Large old school Italian restaurant. HUGE menu. Great service. Large bar. I love that they have 8-10 different sauces. Great for a large group. Not gourmet but very good Italian food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kaz Yeghiazarian
This place is an absolute must-experience! The food was excellent, the cocktails were top-notch, and the desserts—simply amazing. The ambiance exudes timeless charm with warm wood accents, leather seating, crisp white tablecloths, and spot-on service from a truly outstanding staff.
I had a Stoli Vodka martini—a rare find these days—paired with sautéed scallops in a garlic and mushroom sauce, along with a side of ravioli in a rich pink sauce. To finish, I enjoyed an affogato, which was the perfect ending.
Our group shared a delightful mix of meat and seafood dishes, accompanied by pasta sides, a solid wine selection, and several desserts, including key lime pie and chocolate cake. We sampled a bit of everything—and I must say, it was absolutely divine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeremy Ondo
This was a really great classic Italian-American restaurant, just like the Italian restaurants I remember out East growing up. The Fettuccine Alfredo took me back, it’s the best one I’ve had in years. My dad had chicken Parmesan and it was great too, the chicken was pounded nice and thin and the tomato sauce tasted really fresh.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve Ionescu
What a wonderful spot in San Rafael. The food was absolutely fantastic. I had the seafood plate and it was incredible. The mozzarella fritta was crispy. Paired with two different sauces. The cheese ravioli with carbonara sauce and meatballs was a hit. Took some leftovers for lunch. If you get a chance to stop in. Make yourself at home and enjoy the wonderful flavors of Italy. Service was on point. Didn’t disappoint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marianna Leaver
My food was as expected. Would return. Easy access and location Attentive service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Joe Watson
The best Puerto Rican and Cuban food in California. The chicken and steak dishes were so delicious and filling.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Warren Weisenburg
I will say that from a few years ago this restaurant was just average. Our last 2 visits have changed our opinion. Tonight, I had veal scaloppine with mushrooms. My bride had veal picatta. Both dishes were delicious, hot, and flavorful! Our drinks were generous and good pours. We split a Ceasars salad that was dressed appropriately and was delicious. Very satisfied!
Deanna Desin
Great bartender, AJ!!
Hiram Banks
Essentially, I was told that they are closing (9:00PM) and I could go to the Irish bar next door. They could not get me out faster. It a very awkward feeling. I will not go there again as I do not feel they value their customers.
Donald E. Lawson
It's not the Joe's I remember from the 90s that's for sure!
The service was fine the food was not that good and it building felt old and dated
After having the worst meal I've had in ages I was in shock seeing all the good reviews for this place 😅 I just had to leave some different perspective. Where to even begin? I got the spaghetti and meatballs and the spaghetti was over cooked, the meatballs were the nastiest soft super fine pate texture it felt like I was eating cat food with zero seasoning, the sauce tasted like bland ragu. Even with added salt and Parmesan it was so disgusting we each only took a bite or two. The Caesar salad was all butt pieces, just a few bad croutons, and doused in way too much cheap Caesar dressing. The garlic bread was decent. Very dated atmosphere and food. The service was great, everyone was very sweet and attentive, but this place needs some help.
Michael Baroy
Wonderful 👍 😎
Kelly Paulsen
I love this place. Garlic bread is amazing and the pesto penne pasta with chicken is so good. Prices are good and you get a lot of food, always I take home leftovers.
Jeff Bernardi
Always great food and service.
Suzanne Gilbert
San Rafael Joe's is our go-to for Friday lunch. Great way to kick off the weekend.
Large old school Italian restaurant. HUGE menu. Great service. Large bar. I love that they have 8-10 different sauces. Great for a large group. Not gourmet but very good Italian food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is an absolute must-experience! The food was excellent, the cocktails were top-notch, and the desserts—simply amazing. The ambiance exudes timeless charm with warm wood accents, leather seating, crisp white tablecloths, and spot-on service from a truly outstanding staff.
I had a Stoli Vodka martini—a rare find these days—paired with sautéed scallops in a garlic and mushroom sauce, along with a side of ravioli in a rich pink sauce. To finish, I enjoyed an affogato, which was the perfect ending.
Our group shared a delightful mix of meat and seafood dishes, accompanied by pasta sides, a solid wine selection, and several desserts, including key lime pie and chocolate cake. We sampled a bit of everything—and I must say, it was absolutely divine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was a really great classic Italian-American restaurant, just like the Italian restaurants I remember out East growing up. The Fettuccine Alfredo took me back, it’s the best one I’ve had in years. My dad had chicken Parmesan and it was great too, the chicken was pounded nice and thin and the tomato sauce tasted really fresh.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a wonderful spot in San Rafael. The food was absolutely fantastic. I had the seafood plate and it was incredible. The mozzarella fritta was crispy. Paired with two different sauces. The cheese ravioli with carbonara sauce and meatballs was a hit. Took some leftovers for lunch. If you get a chance to stop in. Make yourself at home and enjoy the wonderful flavors of Italy. Service was on point. Didn’t disappoint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My food was as expected. Would return. Easy access and location
Attentive service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The best Puerto Rican and Cuban food in California. The chicken and steak dishes were so delicious and filling.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I will say that from a few years ago this restaurant was just average.
Our last 2 visits have changed our opinion.
Tonight, I had veal scaloppine with mushrooms. My bride had veal picatta. Both dishes were delicious, hot, and flavorful!
Our drinks were generous and good pours. We split a Ceasars salad that was dressed appropriately and was delicious.
Very satisfied!
Great bartender, AJ!!
Essentially, I was told that they are closing (9:00PM) and I could go to the Irish bar next door. They could not get me out faster. It a very awkward feeling. I will not go there again as I do not feel they value their customers.
It's not the Joe's I remember from the 90s that's for sure!
The service was fine the food was not that good and it building felt old and dated
Restaurantji Recommends
After having the worst meal I've had in ages I was in shock seeing all the good reviews for this place 😅 I just had to leave some different perspective.
Where to even begin? I got the spaghetti and meatballs and the spaghetti was over cooked, the meatballs were the nastiest soft super fine pate texture it felt like I was eating cat food with zero seasoning, the sauce tasted like bland ragu. Even with added salt and Parmesan it was so disgusting we each only took a bite or two. The Caesar salad was all butt pieces, just a few bad croutons, and doused in way too much cheap Caesar dressing. The garlic bread was decent. Very dated atmosphere and food. The service was great, everyone was very sweet and attentive, but this place needs some help.
Wonderful 👍 😎
I love this place. Garlic bread is amazing and the pesto penne pasta with chicken is so good. Prices are good and you get a lot of food, always I take home leftovers.
Always great food and service.
San Rafael Joe's is our go-to for Friday lunch. Great way to kick off the weekend.
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