Petaluma has no shortage of good places to eat, from casual neighborhood favorites to ambitious fine dining. But which restaurants are really worth your time and money?
After eating our way through dozens of restaurants across the city, we’ve narrowed the field to the places we return to most often. Some are longtime favorites; others are newer arrivals that have quickly made their mark. Together, they offer a cross-section of Petaluma’s dining scene, from blistered Neapolitan pizza and handmade pasta to Korean comfort food, French bistro classics and elaborate tasting menus.
Here are our favorites — and what to order when you get there.
The Cap and Stem pizza with Mycopia mushrooms, thyme, Bellwether Farms Carmody cheese and lemon, with an RPX beer from Old Caz Backyard Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Old Caz
The pepperoni pizza may draw you into Caz Eats, the kitchen at Old Caz Backyard. But the Hot Pot pizza, topped with Sichuan peppercorns, maitake mushrooms, sausage, pickled chiles and kimchi, is reason enough to return.
Elijah Trujillo and Kayla Hendrix, former chefs with the Shokakko food truck, have built a beer-friendly menu that goes beyond the usual brewery fare. Slow-fermented pizzas share the menu with substantial salads and wood-fired vegetables, making this a destination for more than a pint and a slice.
20 Grey St., Petaluma, 707-347-5932, oldcaz.com/backyard.
Steak & Frites with sauce au Poivre, beef jus and garden salad from Bijou, the new Petaluma restaurant from chef Stéphane Saint Louis Monday, July 1, 2025. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
Bijou mixologist Brigitte Rigon puts the finishing touches on, from left, a French Pearl, Ruby Rose and Bijou cocktail Monday, July 1, 2025 in Petaluma. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
Bijou
Bijou makes a persuasive case for steak frites. The steak is tender, the peppercorn sauce rich, and the accompanying fries deliver the kind of straightforward pleasure that has made the French bistro classic endure.
The more casual sibling of Table Culture Provisions also excels at dishes meant for sharing, including delicata squash rings with onion dip, togarashi bacon cheese fries and Parker House rolls. On Mondays, a three-course dinner for locals costs $55. On Fridays and Saturdays, the kitchen stays open late, serving a menu of bites from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
190 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-753-9155, bijoupetaluma.com
The bar with old movies shown on the brick wall at the new second location for L’Oro di Napoli Friday, February 28, 2025 in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
L’Oro di Napoli
L’Oro di Napoli brought its Neapolitan-style pizzas to a larger Petaluma location in 2025, expanding on the formula that made its original Santa Rosa restaurant a favorite.
The pizzas have thin centers and charred, airy crusts that need little embellishment. The theatrical decor is part of the appeal. Mortadella hangs from a high-wire charcuterie display, while old movies play against the brick walls. It is dinner with a little spectacle.
The menu extends well beyond pizza, with antipasti such as fried calamari and Brussels sprouts with pecorino, along with fresh pasta, salads and entrees including zucchini Parmesan and branzino with lemon-wine sauce. The legendary lasagna, however, remains exclusive to the Santa Rosa restaurant.
208 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-981-7175, lorodinapolica.com
Cucina Paradiso
Sonoma County has no shortage of Italian restaurants, but Cucina Paradiso stands out for its warm service and straightforward approach to housemade pasta and desserts.
Best bets include pillowy gnocchi with Gorgonzola and walnuts, duck ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts, and the tiramisu.
This is the kind of neighborhood restaurant where you can settle in with a good bottle of wine and feel like a regular, even on your first visit.
114 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-782-1130, cucinaparadisopetaluma.com
Speakeasy
Speakeasy specializes in the kind of late-night eats that are more comforting than an old quilt.
Lobster macaroni and cheese, braised short ribs, cheesy patatas bravas, fried chicken and cheesecake anchor a menu designed for indulgence rather than restraint.
The restaurant is open from 5-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday.
139 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-776-4631, speakeasypetaluma.com
Table Culture Provisions
Table Culture Provisions began quietly, appearing one or two nights a week at Wishbone in Petaluma.
Six years later, owners Stéphane Saint Louis and Steven Vargas have turned it into one of Sonoma County’s most sought-after dining destinations, with a multicourse tasting menu that has drawn comparisons to Michelin-level cooking.
From 4-6 p.m., the restaurant offers an à la carte menu of snacks and larger dishes, providing a more flexible way to explore the kitchen’s work.
Reservations are recommended.
312 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-5739, tcprovision.com
John Burgess / Press Democrat
Marjorie Pier oversees service and selects the wine pairings at Street Social in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
John Burgess / Press Democrat
Fresh Nectarines with Straus vanilla ice cream, and a peach caramel from Street Social. Petaluma. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
Street Social
Owners Jevon Martin and Marjorie Pier spent years hosting pop-ups along the California coast before creating this small, deliberately personal dining room.
With six tables and 300 square feet of dining space, Street Social feels less like a conventional restaurant and more like an intimate dinner party.
At its busiest, the restaurant accommodates just over a dozen diners. That scale lends the experience a sense of discovery, as if you have stumbled upon a private culinary hideaway. And you have. But with a reservation, anyone is welcome.
29F Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-774-6185, streetsocial.social
Quiote
Quiote is worth a special trip for its handmade blue corn tortillas alone. They provide the foundation for tacos filled with fresh rock cod, cochinita pibil with pickled onions, or al pastor with salsa verde.
The family-owned taqueria rewards diners who order beyond the basics. Add guacamole with serrano chiles, crisp raspadas or brothy Rancho Gordo beans. The Jalisco-style mole and braised chicken enchiladas are also worth trying.
121 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-774-6130, quiotemx.com
Clockwise from top, the raspberry creme puff, cornetti, cardamom buns, and a cherry almond danish at Stellina Pronto in Petaluma, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Stellina Pronto
Since opening in 2021, Stellina Pronto has cultivated a loyal following for its Italian pastries, baked goods and sandwiches. In May 2024, it added pizza to the mix, bringing together Neapolitan and New York influences.
The Margherita is a dependable classic. For something more substantial, try the Gianni, a white pizza topped with potato and garlic. The pastry case remains essential, particularly the cornetto, the Italian answer to the croissant.
23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-789-9556, stellinapronto.com
Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat file
Toast at Della Fattoria in Petaluma, Monday, April 4, 2016. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat file)
Della Fattoria
Bread is the beating heart of Della Fattoria, the downtown bakery and cafe shaped by the late baker Kathleen Weber’s devotion to hearth-baked loaves.
The cafe puts those breads to work in avocado toast, French toast, hearty sandwiches and panzanella salad. The bakery case offers another reason to stop, whether for a pastry to eat on the spot or a loaf to take home.
143 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-763-0161, dellafattoria.com
Brigitte Bistro
At Brigitte Bistro, chef-owner Nick Ronan cooks the food he loves: hearty French bistro dishes like beef bourguignon, duck confit and steak frites, along with tableside beef tartare.
Ronan brings the flavors of his native France to Petaluma without sanding down their character for American tastes. His motto — “Love. Food. Wine. Passion. Life. People.” — serves as a useful description of the restaurant’s spirit.
841 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, brigittebistropetaluma.com
Soban
For traditional Korean cooking in Sonoma County, Soban is a reliable destination. Its menu includes dishes that can be difficult to find elsewhere in the region, from savory kimchi pancakes and japchae (glass noodles) to tteokbokki, the chewy rice cakes popular as Korean street food. Other standouts include spicy pork bulgogi, bibimbap served in a sizzling rice bowl and soft tofu soup.
255 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-769-3112, sobanpetaluma.com
Sarmentine
Sarmentine brought a taste of a beloved Santa Rosa French bakery to Petaluma in 2024. Its pastry cases are filled with cream-filled confections, chocolate croissants, brioche buns and fruit tarts. The passion fruit tart is a favorite. The Paris-Brest, made with pâte à choux and praline cream, and the mille-feuille are worth considering, too.
Small canelés, with their crisp exteriors and custardy centers, make our knees buckle with happiness. Recently, the bakery added traditional French crepes, including savory buckwheat galettes prepared by owner Alexandra Teulet, who studied the craft in Brittany.
840 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, sarmentine.com
Central Market
At Central Market, chef Tony Najiola keeps a close eye on the dining room, checking each dish as it leaves the kitchen and making the rounds to see how diners are faring. His attention is reassuring rather than intrusive.
The open kitchen, bar and airy dining room put the cooking on display, but the food is the main attraction. Ingredients frequently come from Najiola’s Muleheart Farm, and the cooking reflects a commitment to letting them speak for themselves.
There are no elaborate culinary theatrics to distract from the essentials, just carefully prepared food with a clear sense of where it comes from.
42 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-778-9900, centralmarketpetaluma.com
Moroccan rice pudding topped with poached pomegranate and crushed almonds at Pearl Petaluma in Petaluma Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Pearl
At Pearl, chefs and co-owners Brian Leitner and Annette Yang draw on the flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, with touches of Southern France and Spain.
The menu is built around bright, generous dishes: shakshuka, fresh pita, fattoush salad and braised meats, including brisket and lamb. A picnic plate of tabbouleh, hummus, labneh and warm pita offers a good introduction to the kitchen’s range.
500 First St., Petaluma, 707-559-5187, pearlpetaluma.com
Stockhome
Stockhome brings together Swedish staples and the Turkish and Middle Eastern street foods that have become popular in Sweden’s larger cities.
Swedish meatballs and pickled herring share space with lamb and beef kebabs served with garlic yogurt. The eggplant dip and grilled halloumi pita are also standouts.
The food is casual and family-friendly, with nods to California sensibilities. Consider it the United Nations of local dining.
220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomepetaluma.com
Lunchette
Lunchette serves up big flavors in a small space. The downtown walk-up specializes in thoughtfully sourced lunch options that are fresh, satisfying and easy to take away.
The smoked trout salad, dressed with preserved lemon vinaigrette and served with roasted beets, pickled raisins and cashews, is a favorite. A warm grain bowl with roasted sweet potatoes and chickpeas offers a heartier alternative. Fresh pizza slices round out the menu for those wanting something more substantial to go with a salad.
25 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-241-7443, lunchettepetaluma.com
The Shuckery
Oysters are a Sonoma County staple, but at The Shuckery they are the main show. The small, cozy restaurant serves excellent bivalves, including the delicate Kumamotos, our favorite. Try the Bingos: grilled oysters topped with cognac, mayonnaise, Parmesan and garlic. Plus, a full bar and outdoor seating.
100 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-981-7891, theshuckeryca.com
Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat
Interior bar at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
Brewsters Beer Garden
With 350 seats and an expansive outdoor setting in downtown Petaluma, Brewsters Beer Garden is an obvious gathering place for groups and families. The beer selection and relaxed atmosphere are reason enough to visit, but the kitchen offers more than the usual supporting cast. The menu includes smoked brisket, seasonal salads and our favorite buttermilk fried chicken sandwich (the secret: goat cheddar).
229 Water St. N., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com
Wild Goat Bistro
Wild Goat Bistro, overlooking the Petaluma waterfront, pairs a casual setting with serious pizza. Its Neapolitan pies include the Fig and Pig, topped with four cheeses, prosciutto and fig spread. The menu extends to polenta fries, an Early Girl tomato dip with pancetta, shepherd’s pie and wild salmon with roasted artichokes.
6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A5, Petaluma, 707-658-1156, wildgoatbistro.com
Lobster Mac n’ Cheese at Seared in Petaluma Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Seared
Seared brings the familiar pleasures of a downtown steakhouse to Petaluma, with rib-eyes, lobster macaroni and cheese enriched with bacon and Valley Ford Fontina, and prawns served with bacon fried rice and housemade kimchi.
The best value comes during happy hour, when substantial bites such as a prime rib dip, a mini wedge salad and macaroni and cheese are available for around $10 or less. The atmosphere is lively, making it better suited to a night out with friends than a quiet, romantic dinner.
170 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-762-5997, petalumaseared.com
Levant
Levant draws on the homestyle cooking of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine in a welcoming restaurant in Petaluma’s Theater District.
Begin with warm pita and a sampler of hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, labneh and muhammara, a walnut-rich dip. From there, the menu offers fried halloumi, chicken shawarma and lamb dishes designed for the table. The food is generous and well suited to sharing, with plenty of reason to order another round of pita.
140 Second St., Suite 100, Petaluma, 707-658-8017, levantpetaluma.co
Dining and Cooking