Whether you’re biking through the area, taking a hike in the picturesque mountainside, or on your way to the beach, it’s always a good time for pizza. We’ve compiled a quick list of the best places to check out when you’re next craving pizza, so you can skip the spots that serve a mediocre pie and go straight to the real deal.
Feature Photo: @restaurantpicco on Instagram
Southern Marin
Ignacio - Mill Valley - Sausalito - Tiburon
127 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley
House made Neapolitan cuisine, a familiar wait staff, and warm hospitality have made this restaurant a family favorite since 1964. While this old-school eatery is known for traditional pastas and pizzas, a daily menu of seasonal favorites attracts a hip crowd. The adjourning Sorrento Bar serves up cocktails, amari and a selection of fine Italian wines.
226 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley
415.662.3212
Is a great crust your thing? PizzaHacker bakes their wheat levain sourdough crust with smoked sea salt for the mouth-watering effect down to the last bite. If you have tried this San Francisco cult-favorite before, it’s worth visiting their second location, nestled within The Junction beer garden. They have nailed contactless service — with their Square-based ordering system — and their incredibly friendly staff add a brightness to their already beautiful, spacious outdoor dining area. Local craft beers and hard kombucha (you can’t go wrong with either) are available on tap as well as in four packs, if you’re purchasing to-go.
477 Miller Ave, Mill Valley
415.388.7437
Steeped in Marin culture to the point of naming their pizzas after Marin County trails, Tamalpie (owned by local restauranteur Karen Goldberg, provides ample outdoor seating and a classy bar that’s perfect for a drink after work. They have mastered their 48-hour fermented dough recipe, a testament to their meticulous care of quality and taste in the baking process. Along with a variety of pizzas, there are delicious small plates like the roasted brussels sprouts and specialty cocktails to round out your meal.
129 Miller Ave, Mill Valley
415.888.2406
Located in the historic Mill Valley Lumber Yard, this pizza-inclusive restaurant has plenty of outdoor seating and a great view of Mt Tam. Their pizzas are crafted with the same mindset as the rest of their California cuisine — celebrating what’s available from local farmers, ranches and fisheries. So, while stone fruit is still in season, try the yellow peach and pancetta pizza with goat cheese, honey and arugula, and get a side of the grilled broccolini with preserved lemon — you know, for balance.
Multiple locations
Stefano’s has several locations around Marin County, from Mill Valley to Novato. This Marin County mainstay claims to have served over ten million pizzas since 1972, so it’s safe to assume they know what they’re doing.
1250 Bridgeway, Sausalito
415.331.0555
Pizza al fresco on a private beach in Sausalito… Who wouldn’t want that? Dining is first-come, first-serve, and you’ll want to be among the first. However, If you must wait for a table, don’t panic — working up an appetite means you’ll have room for their crispy artichokes with fried rosemary, celery leaves and lemon aioli appetizer. Get the kale pizza with basil pesto, roasted garlic and ricotta; it’s rich, but a winner.
777 Bridgeway, Sausalito
415.332.7771
Here’s a classic Italian trattoria with a cultivated pizza menu. Right on Sausalito’s main drag, this restaurant is a perfect place to split the commute with your friends in the city (or in Marin). With available indoor and outdoor seating and an upscale neighborhood vibe, Poggio is a perfect venue for a lively outing with a large group. For something a little different, try the smoked prosciutto, black mission fig and calabrian chili or the chanterelle mushroom, baby kale, buffalo mozzarella and roasted garlic pizzas. Come first for the pizza, then return for the pasta, meat or fish dishes (and another pizza).
45 Caledonia St, Sausalito
415.729.9166
Owners, Alesandro Spaziani Montagna and his wife Monika Torggler hail from Verona, Italy, where they operated a restaurant in Trento at the foot of the Dolomites in northern Italy. Everything at Sandrino is handmade and fresh. Be advised that the restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday, but otherwise open daily for lunch and dinner.
Central Marin
Corte Madera – Fairfax – Greenbrae – Kentfield – Larkspur – Ross – San Anselmo – San Rafael
200 Merrydale Rd, San Rafael
415.472.7101
Carved Moroccan-style plasterworks grace the foyer at this boisterous, two-room spot. The room to the left hosts a busy bar where an Italian Cosmo cocktail is topped with Prosecco but anyplace is fine to try homemade gnocchi, veal scaloppini or a Sicilian style pizza with eggplant and feta.
2233 Larkspur Landing Cir, Larkspur
415.755.6700
Along with their exceptionally crispy, yet chewy thin-crust, Farmshop serves up innovative flavor combinations and ingredients that you won’t find on many pizza menus in the Bay Area. While the classic tomato and mozzarella combo is tried-and-true, you won’t regret trying one of Farmshop’s more unique dishes. Their crowd favorites include the lamb merguez, yogurt and zaatar pizza as well as the kale and three cheese pizza with honey drizzled on top. Another scrumptious dish to try is the wild mushrooms, pickled onions and arugula pizza.
316 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur
415.945.8900
It is no secret that this cozy pizza nook is a Marin County favorite with its homey wood-fired pizza ovens and thoughtfully sourced, local ingredients. The menu boasts both classic and unexpected flavor combinations—all on a holy grail crispy crust. Fresh salads and items from their sister restaurant, Picco, (both from Bay Area restauranteur Bruce Hill) are also available to order. Save room for the Straus soft-serve and top with fiordolio extra virgin olive oil and Maldon sea salt. Prime seats are at the small bar where you can watch the pizza making in action, but sitting outside is great for people watching, enjoyable even in the colder months (thanks to heat lamps!).
16 Ross Common, Ross
415.383.8646
A neighborhood favorite with a well-deserved reputation for high quality pizza and a high quality owner — affectionately nicknamed “Tony.” His classic pizza menu, with crowd favorites like the Magic Mushroom and the Bitches Brew, accompanies his vegan-friendly menu, which comprises the equally popular cheese-less yet flavorful options. (Always check their website or call in to learn about their specials.) If you manage to snag a spot at their limited outdoor dining area, you’ll also have the pleasure of listening to Tony’s eclectic, and likely new to you, musical picks of the day.
638 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo
415.801.3265
A perennial Best of the County winner known for their artisan pizzas, hearty sandwiches, flavorful pastas and fresh salads, Creekside offers plentiful gluten-free and vegan options too. Their copper bar with a 40-handle selection of craft beer (including gluten-free beer), plus wine and kombucha on tap makes Creekside a beloved destination for fresh drinks in equal measure.
914 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo
415.256.9780
Owners Michael and Jacquelyn Baker’s so-called dream come true restaurant hews traditional with Neapolitan pizza made with farm-sourced and house made ingredients. Seasonal specials like hand-rolled garganelli pasta with ragu Bolognese (that’s meaty) and a porchetta sandwich at lunch layered with Fontina and chopped broccolini are for those days when less carbs are called for.
631 Del Ganado Rd, San Rafael
415.472.3323
This local favorite was founded by the Sicilian Lo Coco brothers, who took pride in the authentic Italian flavors in their recipes. Their Neapolitan-style pies are simple but hearty. Popular menu items include their mushroom pizza, roasted eggplant pizza, a zucchini and garlic pizza, baby clam, oregano and garlic pizza and their most notable artichoke heart pizza. Sometimes pizza only needs a couple of ingredients to taste fantastic. And if you thought their toppings were great, wait until you hear about Lo Coco’s trademark crust. Unbelievably fluffy, doughy and thick, it’ll send you to cloud nine on the first bite.
101 Smith Ranch Rd, Ste C, San Rafael
415.472.7272
With its longstanding presence in Marin, Mulberry Pizzeria’s menu has grown to include a variety of both unique and traditional pizzas, salads, soup and more. Some favorites include a Three Beer Pizza and their Cream of Tomato with a Hint of Curry soup. It was first opened in 1986 and was inspired by Mulberry Street in New York’s Little Italy, and current owners Bill and Chrisoula Capetanos have maintained the pizzeria’s legacy.
Northern Marin
Novato
459 Entrada Dr, Novato
415.382.7711
Owners Peter and Kitty Forstner established the original Red Boy Pizza in 1969. First, a single 90-square-foot location in San Francisco, the name has grown, and now there are locations around the bay. Try their “true San Francisco Sourdough Crust.”
West Marin
Bolinas – Forest Knolls – Lagunitas – Marshall – Point Reyes – Stinson Beach – Tomales
11 Wharf Rd, Bolinas
415.868.1133
Eleven Wharf, located in a historic farmhouse, offers pizzas, small plates, and natural wines by the glass (and by the bottle in their shop). Everything is based on what’s seasonal, with a menu that changes weekly. Their classic margherita pizza is a staple on the menu, with a perfectly chewy crust that’s thin and crispy. Other common pizzas include the rich BBQ pork, the light and salty prosciutto with arugula, and the fresh fried eggplant.
11315 Shoreline Hwy, Point Reyes Station
415.663.9420
Though they’re often best known for their special-occasion cakes or fruit-packed scones, Bovine Bakery also makes incredible pizzas. Made fresh every day, their pizza pies are just as good as their apple-raspberry pies. Between their pepperoni, mushroom, and jalapeño combo, and their zucchini and squash blossom pizza, they’ve got the slice for you. Keep in mind that this is more of a grab-and-go pizza place than a sit down restaurant.
