If you're hanging around Tomales Bay, there's one thing you have to eat: oysters. Well that and cheese. (Though not necessarily in the same bite.) Here's where to chow.

Olema

Sir and Star

Make no mistake about it, Margaret Grade and chef Daniel DeLong's refined restaurant on the ground floor of the old-as-the-town Olema Inn is one of the best restaurants anywhere in Marin County. Serving the couple's three boutique hotels as well as taking reservations for intimate feasts, the restaurant specializes in the kind of decadent fare you'd expect to eat by the fire as taxidermy birds keep an eye on things—but they keep things fresh and exciting from Marin's excellent year-round produce and seafood. Preparations are serious and beautiful—focaccia and fennel-stuffed quail; heritage lamb chop with oven-dried tomatoes and a lovely salad of potatoes salt-cured olives vinaigrette—while names are whimsically playful like "'faux gras' fashioned from local duck livers so delicious it should be illegal" and "the softly cured salmon of surrounding seas." In Sir & Star style, we'd describe this restaurant as "the wonderful restaurant by the sparkling sea that deserves a booking well in advance." // 10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. (Olema), sirandstar.com

Due West

Olema House's restaurant offers weekend lunch and nightly dinner in a charming building built in 1865, recently redone with a heavily black-painted wood design. You'll find all the farm-to-table trends here with house-cured pork belly tacos, all sorts of local ingredients, and a spruced-up burger and fried chicken sandwich, plus plenty of Tomales Bay oysters. // 10005 Coastal Highway 1 (Olema), olemahouse.com

Marshall

Hog Island Oyster Company

This wildly popular go-to needs little introduction—since 1983, Hog Island has been farming fresh, sustainable oysters feeding them to the masses (those who managed to get reservations, that is). If you want a seat on the bay-side patio for fresh-shucked and barbecued oysters, you better call ahead or reserve online. Seatings are limited to 90 minutes. // 20215 Shoreline Highway (Marshall), 415.663.9218, hogislandoysters.com

The Marshall Store Oyster Bar & Smokehouse

When Tomales Bay Oyster Company was forced to close its picnic area due to permitting issues, a favorite BYOB bivalve spot was lost forever. While that's not stopping us from picking up bags of oysters and mussels to take to the beach, we are also happy as clams to have a full-service meal—including in-season crab, smoked oysters on crostini, local rock cod tacos, and sandwiches—at the company's Marshall Store, with spectacular Tomales Bay views. // 19225 State Route 1 (Marshall), themarshallstore.com

Tony's Seafood

Hog Island's influence on the Tomales Bay dining scene expanded south earlier this year after the company purchased and beautifully renovated a 71-year old waterfront establishment that badly needed, in the words of Hog Island cofounder John Finger, "some TLC." Sure, Tony's is a smart choice if you didn't plan ahead with a Boat Bar reservation or want to be protected from the wind and hungry birds (though Tony's also has a patio), but it's a great restaurant on its own with a much more ambitious seafood-centric menu than its nearby sibling. Plus, there's Straus soft serve with seaweed brittle for dessert, which is as special a West Marin dessert as it gets. // 18863 Shoreline Hwy. (Marshall), tonysseafoodrestaurant.com

Nick's Cove

One of Northern California's truly great destination restaurants has a new executive chef, Kua Speer, a former sous chef here who went on to open Luma in Petaluma and start the culinary program for Sterling Vineyards before returning to Tomales Bay. He's continuing the high level of coastal-influenced seasonal California cooking at the restaurant, while also taking advantage of their on-site garden, The Croft. And by the way, Nick's Cove is still one of the best spots to catch those magical West Marin sunsets, not to mention one of the region's top spots to spend the night in a waterfront cottage. // 23240 CA-1 (Marshall),nickscove.com

Inverness

Saltwater Oyster Depot

At once refined and neighborly, this five-year-old seafood house run by chef Jeremy Whitcomb is serving food in tune with the land and the local community. The menu changes seasonally, but you can always find a long list of exquisite, local wines, freshly shucked oysters and, if you're lucky, fish straight from the bay...or at least the nearby ocean. // 12781 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (Inverness), saltwateroysterdepot.com

Inverness Park Market

This is the kind of place where neighbors run into each other, popping in to grab their morning coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Meanwhile, the adjacent Tap Room has an eclectic gastropub-style menu, barbecue oysters on weekends, sushi on Wednesdays, and a Thai menu on Thursdays…plus great beers, of course. // 12301 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (Inverness), invernessparkmarket.com

Point Reyes Station

Side Street Kitchen

This bustling eatery from longtime Point Reyes resident Sheryl Cahill may have replaced a beloved greasy spoon a few years ago, but the bright, cheery space still has a warm "come as you are vibe" and the 1950s era diner-style counter overlooking the open kitchen. Go for slow-cooked meats, smoked fish, and pristine salads, plus superb chicory iced coffee, local beers, and chocolate chip cookies. // 60 4th St, (Point Reyes Station), sidestreet-prs.com

Osteria Stellina

Point Reyes Station's five-block main stretch is home to clapboard buildings, small shops, and a saloon straight out of the 1800s. But never mind the decidedly wild west vibe—you'll find modern Italian fare and the area's best wine list at Christian Caiazzo's Osteria Stellina, where the laid-back but vibrant vibe is perfect spot for noshing tasty pizzas, pastas, and nightly specials. The oyster pizza, beans & greens, and lunchtime-only epic grilled cheese are mandatory orders. // 11285 Highway 1 (Point Reyes Station) osteriastellina.com

Station House Cafe

Across the street, Station House Cafe's secret garden-esque patio fills up quickly when the weather is nice. Loved by locals and tourists alike, the eatery serves up quality comfort food made with ingredients sourced from neighboring farms, fisheries, and creameries. Swing by for a breakfast of French toast, eggs Benedict, or Pacific oyster hangtown fry. At lunch, get festive with oysters and bubbly. Dinner is reserved for guilty pleasures—think mac and cheese, turkey chili, and roast chicken. If you're around on a Sunday, pop in for live music and the best cocktails in town (prickly pear mezcal margarita, anyone?). // 11180 Highway 1 (Point Reyes Station) stationhousecafe.com

Cheese and Mead Tastings

The Point Reyes Seashore also has a thriving agricultural community. While you'll get a chance to try locally sourced produce, fish, and cheese at more than a few of the area's restaurants, you can see where the stuff is made and take tours and tastings in Point Reyes Station.

At Cowgirl Creamery (80 4th St., Point Reyes Station) you can sample classics including their Mt.Tam and Red Hawk cheeses, then buy some cheeses and wine (or Equator Coffee if it's freezing) for a picnic outside or in the park. The attached Cowgirl Cantina has both ready-to-go and cooked-to-order items on the menu with a recently changed emphasis towards more seasonal-inspired sandwiches, salads and soups, but of course there's still a classic grilled cheese and tomato soup pairing. On Fridays, make a reservation for a tour ($5 per person).

When your belly's full of snacks, head up the road to Heidrun Meadery (11925 State Route 1, Point Reyes Station), where you can witness "flower to flute" mead production. Drop by for a tasting; on Saturdays and Sundays, tour their farm, beehives, and meadery to learn how they make this sweet treat.

Bovine Bakery

The indecisive will struggle at Point Reyes Station's beloved bakery. Everything is great at the almost three decade-old classic, from muffins and scones to cookies and pies. If you need savory food for an actual meal, don't worry, the pizza slices after 11 am have you covered. Just don't ask for a cappuccino here because they only serve drip coffee. // 11315 State Route 1 (Point Reyes Station), bovinebakeryptreyes.com

Toby's Feed Barn

Part general store, part cultural center, part yoga studio, part actual feed barn, Toby's is a whole smorgasbord of activity every day and serves seemingly a dozen different purposes. For visitors, it's all about the adorable little cash-only coffee kiosk that singlehandedly has saved many mornings for tired, frozen tourists. The hot chocolate is particularly great here. // 11250 State Route 1 (Point Reyes Station), tobysfeedbarn.com

Brickmaiden Breads

Pretty much every restaurant in the Point Reyes/Tomales Bay area serves Brickmaiden Bread—and for good reason. The wild yeast-based, wood-fire oven-baked breads are phenomenal, whether it's studded with apricots and pecans or a whole grain California wheat boule. Previously just a wholesale supplier, the bakery recently opened to the public with a little café offering those breads plus pastries, coffee and tea. // 40 4th St. (Point Reyes Station), brickmaidenbreads.com

Tomales

William Tell House

Dating back to 1877, Marin County's oldest saloon was recently refurbished by new owner Ted Wilson (of Oakland's Alice Collective) and is now a destination restaurant for its timeless setting and the fresh, exciting cooking of chef-partner Austin Perkins. To fully soak up the history, belly up to one of the 35 stools at the mahogany bar and order a craft cocktail. Or, just linger outside on the patio by a fire pit with some fried oysters and chips, and live music on Fridays. The inn also has three revamped rooms above the saloon. // 26955 Coastal Highway 1, (Tomales), williamtellhouse.com

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