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About

San Rafael Joe's, a premier American restaurant and fine dining destination in San Rafael, CA. Our banquet hall and event venue offer the perfect setting for any occasion. Enjoy live music at our live music venue or unwind at our bar, serving up craft cocktails and delicious bites. Savor our Italian-inspired cuisine, crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for a romantic evening or a lively gathering, San Rafael Joe's has something for everyone. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of San Rafael.

San Rafael Joe's Review Summary

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4.4
(550 Reviews)
5
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1
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Tim Polk
Tim Polk -Google user
3 weeks ago
Large old school Italian restaurant. HUGE menu. Great service. Large bar. I love that they have 8-10 different sauces. Great for a large group. Not gourmet but very good Italian food.
Dinner$30–50Atmosphere: 4Suitable for all group sizesIndoor dining area, Bar area
Faviola Perez
Faviola Perez -Google user
11 months ago
I have no words to describe how much I enjoy this food, I post pictures so you can imagine. My family and I were passing by and I google this restaurant, the reviews were so inviting to try it and did not disappoint. Beautiful restaurant,they sat us...Read More
Atmosphere: 5
Russell Miller
Russell Miller -Google user
2 years ago
Old school restaurant that has been making fantastic meals… for what seems like forever! We had the Prime Rib last night and it was extremely tender and flavorful. The staff was also great and very attentive to all of the guests in the large dining...Read More
ROSARIO ALVAREZ
ROSARIO ALVAREZ -Google user
a year ago
Great food and big portions. We split the Italian sausage and Penne pasta. For appetizers it was the fried zucchini.
Atmosphere: 5
JIHYE KIM
JIHYE KIM -Google user
4 years ago
We ordered calamari as an appetizer and carbonara and beef as the main dish. We ate up all the food in our seats without even talking. The service was very good and the food was delicious.
Bay Walker
Bay Walker -Google user
Edited 3 years ago
Excellent vegetarian salad (with chicken). I was so pleased with it I skipped the dressing which I'd ordered on the side. Sole menuiere was excellent. Beautiful paintings, bar, stained glass, and social distancing. Attentive service. We'd return! Update June 22: We returned and order the...Read More
Dine inLunch$30–50
Steve Ionescu
Steve Ionescu -Google user
2 months ago
What a wonderful spot in San Rafael. The food was absolutely fantastic. I had the seafood plate and it was incredible. The mozzarella fritta was crispy. Paired with two different sauces. The cheese ravioli with carbonara sauce and meatballs was a hit. Took some leftovers...Read More
$20–30Atmosphere: 5Very quietSuitable for all group sizesNo waitPlenty of parkingFree parking garage, Paid parking garageAfter 6 pm. Parking is free in the parking garage and free on Sundays. It is directly behind the restaurant.
Warren Weisenburg
Warren Weisenburg -Google user
4 months ago
I will say that from a few years ago this restaurant was just average. Our last 2 visits have changed our opinion. Tonight, I had veal scaloppine with mushrooms. My bride had veal picatta. Both dishes were delicious, hot, and flavorful! Our drinks were generous and...Read More
Atmosphere: 4
American Angler
American Angler -Google user
2 years ago
I spotted San Rafael Joe's Restaurant while I was coming back from my pal Wilber Stuffinpacker's wolverine research center out on the coast, and all that driving sure made me hungry. I've been to most all the other Joe's restaurants in the bay area but never...Read More
Jeremy Ondo
Jeremy Ondo -Google user
2 months ago
This was a really great classic Italian-American restaurant, just like the Italian restaurants I remember out East growing up. The Fettuccine Alfredo took me back, it’s the best one I’ve had in years. My dad had chicken Parmesan and it was great too, the chicken...Read More
Lunch$10–20Atmosphere: 5
Kaz Yeghiazarian
Kaz Yeghiazarian -Google user
2 months ago
This place is an absolute must-experience! The food was excellent, the cocktails were top-notch, and the desserts—simply amazing. The ambiance exudes timeless charm with warm wood accents, leather seating, crisp white tablecloths, and spot-on service from a truly outstanding staff. I had a Stoli Vodka martini—a...Read More
$30–50Atmosphere: 5Quiet, easy to talkNot sureNo waitPaid street parking
Joe Watson
Joe Watson -Google user
3 months ago
The best Puerto Rican and Cuban food in California. The chicken and steak dishes were so delicious and filling.
$20–30Atmosphere: 5Loud, but you can still talk2 peopleNo waitHighly recommendNot surePlenty of parkingPaid parking lotKids are welcomeEasy entrance and seating
Ken Jones
Ken Jones -Google user
10 months ago
The food was really good and they were happy to seat 12 of us only an hour before close. Our waiter was very good, knowledgeable about the menu and the flavors. I would definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Kelly Paulsen
Kelly Paulsen -Google user
8 months ago
I love this place. Garlic bread is amazing and the pesto penne pasta with chicken is so good. Prices are good and you get a lot of food, always I take home leftovers.
Atmosphere: 4
Sid Shadle
Sid Shadle -Google user
a year ago
Visited on the anniversary of our 59 years together and cannot imagine a better choice. We had a totally wonderful lunch: pot roast special for her, expertly grilled salmon for me. Both were perfectly prepared, artfully presented and absolutely delicious. Kudos to the chef! Our...Read More
Dine inLunch$20–30Atmosphere: 5Plenty of parkingPaid parking lotWe parked in a covered pay lot directly behind San Rafael Joe's and entered through a door serving the lot - super easy and convenient.
Tim Cho
Tim Cho -Google user
2 years ago
This place was a pleasant surprise. I sort of stumbled on this place. The place was very inviting with the family restaurant ambiance - Quiet, gentle, nicely lit with few skylights poked through letting in natural light. We were greeted with friendly staff, and they did...Read More
Dine inLunch$30–50Atmosphere: 5Ravioli
Thomas Harrington
Thomas Harrington -Google user
3 months ago
Great place in the classic tradition of the time honored "Joe's " restaurant.
Lunch$30–50Atmosphere: 4No waitIndoor dining area, Booth seating, Counter seating
tushar
tushar -Google user
2 years ago
San Rafael Joe's has been an institution for an astonishing 76 years and my decades of eating there are proof why. I have never, ever, had anything less than a great meal and a great experience there. The service is always impeccable, reflecting Carlo and Angela's...Read More
Atmosphere: 5
Megan McMullan
Megan McMullan -Google user
2 years ago
Very spacious inside. Potted palms, loooong mahogany bar, 2 dining rooms. Stiff cocktails. Sinatra classics on the piano. 80s wall to wall carpeting. Charming staff. Abundant portions. Old school menu, reminds me of places my grandma used to take me when I was a kid,...Read More
Dine inDinner$20–30Atmosphere: 5Chicken Parmesan with Ravioli
Patricia Kamages
Patricia Kamages -Google user
2 years ago
Thank you San Rafael Joe’s We had our clubs Christmas party with you, and everyone was so pleased, and so happy with their selection and the service. We were the last to leave and never ever did you make us feel that we needed to hurry...Read More
Karen Weinberger
Karen Weinberger -Google user
2 years ago
Joe's is a warm, traditional place for classic Italian food. White tablecloths, attentive service, a broad menu and an excellent beverage menu make sure everyone is happy. We eat there on special occasions and are never disappointed.
Kimberly Neuterman
Kimberly Neuterman -Google user
2 years ago
Delicious food, ample menu (including vegetarian and gluten-free options), very friendly and attentive service. We were all very happy with our meals -- I only wish we'd had room for dessert, since all of the choices looked so tempting!
Saul Godinez
Saul Godinez -Google user
8 years ago
This restaurant is a great venue for all occasions, specially to take the family or just the stress out. There is life music on weekends and the ambiance is very friendly. Food is great the, portions are very generous and the service is …
Brad Plaschke
Brad Plaschke -Google user
2 years ago
Joes in San Rafael is the best spot in town for locals and tourists alike!! Best BarTenders in the town!!!! Bobbie -AJ - Ron - Cherie you can’t go wrong - personable- accommodating - exceeding expectations at every turn - the wait staff is...Read More
Joe Martinoni
Joe Martinoni -Google user
a year ago
Old-school Italian restaurant. The best meal I've had in a while. Calamari, gnocchi, and tiramisu. Also had a Joe Fashioned cocktail. Wait staff was hospitable, friendly, and all-around excellent.
DJ Cleek
DJ Cleek -Google user
3 years ago
Charming building and atmosphere. Curteous and knowledgeable staff. Excellent old fashioned cocktails. Delicious food. Some of the best live dinner music I have heard. Just the right volume with the accordian and sang some memorable Sinatra …
Andy Turnauer
Andy Turnauer -Google user
7 years ago
True family restaurant that you rarely see these days. If you want something a little different than it is on the menu they will change it to make it the way you want it. Nothing fancy, just really good good food. The way Grandma made...Read More
Linda Stukey
Linda Stukey -Google user
3 years ago
Love the old school Italiana vibe. Nice bar lounge area seating. Our party of 5 was served expertly even though I heard they were short staffed on Tuesday evening. We were served huge portions, fried prawns, chicken picatta, kids chicken …
Bobby Winter
Bobby Winter -Google user
a year ago
Had the trout piccata special which was awesome, the service was great and the New York Cheesecake topped off the evening. The piano player could have slowed down the tempo so we could appreciate his work, though.
Helene Wood
Helene Wood -Google user
7 years ago
I have been dining here for over 40 years. It is consistently great and the staff are helpful. There are many Joe's restaurants. It was remodeled some years back but really I like it either way. A meatball sandwich (one of my favorites) I …

Features

Service options

check icon Takeout
check icon Dine-in

Highlights

check icon Fast service
check icon Fireplace
check icon Great coffee
check icon Great dessert
check icon Live music

Popular for

check icon Lunch
check icon Dinner
check icon Solo dining

Accessibility

check icon Wheelchair accessible entrance
check icon Wheelchair accessible parking lot
check icon Wheelchair accessible restroom
check icon Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

check icon Alcohol
check icon Beer
check icon Cocktails
check icon Coffee
check icon Comfort food
check icon Happy hour drinks
check icon Healthy options
check icon Quick bite
check icon Vegetarian options
check icon Wine

Dining options

check icon Brunch
check icon Lunch
check icon Dinner
check icon Catering
check icon Dessert
check icon Seating

Amenities

check icon Bar onsite
check icon Restroom

Atmosphere

check icon Casual
check icon Cozy
check icon Historic
check icon Romantic
check icon Trendy
check icon Upscale

Crowd

check icon Groups
check icon Tourists

Planning

check icon Dinner reservations recommended
check icon Accepts reservations

Payments

check icon Credit cards
check icon Debit cards
check icon NFC mobile payments

Children

check icon Good for kids
check icon High chairs
check icon Kids' menu

Parking

check icon Paid parking lot
check icon Paid street parking
check icon Parking