Pier 15
Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional) [Edit]
15 Harbor StreetSan Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 256-9121
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Breakfast, Lunch
- Alcohol: Full Bar
31 reviews
San Rafael, CA
"YUM! I have not tried lunch but the breakfast is yummy. I love the hot chocolate ( you get a tea pot full) and the service is quick and…" read more »
22 Reviews for Pier 15
This place WAS a 5 star... WAS!!!!!
But then they had to go and get all pussy and not allow smoking on the back deck... You know a place gets to pussy when they hire vallets and promote NO SMOKING. FUCK YOU GUYS, YOU USED TO BE COOL...
Great hidden funky spot for a weekend breakfast! Especially on a nice sunny day, we love the outdoor seating on the water. Clean, friendly service, and great fresh food.
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I was going to keep this one a secret, but since J.P. already blew it, why not? (Love you Jess)
What's not to love about having brunch here on a Tuesday and the bar being full of whiskey drinkers at 10:00 a.m.
I am partial to waitresses in their golden years who insult me for putting my sauce on the side.
Our lovely waitress kept calling me honey and sweetie muffin and then backhand me with a witty insult.
"Can I get you a warmer on your coffee, honey?"
"Would you like some more water, sweetie muffin?"
Then she insulted me for putting my sauce and unbuttered bread on the side and turned to my mom and says, " At least one of you girls eats."
She is my 75 year old doppleganger. Sweet with just a little bit sour.
Service =perfect
Food = Hot Damn
My favorite is the Prosciutto Benedict with Fresh Tomatoes.
View = keeps it interesting.
exhibit A: man rowing a 12 pack of BUD back to his living barge in the canal, also at 10:00 a.m. on a Tuesday.
Best Tables = outside, where every table has its own umbrella if you can't handle the rays.
Best Brunch Drink = Ramos Fizz (try it, but don't ask what is in it.)
Accepts = cash, check, charge, sarcasm, and witty comebacks.
Hope to not see you there.
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Don't go here. Put on your heels and jeans (the ones every other girl has). Grab your over-sized Chanel sunglasses (the ones every other girl has). Actually, just refer to the chapter "Good weather? Go To Sam's!" in the Marina Girl Textbook to Living and do whatever it says.
Have one of those weakly mixed Pink Lemonades and get retarded drunk in 2 drinks. Since you rarely see the sun you'll blame your behavior on that. Good times. Oh, and spend some cash on overrated food while your at it.
Do not go to Pier 15. The food is way too good. The crowd is way too down to earth. The sun is actually warmer outside. And, the drinks are way to stiff for you.
Brunch/Breakfast here is incredible. Great portions mixed with quality ingredients and quality construction. This place is a huge contradiction. Seedy run down harbor bar serving up stylish and tasty grub on fancy white plates.
The Huevos Rancheros are awesome. The perfect balance between taqueria greasy (and flavorful) with chi-chi elegance. There is a surplus of sweet dishes such as banana pecan pancakes and cinnamon apple french toasts all with some sort of homemade fresh fruit compote. I sampled the apple Dore' which was thinly sliced baguette toast with an apple butter sauce. Woo. Wash all of this down with a tasty Bloody Mary or a Budweiser (Nobody will look at you twice).
Had dinner here the other night and it was fantastic. Steak was awesome but my favorite was a portobella mushroom caprese salad creation. 5 Stars for keeping the heirloom tomatoes and the fresh mozz at room temp - it just does the flavors so much more justice. Finished dinner off with a homemade carrot cake with an apricot preserve creation on the side.
The outdoor seating is awesome on a sunny day. Not quite as beautiful as Sam's but down to earth and real. If that isn't real enough go throw back a few more Buds with the local flavor inside drinking at the bar.
See you Sunday. Unless your textbook tells you to go to Sam's.
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Wow, what a find. I ate here for lunch the other day and was impressed in so many ways. First, I've been living in San Rafael going on eight years now and had no idea this gem was tucked away amid industrial backstreets behind car dealerships, auto shops and the like.
My lunch mate and I were impressed by the full bar and decor in the front room: cozy and funky with obvious regulars saddled up to the counter enjoying whiskeys and microbrews. Big bonus right there -- I expected Bud, Bud Lite, Miller, Miller Lite, Coors, Coors Lite, and maybe they'll throw me a bone with something "exotic" like Sam Adams lager or Heinekin. Thank you, Pier 15, for having a great selection of Lagunitas, Red Hook and others I've now apparently forgotten.
But we bee-lined to the back patio, the main reason we were there: We wanted beers, burgers and patio dining on a hot spring day. Now, if you sit in just the right way, you'll look down the canal at the boats, the water and the birds and you'll get a better feeling of openness. I sat on the other side, so I got a better look at the freeway and across the canal at a strip mall. And that's the only reason it loses a star -- because you're pulled a bit out of the ambiance you're after.
We both ended up with the Kobe burgers and fries, both of which were highly memorable and among Marin's best. The food was fresh, fast, cooked to our specifications -- and absolutely delicious. I can't wait to go back. I'm not sure how I'm going to taste other things here, because I want that Kobe burger again.
The service, too, was excellent. Our waitress came by exactly when we needed her to. It was a light day (despite the gorgeous weather), and all the way out back we easily could have been forgotten.
Oh, and no smoking on the back patio is a HUGE bonus. It's relatively tight quarters, and there simply aren't enough places in San Rafael where I can sit on a patio and enjoy a beer or cocktail to begin with, let alone without smoke blowing in my face. Huge, huge bonus. I can see myself becoming a regular.
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This is a hidden little gem!!! The brunch on the weekends can't be beat. I'v been there many times for breakfast, lunch and dinner and have not found anything on the menu that I don't like. Their crab louis salad is really good! The burgers are the best in Marin (at least in my opinion). I go out of my way to go here when I can. I love the relaxed atmosphere and the great food.
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Interesting old place hidden in the run-down industrial, back harbor of east side San Rafael, Been here since the1960's. Attracts a working man's crowd.
Live music on week-end nights.
Their specialty drink is Budweiser in the bottle.
I've eaten here a few times when playing guitar with the band. They have burgers, steaks, a big salad, a soup. Portions are large enough to satisfy a burly Harley rider or a tough working fisherman.
You'll be served by a friendly enough, totally matter-of-fact woman who has seen it all & done it all, twice.
This place is a slice of real Americana that is dying off to be replaced by KorpKuisine (tm) fakery.
There's a outdoor patio around the back where you can smoke, but the view is working harbour, urban ugly.
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Tasty Food, Great View and wonderful Bartenders. Whether I am stopping in for a drink or a full meal, this place can't be beat. Reasonable prices and a great wine list.
Super friendly!
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One of the best burgers in Marin... right up there with Phyllis and Marin Joes when it comes to burgers. Nice dining outside on the deck that overlooks the water and inside nice seating as well. Full bar, good drinks, pool table, big fireplace.. and if you like sports they always have at least 3 TV playing current games and you can eat at the bar as well.
Big juicy 1/2 pound burger grilled, with onions, and choice of cheese on a hunk of sourdough bread and choice of either fries, potatoe salad, or cole slaw $8.95
PS... I understand from several people that the Crab Benedict on their breakfast/brunch menu is to die for.....
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For those like myself who haven't discovered this treasure, now is the time! Right off Francisco Blvd, on the water, is a delightful, pleasant dining space. Due to my fellow yelpers and also a good review in the IJ Weekend, Pier 15 has been calling my name for a couple of months. We got there at around 7:00 or so and were escorted to a great table with a fantastic view of the harbor and all the sailboats...I tell ya it felt just like being in Tiburon or Sausalito....with a little more sunshine and prices easier on my pocketbook. This place also has outside seating and I cannot wait to come back to have brunch in the sunshine! So exciting.....
Our waitress was the kind of waitress you'd see in the movies. Short, surly, and adorable. She gave us just the right amount of attitude to keep us laughing, and we never waited too long for anything, but being the younger generation she teased us that we were in too much of a hurry, which, was true!
The food was pretty good, but the one thing we all agreed on was the french fries! They were so freakin' good, and the ribs we shared as an appetizer were meaty and spicy, even my Texan rib-lovin' man couldn't find fault. My chicken sandwich was nothing special, good, but not spectacular. Overall the experience was fantastic and I am looking to returning to try new menu items, especially the brunch items, which, I've heard, are simply the best!
I highly recommend this restaurant for an early dinner, since they stop serving at 9:00, or as a lunch or brunch stop. Good eats!
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This restaurant has been a favorite of mine in all its incarnations. The food is much better under the current ownership. (The drinks are not the bargain they used to be - minus 1 star) Dining on the deck is delightful and if you're lucky enough to get Carole for your waitress, you'll be well taken care of and further entertained. The lunch specials, burgers, benedicts and the Northern Italian omelette are all terrific.
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After opening and closing for a number of years, I do believe The Pier is finally back! This is a very comfortable, neighborhood place. The menu has been fine-tuned, and it offers plenty of variety. They have a good selection of salads, fabulous burgers, and the day's special is almost always very well prepared and tasty. They do a great job on things Italian, too. My only comment is that when the new owners took over (about a year ago) the drinks got smaller and more expensive. One of the best things about the Pier is Carole, the waitress. Anyway, the neighborhood is delighted that The Pier is back. And, this time, to stay. PS- If they have the Heirloom tomato salad on the menu, go for it!
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My mother raved about Pier 15's brunch, but a drive-by one evening initially convinced me she was crazy. Especially by night, Pier 15, located in the canal district behind all the car dealerships, looks like a mildly sketchy dive bar.
GIVE IT A SHOT. No doubt the place is funky - the decor is almost laughable (if you enter via the front, bar entrance, you pass by an ancient barber's chair of all things). There's a waitress who will good-naturedly yell at you for ordering something you could "make at home". Overall the staff is prompt and friendly, service fast and ambiance casual and fun. Outdoor seating (in season) is ideal.
The food is surprisingly good. You expect, given appearances, diner-style food. Most of the choices will match up with this perception, but the attention to detail and quality really come through. It's sneakily gourmet. The pancake recipe (kept secret from even the wait staff) is a standout. There's a great choice of scrambles and benedicts and a few other sweet items (try the Berry Dore!). At 11:30 they start serving lunch items, sandwiches and salads, and they are equally impressive. The reuben is my personal favorite, and the "Mama's Cristo" is a unique twist on the Monte Cristo and served with jam. Fries are crispy and good like they should be and onion rings are incredible. The great bartender is an added bonus.
I've only been once for dinner. They keep the items on the lunch menu and add some italian favorites. It was very solid, and I would recommend it, but the brunch is really the star.
Not a bad Sunday brunch joint. Yes, it has the outside look of a dive bar, but inside is all good. The menu, while limited, focuses just on the good stuff. Had a Northwest Omelet: Smoked Salmon and sour cream and capers, served open faced on the omelet, with potatoes, fruit, and a sourdough baguette from the grill. My wife had the Prosciutto and Tomato Benedict, with a hearty approval rating.
The deck looked great, with a surprisingly nice view: who knew the harbor in San Rafael could look so nice? The wind kept us inside, though. Service was prompt and friendly.
Overall, nothing to complain about, and decent food. Parking was a bit tough, with a limited parking lot and few nearby spaces available (the industrial setting made sure of that). Still, with a full bar attached, it's kind of a throwback to the East Coast seaside places you've always known.
Worth a visit to judge for yourself. Don't sweat the part of town: on a weekend day, there's hardly a soul there.
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After reading a review of this place in the Chronicle a few weeks ago (one the owners is also an owner of Mama's, home of super yummy breakfast in Northbeach) we decided to venture to this out of place restaurant in San Rafael. We were hoping for the true taste of Mama's, and although we didn't get it, it was still pretty good. The service was atrocious and decor appealed to the dive queen in me, but the food and coffee were pretty darn good and it is kid friendly (note to self). I had the huevos rancheros and the husband had the french toast. So it wasn't Mama's, but hey, we didn't have to wait 1+ hours to get in. We got seated right away.
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The Eggs Benedict with the house-made prosciutto were wonderful and better than what I had at Mama's. They have some good pancake dishes.
No lines like at Mama's and breakfast is served until 5pm.
There is a nice outdoor deck on the marina that should be nice when the weather is warm.
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Delicious! My husband and I decided to try this place based on other Yelp reviews and were delightfully surprised. When you drive up to the place, it looks like it's going to be a total dive, and not a nice restaurant on the water. BUT, once you get inside and move to the back where the dining area is, you see how nice it actually is. There is an open air porch where you can eat outside on the water, or stay cozy inside. I had the chocolate cinnamon french toast with super fresh raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, and my husband had huevos rancheros and was so happy to find the eggs poached. He loves huevos rancheros and especially loves poached eggs, so with the combo, it was perfect! We also ordered mimosas, which were great. The only weird thing was that they brought us a glass, some oj, and a one serving bottle of champagne each, so we had to make the mimosas ourselves. Not sure what this is all about, but it ended up being kind of fun and they were yummy for sure. Overall, this is a great place for breakfast/brunch. Just get over the way it looks from the outside....
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Just a mile from my workplace is this oddity that's called Pier 15. After a few wrong turns to find the restaurant, I was personally intimidated by the location - a little marina in an industrial part of San Rafael. I was even more intimidated when I had to make a forced entry through a dark dive bar into the restaurant with those glaring Harley men. Oddly, the brightest part of the entire space is the restaruant.
Nonetheless the breakfast menu looks amazing. 5-6 different choices of benedicts, and a variety of pancakes & french toasts. Sadly they ran out of my choice cinnamon brioche, so I opted for chocolate french toast which was tasty.
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I went there for weekday lunch and sat on the patio which was lovely with bouganvillas and umbrellas for those who want shade.
The crab sandwich on sourdough is out of this world! I also tried a bite of the steak sandwich, also very good. A delightful place and great food!
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we went there on our way to peanuts on parade in santa rosa. we were seated next to the window with a view of the pier. my friend read about the place before going and she recommended us to order the french toast and benedicts. 3 of us shared the proscuitto with fruit. the breakfast was marvellous. portion was not small. husband and i couldn't even finish up the two breakfasts (one proscuitto benedict and one chocolate french toast). maybe we went there before 11, it took them some time to have the dishes made. that's the one star i took off.
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great place to meet the local salty dawgs.
I grew up eating here and it is still very yummy! I recommend the clam chowder it is very tasty!
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