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Bolinas-Fairfax Ridge
Photo by Anna Jones

Where to Stop for Casual Eats in Marin County

From Puerto Rican food to some of the Bay’s best bakeries

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Bolinas-Fairfax Ridge
| Photo by Anna Jones

Just across the Golden Gate Bridge and South of the vineyards of Sonoma and Napa, lies Marin. It’s the land of big houses tucked away in green hills with decks overlooking the Bay, Lululemon-wearing moms, pushing strollers and sipping green juice with a Rustic Bakery salad on the side; Nearby towns like Fairfax and San Rafael maintain a certain eccentric and down-to-earth quality that attracts many to the area.

It’s also a destination for lovers of the outdoors. From hiking in the hills to strolls in cute towns, incomparable (and sometimes foggy) beaches, there’s a lot going on. But, you’ll still need to eat. Come for the outdoors, stay for the food.

Adventuring further North? Check out places to eat oysters along the coast, head up to Napa or Sonoma, or grab a bite of one of these Santa Rosa hotspots.

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Sol Food

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Easily one of the most popular restaurants in Marin, Sol Food’s bright, lime-green exterior and Caribbean tune at its original San Rafael location pay homage to the owner’s father’s Puerto Rico roots. You’ll find a constant line out the door at both the San Rafael and Mill Valley locations. The bistec sandwich with thinly sliced steak, avocados and garlic mayo is a definite crowd-pleaser. Other standouts include the plantain-fried shrimp served with rice, beans and plantains with a limonada fresca or ponche on the side.

Tostones, cheese and avocado at Sol Food
Photo by Manami Takashina

Flour Chylde Bakery

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Gluten-free bakeries are often looked down upon, and it’s understandable — the consistency and textures are hard to get right without it. However, Flour Chylde is truly an exceptional gluten-free bakery, serving rich chocolate and lemon coconut tortes, cakes, as well as breads, muffins and cookies. Come for breakfast or lunch or to pick up some treats. Find them at the farmers market too.

Three tortes from Flour Chylde
Umesh T./Yelp

Bovine Bakery

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Bovine is a must when creating the perfect picnic basket before heading out to the beach. Pick up some buttermilk scones, muffins, seasonal pie or homemade quiche. The “from-scratch” bakery has been around since 1990 and continues to serve wonderful baked goods.

Buttermilk blueberry scone at Bovine
Carissa K./Yelp

Tomales Bay Foods

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Keep building that picnic basket with a stop by this cheese and specialty foods shop for Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, breads, gourmet sandwiches and salads. Grab a bottle of wine here, too.

Exterior at Tomales Bay Foods
Lindsay S./Yelp

Arti Indian Organic Natural Cafe

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If you’re heading to West Marin or on the way back from Point Reyes, Arti is a great place to stop for some organic Indian food. They have everything from samosas, to chicken tikka masala, tandoori and kebabs, to kheer pudding.

Garlic naan, malai kofta and saag paneer at Arti
Cate H./Yelp

Farmers Market at the Marin Civic Center

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The Sunday Marin Farmers Market at the Marin Civic Center is hands-down one of the best farmers markets around. The diverse choice of produce, grass-fed meats, homemade baked goods, specialty breads, dips, cheeses, yogurts, almond milk, Afghan bolani...it’s endless. Spend the morning and afternoon here shopping seasonally and locally, while also enjoying an eclectic choice of prepared foods for lunch. Try Avi’s mezze platter, Pizza Politana’s wood-fired margherita or Tru Gourmet’s exceptional dim sum.

Overview of Marin Farmers Market
Agricultural Institute of Marin

Mana Bowls

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Acai bowls and smoothies are Mana Bowls’ expertise. It’s a tiny place, but there’s a few stools by the windowsill or if it’s warm enough, outside on the porch. Try the pitaya (dragon fruit) bowl or the pure bowl topped with granola, bananas, strawberries, coconut flakes, and honey.

Fairfax Scoop

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This tiny scoop shop has a huge following, so expect a long line out the door on warm days, but at least you’ll have time to decide on a flavor. Their ice cream is all organic — can you expect anything less in Marin? Flavors are constantly changing with the seasons, but there’s always a dairy-free option. Try their signature vanilla, honey, lavender in a homemade waffle cup or cone.   

Four scoop waffle cup at Fairfax Scoop
M W./Yelp

Good Earth Natural Foods

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Yes, this is technically a grocery store, and a pricey one at that. But they have one of the best prepared foods section a grocery store can offer. From sandwiches, to pizza, to tacos, to salad bar and Thai wok, everything is made with local, organic ingredients. Indeed, the store prides itself on only selling organic, local and seasonal produce, so if you’re looking for peaches in March, you won’t find them here.

Deli counter at Good Earth
Rachel H./Yelp

M.H.Bread and Butter

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This daytime cafe bakes their own assortment of breads and pastries, in addition to serving a full breakfast and lunch menu. Stop by for some Straus yogurt and granola, soup, salad, or sandwich. Everything is made with fresh, local ingredients and a list of their purveyors can be found on their website.

Fried egg sandwich at M.H. Bread and Butter
Owie N./Yelp

El Huarache Loco

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Another Marin Country Mart go-to is El Huarache Loco, which also has a location in SF. Founded by chef Veronica Salazar, alum of SF’s Mission incubator kitchen La Cocina, Salazar is bringing flavors of Mexico City to the Bay. As the name suggests, you’ll find huaraches —oval-shaped corn tortillas filled with beans and topped with salsa, cilantro and cheese — in addition to sopes, tacos, enchiladas and the works. Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner.    

Huarache at El Huarache Loco
Thu S./ Yelp

Farmshop

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This is quintessential Californian cuisine found at the Marin Country Mart, just a step away from the Larkspur Ferry. The menu is creative, detailed and on the pricier side, but worth it. For brunch, indulge in the brioche sticky bun or dungeness crab egg frittata.  

Poached chicken salad, baby gem lettuce at Farmshop
Dean C./Yelp

Emporio Rulli

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Rulli has been a staple pasticceria in Marin since 1988. The feel is certainly that of an Italian cafe in Rome or Florence. Walk in and smell the espresso, pastries and gelato. It’s a perfect place to grab a focaccia sandwich, panini and coffee, or to fulfill a donut craving, try the bombolone.

Pastries at Emporio Rulli
Alex B./Yelp

Burmatown

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Burmese food has become ubiquitous in the Bay Area — you won’t find it many other places. Burmatown is a stellar, Michelin recommended, family-run restaurant, with a a traditional tea leaf salad with fermented tea leaves, dried shrimp, peanuts, fried garlic and fish sauce on the menu. Other offerings include coconut chicken curry noodles and a beef short rib curry. Make sure to order the coconut rice on the side.   

Tea leaf salad at Burmatown
Burmatown/Facebook

Avatar's Punjabi Burritos

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Mexico meets Indian cuisine at this popular Punjabi burrito joint that has multiple locations, including Mill Valley, Larkspur and Fairfax. Enjoy a burrito filled with smoked eggplant or curried chicken wrapped in roti or a rice plate topped with chickpeas and seasonal vegetables.

Roasted eggplant with curried chicken at Avatar’s
Ann S./Yelp

Joe's Taco Lounge & Salsaria

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A fun and funky spot, Joe’s has been serving up solid tacos, burritos, tostadas and other standard Californian-Mexican fare for two and a half decades. It’s a good place to stop after a long day out at Stinson Beach, or if you’re just in the mood for some great Mexican cuisine in a casual setting.

Exterior of Joe’s Taco Lounge
Joe’s Taco Lounge/Facebook

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Sol Food

Easily one of the most popular restaurants in Marin, Sol Food’s bright, lime-green exterior and Caribbean tune at its original San Rafael location pay homage to the owner’s father’s Puerto Rico roots. You’ll find a constant line out the door at both the San Rafael and Mill Valley locations. The bistec sandwich with thinly sliced steak, avocados and garlic mayo is a definite crowd-pleaser. Other standouts include the plantain-fried shrimp served with rice, beans and plantains with a limonada fresca or ponche on the side.

Tostones, cheese and avocado at Sol Food
Photo by Manami Takashina

Flour Chylde Bakery

Gluten-free bakeries are often looked down upon, and it’s understandable — the consistency and textures are hard to get right without it. However, Flour Chylde is truly an exceptional gluten-free bakery, serving rich chocolate and lemon coconut tortes, cakes, as well as breads, muffins and cookies. Come for breakfast or lunch or to pick up some treats. Find them at the farmers market too.

Three tortes from Flour Chylde
Umesh T./Yelp

Bovine Bakery

Bovine is a must when creating the perfect picnic basket before heading out to the beach. Pick up some buttermilk scones, muffins, seasonal pie or homemade quiche. The “from-scratch” bakery has been around since 1990 and continues to serve wonderful baked goods.

Buttermilk blueberry scone at Bovine
Carissa K./Yelp

Tomales Bay Foods

Keep building that picnic basket with a stop by this cheese and specialty foods shop for Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, breads, gourmet sandwiches and salads. Grab a bottle of wine here, too.

Exterior at Tomales Bay Foods
Lindsay S./Yelp

Arti Indian Organic Natural Cafe

If you’re heading to West Marin or on the way back from Point Reyes, Arti is a great place to stop for some organic Indian food. They have everything from samosas, to chicken tikka masala, tandoori and kebabs, to kheer pudding.

Garlic naan, malai kofta and saag paneer at Arti
Cate H./Yelp

Farmers Market at the Marin Civic Center

The Sunday Marin Farmers Market at the Marin Civic Center is hands-down one of the best farmers markets around. The diverse choice of produce, grass-fed meats, homemade baked goods, specialty breads, dips, cheeses, yogurts, almond milk, Afghan bolani...it’s endless. Spend the morning and afternoon here shopping seasonally and locally, while also enjoying an eclectic choice of prepared foods for lunch. Try Avi’s mezze platter, Pizza Politana’s wood-fired margherita or Tru Gourmet’s exceptional dim sum.

Overview of Marin Farmers Market
Agricultural Institute of Marin

Mana Bowls

Acai bowls and smoothies are Mana Bowls’ expertise. It’s a tiny place, but there’s a few stools by the windowsill or if it’s warm enough, outside on the porch. Try the pitaya (dragon fruit) bowl or the pure bowl topped with granola, bananas, strawberries, coconut flakes, and honey.

Fairfax Scoop

This tiny scoop shop has a huge following, so expect a long line out the door on warm days, but at least you’ll have time to decide on a flavor. Their ice cream is all organic — can you expect anything less in Marin? Flavors are constantly changing with the seasons, but there’s always a dairy-free option. Try their signature vanilla, honey, lavender in a homemade waffle cup or cone.   

Four scoop waffle cup at Fairfax Scoop
M W./Yelp

Good Earth Natural Foods

Yes, this is technically a grocery store, and a pricey one at that. But they have one of the best prepared foods section a grocery store can offer. From sandwiches, to pizza, to tacos, to salad bar and Thai wok, everything is made with local, organic ingredients. Indeed, the store prides itself on only selling organic, local and seasonal produce, so if you’re looking for peaches in March, you won’t find them here.

Deli counter at Good Earth
Rachel H./Yelp

M.H.Bread and Butter

This daytime cafe bakes their own assortment of breads and pastries, in addition to serving a full breakfast and lunch menu. Stop by for some Straus yogurt and granola, soup, salad, or sandwich. Everything is made with fresh, local ingredients and a list of their purveyors can be found on their website.

Fried egg sandwich at M.H. Bread and Butter
Owie N./Yelp

El Huarache Loco

Another Marin Country Mart go-to is El Huarache Loco, which also has a location in SF. Founded by chef Veronica Salazar, alum of SF’s Mission incubator kitchen La Cocina, Salazar is bringing flavors of Mexico City to the Bay. As the name suggests, you’ll find huaraches —oval-shaped corn tortillas filled with beans and topped with salsa, cilantro and cheese — in addition to sopes, tacos, enchiladas and the works. Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner.    

Huarache at El Huarache Loco
Thu S./ Yelp

Farmshop

This is quintessential Californian cuisine found at the Marin Country Mart, just a step away from the Larkspur Ferry. The menu is creative, detailed and on the pricier side, but worth it. For brunch, indulge in the brioche sticky bun or dungeness crab egg frittata.  

Poached chicken salad, baby gem lettuce at Farmshop
Dean C./Yelp

Emporio Rulli

Rulli has been a staple pasticceria in Marin since 1988. The feel is certainly that of an Italian cafe in Rome or Florence. Walk in and smell the espresso, pastries and gelato. It’s a perfect place to grab a focaccia sandwich, panini and coffee, or to fulfill a donut craving, try the bombolone.

Pastries at Emporio Rulli
Alex B./Yelp

Burmatown

Burmese food has become ubiquitous in the Bay Area — you won’t find it many other places. Burmatown is a stellar, Michelin recommended, family-run restaurant, with a a traditional tea leaf salad with fermented tea leaves, dried shrimp, peanuts, fried garlic and fish sauce on the menu. Other offerings include coconut chicken curry noodles and a beef short rib curry. Make sure to order the coconut rice on the side.   

Tea leaf salad at Burmatown
Burmatown/Facebook

Avatar's Punjabi Burritos

Mexico meets Indian cuisine at this popular Punjabi burrito joint that has multiple locations, including Mill Valley, Larkspur and Fairfax. Enjoy a burrito filled with smoked eggplant or curried chicken wrapped in roti or a rice plate topped with chickpeas and seasonal vegetables.

Roasted eggplant with curried chicken at Avatar’s
Ann S./Yelp

Related Maps

Joe's Taco Lounge & Salsaria

A fun and funky spot, Joe’s has been serving up solid tacos, burritos, tostadas and other standard Californian-Mexican fare for two and a half decades. It’s a good place to stop after a long day out at Stinson Beach, or if you’re just in the mood for some great Mexican cuisine in a casual setting.

Exterior of Joe’s Taco Lounge
Joe’s Taco Lounge/Facebook

Related Maps