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Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Marin

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OpenTable
Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Marin? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Osteria Divino restaurant
4.8
4.8 (285)
$31 to $50
Italian
Sausalito
About the restaurant
Osteria Divino offers authentic Florentine cuisine inspired by the finest local, organic, seasonal produce, meat & fish available. We serve an extensive selection of artisan pasta. Located in the local's district offering old world & modern atmosphere. We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with live music nightly and Sunday Brunch. We are a proud member of Marin Organics.
Top review
Kamal
Dined on Nov 3, 2024
Live jazz ambiance was amazing, and the food was good but not outstanding: it lacked depth in the taste. Appetizers are pricy for the quantity that comes in
A photo of The Speakeasy/Boardroom Novato restaurant
4.7
4.7 (24)
$31 to $50
American
Novato
About the restaurant
Situated in Novato, The Boardroom harks back to the Old Chicago Restaurants, serving as a favorite spot for locals to dine, drink, and socialize. Our menu, crafted from the freshest ingredients, promises to introduce bold and inspiring flavors to your palate. Join us today.
Top review
Stephanie
Dined 7 days ago
I has the sautéed chicken livers. You have to ask for medium rare or they can be over cooked. The seafood Soup turned out to be overly spicy with very little seafood flavor. The hostess was kind enough to trade it out for a very good Caesar salad, which I. Enjoyed. Andrei was the lamb ragu with papadeli pasta. Fred deep flavour noodles for el dente, I would definitely recommend this. Because it was my birthday I had the chocolate lava cake for dessert. Could have been more lava like but thats the pastry chef in me talking. I ordered it for the chocolate and I got plenty of that, Very rich. Loved it It was the perfect birthday Celebration dinner even if my husband couldn't be there that night. I enjoyed it very much.
A photo of Barrel House Tavern restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1244)
$31 to $50
Californian
Sausalito
About the restaurant
Barrel House offers a unique farm to table experience in downtown Sausalito which celebrates local seasonal ingredients and sustainability in a beautiful setting.

Barrel House focuses on letting the ingredients shine. To this end, Barrel House supports local farmers and organic practices due to their amazing quality as well as being harvested at their peak of ripeness.

Barrel House will feature barrel aged and classic cocktails. Its wine menu highlights California winemakers. Barrel House will have rotating local micro brews on tap as well as wines on tap. Additionally, we will be hand crafting our own sodas with seasonal fruits.
Barrel House features furniture and woodwork that was handcrafted using reclaimed black walnut and curly maple trees. Every seat in the Barrel House has sweeping views of the Bay and an outdoor deck that sits right over the water.

***Please note: Pets are not allowed in the dining room or patio.

Top review
Nick
Dined on Nov 3, 2024
The ribs in this place were fantastic. The views of the city are incredible. I have 3 kids so the hustle and bustle of the restaurant suited us, nothing worse than a quiet restaurant with kids. I’d highly recommend this place.
A photo of The Trident restaurant
4.5
4.5 (2111)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Sausalito
About the restaurant
The Trident Restaurant is located "on the water" in historic Sausalito, CA
Our heated outdoor decks provide a sensational dining experience with spectacular San Francisco bay views. Our outdoor deck is also dog friendly.

Inside is an incredible recipe of art and architecture, complemented with a resemblance of an old yacht. The ceiling mural was original to the Trident and painted by Dave Richards, creator of Janis Joplin’s infamous 1965 Porsche Cabriolet. On the outside deck, discover one of the most stunning restaurant waterfront views on the west coast, which boasts the skyline of San Francisco, Angel Island and Alcatraz. Join us for brunch, lunch or dinner

Top review
John
Dined 4 days ago
Enjoyed my oysters with amazing views! Great drink selection as well!
A photo of Farmshop restaurant
4.5
4.5 (2081)
$31 to $50
Californian
Larkspur
About the restaurant
Farmshop Marin is Jeff Cerciello’s second outpost which opened in 2013 in the heart of the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur. It follows in the footsteps of Farmshop Los Angeles, the acclaimed restaurant and artisan market that opened in the Brentwood Country Mart in 2010. Farmshop Marin features pristine California-centric ingredients and refined yet comforting dishes.
The impressive 6,500 sq foot space features a comfortable and elegant dining room, outdoor patio, expansive full-bar area seating 50 people, lounge, private dining room seating 60, and an open-hearth wood-burning oven and grill. A gathering space for Marin locals & ferry commuters, the restaurant offers the impeccably-sourced, seasonal California fare Farmshop has come to be known for, with additional pizza, fish and meats fresh from the wood-burning oven and grill.

Please note that reservation of 7 or more require a credit card. Cards will be charged $25 per guest for parties that do not arrive for their reservation.

Top review
Evelynvip
Dined 4 days ago
Liz, our server, was just fantastic!!! Kudos to her and to Farmshop
A photo of Flores - Corte Madera restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1006)
$31 to $50
Mexican
Corte Madera
About the restaurant
From the Gulf to the Pacific, we bring the heart and soul of Mexico to your table through our favorite family recipes. Flores serves up traditional Mexican cuisine in a relaxed and vibrant setting that transports you to the beachside resorts of Mexico. Our bar features more than 50 rare and small-batch tequilas and mezcals, which we serve in handcrafted margaritas and creative cocktails.

Our patio is not covered therefore we will not be able to honor outdoor reservations in case of rain.

To make a reservation or place an order, please visit our website at floressf.com, or find us on Toast, Uber Eats and Doordash for delivery. 4% surcharge will be added to all guest checks for employee benefit, including health insurance, commuter benefit, sick days, and minimum wage ordinance.

Top review
Deborah
Dined on Oct 31, 2024
Great lunch spot. Friendly service. Mgr Jordan personalized the visit . Birthday acknowledged. Food is a modern take on Hispanic cuisine. Not overly saucy.
A photo of The Lighthouse Bar & Grill restaurant
4.4
4.4 (460)
$30 and under
American
Mill Valley
About the restaurant
It all started in 1992, when Annette and Gerner Andresen opened the Lighthouse Café in Sausalito in its present form. The Andresens, both born in Denmark, had recently immigrated to the U.S., and along with them they brought the Scandinavian flair for simplicity, good quality and tasty food. The café has over the years become famous for its breakfast and lunch, with American classics like good old-fashioned burgers and a great selection of omelets, along with Scandinavian classics like Danish Meatballs or Norwegian Salmon. Now with four restaurants, The Bar & Grill offers Brunch Lunch & Dinner.
Top review
Joyce
Dined 3 days ago
Ample selection of food- items ordered were generous and delicious. The wait staff was friendly and very efficient. Have never been disappointed.
A photo of Monk's Kettle Terra Linda restaurant
4.4
4.4 (50)
$30 and under
American
San Rafael
About the restaurant
The Monk’s Kettle Terra Linda is a neighborhood tavern and bottle shop, offering upscale pub fare, a broad and balanced craft beer list, and a smaller food-friendly wine list.

A place where all are welcome, where the mission is simply to create a place people want to be.

Featured on Check Please, Bay Area. And also named as one of the Best Burgers and Best Fried Chicken Sandwiches in the Bay Area.

For reservations of 8 or more, please email Christian@monkskettle.com.

Top review
Elainevip
Dined 1 day ago
We always love to have dinner here! Food is great and always an excellent selection of beer. A good neighborhood restaurant!
A photo of Perry's Novato restaurant
4.4
4.4 (618)
$30 and under
American
Novato
About the restaurant
Perry's in Novato is following the same combination of all-American favorite fare and comfortable, welcoming service that Perry’s first made a San Francisco hallmark in 1969. The décor is warm – featuring the trademark blue and white checked table cloths and a rich mahogany bar.

Perry’s is known today, as much as ever, for its classic American food, its warm personable service and its fun, bustling bar. Perry’s traditional yet innovative menu includes a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, pastas, steaks and grilled fresh fish.

Top review
Stellavip
Dined on Nov 3, 2024
Good food, great service and perfect place for brunch to catch up with friends. Noise level is conducive to conversation. We will be back.
A photo of Paseo: A California Bistro restaurant
4.4
4.4 (223)
$31 to $50
Californian
Mill Valley
About the restaurant
Enjoy seasonal New American recipes, using ingredients from the best local artisans, growers, and producers, in our elegant and iconic setting.
Top review
David
Dined on Nov 2, 2024
The food was outstanding and a long delay for our main resulted in the staff comping our drinks without even having to ask. Definitely going back!
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