Up-Scale Restaurants

AT A GLANCE: A small, classy restaurant a half block off the Sonoma Plaza, Cafe La Haye shines with a simple but superbly done cuisine. Zagat calls it "tiny but mighty."

HIGHLIGHTS: Cafe La Haye as a small, seasonal menu of beautifully prepared dishes ranging from pan-seared quail to daily risotto to dayboat scallops. The restaurant has an excellent wine list with wide range of California wines and showcases art by local painter Brigitte McReynolds.  

BEST FOR: Cafe La Haye is a top contender for best restaurant in Sonoma Valley!

AT A GLANCE:

Della Santina's is a family-run, authentic Italian trattoria a half block from Sonoma plaza.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Della Santina features roasted organic meats and homemade pasta dishes all cooked in classic Italian style, served in ample portions and complemented with a good list of Italian wines. Service can be slow at times so plan to take your time.

BEST FOR:

Locals know to come to Della Santina's for a leisurely dinner seated indoors by the fire on a cold winter night or on the back patio by the fountain on a hot summer day. Favorites include gnocchi della nonna and roast duck.

AT A GLANCE: Upscale wine country restaurant right on the Sonoma Plaza. But really, it's a restaurant, wine bar and hotel all rolled into one renovated historic building.

HIGHLIGHTS: Bartenders love to cater to your cocktail whims. Outdoor patio is a lovely spot for drinks and appetizers. Food a tad overrated and pricey but good value for lunch.  

BEST FOR: Great lunch spot or first stop of the evening for cocktails and appetizers on the outdoor patio.

AT A GLANCE: Glen Ellen Inn is an inn, restaurant, oyster grill and martini bar all rolled up into one.

HIGHLIGHTS: The bar at Glen Elle Inn features over 30 different Martinis and 600 wines. The restaurant has a fresh oyster bar and full menu in an intimate setting with indoor and outdoor seating.

BEST FOR: One-stop shopping: book a room for a couple of days and walk a few steps to wine and dine.

AT A GLANCE: Rustic, country restaurant in idyllic Glen Ellen.

HIGHLIGHTS: Spring pea soup, roasted bass with romanesco or any number of fresh veggies and pizza cooked to perfection in wood-fire brick oven. Grab a seat at the counter if you want to watch the chefs in action working the brick oven.

BEST FOR: The brick oven is central to the creative cuisine featured in this teeny restaurant. From shishito peppers, to white pizza with pork cheeks and arugula to whole roasted dourade, you can’t go wrong here.

AT A GLANCE: Portuguese cuisine with an American twist.

HIGHLIGHTS: You will find a wide variety of Portuguese comfort food at this small restaurant tucked away in an alley off the plaza. Look for caldo verde, fisherman's stew, and salt cod.  Unusual offerings include piri piri fries, grilled sardines, and blood sausage.

BEST FOR: Adventurous foodies looking for something a bit off the beaten trail. Nice selection of Portuguese and Sonoma wines.

AT A GLANCE: Wildly popular, the Girl and the Fig is clearly the best-known restaurant in Sonoma Valley.

HIGHLIGHTS: Expect a crowd at this French-style bistro that claims to be "Country Girl with a French Passion." Classic French menu with California twist. Lively bar scene with delightful cocktail menu.  

BEST FOR: Girl & the Fig serves up classic French dishes such as steak frites, braised wild boar, and croque monsieur. Reservations are strongly recommended otherwise expect a long wait. If you can't get a table, grab a seat at the bar and hope for the best. Weekends and Sunday brunch are jam-packed.