31 January 2023
Widely thought of as the chiller side of Wine Country, Sonoma County encompasses small metropolises like Santa Rosa, sleepy Glen Ellen and all points in between. The coastal county, which boasts more than 400 wineries, has also seen its culinary scene pop off in recent years.
Healdsburg, once a hidden gem of the region, has blossomed into a renowned destination with Michelin-starred restaurants and a proliferation of high-profile restaurant and bar openings. And smaller towns like Windsor have attracted the attention of talented chefs, like acclaimed pizzaiola Leah Scurto.
Accordingly, there’s a wide range of experiences represented here, from bucket-list tasting menus to smaller, often overlooked highlights. That means heavy hitters like Cyrus, a fine dining fantasia in Geyserville, and Petaluma’s Soban, a notable standout in a region where Korean cuisine is hard to find. Sonoma County also plays host to some of the Bay Area’s best bakeries, opened by fine dining veterans who’ve channeled their labors into producing incredible breads and pastries.
If you’re looking for wineries to visit, definitely check out our guide to the Top Sonoma Wineries, reported by wine critic Esther Mobley. And don’t miss our recommendations for the best restaurants in San Francisco and the wider Bay Area.
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