Il Davide

Italian restaurant · San Rafael

Il Davide

Italian restaurant · San Rafael

1

901 A St, San Rafael, CA 94901

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Il Davide by null
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Highlights

House-made pasta, calamari fritti, and decadent entrees.  

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901 A St, San Rafael, CA 94901 Get directions

ildavide.net
@ildavidesanrafaelca

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

901 A St, San Rafael, CA 94901 Get directions

+1 415 454 8080
ildavide.net
@ildavidesanrafaelca

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Oct 31, 2025

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Look Out, Zero Bond: Jean-Georges Vongerichten Is Opening a Members-Only Club, Chez Margaux | Eater NY

"A planned restaurant named Davide, conceived by Marc Forgione and his father Larry in partnership with Ronnie Madra and Richie Akiva’s Butter Group and with Roy Nachum set to oversee design, was slated for the former Spice Market site in 2019 and was to be named in honor of the late fashion photographer Davide Sorrenti, but it never opened and plans were paused amid the pandemic." - Melissa McCart

https://ny.eater.com/2024/5/1/24146417/jean-georges-vongerichten-chez-margaux-gaux-gaux-meatpacking-members-only
View Postcard for Il Davide

Georgia Frank

Google
Absolutely amazing food ambiance and service. 5 stars. The staff are amazing the food recommendations incredible. We enjoyed a gorgeous watermelon and tomato salad as a starter. Then we had our mains . My husband had an Incredible Sea bass and I was wavering between the scampi and a seafood pasta. I asked the waiter to choose for me and he didn't disappoint. Full of different kinds of seafood all cooked perfectly. The tables around us all had food that looked and smelled incredible as it came out. Filled and happy we would definitely come back to this amazing place.

Will McLaughlin

Google
David and his amazing staff catered our wedding and did an amazing job! From the beginning David was sincerely invested in our wedding. He helped us decide on table layout at the venue (in person), then took us to an event rental place where David laid out options and we got to pick exactly what we wanted. Next, we came in to Il Davide to taste the menu. David and his team prepared every single item on the catering menu for us. Everything was so good, it was impossible to pick our favorites! The service at the wedding from David and his incredible staff was above and beyond! They were so attentive to all of our guests, especially those with dietary restrictions. The food, most importantly, was absolutely delicious! We picked a diverse selection of entrees and sides, but they all came together on one plate beautifully. I can't recommend Il Davide enough.

Natalie Caldwell

Google
Il Davide is a perfect Italian gem in the middle of downtown San Rafael. I would absolutely recommend making a reservation, or make sure you get there before 5:45 to ensure you have a table. The drinks are split - cocktails were great. Weirdly, the wine fell flat and was borderline disappointing. The food - you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Don’t fill up too much on the bread they bring, while it’ll be tempting. Highly recommend getting the calamari fritti to start. For entrees, go for the house made pasta; it’s what they’re known for. Capellini del diavolo is delightful and not too spicy. The fettuccine viareggio is decadent and full of flavor. And the chicken parm is like no other. All of our plates would have been licked clean if that was appropriate in public. Of course end with some gelato or sorbet. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the meal. Great meal. Will be back!

Jeremy Funes

Google
My Girlfriend and I were finishing up an awesome weekend in Gualala and were really craving some pasta on the way home. After Googling places near us she decided on Il Davide. As soon as we entered we felt the warmth of a proper Italian restaurant. The Hostess asked if we had reservations, I told her we did not. She was very kind and accommodating and found a table for us anyways. Her service was Great! Our waiter was very friendly. I ordered my usual, Lasagna! The food came out in a timely fashion and sure did hit the spot. If we are ever in the area again we will definitely have more Il Davide. 10 out of 10, I recommend!

Saul Godinez

Google
Il Davide is a great place for all occasions and a family restaurant for all ages. It is a bit formal but you can sit outdoors and still enjoy a grey meal with kids. I love their truffle ravioli the chefs there🧑‍🍳 know how to make a great place. I also had their fried calamari, and scallops pasta 🍝. Every plate was plentiful and the service is just outstanding all around. The wine list is very good and affordable. Their deserts are a great way to end a good meal. I definitely recommend it for a great dinner experience!

Cecilia Carvajal

Google
It is impossible to imagine my wedding reception without singing praises to David, Ellen, & their team. From the initial tasting while shopping around for what food we wanted to the final execution of our wedding day, this was one of the best and easiest experiences of my wedding planning. The taste and quality of the food alone should sway everyone to work with Il Davide. When it came down to logistics of creating a kitchen at our venue, David reassured us that everything would work out along with the timing of our schedule of events. Ellen is a queen at planning, setting up and making sure all things worked out seamlessly and relieved any stress I had during the planning process. The day of my wedding, I was carefree while their entire team were the most gracious and fun hosts. It was a one stop shop working with Il Davide (food, bar service, linens, chairs…basically anything I needed) and David was amazing with communicating with us every step of the way and answering all of our questions with honesty. My guests could not stop raving about the amazing food they had (proclaiming it was the best food at a wedding they’ve ever had) & they loved the friendliness and professionalism of the staff. If you want amazing service that comes stress free, do not hesitate in reaching out to this great family business.

Kevin Lane

Google
Il Davide is an excellent restaurant, and we were fortunate to have David cater our wedding! From the start David was very accommodating, flexible, and helped put us at ease for our big day and make things easy on us. He brought a team to help us transition our space and set up, and when it unexpectedly decided to rain on us, they worked through the weather and set up beautiful tables for our guests. Now of course the food, delicious as always, guests were very pleased and enjoyed all the dishes. People have definitely brought up the meal in the following weeks and I know a few have had to stop by the restaurant for another round! Il Davide is wonderful to eat at, or to host or cater your event, you will have a fantastic meal to remember!

Dhruven Shah

Google
We fortunately had a reservation, as this place was extremely popular and crowded. The entrance passage is quite small. However, we were greeted by a very enthusiastic host! After a small wait, our table was ready! Served with fresh bread and olive oil. We're vegetarians, so we ordered the Bruscetta for the table, which was delicious. The Main Course, was the Pesto Gnocchi, The Cheese Ravioli which was super delicious!! It was a really delightful experience and our server was really helpful to get us vegetarian dishes too! Thank you! :)
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Carmen G.

Yelp
I gave Il Davide a glowing review 7 years ago--and I'm delighted to say they still deserve every word, and more. Il Davide is more than a restaurant--it's a place where I feel welcome and cherished every time I walk through the door. The staff are consistently kind, friendly, and warm in a way that feels real, not rehearsed. They treat me like they're genuinely happy I'm there--and that alone is worth five stars. But then... the food. Oh, the food! The lasagna and the ossobuchi are just like my mamma used to make--rich, comforting, and made with love you can taste in every bite. This place is a little haven in Marin. I always leave with a happy belly and a warmer heart. Grazie, Il Davide. You're doing everything right.
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Millie B.

Yelp
Dinner at IL David's is great. Our party of 6 dined early on a Saturday with no problems with reservations. True to Italian cuisine, our bread came immediately with olive oil. I believe this is complementary. You don't see that these days. We experienced good service and food. I tried the seabass special and it was delightful. Unfortunately there were no room for dessert anymore. Will be back! There's a parking garage close by and it's free on the weekends.
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Roma M.

Yelp
We made a reservation in advance over the phone, arrived a little early and were still seated. Started with some appetizers - burrata and a cheesy spinach pastry that I forgot the name of. For main course we ordered cacio e pepe, ravioli and mushroom penne pasta which they happily made gluten free for one person in my party. They mentioned that any of the items can be made gluten free which is amazing. Wine options were also extensive. The mushroom creamy sauce was just amazing- perfect spice, creaminess and mushroom flavor. For dessert, we got affogato, one more coffee and brownie based dessert and butterscotch. The butterscotch was literally melting in our mouth and it was so smooth! Overall loved the experience and the food
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Jennifer E.

Yelp
I have been to Il Davide a few times already and their food also didn't disappoint! The place is very nice and clean and well maintained! The service was outstanding!!!! Yesterday I went back with my good friend and had delicious and hearty dinner. We shared a caesar salad (so yummy!), shared the special which is the sea bass with polenta and shared an angel hair pasta dish! I had the paloma as my cocktail and my friend has the Gin Spritzer. Then for desserts we wanted to try 2 items: Dolce Diversio which is a layered chocolate brownie with gelato and the lemon coconut tart! Both were delicious and we were so stuffed! We definitely had a great time!
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Natalie C.

Yelp
Il Davide is a perfect Italian gem in the middle of downtown San Rafael. I would absolutely recommend making a reservation, or make sure you get there before 5:45 to ensure you have a table. The drinks are split - cocktails were great. Weirdly, the wine fell flat and was borderline disappointing. The food - you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Don't fill up too much on the bread they bring, while it'll be tempting. Highly recommend getting the calamari fritti to start. For entrees, go for the house made pasta; it's what they're known for. Capellini del diavolo is delightful and not too spicy. The fettuccine viareggio is decadent and full of flavor. And the chicken parm is like no other. All of our plates would have been licked clean if that was appropriate in public. Of course end with some gelato or sorbet. It's the perfect way to wrap up the meal. Great meal. Will be back!
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Dave M.

Yelp
I finally made it to Il Davide! Seems ridiculous to have taken this long, as I spend a ton of time in Marin, working here. It is everything I thought it would be and more. Besides the full bar, there is a lovely by the glass wine list. I chose a Brut Rose Prosecco, which was crisp and delicious, followed by a glass of 2013 Petit Verdot -- do not miss this! I sat at the bar and had wonderful service. This is a very "neighborhood" place with a strong sense of local community and regular patrons. My meal started with some incredible focaccia bread -- the best I have ever had. Unreal and delicious. Do not miss having some. My main course was Chicken Parmesan - which was also incredibly delicious. Well balanced creamy with cheese and acidic with sauce, a little pasta and a flavorful chicken breast. As a full service Italian spot, I know I'm just scratching the surface. But - I can definitely say that I don't think anything here would disappoint. Il Davide is a mainstay in the San Rafael community for a reason. Don't miss a visit. You will be well satisfied!
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Mike M.

Yelp
Best bartender in Marin! Food excellent, service great! Just a quality dining experience! Thank you!
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Rodrigo B.

Yelp
First of all I needed to ask for another server because the first one was extremely rude to me and my family. The second wasn't too much better though. My risotto was more like a stew and the menu price was $28 but when I placed my order the waiter said it was $38. The waiter was totally disrespectful to me when I told him I would split the bill with another person but he didn't do and brought the bill for just one person to pay. How hard is for people to do what they are supposed to do. I don't recommend this place. Not coming back at all
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Arielle L.

Yelp
Shared a fantastic meal with my husband and in-laws this past weekend. Everything we ate was delicious. I split the Cesar salad with my husband, we both enjoyed that the dressing did not have too much anchovy. For my main I got the special which was the sea bass with asparagus and polenta. Incredible. Everyone agreed they would be happy to return to Il Davide.
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Pat H.

Yelp
I can't remember having a better birthday party than last night at il Davide! My children asked me to pick my favorite place to celebrate my 92nd birthday, and I of course chose il Davide. The food and service is always excellent, but last night the staff went all out to make my day extra special. I love you all!
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Gohar K.

Yelp
While on a weekend trip to Tiburon we met family here for dinner per their recommendation. I'm so happy we got to try this amazing food. Everything we ordered tasted amazing. The gnocchi was my most favorite. The drinks were good and the desserts super delicious. The service was welcoming and wonderful. What a great place with great ambiance.
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Elisa C.

Yelp
Excellent service! Great teamwork among the wait staff. We were attended by no fewer than 5 people during our visit. Food came out pretty fast (20 minutes). We both loved the Due Ravioli (my husband ate half my dish). Two types of ravioli on one dish. You will not be disappointed.
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Erin L.

Yelp
Amazing, amazing, amazing. Love the truffle raviolis and the Caesar salad with Salmon. You have to go to Il Davide!
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Marissa C.

Yelp
We had a reservation and arrived as soon as they opened. There was one party ahead of us who was sat down immediately and the host said they'd be back to sit us. 10-15 mins passed and nothing. Another lady apologized and took us to our table. The restaurant was pretty empty at first but quickly got full and loud. We were celebrating a special occasion but yet, they sat down a couple with their extremely loud, obnoxious kid who was screaming and crying. The restaurant nor did the parents do anything about it. They were very accommodating on the dishes and being able to order items off the menu. Portion were pretty big and food was amazing!! We loved the calamari, stufato d'agnello & filetto di manzo. The busboy was very kind and attentive! Overall, food was amazing but service could've been a bit better. I would make the drive out there to give it another try! Food: 8.8/10 Service: 6.5/10
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Susan A.

Yelp
I came here with a friend and it's been so long since I've been here. Love the atmosphere! The food was amazing and service was great. Definitely going back
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Hao T.

Yelp
Bread: 0/5 The bread was stale and cold. Would have been nice if balsamic vinegar was offered but that wouldn't save how bad the bread was. Pollo Alla Parmigiana Il Davide (Chicken Parm): 3/5 If a fried chicken cutlet with tomato sauce is one of your signature/top dishes, I believe this is an Italian Restaurant not worth going to. The entire cutlet was soggy and the tomato sauce was bland. The chicken portion was large and filling. This dish is not spicy. Osso Bucco (Veal Shank): 2/5 Osso Bucco is one of my most favorite dishes until I had it here. The veal shank was cold in certain areas and was very dry even though it was drenched in this diluted red sauce. (Refer to Picture) Papparadelle Al Tre Funghi (Mushroom Ravioli): 5/5 This was the dish I enjoyed most. The mushroom flavor was strong, the raviolis were big and in tact, and the filing was delicious. Service: 3/5 The server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Reservation System: 1/5 The website does not tell you what times are available. You have to choose a date and time, then request for availability. If that slot is not available you have to repeat the process until you land on a spot that's available. Ambiance: 4/5 The inside of the restaurant seemed a bit crammed so we sat outside. The weather was beautiful and the outdoor seating was pleasant to dine at. Notes: I left a note while making a reservation that it was my girlfriend's birthday and that I am willing to pay to have special accommodations. Her birthday was not acknowledged during our dinner.
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Becca S.

Yelp
I haven't written a Yelp reviews in years, but I had to for II Davide. We had such a tasteful catering experience with David! We were shocked at how reliable, attentive, and nice he was as a busy business owner. David--himself--went out of his way to make sure our catering order was special. His attention to detail and quick coordination made the entire process easy peasy. The food was sooooooooo good--if the catering is this yummy, I can only imagine how amazing it is at the restaurant. Emailing David was super simple. He coursed and portioned it perfectly, and it was all carefully packed and ready to be served when we picked it up. If you're reading this, don't sleep on these knockouts: Ravioli di Porcini (vegetarians loved it), Lamb Chops (some of the best we've had), Il Davide's Cioppino (absolute must), and the Vanilla Panna Cotta (seriously, you won't regret it). 10/10 would recommend--David and his team were such a blessing for a special night.
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Marie B.

Yelp
Had a delicious lunch here today, but the portion sizes were ridiculous. I got the calamari steak Dore, and noted the pasta was about two tablespoons! It tasted fantastic, but two small bites is not enough. Pasta isn't even that expensive! There were three small medallions of the calamari, and then a small portion of sautéed greens. For $28, it really wasn't worth it. I'm disappointed as we've been coming here for years. I understand everything has gone up in price, labor is expensive, etc., but it's not enough food to justify the prices.

Arnold T.

Yelp
I've eaten at the bar a handful of times and the food and service have always been solid.
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Gordon R.

Yelp
The food was excellent. However, the menu on Yelp is out of date. Pricing for the meal I purchased was double the published rates for online orders on Yelp. I had them customize my entree. They did a great job and the food was delicious.
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Brian D.

Yelp
Food-9 Service-9 and entertaining as heck Ambiance-9. Vaulted ceiling! Loved it Tuna carpaccio- 10 I ordered two! Caesar salad with scallops- big ones -10!!!! Three wait and bus folk to serve and talk to. Italian- 10 Great place in every way! I'm going back! Verbal scaloppini-9* Almost forgot The sauce was a 10** Great experience! Here's some pics!

Lulu S.

Yelp
I absolutely love this place; the food is consistently good, and the staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. I have dined here a handful of times, usually in the dining room. However, during my last couple of visits, I dined in the bar area across from the bar during the lunch hour. Unfortunately, on both occasions, there was an individual who is a local regular. He's this old cringey outdated rocker dude who exhibited a foul and rude demeanor, which was offensive to myself and other diners nearby. The dude needs to keep his mouth shut, especially when it comes to his view of politics and trashing other individuals. I'm there to dine, not to listen to his uncredited opinion.
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Brian K.

Yelp
Stopped by for dinner after cataract falls hike. Tried the burrata appetizer, Chilean sea bass, chicken parm and finished up with bread pudding. First off, the restaurant, service and live music was awesome. The dishes were all excellent!! Burrata was so creamy and paired nicely with that awesome fig jam, copa and the nicely toasted points of bread. The fish was executed perfectly with a nice light crust and moist meat. The saffron lemon cream sauce was a little tangy for me, but still good. The chicken parm was for me, the star. Chicken was so moist, crispy coating with plenty of cheese, flavorful marinara and fresh pasta in a cream sauce. I would get that every day!! Bread pudding was also excellent. Wasn't heavy like most bread puddings. And the creme anglaise sauce was killer. My only beef with this place is they charge extra to use a credit card. The price of the dishes were already on the high side and then they make you pay extra to use the card. I feel it's a cost of doing business. I was inclined to lower my tip to compensate.
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Emily W.

Yelp
Called a few days before to book a Saturday reservation and they said they were super booked up and only had an 8:30pm slot so we took it! My party of 4 was seated a few minutes before. Ambience was very nice and had an upscale fancy vibe. For small plates, we shared the brasatto (braised short rib over butternut squash polenta), carpaccio di manzo (raw Kobe beef), and calamari fritti. These were ok, none stood out that much. For the calamari, the breading was soft and slid off the calamari and shrimp when you picked it up, which made it hard to dip into sauces and eat. For entrees, we shared the truffle ravioli, linguine alla vongole, and piccata di vitello (veal). Veal was ok - not super tender and the veggies and scalloped potatoes that came with it weren't anything special. Linguine was pretty good and we liked that they were generous with the clams. Truffle ravioli was definitely the highlight. It had amazing flavor and loved the creaminess of the dish. Would definitely get the truffle ravioli again - it was easily the star of the show. Complimentary bread and olive oil. Wine was a good price. For dessert, we got creme brulee and it was pretty good. Service was great, food came out quickly, portions were generous on the entrees. Docking off the star due to the small plates, but overall I think it's worth trying this restaurant.

Gina R.

Yelp
David Hayden catered our wedding and did an amazing job! The food was absolutely incredible and our guests are still talking about it. The staff was attentive and professional. We couldn't have asked for better catering--highly recommend! Gina and Mark Michna
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Gabi Z.

Yelp
Came here on a work trip and was feeling seafood. I can see this being a great place to have a dinner date or to celebrate a special occasion. The waiter recommended the Seabass special that had saffron cream sauce and asparagus on top of polenta. The fish was so tender and flaky and the polenta looked almost like an English muffin. It was the perfect portion size and the sauce complemented the fish so well. Highly recommend. I also tried the custard leek appetizer. It looked like a tart with a savory leek filling. My server also thought this was one of the best things on the menu and I have to agree. For dessert, I had the lemon coconut tart, which tasted like a lemon flavored macaroon with that crème brûlée shell topping and lemon curd on the side. It had the texture of a coconut macaroon. The only recommendation I would have for this is to put more lemon flavor in the actual tart. I I would still highly recommend though. Overall, this place was well worth my money. Rarely do I recommend everything I ate, but I can confidently say that everything I had was excellent including the service. My server was top notch.
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Terry L.

Yelp
I've been to this spot, at least four or five times while traveling for work. I love their fresh salads, fresh fish, and appetizers. They have a great wine menu and will allow you to sample, so that you can pick something that hits your pallet just right. The ambience is perfect for a date night, a lunch, or anytime to just sit at the bar with the friendly bartenders. The service was great and I will continue to go back whenever in San Rafael.
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Drake L.

Yelp
Came here for dinner last night. We ordered the insulate della Davide, which had nice feta cheese, roasted walnuts, and a nice light dressing, overall wonderful. My son loves fresh gnocchi so he ordered the gnocchi di mango with the short rib sauce. The gnocchi was light and airy and the sauce had a nice beefy flavor with pieces of short rib that my son loved. I was going to order the papardelle ai tres funghi but another patron next to us suggested the ravioli with fungi instead. The ravioli was very tasty but the skins were a bit firm for my preference but still overall very good. For dessert, we shared the tiramisu- which was light and airy and had great flavor. The meal began with a nice selection of fresh breads with a ramekin of flavorful olive oil to dip the breads. Overall, great service, great food and nice ambiance. We will be back!
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Walt P.

Yelp
The service was top notch. My waiter was super attentive and extremely knowledgeable on the dishes and how it was prepared. I would definitely recommend eating outside as the indoor dining is loud. The salad portions are large so I highly sharing a salad for an appetizer. The wine list is very deep but make sure you have a backup selected because your first choice might not be available as some of the wines are limited. I loved the pasta here, the mushroom with truffle sauce was delicious and the pasta are made locally so you can definitely taste a difference.

Darlene C.

Yelp
Rip off. The $28 pasta was supposed to come with soup. We were charged on top. Good food, bad service and ripped off.
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Orlando L.

Yelp
An easy 5 star review! *Very accommodating staff that worked as a team *Easy walking distance from nearby hotels *Excellent choices on the menu-very high quality and taste fantastic (Taste like grandmaw cooked it) Don't miss out on this! I highly recommend. Go see for yourself.

Cecilia C.

Yelp
It is impossible to imagine my wedding reception without singing praises to David, Ellen, & their team. From the initial tasting while shopping around for what food we wanted to the final execution of our wedding day, this was one of the best and easiest experiences of my wedding planning. The taste and quality of the food alone should sway everyone to work with Il Davide. When it came down to logistics of creating a kitchen at our venue, David reassured us that everything would work out along with the timing of our schedule of events. Ellen is a queen at planning, setting up and making sure all things worked out seamlessly and relieved any stress I had during the planning process. The day of my wedding, I was carefree while their entire team were the most gracious and fun hosts. It was a one stop shop working with Il Davide (food, bar service, linens, chairs...basically anything I needed) and David was amazing with communicating with us every step of the way and answering all of our questions with honesty. My guests could not stop raving about the amazing food they had (proclaiming it was the best food at a wedding they've ever had) & they loved the friendliness and professionalism of the staff. If you want amazing service that comes stress free, do not hesitate in reaching out to this great family business.
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Destry N.

Yelp
Great service. Great ambience. Loved the Bolognese. Now the positives are out of the way, the spaghetti and meatballs was aggressively so-so. The meatballs were delicious, but the marinara sauce could've been better, a little sweet for my taste . The Lasagna is a hard pass for me. Not a huge fan of the starter bread either. All in all, if I had came here and only ordered the Bolognese and a coke (my usual order) I would've walked away a very happy customer. PS a note to management I think you should improve the quality of bread you serve, it goes a long way, also softening the butter would be a huge plus. Definitely would try again.
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Jim B.

Yelp
Exceptional as always! We live in Sonoma county and don't get the opportunity to eat here as often as we'd like, but when we do, we go all out. I can't say enough about the food. The menu makes it difficult to decide. Always fantastic! Having grown up in an Italian family, we know real Italian food. Il Davide is a step back in time to my childhood memories of what nonni made. SO GOOD!! Service is prompt, on point and David is always there to talk and check in with how our meal was. Just love this personal service!! Highly recommend Il Davide!! You won't be disappointed.

Carlee M.

Yelp
David Haydon catered our June 2025 wedding at the Marin Art and Garden Center, and hiring him was hands down the best decision we made in the entire wedding planning process. 1. The Food In terms of "most important things to us" when planning our wedding, we didn't initially anticipate the food being something our guest would remember the most. We were wrong, it absolutely was. After our tasting with David, we realized just how special the meal would be. Throughout the night, people came up to us raving about it. A few standout comments: - "I went back for thirds of the mushroom ravioli -- and I don't even like mushrooms." - "This is the best Caesar salad I've had in Marin." - "What the hell is in this butterscotch pudding? I can't stop eating it." From start to finish, the menu was thoughtful, beautifully executed, and genuinely memorable. 2. The Hospitality One of the first things David told us was that he runs his catering staff like he runs his restaurant: with white-tablecloth-level service. And he meant it. As one example: multiple staffs member were assigned solely to ensure no water glasses were empty all night. Every member of the team was warm, professional, and impressively attentive -- whether someone needed a fresh fork, a full wine glass, or an off-menu drink. It was seamless and elevated the entire guest experience. 3. The Chef David himself is a force. He brings experience, professionalism, and heart to everything he does. Throughout the planning process, he was clear and transparent -- helping us make choices that were both cost-effective and guest-friendly. On the day of, he wasn't just calling the shots -- he was in the trenches with his team, delivering plates and swapping dishes. And most importantly, David genuinely loves what he does. His passion shows in how he treats his clients, his staff, and all the other vendors. In short: David and his team are nothing short of phenomenal. Work with him. You'll be glad you did.

Alexandra M.

Yelp
Great food, great ambiance and it's quite an institution in San Rafael. Both lunch and dinner are great.
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Ashley H.

Yelp
10/25/2023 Had a long and hard day at work so I wanted to go out for dinner. I made a reservation at this restaurant for myself and my boyfriend. It was pretty easy to find and parking was not hard to find at all. We had the best waiter! He was very friendly and accommodating. I ordered a glass of wine and my boyfriend ordered a shirley temple. We started with the bread and olive oil. Of course we asked for balsamic so we could mix the balsamic and the olive oil together. Best dip ever! We also ordered the Scampi Bruschetta as an appetizer. It was delicious I would order it again. For our entrees we ordered the following: Linguine Alla Vongole- I love a good linguine and clams pasta! It was a little bit salty for me but besides that it was delicious! Pappardelle con salsicca- My boyfriend ordered this pasta and loved it! I have to say after we moved to Richmond we have started exploring restaurants across the San Rafael bridge. Lots more to explore.

Michael G.

Yelp
4 dinners, each differrent, all cooked erfectly. The wait staff was superb, Allowed us to socialize uniterupted both before and after dinner. Although they were busy, we were not rushed. The prices were not cheap but the meals were affordable. Big bonus was there was non significant noise level. It was like having dinner at home. We will return soon.
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Tom K.

Yelp
This is the best restaurant in Marin. I don't think there is a close competitor really. Phenomenal food each time I have been there. The Chicken Parm is next level. Also don't skip put on dessert, they have some great options. Also the service has always been top notch. A great spot!
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Karen H.

Yelp
Great overall experience. The food was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor, the service was attentive without being overbearing, and the ambiance was elegant and inviting. It is on the expensive side, which may not be for everyone, but it's a solid choice for a special occasion.

Leo G.

Yelp
Reasonably priced and quality food! The staff are very friendly and welcoming. It was so busy when we went there and I am glad we had a reservation!
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Tanya W.

Yelp
The service was great, the ambiance was nice, and they had a great menu. I just wish the portion size was bigger for the price.

Michaela O.

Yelp
Amazing food. My families go to place for a nice meal. The service is phenomenal. I would highly recommend.
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DeborAh B.

Yelp
We had my 80th birthday party at Il Davide last Saturday in the private room. It could not have been nicer! The staff, including our waiter Francisco and the hostess Dina, were wonderful - so kind and helpful. Our food was prompt and delicious. Thank you Il Davide - we will be back!
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Kellin P.

Yelp
Fantastic Italian food - made fresh and with high quality ingredients. Fantastic wine list, too!
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Delmy T.

Yelp
Had an absolutely amazing experience here with a party of 11. I wasn't able to make a reservation for a party that large online but called in and was told it was no problem. Arrived and we were seated promptly. The service was fantastic with our server being very attentive throughout our meal and very kind when my niece accidentally spilled her drink on the table. The food was delicious, everyone loved the appetizers, bread and their entrees. Desserts were very tasty as well.
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Lois A.

Yelp
We had a wonderful dinner last night. Food was amazing and our waiter Brian was just a delight so friendly. Keep up the good work love this place. Lois A
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Michelle H.

Yelp
Date of Visit: 9/24/2023 After our day hike at the Point Reyes National Seashore, we visited Il Davide Italian restaurant located in San Rafael. We called about 30 min prior to our visit, and made a reservation for 2. We sat in the indoor dining area right away. The waiter served us bread with Bread Dipping Oil. 2020 Leviathan Red Blend $20 Ordered a glass of the 2020 Leviathan Red Blend, which was produced in the area of Sonoma and Napa, sourcing from Moon Mountain and Coobsville. This is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Petite Sirah, 7% Syrah, 5% Petite Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. With aromas of plum, black cherry, cocoa, and some spices of white pepper and cardamom. The wine has bright and persistent acidity with intense tannin. Hemingway Daiquiri $14 I ordered a glass of Hemingway Daiquiri. This is a cherry blended rum with grapefruit and lime juice. Sweet and sour taste of the cocktail and with brandied cherry garnish. Scampi Bruschetta $16 We got the Scampi Bruschetta for appetizer, with rock prawns and shrimp with a classic garlic and butter scampi sauce on sourdough toast. Very buttery taste. Pollo Alla Parmigiana Il Davide $30 I got the famous friend chicken breast with mozzarella and tomato sauce. On the side there is Baked trofie pasta. Tagliarini Alla Scampi $27 We also got the rock Shrimp and gulf prawns tagliarini, which taste similar to the appetizer. We originally ordered the clams linguini but the waitress told us they were out of clams, and we wanted something with white sauce, so switched to this one. Tiramisu $9 Love the tiramisu with caramel and chocolate sauce on the side. Fluffy and creamy taste of the tiramisu, and the waitress gave us two glasses of port on the side to go with the tiramisu, which was fantastic!

Denisee R.

Yelp
A disappointing evening. Brother and SIL were in town for a visit and asked about dining here. In the past, when I've eaten here, it was brilliant. Not sure if they have slipped or just happened to be an off night. Service was awful. We had a reservation and were seated timely. Took the server over 1/2 hour to acknowledge us. They screwed up my brother and SIL's order and it took another 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to replace it. My salmon was fine but not great. Lasagna was decent, but not great. Son really did not care for the salad with beets. I was never asked again if I wanted a refill on my drink. We were there three hours and 7 people cost $57 each for mediocre food and lousy service, no starters, 1 bottle of vino and no desserts. Not sure I'll gamble with a visit here again.