Well the eating counter should have been 42" and then 30" fits but I would just use counter height stools at this counter no 8" is not enough leg room.

We had a similar two tiered countertop with no ability to put chairs up to. Our builder SP would not stand behind all the cracked granite which was installed in our new house. There were 9 cracks in all. I only have one window in the immediate vicinity and it created a dark area with so many shadows so we removed the 2 tier and created a larger island area and am so glad we did. I was able to trade sinks for a much larger one in the process and the light in the room flows better now and also dump the bad granite. Had a few glasses of wine over that ordeal. I can reach across it for cleaning reasons which I couldn't do before. I am currently creating a pass through on the old oven wall and have removed all the upper cabinets, electric ovens and microwave which were not being used. (Habitat for Humanity is getting them.) I moved the fridge to the left as it was in the way of my dishwasher and sink areas. It really opened it up. We installed one more lower cabinet and I am putting a 6ft butcher block on the two lower cabinets. Need ideas as to whether, where the soffit dips in, extend the soffit to the right by 2 1/2 ft and whether it would be wiser to remove the last cabinet on the right rear wall or just leave it and leave the soffit as it. I could use the storage the cabinet provides. Open shelves are a possibility. Never used the upper cabinets that were taken down. No loss there. I am going to install tile all the way up the wall and around the pass through and under all the cabinets. I am creating a baking area. We will paint all this one color so it blends in better. Good Luck on your kitchen job.

minimum is 14" for leg room under any counter, a couple more inches is just more leg room, especially for kids kicking n all.

Thanks everyone for helping. To clarify the island I have now, with cooktop is perpendicular to a peninsula that has the sink...pic below.
We are getting rid of the peninsula ,extending the island with an eating are at the end. It should really improve the flow,and make it brighter. Getting rid of the glass peninsula cabinets. Now the sink will be in the island. I only want 2 levels so the water from the sink doesn't go on the buffet area. Work areas will be antiqued Cambrian black. Buffet will run the 10' then become eating area at end. It will be Calcutta gold,as will the backsplash.
Thinking of just overlapping the marble, for 6"on the granite. It will keep the water where it belongs,no? Worried our stools will be too low.

Alreadyalreadyalready...I think you should put one of those cabinets in that pulls out to get max use of the deep corner.or a pantry style upper. The oven/fridge move sounds great. I'm sure I'll be joining you in a glass of wine. They're pulling everything out in two weeks.

Patricia thanks for the advice.all our tables are @ 29" that's why the counter is 35" .We must be short waisted people. I like to feel taller.