In Sonoma County, there are the restaurants tourists flock to. And then there are the restaurants where locals enjoy equally amazing food, without the hype.
Read on below for a few favorites that deliver time after time; the places locals like to keep under wraps, just for us. Scroll through the gallery above for a sneak peek of what to exepct.
Canevari’s Deli
A junior college neighborhood classic that’s been around since, well, as long as anyone can remember. Tri-tip BBQ sandwich, meatball sub and housemade raviolis are on the menu, plus…where else can you get a good gabagool? 695 Lewis Road, Santa Rosa, 707-545-6941, canevarisdeli.com
Cafe Citti
This former Kenwood restaurant is now a small spot in Santa Rosa with some of the best pasta and sauces in Sonoma County. We love their polenta with creamy porcini mushroom sauce and the classic tuna egg salad sandwich on focaccia. 2792 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-2690, cafecitti.com
Charm Thai Kitchen
A handful of dishes are standouts and unique locally, including taro empanadas, kee mao (also known as drunken noodles) and chicken larb. Taro, a mildly sweet purple cousin of the potato, is an Asian staple; here, it’s stuffed into fried pockets of dough and comes with a peanut-vinegar dipping sauce. 1710 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3016, charmkitch.com
Sam’s Mediterranean
You don’t stumble on this out-of-the-way deli unless you spend a lot of time cruising quiet office parks looking for hole-in-the-wall lunch spots. Thankfully, I do, and this charming little place is a Middle Eastern gem. Their panini-style chicken shawarma wraps are a delicious entry point, with gently-spiced meat and melted cheese. Comes with garlic and hot sauces and a Greek salad. Hummus gets a four-star rating. 613 Martin Ave., Suite 111, Rohnert Park, samsmeddeli.com
Real Döner
A real-deal Middle Eastern and Turkish stunner that’s stood the test of time. We’re especially fond of the doner wraps — long rolls of lavash bread with sliced meat or kebab snuggled inside — and the Pink Sultan, a roasted beet and yogurt dip. Their hummus gets a five-star rating. 307 F St., Petaluma, 707-765-9555 realdoner.net
Lunchette
Chef-driven lunch dishes include salads, bowls, soups, pizza slices and seasonal specials. The best-selling Farro Chicken Salad features apples, shallots, herbs, candied almonds, harissa-roasted chicken breast, goat cheese, pickled onions and mustard vinaigrette. But our heart has always been with the Smoked Trout Salad. 25 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-241-7443, lunchettepetaluma.com
Soban Korean Cuisine
Routinely recognized as the best “true” Korean cuisine in Sonoma County, Soban serves up an array of hard-to-find dishes like savory pancakes with kimchi, Japchae (glass noodles), Tteokbokki (chewy rice cake that’s a popular street food), spicy pork Bulgogi, sizzling rice bibimbap and soft tofu soup. 255 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-769-3112, sobanpetaluma.com
Grata
Honest Italian classics from a former Stark Realty Restaurants chef is why this charming cafe has become a neighborhood favorite. Don’t miss the ricotta gnudi (pictured). 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com
Baci Cafe & Wine Bar
You’ll find plenty of Healdsburg locals who say this is a favorite spot often overlooked by tourists. Elevated Italian dishes are the specialty of chef/owner Shari Sarabi. Bolognese sauce is made with Kobe beef, veal and pork ribs for an extra luscious dish. 336 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-8111, bacicafeandwinebar.com
Guiso Latin Fusion
Named one of the best restaurants in America by Open Table, this tiny cafe mixes Latin and Caribbean flavors with panache. Way off the beaten path of the usual Healdsburg suspects. 117 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1302, guisolatinfusion.com
Taste of Tea
Healdsburg gets plenty of play for its chef-driven cuisine, but we like the homey Japanese comfort food of this tea shop. The curry ramen, bento box and rice bowls pair perfectly with the extensive list of imported teas. 109 North St., Healdsburg, thetasteoftea.com
Corner Project Ales and Eats
At this family-run brewpub in Geyserville, one brother brews while the other operates the kitchen. More than just fried pub grub, chef Tom Adamian’s menu includes lots of comforting dishes like meatball sliders, pulled lamb on focaccia with preserved lemons, and a perfect pickled veggie sando on thick slices of bread (my favorite). They also sell beers from other brewers. 21079 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0110, cornerprojectales.com
El Milagro
Regional Mexican cuisine that runs the gamut from pumpkin seed mole and guisado (slow-braised stew), to simple flautas and tacos. Everything is made from scratch, following authentic family recipes. 485 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6334, elmilagrocloverdale.com
Sausage Emporium
(Editor’s note: To become Mozaik soon.) A quick stop for sausage sandwiches and draft beer from a local family. Don’t miss the Crown Sausage Flight (a selection of five gourmet sausages paired with organic pickles and mustards) and the heritage pork Scotch egg with fries. 31 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-934-8814, sausage-emporium.com
Spread Kitchen
Chef Cristina Topham (best known for her catering and farm market offerings) has opened a humble Lebanese-style cafe with fresh pita with hummus, beef and chicken shawarma, chickpea and black bean falafel and beef and lamb kofta. 18375 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-721-1256, spreadkitchensonoma.com
The Fig Cafe
Hidden away in Glen Ellen, this little wine bar is always packed with locals looking for a quick burger and a glass of wine from owner Sondra Bernstein’s Rhone-focused wine menu. 13690 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-938-2130, thefigcafe.com
Pascaline
French pastries with a crisp lacquered crackle and Parisian authenticity. Expanded lunch offerings are perfect for bringing on winery visits or to the office. Now also with a second location in Santa Rosa. 1021 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7151, pascalinebistro.com
Canneti Roadhouse Italiana
A passion for regional Italian cuisine is at the heart of this family-friendly roadhouse that’s as close to Italy as you’ll get in Sonoma County. Specials change up almost daily, but are always as delicious as they sound. 6675 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-2232, cannetiroadhouse.com
Hazel
A cozy bistro focused on wood-fired dishes. Must-orders include roasted chicken with smashed Yukon potatoes, spring onions, lemon vinaigrette and arugula; and Pt. Reyes blue cheese pizza with caramelized onions, Marcona almonds, mozzarella and arugula. Save room for housemade desserts that will astound. 3782 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-6003, restauranthazel.com
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen
Located by the Creekside Skatepark in Monte Rio, this curious little cafe is a mix of smoothies, bagels, pies and Middle Eastern cuisine. The desserts are outrageously decadent. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site