Top Romantic Restaurants in Sonoma County

Sonoma Wine Country naturally conjures up ideas of romance. With such breathtaking landscapes, charming wineries, and endless opportunities for play, how could it not?

Add dining to the list. Sonoma County offers many destination-worthy romantic restaurants from the coast to the mountains, and all in between. So set aside some date time, dress up in something nice, and plan your special meal with that special someone at these favorites:

Ca’Bianca Italian Restaurant, Santa Rosa

Dine on excellent Italian cuisine in a grand old mansion (built in 1876 by California pioneer James Marshall), with an old school sophisticated setting created by chandeliers, white tablecloths, antique furniture, and gracious gardens. “Ca’Bianca” means “white house” in the northern Italian dialect. Dressing up for dinner isn’t necessary, but makes the meal more fun and glamorous.

Crafted by owners and husband-and-wife team Marco Diana and Karin Hoehne, the menu showcases various regions of Italy, from Milano in the north to Sicily in the south. Savor dishes like seared ahi with home-made ravioli in almond sauce, Sardinian semolina gnocchi with porcini and slowly braised beef, or roasted breast of duck served with sautéed spinach and fingerling potatoes.

Rivers End Restaurant, Jenner

Named one of the Top 5 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S., River’s End Restaurant, tucked along the Pacific Ocean at the special point where it meets the Russian River, serves up romance with every meal. The intimate dining room is ideal for watching the sunset. The large picture windows frame the magnificent view of Goat Rock and the Russian River entering the Pacific Ocean — captivating from every table. Guests leave amazed by the superb yet unpretentious service, wonderful flavors, and the beautiful natural setting.

Rustic, Geyserville

Rustic, a full-service restaurant located onsite of Francis Ford Coppola Winery, serves up a menu Francis Ford Coppola’s personal pantheon of recipes, including international and traditional Italian favorites, each featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the property’s organic herb and produce garden. Authentic, Neapolitan-style pizzas are a specialty.

A focal point of the dining room is the parrilla (pronounced “pah-REE-jah”), an authentic Argentine grill. Manned by the restaurant’s dedicated Asador, or grill-master, it provides a true South American experience of delicious, wood-grilled meats.

In addition to the inside dining room, guests can also enjoy service on an outdoor terrace overlooking the picturesque Alexander Valley. A bar adjacent to the restaurant serves a full complement of cocktails and an extensive wine and beer list.

Sante, Sonoma

Sante, located inside the historic Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, celebrates the essence of fresh, uncomplicated cuisine with French-inspired menus crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Highlighting the rich flavors of Sonoma Valley’s ranchers, bakers, and farmers, guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner in a warm, welcoming setting, whether it’s from the airy dining room or on the sun-drenched patio overlooking the sparkling pool.

Cucina Paradiso Ristorante Italiano, Petaluma

One of the top-rated restaurants in Sonoma County and the San Francisco North Bay, the chef at this charming Italian favorite takes great pride in using only the finest ingredients and preparing everything – from the foccacia and the pasta to the tempting desserts – from scratch. An extensive list of Italian and Sonoma County wines are available to complement a meal with many available by the glass.

Find more information about restaurants, wineries and hotels in Sonoma County.