Chances are you won't hear about these restaurants in the guidebooks, but locals know where to find the tasty stuff.
Goguette Bread, Santa Rosa: You’ll know the Goguette is open if there’s a line winding out the door of this sliver of a bakery. Long-fermented loaves are hearty and perfectly crusted. Order online and pick up freshly baked breads 1:30 - 6 p.m. Wed - Sat. 59 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, goguettebread.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Rye flour and a stencil creates a beautiful pattern on breads at Goguette Bread in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Tia Maria, Santa Rosa: A garden of paper dahlias bloom on the walls of this petite Mexican panaderia y pasteleria (bakery and cake shop) that’s a Costeaux Bakery project. It took more than a year to perfect their conchas, which are sweet and addictive. 44 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-540-9864, tiamaria.world (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Conchas, a Mexican sweet bread, at Tia Maria Panaderia y Pasteleria in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Walter Hansel Wine Bistro, Santa Rosa: Wine Country food with a strong French accent. This country roadhouse serves up everything from escargots, chicken cordon bleu and ratatouille to raw oysters, Kobe beef burgers and an extensive wine list with local and French wines. 3535 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6462, walterhanselbistro.com (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)
Freaking Tacos, Santa Rosa: Terrific tacos without any of the bells and whistles. There's very limited seating, so it's best to grab a bunch of $2 tacos and head home. 400 W. Third St., Suite C, Santa Rosa, 707-890-5003, freakingtacos707.com (Stephanie A./Yelp)
Lunchette, Petaluma: Chef-driven lunch dishes include salads, bowls, soups, pizza slices and seasonal specials. Highlights include the best-selling Farro Chicken Salad with apple, shallots, herbs, candied almonds, harissa-roasted chicken breast, goat cheese, pickled onions and mustard vinaigrette. 25 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-241-7443, lunchettepetaluma.com (Houston Porter/for Petaluma Argus-Courier)
Trading Post Restaurant, Cloverdale: It's worth a trip north for the farm-focused, seasonal menu from Chef Aaron Arabian. Current menu highlights include Mt. Lassen trout with mussels, clams, coconut-saffron broth, potato, and sweet pepper. 102 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6483, thepostcloverdale.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Charlie's Restaurant at the Windsor Golf Club: Lunch or early dinners are tops at this clubby restaurant where the food goes beyond what you'd expect. Lots of sharable appetizers, salads and meaty, rib-sticking entrees. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Brunch 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sat - Sun; happy hour 3-6 p.m. Mon-Fri. Open to the public. 1320 19th Hole Drive, Windsor, 707-838-8802, windsorgolf.com/charlies-restaurant (Courtesy photo)
Fandee's, Sebastopol: A standard diner with not-so-standard diner fare. Family-friendly with reasonable prices. Open 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Mon-Sun. 824 Covert Lane, Sebastopol, 707-829-2642, fandeesrestaurant.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Mezze plate at Fandees in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Beef sliders at Fandees Restaurant in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Pascaline, Sebastopol: French pastries with a crisp lacquered crackle and Parisian authenticity. Expanded lunch offerings are perfect for bringing on winery visits or to the office. 4552 Gravenstein Highway N. Sebastopol, 707- 823-3122, pascalinepatisserieandcafe.com (Yelp)
Depot Hotel, Sonoma: The outdoor patio and pool makes it a favorite for weddings and special events, but fresh pastas and hearty entrees have endeared this historic spot with locals. 241 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-938-2980, depotsonoma.com (Courtesy photo)
Pasta dish at Depot Hotel in Sonoma. (Courtesy photo)
Sausage Emporium, Sonoma: 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 housemade pickles and fries. 31 E. Napa St., Sonoma, sausage-emporium.com (Robbi Pengelly/Sonoma Index-Tribune)
Scotch egg at Sausage Emporium in downtown Sonoma. (Courtesy photo)
Back patio at The Sausage Emporium on Napa Street in Sonoma. (Robbi Pengelly/Sonoma Index-Tribune)
The Fig Cafe, Sonoma: 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, thefigcafe.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The Special Pizza with housemade fennel sausage from the Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Juanita Juanita, Sonoma: There are plenty of tiny taquerias that serve great street tacos, but this ramshackle spot outside Sonoma may be one of our favorites. Burritos are gi-normous, but we especially like the al pastor super tacos. 19114 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-935-3981, juanitajuanita.com. (Crista Jeremiason/The Press Democrat)
Juanita Juanita on Arnold Drive in Sonoma. (Crista Jeremiason)
Super Chicken Nachos from Juanita Juanita in Sonoma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Guiso Latin Fusion, Healdsburg: Few tourists venture off the Healdsburg Square to find gems like this jewel-box restaurant with just a handful of seats. Traditional Latin American dishes get a Wine Country bump and are always delish. 117 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1302, guisolatinfusion.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Agave, Healdsburg: An easy-to-miss Mexican tequileria in the Safeway shopping center that has real-deal Mexican food and the area's best mole, made from scratch. 1063 Vine St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2411, agave-mex.com (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Hazel, Occidental: 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 homemade desserts that will astound. 3782 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-6003, restauranthazel.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Peanut butter pie at Hazel Restaurant in Occidental. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Negri's, Occidental: A recent revamp has revitalized this historic Italian restaurant. Four generations have run the restaurant, and they still make their raviolis by hand. The bar is a fun spot for small bites, burgers, pizza and excellent craft cocktails. 3700 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-0301, negrisrestaurant.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
(Clockwise from bottom) Burrata Di Stefano appetizer platter, red chili prawn pasta, meatball sliders, and Nonna's homemade ravioli at Negri's in Occidental. (Beth Schlanker/Sonoma Magazine)
The Bitter Hound with gin, fresh grapefruit, Aperol, grapefruit bitters and rosemary sugar from Negri's Italian Dinners and Joe's Bar in Occidental. (John Burgess)
Canneti Roadhouse Italiana, Forestville: A passion for regional Italian cuisine is at the heart of this family-friendly roadhouse. Specials change up almost daily, but are always as delicious as they sound. 6675 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-2232, cannetirestaurant.com (Courtesy photo)
Cannoli at Canneti Roadhouse Italiana in Forestville. (Courtesy photo)
Even in tourist destinations like Sonoma Wine Country, there are plenty of off-the-map eateries where locals congregate. Chances are you won’t hear about them in the guidebooks, but locals know where to find the tasty stuff. Click through the above gallery for some of our favorites.
Yawn. With the exception of Negri’s (which is no secret). A bunch of trendy places (some I’ve enjoyed) which will be gone within two years. The restaurant business is tough.