Exactly three years to the day we came back to Rancho Nicasio to see Tommy Castro and the Painkillers. Quick note about TC. He won the coveted BB King Blues Entertainer of the year 2022 and the band also won the Blues Band of the year 2022. Quite the accomplishment! Rancho Nicasio will send you back in time for sure. It is truly an old fashioned roadhouse. Rustic and charming it is the perfect venue for music. Last time there we had eaten elsewhere prior to the show but last night we ate at the ranch and it was damn good. We both had the rib eye steak dinner, my wife is the most picky eater you can imagine. She proclaimed the steak the best she has had in 10 years! I can't disagree it was that good. Service at Rancho Nicasio is fantastic a series of servers asking if anything is needed and doing whatever they can to make the evening more enjoyable. Arrived about 6:30, had dinner and a bottle of wine (finished during the show). Perfect timing, finished dinner and the show started 10 minutes later. We sat at virtually the same table as three years ago. Pro tip: While it is a little further back, it's a bit higher so you can still see and listen with people standing and dancing. If you haven't been to Rancho Nicasio, get tickets for a show, have a few drinks and be ready for one hell of a good time! PS: Tommy Castro and the Painkillers were awesome! read more

Rancho Nicasio - TC and the Painkillers - American Near Me - Nicasio, California

See all

Cute rustic style steakhouse restaurant bar and live music. They have lunch during the day I believe. Friendly staff clean inside and out. The grilled ribeye steak was divine! Order with confidence ! Moist delicious, ordered medium , color and taste was spot on! Best steak ive had in a long time. Very flavorful! Mouth watering. The mashed gravy and veggies all amazing. Veggies were pan seared for that extra flavor. Staff was super friendly and i caught the live show/band playing. Will come again! read more

See all

This was a place I drove by numerous times without thinking twice about stopping in. When our friends in West Marin invited here, we were naturally curious. Maybe it was the company, maybe it was Rancho. I don't know, but I had a blast here, and it exceeded every expectation. We sat at the bar. It was chill. They were accommodating. We had a large group - 6 adults and 6 kids. They let us move tables together. They checked in on us and also made sure the kids had what they needed. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and drinks, and they came pretty quickly. The wine was good. The calamari was good. The spinach artichoke dip was good. The fried green tomatoes were okay (I've lived in the South). The fries were good. They made up a special chicken plates for the kids. The space also has a great outside area where you can have a picnic and listen to music while the kids run around on the turf. This was all a pretty pleasant surprise. Parking was easy. It was a little pricey, but the portions were big. Service was great. We'll be back! read more

It's been a few years since I've been here. You walk to the back and order at the bar outside. We sat outside on the deck because they have heaters and the nights are cooling off. I had the fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw, pickles and mayo. (Coleslaw is on the sandwich.) It came with fries also. It was hot and very tasty. My dining companions had the fish and chips. They were impressed by the amount of fish that they got and said that it was hot and perfectly cooked (not overdone). They usually have some indoor dining but not tonight for some reason. I will be back. read more

Rancho Nicasio - American Near Me - Nicasio, California

The ambiance is wonderful. Love the dinner club feel. The chicken was okay the other items better. Thoroughly enjoyed the show and the service was very good given the amount of people being served. read more

Have been here many times. The dinner show last weekend was excellent and had a great crowd. The best thing EVER on the menu was a special carne asada. OMG, I am still remembering how delicious, thinly cut, and perfectly charred it was. I wish it was on their regular menu! read more

Okay, this place is truly wonderful! We went to see the Flatlanders perform for the July 4 weekend, and it was everything we'd hoped and more. The grounds are beautiful, and well-tended. The food was great! We partook of the "bbq" that was offered in the outdoor performance space (delish, including perfectly cooked salmon - extra kudos for that!) as well as in the restaurant. Fresh raw oysters, amazing blackberry iced tea, a burger with all the fixins, grilled to perfection. The staff was welcoming and attentive throughout. The owners. Angela and Bob, were in attendance from start to finish, gracious and accommodating, and the iconic Angela Strehli performed with her old friends from TX all 3 days. An amazing treat for us all. Parking was easy, bathrooms were spotless, the views magnificent. I can't wait to go back there!!! It's a slice of heaven on earth!! read more

See all

We hosted our daughter's wedding ceremony and reception at Rancho Nicasio in late September and could not have been happier with the outcome. From initial contact throughout the planning and execution of the 150 person event, Marina was a pleasure to work with and made everything effortless. Her guidance and recommendations were very helpful and always aimed at delivering the best possible guest and bridal experience. From coordinating with our band to the minute to minute timing of the day, it all went without any hitches or surprises. Clearly this venue knows what they are doing and does it well. The setting is gorgeous, surrounded by the beautiful Marin countryside and provides an ideal layout for ceremony, dinner, and dancing. While space is abundant it maintains an intimate feeling to ensure guest are comfortable, relaxed and have an enjoyable time. The cottage provided to the bridal part for the entire day was a huge benefit for overall logistics and providing the bride that special time with her closest friends. Last but certainly not least, the food was amazing! Getting a buffet done right for 150 is not easy task, yet the kitchen delivered perfectly cooked salmon and chicken, a beautiful spread of roasted vegetables as well as everything else on the menu that simply exceeded expectations. We were beyond pleased as was our daughter. At the end of the day, giving the bride her dream wedding is what it is all about and with the right excellence of Rancho Nicasio, her dream came true. read more

I got married in September 2025, and the whole day was absolutely amazing. From initial conversations with Marina all the way to the final day-of details, Marina was organized, considerate, and an overall pleasure to work with. Her organized planning document and phone calls helped me feel heard and on top of things! She helped my wedding vision come to life! The venue itself is beautiful and it was the perfect space to accommodate 160 guests. The food and drinks were fantastic, and there were many options for every dietary need. Rancho Nicasio's crew and sound tech were all so kind and professional. There is a bridal cottage on site that my bridesmaids and I had access to the morning of the wedding. This made getting ready and seeing the venue come together easy and relaxing. Our wedding day was the best day of my life, and Rancho Nicasio played a huge role in that! I cannot recommend and thank them enough!! read more

I got married at Rancho in May 2025. Rancho Nicasio is truly a hidden gem in the heart of Marin County! From the very first visit, I knew this was where I wanted to get married. The venue is absolutely breathtaking -- the rustic charm, sweeping views, and peaceful countryside made for the most beautiful backdrop imaginable Planning the entire wedding was so easy and enjoyable thanks to Marina, who was there every step of the way. She made the process seamless from start to finish -- always organized, responsive, and incredibly kind. Every detail came together perfectly, and I never felt stressed once. The bridal cottage was such a wonderful perk -- cozy, private, and perfectly set up for getting ready with my bridal party. It made the morning of the wedding feel relaxed and special. And the dinner buffet? Absolutely divine! Every dish was delicious, beautifully presented, and our guests couldn't stop raving about how scrumptious everything was. It truly felt like a fine-dining experience in the most welcoming, country-chic setting. The whole day was smooth, easy, and full of joy -- I couldn't have dreamed of a more perfect wedding. It was the best day of my life. I also love that I can return to Rancho Nicasio anytime for lunch or dinner and relive those wonderful memories -- it's like stepping back into that magical day every time I visit. read more

I got married on October 11, 2025 and the entire day was spectacular. It was such a success largely due to the entire staff at Rancho Nicasio. Marina answered every question, anticipated my needs, and offered amazing recommendations for the event. She did an excellent job following up with all of my vendors and guided me throughout the planning process. My husband and I wanted something casual with a lot of flair, and boy, did they deliver. The setting is unreal and offering a shuttle to our guests made things easy and fun. Marina was there to greet us as we arrived and handled every aspect of the day. The actual ceremony was underneath the trees in front of 125 guests. After cocktail hour guests were seated at beautifully decorated tables outside. The food was wonderful and exactly what we asked for. The band (shout out to Mitch Polzac!!) has played there many times and knew exactly what to do. The dance floor was filled all evening. I have never been so relaxed hosting a party. If you are looking for something with character you really need to check out this place. It was perfection! read more

Nice people snd poor BBQ-dried out tasteless., quite a retro scene but friendly. Should book good me careful and not cheap.

It's been several years since I've eaten at Rancho Nicasio. It's only a 30 minute drive from Petaluma, so I thought I'd give it a retry... There was good news and bad news. The good news was the front dining room: the people, the food, the drinks, and the ambiance. From the greeter to the bartender/waiter to the server to the folks at the bar, the people were great! Started with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for my bride and my first Coors (regular) in a couple of decades. The wine was tasty and my beer glass felt like it came right from the freezer. Ahhhhh.... I started with a half dozen BBQ Sauce oysters. Mmmmmm good! Then we each had an order of fish and chips. OMG good. The 4 pieces of fish were crispy, hot like they just came out of the fryer (which they did !), and the fries were my favorites Steak Fries. Oh yeah! And great with my 2nd Coors. And in the background we could hear "The Familiar Strangers" playing some great music. Wanted to get home before dark. The ride was easy peasy except when it turned into D street at the Petaluma line. What was the Bad News you ask? I used Apple Maps app and it took me to the depths of Novato and got directed to 1 Rancheria Road IN NOVATO and then we were a one bar and couldn't use the GPS to navigate.... . I'm gonna focus only the "the back way" using D street which becomes Pt. Reyes Petaluma Road in the future. This was just TOO MUCH FUN with great price/performance to pass up. I liked a ton of the things on the menu like the oysters on the half shell, and the bbq oysters with garlic butter, the calamari Fritti, the crab cakes, the fresh grilled artichoke, chicken wings, New England clam Chowder; the salads like Caesar, Wedge. On the main side Rancho Burger, brisket sandwich, fish takes, the fish and chips AGAIN etc. Have no clue about the desserts. I was too full to ask! read more

If you want to be ignored, 1.5 hours and no food, visit on a Monday. Others who arrived after us enjoyed consuming their delights, sadly I cannot comment on the food, I didn't receive any. read more

Yummy food. Good atmosphere. Takes a while to Drive to, but it is worth the adventure. read more

Stay away, the service here is condescending. We walked into the restaurant and we witnessed a 50 year old lady working there raising her voice at a man for not tipping on his to go meals. Once he left she made a side comment about not having to tell white people to tip. I could not believe what I had heard. We were not able to enjoy our food after that comment was made. We will not be returning or recommending this place to our friends. read more

My sister, brother-in-law and I were there for lunch today. I had their Rancho Burger. It was delicious. The service was also very good.

We were out for a Sunday drive when we came upon Rancho Nicasio R&B. It is situated out in the middle of what appears to be nowhere. Actually, it is about the center of Marin county. There was an musical event going on outside, but we didn't have tickets. So, we decided to check out the bar. Looking at the animals on the wall, I thought this place must been around for 100 years, however, the original hotel burned in the 40s, so the bar is newer than I thought. We decided to try their Tomales Bay Oysters, and Calamari Fritti - - they were both yummy! We also had a drink from the bar. The bartender was friendly and gave us good service! And I had a fun time running around the bar taking pictures! If you're vegetarian, all the animals on the wall might freak you out. The bartender said that there used to be six times as many animals on the wall. It looked like people are having a great time at the event in the back of the property. You can check online to see what else is available is season. The tickets seemed pretty reasonable, too. If you live in the bay area, it is not that far of a drive. After having a bite at Rancho Nicasio we went for a hike! read more

See all

Went on Easter Sunday, the scenery was absolutely beautiful. The food was okay, but buffet style isn't really my favorite. I will say that besides it being buffet and being served outside, all of the food options were cold (including ones I assume were meant to be warm). The main problem came from the staff. Working in food service myself, I understand that workers can sometimes appear snappy under pressure. But who I assume to be the manager, owner, or shift lead was flagrantly rude and passive aggressive. As paying customers it was a real slap in the face to be treated the way we were. If it were not for the staff, I would return and try menu items made to order instead of buffet but I cannot justify the long drive for poor service. read more

I cannot praise Rancho and the team there enough! From day 1, even just touring the venue, we felt right at home. Marina is so attentive and helpful throughout the whole process. Any fears or concerns I had, there was a practical and helpful answer. The quality of the work and service was incredible, and it made the entire wedding experience from the planning to the event, easy and low-stress. The venue itself was so accommodating to our guests. It's the perfect blend of rustic and natural beauty. Small details really show the charm and character of Rancho that your generic venue could never. Also, I could rave about the food for another paragraph too. SO good! The guests loved it. read more

See all

Well, this was a pleasant surprise! Rancho Nicasio R&B is the perfect venue for a Covid-19 luncheon. The dining is currently all outdoors, though during the "before times", and hopefully soon they have a large indoor space for all manner of eating, drinking, listening, and dancing. But, for now, we ate outside n this lovely setting. Today the weather was brisk, but the service was warm. Rancho Nicasio R&B is a well placed stop along a western Marin drive, for a lunch in the sunshine. Physical-distancing is well accommodated, and staff is fully masked and very cautious, making us feel comfortable, as well. It's a nice place to bring well behaved kids, too. The food is hearty. The portions are NTB/NTS! More like "just right!". We shared some ribs, which were as good as any "rib joint", along with two sides. Since I'm being health conscious these days I got Mac' n Cheese for both my sides... yum! (macaroni is a vegetable, right?). Although, I must say, I would have preferred that the Mac' n Cheese was more creamy. Good flavor, but dry. We also had the Fried Chicken Sandwich, on a Dutch Crunch roll, which was very nice. The batter was thin enough to allow us to enjoy the moist chicken. The sandwich had crisp pickle and some slaw. It was a hit! And the fries came out hot. YaY! For an appetizer we shared the Crab Cakes. They, too, were delicious and hearty. They came with an aioli sauce, but we used that sparingly since the crab was so fresh. We shared some friendly conversation with our socially distant table neighbors, which is a nice relief from (the necessary!) Covid isolation. They reported having a "wonderful" order of Calamari Fritti and a tender, filling, Brisket Sandwich. One other nice thing here is that they have the world-renowned local "Pliney The Younger" beer on tap! That sure did put the cherry on the top of this meal. If you're looking for a not-too-far drive, complete with a delicious outdoor lunch, plan to stop at Rancho Nicasio along the way. There's lots of easy parking, too. read more

$10 for a beer is unacceptable anywhere. And i had to go up and get it, It's not even a pint!

This place is a shit hole. Drinks are bad, food is so so. Dont go see a show there. They cater to old people. Go see your favorite bands someplace else. I had an 80 ydr old dude follow me out to "teach me a lession." for blocking their table's view. Go someplace else. this place is gross. read more

Great outdoor space. Lovely garden with vast menu of goodies for all folks. We tried the clam chowder, crab cakes, fried chicken sandwich and the sparkling wine n Pinot. All delicious. We even got take out read more

See all

Stopped in for a birthday celebration lunch today. Food was decent. Our group ordered cocktails. I had a margarita. I must admit it was one of the worst versions of a margarita that I've had in a long time. It was served in a 16 oz. beer glass. It's nearly impossible to get the right proportions of tequila to mix in the size glass. It tasted like a glass of pre-made margarita mix without any tequila. I was also a bit surprised that on the bill was a 3.5% inflation charge. Is that the customer's inflation rate or the restaurant rate. When the Fed finally gets the rate down to 2% or does theirs stay at 3.5. read more

Great outdoor venue for live music with Bennet! (Thanks!) last Sunday for the Musselwhite show...Oysters on the 1/2 shell tasty but not at all cold enough & really gritty could have been tidied up a before serving and placed on ice even if they were in a cardboard box you might lay some foil down & then ice? ... Calamari Fritti crispy & tasty. Roderer hit the spot..great afternoon. oh yea.. tattooed woman barkeep helpful & friendly thanks read more

This is the best music venue I've been to in years. The service was excellent. The food was excellent. It was wonderful outside being surrounded by trees. The attending people and staff made me feel welcome and at home. Can't wait until the next gig. I love this place. read more

incredible place to dance to music, hang out with friends, and eat delicious BBQ -- the hot-smoked slab of salmon was some of the best I've ever eaten. great music venue in the summer. read more

A hidden gem in Marin County. It's charming, intimate and nostalgic. It doesn't even feel like you're in Marin. I thought I was lost driving up here. Everyone should come visit at least once, this is how Marin living should be (like 40 years ago). How times have changed. If you want to get away for a day, kick it at Rancho Nicasio! It's so chill and welcoming. There's great music with a small enough venue to enjoy the sights and sounds. There's also a nice size stage indoors, not a bad seat in the house. Friendly folks in West Marin, good times! 'Til next time ~ cheers & see you on Yelp! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/rancho-nicasio-nicasio?select=R7mkGH6p0xYb2e1r4l7snQ read more

We had not been for two years. Sorry to report, even though we still like the concept, the location, the place, the food does not taste or look good. The outdoor stage is fine, but dark, cannot see the entertainers all that clearly. We are in the sun, they are in the shadows. There's a long lineup needed in the blazing sun without any shade cover to wait in until they open the gates. The management could place some overhead covers for the guests? There are a few umbrellas by the chairs but you will sit in the hot sun and that's just uncomfortable unless you move to a table on the far outskirts in under the trees, but then you can't see the stage/entertainers. Anyway, the food is my gripe. They go to a lot of trouble to promote and serve barbecue which is a fun idea, however, the quality feels not so great. Beans, buns, condiments, garden burgers, and tomatoes lack taste or ripeness and it's in season. We didn't try the Salmon, because it looked bland as did the shredded pork. The kale salad was dry and while large, was insipid. Dressing helped the dry kale a little. It was packaged probably before it ended up on our plastic container. Even the watermelon, which was in season, was tasteless. Lots of seeds. If we go back, we will not pay for this barbeque. But you cannot bring anything to the venue. Even a water bottle is forbidden. So you are stuck or go hungry. Anyway, times are what they are and maybe it's hard to get fresh stuff delivered for so many people and if they could, maybe they could charge more and give us a higher quality. The staff is nice enough, the drinks are pricey and large. Up the quality and like many people on this site, it might be time. read more

Can't get enough of this place. A Eat indoors or out. Such a great view at dusk. Love it. Food is great too. read more

See all

We love Rancho Nicasio! We've eaten here as guests many times and enjoyed live music events. But most importantly, we chose Rancho Nicasio as our wedding venue and we are so glad we did. The setting is beautiful, food was absolutely delicious (and attended to many different dietary restrictions), and all the staff were excellent. The venue day-of coordinator, Marina, was also incredible. She is very experienced, organized, and went above and beyond to make our day as smooth as possible both before and on the big day. And of course, the location is incredible being within an hour to 2 major airports, yet feeling tucked away in rural old style California. I cannot recommend Rancho enough! read more

Went for dinner and then music last night with friends. I have been here many times over the years, but had not had dinner in a long time. Wow - it was delicious. Salmon cooked perfectly over roasted vegetables and a polenta triangle. Husband had meatloaf and mashed potatoes and one of our friends had chicken fried steak. Both super good. The band we saw was Tom Finch and Traveling Wilburys - really great and so much fun! Service was friendly and attentive. Stop for a drink at the awesome bar or stay for dinner and a show. Highly recommend! read more

We (my husband and I) visit here once yearly on Labor Day to watch a favorite band we grew up with perform. I love the outdoor music and atmosphere and memories provided. I appreciate the opportunity Mr. Brown and his family give us fans to enjoy the music and show. Thank you so much! read more

We arrived with advance reservation for 2 people for dinner and a show on 21 Dec 2019 performed by Uncle Willie K, our very favorite performer from Maui, HI. We were shown to a table in the very back of the room where it is difficult to see over the half wall with fake garland, when there were more than 4 open tables for two closer to the stage. When I asked the hostess if we could have a closer table, she said "That is the owner's area, you will enjoy those seats." When I said that I couldn't see and would prefer a closer table, the hostess said "Everything has been pre-assigned to maximize money for Willie K." When I asked how were the seats assigned, did those up front cost more (we did not see different pricing on the pre-order), was it first order first assigned?, she said no and if someone doesn't show up she will consider reseating us. What gives? Boo on Rancho Nicasio. Love Willie K! Also we never got the half dozen Asiago oysters we ordered. The 3 we ordered earlier (along with 3 natural oysters) were so good we wanted more. read more

Rancho Nicasio - Eat Pray Maui - Willie K Strong! - American Near Me - Nicasio, California

Had a wonderful time here yesterday! What a great way to spend the afternoon on this quaint historic property in Nicasio. Summer concert series on the lawn with a BBQ! Perfection. The atmosphere is fun and festive...the BBQ runs smoothly and menu is full of a variety of BBQ food options. Bars spread around the facility offering lots of tasty beverages to choose from. Lots of open seating to choose from, dance floor for those who have the urge to express themselves, tables to reserve for parties of 8 and some open table options too! read more

Have to tell you that my wife and I were disappointed. Perhaps 25 year, or more, memories were better that what we experienced with our recent dinner. This used to be a great steak place. Made sense as it is a ranch in the middle of rural California. Now-a-days music trumps food. But, alas, it is a restaurant with a pretty basic array of offerings and mediocre food. Occasional specials. The bar is still the same. A real, true western bar, frequented by cowboys and cowgirls with big hats and lots of stories. The bar maintains a list/board where you can leave drink money for friends, or enemies that you have offended. Bar does a brisk and good job. Music is a strength. A menu/schedule of entertainment is available, printed, monthly. Lots of variety and can be a lively place for an evening, esp with a date. Drink, laugh, dance...repeat. Make reservations as tickets for certain entertainers go fast. They have an on-line site to make reservations. Plan, reserve, go. The site and history makes this a place to see and visit. A lot of weddings and special parties, mostly because of where and how it is. A very good get-away place to chill out, hike, visit the cheese factory and relax. read more

The latest info for Ranch Nicasio including Easter Dinner. Check it out...here is the info....! FOR EASTER WE ARE OFFERING: EASTER BRUNCH SPECIALS TO GO Croissant Sandwich with eggs, ham, cheese and fries French Toast with sliced bananas and strawberries PRE-ORDER EASTER DINNER by 7:00 pm Saturday available for pick up 3-7:30 pm Rancho's Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus baked potato, horseradish cream and popovers Garlic and Rosemary Roasted Leg of Lamb whipped sweet potatoes & yukons, asparagus and herb butter CALL TO ORDER (415) 662-2219 WE ARE STARTING A WEEKLY FAMILY STYLE DINNER $20 per person | 10% discount for seniors Family meals come with Green Salad or Caesar Salad and ​Bordenave's French Bread Every week we will have Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and veggies In addition this week there will be Spaghetti & Meatballs with garlic bread and caesar salad ADDITIONS: Cheesecake or Chocolate Decadence $5 per person Bowl of Chowder $6 per person Our entire wine bottle list is available for 30% off. We wish everyone the best of health. www.ranchonicasio.com All our music events through the end of April have been canceled. Our Easter Sunday Buffet has also been canceled. We are currently offering a ToGo menu and serving up your favorite dishes to meet your needs better! Please call: (415) 662-2219 Rancho Nicasio Update Although all restaurants and bars were asked to close their doors, we have the capabilities of helping our community and employing some people by maintaining and expanding our To Go business for all in proximity. We also will be able to deliver food to those in need. We hope this will be helpful to many of you in these dire circumstances. Your support will make it possible to continue this service for everyone's benefit until this crisis passes. The kitchen will be open for To Go orders from 11:30am to 7:30pm. We have menus to take home on the premises as well as here on our website. The General Store will also remain open. Hours will be 11am to 5pm daily. We will attempt to have more useful staples available for the people in the community who don't want to go "over the hill" to go shopping. If you have suggestions of what would be most helpful, milk, soups, etc., let us know. We will be at the mercy of our purveyors, but will try. To Go food can also be ordered through the Store as usual. This obviously is geared for all our West Marin neighbors, but anyone who is allowed to take a ride our way to pick up a missed Rancho Burger is welcome. We wish everyone only the best of health and hope you all find a way to deal with this current environment as creatively and painlessly as possible. I will stay in touch as events unfold that affect Rancho Nicasio's operations. Be well Amigos, Click here to view our wedding gallery. Join Rancho Nicasio on facebook, Instagram & Pinterest! CLICK ON OUR EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW TO BE ADDED TO OUR EMAIL LIST: ranchoinfo@ranchonicasio.com * (415) 662-2219 Copyright © 1999, Rancho Nicasio Bar and Restaurant. All rights reserved. read more

See all

Where do I go when I am planning a day trip to just enjoy Marin. The beach is too easy. And everyone does it. I love the backroads, so I go to those little towns that have been swallowed up and forgotten in time. Or at least I thought so. One of Marin's premiere music venues is at the Rancho Nicasio. In the old days you would have seen most of the Judds there performing. They still have an active venue, and home to a great restaurant and bar (with fireplace on a cold day) They are a beautiful drive into one of Marin's historic towns with every sight worth a photo. Old, yes. The town has been around since before 1867. See the old Victorian Church, the turn of the century buildings, school, fire house, livery barn, and more. As you leave town there is cheese tasting at the Nacasio Cheese factory with local organic cheeses. But the star of the show is Rancho Nicasio itself. Parties, weddings, NYE celebration, it's my go to place. The full bar is old timey not divey. Lots of beautiful darks wood create the bar area. And don't let the hunting trophies freak you out. It is an old American tradition. Weddings outside in the back during good weather. But I was there for the relly good food in the diningroom. I was there for "The Reuben Sando." Made with corned beef as it should be, on rye bread with caraway seeds, sauerkraut, 1000 Island dressing, and swiss. I personally like the creator of this sando, would have used homemade Russian dressing, and served it with a Kosher Dill (my choice and traditionally - a brine pickle like Bubbies). It came with NO PICKLE. Yikes. But I asked my server (I think head service person, I think his name is Aaron, nice guy) for one and he brought me long pickle slices for which completed my culinary journey to having a true NY Style Reuben. Thank you. The crispy crunchy homestyle kettle potato chips was a wonderful plus and surprise. I have been there before for lunch and I always leave knowing I will return...and I do. I suggest when you have a free day and want a picturesque drive and lunch. It doesn't get better than this. Be sure to swing out an look at the views to Elephant Mountain across Lake Nicasio. And be sure to have your camera with you. read more

See all

I was getting truckload of dirt down the toad so decided to treat myself to lunch and give some business to an iconic West Marin place. I ordered the Adult Grilled Cheese sandwich (to go of course) by calling from my truck in the parking lot. The sandwich was delicious! Hearty amount of local cheeses with carmelized onions and an apple chutney that elevated it. One star off for having the tomato in center being very cold, so cheese not fully melted despite perfect crunch to exterior. Home made chips went very well with it. I usually come here for the music events in the garden, so good to know they are able to put some tasty, satisfying food out for those of us who get out this way. Even with strict restrictions, you could have a great picnic even in your car since there is lots of parking in a beautiful spot. read more

See all