Location: Santa Rosa
Top Restaurants in Santa Rosa
Top Things to do in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Santa Rosa
If you're into wine-tasting, a weekend in Santa Rosa is certain to be satisfying. But this region of magnificent redwoods, rolling hills and ocean vistas has a great mix of other fun pastimes as well. Located right in the center of the Sonoma County wine region, Santa Rosa is home to several vineyards with world-class wines, rich histories and beautiful surroundings. The Matanzas Creek Winery offers June and July visitors a chance to enjoy its aromatic fields of blooming lavender, but its Estate Gardens and spectacular scenery are tourist draws year-round. If golf is your passion, grab your clubs and spend a relaxing afternoon at Fountaingrove or one of the other popular courses. Young and old alike will delight in the Charles M. Schulz Museum, which chronicles the evolution and history of Snoopy and the "Peanuts" gang. With wine or without, a trip to Santa Rosa is one you'll never forget.
Things to do in Santa Rosa
1. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By Neal S - South Lake Tahoe, California
A very impressive drive into the main parking area...A large variety of wine from their various vineyards (both red & white),which we had the opportunity to try...staff graciously allowed us to share [6 of us] from the 2 menus that day which allowed all of us to try a wide variety of wines...they have a wine club which provided discounted member pricing and they put on several wine club events each year ....
2. Ca'Bianca Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 369 reviews
Ca'Bianca's cuisine is a blend from multiple regions of Italy, from Milano in the north, to Sicilia in the south. Our delicious array of tantalizing dishes include house-made pasta and bread, perfectly cooked steaks, seafood classics, creative antipasti, garden fresh salads, and of course, rich desserts. Ca'Bianca is a treasure of warmth and charm in the heart of Santa Rosa.You may wish to bring together a large party of old friends to celebrate a loved one's milestone birthday, gather the family to rejoice in a couple's silver anniversary, or perhaps, simply enjoy a romantic dinner for two. We can accommodate parties ranging in size from as few as 2 people to as many as 100.
Reviewed By Scapperdan - Windsor, California
This is a great restaurant with excellent food. Beautiful location in small rooms gives an intimate feeling. Food is classic and creative and tasty. Service is comfortable but correct for a top-notch restaurant. Our server, Peter, was perfect in his approach with us. This restaurant has been around for some time and there is a good reason why. If you haven’t been here, you should go.
3. Riviera Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By ShirleyWarren
Charming atmosphere that reminded us of our trip to Italy. Staff was attentive and the food was fabulous. My husband had the seafood risotto special and I had the lambshank with polenta and green beans special. Homemade canelli topped off a perfect experience. Recommend this place to anyone wanting authentic Italian food.
4. Dierks Parkside Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 397 reviews
Reviewed By winetravelers2014 - Erie, Pennsylvania
Dierks was a short walk from the Marriott Hotel and a great breakfast find. Very popular local stop ........generous portions of great breakfast choices at very reasonable prices...........excellent service for a very busy local diner
5. Sazon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Sazon is Spanish for "seasoning" and synonymous with incredible Peruvian cuisine! We combine family recipes with great service for amazing dining. Peruvian cuisine is a reflection of Peru's diverse geography, immigrant cultures, and even pre-Inca recipes! With a truly unique fusion of cultures, you'll taste dishes with hints of Spanish, African, Italian, and even Asian cuisines. At Sazon, our family serves authentic Peruvian recipes passed down by our great-grandmother, Maria Olinda, who herself boasted Peruvian, African, Spanish, and Italian ancestry! We invite you to share one of our unforgettable Ceviches with a co-worker at lunch; with 7 to choose from including a classic Ceviche Mango or the Ahi Ceviche Nikei with ahi tuna, you're sure to escape your workday stresses. Or bring loved ones for dinner to indulge in the amazing Pollo a la Brasa, free-range chicken marinated with a house blend of traditional Peruvian spices! Whether you're joining us for lunch or dinner, with friends or family, we invite you to savor the unique Peruvian flavors at Sazon!
Reviewed By Josh R - Dallas, Texas
During a trip to Wine Country, we spent one night staying in Santa Rosa and were searching TripAdvisor for local restaurant recommendations. We read the reviews for Sazon and were intrigued, so we took the chance to go without a reservation. The main tiny dining room was full, but we were seated in an annex area, which also looked like it was a carry-away deli, although the deli cases were covered and pushed to the side for dinner.
We were pleasantly surprised with our Peruvian food experience. Even though the Annex was a short walk from the main dining room, service was good, and the food was even better. We sampled a variety of menu items, with each being wonderfully seasoned and prepared. If you're in Santa Rosa and are looking for something a little different and off the normal tourist drag, you can't go wrong with Sazon.
6. LoCoco's Cucina Rustica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 494 reviews
Reviewed By Wildwoodatheart - Santa Rosa, California
We were here for lunch on Valentine's Day. (We wanted to avoid the night time dinner crowds.) The place was only about half full for lunch. We were seated right away with our reservation. Our waiter was attentive and brought bread and tapenade right away, as well as taking our drink order. The menu is pretty basic Italian fare, nothing interesting or unusual. I tried the ravioli, which was good, but unmemorable. My husband had the pappardelle. He seemed to really like it. We had a nice lunch, but it was a bit pricey for what we got. There just didn't seem to be anything that made this place stand out from any other Italian place. With so many restaurants in Santa Rosa, I doubt we'll be back.
7. Sweet T's Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By CalifBeachBum - San Clemente
If you are craving the taste of the South, then get on over to Sweet T’s! They have everything that you would expect to find a most any local BBQ joint from Atlanta to Tulsa (except the pickle bar).
The ribs are delicious (sauce on the side). The house made smoked sausage is juicy and full of flavor. The pulled pork is tender and tasty, too. And then there’s the Catfish! Every side dish we tried reminded me of what I loved about the way Barbeque is served in the South, From the Black-Eyed Peas to the Mac & Cheese and even the Cole Slaw.
8. Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By Lyn_Farmer - Miami, Florida
I love this place - it's fun, wildly popular, has great food and a wonderful wine list. Rosso is a real locals hangout and on a busy evening expect to wait for a table. Grab a glass of wine and hang out and eventually a spot will open up, and however long you wait it will have been worth it. From the house-made burrata and top-flight pizzas to knockout risotto and fried chicken (!) the kitchen doesn't make a single misstep. Okay, I had shrimp risotto one night that came with a pink grapefruit salsa that didn't seem to belong, but the risotto was still perfectly cooked and full of flavor.
You don't expect to find fried chicken at a pizzeria but Rosso is as famous for its chicken as it is for its pizzas and with good reason. Dusted with arborio rice flour, it is supremely crunchy, moist and tender. If I had to pick a single don't miss dish, it would be the capellini pasta with Dungeness crab meat and a bracing hit of lemon, but truth to tell in several visits I haven't had a single dish that isn't top notch.
The wine list is really impressive with a huge selection by the glass, and service is warm and welcoming. Terrific restaurant in all respects.
9. SEA Thai Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
Classic Thai recipes with a fresh, California twist! A local favorite year after year. We offer an extensive wine list, local beers, and delightful cocktails.
Reviewed By Gary V - Cloverdale, California
We had dinner here on Xmas Eve. Atmosphere and attentiveness of the wait staff was excellent. Seafood Green Curry was exceptional, spice, flavor, freshness of ingredients and temperature at which it was served. Same as well for the Firecracker Prawns. Would not recommend the Garlic Beef we could not eat it.. Overly sweet and basically no spice or garlic flavor. Beef tasted somewhat old.. Would recommend this place but would stick with the seafood menu..
10. Jackson's Bar and Oven
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Reviewed By alan k - santa rosa,ca
Don't particularly like this place. Over priced crowded mediocre pizza a pick up bar. Its an attractive place but seems tired. It feels "off" to me. The one time we ate there service was slow and not particularly friendly. The fries were greasy and the pizza was "wet" and unappetizing.
