Bubbala&#x27;s

This is a cool little spot in Fairfax. The service, food,…read moreambiance, and location are all great. Fairfax is kind of out of the way, but worth the trip!

On my day off I took a little solo "progressive lunch" journey where I like to stop along the way…read morein Marin County and try three or four different places. My first spot at Strawberry Village was disappointing, so I popped in here and was greeted by the ever so friendly and humorous server named Ty. I love his energy and ability to work the whole room in an efficient manner. I had the $17 pancake with tax, tip, etc. I really enjoyed it and watching the floor show put on was quite entertaining! I arrived before the crowd started popping in, and then it quickly picked up with hungry, eager customers. Next time I'll have a real meal, but I might have to stop at the bank first. Great spot, terrific service, nice environment, easy to park across the street in the free parking lot Fairfax is a terrific town to browse through as well. I stumbled into "Sonas" across the street and had a great conversation with the proprietor GERRY. This is a hipster, eclectic clothing, boutique for women and men. A must stop when in Fairfax.

California scramble

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Table setting

The Lodge

4.5(80 reviews)

0.8 mi

I've been going by The Lodge for years and finally stopped in. The only disappointment is that I…read moredidn't stop by earlier. The service was fantastic, friendly and accommodating. I had two tacos that were tasty and full of goodness. They let me get one chicken and one steak taco. The atmosphere is homie and the decor interesting. You run into the eatery before you get into downtown Fairfax, it's on the left and be sure to look out for it. I highly recommend a visit.

This is a very cool spot very Fairfax, Marin County vibes…read more Casual "hiptituity", laid-back, very chill. Indoor and outdoor seating. A couple of outdoor areas, some under shade with picnic tables. Located in Marin County, California, The Lodge in Fairfax is an iconic, historic establishment built in 1908 by the Arbini and Segale families as The Old Timer's Saloon, serving as the town's very first bar. After years of being utilized differently, the building underwent an extensive two-year restoration. The owners of the San Francisco bike shop Big Swingin' Cycles purchased the property, upgrading its infrastructure, adding a kitchen, and building a large, dog-friendly outdoor beer garden. You get that feeling that you really are at a lodge at the lake in Wisconsin. At least for a minute, it brings back memories. However, in place of the white and red pine trees are the gorgeous redwoods providing shade. Nice tap beer list with healthy portions served. I had the mushroom tacos, vegetarian style with a little salad and chips $10 and a half a beer. My lunch mate had the summer salad with chicken added $25 bucks which is a little steep, but certainly enough for two people. Served in a very large bowl. It's quite impressive. I would forgo the protein and save the six bucks extra. Great spot, great service, great ambience, great food, and beer. Walk,drive your car, or bicycle in. There are a bike racks and some parking on site.

The bar at The Lodge

So good!

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Mas Masa

4.1(292 reviews)

Anna has a beautiful location, great food, and nice vibes with a killer kindness that makes me want…read moreto drive all the way back from Oakland for another round of those sweet potato quesadillas! I loved our time here on the patio, the joy, and the fun! Thank you Anna!

Ooohh no..what initially attracted me to this place was the outdoor set up. Its right in the middle…read morea whole bunch of trees and feels so refreshing. I had a beer which made the outdoor experience a prime spot. However, for food I would say you can skip it. We had three items, my mom had the fish tacos which she said lacked salt, I had a burrito which was the size of my hand in length Listen if you are going to pay 15 dollars plus per meal I expect great quality. My burrito was also bland.The hot sauces helped the burrito, they were spicy and a nice consistency. The server was super nice, he made sure we had water and ample space for our strollers.

Outdoor dining area at Mas Masa

Quesabirria tacos with fresh made corn tortillas

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Al Pastor

FairFix Cafe

3.8(171 reviews)

The Archie Williams Sandwich is a good one, especially the hard roll that comes on and the…read morewatermellon agua fresca was excellent. Unfortunatey, the service was not great, even though it was not at all busy.

Such a delicious breakfast! We ate at the back patio which was so cute! The ladies working there…read morewere efficient and very kind! 10/10

Chorizo Croissant and an Iced Matcha Latte

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The Hummingbird

4.2(618 reviews)

I had to drive to Fairfax to pick up my daughter from camp and she was craving chicken and waffles…read more Not familiar with the area, I looked up a place on Yelp and discovered The Hummingbird, a New Orleans based restaurant. Having visited New Orleans earlier this year, I was so excited to try this place! As soon as I walked in, I felt like I was transported back to NOLA! There were beads hanging and Mardi Gras decorations throughout the restaurant. Since it was a weekday, there was no wait and we had our choice of sitting inside or out. We opted for inside. Our server was warm and friendly, bringing us water promptly. We started off with an order of beignets. It arrived with three big pieces. They were freshly fried and doused in powdered sugar. So good! My daughter ordered the chicken and waffles, while I decided to try the everything gumbo. The chicken and waffles was huge! It came with several pieces of fried chicken that was topped with freshly minced garlic and came with a homemade spicy sauce. My daughter loved it! I tried a bite and thought it was tasty as well. She ended up taking half of it home. The everything gumbo was also delicious! It was a little thin in my opinion, but the flavor was amazing! It was truly authentic and I could taste all the seafood that was in it. I finished my entire bowl! Unlike the chicken and waffle, it was appropriately sized. When I went to pay the bill, there was a sign that said "free beignets if you pay cash." So of course, I paid our bill in cash! Luckily, I had enough cash on me. Can't pass up a deal like that! All in all, it was a very enjoyable meal! If I'm ever in the area, I'd definitely go back to The Hummingbird!

Softshell crab is one of those things where after you eat one, you always want another. But most…read moresoft-shell crab dishes just come with one and you must live unrequited. Unrecrabbed. But at the Hummingbird, their very good po'boy comes with two. It's a great sandwich. I didn't love the gumbo as much. It was a little thin and kind of sweet. Not bad but not really to my taste I suppose. But I'll def go back for that sandwich.

Mmm,mmm,mmm

First kids in the Hummingbird

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Poached eggs with debris gravy and hashbrowns aka "the Jack Riggs Special"

Amélie Café and Wine Bar

4.5(177 reviews)

1.4 mi

My sons (6,8) love the escargot! Great flights of wines and the service is always so good! Have…read morebeen here many times and it is always top notch. My son actually made me write this review because he wants to go tomorrow after our hike at cataract falls.

Located in the heart of Fairfax, Marin, Amélie Café & Wine Bar was a wonderful surprise. My friend…read moresuggested we try something new, and I'm so glad we did. The restaurant serves French cuisine and definitely gives off French vibes. Having just returned from Paris a few weeks ago, I appreciated the atmosphere it reminded me of France, while still having its own unique style. We shared the French onion soup, escargot, mussels, anchovies, and a burger, and every dish was delicious. The service was quick, friendly, and attentive, making the experience even better. If you're in the area and looking for a cozy spot with great French food and wine, I'd definitely recommend giving Amélie a try.

Decor

Ravioli with Truffle Sauce

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Croque Madame for lunch

Split Rock Tap & Wheel

4.4(89 reviews)

1.4 mi

What a GREAT spot! Excellent tap choices. Solid menu. Great and friendly service. And bikes?…read moreWinning!

It was my first time being there. I ordered Tuna Melt Sandwich which was beyond good! I believe it…read morewas local store, stuff was super friendly. I enjoyed food&beer. (Ps: i ordered pickle as a side it was super crunchy love it!!)

Chicken Taco Salad (about $15) is good and full of fresh tasting ingredients

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The Bar and Beer Menu

La Gastronomia

4.4(99 reviews)

Great brunch! It's not super busy whenever I've been there for brunch which is a huge plus. Dog…read morefriendly patio with gorgeous views of the redwood trees. Coming here is a great way to start your day! Plus the owner gives back so much and donates to Vivalon: Healthy Aging Campus in San Rafael. I love supporting a local business especially when they give back and show up to our locals in need of support

Really sweet spot. Super nice staff/owners. We had reservations for brunch on Mother's Day. Place…read morehas an open kitchen. They all are working hard, making it look easy. They have great coffee/lattes. Excellent focaccia bread served with delicious olive oil. I put cracked pepper & salt in mine. Perfecto! My husband loved his grits, with veggies & perfectly poached eggs. He says, he will have it again next time. That's how much he enjoyed it! We shared the tortellini, to my daughter & I, this was the star. She had their bass, enjoyed it. I had their eggs Benedict. Next time I will have their beet (salad). Gelato was good, outsourced. Panecota was good but too small ;) We look forward to eating here again real soon.

Inside dining vibe

Focaccia, a must!

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Sorella Caffe

4.4(499 reviews)

Walt from Walt's Adventures adventuring in Fairfax, California at the Sorella Caffe…read more This restaurant appears small but it will deceive you. The eatery has inside and outside dining with the inner dining smaller than the outside area. The extended dining area has both heat and covers available. Street parking is available so be warned but the this task is worth your effort. We chose to dine outside for the inner area was at capacity... a good sign. The customer service was outstanding beyond measure. We never saw our cups empty and at the end of our meal when we were selecting desserts, they packaged our leftovers. This gesture had never been performed in all of my experiences... bravo. The food was not simply made and put on our dishes but was created with the upmost heart. Our meals were outstanding and the desserts... the literally best we ever had to consume. If you want a great Family Italian meal, then go to Fairfax, California and seek out the Sorella Caffe. A master chef and a team of professionals await you.

When going, please know that Fairfax means parking is a challenge and Sorella is doubling down on…read morethat! Also, it's in the heart of traffic craziness. It offers outside seating. indoor dining, and take out. Everyone has to enter through the same narrow entrance and jam up by the cash register. Take out, which should be the least labor intensive meal for them, is treated as the bane of their existence. Those waiting for pickup have to jump out of the way of wait staff. When I presented my credit card to pay for the sack of food, the woman who was running the register told me I made a mistake when I had done nothing. She presented the wrong screen and I paid the bill and tried to add a tip. She gave me a look! She reset the screen and asked me to do it again "correctly". I still added the tip but I was not satisfied with anything. I'll go back because the food is good. But, not on Fridays, even if very early. And always with a person to watch the car when I double park, like so many others do. It's a testament to how delicious the food is that I and hoards of others put up with the front desk staff to get great takeout.

Back room

Lasagna

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The dinning

Stillwater

3.9(112 reviews)

Came here after hiking and wow the oysters were so good along with a cider. It's dog friendly which…read moreis great so I was able to have my dog sit with me. The prices are reasonable and they have a happy hour going til 5pm. Parking can get full quick but I would suggest coming around 6pm and after.

What a gem! I was hanging with some friends who live in the area, and they wanted to check out…read moreStillwater. So happy we came here, as everything was phenomenal, and they're dog-friendly. The restaurant is quite big. They have a parklet out front which is popping, colder, but great to gather at. Inside is more intimate and well spaced, perfect for dates or hanging out with friends. They also have a patio outside, which is where we sat. It's super casual, relaxing, and quaint. We appreciate how dog-friendly they are and how kind the service is! Everyone who helped us was courteous and friendly, plus our food and drinks came out super fast. I got the Fish Tacos, and honestly they exceeded my expectations. I love how the tortilla was nice and crispy. The fish was well fried, and the taco had ample flavor. The portion was pretty solid for the price, and I left full. My friends enjoyed their appetizers and mains. We also got some drinks which were so delicious! I would love to come back here. Stillwater is a wonderful watering hole in Fairfax. Find them off the main stretch, Broadway Blvd. Parking is free but limited during busy times. It's worth a visit if you live in the area, like food and good drinks, and bonus if you have pups!

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2 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Katie T.

1 year ago

i just want to update my earlier review now that Bubbala's has been well established. As I hoped Greg & Janelle have easily maintained & even surpassed my expectations. Again OUTSTANDING Corned Beef & Pastrami Sandwiches throughout these last months since opening including zummy potato salad, cole slaw & French Fries. It's SO good that I don't want to try anything else but today my husband got the brisket. OMG this sandwich was dripping in brisket & onions in between very fresh brioche & was absolutely DELICIOUS! Ok now I have to make a choice each visit when before it was a no brainer. I guess typical first world or classic Marin problems. What's not a choice nor a problem is just go to BUBBALA's especially since they now have a big sign in the San Anselmo Safeway Hub Shopping Center. read more

Ilene W.

2 years ago

I really don't think it even deserves one star: it's awful. It doesn't resemble any great delicatessens that I'm familiar with, such as Katz's Deli in New York. read more

Bubbala's - salad - Updated August 2026

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