Sonoma County's Italian food scene rivals anything you'll find in North Beach, with family-run trattorias tucked between vineyards and wood-fired pizzerias that draw lines around the block.
From Petaluma's old-school spots to Geyserville's wine country gems, these Italian restaurants understand that great food starts with local ingredients and ends with that perfect glass of Sonoma wine.
All 10 Locations
⚡ Quick List
- Cucina Paradiso — Petaluma's Italian Heart
- Diavola Pizzeria — Wood-Fired Wine Country
- LoCoco's Cucina Rustica — Rustic Santa Rosa
- Ca Bianca — Northern Italian Elegance
- Riviera Ristorante — Upscale Wine Country
- Union Hotel Restaurant — Historic Occidental Charm
- Cafe Citti — Casual Family Favorite
- Della Santina's — Sonoma Square Classic
- Sugo Trattoria — Neighborhood Petaluma Gem
- Rustic, Francis's Favorites — Rustic Vineyard Dining
1. Cucina Paradiso
✨ Best for: Petaluma's Italian Heart
📍 Petaluma · ⭐ 4.3 · 1089 reviews · $$
This Petaluma institution serves the kind of Italian food that makes you understand why locals have been coming here for decades. The osso buco falls off the bone into a rich saffron risotto, while their house-made gnocchi practically melts on your tongue. Families fill the warm dining room on weeknights, couples claim corner tables on weekends, and everyone orders the tiramisu. The wine list leans heavily local, with Sonoma Coast Pinots that pair beautifully with their braised short ribs.
Must-Order:
Osso Buco with Saffron RisottoHouse-Made GnocchiTiramisu
Insider Tip: Make reservations for Friday and Saturday nights, and ask to sit in the back dining room for a quieter experience.
2. Diavola Pizzeria
✨ Best for: Wood-Fired Wine Country
📍 Geyserville · ⭐ 4.3 · 1088 reviews · $$
Housed in a converted gas station in the heart of Alexander Valley, Diavola fires up some of the most authentic Neapolitan pizza north of San Francisco. The margherita arrives with charred leopard spots and buffalo mozzarella that stretches for days, while the salsiccia packs house-made fennel sausage and caramelized onions. Wine country professionals grab quick lunches at the bar, but dinner brings serious food lovers willing to drive from Santa Rosa for these perfectly blistered crusts.
Must-Order:
Margherita PizzaSalsiccia PizzaPanna Cotta
Insider Tip: The lunch crowd is lighter, and you can often snag a table without waiting during Alexander Valley tasting season.
3. LoCoco's Cucina Rustica
✨ Best for: Rustic Santa Rosa
Tripadvisor📍 Santa Rosa · ⭐ 4.1 · 1441 reviews · $$$
LoCoco's feels like dining in someone's elegant Italian grandmother's home, if she happened to source her ingredients from Sonoma's best farms. The pappardelle with wild boar ragu showcases thick ribbons of pasta tossed with meat that's been braising for hours, while their cioppino overflows with Bodega Bay's daily catch. The clientele skews older and more refined, the kind who appreciate that the servers know their wine preferences and remember how they like their Caesar salad dressed.
Must-Order:
Pappardelle with Wild Boar RaguCioppinoCaesar Salad
Insider Tip: Call ahead on weekends as they sometimes close early for private events, and the valet parking is worth the extra cost.
View LoCoco's Cucina Rustica →
4. Ca Bianca
✨ Best for: Northern Italian Elegance
📍 Santa Rosa · ⭐ 4.3 · 952 reviews · $$$
Ca Bianca brings Northern Italian sophistication to Santa Rosa's restaurant scene, with handmade pasta that would make nonna weep and wine pairings that showcase the best of local vintners. Their agnolotti del plin arrive swimming in brown butter sage sauce, each delicate parcel stuffed with roasted veal and parmigiano. The crowd leans professional and wine-savvy, often celebrating anniversaries or closing business deals over plates of perfectly grilled branzino and glasses of Russian River Chardonnay.
Must-Order:
Agnolotti del PlinGrilled BranzinoBrown Butter Sage Gnocchi
Insider Tip: Request a table by the window for natural light, and don't miss their weekend brunch menu with Italian-style eggs Benedict.
5. Riviera Ristorante
✨ Best for: Upscale Wine Country
📍 Santa Rosa · ⭐ 4.4 · 696 reviews · $$$
Riviera represents Italian fine dining done right in wine country, where every dish feels like a small celebration. The duck confit ravioli practically bursts with flavor, swimming in a truffle cream sauce that justifies the premium price point. Their whole roasted chicken for two, stuffed with herbs and lemon, draws regulars who book weeks in advance. The atmosphere attracts special occasion diners and serious food lovers who appreciate that the kitchen sources from local farms and changes the menu seasonally.
Must-Order:
Duck Confit RavioliWhole Roasted Chicken for TwoTruffle Risotto
Insider Tip: Book at least two weeks in advance for dinner service, and ask about wine pairing options with local vintners.
6. Union Hotel Restaurant
✨ Best for: Historic Occidental Charm
Tripadvisor📍 Occidental · ⭐ 4.3 · 711 reviews · $$
This historic Occidental hotel restaurant has been serving family-style Italian dinners since 1867, and they've perfected the art of abundance. Plates of antipasti appear before you've even settled in, followed by enormous portions of lasagna that could feed a small village. The minestrone arrives in bowls the size of mixing dishes, thick with vegetables and beans. Tourists discover it by accident, but locals know to come hungry and bring friends to share the legendary portions.
Must-Order:
Family-Style LasagnaMinestrone SoupAntipasti Platter
Insider Tip: Come hungry and bring friends to share the family-style portions, as takeout containers are practically mandatory here.
7. Cafe Citti
✨ Best for: Casual Family Favorite
Tripadvisor📍 Santa Rosa · ⭐ 4.2 · 656 reviews · $$
Cafe Citti embodies the casual neighborhood Italian spot every community needs, where the pasta is house-made and the portions are generous without being ridiculous. Their penne arrabbiata delivers the perfect amount of heat, while the chicken parmigiana arrives golden and crispy under a blanket of melted mozzarella. Families with kids love the relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices, while solo diners feel comfortable at the bar with a glass of Chianti and a bowl of ribollita.
Must-Order:
Penne ArrabbiataChicken ParmigianaRibollita
Insider Tip: The lunch specials offer the same quality at lower prices, and kids eat free on Sunday nights.
8. Della Santina's
✨ Best for: Sonoma Square Classic
📍 Sonoma · ⭐ 3.8 · 1278 reviews · $$$
Della Santina's anchors Sonoma's historic square with traditional Italian cooking that hasn't changed much in decades, for better and worse. The veal piccata remains a reliable choice, swimming in lemony caper sauce, while their seafood risotto showcases local Dungeness crab when in season. The dining room fills with tourists exploring wine country, but locals still come for special occasions when they want familiar comfort food in an elegant setting with white tablecloths and attentive service.
Must-Order:
Veal PiccataSeafood RisottoDungeness Crab Pasta
Insider Tip: Tourist season gets crazy busy, so locals know to visit on weekday evenings for better service and atmosphere.
9. Sugo Trattoria
✨ Best for: Neighborhood Petaluma Gem
📍 Petaluma · ⭐ 4.1 · 586 reviews · $$
This intimate Petaluma trattoria focuses on authentic Italian flavors without any wine country pretension, serving the kind of food that makes you want to linger over dinner. Their house-made pappardelle with mushroom ragu showcases earthy porcinis and creminis in a rich wine reduction, while the grilled lamb chops arrive perfectly pink with rosemary potatoes. The crowd skews local and loyal, with regulars who trust chef's recommendations and always save room for the panna cotta.
Must-Order:
Pappardelle with Mushroom RaguGrilled Lamb ChopsPanna Cotta
Insider Tip: The chef's tasting menu is only available Tuesday through Thursday and requires 24-hour notice.
10. Rustic, Francis's Favorites
✨ Best for: Rustic Vineyard Dining
📍 Geyserville · ⭐ 3.8 · 954 reviews · $$
Francis Coppola's casual dining spot serves rustic Italian fare in the shadow of Alexander Valley vineyards, where every meal feels connected to the surrounding wine country landscape. The wood-fired pizzas arrive with perfectly charred crusts topped with house-made sausage and peppers, while their braised short ribs fall apart at the touch of a fork. Winery visitors make up most of the clientele, but the food stands on its own merit beyond the famous name attached.
Must-Order:
Wood-Fired Sausage PizzaBraised Short RibsGrilled Vegetables
Insider Tip: Visit during crush season when they serve special harvest menus paired with newly released wines.
View Rustic, Francis's Favorites →
Tips for Finding Great Italian Food in Wine Country
Call for Reservations: Wine country's best Italian spots book up fast, especially during harvest season. Many don't take online reservations, so old-fashioned phone calls work best.
Ask About Specials: Seasonal menus featuring local ingredients often showcase the kitchen's best work. Dungeness crab season and spring vegetable specials are particularly worth seeking out.
Bring Cash: Some family-run Italian places still prefer cash payments, especially for smaller tabs. Call ahead to check their payment policies.
Consider Wine Pairings: Sonoma's Italian restaurants often have exceptional local wine selections. Ask servers for pairing recommendations rather than defaulting to imported bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Picked These Spots
We ranked these Italian restaurants based on consistent local reviews, quality of ingredients, and authentic preparation techniques. Special consideration was given to spots that showcase Sonoma County's incredible local produce and wine pairings.
Every restaurant on this list has a full profile on our site with photos, hours, reviews, and insider tips.
Last updated: February 2026
