Top 15 Budget-Friendly Restaurants Near You in Novato, CA

Karen Wiebe First time there. We sat on the patio and they set up some nice heaters for us, made it toasty and warm. The service was great and the food portions enormous. Id come back.

David Duenow The best place to eat breakfast in Marin county thats my opinion & I am sticking to it. The food is delicious. The price is definitely worth it. Best bang for your buck. Nicole & Chuck who are theowners make me feel like family every time I come in. The staff is wonderful. And the restaurant is very clean.

Cameron B. Great food, and offers a solid choice of local beers, as well as a full bar. The outdoor seating is fantastic, its very large, and quite serene. You would have no idea youre in the middle of a town. Great rotation of live music through the week as well. Service is adequate. Highly recommend the Calamari.

Marilyn Salt and pepper chicken wing appetizer is to die for! Just passing through from out of state but Id stop in Novato just for these!

Jeannie Jarnot I adore Active Culture! Finally - a casual restaurant that makes REAL food. Everything here is made in-house, and you can taste it. My favorites are the kale salad, the BBQ Beet Burger and the Bay Bowl. The Beet Burger is so delicious - they make their own veggie burger which is delicious, and the bbq sauce is made with beets - and its incredible. Their yogurt and shakes are also amazing, my favorite is the date shake. We are so lucky to have Active Culture in Novato - a true gem. Everyone there is nice, and I love the outdoor seating.

Liann Amagan I love Super Duper Burgers! It’s like a gourmet burger joint fast food style. I’m not a big patty person so I like to get their mini burger which is just 1 patty with a brioche bun, tomato, lettuce, their sauce and I added cheese! You can add on some other stuff and they also have other types of burgers and sandwiches. People commonly get the super (double pattys). I also got a side of garlic fries and regular fries to go. And their shakes are pretty good too! I got a kid sized seasonal pistachio shake to go just in case I didn’t finish it. They also have house made pickles which are super crunchy and tangy. They sell beer and wine here and have both indoor and outdoor seating. This location is at a shopping plaza so there’s plenty of parking and great for the family! When I came on a Thursday evening it was very busy with lots of kids running around, very family friendly and busy. Perfect spot to stop by after going on a hike in Marin County or stopping by from the Bay before going wine tasting in the Sonoma or Napa Valley!

Casey Lauer I usually go to this place once or twice a month. It’s super convenient, right next to the freeway. The staff is always so friendly, and the dining room is always clean. And let me tell you, their chicken is consistently delicious! I love the medium spice option in the Dave’s Bites combo. The seasoning is just right - sweet, spicy, and not too overpowering. And the Dave’s Signature sauce is absolutely amazing! It pairs perfectly with the chicken and fries. I’ve never had a bad experience at this Dave’s location, and I’ve been here about a dozen times. I always look forward to lunch with my coworkers when it’s at Dave’s!

Issa Coultas I came here for the sandwiches and stayed for the salads. Truly, the southwest chicken salad is incredible - lots of food and a delicious jalapeno ranch dressing. Ive enjoyed a few Sourdough & Co places, but this location in particular is fantastic. The team is always so friendly and service-oriented. I have loved becoming a regular here equally for the food and service. Theres indoor and outdoor shaded tables in the Vintage Oaks mall that make it a comfortable place to take a break and refuel. I highly recommend this location!

Anthony Michael Carmen’s La Hacienda in Novato is my go-to spot! There’s nothing better than grabbing a seat at the bar, ordering a cold beer, and enjoying chips and salsa while catching a game. And let me tell you, their green salsa is hands down the best I’ve ever had. My usual order? A grilled chicken burrito, and it never disappoints. The downtown vibes, friendly service, and lively atmosphere make this place a must-visit. It’s always bustling, which just proves how loved it is by the community. Whether you’re here for a casual bite or a night out, Carmen’s delivers every time!

Andrew Hooper This is probably the best Mexican food I have ever eaten outside of Mexico. The red salsa was the best I’ve ever eaten. The chicken molé was the best I have ever eaten. The food was prepared quickly. The service was pleasant. The atmosphere was wonderful. The price was extremely reasonable. If I could have a last meal on Earth that wasn’t my momma’s or my wife’s, it would be at this restaurant. My compliments to the chef!

Gordon M. Came in to pick up an order for a late Sunday breakfast for my wife. The atmosphere was modern and cozy in a seemingly fairly new building. Many people seemed to be coming from the nearby neighborhood with their families and dogs to eat there too. The outside seats had chatting folks and happily panting pups and the inside was bright with lovely decor. We got the French toast with berries and a few of their cinnamon twists and they where both delightful. Good batter, good texture, great syrup and hot with fresh berries. Their pastry chef was on vacation so they only had some of the simpler pastries but I would love to try more. Go here for a casual boutique breakfast at a not too boutique price from a place that clearly cares a lot about what theyre serving.

M D Feeling like a nice Asian bowl that’s packed with meat, rice and/or veggies? Make a stop here and order at the counter (or online) and get an awesome amount of ingredients! The inside seating is comfortable and there’s also outside dining tables too with a really nice ambience. I reserved a couple of spots at the Sneak Peek event, day prior to Cindy’s franchise opening. We had the chicken breast teriyaki and steak bowls. Both bowls did not disappoint! The restaurant has a variety of selections from appetizers, sides and meals. I will be eating my way through this menu! Look forward to seeing them cater too. Glad to see Teriyaki Madness in Marin and Novato. ***visited again in August and had a smaller bowl. It hit the spot when you only want a slightly smaller portion. Rowan, behind the counter, had amazing customer service. ***

DYJ1948 Since the Firehouse restaurant closed last year, we’ve been looking for a replacement and decided to try this Italian delite. It’s been around since the 70s or more so they’ve got to know what they’re doing. We ordered a half tuna sandwich which was under $10 and the restaurant split the order for us without asking so kudos to them! The sandwich was hot and delicious!!! I think we found our new stop in Novato. They also had outside seating and a restroom so plus plus for cyclists!! The half sandwich was more than enough for the two of us as the full sandwich must be huge!!! Mostly locals come and the service is chill so a great new discovery!!!

Usha Dawn We were heading to Petaluma and decided to have lunch at this place. Its a small cozy place but a friendly staff and the first thing I noticed here is the sign, no cell phone use. We ordered a salad, BLT sandwich, matcha green tea latte cold beverage. The service was great and quick. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was homely. You can see more senior citizens spending time indoors and youngsters sitting outdoors. They have a clean unisex restroom with a clear message about which lock to use and to be kind with flushing with their old plumbing mechanism. I really enjoyed the experience and highly recommend it.

Molly Tuveson Same owners, super nice and polite. The food is fresh and delicious, reasonably priced. Our go to spot for take out Chinese food.