Places to eat in San Rafael

My family dragged me here after insisting I would have no problem finding vegetarian items on the menu. They were right!

This restaurant serves delicious barbecued foods, sizzling plates, and tempura. You will not leave hungry. For $8.95, you will get a huge plate of grilled meats or tofu, rice, and veggies. Even my 16 year old son couldn't clean his plate, and took the rest home and ate it for lunch. THAT is a lot of food!

The grilled tofu and veggies were fabulous! I will defintiely come back here!

It seems as if I've been going to San Rafael Joe's for most of my life. My brother-in-law's friends worked part-time as waiters at Joe's when they were in high school, and when we were college students, we'd sit at the counter and watch the cooks at work.

As newlyweds, my husband and I ate there weekly because it was close to where we lived and was one of the few places that served late dinners, which was convenient after a late movie at the Rafael Theater.

I remember the place when it was dimly lit, had dark wood paneling everywhere, and on weekends you could hear Larry Vanucci at the organ.

The restaurant has since been transformed into a place of light, etched glass, and brass, but there's still live music -- guitar and vocals -- on weekend evenings. The stained glass scene of Venice behind the bar always makes me feel at home.

Favorite Dish: I like the Joe's Special with mushrooms: ground beef, spinach, and mushrooms scrambled together with egg. I'm also partial to the oysters, either in a garlic and butter sauce or deep-fried, and their cheese ravioli.

The portions are generous. I usually end up taking home half my meal.

I love the food at Thai Smile. It's a tiny place offering great, affordable Thai cuisine. When I worked in San Rafael, my colleagues and I went there for lunch when our spirits needed a boost, and Thai Smile always came through for us. In good weather you can sit outside at an umbrella table.

I'd advise parking on the street, as the lot behind the restaurant is small and hard to negotiate.

Favorite Dish: I like the curries, especially the green and yellow variety, but my favorite dish by far is the Khao Mok, which is a jasmine rice dish containing chicken, raisins, and almonds.

The Thai iced tea is almost a dessert -- creamy and comforting.

We dined at this restaurant one evening in August, 2008. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, fantastic food with great presentation. We paid about $42 USD for two entrees, one appetizer, Naan bread, and one beverage, not including tip.
A very unique feature to this restaurant is the roll back roof over the dining room, allowing for an open air and rather romantic feeling on pleasant evenings.

Favorite Dish: We enjoyed Vegetable Samosas appetizer, Vegetarian Biriyani, Prawn Vindalu, Naan bread, and Chai Black Tea. Everything was delicous.
Lunch Buffet available Monday-Saturday, $8.95.

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West End Cafe is a fairly large cafe, restaurant, snack shop, bakery, deli, beer shop, and more, located in the heart of downtown San Rafael. We stopped in to the this sunny cafe on a Sunday morning and enjoy a breakfast of meat, egg, and cheese sandwiches on croissants with fried hash brown potatoes ($5 each) and coffee ($1.80 each). Maybe the service could have been a little better, but the food was tasty.

West End has been named best breakfast and best deli in San Rafael.

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Eating at the Panama Hotel is like stepping back in time to a much calmer era. Located in a residential area not far from downtown San Rafael, it has a sultry, tropical ambience that reminds me of New Orleans. Service is courteous, the food is good, and on some evenings you can dine to live music.

The Panama Hotel is also a bed and breakfast with 14 rooms, reasonably priced and all different. See the website for photos and rates.

Favorite Dish: The last time I had lunch there, I had the grilled chicken panini and announced to my friends, "I now have a new favorite sandwich!" It was a grilled chicken and cheese sandwich with a mild green chili pesto -- garlicky with just a little heat. Delicious!

House of Lee has received good reviews for its dim sum lunches, and deservedly so. For about $10 per person, you can nibble on savory tidbits like barbecued pork mini-buns, shrimp dumplings, foil-wrapped chicken, and miniature custard tarts. You can even order chicken feet, if you're so inclined.

There is also a full menu of soups, noodles, and rice dishes.

Convenient location just off of Hwy 101 at Central San Rafael exit. Nice atmosphere with live Jazz in the lounge most evenings. Food is excellent and service is attentive.

Favorite Dish: My favorite meal is the New England Platter...Fried Fish, Prawns, Scallops, and Calimari. A nice portion size and one of the better fried platters I have enjoyed anywhere..Prices are comparable to most nicer seafood restaurants in the area with better sized servings than most.