West Marin is literally over the hill, its towns — Stinson Beach and Bolinas near the Bolinas Lagoon, Lagunitas, Woodacre and Nicasio to Fairfax’s west, and the many hamlets and towns like Point Reyes Station, Inverness and Dillon Beach that stretch along Tomales Bay — spread across a vast area. The drive is worth it, though, for both the scenery and the bounty of farm fresh cuisine and markets, bakeries and cafés, and, of course, oyster bars. Why not make a day of it?
Be sure to check each restaurant’s website or social pages to confirm its most current hours of operation and services.
Cafe Reyes | Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen | Due West at Olema House | Giaco’s Roadhouse | Nick’s Cove | Parkside Cafe | Point Reyes Roadhouse | Rancho Nicasio | Saltwater Oyster Depot | Side Street Kitchen | Sir & Star at the Olema | Smiley’s Saloon | Station House Cafe | The Siren Canteen | Tony’s Seafood | William Tell House
Cafe Reyes
Pizza
Though there’s no oyster pizza on the menu, a short menu of bivalves and Neapolitan-style pies at this cozy spot means the brick oven is a hub of activity. Margherita with hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes is a classic but the Farallon with crimini mushrooms and pepperoni is equally popular. On sunny days, sit outside at one of the large, shaded picnic tables.
Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
11101 California One, Point Reyes Station, 415.663.9493
Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen
Californian
Inspired by Marin’s foodshed, Dillon Beach Resort, located west of Tomales, offers seasonal coastal cuisine on the weekend like local line-caught fish and chips, classic clam chowder and a Stemple Creek burger. The accompanying Dillon Beach General Store also features Double 8 Dairy soft serve ice cream and a local selection of wines and beers to enjoy at one of the picnic tables facing the beach.
Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating
1 Beach Ave, Dillon Beach, 707.878.3030
Due West at Olema House
Californian
The dark blue walls accented with recessed golden light give the refreshed restaurant-cum-saloon at Olema House a modern feel. The menu, including a burger, linguini and clams, and a chopped salad, skews all-day casual and speaks to the inn and restaurant’s crossroads locale. The market next door offers grab and go sandwiches and outdoor tables to enjoy it all.
Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Grab ‘n Go | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Watch the Game
10005 Highway 1, Olema, 415.663.1264
Giaco’s Roadhouse
American
Guided by a family ethos for locally sourced and ethically produced food, owners Andrew and Susi Giacomini and chef Alejandro Cano serve food and cocktails all day at a restaurant and bar near downtown Woodacre just off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. That means Stemple Creek eggs in a breakfast dish of steak and eggs and Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company toma on a lunch order of grilled cheese. Dinner is served three nights a week in a spacious room with a fireplace or on the shaded back patio.
Brunch | Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | New Hot Spot | Outdoor Seating | Private Party Room | Round Tables | Watch the Game
625 San Geronimo Valley Drive, San Geronimo
Nick’s Cove
American
This historic, beloved escape and its cozy cottages recently underwent a refresh to maximize enjoyment of the picturesque views from its perch on Tomales Bay. Take a seat outside along the pier, at the boat shack over the water or in the waterfront lounge and enjoy barbecued local oysters, Dungeness crab mac ’n’ cheese and cocktails incorporating homegrown ingredients. The cozy bar and fireplace in the main dining room makes the most of fog-whipped and rainy days.
Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Grab ‘n Go | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Worth the Hype
23240 Highway 1, Marshall, 415.663.1033
Parkside Cafe
American
Best Burgers
Enjoy a sit-down alfresco meal at one of the shaded tables in the garden or grab a sourdough crust pizza, burger, or sandwich to enjoy on the beach at an all-day cafe with a takeout window, market . If you’re on the go, check out the market and bakery and its array of organic locally grown produce, artisan meats, and wild seafood.
Brunch | Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Grab ‘n Go | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Private Party Room | Worth the Hype
43 Arenal Ave, Stinson, 415.868.1272
Point Reyes Roadhouse
American
There are plans for a bakery program and a backyard beer garden at Executive chef Christofer Gutierrez cool all-day spot on the southern edge of Point Reyes Station. For now, look for California cuisine with Latin American flair for three meals a day (Heart’s Desire mussels, Chimney Rock ribeye) and lighter options (Miwok veggie hash, vegan udon, Olema halibut), wine and beer, while sitting on one of the cozy, sheepskin-draped chairs inside or at a picnic table out front.
Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating | Watch the Game
10905 State Route One, Point Reyes Station
Rancho Nicasio
American
Known for live music and an extensive menu featuring everything from crispy calamari to braised lamb shanks, Rancho Nicasio is open seven days a week, including brunch. Whatever you choose, a newly reconfigured outdoor space welcomes all with plenty of shade and space between tables.
Brunch | Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating
1 Old Rancheria Road, Nicasio, 415.662.2219
Saltwater Oyster Depot
Seafood
A seat at the room-length bar or on the patio at this snug spot on Tomales Bay’s west shore can be tough to snag on a busy summer weekend but oysters pulled straight from the bay moments before, served broiled and on the half shell, are worth the wait. Locally-sourced ingredients get equal billing in dishes like halibut crudo and a lamb burger.
Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Outdoor Seating
12781 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, 415.669.1244
Side Street Kitchen
American
Meet the Team
The fine-casual eatery led by chef Aaron Wright (formerly of Tavern at Lark Creek and Canlis) serves favorites like rotisserie chicken, smoked oysters, and pork-belly BLTs as well as wholesome vegetarian fare. This is one of the few spots in West Marin that serves gluten-free beer. The cozy patio is shaded and dog-friendly. A weekend brunch program is a local favorite.
Brunch | Dogs Welcome | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating
60 Fourth St, Point Reyes Station, 415.663.0303
Sir & Star at the Olema
Californian
Currently closed for refurbishment, the historic inn with a roadhouse-style restaurant featured rustic decor and a menu with just about everything sourced from Marin. The restaurant is expected to re-open with new owners for private events only in 2023.
Brunch | Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Grab ‘n Go | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | New Hot Spot | Outdoor Seating | Round Tables | Watch the Game | Worth the Hype
10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Olema, 415.663.1034
Smiley’s Saloon
American
The self-proclaimed oldest saloon on the West Coast and best party in town is a must for the house margarita, best enjoyed on the sunny patio, or one of the 11 local beers on tap. The menu at Smiley’s Cantina leans Mexican-American with dishes rich pozole verde, warming vegan tortilla soup, house made guacamole, and filling, flavorful burritos, tacos, nachos and more.Look for menu specials @smileyssaloon.
Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating | Watch the Game
41 Wharf Rd, Bolinas, 415.663.0303
Station House Cafe
American
Meet the Team
Known for their house made popovers which chef Aaron Wright makes available at every meal, this cozy cafe in downtown Point Reyes Station is also recognized for fresh oysters, grass-fed burgers, and an “everything fresh, local and homegrown” ethos. Dining in the garden is as popular on weekdays as on the weekends.
Brunch | Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Grab ‘n Go | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | New Hot Spot | Outdoor Seating | Party Room | Private | Round Tables | Watch the Game | Worth the Hype
11180 Highway 1, Point Reyes Station, 415.663.1515
The Siren Canteen
American
Temporarily closed. Expected reopening date: Summer 2023. Check the website for information on weekend pop-ups. One of the few places in Northern California to enjoy a taco at a restaurant nestled directly under a lifeguard tower, this smart beach shack perched on the sandy shores of Stinson serves up burritos, burgers and creamy Meyer lemon milkshakes. Though the food is solid, we think the BYOW option with a $10 corkage fee and million-dollar views is reason enough to give this shack a shout-out.
Brunch | Date Spot | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Grab ‘n Go | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | New Hot Spot | Outdoor Seating | Round Tables | Watch the Game | Worth the Hype
3201 Highway 1, Stinson, 415.868.1777
Tony’s Seafood
Seafood
The crowds still come on sunny weekends for the barbecue oysters and amazing views of Tomales Bay but the restaurant’s purchase by the Hog Island Oyster Co team meant a refresh of the interior and a spiffed-up menu of salads and seafood pulled from the bay’s waters. Michelin noticed and awarded Tony’s a Bib Gourmand for 2021.
Date Spot | Worth the Hype
18863 Shoreline Hwy, Marshall, 415.663.1107
William Tell House
American
Temporarily closed. Expected reopening date: Late January, 2023.The oldest continuously operating saloon in Marin makes a mean apple brandy cocktail aptly named for the Swiss folk hero, William Tell (who famously shot an arrow off his son’s head), but the revamped restaurant strives to make its name around food with a seafood chowder made with local cod, a Cobb salad with applewood bacon, and a butcher’s cut of the day sourced from nearby Stemple Creek Ranch and grilled to order.
26955 Highway 1, Tomales, 707.879.2002
