Whether you’re a first-time visitor or longtime Sonoma County resident, consider this your local foodie adventure guide, curated by someone who eats (and writes about) food for a living.
I’ve sorted through some of my absolute favorites for a list of tried-and-true bakeries, cafes, restaurants and dining experiences to give you the best Wine Country recommendations. (Napa has nothing on these Sonoma County spots, best bets and insider hot spots.)
Sebastopol
A&M BBQ: Real. Barbecue. Long-smoked, dry-rubbed, killer sides. Sonoma County-meets-Deep South meat and three. Expect a long line and a no-frills “when we’re out, we’re out” vibe. Brisket is a specialty. 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol, Instagram.com/ambbqllc
Handline: The tortillas are handmade, the oysters super fresh, the burgers are great, but I go for the veggies. Esquites (grilled corn with lime) are a summer staple. Broccolini with mushroom aioli and pickled mustard seeds is another favorite. The Roots & Shoots salad is an ever-changing lineup of seasonal veggies with sprouted lentils, arugula, basil pesto and sesame hummus. 935 Gravenstein Ave. South, Sebastopol, handline.com
Healdsburg and points north
PizzaLeah: Leah Scurto is an award-winning pizzaiolo who puts every bit of her soul into making the best pies in Sonoma County. We’re obsessed with the Old Grey Beard with mozzarella, fontina, sausage and hot honey. 9240 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 116, Windsor, pizzaleah.com
Journeyman Meat: This tiny salumeria, tasting bar and butcher shop also makes great wood-fired pizzas, burgers and, of course, charcuterie boards. It’s a dream project for Pete Seghesio, whose family is best known for their hearty red wines (also available). Hidden away off the Healdsburg square, sidling up to the tasting bar feels like a discovery. 404 Center St., Healdsburg, journeymanmeat.com
Troubadour: When you own a bakery, why not offer great sandwiches, too? Husband-and-wife culinary phenoms Sean McGaughey and Melissa Yanc have a sandwich outpost that transforms into a top-notch French bistro called Le Diner at night. The world’s best egg salad on challah for lunch, vichyssoise with caviar for dinner. Dinner reservations required. 381 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, troubadourhbg.com
Geyserville Gun Club: This Fellini-esque watering hole is almost too absurdly wonderful to be true. Brought to life by chef Dino Bugica, it’s the flip side of his more tourist-friendly Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria. 21025 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, geyservillegunclub.com
Santa Rosa
Mitote: Immersive eating and drinking in Sonoma County’s epicenter of Mexican culture. Food trucks circle a permanent outdoor patio (tented and enclosed) with home-style tacos, tlayuda, birria and tortas. A full bar with a focus on mezcal keeps the party going. 665 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com
Petaluma
Kapu: This tiki-tastic adult playground isn’t just fun; it’s an island adventure complete with bamboo huts, pirate booty and terrific Mai Tais. The menu focuses on Hawaiian fare, including plate lunch faves like Spam musubi, sticky garlic chicken and mac salad. Fried noodles are perfect for soaking up deceptively delicious tropical cocktails that — if you’re not careful — will take you down like a vengeful god. 132 Keller St., Petaluma, kapubar.com
Stellina Pronto: There’s (almost) always a line at this Italian bakery and pizzeria, which is saying something in sleepy Sonoma County. Michelin-quality pastries filled with hazelnuts, cream and plenty of panache are the opener for Neapolitan-meets-New York wood-fired gourmet pizzas. Limited seating. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, stellinapronto.com
Street Social: With just six tables and 300 feet of dining space, Street Social is unavoidably intimate, even at its busiest. Chef Jevon Martin is a chef’s chef, and you’ll likely find other culinary giants nibbling away on dishes like Kurobuta pork riblets and chicharrones, or Meyer lemon curd with brown butter crumble. Reservations required. 29F Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, streetsocial.social
Sonoma Valley
Bloom Carneros: There’s so much to love about this Sonoma hideaway, from its welcoming dog- and kid-friendly patio to the audacious (but delicious) wines from Kivelstadt Cellars. An elevated menu with outstanding farm-to-table dishes reflect both the season and sense of place. It’s an unpretentious way to really dive into the best of what Sonoma County has to offer, all in one spot. 22900 Broadway, Sonoma, bloomcarneros.com
Valley Swim Club: The only diving at this popular roadhouse is straight into a bowl of clams in buttery garlic noodles. This is a casual, walk-in-only sibling to Valley Bar + Bottle, with a focus on coastal seafood, plus salads, milkshakes, smash burgers and plant-based options. On the drink menu, tasty porch pounders and standout natural wines are de rigueur, including the Valley team’s own Le Lube. 18709 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, valleyswim.club
West County
Altamont General Store: Funky grab-and-go bowls or serious breakfast, lunch and dinner eats in this quiet West County hamlet are perfect for families and visitors. An outdoor patio has plenty of grass for cart wheels. An excellent selection of curated wines and artisan gifts is an added bonus. 3703 Main St., Occidental, altamontgeneralstore.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. Desserts are impressive. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, lightwavecafe.square.site
Willow Wood: Though this breakfast and brunch spot has been around since 1995, it’s often overlooked in the one-stop-sign town of Graton. Try their homey-yet-impressive menus. 9020 Graton Road, Graton, willowwoodgraton.com
Coast, Highway 1
Fisherman’s Cove: There are plenty of spots to grab barbecued oysters on the coast, but this combination of tackle shop/convenience store/cafe is so Sonoma County. 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, fishermanscovebodegabay.com
Estero Cafe: Working directly with local farmers — often just miles away — owners Samantha and Ryan Ramey bring the best of Sonoma’s bounty to the table. Go for breakfast or brunch and try the chicken fried chicken or biscuits with country gravy and you’ll be ready for a day of wine tasting and sightseeing. 14450 Hwy. 1, Valley Ford, esterocafe.com
