbed breakfast next door, but never walked in. On his visit, however, that finally changed!

La Chulada itself offers a diverse marketplace, but I had my sights set on the little cantina tucked away beside it. Craving a quick bite before heading back to San Francisco, I ordered a couple of tacos: carnitas and "steak," as the friendly counter lady recommended. At just $3 each, I didn't expect much, but to my delight, these were pleasantly surprising!

Let me rewind a bit. This warm and welcoming lady (you know, the one I mentioned earlier) greeted me as I approached the counter. Uncertain about the second taco filling, I mentioned my carnitas choice and asked for advice. "Steak!" she said confidently. Since I only had my phone, she kindly directed me to the market side with my taco slip for Apple Pay processing.

Back at the cantina, I settled into one of their clean, small tables. The lady brought chips, salsa, and a refreshing glass of water, as I had requested. Now, here's where the deliciousness kicked in...

But wait! As I sat down, my eyes caught a small board showcasing the day's specials. Guess what? Birria! Over the past few years, I've become quite the Birria fan, and seeing that missed opportunity stung a little. Oh well, next time, for sure!

Overall, La Chulada's cantina offered a fantastic, unexpected gem at a more-than-fair price. While I missed the Birria this time, the friendly service, clean atmosphere, and delicious tacos left me wanting more. I'll definitely be back to explore their marketplace and, of course, try that elusive Birria!“

“The delicious go-to place in novato, the food is very fresh and well thought out. The smoothies and shakes are wonderful and my favorite is the Vegetable Bowl - brown rice, a delicious sauce with finally chopped raw and fresh veggies. Updated from previous review on 2024-10-23“