TOP PICKS

Downtown Dining in Larkspur

Looking for gourmet restaurants with small town charm? Here are some local favorites.

Our Top Picks

Recommendation  #1
Restaurant Picco

Picco's market-driven cuisine blends Italian flavors with those from California and is designed with sharing in mind. 

On the menu under a section called Labor of Love lies Marin’s most famous risotto. The ultimate slow food dish insists the kitchen pours, stirs, repeats until the rice glistens and the season’s best vegetables give with just the right amount of resistance beneath your teeth. This attention to slow carries across the menu, including the day’s selection of mesquite-grilled options which adheres to the Cal-Italian ethos in plates of Spanish octopus zhushed up with crispy yuca and harissa or sweet potatoes and lentils adorned with urfa chile-spiced cashew “goat” cheese. 

Picco's full bar serves seasonal mixed drinks and classic cocktails, and their award winning wine features an eclectic collection of bottles from the best growing regions around the globe.

Don’t missSeasonal Risotto, Mesquite-grilled Bone-in Pork Chop, Kampachi Crudo

GET MORE INFO
HOURS:
Mon - Thur: 5pm – 8pm; Fri - Sat: 4:30pm - 8:30pm; Sunday: 4pm - 8pm
Recommendation #2
Locanda Marin

The artist formerly known as Roma Antica may have changed its name, but the restaurant’s commitment to Roman-style pizza known as pinsa is unchanged. Suppli, Roman style arancini, are right at home alongside chicken parmigiana and veal saltimbocca. The quaint Cape Cod style building that houses the restaurant boasts a popular shaded front porch. It is one of the few restaurants we can think of that still brings fresh bread when you sit down.

Don’t miss: Pinsa, Meatballs, Bucatini Amatriciana

GET MORE INFO
HOURS:
Sun - Thur: 12pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 10pm
Recommendation #3
R'noh Thai

The view from R'Noh's back patio looks out over a small patch of nature near Corte Madera Creek. The restaurant offers inventive Thai cuisine with a variety of regional specials. 

Lunch specials, like Pumpkin Chicken Curry, arrive with enough veggies, rice and salad to make a satisfying meal. And you can never go wrong with with their fresh rolls and pad Thai.

Don’t missLarb Chicken Salad, Panang Curry, Garlic Noodles; Thai BBQ Pork

GET MORE INFO
HOURS:
Monday, Wednesday - Saturday: 11am - 2:30pm (lunch)/4pm - 8:30pm (dinner); Sunday: 4pm - 8:30pm; Closed on Tuesdays
Recommendation #4
Farm House Local

A California Cuisine devotee, chef-owner David Monson shares his gusto for local and seasonal at breakfast and lunch. That means the creamed spinach that accompanies a plate of scratch biscuits and sausage gravy is organic, and wild mushrooms grace the portobello mushroom panini. There’s often a line on weekends after 10 a.m. The smooth move, especially if your goal is a seat on the shaded patio, is to arrive early and savor a cup of organic, fair trade Bicycle Coffee while you wait for a table.

Don’t Miss: ChilaquilesSoup of the Day (they are all delicious!), Scratch Biscuits & Sausage GravyPotato-celery Root Pancakes with House-cured Gravlax

GET MORE INFO
HOURS:
Open Daily: 8am - 3pm
Recommendation #5
Keiko Fish

Chef Yoshi Abe has over 20 years experience working at some of the finest sushi restaurants, including stints in Kobe, Japan, Sushi Sasabune in Los Angeles, and Morimoto Napa. He and his wife opened Keiko Fish in December 2021, and it has quickly become a community favorite.

While you may be handed a menu to peruse, make sure to read what’s listed on the chalkboard as that’s where the freshest sushi action is. One would be wise to select the Omakase, chef’s choice of four, five or six courses that may include blue crab hand roll and whatever is most recently plucked out of the ocean. It’s a small restaurant with about 10 tables so don’t be shy about sitting at the sushi counter. That’s where the action is anyway. Chatting with the chef entirely optional but recommended.

If you're thirsty, the restaurant offers four types of sake, three bottled wines and Asahi Japanese beer.

Don’t missFried Onion Albacore SashimiSliced Yellowtail Jalapeño Crudo with crispy garliccilantro & ponzu sauce; and Crispy Sushi rice topped with spicy tuna and avocado drizzled with eel sauce

GET MORE INFO
HOURS:
Tue - Thur: 12pm - 2:30pm (lunch); 4:30pm - 8:30pm (dinner) Fri - Sat: 12pm - 2:30pm (lunch); 4:30pm - 9:30pm (dinner) Sunday 12pm - 2:30pm (lunch); 4:30pm - 8:30pm (dinner) Monday: Closed
Recommendation #6
GET MORE INFO
HOURS:
Recommendation #7
GET MORE INFO
HOURS:
Recommendation #8
GET MORE INFO
HOURS:
Recommendation #9
GET MORE INFO
HOURS:
Recommendation #10
GET MORE INFO
HOURS: