Hungry? So are we! Whether you’re craving Italian, Mexican, Chinese or a meal out with a view, here are the Best of the County 2024 readers’ choices for dining.
Our 2024 Dining category sponsor is Rodney Strong.
Best Al Fresco Dining
Bungalow 44, Mill Valley

The normally bustling bar is one of Mill Valley’s hot spots, ideal for savoring a seasonal cocktail or an order of their famous kickin’ fried chicken. The one-dollar happy hour oyster program still operates from 5–6 p.m., Sunday–Thursday, and the heated outdoor patio is a new hot spot in town.
Best Bakery
Emporio Rulli, Larkspur

During the holiday season, panettone Milanese is a highlight of a bakery dedicated to the Italian pastry cannon. The rest of the year, you’ll just have to settle for tartufo, tiramisu, apricot almond torta and pastries like sfogliatelle and cassata siciliana.
Best Bar Dining
Perry’s on Magnolia, Larkspur

Visit the bustling bar, a perennial Best of the County winner, at Perry’s on Magnolia for warm service, quality cocktails, beers on tap and a glass of wine. Drinks range from locally inspired original creations like the Sonoma Sour, classics like the Perry’s Manhattan, globally sourced wines and draft beers. The long wooden counter invites friendly gatherings and conversations to go along with your beverage of choice.
Best Barbecue
Pig in a Pickle, Corte Madera

Cute aluminum trays piled with brisket, pulled pork and house-made hot links are just part of the appeal; the sides of Parker House rolls, collard greens and kettle tallow chips have their own following.
Best Breakfast
M.H. Bread and Butter, San Anselmo

A one-stop shop for everything from coffee and pastries to artisan bread, with a seasonal brunch menu. High-quality ingredients and a comfortable atmosphere make M.H. worth checking out. A “front porch” patio bustles during the morning hours.
Best Brewery
The Junction, Mill Valley

Owner Dez Fiedler’s devotion to micro-produced and local beer is evident from the 30 taps and a
robust can program including Socks and Sandals from Humble Sea in Santa Cruz, and
experimental bottlings, like Barebottle Brewing’s Mini Muir hazy pale ale, all easy to pair with
pizzas from Pizzahacker. Grab your fleece to sip one by a fire pit on the huge backyard patio
where live music is often on offer and a kids play area beckons.
Best Burger
Gott’s Roadside, Greenbrae

Often when it comes to chain restaurants, food quality drops as the number of locations go up. But 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).
Best Chinese
D.J.’s Chinese Cuisine, Larkspur

The not-so-secret back patio is a scene stealer for its cozy, cheerful vibe where regulars hang out with a plate of kung pao chicken or Hong Kong-style pan-fried noodles. After 30+ years in business and counting, the Mongolian beef still attracts a following for its crispy, saucy, hot and spicy hit of happiness.
Best Coffee Shop
Equator Coffees, Mill Valley

Equator Coffee is a woman-owned and LGBTQ-proud coffee shop with four locations in Marin and even more throughout the Bay Area and SoCal. This certified B Corporation’s tasty coffee has been sustainably harvested and consciously produced since 1995. And they’ve earned attention, love and popularity from the community. Order a house-made pastry, breakfast or lunch item (varies by location), sit outside and enjoy the well-crafted atmosphere they provide.
Best Dive Bar
Silver Peso Bar, Larkspur

An historic dive bar. The building that houses the Silver Peso opened in 1905 as a blacksmith shop, and it wasn’t until the 1930s that the space was transformed into a bar. The Silver Peso came into being after World War II when a former GI bought the building with — wait for it — silver pesos.
Best Fine Dining
Madcap, San Anselmo

The sleek aesthetic — cool gray concrete walls, dark woods and plush banquettes — is a welcoming entrance for this Michelin one-star restaurant, but chef Ron Siegel and wife Kimberly Siegel, who runs the front of the house, have defined their restaurant with a sophisticated menu of Japanese-inflected dishes. That means a single tasting menu that hews to the seasons and understated, ever-present service.
Best French Restaurant
Left Bank Brasserie, Larkspur

This authentically Parisian-style brasserie by Chef Roland Passot has been serving the Larkspur community for more than two decades. Whether on the patio, at the European-style bar or in the casually elegant main dining room with a huge fireplace, it’s a fun and French downtown experience. An all-day menu features authentic French cuisine utilizing seasonal, local and organic ingredients, along with an extensive cocktail menu, a wide range of beer options and an expertly curated wine selection.
Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
Mill Valley Swirl, Mill Valley

A staple for post-soccer treats, late night meets and friendly greets, Mill Valley Swirl has a large and diverse selection of fro-yo, a very popular toppings bar and much more in its newly remodeled store. All ice cream is made in house using Straus Family dairy products, so your scoop will be completely homemade and organic.
Best Indian
Lotus Cuisine of India, San Rafael

Take comfort in award-winning Indian cuisine from a long-running, family-run, certified green business with an energy-efficient kitchen and eco-friendly appliances. There is an abundance of organic vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, not to mention their famous all-you-can-eat, everyday lunch buffet, wine and beer. A pet-friendly patio fronts Fourth Street while the family’s adjacent Lotus Market Indian Grocery on Fifth means free parking in the back.
Best Italian
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.
Best Latin American
Sol Food, Mill Valley & San Rafael

This Puerto Rican spot has won the hearts of Marinites by serving up everyone’s favorite dishes, including Creole prawns, mofongo maduros, and tostones, and a chuleton sandwich on French bread. The line for takeout can get long, but at least it’s outside.
Best Mexican
Playa, Mill Valley

Playa’s food offers traditional dishes with modern flavors and presentations. A Little Gem salad sparkles with tomatillo dressing, and enchiladas shine from a glossy coating of house made black mole and micro greens. The bar highlights exceptional tequilas and mezcals but the el Slushie and house margarita have legions of fans and are perfect for sipping on the large, heated back patio.
Best Middle Eastern/Mediterranean
Insalata’s, San Anselmo

Award-winning chef Heidi Krahling’s downtown restaurant features soulful Mediterranean fare for 25+ years. Dinner favorites include harissa mussels, Middle Eastern-inspired vegetarian platter, Moroccan lamb flatbread, housemade pastas and, of course, the fattoush salad. An expansive takeout counter offers a wide range of selections for family meals, celebrations or a quick lunch option.
Best New Restaurant
Corner Bar, Mill Valley

Bring a date or simply come to unwind in Corner Bar’s sleek interior, which features two bars — one large, one small — plus plenty of window space overlooking the town square. A menu of Mediterranean bites, crafted by chef Michael Siegel of Playa and Floodwater, complements Corner Bar’s artfully crafted cocktails. No reservations required.
Best Pizza Marin
Creekside Pizza & Taproom, San Anselmo

A perennial Best of the County winner known for their artisan pizzas, hearty sandwiches, flavorful pastas and fresh salads, Creekside offers plentiful gluten-free and vegan options too. Their copper bar with a 40-handle selection of craft beer (including gluten-free beer), plus wine and kombucha on tap makes Creekside a beloved destination for fresh drinks in equal measure.
Best Ramen Marin
Uchiwa Ramen, San Rafael

Marin’s OG ramen house has been slinging tonkatsu and shoyu, tantan and shio for seven years. Owner Kevin Fong says the tonkatsu, a cloudy, slow-simmered pork bone broth, remains his most popular menu item, but the vegetarian broth, the base for the hearty miso, is nearly as popular. Though he won’t divulge the secret behind the animal-free broth’s umami thunder, he will admit to using as many vegetables as he grew up eating both in the base and as toppers for the vegan and vegetarian bowls. Pan-fried ramen is also available, as are gluten-free noodles.
Best Sandwiches Marin
Michael’s Sourdough Sandwiches, Novato

The bread is made on site and is said to have magical qualities. Fans return over and over to the San Rafael and Novato locations for their faves, ordered by number, then swoon over the huge sandos piled with meat, cheese and enough shredded lettuce to ooze out the sides and onto your lap.
Best Seafood Marin
Fish, Sausalito

It has been said that this restaurant and fish market launched the sustainable seafood movement, making it the ultimate place for freshly caught, unobjectionable fare. Order any of the day’s offerings —the menu changes daily but usually has a variation of fish tacos, ceviche and grilled fish — then take in the bay views on the open-air deck. Though cash is still king, credit cards are now accepted (woot!).
Best Steakhouse
Buckeye Roadhouse, Mill Valley

Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs, and chili-lime “brick” chicken are a few of the satisfying comfort-food menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. The warm dark-wood bar with red leather booths is a popular spot for cocktails, conversations or a light meal. Heated patio seating offers a moments respite with a fresh espresso and breakfast burrito from the weekday Buckeye Joe Coffee Kiosk out front.
Best Sushi Marin
Sushi Ran, Sausalito

Sample innovative small plates just big enough to share before enjoying some of the best sushi the Bay Area has to offer. The prices don’t deter the herd of enthusiasts who line up nightly to partake. Just stopping by? The wine, cocktail and sake lists keep even the pickiest barfly satisfied. Reservations are a must in the main room.
Best Thai
The Baan Thai Cuisine, San Anselmo

Known for its mango sticky rice, crispy corn cakes and The Baan Thai salad, new menu items like fresh spring rolls and steamed dumplings and old favorites such as the tom kha soup entice with fresh flavors and just the right amount of sweet heat. The outdoor patio is heated on chilly days and evenings.
Best Wine Bar
Voyage, San Anselmo

Minimal intervention wines by the glass and bottle, and a low-ABV cocktail program featuring sherry and vermouth, spritzes and other drinks are at the heart of this downtown wine bar. That may mean a lambrusco from Emilia-Romagna or a “fire fuego” orange sauvignon blanc from Sonoma, best paired with an appetizer from Voyage’s menu of nibbles. Enjoy at the bar, on the rail in the window or at one of the lounges in front of the fireplace.
Best Vegan/Vegetarian
Café del Soul, Mill Valley & San Rafael

Healthy options become addictive at this eatery that now has locations in both Tam Junction and San Rafael. Once you stop in for the deliciously fresh quinoa wrap, you’ll want to return to try the chipotle rice bowl. A casual lunch spot and great for takeout, Cafe del Soul also serves smoothies and pressed juices.
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