The Best Indian Food in Marin

India is expansive with an extensive range of climates, cultures, soil types, and more that result in a beautifully diverse range of cuisine that falls under the blanket name Indian. Some favorites are naan, tandoori chicken, curries, and masala spice. The 2024 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Lotus Cuisine of India (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Indian food picks see below.

Our 2024 Dining category sponsor is Rodney Strong. View the rest of the Dining category here.

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

Avatar’s

Sausalito

Avatar's Sausalito, Indian Food Marin
Punjabi Pumpkin Enchiladas at Avatar’s 2656 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965. 415.332.8083

If you’re on the hunt for innovative, multi-culti Indian fare, head to Avatar’s. Sip masala chai sweetened with brown sugar before digging into Cajun-spiced shrimp on the heated and shaded patio. A curried sweet potato enchilada in the casual one-room restaurant makes a quick vegetarian lunch or dinner.

2656 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415.332.8083

Sartaj India Cafe

Sausalito

Sartaj Indian Cafe

Established in 1996, owners Basi and Balbir have been bringing the tastes of the Punjabi are of North India to Marin for decades. Try one of their many vegetarian or vegan options and legendary chai tea.

43 Caledonia St, Sausalito, 415.332.7103

India Palace

Mill Valley

Known for its wide variety of North Indian delicacies, Indian Palace serves up a true Indian dining experience.

707 Redwood Highway Frontage Rd suite 66, Mill Valley, 415.388.3350

Prabh Indian Kitchen

Mill Valley

Colorful garlands bedeck the patio (and stand out amidst the natural redwood drapery), but families frequent the downtown Mill Valley restaurant for the South Indian specialties available at lunch (thali, dosa, uttappam) and the house special chicken tikka kabab marinated in a tandoori masala with turmeric, fenugreek leaves, cardamom, mace, red chili and lemon.

24 Sunnyside Ave, Mill Valley, 415.384.8241

Central Marin

Cafe Lotus

Fairfax

Cafe Lotus, Indian Food Marin

Run by Surinder “Pal” Sroa and his son Jyoti Sroa, also founders of the award-winning Lotus Cuisine of India in San Rafael, Cafe Lotus uses organic, local ingredients and fresh spices in their authentic, home-style Northern Indian. Their quality and tasty dishes have made them a local Marin favorite.

1912 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, 415.457.7836

Lotus Cuisine of India

San Rafael

Lotus Cuisine, Indian

Take comfort in award-winning Indian cuisine from a long-running, family-run, certified green business with an energy-efficient kitchen and eco-friendly appliances. There is an abundance of organic vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, not to mention their famous all-you-can-eat, everyday lunch buffet, wine and beer. A pet-friendly patio fronts Fourth Street while the family’s adjacent Lotus Market Indian Grocery on Fifth means free parking in the back.

812 4th St, San Rafael, 415.456.5808

Himalayan Kitchen

San Rafael

Himalayan Kitchen, Marin Indian

Serving up traditional and innovative Himalayan style cuisine with natural and local ingredients for high quality, delicious cuisine.

227 Third St, San Rafael, 415.526.3161

Northern Marin

Batika Indian Bistro

Novato

Batika Indian Bistro is the Novato spot for Indian cuisine made fresh daily by a chef of 20 years. It’s the perfect place for authentic flavor with atmosphere, as they offer both indoor and outdoor seating to take advantage of the beautiful Marin weather.

868 Grant Ave, Novato, CA 94945, 415.895.5757

Little Goan

Novato

Little Goan Indian Cafe, Marin Indian Food

A western Indian state with a history of Portuguese colonization, Goa’s cuisine reflects unique dishes like xacuti with toasted coconut and regional spices. The vindaloos of Goa are known for their balanced flavor, but don’t come expecting the chef here to lay off the chiles — just be sure to order a vegetable biryani and a side of raita to cool things down.

2007 Novato Blvd, Novato, 415.878.0490

Western Marin

Arti Cafe

Lagunitas

arti cafe, Indian Food Marin

We love the mozzarella-topped quesadilla/pizza/naan cultural mashup that emerges from the tandoor fragrant with fenugreek, chaat masala and fresh coriander leaves and the lamb wrap infused with masala and tamarind chutney, a plentiful repast to be enjoyed on the sunny patio. The gluten-free onion fritters are a must for first-timers, while experienced eaters will savor the mushroom makhani and malai kofta —they’re mild and slightly sweet.

7282 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas, 415.488.4700

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.

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