This is a classic spot in Tiburon with a beautiful outdoor view of the water and SF skyline. It should come to no surprise that lunch time gets slammed when it's beautiful and sunny out. I scratched my head about the low rating on Yelp at first, but everything clicked when I saw the prices. It's marked up, for sure, and you're paying for maritime backdrop. Service is fast and they're used to turning things around quick. Food is all right but doesn't live up to its price. I love the vibes here and it's a great place for a drink when fog and clouds don't fully consume the weather. read more

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So, the restaurant has an outdoor seating area with a bunch of umbrellas and there's an indoor area where hardly anyone was sitting. We walked up to the hostess and she asked us if we wanted to sit in the shade with an umbrella or if we would be fine without an umbrella. We told her that we preferred to sit under the shade and she told us the wait would be about 30 min or less but "probably less". So we wait, and after about 35 min, my dad goes to ask and the hostess says it'll be another 15. We keep an eye on the line and I see a party of 4 walk up talk to the hostess and then they get seated inside. The hostess never told us that indoor seating was an option. My mom, goes over to talk to them and they get us a table inside except we wait another 5 min before a server comes to us. We also had to ask someone if they knew who our server was because no one was around. The sever came over and told us that no one had informed her that she was assigned to this table and that was why we had to wait..... If this sounds like a quality restaurant to attend you're HIGHLY mistaken. If I could give this service 0 stars it would achieve such. Absolutely pitiful. "West coast service" still has yet to touch the southern hospitality we live in. read more

Always a treat in Tiburon. Friend came into town and we had to do a stop by. Staff is always on point - friendly, courteous and helpful with suggestions. We started our order with their well know "Mai Tai", Calamari & cup of Clam Chowder. Finished our meal with a Lobster Roll & Crab Cakes. We enjoyed every bite! It was a rainy day so we couldn't sit out in the deck, but it was still nice vibe indoors with bay views. read more

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Good Staff, Good Food, Good Drink, Good Times!!! Full bar Great signature drinks Nice wine list Beer on tap and in cans Raw oysters Clam chowder Homemade desserts Take care of Nelson at the bar! read more

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Ahoy, ye hungry wanderers--lend me yer ears, for I've stumbled upon a treasure not buried in sand, but perched upon the water itself: Sam's Anchor Cafe. The moment ye set foot upon the deck, ye feel the salt-kissed breeze and the call of the open bay, as if Poseidon himself invited ye for a feast. The atmosphere be lively, yet relaxed--perfect for plotting yer next adventure... or simply forgetting what day it be. Now the grub--oh, the grub! Fresh as the morning tide and crafted finer than a well-stolen compass. Seafood that tastes like it leapt straight from the ocean onto yer plate, and fare hearty enough to satisfy even the most ravenous crew. Pair it with a cunningly mixed drink, and ye may find yerself swaying like a ship at sea... though that might just be the rum talking. But what truly seals the legend of this place be the view--the sun dancing upon the water like gold doubloons scattered across the bay. Sit long enough, and ye might forget all sense of duty... not that I'd know anything about that. So chart yer course wisely, matey, and make port at Sam's Anchor Cafe. For good food, fine drink, and a view worth more than any plunder--this be a treasure worth returning to. Savvy? read more

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Incredibly Wonderful Restaurant! Had lunch here with my best bud that I have known since 7th grade, approximately 50+ years! He kept telling me about this place that he and our other buddies go to every year and it was about time I try it as well. This place is fantastic! We started with some very delicious crab covered crispy on the outside and pillowy light on the inside French fries. (Please see the picture below) You gotta order these fries! They are truly to die for!! For lunch we both had crab Louie salads and they were delicious! Crab covered crispy fresh greens! The dressing is like a Caesar style dressing and it perfectly pairs with the richness of the crab and the crispy crunchy greens. So yummy! The service is spot on perfect! Super nice hostess and wonderfully nice servers! Very friendly and personable. The ambiance of sitting outside on a bright warm sunny day is as close to Eden as you can get! Very comfortable and relaxing and leaves you wanting to stay all day long! The view of the City and the harbor surrounded by beautiful homes from the patio is beautiful! You gotta try this place it's AWESOME! I will be back soon or we will be back soon with our lovely wives the next time. read more

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Sam's has been our go-to docking spot for years during sailing trips around the bay--a perfect place to grab drinks and snacks before heading back out on the water. While we're not sailing as much these days, this waterfront gem remains just as appealing. The setting alone is worth the visit: sitting outside with a martini or one of their creative house cocktails while taking in the stunning San Francisco skyline never gets old. But it was their clam chowder that reminded me why this place stands out. After a long hiatus, I'd forgotten just how exceptional it is--genuinely loaded with real clams and bacon, not the potato-heavy imposters you find at those other "Sam's" locations (which aren't related, as far as I know). It's so good, I'd come back for just a bowl of that. If you're visiting on a nice day, make an afternoon of it: stroll through Tiburon's charming downtown, then settle in at Sam's for a proper meal with a view. Whether you arrive by boat or car, it's a quintessential Marin experience that's stood the test of time.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

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Sam's in the lovely Tiburon, CA! My friends, family and I have been coming here for years as I am originally from the North Bay and born in Marin. I think out of all the times we've been? Not once have we dined inside because this VIEW is so refreshing! They even will hook their boats up here and it turns into a whole party on the weekends but it's very fun! I will say it's a bit upscale but you know, that is southern Marin for you so yes dress cute but casual! The service is impressive! We always have the coolest servers working the deck and let me tell you the most recent one I had was SO sweet she recognized the exact highlighter make up brand I had on my face and mentioned she has it too as well as a couple other! I swear there's nothing better than getting to yap with a girls girl during your experience I wish I could get her name but she was blonde like me! Absolutely 1,000 stars for that woman! The food? The food. The FOOD. I have tried just about everything on this menu and I adore their lobster roll, their fries, and their YUMMY crab cakes! As they were inhaled by myself I didn't get a chance to snap a pic but just trust me when I say they're good! They have a full bar inside and outside as well so you never have to ask for a refill they are on it. One more tip: if you're drinking here and don't want to risk driving I swear this lovely place is WALKING distance from the ferry that takes you right to Pier 39 in San Francisco that is super cheap and fun! We can't wait to return one of my FAVORITES in all of Marin, and that's saying a lot because there are some magnificent places here but this place is the best!!! read more

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The staff are so welcoming, fun, and attentive. We've been here before, but this time we stayed nearby for three nights so we were here a lot. They're just a lovely group with delicious food and great service! Especially Manuel! And the view, spectacular! You gotta come here! read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

Lovely restaurant right on the water and a perfect place to have lunch right after hopping off the ferry! There was a 10 minute wait in line on Saturday 1pm - not too bad. Service was fast and friendly. I got the Crab Toast. Portion (and closing the salad) is definitely small for $32 - I would've loved a larger piece of toast or atleast two of them if they can only be that size, though it has a decent amount of crab salad on top and it was yummy. It was even better after adding hot sauce on top. Overall, pretty good lunch. Pricey, but I guess that's to be expected for fresh seafood and I have no complaints about the taste and quality - only the portion haha. Gorgeous views of the water and they have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. read more

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Lovely ambiance, great service, and solid food. We arrived at opening on a Friday via boat, which you can dock for 2 hours right behind the restaurant and were seated at the deck immediately, which had large umbrellas for shade. The staff were very kind and brought a water bowl for our pup! We started with the calamari and old bay fries. Both were very hot and fresh and came with dipping sauces that complemented the crispy appetizers well. For my main, I went with the ahi poke, which was underseasoned and a smaller portion than I expected. Alas, you come for views of the bay, which are unbeatable on a sunny day. Highly recommend for lunch, especially with a larger group. read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Ahi Tuna Poke - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

LOVED!!! First time here and it won't be the last. We went on a Sunday, it was crowded but the wait was only about 15 minutes. The patio has amazing vibe with unbelievably stunning views. Oysters were fresh and delicious, and the Fish Bowl cocktail was big, fun, and perfect to share. Service was friendly and attentive even with how busy it was. Can't wait to come back and if I was local I would be there ALL.THE.TIME! Recommend! read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

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Sam's is that classic seafood you would want from any sleepy sea town. We literally see people docking their boats from across the way to eat here, so you can get here by road, or sea. You have to get the staples of something with crab, a fish dish, and of course clam chowder. This time we got the crab toast, fish and chips, and clam chowder. You can eat inside too but why miss the opportunity to have beautiful sea views they also have heating lamps and blankets if it gets chilly. Already looking forward to my next visit to Sam's! read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

We had a wonderful lunch at Sam's on a beautiful, sunny day. We docked our boat and enjoyed lobster rolls, Cioppino, and fantastic Mai Tais. Looking forward to going back! read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

I've been to Sam's Anchor Cafe on-and-off for the last 35 years. Unfortunately, the last time I visited was about 10 years ago but always enjoy the items ordered: :: Simple Crab Louie - grilled romaine, egg, Thousand Island, Dungeness crab :: Fish and Chips - light and flaky...a good one with slaw and nicely crisp fries :: Fried calamari - lightly battered and not overly greasy with a nice togarashi aoili :: Cioppino - wonderful flavor in a tomato-based broth with scallops, mussels, clams, white fish, crab claws and shrimp accompanied with garlic bread. One of the best. Place is laid back and casual. Service always quick and efficient...no nonsense. Nice patio seating but be sure to bring your sunglasses. Umbrellas available to give you a bit of shade. Pricing on the higher side than most like spots but fortunately, food delicious. I'll need to make a return visit sooner than later and enjoy their other menu items. read more

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OH MY COD Always a party atmosphere at Sam's Anchor Cafe. Can't go wrong with their seafood, get the fish & chips. Clam chowder and calamari are divine with breathtaking views. This place is a Tiburon staple. Brunch is lovely here. They also have mocktails. 'Til next time - cheers and see you on Yelp (SYOY)! read more

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Sunday afternoon brunch was amazing here. We got a lobster roll & fish and chips to split and both were really good. + really good cocktails. read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Lobster Roll Fish & Chips - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

The atmosphere is of course fantastic with great views and one of the very few places on the bay you can bring your boat. However, the food is suspect at best. There are some dishes that are not bad but there are dishes that are not good. I have been going here for years and it was better. Hopefully they can get their food quality to match their venue, which is second to none. read more

I haven't been here in years but I guess now is about as good of a time to write a review. I came here a few weeks ago with my GF because I wanted to show her some of marin before we went to dinner. We got some snacks and drinks, nothing too fancy. We opted to sit outside despite it being very cold but they had heaters and blankets so we had a good time. Service was pretty solid and they helped with our food choices. It was a bit expensive for what it was but all in all it did the job. read more

Excellent service and great food! We stopped here for afternoon drinks and snacks. You can sit right on the water and the prices are reasonable. read more

Wow we came here on a Friday afternoon and had the most lovely time!! The outdoor patio is spectacular with beautiful views of the bay! You can access the dock as well if traveling by boat. The food was delicious! We got the fried chicken sando and the lobster roll. Both very tasty! It's definitely a $$ restaurant We were seated immediately and the staff was very attentive! Will be coming back and bringing friends! read more

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When you visit an area for a few weeks you want to try as many places as you can, except when you find a location you come back to and then come back to again. The view is what should bring you, the food is very good which brings you back and the service, so friendly, that makes it worthwhile. From clams with pasta, mussells with fries, to fish and chips, seafood specials of halibut and Salmon were all good! Given the weather in the bay area can be cool, the heated bench seats were much appreciated! We really liked the dog friendly approach of the staff. I had the chance to talk to a manager and chef, they really appreciated your patronage. When we travel back to city to visit again, we will take the trek over the Bridge (or ferry) and dine here again! read more

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You can tell this place is super popular--tons of people! Even though we came during a long weekend and not during a typical mealtime, we still had to wait about 30 minutes for a table. I'm not sure what the indoor dining is like, but the deck outside was very packed and noisy, with tables squeezed really close together. We ordered the Smoked Lobster Roll, Ahi Tuna Poke, and Fried Calamari. The standout for me was definitely the smoked lobster roll -- the lobster meat was fresh and sweet with just the right touch of smokiness. Loved it. The fried calamari was also great -- fresh, tender, and perfectly crispy without being too salty. As for the poke, it was just okay -- nothing special, but not bad either. Will definitely come back next time to try more of their signature dishes! read more

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This location in Tiburón was wonderful. A classic waterfront cafe with outdoor/indoor seating. We chose outdoor seating for this Thursday afternoon and we were lucky enough to have the sun come out. I started with a Paloma and my love the Bloody Mary. They were both amazing! Our starter was the Calamari and it was a great portion and dish. I knew I wanted a cup of clam chowder and we both chose this. It was wonderful and just what i wanted. It was presented in a blue Sams cup and it was the perfect amount. It came with toasted garlic bread and I would come back again for this choice alone. We also ordered a third course and I just couldn't continue. It looked so good my lobster roll and chips and I had to take it to go. My love had the fish n chips. Cod fish and freshly made fries. This fish did not disappoint, another great choice on this dish. What a restaurant and memory. I can't wait to return. read more

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First time in Tiburon and this cafe/restaurant was packed on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The outdoor patio is amazing with a great view of the Bay. We ordered calamari, the lobster roll, clam chowder, and Sam's burger. First off, way too much food But i was super hungry this day after a soccer game. The fried calamari was good and very crispy, the garlic bread was also really good but really greasyyy. I don't know if I would get it again because of the amount of grease but the flavor and crunch was on point. Clam chowder was fresh and served in a cup which was cool. Sam's burger was flavorful and did not disappoint. Lastly the lobster roll was delicious and would come back for it again! I would definitely come back, the vibes were high, the views are immaculate, the people there all added to the fun and lively atmosphere, customer service was professional, great spot! read more

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We made it back after many years. Years ago we would end up at Sam's after completing the Bay to Breakers and this visit brought back great memories. Friends from Oregon who never been to Sam's joined us - they loved it. It was a beautiful clear day with a table along the edge of the deck. My favorite is always the clam chowder. Staff is always welcoming. read more

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Sam's is one of the few places that has remained in Tiburon and always offers one of the best views. We took our friend visiting from France who had not been back to Sam's in 40 years. My sister and I had the Mai Tai's- they were presented quite nicely and we enjoyed the flavor. My brother-in-law's cocktail he said, tasted like a healthy green tonic and was not too impressed. I've had the fish tacos before and really enjoyed them. However I chose a different dish which I now regret. My sister and I shared the Stone Fruit Burrata salad and the description sounded marvelous. Because we do not eat chicken (which was part of the salad) we asked if we could switch the chicken for avocado. We didn't realize we would be up charged three dollars and only got four slices of the avocado. The Burrata was the strangest version I have tasted. It was thick and stringy and had a sour flavor- I only took one bite and left the rest. All of us did like the fries- although a bit salty the Old Bay seasoning made them tasty. We had a nice server which helped yet overall our experience was not wonderful. read more

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O T ...the other Manager is a jerk , he said if we could leave HIS restaurant... when he seems to need to be some schooling in customer service , all we wanted a shade on our table ... our waitress, Nikki, was the best she moved the umbrella and the GM Josh was very hospitable ...bad turn into a good one. God Bless read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

I recently had lunch at this place with a friend, and left feeling totally ripped off! It seems like other patrons have left with the same feeling according to their reviews. Anyway, we ordered 2 beers & then 1 Caesar Salad @$16 w/chicken @ $11 = $27 & a lobster roll for $38. The real kicker was the 5-6 pieces of garlic bread for $12 w/blue cheese added for another $4 = $16 REALLY? Totally Outragious!! This place is riding on its heels from days gone by. They did a light remodel freshen up with new umbrellas & new chairs & expect their patrons to foot the bill. Absolutely ridiculous. They've had my last visit! Customers & Tourists Beware!!! read more

There is no better place than the back patio at Sam's on a sunny day! It was our first time having the sandwich and it was really delicious! The bloody was great too, I love when they have a lot of garnish and they did a great job here. Unfortunately our service was a bit slow, our waiter forgot to come back and take our main order, we had to ask another waiter. Overall it was still a good experience, definitely worth going to Sam's! read more

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My family and I came here for brunch. The receptionist seated us close to the ocean view, which was really nice, and my little boy loved watching the yachts and ferry boats passing by. The servers were very nice and accommodating, and we didn't have to wait long for our food to arrive. The dishes were well‑seasoned, and the prices felt just right for what we ordered. The ambiance was comfortable, clean, and enjoyable. read more

A friend, once a resident but now residing in Arizona, came to town. She'd spent a lifetime living near water but no longer. This more or less necessitated a revisit of any and every water-adjacent spot in Marin and Sam's made the cut, of course. Unlike my last visit (was it really 10 years ago?), I did Sam's right: I came during daylight hours when the sun was shining and sat out on the deck. That's 5 stars right there. The drinks were flowing at nearby tables and every 15 minutes I'd hear a bunch of people clapping and hooting. That began to make sense when I saw the inspiration: a board on which sat several full shot glasses, soon consumed by a line-up of folks. The two women beside me laughed before one announced "I'm mortified". They'd ordered a drink which said it was "for 2 or more" but it arrived in a full fishbowl with straws and would certainly have been ample for a group of 4 to 6. The food here was better than last time but the ambiance continued to do a lot of the heavy lifting. Still though, when one is amidst such stellar surroundings that is sometimes enough. I will say that you must order the fries as they were simply delicious. The rest of the fare? As good as it needed to be. Come for the sun and fun and fill your stomach so the party can continue. Sam's is the sum of its parts and on the deck on a sunny day those parts do all they need to elevate the whole experience. read more

Loved the ambiance at this place! I got a lobster roll with chips. Although expensive, it was delicious. As for service, since this place is quite popular, it is kinda hard to get the attention of waiters read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Vibes - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

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I recently visited San Francisco with a group of friends, and I couldn't have asked for a better start to our weekend trip! It was my first time in the city, and Ron helped us secure reservations for right after our landing, which was perfect. We took the ferry to Tiburon, and the views were absolutely stunning both ways. It did get a bit windy and chilly later in the evening, but the scenery made it all worthwhile. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by John, who made us feel right at home. I loved that he shared some history about the restaurant--it's always nice to know more about the places we dine at! For appetizers, we ordered the calamari served with togarashi aioli and the crab cake accompanied by a celery root & apple salad and tartar. Both were delicious! For our entrees, I tried the lobster roll (a featured favorite) and the cioppino, which was packed with crab claws, prawns, mussels, clams, white fish, and chili flakes in a classic tomato broth. The seafood was so filling that I couldn't even finish the bread that came with it! I also had a mocktail piña colada that was perfectly sweet--honestly, it's the only drink I've ever finished by myself! My friends went for the infamous Original Mai Tai, which included Cruzan rum, Whaler's dark rum, lime, orgeat, orange liquor, and lilikoi foam. Everything was delicious, and the service was top-tier. I can't wait to come back on my next visit to SF! A huge thank you to Ron and John for taking such great care of us! read more

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Sam's is right next to the Tiburon ferry so after a trip, I stopped by to pick up some take out. Ordered the Sam's Burger and Crab cake. Well packaged, delicious food but the $25 crab cake was tiny! :( It was very delicious, just wish it was a little bigger. Comes with taro and fennel on the side. If I'm in the area again, I definitely would want to dine out on the beautiful deck over looking the docks and boats! read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Sam's Burger - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

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Get away on a dock in the bay and no yacht required! Sam's anchor Café has been a long time institution and it never fails to bring joy to anybody who visits. It was a gorgeous sunny day in August. We decided to order the ahi tuna poke, as well as the delicious and decadent garlic bread. Sam's burgers can't be beat! Also the fish tacos are another go to. Crystal was a delight serving us. Wait time without reservations (because you can't make them!) was 15 minutes. Suggestion: go get a slushy at the bar. You'll be just fine in the sunshine. read more

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Well, the atmosphere out on the deck is certainly pleasant. Busy place, nice host, good service and a view of the water. There were three of us and we weren't impressed with the food. It wasn't bad but for the price, it was definitely not anything special. I had a Crab Louie and it was so so. Crab seemed pretty tasteless to me and for almost $40 would it kill them to give me a slice of bread or some crackers with it? My husband said the ahi tuna salad was decent and my friend liked the fish tacos ok. Plenty of people seem to really like this place but I'm going to try another spot next time. read more

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How could you NOT recommend Sams to everyone?? It's a place with great food, good service, a bar, inside seating, outside seating with an amazing view, and a fun vibe every time I have been here. Brunch to drinks and apps, and dinner, this is my favorite place in Tiburon to take someone new and I know they will have a great time. Outside seating is where its at so make sure you put your name down here first before talking around the main streets to people watch as wait times will vary! Once outside they have heat lamps and blankets if you aren't prepared with a jacket, so that's nice. They have various cocktails on the menu and I looove to order the oysters and a glass of champagne. Calamari is also a good option (ofc) and for brunch they have a crabs cake Benedict that's a must order while you admire the ocean view. They are attached to the marina so you can see boats of all shapes and sizes pull up (hopefully mine one day :) ) read more

Went to have lunch with friends yesterday abc it was just perfect! We started with some drinks (for me, the original Mai tai and for my guy, the margarita), and we sat at the bar chatting until our table was ready out on the deck. Once seated at our table, our excellent waitress asked if we had any questions and refreshed our drinks. I started out with turkey veggie soup which was homemade and phenomenal! My guy had the garlic shrimp appetizer and our friends each had the clam chowder. We had lots to catch up on, and there was no rush from our waitress to push us along. Next up were two sets of fish tacos, a chicken Caesar salad, and I had the chopped chicken salad. All was FANTASTIC!! I'll be baaaaaaack!!! read more

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San Francisco is a great destination and I've had the great pleasure of family and friends swing by over the years, I take them on tours and along with that, the usual stops for food. And for those who've been with me to Marin, one of my absolute must-stop joints is Sam's Anchor Cafe and here's why. The food is great, service is top notch and the outdoor dining deck right on the water has a supreme spot in the marina. Yeah, it's a bit spendy and on this visit, we only got drinks and minor stuff to justify our place at this popular Tiburon food Mecca. It isn't just the food that matters, but it's just a most enjoyable spot to leisurely spend time with friends, soak in the sun (when it's out) and enjoy life's simple pleasures. read more

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