This article originally appeared in Sonoma Magazine.
Related Articles
More shrimp recalled for possible radioactive contamination at Kroger stores Opa! restaurant group files for bankruptcy as company shuts its South Bay sites Modern Indian restaurant Pippal is expanding to Dublin 49ers fan food: The Levi’s Stadium menu for 2025-26 Restaurant deals week at Bishop RanchPeople often ask me about my favorite restaurants, and I rarely have a great answer in the moment. I can tell where I ate last, but pulling from the mental archives on demand? Not so easy. As someone who eats (and writes about) food for a living, there’s just too much to sift through.
So, I took some time to dig in and curate my can’t-miss local foodie adventure guide, broken into two parts. First up: my top picks in Sebastopol, Santa Rosa and Petaluma. In two weeks, I’ll share part two, featuring my favorite foodie destinations in Healdsburg, Sonoma Valley and on the coast.
Let me know your favorites at [email protected].
Sebastopol
Psychic Pie: Think outside the slice with Roman-style pizzas. A thick, sourdough crust is cut into fat rectangles with seasonal toppings like chevre with fresh lemon and herbs; potato with chile oil, mozzarella and crème fraîche; or hot coppa with Estero Gold cheese, mozzarella and hot honey. Traditionalists fear not — pepperoni and plain cheese are always on the menu. Sold by weight rather than slice, you can mix and match a few flavors. Just don’t forget the housemade ranch dressing. 980 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-6032, psychicpie.com
Redwood Wine Bar: Natural wines are their calling card, but this under-the-radar restaurant turns out some truly tasty dishes. The smoky baba ganoush with warm pitas is a standout, along with seasonal salads, grilled maitake mushrooms with pistachio za’atar, and a braised lamb shank for the table. 234 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-861-9730, theredwoodwine.com
Christopher Chung/The Press DemocratWindow seating area at The Redwood natural wine bar in Sebastopol on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat) Route 1 Pita and Dip with pickled fresh vegetables, served with Chickpea Hummus with Zaatar, left, Seasoned Labneh with herbs & Baharat, and Baba Ghanoush with Sumac, at The Redwood in Sebastopol on Friday, February 24, 2023. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat) Fried Potatoes with pimentón aioli at The Redwood in Sebastopol on Friday, February 24, 2023. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat) Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat fileThe Burger Harn from Lunch Box in Sebastopol. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat file) A “Roots and Shoots” bowl with sprouted lentils, roasted delicata squash, grilled celery root, trumpet mushroom conserva, chicory and apple salad, with a pomegranate, pumpkin seed tahini, and topped with Estero Gold Cheese. Photo taken at Handline in Sebastopol Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat) John Burgess/The Press DemocratCounterclockwise from left, the selection of daily oysters include Totten Inlet Olympias, Washington Chelsea Gem, and Hog Island Sweetwater from Handline in Sebastopol. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat) Show CaptionChristopher Chung/The Press Democrat1 of 6Window seating area at The Redwood natural wine bar in Sebastopol on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat) ExpandLunch Box: My ultimate smashburger, the Burger Harn, gets everything right — from a juicy patty and classic Thousand Island-style sauce to shredded iceberg lettuce, American cheddar and a dill pickle. The soft Costeaux brioche bun takes it right over the top. Plus, hoagies, fried chicken sandwiches, chicken Parmesan sandwiches and tasty fries. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, lunchboxsonomacounty.com
A&M BBQ: Real. Barbecue. Long-smoked, dry-rubbed, killer sides. Sonoma County-meets-Deep South meat and three. Expect a long line and a no-frills “when we’re out, we’re out” vibe. Brisket is a specialty. 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol, Instagram.com/ambbqllc
Handline: The tortillas are handmade, the oysters super fresh, the burgers are great, but I go for 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 features an ever-changing lineup of seasonal vegetables, sprouted lentils, arugula, basil pesto and sesame hummus. 935 Gravenstein Ave. South, Sebastopol, handline.com
Mussels & Frites with cider, shallots, and Dijon créme fraîche from Augie’s French Tuesday, November 28, 2023 on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. (Photo John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Santa Rosa
Augie’s: Approachable bistro-style French classics like hearty onion soup, braised boeuf Bourguignon with creamy potatoes and bowls of steaming mussels swimming in creamy Dijon sauce that’s begging to be soaked up with a crusty baguette. Augie’s is a truffle-buttered kiss, where the Champagne starts flowing at 3 p.m. and the skinny fries come in a gold-handled rondeau pan because they can. 535 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-531-4400, augiesfrench.com
Stark’s Steak & Seafood: If you’re craving fat steak, a ridiculously decadent burger or the ultimate happy hour, this is your spot. ‘Nuff said. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-6100, starkssteakhouse.com
J&M’s Midtown Café: Diner-style breakfast nirvana. Though the menu and the space are casual, the food is top-notch, including the world’s best Benedicts. Pull up a counter seat if you’re dining solo. Lunch classics like a classic tuna melt and a Pastrami Reuben are standouts. 1422 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-2233, jm-midtowncafe.com
Dierk’s Parkside Cafe: If you know, you know. Most of Santa Rosa has spent a lazy Sunday morning or quiet lunch at chef Mark Dierkhising’s legendary cafe. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com
L’Oro Di Napoli: Their Neapolitan-style pizzas have thin centers and signature charred crusts that require little more than a few toppings — the Margherita is a winner. I come for the deep-dish lasagna with layer after layer of thick pasta, Bolognese, béchamel and San Marzano tomato sauce. Sitting upstairs is cozy and intimate, perfect for a date night. The new Petaluma location (208 Petaluma Blvd. North) features an expanded menu that includes additional pasta dishes and larger entrees, such as whole Branzino and steak. 629 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6394, lorodinapolica.com
Mitote Food Park: An immersive experience of eating and drinking in Sonoma County’s epicenter of Mexican culture. Food trucks circle a permanent outdoor patio (tented and enclosed) with home-style tacos, tlayuda, birria and tortas. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com
Table Culture Provisions chef Stéphane Saint Louis serves a collage of late spring bites for two, including squid-ink madeleines, asparagus cappuccino, and golden orbs of Indian pani puri filled with Dungeness crab salad. (Kim Carroll/For Sonoma Magazine) Kim Carroll/For Sonoma MagazinePetaluma
Table Culture Provisions: After “scrappy beginnings,” according to the 2025 California Michelin Guide, this tiny restaurant with just a handful of seats offers one of my favorite tasting menus in Sonoma County. A mix of hyper-seasonal ingredients, French technique and a little humor, the menu reflects the personal journeys of Haitian-born Stéphane Saint Louis and his co-chef Steven Vargas. 312 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-5739, tcprovision.com
Stockhome: A family-friendly ode to Swedish cuisine with outstanding Swedish pancakes, meatballs and mashed potatoes (with lingonberry jam, of course) and gut-busting street food like the Tunnbrod Rulle, a mashup of Smoked German sausage, mashed potatoes, ketchup, mustard, iceberg lettuce and tomatoes inside a rolled Swedish flatbread. Plus, beef kebabs. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomerestaurant.com
Stellina Pronto: There’s (almost) always a line at this Italian bakery and pizzeria, which is saying something in sleepy Sonoma County. Michelin-quality pastries filled with hazelnuts, cream and plenty of panache are the opener for Neapolitan-meets-New York wood-fired gourmet pizzas. Limited seating. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, stellinapronto.com
John Burgess / Press DemocratGrilled Pork Porterhouse with au jus and local stone fruit from Street Social. (John Burgess / Press Democrat) John Burgess / Press DemocratWatermelon, shishitos, feta, urfa and black lime from Street Social. (John Burgess / Press Democrat) John Burgess / Press DemocratWarm zucchini bread with tomato jam and corn butter from Street Social. (John Burgess / Press Democrat) John Burgess / Press DemocratFresh Nectarines with Straus vanilla ice cream, and a peach caramel from Street Social. Petaluma. (John Burgess / Press Democrat) Show CaptionJohn Burgess / Press Democrat1 of 4Grilled Pork Porterhouse with au jus and local stone fruit from Street Social. (John Burgess / Press Democrat) ExpandStreet Social: Street Social feels more like having dinner at a friend’s house than dining in a formal restaurant — and that’s exactly how owners Jevon Martin and Marjorie Pier want it. It’s hard to resist chatting with fellow diners in such a convivial space. Martin’s ever-changing menu is a celebration both of season and place, inspired by what’s perfectly ripe or fresh from the ocean. Farm-to-table isn’t just a label — it’s a manifesto — and that’s why you’ll rarely find the same dish twice on the menu. 29F Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, streetsocial.social
Water Street Bistro: Sitting outside by the Petaluma River with a warm latte is about as good as it gets. This friendly, come-as-you-are French-inspired cafe also has charm and excellent bistro cuisine. Grab a croissant, quiche or kouign-amann in the morning. Lunch is a heartier proposition with seasonal salads, their signature duck confit and irresistible butterscotch pot de crème or the devilishly delicious duck egg flan. 100 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-763-9563, waterstreetbistropetaluma.com
Hence then, the article about top sonoma county restaurant picks from a food critic was published today ( ) and is available on mercury news ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Top Sonoma County restaurant picks from a food critic )
Also on site :
- UN renews Sudan ceasefire appeal over ‘unimaginable suffering’ of civilians
- Central African Republic election: Who’s running and what’s at stake?
- Israeli forces continue ceasefire violations with attacks across Gaza