The 9 Best Restaurants Near the Sausalito Ferry (2023)

Whether you’ve visited before or are planning your first trip, you’ll soon know that Sausalito has a great dining scene. There are restaurants in a variety of different cuisines, and cover the range from casual to high-end. Best of all, Sausalito is a compact enough community that you can walk almost everywhere during your visit. But how do you choose where to eat when there are so many great options?

In this post, I decided to set different criteria for your search. Instead of ranking the restaurant based on cuisine (like Indian) or type of food (like seafood), I’m limiting this list to those restaurants closest to the Sausalito Ferry terminal – which is a very popular way to reach Sausalito, after all.

So if you’re planning a visit to Sausalito and arriving (or departing) by way of the ferry, use this list as a guide. You’ll find a ranking of the best restaurants near the Sausalito Ferry to make planning that part of your trip so much easier.

This post was originally published in January 2022, and was updated most recently in January 2023.

The Best Sausalito Restaurants Near the Ferry

In all of my posts about where to eat in Sausalito, I like to use a system to rank the restaurants. Rather than rank these restaurants near the Sausalito ferry based on my own opinion, I’ve designed my own formula that takes into account three factors:

• public ratings (including my own, as I leave reviews on sites like Yelp, Google, and Facebook too)
• the restaurant’s popularity (total reviews)
• proximity to the Sausalito Ferry

These last two factors are “bonus” factors – they give you a sense of which restaurants are universally beloved and easy to reach if you’re visiting Sausalito.

In the end, each restaurant receives a score out of 5 – but a restaurant can score higher than five based on the bonuses for being close to the ferry and how popular it is. In general, the higher the score, the better – and any restaurant above 5 has great food! Here is my ranked list of the best restaurants near the Sausalito ferry:

Rank (2023)	Restaurant	Distance (mi)	Score (2021)	Change (since 2022)
1	Napa Valley Burger	0.10	4.89	↑1
2	Barrel House Tavern	0.10	4.79	↑1
3	Scoma’s of Sausalito	0.25	4.67	↓2
4	Copita	0.10	4.43	↑3
5	Poggio Trattoria	0.20	4.41	–
6	The Spinnaker	0.20	4.37	↓2
7	Angelino Restaurant	0.20	4.29	↓1
8	Venice Pizzeria	0.20	4.24	–

In this list, the distance was the main criteria for inclusion; only restaurants within a quarter-mile (0.25mi) were eligible to be on the list. However, if you notice a restaurant you want to visit that’s not on this list, don’t skip it: most restaurants are within 0.75 miles from the ferry terminal, so it’s easy to walk to almost everywhere in town!

1. Napa Valley Burger

No list of Sausalito Restaurants near the ferry would be complete without mentioning the number one spot for burgers in Sausalito – and it turns out that it’s also the best restaurant near the ferry overall!

Napa Valley Burger Company isn’t an ordinary fast-food chain. They specialize in making gourmet hamburgers, and, oh boy, they’ve succeeded at it as their hamburgers are delicious. Their assortment of burgers includes the Baja burger, the Whiskey Bacon Burger, and the Stinson Beach BBQ Burger. The restaurant also boasts an impressive wine portfolio, with plenty of varietal wines from Napa Valley Wine Country and a fantastic selection of well-kept draught beers.

Napa Valley Burger is also one of the restaurants near the Sausalito ferry that cater to the palate of adults and children alike.  

2. Barrel House Tavern

Barrel House Tavern is one of the first restaurants you notice as the ferry’s pulls into Sausalito.

Located in historic Sausalito, Barrel House Tavern has a privileged spot overlooking the San Francisco Bay, and “what a view!” is the first thing that comes to your mind when you enter the restaurant. Their menu has a wide variety of offerings, from American comfort food to Mexican fare. The Spanish Octopus and Tartare Tacos are standouts.

As a heads up, this place gets packed pretty quickly, so if you don’t want to wait, make sure that you book a reservation beforehand. 

3. Scoma’s of Sausalito

There are many reasons to book a table at Scoma’s of Sausalito. The waterfront restaurant tops the list of best seafood and Italian restaurants in Sausalito, so you know you’re in for a treat.

Scoma’s earns its spot as the third-best Sausalito restaurant near the ferry primarily due to its incredible service. Not only is it warm and attentive, but it is also fast. Even better, their speed of service doesn’t compromise the food’s quality. If you’re in a hurry and want to grab a bite but still be on time to board the ferry, then Scoma’s of Sausalito is your best bet. 

4. Copita

Are you in the mood for Mexican food? Copita is one of the best Sausalito Restaurants near the ferry to enjoy Mexican fare. This lovely restaurant reunites three factors that guarantee you’ll have a great meal: fantastic ambiance, delicious food, and friendly staff.

The menu is extensive and lends itself to sharing between a big group. Expect seasonal and modern Mexican dishes, with various types of ceviches, tacos, and meats. If you visit on a hot summer day, don’t miss the chance to try their frisky margaritas or a few of their cocktails. They are truly exceptional.  

 5. Poggio Trattoria

Poggio Trattoria is another alternative for where to eat near the Sausalito ferry, even though it’s not on the water. The Italian restaurant has earned the third spot on the podium for the best pizza in town.

They specialize in Northern Italy’s cuisine, so expect lots of tagliatelle, pappardelle, and tiramisù, of course. As for the pizza, you can’t go wrong with any of them. However, don’t hesitate and order the Salsiccia, a delicious combination of Calabrian chili pork sausage, tomato, red onions, broccoli, and mozzarella.  

6. The Spinnaker

If you don’t mind splurging on your meals, then go straight to The Spinnaker. Their strong points are similar to other Sausalito restaurants: excellent views paired with excellent food. However, The Spinnaker combines these two variables in a way that makes their prices worth it.

The Spinnaker’s location and set-up of this place are absolutely stunning. It is right on the water and makes you feel like you should own a sailboat. Then, there’s the food. Whether you’re getting a small snack or a big meal, the food quality is superlative, with all dishes deliciously prepared and served in utmost style. 

7. Angelino Restaurant

If Poggio Trattoria was the perfect place to try Northern Italian flavors, Angelino Restaurant is the place to enjoy Southern Italian staples. Locals argue that Angelino Restaurant serves the best pasta in Sausalito; it’s definitely on my list for the best Italian in town.

Shroud you crave a bowl of pasta, you can choose among its orecchiette, ravioli, or fusilli al forno. If you’d like the cheesy staple, ask for their pizza Margherita, and you won’t be disappointed. Like most restaurants on the list, Angelino enjoys sweeping views of the bay and the San Francisco skyline. Another perk of eating in Angelino is that you can snag a table without reservations despite its popularity. 

8. Venice Pizzeria

You can easily overlook Venice Pizzeria while walking along the waterfront. This tiny venue is famous for preparing pizzas with unusual combinations of ingredients. Their Clam or Shrimp and Garlic Pizzas are excellent examples.

Their menu also offers a selection of sandwiches and salads for those who prefer less heavy meals. Another perk of dining in Venice Pizzeria is that the prices are affordable and the portions hefty –perfect if you’re visiting Sausalito on a budget.

The restaurant also has an outdoor patio, providing gorgeous waterfront views. Order their delicious sangria to accompany your meal to continue with the Mediterranean vibes.

No matter which restaurant you choose, these are all great options within a quarter-mile of the Sausalito ferry terminal. Almost all have great water views, patios, or both, making them perfect for a great meal. Have any questions about these restaurants near the Sausalito ferry? Let me know in the comments.