Italian Cuisine in Occidental

Union Hotel restaurant, Occidental

When you talk about the small, historic town of Occidental, those in the know think of excellent Italian cuisine. In this tiny destination village on the scenic Bohemian Highway in Sonoma County’s beautiful Russian River Valley, there are some long-standing Italian restaurants with authentic and generously portioned family-friendly menus that keep folks coming back for more.

There are signs for restaurants under the awning of the building
Union Hotel restaurant, located in the town of Occidental, California

Union Hotel

The historic Occidental Union Hotel was founded as a railroad saloon and boarding house in 1879. Now, The Occidental Union Hotel is home to a lovely Italian café, bakery, and pizzeria, which has been run by the property’s owners since 1925. The charm is palpable, from the red-checkered tablecloths and candles dripping over Chianti bottles to the retro jukebox and old portraits of original owners on the walls.

Menu favorites include chicken piccata, grilled rib-eye steak with mushrooms, “margarita” pizza, and mouthwatering minestrone. For those who can’t choose, look for favorites like a spaghetti/ravioli combo smothered in Bolognese. The food here tastes like it came straight from Nonni’s kitchen.

An old neon sign sits in front of the restaurant
Negri’s Italian Dinners & Joe’s Bar, located in the Sonoma County town of Occidental, California

Negri’s Italian Dinners & Joe’s Bar

This popular spot has been a local institution since 1943 when Joe Negri Sr. traveled from Venice to America. After working at the Waldorf Astoria and serving as personal chef to movie idol Rudolph Valentino, Negri moved to this railroad town in the Redwoods.

The fourth generation of his family runs things today, serving satisfying classics such as chicken Marsala, gnocchi in pesto, angel-haired pasta with shrimp, and eggplant parmesan. The vintage trattoria ambiance is complete with checkered tablecloths. Nearly every offering here is made in-house and from scratch and often features the seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown on the family’s nearby ranch.

Relax and Stay Awhile

After a scenic drive to town and a satisfying meal — why not relax and stay the night? The friendly Occidental Lodge has a pool and 27 pleasant rooms with queen- and king-size beds, including some that are pet-friendly.

The Inn at Occidental provides a luxury B&B experience, including an on-site wine bar, a relaxing wrap-around porch, and plenty of views. You can also find memorable lodging at local vacation rentals.

For more delicious options, read Best Italian Restaurants in Sonoma County or check the complete listings of Sonoma County’s Restaurants.

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