01
Best overall pick
Glen Ellen Star
Glen Ellen Village • Wood‑Fired Californian Farm‑To‑Table Spot • Farm‑To‑Table Standout
A tiny, always‑busy neighborhood restaurant turning out wood‑roasted, seasonal dishes that feel both rustic and refined.
Just a few minutes up the road from Eldridge, Glen Ellen Star is the kind of place locals book ahead for anniversaries and weeknight cravings alike. The menu leans on the wood oven—think blistered seasonal vegetables, pizzas, and perfectly roasted fish or chicken—paired with a tight list of Sonoma wines. Sit at the counter if you can; watching the open kitchen work the fire is half the fun.
02
Most iconic Sonoma option
the girl & the fig
Sonoma Plaza • Seasonal French‑Inspired Bistro • Sonoma Plaza Classic
Beloved for its Provençal‑leaning menu, serious wine list, and lively patio right on Sonoma Plaza.
About a ten‑minute drive from Eldridge, the girl & the fig is where many visitors get their first taste of Sonoma dining. Expect French country cooking with California produce—think fig and arugula salads, duck confit, and housemade pâtés—plus an all‑Rhône‑varietal wine program that’s a draw on its own. The outdoor patio is ideal for long, chatty dinners that stretch into the evening.
03
Best for relaxed celebrations
El Dorado Kitchen
Sonoma Plaza • Upscale California‑Mediterranean Restaurant • Polished Yet Approachable Choice
A bright, stylish dining room inside a boutique hotel, known for seasonal plates and a breezy indoor‑outdoor feel.
El Dorado Kitchen sits right on the plaza, but its airy dining room and courtyard feel like a calm retreat from the tasting‑room circuit. The cooking leans Mediterranean—grilled seafood, flatbreads, and vibrant salads—built around Sonoma’s produce and a deep local wine list. It’s an easy pick when you want something a bit dressy without tipping into white‑tablecloth formality.
04
Cozy date‑night spot
Cafe La Haye
Just Off Sonoma Plaza • Intimate Contemporary American Café • Best For Date Night
A small, art‑lined room with a focused menu and personal service that keeps regulars coming back.
Cafe La Haye feels more like a favorite neighborhood dining room than a destination restaurant, which is exactly its charm. The menu is short but dialed‑in—often featuring a standout pork chop, seasonal pastas, and market‑driven starters—so it’s hard to order badly. With closely spaced tables and a warmly lit room, it’s a natural choice for couples or a low‑key, special‑occasion dinner after a day of wine tasting.
05
Best for wine‑centric dinners
Wit & Wisdom
Broadway Corridor, Sonoma • Wine‑Country Tavern With Wood‑Fired Cooking • Best For Wine Lovers And Hearty Dinners
A modern tavern pairing a deep wine list with wood‑fired pizzas, steaks, and shareable small plates.
Set along Broadway just south of the plaza, Wit & Wisdom draws both hotel guests and locals for its combination of polished service and unfussy, flavorful food. The wood oven turns out everything from crisp‑edged pizzas to charred vegetables and big, shareable mains, all designed to play well with a serious Sonoma‑heavy wine list and well‑made cocktails. Grab a seat on the patio if the weather’s good; it’s a comfortable spot to wind down after exploring the valley around Eldridge.