By Jessica Bohon | May 22, 2025

Your Ultimate Healdsburg Restaurant Guide for Every Occasion

Taste and see California’s best-kept culinary secrets

You probably already know that Healdsburg is famous for its unparalleled wine country. Being smack-dab in the center of three renowned growing regions—Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley—tends to have that effect. But this city is built on (okay, not exactly rock ‘n’ roll—although we have great live music) epicurean delights of every kind, and that means the best of both food and drink. Whether you’re a Michelin-starry-eyed foodie or you’re looking for scrumptiously convenient meals with kids and pets in tow, Healdsburg has the tasteful staples that satisfy your cravings as well as the dreamy atmospheres to elevate your experience. Browse this ultimate guide that lets you choose your label and find your new favorites. (Warning: May cause excessive salivation.) Jump to a section with these handy links.

Good morning, sunshine.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So why not make it count? Whether you typically sip black coffee with one eye open or you scarf down three courses before dawn, Healdsburg has what you need for breakfast.

Caffeine Fiends
On the San Francisco Chronicle’s list of best coffee in the Bay Area, Black Oak Coffee Roasters does more than help you rise and shine. This java joint is where quality meets sustainability. From orange blossom cortados to nitro cold brews, you can start your day right with exceptional service.

Early Birds

A Healdsburg tradition since 1923, your hand could get tired from scrolling through Costeaux French Bakery’s many accolades. Deep-dish quiches, truffle omelettes, french toast, and even vegan scrambled eggs grace this breakfast menu.

One of Sonoma County’s Best Restaurants of 2024 and one of The Observer’s most unique dining and drinking experiences in Healdsburg, Little Saint is a 100% plant-based restaurant, cafe, bar, and event venue. Lox florentine, waffles, and tofu scramble await. But with perks like Free Music Thursdays and super-sustainable zero-waste cocktails, you’ll want to come back later in the day, too. Whether you take your coffee with their homemade cashew-almond milk or in the form of a coffee cocktail, Little Saint is giving day and night vibes.

Girls (and Guys) Who Brunch

Try locally sourced benedicts, crispy hashbrowns, acai berry bowls, and the green eggs and ham (yes, you read that correctly) at Acorn Cafe. Oh, and they promise “unforgettable french toast,” so maybe it’s time to put that promise to the (taste) test.

Full trophy cases and full plates.

Healdsburg is home to some of the most highly acclaimed eateries in Sonoma County, the state of California, and even the world. So book early and book often at these top-rated, award-winning restaurants to avoid some major food FOMO.

Michelin Minded

A biodynamic farm, artisanal inn, and three-Michelin-Star experience, SingleThread is a Food & Wine Global Tastemaker. It was also named the #2 dining destination in both the U.S. and worldwide by Forbes’ “50 Best Restaurants” list.

Designed as a unique destination for European-style dining and private parties, Barndiva has grown into two properties with adjacent gardens. Taste for yourself why they’ve earned a Michelin Star for three consecutive years.

A sandwich shop and bakery by day and an avant-garde prix fixe restaurant by night, Troubadour interprets classic French cuisine through a modern California lens. This Healdsburg mainstay was recognized by the Michelin Guide and voted one of the best sourdoughs in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Incorporating Mediterranean and Japanese elements, the Michelin-recognized Matheson insists on farm-fresh seasonality. Take a minute to admire the view atop their rooftop cocktail lounge.

Tried and True

What started as the lifelong dream of two hometown brothers has become a highly acclaimed dining experience. With a five-course tasting menu and picturesque indoor and outdoor seating options, Valette is the ideal blend of class, taste, and authentic roots. Try seasonal fish and sustainably raised meats along with produce grown on their estate farm.

Close to Healdsburg’s charming downtown square, Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar provides East Coast flavors with a South American flair. Dungeness crab cakes, barbecued bacon-wrapped scallops, minted lamb skewers, and pork-belly tacos are just a few highlights.

Easy, breezy, low-key delicious.

Keeping things casual is the way to go when you’re grabbing a quick bite before biking through the vineyards or trying to feed the hangry kids a healthy lunch. No need to change your clothes or your whole personality to indulge your tastebuds. Get a load of these options and suddenly down-to-earth looks right up your alley.

Movers and Shakers

Corned beef sandwiches. Matzo ball soup. Chocolate babka. At Drewish Cafe & Deli, everything is made from scratch, and you can take it on the road. They offer boxed lunches that are ready for your picnic at the vineyard or your big corporate meeting. That is, if you haven’t already scooped the huckleberry morning buns, buttermilk drop biscuits, and sourdough loaves from Quail & Condor. Either way, you can top it off with a to-go bottle from the nearby Little Saint’s wine shop.

Lunch Bunch

In Healdsburg, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or quality for a casual lunch. Serving a rustic menu of Napolitana- and Romana-style pizzas, housemade pastas, and grilled meats, Pizzando sweetens the deal with organic soft-serve ice cream and ricotta doughnuts. You’ll want to take home their grab-and-go focaccia, and that’s exactly what it’s there for.

Authentic Louisiana cuisine in Sonoma County? You betcha. With Cajun and Creole ingredients, Gulf Coast seafood, and local produce, Parish Cafe delivers full-fledged flavor. Combined with Healdsburg’s enviable climate, you’ll never want to leave their wraparound porch.

Oh, and don’t sleep on the Willi’s Seafood lunch menu. Yes, they’re a must-try dinner spot, but they also have street tacos, buns, and skewers that will make your day.

Friends Fur-ever

Healdsburg has quite the reputation as a dog-friendly destination—especially its restaurants.

With a five-bone BringFido guest rating and equally serene indoor and outdoor seating options, Healdsburg Bar & Grill stands out from the pack. Their Japanese-style loaded tots and Angus smashburgers will help you understand why it’s a hometown favorite.

Over at Montage Healdsburg, they cater to pets who are used to the high life. The king salmon filet and butcher’s cut steak with organic vegetables on the pet cuisine menu will almost make you want to go halfsies with your furry pal.

Sip this side of Sonoma County.

Ah, the wine. Of course. That’s probably why you’re here. But there’s so much to this city that it’s easy to get distracted. When it comes to libations, you really can’t go wrong in Sonoma County, but here are a few wine, beer, and cocktail ventures that don’t hold back on atmosphere.

Happy Hour Hounds

There’s nothing like finding a good deal to get you in the sipping mood. Spoonbar provides an enticing happy hour menu with oysters, fries, and crispy Brussels sprouts to accompany your classic cocktail. Our good friends at The Matheson offer a whole rooftop full of specialty menu items dedicated to the happiest of hours. Plus, the aforementioned Pizzando has been known to drop a few surprises when it comes to potent potables.

Mixology Mavens

Lo & Behold offers global comfort food and elevated cocktails for any time of day. Try their guava paloma, “gintonica,” and sangria—or go spirit-free with a spiced hibiscus tea concoction. Barndiva also knows how to party with both seasonal and traditional cocktail menus. And don’t forget about those zero-waste, planet-approved sips available at Little Saint.

Ale Afficionados

A taproom and tasting room filled with choice selections of wine and beer, Coyote Sonoma not only promotes sustainable farming practices, but takes it to eleven with their thriving live music scene. Fogbelt Brewing offers limited-release, flagship, and barrel-aged beer grown from local hopyards. The Fogbelt chefs and brewers work together to create masterful, mouthwatering pairings.

Scene Stealers

The Matheson’s Roof 106 offers a “reverse happy hour,” with late-night specials on craft cocktails and select menu items. The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House provides a terrace full of views and a menu full of booze. Sipping a beverage in front of a fire beside a backdrop of mountains, hills, and Healdsburg’s downtown square always feels like the right call.

Dine among the vines.

Our lush vineyards make for the ideal setting no matter your itinerary, but if you want to pair fresh-off-the-vine flavors with rolling hills and perfect temperatures, there’s no better place to grab both a plate and a glass. It’s efficiently and decadently delicious.

All-Day Darlings

Applaud your own good taste when you visit Jordan Vineyard & Winery. This ample estate runs on solar and renewable energy, conserves natural habitats, and maintains certifiably sustainable vineyards. Not only that, but a good chunk of your change goes directly to area nonprofits. Focusing exclusively on Chardonnay and Cabernet wines has allowed them to dial in the excellence. Speaking of excellence, Executive Chef Jesse Mallgren’s 25 years of experience includes a 13-year tenure as the Michelin Star-winning executive chef of Healdsburg’s Madrona Manor (now called The Madrona Hotel).

Weekend brunches, food pairings, and reserve wine tastings set Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery apart from the rest. Stroll through their Dry Creek Valley property at any time of day to find vibrant gardens and curated grounds that are as stunning as their award-winning wines.

Picnic Perfectionists

The only local winery with a 360-degree view, Trattore Farms has welcomed many dogs, families, and five-star reviews, and there’s no reason to think the tradition won’t continue. Specializing in fine wines and artisanal olive oils, we recommend their charcuterie boards and wood-fired pizza, too. Book a “Get Your Boots Dirty Tour” for a behind-the-vine look at an impressive operation.

A 53-acre estate tucked into the Russian River Valley, Limerick Lane Cellars comes with everything but the red-and-white checkered tablecloth. Their exceptional Zinfandels earned the highest collective scores of any producer in California from Wine Spectator.

With 125 acres of diverse produce and 45 years of family stewardship, Preston Farm and Winery has grown from a wine operation into a full-scale organic farm. Visit their tasting room and store for wines made from hand-harvested grapes, estate-pressed olive oils, sourdough loaves, pickles, and fresh produce. Reserve a picnicking appointment to secure your table amid the dreamy estate grounds.

Enjoy some vino al fresco with a thoughtfully curated picnic basket featuring local cheeses, artisanal charcuterie, and gourmet bites in the serene gardens of Lambert Bridge, an acclaimed family-owned winery. For a more intimate experience, reserve a seated wine tasting in their barrel room or private cellar.

Love at first bite.

Whether you’ve been married for decades or you’re a mingling single, dating can be fun, but it’s also hard work. So we’ll save you some effort and share the best date-night favorites in Healdsburg to help you woo your boo.

Cozy Conversationalists

Voted one of the top 20 tapas restaurants in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure, Bravas Bar de Tapas serves up traditional Spanish and modern dishes. Think small plates of grilled squid and lemon pepper smoked oysters as well as shareable large plates of paella, trout, and fried chicken. We’ll let you decide if your date has earned a few bites from your plate.

An Open Table Diners’ Choice award-winner and one of Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Restaurants 2024, Guiso Latin Fusion serves Latin American and Caribbean cuisine sourced directly from local farmers’ markets. From Salvadoran sweet dinner rolls to slow-braised octopus, everything tastes as good as it looks.

Unite over unagi at Asahi Sushi & Kitchen. Savor authentic sushi and izakaya dishes, with specialty fish flown in fresh from Japan. Take your date on a world tour without leaving your seat, thanks to the finest seafood selections from across the globe.

Best Dressed

You and your date will clearly put the “fine” in “fine dining” at the award-winning Valette, Matheson, and SingleThread establishments, but Healdsburg has plenty of swoon-worthy spots to consider.

Like if the “Flannery Beef 28-Day Dry-Aged 32 oz. Bone-In Ribeye for 2” from Dry Creek Kitchen isn’t love, we don’t know what is. Dry Creek boasts the most expansive, exclusively Sonoma County wine list in the world and uses hyper-seasonal ingredients for its three-course nightly dinner menus, six-course tasting menus, and Thursday-night Sonoma Neighbor menus.

Interested in lighter fare? Take your significant other to Sushi by Scratch for a signature omakase-inspired tasting menu and a restaurant name that tells you everything you need to know. Serving only ten guests at a time, this place is limited on seating but unlimited on flavor.

Local tours de force.

You’re one of those adventurous types; we can tell. You love to uncover new experiences and see firsthand how things are made. The following tours should satiate your curiosity and your appetite.

Go-Getter Gourmands

Pedal through the city on a party bike tour with thirteen of your closest (or newest) friends. Bike Healdsburg’s all-inclusive tour provides three unique wine tastings, small bites, and big views.

Roll past scenic valleys, visit a few vineyards, sit down to a full picnic spread, and receive a Grapes 101 tour from your professional guide with Getaway Adventures. Upgrade to an e-bike if you want to keep things breezy. Not the cycling type? They also offer kayak tours that include gourmet picnics. Spotting the resident harbor seals, pelicans, and cormorants is a nice bonus.

Here’s to spicing up wine country one plate at a time. No matter what label you choose, you can find your food fit in Healdsburg, California. If you’re ready to put the “epic” in “epicurean,” book your trip to Healdsburg right here. We saved some room for you at our luxury suites, wine country estates, and hotels—all you need to do is save some room in your stomach.