Love where you live
This is a working, local-first guide to eating around Novato and Petaluma, the ground I cover as a real estate agent. Marin and Sonoma are farm country: dairy, produce, Tomales Bay oysters, and vineyards all over the hills, and that shows up on the plates. I have lived in Novato and now Petaluma for most of my life, and these are the real places, the local favorites, and the hidden gems I actually send friends and clients to.
Updated September 13, 2026 · Sales Associate · 01702383 · California
Marin County side
Novato's dining centers on Old Town along Grant, Reichert, and Front streets, with a second cluster along Redwood Boulevard and the Vintage Oaks area near the freeway. You get family-run Mexican and Italian restaurants, neighborhood pizzerias, a handful of sushi counters, and a proper little craft-beer scene.
Family-run since 1978, and the first place I send new neighbors.
A beloved Old Town institution on Reichert Avenue, serving generous plates of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and seafood with the warm, no-fuss hospitality of a place that has been at it for decades. It is the first place I send new Novato neighbors for Mexican food, and it never disappoints.
1017 Reichert Ave, Novato
Visit websiteA reliable Grant Avenue taqueria.
The dependable lunch-counter spot on Grant for burritos, tacos, and quick takeout when you want something good without any fuss.
905 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteA sit-down favorite near Old Town.
A proper sit-down Mexican restaurant and grill with combo plates, margaritas, and a room that handles everything from lunch to a festive night out.
940 7th St, Novato
Visit websiteA Grant Avenue mainstay with a lively dining room.
A long-running family restaurant on Grant Avenue serving a full menu of Mexican classics in a bright, welcoming space that fills up on weekends.
1401 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteThe go-to for pasta and pizza nights in Old Town.
An Italian restaurant in the heart of Old Town, a friendly neighborhood pick for a pizza night with the family or a quiet plate of pasta for two.
823 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteClassic Italian on the Redwood Boulevard side.
A Redwood Boulevard favorite for classic Italian pastas and a warm dining room, the kind of place that has a loyal following built over many years.
7416 Redwood Blvd, Novato
Visit websiteA step up for date nights and special dinners.
Upscale Italian near the industrial district that locals turn to for anniversaries and celebrations, with a proper wine list and attentive service.
8 Commercial Blvd, Novato
Visit websiteFamily-friendly Italian on Grant Avenue.
Generous portions and a casual, family-friendly room on the north end of Grant Avenue, a solid pick when the whole table wants Italian.
1200 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteNeighborhood favorite for New York-style slices.
A local favorite on the Ignacio side for NY-style slices and pies, with a laid-back room and toppings that rotate with what looks good.
454 Ignacio Blvd, Novato
Visit websiteCreative pies in a friendly neighborhood room.
A Marin chain done right, known for imaginative toppings and a family-friendly dining room near Rowland Way.
459 Entrada Dr, Novato
Visit websiteThin-crust pizza with a loyal local following.
A casual counter spot on South Novato Boulevard serving thin-crust pies that a lot of locals swear by for takeout nights.
1553 S Novato Blvd, Novato
Visit websiteA busy brunch favorite near Hamilton.
A lively breakfast and brunch spot with a big all-day menu, from classic eggs and pancakes to creative benedicts, always busy on weekend mornings.
5800 Nave Dr, Novato
Visit websiteModern American cooking near Vintage Oaks.
A polished but relaxed restaurant near Vintage Oaks, great for a family dinner out or a proper brunch, with a menu built around comfort done well.
1500 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteA long-running Front Street favorite.
A long-standing Japanese restaurant on Front Street with sushi and a loyal local following, one of the more dependable rolls in town.
939 Front St, Novato
Visit websiteAn Old Town sushi counter with fresh rolls.
A small, welcoming sushi counter right on Grant Avenue with fresh rolls and a friendly bar, perfect for a solo lunch or an easy date night.
813 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteRich bowls of ramen on Diablo Avenue.
A ramen shop on Diablo Avenue serving rich, steaming bowls and quick takeout, a welcome change of pace from the usual neighborhood lineup.
934 Diablo Ave, Novato
Visit websiteNovato's long-running craft brewery.
The local craft-beer landmark, a brewery and restaurant known for house-brewed ales and a menu that holds its own. Ask what is fresh on the taps.
15 Rowland Way, Novato
Visit websiteBeer, live music, and a warm pub menu.
A lively tavern with a big beer list, live music most weeks, and a comfortable pub menu, one of the most social rooms in town.
224 Vintage Way, Novato
Visit websiteSmall-batch beer in an old Railroad Avenue warehouse.
A tucked-away taproom pouring local small-batch beer in a converted industrial space. Bring a growler and ask the pourer what is freshest.
1016 Railroad Ave, Novato
Visit websiteVinyl, records, and local craft pours on Grant.
HenHouse's Novato taproom, a vinyl-and-beer room with local craft pours and a warm, social atmosphere that feels more like a living room than a bar.
1301 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteBarbecue and a beer garden on Redwood Boulevard.
Smoked meats and a proper outdoor beer garden, a casual favorite for game-day groups and anyone craving barbecue without the drive to the city.
7380 Redwood Blvd, Novato
Visit websiteA local favorite for a pint and comfort food.
A Grant Avenue staple for a pint and hearty comfort food, the kind of neighborhood bar where you run into half the town.
877 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteSourdough and pastries worth crossing town for.
A North Novato bakery famous for its sourdough and pastries, and the weekend lines tell you everything about how good the bread is.
1719 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteHandmade pastries in a tiny Grant Avenue shop.
A small-batch bakery with laminated pastries and cookies that sell out before noon. Grab a coffee next door and make it a morning.
850 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteMarin's beloved bakery with great sandwiches.
The local outpost of Marin's best-loved bakery chain, with flaky pastries, excellent bread, and sandwiches that make it an easy lunch stop.
1407 Grant Ave, Novato
Visit websiteSonoma County side
The east side runs along East Washington and the McDowell corridors, with quick taquerias, neighborhood pizza, and two of the county's biggest brewery taprooms on North McDowell. This is the Petaluma of the commuter set: good, fast, reliable food that never makes you dress up.
A long-running favorite on the east side.
A long-running favorite near the courthouse for home-style Mexican plates, from hearty burritos to breakfast classics, with a loyal following that spans generations.
210 Edith St, Petaluma
Visit websiteNo-frills tacos on the East Washington corridor.
A straightforward taqueria serving solid tacos, burritos, and al pastor, the kind of quick stop that turns into a weekly habit.
355 E Washington St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA taqueria and bar for an easy meal.
A taqueria and bar on the East Washington corridor, great for an easy dinner or a margarita with your tacos on a warm evening.
600 E Washington St, Petaluma
Visit websiteHome-style Mexican on the McDowell corridor.
A McDowell Boulevard favorite for home-style Mexican plates and a friendly counter, easy takeout when the family cannot agree on anything else.
1420 S McDowell Blvd, Petaluma
Visit websiteWood-fired pizza and a solid tap list.
Wood-fired pies and a rotating tap list on East Washington, a great spot to meet friends and split a pizza or two.
615 E Washington St, Petaluma
Visit websiteFarmhouse-style pizza with seasonal toppings.
A Neapolitan-style pizzeria on Petaluma Boulevard North with seasonal toppings and a lovely sourdough crust, worth the trip north of downtown.
1080 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteA long-running Petaluma pizza spot.
A Petaluma institution known for its creamy white pizzas and generous toppings, a local favorite for decades and still going strong.
356 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteA bright, friendly diner tucked off the corridor.
A cheerful neighborhood diner with great breakfast plates and a warm room, the kind of place where the coffee keeps coming and nobody rushes you.
125 Keller St, Petaluma
Visit websiteWeekend brunch plates on the east side.
A brunch-focused spot on the east side with generous portions and creative plates, a weekend favorite for big tables and bottomless coffee.
732 E Washington St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA classic roadside breakfast stop.
A dependable roadside breakfast and lunch spot on the north end, with home-style cooking and the old-school feel of a diner that has been there forever.
4995 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteSolid sushi on the east edge of town.
Reliable sushi and grill just off the corridor, a great takeout or quick dine-in choice when the craving hits.
20 E Washington St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA neighborhood sushi spot on the south corridor.
A friendly neighborhood sushi restaurant on the south McDowell corridor with fresh rolls and a comfortable room for a weeknight out.
1410 S McDowell Blvd, Petaluma
Visit websiteWings and game-day eats on East Washington.
The neighborhood spot for wings, game-day eats, and cold beer, a low-key favorite for watching the game with a pile of sauce.
707 E Washington St, Petaluma
Visit websiteThe big one, a Petaluma landmark.
The famous Petaluma taproom with a sprawling beer garden, a full kitchen, and a list that has made Lagunitas a household name. Bring friends and stay a while.
1280 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma
Visit websiteBarrel-aged pours you will not find elsewhere.
HenHouse's barrel-aging taproom on the north side, pouring experiments and specials that never make it past the door of this room.
1333 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma
Visit websiteA brewpub on Lakeville with plenty of screens.
A brewpub on the Lakeville side with a full kitchen, a long beer list, and plenty of screens for game days, an easy group meeting spot.
3120 Lakeville Hwy, Petaluma
Visit websiteSonoma County side
The west side is downtown: Petaluma Boulevard, the river, and the streets around them, the most walkable dining stretch in the county. Farm-to-table kitchens, family-run Italian spots, a famous oyster bar, historic saloons, and breweries all sit within a few blocks of each other.
A 1950s-style diner with the best cinnamon rolls in town.
A beloved American diner on Petaluma Boulevard South with handcrafted burgers, breakfast favorites served all day, and famous homemade cinnamon rolls. Warm, nostalgic, and friendly, it is the kind of place where the whole neighborhood feels at home.
317 Petaluma Blvd S, Petaluma
Visit websiteA long-running tearoom near the theater district.
A charming, old-school tearoom and cafe in the theater district with a warm room, proper afternoon tea, and lunch plates that feel like a slower era.
316 Western Ave, Petaluma
Visit websiteRiverfront dining on B Street.
A classic downtown cafe with a river view and a friendly breakfast and lunch menu, the perfect sit-down spot before a day along the Petaluma River.
224 B St, Petaluma
Visit websiteOne of the most consistently loved rooms downtown.
A Petaluma favorite for Italian classics, with a warm dining room and a menu of pastas and house favorites that has earned a devoted following.
114 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteHand-made pasta and southern Italian plates.
A lively trattoria known for hand-made pasta and bright southern Italian cooking, great for a boisterous dinner with a bottle of something Italian.
5 Petaluma Blvd S, Petaluma
Visit websiteSonoma-Italian cooking on Petaluma Boulevard North.
A Sonoma-Italian restaurant and bar with a chef-driven menu and a polished dining room, a strong pick for a special night out downtown.
154 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteA cozy trattoria on 2nd Street.
A long-running, cozy Italian trattoria a block off the Boulevard, the kind of small room where regulars are greeted by name.
140 2nd St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA family-run Italian spot near the river.
A long-standing family-run Italian restaurant near the river with generous classics and a proper bar, dependable and welcoming.
124 Washington St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA farm-to-table bistro built on local ingredients.
A farm-to-table bistro with a rotating menu built on local Sonoma County ingredients, and one of the most respected kitchens in town.
6 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteA polished steakhouse and raw bar.
A sleek downtown steakhouse and raw bar, the go-to for a special occasion or a serious steak, with an oyster bar that holds its own.
170 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteSeasonal cooking with one of the best patios in town.
A riverside bistro with seasonal cooking and a lovely patio, a favorite for long lunches and warm evenings along the water.
100 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteA sleek farm-to-table room near the river.
A polished farm-to-table restaurant on 1st Street with a tight, seasonal menu and a quietly confident dining room.
500 1st St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA waterfront oyster bar at the river end of Washington.
A riverfront oyster bar and kitchen where Tomales Bay bivalves star, with a casual, shucked-fresh vibe that fits the water perfectly.
100 Washington St, Petaluma
Visit websiteTomales Bay oysters, downtown.
Hog Island's Petaluma oyster kitchen, serving the same farm-raised oysters that made the name famous, perfect for a quick dozen with a cold beer.
419 1st St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA downtown classic for deep-dish and thin crust.
A longtime downtown favorite known for deep-dish and thin-crust pies in a warm, wood-lined room that has been feeding Petaluma for years.
41 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteThin-crust pies in the art corridor.
A stylish pizzeria on the Kentucky Street art corridor with crisp thin-crust pies and a lively room, great before or after a gallery crawl.
16 Kentucky St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA historic downtown saloon and local landmark.
A landmark saloon and restaurant that has anchored the Boulevard for more than a century, with a handsome dining room upstairs and live music downstairs.
23 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteA riverfront beer garden with long tables.
A big, casual beer garden right on the water with long communal tables and a rotating tap list, built for warm afternoons with friends.
229 Water St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA beloved brewery taproom in the warehouse district.
A Petaluma brewery taproom in the historic warehouse district, pouring a playful lineup of sours, hazy IPAs, and barrel experiments.
110 Howard St, Petaluma
Visit websiteSmall-batch pours off 2nd Street.
A small, friendly tasting room pouring local small-batch beer a block from the Boulevard, a quiet gem for those who like to try everything.
140 2nd St, Petaluma
Visit websiteFamous for wood-fired bread and pastries.
A beloved bakery and cafe famous for its wood-fired breads and pastries, the place to start a downtown morning before the croissants sell out.
143 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Visit websiteCoffee, empanadas, and chocolate on Weller.
A charming corner cafe with excellent coffee, empanadas, and chocolate in a light-filled Weller Street room, a favorite laptop-and-latte stop.
226 Weller St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA riverfront gathering spot on the H Street side.
A warm gathering spot at Foundry Wharf with food, wine, and big community tables right on the river, hosting events and overflow conversation.
189 H St, Petaluma
Visit websiteAn independent coffee house with a loyal following.
A proper independent coffee house with a loyal local following, the reliable pour downtown when you need the real thing.
212 2nd St, Petaluma
Visit websiteA neighborhood roaster right off 4th Street.
A friendly neighborhood roaster with easy coffee and a laid-back room, an easy stop on the way in from the east side.
21 4th St, Petaluma
Visit websiteCraving something specific
Whether it is tacos, a wood-fired pizza, oysters, or a brewery crawl, here is the short list across Novato and Petaluma, with the area noted so you know which side of the county you are on.
Big platters, fresh salsa, and family recipes on both sides of the 101.
Red-sauce classics and hand-made pasta from Grant Avenue to the Boulevard.
Thin crust, wood fire, and New York slices all over town.
Diners, cinnamon rolls, and the weekend lines that prove it.
Tomales Bay oysters and riverfront fish, fresh from the water.
Sushi counters and ramen from Old Town to the corridors.
Craft beer with a distinctly North Bay accent.
Wood-fired bread, laminated pastries, and real coffee.
Local favorites & hidden gems
Every agent has a shortlist they hand out when a client asks the question that really matters: where do you actually eat? These are my two long-running favorites, plus the hidden gems that do not advertise and do not need to.
Novato, Old Town
The first place I send new Novato neighbors for Mexican food. Family-run since 1978 on Reichert Avenue, generous plates, and the warm, no-fuss hospitality of a true Old Town institution.
Petaluma West, the Boulevard
A 1950s-style American diner on Petaluma Boulevard South with handcrafted burgers, breakfast favorites, and the famous homemade cinnamon rolls. Warm, nostalgic, and friendly, it is where the whole neighborhood feels at home.
A Railroad Avenue taproom the tourists never find.
Small-batch pours in an old warehouse. Ask the pourer what is freshest and you will have the room's best beer to yourself.
1016 Railroad Ave, Novato
Pastries that sell out before noon.
A tiny Grant Avenue bakery with laminated doughs and cookies worth planning your morning around.
850 Grant Ave, Novato
Playful, experimental brews on Copeland Street.
A cozy tasting room pouring sours, barrel-aged, and experimental beers with a real lounge feel.
133 Copeland St, Petaluma
The warmest welcome on the river.
Food, wine, and long community tables right on the Petaluma River, hosting everything from open mics to overflow conversation.
189 H St, Petaluma
An old-school diner with loyal regulars.
No website, no fuss, just a neighborhood counter with big breakfast plates and bottomless coffee. Walk in like you belong, because everyone does.
931 Petaluma Blvd S, Petaluma
A no-sign family taqueria on the north end.
The kind of place locals guard like a secret. The carnitas and the salsa bar are the draw, and there is no website to give it away.
2033 Novato Blvd, Novato
The Old Town counter neighbors line up for.
Simple plates, friendly service, and a weekend wait that tells you everything. Cash and coffee, zero pretense.
1112 Grant Ave, Novato
When I show a buyer around, we usually end up talking about food. If you are weighing Novato against Petaluma, or one side of town against the other, the dining scene is part of the equation, and I am happy to point you at the spots near the homes you are considering.
