Casa Mañana Restaurant — Marin County's Oldest Family-Owned Mexican Restaurant, Serving San Rafael Since 1979

In a county full of excellent restaurants that come and go, there is something deeply reassuring about a place that has been feeding the same community from the same location for nearly five decades. Casa Mañana Restaurant on D Street in San Rafael isn't just a beloved local favorite — it is a living piece of Marin County culinary history, the oldest family-owned Mexican restaurant in Marin County, established in 1979 Yelp and still going strong under the same family's care, with the same authentic recipes, the same warm hospitality, and the same commitment to cooking everything from scratch.

A True Hidden Gem — and a Family Legacy

Casa Mañana is located in the interior courtyard of a building just outside downtown San Rafael — if you weren't specifically looking for it, you might not stumble upon it. But now that you know about it, there is no excuse not to visit this delightful restaurant which has served quality meals for many years. Tripadvisor That sense of discovery is part of the charm. Finding Casa Mañana feels like being let in on a secret that San Rafael locals have been quietly keeping for generations.

The Food — Everything Made from Scratch, Nothing from a Can

Casa Mañana's approach to its kitchen is refreshingly principled. Everything is made fresh in-house — nothing comes out of a can. The restaurant uses only free-range chicken and no lard in the beans, and the menu offers a large variety of vegetarian dishes. Yelp In a county that cares deeply about how food is sourced and prepared, that kind of commitment to quality and clean ingredients matters — and it shows in every bite.

The menu is extensive and rewards exploration. Standouts include the Gallina en Mole, pork fajitas, the Green Carnitas Enchilada, and the Enchilada Vallarta — filled with plantains and covered in mole — which is a must-try for vegetarians. Yelp The combination plates are the way to go for first-timers, offering the full breadth of the kitchen's range in a single, generously portioned meal. The mole sauce — rich, complex, and made in-house — has earned a devoted following that keeps customers ordering it again and again. One devoted customer described it simply as the best mole sauce they'd ever had DoorDash, and that's a sentiment echoed across reviews spanning years.

The pupusas — a nod to the Salvadoran side of the menu — are another standout, bringing an authentic Central American tradition to a Marin County dining room with care and skill.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner — Seven Days a Week

The menu spans beyond traditional Mexican fare — Casa Mañana is also a wonderful breakfast destination Tripadvisor, with dishes that mix eggs, potatoes, salads, and meats into well-rounded, filling morning meals. The coffee is excellent, and the patio makes it one of San Rafael's most pleasant spots to linger over a morning meal before heading into the day. Open seven days a week from 9:00 AM through 9:00 PM, Casa Mañana is as reliable as it is delicious.

The Patio — A San Rafael Courtyard Oasis

This hidden San Rafael gem has a sweet patio and a family-friendly vibe Themarindish that makes it equally perfect for a casual solo lunch, a family dinner, or a leisurely weekend morning with friends. The courtyard setting gives the whole experience a warm, unhurried quality that you simply don't find at busier, more visible spots on the main drag — and the loyal regulars who have been coming here for decades clearly wouldn't have it any other way.

Casa Mañana holds a 4.6-star rating on DoorDash with over 500 reviews DoorDash — a reflection of a kitchen that consistently delivers and a community that keeps coming back.

711 D Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 456-7345 Open Monday-Sunday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM · Dine-in, outdoor patio, takeout & delivery available