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. Read on below for the full list.
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.
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 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 145 years. What began as the Union Saloon and General Store grew into a family business, with four generations managing the restaurant over the years.
3731 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-3555, unionhoteloccidental.com
Restaurant at Madrona Manor, 1881
After a year-long renovation, this historic inn reopened its restaurant and guest rooms, as The Madrona, in April of 2022. Jesse Mallgren, an alum of Gary Danko’s at Chateau Souverain and San Francisco’s legendary Stars, returned as executive chef.
1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 433-4321, madronamanor.com
Swiss Hotel, 1892
The history of Sonoma is written on 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 restaurants in America, this Cloverdale drive-in has been serving up beefy burgers, hot dogs and shakes for over a century. The drive-in sources produce and meat from Sonoma County distributors and companies. It continues to offer hand-scooped shakes, malts and soft serve, with a modern twist. The historic drive-in was put up for sale in August of 2024, though remains open until the right owner comes along.
117 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-2962, facebook.com/p/Picks-Drive-In-Cloverdale-100063598510837
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 speakeasy during Prohibition. 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 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 an unpretentious family eatery featuring spaghetti, minestrone and ravioli. The family closed the restaurant in 1986, but it reopened in Healdsburg, where it stood until 2004. In 2010, siblings Domenica and Nick Catelli (pictured) reopened the restaurant at the original Geyserville location, where its been host to a number of celebrities, but remains an approachable family-style restaurant. Their paper-thin layers of lasagna noodles makes 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 to 1908, when it served train travelers, the current restaurant didn’t open until 1939. Run by Henry and Mabel Dinucci, the restaurant was a welcome stop for hearty family-style Italian dinners. The restaurant was sold to the Wagner family in 1968, but some of Mabel’s recipes have stood the test of time and are still in use today. The historic interior hasn’t changed much, 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. Once known as more of a cafe serving diner food, Pat’s now has an international menu featuring the likes of pain perdu, chicken pozole and Korean fried chicken sandwiches.
16236 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-4007, patsinternational.com
Negri’s, 1942
This family-owned Italian restaurant started as a stopover for train travelers going from San Francisco to Eureka. The restaurant lore is that the original owner, Joe Negri Sr., an Italian immigrant, was once the personal chef of movie legend Rudolph Valentino. After moving to Santa Rosa, he opened Negri’s, which has continued to serve up traditional Italian pasta dinners, many using original recipes from the 1930s, ever since.
3700 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-823-5301, negrisrestaurant.com
Superburger, early 1950s
Originally opened as a small burger shack on the corner of College and Fourth streets in Santa Rosa in the early 1950s, Superburger has become one of Sonoma County’s most treasured local burger chains. Superburger now has six locations around the county, still serving made-to-order char-grilled hamburgers and old-fashioned milkshakes just as it has done for over half a century.
Mac’s Deli, 1952
Billing itself as the oldest continuing breakfast and sandwich cafe in Sonoma County, Mac’s was originally opened by Mac Nesmon in 1952 as a New York-style deli. The Soltani family bought the place in 1970 and have been running it since. The Rueben sandwich is a can’t miss.
630 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-3785, macsdeliandcafe.com
Mary’s Pizza Shack, 1959
Though the original Boyes Hot Springs location is gone, Mary Fazio opened her first pizzeria in 1959 with her family’s recipes and her own pots and pans from home. Fazio died in 1999 but her restaurant chain remains family owned. The chain has grown a lot throughout the Bay Area, with 1o locations now in business.
Tide’s Wharf, around in different shapes and forms since the 1950s
Made popular by the 1960s Alfred Hitchcock movie “The Birds,” this Bodega seafood restaurant has been a go-to Sonoma Coast destination for more than 50 years. Stellar views of the bay make it a magical place for a coastal stop.
835 Bay Highway, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3652, innatthetides.com/tides-wharf-restaurant
Pinky’s Pizza, 1962
A hometown classic pizza joint loved by generations of Petalumans.
321 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, 707-763-2510, facebook.com/pinkyspizzapetaluma
La Casa, 1967
With simple, traditional Mexican food just off the Sonoma Square, La Casa has seen the transformation of this sleepy rural town into the tourist destination it is today. The restaurant was purchased in 2015 by the Sherpa Brothers Group, Nepalese restaurateurs who’ve reinvigorated several of the town’s restaurants. If you go, don’t miss the margaritas.
121 East Spain St., Sonoma, 996-3406, lacasarestaurants.com
Betty’s Fish and Chips, 1967
English-style fish and chips served up with the world’s best lemon pie have been Santa Rosa favorites for more than 50 years. The restaurant got a facelift in 1996 and has continued on the tradition.
4046 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-0899, bettysfishandchips.com
Cattlemens, 1968
Ranchers started this family-friendly steakhouse in 1968, and it quickly became a go-to for giant slabs of beef, beans and the Cowpie Brownie Sundae.
Locations in Petaluma and Rohnert Park, cattlemens.com
Costeaux French Bakery, 1973
France natives Jean and Anne Costeaux bought a 1920s-era French American bakery in Healdsburg in 1973, changing its name to Costeaux French Bakery. Karl and Nancy Seppi purchased the bakery from them in 1981 with a vision to expand, and Jean taught them the art of bread baking. The bakery, which now also has locations in Petaluma and Santa Rosa, serves up award-winning sourdough baguettes, French macaroons, princess cake, the famed cinnamon walnut bread and more.
417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com
Blue Heron, 1977
Though the building was originally constructed in the late 1800s, the 1906 earthquake mostly destroyed the town. In 1976, a restoration project brought the town back to life. The Blue Heron has a lengthy menu that includes local seafood, burgers, salad and chowder.
25275 Steelhead Blvd., Duncans Mills, 707- 865-2261, blueheronrestaurant.com
Don Taylor’s Omelette Express, 1977
You’ll find owner Don Taylor at the door of the original Santa Rosa location most weekends, welcoming generations of families who’ve made breakfast at Omelette Express a tradition. In 2018, Omelette Express went international, opening a location in Santa Rosa’s sister city of JeJu City, South Korea. Omelettes are, of course, a best bet, but there’s plenty more on the lengthy menu, including Benedicts, burgers, sandwiches, salads and some of the best coffee in town.
112 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 525-1690; 150 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 838-6920, omeletteexpress.com
Old Chicago Pizza, 1978
Founded in an 1870s-era building in 1977 and opened the following year by late owner William Berliner, the Old Chicago Pizza on Petaluma Boulevard North has been serving Chicago-style deep dish pizza for over 40 years.
41 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-763-3897, oldchgo.com
La Gare, 1979
Chef and co-owner Roger Praplan relishes the fact that he’s serving the grandchildren of some of La Gare’s early customers. Praplan’s parents were early entrepreneurs in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, purchasing their lot for $25,000 in 1977. Though dining trends have come and gone during the restaurant’s 30-plus years, Praplan stays laser-focused on the traditional French cuisine that’s made the restaurant a popular birthday, anniversary and holiday restaurant for decades. “People always want to reinvent. Just readjust, and stick to your vision,” said Praplan.
Earlier this summer, La Gare was featured on KQED’s “Check, Please! Bay Area” for staying “true to its Swiss-French roots, serving decadent European fare since 1979.”
208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-4355, lagarerestaurant.com
John Ash & Co., 1980
It’s impossible to talk about Sonoma’s longstanding food scene without paying homage to its patriarch, John Ash. What began as an idea became a revolution — using nearby produce, meats and cheeses to create wholesome, ethical, lush food and pairing it with great local wines. Though it seems almost quaint now, Ash was an early pioneer at his Montgomery Village restaurant. Ash is no longer in the kitchen of his eponymous restaurant, but some of the top chefs and winemakers (Jeffrey Madura, Dan Kosta, Michael Browne) are alums of the historic eatery. Though executive chef Tom Schmidt departed earlier this year, the restaurant still holds close its original vision. Chef Sergio Howland now leads the historic restaurant.
4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7687, vintnersinn.com/dining/john-ash-co
Grateful Bagel, 1981
Founded by a group of local transplants who longed for New York-style bagels on the West Coast, the first Grateful Bagel opened on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa in 1981. In 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 on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa and on South Main Street in Sebastopol.
The Depot, 1985
Originally known as the Depot Hotel, this off-square restaurant is located inside a historic 19th-century hotel (built in 1870) and features a hidden pool on the outdoor patio. Former longtime owners chef Michael Ghilarducci and his wife, Gia, purchased the building in 1985 and turned it into a restaurant. The couple also founded a cooking school in 1987. After Michael Ghilarducci passed away in 2014, his son, Tony, took over as executive chef. The Depot Hotel and Restaurant sold in 2021 to Ken and Stacy Mattson’s Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group. It closed shortly after and reopened as The Depot in the summer of 2022 with a refreshed menu.
241 First St. West, Sonoma, 938-2980, depotsonoma.com
Worth the Drive
Tony’s Seafood Restaurant, 1948, Marshall
For almost 70 years, the ramshackle little fish house was a coastal favorite run by a Croatian fishing family. But by the time the restaurant changed hands in 2017, the restaurant was a fading relic from another era. After a two-year remodel by the owners of Hog Island Oyster Co., Tony’s has been reborn into a vibrant, modern seafood house with some of the best food and best views of Tomales Bay.
18863 Shoreline Highway, Marshall, 415-663-1107, tonysseafoodrestaurant.com
