7 Great Restaurants for a Weekend Getaway in Sonoma County

You’ve been looking forward to your weekend getaway in Sonoma County, California, for a long time, and it’s finally here! Between the wine tasting, boutique shopping, time in nature, and ample opportunities to relax and unwind, you’re going to work up quite an appetite. 

Luckily, Sonoma County’s patio dining, craft cocktails, and farm-to-table menus make it a foodie haven. Whether you’re planning a girls’ getaway, a boys’ weekend, or a much-needed retreat, here’s where to eat in Sonoma Wine County.

Northern Sonoma County

Bravas Bar de Tapas, Healdsburg

Share delicious, innovative small plates on the back patio or in the fashionable dining room at this boisterous spot. Recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the top 20 tapas restaurants in the U.S., it’s a perfect place to relax and sample a variety of delights. Chef Mark Stark crafts straight-out-of-Barcelona tapas like boquerones, cream chicken croquettes, and local sardines in black olive ink, along with specialties like fried pig ears and a ham-and-cheese bar. Wash it all down with a signature gin and tonic. 

Catelli’s, Geyserville

A third-generation family-owned Italian restaurant in the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country, this favorite offers an extensive list of local wines and true Italian-style dishes with a fresh twist. The menu features many of Grandpa Catelli’s authentic Italian recipes, but Chef Domenica Catelli has added her own signature. Make sure you try her “Pasta of the Moment,” which emphasizes seasonal ingredients with her famous handmade pasta. The charming checkered patio in the garden is the perfect atmosphere to spend the evening sipping wine and enjoying some of Sonoma County’s most authentic Italian cuisine.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Geyserville

Luxury poolside service, landscape views of picturesque Alexander Valley, and a tasting room alongside a museum of Francis Ford Coppola’s cinematic achievements (including Oscars, memorabilia, and film props) — an entire day can easily be spent at this lavish winery. Sip lemonade by the pool, play bocce ball, or enjoy wine tasting. Then, savor some of Francis’s favorite dishes at the on-site Rustic restaurant, where you’ll find everything from family-style Italian cuisine to Argentine grilled meat. End the night watching the sunset over the sustainably farmed vineyards with a glass of the Director’s Cut Chardonnay in hand. 

Western Sonoma County

Ramen Gaijin, Sebastopol 

Adjacent to The Barlow marketplace, modern Japanese restaurant Ramen Gaijin combines fresh Sonoma County ingredients with traditional techniques. They’re known not only for house-made rye noodles and caramelized pork belly ramen, but also for their unique take on traditional Japanese appetizers. Pull up a seat at their izayaka bar and enjoy a seasonal craft cocktail and a vibrant pickle platter, or sit down in the dining room and indulge in a massive bowl of mouthwatering Shoyu Ramen. The modern-day take on Japanese décor with a relaxed vibe sets the mood for the perfect night out. 

Southern Sonoma County

The Shuckery, Petaluma

Housed in the Hotel Petaluma building, The Shuckery was founded by entrepreneurial sisters Jazmine and Aluxa Lalicker, owners of Oyster Girl, an oyster catering business. Their latest venture, The Shuckery, features the most exquisite oysters from pristine waters, fresh seafood, chef-prepared cuisine, elegant wines, and craft beers in a comfortable ambience. Signature dishes may include oysters on the half shell, salmon two ways, Baja-style tacos, barbecued oysters, and calamari relleno. If you order oysters, you might want to grab seats at the bar, where you can watch your shucker at work. 

Eastern Sonoma County

the girl & the fig, Sonoma

Sondra Bernstein put Sonoma County on the big-league culinary map more than 20 years ago when she opened her signature restaurant, the girl & the fig. Her California-French cuisine was an immediate hit, garnering national attention for elegant dishes like local fig salad with goat cheese. The popular restaurant has since enclosed its garden patio for extra shade and seating, making it perfect for a fun, casual, and delicious meal with friends. Revel in lovely plates like seasonal breakfast tartines, baked eggs Provencal with garden tomatoes, or a pork belly sandwich with apples and cabbage on a brioche bun.

Sunflower Caffé, Sonoma

At this charming oasis, breakfast and lunch are even better at the sidewalk tables out front. Sunflower Caffé serves up some of Sonoma’s freshest and most local ingredients in unique and creative dishes. Grab a sunny table and tuck into a Peruvian breakfast burrito with eggs, roasted corn and yams, rainbow quinoa, aji amarillo crema, salsa criolla, and a chipotle tortilla. Or try a decadent dish like a smoked duck sandwich served warm in a split baguette with caramelized onions, melted gruyere, and dressed organic greens.

More Options

Be sure to check out Layla in Sonoma, Speakeasy in Petaluma, and many more popular restaurants in Sonoma County.

Sonoma County Wine Country is a dream location for a girls’ or guys’ weekend getaway. Spend the day shopping in one of the many town squares and end the day with a craft cocktail or a farm-to-table dinner. Another great way to spend the weekend is to go wine tasting or relax at a spa. Find excellent Sonoma County hotels and lodging.  

---

Written by Sonoma Insider Julia Millan