Sonoma offers many five-star experiences to stimulate each of your senses. Sure, the mountains, valleys, and rivers are a feast for the eyes. And, our 55 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline will recenter your sense of peace. But the abundant culinary delights of this West Coast haven draw the crowds.
Delicious aromas and flavors attract fine diners and foodies who venture here to enjoy the fruits of the land. You’ll find many excellent dining options across the city when visiting Sonoma, including some of the best downtown Sonoma restaurants.
Swiss Hotel
The Swiss Hotel is a historic landmark and a quaint reminder of the city’s past. Set in a carefully preserved adobe structure, the restaurant has been refurbished to cater to upmarket diners. The Swiss Hotel offers high-end rural Italian along with American fare.
Its menu includes housemade pasta and a selection of classic pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven. Crème brûlée, homemade ice cream, ravioli, and Caesar salad are some of the best-loved dishes at the Swiss Hotel. With an indoor and two outdoor areas for your dining pleasure, it’s arguably the beating heart of Sonoma’s culinary district alongside the Sonoma Plaza.
OSO
At OSO, warm wood interiors welcome you to sample some of the finest cuisine in Sonoma. Led by chef David Bush, OSO offers a diverse range of share plates and refreshing drinks. A modest wine list comprises only 70 of the finest vintages from Sonoma Valley vineyards. And, the menu changes seasonally to correspond with the freshest produce in town. Plenty of seasonal vegetables feature in most meals at OSO.
Some standout dishes include shrimp tacos, spiced salmon, oysters, deviled eggs, and butterscotch pot de creme. And, some say OSO makes the best burgers in Sonoma thanks to Chef David’s ‘special sauce’.
Della Santina’s
Follow the little brick road from the Sonoma Plaza to the entrance of Della Santina’s, where you’ll discover the closest thing to Tuscany on this side of the Pacific. The family-owned Trattoria prides itself on producing genuine Tuscan soul food inspired by local ingredients.
The menu at Della Santina’s celebrates Sonoma’s finest foods with fresh seafood straight from the ocean, succulent locally farmed meats grilled patiently on the rotisserie, and salads made from crisp produce from the surrounding farms.
Some fan favorites at Della Santina’s include the gnocchi, sole, and dark chocolate mousse tart.
You’ll find no shortage of wines from around the world to enjoy here, although the emphasis remains on showcasing local vintages first.
The Girl and the Fig
Holding pride of place on the northwest corner of the plaza lies Sondra Bernstein’s ‘the girl & the fig’ restaurant. Sondra is famed for her rustic California-French cuisine and her prowess as an author of cookbooks.
This French bistro-styled restaurant stands out for its farm-to-table fare served in a large undercover garden patio, offering all-weather al fresco dining.
Many of the ingredients that make their way into these fine dishes come from Sondra’s farm, where she lovingly tends to vegetables and herbs to create ingredients fit for her delectable creations.
Some of the must-try dishes at this eatery include pork belly sandwiches on a brioche bun with fennel aioli, cabbage, and apples. The wild flounder meunière and the cookies and milk dessert are also crowd-pleasers.
If you’re rushed for time, try Sondra’s pop-up restaurant, NoodleSpring. It serves an array of ramen dishes, sticky riblets, and crispy chicken to-go.
El Dorado Kitchen
Another excellent farm-to-table option, El Dorado Kitchen pays homage to Sonoma Plaza’s Mexican heritage with dishes like churros, huevos rancheros, and tostada alongside a huge range of French and American favorites.
Chef Armando Navarro showcases his many talents by regularly changing the menu, giving you plenty of reasons to revisit again and again. This bright, airy restaurant holds pride of place across the street from the plaza and has the refined but relaxed atmosphere that’s typical of Sonoma dining establishments.
The housemade fettuccini, asparagus salad, and paella are the major crowd-pleasers at El Dorado. You can enjoy your meal inside the spacious restaurant or on the patio shaded by a 100-year-old fig tree.
Wit & Wisdom
One of Sonoma’s newest restaurants, Wit & Wisdom, opened in 2020 and has been thrilling food fans ever since. This spacious modern eatery uniquely features a bocce court for the entertainment of diners as well as varied ways to enjoy your meal.
You can opt for a tasting menu, a wine pairing, or any exquisite menu items, including unique renditions of old favorites and some tantalizing flavor combinations.
The carbonara pizza combines two Italian favorites into something entirely new. It features pecorino cheese, crisp guanciale, and slivers of Yukon gold potatoes with a soft-poached farm egg.
Thirst quenchers include an extensive wine list, locally brewed beer, and a host of refreshing cocktails to suit every palate.
LaSalette
LaSalette takes diners on a rich, spicy Mediterranean culinary adventure.
Chef Manuel Azevedo labels his interpretation of this fare as ‘New Portuguese Cuisine’. So, you know you’re likely to enjoy novel experiences when you dine here.
LaSalette fuses the complex flavors of Portuguese cooking with the incredible high-end ingredients found in the Sonoma Valley. It’s a match made in heaven, comprising comfort food with exotic seasonings to create unique and tantalizing dishes.
Both lovers of traditional Portuguese fare and more adventurous diners will find something to enjoy at LaSalette. Some of the most popular menu items include paella, fisherman’s stew, and wood-oven roasted Branzino.
Enjoy the Best Downtown Sonoma Restaurants on Vacation
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