It’s easy to assume cheesecake originated in France, with its celebrated cheese tradition, or in New York, whose dense, cream cheese-rich version has become an American classic.
Its roots, however, reach much farther back.
Food historians generally trace cheesecake to ancient Greece, where an early version made with fresh cheese, flour and honey was served at weddings and may even have been offered to athletes during the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. The recipe evolved as it spread through Europe with the Romans, with each region adapting the dessert to local ingredients and tastes.
England’s medieval cooks added eggs and floral flavorings. New York embraced cream cheese to create the rich style now synonymous with the city. In Spain’s Basque Country, a crustless cheesecake baked at high heat developed its signature caramelized top and creamy center. Germany relies on tangy quark, Poland favors twaróg, and Japan transforms cheesecake into a light, soufflé-like confection.
Sonoma County has become a destination in its own right for cheesecake. Local bakeries and restaurants turn out everything from classic New York slices and burnt Basque cheesecakes to seasonal creations flavored with Meyer lemon, passion fruit and pumpkin.
Best Cheesecakes in Sonoma County
Petaluma
J.M. Rosen’s Cheesecakes — New York Cheesecake: Jan Rosen’s signature New York-style cheesecake, baked in a buttery shortbread crust, has earned a devoted following for decades — including Frank Sinatra. Other favorites include Chocolate Fantasy, Neapolitan and Snickers Bar cheesecakes. Available online and at select restaurants and markets throughout California. 74 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-773-4655, jmrosenscheesecake.com
Stellina Pronto – New York-Style Pumpkin Cheesecake: A seasonal take on the classic, featuring a silky pumpkin filling, a gingersnap crust and a tangy sour cream topping. The lemon cheesecake also gets high marks for its zesty lemon curd topping and buttery graham cracker crust. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-789-9556, stellinapronto.com
Speakeasy — Daily Cheesecake: Housemade cheesecakes rotate regularly, with flavors inspired by the season and the chef’s creativity. Lemon is a perennial favorite. 139 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707-776-4631, speakeasypetaluma.com
Sonoma Valley
Wit & Wisdom — Bruleed Basque Country Cheesecake: Soft and airy Basque-style cheesecake with burnt top and accompanied with preserved citrus and fresh farmers market fruit. 1325 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-931-3405, witandwisdomsonoma.com
Cafe La Haye — Yuzu Citrus Cheesecake: Japanese yuzu lends bright citrus notes to this smooth, understated cheesecake. 140 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-935-5994, cafelahaye.com
The Mill at Glen Ellen — Burnt Basque Cheesecake: A traditional Basque-style cheesecake with a deeply caramelized exterior, creamy center and fresh berries. 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-721-1818, themillatglenellen.com
Santa Rosa & Cotati
Criminal Baking Company — Lemon Chevre Cheesecake: Tangy goat cheese adds depth to this lemon cheesecake, available with toppings such as fresh berries, raspberry compote or caramel. 808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, 707-228-2718, criminalbakingcompany.com
Jackson’s Bar and Oven — New York Cheesecake: The mini cheesecake desserts change with the seasons and chef Josh Silvers’ whims. Currently on the menu is a cheesecake with roasted plums and crumbled honeycomb. Past favorite flavors include root beer, Oreo and pumpkin. 135 Fourth St, Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com
Red Bird Bakery — Seasonal Mini Cheesecakes: Dense New York-style cheesecakes finished with rotating seasonal toppings such as berries, lemon curd, chocolate or other fresh fruit. 556 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-521-9838; 463 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-3663, redbirdbakery.com
Oliver’s Market — Chocolate Cheesecake: Dark Belgian chocolate enriches this dense cheesecake, set in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. Gluten-free versions are also available. Locations in Windsor, Santa Rosa and Cotati. oliversmarket.com
Healdsburg
Downtown Bakery & Creamery — Cheesecake: Traditional cheesecakes are available in full-size and individual portions, with a dense filling and graham cracker crust. 308 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-431-2719, downtownbakeryhealdsburg.com
Noble Folk — Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Pie: This seasonal cheesecake, available only from December through February, blends fall-favorite pumpkin pie flavors with decadent layers of chocolate in the Oreo-like crust and chocolate ganache topping. Also find at the downtown Santa Rosa shop. 116 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-395-4426; 539 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-978-3392, thenoblefolk.com
Sebastopol and West County
Patisserie Angelica — Seasonal Cheesecake: Flavors change throughout the year, with offerings including Meyer lemon, raspberry, caramel and spiced pumpkin, all baked in a housemade graham cracker crust. 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol, 707-827-7998, patisserieangelica.com
Underwood Bar & Bistro — Mascarpone Cheesecake: Made with mascarpone for an especially silky texture and finished with fresh raspberries. 9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen — Weekend Cheesecakes: Weekend offerings change with the seasons and have included strawberry, blueberry, fig, baklava, pecan caramel and chocolate hazelnut. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site
Nightingale Breads — Mini Cheesecakes: Baker Steve Hartz creates small-batch cheesecakes in rotating flavors, from lemon and passion fruit to cappuccino, toasted coconut and cranberry. 6665 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-8887, nightingalebreads.com
Terrapin Creek Cafe — Passion Fruit Cheesecake: A lighter-style cheesecake topped with whipped cream, vanilla bean sauce and bright passion fruit. 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2700, terrapincreekcafe.com
Nom Nom Cakes — Peanut Butter Cheesecake: Similar to a peanut butter pie, but denser and creamier. Filled into an Oreo crust and topped with chocolate ganache, it’s almost like eating a giant chocolate-peanut butter cup. Available for delivery or pickup at 390 Calle Del Sol, Bodega Bay. 805-350-0680, nomnombaking.com
Special Mention
College Confectionista — SoCo Style Cheesecake: Anamaría Morales’ signature cheesecake pairs a traditional cream cheese filling with a butter-and-graham-cracker crust and housemade whipped cream. A gluten-free nut crust is available by request. Currently closed for the season; check @collegeconfectionista on Instagram for reopening updates. 707-495-5324, collegeconfectionista.com