Food & Wine

10 Sonoma County Restaurants with Outdoor Seating

Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma

Sonoma County’s Mediterranean climate means you can enjoy the luxury of dining outside year-round. A farm-to-table meal tastes even fresher, somehow, when we’re relaxing al fresco, surrounded by gorgeous gardens.

1. Barndiva, Healdsburg

The exterior of the barn is lit up at night in Healdsburg — Barndiva at night

You know you’re in for something special when you take in this garden patio, lushly landscaped for outdoor eating in grandeur. Next door, Barndiva owner Jil Hales showcases her art gallery Barndiva Gallery + Bar. Chef Ryan Fancher creates mouthwatering dishes in a renovated mahogany barn complete with pitchforks on the walls. Partnering with local farms, this Sonoma County restaurant features fresh, seasonal favorites like cauliflower soup and sautéed Pacific swordfish.

2. Estero Cafe, Valley Ford

The patio is a popular place at Estero Cafe in Valley Ford.

Estero Cafe’s relaxed, family-style environment includes homemade meals made with local and organic ingredients, as well as beer and wine, often enjoyed on the large patio. The restaurant partners with local farms and ranches to offer, highlighting the best of Sonoma County’s local bounty. Weekends are particularly busy, with guests enjoying $10 bottomless mimosas.

3. Brewsters Beer Garden, Petaluma

A group of women enjoy beers on the patio at Brewsters — The beer garden at Brewsters

Located in historic downtown Petaluma on the edge of the river, this family- and pet-friendly open-air restaurant has over 350 seats with a fire pit, heat lamps, a bocce court, a children’s playground, and a live music stage. Think Southern BBQ meets California produce with a refined touch of flavors featuring a healthy dose of locally sourced ingredients. Brewsters offers more than 30 revolving local craft beers on draft, Sonoma and Napa Valley wines, and a full selection of spirits and cocktails.

4. Ca’ Bianca, Santa Rosa

Image of exterior of Ca' Bianca in Santa Rosa, California. — Ca’ Bianca in Santa Rosa

Enjoy al fresco flair overlooking the fountain garden at this grand mansion in old town Santa Rosa. Husband-and-wife owners, Marco Diana and Karin Hoehne showcase tantalizing Italian cuisine like seared ahi with homemade ravioli and Sardinian semolina gnocchi with porcini and slowly braised beef. Dressing up isn’t necessary, but can be fun in the old-school glamour of chandeliers, antiques, white tablecloths, and those gracious gardens.

5. Cafe Aquatica, Jenner

Cafe Aquatica’s outdoor seating offers a Russian River view, live music on the weekends, and an experience you won’t soon forget.

Grab your food (and a drink if you’d like) and head outside to enjoy the calming view of Sonoma County’s beloved Russian River. Your bound to see kayakers glide by, and possibly an otter, sea lion and other wildlife. On weekends, you’re treated to live music on the shoreline. Cafe Aquatica is a must-stop when you’re in Jenner!

6. Catelli’s, Geyserville

The outdoor patio at Catelli's in Geyserville — The outdoor patio at Catelli’s in Geyserville

This forever-favorite draws diners near and far to its 7,000-square-foot back patio – a wonderland boasting a full bar, al fresco bistro seating, an adjacent garden, and an Italian marble floor in beautiful black and white. Sample rustic, soul-satisfying Italian cooking like an out-of-this-world chicken sauté sec roasted with rosemary, garlic, mushrooms, and white wine served over soft polenta and chard.

7. Gravenstein Grill, Sebastopol

Picture of dinner dish and red wine at Gravenstein Grill

California cuisine meets Sonoma County’s seasonal bounty at Gravenstein Grill in Sebastopol. Working with local farms, ranches, wineries, and breweries, Gravenstein Grill brings the best of Sonoma County under one roof and features a patio that’s spacious and dog-friendly. While Gravenstein Grill’s dishes, like house-made charcuterie and Petrale Sole, have a California elegance to them, the restaurant itself is comfortable and inviting. The dishes pair well with locally sourced beer and wine.

8. the girl & the fig, Sonoma

People enjoy the shade-covered patio at the girl & the fig — the girl & the fig

The restaurant recently expanded its garden patio for extra shade and seating, and that’s a good thing since there are usually lines out the door. The lure is lovely plates like breakfast tartine of housemade chicken sausage, veggie scramble, white cheddar, smoked paprika hollandaise, salsa verde, and grilled French bread. Or try baked eggs Provencal with garden tomatoes, fennel, leeks, organic eggs, gremolata, and grilled bread. A decadent pork belly sandwich with apples and cabbage, fennel aioli, and a brioche bun is served with crispy frites.

9. Fishetarian Fish Market, Bodega Bay

Few dining experiences are as iconic in Sonoma County as enjoying fresh seafood while overlooking the Bodega Harbor. Fisheterian Fish Market is one of a few Bodega Bay restaurants where you can do this. Enjoy casual, outdoor dining mere steps from the very waters the food comes from. Try favorites like Charlie’s Chowder, fish and chips, crab cakes, and smoked salmon with local wine or craft beer. Then you can stroll the harbor.

10. Rustic, Geyserville

Two women enjoy a glass of wine on the patio at Rustic in Geyserville — The patio at Rustic in Geyserville

Rustic, the restaurant at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, offers a beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the gently rolling hills of the Alexander Valley. One of Hollywood’s most famous movie directors, Coppola shares his favorite international and Italian dishes on the menu wines from his winery. A full-service bar next to the restaurant serves cocktails and an extensive list of wines and beer for relaxing in casual style.