Capturing the best flavors from the southern tier of the United States through the Caribbean and to the tip of Argentina, these restaurants share just a taste of the cultural nuances of Latin America — a region that includes countless countries, people, and cuisines. The 2023 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Sol Food (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Latin American picks see below.
Our 2023 Dining category sponsor is Rodney Strong.
We’ve broken it down by region: Southern, Central, and Northern Marin.
Southern | Central | Northern
Southern Marin
Sol Food
Mill Valley & San Rafael
This Puerto Rican spot has won the hearts of Marinites 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.
401 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, 415.380.1986, 903 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael, 415.451.4765
Central Marin
Holy Chile Mole
Fairfax & Novato
A 10th-generation Romani-Serbian and current resident of Novato, Mark Adams runs a food truck with his wife, Deanna, that includes Serbian, American and Mexican flavors. He has a family recipe called chile mole salsa that goes back generations: Tomatoes, peppers and jalapeños are slow-roasted, then blended with seasonings and oil for an addictive sauce that is layered on everything from a street dog to vegan tacos and a club melt on sourdough. “Most people say it’s like nothing they’ve ever tried,” Adams says, who admits he will turn anything into a taco. Look for the truck on Saturday and Sunday at Larkspur’s Marin Country Mart and at the seasonal markets in Novato on Tuesday nights and Wednesdays in Fairfax.
Mobile
LaVier Latin Fusion
San Rafael
Owner Gabriela Vieyra credits the imagination and culinary skill of her chef, Guillermo Lara, who hails from Mexico’s Yucatan, for a culinary style that seems to encompass a world of flavor in a Latin American package. Rosemary lamb chops with ancho fig sauce or guava, lime and garlic shrimp with tostones express Lara’s passion for his work and his interest in other cultures. “He is unique, and he has magic in his hands,” Vieyra says. One taste of his chicken mole enchiladas and you, too, will want to spend an evening on La Vier’s sweet patio.
1025 C St, San Rafael, 415.295.7990
Northern Marin
Cocina Antigua
Novato
Stretching from the Yucatan Peninsula through Belize, El Salvador and Guatemala, the cuisine of the ancient Maya comes through in the hands of Mayra Ordoñez and Juan Cutz at their restaurant dedicated to the cuisine of Central America. The region’s famous dishes — pupusas, tacos chapines (Guatemalan style), hilachas (shredded beef stew), huevos revueltos and fried plantains — are just some of the daily offerings.
1559 S Novato Blvd STE J, Novato, 415.895.5960
Ayawaska
Novato
Regional Peruvian classics are the hallmarks of a restaurant with locations in Novato and Petaluma. Start with Peru’s signature cocktail, a pisco sour, made with little more than the country’s grape-distilled brandy — a.k.a. pisco — lime juice and salt. Try one of the country’s famous ceviches (the a la Huancaina with the catch of the day is popular) or the traditional pulpo served glazed with anticuchero sauce. Lomo saltado, or beef with tomato and French fries, is not served topped with a fried egg here but you can ask.
850 Lamont Ave, Novato, 415.944.2066
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.
More from Marin:
- Where to Eat: San Rafael
- Dining for Justice: A New Bay Area Food-Justice Program Ensuring No One Goes Hungry
- Where to Get the Best Seafood Sandwiches in Marin: 5 Top Restaurants
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 child’s school, 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.
