ABOUT US

It all started in 1992, when Annette and Gerner Andresen opened the Lighthouse Cafe in Sausalito in its present form.

The Andresen’s, both born in Denmark, had recently immigrated to the U.S. and along with them they brought the Scandinavian flair for simplicity, good quality and tasty food.

The café has over the years become famous for its breakfast and lunch, with American classics like good old-fashioned burgers and a great selection of omelets, along with Scandinavian classics like Danish meatballs or Norwegian salmon.

Over the past two decades, the cafe has evolved into the place for breakfast and lunch in Sausalito, with a typical small-town atmosphere. Have a look at what people say about us:

"The perfect spot for breakfast or lunch" - Stanley Eichelbaum in Marinscope

"Great Scandinavian fare" - San Francisco's best

"Where locals eat" - Via Magazine

The cafe is rather small - 30 seats - and people often stand in line to get their breakfast or lunch, now with an added patio for the outdoor experience.

The success of the cafe inspired Annette and Gerner to give more people the chance to enjoy the Scandinavian food and small - town American atmosphere. The San Rafael town center was found to be the right place to start the second chapter of the Lighthouse story, the Lighthouse Diner.

Opening on October 20th, 2003, the Lighthouse Diner was an all-day restaurant with the food known from the café in Sausalito for breakfast and lunch, as well as an exclusive blend of Danish and American dishes for dinner.

In late 2013, it was decided that the San Rafael location should seek new challenges. Thus, the San Rafael location was closed, and the Corte Madera Cafe was taken over by the Lighthouse Cafe.

On April 1st, 2015, the Andresen’s expanded once again, to Mill Valley at The Club at Harbor Point with The Lighthouse Bar & Grill. Doing brunch, lunch & dinner with waterfront views. The Mill Valley location had been managed by the Andresen's son, Kenneth for the past 11 years.  

Now all three of the Andresen’s have decided to expand one more time and again…

On April 1st, 2026 the new Lighthouse Bar & Grill Sausalito will open with fresh seafood selections, a Prime Steak programs and a carefully selected wine list, all for your enjoyment.