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 numerous countries, people and cuisines. The 2024 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 2024 Dining category sponsor is Rodney Strong. View the rest of the Dining category here.
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
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
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
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.
