Sonoma's Italian restaurants have quietly evolved beyond tourist traps into serious neighborhood spots where winemakers and locals actually eat. The best ones understand that wine country dining should feel effortless.
These five Italian kitchens have earned their reputation through consistent execution and that rare ability to satisfy both visiting wine enthusiasts and discerning locals. Each brings something different to Sonoma's intimate dining scene.
📍 All 5 Locations
⚡ Quick List
- Della Santina's — Old-School Sonoma Classic
- Mamma Tanino's Ristorante — Family-Run Neighborhood Gem
- The Depot Restaurant — Wine Country Romance
- Jacob's Restaurant — Unpretentious Local Favorite
- Swiss Bar & Restaurant — Swiss-Italian Hybrid
1. Della Santina's
✨ Best for: Old-School Sonoma Classic
📍 Sonoma · ⭐ 3.8 · 1278 reviews · $$$
Della Santina's has been feeding Sonoma families for decades, and it shows in the worn wooden floors and servers who remember your usual order. The kitchen turns out satisfying plates of chicken parmigiana and linguine alle vongole that taste like they've been perfected through countless dinner services. Wine country visitors pack the place during harvest season, but locals know to come on weeknight evenings when the pace slows and the kitchen can focus on each plate.
Must-Order:
Chicken ParmigianaLinguine alle VongoleTiramisu
Insider Tip: Skip the weekend dinner rush when tour groups descend – weeknight dinners offer the same great food with better service and easier parking.
2. Mamma Tanino's Ristorante
✨ Best for: Family-Run Neighborhood Gem
📍 Sonoma · ⭐ 4.2 · 359 reviews · $$
Mamma Tanino's operates like the Italian-American restaurant of your childhood dreams, complete with red checkered tablecloths and portions that require a to-go box. The owner still works the dining room most nights, greeting regulars by name and making sure first-timers feel welcome. Their house-made ravioli arrives swimming in rich marinara that tastes like it's been simmering all day, while the chicken piccata gets the lemon-caper balance exactly right.
Must-Order:
House-made RavioliChicken PiccataCaesar Salad
Insider Tip: Ask to sit in the back dining room where the acoustics are better and you can actually have a conversation without shouting.
View Mamma Tanino's Ristorante →
3. The Depot Restaurant
✨ Best for: Wine Country Romance
Tripadvisor📍 Sonoma · ⭐ 4.0 · 317 reviews · $$$
The Depot Restaurant elevates Italian comfort food without losing its soul, making it Sonoma's go-to spot when you want to impress out-of-town guests. Their osso buco falls off the bone into a pool of wine-dark sauce, while the house-made pappardelle has that perfect al dente chew that separates good pasta from great. The wood-fired margherita pizza emerges with blistered edges and creamy mozzarella that stretches dramatically for Instagram-worthy shots.
Must-Order:
Osso BucoHouse-made PappardelleWood-fired Margherita Pizza
Insider Tip: Make a reservation for dinner, especially on weekends when wine country visitors fill up the dining room quickly.
4. Jacob's Restaurant
✨ Best for: Unpretentious Local Favorite
📍 Sonoma · ⭐ 4.1 · 272 reviews · $$
Jacob's Restaurant keeps things simple and does it well, attracting locals who want solid Italian food without the wine country markup. The dining room buzzes with conversation from Sonoma residents catching up over plates of perfectly sauced spaghetti carbonara and tender veal marsala. Their tiramisu is legitimately outstanding – creamy mascarpone layered with espresso-soaked ladyfingers that actually taste like coffee instead of sugar water.
Must-Order:
Spaghetti CarbonaraVeal MarsalaTiramisu
Insider Tip: Come early for dinner to snag one of the coveted window tables that overlook the quiet side street.
5. Swiss Bar & Restaurant
✨ Best for: Swiss-Italian Hybrid
📍 Sonoma · ⭐ 3.7 · 277 reviews · $$
Swiss Bar & Restaurant confuses visitors with its name but delivers surprisingly competent Italian dishes alongside Alpine specialties. The schnitzel might get more attention, but their lasagna Bolognese layers beef sauce and béchamel with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker. It's an odd combination that somehow works, especially when you're craving pasta but your dining companion wants something heartier from the German-influenced side of the menu.
Must-Order:
Lasagna BologneseFettuccine AlfredoPanna Cotta
Insider Tip: Order from both the Italian and Swiss sides of the menu – the combination plates let you try the kitchen's dual personality.
Tips for Finding Great Italian Food in Sonoma
Avoid Tourist Hours: The best Italian spots in Sonoma get slammed during wine tasting hours (2-6 PM). Come for early dinner or late lunch instead.
Ask About Specials: Many Italian restaurants in wine country feature seasonal specials that use local ingredients and pair better with Sonoma wines than the regular menu.
Share Family Style: Portions at Sonoma's Italian restaurants are generous and meant for sharing. Order one pasta and one protein to split between two people.
Check Wine Corkage: Most Italian restaurants in Sonoma allow you to bring wine with reasonable corkage fees, perfect for showcasing that bottle you just bought down the street.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Picked These Spots
We selected these Italian restaurants based on consistent quality over time, positive word-of-mouth from Sonoma locals, and the ability to satisfy both residents and wine country visitors without compromising authenticity.
Every restaurant on this list has a full profile on our site with photos, hours, reviews, and insider tips.
Last updated: February 2026
