By Joe Kukura

The northern California getaway hotspot of Marin County is a well-known feast for the eyes, with Pacific coasts, mountain views and the famed hiking trails of Muir Woods. But literal feasts are waiting for you at Marin County’s best restaurants, where heaping helpings of good old-fashioned homestyle comfort food will really put some meat on your bones.

Whether you’re hungry for burgers and fries, a deliciously decadent brunch or pub food to wash down with a cold one, Marin County serves comfort food with all the fixings. When you’re ready to take a cheat day from your diet or go on a gastronomic getaway, Marin County is full of outstanding diners, drive-ins and more to fill your belly.

American Food Classics

If you flip for a good burger, the American Food in Marin County offers some great chances to fill up. Meat and potatoes don’t get any better than in Corte Madera at The Town Center's Starbird Chicken, where you will meet the best fried chicken this side of the Golden Gate.

The newest addition of California burger legend Gott’s Roadside is found in Greenbrae, where the 1950s roadside burger stand tradition lives along with chili cheese dogs, mini corn dogs, microbrews, and wine on the menu. Or create one of more than 300,000 possible different burger combinations at Larkspur Landing's The Shake Shack, the ultimate build-your-own burger bar with an endless parade of toppings. And if you’re a fan of the cult-hit chain, yes, Marin County has an In-N-Out Burger in Novato.

Pizza, Pizza!

Many Marin County Italian restaurants toss their own pizza, and slice out a distinctive and diverse array of pies. For fine dining-style pizza, Mill Valley’s Piazza D’Angelo Ristorante prepares all manner of Calabrian-inspired cuisine and some of the most renowned tiramisu in California. 

To taste Marin's recently awarded 'Best Pizza', visit Creekside Pizza & Taproom! Creekside is San Anselmo's true hometown local family-owned neighborhood restaurant and gathering destination featuring our award-winning artisan hand crafted pizza, salads, sandwiches and pastas for lunch, and dinner.  At The Village in Corte Madera, Boca Pizzeria handcrafts their pizzas with house-made mozzarella cheese and imported Italian San Marzano tomatoes. Or surround yourself with Italian flair at the Tuscan-inspired Pizzalina in San Anselmo where the pizza is hand-stretched and wood-fired.

Bar and Pub Food

To wet your whistle while wolfing down a meal, Marin County bar food combines noshes and nightlife to raise your spirits. The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir himself often pops in to perform at Sweetwater Music Hall. His cafe, the Rock & Rye, is perfect for a weekend brunch where your appetite will keep you truckin’. Novato’s HopMonk Tavern is another live music hot spot that also serves hot wood-fired pizza, ribs and more. In the town square of Nicasio, Rancho Nicasio Restaurant and Bar has a five-acre farm that offers beautiful views by day and live music at night.

The stunning, palatial Perry's in Novato is a must-see, and is stocked with a full bar, lengthy wine list, and wide array of microbrews. Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon has the perfect location overlooking the Bay. Here you can sip your cocktail on the deck while watching the boats come and go. 

Breakfast and Brunch

Early birds can raise a toast to breakfast and brunch in Marin County, where farm-to-table cuisines always start your morning or (afternoon!) right. There’s California cuisine every morning and all day long at Larkspur’s local legend Farmshop Marin, also famous for their Fried Chicken Mondays. Enjoy “Latin focused lusciousness” at Mexican and Latin American-inspired Marinitas in San Anselmo, where the Sunday brunch menu features a stacked Bloody Mary Buffet.

Oysters & Bubbly are on the breakfast menu six days a week at Station House Cafe in Point Reyes, with an impressive lineup of coffee and tea drinks. And if you’re looking for places to stay in Marin County, the distinctive Tiburon Tavern at The Lodge serves a high-end brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For all you need to plan your Marin County vacation, visit the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website or Facebook page.