Reviewing Bar Bocce: Italian Pizzeria in Sausalito.
Sausalito is known for its spectacular views and serene vibes. There are many charming waterfront restaurants in this city, but Bar Bocce is definitely a must-go if you’re ever in town. With beautiful views, refreshing cocktails, and tasty bites, Bar Bocce checks all the boxes for you to have the best afternoon with great company.
This quaint little restaurant right by the water is a hot destination among all ages, with a long wait and crowds of people. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, but I highly recommend sitting outdoors so you can enjoy the calm waters and warm sun.
My friends and I arrived a little past noon and were put on the waitlist for a table outside since I brought my dog along. The hostess gave us an hour and a half wait time, so we decided to walk around the neighborhood to visit the cute shops. She mentioned that we could also buy drinks at the bar and hang out in their “beach” area until our table was ready. I thought this was a particularly cool offering because the “beach” is a part of their private property that touches the water, and you can buy pitchers of beer or cocktails to enjoy share with friends while enjoying the pleasant view. Thankfully, we only waited about 40-45 minutes until I received a text saying our table was ready.
Once seated, I noticed that the table next to us had multiple glasses of some type of frozen slush cocktail. I instantly knew that would be the perfect refreshing beverage to cool me down from the warm weather. After taking a quick look through their alcohol menu, I saw the Bocce Frosé and decided to order the 8 ounces for myself. My friends ordered the Apertivo Fizz and Minted Berry Lemonade. The lemonade is a mocktail, however, there is an option to add tequila or vodka for an additional $6. The drinks came out in a timely manner and just as expected, the frosé was super refreshing and delicious. The cocktail contains both rosé and vodka, so it packs a punch, but it’s not too sweet or overwhelming. The waitress was so kind and even filled up my dog’s water bowl with fresh water. I love pup-friendly establishments!
For food, we decided to split the pesto chicken pizza and the butternut squash pizza among the four of us. The food took about 20 minutes to arrive, which went by quickly as we spent time chatting and drinking while enjoying the gorgeous views. The pizzas arrived in a tower and looked perfectly cooked, with a slightly charred crust created by a wood-fired oven. The pizzas had a generous number of toppings, and each pizza was cut into six slices. We tried the pesto chicken first and it was delectable! The juicy marinated chicken and thinly shaved parmesan paired excellently with the bites of red onions and their homemade pesto sauce. I love how all the flavors went together so well with nothing overwhelming the others. The dough was thin and chewy as well as charred with air bubbles, so this pizza hit all my favorite marks.
The butternut squash pizza was undeniably the star of the meal with flavors I have never encountered on a pizza. The ingredients melded so well together that I couldn’t believe I’d never tasted a flavor combination like this before! The pizza was topped with crispy Brussels sprouts that added a nice crunch to every bite, and the sweetness of the butternut squash complemented the salty bacon. There was a slight taste of cinnamon that brought out the sweetness of the squash, but the balance of the savory cheese prevented the pizza from tasting overly sweet. I really enjoyed this pizza and chose to have another slice of this over the pesto chicken.
With our bellies full and drinks flowing, we spent the rest of our early afternoon just enjoying the vibes of this delightful restaurant. It’s dog-friendly, so there were also many pup friends nearby, which is always a plus in my book. I highly recommend getting both the pesto chicken pizza and butternut squash pizza during your visit, but if I had to choose one, I’d go with the butternut squash pizza because it has such a unique flavor profile that you wouldn’t expect to go together so well. Bar Bocce is the ideal spot to spend a nice weekend afternoon with friends while enjoying delicious food and drinks and an especially amazing view!