You know that one place that sells doughnuts and pho? Or that sandwich place with Tibetan dumplings on Monday your friend keeps talking about? Like most serious eaters, we love finding the weirdly wonderful strip mall joints and hidden culinary gems that might otherwise escape notice.
Here are some of the best spots that might just become one of your own secret restaurant finds. We’ll let you take all the credit.
West county and Sonoma Coast
Nightingale Bread: You’ll likely find a line before this teensy bakery opens on Saturday and Sunday mornings because the bread is so darn good and the cinnamon rolls so craveable. We are obsessed with the baklava-inspired cinnamon rolls (Saturday only) that upgrade the classic with pistachios, cardamom, rosewater and orange zest. Order ahead online for the best selection. 6665 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-8887, nightingalebreads.com
Koala’s Fine Food: Sushi restaurants aren’t exactly a dime a dozen in far west Sonoma County, but then again, neither are cheesesteaks. This casual family-run eatery brings together fish and chips, Korean bulgogi, Chinese won ton soup, Japanese ramen, cheesesteak, nigiri and Hawaiian poke for a true something-for-everyone experience. 16380 Mill St., Suite A, Guerneville, 707-869-3300, koalasfinefood.com
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen: Located by the Creekside Skatepark, this curious little cafe is a mix of smoothies, bagels, pies and Middle Eastern cuisine. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site
Wild Flour Bread: Make the pilgrimage to this funky Freestone bakery that’s become a must-stop for the bicyclists and the beach-bound. Follow your nose to where weekenders congregate around a communal table with steaming plates of sticky buns and fruit-studded scones or chase children through the garden. Don’t leave without tucking away a dense, seeded boule and a fougasse stuffed with savory cheese and veggies straight from the brick oven. 140 Bohemian Highway, Freestone, 707-874-2938, wildflourbread.com
Casino Bar and Grill: This is a place to discover accidentally and then love unconditionally. A lineup of pop-up chefs steal the show and change frequently. A recent remodel keeps the hole-in-the-wall vibe with a little less grit. 17000 Bodega Highway, Bodega, 707-876-3185, facebook.com/thecasinobarandgrill
Cafe Aquatica: We always, always stop here on trips up the coast for coffee, soup and whatever else sounds delish. 10439 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-865-2251, cafeaquatica.com
Sebastopol
A&M BBQ: Pitmasters Kris Austin (of Austin’s BBQ) and Marvin McKinzy (of Marvin’s BBQ) joined forces to create A&M, which is not named for the Texas university, but for their first initials. But you’d be forgiven for the mistake because their wood-smoked barbecued meats are Lone Star-inspired, with a seasoned dry rub instead of slathered with sauce, and sell out fast on the Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays that A&M is open (from 11:30 a.m.). 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-799-2892. You can skip the line by ordering online at ambbqllc.com
Psychic Pie: This pint-sized pizzeria tucked away in a Sebastopol strip mall is the little pandemic pop-up that could. Initially sold only through social media and delivered in colorfully drawn pink bakery boxes to porches around Sonoma County, the pizzas became a post-COVID zeitgeist. The Roman-style pizzas are cut to order, and topped with cheeses and fresh produce from Sonoma County. 980 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-6032, psychicpie.com
The Hole in the Wall: You know it’s good when being hard to find is in the name. Omelets, pancakes and Benedicts are great, but don’t miss the biscuits and mushroom gravy or Dutch baby German pancake with caramelized apples. 972 Gravenstein Highway, Sebastopol, 707-827-6040, holeinthewallrestaurantsebastopol.com
Healdsburg
Acorn Cafe: Acorn is the breakfast and brunch spot that Healdsburg has needed, with joyful takes on morning standards like sunny lemon ricotta pancakes with lemon curd, whipped ricotta and lavender ice cream or a riff on green eggs and ham with herby yogurt, poached eggs and grilled ham seasoned with Dukkah. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-955-7001, acornhealdsburg.com
Rohnert Park
Don Julio’s: This Salvadoran pupusería is loved by locals who rave about the handmade pupusas (thick corn tortillas stuffed with savory filling and paired with spicy coleslaw). There are plenty of other options, too, including burritos, taco salads, tortas and enchiladas. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com
Vinoma: Amazing empanadas at a gas station? You’ve found Vinoma. The Argentinian-style empanadas are flaky, delicious pockets of dough filled with meat, cheese, vegetables and fruit. Our favorites include beef Carne Suave with scallions, red onions, olives, chopped eggs and spices; the steak and cheese empanada; the al pastor with caramelized pineapple; and the less traditional plum and bacon empanada. Don’t miss the apple crisp for dessert along with alfajores, shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche. 5085 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-536-9215, vinoma.net
Santa Rosa
Abyssinia: This family-style Ethiopian restaurant offers a world of flavor, including the vegetarian combo, served with a house salad and injera bread. 913 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-6455, my-abyssinia.com
Banh Mi at Thuan Phat: Still one of the best Vietnamese banh mi and, at $7.50, still a steal of a deal. 3020 Santa Rosa Ave., Suite H, Santa Rosa, 707-889-3966
Brother’s Café: The owners of Hole in the Wall in Sebastopol run a breakfast-all-day diner with many of the same proven dishes. 3135 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6345, brotherscafesr.com
Canevari’s Delicatessen & Catering: This no-frills Italian American deli is the kind of spot Tony Soprano and his buddies would like if they lived in Santa Rosa, ordering sandwiches for lunch, like the Meatball Sub, BBQ Tri Tip and Spicy Pulled Pork, or housemade ravioli and cannoli for dessert. You might leave with slightly less healthy arteries but it’s totally worth it: this hidden gem is one of the best delis in Sonoma County. 695 Lewis Road, Santa Rosa, 707-545-6941, canevarisdeli.com
Las Palmas: This Mexican eatery tucked into a rather, er, colorful strip of Santa Rosa Avenue, is not the sort of place you stumble upon, but definitely a spot worth seeking out. What brings local foodies and more than a few off-duty chefs to this modest family restaurant is simple Mexican fare made by hand. Don’t miss the Camarones a la Diabla. 415 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-546-3091
Pupusería Salvadoreña: If you’re lucky, you’ll hear the swap, swap, swap of the kitchen ladies smacking out pupusas — corn cakes filled with cheese, vegetables or meat — and griddled to perfection. The pupusería also serves up tamales, yuca frita and empanadas, but hey, you’re here for the pupusas. 1403 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-3141
Savor Vietnamese: A former doughnut shop transformed into charming Vietnamese eatery Corner Park Cafe, which then changed name to Savor Vietnamese. Go for the pho, barbecue pork banh mi, fresh rolls and noodle bowls. Save some room for mango shaved ice, a specialty, and boba tea. 4275 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-539-2416, savorvietnamesecuisine.com
Tambayan: If you’re jonesing for some lumpia, halo-halo or adobo chicken, this Larkfield restaurant offers authentic cuisine from the Philippines. Tambayan means “hang out” in Tagalog (the native language of the Philippines). 600 Larkfield Center, Larkfield-Wikiup, 707-843-3824, tambayaneatery.com
Taqueria Molcajetes: Molcajete typically refers to a large volcanic stone bowl that is heated to approximately the temperature of the sun. Meats, fresh cheese, cactus paddles, green onions and seafood are mixed with a spicy chile stew and the whole sizzling, furious thing is brought to your table. It will remain steaming, molten and bubbling for nearly half an hour as you are enveloped by a refreshing meat and vegetable-scented steam. 1195 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280
Viethai Cuisine: The food here is the real deal. Run by a husband-and-wife team, the menu includes Southeast Asian street food like Nam Khao Tod (a crispy rice salad), corn fritters and satay along with spicy red curry, pad thai, Khao soi (coconut curry soup) and larger entrees. Pho is fragrant and nourishing, especially if you’re under the weather. Appetizers, like the crispy rice salad with bits of perfumed lemongrass and lime, are a must-try. 320 W. Third St., Suite G, Santa Rosa, 707-978-2292, viethaisr.com
Wooden Petal Bakeshop: Adorable knotted pretzels are the mainstay of baker Clare Hulme, but her Santa Rosa bakeshop offers tasty sandwiches (on pretzel buns, naturally) and soups to go. Though she often sells out, grab (or better yet, preorder) some sweet and savory pretzels for later. 4894 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-695-1880, woodenpetal.com
Petaluma
Roy’s Chicago Dogs at the Yard: This tiny, sit-at-the-counter joint offers variations of Vienna Beef franks for meat aficionados. Consider the traditional all-beef wiener, a half-pound “Home Wrecker,” a spicy fire dog or a Polish dog. Then load up with the 50 topping options, such as housemade pineapple mustard, Hell Fire sauce, onion rings and blue cheese. Also worth howling about: housemade pies and deep-fried Oreos. 84 Corona Road, Petaluma, 707-774-1574
What a Chicken: Choose from mixed grill plates as well as tacos and fall-off-the-bone ribs. Sides include potato salad, coleslaw and Spanish rice. We recommend going for the freshly made corn tortillas. 706 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-971-7549
