With an eclectic mix of cuisine, Sausalito is home to a wide variety of restaurants to scintillate every palette. Due to Sausalito’s position on the bay, the seafood is always fresh and a diverse population has given rise to a blend of ethnic, regional, and local fares. What’s even better is that many of the restaurants in Sausalito use their prime positioning on the waterfront to provide spectacular views of the bay, the Marina, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
We’ve chosen a few of our favorite restaurants to guide you through this mouthwatering terrain. From an Indian-Mexican fusion joint with a comic atmosphere to a tropically inspired family ice cream shop, these Sausalito restaurants are sure to leave you full as you sightsee. Who knows? The dishes these restaurants serve might even be more memorable than the town’s historic landmarks! We’ll let you be the judge of that.
Avatar’s
With its popular signature dish of Curried Pumpkin Enchiladas, Avatar’s specializes in healthy California Indian fusion food. This family-run restaurant likes to joke that they’re the “purveyors of ethnic confusions since 1989”.
The food is mostly split between Mexican and Indian food, so you can wash down your enchiladas with a mango lassi. The family-style atmosphere makes it a welcoming place for all eaters, and what’s even better is they love to cater to very specific dietary needs such as vegan, low-carb, no oils, and everything in between. Don’t forget to save room for dessert! One of the favorites of this Sausalito restaurant is Avatar’s Dream, a dessert made of almond gelato cake with chocolate, pistachios, mango, and rose petal sauce.
Avatar’s, 2656 Bridgeway Boulevard, Sausalito
Fish.
No, we’re not saying you should cast a line and try to catch your own meal. Fish. (with the period) is the name of one of the best seafood restaurants in Sausalito which is already a great town for seafood, so you’re in for a double treat. Fish. is a laid-back fish shack located right on the Marina? Although it’s a bit of a trek to get there from downtown, the seafood here is freshly caught and simply prepared.
Here you can find such San Francisco classics as clam chowder and freshly shucked oysters. In addition to the food, the team also runs TwoXSea which is a raw seafood market and provider that supplies some of San Francisco’s best restaurants with their fresh fish. The chalkboard will tell you what’s the daily catch and you can order at the counter. The wooden picnic tables on the outdoor multi-level patio are the perfect place to take in a view of the sailboats bobbing in the harbor. For all you fish lovers out there, there’s really no place better than Fish.
Fish, 350 Harbor Drive, Sausalito
Bar Bocce
With the perfect pairing of pizza, local craft beers, and cask-aged wines, Bar Bocce is perfect for a date night or a family dinner. What makes Bar Bocce really stand out is its outdoor seating with stunning views of Richardson Bay. In case you’re wondering why it’s called Bar Bocce, there’s a bocce ball court where you can get your game on.
Here you’ll have fairly-priced pizzas with signature San Francisco sourdough crust and cold local draft beer. While you’re waiting, you can snag some appetizers like meatballs and chicken wings. Cozy up to the fire pit on chillier days and share a meal with your loved ones. Don’t worry if the kids get a little rambunctious; it’s totally cool for them to run around the green lawn. Overall Bar Bocce is a great joint for a casual night out in a Sausalito restaurant.
Bar Bocce, 1250 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Cibo
Pronounced CHEE-bo, which means food in Italian, Cibo is an open, airy cafe that serves up some of the best breakfasts and lunches in town. A short walk from central Sausalito, this restaurant specializes in fresh-baked and organic foods like vegetarian hash (a seasonal assortment of fresh roasted veggies with fried eggs) and panini with made-from-scratch items.
They love to keep it local by serving San Francisco classic Blue Bottle Coffee on Heath Ceramics tableware made right here in Sausalito. Grab a cappuccino made in the fancy coffee machines on-site and pull up a chair at their outdoor seating area on Bridgeway where you can soak up the California sun.
Cibo, 1201 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Barrell House Tavern
Housed in what was the first ferry terminal to and from San Francisco, Barrel House is a historical landmark that has been converted into a modern casual eatery. The dishes aim to put contemporary twists on rustic comfort food that is locally sourced and seasonal.
Taking after their name, they have local barrel-aged microbrews that you can sip on as you watch harbor seals laugh and play. The interior sports a wrap-around glass-walled patio with a stunning panoramic view of the Bay. Rumor has it that they also have a build-your-own Bloody Mary menu that makes Barrel House the best Sausalito restaurant for a boozy brunch.
Barrell House Tavern, 660 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Lappert’s Ice Cream
What better complement to a day out and about in Sausalito than a nice scoop of ice cream? Lappert’s Ice Cream is a family-owned and operated jointly that always has a long (yet fast-moving) line out the door. The Lappert family has a love for ice cream inspired by the tropics, especially from Hawaii, where they have an ice cream manufacturing facility. Expect such exotic flavors as Hawaii Pink Sea Salt Caramel and an organic Acai sorbet swirl in an amazing avocado ice cream simply known as Brazil.
Located right in the middle of Sausalito’s main drag, this delicious ice cream shop also offers traditional flavors like cookie dough and mint chip. Grab a cone to go and continue to walk around Sausalito while enjoying your ice cream as seating at Lappert’s Ice Cream is quite limited. This place is cash-only so make sure to stop at the ATM before you get in line.
Lappert’s Ice Cream, 689 Bridgeway, Sausalito