Some are fancy, some are decidedly not, but they all share a focus on local ingredients, friendly service and sense-of-place dining.
Dry Creek General Store: Smack dab in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley, this historic general store surrounded by vineyards is pure Sonoma County. Head in for upscale picnic provisions, ridiculously good sandwiches, fresh-from-the-garden fruit and take-home treats. 3495 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-4171, drycreekgeneralstore1881.com. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
'The Stack' at the Dry Creek General Store in Healdsburg. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
Roof 106/The Matheson: This multi-concept eatery from stellar chef Dustin Valette is Healdsburg in a nutshell. Downstairs, head to the wine wall, where you can serve yourself some of the best juice in Wine Country. The upscale Matheson features creative California cuisine, while the casual Roof 106 offers a terrific indoor-outdoor patio, views of the downtown Plaza and excellent pizza. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-723-1106, thematheson.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Snake River Wagyu Babette with potato pave, alliums horseradish and black truffle from The Matheson in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Margherita Salametto flatbread from The Matheson in Healdsburg. (Michael Woolsey)
Catelli's: This Italian trattoria has served up swoon-worthy lasagna, ravioli and spaghetti for generations. Chef Domenica Catelli has kicked up the classic recipes with fresh flavors, farm-to-table ingredients and a whole lot of love. The outdoor patio is stunning, and you won't go home hungry. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com. (Chris Hardy/Sonoma Magazine)
Private cabanas on the patio at Catelli's in Geyserville. (Courtesy of Catelli's)
Ultimate Burger at Catelli's in Geyserville. (Chris Hardy/Sonoma Magazine)
Geyserville Gun Club: A favorite among off-duty chefs and in-the-know locals, this former gun club is actually a full service bar with ridiculously good food. It is a sister to the critically-acclaimed Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria (also in Geyserville). The menu is snacky and delicious and the drinks are no joke. Don't miss the pink bathroom. 21025 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0036, geyservillegunclub.com (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
Shortribs at the Geyserville Gun Club in Geyserville. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
El Molino Central: Homemade tortillas — not just from prepared masa, but from their own soaked and milled corn — showcase the passion for authenticity at this Sonoma-adjacent taqueria. Best bets include beer-battered fish tacos and take-home salsas. 11 Central Ave., Sonoma, 707-939-1010, elmolinocentral.com. (Jeff Kan Lee/The Press Democrat)
Girl and the Fig: This Sonoma Plaza bistro has been a required stop for travelers for more than 30 years. French with a California twist, it's never stuffy and always a treat. We're fans of the signature fig and arugula salad, steak frites and steamed mussels. A full bar includes "sorbet sippers" like the In Ernest with lemon-lime and orange sorbet, rum, Luxardo and brandied cherries. Plus a stunning wine list. 110 West Spain St., Sonoma, thegirlandthefig.com. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Fig and arugula salad at the Girl and the Fig in Sonoma. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
Glen Ellen Star: A wood-fired oven is the beating heart of this Sonoma Valley restaurant that's a favorite among locals and savvy visitors, who make their way to the tiny hamlet. Whole roasted fish, wood roasted seasonal vegetables, pizzas and brick chicken are classics. 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1384, glenellenstar.com. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)
Chanterelle mushroom bow-tie pasta with pumpkin butter at the Glen Ellen Star. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
Americana: Farm-to-table breakfasts from the owners of Valley Ford's Estero Cafe (which you should also check out). Favorites include fried chicken with country gravy, omelets, a lovely breakfast sandwich with Estero Gold cheese on a fresh ciabatta, yogurt parfait and pancakes with tasty fresh strawberry mimosas. 205 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, americanasr.com. (Kelsey Joy Photography)
Eggs Benedict from Americana in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Americana)
Mitote Food Park: This newly-opened food park in the heart of Roseland showcases best-in-class taco trucks along with churros and a full bar. Celebrating Latino heritage and culture, it's a delicious way to experience an oft-overlooked but vibrant part of Sonoma County. 665 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com. (Erik Castro/For The Press Democrat)
Jose Cazares, right, owner of the Gio y Los Magos Mexican Grill truck holding a plate of birria tacos during the ribbon cutting celebration of the new Mitote Food Park on Sebastopol Road in the Roseland neighborhood of Santa Rosa. (Erik Castro/For The Press Democrat)
Willi's Wine Bar: Perhaps the most Wine Country restaurant of them all, this international small-plates wine bar is a required pilgrimage. One of seven Sonoma County restaurants owned by Chef Mark Stark and his wife, Terri, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but the curried crab tacos are a favorite. 1415 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-526-3096, starkrestaurants.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Lobster mac and cheese from Willi's Wine Bar in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
The Shuckery: The Lalicker sisters, aka the Oyster Girls, are the brains (and brawn) behind this Petaluma seafood restaurant. You're here for the oysters (raw, Rockefeller, BBQ, Bingo or chef’s special) or tender clams with grilled Della Fattoria bread to sop up the sauce. 100 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-981-7891, theshuckeryca.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Stockhome: This couple-owned cafe focuses on Swedish comfort foods like pickled herring and meatballs with gravy an lingonberry jam, along with kebab plates, a popular late night snack in Sweden, and small meze plates (fried Halloumi cheese is amazing). 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomepetaluma.com. (New Rev Media)
Kebab plate with garlic yogurt from Stockhome restaurant in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
The Barlow: This outdoor marketplace is a hub for Sonoma County makers, wineries, restaurants, craft brewers and taste innovators. From pizza, tacos and grilled cheese to upscale Southern dining and a distillery, it's an eater's paradise. Region wine bar offers more than 50 small-production wines from self-serve vending machines and you can order food from nearby restaurants to eat on their patio. 6770 McKinley St., thebarlow.net. (Courtesy of Region)
Clockwise from left, Hamachi Crudo, Lavender Liaison cocktail, Fried Green Tomatoes and Lobster Croque Madame from the Blue Ridge Kitchen in Sebastopol's Barlow district. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Handline: Pairing sustainably sourced seafood with locally grown produce (much of it from the restaurant’s own backyard), Handline is a locals' favorite. The large patio is perfect for chowing down on rockfish tacos, best-of-class burgers, and soft serve ice cream. Make sure to try any of their vegetarian plates because they're always unbelievably good. 935 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Handline was built on the site of the old Foster's Freeze in Sebastopol and they continue to keep soft serve ice cream on the menu. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Ramen Gaijin: This casual izakaya, from chefs Matthew Williams and Moishe Hahn-Schuman, grew from a tiny pop-up restaurant to one of the most celebrated ramen shops in Sonoma County. Handmade noodles are top notch. 6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-827-3609, ramengaijin.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
(l to r) The Pickle Plate, Yakitori (from top; Chicken Tsukune, Hokkaido Scallop, Broccoli, and Wagyu Short Rib) and Maguro Poke from Ramen Gaijin in Sebastopol. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Boon Eat + Drink: Far West Sonoma County isn't always on the itinerary. But the drive through vineyards, redwood groves and along the Russian River offers a whole other side of Wine Country. Downtown Guerneville has plenty to offer, too, but Chef Crista Luedke's casual bistro gets directly to the heart of Sonoma County's farm-to-table ethos with local vegetables, fresh cheeses, braised pork shoulder and the best beet salad ever. 16248 Main St., Guerneville, 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com. (Chris Hardy/Sonoma Magazine)
Rocker Oysterfeller’s: Southern comfort food meets California coastal cuisine means next-level, Cajun-seasoned Dungeness crab cakes with a remoulade sauce, beer-battered rock cod fish tacos and barbecued Tomales Bay oysters (get the Louisiana hot oysters for a tantalizing taste of southern heat) and plenty of strong cocktails. 14415 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-1983, rockeroysterfellers.com (Courtesy of Rocker Oysterfellers)
From left, grilled oysters with pesto butter, Louisiana hots, and garlic butter from Rocker Oysterfeller's Kitchen + Saloon in Valley Ford. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Spud Point Crab Company: You may have to wait in line, but it's worth it for the piled-high crab sandwich with their signature sauce and the garlicky clam chowder is second-to-none. Throw in an order of crab cakes with roasted red pepper sauce before they sell out (only available on weekends). 1910 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9472, spudpointcrabco.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Fisherman's Cove: When a seafood shack doubles as a bait and tackle shop, you know the restaurant means business with its locally sourced seafood dishes. Go for the grilled oysters with garlic butter and wasabi cocktail sauce and crab sandwich with loads of fresh Dungeness crab on toasted ciabatta bread. 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4238, fishermanscovebodegabay.com (Courtesy of Fisherman's Cove)
Of the hundreds of amazing restaurants in Sonoma County, a handful stand out as the best-of-the-best destinations for newcomers. Some are fancy, some are decidedly not, but they all share a focus on local ingredients, friendly service and sense-of-place dining that define what it is to eat in this mecca of taste. Click through the above gallery for details.
