Alfresco Dining in Tiburon

March 31, 2025

Alfresco Dining in Tiburon

One of the joys spring’s arrival and its longer days is the chance to take advantage of our mild weather by dining outdoors, and downtown Tiburon is the place to book a table if you want to share fresh seafood with the family, book brunch with the besties, or linger with a date over authentic Italian food on a quiet deck. 

Here are just a few savory alfresco suggestions.

1. Sam’s Anchor Cafe - A Tiburon institution since 1920, Sam’s is a beloved local haunt known for its sweeping views of San Francisco and Angel Island, as well as its lively back deck that gets packed with the sun’s out, especially around the outdoor bar.  

What to Order? Go for local oysters, the Smoked Lobster Roll, or the classic Fish & Chips. 

2. Luna Blu - Perched right on the water, this intimate Italian eatery has a quiet patio ideal for romantic meals or a midweek rendezvous. 

What to Order? Fresh pasta, eggplant parmigiana, risotto and pan seared branzino will transport you to Italy.  The tiramisu and cannoli are a sweet way to end the meal too.

3. The Bungalow Kitchen by Michael Mina -
This waterfront spot is just steps from the ferry landing, with cool coastal California vibes on the inside and a spacious outdoor patio with spanoramic views of Angela Island and the bay. Shake up the weekend with Diane’s Bloody Mary Brunch, held Saturday & Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with live music to set the mood.

What to Order? Steak and eggs is a brunch crowd pleaser and the Crème Brulée French Toast is worth the trip alone..  

4. Tiburon Tavern - This casual restaurant within The Lodge at Tiburon is walking distance from Main Street, with a large sunny patio great for bigger groups and families who can meet for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, prepared with farm-to-table ingredients.

What to Order? The creamy lobster Mac & Cheese, served in a cast iron skillet, and the Ahi Tuna Nachos, with avocado, green onions, cilantro and siracha aioli on wonton chips are solid choices. Tuesdays means $5 tacos from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and happy hour (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) means every day is a good day to invite a friend for drinks.

5. Malibu Farm - Occupying the former Servino space (which in their new  home on Ark Row),  the casual restaurant is open seven days a week, with breakfast and brunch on weekends, including a delicious selection of baked goods such as scones, cinnamon rolls, and chocolate croissants, which you can eat on their outdoor patio overlooking the bay.

What to order? For something light, the citrus and burrata salad hits the spot. For decadence, go for the crispy Dungeness crab tacos. They also have a tempting selection of vegan and vegetarian pizzas.

6. Lola’s Taqueria - Tucked away on Ark Row, this friendly and casual ‘order at the counter’ taqueria offers a wide variety of tasty Mexican dishes that you can eat inside or at the few tables out front in a quiet part of downtown. Lola’s open’s every day from 10 a.m. so you can get your south of the border fix early. Vegans and vegetarians will find plenty to love too.

What to order? Chilaquiles or a breakfast burrito in the mornings. You can go wrong with any of the Platos Fuertes (main dishes), which are substantial and flavorful, especially homemade tamales, carnitas, and chicken in mole sauce, made with 15 kinds of spices. 

For more dining suggestions visit Destination Tiburon