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The 20 Best Restaurants in Sonoma County
Ahi Crudo at Valette, Courtesy of Kim Carrol / Valette
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People from all over the world come to Wine Country for the stellar wine (of course). Luckily for them, and those of us who live to eat, Sonoma County not only has world-renowned wine, but has world-class restaurants as well. Offering everything from casual to Michelin-starred dining, there’s something for every palate in our roundup of the 20 best restaurants in Sonoma County. And, because good food doesn’t necessarily come with hefty price tags, you’ll find a selection of different price ranges, too.
John Ash & Co.
Dining room at John Ash & Co., Courtesy of Vintners Inn
Located at the beautiful Vintners Resort, John Ash & Co. is a special occasion spot for many diners. With dishes such as their Baked Oysters with Parmesan Custard, New York Steak with Cabernet Demi, or Duck Leg Confit, decadence is the name of the game. Can’t decide? Go with the Chef’s Tasting Menu, with an additional wine pairing at a very reasonable $35. Be advised that there is a dress code for the dining room, but if you’re feeling like getting spruced up for a traditional white tablecloth restaurant, this is the place.
4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, (707) 527-7687Farmhouse Inn Restaurant
Courtesy of Farmhouse Inn
Farmhouse Inn Restaurant has been a steady presence in Sonoma’s fine dining scene, and for good reason. The menus are ever-changing, relying on what is fresh and in season, including ingredients straight from the owners’ ranch. Inside these charming farmhouse walls is modern luxury in the form of gastronomy, where a multi-course experience consists of dishes from the land and sea, such as Asparagus Gazpacho, Local Rack of Lamb, and Spring Pea Tortellini.
7871 River Road, Forestville, CA 95436, (707) 887-3300The Tides Wharf & Restaurant
Courtesy of The Tides Wharf & Restaurant
Located right alongside the picturesque Bodega Bay, this seaside restaurant specializes in fresh, local seafood, including such favorites as the Hot Crab Sandwich, New England Clam Chowder, Fish and Chips, and Cioppino. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus offered 365 days a year, a delightful assortment of seafood and non-seafood options, and stunning views of the ocean, what’s not to love about dining here? Psst: If the setting looks familiar, it’s because parts of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic, The Birds, was filmed at Tides Wharf. Go ahead and pose on the infamous dock, but maybe keep an eye out for birds.
835 Coast Highway One, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, (707) 875-3652Barndiva
Courtesy of Barndiva
Barndiva’s mantra is ‘Eat the View,’ and with dishes so vibrant and beautiful, it’s clear this is something the team truly believes in. Feast your eyes, and your palate, with their Goat Cheese Croquettes with tomato jam and lavender honey, or the Duck Breast au poivre with ramps and caramelized shallot brioche. Don’t forget to grab a cocktail, as Barndiva is known for its outstanding cocktail program.
231 Center Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 431-0100SingleThread
Summer vegetables, Courtesy of Eric Wolfinger / SingleThread
The Japanese-influenced, California produce-informed SingleThread is a three-in-one: a farm, restaurant, and inn. All embody the thoughtfulness and care of Kyle and Katina Connaughton, the husband and wife team behind this Three Michelin Star restaurant. At their downtown Healdsburg locale, an 11-course tasting menu can be customized to each guest’s dietary preferences and restrictions (with advanced notice). SingleThread takes patrons on a journey that begins with produce grown on their own farm, located in the Russian River Valley, and ends on an artfully set table.
131 North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 723-4646LaSalette
Courtesy of LaSalette
Chef Manuel Azevedo’s “New Portuguese Cuisine” celebrates the varied and complex flavors of his native Portugal and current home of Sonoma, California. Tantalize your taste buds with unfamiliar dishes which might just become new favorites, like the Portuguese Fisherman’s Stew; the Brazilian national dish of Feijoada Completa with stewed beef, pork, sausage, and black beans; or the Bacalhau no Forno, a traditional baked casserole of North Atlantic salt cod, potatoes, onions, and olives. Just don’t miss ending your meal with a Port from their extensive Port and Madeira list.
452 First Street East, Suite H, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 938-1927Coast Kitchen
Coast Kitchen outdoor dining, Courtesy of Timber Cove Resort
Located on 25 unrivaled acres above California’s stunning Sonoma Coast, Coast Kitchen at Timber Cove Resort promises staggering ocean views alongside its fine fare, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, Sonoma cheeses, farm-raised chicken, 21-day dry aged rib-eye steak, oysters from Tomales Bay, and Bay Area favorite, Dungeness crab.
21780 North Coast Highway 1, Jenner, CA 95450, (707) 847-3231Little Saint
Courtesy of Facebook: Little Saint Healdsburg
Located in downtown Healdsburg just two blocks off the main square, Little Saint is a new culinary collaboration between owners Laurie and Jeff Ubben and the team behind SingleThread. This 100% plant-based restaurant serves California-Mediterranean, family-style food that celebrates the seasonal produce of Sonoma, particularly from their own five-acre Little Saint Farm and the SingleThread Farm. Accompanying the food is the creative bar program, featuring alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that fall in line with the restaurant’s farm-driven ethos.
25 North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 433-8207the girl & the fig
The bar at the girl and the fig, Courtesy of the girl and the fig
This restaurant’s seasonal menu features rustic Provençal-inspired cuisine, or as owner Sondra Bernstein describes it, the girl & the fig serves up “country food with a French passion.” The Fig & Arugula Salad is a crowd favorite, as is the Grass-fed Steak Tartare and the Croques Monsieur. Featuring an antique bar with French aperitifs, an award-winning wine list, and outdoor patio seating, you’ll see why it’s a beloved spot with locals and visitors alike.
110 West Spain Street, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 983-3634Animo
Courtesy of Instagram: Animo
This brand-new restaurant in Sonoma is the brainchild of Chef Joshua Smookler (of New York’s Mu Ramen) and his wife, Heidy Mu He, who have created a unique Basque-Korean restaurant inspired by the foods the duo like to eat themselves. Here, Chef Smookler churns out his creative spins on such Spanish classics as Boquerones Toast and Whole Wood-Fired Turbot, along with Korean-influenced dishes like Kimchi Rice and Lobster XO – all served within the warm atmosphere highlighting an open kitchen and an entire wall of apples. Don’t miss the delicious Burnt Basque Cheesecake for dessert. You can find them on Instagram @animo_restaurant (no phone or website yet).
18976 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, CA 95476Glen Ellen Star
Wood roasted asparagus, Courtesy of Glen Ellen Star
Resembling a quaint farmhouse in rustic California Wine Country, Glen Ellen Star is a taste of both local and international flavors. Helmed by the husband and wife team of Ari Weiswasser and Erinn Benziger-Weiswasser, it is their mission to create an inviting, neighborhood-friendly restaurant. The menu changes regularly, so their offerings are always new and in-line with the seasons, but you can always expect wood roasted veggies and pizzas, creative mains, as well as housemade pasta and bread. After dinner, definitely order their homemade ice cream and sorbets, which are always a delight.
13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, (707) 343-1384The Matheson
Courtesy of The Matheson
The Matheson is a true dining destination in Healdsburg, featuring two unique restaurants in one spot. The Main Dining Room features a modern Wine Country-inspired menu curated by Chef Matt Brimer, celebrating locally-foraged, seasonal ingredients from the surrounding region. Start your evening with a classic cocktail or sake in the downstairs bar, then opt for the Chef’s Tasting Menu for the ultimate evening of wine and food. Or, for something a little more relaxed, check out Roof 106, the open-air restaurant and bar on the rooftop of The Matheson, where wood-fired pizzas and small plates can be enjoyed amid the convivial setting of this stylish but casual spot.
106 Matheson Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 723-1106Layla Restaurant
Courtesy of MacArthur Place
Located at MacArthur Place in Sonoma, this Mediterranean-influenced restaurant highlights fresh, delicious, seasonal fare for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The reimagined dining room is open and airy, offering a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere from which to enjoy dishes like the Olive Oil Pancakes or Shakshuka at brunch, Falafel Burger or Kale Caesar at lunch, and Fava Bean Pesto Bucatini or Mediterranean Branzino at dinner.
29 E. MacArthur Street, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 938-2929Chalkboard
Biscuit sliders, Courtesy of Chalkboard
Located at the Hotel Les Mars in Healdsburg, this casually sophisticated neighborhood restaurant has become a favorite spot for upscale American fare in Sonoma County. Chef Shane McAnelly’s menu is inspired by produce from Chalkboard’s own dedicated three-acre organic garden, located at the Chalk Hill Winery estate, featuring favorites such as Crudo of the Day, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and a variety of housemade pastas.
29 North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 473-8030Valette Restaurant
Courtesy of Chris Hardy / Valette
Opened in 2015, Valette Restaurant has garnered stellar reviews in short order. The two brothers behind the restaurant create high quality but honest food, with delectable dishes such as as Chilled Yellow Beet Soup, Charred Eggplant ‘Falafel’, Honey Brined Pork Porterhouse, and Crispy Skinned Steelhead Trout. For a comprehensive taste of this Healdsburg restaurant, go with Chef Valette’s ‘Trust Me’ Tasting Menu, which is uniquely priced at $18 per course (minimum 5 courses). Luckily, if five just isn’t enough, you can keep going.
344 Center Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 473-0946Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar
Courtesy of Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar
East Coast and South America meet at Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar, with an extensive menu of small plates designed for sharing. Oyster lovers will feel right at home as Willi’s always has several varieties of fresh oysters on the menu, as well as items like the all meat Dungeness Crab Cakes (“no filler!”), Salt & Pepper Baby Back Riblets, Pan Roasted Shrimp, and Grilled Fish Tacos. Best to go with a group of people who love food as much as you do, so you can try one of everything.
403 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 433-9191Campo Fina
Courtesy of Campo Fina
This casual eatery offers two different experiences: the intimate indoor dining experience and the slightly more boisterous one outside. Inside, snuggle into a booth and pick from menu favorites including Nonna’s Tomato Braised Chicken, or head outside to order a wood-fired pizza and engage in a game of bocce with friends. Regardless of where you choose to sit, the friendly atmosphere and satisfying Italian fare are sure to please.
330 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 395-4640The Spinster Sisters
Calamari, Courtesy of The Spinster Sisters
The Spinster Sisters is hidden away in a cute little neighborhood in Santa Rosa, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the culinary powerhouses of the county. Chef Liza Hinman creates New American dishes with loads of flavor, from the ocean, garden, and pasture. Try the Roasted Heirloom Carrots with yogurt and mint; Ahi Tuna Crudo with charred spring onion; or the Nettle Tagliatelle with snap peas and Meyer lemon; then cap it off with something sweet, like the Flourless Coconut Cake with dark chocolate ganache and sea salt.
401 South A Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, (707) 528-7100Folktable
Courtesy of Facebook: Folktable Restaurant
This Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurant at Cornerstone Sonoma is a delightful spot for a casual, but delicious lunch. While Chef Casey Thompson’s (of Top Chef fame) locally-inspired menu is always changing, one can always expect comforting, authentic food prepared with organic and seasonal ingredients, from farm fresh salads and bowls to tartines and shareable plates.
23584 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 356-3567Cafe La Haye
Courtesy of Facebook / Cafe La Haye
Fresh food and delectable bites are what make up the menu at Cafe La Haye, which for years has been a mainstay in downtown Sonoma. Though small, the restaurant has great ambiance with an open kitchen and clean design, where flavorful dishes from the seasonal menu are beautifully presented. Just be sure to save room for dessert, as the butterscotch pudding is a sinfully delicious must-try.
140 East Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 935-5994– Best Restaurants for Fine Dining in Sonoma –
– The Best Wine & Food Pairings in Sonoma –
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Julia Chang
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