In temperate Sonoma County, it’s rare to find a dining venue without a lovely patio or sidewalk tables. Still, there are some serious standouts when it comes to offering stellar outdoor spaces and great food.
Here are my picks for shaded patios, prime sidewalk people-watching and sun-dappled gardens worth seeking. As a person prone to severe sunburn, I’ve added a shade score to indicate the coverage you can expect from shades and umbrellas.
Santa Rosa
Spinster Sisters: This outdoor garden is all about wide-open spaces in an urban setting. Enjoy supper and wine beneath colorful sails and twinkling lights. Charming bistro tables and retro picnic benches covered by floral oilcloth match the creative vibe of the SOFA (South of A Street) neighborhood. Chef Liza Hinman creates hyperlocal seasonal California cuisine. Shade score: 6/10. 401 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-7100, thespinstersisters.com
Mitote Food Park: Set in the heart of the predominantly Latino community of Roseland, this happy gathering of food trucks features the flavors of Oaxaca, Jalisco, Michoacan, Yucatán, and Mexico City. There’s also a vibrant al fresco bar and live music with fully-tented sun coverage. Shade score: 9/10. 665 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com
Windsor
Grata: Neighborhood Italian dining with a semi-enclosed patio with plenty of shady spots and cool breezes. Metal mesh tables aren’t ideal, but the risotto makes up for it. Shade score: 8/10. 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com
Sonoma
Valley Swim Club: This seafood-centric restaurant has no indoor seating, so the year-round outdoor space is well-covered with retro-chic furniture and comfy bench seats. Oversized striped umbrellas create a shaded oasis for yard seating. Shade Score: 9/10. 18709 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, valleyswim.club
El Dorado Kitchen: A private courtyard and pool transport you from the busy downtown square to a restful retreat. Excellent Cal-Italian food and craft cocktails compliment the intimate space. Shade Score: 7/10. 405 First St. West, Sonoma, eldoradosonoma.com
The Girl & the Fig: Large umbrellas and sun shades cover the large enclosed patio space that’s a world away from the daily grind. Casual French cuisine with a full cocktail bar and friendly service. Shade Score: 7/10. 110 West Spain St., Sonoma, thegirlandthefig.com
Bloom Carneros: With nearly an acre of enclosed patio and woodchipped ground cover, there’s plenty of room to spread out in shady spots or grab some tanning time in the sun. The menu features a creative, seasonal Cal-Med fare from chef Jennifer McMurry. Bring your kids and pups because it’s a perfect play place with special menus for both. Shade Score: 8/10. 22910 Broadway, Sonoma, bloomcarneros.com
Sebastopol
Wild Poppy: The rambling outdoor patio of this offbeat Sebastopol roadhouse has always been a magical place, full of nooks, crannies and hidden spaces to explore. Despite plenty of umbrellas, it can be hard to find complete shade on extra hot days, but a quiet ledge overlooking the creek offers leafy coverage. Don’t miss the Cosmic Queso! Shade score: 7/10. 9890 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol, thewildpoppycafe.com
Petaluma
Brewsters Beer Garden: Dogs, kids and grown-ups all have a place at this indoor-outdoor spot. Excellent barbecue and burgers, mostly California-made beers on tap and cocktails. Live music can get a little loud if you’re trying to converse, but after a few beers, who cares? Shade Score: 7/10. 229 N. Water St., Petaluma, brewstersbeergarden.com
Healdsburg
Molti Amici: Summer sunsets were made for convivial Italian aperitifs, gourmet wood-fired pizza and bocce ball at this neighborhood trattoria, which opened in 2023. The name translates to “many friends,” which you’ll undoubtedly make while lazing away with a cocktail under fringed umbrellas or leaning back into summery lime-striped cushions. Shade score: 8/10. 330 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, moltiamici.com
The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House: Take in views of Fitch Mountain, the Mayacamas range and downtown Healdsburg while you nosh on small bites and casual dishes. Full bar, plus some excellent wines. Shade score: 6/10. 227 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, harmonguesthouse.com
Olive Terrace at Montage Resort: Perched high above the Alexander Valley, it overlooks vineyards and hundreds of acres of open landscape. It also comes with cozy rocking chairs and fire pits. The menus offer both small bites and hearty offerings. Order craft cocktails at the adjacent Scout Field Bar. Shade score: 6/10. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, montagehotels.com/healdsburg
Roof 106: Chef Dustin Valette’s ambitious venture is a multistory building with The Matheson restaurant on the ground level, a mezzanine overlooking the restaurant for private events and a rooftop lounge, Roof 106. The rooftop lounge has a more casual indoor-outdoor setting with craft cocktails, small plates and seasonal flatbreads from a custom 3,800-pound wood-fired Mugnaini oven. Shade Score: 8/10. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, thematheson.com
Bravas Bar de Tapas: “Jamon In,” reads the neon arrow pointing to the patio that Healdsburgers flock to every summer. Sangria, paella, Spanish tapas and plenty of gossip are what you’ll find at this popular watering hole and restaurant. Shade score: 7/10. 420 Center St., Healdsburg, starkrestaurants.com
Healdsburg Bar & Grill: Known to locals as HBG, this buzzing American eatery is the playground for Michelin-starred chef Douglas Keane to serve up comfort classics like macaroni and cheese, seared tuna burgers and the classic HBG burger. The fenced patio offers space for kids to roam. Shade score: 7/10. 245 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, healdsburgbarandgrill.com
Occidental
Altamont General Store: A new outdoor space is the perfect addition to this eclectic cafe and market. Umbrella-covered tables plus a grassy knoll for cartwheels on cool summer evenings. Shade score: 5/10. 3703 Main St., Occidental, altamontgeneralstore.com
Geyserville
Catelli’s: Lasagna with paper-thin layers of pasta and a tried-and-true meat sauce is a signature dish worth the trip north. Chef Domenica Catelli is one of Sonoma County’s bright lights, committed to using the best local ingredients. The expansive outdoor area with black and white tiles is iconic — and one of the best event spaces in Sonoma County. Shade score: 6/10. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, mycatellis.com
Diavola: You’ll swear you’re in Italy at this temple of charcuterie, wood-fired pizza and classic Italian entrees, including oxtail ragu with pappardelle, braised beef tripe alla Fiorentina and spaghetti with pork cheek ragu. The cheeky hanging laundry that lines the walkway to the back patio completes the experience. Shade score: 9/10. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, diavolapizzeria.com
Rustic at Francis Ford Coppola Winery: Rustic takes full advantage of its scenic Sonoma County setting on an outdoor terrace overlooking the picturesque Alexander Valley and Coppola vineyards. The menu embraces family-style cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients from the property’s organic herb and produce garden. Shade score: 8/10. 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, francisfordcoppolawinery.com
Sonoma Coast
Fisherman’s Cove: This no-nonsense family-owned seafood shack and fishing-marine supply store specializes in fresh local oysters harvested from Tomales Bay. The crab sandwich rivals nearby Spud Point. Shade score: 4/10. 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, fishermanscovebodegabay.com
Rocker Oysterfeller’s: There’s often live music and dancing on the large back patio of this funky eatery and saloon in the historic Valley Ford Hotel. A mix of local oysters and Southern-influenced comfort foods using local ingredients make this a top stop. Shade score: 8/10. 14415 Highway 1, Valley Ford, rockeroysterfellers.com