Don't Take It Off the Menu: 50 Sonoma County Dishes Locals Can't Live Without

Slide 1 of 41 Fry Bread Shop, Santa Rosa: The adventure begins with finding a little convenience store on West Ninth Street, then heading inside to find a single gentleman making Indian fry bread that’s so good it’s almost illegal. Topped with taco fixings, wild berry jam or garlic butter, this is the real deal. Be prepared to wait a minute, because it’s all freshly made. You’re welcome. (Jacki R. / Yelp)

Slide 2 of 41 Santa Rosa Seafood, Santa Rosa: Save a trip to the coast and get seafood that’s twice as good. Cioppino, poke, fish and chips. (Heather Irwin)

Slide 3 of 41 Lazzini's Market, Santa Rosa: Daily BBQ and massive meaty sandos. Go for the Godfather, with tri-tip, cheddar, pepperoncini and all the fixings. (Courtesy photo)

Slide 4 of 41 Walter Hansel Bistro, Santa Rosa: An excellent French bistro without all the hoity-toity. Lobster bisque, Boeuf Bourguignon, Coquille St. Jacques, bon appetit! (Chris Hardy)

Slide 5 of 41 River Vine Café, Santa Rosa: We love this little gem because most of the patrons of this cozy cafe are guests at Vintners Inn. Meaning a quiet rendezvous spot for you and… (Courtesy photo)


Slide 6 of 41 Taqueria Molcajetes, Santa Rosa: Even after Guy Fieri’s DDD love-fest, this strip mall Mexican still has a local clientele that live for their carne asada and fiery molcajetes. (Beth Schlanker)

Slide 7 of 41 Canevari’s Deli, Santa Rosa: A JC neighborhood classic that’s been around since, well, as long as anyone can remember. Tri-tip BBQ sandwich and homemade raviolis, plus…where else can you get a good gabagool? (Kevin S. / Yelp)

Slide 8 of 41 Lita's Cafe, Santa Rosa: We know where the cops go for a hearty, gut-filling breakfasts. And really, what better recommendation can you get than that? (Courtesy photo)

Slide 9 of 41 Butcher Crown Roadhouse, Petaluma: This sassy little barbecue and burger joint keeps getting more word of mouth buzz, for good reason. Try the new banh mi Wailer, made with Jamaican Jerk pork loin. (John Burgess)

Slide 10 of 41 Pearl, Petaluma: Mediterranean cuisine tucked away in a surprising spot. We recommend it for a special brunch with someone special. (Heather Irwin)


Slide 11 of 41 Sax's Joint, Petaluma: You’ll find plenty of folks waiting to get in on the weekend, but outside of Petaluma Sax’s is pretty much unknown. All the usual diner fare done deliciously. (Chris Hardy)

Slide 12 of 41 Real Doner, Petaluma: When we’re asked for real-deal Middle Eastern fare, this is the spot we always recommend. (Jeff Kan Lee)

Slide 13 of 41 YiaYia's The Grateful Greek, Penngrove: Delish, freshly made gyros and fries. Don’t miss the flaming cheese! (Heather Irwin)

Slide 14 of 41 Penngrove Market, Penngrove: An adorable gourmet grocer and kitchen. Try the pizza or piandine. (Houston Porter)

Slide 15 of 41 Twin Oaks Roadhouse, Penngrove: Fried chicken sandwiches are the best bet. Live music, fresh beer, good friends, bread pudding with whiskey cream. (Kent Porter)


Slide 16 of 41 Wingman, Cotati: Best wings anywhere. Anytime. (Heather Irwin)

Slide 17 of 41 Azalo, Rohnert Park: Charbroiled kabobs, burgers and dogs. Conchinita pibil is a best bet. (Sachin S. / Yelp)

Slide 18 of 41 Ludukas Cafe, Rohnert Park: A passionate following for the Oaxacan style dishes like meaty tortas, chicken mole, pork chops and chilaquiles. (Courtesy photo)

Slide 19 of 41 Smokin Bowls, Rohnert Park: French fries topped with so much yum. (Heather Irwin)

Slide 20 of 41 Las Diablitas, Sonoma: An unsuspecting little taco shop with excellent salsas, el pastor and burritos. Locals call it an undiscovered gem. (Courtesy photo)


Slide 21 of 41 Sonoma's Best, Sonoma: Coffee, pastries and sandwiches, along with an impressive wine collection. Great for picnic fare. (Robbi Pengelly)

Slide 22 of 41 Angelo's Wine Country Deli, Sonoma: Meats smoked on-site make for tasty sandwiches. Stop for lunch, but make sure to grab some sausages and pasta for later. (Courtesy photo)

Slide 23 of 41 Glen Ellen Village Market and Deli: You’ll be amazed at the deli case, prepared foods and gourmet goodies hidden inside this unassuming grocery in Glen Ellen. Possibly one of Wine Country’s absolutely best-kept secrets. (Alvin Jornada)

Slide 24 of 41 Tambayan, Windsor: Authentic Filipino cuisine. Banana sauce, pork belly and pork sisig make it worth a trip. (Heather Irwin)

Slide 25 of 41 Starting from Scratch Cafe, Windsor: A sweet little cafe and catering company tucked inside the American Ag Credit building. (Angelina R. / Yelp)


Slide 26 of 41 Guiso Latin Fusion, Healdsburg: Recently named a best restaurant in America by Open Table, this tiny cafe mixes Latin and Caribbean flavors with panache. (Heather Irwin)

Slide 27 of 41 Taste of Tea, Healdsburg: Healdsburg gets plenty of play for its chef-y cuisine, but we like the homey Japanese flavors of this kitchen/spa. (Heather Irwin)

Slide 28 of 41 Journeyman Meat Co, Healdsburg: Stop in for a salumi tasting or grab one of their daily sandwich or meaty sausages. (Chris Hardy)

Slide 29 of 41 Geyserville Grille, Geyserville: The former Hoffman House includes an inn and restaurant that’s been recently revamped. Breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner and happy hour at this quiet retreat.(Courtesy photo)

Slide 30 of 41 Dahlia and Sage Community Market, Cloverdale: A charming gourmet grocer with lots of locally-sourced goodies, including a full deli, hot bar, salad bar and bakery. (Courtesy photo)


Slide 31 of 41 Fork Roadhouse, Sebastopol: Super delish brunchy-lunchy faves made with local ingredients and lots of love. (John Burgess)

Slide 32 of 41 La Bodega Kitchen, Sebastopol: A wine shop that also has a tasty dinner menu. You’ll eat like family here, because it’s not exactly a restaurant, but more like a friend’s house for dinner. But better. (Arthur A. / Yelp)

Slide 33 of 41 Carr’s Drive-In, Forestville: Old fashioned burgers and fries. And ice cream. (Christopher Chung)

Slide 34 of 41 Baked on the River, Guerneville: Freshly-baked pastries from Chef Helena at this cozy cafe. Sandwiches and heartier fare available. (Courtesy photo)

Slide 35 of 41 Pat's International, Guerneville: What can we say about this absolutely fantabulous little find? It’s part old-school 1940’s diner, part what-the-what Korean fried chicken, farro-veggie bowl, fried pickle, grass-fed burger scene. Love. (Dipesh G. / Yelp)


Slide 36 of 41 Cape Fear Cafe, Duncans Mills: A quaint little town with a tasty cafe featuring bacon chowder, a regional lineup of Benedicts (grits to crab cakes) and ginger teriyaki chicken. (Alvin Jornada)

Slide 37 of 41 Huria’s, Bodega: Could it possibly be true that Bodega finally has a clam pie? Longtime pizza caterers have finally opened a brick and mortar, featuring their wood-fired pizzas (including one with béchamel, garlic, mozzarella and clams) along with little bites to share and chocolate mousse for dessert. (Courtesy photo)

Slide 38 of 41 Golden Pig, Hopland: Burgers and dogs with a fancy twist, along with a full bar and heartier plates like steak and rotisserie chicken for dinner. We still dream about the egg custard. (Heather Irwin)

Slide 39 of 41 Raymond Bakery, Cazadero: A quaint family-owned B&B with freshly made pastries, focaccia pizza and bread. (Charlie Gesell)

Slide 40 of 41 Cafe Aquatica, Jenner: We always, always stop here on trips up the coast for coffee, soup and whatever else sounds delish. (Courtesy photo)

Advertisement