15 New Sonoma Restaurants to Try This Fall

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Warike: This new Peruvian restaurant in downtown Santa Rosa is a sibling to Ayawaska in Petaluma (and Novato). A full bar with pisco sours and other pisco cocktails, plus excellent ceviche, tequenos de cangrejo (wontons stuffed with crab and shrimp with spicy pepper aioli) and causa marina (potatoes and crab) make this place worth a visit. The lomo saltado is one of the most flavorful versions around and aji de gallina is a comforting dish of shredded chicken and rice. 527 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-536-9201, warikesf.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Lomo Saltado Clásico, traditional Peruvian style beef tenderloin with red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, soy and oyster sauce, french fries and rice, from Warike Restobar in downtown Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Arroz con Mariscos, Peruvian style paella, fresh seafood in fried rice with aji panca & yellow pepper sauce, green peas, bell peppers, white wine, cilantro and cheese from Warike RestoBar in downtown Santa Rosa on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Tequeños Nikkei, fried wonton with stuffed pork, left, and Empanadas de Pollo, crispy pastry filled with chicken from Warike RestoBar in downtown Santa Rosa on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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The new Warike RestoBar in downtown Santa Rosa on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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The Warike RestoBar in downtown Santa Rosa on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Acme Burger: What’s new is this second location for the popular family-friendly Cotati burger restaurant. Fish and chips are a top pick, oddly enough, along with excellent soups. Local beef from Sonoma Mountain Beef Co., also used at Sonoma Burger in Sebastopol, makes for a great patty. 1007 W College Ave, Santa Rosa, 707-615-7309, acmeburgerco.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Impossible Burger with bacon and smoked Gouda from Acme Burger. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Austin's Southern Smoke BBQ: This legit Texas-style barbecue pop-up can be hard to pin down, appearing most (but not all) Mondays at Old Possum Brewing in Santa Rosa. Brisket and pulled pork nachos are best bets. Check their pop-up schedule to see when the pitmaster is in. 357 Sutton Place, Santa Rosa, austinssouthernsmokebbq.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Brisket bowl at Austin's Barbecue at Old Possum Brewing in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Barbecue nachos with pulled pork, nacho cheese, barbecue sauce, black beans and chimmichurri at Austin's Barbecue at Old Possum Brewing in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Bistro 201: This family-run Peruvian restaurant is still getting its footing, but serves homestyle dishes made with heart. The Cau Cau de Mondongo, a comfort dish made with potatoes and tripe, has been a huge favorite. Pollada 201, baked chicken, is available by quarter, half or whole with aji amarillo huacatay sauce, which has a nice bite from the peppers. 613 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-559-5130, bistro201petaluma.com (Courtesy of Bistro 201)

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Burdock Bar: The sister eatery to Duke’s Spirited Cocktails is Healdsburg’s version of Harry Potter’s Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, existing only to a self-selecting crowd. Once inside, you see there’s a bit of magic about it, but bring a full wallet. Cocktails are $20 each (crafted with care) and each small-plate dish is better than the last. Pork belly with mole and beef carpaccio are favorites. 109A Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1105, burdockbar.com (Courtesy of Allison Webber)

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Pork belly with mole and pineapple at Burdock Bar in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Spanish octopus salad with saffron crema, avocado, new potatoes at Burdock Bar in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Custom rum drink with warm spices at Burdock Bar in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Dave's Hot Chicken: Spicy, Memphis-style fried chicken from a national chain has lines out the door. Sliders loaded with sauce and pickles are a delicious hot mess, and a spicy one too, should you go for the crazy hot "reaper" level. 2240 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, daveshotchicken.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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The new Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurant held a “soft” opening, an opportunity to train the staff for invited guests, in Santa Rosa on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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El Meson de los Molcajetes: Here Zacarias and Diego Martin, owners of the casual Molcajetes taqueria, present more upscale Mexican cuisine. Cocktails are outstanding as is chorizo fondue, a remarkably tasty molcajete (meat stew in a sizzling stone bowl) and brunch chilaquiles. 1950 Piner Road, Santa Rosa, elmesonmolcajetes.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Flan prepared at El Meson De Los Molcajetes in Santa Rosa on Thursday, October 14, 2021. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

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Arroz con Leche prepared at El Meson De Los Molcajetes in Santa Rosa on Thursday, October 14, 2021. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

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El Meson Candy Apple, right, and Ruby's & Spice beverages at El Meson De Los Molcajetes in Santa Rosa on Thursday, October 14, 2021. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

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Inca's Peruvian: This Sebastopol Peruvian presents dishes with flair and plenty of flavor. Mango habanero ceviche with prawns (pictured), papa relleno croquettes with ground beef and raisins, and causa de Santa Rosa, made with pickled beets and potatoes, are top picks. Seco de carne (short ribs in a cilantro beer broth) is outstanding. 799 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-861-9057, incas_peruviancuisine (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Matheson/Roof 106: This buzzy new three-story restaurant concept comes from Dustin Valette. Downstairs features a self-service “wall” of wine along with fancier fare and sushi from Ken Tominaga of Hana Japanese. Upstairs, Roof 106 is a casual bar with approachable pizzas, piadine, salads and appetizers. Reservations required for downstairs (and hard to get); expect a wait for first-come, first-serve on the rooftop. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, thematheson.com (Courtesy of Michael Woolsey)

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Sushi wagyu roll from The Matheson in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Michael Woolsey)

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Margherita Salametto flatbread from The Matheson in Healdsburg. (Michael Woolsey)

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Smoked ribeye steak at The Matheson in Healdsburg. (Michael Woolsey)

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Heirloom tomato salad from The Matheson in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Michael Woolsey)

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Sarmentine: After gaining a following for her home-delivered French pastries, Alexandra Zandvliet has opened a brick and mortar with some of the best croissants we've found. Offerings are expanding as Zandvliet and her staff ramp up, but you’ll find croissants and baguettes on most days, along with brioche, fougasse (a French flatbread similar to focaccia) and rustic boules. Don’t miss the espresso drinks and the refrigerated case with Laura Chenel marinated goat cheese, Marin French Cheese Co.’s washed rind Triple Creme Brie and French pates. 52 Mission Circle, Santa Rosa, sarmentine.com (Courtesy of Sarmentine)

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Sonoma Burger: Gravenstein Grill's pandemic pop-up burger spot has become a brick and mortar fast-casual restaurant in west Sebastopol. Burgers are small but tasty and most ingredients are sourced locally. The thin, bacon-fat fried onion rings are a delight, as is the fried chicken sando and a very flavorful tempeh burger. Griddled dogs get a nice crisp caramelization through and through. 173 Pleasant Hill Ave. North, Sebastopol, sonomaburger.com (Courtesy of Sonoma Burger)

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Fried chicken sandwich from Sonoma Burger in Sebastopol. (Courtesy of Sonoma Burger)

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Stellina Pronto: This couple-run bakery cafe from Christian Caiazzo and Katrina Fried, former owners of Osteria Stellina in Point Reyes, serves Italian pastries and coffee along with excellent salads and sandwiches. Make room for the deliciously topped focaccia. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, stellinapronto.com (Courtesy of Stellina Pronto)

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Italian pastry from Stellina Pronto in Petaluma. (Stellina Pronto)

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Tony's Galley: A fifth restaurant from SEA Thai Bistro's Tony Ounpamornchai is a seafood-centric catch with fish and chips, terrific lobster rolls and my favorite poutine ever (loaded with crab and cheese sauce). A massive fish tank dominates part of the restaurant, making for a charming ocean-esque experience. 722 Village Court, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7007, tonysgalley.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Ceviche at Tony's Galley in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Wishbone: When Wishbone closed last year, Petaluma lost a gem of a restaurant. Fortunately, owners Miriam Donaldson and Josh Norwitt have reopened, in the same spot, and are serving their pickled, grainy, cheesy goodness once again. Open for breakfast and brunch 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday. facebook.com/WishbonePetaluma (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Zimi on Mission: Labeling this place simply “Pizza with a Greek twist” doesn't really do it justice; it’s more than that. Dino Moniodis, owner of Dino’s Greek Food truck and the newish Zimi pizza at The Block in Petaluma, brings his pizzas, calzones, gyros and “pastichio," a sort of Greek lasagna, to Santa Rosa. 500 Mission Blvd., Santa Rosa, eatzimionmission.com (Courtesy of Zimi on Mission)

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The Kratos with pesto sauce, mozzarella, fire-blistered cherry tomatoes, spicy Italian sausage, olives and figs, finished with fresh basil and balsamic glaze from Zimi on Mission. (Courtesy of Zimi on Mission)