About Us
Where History, Coffee, Books, and Community Meet
Welcome to the Mill Valley Depot Café & Bookstore, a place where every cup of coffee comes with a century of stories, and every visit feels like coming home. Nestled in the heart of downtown Mill Valley at 87 Throckmorton Avenue, our charming Mission Revival-style building has been a gathering place for adventurers, dreamers, and community members since 1929. What began as a railroad depot has evolved into the cultural epicenter of Mill Valley. Still, the spirit of connection and exploration that defined those early days remains very much alive.
What We Offer
Café
Our café serves eclectic American fare at reasonable prices, with daily specials crafted from seasonal ingredients by chef and general manager Mikel Waters. Whether you're craving a morning latte, a leisurely lunch, or an early evening glass of wine, you'll find a welcoming table on our patio or in the plaza. Locally roasted coffee? Of course, we've been at this since before coffee was trendy.
Bookstore
Browse our carefully curated selection of new releases alongside many titles by local authors. Our bookstore hosts author readings and signings, because books are better when you can meet the people who wrote them.
Live Music
Every Friday and Saturday evening, the patio comes alive with live music. From folk to country, bluegrass to jazz, Americana to everything in between—there's no cover charge, just good music under the open sky. The Mill Valley band Musical Feast plays every Friday (and has for nearly 150 consecutive Fridays!), and you never know who might stop by to sit in. Tunes and vibes start at 5:30 PM.
Trivia Night
Thursday evenings bring Trivia Night from 5:30–7:30 PM, with rotating hosts and an ever-changing array of topics. Gather your friends, form a team, and test your knowledge. Fair warning: we take our giant vegetables very seriously.
Art
The beautiful artwork adorning our walls rotates every two months, curated by Sally Cote to spotlight Bay Area artists. Join us on the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30–7 PM for our ArtWalk, featuring wine and conversation.