Sonoma County's New American scene has hit its stride, with chefs confidently blending global techniques with Wine Country ingredients. The result? Restaurants that feel both sophisticated and approachable.
These ten spots represent the best of what's happening right now — from Napa Valley powerhouses to coastal gems. Each brings something distinct to the table, literally.
📍 All 10 Locations
⚡ Quick List
- Mustards Grill — Wine Country Institution
- El Dorado Kitchen — Sonoma Square Sophistication
- Solbar — Vineyard Views Perfected
- Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant — Coastal Culinary Haven
- The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil — Valley's Crown Jewel
- RH Restaurant at RH Yountville — Design Meets Dining
- Sam's Social Club — Calistoga's Cozy Classic
- Lovina — Intimate Valley Elegance
- Glen Ellen Star — Wood-Fired Wonder
- SingleThread Restaurant & Inn — Farm-to-Table Artistry
1. Mustards Grill
✨ Best for: Wine Country Institution
Tripadvisor📍 Napa · ⭐ 4.1 · 2728 reviews · $$$
This Napa stalwart has been perfecting its brand of rustic American cooking for decades, and it shows in every perfectly charred ribeye and expertly seared salmon. The grilled ribeye arrives with whatever vegetables are singing that day, while the pan-seared salmon gets a bright citrus glaze that cuts through the richness. Wine industry folks pack the bar most nights, debating vintages over house-made pasta studded with earthy wild mushrooms. It's the kind of place where seasoned locals bring their parents and visiting sommeliers alike.
Must-Order:
Grilled ribeye with seasonal vegetablesPan-seared salmon with citrus glazeHouse-made pasta with wild mushrooms
Insider Tip: Make reservations well in advance, especially during harvest season when Wine Country dining demand peaks.
2. El Dorado Kitchen
✨ Best for: Sonoma Square Sophistication
📍 Sonoma · ⭐ 4.1 · 1650 reviews · $$$
Right on Sonoma's historic plaza, this kitchen turns out refined American fare that respects both tradition and innovation. The dining room buzzes with a mix of wine tourists and longtime locals who appreciate the restaurant's ability to evolve while staying true to its roots. The menu changes with the seasons, reflecting the best of what Sonoma County farmers are harvesting. Service strikes that perfect Wine Country balance — knowledgeable without being precious, attentive without hovering over your conversation.
Must-Order:
Seasonal vegetable risottoWood-fired pork chopLocal cheese selection
Insider Tip: Ask about the daily specials — the kitchen often features ingredients from nearby farms that aren't on the regular menu.
3. Solbar
✨ Best for: Vineyard Views Perfected
Tripadvisor📍 Calistoga · ⭐ 4.2 · 1382 reviews · $$$
Perched above Calistoga's valley floor, Solbar commands some of the most spectacular vineyard views in all of Wine Country. The wood-fired duck breast arrives perfectly pink, while the pan-seared halibut showcases the kitchen's restraint with high-quality ingredients. But it's the dry-aged ribeye that has locals coming back — richly marbled and cooked with precision. The terrace fills with couples celebrating anniversaries and business dinners that stretch long into the evening, everyone lingering over those golden hour views.
Must-Order:
Wood-Fired Duck BreastPan-Seared HalibutDry-Aged Ribeye
Insider Tip: Request a table on the terrace during sunset hours for the most spectacular vineyard views and golden hour lighting.
4. Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant
✨ Best for: Coastal Culinary Haven
📍 Bodega Bay · ⭐ 4.5 · 810 reviews · $$$
This Bodega Bay treasure proves that New American cuisine doesn't have to mean landlocked. The kitchen here works with the rhythms of the coast, letting Pacific ingredients shine through thoughtful preparation and presentation. The dining room fills with a mix of San Francisco day-trippers and locals who've discovered something special. The commitment to showcasing the best of Sonoma Coast ingredients is evident in every dish, from the careful sourcing to the inspired flavor combinations that never feel forced.
Must-Order:
Pacific rockfishDungeness crab cakesLocal oysters
Insider Tip: Call ahead about seasonal closures — this coastal spot sometimes adjusts hours based on weather and local events.
View Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant →
5. The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil
✨ Best for: Valley's Crown Jewel
📍 Rutherford · ⭐ 4.3 · 1069 reviews · $$$$
Auberge du Soleil's restaurant sets the bar impossibly high, then clears it with ease. The duck confit melts off the fork, paired with whatever vegetables are at their peak, while the pan-seared local halibut gets treatment that honors the pristine ingredient. The dry-aged New York strip is a masterclass in beef cookery. This is where Napa Valley shows off — every table occupied by someone celebrating something significant, the wine list a tome of local treasures, the service choreographed to perfection.
Must-Order:
Duck Confit with Seasonal VegetablesPan-Seared Local HalibutDry-Aged New York Strip
Insider Tip: Request a terrace table at sunset for the most dramatic lighting and colors over the valley.
View The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil →
6. RH Restaurant at RH Yountville
✨ Best for: Design Meets Dining
Tripadvisor📍 Yountville · ⭐ 4.1 · 1196 reviews · $$$
RH's Yountville outpost brings the brand's aesthetic perfection to the plate, with food that matches the stunning surroundings. The dry-aged ribeye is a thing of beauty, cooked precisely to order, while the pan-seared halibut showcases the kitchen's technical skills. Even the roasted chicken feels special here, elevated by seasonal vegetables and flawless execution. The crowd skews upscale — tech executives, wine industry insiders, and couples celebrating milestones in a setting that feels like dining inside a design magazine.
Must-Order:
Dry-Aged RibeyePan-Seared HalibutRoasted Chicken with Seasonal Vegetables
Insider Tip: Make reservations well in advance, especially for weekend dinner service, as this popular spot fills up quickly with both locals and Wine Country visitors.
View RH Restaurant at RH Yountville →
7. Sam's Social Club
✨ Best for: Calistoga's Cozy Classic
Tripadvisor📍 Calistoga · ⭐ 4.1 · 1092 reviews · $$
This Calistoga favorite occupies a sweet spot between neighborhood hangout and special occasion destination. The herb-crusted rack of lamb is a standout, perfectly pink and aromatic, while the pan-seared duck breast with cherry gastrique shows off the kitchen's classical training. The house-made butternut squash ravioli changes with the seasons but always delivers comfort with sophistication. Wine industry workers unwind here after long harvest days, mixing with couples on romantic getaways who've discovered the restaurant's intimate charm.
Must-Order:
Herb-Crusted Rack of LambPan-Seared Duck Breast with Cherry GastriqueHouse-Made Butternut Squash Ravioli
Insider Tip: Make reservations well in advance, especially during harvest season, and ask your server about wine pairings — they're extremely knowledgeable about local vintages.
8. Lovina
✨ Best for: Intimate Valley Elegance
Tripadvisor📍 Calistoga · ⭐ 4.3 · 759 reviews · $$$
Lovina captures the essence of modern Calistoga dining — polished but never pretentious, innovative while respecting tradition. The pan-seared duck breast demonstrates the kitchen's technique, arriving with skin crackling and meat rosy pink. Wild mushroom risotto changes based on what's foraged locally, always creamy and earthy. The grilled local salmon gets simple treatment that lets the fish shine. Regulars know to save room for dessert, and the wine list favors local producers you might not discover elsewhere.
Must-Order:
Pan-Seared Duck BreastWild Mushroom RisottoGrilled Local Salmon
Insider Tip: Make reservations well in advance, especially during peak wine country season, as this popular spot fills up quickly with both locals and visitors.
9. Glen Ellen Star
✨ Best for: Wood-Fired Wonder
📍 Glen Ellen · ⭐ 4.2 · 879 reviews · $$$
Glen Ellen Star has become the neighborhood anchor that every small Wine Country town dreams of having. The wood-fired oven is the heart of the operation, turning out dishes with that distinctive smoky char that can't be replicated any other way. The dining room fills with a democratic mix — vineyard workers sharing tables with visiting food writers, all drawn by cooking that feels both rustic and refined. Chef Ari Weiswasser has created something genuinely special here, a restaurant that locals claim as their own.
Must-Order:
Wood-fired whole fishHouse-made charcuterieSeasonal vegetable plates
Insider Tip: Arrive early for the best selection from the wood-fired oven — popular items can sell out during busy dinner service.
10. SingleThread Restaurant & Inn
✨ Best for: Farm-to-Table Artistry
📍 Healdsburg · ⭐ 4.4 · 507 reviews · $$$$
SingleThread represents the pinnacle of Sonoma County's culinary ambitions — a restaurant where every detail has been considered and perfected. The multi-course experience changes constantly, reflecting the seasons and the whims of an incredibly talented kitchen team. This is destination dining at its finest, drawing food lovers from around the world to Healdsburg. Reservations are notoriously difficult to secure, but those who make it inside understand why this restaurant has garnered so much national attention.
Must-Order:
Chef's tasting menuWine pairing selectionSeasonal dessert course
Insider Tip: Book months ahead and be flexible with dates — this is one of the hardest reservations to score in all of Wine Country.
View SingleThread Restaurant & Inn →
Tips for Finding Great New American Food in Sonoma County
Book During Off-Season: January through March offers easier reservations and often special menu features. Many restaurants use the quieter months to experiment with new dishes.
Follow Harvest Schedules: September and October bring peak crowds but also peak ingredients. Many restaurants feature special harvest menus during this time.
Check Wine Pairing Options: Most New American restaurants here have exceptional local wine programs. Ask servers about lesser-known local producers they pour by the glass.
Consider Lunch Service: Many upscale spots offer more casual lunch menus at lower prices, often featuring similar quality ingredients in a more relaxed setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Picked These Spots
We selected these restaurants based on consistent local recommendations, online ratings, and reputation within Sonoma County's food community. Each spot demonstrates excellence in both food quality and service while offering something unique to the regional dining scene.
Every restaurant on this list has a full profile on our site with photos, hours, reviews, and insider tips.
Last updated: February 2026
