10 Best Restaurants in Healdsburg

Restaurants
by HANA-LEE SEDGWICK
on APRIL 3, 2024

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Want to eat like a foodie king while in Sonoma County? Then look no further than Healdsburg. Healdsburg’s lively downtown is home to a plethora of destination-worthy restaurants from celebrated chefs and noteworthy up-and-comers, making this small but happening town the epicenter of Sonoma County’s dining scene. And, since most of the top restaurants are located within a three-block radius of the Healdsburg Plaza, staying downtown means you’ll be just steps away from many of Sonoma’s best restaurants.

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Restaurants / Healdsburg

SingleThread Restaurant

Few restaurants in Wine Country have opened to such high acclaim in recent years than that of SingleThread, which is owned and operated by Kyle Connaughton (Head Chef) and his wife, Katina (Head Farmer). The Three-Michelin-starred restaurant delivers thoughtfully composed, expertly executed dishes that blend the flavors of Sonoma County and Japan, resulting in an unexpected, yet memorable culinary experience. Throughout the ten-course tasting menu, expect dishes to highlight herbs, produce, and other ingredients grown locally—much of which comes from the SingleThread farm just a few miles away—served alongside regional and international wines as well as sake from the curated beverage list

Insider Tip

For more of SingleThread’s tasteful offerings, plan to stay at the SingleThread Inn, where five contemporary guest rooms include high-end amenities, Wi-Fi, and a multi-course breakfast for two. Even more, dinner in the restaurant is guaranteed for guests staying at the inn. It’s a win-win.

Image courtesy of SingleThread

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2

Restaurants / Healdsburg

Barndiva

Barndiva wants diners to “Eat the View,” which is easy to do at this seasonally-focused, farm-to-table restaurant just off the Healdsburg Plaza. For over 20 years, Barndiva has made it easy to enjoy a meal of exquisitely prepared food highlighting the bounty of Sonoma County, either al fresco under the tree- and wisteria-covered outdoor space, or inside the inviting, rustic-minimalist interior of the barn-like building. While the food is a delight for the senses, don’t miss trying a bevvy or two, as the restaurant is known for its bar program. Opt for a garden-inspired artisanal cocktail or a bottle of wine from the acclaimed wine list—you won’t be disappointed.

Insider Tip

Barndiva’s menu is a beautiful celebration of the flavors of Sonoma County, and you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu; however, we suggest starting your meal with the Goat Cheese Croquettes, made with Laura Chenel’s goat cheese, tomato jam, and lavender honey. Need we say more?

Image courtesy of Barndiva

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3

Restaurants / Healdsburg

Valette

Valette is owned by Chef Dustin Valette and his brother, Aaron Garzini, who had dreamed of one day opening a restaurant together in their hometown of Healdsburg. Since establishing Valette in 2015, the brothers have garnered stellar reviews for their top-notch hospitality and simple yet delicious food, crafted around quality, local ingredients. For a comprehensive taste of Valette, try the Five-Course Tasting Menu – best enjoyed with a small-production wine from the thoughtfully curated wine list.

Insider Tip

Valette is dedicated to showcasing the best ingredients from local farms and purveyors, so it’s not surprising that the wine list is centered around California producers—Sonoma County in particular. While the wine list is ever-evolving, you can always find some of Valette’s own label on the menu, from their Russian River Valley Chardonnay to their Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.

Image courtesy of Valette

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Things To Do /

Little Saint

Named one of The New York Times’ “Best 50 Restaurants,” Little Saint was founded by Laurie and Jeff Ubben in collaboration with the team behind SingleThread. Like many other restaurants in the region, the menu emphasizes locally-grown ingredients—most of which grows on the five-acre Little Saint Farm and nearby SingleThread Farm—but what separates Little Saint from the rest is that it’s 100% dedicated to plant-based foods. Inspired by California-Mediterranean cuisines, the menu features vegetable-forward dishes from the larder, the fields, and the wood oven, each designed to be shared communally with the table. There’s also a creative beverage program highlighting alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that fall in line with the restaurant’s locally-minded, farm-driven ethos.

Insider Tip

Little Saint is designed to be a gathering place for the community, where “food, music, art, and conversations are good for the soul,” so don’t feel limited to just joining for dinner service. This culinary hub has a lot going on, from Sunday Brunch and live music, to regular events and winemaker tastings. There’s even a wine shop, coffee bar, and cafe offering baked goods and other provisions, open daily.

Image courtesy of Little Saint | Emma K Morris

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5

Restaurants / Healdsburg

The Matheson

The newest venture from Chef Dustin Valette is The Matheson, an uber-hip culinary destination in downtown Healdsburg inspired by the beauty and bounty of Sonoma County. Here, you’ll find not one but two dining establishments, a stunning downstairs bar featuring modern cocktails and an extensive sake list, and an impressive wine wall system dispensing 88 wines by the glass. Led by Chef Nate Davis, the Main Dining Room at The Matheson features a modern Wine Country-inspired menu, designed to pay homage to Healdsburg’s micro-seasonal ingredients, while upstairs, the convivial Roof 106—an open-air restaurant and cocktail bar—offers artisanal cocktails, wood-fired small plates, and views of downtown Healdsburg.

Insider Tip

For an elevated dining experience, you can’t go wrong with the Chef’s Tasting Menu (available in the Main Dining Room), but when you’re looking for a more casual evening, the buzzy rooftop bar is the place to be. Snag a spot beside a fire pit before the sun goes down, then order some Modern Margaritas and bites to maximize your experience.

Image courtesy of The Matheson | Deb Wilson

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6

Restaurants / Healdsburg

Dry Creek Kitchen

Renowned Chef Charlie Palmer opened Dry Creek Kitchen in 2001, drawn to the bounty of incredible ingredients that Sonoma offers. Since then, this elegant restaurant, located inside the Hotel Healdsburg, has remained a top restaurant in the region, beckoning locals and tourists with its multi-course menus of Sonoma-inspired “Progressive American” fare, world-class wines, and impeccable service. Vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling doors which open onto a trellised terrace only add to the inviting ambiance of this quintessential Wine Country restaurant.

Insider Tip

With over 600 wines to choose from, there’s something for every palate on the wine list. But if that number seems more overwhelming than exciting, Dry Creek Kitchen offers a more approachable by-the-glass list, including 20 local Sonoma County wines. That way, you don’t have to commit to drinking a whole bottle from just one producer.

Image courtesy of Dry Creek Kitchen

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7

Restaurants / Healdsburg

Bravas Bar de Tapas

Named one of the top tapas restaurants in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure, Bravas has captured the hearts of Sonoma diners for years, thanks to its menu of traditional Spanish and modern tapas and large plates. From tins of fish to Jamón Ibérico, Bocadillos (little sandwiches) to Paella, the extensive menu is made for groups who want to try a little bit of everything. There’s also a large selection of wines, sangrias, and gin and tonics to choose from.

Insider Tip

Bravas offers both indoor and outdoor dining, and while we love the bright, cozy interior of the restaurant, their outside area is the place to be for taking advantage of those warm Healdsburg nights.

Image courtesy of Stark Reality Restaurants

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Things To Do /

Journeyman Meat Co.

Journeyman Meat Co. is the realized dream of Pete Seghesio, of Seghesio Family Vineyards, who traveled to Italy to study the art of whole animal butchery from such world-famous butchers such as Dario Cecchini. Today, this charming butcher shop, cafe, and gourmet retail store is the go-to place for handmade salumi and sausages, as well as wood-fired pizzas, wine, and gourmet goodies to go.

Insider Tip

The menu changes weekly, as the seasonality of Sonoma County’s herbs and vegetables determine the way they cure and season their meats, but the sandwich of the day and the salumi board never disappoint.

Image courtesy of Facebook: Journeyman Meat Co.

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9

Restaurants / Healdsburg

Lo & Behold

Lo & Behold—the brainchild of longtime Sonoma bartenders and friends, Tara Heffernon, Laura Sanfillipo, and Chef Sean Raymond Kelley—is a whimsical cocktail bar and kitchen in downtown Healdsburg. Here, the menu is anything but ordinary, so expect classic drinks with unexpected twists, like the chamomile-infused Aperol Spritz and Guava Paloma with hibiscus salt, as well as small bites and mains featuring delightful flavors from around the world (the Papadam, Vietnamese Crepes, and signature Almost Famous Chicken Tendies are just a few fan favorites). There’s also a small but perfectly curated list of local Sonoma wines if you haven’t yet had your fill.

Insider Tip

Lo & Behold claims to have the “World’s Best Vodka Soda.” Enjoy one on their pretty patio boasting leafy citrus trees and twinkling string lights. It’s often touted as one of the best outdoor spaces in all of Healdsburg.

Image courtesy of KimCarroll.com | Lo & Behold

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10

Restaurants / Healdsburg

Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar

Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar is a vibrant eatery that celebrates the flavors of the East Coast and South America. Indulge in succulent seafood rolls that transport you to the shores of the East Coast, or explore the exotic flavors of South America with an array of skewers, ceviches, and tartares. The highlight of Willi's, however, is its ever-changing selection at the raw bar, where you'll find at least eight varieties of fresh oysters daily. And since Willi's is designed for convivial dining, it’s a perfect spot for groups.

Insider Tip

Don't miss the opportunity to try Willi's Dungeness crab cakes. Crafted with pure crab meat and no fillers, they deliver an authentic taste of the sea.

Image courtesy of Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar

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