Great location, good food, ok service. We sat outside and it was a beautiful day!!! Would suggest going here for drinks... if you can get the server's attention. I had the Sesame Crusted Ahi Salad... it was delicious!! The Ahi was prepared perfectly and the greens were fresh. Took a while to get our order in ... BUT it was a super busy day - and the way the ables are set up.. if you are sitting in the middle instead of the perimeter they have a hard time paying attention to you. Love the place... loved the salad... service in the middle could use a little more love. Would I go back? Yes - the service was a one off, I'll give them another shot. read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Sesame Crusted Ahi Salad - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

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Great view/atmosphere(s) - you have a couple options from dock out seating, to indoor bar/table seating, and last a more casual bar feel at the entrance. Raspberry frozen margarita is INSANE, sooo good. Calamari is super solid and tasty. read more

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

We sailed in to have lunch. For such a busy restaurant, our group of 7 got seated right away. Ordered drinks and those came out so fast. Started with oysters then the main dish of crab toast which was full of flavor, stacked with crab and delicious. Service was nice, and the weather was perfect for the outdoor seating. read more

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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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Outside deck is great. Food and service were top notch! Highly suggest the lobster roll!

Food was great!!! We loved the lobster roll and the fish & chips!!! Service was great too!!! Ambiance is perfect for an easy Sunday!! read more

Sam's Anchor Cafe - Fish & Chips, clam chowder, lobster roll and calamari - Seafood Near Me - Tiburon, California

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The store front and bar looks small until you get to the back. There's not enough staff to serve customers when it is busy. We went to Sam's after camping and wanted to get some good food and Coke. Coke was a bit salty and didn't taste like Coke. It was sunny and we had a large party. No one came out to open the umbrellas. So we started to open them and out comes the manager yelling at us about jamming his umbrella. You are in hospitality Mr. Manager. It was disappointing how he didn't care about the patrons being hit by the hot sun, perhaps working on your soft skills or people skills is recommended. Then off to the food, you figured were by the bay and the food would be great. My child loves lobster rolls and she ate a bit and didn't like it and I'd have to agree it tasted different. Then the chowder was meh as well. The quality of food definitely needs to be revisited. The chips that came with the lobster roll as you can see in the photo were overcooked and it didn't taste good either. Our friend recommended this place and they had a good dining experience. Then the Josue the server disappeared after dropping off the dishes. He got upset after refilling the coke and said no to refilling kids lemonade. Seriously how much is lemonade? With the price of food and service charge you tag on we would expect better food, service, and not a disgruntled manager. 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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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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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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Beautiful spot by the water for summer dining and drinks. We had the corn ribs to start which were delicious and sweet. The crab potato wedges were also really good. The dip was the perfect pair and the crab was so fresh. For mains, we got the crab toast, the bread was so soft with crispy edges; the side salad it came with was a bit too acidic. We also got the poke which was decent but not my favorite. They have great drinks and are known for their Bloody Mary which we tried and it was great! Perfect spot for brunch! read more

We had such a great experience at Sam's Anchor Cafe! Our server, Diaz (I believe his first name is Eulizar on the receipt), was absolutely wonderful. He was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed without ever making us feel rushed. He had such a positive attitude and made our lunch even more enjoyable. Great service can really make a difference in the overall experience, and Diaz definitely deserves the recognition. He's great and our dog Maxx also had a great time and received great service. We'll happily be back and would love to have him as our server again! Fyi, the Mai Tai's were amazing! read more

Can't rely on reviews... Judge for yourself! Reading reviews we almost didn't go but; deciding to judge for ourselves we enjoyed the visit. Although outdoor patio was nearly full when we arrived at 1:00 p.m., we were seated immediately and ordered our meal and drinks within 10 minutes. Drinks came out in about ten minutes and our lunch came within 20 minutes. Service was plentiful, attentive and excellent! View and surroundings were very nice alongside the marina. For those who may have been cold being near the cool bay breeze, they even provided a small blanket rap... what a great idea. I had the lobster roll and the wife had fish and chips, we both enjoyed our meals although the BBQ patio chips with my lobster roll were a bit disappointing but I still enjoyed them... maybe better with an order of fries. As viewers point out it's a bit pricey but, if you check the menu ahead of time you know that... so enjoy the meal and ambiance. 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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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

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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I can't believe I'm writing this. Again! The stars are only for the view and the service. But it's 2026 and the prices are ridiculous. A $25 single crab cake? $26 for two fish tacos?? And the 4.74% surcharge for employees?? Next time I'm buying a picnic lunch and taking the Tiburon ferry to Angel Island for an even better view!!! Sam's is an overpriced sunny deck. Bummer. read more

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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Sam's is our absolute FAVORITE PLACE to dine when visiting the San Francisco Bay Area! The view of the city (SF) from Tiburon can be breathtaking!!! There's just nothing like watching the sun set, while dining out on the waterside deck of Sam's. Highly, highly recommend this experience!!! Oh! And their clam chowder is some of the best, even compared to Cape Cod clam chowder! 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

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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This is perhaps the worst meal I have paid for in 20 years. The calamari starter was tough as I'll explain later, and the dipping sauce and the breading lacked any discernible flavor. I had the fish and chips, and the breading was flavorless. The fish was very tough and chewy. The calamari and the fish were both obviously previously frozen, thawed, and when fried became tough and chewy. We also had the Louie crab salad. Horrible! The crab was clearly from a can and had absolutely no crab flavor. The dressing was basically mayonnaise, totally lacking in any kind of Louie appearance or flavor. Sam's Anchor Café was packed, and clearly has sold out to the tourist traffic who think it's a destination with a view. Please don't expect decent food! read more

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 is a cautionary tale about Sam's Anchor cafe in Tiburon. Yesterday evening I ordered fish & chips online from them and I used the delivery service known as Toast. I live 2 miles from the restaurant so figured it would arrive piping hot. I waited over an hour from the time the website said it had been prepared. No food was delivered. I called the restaurant 3 times but was unable to speak with a real person. Just a recorded message extolling their virtues. There must have been a delivery on their counter waiting to be picked up. The restaurant didn't bother to call me. Of course my credit card was charged. We will work with our bank to get the charges refunded. Don't bother with them. They are bound to disappoint. Peter E, Tiburon read more

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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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

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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Always a good vibe here, right on the water, yummy food and drinks. Special shoutout to the waitress Nicky who makes the vibe even better

Great setting with deck, bay vistas and good service. Don't go for the food. This used to be a classic "good food" place for my family for many years. No more. Crab Louie was unlike any I've ever had. No taste to the crab (possibly post frozen or ?) and missing classic louie dressing. Fish tacos totally unremarkable with 1 odd breaded fish stick wrapped in a tortilla. So sad to say good bye to an old favorite hang out. 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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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