Photo courtesy of The Butcherman
Sonoma County’s barbecue scene masterfully blends the art of barbecue with the region’s rich culinary traditions. From savory smoked meats to classic Southern sides, these barbecue restaurants offer a soulful dining experience that pairs perfectly with a glass of local Pinot Noir.
Look for the barbecue smoker and follow your nose to the best barbecue joints in Sonoma County.
Hidden away inside the Sonoma Cheese Factory, The Butcherman BBQ might be to-go only, but definitely don’t write it off. Priding themselves on their exceptional curing and smoking techniques, you’ll find a variety of menu items worth every bite—from spare ribs and beef brisket to smoked turkey, mortadella, bacon, and more. Did we mention it’s situated right across the street from Sonoma Plaza? That’s where you can take your to-go order to enjoy.
Visit: 2 West Spain Street, Sonoma, CA 95476
Contact: (707) 996-1931
Located right off the Healdsburg Plaza, KINSmoke is a humble barbecue spot that leans into its motto “high off the hog”. The name KINSmoke is an homage to this calling card, a mission of owners JC and Brad who stand by their mantra that there isn’t just one way to do BBQ! Dig into fun dishes like smoked wings and the Hula Hot Pig sandwich, or opt for classics like prime brisket and a full rack of St. Louis style pork ribs. Besides tender meats, you’ll also find a slew of seafood, burgers, and salads to pair with sides like potato salad and sweet potato tater tots, which are sure to keep everyone happy.
Visit: 304 Center Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Contact: (707) 473-8440
Sonoma County’s food scene is full of incredible flavors, from farm-to-table dining to fresh seafood and international cuisine. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual meal or an upscale dining experience, our guide to the best restaurants in Sonoma has something for every palate.
Situated right on Main Street in downtown Sebastopol, A&M BBQ is a hot commodity! In fact, they’re only open from Fridays to Sundays until they sell out—and they will! Make sure you get in line early if you’re hoping to sample traditional favorites like smoked sausage, brisket, and pork ribs. But it wouldn’t be a true blue BBQ joint without plenty of mouthwatering sides, like baked beans, mac and cheese, jalapeno honey cornbread, and freshly baked Texas toast. Barbecue plates are priced by weight, which is something to keep in mind. And don’t forget the barbecue sauce!
Visit: 495 S. Main Street, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Contact: (707) 888-1315
Bringing a taste of Southern Barbecue to the heart of Sonoma, Saucy Mama’s is a staple of soul food goodness in downtown Guerneville. The brainchild of the saucy mama herself, Yvette Bidegain, expect southern classics like fried catfish and po boys alongside their signature BBQ dishes like hot links and pork ribs. A self-proclaimed “juke joint,” they also have live music on Saturday nights. Yvette’s recipes were carefully collected from her father but have her own special California twist.
Visit: 11632 California 116, Guerneville, CA 95446
Contact: (707) 604-7184
A BBQ joint tucked away in the Sonoma town of Windsor, Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar is known for their Southern Barbecue-style dishes. Barbecue enthusiasts will find beef brisket, pulled pork, homemade sausages, and beef tri-tip alongside dishes straight from the American south, like hush puppies, cajun shrimp gumbo, and fried chicken and waffles. Their shady patio is the perfect place to enjoy it all with a specialty cocktail—like the Kentucky Tea!
Visit: 9008 Brooks Road, Windsor, CA 95492
Contact: (707) 687-5185
Beyond its incredible barbecue, Sonoma is packed with things to do—scenic hikes, boutique shopping, relaxing spa days, and of course, world-class wine tasting. Check out our list of Things to Do in Sonoma to plan your next adventure.
Whether you’ve been pining for a stack of perfectly smoked ribs or you’re just here for the sides, we hope you find these Wine Country barbecue joints finger-lickin’ good!
Things To Do
Restaurants
