My friends and I managed to beat the lunch crowd when we arrived at Watershed at Mill Valley Lumberyard, and we were able to be seated right away at a large table that fit all nine of us. Because we were such a large group, we ordered a couple of vegetable platters and pizzas to share. This also allowed us to try several of the pizzas, which helped mitigate the angst of missing out because all of the varieties sounded delicious. We started off with the vegetable platter, which featured roasted vegetables and squash served over a bed of lentils and seasoned yogurt sauce with toasted pita on the side. I love almost any roasted vegetable, and the yogurt sauce made everything taste elevated; I could have easily finished off the vegetable platter on my own, but I restrained myself to save room for the pizza. My favorite pizza had to be the Calabrian chile and ricotta pizza, which stood out with its sweet, creamy ricotta and the slow burn from the chile oil that lingered long after the last bite. The other pizzas were solid, although they were your more typical pizza combos (cheese, mushroom, meat combo). We spotted buffalo milk gelato on the dessert menu, so we ordered a round of scoops to finish off our lunch. The buffalo milk resulted in a creamier, silkier texture than regular cow's milk gelato (I think?), and it was very tasty! read more

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What a cute area of Mill Valley we had the pleasure of visiting over the weekend celebrating Father's Day. Watershed can be found in the Mill Valley Lumber Yard, which also has a few cool shops, a toy store, wine tasting room, ice cream spot, and more. We made a reservation ahead of time and so glad we did because they were booked up for this special weekend. With beautiful weather, this spot was alive with large parties. Also, the World Cup was on and patrons were enjoying watching the game(s) inside too. If we were to come back, I would def sit outside with a group on a nice day. Outside there was corn hole and lotsa tables to enjoy a casual meal and vibes. Our party ordered a round of margaritas, and menu standouts included the burger, fried chicken sandwich (the paprika aioli is stellar), the kale salad (topped with chickpeas, quinoa, walnuts, and more), grilled cheeses for the kiddos, and the "Burning Love" pizza. There's a little bit of something for everyone on the menu here, and everything was so fresh, comforting, and just elevated. The meat in the burger was something to highlight, and I loved the thick cut fries. I would try a pizza on the next trip like the "Swim Club" served with Calabrian chile honey, or the "Peach Pie" because why not, it's summer! Service was okay, but it was also such a busy time of a day that everyone was just doing the best they could. All in all, highly recommend if in the area and looking for a lovely time/afternoon. read more

Watershed is still a nice place in Mill Valley for a casual, dining outside experience for us, particularly in good weather for drinks and a petite side of ribs or their nice hanger steak salad. I like the patio, setting and several regular items on their menu, but after coming back for multiple visits, and sending friends, colleagues and family and hearing feedback of service relayed snafus, I had to reevaluate my rating. Service matters to us. Examples include not being welcomed, not being checked back on, indifferent service, and needing to ask for the bill after a server disappeared indefinitely. Still a fine spot locally, but better for a casual experience, rather than a high-touch service experience. read more

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It was a bright and sunny Monday afternoon. My partner and I were headed up into the marin headlands for a nice relaxing day and we decided to check out Watershed Mill Valley for lunch. This restaurant has a very nice relaxing vibe and we sat outside to enjoy the sun as well. For food we ordered the Thick Cut Fries and the Mad River Pizza. The Fries were really good. They were nice and crispy on the outside but super soft on the inside, almost like mashed potatoes. The Mad River Pizza was decent but not the best. Crust was nice and crispy, but the sauce was too wet, so all of the toppings slid right off and the mushroom almost tasted dirty. Luckily everything else on the pizza tasted great to help mask that. We also ordered a few drinks. We got the Paloma and the Aperol Spritz. Both were pretty delicious and perfect for the summer day. read more

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The area is super cute. They have a little parking lot but also lots of street parking. Food was okay. My friend got the chicken and one side was seasoned very well, and the other side was super salty. Chicken was not dry which was a good thing. I asked for my burger to be medium, but it was pretty well done. The patty was very grey colored and tasted grainy/powdery for some reason. Wouldn't get the fries again. The stars are for the nice service and nice atmosphere. Food could def use some work. Their pizza might be the best bet, but I wanted something with more protein. read more

Watershed - Half Chicken - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

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So good! Best pizza and drinks in Mill Valley. My husband and I got married Saturday morning and decided to grab late lunch here afterwards. Staff is super friendly and very clearly happy to be there, even on a holiday. Also shout out to their extended wine shop next door, Eddy Bar and Bottle for the exceptional service. read more

Watershed - Pizza and Frosé - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

We came on a Sunday evening with no reservation- they were pretty busy so we were seated in the outside area at one of the wooden tables. Just note that this area is technically considered "outside" of the restaurant so it is self-serve aside from getting our dishes brought to us. They have a table where you can get your utensils and water. It was pretty sunny so it would have been nice to have umbrellas covering the tables, but not a big deal. The pizza was alright but I wish it had more cheese and veggies on it. The hot honey was a nice touch. Overall not a bad place to visit if you need dinner on a whim, and it's in a really cute area. read more

Watershed - Rosemary honey pizza - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

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If you're looking for a spot with solid pizza this is the place to go to. We had came here after Muir Woods and was pleasantly surprised with the service and quality of food. The pizza was hand crafted and oven bake to order. I would recommend the mad river and swim club pizzas. The ambiance felt like a ski resort on the exterior with fire pits. The inside looked like a barn. I would recommend this spot. read more

Watershed - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Avoid. The hostess is overtly rude and hostile. Reading through other reviews I see we are not alone in our experience...this person should not be within 100 miles of customers, much less stationed at the front door. My wife and I discovered this place during COVID and had some nice experiences over the years, but we will not be coming back after our most recent visit. read more

On my recent trip to San Francisco, my friend and I dined here while having a beautiful idyllic day, exploring Mill valley and everything that beautiful neighborhood has to offer. We were strolling around Mill Valley lumberyard and chose to have dinner at this restaurant. Service was quick and efficient, I ordered myself the hanger steak salad, and my friend ordered the pizza. We decided to split the smoked fish dip. There are a few improvements that can be made to the food here. My hanger steak was cooked very well, although I do wish the beef was a little bit better seasoned. Not a lot of thought went into the bed of greens that the meat came on. I think arugula mixed with the greens would have been tastier. The dressing was also not very good and my entire salad was swimming in olive oil. This dish definitely needs improvement. The pizza tasted fresh and had shaved zucchini on it, which was a good touch however, I do feel that it should've been finished with some sort of sauce drizzle like pesto or something to jazz up this dish. It also needed salt. Now I am the biggest smoked fish dip or any fish dip freak. I absolutely go crazy for a creamy fishy dip situation to dunk a crunchy vessel in. The dip here did leave a little to desire. First of all the dairy to fish ratio was definitely very dairy heavy. This definitely needed a lot more fish in it and bigger chunks as well. I also needed more flavor like acidity to cut through the richness of the dip. I hope this place can make some improvements to their food based on my feedback. I can imagine sitting here and eating being an absolute treat in the right weather on a sunny day. The location of this restaurant cannot be beat. read more

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Customer service was good, I feel it could have been better. We sat down by the fire to look at the menu and the server came to us with a sort of unwelcome approach. As if he maybe thought we were just there to sit by the fire. I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich without the pesto and it was amazing. I would definitely recommend! The fireplace is a nice touch to the restaurant. The lady I ordered with provided water while we waited for our food. read more

The thin crust pizza with Salami. When visiting San Francisco, anything with salami is gonna have my heart. Seated right away we chose to sit outside as it was a lovely day in Mill Valley. Pizza and some local beer perfect afternoon. read more

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Hadn't eaten here in a while. I recall the menu being pretty limited and mostly pizzas. However this time was excellent. I was trying to figure out what I was drinking and our wait guy was so patient in letting me get my palate reset by first ordering the octopus and beans(So good!). Then - settled after a few tastings on the Sancerre! So good I would end up having two. The beans and Octopus were quite filling that I just needed some greens. Ordered the gem salad with Lemon? Yogurt dressing-super chilled-so delicious! There was a steak salad on the menu that sounded great as well but maybe another day and discover a new Red wine. Such a wonderful meal with friends in such a chill setting indoors and the natural light filling the interior for an early dinner on a Friday. (That salad was SO good had to order a bunch for a party) read more

While walking around at the mill valley lumber yard this we stopped by and sat down for a bottle of cold beer and ended up drinking a few. How delicious is this beer ? Made locally in the Russian River area ... we also tried a glass of local cider and a few other things. Great appetizers and great customer service. We had a good time drinking eating and chatting. This place has a great ambiance. read more

Watershed - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Don't even get me started on a $17 glass of wine. SEVENTEEN DOLLARS! I love the location and the look and feel of the restaurant. The service was very good. Unfortunately the food was a disappointment. Too much oil in the pasta, burger overcooked, olive appetizer uninspired. We'll be back because it was super cute, but hoping for better food next time. read more

Gelato 5/5 Steak 3.5/5 Pizza 4/5 Greeting 0/5 Service 3/5 When you go to a restaurant that already has a yelp score of 3.5 - you know it's probably not gonna be that good but to be "greeted" with a scowl and a "what do you want" attitude from the guy - the tone has been set for a definitely mediocre meal. Waiter was requested a couple times - ignored once, acknowledged second time but left the area for a good 4 minutes before returning. They have bugs everywhere inside the restaurant too. One flew in my pizza - yuck. Amex platinum members are encouraged to try RESY restaurants. I cannot endorse this place at all. I can see why they score 3.5 on yelp. Food is ok, service is ok, greeter honestly needs to be replaced (as there seems to be a female greeter who is just as bad in another prior yelp review). Will not return and would not recommend. read more

My husband and I are Wstershed OGs. We come every Wednesday and sit at the bar where the best bartender on the planet, Danny, tends bar. We come for the consistent good food and even better drinks. Tonight I was enjoying THE Best green gulch salad (10/10 no notes!) when the hostess came up and started yelling at the bartender. It was a major bummer and disrupted everyone around us. We would not come here weekly if it wasn't for the chill vibes and the bar crew and would like to see everyone treated a little more professionally. Xo read more

I read in Marin Magazine that this was the best place in Marin-well that writer must have invested in The Watershed. Very disappointing. I took out of town guest. There were 4 of us and the place was not at all crowded, but service was minimal. The food was barely mediocre if I'm being kind. We had sandwiches and a pizza and soft drinks. The hamburger looked great but was tasteless, the fried chicken sandwich also looked good but was just so so, dry and lacking tasty condiments. The pizza crust was wonderful but the toppings were disappointing and sparse. Our fries were overcooked and unappetizing. Our waiter was not busy but basically ignored us unless we sought him for something-like salt which is not part of the table setting. The bill was $150 for this totally disappointing experience. I hope others have a better experience than we did! read more

Watershed is one of those rare spots where the food, the place, and the people all hit the same high note. From the ceviche to the green gulch salad to the wood-fired pizzas, it's food that arrives looking gorgeous and tasting even better. It's a place that doesn't just serve food -- it respects it. Tucked into the historic Mill Valley Lumber Yard, perched above the creek, the setting has wood and steel bones that give it soul. Elementally, whoever put this together did a really good job. Kyle runs a kitchen that consistently delivers -- everything feels intentional, from the way the flavors layer to how the plates land on the bar. Even down to the sauces -- I had a salad with a dill dressing (and I don't even like dill), but it was one of the best things I've eaten in ages. That's the sign of a chef operating on another level. At the bar, Erika brings the kind of presence that only comes from knowing the craft inside and out -- a true local who knows how to hold the room and keep it flowing. Emily spark of creativity with cocktails -- mezcal sour - who knew?. And Max brings a genuine warmth and a smile that makes you feel instantly welcome. Together, they reflect the same energy coming out of the kitchen -- intentional, alive, and right on point. The crowd is lively but never pretentious, and the whole experience -- from the historic setting to the thoughtful food and the team that runs it -- makes Watershed quietly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Marin's so-called heavy hitters. This isn't just a restaurant, it's a team. And they're the reason Watershed is more than a place to eat -- it's a place to belong. Five stars -- only because I can't give it six. But shhh... don't tell too many people. read more

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I ordered to-go steak salad and Mary ordered margarita pizza. Salad was a lil bit chewy but still good and the pizza was delicious. Would definitely return. read more

Watershed - Steak salad - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

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What a neat little area! We decided to eat here on our way to Muir Woods. The food was phenomenal and it was evident the locals eat here as well which is always a good sign! My vegetarian plate was excellent! They clearly make their own herbed yogurt and flatbread, the vegetables were cooked perfectly and it was just the right size. My husband had the ribs and you could tell they were slow cooked- meat fell off the bone but not too much. Atmosphere is great. Staff are great. Definitely worth a stop for something different and local! read more

Watershed - Vegetarian Plate - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

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After a hike we stopped in for a Monday lunch. So so good. Not one bad bite. Would have preferred full service - we needed to go up to host stand to order, but not a deal breaker! read more

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Cute place, it does get packed so definitely make reservations. The fries are yummy! I've tried the pizza and a seasonal fettuccini they had both were good, but the true star was the dip...the smoked trout dip. 10/10 on the dip read more

Watershed - Pasta and pizza - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

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This was mine and my sisters first time at the watershed. The food was good however we were a tiny bit skeptical about most things on the menu. I personally wouldn't bring someone here if they're a picky eater or have allergies. I don't generally think I'm very picky but I did notice there was at least one funky ingredient included in all the dishes that I was like ohhhh. We still ordered and again were very pleasantly surprised and really loved the pesto and friends pizza! As far as our service itself goes it seemed a bit disorganized and chaotic. The hostess was too busy speaking to another woman behind the bar to notice we had been standing there for quite some time. Many employees also saw us standing there and neglected to notify their coworker that we were waiting. When she finally turned around there was no apology or anything she just walked us over to our table where she then allowed my sister to sit but then completely blocked the way for me to get to my seat so I had to wait until she was done pouring our glasses of water before I could sit down. We then had a waiter take our order. A different person delivered our drinks. Another person delivered our food. Not once did our waiter check on us. The restaurant continued to fill with customers but it's so tightly packed I could hear the couple next to us complaining about how long it was taking to get their drinks. When we noticed this we pulled our cards out and flagged down our waiter and just asked for him to run the cards without us waiting to see the bill first. We feared if we waited for the check it would have been another 20 minutes before we could actually pay and leave. Things happen and I completely understand that. I didn't personally think it was so busy for there to be this much waiting on the customers end. Maybe they were short staffed or have newer staff. I'd still return I just won't go out of my way to return. The ambiance was quite nice and I'm sure this is a very busy location during the warmer months. read more

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The petite female bartender that wears a mask is incredibly fast and efficient. It is fun to just sit at the bar and watch her make drinks. She is amazing! read more

I wanted to give a shoutout to the hostess, Iris, at Watershed. A group of us has been going to Watershed for years. We enjoy the location and the food. We frequently mountain bike all over Mt Tam and ride down to the "Shed" for a beer and food. Iris greeting us is the one constant that we enjoy most. She has always taken the best care of us. She is very friendly and attentive. Good for you, Watershed. Iris is a gem! read more

WHEN: Sat @7pm PARKING: This location has free parking options off the premises if their lot is full. Luckily it's surrounded by neighborhoods you can easily find safe parking for free. We made the mistake by not making reservations, and they have odd tables in front that is first come first serve. This was explained very clearly and the hostess seemed unfriendly/annoyed. It's a busy restaurant. It's was quite a wait since we wanted outdoor seating (half hour?). We ended up sharing a long table outside wither a large group, sitting at the end, and it was fine. Here's what we had: PEACH PIE - $24 yellow peach, pancetta, mozzarella, pt reyes blue, honey, arugula. You know the kind of pizza where you pull out a slice and you leave a trail of stretched cheese like in the cartoons? This totally does that, but it's a fancy pizza! It's as pretty good, with all the sweets and savories, raw and cooked ingredients, and the various textures. It's small though...I feel this can feed one person. MARIN ROOTS BABY LETTUCES - $15 strawberries, hazelnut, honey banyuls vinaigrette, fines herbs, frisee, mezzo secco jack. We were brought the wrong order, but it's no biggy, I should have spoken up more clearly. Surprise how the first ingredient is strawberries yet there was hardly any of it. Love the crunch from the hazelnuts sand this salad was thoroughly enjoyed. Our waiter was kind, and we enjoyed the outdoor atmosphere. This feels a bit more fancy than what we usually do, yet to most I'm sure it's super casual (I see families dine here). I wouldn't mind coming back esp for a cocktail perhaps and to try the pasta next time! read more

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Super fresh veggies. Wow. Ambiance is cool and relaxed vibe. A hidden gem. Service can use a little more help in smiling. But I'll still come back. read more

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We've been coming to Watershed for over five years, and it used to be one of our favorite local spots. But after two back-to-back disappointing experiences, we're seriously rethinking that. This most recent visit was especially bad. We brought an out-of-town guest, excited to share a place we've long loved, and left feeling rushed and frankly, embarrassed for bringing them there. We were told we had just 75 minutes for our five-person table, which set a pressured tone from the start. We agreed to it since we had a child with us, but that turned out to be a mistake. Our server didn't seem to know the menu, forgot basic items like plates and utensils, and got oddly defensive when we asked for missing things. Throughout the meal, we were repeatedly reminded of the time limit, which made the experience feel even more rushed and unprofessional. While we were still eating our salads, the remainder of our food came out all at once, entrées included, with no attempt to clear the table. We were left juggling plates, trying to unsuccessfully make room, while still finishing our first course. During this time, the hot entree dishes quickly grew cold. Given the amount and variety of food we ordered, the meal should have been coursed out and timed more thoughtfully. Or at all? Bare minimum, the server should have at least asked our preference, especially given the size of our table and how much food we ordered. This came on the heels of our last visit, when a friend ordered a cocktail with a specific tequila and immediately noticed it tasted off. When we asked, the bartender admitted they had swapped in a different spirit because they were out of the one she ordered and said, "We didn't think you'd notice." That was already a red flag, but we gave the place another shot. Now we regret it. Watershed has gone from a beloved favorite to a place we no longer feel comfortable recommending... especially when you only have one dinner in Mill Valley with an old friend who is visiting for the night. Just awfully disappointing all around. read more

Great healthy food and cozy vibes. Loved the ambience, also great cocktails. Got pizza Brussels soups and salads

I always get the roasted chicken. It's always seasoned perfectly and juicy. I can't forget about the pies. I think its a must try. at watershed This staff is always friendly and welcoming at the front door, I'm a bar person , that being said the service at the bar it's always great I like how dim it is for dinner service feels cozy, and warm inside and even though it's not an open kitchen, you can see a lot of the process read more

Iris is such a gem. We were running a few minutes behind and she held our seat on a busy evening and made sure we had an amazing evening. Thank you! read more

Watershed - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

I was there for a late business lunch and the place was pretty empty. It felt rustic. I had a swim club pizza, which had a kick, and was quite tasty. However, there were a number of flies that constantly bothered us while we were there. read more

Watershed - Swim Club Pizza - New American Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Great find near downtown Mill Valley hidden in an old historical building that's been renovated to small shops including this restaurant. I had lunch and ordered a salad and pizza. The salad was filled with great ingredients, pistachios, fennel, different varieties of greens and scrumptious. The pizza was light and with top shelf ingredients as well. Enjoyed the meal! I had a glass of Chardonnay which was a bit pricey...Great ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating. It had a full bar with a big screen. read more

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Unwelcoming. Uncomfortable seats. Over priced. We were excited to enjoy some good vibes here but there sadly weren't any. L read more

Always excellent food and ambience for you and your kids and dogs outside . Or intimate dining inside at the bar or a table . Some of the best most consistent food in Mill valley! read more

Came here for date night and they did not disappoint. High points: The service. The staff seem very proud of their food and their restaurant and it showed. The food. We have tried quite a few things, including the trout dip with potato chips (delicious) the razor clams (it's a smallish portion than we expected and a bit overcooked), the squid appetizer (my partner really loved the dish), a pizza and a pasta dish. Desserts are excellent and I'm still thinking about the sticky toffee pudding. The drinks. I asked for one of the cocktails to be non-alcoholic and they were happy to do that for me. It was the one with the shrub that they make in house. The ambiance is so warm. Definitely recommend for a friend night out or a romantic date. Try to come during the sunset as the area is gorgeous. read more

2/20/2023: My first born daughter, Joy took me to lunch at Watershed for my birthday. I wasn't hungry; I opted eating a delicious salad only . . . The Wait Staff were exceptionally professional, accommodating as well as very kind and humble, i.e., my kind of loving human beings! Aside, Watershed's ambiance was rustic and tranquil including, the entire property exuded a majestic landscape reminiscent to Yosemite Valley. I surely will return. read more

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Friend's sister was in town and we wanted to take them to a unique Bay Area spot. We came here after hiking cataract falls. Unfortunately, we left wondering why we visited. The set up is a mess, you have tables inside and right out front inside a makeshift fencing. All that seating is by reservation only. Which is odd for a place that has you order at a podium and get a number for your table. Then there are random "available" tables on a first come first serve basis. None are set up for a comfortable dining experience. The woman taking orders was very rude. There is no service here. There are food runners. They also add junk fees which means 0 tip automatically from me. In the end it cost me over $60 for 1 a dinner and 1 glass of wine. Could not recommend this place less. Wine and beer were gross. Gave 2 stars because the food was decent but was still very overpriced. read more

Came here after a hike in the area for lunch and cocktails. Looks like the cocktail menu rotates as I can't find the menu online. We got the tequila/mezcal and spritz cocktails which were both were super strong and tasty. As for food we ordered the peach pie pizza since it's stone fruit season and enjoyed the flavors. We also ordered the little gem salad which was ok - portion was on the smaller side and as a personal preference the sunflower seeds could have been toasted. Other than that, service was prompt and quick. We enjoyed the outside patio and sunshine and got to people and dog watch and peruse the stores nearby after. It was a nice day. read more