This is the best restaurant in San Rafael and they have a lot of nice ones here but this place is perfection. Food is amazing. They are fast and the service is (only) the best service you have ever experienced. That’s all. Just that.Do yourself a favor, and go here and treat yourself. The prices are very reasonable but make sure you are kind to the staff and tip generously and they will make your night really magical and special. Thanks guys. I love your love, even though Valentine’s Day is not my favorite day to go to dinner. At least when I have to go there alone. ?❤️? Vegetarian options: Look at the menu.Parking: Parking is abundantKid-friendliness: They are friendly to kids
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Ossobuco with Parmesan-Creme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes & Braised Greens, Point Reyes Blue Cheese Burger, Roasted Chioggia Beets & Burrata Cheese with Arugula Pistachios and Truffle-Honey Vinaigrette, Eggplant Parmigiana Sandwich, Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli, Loaded Fries, Clam Chowder with Sourdough Croutons, Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Marcona Almonds Pecorino Mint and Lemon Dressing, Spaghetti Carbonara with Trumpet Mushrooms Spinach Peas Bacon and Farm Egg, Truffle-Parmesan Fries with Malt Aioli, Chicken Parmigiana with Seasonal Vegetables and Fettuccini Alfredo, Grilled Tuscan Chicken Club, Calamari Fritti with Pickled Vegetables and Calabrian Chili Aioli, Roasted Chioggia Beets & Burrata with Arugula Pistachios and Truffle-Honey Vinaigrette, Little Gem Caesar Salad, Local Rock Cod with Shrimp Fingerling Potatoes Spicy Tomato-Fennel Broth with Grilled Bread, Mista Salad with Baby Lettuces Radishes Cucumbers Cherry Tomatoes & White Balsamic Dressing, Eggplant Parmigiana with Seasonal Vegetables and Fettuccini Alfredo, Spaghetti Carbonara with Trumpet Mushrooms Spinach Peas Bacon & Farm Egg, Crispy Local Rock Cod Sandwich with Green Goddess Slaw on Bordenave Sesame Brioche Bun
D Gene
Found by happenstance on my way to get a massage nearby.Don't recommend the garlic cheese bread otherwise my modest portion of brisket pappardelle ragu was warm & delicious !I had no less than four people wait on me in the bar area where I sat & watched TV in my uncomfortable chair as well listened to live music ! One of the live band members stopped by my table to visit as well as recommend the ragu I enjoyed while I waited longer than expected to orderNot sure I will return because parking is limited & the whole atmosphere and vibe was a little odd with children in the bar seating area.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
David Stroebe
Very nice local bar and restaurant. Great happy hour. Friendly staff. Great find out of main area of
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Brevin P.
Curse this place for making me write a Yelp review, but dangit they deserve it. Believe the other good ratings, they are what got us in the door. The food is high quality and delicious, the team kind and helpful. If they dimmed the lights and threw on some classy tablecloths, it would elevate the dining experience even more.Take your 5 Stars, you earned them.
poorman neiporte
Cafe Villai offers a delightful culinary journey with its exquisite blend of flavors, charming ambiance, and impeccable service, making it a must-visit for those seeking a memorable dining experience
Susan N.
The owner/manager was working the bar, and they had a deeply discounted paper plane for the happy hour, and she cranked out 3 drinks at record speed. Then we tried their food and it was fresh and delicious. I recommend avoiding the bar food as a friend said it was meager, however I definitely recommend eating a meal here.
C L.
We had the Carbonara and Diver Scallops. Both were excellent! Service was great - food fantastic. Going back soon!
Barry B.
Delicious cafe under the radar. Must have passed this place a hundred times and never knew there was a restaurant! Great service, quiet atmosphere, fresh food. Salad was great. Grouper delicious, served with mashed squash and sautéed spinach. Large wine list, several beers. Even offered my kid complementary ice cream for behaving well. Will be back!
Les_Ismoore
Attentive service, tasty appetizers (crispy Brussel Sprouts & Calamari), delicious entrees (halibut, shrimp scampi & Papparedlle beef) and comforting desserts. The house glass of Zinfandel wine was surprisingly good. Mid-century dining room design, free parking. Not too far off Hwy 101. Full bar. No table cloths. Cost of a 3-course meal, with wine & tip was just over a “C”-note – which is reasonable now days. We will definitely go back again.
Wayne J.
Attentive service, tasty appetizers (crispy Brussel Sprouts & calamari), delicious entrees (halibut, shrimp scampi & Papparedlle beef) and comforting desserts. The house glass of Zinfandel wine was surprisingly good. Mid-century dining room design, free parking. Not too far off Hwy 101. Full bar. No table cloths. Cost of a 3-course meal, with wine & tip was just over a "C"-note - which is reasonable now days. We will definitely go back again.
Been staying at villa in. For 2 months for work. Cafe villa is A-1. We'd prime rib. Rocks. As well as whole menu. Chicken parasean great as well. Great service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Ossobuco with Parmesan
Susan S.
I never expected to write a five star review for any restaurant connected to the Villa Inn, but here we go. We checked this place out after seeing the surprisingly high Yelp rating. The food is like a marriage of old school family Italian (from this East Coaster's point of view) with the bright fresh flavors of California cuisine. Our favorite was the beef ragu pappardelle. The chicken parmigiana was also good--and even better as leftovers the next day. The fettuccine Alfredo that came with it was light and authentic--not the heavy, gloppy American pretender. The venue itself is best described as unpretentious. We just picked up takeout, but it was very busy on a Saturday night. The parking lot was overflowing. I agree with another reviewer that if Cafe Villa wants to be more competitive, it should:1) change the name. Even something plain like Trattoria Villa would convey its particular appeal more. I personally would take "Villa" out to distance it from associations with the motel, but if it's a family business, they might be attached to "Villa."2) Polish the interior decorating to be either more stylish and updated or go full-on old school family Italian bistro. 3) Get a new sign that suits and advertises the restaurant better. Still, given how popular this unpretentious restaurant is in its first few months, they probably don't need my advice! As long as they keep up the high quality cuisine at affordable (especially for Marin) prices.
bradford bunnell
Great food.
Steph Tavares
Came for a group function and the food was delicious. The service was great. They even made chicken tenders for my kid. Don't be fooled by the parking lot; this place is top tier. Come before the crowds find it.
Steph Buhler
Came for a group function and the food was delicious. The service was great. They even made chicken tenders for my kid. Don't be fooled by the parking lot; this place is top tier. Come before the crowds find it.
This is the best restaurant in San Rafael and they have a lot of nice ones here but this place is perfection. Food is amazing. They are fast and the service is (only) the best service you have ever experienced. That’s all. Just that.Do yourself a favor, and go here and treat yourself. The prices are very reasonable but make sure you are kind to the staff and tip generously and they will make your night really magical and special. Thanks guys. I love your love, even though Valentine’s Day is not my favorite day to go to dinner. At least when I have to go there alone. ?❤️? Vegetarian options: Look at the menu.Parking: Parking is abundantKid-friendliness: They are friendly to kids
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Ossobuco with Parmesan-Creme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes & Braised Greens, Point Reyes Blue Cheese Burger, Roasted Chioggia Beets & Burrata Cheese with Arugula Pistachios and Truffle-Honey Vinaigrette, Eggplant Parmigiana Sandwich, Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli, Loaded Fries, Clam Chowder with Sourdough Croutons, Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Marcona Almonds Pecorino Mint and Lemon Dressing, Spaghetti Carbonara with Trumpet Mushrooms Spinach Peas Bacon and Farm Egg, Truffle-Parmesan Fries with Malt Aioli, Chicken Parmigiana with Seasonal Vegetables and Fettuccini Alfredo, Grilled Tuscan Chicken Club, Calamari Fritti with Pickled Vegetables and Calabrian Chili Aioli, Roasted Chioggia Beets & Burrata with Arugula Pistachios and Truffle-Honey Vinaigrette, Little Gem Caesar Salad, Local Rock Cod with Shrimp Fingerling Potatoes Spicy Tomato-Fennel Broth with Grilled Bread, Mista Salad with Baby Lettuces Radishes Cucumbers Cherry Tomatoes & White Balsamic Dressing, Eggplant Parmigiana with Seasonal Vegetables and Fettuccini Alfredo, Spaghetti Carbonara with Trumpet Mushrooms Spinach Peas Bacon & Farm Egg, Crispy Local Rock Cod Sandwich with Green Goddess Slaw on Bordenave Sesame Brioche Bun
Found by happenstance on my way to get a massage nearby.Don't recommend the garlic cheese bread otherwise my modest portion of brisket pappardelle ragu was warm & delicious !I had no less than four people wait on me in the bar area where I sat & watched TV in my uncomfortable chair as well listened to live music ! One of the live band members stopped by my table to visit as well as recommend the ragu I enjoyed while I waited longer than expected to orderNot sure I will return because parking is limited & the whole atmosphere and vibe was a little odd with children in the bar seating area.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
Very nice local bar and restaurant. Great happy hour. Friendly staff. Great find out of main area of
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Curse this place for making me write a Yelp review, but dangit they deserve it. Believe the other good ratings, they are what got us in the door. The food is high quality and delicious, the team kind and helpful. If they dimmed the lights and threw on some classy tablecloths, it would elevate the dining experience even more.Take your 5 Stars, you earned them.
Cafe Villai offers a delightful culinary journey with its exquisite blend of flavors, charming ambiance, and impeccable service, making it a must-visit for those seeking a memorable dining experience
The owner/manager was working the bar, and they had a deeply discounted paper plane for the happy hour, and she cranked out 3 drinks at record speed. Then we tried their food and it was fresh and delicious. I recommend avoiding the bar food as a friend said it was meager, however I definitely recommend eating a meal here.
We had the Carbonara and Diver Scallops. Both were excellent! Service was great - food fantastic. Going back soon!
Delicious cafe under the radar. Must have passed this place a hundred times and never knew there was a restaurant! Great service, quiet atmosphere, fresh food. Salad was great. Grouper delicious, served with mashed squash and sautéed spinach. Large wine list, several beers. Even offered my kid complementary ice cream for behaving well. Will be back!
Attentive service, tasty appetizers (crispy Brussel Sprouts & Calamari), delicious entrees (halibut, shrimp scampi & Papparedlle beef) and comforting desserts. The house glass of Zinfandel wine was surprisingly good. Mid-century dining room design, free parking. Not too far off Hwy 101. Full bar. No table cloths. Cost of a 3-course meal, with wine & tip was just over a “C”-note – which is reasonable now days. We will definitely go back again.
Attentive service, tasty appetizers (crispy Brussel Sprouts & calamari), delicious entrees (halibut, shrimp scampi & Papparedlle beef) and comforting desserts. The house glass of Zinfandel wine was surprisingly good. Mid-century dining room design, free parking. Not too far off Hwy 101. Full bar. No table cloths. Cost of a 3-course meal, with wine & tip was just over a "C"-note - which is reasonable now days. We will definitely go back again.
Restaurantji Recommends
Been staying at villa in. For 2 months for work. Cafe villa is A-1. We'd prime rib. Rocks. As well as whole menu. Chicken parasean great as well. Great service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Ossobuco with Parmesan
I never expected to write a five star review for any restaurant connected to the Villa Inn, but here we go. We checked this place out after seeing the surprisingly high Yelp rating. The food is like a marriage of old school family Italian (from this East Coaster's point of view) with the bright fresh flavors of California cuisine. Our favorite was the beef ragu pappardelle. The chicken parmigiana was also good--and even better as leftovers the next day. The fettuccine Alfredo that came with it was light and authentic--not the heavy, gloppy American pretender. The venue itself is best described as unpretentious. We just picked up takeout, but it was very busy on a Saturday night. The parking lot was overflowing. I agree with another reviewer that if Cafe Villa wants to be more competitive, it should:1) change the name. Even something plain like Trattoria Villa would convey its particular appeal more. I personally would take "Villa" out to distance it from associations with the motel, but if it's a family business, they might be attached to "Villa."2) Polish the interior decorating to be either more stylish and updated or go full-on old school family Italian bistro. 3) Get a new sign that suits and advertises the restaurant better. Still, given how popular this unpretentious restaurant is in its first few months, they probably don't need my advice! As long as they keep up the high quality cuisine at affordable (especially for Marin) prices.
Great food.
Came for a group function and the food was delicious. The service was great. They even made chicken tenders for my kid. Don't be fooled by the parking lot; this place is top tier. Come before the crowds find it.
Came for a group function and the food was delicious. The service was great. They even made chicken tenders for my kid. Don't be fooled by the parking lot; this place is top tier. Come before the crowds find it.