Let’s be real… there’s nothing better than a big bowl of pasta and glass of red wine after a long day. From fine dining to your local pizza joint, Italian cuisine has become a common favorite of diners everywhere and luckily in Marin we have our fair share of Italian restaurants. The 2024 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Il Davide (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Italian food picks see below.
Our 2024 Dining category sponsor is Rodney Strong. View the rest of the Dining category here.
We’ve broken it down by region: Southern and Central Marin.
Southern | Central
Southern Marin
Angelino Restaurant
Sausalito
Multiple generations of the Ancona family create an authentic Italian eatery featuring dishes like arrosticini (pictured above) 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. Easily the best view of San Francisco in this category, with indoor and outdoor seating.
621 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415.331.5225
Poggio Trattoria
Sausalito
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.
777 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415.332.7771
La Ginestra
Mill Valley
House made Neapolitan cuisine, a familiar wait staff, and warm hospitality have made this restaurant a family favorite since 1964. While this old-school eatery is known for traditional pastas and pizzas, a daily menu of seasonal favorites attracts a hip crowd. The adjourning Sorrento Bar serves up cocktails, amari and a selection of fine Italian wines.
127 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, 415.388.0224
Piazza D’Angelo
Mill Valley
Family owned for over 35 years, Piazza D’Angelo evokes a traditional trattoria dining experience. Enjoy a variety of house-made pastas, meat and seafood dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and gluten-free offerings with organic and locally sourced ingredients. A back patio and newer front patio provide ample outdoor dining space.
22 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, 415.388.2000
Central Marin
Don Antonio Trattoria Marin
Larkspur
Antonio Volpicelli, of the former Don Antonio in Tiburon, runs this location in Larkspur. Choose from standbys like gorgonzola gnocchi, veal parmesan and carbonara to be paired with wines from an extensive list, all served either inside or out on the shaded patio. Look for the Maine lobster special on Tuesdays.
455 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, 415.924.3332
Cucina sa
San Anselmo
Open for lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner six nights a week for the house’s famous homemade pastas, seasonal salads, and wood-fired pizzas that strike a balance between southern Italy and northern California. Full bar and cocktails are available to go or enjoy a tipple on premise at the heated parklet or inside.
510 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.2942
Valenti & Co
San Anselmo
The bright yet cozy indoor space and warmly lit back patio are ideal environments for authentic Italian dishes made with local ingredients. The menu changes daily but look for the carpaccio of beef, the pan-seared Pekin duck and chef Valenti’s famous tower of triple chocolate love at dessert. A seat at the chef’s table gives a prime view of the open kitchen.
337 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.7800
Il Davide
San Rafael
The large selection of innovative and classic Tuscan dishes and house-made pasta has kept locals coming back for years. Ingredients are organic and locally sourced where possible, and there’s a vast selection of both Italian and California wines by the glass.
901 A St, San Rafael, 415.454.8080
La Toscana
San Rafael
Family owned and operated since 1985, La Toscana completed an extensive interior and exterior renovation, transforming an already popular San Rafael gathering spot into a place for any occasion. The menu features daily specials and classics like gnocchi and carbonara and an ample selection of wine.
3751 Redwood Hwy, San Rafael, 415.492.9100
Fradelizio’s
Fairfax
Locally raised chef-owner Paul Fradelizio has served inspired Northern Italian fare (homemade gnocchi, wild boar cannelloni, Monterey Bay calamari, tiramisu) for more than 25 years. A perennial neighborhood gem winner, the cozy space welcomes all with daily specials (salmon, line-caught in Bolinas, with a golden beet and arugula salad, house made Meyer lemon fettuccine with salmon and asparagus) and a wine by the barrel program, sourced from Napa and Sonoma.
35 Broadway, Fairfax, 415.459.1618
La Gastronomia di Porchetta
Fairfax
Like the town it’s situated in, La Gastronomia in Fairfax is a lively and cozy restaurant best known for its authentic cuisine and warm atmosphere. Originally from a coastal town in Italy, Elena and her husband Gustavo opened their restaurant following support in local farmers markets (where they now source the ingredients for their dishes). Enjoy a meal on their outdoor patio and experience a taste of the Italian coast in the Californian sun.
123 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax, 415.419.5465
Sorella Caffé
Fairfax
Run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means “sister” in Italian, serves fresh Italian with a northern influence. Customer favorites include the cioppino, butternut squash ravioli, and pollo alla Sorella, others insist on returning just for the garlic bread.
107 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax, CA 94930, 415.258.4520
Best of the County Dining Sponsor
Rodney Strong
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 can I arrange a tasting appointment?
We are open Thursday through Monday from 10:30am – 5:00pm. We recommend making a reservation but we are happy to host walk-ins when we have availability for tastings until 3:30pm. Please visit rodneystrong.com/visit-us to see our tasting options and to make a reservation.
Where can I find a list of upcoming events at the winery?
Please visit rodneystrong.com/events for our upcoming events.
I’m looking for a wine country venue for an upcoming private event; could I host my event at Rodney Strong Vineyards?
Absolutely! Please visit rodneystrong.com/private-events for more information on our private events.
Rodney Strong | Healdsburg | 707.431.1533 | rodneystrong.com
