For cheesy, juicy and meaty options, look no further than our short list of Marin County burger spots. Skip the big chains and try somewhere local instead. Whether you need a quick refuel during your busy day, or prefer a leisurely meal with friends, our list has you covered. Next time you’re craving a burger, take a look at our list to find a great spot without the stress.
Feature Photo: @parksidecafestinsonbeach on Instagram
Southern Marin
Ignacio - Mill Valley - Sausalito - Tiburon
15 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley
415.331.2600
Sometimes food tries to do too much. If you want the basics, and you want it done well, Buckeye Roadhouse is your spot. Described as “fully garnished” on their menu, the Roadhouse Burger is a formidable player in the burger game by nailing the basics. It involves a solid and simple combination of smoky beef flavors, a black-seeded sesame bun, and pickles. Enjoy a complimentary side of their golden fries with your order and wash it all down with one of Buckeye’s beer offerings: “I would pair it with Mt. Tam Pale Ale or — if you are super lucky — Pliny the Elder double IPA. We only get three cases a week.” – Robert Price, Executive Chef (Mill Valley).
741 E Blithedale Ave, Ste 775B, Mill Valley
415.354.5974
Part of Local Kitchens, The Melt revolutionizes the classic burger by infusing wagyu beef patties to add that extra fatty, juicy deliciousness in every bite. Their whopper of a BBQ Bacon burger has over a 1/3 lb of wagyu, topped with smoked bacon, crispy onions, and Memphis-style BBQ sauce. They also offer a lot of customization options, including the Impossible Burger for vegetarians craving some cheese-y, melty goodness.
44 E Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley
415.381.2500
For your dose of upscale California cuisine in a burger, look no further than Bungalow 44. Smoked onion rings? Yes, please. Awesome sauce? It’s got that too. White cheddar, shredded lettuce, and fries. Need we say more?
152 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley
415.843.4545
Delicious, rich and well-worth it. This house ground patty made with tender Wagyu beef is drizzled with French onion bone marrow and served with all the works. A side of thick, house cut fries and a crunchy pickle round off this burger experience. If you’re feeling like a little extra something, bacon, avocado, a fried egg can be added for an additional cost — add one or add them all.
38 Miller Ave, Ste. 1, Mill Valley
415.888.2108
Want to spice it up? Gravity Burger will send your tastebuds soaring. With their seared house grind burger, horseradish aioli, aged sharp cheddar, and little gem slaw, this burger has the praise-worthy ‘salt, fat, acid, heat’ that we have come to deeply appreciate.
17 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
415.888.3907
The bistro along ‘el paseo’ exudes the same charm as its predecessors with a French-inflected menu from executive chef Sylvain Montassier. That translates into dishes of tuna tartare with chicharron and shiitakes, squid ink linguini with local crab and mussels or a Devil’s Gulch pork chop with crispy spaetzle and cabbage. Sip a classic cocktail in the Paseo bar or savor chocolate fondant with salted caramel ganache in one of the inviting exposed brick and wood dining rooms.
430 Miller Ave, Mill Valley
415.380.8555
Best part about of Super Duper in Mill Valley… the drive-thru for their delicious burgers! Almost contactless pick up has the line starting when they open at 12 in the morning. Don’t miss out on their Super Burger, a side of Garlic Fries and home-made pickles!
129 Miller Ave, Mill Valley
415.888.2406
A celebration of local goodness, this burger features a grass-fed patty from Stemple Creek Ranch in Tomales and a brioche bun from Parkside in Stinson Beach — toasted to perfection. Thick-cut fries on the side. Add grilled red onion or Cherokee tomato at an additional cost (we recommend both!).
As the name implies, this gourmet burger spot is all about bringing the flavors of Napa Valley Wine Country to Southern Marin, with an impressive list of wines and brews to go with your meal. Try their Stinson Beach BBQ Burger, with smoked gouda and applewood bacon, or the Yountville with sharp cheddar, roasted garlic aioli, and a parmesan cheese crisp. They also offer veggie burgers!
300 Turney St, Sausalito
415.766.8999
A casual waterfront restaurant specializing in rotisserie and local brews, the Joinery fills a tall order in the size and scope of their meals. Don’t believe us? Look at their Joinery Burger, a tall stack made of a sesame seed bun and stacked high with tomato, pickles, onions and beef — all swimming in a pool of mouth-watering melted cheese. You can also choose from a variety of fries, served in massive metal trays, to pair alongside your burger. Pick a fry. Any fry!
27 Main St, Tiburon
415.435.4527
Sail up to the dock or queue up for a table on the bayfront patio for shared plates of blue cheese garlic bread and a towering seafood platter. The drinks are as popular here as the food, especially the prickly pear margarita bowl (it’s huge) and the original mai tai with lilikoi foam. And of course, try their Sam’s burger – complete with white cheddar, lettuce, caramelized onions, fries, secret sauce, mushrooms, avocado and blue cheese.
Central Marin
Corte Madera – Fairfax – Greenbrae – Kentfield – Larkspur – Ross – San Anselmo – San Rafael
1585 Casa Buena Dr, Corte Madera
415.924.2081
A mainstay for over 50 years for a reason: the menu calls to you with garlic bread, a calamari sandwich and mesquite-grilled prime rib. Sautéed classics of the Italian-American cannon (I”m looking at you, chicken livers and mushrooms and veal piccata) and oysters doré and a mix and match menu of pasta shapes and pastas have withstood the test of time.
302 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae
415.785.4233
Often when it comes to chain restaurants, food quality drops as the number of locations go up. But not with Gott’s. Despite the sheer number of burgers they dish out, Gott’s achieves a slam dunk each time with their rendition of the bacon cheeseburger. Toppings include American cheese, Zoe’s bacon, lettuce and pickles stacked on a plushy, toasted egg bun — not to mention Gott’s “secret sauce” (yes, lots of sauce secrecy going on).
507 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur
415.927.3331
An American burger and a French fry? Oui, s’il vous plaît! Served with delicate butter lettuce, juicy tomato slices, and a crispy side of frites, this generous ½ lb. burger is guaranteed to satisfy. Sandwiched between a toasted, hearty bun, this meal not only provides the flavor you love but the texture you never knew you wanted.
1401 Larkspur Landing Cir, Larkspur
628.212.2050
While there are plenty of options to choose from, the classic ShackBurger is the way to go. A few notches above the traditional fast food joints, Shake Shack delivers that satisfaction you’re craving for under ten bucks. Prefer your burger cooked well done? This one maintains its great flavor. Oh, and don’t forget to throw in a shake while you’re at it.
M&G Burgers
Looking for a classic burger, fries, and shake? M&G serves up quality without the frills at their Larkspur and Fairfax locations.
234 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur
415.927.1877
When you don’t want to stray too far from the traditional taste and look of a burger, Perry’s nails down the art of simplicity by paying attention to quality above all else: “The Perry’s Burger Classic is classic and simple. High-quality meat, handled minimally, seasoned with salt and pepper, grilled and placed on a lightly toasted brioche bun.” —Perry Butler (Larkspur) The burger is served with house-made cottage chips on the side. Spice it up by adding avocado, crispy bacon, or extra cheese at an extra cost.
882 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo
415.785.4802
The Hub is a San Anselmo casual burger joint servicing the people of Central Marin with 100% grass-fed and farm fresh beef burgers grilled right in front of you. With a selection of house burgers including the signature “Hub” burger, a basic cheeseburger topped off with caramelized onions and signature “Hub sauce,” you will not walk out of the Hub with an appetite left.
625 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo
415.991.1502
Discover the bold and bright flavors of Kientz Hall, nestled on San Anselmo Avenue in downtown San Anselmo. Kientz Hall specializes in California-Mediterranean cuisine, where vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients are prepared over a wood-fire grill and rotisserie. If you have cravings anywhere from a hearty fried chicken to a light, flavorful green salad, all paired with a beautiful Marin view, Kientz Hall is the place for you.
655 Del Ganado Rd, San Rafael
415.991.5103
Beyond the popular juicy burgers, the Mission Fried Chicken has an ardent following. Like the original in San Francisco, Christian Albertson’s restaurant in the shopping center kitty-corner from the Terra Linda Pool serves quaffable beers (like Pliny the Elder on tap), pub grub, and plenty of veg-forward offerings.
2202 4th St, San Rafael
415.456.0866
Flipping patties for the Bay Area for the past 30 years, Phyllis’ Giant Burgers has been inducted into the Pacific Sun’s Best of Marin Hall of Fame in 1997 and serves over 20 types of burgers.
1301 4th St, San Rafael
When you think of a delicious burger, you might not think of French cuisine, but Le Comptoir can change that. Order Le Burger here for a delightful combination of aioli and caramelized onions within a soft bun, all housemade for the freshest experience.
West Marin
Bolinas – Forest Knolls – Lagunitas – Marshall – Olema – Point Reyes – Stinson Beach – Tomales
Located next to Olema House, this modern tavern is all about vibrant fare and local ingredients. With a farm-to-table menu that highlights West Marin’s cuisine, we highly recommend their Tavern Burger, topped with smoked cheddar, chipotle aioli, and house pickles. Get it with a side of fries or substitute crispy garlic parmesan fries with Tavern sauce for a bit of extra pizzazz. They also offer lots of share boards for the table, such as California cheeses and charcuterie.
43 Arenal Ave, Stinson Beach
415.868.1272
Right next to Stinson Beach is this iconic café, a staple of the area for beach-goers, hikers, and locals alike. Nothing satisfies after walking along the coast or playing in the waves quite like their Niman Ranch Burger, served up on a brioche bun with mustard aioli and hand-cut fries. Add Point Reyes blue cheese for some funk or top it with prosciutto for some parma saltiness. And make sure to end your meal with a quintessential cone of Straus soft serve.
11285 Highway 1, Point Reyes Station
A multi-year retrofit created three dining areas — at the bar, in the sunny, original dining room and in a new room for dining and live music. Yes, the popovers are still here, on their own or in a basket with cornbread, as is the flank steak salad and other classics. Try their Station House Burger, with a sesame seed brioche bun, cheddar, lettuce, pickled onion and tomato.
