Restaurants in San Rafael

“Without a doubt, the best cocktail bar in Marin! The menu is fantastic, but their off-menu creations are even better. The friendly, outstanding service puts this place in a league of its own. Christian and Manny are truly pros🤙🏽”

“So tasty! Not usually a big fan of exotic flavors but this please is great. Been twice now and loved it both times. Chicken 65, dal, garlic broccoli, chow mein, rice, and Momo's were all delicious. And they serve Pond Farm beer!”

“I reserve 5 stars for real A+ places.
Garden Cafe is awesome.

The crispy chicken sando was cooked perfectly. Tender, not oily. Sweet potato waffle fries were excellent. It's a cool semi-hidden find.”

“In my opinion, this is the best Indian restaurant in San Rafael. The food is great, the portions are good and the prices are super reasonable. Big fan of dining or getting takeout”

“there's usually always a wait but excellent!”

“This place is really authentic. Food is cooked from scratch. Yuca is crispy and delicious. Beans are so tasty and pupusas well filled with yumminess”

“I thought this was an ordinary around the corner boba tea shop, the store presentation and their uniqueness really surprised me. Not only did they offer Vietnamese coffee made from equator coffee, they also offered a variety of matcha for matcha lovers like me. They pretty much have everyone covered. I also like that they have the option to do 0% sweet, which is extremely important for those who are health conscious.”

“This guy is an Italian genius when it comes to food! The combinations of flavors he comes up with would rival any great Italian chef. I met him while selling at a local farmers market a while ago-during or right after the pandemic. Restaurants were closed and he needed a way to support himself and to carry on his love of cooking and, thankfully, he came up with this business plan. Check out his website and i promise you will not be disappointed! Absolutely delicious and freshly made options available!”

“Wonderful food and service. Highly recommend!”

“Talked myself into trying something different today... Fried chicken thighs and it wasn't up to par as the pork belly is. The chicken may have been over bribed as I found it real salty :-(”

“Such fresh good food. I made my own scramble it was beyond delicious!!!”

“The food was so good that I had to visit here 2 days in a row!

Monica, the owner, was helpful and patient as we asked about the various menu options available. We had kimchi soup with banchan & a protein rice bowl with spicy pork, and both were excellent.
The beverage options were great as well, including everything from Aloe Vera juice and Korean soft drinks to classics like coffee & boba tea.”

“Best Mexican restaurant I’ve been to so far in the US.”

“Thai coffee beans caught my eye when this place showed up in a search. So, we went to check it out.
Location is in a strip mall close to the 101 freeway on-ramp and is surrounded by budget stores. Surroundings are modest and even though they have a couple outdoor seating options, the proximity to the freeway and associated noise made it less attractive to us. Indoors was pleasant but basic. Coffee and other beverages menu is extensive. A roaster is on display and they sell their beans by the pound. We had a flat white and a latte. The espresso flavor was nice, aromatic and smooth, a medium roast is my guess.
We would have liked to get a couple pastries but the choices did not look appealing. Asked the person at the cash register if the baked goods were made in house. Got a flat no and no further attempt to sell those products. So we passed and had just the coffee beverages.
Espresso drinks are reasonably priced and the quality was good, so we might go back when all we are looking for is just coffee”

“Making chicken salad sandwiches with the best bead 🥖”

“Had to stop and use the restroom when the freeway got too jammed to wait so, detoured and purchased some giant cookies as away of saying thank you for one, being open in a very commercial area with limited options; two, for letting me use their restroom and three having very reasonable prices and a friendly demeanor.
Oh, the cookies were great, too!”

“We had the most delicious pastas and wine! The service was fantastic as well. We highly recommend TKT for your next night out!! Even our toddler was impressed!”

“I had coffee this morning for the 1st time. The cafe has such a relaxing vibe to it! It was a nice group of patrons. The staff was very helpful. I've found my favorite coffee shop! 😋😋😋”

“Perfect in every way. I order the spicy fried rice and added chicken and shrimp. My friend ordered pad phed beef and mixed them together. Amazing. Satay was awesome! The egg rolls were delicious. Goong grab borg was amazing as well. Portions were more than enough to share between us. Everyone was so sweet and I was so happy that we found this gem. Although I don’t live in the neighborhood, it will be our new go to when I visit! <3”

“Best coffee in san rafael IMO! Lenny is really nice and always has my order ready! Nice vibe and close to my work! Highly recommend!”

“Super yummyyy. Came here while visiting for work, great portions and good prices. Super flavorful and nice service. Pistachio baklava was too good. Nice outdoor seating area with a fountain.”

“I have been coming here since it opened and the service and quality has been consistently excellent! The atmosphere is modern, the music is great, and the staff are always friendly. And the food is delicious!!!! Highly highly recommend!”

“We used to eat here almost weekly when my son (20+ yrs ago) was in school then our schedule changed. We drove by and remembered how delightful our dinners were and ordered take away. It was better than we recalled! My husband and I shared their hot and sour seafood soup. It is packaged in three parts so everything is fresh when you’re ready to eat. My husband had the fried chicken and I had fresh rolls. We have enough for a couple more dinners—the portions are generous and everything is so fresh. Being able to heat and assemble the soup is a great help—we can tailor our bowls to our preferences and each bowl is as fresh as when we brought it home. Service is polite and friendly. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Can’t wait to start up our tradition again.”

“Hi I am delighted to have Royal Thai as a friend for Take dinners needs during these shelter times. Support your local restaurant. San Rafael , you got my buisness. Plus your Thai food is darn good”

“A “Must Stop” for lunch! The best sourdough bread I’ve ever had. Wanted to go back and just order a bunch of bread to take home and spoil the family. The perfect crispy crust and then soft chew center with lots of wonderful savory sourness. I had the Ham & Pastrami. Perfect fresh ingredients. Everything you want in a deli sandwich at a reasonable price. Lots of selections so I’m heading back for future yummy bites. Excellent personal service.”

“Awesome coffee and a very comfortable space to sit and enjoy the coffee.”

“Best Mexican food I've had in a long time!”

“Love take out. The best minestrone and garlic bread. Yummy. Try it.”

“This place is a true hidden gem! They have the best BLT I’ve ever had in my entire life (pro tip: add pepperjack cheese, pickles and avo) — but truly life-changing! The employees are delightful and I love supporting this local business!”

“Seriously, best burrito in North Marin. Repeating this post because 1) Facebook asked me to write a formal review and 2) it's too empty when I've gone and I want people to keep them in business!”

“Delicious food! Very unassuming, we were so happy we stopped in, food and service were top notch 🍝”

“Above Fifth is the rooftop bar of the AC Hotel in San Rafael, CA. The hotel is part of the Marriott hotel franchise. Yes, a franchise hotel is in downtown San Rafael. Times are a changin'.

Anyways, the bar is open 4pm-11pm Wednesday-Sunday, closed on Monday - Tuesday. The hotel is about 54 feet tall so it is not particular tall, but tall enough for some awesome views of downtown, surrounding hills, and Mount Tam. The seating area, like the hotel, has modern upscale aesthetics with relaxed vibes.

The views are gorgeous. The staff are sweethearts, five star service. The drinks and tapas menu price points are of course pricey. But what was up with the stained paper menus. Eww. Anyways, the fam ordered drinks (cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks) and tapas of olives, hummus and pita, and fingerling potatoes. The olives were delicious and it was a good medley of various kinds. The fingerling potatoes were a bit boring tasting, it could use more seasonings for added zing. Not sure how the green hummus tasted, I snoozed on that one.

Overall, the drinks are good, ambiance fantastic, and the food is meh. This is a type of place I would go for special occasions and not on a regular basis, my wallet cannot sustain it.”

“The Chomage miso tonkatsu ramen was terrific. Even better than when I had this dish at a highly rated ramen restaurant in Japantown. Very flavorful. not heavy or greasy.

It was nice to sit in the outdoor patio near a fountain.”

“Very comfortable, family oriented restaurant with great food and service”

“Very nice people good food”

“I loved it. Great Mexican food. Miss this in Hawaii”

“The food was served Hot and Fresh and the serving was very generous! I ordered the Steak and Nopal and my girlfriend ordered the Tacos Birria. We chose to eat outside and they had Vicente Fernandez playing on the speaker, We both rate it 5 stars! Gracias ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

“Beautiful atmosphere. We sat inside thinking it would get cold but when we left at 7 we saw the wonderful large heater lamps and wished we’d sat outside. Our server was so friendly and attentive! All food exceptional.We’ll definitely be back

Vegetarian options: Portabello mushroom sandwich fabulous”

“It's the best pizza I have ever tried. I'm not a pizza guy, but with that one, I can eat every time possible and never get bored, and the ranch the N.1”

“Sakura is a hidden gem! Their sushi is outstanding and the Miso soup with the tiny mushrooms is delicious. You are always "welcomed" when you walk in and checked on while eating, making sure you are well taken care of. Everyone I have brought there LOVES it!”

“Lunch buffet is really good and at a fair price.”

“A friendly and placenta place , I like the variety of dishes to choose .”

“Wanted to try the quesabirria & birria tacos. We were not disappointed! Will go back and want to try the mole buffet on weekends”

“Todo está muy delicioso recomiendo las enchiladas de cangrejo el salmón ala parrilla y también los huevos rancheros las quesabirrias están muy buenas también sin contar que fin de seman tiene barbacoa de borrego con consomé y menudo”

“I came here because the San Francisco Chronicle listed it as one of the best 10 tamales in the bay area. I was not disappointed. It’s not traditional corn masa tamales from Mexico, but rather rice or potato masa tamales. The sauces are wonderful the meat is tender, and the tamales melt in your mouth. The nice lady behind the counter was very helpful in helping me make my choices. I bought six different tamales to take home. I’ll be back.”

“I was enjoy my lunch today”

“Delicious, authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of downtown San Rafael. I just had the very best bowl of pho ever! The broth tastes amazing - I suspect that their pho broth is homemade. Golden Era looks unassuming from the outside, and I have been reluctant to try it, but this is now my absolute favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Marin. I had the chicken wings and beef rib pho. The chicken wings were generously sized, crispy and fully cooked, yet juicy and tender. I realize I've become accustomed to freezer burnt undersized wings at other local Vietnamese restaurants. The beef rib pho had a huge tender, cooked to perfection rib, AND several large pieces of incredibly tender sliced beef (prime rib? so good!). I'm blown away by the broth! Every other Vietnamese restaurant I've ever been to has the same powdered, tastes like gym socks buillion broth. Okay, maybe Slanted Door and Golden Era 1 have housemade broth.

This is the tasty, high quality comfort Asian/Asian fusion food you've been looking for. And at such good prices! The menu is on the small side, but I think that's a good thing, so they can focus on their delicious dishes. Family run, these folks try super hard to make delicious food for their customers.”

“Excelentes pizzas y cordial atención”

“They have the best food. Anything you order will amaze your tastebuds. We get 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ service every time. Course it helps we go every weekend!!”

“I love this place! Excellent BBQ, excellent people!”

“Amazing bread and croissants! Also love the brown butter chocolate chip cookies. A must have stop at the Farmer's market Thurs in San Rafael. Cannot wait until he has his own brick and mortar store. xo”

“To put it very simply, that was the absolute best donut I've ever had. You just don't realize there could be that much difference until you have one that's this good.”

“Beautiful restaurant! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the service is friendly and attentive, and everything is extremely clean. A memorable experience we’ll always appreciate!”

“Wednesday Taco night the 💣.”

“We are new to the area/California from NY we were delighted to find pizza as amazing as home! Friendly owner and staff.”

“A very delicious fried chicken sandwich!! So moist and I got the “crunchy” which was delightful. I will return to try the “crispy”. I was very pleasantly surprised. I waited less than 5 mins and for only like $7. Good stuff.”

“How nice to finally have an excellent Chinese restaurant in San Rafael. Nicely decorated, friendly and efficient service and delicious cuisine! Give them a try, you won’t be disappointed.”

“It is not super easy to find a vegetarian sandwich that is substantial, but the eggplant sandwich delivered. I really liked the type of bread roll that they used, it held up perfectly. Great flavors all around. I look forward to coming back for another great vegetarian lunch!”

“I went in because I seen 5 star reviews and it did not disappoint. Owner was nice, welcoming and friendly. Very fast service and best of all the banh mi’s were so good. Fresh, soft and perfectly crisp bread, very flavorful and such a homemade feel. Would definitely recommend and come back myself to try other items!”

“Great Food!!! Great Service!”

“I came with my family here, very clean place, clean restroom, clean everything, good food. Fast service, but please ladies from the front (customer service) smile, you take care of the customer like robots, next, thank you , next, thank you next. I was looking at every single person that was receiving their orders to make sure that chips are given to some odres or to every order. We order two burritos, one pupusa and twelve tacos. We did not received chips at all. I saw people that purchase tacos , receiving their chips, this wasn’t my case. No one gave us our chips😟”

“Even after a 4 year hiatus (work relocation) Tajikistan San greeted me at the door tonight with "So good to see you, two chicken bento, extra dressing!". Arigatou's is world class.”

“I felt like I was eating homemade cuisine. An atmosphere of nurture and hospitality. Authentic vibe and food. I can’t stop thinking about the pleasant experience.”

“If you're thinking about a place to have a party, I can't recommend Ounces enough! Waz and his team were so lovely to work with, and they helped plan the perfect afternoon. Lawn games, tasty food, delicious sips, relaxing atmosphere, and friendly service.

Outside of events, it's also just a fantastic place to drink a cold beverage in the sunshine. I've taken a book with me and relaxed on the lovely patio, during the times I wasn't there with friends.

This place is truly a hidden gem at the Northgate Mall.”

“Hands down best kabob in the area!!! Wrap N Kabob catered a birthday party for about 60 people and the food was incredible! I’m super grateful for the owner Chris who worked with us on the timing, he also helped us to order the right amount of items and the flavor of the food made the day extra special. The shish kabobs were super tender and perfectly seasoned. The chicken “Jujeh” kabobs were so juicy and flavorful that everyone kept going back for more. The rice was fluffy, tasty, and the perfect complement to the kabobs. Guests loved the food so much that people were taking plates home. Highly recommend for lunch, dinner, or parties or anytime you want to eat some amazing food.”

“It’s beyond wonderful. Tony spumoni, pistachio, ginger, too too good”

“This place made the tastiest veggie curry dish - I asked for the Channa Masala extra spicy and they did such a great job! Their garlic naan is very good too. I am not an expert or Indian food aficionado. However, I love the taste of their food and the girl I spoke with over the phone was very sweet!”

“Emilee made an amazing cake for my wedding. She was quick to respond, adaptable to what I wanted and edits, and had flexible pick up. Everyone loved the cake (almond cake with cherry compote).”

“Started going there in 1980 and have never stopped❤️🙏🏻♥️”

“the food is real!!!!!!!!!”

“We had an amazing lunch experience at Foodles today! The bibimbap, chicken katsu, and "Breakfast #4" were all exceptionally delicious. The service was equally impressive—warm, attentive, and truly welcoming. The cozy atmosphere made our meal even more enjoyable. Love this place! We will definately come back.”

“The food was amazing and we couldn’t get enough of it. Service was great and our server Ben really helped us and made us feel welcomed. nice atmosphere as well. 10/10 experience. This is our new sushi spot!”

“Only thing I come in to order is the Crazy Coffee Smoothie! And it's on hit every time! 👍🏽”

“I just discovered Lucky Penny and have already ordered twice in a row! The focaccia, chocolate chip cookies, and cinnamon rolls are amazing. Ordering for pickup is super convenient and the owner was really accommodating for a relatively last minute special order I put in. Highly recommend - I will be coming here again and again!”

“Very friendly. very clean, seems family oriented and maybe that's what makes it work. Love it!!!!”

“By far the best Banh Mi in Marin County. Nothing even comes close. In and out, fast service. Nice sized sandwich for $7. You have to go to SF or Oakland to find a sandwich as good.”

“Pretty interesting place with poker, darts and pool. You'll find an unusual but friendly crowd here. The food is pretty good with mostly burgers and such with rotating specials. Thursday is Prime Rib! Bar is pretty good with standard cocktail fare and beers on tap. My only complaint is the atmosphere which feels mildly uncomfortable. I can't say why exactly, but the feng shue is off.”

“Love Banh mi Zon with a passion! Back when I used to frequent at the Banh Mi Zon food truck it was my favorite bbq pork banh mi and that's never changed. Fresh crisp vegetables, good ingredient balance, good quality melt-in-your-mouth bbq pork- which isn't always easy to find on a banh mi. Highly recommend this place for your banh mi craving.”

“Spectacular! I am so happy I drove by and found this place. The cupcakes tasted amazing and were absolutely beautiful. The guests loved them and I will 100% be back for more! Thank you Baked Blooms!”

“The best food ever , it is delicious 🤤 the environment is very welcoming , the staff are super kind and sweet 🥰we ordered falafel , shawarma and kabob , the rice is yummy too , the dessert is wow 🤩 I recommend it to every one 👍👍👍”

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“Great Sub sandwiches!!!!!”

“Servers are fun to talk with and to learn about the best treats!”

“Great Persian and Mediterranean/Middle Eastern menu! My wife and i appreciate the great jazz. So much better for your digestion than the loud screaming contemporary stuff other places play.”

“I was here for breakfast and the food was delicious and very affordable. Excellent service in a nice place to relax. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures. It’s a small mom’s and pop’s operation.”

“You make my birthday girl so happy, especially the Unicorn. Make her birthday for this year sweet...it really makes her enjoy this lonely birthday becomes a joyful one”

“Good carne asada burrito. Casual but clean place. Pleasant people. Price is fair.

Parking: Big parking lot. Plenty of available spaces.

Kid-friendliness: Fine for kids.

Wheelchair accessibility: Access looked very easy.”

“Excellent service, friendly staff, and their Guatemala decaf hits the spot! Also very reasonably priced both for fresh drinks and pounds of coffee. What’s not to love in supporting such great local businesses?”

“Great coffee great service most of the time. People working there need to learn to communicate and let customers know when they are backed up so when they make an order, they understand how long it will take instead of letting them know after the fact.”

“On 4th Street in Downtown San Rafael is a narrow building that’s home to a great breakfast place. We visited Lundy’s Home Cooking on a Saturday morning and were seated right away. There are a couple tables in the front window, several tables for 2 along the side wall and counter seats overlooking the grill.

I ordered the Omelette with Chicken Apple Sausage and Cheese which was served with potatoes and choice of toast; my wife ordered their Eggs Benedict, also served with potatoes and toast. ass

Service was prompt and friendly and the food was delicious. In my omelette, the sausage (and cheese) was plentiful - and the potatoes were just as I like them, slightly crunch. My wife ordered their traditional Eggs Benedict. Now I know she is a Benedict aficionado and particular about the dish - she said it was very tasty!

They have quite an extensive breakfast menu - with some unique choices like Fajita Omelette, Irish Breakfast, and a Chorizo Scramble. We’d happily return for a breakfast in the future.”

“Such fresh good food. I made my own scramble it was beyond delicious!!!”

“Love take out. The best minestrone and garlic bread. Yummy. Try it.”

“Have dined at Le Chalet Basque for more than 20 years. Our recent meal with lamb chops, fresh vegetables, mashed potatoes and split pea soup served with crumbled blue cheese salad couldn't have been better. Fresh ingredients, great wine and excellent service will keep us returning again and again.”

“I have always loved the Gloria Jeans drinks in fact I used to work at the Ontario Mills Mall in Ontario California at Gloria Jeans there it was owned by Katie Chuck a very nice lady to work for but unfortunately she closed her business I miss working there that was back in 2002 -2006 4 years I had worked for her I still know how to make every drink we had back then cold and hot drinks speciality drinks which were the holiday drinks I remember the measurements to brew coffee ☕️ for the day when you work there for that long everything sticks with you but as for today I’m sure many things have changed as the years went by but I do still see some of the same coffee beans we had back then I wish we had one here in applevalley California we used to have one in the Victorville Mall years ago but that one has gone out of business as well years ago please ?? someone bring Gloria Jeans back to the High desert of California Applevalley California we need one here desperately I’m so sick of Starbucks they overroast their beans which gives the drinks a burnt taste of course they will deny it there is nothing like a Gloria Jeans coffee ☕️ hot or cold simply the best you can’t get any better then Gloria Jeans Coffee..❤️”

“Talked myself into trying something different today... Fried chicken thighs and it wasn't up to par as the pork belly is. The chicken may have been over bribed as I found it real salty :-(”

“Emilee made an amazing cake for my wedding. She was quick to respond, adaptable to what I wanted and edits, and had flexible pick up. Everyone loved the cake (almond cake with cherry compote).”

“💙 I can come here every day. 💜”

“How nice to finally have an excellent Chinese restaurant in San Rafael. Nicely decorated, friendly and efficient service and delicious cuisine! Give them a try, you won’t be disappointed.”

“In my opinion, this is the best Indian restaurant in San Rafael. The food is great, the portions are good and the prices are super reasonable. Big fan of dining or getting takeout”

“I’m highly recommend it ..I’m here every day”

“So tasty! Not usually a big fan of exotic flavors but this please is great. Been twice now and loved it both times. Chicken 65, dal, garlic broccoli, chow mein, rice, and Momo's were all delicious. And they serve Pond Farm beer!”

“I came with my family here, very clean place, clean restroom, clean everything, good food. Fast service, but please ladies from the front (customer service) smile, you take care of the customer like robots, next, thank you , next, thank you next. I was looking at every single person that was receiving their orders to make sure that chips are given to some odres or to every order. We order two burritos, one pupusa and twelve tacos. We did not received chips at all. I saw people that purchase tacos , receiving their chips, this wasn’t my case. No one gave us our chips😟”

“Very friendly. very clean, seems family oriented and maybe that's what makes it work. Love it!!!!”

“Definitely a good place for you”

“Sooooo effing good! Obsessed!”

“This place is really authentic. Food is cooked from scratch. Yuca is crispy and delicious. Beans are so tasty and pupusas well filled with yumminess”

“I thought this was an ordinary around the corner boba tea shop, the store presentation and their uniqueness really surprised me. Not only did they offer Vietnamese coffee made from equator coffee, they also offered a variety of matcha for matcha lovers like me. They pretty much have everyone covered. I also like that they have the option to do 0% sweet, which is extremely important for those who are health conscious.”

“Great food. Friendly staff. Good music walking distance for me”

“I've only ever used the drive thru at the location.

Staff are great - even when I can tell someone is new or in training.

The food is consistently good and the location is convenient.”

“I have been coming here since it opened and the service and quality has been consistently excellent! The atmosphere is modern, the music is great, and the staff are always friendly. And the food is delicious!!!! Highly highly recommend!”

“I had coffee this morning for the 1st time. The cafe has such a relaxing vibe to it! It was a nice group of patrons. The staff was very helpful. I've found my favorite coffee shop! 😋😋😋”

“Wanted to try the quesabirria & birria tacos. We were not disappointed! Will go back and want to try the mole buffet on weekends”

“Love Banh mi Zon with a passion! Back when I used to frequent at the Banh Mi Zon food truck it was my favorite bbq pork banh mi and that's never changed. Fresh crisp vegetables, good ingredient balance, good quality melt-in-your-mouth bbq pork- which isn't always easy to find on a banh mi. Highly recommend this place for your banh mi craving.”