The 10 Best Restaurants in Santa Rosa

Guides
by WINECOUNTRY COLLECTIVE
on FEBRUARY 26, 2020

44842
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Sonoma County is well-known for its world-class restaurant scene, and the burgeoning city of Santa Rosa is no exception. Whether looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Santa Rosa’s restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisines for every taste and budget. To help you narrow down where to eat while visiting, here’s our list of the 10 best restaurants Santa Rosa has to offer. COVID note: Sonoma County restaurants are currently open for outdoor dine-in service, as well as takeout. All restaurants included on this list are open for dine-in, but we recommend checking with each business directly before visiting.

1

Restaurants / Santa Rosa

John Ash & Co.

Located at the charming Vintners Resort, John Ash & Co. is a great choice for those looking to splurge on a romantic fine dining experience. Here, Wine Country cuisine is executed with precision and finesse, largely inspired by the seasonal ingredients that grow in the property’s gardens and on local farms. Add in one of the most extensive lists of Sonoma County wines in the area, and you’re almost guaranteed a memorable evening.

Insider Tip

For a more casual experience, head to the Front Room Bar and Lounge for happy hour specials or to enjoy the full dining menu in a less formal environment.

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2

Restaurants / Santa Rosa

Ca'Bianca Restaurant

Literally translated as “white house” in the northern Italian dialect, Ca’Bianca is an intimate and romantic Italian restaurant in Santa Rosa. Located in a restored 19th century Victorian home with a beautiful patio, Ca’Bianca offers a wide range of Italian regional cuisine, from mouthwatering antipasti to house-made pastas and authentic mains.

Insider Tip

Looking for a place to celebrate an intimate wedding, a milestone birthday, or simply a romantic anniversary dinner for two? The restaurant makes for a wonderful place to host your private event. Photo courtesy of Zagat

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3

Things To Do / Santa Rosa

Russian River Brewing Company

When beer and a pizza are calling your name, the casual Russian River Brewing Company is sure to hit the spot. The menu features tasty meatball sandwiches, calzones, and chicken wings, along with a long list of beers on tap. If you just can’t decide which beer to accompany your meal, you can try up to 18 beers when you opt for their massive sampler tray.

Insider Tip

Russian River Brewing Co. is home to the famous Pliny The Elder beer, an American Imperial IPA-style beer that is produced on a limited basis. If you can get your hands on a freshly released Pliny, don’t pass it up. Photo courtesy of Visit California

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4

Restaurants / Santa Rosa

Stark’s Steak & Seafood

Masculine, romantic, and upscale, Stark’s Steak and Seafood is one of those places that consistently serves an impeccable piece of meat, every time. Steaks are Certified Angus Beef and dry-aged in-house, while a long list of sustainable seafood options, pastas, and hearty vegetable side dishes will keep even the non-meat eaters happy.

Insider Tip

Stark's is currently offering a Brazilian BBQ Pop-Up every Wednesday through Sunday on the patio. They'll also be cooking up a full Thanksgiving meal to-go, featuring butter roasted turkey, hickory smoked prime rib, and plenty of mouthwatering sides.

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5

Restaurants / Santa Rosa

Riviera Ristorante

Family-owned and operated for more than 25 years, Riviera Ristorante is known for its cozy, casual atmosphere and authentic Italian cuisine. Here, generous portions of spaghetti, fettuccine, ravioli, and gnocchi highlight seasonal ingredients, while a selection of Italian wines and gracious hospitality round out the dining experience.

Insider Tip

Following a gluten free diet? You can sub gluten free pasta in many of Riviera’s pasta dishes. Photo courtesy of Zagat

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6

Restaurants / Santa Rosa

Piner Cafe

If it’s a delicious breakfast you’re seeking, Piner Cafe is a worthwhile stop. In fact, breakfast is served all day at this homey cafe, where hearty omelettes, fluffy pancakes, and huevos rancheros are sure to satisfy your breakfast cravings. The restaurants also serves traditional lunch and dinner menus, if eggs or french toast aren’t really your thing.

Insider Tip

If your appetite isn’t as big as the portion sizes, the menu features a few smaller, healthy choices such as apricot oatmeal and one-slice french toast. Photo courtesy of Facebook: Piner Cafe

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7

Restaurants / Santa Rosa

The Spinster Sisters

The Spinster Sisters is a welcome addition to Santa Rosa’s up-and-coming SOFA Arts District, serving tasty, globally-inspired fare that highlights the bounty of Sonoma County. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu features everything from house-made bagels with lox and wilted kale salad to wild mushroom tempura and roasted bone marrow, with options that rotate according to the seasons.

Insider Tip

If you’ve fallen in love with The Spinster Sisters’ artisan granola, apple butter, or delectable jams, good news! — the restaurant now sells these items online for delivery right to your own kitchen.

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8

Restaurants / Santa Rosa

Dierk's Parkside Cafe

This old school diner has become a bit of a Santa Rosa tradition for many locals and tourists, luring visitors with its homestyle breakfast and casual vibe. You can’t go wrong with classics like buttermilk pancakes, savory benedicts, and omelettes with all the fixings, but be sure to try Grandma Dierk’s Pull-A-Parts, which are fried dough balls dusted with cinnamon and sugar and oh-so-delicious.

Insider Tip

This popular breakfast joint usually fills up fast, so now that it's limited to outside dining only, expect to wait for a table. However, everyone agrees Dierk’s is worth the wait. Photo courtesy of Zagat

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9

Restaurants /

SEA Thai Bistro

From Thai-style bruschetta to spicy lemongrass shrimp tempura and traditional Northern Thai curry, the menu at SEA Thai Bistro features Thai comfort foods that dynamically blend Asian flavors with seasonal American ingredients. The sleek ambiance, which exudes a feeling of being under the sea, plays off the restaurant's ocean-inspired name — though 'SEA' actually stands for South East Asian cuisine.

Insider Tip

While the lunch menu has plenty of mouthwatering fare, if you have your heart set on curry, SEA only offers its curries on the dinner menu. Photo courtesy of USA Restaurants

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10

Restaurants / Santa Rosa

Bird & The Bottle

Celebrating Southern, Asian, and Jewish flavors, this modern tavern is a go-to for lunch, dinner, and brunch. Small and large plates are creative and delicious, while a menu of classic and inventive cocktails won't disappoint.

Insider Tip

Sunday Brunch at Bird & The Bottle is a local's favorite, where hearty Korean Steak and Eggs, Pastrami Poutine, and Kimchi Micheladas are the perfect way to chase those Sunday scaries away. Photo courtesy of Facility Development Company

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