Where to Find the Best Burgers in Marin County

Buckeye Roadhouse, Best Burger Marin

When all the cashiers at your local joint know your name, burger order, and no-ketchup policy by heart, you know it’s time to branch out. We’re here to help. From the traditional beef-and-cheese burger to one with a creative French twist, our selected picks have Marin County residents from Stinson Beach to Larkspur reeling from the juicy flavor. The 2023 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Gott’s Roadhouse (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County burger picks see below.

Our 2023 Dining category sponsor is Rodney Strong.

Because there are so many great ones, we’ve broken it down by region: Southern, Central and Western Marin.

Southern | Central | Western

Southern Marin

The Joinery

Sausalito

Joinery Sausalito, Marin Burger

A casual waterfront restaurant specializing in rotisserie and local brews, the Joinery fills a tall order in the size and scope of their meals. Don’t believe us? Look at their Joinery Burger, a tall stack made of a sesame seed bun and stacked high with tomato, pickles, onions and beef — all swimming in a pool of mouth-watering melted cheese. You can also choose from a variety of fries, served in massive metal trays, to pair alongside your burger. Pick a fry. Any fry!

Selections include sweet potato, garlic and dirty fries with pork belly and cracklings.

300 Turney Street, 415.766.8999

Buckeye Roadhouse

Mill Valley

Buckeye Roadhouse, Best Burger Marin

Sometimes food tries to do too much. If you want the basics, and you want it done well, Buckeye Roadhouse is your spot. Described as “fully garnished” on their menu, the Roadhouse Burger is a formidable player in the burger game by nailing the basics. It involves a solid and simple combination of smoky beef flavors, a black-seeded sesame bun, and pickles. Enjoy a complimentary side of their golden fries with your order and wash it all down with one of Buckeye’s beer offerings: “I would pair it with Mt. Tam Pale Ale or — if you are super lucky — Pliny the Elder double IPA. We only get three cases a week.” – Robert Price, Executive Chef (Mill Valley). 

15 Shoreline Hwy, 415.331.2600

Bungalow 44

Mill Valley

Bungalow 44, Burger
Photo Courtesy of Bungalow 44

For your dose of upscale California cuisine in a burger, look no further than Bungalow 44. Smoked onion rings? Yes, please. Awesome sauce? It’s got that too. White cheddar, shredded lettuce, and fries. Need we say more?

44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500

Floodwater

Mill Valley

Delicious, rich, and well-worth it. This house ground patty made with tender Wagyu beef is drizzled with French onion bone marrow and served with all the works. A side of thick, house cut fries and a crunchy pickle round off this burger experience. If you’re feeling like a little extra something, bacon, avocado, a fried egg can be added for an additional cost — add one or add them all.

152 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, 415.843.4545

Gravity Tavern

Mill Valley

Gravity Tavern, Mill Valley, Best Burger Marin

Want to spice it up? Gravity Burger will send your tastebuds soaring. With their seared house grind burger, horseradish aioli, aged sharp cheddar, and little gem slaw, this burger has the praise-worthy ‘salt, fat, acid, heat’ that we have come to deeply appreciate.

38 Miller Ave Suite 1, 415.888.2108

Super Duper Burger

Mill Valley

Super Duper Burgers

Best part about of Super Duper in Mill Valley… the drive-thru for their delicious burgers! Almost contactless pick up has the line starting when they open at 12 in the morning. Don’t miss out on their Super Burger, a side of Garlic Fries and home-made pickles!

430 Miller Ave, 415.380.8555

Watershed Mill Valley

Mill Valley

A celebration of local goodness, this burger features a grass-fed patty from Stemple Creek Ranch in Tomales and a brioche bun from Parkside in Stinson Beach — toasted to perfection. Thick-cut fries on the side. Add grilled red onion or Cherokee tomato at an additional cost (we recommend both!).

129 Miller Ave, 415.888.2406

Central Marin

Marin Joe’s

Corte Madera

Marin Joes, Best Burger Marin

A mainstay for over 50 years for a reason: the menu calls to you with garlic bread, a calamari sandwich and mesquite-grilled prime rib. Sautéed classics of the Italian-American cannon (I”m looking at you, chicken livers and mushrooms and veal piccata) and oysters doré and a mix and match menu of pasta shapes and pastas have withstood the test of time.

1585 Casa Buena Dr, Corte Madera, 415.924.2081

Left Bank Brasserie

Larkspur

An American burger and a French fry? Oui, s’il vous plaît! Served with delicate butter lettuce, juicy tomato slices, and a crispy side of frites, this generous ½ lb. burger is guaranteed to satisfy. Sandwiched between a toasted, hearty bun, this meal not only provides the flavor you love but the texture you never knew you wanted.

507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331

M&G Burgers

Larkspur

Looking for a classic burger, fries, and shake? M&G serves up quality without the frills at their Larkspur and Fairfax locations.

Larkspur: 989 Magnolia Ave. Larkspur, Fairfax: 2017 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, 415.454.0655

Perry’s on Magnolia

Larkspur

Perry's Larkspur, Best Burger Marin

When you don’t want to stray too far from the traditional taste and look of a burger, Perry’s nails down the art of simplicity by paying attention to quality above all else: “The Perry’s Burger Classic is classic and simple. High-quality meat, handled minimally, seasoned with salt and pepper, grilled and placed on a lightly toasted brioche bun.” —Perry Butler (Larkspur)

The burger is served with house-made cottage chips on the side. Spice it up by adding avocado, crispy bacon, or extra cheese at an extra cost. 

234 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.1877

Shake Shack

Larkspur

Shake Shack, Best Burger Marin

While there are plenty of options to choose from, the classic ShackBurger is the way to go. A few notches above the traditional fast food joints, Shake Shack delivers that satisfaction you’re craving for under ten bucks. Prefer your burger cooked well done? This one maintains its great flavor. Oh, and don’t forget to throw in a shake while you’re at it.

1401 Larkspur Landing Cir, 628.212.2050

Gott’s Roadside

Greenbrae

Gott's Roadside, Best Burger, Marin

When it comes to chain restaurants, food quality drops as the number of locations go up. Not with Gott’s. Despite the sheer number of burgers they dish out, Gott’s achieves a slam dunk each time with their rendition of the bacon cheeseburger. Toppings include American cheese, Zoe’s bacon, lettuce and pickles stacked on a plushy, toasted egg bun — not to mention Gott’s “secret sauce” (yes, lots of sauce secrecy going on).

302 Bon Air Center, 415.785.4233

Monk’s Kettle

Terra Linda

Monk's Kettle Terra Linda, Best Burger Marin
Photo: Monk’s Kettle Facebook

Beyond the popular juicy burgers, the Mission Fried Chicken has an ardent following. Like the original in San Francisco, Christian Albertson’s restaurant in the shopping center kitty-corner from the Terra Linda Pool serves quaffable beers (like Pliny the Elder on tap), pub grub, and plenty of veg-forward offerings.

655 Del Ganado Rd, San Rafael, 415.991.5103

Phyllis’ Giant Burgers

San Rafael

Phylli's Giant Burgers, San Rafael, Best Burger Marin
Photo: Phylli’s Giant Burgers Website

Flipping patties for the Bay Area for the past 30 years, Phylli’s Giant Burgers has been inducted into the Pacific Sun’s Best of Marin Hall of Fame in 1997 and serves over 20 types of burgers.

2202 4th St, San Rafael, 415.456.0866

Western Marin

Parkside Cafe

Stinson Beach

Parkside Stinson Beach, Best Burger Marin

No better way to compliment your beach day than with Parkside’s Niman burger. A whopping 8-ounce masterpiece of grass-fed beef and fluffy brioche bun, served with hand cut fries and lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and mustard aioli on the side. To balance out the decadence, order their fresh cobb or the delectably sweet and crunchy beet, butternut and apple salad for a nice health kick! And if not for the burger, at least visit for the spectacular views of ocean waves hitting the rocky Stinson Beach cliffs while slurping down their raw oysters.

43 Arenal Ave, 415.868.1272


Sponsor

Rodney Strong: 2023 Best of the County Dining

Rodney Strong was an acknowledged visionary who understood the potential that Sonoma County’s soil and climate held for producing world-class wines and was one of the first to plant Pinot Noir in Russian River Valley and the first to produce a Chalk Hill appellation Chardonnay.

How do you cater to both oenophiles and newbies?
At our winery, we pride ourselves on creating an exceptional experience that caters to both connoisseurs and newbies alike. We offer a diverse range of offerings and services that accommodate the varied preferences and knowledge levels of our guests and are committed to providing a custom experience.
What sets you apart from other wineries?
Our winery has achieved national recognition for its exceptional craftsmanship, with our wines consistently earning high scores and accolades from esteemed critics and competitions.
How do you cater to both oenophiles and newbies?
At our winery, we pride ourselves on creating an exceptional experience that caters to both connoisseurs and newbies alike. We offer a diverse range of offerings and services that accommodate the varied preferences and knowledge levels of our guests and are committed to providing a custom experience.