Mill Valley Beerworks

I love this place. The restaurant is beautiful and I love that you can peek into the gorgeous kitchen. I love the beer and it’s reasonably priced. The food is rich and pricey, but I recommend coming for a couple of beers and a small plate or two to share. For a pint or two and some delicious sides, this is one of my favorite spots in Marin.

This is a really great place to get beer. It seems like an old-​school beerhall, a totally necessary well done local pub. The design of the place is fantastic. The house made brew is amazing and they have many other awesome selections. It has changed throughout the years to be more of a restaurant. Maybe that is just good business but there was something special in the focus on the bar side. The food is well done, but expensive and a little too gourmet. Go for the beer and ambience!

I’m posting this review on my son’s behalf, as he does not have a Unilocal account but felt compelled to document his recent experience:
I visited Mill Valley Beerworks on 1÷5÷16. I checked Google for their hours and saw that they close at 10:30pm. My friend and I arrived at 9:15pm. The blonde server who sat us was friendly but informed us that the kitchen was closing in 15 minutes. I told her that Google listed their hours as closing at 10:30pm, so I was confused, but that we’d order everything quickly. My first impression of the menu was that everything seemed a little overpriced. Appetizers were $ 12 – 15 and mains were $ 18 – 35. Is this a gastropub or a fine dining restaurant? We skipped the appetizers, they sounded nice but I had a feeling the portions would be tiny.
We both ordered bacon cheeseburgers ($ 18) and beers ($ 7). I thought it was strange that the server didn’t ask how we wanted our burgers cooked, but I assumed they would be cooked rare (which seems to be the standard for people who actually want to taste their meat). I was wrong, they were cooked medium-​well. The brioche bun was nice, but the burger itself was under-​seasoned and came with two tiny pieces of flavorless bacon. The burger was surrounded by unsalted, under-​cooked, boring fries. Feeling inspired by the Belgian beers on the menu I asked for some mayonnaise, but was told they only have an aoli. That’s fine, but I was hoping it wasn’t the same garlic-​heavy aoli on the burger. It was. The beer I ordered was OK, but it couldn’t have been more than 10oz for $ 7. It was a beer that they make in-​house, so that seemed a little pricey for what it was.
At 10pm I attempted to order another beer but was informed that they already called last call. WTF? Thanks for telling me. I got the sense from our server that she was annoyed and just wanted us gone. She left the check and my friend and I continued our conversation. 10 minutes later I realized that we were the last people in the restaurant, so we signed our credit card slips. Almost immediately after my pen hit the table two other servers appeared and began frantically blowing out all the candles on the tables around us. At one point I looked up and had a butt facing me wiggling around, it was one of the servers standing on a chair trying to reach a candle on one of the shelves. OK, I get it, you want to go home.
As we were getting to ready to leave, I turned around and noticed that every single staff member was sitting at the bar, staring daggers at us. It was 10:30pm and I’m assuming from their vibe that we were «those» guests now, so we got out of their quickly.
There aren’t many restaurants in Marin with good beer lists, so Mill Valley Beerworks gets some points for that, but those are the only points they get. The service and food was mediocre at best. I’m guessing there are enough curious people to give them one chance, keeping them in business for a while, but I’m not sure why anyone would return.

Hey, I’m honestly surprised at the low scoring. Took me a while to try it out as a date place because with a name like Beerworks I was expecting it to be a little more brewery and a little less dark mood hipster. Yah, it’s pricey (over $ 100 down for two every time I’ve been) but it’s delivering on atmosphere, nosh and drinks. Just like Molina I think this place has gotten the bad rep on noise & crowdiness. My opinion: Nosaj Thing.
Favorites:
* Small plates: Maitake Mushroom Toast ($ 14), squash, mussels (which I promptly order the second I sit down).
* Main: BELLY.
I still have to try the burger, which I’ve heard peeps raving about. The menu changes with the seasons, just the way it should be.
My complaint: I’m still not aboard the beer-​that-​tastes-​like-​flowers train and wish they had a larger selection of dry whites by the glass.

The in-​house and guest beers available are meh. Food is for sure overpriced ($ 18 for a burger) but it’s Mill Valley so it is to be expected. At least it tasted good.
The vibe of this place has definitely changed since this became more of a restaurant and less of a brew house and that’s sad. Really really slow service, even just to be seated. Maybe they are understaffed? Either way, don’t come here starving. It’ll be a while before you eat.
This is actually a 2.5 star review. We will not be back.

This place is like a slice of the city in silly ol Mill Valley. It’s a cool space, a bit dark, but lively. Great beer and wine list but I ended up getting a delicious dry cider on tap which I loved. Food-​wise, it reminded me a little bit of Bar Tartine… like a cheaper, more casual version. A teeny bit fancy, a little cozy, and you can imagine a young, tattoo-​covered, Warby Parker bespectacled person in the kitchen making it. I had curry lentil soup and an open face mushroom toast, both were delicious and tasted rich and indulgent even though I felt like I was trying to make a sliiiiightly healthier choice that night. Their burger is supposed to be amazing, so I’m excited to try that next time.
One star off for their dessert – almond cake with cream that would normally would use like, mascarpone or something if they wanted to go the cheese-​infused cream route but this had too much of a gamier cheese, like goat cheese or something in it because it did not pair with that almond cake at ALL and we couldn’t finish it.

I had a DElicious meal with lentils and egg and paired it with a nice beer. I liked the vibe and interior of this hip spot.
I would definitely recommend it, and plan on returning.
My only complaint was trying to find it because there is no sign visible from the street and I drove back and forth on Throckmorton before I spotted the number, and good thing I knew the it!

We came here for dinner after a movie. We knew the beer selection was good and we hoped the food would be OK. We were impressed. The food exceeded our expectations. Tonight the pasta was a spicy Orchiette with sausage — excellent! We also enjoyed the mushroom toast and Brussel sprouts.
The vibe was good. Server knowledgeable and pleasant. Food came quickly and was paced well. Décor is fitting for Mill Valley.
All in all this is a perfect spot for Mill Valley evenings.

Great spot the service is always wonderful the food healthy, delicious with lots of choices the atmosphere inviting, I’m never disappointed! A main mainstaple.

The food and Beerworks is fantastic — just about worth the high prices.
But there is a greed factor, or maybe a snooty factor, that just can’t be ignored.
We go in there like any couple, dropping $ 70-​$ 100 for food & drinks. The beers on tap are creative, but I’m not crazy about any particular one. I have experience with blending beverages (I owned a tea business and brewed beers in my wayward youth) so I know a bit about how to create the taste I want.
After finding a couple of beers (same price) to mix to create a taste I am looking for, I am told they can’t mix a glass of beer.
I like customer service that does what the customer wants — especially when it is no skin off their nose — as with mixing two tap beers with the same price.
I get served two beers in small glasses. And don’t get a larger glass to pour them in until I ask for it. Later I am charged for two $$ small beers.
It would seem that a restaurantuer would like the repeat business of a couple who comes in and drops $ 70-​$ 100 every time. But instead, something’s not right — stemming from greediness or snootiness it seems — that prevents these people from providing the good customer service so a customer is always happy.
I recommend the restaurant for the terrific food. But if greediness (or snootiness) isn’t what you like in the air while you are eating, you might look further for your gastronomic experience.

Awesome, warm, cozy, rustic-​styled restaurant right in the heart of little MV. Really creative, brilliant chef keeps a short, simple menu, every item always a phenomenal result. Genuinely delicious food, one of our three favorites in Marin now.
PRO: absolutely delicious food, full stop. Spectacular beer selection. Awesome staff.
CON: … um … would be great if they’d crank up the music a bit, it’s almost entirely inaudible. Something like Lumineers or Mumford & Sons would be perfect. Also, I’ve mentioned it person, but I want to put it in writing too: this place totally needs to upgrade the liquor license — the décor is BEGGING for a whisky bar. :)

YES YES YES!!! Na this is what Im talkin ’bout
What a cool freakin place! Mill valley needs more places like this… Just a cool hang out with well crafted beers. This is a great place to stop for a beer after a nice long hike. The vibe was super laid back.

Hubby and I ate here for dinner a few weeks back. we had some good Ft pint beers. Mine was the summer porter and his was the other porter. He had a pork chop for dinner and I had 2 appetizers. One was squash that was so good and roasted to perfection. The other one was cheese, well, yes, I love cheese but, it was SOOOOOO expensive for one little tiny bit of cheese, that they should have at LEAST given you 2 pieces instead of one. That is why there is only 4 stars.
My next review, yep 2 for 1, I did go here the other day for brunch. I actually had a beer with grapfruit juice and it was so delicious. Plus, red beet soup with pumpkin seeds. Perfect after my 2 mile Mill valley morning walk. The beer is super good and we have some fab brew places in Marin but I will put this one on my top 3.
All the times I have been here the service was great and the staff likes to talk with you. I like sitting at the bar. I enjoy going here.

I like the atmosphere, dimly lit, candles etc. but when crowded it is very noisy and can be difficult to hear. Reservations highly recommended!
Food was quite good. We started with the burrata appetizer (nothing too special about it) but had the flatiron steak. It was delicious.
Service was a bit spotty, so I am giving this review 3 stars.
But overall, it is a good restaurant.

The food here was delicious. We ordered Brussels sprouts with ham hock and the mussels. The bread is also fantastic and local. The beer was good but very pricey. In fact my main complaint is the price of this place as well as the crowded atmosphere. I felt like I was going to knock over my water into my neighbor’s lap the whole time. I was also mislead by the name «Beerworks» and thought this place would have a relaxed vibe. We came underdressed and not expecting fine dining. Clearly, I need to do better research. Overall it was still delicious food so it deserves 3 stars even if it was in a snobbier environment than expected.

The beet soup was fantastic. Appetizer made of burrata, sasame, poppy, farro and quinoa was awesome as well. My friend liked his cheeseburger as well.
Wished they have IIPA and the price for wine was not so steep ($ 12!). I was pretty glad that they can do half pour though.

Nice beer selection and the good looked nice, but we just came for the brewskis and the ambiance!

When I come in for business and stay at the Mill Valley Inn, I always have to hit up Beerworks for a few before checking in for the night. They have a great selection of great tasting beers. The ambiance when you walk in is a dim lit place giving it a warm atmosphere. There is high seating and bar seating near the middle and back of the bar and lower seating up front. There is a menu of food, however I typically am just in for the fantastic beer selection. I have eaten the Brussels sprouts with Aioli and they are very tasty. Most of the beers are good to great and they have a large variety of brews from light to dark and everything in between.
I look forward to my next visit.

While staying with some family for nearly a week in Mill Valley, we decided to pop into Mill Valley Beerworks on a random evening for a quick bar bite and some drinks. The family had spoken highly of it and I had browsed their site and was left impressed with their craft beer offerings.
We easily found street parking and proceeded to walk into the place which was dimly lit and very inviting. We sat at the bar and the friendly bartender took care of us. We ordered a few snacks and I also ordered an elusive and oh-​so-​delicious The Abyss from Deschutes Brewery which was incredible. They had many other craft beer available and my only regret was not having a full dinner there.
Service was remarquable on all counts. Attentive, friendly and the quality of their food, even in their limited bar menu was good. We’ll definitely return next time we’re in Mill Valley. I cannot recommend this place enough but definitely make sure that you have a reservation if you plan on dining there as seating is quite limited.

Ich bin schon so oft hier dran vorbeigefahren/​vorbeigelaufen, aber irgendwie hatte ich es bisher noch nicht geschafft, auch mal hineinzugehen. Gestern war es dann soweit: es war ein lauer Sommerabend und ich war mit meinem Hündchen auf einem Spaziergang und als ich an der Tür hier vorbeikam, verspürte ich einen plötzlichen Bierdurst…
Ich band meinen Hund am Baum begab mich ins Innere. Drinnen ist es modern, aber auch gleichzeitig gemütlich eingerichtet. Mein Lieblingsplatz — vor allem wenn ich alleine bin — ist immer an der Theke und so bewegte ich mich gleich darauf zu. Das Personal war hier sehr freundlich und ich fühlte mich gleich herzlich willkommen.
Die Bierauswahl ist sehr üppig und so war ich gleich wieder meinem größten Dilemma ausgesetzt: Entscheidungszwang. Normalerweise frage ich immer das Personal nach ihrer Meinung, aber ein Bier auf der Karte fiel mir gleich ins Auge: Westfalia. Da ich aus Westfalen komme, musste ich das einfach bestellen. Und g’schmeckt/g’mundet hat’s mir auch noch! Wunderbar… der Abend war ein voller Erfolg
Beim nächsten Mal werde ich mal zum Essen vorbeikommen… alles sah super lecker aus!

They take reservations but walk ins are welcome. That worked for us since we had no reservations. The 3 of us got seated at a big table which we shared with three others.
Good thing we were all friendly. We were then served by super friendly staff who were well versed in the kraft of beers and fine foods.
Within minutes we had a great selection of beers on tap including IPA’s, Belgiums, and Koelsches. Oh and a cider.
The waitress made some great recommendations. As a result the three of us ordered a nice selection of small plates. We had raw tuna, sardines, mushrooms on bread, mussels, and pork. All was beautifully presented and tasted really good.
They offered deserts including a chocolate cake and strawberry shortcake. It all sounded great but we were full. Another time perhaps.
Bottom line, great service, excellent beer and delicious food. Give ema try if you are in the hood.