Top Sonoma County Restaurant Picks From a Food Critic

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The Tomato Bruschetta Pizza from Psychic Pie Thursday, May 12, 2025, in Sebastopol. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Interior at Psychic Pie in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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A summer slice with potato and dill at Psychic Pie in Sebastopol. March 16, 2022. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)

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The Tomato Bruschetta Pizza from Psychic Pie Thursday, May 12, 2025 in Sebastopol. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Slices sold by the pound at Psychic Pie in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Squash and BLT slices at Psychic Pie in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Winter Citrus Salad with Blood orange, cara cara, grapefruit, tangelo labneh, vadouvan, shallot, capers and mint from The Redwood chef/owner Geneva Melby Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Sebastopol. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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The Redwood co-owners Geneva Melby, right, and husband Ryan Miller Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Sebastopol. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Route 1 Pita and Dip with pickled fresh vegetables, served with Chickpea Hummus with Za’atar, left, Seasoned Labneh with herbs & Baharat, and Baba Ghanoush with Sumac, at The Redwood in Sebastopol. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

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Fried Potatoes with pimenton aioli at The Redwood in Sebastopol. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

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Grilled Carrots with Black Sauce, made with herbs, feta, local honey and fried cumin at The Redwood in Sebastopol. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)

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Scallop Crudo, made with fennel, kumquat, oil-cured olives, and pink peppercorn, at The Redwood in Sebastopol on Friday, February 24, 2023. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

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Arroz Negro, made with grilled squid, pimento, and lemon, at The Redwood in Sebastopol on Friday, February 24, 2023. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

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Almond Olive Oil Cake with tangerines, orange blossom yogurt and a drizzle of tangerine tarragon syrup from The Redwood chef/owner Geneva Melby Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Sebastopol. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Burger from Lunch Box in Sebastopol. (Lunch Box)

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Crispy fries smothered in American cheddar, onion butter, fancy sauce, peppers and green onions. (Lunch Box)

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Fried chicken sandwich from Lunch Box. (Lunch Box)

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Meatball sub from Lunch Box in Sebastopol. (Lunch Box)

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Reuben from Lunch Box in Sebastopol. (Lunch Box)

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One of the best pitmasters around: Kris Austin of A&M BBQ in Sebastopol. (Kim Carroll / Sonoma Magazine)

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A selection of barbecue smoked meats and sides from A&M BBQ in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)

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A&M Barbecue co-owner Kris Austin slices brisket in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)

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Handline in Sebastopol. (Handline/Sonoma County Tourism)

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A “Roots and Shoots” bowl with sprouted lentils, roasted delicata squash, grilled celery root, trumpet mushroom conserva, chicory and apple salad, with a pomegranate, pumpkin seed tahini, and topped with Estero Gold Cheese. Photo taken at Handline in Sebastopol Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

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Instead of being slathered with mayo and chili pepper, this unassuming version gets a smash of lime, with more understated creaminess and sweet corn that we won’t see again until next year. (Heather Irwin)

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At Handline restaurant in Sebastopol. (Handline)

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Fish tacos from Handline in Sebastopol. (Handline/Sonoma County Tourism)

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Burger from Handline in Sebastopol. (Handline)

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Handline was built on the site of the old Foster’s Freeze in Sebastopol and they continue to keep soft serve ice cream on the menu. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Salade Lyonnaise with frisée, curly chicory, bacon vinaigrette, lardons, croutons and sunny side egg from Augie’s French Tuesday, November 28, 2023, on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Prime Burger Royale with comté cheese, onion marmalade, truffle mayo on a brioche bun with frites from Augie’s French Tuesday, November 28, 2023, on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Fries with Bernaise dipping sauce at Augie’s in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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A selection of Escargots from Augie’s French Tuesday, November 28, 2023, on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Escargots, from left, Boursin butter, lemon & pepper / black truffle butter / buffalo / garlic butter, parsley, Pernod from Augie’s French Tuesday, November 28, 2023 on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Mussels & Frites with cider, shallots, and Dijon créme fraîche from Augie’s French Tuesday, November 28, 2023 on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. (Photo John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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At Stark’s Steak & Seafood Friday, June 30, 2023, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Bacon wrapped 10-ounce filet mignon with the whole grain mustard bearnaise at Stark’s Steak & Seafood in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Loaded baked potato at Stark’s Steak and Seafood in Santa Rosa. (Stark’s Steak and Seafood)

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The build-it-yourself burger is served with a glass of Russian River Brewery’s Defenestration at Stark’s Steak & Seafood in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Potato skin fondue at Stark’s Steak and Seafood in Santa Rosa. (Stark’s Steak and Seafood)

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Tuna tartare tacos and truffle fries at Stark’s Steak and Seafood in Santa Rosa. (Loren Hansen Photography)

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Three mocktails at Stark’s Steak & Seafood in Santa Rosa. (Loren Hansen)

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Smoked Salmon Hash with house-smoked salmon, oven dried tomatoes, green onions and hash browns, two eggs any style and lemon horseradish sauce from J & M’s Midtown Cafe, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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J & M’s Midtown Café October 23, 2023 in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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New England Red Flannel Hash with country potatoes, roasted beets, hedgehog mushrooms, corned beef, two eggs and arugula from J & M’s Midtown Cafe, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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French toast with Sal Do Chenin Blanc from J & M’s Midtown Café Oct. 23, 2023, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Poached Egg Salad with a Pineapple Chili Shrub from J & M’s Midtown Café October 23, 2023, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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NY Style Pastrami Sandwich with home made sauerkraut and half sour dill pickle with fries from the new J & M’s Midtown Café October 23, 2023 in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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A waitress delivers the grub at Dierk’s Parkside Cafe in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Eggs Benedict at Dierk’s Parkside Cafe in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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The enormous Lasagna with a Stagionale salad of arugula, roasted butternut squash puree, sliced almonds., topped with pecorino cheese, in an orange mustard and Extra Virgin Olive Oil dressing from L’Oro di Napoli in downtown Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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L’Oro di Napoli owner Domenico De Angelis works his magic at the pizza oven in downtown Santa Rosa March 24, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Taylor de Angelis delivers fresh pizza from the wood oven at L’Oro di Napoli in downtown Santa Rosa March 24, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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The Primavera pizza with mozzarella, fresh cherry tomato, arugula, creamy burrata cheese, prosciutto San Daniele and EVOO from L’Oro di Napoli in downtown Santa Rosa, March 24, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Pistachio Cake from L’Oro di Napoli in downtown Santa Rosa March 24, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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The dining room at the new second location for L’Oro di Napoli Friday, February 28, 2025, in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Parmigiana de Zucchine, baked zucchini, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and pecorino fondue from L’Oro di Napoli Friday, February 28, 2025, at their second location in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Patate e Porchetta pizza from L’Oro di Napoli Friday, February 28, 2025, at their second location in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Jose Cazares, right, owner of the Gio y Los Magos Mexican Grill truck holding a plate of birria tacos during the ribbon cutting celebration of the new Mitote Food Park on Sebastopol Road in the Roseland neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif. on Thursday, July 14, 2022. (Erik Castro / For The Press Democrat)

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Chicken Panuchos from Yucamami, a food truck in Mitote Park specializing in Yucatecan street food, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Torta Cochinita from Yucamami, a food truck in Mitote Park specializing in Yucatecan street food Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Tlayuda from the Maria Machetes food truck at Mitote Food Park includes a giant tortilla topped with chapulines (fried grasshoppers), chorizo, cesina (cured beef), grilled chicken, black beans, cheese and vegetables. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)

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Charro Negro at Mitote Food Park in Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood. (Sonoma County Tourism)

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Table Culture Provisions chef Stéphane Saint Louis serves a collage of late spring bites for two, including squid-ink madeleines, asparagus cappuccino, and golden orbs of Indian pani puri filled with Dungeness crab salad. (Kim Carroll)

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Table Culture Provisions owner/chefs Stephane Saint Louis, left, and Steven Vargas. (The Press Democrat)

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Delicata Rings in beer batter with house ranch dip from Table Culture Provisions in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Fried Chicken Dinner for Two with a green salad, bean cassoulet and chicken gravy from Table Culture Provisions in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Raspberry Lemon Tart with pomegranate jam, and lemon cream from Table Culture Provisions in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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At Stockhome restaurant in Petaluma. (Elise Aileen Photography)

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Swedish pancake with berries and whipped cream at Stockhome Restaurant in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Gravlax at Stockhome restaurant in Petaluma. (Chris Hardy/Sonoma Magazine)

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Swedish meatballs, frankfurters and more at Stockhome restaurant in Petaluma. (New Rev Media)

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Meal at Stockhome restaurant in Petaluma. (Elise Aileen Photography)

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Pastries at Stellina Pronto in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

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Lemon garlic herb focaccia at Stellina Pronto in Petaluma. (Stellina Pronto)

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The simple Margherita pizza at Stellina Pronto pizzeria and bakery in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)

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The Wolfgang pizza with smoked salmon and salmon roe at Stellina Pronto pizzeria and bakery in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)

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Puttanesca pizza at Stellina Pronto pizzeria and bakery in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)

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Baja striped bass with escabeche, Valencia Pride mango and Zutano avocado at Street Social. (Courtesy of Street Social)

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Hiramasa with pomelo and kimchi at Street Social. (Courtesy of Street Social)

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Roasted heirloom red kuri squash with smoked onion custard, stilton and yarrow at Street Social. (Courtesy of Street Social)

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House Made Ricotta Toast with dill pickle powder and salmon caviar from Street Social in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Chicken Liver Mousse with caramelized onion jam and a crispy Cassava waffle from Street Social in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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Beet Tartare with sweet potato chips from Street Social in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

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A selection of pastries and baked goods from Water Street Bistro Thursday, Aug. 29, 2025 in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Owner/chef Stephanie Rastetter starts her day at 1:30 a.m. creating fresh pastries and French cooking out of a tiny kitchen at Water Street Bistro Thursday, August 29, 2025 in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Spinach, Goat Cheese and Red Pepper Quiche with fresh fruit from Water Street Bistro Thursday, Aug. 29, 2025 in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Prawn Salad with radish, avocado and lemon champagne vinaigrette from Water Street Bistro Thursday, August 29, 2025 in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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A BLT is always on the menu during the tomato season at the Water Street Bistro Thursday, August 29, 2025 in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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Duck Egg Flan from Water Street Bistro Thursday, August 29, 2025 in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)