In temperate Sonoma County, it’s rare to find a dining spot without a lovely patio or sidewalk seating. Still, a few standouts truly shine at offering stellar outdoor spaces alongside great food.

Here are my picks for shaded patios, prime sidewalk people-watching and sun-dappled gardens worth seeking out. As someone prone to severe sunburn, I’ve included a “shade score” to indicate how much coverage you can expect from umbrellas and other shade sources.

Santa Rosa

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. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com

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. Shade score: 6/10. 401 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-7100, thespinstersisters.com

Windsor

Grata

This Windsor restaurant serves up neighborhood Italian fare on a semi-enclosed patio with plenty of shady spots and cool breezes. The tiny tables aren’t ideal, but the risotto more than makes up for it. Shade score: 8/10. 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com

Sonoma Valley

Sunflower Caffe

This longtime breakfast, brunch and lunch café has a secret — its shaded back patio features a sunny oasis decorated in cheery yellow hues. Surrounded by old oaks and topped with a weather-resistant pergola, it’s ready for almost any season. Best bites include the breakfast biscuit, regularly changing waffles and kale chicken Caesar salad, along with wellness shots and mimosas. Shade score 9/10. 421 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com

Salt & Stone

Outdoor tables (with umbrellas) surround a tranquil lily pond and at night, twinkle lights give off a soft glow, making this a favorite romantic rendezvous in Kenwood. Solid American classic cuisine with a full bar. Shade score 4/10. 9900 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com

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. Oversize striped umbrellas create a shaded oasis for yard seating. Shade Score: 9/10. 18709 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-243-3032, 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 complement the intimate space. Shade Score: 7/10. 405 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com

The Girl & the Fig

Large umbrellas and sunshades cover the 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 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

Sebastopol

Handline

Shoji screen-style windows open wide to let cool breezes flow through the restaurant, but the tented patio remains a favorite for families and pets. A children’s area nearby helps keep little ones entertained. Creamy soft serve is a nostalgic nod to the restaurant’s past as a Fosters Freeze. Shade score: 9/10. 935 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com

Khom Loi

It’s the best of both worlds — indoor while feeling like you’re outdoor — at this popular Thai restaurant. Enclosed on three sides with a soaring atrium, the space lets in the breeze while keeping you out of direct sunlight. Ramen Gaijin’s culinary team brings their love of Thailand’s sweet, salty, sour and fragrant cuisine to Sebastopol with style. Shade score: 10/10. 7385 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, 707-329-6917, khomloisonoma.com

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, 707-503-6332, thewildpoppycafe.com

Petaluma

Brewsters Beer Garden

Everyone’s welcome (including your pup) at this indoor-outdoor destination. 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, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com

Healdsburg

Acorn Cafe

The former Oakville Grocery has plenty of patio seating, complete with a cozy fireplace for chilly mornings. It’s great for well-behaved dogs and kids, or even not-so-well-behaved adults. I love their over-the-top takes on breakfast, brunch and lunch. The lineup includes tiramisu French toast, a brown butter hollandaise Benedict and quite possibly the world’s most inspired fried chicken sandwich. A tasty low- and no-alcohol cocktail menu and an inspired wine list create a Sunday brunch vibe even on weekday mornings. Shade score: 7/10. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.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, 707-922-5442, harmonguesthouse.com

Olive Terrace at Montage Resort

Perched high above the Alexander Valley, the Olive Terrace at Montage’s Hazel Hill restaurant 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 dishes. 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, 707-723-1106, 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, 707-433-7700, starkrestaurants.com

Healdsburg Bar & Grill

Known to locals as HBG, this buzzing American eatery serves up comfort classics like macaroni and cheese, grilled fish tacos, fried chicken and the classic HBG burger. The fenced patio offers space for kids to roam. Don’t miss the Japanese tater tots! Shade score: 7/10. 245 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-3333, healdsburgbarandgrill.com

Occidental

Altamont General Store

The outdoor space is the perfect addition to this eclectic café and market. Umbrella-covered tables plus a grassy knoll for cartwheels on cool summer evenings. Shade score: 5/10. 3703 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-6053, 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 to this Italian cornerstone. 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, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com

Diavola

You’ll swear you’re in Italy at this temple of charcuterie, wood-fired pizza and unmatched pasta entrées. The cheeky hanging laundry that lines the walkway to the back patio completes the experience. Shade score: 9/10. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com

Sonoma Coast

Fishetarian

This is as about as close as it gets to eating on the water. Though it’s less than fancy and you’ll get a snoot full of low tide from time to time, the casual picnic tables and chill vibe make it a fave. Shade score 3/10. 599 Highway 1 S. at Lucas Wharf, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9092, fishetarianfishmarket.com

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, 707-377-4238, fishermanscovebodegabay.com

Rocker’s Roadhouse

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, 707-876-1983, rockeroysterfellers.com

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.

The post 24 Best Outdoor Dining Spots in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Sonoma County’s restaurant scene grew up this year. The arrival of a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Sonoma, along with a wave of high-end French openings, made one thing clear: The region’s dining landscape is becoming more mature, more ambitious and increasingly attractive to top culinary talent.

The boom in fine dining also reflects a shift in how Sonoma County eats. Diners want more value in the overall experience, not just on the plate. If they’re dipping into college savings for a single meal, they expect flawless food, attentive service and a bit of theater. An influx of high-net-worth visitors and part-time residents has helped fuel the luxury tier. Newcomers such as Enclos in Sonoma are thriving on deep pockets and diners eager to add another square to their Michelin bingo cards.

On the other end of the spectrum, fast-casual chains such as Mendocino Farms have seen growth as customers look for alternatives to traditional sit-down restaurants. But even that segment is slowing as perceived value declines, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. A $22 salad or $18 sandwich doesn’t feel like much of a deal when you’re bussing your own table and eating with plastic utensils.

The real squeeze is on the middle.

As disposable income dropped from 5.1% in 2023 to 1.4% in 2025, many regular restaurant goers are choosing to stay home, according to the National Restaurant Association. Menu prices have climbed sharply: Salads and appetizers routinely cost $12 to $18, and entrees commonly run $22 to $38.

A dinner for two that once totaled $120 to $150 before tax, tip and drinks now often reaches $170 to $220 — without splurging. Service fees of 3% to 4%, credit card surcharges of 2% to 3%, and evolving tipping expectations add friction for diners. While some neighborhood spots have kept prices steady, a look back at my 2023 reviews shows many dishes have increased 25% to 40%, driven by higher labor and ingredient costs and rising overhead.

Restaurants are rarely an easy recipe for success. But despite the challenges, chefs and restaurateurs continue to take risks, opening dozens of new spots this year. Here are the best of them.

Best opening of 2025: Enclos

At $280 per person before tax and tip, Enclos sits firmly in ultra-luxury territory — a serious splurge or out of reach for many diners. After a quiet late-2024 debut, it shot to national attention when it earned two Michelin stars just seven months in, joining the ranks of restaurants such as Jean-Georges in New York and Birdsong in San Francisco. Critics swooned. Reservations evaporated.

It’s easy to dismiss the 13-course meal — complete with a box of smoking herbs — as one-percenter theater. But talk to executive chef Brian Limoges and the story shifts. The East Coast transplant has embedded himself in Sonoma Valley, hiking trails and studying the local landscape. His inspiration comes straight from the region: lichen that he cleans, pressure-cooks and deep-fries into a crunchy garnish for venison tartare served on an antler.

Backed by the late Mac McQuown of Stone Edge Farm and his wife, Leslie, Limoges has what most chefs dream of — time and resources. The ever-evolving menu includes ingredients that take days, weeks or months to prepare. Tuna is aged 60 days before becoming ruby-red tartare; its marrow is smoked over the hearth to season the rice beneath it. A tiny martini glass arrives with a dozen micro tomatoes, each peeled and prepared individually, topped with flowers and leaves so small they require a jeweler’s loupe to appreciate.

I could spend days trying to reverse engineer the details — the fermented garlic, the crushed spices, the steeped quail broth. And where does one even find a silver quail clamp?

Limoges and his team aren’t just cooking. They’re creating edible artworks — the originals, not the prints.

Why it matters: Enclos puts the town of Sonoma back in the national dining conversation. What SingleThread did for Healdsburg, Cyrus for Geyserville and The French Laundry for Yountville is the kind of attention many hope Enclos will bring to Sonoma Valley. Limoges and his team aren’t just sourcing locally — they’re shaping a flavor identity that could only come from here.

139 E. Napa St., Sonoma. 707-387-1724, enclos-sonoma.com

An evolution: Bijou

The rise of chef Stéphane Saint Louis is one of Sonoma County’s most compelling culinary stories. The Haitian-born chef cooked at Petaluma’s Della Fattoria and The Shuckery before launching a pandemic-era pop-up that hinted at his broader ambitions. Alongside his cult-favorite fried chicken, the menu included brioche, pomegranate-raspberry jam and crosscut potato chips with luxurious onion dip.

When dining rooms reopened, Saint Louis and co-chef Steven Vargas moved into a former chili diner and opened Table Culture Provisions, an 11-course tasting menu that held its own among Michelin peers. But Saint Louis wanted a second outlet. In June, he opened Bijou. Calling it a bistro undersells the upscale French experience, though the menu reads like a stroll through Paris: croque monsieur, French onion soup, oxtail, and more refined classics such as beef en croute and duck with orange sauce.

Despite the modest dish names, Bijou is all about elegant sauces, meticulous sourcing and refined plating — at midrange prices. Entrees range from $26 to $42, and snacks and shareable plates range from $18 to $22. A few staples anchor the menu — steak frites, a daily seafood catch and Saint Louis’ Parker House rolls — while other dishes rotate daily or weekly. The cooking remains grounded in traditional French technique.

190 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707-753-9155, restaurantbijou.com

Glen Ellen French: Poppy

From my first visit, I knew this offshoot of Sonoma’s The Girl & The Fig would make my “Best Openings” list. It’s that good. The menu stays close to French bistro roots, with California touches: roast chicken with crisp skin and a vin jaune sauce, garlicky escargot and Mt. Lassen trout with melted leeks. The bread service divides opinion, but I’m a fan of the Acme epi with cultured butter and duck liver terrine. For dessert, don’t miss the choux au craquelin, a cream puff filled with espresso chocolate mousse.

13690 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. 707-938-2130, poppyglenellen.com

Impressive Italian: Stella

The much-anticipated second restaurant from Glen Ellen Star chef-owner Ari Weiswasser delivers. Stella celebrates pasta, taking a deep dive into Roman tonnarelli, Florentine creste di gallo, southern Italian rigatoncini and Emilia-Romagna tagliatelle. Served properly al dente, the dishes spotlight why pasta is central to Italian identity.

But pasta is only part of the story. The wood-fired hearth at the center of the kitchen kisses everything — whole dorade, chicken, steak, vegetables — with smoky, blistered flavor. For dessert, I’m all in on the Baked Gelaska, Stella’s take on baked Alaska, layering sponge cake, raspberry sorbet and vanilla gelato under a swirl of torched marshmallow fluff.

9049 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood. 707-801-8043, stellakenwood.com

A Healdsburg standout: Bistro Lagniappe

Chef Jacob Harth’s Healdsburg restaurant delivers wood-fired dishes inspired by California and the French countryside. The original wood-fired oven anchors the space, turning out lamb cassoulet, McFarland Springs trout and a standout roast chicken. It’s a welcome counterpoint to the high-end tasting menus and polished California cuisine that dominate Healdsburg’s dining scene.

330 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707-473-8181, lagniappehealdsburg.com

Casual lakeside: Waterhawk Lake Club

The team behind Petaluma’s Brewsters Beer Garden has expanded north with Waterhawk, a lakeside restaurant built for sunshine and cocktail seekers, families and large groups. The menu leans crowd-pleasing (the loaded fries are a must-order) and the indoor-outdoor space is expansive. Since opening, the restaurant has added live music, weekend brunch and seasonal events that play to the Brewsters crowd. The much-anticipated Miracle Christmas pop-up debuts this year with maximalist holiday decor and themed cocktails. While the menu remains slim, Waterhawk plays to its strengths with straightforward, appealing fare.

5000 Roberts Lake Road, Rohnert Park. 707-355-4219, thewaterhawk.com

A return: Rosso

After a brief seven-month hiatus, one of Santa Rosa’s most beloved restaurants returned — this time under new owners John and Linda Ahmadi, the husband-and-wife duo who previously ran Sandy’s Take and Bake Pizza. Their smartest move? Not messing with success. The menu remains almost exactly as locals remember it: wood-fired pizzas, tender meatballs and the legendary fried chicken with smashed potatoes and that sweet, caramelized pancetta glaze ($27).

53 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-615-7893, rossopizzeria.com

All in the family: Folia

Appellation Healdsburg is redefining Wine Country luxury. The 108-room resort spans 8 manicured acres with two pools, a spa, a panoramic bar and an indoor-outdoor event center. As with any Charlie Palmer project, the focus is on the food. Palmer’s longtime Sonoma ties appear in the resort’s cooking classes, garden-driven programming and local sourcing.

In the kitchen, his son Reed Palmer is finding his own voice with a three-course prix fixe built around standout pastas, Mt. Lassen trout and a roasted chicken that’s already becoming a signature dish. The setting is polished, with fire pits, imported 100-year-old olive trees (a true high-end flex) and a dining room that feels both resort-level and deeply rooted in the region.

101 Dovetail Lane, Healdsburg. 707-723-2130, foliabarandkitchen.com

Stay tuned for my Best Dishes of 2025 in the coming weeks.

Have a tip or want to talk? Email me at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com.

The post Sonoma County’s Best New Restaurants of 2025 appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

An influx of Italian settlers in the 19th century brought not only their winemaking skills but also their culinary traditions to Sonoma County. Unsurprisingly, some of our oldest restaurants (a few still in operation under second, third or even fourth generations) have kept family recipes as the backbone of their operations.

Newer takes on Italian cuisine often mix in California touches or focus on specific regions of Italy — from Milan to Sicily. With so much diversity in Italian cuisine alone, we’ve reached out to readers on our Facebook and Instagram to garner locals’ favorites in the county.

Scroll on below to find the best Italian restaurants in Sonoma County, starting with our dining editor’s top picks and followed by local faves. Mangia bene!

Our Dining Editor’s Top Picks

Stella

While pasta plays a starring role at Stella — which takes a deep dive into lesser-known Italian regional shapes like Roman tonnarelli (spaghetti’s chunkier cousin), Florentine creste di gallo (ruffled rooster’s crest) and rigatoncini (a tiny tube) — its wood-fired grill steals the show. Whole grilled dourade (sea bream fish), lamb ribs, mushrooms and soft Scamorza cheese get the smoky flavor and gentle char unique to live fire cooking.

9049 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-801-8043, stellakenwood.com

Golden Bear Station

This restaurant from the owners of Sonoma’s Animo is an homage to Italy. Mostly. While the menu leans heavily on gourmet pizzas and pasta, it also includes dishes like tuna crudo, whole lamb saddle and Asian-inspired pork chop in dashi broth. Pizzas are a highlight, perfectly cooked without the bitter notes of char, and the pastas are equally impressive.

8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, goldenbearstation.com

Portico

Paolo Pedrinazzi and his wife, Kathleen Escamilla, are the pasta whisperers of  Sebastopol. Their homey cafe has all the charm of nonna’s kitchen as Escamilla scurries between tables, dropping plates of cacio e pepe, risotto and fresh pappardelle pasta with saffron cream to customers. And, of course, the 12-layer lasagna. Don’t miss the Bolognese and fresh tiramisu made daily.

110 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-888-9136, porticosocialfood.com

L’Oro Di Napoli

Italian chef, Italian ingredients, Italian oven, Italian pizza. The most authentic Neapolitan pizza in Sonoma County goes from dough to done in seconds thanks to a superheated wood-fired oven. The housemade lasagna is unbelievably good. L’Oro Di Napoli opened a second location in Petaluma in February 2025, offering an expanded menu but keeping its legendary lasagna a Santa Rosa-only specialty.

629 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6394; 208 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-981-7175, lorodinapolisantarosa.com

Baci Cafe & Wine Bar

Baci Cafe & Wine Bar feels like a throwback, standing stoically among Michelin-starred destinations and trendy newcomers. Here, the music is never too loud, the glasses are hand-polished and there’s never a rush to turn tables. Frank Sinatra croons in the background, as the staff glides from table to table with the smoothness of warm olive oil.

36 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-8111, bacicafeandwinebar.com

Cafe Citti

This popular Kenwood restaurant relocated to Santa Rosa and continues to serve some of the best pizza, pasta and sauces around. We love their polenta with creamy porcini mushroom sauce. Dine on the restaurant’s covered and heated back patio, or pick up for an Italian meal at home.

2792 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-2690, cafecitti.com

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. Don’t miss the burger or chicken Parmesan.

21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-7142, mycatellis.com

Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria

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 lining the walkway to the back patio completes the experience.

21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com

Ca’Bianca

A Victorian home sets the stage for pan-Italian cuisine (from Milan to Sicily). The food always impresses with its restrained simplicity (no gloopy sauces or overwrought pastas) and graceful presentation. Great for impressing parents, dates or coworkers.

835 Second St., Santa Rosa, 707-542-5800, cabianca.com

Campanella

An unapologetic “red sauce joint” that channels the red-and-white-checkered tablecloth, candles in the Chianti bottle, garlic-scented family trattorias that are the lifeblood of Italian American neighborhoods along the Atlantic Seaboard. The mix of old-world and new-world flavors speaks to the 19th-century migration of Italians (primarily from Southern Italy and Sicily) to New York. Garlic knots, chicken Parmesan pizza, steamed clams with linguini and cheesecake are all standouts.

7365 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, 707-910-3030, campanellasoco.com

Canevari’s Deli

The tiny ravioli factory founded in 1929 still sells freshly made ravioli (the original recipe) but has expanded into a popular Italian deli under current owner Lou Chambrone (formerly of Sweet Lou’s in Cotati). Chambrone has upped Canevari’s game with fat Italian-style subs, his recipes for lasagna, creamy tiramisu, polenta and dozens of other dishes.

695 Lewis St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-6941, canevarisdeli.com

Canneti Roadhouse Italiana

This under-the-radar trattoria serves hearty Tuscan dishes from Italian transplant Francesco Torre, who takes pride in the authenticity of his frequently changing dishes with local ingredients.

6675 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-2232, cannetiroadhouse.com

Reader Picks

Riviera Ristorante

Italian classics like spaghetti Puttanesca and veal piccata impress local diners at this neighborhood favorite. Creamy gnocchi Riviera never disappoints.

“Riviera is my favorite. Authentic, diverse and delicious menu,” said Jed Spencer on Facebook. “The lamb ravioli is outstanding. Fresh bread and olive tapenade is a real treat, even when you order to-go! It’s a family-run restaurant, so you know you’re getting great service. Everyone is very friendly and after chatting with the owner I felt like I had a better knowledge of Italy and its food. If you’re making a list, they MUST be on it!”

75 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707- 579-2682, rivieraristorante.net

Volpi’s Ristorante & Bar

Volpi’s in Petaluma dates back nearly 100 years, existing as a grocer and speakeasy before becoming a restaurant in 1992. Find Italian-American classics like spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant parmigiana and veal Marsala.

“Love the old speakeasy and great family style food,” said Amanda Bolla of Volpi’s on Facebook.

124 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-762-2371, volpisristorante.com

Della Santina

This Sonoma restaurant serves authentic northern Italian cuisine with pastas, breads, soups and fish referred to as “Tuscan Soul Food.”

“Della Santinas in Sonoma (is) the very best,” said Lorraine Cheli on Facebook.

133 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-935-0576, dellasantinas.com

Cibo Rustico

This family-friendly cafe serves less frequently seen dishes, including roasted zucchini flowers and fava beans, along with two types of ravioli, cannelloni and spaghetti. It is one of the few places to get Nonna Zeppole (beignet-style doughnuts). The wine list includes some of the owners’ Italian-style D’Argenzio wines.

“Cibos, owner treats you amazingly and might even pour you a little complimentary glass of his favorite wine, which he bottles from his barrelhouse,” said Adam Turréy on Facebook.

1305 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-623-9906, ciborustico.com

LoCoco’s Cucina Rustica

This cozy Italian trattoria is always packed with fans of their traditional pasta dishes (pappardelle with wild boar sausage, linguine with clams), shrimp scampi and veal saltimbocca. Homemade cannoli is a must-try.

117 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-2227, lococos.net

Dinucci’s Restaurant

This checkered-tablecloth, family-style Italian has been around for generations. Dinners include antipasti, sourdough bread, minestrone and salads. Choose from dishes like classic spaghetti, fettuccine, chicken Parmigiana and cannelloni crepes. It’s a good deal for a whole lot of food.

“@dinuccis for sure!! Everything is delicious. Especially the homemade minestrone 😋” said @alexis_starkey_ on Instagram.

14485 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford, 707-876-3260, dinuccisrestaurantandbar.com

Caffe Giostra

This strip mall Italian spot impresses with dishes like crab ravioli, calamari dore, house gnocchi and a divine torta di cioccolata (chocolate cake) — plus an attentive waitstaff.

“Caffe Giostra in Petaluma because the food is consistently delicious and the owners and staff are so welcoming,” said David Hartranft about Caffe Giostra on Facebook.

1390 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-664-9441

Risibisi

Housemade gnocchi with braised wild boar is a specialty at this Petaluma restaurant. Risotto is also a favorite.

“Risibisi Restaurant in Petaluma,” Keller Estate nominated on Facebook. “Great food and service.”

154 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-766-7600, risibisirestaurant.com

Mamma Taninos

This locals’ favorite has a brief but focused menu with weekly specials from Sicilian-born chef Gaetano Patrinostro.

“[Mamma] Taninos in Sonoma. The best! A close second is Della’s just off the Plaza,” said Leslie Leutbecher on Facebook.

500 W. Napa St., Suite 512, Sonoma, 707-933-8826, mammataninos.com

Negri’s Italian Dinners & Joe’s Bar

Family-run since 1943, this old-school Italian eatery is known for its homemade ravioli. The updated Joe’s Bar and Lounge features all the traditional Negri’s favorites Friday through Sunday, including their famous fried chicken, burgers, pizza and modern takes on classic cocktails.

“Gotta go with Negri’s Italian Dinners & Joe’s Bar in Occidental,” said Donna Jean Say on Facebook. “Authentic Italian food and great hometown people. Can’t get those raviolis anywhere else and the desserts, homemade by the Negri ladies, are to die for.”

3700 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-0301, negrisrestaurant.com

Piacére Ristorante Italiano

Another local’s favorite and one of only a few restaurants in this charming north county town. You’ll find a long lineup of pasta, parmigiana, seafood, veal dishes and housemade tiramisu.

“Family-run, amazing steak specials, calamari dori, real Italian veal, fresh tiramisu made daily, good value prices,” said Tina Castelli of Piacére on Facebook.

504 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-0885, piacereristorante.com

Art’s Place

Founded by the late Art Ibleto, Sonoma County’s “Pasta King,” Art’s Place remains family-owned and has affordable Italian classics. The chicken Marsala, fettuccine Alfredo and shrimp scampi get top reviews.

“Never had a bad meal,” said Cheryl Cook about Art’s Place on Facebook. “Friendly staff, good bar.”

563 Rohnert Park Expressway, Rohnert Park, 707-588-2787, artsplacerp.weebly.com

Honorable Mentions

Sugo Trattoria

This intimate Italian spot in Petaluma’s theater district offers an impressive lineup of bruschetta along with fan favorites like butternut squash risotto, pistachio-crusted salmon and a creamy pesto verdura.

5 Petaluma Blvd. S., Suite B, Petaluma, 707-782-9298, sugotrattoria.com

Cucina Paradiso

Every pasta is a winner at this classy longtime Petaluma restaurant, but our favorite is the housemade ravioli, filled with roasted duck in sun-dried tomato, pine nut and basil sauce.

Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-782-1130, cucinaparadisopetaluma.com

Alfredo’s Italian Restaurant

Tucked away in east Petaluma’s Washington Square shopping center, Alfredo’s offers traditional Italian dishes at reasonable prices for lunch and dinner. Spaghetti Bolognese and housemade mushroom ravioli are standout dinner entrees. Get the tiramisu or chocolate gelato for dessert.

1426 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-782-0500, alfredoitlaliantogo.com

Tony’s of North Beach

Graton Casino trattoria fronted by world-famous pizzaiolo Tony Gemignani offers five styles of pizza: woodfired Neapolitan and California-style; brick-oven Italian and American standards, as well as thick-crust Sicilian; and stone-oven New York and New Haven-style pizzas.

288 Golf Course Drive W., Rohnert Park, 707-588-7741, gratonresortcasino.com

Grata Italian Eatery

This charming, chef-run restaurant offers modern takes on classic Italian dishes. Gnudi alla vodka, risotto and cacio e pepe are favorite dishes. Open for lunch, dinner and cocktails.

Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com

Pizzando

This little pizzeria in downtown Healdsburg specializes in Napolitana and Romana-style pizzas, and also offers seasonal bites, paninis, housemade pastas and organic soft-serve ice cream.

301 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-922-5233, pizzandohealdsburg.com

Rustic

Francis Ford Coppola’s winery-based Italian restaurant features the film director’s favorite dishes in an airy, open dining room and offers sweeping views from the patio.

300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-857-1445, francisfordcoppolawinery.com

Maci Martell contributed to this story.

The post The Best Italian Restaurants in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Californians may not spend their winters shoveling snow or digging out the puffer coat, but a cold, soggy day still demands comfort: steaming soups, crackling fireplaces, slow-braised everything, and cushy banquettes built for lingering over hot tea.

These Sonoma County restaurants know exactly how to take the chill off — and warm you up from the inside out.

Healdsburg

Taste of Tea

Japanese comfort food — think curry ramen, miso soup and ginger rice pudding — plus an endless array of imported teas make this the ultimate cozy retreat. 109 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1995, thetasteoftea.com

Baci Cafe & Wine Bar

Amid Healdsburg’s Michelin hot spots and shiny newcomers, Baci is a timeless refuge. The music plays softly, the glassware gleams and the genteel staff move through the room with the fluidity of warm olive oil. 36 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-8111, bacicafeandwinebar.com

Healdsburg Bubble Bar

A bubbly little clubhouse just big enough for you and a few friends. Sip Champagne and sparklers in this pint-size Parisian bistro wrapped in dark walls, velvet banquettes and soft lighting. Little nibbles are available to pair with your pours. 134 North St., Healdsburg, 707-395-4434, healdsburgbubblebar.com

Sonoma Valley

Golden Bear Station

With candlelit tables, faux-fur throws and hospitality warmer than a pan of brown butter, this Kenwood roadside restaurant oozes coziness. The menu shifts with chef Joshua Smookler’s latest fascinations, but expect luxurious cuts of duck, beef and pork tinged with Italian and Korean flavors. 8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, goldenbearstation.com

Songbird Parlour

Soft lighting, broody paneled walls in pine needle green, velvet sofas arranged in a conversational setting and an upright piano set the scene inside this upscale dining retreat in Glen Ellen. Warming dishes, such as braised lamb shank, duck breast with lentils, and pork belly, are best bets. 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com

Glen Ellen Star

Claim a seat by the wood-fired oven, the source of blistered pizzas, whole branzino, brick chicken and ember-roasted vegetables. 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1384, glenellenstar.com

Sebastopol

Ramen Gaijin

There’s nothing cozier than leaning over a steaming bowl of ramen, infusing the brothy goodness into your very soul. Add grilled skewers and tasty cocktails. 6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707,827-3609, ramengaijin.com

Sonoma Coast

Terrapin Creek

Butter-yellow and ocher walls radiate warmth year round, but in colder months, the massive hearth draws visitors near. There’s no fish and chips, but the seafood is always a catch. 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2700, terrapincreekcafe.com

Graton & West County

Underwood Bistro

Enjoy a mix of French and Thai dishes at this rural, Parisian-style bistro, a favorite among winemakers and locals. Long banquettes, bentwood chairs, a nickel-topped bar and soft yellow lighting give it an all-day sunset glow. 9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com

Diavola Pizzeria

A glowing wood-fired oven is the beating heart of this pizza and pasta spot. When you’re here, you’re family. Don’t miss the more casual Geyserville Gun Club next door. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com

Catelli’s

Family photos of the Catelli family fill this warm, historic restaurant space. Wood flooring, exposed brick and comfy seating — along with their delicate 10-layer lasagna and hearty chicken Parmesan — make it perfect for friends and family gatherings. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com

Santa Rosa

Stark’s Steak & Seafood, Santa Rosa

This classic steakhouse does cozy in retro style — with a fireplace in the dining room! You’ll get the Bogie-and-Bacall vibe right away. Manhattans, aged whiskies and absinthe are served by white-coated bar staff. The seats are leather and a baby grand sits in the corner waiting to tinkle out a tune or two. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkssteakhouse.com

Goose and Fern

The friendly Brit-pub vibe makes this family-run spot a favorite, whether you’re grabbing a pint or a Guinness pie. Hang out for the Sunday pub quiz night at 7:30 p.m. or pop by for hot oxtail soup and a pudding (if you’re lucky, they’ll have sticky toffee). 116 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-843-4235, thegooseandfern.com

Petaluma

Street Social

From the street, the narrow tiled alley leading to this tiny restaurant is easy to miss — part of its charm, and part of the discovery. Inside, the dimly lit, five-table dining room (with a few more seats in the alley and one upstairs) is intentionally intimate, allowing owners Jevon Martin and Marjorie Pier to create a magical experience for each guest. 29F Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-774-6185, streetsocial.social 

Pearl

Inspired by the flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa (with a little Southern French and Spanish thrown in for good measure), chef/owners Brian Leitner and Annette Yang continue to impress with their sunny interpretations of shakshuka, fresh pita, fattoush salad and braised meats, including brisket and lamb. 500 First St., Petaluma, 707-559-5187, pearlpetaluma.com

Water Street Bistro

*Editor’s note: Water Street Bistro announced its permanent closure for Feb. 6.

This hidden gem, tucked away on the waterfront, is a favorite among in-the-know locals who stop by for freshly made French pastries, duck confit, quiche and the restaurant’s eclectic Parisian style. 100 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-763-9563, waterstreetbistropetaluma.com

What are your cozy faves? Let me know at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com.

The post Cozy Sonoma Restaurants and Bars for Chilly Days appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Sonoma County is a foodie’s mecca. From farm-to-table fare to international cuisine to comfort classics, you can satisfy pretty much any craving here. However, until recent years, you might have struggled to find vegan and vegetarian dishes that reached the same level as the area’s carnivorous meals. That, along with our food preferences, is changing.

Meat and dairy alternatives have been steadily appearing on grocery store shelves and restaurant menus across the United States over the past five or so years, following a shift in attitudes toward vegan foods. Local restaurants have taken note, adding more vegetarian and vegan options to their menus while some have gone fully plant-based.

As more local restaurants update their menus with vegans, vegetarians and the plant-based curious in mind, here are excellent restaurants to try on World Vegan Day (Nov. 1) or any day of the year.

Santa Rosa

Abyssinia

This Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant in Santa Rosa has a wide selection of plant-based offerings. The veggie combo is a generous sampler of all the vegetarian dishes on the menu — Shiro We’t (spiced Ethiopian hummus), Miser We’t (lentils stewed in Berbere sauce), Miser Alecha (lentil stew with garlic, ginger and turmeric), Tikel Gomen (cabbage, carrots and potatoes cooked with ginger), Yabesha Gomen (collard greens cooked in tomato, garlic and rosemary) and Yater Kik Alecha (split peas with garlic, ginger and green pepper), all served on injera (a spongy Ethiopian flat bread). The veggie sambusa is a great starter. 913 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-6455, my-abyssinia.com

The Branch Line

Kim Bourdet, owner of Santa Rosa’s former organic cafe and caterer ​​The Pharmacy, opened this plant-based eatery and mercantile in the former Flying Goat Coffee space in Old Railroad Square in early 2022, with meat alternatives, housemade nut milks and vegan cheeses. Start your day with a seasonal latte, paired with fluffy focaccia, fresh muffins and other pastries. Or go for the bagels with avocado or vegan cream cheese. For lunch on the go, there are salads, sandwiches and grain bowls. Locally made goods to take home include syrups, jams, sauces and dry pasta. 10 Fourth St., Suite 1, Santa Rosa, 707-595-1941, instagram.com/thebranchline_sonomacounty

East West Cafe

A Mediterranean staple for over 30 years, East West Cafe has a dedicated vegetarian section on its menu. The Mediterranean Platter is a fan favorite meatless sampler, with hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and baba ganoush. The Macro Plate is a filling vegan dish, served with braised tofu or a veggie patty along with steamed vegetables, hummus, brown rice, oil-free black beans and blue corn tortillas. The Thai Tofu Salad is bright and colorful, featuring marinated tofu on a bed of mixed greens and red cabbage, along with onion, avocado, beets, carrots, toasted almonds, mandarin orange slices and housemade citrus dressing. 557 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6142, eastwestcafesantarosa.com

The Spinster Sisters

Named the best farm-to-table restaurant in Sonoma County in The Press Democrat’s Readers’ Choice awards for 2025, The Spinster Sisters serves up seasonal, farm-fresh cuisine and natural wines in a casual setting. The menu changes regularly, but recent delicious finds include spicy heirloom tomato soup, roasted mushroom hand pie, ricotta cavatelli with chanterelle mushrooms and rosemary caramel nut tart. 401 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-7100, thespinstersisters.com

Rohnert Park

Amy’s Drive Thru

When Sonoma County’s nationally renowned, plant-based Amy’s Kitchen opened its first drive-thru in Rohnert Park in 2015, it redefined what fast food could be. Amy’s Drive Thru specializes in guilt-free veggie burgers with its own secret sauce and vegan cheese. But Amy’s offers more than your typical burger drive-thru. The menu features salads, soups, wraps, grain bowls, and “chik’n” tenders and sandwiches. The Margherita pizza has a crunchy crust and is topped with fresh basil, diced tomatoes and dairy or vegan cheese — a delicious pie to share with friends or devour by yourself. Plus, non-dairy shakes and cinnamon rolls! 58 Golf Course Drive West, Rohnert Park, 707-755-3629, amysdrivethru.com

Cotati

Lady Blume Microbakery + Coffee

Opened last spring, Lady Blume bakery is entirely gluten- and dairy-free. Plant-based pastries include walnut banana bread, chocolate pound cake, chocolate doughnuts, cornmeal berry muffins and walnut chocolate chip cookies. Keep an eye on the rotating flavors of dairy-free doughnuts. 8059 La Plaza, Cotati, ladyblume.com

Petaluma

Aqus Café

The humble cafe at Foundry Wharf offers an assortment of vegan-alternative dishes. Start your day with a Veganrito, a breakfast burrito filled with rice, potatoes, avocado, cilantro, black beans, red peppers and vegan mozzarella. For lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with one of the vegan/vegetarian wraps, paninis and sandwiches. The Veggie Friday panini is stacked with roasted asparagus, eggplant, sweet peppers, portobello mushrooms, plant-based mozzarella and sundried tomato spread. There’s also a tempeh reuben, garden burgers, vegetarian lasagna and a tempeh teriyaki bowl with brown rice and veggies. 189 H St., Petaluma, 707-778-6060, aquscafe.com

Luma Bar and Eatery

The Mediterranean-California fusion menu at Luma features creative plant-based dishes, such as hand-cut fries with harissa aioli and a farro bowl with veggies and a Sherry Dijon dressing. Larger standout vegan dishes include a quinoa and chickpea veggie burger, a creamy pesto gnocchi, and a Margherita flatbread pizza with an option of cashew cheese. For dessert, try the olive oil cake with lemon curd or the coconut milk-based rose panna cotta. The drink menu includes local ales and wines, innovative cocktails and low- or no-alcoholic drinks. The vibrant Lumanade is made with lemon, butterfly pea tisane and FloraLuna Apothecary wildflower syrup. 50 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-772-5037, lumaeatery.com

Lunchette

Lunchette specializes in nourishing, flavor-packed salads and grain bowls for a satisfying lunch to go, and also offers soup and pizza by the slice. Current seasonal specials include a silky, green vegetable soup and a fall polenta with roasted mushrooms and delicata squash. For a warm vegan meal with heaps of flavor, try the tahini grain bowl. A base of organic brown rice is topped with spinach, cucumber, spiced chickpeas, pickled cauliflower, pickled rainbow carrots, roasted sweet potato, date molasses, zaatar seasoning and a generous drizzle of rich tahini dressing. Sweet plant-based treats include moist chocolate brownies, tahini miso cookies and gluten-free carrot cake muffins. 25 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-241-7443, lunchettepetaluma.com

Wild Goat Bistro

This cozy, European-style bistro, situated inside the historic Great Petaluma Mill, serves Cal-American cuisine and wood-fired pizzas, along with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options on its menu. The vegan quinoa sweet potato cakes are a mock-crab cake favorite. They come topped with a Brussels sprouts slaw and lemon tahini and served with roasted red pepper and creamy cashew sauces. The shepherd’s pie is also vegan, featuring roasted Italian fennel sausage to complement the traditional English peas, carrots, mushrooms and the dreamy mashed potato whip topping. Pizza fans should opt for The Pearl, topped with vegan mozzarella, basil, pepperoncini, beech mushrooms, caramelized pearl onions and savory vegan fennel sausage. 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-658-1156, wildgoatbistro.com

The Local

This Petaluma sandwich shop — notoriously hard to find in the Active Wellness Center but absolutely worth seeking out —  expanded earlier this year with a second location in the Plaza North Shopping Center. The Local offers a modest assortment of locally sourced and expertly crafted sandwiches. The colorful, vegan Helen Putnam includes artichoke hearts, carrots, avocado, pickles, red onion, pickled ginger, roasted beet hummus and mustard greens on Della sourdough. Other vegan sandwiches include a seasonal banh mi and The Sonoma with portobello mushrooms in a Korean barbecue sauce on focaccia. Also find salads and top-notch smoothies. (The Active Wellness Center location at 1201 Redwood Way is temporarily closed.) 229 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-981-7100, thelocalpetaluma.com

Phở Sonoma

This Vietnamese restaurant’s vegan menu features a variety of seasonal plates that even devout meat-eaters can get behind. If you’re seeking a classic vegetarian pho, look no further than the spicy vegan lemongrass noodle soup, with mixed veggies, rice noodles and soft, fried tofu in a spicy lemongrass broth. The vegan spring rolls are a refreshing starter, made with tofu, lettuce, bean sprouts, vermicelli noodles and mint wrapped in rice paper and served with peanut sauce. Curry tofu with mixed veggies is a spicy winner. The simmer-fried eggplant and green beans with Thai basil in vegan oyster sauce brim with garlicky, umami flavor. 140 Second St., Suite 120, Petaluma, 707-762-6888, phosonoma.com

Healdsburg

Little Saint

Healdsburg’s upscale, farm-to-table Little Saint offers creative vegan takes on favorite dishes, such as the harvest cheeseburger and shoestring fries with rosemary garlic aioli. For brunch, try the Nashville waffle with fried lion’s mane or breakfast tacos with scrambled tofu and Fresno cashew crema. Dinners at Little Saint are meant to be shared. Start with the housemade focaccia and trio of dips (smoked carrot, roasted red pepper hummus and cultured cashew). The roasted eggplant lasagna delights with king trumpets and summer squash. For dessert, go for a seasonal fruit tart or scoop of housemade ice cream. 25 North St., Healdsburg, 707-433-8207, littlesainthealdsburg.com

Plank Coffee

For the best vegetarian breakfast and lunch in north county, Plank Coffee has you covered with plant-based sandwiches and milk alternatives (oat, soy, almond or coconut) for your mochas and seasonal lattes. Try a breakfast sandwich on a croissant, housemade biscuit or bagel with egg, cheese (dairy or vegan) and smoky tempeh “bacon” or a Beyond Meat “sausage” patty. The mushroom sandwich is an umami-rich bundle of braised greens, melted provolone (or a vegan alternative) and cremini mushrooms sautéed in garlic, onion, tamari, thyme and Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, all on a toasted Village Bakery roll. Don’t forget to leave with a morning pastry, like the vegan apricot pecan bran muffin or the moist vegan orange cake with a zesty orange glaze. 175 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-395-0572, and 227 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6187, plankcoffee.com

The Taste of Tea

This family-owned tea room serves Japanese tea and comfort food, including some of the most satisfying vegetarian dishes in Healdsburg. The Miso Ramen, ideal for chilly autumn days, is a signature dish. The vegan version offers depths of flavor and varied textures from the ginger-seasoned miso kombu broth, soft tofu, shredded nori, bamboo shoots, green onions and sprouts. Not in the mood for soups? Try the curry onigiri (stuffed rice balls wrapped in nori) or hijiki don rice bowl — white rice topped with hijiki (a type of wild seaweed) salad and half a shoyu marinated egg. Matcha ice cream and ginger rice pudding are refreshing desserts. Pair your meal with a selection from the over 80 teas served here, excellently prepared by the accommodating tea docents. 109 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1995, thetasteoftea.com

Carmella

This plant-based juice shop, appropriately situated in the former The Nectary location on Center Street, specializes in cold-pressed juices as well as smoothies, salads, parfaits, “superfood” lattes and others bites. Grab-and-go juices are as nourishing as they are vibrant and delicious, such as the Big Red made with beet, lemon, pineapple, coconut water, hibiscus tea, green apple and chia seeds. Smoothies are divine, particularly the vivid blue Midnight Maca made with adaptogenic maca, spirulina, dates, banana, almond butter and vanilla. Salads are equally colorful as well as seasonal. A favorite is the Cool Beans salad made with lentils, house hummus, sprouted mung beans, crisp vegetables and fermented vegetables atop a bed of fresh greens, all topped in herbed yogurt dressing and quinoa crisps. Also find housemade pickles, ferments, toast and herbed almond cheese to craft your own plant-based “cheese and charcuterie” board. 312 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-385-4657, carmellacarmella.com

Sebastopol

Cozy Plum Bistro

From burgers and burritos to loaded nachos and mac and cheese, there’s something for everyone here, including die-hard meat-eaters. Try the Pesto Tenderloin sandwich, with soy- and gluten-based “white meat,” housemade pesto and veggies on a soft herb focaccia. The Philly Cheesesteak is a delicious plant-based version of the East Coast classic, made with gluten-based steak strips, bell peppers, onions and a smoky cheddar sauce on fresh-baked sourdough. Don’t miss the plant-based burger, featuring a “chef’s blend protein patty” (soy, pea and rice) with Cozy sauce, pickle, tomato, onion and lettuce on a fresh-baked sourdough bun. It is one of the best burgers in Sonoma County. 6970 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-823-3333, cozyplum.com

Muir’s Tea Room

This English/Scottish tea house likely offers the most extensive assortment of vegan baked goods in the county, along with fully plant-based plates on its tea service menus. The seasonal and year-round pies, tarts, cakes, cookies, muffins, scones, brownies and cupcakes are all vegan. Yes, even the deluxe double chocolate cake and specialty Bavarian cream tart. Savory plant-based options are also available, such as finger sandwiches, mushroom tarts, “sausage” rolls and seasonal savory pasties. 330 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-634-6143, muirstearoomandcafe.com

La Bodega Kitchen

Casual, rustic dining meets gourmet plant-based/vegetarian cuisine at Sebastopol’s completely meat-free La Bodega Kitchen. The Saffron & Rose Petal Arancini is a standout appetizer — three fried Carnaroli rice balls made with Miyoko’s mozzarella and Forager Project Parmesan, resting in La Bodega marinara. Meat won’t be missed after trying the rigatoni “Bolognese” ragu, made with a house vegan ragu and grated local cheese. Don’t skip the sweet treats here. The dessert menu boasts some “I can’t believe it’s vegan” dishes like hazelnut tiramisu and chocolate ganache nut torte. 2295 Gravenstein Hwy. South, Sebastopol, 707-827-1832, sonomawineshop.com

Fern Bar

Sebastopol’s chic Fern Bar offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes on its menu, along with gluten-free or celiac-safe options. A great dish to share is the falafel plate, a handful of dukkah-seasoned falafel patties served with cucumber and lemon-garlic tahina. The tangled-looking Umami Bomb (vegan and celiac safe) is bursting with flavor. A bed of crispy rice is topped with broccoli, mushrooms, shiitake ‘cream,’ balsamic and nutritional yeast. Finish your meal with the warm, vegetarian-friendly churros, coated in cinnamon sugar and served with peach butter. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com

Soft Medicine Sanctuary

Opened in September of 2023, Soft Medicine Sanctuary is a combined farm-to-table cafe, tea lounge, yoga studio, art gallery and event space — all wrapped up into one inclusive community hub that focuses on wellness and connection. The menu has plenty of nourishing, plant-based dishes, including the “always vegan-friendly” soup of the day, the Nori Wrap filled with quinoa, veggies, kimchi and vegan spicy mayo, and the Ayurvedic Grain Bowl — a mix of local rice, greens, mung beans, seasonal veggies, kraut, pesto and Ayurvedic spices to aid digestion and metabolism. Desserts include vegan cheesecakes and chocolate tahini cookies. Tea and coffee drinks can be served with oat, coconut or housemade almond milk. 186 N. Main St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-827-8130, softmedicinesebastopol.com

Viva Mēxicana

While most taquerias offer veggie burritos on their menus, Viva Mēxicana aims higher in its plant-based offerings. With a whole page on the menu dedicated to vegan options, it’s easy to get lost in the drool-worthy lineup. The aptly named Very Vegan Burrito (one of the 14 vegetarian burritos on the menu) includes Spanish rice, black beans, organic tofu, salsa verde and mango salsa wrapped up in a Roma tomato tortilla. A fan favorite is the Butternut Squash Enchilada — two corn tortillas stuffed with butternut squash and served with a roasted tomato-chipotle salsa, lettuce, avocado, cilantro, Spanish rice and refried beans. Also find vegan nachos, tacos, soups, tamales, quesadillas and desserts. Bonus: On Monday and Tuesday evenings, the taqueria serves a taste of Persia with Persian Nights, featuring a number of plant-based Iranian dishes that owner Sima Mohamadian grew up eating. 841 Gravenstein Hwy S, Sebastopol, 707-823-5555, vivamexicana.com

Sonoma

Sunflower Caffe

Over half the menu at Sunflower Caffé is vegetarian-friendly, with meat-free brunch classics such as breakfast burritos and avocado toast — one of the best in the county. The avocado toast includes shaved Brussels sprouts, toasted hazelnuts, sunflower spread and black truffle pecorino on multigrain bread. For a naturally sweet start to the day, try the coconut chia seed pudding topped with nutty granola, raspberries, toasted coconut and passionfruit sauce. The roasted squash sandwich is packed with butternut squash, Asian pear, whipped tofu, arugula, pickled onions and hot honey on an Italian country roll. 421 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com

Valley

Formerly known as Valley Bar + Bottle, this Sonoma restaurant serves seasonal California cuisine, featuring a diverse selection of plant-based dishes. For weekend brunch, try the bagel platter or or Turkish poached eggs with lentils and Urfa. The Valley breakfast includes flatbread, feta, tomatoes, zucchini dip, soft-cooked egg and pickled red onion. Lunch consists of a Hippie Salad with tahini vinaigrette, quinoa with summer vegetables, and sesame-peanut noodles with spicy tofu. For dinner, try the spiced lentils with fried onions or the crispy rice with turmeric. 487 First W., Sonoma, 707-934-8403, valleybarandbottle.com

Guerneville

Boon Eat + Drink

Featured in several local and national publications, chef Crista Luedtke’s Boon Eat + Drink is a Russian River gem. One of the modern bistro’s most popular dishes is the vegetarian and exceptionally flavorful Polenta Lasagna. The creamy polenta is balanced with sautéed vegetables, ricotta and spicy marinara sauce atop a bed of tender rainbow chard. All of the starters and shared plates are vegetarian and simple yet delicious, including the pillowy clouds of burrata topped with cherry coulis and spiced pumpkin seeds, as well as the tri-colored beet salad with goat cheese and a citrus vinaigrette. 16248 Main St., Guerneville, 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com

The post 25 Sonoma Restaurants for Delicious Plant-Based Meals appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

This article is part two in a series on top Sonoma County restaurant picks from our dining editor. Find part one on sonomamag.com. 

People often ask me about my favorite restaurants, and I rarely have a great answer in the moment. I can tell where I ate last, but pulling from the mental archives on demand? Not so easy. As someone who eats (and writes about) food for a living, there’s just too much to sift through.

So, I took some time to curate a can’t-miss local foodie guide, divided into two parts. In this follow-up, I share my top picks in Sonoma Valley, Healdsburg and on the coast.

I’d love to hear your favorites — send me an email at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com.

Sonoma Valley

Valley Bar + Bottle

This super-buzzy restaurant, wine bar and bottle shop is all about letting yourself enjoy the mystery of the menu. It doesn’t dally with long, overblown explanations, but you can’t go wrong no matter what you order. Open for dinner and brunch, with unusual and unexpected small-production wines. 487 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-934-8403, valleybarandbottle.com

Valley Swim Club

The only diving required at this popular roadhouse is straight into a bowl of clam chowder. This casual, walk-in-only sibling to Valley Bar + Bottle focuses on seafood, salads, milkshakes, smashburgers and plant-based options. On the drink menu, tasty porch pounders and standout natural wines are de rigueur, including the Valley team’s own Le Lube. 18709 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-243-3032, valleyswim.club

Enclos

Within six months of its January opening, Enclos had already secured two Michelin stars for its 11-course tasting menu, paying homage to the flora and fauna of Sonoma Valley. Instagrammers swooned over chef Brian Limoges’ tiny bites of venison and tree lichen perched on a foraged deer antler, as well as his Lilliputian ice cream sandwiches atop a honeycomb frame. 139 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-387-1724, enclos-sonoma.com

Poppy

The newest branch on The Girl & The Fig’s family tree, Poppy captures the fresh, honest simplicity of French countryside cooking, using seasonal ingredients and classic techniques. The bread service, roasted chicken and desserts are spectacular. 13690 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-938-2130, poppyglenellen.com

Glen Ellen Star

This unassuming little cafe in Glen Ellen is a constant critics’ darling. Chef Ari Weiswasser’s deceptively simple wood-fired dishes showcase the best ingredients in the county, with much of his produce coming from a farm just behind the restaurant. It’s easy to dismiss simple menu items like a tomato pie with Espelette pepper. But it’s divine, as are the seasonal wood-roasted vegetables, brick chicken and whole fish with fava leaves and new potatoes. 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1384, glenellenstar.com

Stella

Stella, which means “star” in Italian, is a standout newcomer. While pasta plays a starring role, Stella’s wood-fired grill steals the show. Orange flames leap several feet toward the hooded kitchen vent as bold cooks stoke the fire with bundles of wood. Don’t miss the “Baked Gelaska,” a riff on baked Alaska, with sponge cake, raspberry sorbet and vanilla gelato topped with a swirl of torched marshmallow fluff. 9049 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-801-8043, stellakenwood.com

El Dorado Kitchen

This hotel restaurant consistently delivers, offering a wide variety of dishes ranging from sophisticated dinner selections (such as caviar, Wagyu beef carpaccio and filet mignon) to simpler dishes, including a vegan rice bowl with mushrooms and seaweed, as well as a beet salad with orange yogurt. Burgers and shrimp tacos are great lunch options. The restful garden patio is a lovely meeting spot, and the bar offers a nice “table for one” dining experience. 405 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com

Spread Kitchen

Cristina Topham (known for her catering and farmers market food) serves up Lebanese-style lavash wraps filled with turmeric chicken, beef kofta and falafel with cheffy touches. Dirty fries with za’atar, feta cheese, tahini-yogurt sauce, pickled onions and herbs are a favorite, along with the five-dip combo of hummus, baba ganoush, muhammara, labneh and whipped feta, accompanied by a beet dip, all served with warm pita. 18375 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-721-1256, spreadkitchensonoma.com

Golden Bear Station

An intimate dining experience focused on shareable wood-fired meat and fish, including Dover sole in brown butter sauce, roast duck breast, rib-eye and grilled pork chop. Chef Joshua Smookler’s intensive attention to detail is evident in every dish. Starters, such as truffle udon, Korean rice cakes with Bolognese sauce and cacio e pepe are outstanding. 8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, goldenbearstation.com

Buck’s Place

A former polka hall turned family-friendly bar and patio. Easygoing classics like chicken Parmesan, hoagies with all the gabagool, and crunchy-gooey mozzarella sticks are great. But pizza is the main event — Chicago deep-dish, sometimes, or grandma-style Sicilian, crunch-edged Detroit and the classic New York 16-inch round. Full bar. 401 Grove St., Sonoma. 707-231-1245, bucks-place.com

The Girl and the Fig

This destination restaurant serves legendary bistro-style French cuisine. Relax on the patio, sit at the polished wood bar or meet friends in the friendly lemon-yellow bistro. Steamed mussels and frites, as well as duck liver mousse or duck confit, are great options. Fig and arugula salad is a required order. 110 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

West County

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen

Located by the Creekside Skatepark, this quirky little cafe offers a mix of smoothies, bagels, pies and Middle Eastern cuisine. The desserts are impressive. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site

Underwood Bistro

Underwood Bistro is an integral part of Graton’s fabric, having withstood nearly 25 years in the volatile restaurant industry. Built on the bones of a former roadhouse and watering hole, it has retained its familiar come-as-you-are charm. Once inside, however, diners are transported to a Parisian-style bistro with long banquettes, bentwood chairs, a nickel-topped bar and soft yellow lighting that gives it an all-day sunset glow. 9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com

Windsor, Healdsburg and points north

PizzaLeah

Leah Scurto is an award-winning pizzaiolo who puts every bit of her soul into making the best pies in Sonoma County. We’re obsessed with the Old Grey Beard with mozzarella, fontina, sausage and hot honey. 9240 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 116, Windsor, 707-620-0551, pizzaleah.com

Troubadour

When you own a bakery, why not make great sandwiches, too? Husband-and-wife culinary phenoms Sean and Melissa McGaughey have a sandwich outpost close to their bakery that transforms into a top-notch French bistro, Le Diner, at night. The world’s best egg salad on challah for lunch, vichyssoise with caviar for dinner. Dinner reservations required. 381 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-3972, troubadourhbg.com

Dry Creek Kitchen

Upscale yet still a neighborhood favorite, this iconic Charlie Palmer restaurant has stood the test of time while continually adapting to the changing times. Chef Shane McAnelly’s pasta tasting menu is pure joy. 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com

Bravas Bar de Tapas

A menu filled with brassy, bold Spanish flavors that do the cha-cha through your mouth and leave no question that you’ll need a breath mint or two before getting familiar with friends or co-workers. This is tapas the way it was meant to be enjoyed. 420 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-576-9610, starkrestaurants.com

Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria

Chef Dino Bugica’s wood-fired pizzas are just one aspect of the Italian-inspired menu at his northern Sonoma County restaurant. Pasta and brick chicken are also on the dinner menu, as is excellent housemade salumi. Don’t miss the more casual Geyserville Gun Club next door. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com

SingleThread

A 15-plus-course tasting menu at this three-Michelin-starred restaurant is not just a night out, it’s an event. Chef Kyle Connaughton’s micro-seasonal dishes are inspired by his time in Hokkaido, Japan, and the bounty of the restaurant’s farm. Reservations are required for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The wine list is one of the best in the area, and that’s saying something. 131 North St., Healdsburg, 707-723-4646, singlethreadfarms.com

Cyrus

Chef Douglas Keane and business partner Nick Peyton have created a mix of opulent, painstakingly crafted European and Japanese small bites, arranged with culinary precision and served on bespoke ceramic dinnerware. The minimalist restaurant interior, featuring wraparound windows, highlights the lush vineyard setting. Tickets for the 17-course “Dining Journey” are released two months in advance at exploretock.com/cyrus. 275 Highway 128, Geyserville, 707-723-5999, cyrusrestaurant.com

Valette

Chef Dustin Valette’s eponymous restaurant somehow manages to be luxurious and casual at the same time. A locals’ favorite, it features carefully curated ingredients and imaginative food experiences. Go for the “Trust Me” tasting menu that gives the best insight into Valette’s talents. 344 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-473-0946, valettehealdsburg.com

Bistro Lagniappe

Chef Jacob Harth’s much-anticipated Healdsburg restaurant features wood-fired dishes inspired by California and French countryside cuisine. The original wood-fired oven is a centerpiece, and the fall-ish cassoulet is a must-try, along with McFarland Springs trout and a delightful roasted chicken. 330 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-473-8181, lagniappehealdsburg.com

Acorn Cafe

Breakfast and brunch classics get a major glow-up at this casual, neighborhood spot. French toast is bedazzled with cacao nibs and topped with kisses of whipped mascarpone and coffee ice cream. The Benedict is turbo-charged with brown butter hollandaise, and ricotta cheese makes the pancakes rise sky-high. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-955-7001, acornhealdsburg.com

El Milagro

This Cloverdale restaurant serves regional Mexican cuisine that makes the drive north worthwhile, offering a diverse menu that ranges from pumpkin seed mole and guisado (slow-braised stew) to simple flautas and tacos. Everything is made from scratch here, following authentic family recipes. 485 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6334, elmilagrocloverdale.com. Also located in Healdsburg at 241 Healdsburg Ave.; 707-473-8119, elmilagrohealdsburg.com

Coast, Highway 1

Rocker Oysterfeller’s at the Wharf

Historic coastal vibes with contemporary, family-friendly eats. Classic wharf-side dining with some Southern twists. Excellent fish and chips, smashburgers, Cajun blackened pasta and fisherman’s stew. Plus, steak! 595 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-772-5670, rockeroysterfellers.com

Spud Point Crab Co.

Though I have favorites for chowder, fresh crab and barbecued oysters elsewhere, this always-packed spot is unrivaled for its Dungeness crab sandwich (and I do love their garlicky chowder). Crab cakes (available only on weekends) are also excellent. What makes this an undisputed “good place” is its consistently high quality. 1910 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9472, spudpointcrabco.com

Terrapin Creek

This isn’t the spot for fish and chips, so don’t ask. Instead, revel in dishes like Hokkaido scallops, Mediterranean fish stew and pan-roasted Pacific swordfish. 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2700, terrapincreekcafe.com

Valley Ford Cheese and Creamery

Dairy is the soul of Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery, owned by fourth-generation dairywoman Karen Bianchi-Moreda. Grab a picnic pack with her aged Estero Gold Reserve or enjoy a quiet country moment with a kimchi-kissed grilled cheese sandwich. Don’t leave without a swirl of the gelato-like soft serve made with milk from their Jersey cows. 14390 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford, 707-875-0703, valleyfordcheese.com

The post Top Sonoma County Restaurant Picks from a Food Critic, Part Two appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Whether as fuel for the crushpad, for a hike or for harvesting in the garden, tacos are a classic. Narrowing down a list of Sonoma’s best tacos feels like a near impossibility, but here’s a great first try for the warmth of early fall.

Did I miss a favorite local taco shop? Tell me your faves!

Best of the Best

Quiote Mexican Restaurant

These handmade blue corn tortillas — topped with fresh rock cod, cochinita pibil with pickled onions, or al pastor and salsa verde — are at the top of my list. Add a side of guacamole with serrano chiles and crispy raspadas or brothy Rancho Gordo beans. 121 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707-774-6130, quiotemx.com

Best Fish Tacos

El Molino Central

Beer-battered fish tacos with salsa de arbol and avocado-lime mayo are the best around. Crispy beef brisket tacos with sour cream, avocado and pickled escabeche are also a can’t-miss. 11 Central Ave., Sonoma. 707-939-1010, elmolinocentral.com

Community Spirit

Galvan’s Eatery

Seeing the long lines for these brothers-owned food trucks is always heartwarming because they truly believe in the food they’re sharing with the community. My favorites are the messy, gooey quesabirria and crispy carnitas. Weekly stops listed online at Instagram.com/galvanseatery.

Oaxacan Style

Sonoma Eats

Chef Efrain Balmes makes the best Oaxacan food in Sonoma County, infused with his heart and soul. Best bets include Baja fish tacos and potato tacos. 18133 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma. 707-343-1141, sonoma-eats.com

All Together

Mitote Food Park

You’ll be hard pressed to find a bad taco at this Roseland collective. Favorites include quesabirria from Gio y Los Magos, mushroom tacos from Lucha Sabina, huitlacoche at Antojitos Victoria and cochinita pibil at Mami’s Panuchos. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. mitotefoodpark.com

On the Road

El Roy’s

Between their multiple food trucks and a Petaluma brick-and-mortar, these tasty tacos are practically everywhere you need them to be. Convenient and always a good bet on the run. 602 Elsa Drive, Santa Rosa and food trucks in Petaluma and Santa Rosa. eatelroys.com

Street Food Classics

El Fogon

Though not technically a taco, the epic Machete — a forearm-length corn tortilla filled with meat (al pastor!), cheese, sour cream, tomato and cilantro — is a favorite. The focus on Mexican street classics makes this a great lunch stop or casual dinner. 623 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-575-0574, elfogonca.com

Heavenly Al Pastor

Cielito Lindo

The very best versions of al pastor feature a pineapple atop the rotisserie, dripping sweet juices onto the meat. There are no shortage of local options, both spit-grilled or griddled, but Cielito Lindo is one of the best. 52 Mission Circle, Santa Rosa. Instagram.com/cielitolindosantarosa

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.

The post The Best Tacos in Sonoma County, According to Our Dining Editor appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

People often ask me about my favorite restaurants, and I rarely have a great answer in the moment. I can tell where I ate last, but pulling from the mental archives on demand? Not so easy. As someone who eats (and writes about) food for a living, there’s just too much to sift through.

So, I took some time to dig in and curate my can’t-miss local foodie adventure guide, broken into two parts. First up: my top picks in Sebastopol, Santa Rosa and Petaluma. In two weeks, I’ll share part two, featuring my favorite foodie destinations in Healdsburg, Sonoma Valley and on the coast.

Let me know your favorites at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com.

Sebastopol

Psychic Pie

Think outside the slice with Roman-style pizzas. A thick, sourdough crust is cut into fat rectangles with seasonal toppings like chevre with fresh lemon and herbs; potato with chile oil, mozzarella and crème fraîche; or hot coppa with Estero Gold cheese, mozzarella and hot honey. Traditionalists fear not — pepperoni and plain cheese are always on the menu. Sold by weight rather than slice, you can mix and match a few flavors. Just don’t forget the housemade ranch dressing. 980 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-6032, psychicpie.com

Redwood Wine Bar

Natural wines are their calling card, but this under-the-radar restaurant turns out some truly tasty dishes. The smoky baba ganoush with warm pitas is a standout, along with seasonal salads, grilled maitake mushrooms with pistachio za’atar, and a braised lamb shank for the table. 234 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-861-9730, theredwoodwine.com

Lunch Box

My ultimate smashburger, the Burger Harn, gets everything right — from a juicy patty and classic Thousand Island-style sauce to shredded iceberg lettuce, American cheddar and a dill pickle. The soft Costeaux brioche bun takes it right over the top. Plus, hoagies, fried chicken sandwiches, chicken Parmesan sandwiches and tasty fries. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, lunchboxsonomacounty.com

A&M BBQ

Real. Barbecue. Long-smoked, dry-rubbed, killer sides. Sonoma County-meets-Deep South meat and three. Expect a long line and a no-frills “when we’re out, we’re out” vibe. Brisket is a specialty. 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol, Instagram.com/ambbqllc

Handline

The tortillas are handmade, the oysters super fresh, the burgers are great, but I go for the veggies. Esquites (grilled corn with lime) are a summer staple. Broccolini with mushroom aioli and pickled mustard seeds is another favorite. The Roots & Shoots salad features an ever-changing lineup of seasonal vegetables, sprouted lentils, arugula, basil pesto and sesame hummus. 935 Gravenstein Ave. South, Sebastopol, handline.com

Santa Rosa

Augie’s

Approachable bistro-style French classics like hearty onion soup, braised boeuf Bourguignon with creamy potatoes and bowls of steaming mussels swimming in creamy Dijon sauce that’s begging to be soaked up with a crusty baguette. Augie’s is a truffle-buttered kiss, where the Champagne starts flowing at 3 p.m. and the skinny fries come in a gold-handled rondeau pan because they can. 535 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-531-4400, augiesfrench.com

Stark’s Steak & Seafood

If you’re craving fat steak, a ridiculously decadent burger or the ultimate happy hour, this is your spot. ‘Nuff said. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-6100, starkssteakhouse.com

J&M’s Midtown Café

Diner-style breakfast nirvana. Though the menu and the space are casual, the food is top-notch, including the world’s best Benedicts. Pull up a counter seat if you’re dining solo. Lunch classics like a classic tuna melt and a pastrami Reuben are standouts. 1422 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-2233, jm-midtowncafe.com

Dierk’s Parkside Cafe

If you know, you know. Most of Santa Rosa has spent a lazy Sunday morning or quiet lunch at chef Mark Dierkhising’s legendary cafe. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com

L’Oro Di Napoli

Their Neapolitan-style pizzas have thin centers and signature charred crusts that require little more than a few toppings — the Margherita is a winner. I come for the deep-dish lasagna with layer after layer of thick pasta, Bolognese, béchamel and San Marzano tomato sauce. Sitting upstairs is cozy and intimate, perfect for a date night. The new Petaluma location (208 Petaluma Blvd. North) features an expanded menu that includes additional pasta dishes and larger entrees, such as whole branzino and steak. 629 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6394, lorodinapolica.com

Mitote Food Park

An immersive experience of eating and drinking in Sonoma County’s epicenter of Mexican culture. Food trucks circle a permanent outdoor patio (tented and enclosed) with home-style tacos, tlayuda, birria and tortas. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com

Petaluma

Table Culture Provisions

After “scrappy beginnings,” according to the 2025 California Michelin Guide, this tiny restaurant with just a handful of seats offers one of my favorite tasting menus in Sonoma County. A mix of hyper-seasonal ingredients, French technique and a little humor, the menu reflects the personal journeys of Haitian-born Stéphane Saint Louis and his co-chef Steven Vargas. 312 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-5739, tcprovision.com

Stockhome

A family-friendly ode to Swedish cuisine with outstanding Swedish pancakes, meatballs and mashed potatoes (with lingonberry jam, of course) and gut-busting street food like the Tunnbrod Rulle, a mashup of Smoked German sausage, mashed potatoes, ketchup, mustard, iceberg lettuce and tomatoes inside a rolled Swedish flatbread. Plus, beef kebabs. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomerestaurant.com

Stellina Pronto

There’s (almost) always a line at this Italian bakery and pizzeria, which is saying something in sleepy Sonoma County. Michelin-quality pastries filled with hazelnuts, cream and plenty of panache are the opener for Neapolitan-meets-New York wood-fired gourmet pizzas. Limited seating. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, stellinapronto.com

Street Social

Street Social feels more like having dinner at a friend’s house than dining in a formal restaurant — and that’s exactly how owners Jevon Martin and Marjorie Pier want it. It’s hard to resist chatting with fellow diners in such a convivial space. Martin’s ever-changing menu is a celebration both of season and place, inspired by what’s perfectly ripe or fresh from the ocean. Farm-to-table isn’t just a label — it’s a manifesto — and that’s why you’ll rarely find the same dish twice on the menu. 29F Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, streetsocial.social

Water Street Bistro

Sitting outside by the Petaluma River with a warm latte is about as good as it gets. This friendly, come-as-you-are French-inspired cafe also has charm and excellent bistro cuisine. Grab a croissant, quiche or kouign-amann in the morning. Lunch is a heartier proposition with seasonal salads, their signature duck confit and irresistible butterscotch pot de crème or the devilishly delicious duck egg flan. 100 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-763-9563, waterstreetbistropetaluma.com

The post Top Sonoma County Restaurant Picks From a Food Critic appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

In the restaurant business, it’s saying something to make it through the first year and rare to last more than 10. But in Sonoma County, there are more than a dozen restaurants that have survived well past their 30th year and a handful which have outlasted generations of diners, stretching back more than a century.

These are well-worn eateries that have a proven formula. Most share a common heritage: They were built by Italian immigrants and have continued to serve hearty family-style meals at approachable prices for decades. It’s not a stretch to say that the farms, timber mills, railroads and vineyards of Sonoma County were built on pasta and meatballs. And maybe a steak or two.

We pay homage to several tried and true local restaurants that have stood the test of time and are still going strong.

Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, 1854

Established as a roadhouse, Stormy’s has hosted generations of Sonoma County diners. The restaurant turned into a steakhouse in the early 1970s and remains a family-style dining destination in Bloomfield. Open limited hours Friday through Sunday. Call or check Stormy’s Facebook page for updates. 6650 Bloomfield Road, Petaluma, 707-795-0127, stormysrestaurant.com

Washoe House, 1859

A former stagecoach stop connecting Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Bodega, this historic roadhouse is best known for two things: Dollar bills pinned to the bar ceiling and The Battle of the Washoe House. According to legend, following the 1865 assassination of president Abraham Lincoln, a group of Petaluma militia were intent on creating trouble for Southern-leaning Santa Rosans. Their thirst got the best of them and the group ended up getting drunk instead of rabble-rousing. 2840 Roblar Road, Petaluma, 707-795-4544, washoehouse.site

Union Hotel, 1879

This Occidental restaurant has been around for 146 years. What began as the Union Saloon and General Store grew into a family business, with four generations managing the restaurant over the years. The restaurant serves salads and pizza as well as a fan-favorite bruschetta. Open 4-8 p.m. Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (Note: The Union Hotel in Santa Rosa has separate ownership and is open daily.) 3731 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-3555, unionhoteloccidental.com.

Madrona Manor, 1881

The historic hotel underwent a major renovation in 2022, reopening as The Madrona. While the property has retained its Victorian past, the restaurant, mansion and guest houses have been infused with a modern, artistic sensibility. Chef Patrick Tafoya oversees the restaurant, offering an upscale dinner menu, relaxed lounge dining and a popular brunch.  1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 433-4321, madronamanor.com

Swiss Hotel, 1892

Sonoma’s history is etched into the walls of this historic inn, restaurant and bar. An Italian-focused menu reflects the generations of family ownership. 18 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-2884, swisshotelsonoma.com

Pick’s Drive In, 1923

One of the oldest hamburger joints in America, this Cloverdale drive-in has been serving up beefy burgers, hot dogs and shakes for over a century. The restaurant sources local produce and meat for its menu, and offers hand-scooped shakes, malts and soft serve with a modern twist. The historic drive-in is currently closed, but new ownership and upcoming renovations were announced in June. 117 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale

Volpi’s Ristorante & Bar, 1925

Though it has operated as a grocery for most of its existence, Volpi’s major claim to fame was as a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Locals know that the “secret” bar is still in operation, with a convenient escape door to the alley in case of a raid. Or your ex-wife. The grocery became a full-fledged restaurant in 1992, though there’s still an old Italian grocery vibe with well-worn wooden floors and walls lined with Italian tchotchkes, accordions and candle wax-covered Chianti bottles. 124 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-762-2371, volpisristorante.com

Catelli’s, 1936

Italian immigrants Santi and Virginia Catelli opened Catelli’s “The Rex” in tiny Geyserville as a humble family eatery, serving up spaghetti, minestrone and ravioli. After closing in 1986, the restaurant later reopened in Healdsburg, where it stood until 2004. In 2010, siblings Domenica and Nick Catelli reopened Catelli’s at the original Geyserville location, where it has been host to a number of celebrities, but remains an approachable family-style restaurant. Their paper-thin layers of lasagna noodles make Catelli’s version one of the best in the region. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-7142, mycatellis.com

Dinucci’s Italian Dinners, 1939

Though the building dates back to 1908, when it served train travelers, the current restaurant didn’t open until 1939. Owners Henry and Mabel Dinucci turned it into a welcome stop for hearty family-style Italian dinners. In 1968, Dinucci’s sold to the Wagner family, but some of Mabel’s original recipes are still in use today. The historic interior hasn’t changed much over the years, with red-and-white checkered tablecloths right out of the 1940s. 14485 Hwy. 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-3260, dinuccisrestaurantandbar.com

Pat’s International, 1940

Pat’s in Guerneville has been a reliable Russian River eatery for over 80 years, weathering everything from floods to global pandemics. Late last year, owner David Blomster put the business up for sale, however, the restaurant continues to serve customers. 16236 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-4007, patsinternational.com

Negri’s, 1942

This family-owned Italian restaurant began as a stopover for train travelers journeying from San Francisco to Eureka. According to restaurant lore, original owner Joe Negri Sr., an Italian immigrant, was once the personal chef for movie legend Rudolph Valentino. After moving to Santa Rosa, he opened Negri’s, which has served traditional Italian pasta dinners ever since, many made using original recipes from the 1930s. Open for dining in the attached Joe’s Bar from 4-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3-8 p.m. Sunday, offering its famous ravioli, burgers, pizza, salads, sandwiches and housemade desserts. 3700 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-823-5301, negrisrestaurant.com

Superburger, early 1950s

Opened as a modest burger shack on the corner of Santa Rosa’s College and Fourth streets in the early 1950s, Superburger has become one of Sonoma County’s go-to family spots for made-to-order char-grilled hamburgers, tater tots, onion rings and old-fashioned milkshakes. Two locations: 1501 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-4016, and 8204 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-665-9790. originalsuperburger.com

Mac’s Deli, 1952

Mac’s bills itself as Sonoma County’s oldest continuously operating breakfast and sandwich café. Opened by Mac Nesmon in 1952 as a New York-style deli, it was purchased in 1970 by the Soltani family, who still run the restaurant today. Don’t miss the classic Reuben sandwich. 630 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-3785, macsdeliandcafe.com

Mary’s Pizza Shack, 1959

Mary Fazio opened her first pizzeria in Boyes Hot Springs in 1959 using family recipes and her own pots and pans. Thought Fazio died in 1999, her legacy lives on in the family-owned restaurant chain with locations across the North Bay. maryspizzashack.com

Tide’s Wharf, around in different shapes and forms since the 1950s

Made popular by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 thriller “The Birds,” this Bodega seafood restaurant has been a coastal staple for more than 50 years. With sweeping bay views, it remains a magical spot. 835 Bay Highway, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3652, innatthetides.com/tides-wharf-restaurant

Pinky’s Pizza, 1962

A classic hometown pizza parlor, loved by generations of Petalumans. 321 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, 707-763-2510, facebook.com/pinkyspizzapetaluma

La Casa, 1967

Opened in the late 1960s, La Casa has seen Sonoma’s transformation from sleepy rural town to bustling tourist destination. The restaurant was purchased in 2015 by the Sherpa Brothers Group, Nepalese restaurateurs who’ve revitalized several local restaurants. La Casa continues to serve simple, traditional Mexican cuisine — if you go, don’t miss the margaritas. 121 East Spain St., Sonoma, 996-3406, lacasarestaurants.com

Betty’s Fish and Chips, 1967

Serving English-style fish and chips and the world’s best lemon pie, Betty’s has been a Santa Rosa favorite for over five decades. The restaurant got a face-lift in 1996 but remains true to its roots. 4046 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-0899, bettysfishandchips.com

Costeaux French Bakery, 1973

In 1973, French natives Jean and Anne Costeaux bought a 1920s-era French American bakery in Healdsburg and renamed it Costeaux French Bakery. Karl and Nancy Seppi purchased the bakery in 1981 with a vision to expand — and Jean taught them the art of bread baking. Today, Costeaux, with additional locations in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, is renowned for its sourdough baguettes, French macrons, princess cake and cinnamon walnut bread. 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com

Blue Heron, 1977

The building that houses Blue Heron was originally built in the late 1800s, but the 1906 earthquake destroyed most of Duncans Mills. In 1976, a restoration project revived the town — and with it, the Blue Heron. The restaurant’s expansive menu includes local seafood, burgers, salad and chowder. 25275 Steelhead Blvd., Duncans Mills, 707- 865-2261, blueheronrestaurant.com

Don Taylor’s Omelette Express, 1977

Most weekends, Don Taylor can be found at the door of the original Omelette Express in Santa Rosa, greeting regulars who have made a breakfast at his restaurant a family tradition. Opened in 1977, the all-day breakfast spot has since expanded to Windsor and, in 2018, it went international with a location in JeJu City, South Korea — Santa Rosa’s sister city. Omelets remain a best bet, of course, but there’s plenty more to explore on the menu, including Benedicts, burgers, sandwiches and salads, plus some of the best coffee in town. 112 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-525-1690; 150 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-838-6920, omeletteexpress.com

Old Chicago Pizza, 1978

Opened by William Berliner in 1978 inside a historic 1870s building, Old Chicago Pizza has become a Petaluma fixture, known for its hearty, deep-dish pies served in a space that reflects the city’s historic charm and offers a second-floor view. 41 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-763-3897, oldchgo.com

La Gare, 1979

Chef Roger Praplan relishes the fact that he’s now serving the grandchildren of some of La Gare’s early customers. His parents, Swiss-born Marco and Gladys Parplan, opened the restaurant in 1979 after purchasing the lot for $25,000 two years earlier. Though dining trends have come and gone since, La Gare has remained steadfast in its approach and was featured on KQED’s “Check, Please! Bay Area” last year for staying “true to its Swiss-French roots.” 208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-4355, lagarerestaurant.com

John Ash & Co., 1980

Long before “farm-to-table” became a culinary catchphrase, John Ash was sourcing local produce, dairy and meat for wholesome, seasonal dishes paired with excellent regional wines. His namesake restaurant helped define Sonoma County’s food identity and launched the careers of many local chefs and winemakers, including Jeffrey Madura, Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. Though Ash has stepped away from the restaurant kitchen, John Ash & Co remains a top dining destination with a recently revamped menu following the renovation of Vintners Resort (where the restaurant is located), now named Vinarosa. 4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7687, vinrosaresort.com

Grateful Bagel, 1981

Founded by East Coast transplants yearning for New York-style bagels, Grateful Bagel opened in 1981 on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa. Within a year, the bakery was distributing its bagels to delis and grocery stores from San Francisco to Fort Bragg. While the original location has since closed, Grateful Bagel locations can be found at 631 Fourth St. and 925 Corporate Center Parkway in Santa Rosa; 300 South Main St. in Sebastopol; 221 N. McDowell Blvd. in Petaluma; and 10101 Main St., Suite A, in Penngrove.

Worth the trip: Tony’s Seafood Restaurant, 1948

For nearly seven decades, this seafood shack overlooking Tomales Bay was run by a Croatian fishing family. By the time it changed hands in 2017, it was a fading relic, but a two-year renovation by the owners of Hog Island Oyster Co. brought new life to the space. Today, Tony’s is a vibrant, modern seafood house with panoramic bay views. 18863 Shoreline Highway, Marshall, 415-663-1107, tonysseafoodrestaurant.com

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Of the hundreds of amazing restaurants in Sonoma County, around 20 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com

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

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, 707-755-1548, americanasr.com

Mitote Food Park

This 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. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com

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, williswinebar.net

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, barbecue, 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

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

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., 707-824-5600, thebarlow.net

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

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

Boon Eat + Drink

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. 16248 Main St., Guerneville, 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com

Rocker’s Roadhouse

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). Also look for Rocker Oysterfeller’s location in Bodega Bay (595 Highway 1), which has taken over the former Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant space. 14415 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-1983, rockeroysterfellers.com 

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

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

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