Top spots for fine dining, comfort food, tapas, breakfast, ice cream, and picnic items.
No need to wade through hundreds of user reviews. Here are the top Sonoma eating establishments in a nutshell.
Truly Special
Cafe La Haye
Small restaurant known for owner’s warm welcome and risotto, pasta, and roast chicken menu staples. American $$$
LaSalette Restaurant
Portuguese-inspired cuisine prepared and served with care, with patio the best option in good weather. Portuguese $$$
Layla Restaurant
Elaborate preparations at MacArthur Place resort’s elegant fine-dining establishment. Mediterranean $$$
Wit & Wisdom
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Michael Mina’s first foray into the Wine Country has been a smash hit since opening in mid-2020. American $$$–$$$$
Among Sonoma’s Best
El Dorado Kitchen
The chef layers in the flavors at this Sonoma Plaza fine-dining spot. American $$$
El Molino Central
Subtly spiced, carefully crafted Mexican cuisine in casual setting or to go. Mexican $$
The Girl and the Fig
Fig-loving owner Sondra Bernstein’s winning casual play on Provençal cuisine. French $$$
Lou’s Luncheonette
Former Fremont Diner and Boxcar Fried Chicken remains a hot spot for Southern faves. American $$
OSO Sonoma
Hip-rustic space for small-plate cuisine of much-lauded former winery chef (St. Francis). American $$
Sunflower Caffé
Cheery spot (great patio) for breakfast and lunch salads and sandwiches. American $
Tasca Tasca Portuguese Tapas Restaurant & Wine Bar
Flavorful small plates (lead photo), reasonable rates at acclaimed LaSalette chef’s tavernlike alternative. Portuguese $$
Taub Family Outpost
Set to open just as the coronavirus struck, this casual eatery across from Sonoma Plaza’s southwest corner debuted with a menu of burgers, pastas, rotisserie chicken, and other other comfort foods, some vegetarian. American $$
Specialty
Kivelstadt Cellars and WineGarten
Roadhouse hangout with outdoor wine garden (also beer) quietly opened as Sonoma emerged from coronavirus lockdown; tri-tip sandwiches and short ribs were among the early hits, with salads and vegetarian items also on the menu. American $$
Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
Former Denver couple’s shop near Sonoma Plaza a hit for handcrafted ice cream. Ice cream $
Vella Cheese Company
Still a homey feel at longtime (since 1931) local factory known for Monterey Jack (with jalapeños, the best) and other cheeses. Cheesery $
Sonoma Itinerary
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 fact-checked and updated in 2021.