Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time Sonoma County resident, consider this your local foodie adventure guide, compiled by someone who makes (and writes about) food for a living.
I’ve compiled some of my absolute favorites for a list of tried-and-true bakeries, cafes, restaurants, and culinary experiences to give you the best recommendations for wine country. (Napa can’t compete with these Sonoma County spots, best tips, and insider hotspots.)
Sevastopol
A&M BBQ: Real. Barbecue. Long smoked, dry marinated, great sides. Meats and meat dishes from Sonoma County and the South. Expect a long line and a no-frills, “when we’re out, we’re out” atmosphere. Beef brisket is a specialty. 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol, Instagram.com/ambbqllc
Handline: The tortillas are handmade, the oysters are super fresh, the burgers are great, but I’ll take the veggies. Esquites (grilled corn with lime) are a summer staple. Broccolini with mushroom aioli and pickled mustard seeds is another favorite. The Roots & Shoots salad is an ever-changing selection of seasonal veggies with sprouted lentils, arugula, basil pesto, and sesame hummus. 935 Gravenstein Ave. South, Sebastopol, handline.com
Healdsburg and points to the north
PizzaLeah: Leah Scurto is an award-winning pizza chef who puts her heart and soul into making the best pizzas in Sonoma County. We’re obsessed with the Old Grey Beard with mozzarella, fontina, sausage, and spicy honey. 9240 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 116, Windsor, pizzaleah.com
Journeyman meat: This small salumeria, tasting bar and butcher shop also offers great wood-fired pizza, burgers and, of course, charcuterie boards. It’s a dream project for Pete Seghesio, whose family is best known for their hearty red wines (also available). Tucked away off Healdsburg Square, it feels like a discovery when you sneak up on the tasting bar. 404 Center St., Healdsburg, journeymanmeat.com
Troubadour: If you own a bakery, why not offer great sandwiches? Husband-and-wife culinary duo Sean McGaughey and Melissa Yanc run a sandwich shop that turns into a high-end French bistro called Le Diner in the evenings. The world’s best egg salad on challah for lunch, vichyssoise with caviar for dinner. Reservations required. 381 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, troubadourhbg.com
Geyserville Gun Club: Almost too absurdly beautiful to be true, this Fellini-esque joint was brought to life by chef Dino Bugica and is the flip side of his more tourist-friendly Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria. 21025 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, geyservillegunclub.com
Santa Rosa
Mitote: Intense food and drink at the epicenter of Mexican culture in Sonoma County. Food trucks circle a permanent outdoor patio (covered and fenced) with homemade tacos, tlayudas, birrias and tortas. A full bar with an emphasis on mezcal keeps the party going. 665 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com
Petaluma
Cap: This tiki-tastic playground for adults isn’t just fun; it’s an island adventure with bamboo huts, pirate loot, and awesome Mai Tais. The menu focuses on Hawaiian fare, including lunch favorites like Spam Musubi, sticky garlic chicken, and pasta salad. Fried noodles are perfect for soaking up deceptively delicious tropical cocktails that—if you’re not careful—will hunt you down like a vengeful god. 132 Keller St., Petaluma, kapubar.com
Stellina Pronto: There is (almost) always a line in front of this Italian bakery and pizzeria, which is saying something in sleepy Sonoma County. Michelin-quality pastries filled with hazelnuts, cream and plenty of oomph are the prelude to Neapolitan-New York gourmet pizza from the wood-fired oven. Limited seating. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, stellinapronto.com
Street social: With just six tables and 300 feet of dining space, Street Social is necessarily intimate even at its busiest. Chef Jevon Martin is a chef’s chefs, and you’ll likely find other culinary greats nibbling on dishes like kurobuta pork ribs and chicharrones or Meyer lemon curd with brown butter crumble. Reservations required. 29F Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, streetsocial.social
Sonoma Valley
Bloom Carneros: There’s so much to love about this Sonoma hideaway, from the inviting dog- and kid-friendly patio to the daring (but delicious) wines from Kivelstadt Cellars. An upscale menu of outstanding farm-to-table fare reflects both the season and the sense of place. It’s an unpretentious way to truly immerse yourself in the best that Sonoma County has to offer, all in one place. 22900 Broadway, Sonoma, bloomcarneros.com
Valley Swim Club: At this popular roadhouse, you can’t help but dive right into a bowl of mussels in buttery garlic noodles. This is a casual, walk-in-only sister spot to Valley Bar + Bottle, focusing on coastal seafood, as well as salads, milkshakes, burgers and plant-based alternatives. On the drinks menu, tasty pork pounds and outstanding natural wines are must-trys, including the Valley team’s own Le Lube. 18709 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, valleyswim.club
Western County
General Store in Altamont: This quiet west county hamlet serves unusual takeaways or hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners that are perfect for families and visitors. There’s plenty of grass on the outside terrace for the wagon wheels. An excellent selection of fine wines and artisan gifts is an added bonus. 3703 Main St., Occidental, altamontgeneralstore.com
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen: This quirky little cafe at Creekside Skatepark offers a mix of smoothies, bagels, cakes and Middle Eastern cuisine. The desserts are impressive. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, lightwavecafe.square.site
Willow wood: Although this breakfast and brunch spot has been around since 1995, it’s often overlooked in the one-stop-sign town of Graton. Try their homey yet impressive menu items. 9020 Graton Road, Graton, willowwoodgraton.com
Coast, Highway 1
Fishing Bay: There are plenty of places along the coast to get grilled oysters, but this combination tackle shop/grocery store/café is so quintessentially Sonoma County. 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, fishermanscovebodegabay.com
Estero Cafe: By working directly with local farmers – often just a few miles away – owners Samantha and Ryan Ramey bring the best of Sonoma’s harvest to the table. Come for breakfast or brunch and try the chicken fried chicken or biscuits with country gravy. Then you’ll be ready for a day of wine tasting and sightseeing. 14450 Highway 1, Valley Ford, esterocafe.com
