The Sonoma Wine Nest has been the busiest this year, as have the number of restaurants. Sonoma’s charm continues to expand with more choices than ever to explore.

We’ve enjoyed these restaurants for years, but I’ve also added 25 nearby new restaurants we haven’t tried. Whether you’re up for fine dining or just a quick bite, this list has everything you need on your first few trips to Wine Country.

Geyserville

1. Rustic @ Coppola Winery has a beautiful outdoor patio facing the vineyards (see below). The lamb in the amphora is one of my favorite menu items. Call ahead to make sure they’re still doing this, and expect to see a price-fix menu.

2. Catelli’s ravioli is their specialty. The patio has typically been reserved for events, but it’s one of the nicest restaurants in Geyserville and is most likely now open for seating. I love the feeling of walking outside after dinner on a wooden deck after a beautiful meal and listening to the stillness of the night. It’s like I’m in Los Angeles inside, but once I walk out the door, I’m transported back to the country in the middle of a small town. (Oh yes! I’m still on vacation.)

3. Diovola’s – A casual restaurant that can get very busy and noisy. However, the secret is in their quaint back patio that you’d never know it’s there if you sat in their restaurant. It’s pretty romantic on the patio, quieter than the main dining areas. They serve an excellent rosemary steak on a chopping board. If you want the flexibility of ordering something casual, their wood oven pizza is fabulous with a glass of wine. With an ambiance like this, it’s oh-so-romantic.

4. Geyserville Gun Club - If all you want are small bites and a cocktail, this is a cool bar. I watched the movie, The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly on one of their walls while having some scotch drink. I became fixated. It’s a unique cowboy bar.

Healdsburg

5. The Madrona – (Above) Just outside the town of Healdsburg, this is a very sweet place to have your spritz on the patio for brunch. It’s a great place to celebrate, treat someone special, or complement your day of wine tastings.

6. ** Single Thread Farm –This is a 3-star Michelin restaurant that has expanded into an Inn and rooftop restaurant. You’ll have an Asian-inspired 11-course menu that starts with a large plant that serves as a platter filled with flowers and food. It’s an experience like no other and one where you can take out your sports jacket and pearls. You will have to actually.

7. Valette – This bistro nails it. Dustin Valette, the local prized chef, highlights his talents in this quintessential Sonoma eatery. I loved their butter with black salt and I’ll never forget the crunchy chile Rellenos I wanted to recreate too. Order what they're best known for; their Day Boat Scallops en Croute. If you like scallops, this is a must-have dish.

8. Little Saint – This is a partner of Single Thread and a 100% plant-based. There is a café, bar, shop, and performing arts venue. They’re closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays but upstairs accepts walk-ins. Great place that stays open late.

9. Furthermore, Wines – Speaking of staying open late, there is finally a wine bar that opened in Healdsburg. It’s been hard to find a nice quiet place to have a glass of wine when rolling in on a Thursday or Friday night, and Dukes (around the corner) is not that place. They also have sparkling wines; on Sundays, they have a special wine pairing with fine foods. Regardless, you will need a reservation – even if you think you’ll stroll in late after arriving from the airport.

10. Bravas – This is my favorite spot. They have an outdoor backyard with a bar that looks almost like the backyard I grew up in. They have a great fried chicken dish that comes with a kale salad that is good for two people and excellent for take-out, which we’ve done a few times. Their mini lamb chops are excellent (if they happen to have them on the menu, which sometimes they don’t). They’ve also had a scotch menu with pairing recommendations which I didn’t find the last time we went, but these are the kind of unique servings you’ll find.

11. Molti Amici – This is the old Campo Fina location with new owners but not short of paying heritage to the local favorite. They have pizzas, pasta, and a bocci court.

12. Baci Café and Wine Bar – We had some guests eat here twice the same weekend. It’s a great place where they typically accommodate last-minute reservations if you’re having a hard time finding reservations.

13. The Matheson — You can also get Dustin’s experience here. The world is your oyster (no pun intended). Have sushi at the bar, or have a cocktail and rooftop lounge for your inspired dining experience. There are multiple settings for different dining options, and so far, our favorite and recommended place to pop in on your first night is on the rooftop. They serve pizzas you can eat in their dining area or by the fire on couches. No reservations are required except in the dining room downstairs. Do you want to try different wines? They have multiple bars with a wine wall on the bottom floor with 88 wines on tap for pours, including Opus One.

14. Willi’s Seafood – Another Stark Reality Restaurant that is sister to Bravas and a great place for small bites. They don’t make one bad plate but don’t go hungry. They primarily serve small seafood plates like Bravas but are not as hearty as Bravas. However, if you like white wine, this is the place for you.

15. The Parish Café – This is one of my favorite breakfast spots for beignets that are served all day. Their menu is the closest to any New Orleans meal this side of the Mississippi, and their hospitality is down to earth with a small-town feel. Their only open for breakfast and lunch.

16. Costeaux French Bakery & Café – Very nice place for breakfast. It gets crowded so go early. Their bread and sweets are also sold at Big John’s (read below). They're known for their bread you can sometimes find in local stores like Big Johns.

17. Agave Mexican Restaurant – This is authentic Mexican, and they’re known for their mole. It’s a casual Mexican restaurant in a strip mall by the grocery store, and I don’t think they have a patio but check. They might have made seating. If you’re looking for a casual sit-down Mexican restaurant, this is it.

18. El Sombrero – This is a good hole-in-the-wall place across the street from Oakville Grocery. If you’re in the mood for a quick burrito or taco, (don’t order the veggie taco – it’s just beans and rice). They also serve wine, and yes, they have wine glasses too, not something you’d find in a typical taqueria but a nice find to have with your steak taco.

19. Barndiva - This is a flagship restaurant for Healdsburg. They're popular for brunch in their barn and have a nice dinner too. They have weddings in the barn which is a beautiful space, so check their calendar to make sure they're open for reservations.

20. The Wurst – It’s really not! It’s a casual fast-food place with a friendly owner who has one of the best smash burgers in town and is a local favorite. We go for the burger. They serve it on a warm and soft sesame bun, secret sauce, pickles, cheddar, and beef.

21. HBG – This place also has a nice burger I like to order with a glass of wine, especially after a long drive when we roll into town. They’re open late, and their menu has various dishes.

22. Kin Smoke - They have a good BBQ here if you’re in Healdsburg.

23. Journeyman Meat Co. — A local butcher that I’ve also found their summer sausages in a high-end deli in Los Angeles. However, they will cook their extended list of meats for you in various dishes. They have excellent appetizers like wood-fired pizza and hamburgers, too. It’s also a great place to pick up already-made sandwiches. Sign up for their mail-order delivery.

24. Dry Creek General Store – This is a small historical store that has all the fixings for a picnic, along with gifts. (Hint: Big John’s has nice gifts too.) On a busy day, this place can get packed, and the line is long because it’s one of the only places in Dry Creek to eat. This is one of those establishments that have been there for over 100 years. You can read about it here. You’ll walk on wooden floors that have probably been there since the turn of the century.

An idea: Pick up a nice lunch, drive up the road to Amphora or Papapietro for a tasting, pick out a bottle, and picnic right across these two wineries.

25. Big John’s Market – Although we have Oliver’s Market nearby, we tend to come here a lot. It’s a good market to pick up picnic items before heading to do wine tastings. Where else can you order a slice of already-made beef Wellington from the deli?

Tip: If you’re in the wine section, you might meet someone who’s also looking for wine and works in the wine industry as we did, so ask — there’s a good chance they’ll love to recommend something whether they work there or not as most locals know their wine.

Let me know if I missed anything. What was your favorite spot when visiting Sonoma Wine Nest?

Always know you have a home to come to in Sonoma County.

Cheers!