“I love anything lemon.”
It is a phrase heard often — and for good reason. Lemon has a way of brightening nearly anything it touches, adding a sharp, refreshing note to both sweet and savory dishes. A little zest can transform a recipe, but for true lemon lovers, more is usually better.
From lemonade and lemon bars to lemon meringue, lemon curd and citrus-filled cakes, Sonoma County bakeries, cafés and restaurants offer plenty of ways to celebrate the fruit.
In honor of National Lemon Day on July 23, here are some local lemon treats worth seeking out.
Acorn Cafe
Lemon ricotta hotcake: An incredibly thick, fluffy pancake served with house lemon curd, whipped ricotta, oat crumble and topped with a scoop of lemon lavender ice cream. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.com
Angela’s Organic Ice Cream
Lemon bar ice cream: Generous chunks of shortbread cookie and strips of sweet lemon curd are mixed into a base of Angela’s creamy vanilla. Locations in Healdsburg, Petaluma and Forestville. angelasicecream.com
Betty’s Fish & Chips
Lemon Cloud Pie: Meyer lemon custard poured into a flaky crust and topped with a mound of whipped cream. 4046 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-0899, bettysfishandchips.com
Blondie’s Bakery Boutique
Lemon cupcake: Vanilla cupcake filled with lemon curd and topped with lemon buttercream frosting. 404 Mendocino Ave., Suite A, Santa Rosa, 707-843-7335, blondiesbakeryboutique.com
Cookie…Take a bite!
Lemon Moon: Chewy sugar cookie with a tart, subtly sweet lemon glaze that pops with fresh lemon flavor. 430 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa, 707-291-1785, cookietakeabite.com
Criminal Baking Company
Lemon Blueberry with Elderflower cake: Lemon cake infused with elderflower syrup and filled with housemade lemon curd and fresh blueberries, frosted with vanilla buttercream and garnished with candied lemon and blueberries. 808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, criminalbakingcompany.com
Marla Bakery
Lemon meringue tart: Sweet and tangy Meyer lemon tart in a vanilla shortbread crust and topped with beautiful spiral mounds of torched meringue. Available by the slice or seven- and 12-inch whole pies. 208 Davis St., Santa Rosa, 707-852-4091, marlabakery.com
Oliver’s Market
Lemon Mousse Cake: Fluffy lemon mousse between layers of vanilla cake, wrapped in white chocolate and topped with a rich lemon curd. Locations in Cotati, Santa Rosa and Windsor. oliversmarket.com
Patisserie Angelica
Lemon Zest Cake: Lemon cake layered with Meyer lemon curd and finished in a French-style buttercream. 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol, 707-827-7998, patisserieangelica.com
Red Bird Bakery
Lemon bars: A traditional dessert with the right balance of sweet, zingy lemon curd to shortbread crust, topped with powdered sugar. 556 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-521-9838; 463 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-3663, redbirdbakery.com
Sarmentine
Lemon curd crepe: A sweet, tart Breton-style crepe filled with lemon curd available during brunch at the Petaluma location. The French bakery also offers a lemon meringue tart pastry class from 4-6 p.m. on select Saturdays at its Santa Rosa location (52 Mission Circle, Suite 112) for guests ages 12 and over who want to create their own lemony treat at home. Tickets are $120; reserve a spot online. 840 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com
Society Bakery & Cafe
Buttermilk Lemon Loaf: A gluten-free lemon buttermilk cake with vibrant lemon icing, available by the slice or whole loaf. 2661 Gravenstein Highway S., Suite H, Sebastopol, 707-861-9665, societybakerycafe.com
Stellina Pronto
Lemon ricotta puff: A flaky croissant filled with tangy lemon curd and creamy Bellwether Farms ricotta. The lemon cheesecake is also a favorite for its zesty lemon curd topping and buttery graham cracker crust. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-789-9556, stellinapronto.com
Wild Flour Bread
Meyer Lemon Blueberry Poppyseed Scone: The seasonal scone menu changes regularly, but a lemon scone nearly always makes an appearance. A current offering pairs Meyer lemon with classic poppyseed and fresh blueberries. 140 Bohemian Highway, Freestone, 707-874-2938, wildflourbread.com
Willi’s Wine Bar
Meyer Lemon Pudding Cake: A longtime Stark staple, the light and silky lemon pudding mini cake is topped with a dollop of vanilla creme fraiche, fresh strawberries and mint for a treat that tastes like summer. Also available at Stark’s Steak & Seafood (521 Adams St., Santa Rosa). 1415 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-526-3096, williswinebar.net