Welcome This Farm-to-Table Cafe to the Tiny Town of Tiburon
Farm-fresh foodie fans rejoice! Malibu Farm—the beloved seaside cafe that’s claimed its perch on the Malibu pier since 2014—opened its doors in May of this year in a new NorCal outpost, nestled in the tiny town of Tiburon. Just a hop, skip and a jump across the way from Sausalito, this California staple brings its signature selection of fresh fare—seafood, salads, brunch bites, cool cocktails and more—to the bustling Bay Area.
Malibu Farm is known for its charming daytime counter-service, which includes an array of takeout sandwiches, salads, sweets and a bevy of bevvies—both hard and soft. The two-story beachside bungalow on Main Street offers a casual downstairs space for daytime diners and a designated upstairs dining room for the evening crowd.
Founder and Chef Helene Henderson is the culinary mastermind behind the Malibu Farm franchise, which includes locations in Malibu and Newport Beach—plus a fourth location coming soon in San Diego. Accompanied by her husband, John Stockwell, Henderson has designed a minimalist oceanside environment that feels refreshing in its simplicity while featuring a uniquely vibrant menu.
The menu incorporates ingredients found within the region and savory seafood that’s local to the blue waters of the Pacific. Brunchers will adore the sweet touches, such as gluten-free, heart-shaped waffles and Swedish mini pancakes, alongside simple staples like the fried egg sandwich and quinoa oatmeal. Bites include coconut ceviche, ahi poke cones (featuring ogo seaweed and avocado in a shell of housemade sesame), forest mushroom toast (with micro oregano and herbed goat cheese), Malibu blue nachos and Maine lobster sliders. Salads range from Caesar to Greek and even a vegan chop, and pizzas are topped with avocado, lox, BBQ corn and butternut squash.
From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., coffee shop classics are also on display, including muffins, cookies, scones and cinnamon rolls—alongside an expansive selection of tea and coffee in drips and froths of all kinds. An assortment of ice cream flavors are on hand for summertime cooldowns, as well as a rainbow of juices and smoothies for those inclined to detox.
Hand-written signs, window box flowers and un-fussy accents like mismatching pillows and cushy bench seating make for a welcoming waterfront aesthetic. All the while, the San Francisco skyline and ocean views—clear from both indoor and outdoor vantages—steal the show. Another signature stamp of the Malibu Farm family is its rustic retail shop with a decidedly general store vibe, offering souvenirs and merch to tempt tourists and locals alike.
Evening guests can pop over to the bar for a fresh cocktail, incorporating seasonal fruits like papaya, blood orange and watermelon mixed with premium spirits infused with complementary flavors. “Mali-booze-less” concoctions will delight the designated drivers, while a substantial selection of locally sourced wine and beer provides the perfect pairing to any evening entrée.
The dinner menu boasts comfort food crowd-pleasers like roast chicken and pan-seared halibut, along with build-your-own fish tacos, bahn ‘bu lettuce cups (with pickled vegetables and gochujang sauce) and a peach and habañero double-cut pork chop. Things get a little more interesting with calamari squid ink linguini and Maine lobster fettuccine for seafood lovers, as well as the coconut curry for vegans.
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FOOD
Don’t be fooled by the cafe-casual front: there’s more to the quaint farmhouse fare than meets the eye. While grab-and-go snacks are ideal for a daytime pit stop, this coastal-chic mainstay is perfect for a boozy brunch with the gals or a dynamic dinner date. Come for the iced coffee and sweet smoothies and stay for the superior seafood.
DECOR
Malibu Farm is an unassuming oceanside oasis with an upscale beachy boathouse vibe. This waterfront spot combines an East Coast family farm feel while remaining decidedly loyal to its California roots. Modern and minimalist, the casual come-as-you-are energy is felt in its easy seating and airy daytime atmosphere, while the sleek bar and dining room have a bit more gravitas, suiting guests of all preferences.
PRICE POINT
Depending on how hungry and thirsty you are, this experience can truly be whatever you make it. Grab a banana butterscotch muffin or a brown butter sugar cookie for $3.50 and call it a day, or add a cold brew of your choice, which will keep you safely below the $10 mark. Ice cream is fixed at $5 across the flavor board, while juices and smoothies will tip the scales up to $11. Small bites start in the teens and pizzas fluctuate within the $20 range, while entrees inclusive of seafood, pasta and steak are expectedly in the $30-45 territory.
OVERALL VERDICT
For an east-meets-west vibe with a friendly farmhouse feel, unparalleled panoramic bay views and elevated (yet understated) eats, you can’t go wrong with Malibu Farm. Bringing top-notch tastes to Tiburon, this is your one-stop shop for grabbing goodies on the go or sinking your teeth into a delightfully delicious meal with the wind in your hair.
Malibu Farm
9 Main St
Tiburon, CA 94920
628.226.1222
@malibufarmtiburon
Based in Los Angeles, Kandace has spent the past ten years in the fashion and lifestyle space, and recently in entertainment at Sony Pictures Studios. She has a Masters in Journalism from Emerson College and has studied in Paris, Firenze, and Washington DC, beginning her career as a style editor and tastemaker for NBC. She is an internationally award-winning filmmaker, having studied screenwriting for film and television at UCLA, and her work has been celebrated around the world, in cities like London, Nice, New York, and Montréal. Paying homage to her French heritage, she is also the creator of The Chic American--a style and culture editorial destination for Francophiles, dedicated to the art of living an elevated, French-inspired lifestyle.
