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Best Neighbourhood Gem Restaurants in Novato

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10 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Chianti Cucina - Novato restaurant
1. Chianti Cucina - Novato
4.7
Exceptional(910)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Novato
Booked 2 times today
Chianti Cucina, an Italian restaurant in Novato, welcomes you to our family, where great food, service and atmosphere await you Italian style. We invite you to our table, offering a casual & memorable experience. At Chianti Cucina, you'll feel like a neighborhood regular, even if you're just visiting us for the first time. Our restaurant is a family friendly venue where you can feel equally at home as a solo diner, as a family, or as a small or large group of friends.
A photo of Insalata's restaurant
2. Insalata's
4.7
Exceptional(4066)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • San Anselmo
Booked 25 times today
Insalata's has been a neighborhood gem for over 25 years. Known for its 'luscious Mediterranean food, gracious service, and warm atmosphere', it's been hailed as a 'professional well-curated culinary experience' with 'sophisticated dishes' and 'quality ingredients'. The 'consistently great food and service' have made it a favorite among locals. As one reviewer put it, 'Always consistently great food and service. A lively atmosphere'. Insalata's is not just a restaurant, it's a 'great place to celebrate an event or a quiet dinner for two' and a 'San Anselmo gem - not to be missed if you enjoy Mediterranean cuisine!'
A photo of La Toscana Ristorante restaurant
3. La Toscana Ristorante
4.7
Exceptional(1540)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • San Rafael
Booked 1 time today
La Toscana Ristorante is a beloved neighborhood gem in San Rafael, Marin County. Reviewers describe it as 'consistently good', 'terrific' and 'an excellent restaurant'. The family-owned restaurant is praised for its authentic Italian food, friendly service, and festive atmosphere. One reviewer notes, 'La Toscana is like dining with Friends, very convivial atmosphere, especially in the bar.' Another review highlights, 'We have dined at La Toscana many times over the years. It is the sort of “go to” place most folks like because it is consistently reliable and enjoyable.' This consistently high-rated restaurant is a local favorite, and it's hard not to fall in love with its delicious food, warm atmosphere, and friendly service.
A photo of Marché Restaurant restaurant
4. Marché Restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1686)
Price: Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Ross
Booked 1 time today
Marché Restaurant is a true neighborhood gem, as per the glowing reviews. The owners' dedication to creating a welcoming atmosphere and serving delicious food has earned them a reputation in Ross. Customers praise the cozy dining room, charming patio, and excellent service. One reviewer described it as 'a neighborhood gem' and another as 'our go-to weekly date spot.'
A photo of Amélie Café and Wine Bar restaurant
5. Amélie Café and Wine Bar
4.8
Exceptional(51)
Price: Moderate
• French • Fairfax
Booked 6 times today
the Marin edition of Amelie with large patio, enjoy our baked organic French goods: croissant baguette tarte our french chef prepares a farm to table brunch, lunch and dinnerand a wine list curated by French sommelier and winemaker offering many options by the glass and bottle with a focus on French wine
A photo of Valenti & Co. Ristorante restaurant
6. Valenti & Co. Ristorante
4.8
Exceptional(846)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • San Anselmo
Booked 1 time today
Welcome to Valenti & Co, Northern Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar in San Anselmo. Farm-fresh Italian Cuisine, thoughtfully sourced local ingredients and wines.
A photo of Monk's Kettle Terra Linda restaurant
7. Monk's Kettle Terra Linda
4.4
Awesome(53)
Price: Moderate
• American • San Rafael
Booked 1 time today
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.
A photo of Marinitas restaurant
8. Marinitas
4.2
Awesome(843)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • San Anselmo
Booked 10 times today
Marinitas features a menu inspired by dishes found throughout Mexico and Latin America using local and seasonal products. Through the collaboration of Heidi Krahling and Frank Villa, Marinitas delivers Latin focused lusciousness that is an exciting blend of the new and the familiar. The wine list mainly draws from the expansive selections of the best wine makers from Argentina and Chile. Cocktails focus on the silver and gold liquors of Central and South America. The bar is dedicated to classic cocktail preparations including citrus juice squeezed to order, house made sweet and sour made from unrefined cane sugars, along with the highest quality mixers. Beers include a full Mexican selection from light Lagers to dark regional Latin micro-brewed Ales.
A photo of Cafe Villa restaurant
9. Cafe Villa
4.2
Awesome(10)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • San Rafael
Booked 3 times today
Cafe Villa is a family-owned restaurant serving fresh, homestyle, Italian food.We're located on the same property as the Villa Inn at 1602 Lincoln Avenue in San Rafael.Come by and check us out - we look forward to seeing you!
A photo of Mulberry Street Pizzeria - San Rafael restaurant
10. Mulberry Street Pizzeria - San Rafael
4.6
Exceptional(22)
Price: Moderate
• Pizzeria • Marin
At Mulberry Street Pizzeria, we consider ourselves proof that happiness is never about where you start or end. It is about how you bring the best things in life together along the way. Our menu starts with the freshest ingredients, authentic family recipes, and a passion for food that pushes us to make every dish from scratch. It ends with mouthwatering artisan soups, salads, pastas, and hot pizzas loaded with flavors from around the world. But good food only becomes great when it brings the family together. It is sharing our menu with the community -- being here to bring old and new friends together every single day -- that makes our story a happy story.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Taffy
    New Mexico •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    We returned for a second visit this holiday season; it was wonderful. Got adventurous and had the creamed corn. I noticed my daughters snuck more than an initial half teaspoon taste. It was very, very good. Not watery creamy. This had a nice texture. Try it! The prime rib was exceptional. I had the smaller portion. One daughter had the thinner slices. One daughter had the regular cut. All were sumptuous! Had a baked potato instead of the mashed. It was yummy. We ordered an apple crisp to share between the three of us. It was delicious with a nice amount of apple slices hidden under the topping and surrounded by the usual warm spices. Our server was great! She was friendly, attentive but didn’t hover. Thank you all for a wonderful evening! I may not be back for a while. Palo Alto daughter is moving to Duarte. CA this summer. If she needs help moving, we’ll have to do a farewell visit at House of Prime Rib. Again, thank you!
    More info
    House of Prime RibPrice: Very Expensive• Steak• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
    •
    4.8
  • Lisa
    San Francisco Bay Area •17 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Everything about our meal was amazing, appetizers to dessert. The sea bass in particular was terrific — as was the quiet, professional service and very comfortable booth. Kokkari never disappoints!
    More info
    Kokkari EstiatorioPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Financial District / Embarcadero
    •
    4.8
  • Sabina
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Always have wonderful experience at Rotunda, food is excellent, great customer service, comfortable and positive energy, very clean and beautiful inside, love white tablecloth .
    More info
    The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus - San FranciscoPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown / Union Square
    •
    4.8
  • Anna
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    We LOVED this restaurant. We sat inside so we couldn’t see the movie, but that wasn’t really an issue. The restaurant itself was stunning. Our server David was absolutely lovely. He really made our experience. The food was great, we got the smoked salmon, burrata with pears, sesame chicken, and pork chop. Everything was delicious. For dessert we got crème brûlée and a sort of chocolate mousse. Fantastic. It’s an expensive date but you pay for the food and the experience. Would go again!
    More info
    Foreign CinemaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Mission
    •
    4.8
  • Jeff
    San Francisco Bay Area •32 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 17, 2024
    Great reasonably priced food along with good service. What more could you ask for?
    More info
    Chianti Cucina - NovatoPrice: Moderate• Italian• Novato
    •
    4.7

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