Sonoma Restaurants Cheat Sheet

Top spots for fine dining, comfort food, tapas, breakfast, and ice cream.

No need to wade through hundreds of user reviews. Here are the top Sonoma eating establishments in a nutshell.

Truly Special

Bloom Carneros
Colorful cuisine, relaxed outdoor vibe at roadhouse hangout sharing space with Kivelstadt Cellars (wine tasting).  American $$

Relaxed vibe at Bloom Carneros.

Cafe La Haye
Small restaurant known for owner’s warm welcome and risotto, pasta, and roast chicken menu staples.  American $$$

LaSalette Restaurant
Portuguese-inspired cuisine prepared and served with care, with patio the best option in good weather.  Portuguese $$$

Rustic winter dish at Valley Bar + Bottle.

Valley Bar + Bottle
Combination restaurant, wine bar, and bottle shop serves “California home cooking” based on seasonal ingredients. American $$–$$$

Plenty of heated outdoor seating at Michael Mina’s Wit & Wisdom.

Wit & Wisdom
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Michael Mina’s first foray into the Wine Country has been a smash hit since opening in mid-2020.  American $$$–$$$$

Among Sonoma’s Best

Della Santina’s
Homey classics served in cozy dining space and on heated back patio for three-plus decades.  Italian $$–$$$

Soulful Gnocchi Della Nonna with duck ragout at Della Santina’s.

El Dorado Kitchen
The chef layers in the flavors at this Sonoma Plaza fine-dining spot.  American $$$

El Molino Central
Subtly spiced, carefully crafted Mexican cuisine in casual setting or to go.  Mexican $$

The carefully chosen ingredients at El Molino Central include heritage grains in tacos and tortillas.

The Girl and the Fig
Fig-loving owner Sondra Bernstein’s winning casual play on Provençal cuisine.  French $$$

Layla Restaurant
Elaborate preparations at MacArthur Place resort’s elegant fine-dining establishment, splendid for weekend brunch.  Mediterranean $$$

Lou’s Luncheonette pleases with Nashville Hot fried chicken with cheesy grits and slaw plus onion rings deviled eggs, and other old-school faves.

Lou’s Luncheonette
Former Fremont Diner and Boxcar Fried Chicken remains hot spot for Southern faves. American $$

OSO Sonoma
Hip-rustic space for small-plate cuisine of much-lauded former winery chef (St. Francis).  American $$

Three-sausage flight at Sausage Emporium.

Sausage Emporium
Artisanal sausages for breakfast and lunch in sandwiches, bowls, and salads at plaza’s-edge storefront with a sunny patio.  American $$

Sonoma Eats
Oaxacan influences in decor and cuisine at first restaurant of popular taco-truck operator known for tamales, mole enchiladas, and jumbo burritos.  Mexican $–$$

Good streetside people-watching at the Sunflower.

Sunflower Caffé
Cheery spot (great patio) for breakfast and lunch salads and sandwiches.  American $

Tasca Tasca Portuguese Tapas Restaurant & Wine Bar
Flavorful small plates, Portuguese wines at acclaimed LaSalette chef’s tavernlike alternative.  Portuguese $$

Smoked duck breast, ceviche, caldo verde, and four other tapas-style items at Tasca Tasca.

Specialty

Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
Former Denver couple’s shop near Sonoma Plaza a hit for handcrafted ice cream.  Ice cream $

Vella Cheese Company
Longtime (since 1931) local factory known for Monterey Jack (with jalapeños, the best) and other cheeses.  Cheesery $


Sonoma Itinerary

Sonoma Pinot Noir Day Trip

Sonoma Wineries

Blue Farm Wines
Hamel Family Wines
Patz & Hall
Sojourn Cellars
Three Sticks Wines
WALT Wines

More About Sonoma County

Sonoma County Basics
Sonoma County Vineyard Walks

This story first appeared online in 2017; it was most recently updated in 2023.

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