Pizza: the perfect combination of fats and carbs known to induce that Pretty Incredible Zing and Zest-for-life Attitude, if you will. And in the land of sourdough (San Francisco is the unofficial sourdough capital of the United States), there is no shortage of flavorful crusts to do just that. Pair with the chill of Marin County and you get not just pizza, but pizz-ahh. Whether you like yours thick, thin, trendy or traditional, we’ve done the hard work and tested them for you.
These are our North Bay Best Breakfast winners for 2023, selected by our editors — look for our readers’ choice winner, selected by our audience.
*Dairy- and gluten-free accommodations are pretty common nowadays, but we’ve noted the places that make the extra effort.
Featured Photo: Pizzahacker
Southern Marin
Sausalito – Mill Valley – 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
Arguably the best outdoor seating in Marin County, Pizzahacker also boasts one of the most flavorful crusts in the area. (Thank you, smoked sea salt!) They’ve also pioneered touchless ordering, which makes re-ordering a pinch (you’ll want more, trust us). And because it shares its footprint with The Junction Beer Garden, brews are just as easily purchased with a few taps on your smartphone, all from a QR code at your table — or fire pit. Note: On weekends, this pizza joint turns into bagel heaven. Check out their website and Instagram for more info.
477 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley
After a hike through nearby Muir Woods National Monument or bike ride on one of the area’s many trails, what could be better than pizza and beer? Tamalpie has got your number with plenty of beer on tap and Napoletana pizzas that come out of the oven fresh and fast, from the margarita-style Hoo-Koo-E-Koo to more adventurous options like the Blithedale Canyon, bacon, roasted potato, mozzarella, fontina and pesto, and the Laurel Dell, fennel sausage, caramelized onions, kale and mozzarella. (Gluten-free crust is available.) The restaurant also offers shareable small plates, salads, a handful of mains, a kids’ menu and dessert (the key lime pie gets rave reviews). In addition to beer, Tamalpie serves cocktails and wine, too. Sit indoors or out on the spacious, heated deck.
129 Miller Ave., Mill Valley
Located in the heart of the Mill Valley Lumber Yard in Mill Valley’s original sawmill building, Watershed serves seasonally-inspired and sustainably-sourced California cuisine. From starters like grilled broccoli with almonds and grilled lemon to fluffy, crisp pancetta and peach pizza, they have nailed a contemporary twist on rustic flavors. Side note: the thick-cut fries with herb aioli are worth a trip alone. Sit outside by the creek, relax with a locally-crafted beer or a glass of wine and take in a prime view of Mt. Tam.
Central Marin
Corte Madera – Larkspur – Kentfield – Ross – Fairfax – San Anselmo – San Rafael – Greenbrae
638 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo
Decisions, decisions — will you choose the Geronimo, topped with red sauce, mozzarella, Applewood smoked bacon, tomatoes, basil oil, burrata and lemon-drizzled baby lettuces; the Heart of Marin, topped with a signature pesto and creamy ricotta sauce, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, red onions and kalamata olives; or one of Creekside Pizza & Taproom’s many other delicious and creative pizza creations? (You can also build your own perfect pie, and vegan cheese and gluten-free crust are available.) Shareable appetizers, salads, pastas, sandwiches, a kids’ menu, and ice cream treats featuring locally made Silbermann’s ice cream round out the menu offerings. On the beverage front, Creekside boasts 40 craft beers on tap, plus more than 40 California wines on its carefully curated menu.
2233 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur
Find Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas here featuring local produce like Star Route Farms lilac bell peppers with smoked mozzarella and Calabrian chili oil. And new to the curbside pickup menu — “Roman Squares” (see above). Want to know what hearty goodness you’re looking at? Caramelized lemon and kale pesto (left), Calabrian pepperoni (right). Note: they also have vegan “forager” Roman Squares.
107 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera
Just like their brews, the folks at Fieldwork get creative when naming pizzas. But the creativity doesn’t stop at the name — their pies are known to host anything from thin-sliced sunchokes to tater tots. Start your meal with roasted shishito peppers and miso aioli and, of course, something from their ever-changing draft list.
316 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur
A pizza nook located in charming downtown Larkspur, surrounded by redwoods. Their 10-pie standard menu pays homage to Marin’s cycling roots — each pizza echoing the name of a famed bike brand — and range from veggie-forward to meat-loving. Sister restaurant, Picco, offers their food and drink options to pizzagoing customers as well. Signature Life of Luxury cocktail, anyone?
With a dedicated menu for vegan-friendly pizzas, this local favorite makes dairy-free patrons feel more than welcome. The classic (always vegetarian) pies are crisp and full-flavored, with a base of herbs and Marzano red sauce or a light ricotta sauce. Spot the owner at local Thursday farmers markets, gathering seasonal goods for weekly specials like chanterelle mushroom with shallots and lemon thyme.
298 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae
Pizza AND frozen yogurt? Brothers and business partners Pierre and Sebastien Lauga, along with Boulangerie restaurateur Pascal Rigo and Utah’s Central Milling, stepped in as owners at the frozen yogurt shop Loving Cup in Greenbrae’s Bon Air Center, adding pizza to the menu. Organic sauce and crust on a range of quick-serve pizzas (Margherita, barbecue chicken, build your own and a seasonal style) are ready in minutes. A gluten-free crust and dairy-free cheese are available. Loving Cup’s organic yogurt range also expanded to include non-dairy and banana base flavors, in addition to 15 pre-mixed flavors. A range of toppings and mix-ins is available.
West Marin
Stinson Beach – Point Reyes – Marshall – Tomales – Lagunitas-Forest Knolls
11101 California 1, Point Reyes Station
Though there’s no oyster pizza on the menu, a short menu of bivalves and Neapolitan-style pies at this cozy spot means the brick oven is a hub of activity. Margherita with hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes is a classic but the Farallon with crimini mushrooms and pepperoni is equally popular. On sunny days, sit outside at one of the large, shaded picnic tables.
Petaluma
1080 Petaluma Blvd N., Petaluma
6761 McKinley St. Suite 150, The Barlow Market, Sebastopol
8175 Gravenstein Hwy, Cotati
East meets west here with light and crispy sourdough Detroit-style deep dish and New York thin crust pizzas. Their locally-focused mindset brings California tomatoes and walnuts into a pesto pizza and Sonoma County Meat Co. Italian sausage and Double 8 Dairy fresh mozz into a spicy sausage pizza. All NY styles can be made gluten-free and people will be happy to know that Miyoko’s (another Sonoma County business) vegan mozzarella is the cheese-sub here. For those who prefer gluten, the 72-hour fermented, doubly-risen crust provides a crunch that is hard to beat. Three locations across Sonoma County make this a great destination for wherever you’re staying.
More Local Favorites in the North Bay
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Meet our always-hungry team of foodies who compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.
4 thoughts on “Best Pizza in the North Bay”
I still haven’t found any pizza in the North Bay that matches Tony’s Pizza in North Beach. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know.
I agree Matt. Tony’s is the best pizza I’ve ever had, even while visiting Italy.
Matt, I totally agree. Tony’s is one of the few reasons I will make the trip to the city. Just for Tony’s pizza, especially their margarita. Pure heaven.
I’ll have to make a trip to Tony’s soon!