Lunch in Novato is a real decision. You can grab a sandwich off the downtown promenade or settle in for a proper fine-dining experience that feels like old Hollywood.

The range is almost absurd, from a winery with live music and art on the walls to a no-frills spot where the Creole potato salad steals the show. That Board Room prime rib special is worth the splurge, but a quick, perfect sushi roll at Masa Sushi has its own kind of magic.

Every spot here has a reason to be on your radar, and we drove to all of them so you do not have to guess. Here is where you should be eating this week.

Ayawaska Hilltop

Highlights
Gorgeous rolling hills view
Personable, perfect service
Impressive, innovative octopus dish
Spacious, airy atmosphere
Competitive lunch prices

You drive up to Ayawaska Hilltop and the view hits you first. Gorgeous rolling hills stretch out everywhere. The room feels spacious and airy, so you can breathe. Service is personable and perfect, like they actually care about your lunch. The octopus dish is impressive and innovative, not something you see every day. It arrives with a flair that makes you pause. Lunch prices are competitive for this level of quality. You sit back and take in the scenery. That view alone makes it worth the trip. You will leave feeling like you found a real spot. It is a place you want to come back to soon.

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Chicha y Cafe

Highlights
Greatly improved food quality
Cozy rainy-day atmosphere
Friendly, welcoming owner
Delicious empanadas and coffee
Worth returning to

Chicha y Cafe is the kind of place you return to. The food quality has greatly improved since your last visit. You notice it right away in every bite. The empanadas are delicious, with a flaky crust and savory filling. The coffee is strong and comforting. The owner greets you with a friendly, welcoming smile. On a rainy day, the cozy atmosphere wraps around you like a blanket. You can sit by the window and watch the drops fall. It feels personal, like a neighborhood secret. You will absolutely come back. This place earns its spot on your list.

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The Board Room

Highlights
Prime rib special rocks
Smoked pork chop wins
Professional elegant dining vibe
Attentive, friendly servers
Perfectly seared steak center

The Board Room brings a professional elegance to lunch. You walk in and the vibe is refined but not stuffy. The prime rib special rocks, and you get it. The smoked pork chop wins too, with a deep, smoky flavor. The steak center is perfectly seared, pink and juicy. Servers are attentive and friendly, checking in without hovering. You feel like you are in a proper dining room. It is a step up from casual, but still relaxed. Lunch here feels like a treat. You will remember that prime rib. It is worth every penny.

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Grazie Restaurant

Highlights
Gluten-free options done right
Owner personally ensures care
Amazing pasta and risotto
Delicious garlic bread and salmon

Grazie Restaurant gets it right with gluten-free options. You do not have to worry here. The owner personally ensures your care, coming by your table. The pasta and risotto are amazing, rich and comforting. The garlic bread is delicious, even the gluten-free version. You try the salmon and it is cooked perfectly. Every dish feels thoughtful. You appreciate the attention to detail. It is rare to find such care. You leave satisfied and full. This place makes you feel looked after. You will come back for that risotto.

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Michael's Sourdough Sandwiches

Highlights
Amazing bread, chewy crust
Fresh, perfectly proportioned toppings
Creole potato salad notably delicious
Fast, no-frills service
Fair price for filling meal

Michael's Sourdough Sandwiches is a no-frills stop. You order and get your food fast. The bread is amazing, with a chewy crust that holds everything together. Toppings are fresh and perfectly proportioned. Each bite has the right balance. The Creole potato salad is notably delicious on the side. It has a little kick. The price is fair for a filling meal. You get a lot of value here. Service is quick and efficient. You can be in and out. But you might want to savor that bread.

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The Speakeasy - Novato

Highlights
Old Hollywood speakeasy atmosphere
Best chicken livers in town
Delicious burger and polenta
Amazing Old Fashioned cocktails
Transportive fine dining experience

The Speakeasy takes you back to old Hollywood. You step inside and the atmosphere is transportive. Dim lights and vintage charm surround you. The chicken livers are the best in town, rich and savory. You also try the burger, which is delicious. The polenta is a perfect side, creamy and satisfying. Their Old Fashioned cocktails are amazing, strong and smooth. This is a fine dining experience at lunch. You feel like you are somewhere special. You relax into the vibe. It is a place to take your time.

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Masa Sushi

Highlights
Excellent sushi and sides
Attentive, friendly service
Quick but satisfying lunch
Great appetizer options

Masa Sushi is your quick lunch fix. The sushi is excellent, fresh and well-made. You also enjoy the sides that come with it. Service is attentive and friendly, never rushed. You can get a satisfying lunch without waiting long. That speed matters on a busy day. The appetizer options are great too, giving you variety. You might start with something small. Then the rolls arrive, neat and tasty. Everything feels clean and simple. You leave refreshed. It is a reliable spot for a good bite.

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Active Culture

Highlights
Super fresh vegan options
OG house sauce amazing
Bowls and tacos win
Quick counter service
Casual outdoor seating

Active Culture is all about fresh food. You try the vegan options and they are super fresh. The OG house sauce is amazing, adding a tangy kick. You build a bowl and it wins. The tacos also win with their crunch and flavor. Service is quick, counter style, so you do not wait. Outdoor seating is casual and comfortable. You sit in the sun and enjoy your meal. It feels light and healthy. You feel good after eating here. This place makes eating well easy. You will be back for that sauce.

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The Village - Italian Restaurant

Highlights
New lunch sandwich menu
Skirt steak sandwich standout
Tasty linguini and clams
Signature side bread
Oozing cheesy pizzas

The Village has a new lunch sandwich menu. You spot the skirt steak sandwich and order it. It is a standout, tender and juicy. The linguini and clams are tasty, with a bright broth. The signature side bread is a must, warm and chewy. You also see the pizzas with oozing cheese. Everything looks inviting. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. You can take your time here. Lunch feels like a proper meal. You leave with a happy stomach. This is a solid choice.

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Sourdough & Co.

Highlights
Review 1	"Amazing sandwich place in Navato... delicious specially the toasted sourdough... Very friendly staff... Excellent choices... A must go place!!"
Review 2	"Competitive prices and the sandwich being surprisingly good for its price... I came today definitely not hungry but very thirsty. My thirst was quenched... That was a great help, and it was amazingly marketable."

Sourdough & Co. surprised you in a good way. You walk in and the staff is very friendly. The toasted sourdough is delicious, with a perfect crunch. You pick something and it is excellent. Prices are competitive, and the sandwich is surprisingly good for what you pay. You came in not hungry but thirsty, and they helped with that too. You got a great drink. It was amazingly marketable, just a good experience all around. You leave refreshed and full enough. This place is a must go for lunch. Simple and effective.

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Trek Winery

Highlights
Wine aged far longer
Relaxed, fun visit
Live music almost daily
Cool art-filled space
Steps from downtown promenade

Trek Winery is a relaxed, fun visit. You find it steps from the downtown promenade. The space is cool and filled with art. Wine is aged far longer than you expect. That care shows in the flavor. Live music plays almost daily, adding to the vibe. You can sit back and sip. It is a great break from the usual lunch rush. You do not feel hurried here. The atmosphere is easy and welcoming. You might stay longer than planned. That is fine. This place is a treat.

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Sam's Place

Highlights
Delicious food, fair lunch prices
Clean, comfy dining room
Unique overhead train charm
Convenient parking available

Sam's Place is a clean, comfy dining room. You park easily right nearby. The food is delicious and lunch prices are fair. You order a solid meal and it hits the spot. There is a unique overhead train charm that adds fun. You watch it chug along while you eat. Service is steady and kind. You feel at home here. The place is simple but well done. You do not need flashy. Just good food and a good seat. You will come back when you need a reliable lunch. It delivers every time.

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