Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines share many common ingredients like olives, olive oils, pitas, honey and chickpeas. Not surprisingly, they also share similar dishes like hummus, falafel, and kebab variations. Mainly using fresh, clean, and veggie-focused ingredients, these diets are known as some of the healthiest ways to eat. The Mediterranean is a blue zone (an area identified for having the happiest, healthiest and longest-living populations).
The 2025 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Insalata’s (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food picks see below.
Our 2025 Dining category sponsor is Rodney Strong. View the rest of the Dining category here.
We’ve broken it down by region: Central Marin.
Central
San Anselmo – San Rafael
Central Marin
Insalata’s
San Anselmo
There is more than one reason, San Anselmo’s Insalata’s has been a community favorite for over 25 years. There is a menu full of reasons, (Fatoush salad!) created by ward-winning chef Heidi Krahling serves comforting Mediterranean fare, with menus spanning from brunch to dinner.
120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, 415.457.7700
Julie’s Hummus Bar
San Rafael
Julie and Elias started Julie’s Hummus Bar & Grill from their love of healthy, Mediterranean cuisine and the joy of bringing friends and family together. From salads, platters, hummus, falafel and more, they have all the Mediterranean dishes you’re looking for.
1026 Court St, San Rafael, 415.755.4818
Kababbq Grill & Cafe
San Rafael
The go-to dish at owner Ali Mobasser’s Persian barbecue restaurant is the koobideh. Seasoned with grated onion and seven spices, including turmeric, saffron, sumac and white pepper, the meat is “koobidehed” (meaning, beaten with the spices) before grilling. While the outside is charred, the beef’s skewering allows for even internal heat and easy turning during cooking, locking in flavor. “It keeps the juices from spilling out,” says Mobasser.
555 Francisco Blvd E, San Rafael, 415.256.9878
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.
Rodney Strong | Healdsburg | 707.431.1533 | rodneystrong.com
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