Best Bar Bites
Cocktails are great, but they’re even better accompanied by a well-executed menu of snacks. Marin’s best bar bites are renowned — think Buckeye’s Oysters Bingo — and render a sit-down dinner unnecessary.
Barrel House Tavern
660 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.729.9593, barrelhousetavern.com
Buckeye Roadhouse
15 Shoreline Highway, Sausalito. 415.331.2600, buckeyeroadhouse.com
Bungalow 44
44 E Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com
Left Bank Brasserie
507 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.927.3331, leftbank.com
Perry’s
234 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.927.1877, perryssf.com
Piatti
625 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley. 415.380.2525, piatti.com
Piazza D’Angelo
22 Miller Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.2000, piazzadangelo.com
Best Local Bar
2AM CLUB
A fabled local gathering place, “The Deuce” features pool tables, unpretentious libations and one of Charlie Deal’s legendary toilet guitars hung behind the bar. (Mill Valley) 415.388.6036
THE MAYFLOWER PUB
Modeled after a pub in the British Isles, this spot serves British and Irish fare and the ideal atmosphere for catching up or catching a (likely soccer) game. (San Rafael) themayflowerpub.com
OLD WESTERN SALOON
The perfect stopover after a day of coastal exploration, this old bar serves up character with its cocktails. (Point Reyes Station) 415.663.1661
PETE’S 881 CLUB
Won with a lucky hand in 1951, the family-owned watering hole is more sports bar than dive, offering the only legal gambling in the county, along with late-night eats. (San Rafael) petes881club.com
SILVER PESO
This well-known establishment centers on a square-shaped wraparound bar that fosters interaction, as well as pool tables, additional seating and more. (Larkspur) 415.924.3448
SMILEY’S SCHOONER SALOON AND HOTEL
In business well over a century — successfully eluding Prohibition laws — the local landmark is a great spot for a post-surf drink. (Bolinas) smileyssaloon.com
SMITTY’S BAR
Stop by for a game of darts or pool at this no-nonsense dive, and be sure to sample one of Nancy’s famous bloody marys. (Sausalito) smittysbar.com
Best Coffee
Waking up is hard to do, but coffee certainly helps.
CABLE CAR COFFEE
This drive-through coffee joint fills your cup with convenience and is a favorite of commuters and busy locals alike. (Mill Valley) 415.883.8594
EMPORIO RULLI ITALIAN CAFFE ARTISAN BAKERY
Family owned and operated, this is a great place to meet up over an espresso and Italian-made cookies — or wine if you’re so inclined. (Larkspur) rulli.com
EQUATOR COFFEES & TEAS
What started out as two women roasting coffee in a garage is now a Marin mainstay and a Certified B Corp — all fair trade, all the time. (Various locations) equatorcoffees.com
MARIN COFFEE ROASTERS
Community hubs all, Marin Coffee Roasters’ trio of cafes serve up java and a friendly, hometown vibe. (Various locations) marincoffeeroasters.net
RED WHALE COFFEE
The beans are cooked rather than roasted at this wholly California company; founder Sean Boyd has his equipment specially made. (San Rafael) redwhalecoffee.com
Best Martini
Once called “the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet” by journalist H. L. Mencken, the martini is a slow-drinking classic made for personalization: vodka or gin, dirty or dry, shaken or stirred.
BUCKEYE ROADHOUSE
15 Shoreline Highway, Sausalito. 415.331.2600, buckeyeroadhouse.com
BUNGALOW 44
44 E Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com
FARLEY BAR
602 Murray Circle, Sausalito. 415.339.4750, cavallopoint.com
FARMSHOP
2233 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur. 415.755.6700, farmshopca.com
LEFT BANK BRASSERIE
507 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.927.3331, leftbank.com
PIATTI
625 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley. 415.380.2525, piatti.com
SAM’S ANCHOR CAFE
27 Main St, Tiburon. 415.435.4527, samscafe.com
WILDFOX
225 Alameda del Prado, Novato. 415.883.9125, wildfoxrestaurant.com
Best Margarita
Whether you prefer yours tart, fruity, blended or on the rocks with salt, a margarita is a fitting way to welcome a warm-weather weekend — or mentally transport yourself to a far-flung sandy beach. Here, local barkeeps and owners describe what puts their libations over the top.
COPITA TEQUILERIA Y COMIDA
“Simplicity. We try to feature the tequila itself (Herradura Blanco). So smooth, you’ll want five or six.” — Jesse Bennet, manager and beverage director. (Sausalito) copitarestaurant.com
EL PASEO
“Sammy’s new Santo Mezquila, the fresh ingredients, love and joy.” —Steve Gizzi, bar manager. (Mill Valley) elpaseomillvalley.com
MARINITAS
“We use fresh lime juice and syrup made from raw sugar daily. We also use Cointreau, which adds a distinct flavor to make a great margarita.” —David Hancock, bar manager. (San Anselmo) marinitas.net
PLAYA
“Quality of ingredients, unwavering proportions and the manner in which it is prepared: with the knowledge that you’re getting this party started.” —Vanessa Higgins, owner. (Mill Valley) playamv.com
TACO JANE'S
“Our quality-driven ingredients. For our house, we use el Jimador tequila, lime juice and organic agave nectar. Equally important is the execution and the love that consistently delivers.” —Matteo Boussina, owner. (San Anselmo) tacojanes.com
TAMAL
“Our recipe is unique, as we use 100 percent blue agave, orange-infused agave syrup and organic lime juice. Consistency is key: we mix our margaritas like chemists.” —Matias Marini, bartender. (Fairfax) tamalfairfax.com
Best Wine Bar
Classy and cozy, a wine bar is the ultimate alternative to a glass of pinot in your pajamas. Marin’s favorite spots will make you want to hit the town.
123 BOLINAS
This wine bar with a friendly and hospitable atmosphere has evolved into a vine-minded hub for shareable eats and carefully culled bottles. (Fairfax) 123bolinas.com
BESO BISTRO AND WINE BAR In the heart of Novato, Beso has patio seating ideal for an alfresco sip. (Novato) besobistro.com
TIBURON WINE
Proprietor Jerry Horn — aka Dr. Champagne — invites you to wet your whistle in a relaxed setting enhanced with expert viticulture advice. (Tiburon) tiburonwine.net
ZINZ WINE BAR
This space has been a wine bar for nearly 25 years, and the latest rendition moonlights as an art gallery. (Corte Madera) zinzwinebar.com
Best Juice Bar
Those on the go would do well to visit one of the county’s many one-stop juice shops, which transform produce into drinkable blends that make healthier living a mobile option.
BAYSIDE CAFE
This breakfast spot houses a secret: a full-scale juice bar. Seasonal fruits and veggies converge in Bayside’s menu of juices and smoothies. (Sausalito) baysidecafesausalito.com
JUICE ALLEY
With juice crafted nightly from seasonal ingredients, the place is a cult favorite, with equal parts flavor and local flair. (Various locations) juicealley.com
JUICE GIRL
From nut milks to tonics, cold-pressed juices to breakfast bowls, this favorite spot makes healthier living an easy endeavor. (Mill Valley) juicegirlmv.com
THE PLANT CAFE ORGANIC
Conveniently located in Strawberry Village, a perfect stop for organic juices and smoothies. (Mill Valley) theplantcafe.com
URBAN REMEDY
Founded by Neka Pasquale, this spot is a lifestyle booster, offering juice cleanses, plant-based snacks, meal plans and more. (Various locations) urbanremedy.com
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
For on-the-go appeal, the juice section here can’t be beat. (Various locations) wholefoodsmarket.com
