Breakfast still means eggs and plenty of protein at restaurants around Marin, but the county’s passion for pastry means expansive offerings of laminated dough in every nook and cranny. The 2023 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Half Day Café (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Breakfast 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, Northern and Western Marin.
Southern | Central | Northern | Western
Southern Marin
Bayside Café
Sausalito
Calling this homey café “Southern-inspired” captures the chicken-fried steak and eggs vibe as well as the from scratch biscuits. But that would leave out the Smokin’ Philly Omelette and breakfast nachos with bacon or chorizo so let’s just agree on “all-American.”
1 Gate 6 Rd, Sausalito; 415.331.2313.
Fred’s Coffee Shop
Sausalito
In addition to the deep-fried French toast, there’s one thing regulars will never let a newcomer walk away without trying at this no-frills café: Millionaire’s Bacon. Thick-cut bacon finds a new level when it’s baked for four hours with brown sugar, cayenne, chili flakes and black pepper. We’d call the sidewalk seating “à la Parisienne,” but that seems too fancy for a café that offers bottomless mimosas.
1917 Bridgeway, Sausalito; 415.332.4575
Lighthouse Café
Sausalito
Breakfast is served all day and while most of the Danish dishes the restaurant is known for are only on the lunch menu, you can still get the Danish meatballs as a side order at breakfast. Omelettes are a signature, and the Mickey Mouse-shaped pancakes are a hit with kids of all ages.
1311 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415.331.3034
Kitchen Sunnyside
Mill Valley
This brunch stop brings some gourmet to your morning with options like Dungeness crab hash, cornflake French toast, eggs Florentine and bottomless mimosas. Lunch choices like paninis and burgers are also available for enjoying on the open air patio.
31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.326.5159
Shoreline Coffee Shop
Mill Valley
Oozing egg yolk and melted cheddar, an egg-a-muffin is a breakfast sandwich tilts Mexican with cochinita pork instead of sausage while a Shoreline sandwich leans into the traditional flavors of pork belly bacon.
221 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley; 415.388.9085
Le Marais Bakery
Mill Valley
French fare and pastries, including an inimitable quiche and a proper Croque Madame are just part of the appeal. The umbrella-shaded patio is a morning hot spot when the weather cooperates.
250 E. Blithedale, Mill Valley; 415.888.3695
Salt & Pepper
Tiburon
We know its dessert, but an affogato espresso could stand-in for brunch with its topper of ice cream and whipped cream on the side. For something a little easier on the waistline, you can’t go wrong with a tofu scramble or spinach frittata.
38 Main St, Tiburon; 415.435.3594
Central Marin
Farm House Local
Larkspur
Though inside is cozy on chilly days, the covered, enclosed back patio is a major draw for regulars who come for the Bicycle Coffee and homemade biscuits with sausage gravy. The menu changes with the seasons but house made gravlax draped over a celery root pancake is eternal.
25 Ward St, Larkspur; 415.891.8577
Half Day Café
Kentfield
Breakfast at lunch is definitely a thing and you can have all the eggy goodness — coffee-Kahlua battered French toast or green eggs and ham — weekdays, just like you can on the weekends.
848 College Ave, Kentfield; 415.459.0291
Comforts
San Anselmo
Established in 1986, Comforts has a cozy sit-down cafe, serving breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Their large takeout section offers a wide selection of house-made bakery items, seasonal salads, soups, sandwiches and family meals for dinner at home. Besides the famous Chinese chicken salad, other winners are the stuffed pecan-crusted French toast, chicken Okasan (nicknamed “Crack Chicken” by fans), Korean BBQ flank steak and Wor Won Ton soup. Catering services are also available.
335 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.9840
Hilda’s
San Anselmo
Serving San Anselmo since 1960, Hilda’s is a go-to stop for breakfast, brunch, or casual coffee. Their diverse menu has all your favorites for the best way to start your day.
639 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.457.9266
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 MH worth checking out. A “front porch” patio bustles during the morning hours.
101 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.755.4575
The Hummingbird
Fairfax
Beignets and fluffy waffles topped with fried chicken (try it with the spicy syrup) are just the tip of the New Orleans-themed iceberg at a long-running café where a seat at the counter is the go-to move for regulars. A new fried avocado appetizer melds over the top NOLA with sensible California produce, and there’s a weekly special of two for one chicken & waffles on Wednesdays. They even adjusted their cash only policy and now accept Venmo, too.
57 Broadway, Fairfax; 415.457.9866
Miracle Mile Cafe
San Rafael
Craving anything brunch? Miracle Mile is sure to have it. Beyond serving freshly made benedicts, ometes, pancakes, sanwiches, waffles, and more, they also offer the Bay Area’s largest Gluten Free menu for Gluten Free Choices.
2130 4th St, San Rafael, 415.454.7700
Northern Marin
Marvin’s Breakfast Club
Novato
A cult classic for about half a century, the restaurant is currently owned by Chuck and Nichole Drefs, whom you can find pictured in the menu as characters from Conan the Barbarian. The restaurant is known for their corned beef — try it on the Julia Benedict or alongside eggs your way and shredded hash browns.
1112 Grant Ave, Novato; 415.892.4482
Bacon
Novato
You’ll find bacon throughout the menu in Benedicts and frittatas, on salads and burgers, and so on. Be sure to check out the special Honey Bee Bacon: slabs are coated with brown sugar, chile flakes and cayenne plus a little bit of honey added during baking. Yum.
1500 Grant Ave, Suite 1400, Novato; 415.892.9900
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.
Christina Mueller is a long-time Bay Area food writer. She hails from the East Coast and has spent way too much time in South America and Europe. She discovered her talent as a wordsmith in college and her love of all things epicurean in grad school. She has written for Condé Nast Contract Publishing, Sunset, and the Marin Independent Journal, among others. She volunteers with California State Parks and at her childrens’ schools, and supports the Marin Audubon Society, PEN America, and Planned Parenthood. When she is not drinking wine by a fire, she is known to spend time with her extended family.
